My Cats Love This Toy -- And It's So Simple and Inexpensive!

In previous posts I mentioned the generous and crowd-pleasing toys and goodies we received from sponsors at the Cat Writers' Association conference. One stood out as a particular favorite among my three cats: The Pioneer Pet Nip Nibblers.

It's crazy -- the toy is so incredibly simple. It's catnip stuffed inside lightweight material. This is what they look like:

Source: Pioneer Pet

Because the material is very breathable, the catnip scent really comes through the toy. And they are really inexpensive: $3.99 for three. Pioneer Pet didn't ask me to post any of this -- I was just so impressed with how much my cats enjoyed this toy and wanted to share. If you're looking for a super-fun, inexpensive stocking stuffer (or anytime toy) for your cat, this is a winner! /unsolicited plug

Here's a Vine of Phoebe going nuts with a Nip Nibbler (if it doesn't play right away, click the image):

My Cats Think I'm Santa

Every time I return from any pet-related conference, I usually have a ton of swag for the cats, and the Cat Writers' Association conference is known for their primo cat schwag. It's like my cats know when I open the suitcase in the middle of the living room floor, they'll make a haul. Or they just want a chance to get inside the suitcase. Both are completely plausible.

The mania is palpable!

They gather 'round like I'm Santa unpacking my bag of toys. I guess I kinda am. I hold each item up, reading its description, and then place it on the floor for their examination.

Cosmo sees the treats: "Get in my belly!"

Cosmo is always a fan of the treats, Phoebe like the small balls and other little toys and Saffy likes it all.

Phoebe has a ball with her new toys.

Special thanks to all the CWA conference sponsors for the swaggy donations! You better believe I'll be writing a boatload of thank-you notes ... and some reviews, especially for the favorites.

Lap Cat Goes Back to Work

Yesterday I returned from the Cat Writers' Association annual conference and my cats were pleased ... for the most part. As predicted, Saffy and Phoebe were glad to see me and Cosmo acted like I'd abandoned him for years and wouldn't speak to me. Until I hauled out the cat swag, of course. Then he changed his tune. Typical self-serving cat.

Phoebe is especially pleased because she's my lap cat while I'm writing during the day. This morning she waited patiently at my desk until I sat down and spread her "blanky" across my lap. I don't have the heart to move her for any reason whatsoever. I really wish I'd slipped on an adult diaper and grabbed some snacks. That's poor planning on my part.

All clocked in for the work day.

How can I be expected to disturb that face? I'm no monster.

I Won an Award, Hung Out with Friends and Met an Amazing New Cat Buddy!

Finally heading home today after visiting with a friend in Texas and then attending the 2013 Cat Writers' Association conference in Dallas. At the conference I attended some fantastic workshops, met some great people at the book signing, sold some copies of whiskerslist: the kitty classifieds, met an amazing blind cat named Spirit and won a Muse Medallion for my Catster column, Kids, Cats, Chaos! A bunch of my fellow cat-writing buddies won too, including Deb Barnes of Zee & Zooey won Friskies Writer of the Year award, JaneA Kelley of Paws and Effect won two Muse Medallions and Deb Glovatsky of Glogirly won two medallions as well!

And of course, it's always fun to visit with all my writer friends. Janiss Garza from Sparkle the Designer Cat is one of my besties and I love spending time with her. And I finally got to meet Glori Anibarro from Gato Avocado. There are just way too many delightful people to name here. They all rock pretty hard and are friends to and advocates for cats.

(L-R) Deb, me and JaneA. Cat writers are tough, yo.

Book signing with authors Amy Shojai and Susan Logan, who is also the editor of Cat Fancy.

I love meeting readers!

Spirit helped me sell books.

"Cheers!" from Janiss, Glori and me!

Now it's home to my human and furry family. And lots of stink eye from the latter!

A Great Day in Catladyland and His Head is in a Cheez-It Box

Guess what? At the recent Cat Writers' conference I won a Muse Medallion award for my Catladyland post entitled "Cosmic Love." Don't believe me? Here's a photo of the medallion and one of me wearing it.

I'm so grateful one of my posts was recognized by an organization for which I have massive admiration. I couldn't have done it without MY muse, Mr. Cosmo. Do you think he even cares about the award? No. All he care about is if he can fit his entire body into an empty box of Cheez-its.

What I Really Want to Do Today

Last night at 9 my flight arrived from L.A., where I'd attended the 2012 Cat Writers' Conference. My brain is on still west coast time, but my reality is Minnesota time, where it's not even the butt-crack of dawn and I need to get ready for work. Today I am once again jealous of my cats. What I wouldn't give for nice warm pile of laundry on which to lounge today.

Meeting Jackson Galaxy

Yesterday was quite the day at Cat Writers' conference in LA! Although I've had the opportunity to talk with Jackson Galaxy from Animal Planet's My Cat from Hell on the phone, I've never met him face-to-bearded face (he's the one with the beard, by the way). Yesterday he spoke at the conference and I had the pleasure of chatting with him a few times. Yes, he is incredibly smart, nice and funny -- just like you think he is.

And like a silly fangirl, I had to take a photo of the inscription he wrote in my copy of Cat Daddy. If you haven't read it, you really must ... the book, not the inscription, but please read the inscription too. Join me in Fangirlland. Giggle, giggle.

Cats Want Mom ... and Treats

Are you still gone, Mom? When are you coming back? When, Mom, when?

Don't worry your silly little head, Cosmo. Mom will be back from the Cat Writers' conference tomorrow night and you are in for a few treats.  Oh, and she gets to finally meet Jackson Galaxy today!

See you soon.

Love, Mom

Not on My Watch, Lady

Today I leave for the Cat Writers' Association conference. Yesterday as I packed, Cosmo had a thing or three to say about my leaving town again. It went something like, "Not on my watch, lady." Sorry, sweetie -- I shall return on Sunday with a suitcase full of goodies for you! Now kindly remove your fuzzy butt and let me pack.

Suitcases are Cat Magnets

Today I am jumping on a plane and heading to the Cat Writers' Association conference in White Plains, New York. And of course, suitcases are cat magnets.