Tuesday, February 28, 2017

A Birthday Wish for my Sheltie Brother


Dear Dakota,

I normally don't get all mushy and gushy when it comes to talking about you. Well, I don't get all mushy and gushy when talking about much of anything, but today, and ONLY today I am going to make an exception.

Today is your TENTH BIRTHDAY, you old woofie you!!!!! You beat me!! I won't be ten for a little over a month so you beat me! You are OLDER!! No one would ever know that since I rule around here...but I digress. I said I will be nice today, and I am going to honor my promise because I am a cat of my word!



I remember the day that Mom and Dad first brought you home. They were all nervous that we wouldn't get along, but I circled your crate, hissed at you once to let you know just WHO is the boss around here and from that day on we have been the BEST of friends!!

Since today is your 10th birthday I am going to list a few  things that I like ok LOVE, about you, (I originally tried to come up with TEN but I couldn't!! I have "9 ish" MOL!!)

You always make me feel better when I have to go to the Vet and I am lucky enough that you came along with me. (Wish isn't always the case!)


When I am at the Vet and you aren't, you miss me and wait for me to come home.


Every time that YOU get a treat, I get one too!

You are fun to play with


You are the BEST "food tag team member" for Mom and Dad EVER!

You are great company when Mom and Dad aren't home


You are great company when Mom and Dad ARE home! (They are boring!)

You are one sensitive Sheltie


You get in more trouble than I do...oh wait, that isn't true. I get in WAY more trouble than YOU do!




You may be a woofie, but you are the BEST woofie brother that I could ever hope for!!!

Wishing you the BEST 10th birthday ever my dear brother!!! Enjoy this mush and gush today cause tomorrow it all goes back to normal!!!

Love, Cody



Monday, February 27, 2017

Picture Me This Photohunt Week 9 "Gesture"

Once again we are happy to be participating in a fun blogging event that was created by our friends over at A Tonk's Tail. It is a weekly photohunt. There is no pressure to participate, just jump in whenever you are able as we are doing this week! You can post on any social media channel that you wish, there is ZERO pressure (which is something WE LOVE!!)

This week the theme is:


 Mom chose this photo of one of my classic moments!!! We feel that this photo purrfectly displays how I feel about Monday!!!


I conveyed my feelings pretty darned well, don't you think so?

If you participate in this photohunt be sure to tag #PMTphotohunt and @tonkstail

Love, Cody

Friday, February 24, 2017

Fun Friday Give-Away! FroliCat® FOX DEN

Hi and happy Friday all!!!

As many of you know if you have followed our blog for a while, I am a pretty big fan of the FroliCat line of cat toys. So much so, that two years ago for Cody's birthday I had a colossal give-away.

Cody's favorites in the FroliCat line are the FroliCat™ BOLT™, the FroliCat™ FLIK™ and the FroliCat™ POUNCE™ by PetSafe® .

When presented with the opportunity to test/review a new toy in the FroliCat line-up, the  FroliCat® FOX DEN, I was looking forward to Cody giving it a "go." 




ABOUT  FroliCat® FOX DEN


The FroliCat® Fox Den is an automated, motion-activated cat toy that will encourage your cat to play. Simply insert 3 AA batteries, (not included). Choose which mode to use (you can vary the speed), and place Fox Den on the floor (or if you are daring and want to break your own "house" rules, on a table like we did!!),where the surface is flat. 



FEATURES

There is a Fox Tail inside that "hides" and then pops out at random times to entice cats. You can choose from One Time Play mode where the toy will play for 10 minutes then turn off.
Or select Play All Day mode where the toy will play every two hours, three times, for 10 minutes each. (I have never tried this mode, if any of you have, please feel free to leave your thoughts!). In between automatic play sessions, when the toy is idle, the motion sensor on the front of the toy will detect nearby motion (up to within several feet!) and will turn on automatically. If no motion is detected, the toy will rest until the next automatic play session or motion is detected again.




PROS 


  • Set up is super easy.
  • Clear instructions are provided.
  • Many cats WILL like this toy.


CONS

IT IS LOUD

I think that is partly why Cody didn't quite know what to make of it. As you can see in the video below, he was intrigued, but somewhat hesitant, I think it is due to the sound.


