Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Part 2:The Purina #BetterWithPets Summit 2015: Cats and This and That! #Sponsored

This is a sponsored post, written by me on behalf of  Nestle Purina®  I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the  2015 Better With Pets Summit.  Cat Chat With Caren and Cody only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.





Welcome back and thank you for joining me for Part 2 of The Purina #BetterWithPets Summit 2015 Cats and This and That! If you missed Part 1 you can  click here to catch up!

After the morning panel sessions and a delicious lunch, there were a number of interactive exhibits for us to explore, but I am embarrassed to say, that I only made it around to a few. Soon you will see the reason why.

Earlier in the day I was ECSTATIC to finally meet Author, Blogger and successful business person, Hilary Grossman from the blog Feeling Beachie! Hilary was one of the first bloggers I had met online, but we had yet to meet in person. I can't begin to tell you what a thrill it was to not only meet Hilary, but to get to spend some time with her. Hilary is everything that I imagined her to  be, and more!  Beautiful, sweet, funny, intelligent, and it felt as if I had known her my entire life.

Hilary Goodman and I
**Note to self:
NEVER stand next to a hot, beautiful woman
after recently turning 60.
It just makes you look that much OLDER!! 

When Hilary and I had left the dog exhibit, we ran into my favorite Purina employee, and while chatting with him, he asked "Have you been to the Cat room?" Our ears perked up, "CAT ROOM???!!" That was it, we were off!! The Cat Room later became the reason why I only got around to a few exhibits, I spent practically the entire rest of my time there, as did many others. Here are some photos of Hilary having what appears to be a serious conversation with some new friends, and of course, playing with a KITTEN!!! Ohhhh Kittens!!!! The "ooohs and ahhs", the "ohhhs" and human purrs filled the room, the stress levels of all of us were reduced to ZERO. If this wasn't a shot in the arm for our emotional wellness, I don't know what would be!


 If Purina needed to herd some cats/cat bloggers, or if they needed to do a head count, if they checked The Cat Room it would be a pretty safe bet that is where they would find the majority of us (at least those bloggers who focus on cats!)! There were some dog bloggers who were quite smitten as well!

Upper left and bottom right, Elizabeth Keene from Chronicles of Cardigan
Top row second from left:Deb Barnes from Zee & Zoey
Directly beneath Elizabeth: Janiss Garza from Sparkle Cat
Fat lady with black cat:ME!
Far right:Kimberly Dickerson from Saving More Than Me
The Cat Room was an environment with cat-friendly furniture, cat toys, cat grass, cat ramps, houses, all designed to enrich the lives of cats! So, how many cats were there? I was told 30, all were different ages, but I am not quite sure I saw 30 cats, but there WERE lots of them! The cats were all owned by Cindy and Bob Ruggiero of Cybercat Exotics. They can be seen in the photo below with some of their cats.


Orange cat:Harley
Tabby Cat: River
I don't know the white or black cat's name! Ooops!

Once we brushed the cat fur from our clothes (or not!), we made our way back to the main conference area to listen to the keynote speaker, and learned about THE FRANK ATTLA YOUTH PROGRAM.





One of many things that makes me proud to be affiliated with Purina and why I CHOOSE to promote Purina, is that Purina has extensive support programs and partnerships with organizations around the country, all rooted in their "shared belief that people and pets are better together." Purina truly cares about people AND their pets, which is evident in everything that they do. I am honored and proud to represent a company with those values.

"Purina supports many other incredible programs, including the Rescue Bank, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Petfinder Foundation, Adopt-a-Pet, Support Dogs, Dogs on Deployment, the St.Louis Children's Hospital, and innovative shelter organizations all over the country."

Thank you Purina for inviting me to attend
the Better With Pets Summit (2015) !!

I was sad to leave "the city that never sleeps", New York is the only place I have been where I don't stick out like a sore thumb with my loud laughter and bravado...I just blend right in! Here are a few parting shots, one from the night before I left when I went out to dinner with my niece, (which was fabulous!!), the other two were shot from my Super Shuttle the next morning.


The photo on the far right
looked like my own
Abbey Road!!!



Don't worry! Purina didn't forget Cody!!! He received a pawtastic goodie bag from Purina (and since the bag was primarily cat-oriented, since this event would be featured on Cody's blog), they were kind enough to put in some dog treats for Dakota too! The gift bag made up for the scent of cats that were all over my shoes that Cody was obsessed with when I first got home. Thanks Purina for all of the pawtastic goodies!!


Please join us Monday, November 16th for the final post in this series. Monday's post will explore an aspect of the Better With Pets Summit that I found to be the most significant and meaningful, to ME! (Let's hope I can zero in on just one!) Hope to see you then!!! 


About Nestlé Purina PetCare
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is a global leader in the pet care industry. NestléPurina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.


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50 comments:

  1. My human's dress that she wore to the cat environment will never smell the same! But that's okay, she always smells like somebody's cat, MOL! She did have a fun time and learned lots - and she enjoyed seeing you!

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  2. It looks like you had a good time and how nice to meet friends for the blogs.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  3. Behave all mommies' kitty !
    Your kitties are reading this post !!!
    Cody ,my friend....don't forget to spray back to your own property !!! Must remain our smell forever and ever !

