I Attempt to Translate a Perfectly-Timed Cat Pic

When a cat poses with her paw raised, there's little to do but grab the camera because the cuteness is one step past overwhelming. After I looked at the perfectly-timed photo (of a cat -- go figure), my mind considered all the things she could be telling me as I took the photo. Body language is everything ... well, not everything -- apple fritters are pretty good, too.

So, here are the options I considered. What do you think she's telling me?

A. Hiya.

B. I'll have this many treats.

C. One step closer I'm gonna smack you.

D. Can't a girl bathe in peace?

E. All of the above.

Somehow I think E is the most realistic answer, especially since I caught her mid-face cleaning.

Did I mention how perfectly-timed the photo is? Let's hear it for feline-photography related miracles!

Cold-Shoulder Cat Totally Loves Me

I just returned from my whirlwind trip to the Sunshine State, and enjoyed visiting a variety of super-swell felines during my stay. I'm not gonna lie: cats like me. I think they sense my 24-7 kitty-brain-wave vibes ... or else they smell the residual odor of treats in my pockets. Whatever the case, I am a friend to cats of the world. One day I'd like to travel the world and hug all the cats. Not in that eHarmony crying-catlady sort of way, but in a much cooler, hip kind of way. It'd be all kinds of magical and maybe I'd cry. OK, maybe I would be a little but like the eHarmony lady.

Whatever.

Cosmo-not Cosmo

So while staying with a friend in Tampa, I had the pleasure of meeting a cat named Theo. I can't say he initially shared the pleasure in our meeting, but he came around. I've known about Theo for a while because he lives with a Texts from Mittens reader and she posts pics of him on the Mittens Facebook page. He looks similar to my Cosmo, who is the light of my very existence. So of course I went into the relationship with a little extra kitty-love in my heart.

Look how much Theo LOVES me. LOOK!

#coldshoulder

He totally loves me.

Oh, Theo is featured in this week's Texts from Mittens storyline -- take a look-see!

My Florida Panthers

I'm in Florida this week for a couple of Texts from Mittens book-signings. The bonus is that I get to stay with my family and enjoy a bit of a vacation. The bonus-bonus is I get to hang out with my three feline nephews.

The boyz.

My sister and her family adopt black cats, and her current fuzzy brood includes:

Bowser, the older gentleman, is exquisitely majestic. He's a total panther! When I look at him, I totally get why Egyptians worshipped cats ... and why we still do.

The majesty -- can you feel it?

Mojo is a wide-eyed loverboy who I just want to squeeze all the time. Can you stand it? I can't.

Mojo has mojo.

Jinx is my sister's baby. He's her Velcro cat, and is by her side whenever he gets the chance. He has a tiny head and a large body, but we think that only adds to his handsome appeal.

Huffable belly ready 4 U. 

I miss my kitties so much, but at least I get to have my kitty fix with my trio of Florida panthers.

My Cat is a Pot Pie

So there's this little round basket we use as one of the cats' "toy boxes." It's always full of cat toys of all kinds -- soft, hard, oddly shaped. It isn't a space I'd call "comfortable."

Phoebe, however, has her own idea (surprise, surprise) about comfort and regularly uses it as a cat bed. It's lumpy and small, but she curls herself up inside the basket, on top of the toys, and crashes for hours at a time. This is another example of "I need to stop questioning why cats do what they do." Phoebe agrees.

I think she looks like a pot pie.

Purina Better With Pets Summit Reinforces the Positive Child-Pet Relationship

The bond between children and pets is a subject for which I'm particularly passionate. I've written about cats and kids for a few years, and my family is living proof that growing up with pets builds responsibility and nurtures compassion. Who doesn't want more responsible, compassionate people in the world? I know I do.

An older photo of my two kids with Saffy and Phoebe

When I attended the Nestlé Purina Better with Pets Summit earlier this month, I was thrilled to learn there would be a panel on the very subject of my passion! I knew they'd be preaching to the choir with me in the audience, but I loved that everyone else in the crowd would hear what I already knew deep within my heart: pets can change kids' lives in many wonderful ways.

The expert panel included:

Jayne Vitale (moderator) -- Director of Outreach/Youth Development Programs at Mutt-i-grees

Stasha Becker -- mom, blogger, dog lover, and Instagrammer

Ilana Reisner -- veterinary and behavior consultant

Charley Bednarsh -- Director of Children's Services, NYC Family Justice Center in Brooklyn

Becker, Reisner, and Bednarsh (L-R)

I especially enjoyed hearing about Bednarsh's experiences using dogs as therapy animals for anxious children facing difficult legal situations in court. I've read a lot about pets positively affecting anxiety, depression, and even heart issues. It makes a ton of sense that the legal system would tap into the healing power of animals. I hope this example increases awareness and shows others that pets can have a powerful impact on helping kids (and adults) feel calmer and more stable during times of distress. 

In addition to their ability to ease anxiety and improve overall physical and mental health, pets also teach responsibility. Of course, this means adults need to be engaged and make sure children are doing age-appropriate pet-related tasks, and are well-trained in properly handling their pets. For example, a 3-year-old child can scoop food into a dish, but you probably wouldn't want to ask that same child to walk a 100-lb Black Lab or clean a litter box. 

Responsible, respectful, pet-loving adults don't just happen -- they have to start somewhere. As adults, it's our obligation to pass these skills, passions, and priorities on to the next generation. 

I was compensated to help spread the word about Purina Better With Pets Summit. Catladyland only shares information we think would be of interest to our readers. The opinions are our own.

Win a Copy of Catify to Satisfy by Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin

Our cats are beloved family members, and creating comfortable, safe areas for them in our homes is key. We all want to feel "at home" when we're at home, right? Nobody knows more about getting inside a cat's head, and designing feline-friendly spaces than Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin.

I was super excited to receive a review copy of their newest book, Catify to Satisfy: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home. It's the perfect follow-up to their first collaboration, the New York Times Bestseller, Catification: Designing a Happy and Stylish Home for Your Cat (and You).

Jackson and Kate, the dynamic duo!

I want to do cool things for my cats, but I'm someone who becomes easily overwhelmed with the prospect of DIY projects. Plus, I've never really considered myself a handy person. When I get the confidence to try something, I always surprise myself. What he heck? I am kinda handy! "Kinda" is the key word here -- but still, it's a start!

I'll be straight with you. The main reason I'm in love with Catify to Satisfy is that it gives me complete confidence that I can indeed create interesting, fun, and cat-friendly areas in my home. I feel like Martha Stewart when I read this book ... except without the prison background. 

I can do this!

The book of packed with photos, along with detailed instructions for creating simple design tricks to enrich your cat's environment. Jackson and Kate are the perfect team because he focuses on teaching us about cat behavior and the reasons behind cats' preferences, and then she shows us easy and advanced ways to support the behavior by using our creativity and applying the coolest design hacks. She had me at "hack." I can do "hack"

Form and function.

I especially connected with the "Faces in the Nation" sections that feature how real people, inspired by love for their cats, created unique catification projects. Their stories are heartfelt and fun, and they demonstrate the variety of ways we can each put our personal stamp on our passion projects. 

Catification can happen indoors and outdoors.

Catify to Satisfy is a must-read for anyone who shares their space with a cat. It's educational, inspiration, and a totally fun read.

You, my friends, can win your very own copy of Catify to Satisfy!  Here are the details:

• Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Giveaway runs now through midnight Central, November 26, 2015.
• U.S. only.
• Giveaway subject to change.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was given a review copy of Catify to Satisfy; however, Catladyland only shares information we think would be of interest to our readers. The opinions are our own.

My Cat Likes it Hot

'Tis the season for switching on the morning heat. Here in Minnesota, we've lucked out with unseasonably warm fall weather. This time last year we'd already had a few feet of snow on the ground. I'm not complaining one bit about the change!