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  4. OMG - you crack me up - you hot beautiful woman!!! I had so much fun with you... I wish we could have had more time together....

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    1. Ohhh how I wish!!!!! LOL! I had so much fun with YOU as well! Next time (whenever that may be!) we WILL have more time together, count on it! xoxo

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    2. what??!! You didn't meet her!! She lives in the area!!! She must have already left when I saw you later in the afternoon........I don't know how you missed me with her!

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  5. If it weren't for the fact I have my own kitties that I love dearly and needed to go home to them, I probably would still be in the cat room! Purrs from Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang

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  6. Glad you had such a nice time. I'm surprised you didn't bring one of the kitties home with you! Bert is all over the Party Mix...he loves those treats.

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    1. thank you! If I could have, I would have!! Cody loves them too!

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  7. Looks like a great event with lots of friends. That cat room looks like such fun and a huge hit. Great report.

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    1. It was and the 4-legged and 2-legged friends were the BEST!!!! Thank you!!

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  8. The cat room was definitely one of the highlights of the summit, wasn't it!

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    1. it most definitely was! I should have finished visiting the other exhibits first because I should have known once I entered the Cat Room I wouldn't be back out for a looooong time! lol

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  9. That cat room must have been an awesome experience! And Caren your loud laughter would fit perfectly in Portugal - we are quite loud and expressive people - and our neighbors from Spain and Italy are even louder :)

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    1. oh Rosa it was!!!!! And....look out...Portugal, Spain and Italy...HERE I COME!!!! lol!!!! xoxo

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  10. We love all the posts about the Summit! Mommy had such a great time meeting you!

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    1. We do too!! I have read some super good ones! I LOVED meeting you but we totally neglected to take a photo together! I am so upset that there were so many that I didn't take a photo with that I was talking to, etc!!!

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  11. 30 cats is a lot of cats for one room!! Sounds like quite the experience, though. :)

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    1. the room was extremely large with many large windows.......not a tiny room such as a bedroom.

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  12. I bet that summit was stupendous! So glad you were able to attend, Caren and so obviously had a great time!

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  13. How fun and I would have been in the cat room most of the time too. How fun.

    I'm glad Cody got a goody bag. Only fair since he had to stay home.

    Have a purrfect day Cody. My best to your wonderful mom. ♥♥♥

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  14. Looks like you all had a great time!

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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  15. we love seeing things like this that take a focus on cats

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  16. Such an exciting event!! A cat room!!! I know where The Staff would have been the whole time MOL

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    1. oh yes you would have been and we would have LOVED to have met you! Sorry I have not been around, between the two trips I came home sicker than a dog. Was at the doctor this past Monday. Have an ear infection/virus....it was all could do to get THESE written!!! Happy Belated Gotcha Day to Austin! xoxo

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  17. We know the only thing missing was the slot machines MOL!

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    1. that's true, but more importantly....we were missing YOU!!!!!! BIG TIME!! Imagine how great that would have been to have YOU, me and Hilary all in one place? OMG we would have laughed our heads off!!!

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  18. Awesome recap, and we love your photos! :)

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  19. That sounds like a great event, thank you for sharing with us ! Purrs

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  20. Thanks for sharing everything with us! Looks like you had a great time. Lucky Cody with his goody bag!

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    1. you are most welcome! Thanks so much! Yes, Cody definitely did!

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  21. Wow...I just read both posts and what an awesome time you had! It certainly sounds like they packed a lot into a short time, and you had time to socialize as well!
    The cat room looks fantastic, who wouldn't want to hang out in there with the kitties?
    BTW, Caren, you look GREAT....you sure don't look 60!

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    1. Yes Jan I sure did!! It was just wonderful. BTW thank you so much for being so kind!!! I wish!

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  22. Sounds like you all had a fantastic time! The cat room sounds irresistible.

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  23. Great wrap-up and you so belong in NYC! Loved the cat room and I have some more pics of you! There's never enough time to hang out with you. Purina needs to make this longer :-)

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    1. thank you Layla! I think I belong there too! I WAS born there :) (Long Island), both parents were from Brooklyn, (so I come by the loudness honestly lol). I agree it should be longer...or....we need more money to pay for the hotel once it's over!!!

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  24. What a pawsum goody bag fur Cody. Luvved da video. Can't wait fur da rest.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Lexi

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  25. All those cat ladies in the cat room! Looks like such a pawesome event! Thanks for the wrap up!

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  26. Looks like a great time!

    Noodle and crew

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  27. Hehehehe, not sure you could have gotten me OUT of the cat room :) Love the video. You looked fabulous because you are fabulous you!
    Luvs
    Marty's Mom

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    1. I almost didn't leave it either!!! Thank you so much for your kind words (((hugs))) and love back!

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  28. The cat room was pawsome! Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.

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  29. That must have been great getting to visit with so many bloggers- and kitties too :)

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  30. Sounds like you had a fun & informative trip.

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  31. This looks as such a great time. Unfortunately we don't have this kind of events here in the Netherlands...we don't know why.... Anyway, is there some Pawty Mix left ;) Pawkisses :) <3

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