The cats, however, are like, "What's up with the lack of warm air coming through these holes in the floor?" They live for that blast of morning warmth -- especially Phoebe. As I'm getting out of bed, she stands over the bedroom heat register and lets the air blow up on her. I kind of wish she had a little Marilyn Monroe dress to wear while she stands over the vent. She'd hate it, but I think it'd be adorable. Some like it hot, right?

Play a Trivia Game and Help Foster Pet Care for Deployed Men and Women #PureLoveForPets

There's no doubt that the deployed military men and women are heroes. Not only do they sometimes have to leave human children behind, they also must say goodbye to their beloved pets. This is where another kind of hero steps in. The volunteers who work for Dogs on Deployment foster and lovingly care for pets until their humans return from duty.

Source: DogsOnDeployment.org

Even though the name of the nonprofit organization is Dogs on Deployment, the volunteers welcome pets of all kinds into their homes. Military men and women have enough concerns while they're away -- it's a relief to know their pets are in comfortable, loving homes.

I love this video. After a six-month deployment, a soldier is reunited with two very special dogs, and a gorgeous tuxedo cat.

Purina is teaming up with Dogs on Deployment to raise awareness of the need to foster and care for pets of deployed men and women. And guess what? You can make a difference, right there from your computer!

Go to PureLoveforPets.com and answer trivia questions to trigger donations. Purina will donate 25 cents for every correct answer, up to $40,000, to Dogs on Deployment. Really! All you have to do is visit their site and play! 

Go ahead ... what are you waiting for?

I was compensated to help spread the word about Dogs on Deployments and Purina Pure Love For Pets. Catladyland only shares information we think would be of interest to our readers. The opinions are our own.

Carry Your Pet Safely and Comfortably in The Hatch Carrier

In general, cats are not particularly fond of rides in carriers. I can speak for my three cats (because they've spoken to me), and say they'd probably rather kiss a sloppy dog face than take a ten-minute ride to the vet.

I can't really blame them. My kitties love their safe, comfortable surroundings, where they can count on comfort from me at most any given time. Then they're whisked away in this traveling box and have no idea what happening, except they're pretty sure they're gonna die.

Phoebe is not amused.

My cats have traditional Pet Taxis, which make it hard to comfort them when they're feelings scared on a car ride. Sure, I can poke my fingers through the metal lattice, but it's just not the same thing. My cats don't want my fingers, unless of course they're covered in gravy ... but even still! They want full-handed snuggly comfort from their human!

I just learned about this cool new carrier called The Hatch Pet Carrier, which provides safety and comfort for kitty. You see, there's a Direct Reach, No-Escape feature that allows us to reach in and comfort our kitty with our entire hand! And it's safe -- there's no chance of escape. I'm often tempted to open the carrier just a little, just enough to reach in and lay a hand on my cat, but there's always that chance that kitty will make a run for it. The Direct Reach can be opened or closed, and isn't big enough for escape. Pretty slick, huh?

Here are some of the other notable features of The Hatch Carrier:

• The exterior's made of water-resistant, military-grade, ballistic nylon.
• There's durable, claw-resistant mesh that covers most of three sides.
• It can be carried by hand, over the shoulder, and buckled safely into a car seat.
• It meets the guidelines of most airlines as a carry-on item.
• It packs flat.

Currently, the Hatch Carrier is a Kickstarter campaign that's looking for contributions to move the project along. The plan is to begin mailing them to backers in April of 2016. Any contribution will help (even $10!), and if you donate $129, you'll receive a carrier -- and that's 14% off the expected retail price.

Take a look at their Kickstarter page, where you can learn more about the product and the people who developed it.

I was compensated to help spread the word about The Hatch Carrier. Catladyland only shares information we think would be of interest to our readers. The opinions are our own.

My Cat Has Air Booty

Do you ever wake up in a fetal position with a cat perched on your thigh? I admit this is a lovely way to wake up, but I can't stop laughing, even though I'm only half awake. Look at that butt way up in the air! Air booty!