My suggestion would be that if there is sound involved. Maybe make it a sound that would ATTRACT a cat. Like a chattering type of a sound. If that isn't possible then a button where you could control the volume would be great. The sound irritated me, so I am wondering if Cody found it to be equally irritating.

ARE CATS ATTRACTED TO FOX TAILS?

I know dogs are. But cats? What are your thoughts? When I watched Cody with this toy I was thinking that a fox tail isn't something that I think that cats are inherently attracted to. Yes, they like the swishing movement, etc........but the tail is THICK. Cats tend to like things that are jerky, thinner and are something they feel they could "hunt" and carry away.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think the toy is cute, but Cody was far more attracted to the other FroliCat toys that had a mouse tail and one that had a tiny mouse. That being said, eventually, Cody did begin to warm up to it.

Then, just for fun, I decided to bring it into the living room and see what Dakota's reaction would be. My hope was that he would be attracted to it and that Cody would like it better if Dakota was trying to "catch" it. But...I forgot, he is a DOG, what does he know? Another thought, look at Dakota's tail as he walks away, I think his tail resembles that Fox tail! Maybe that is why Cody wasn't that enthused?

The FroliCat® FOX DEN IS a cute toy. I just think that compared to others in the line it isn't quite as good. Also, my opinion is just that, MY OPINION. All cats are different. Some are attracted to things that others are not. Just because Cody wasn't as enthused as I thought he would be does not mean that your cat(s) will react the same. I am also thinking that a multiple cat household would have a blast with it because they could all hover around it at once.

The concept is super cute but I think the execution could have been improved. The FroliCat® FOX DEN retails for $19.95.



GIVE-AWAY

If you would like the chance to win a FroliCat® FOX DEN of your own, enter on the rafflecopter below. The give-away is open to those 18 and over who reside in either the U.S. or Canada. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway







In full disclosure: All opinions are mine. I was sent a FroliCat® FOX DEN in exchange for my always honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation.


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Picture Me This Photohunt Week 8 "Silky"

FINALLY! We are finally participating in a fun, new blogging event that was created by our friends over at A Tonk's Tail. It is a weekly photohunt. There is no pressure to participate, just jump in whenever you are able as we are doing this week! You can post on any social media channel that you wish, there is ZERO pressure (which is something WE LOVE!!)

This week the theme is:



 Mom chose this photo of one of my paws because she says my paw pads are "silky soft" and the fur around them is as soft as pussy willows!!!! (My Mom is kinda partial to my paws in case you couldn't figure that out.)

Feel free to reach out and kiss it or pet it, I am sure I can feel your energy from anywhere in the world!!!

If you participate in this photohunt be sure to tag #PMTphotohunt and @tonkstail

Love, Cody

Friday, February 17, 2017

Pet Product: The Auto-close Pet Gate from Primetime Petz Keeps the Doggy Out!!

Our home is a "bi-petual" household. We have a cat and a dog.  Throughout most of my adult life I only had cats,  when we added Dakota to our family I was faced with a few dilemmas.

Our cat, Cody, was here first. He arrived three months before Dakota, his feeding spot was all set, his toys, cat litter, etc. all had their assigned spots.

One of the dilemmas I was faced with was what will I do if Dakota and Cody do not get along? It was important to me to provide a safe haven for Cody  where he could escape to for peace and quiet.
Yet another possible problem was I read horror stories about pet owners not being aware that small cat toys that can  easily be  ingested by a dog, can cause MAJOR problems requiring surgery, and may even cause death. I KNEW that I had to keep Cody's toys AWAY from Dakota!


"I won't eat any cat toys or cat poop, I promise!!"
(Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)

Dogs are also drawn to cat litter (and the "treats" that are in the box). Under no circumstances should either be ingested.

It was a no-brainer that we had to have baby gates. I searched everywhere for a gate that was practical, the perfect height, that was well-made and would suit our needs. Sadly, this is what we had to settle with for MANY years.

(Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)

I had three of these. They are BEYOND ugly. They served their purpose but accumulated every bit of filth known to man (and beast). When guests came over I had a nightmare. Some were able to climb over the gate, others couldn't, so I would be forced to remove it. Putting it back up when the guests would leave wasn't fun, and often the gate wasn't secure.

Then there was the laundry! The gate in the above photo is right by our washer and dryer. I cannot begin to tell you the "fun" I would have, a mountain of laundry in my arms, trying to climb over an awkward baby gate. I am lucky I didn't fall flat on my face. To say it was annoying is a complete understatement!

Last year I was reading one of my favorite websites, Hauspanther written by founder Kate Benjamin, and saw a most beautiful and artsy gate that was made by Primetime Petz. I loved it! I have known Kate for many years,  through her website, through her work with Jackson Galaxy, the Cat Lounge at BlogPaws,  as well as her Hauspanther Collection which debuted on Primetime Petz last year. I left a comment and was ecstatic when Kate contacted me asking if I would like to review one of the Primetime Petz pet gates.

Kate had me measure the opening in our hallway where I wanted the gate to be. Unfortunately, the original gate that I had my eye on wouldn't work, but Kate mentioned that the Primetime Petz new Auto-close Pet Gate would more than likely be perfect for our hallway.



Our hallway is wider than the above gate, but thankfully the Auto-close Pet Gate comes with 2 frame extensions that only are used if needed.

From Primetime Petz: The Auto-close Pet Gate, our own version of a swing-gate, is a functional and attractive tension-mount gate that easily attaches to doorways and hallways. Keep your pet safely contained to their designated area while providing you easy access to any space. It features a walk-through door which automatically swings shut and safely locks into place every time. Simply lift up on the door to disengage the lock and walk through. The gate takes care of the rest. The dual action locking mechanism provides superior security when not in use.

It is made with beautiful hardwood construction and their signature Walnut finish compliments any decor!

FEATURES:

  • Tension- mount design keeps gate securely in place
  • Fits openings from 29-42 inches wide
  • Optional 3 inch frame extensions (2) included
  • Closes and locks automatically for worry-free use


(Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)

  • Rubber stoppers protect walls and frames
  • Recommended for dogs of all sizes
    (Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)

I also think it allows nosy Dakota to better see what is taking place in "Cat Land" where cat poop, cat litter and tiny toys reside. A mysterious place that he is not permitted to enter!

INSTALLATION:

Now this is where we experienced a SLIGHT (and I mean SLIGHT hiccup). I am not the person who installed the gate, nor was my husband. Neither of us are handy, so I enlisted the help of a dear friend who IS handy. I will NOT lie. When she first attempted to put the gate together she couldn't figure it out. I called Primetime Petz to tell them about our confusion.  I am actually ecstatic that this happened because the help I received was SUPERB! The person I spoke to, went above and beyond. She emailed me step-by-step instructions that were crystal clear. (I did suggest that they have a video on their website that would better show how to install the gate because the directions included with the gate upon delivery ARE confusing, and she said they are working on that!). My friend was able to put the gate up and have it working in a half hour or so.

(Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)

I could NOT be happier with this gate!!! Doing laundry is a BREEZE.....I am ecstatic that I can open the door of the gate and step right through without worrying that I am going to fall. It is attractive and well-made. It is slightly taller than our previous gate.  I was a little bit worried that Cody wouldn't be able to jump over it easily. I worried for nothing. Cody hesitated one or two times, then the same day, I heard/saw him jumping over the gate like a champ (and he is almost 10 years old).

Did I mention that it is also darned attractive to look at? I am in love with the color and construction. When guests come over, the gate no longer has to be taken down, they can walk right through!!!

(Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)

 PRIMETIME PETZ is the premiere designer and manufacturer of unique furniture-quality, all-wooden pet gates, kennels, and steps. Their products are made of 100% rich, beautifully finished, chew-resistant, hard wood that will compliment any decor. Their goal is to provide superior quality pet furniture that pets will enjoy and pet owners will feel proud to display in their home. Their collection features a variety of gates that offer solutions to almost any containment challenge. Their commitment to quality is unparalleled in the pet industry and they have made it their mission to provide you with cutting-edge designs that combine elegance and function for both you and your pet.

And...their CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SUPERB!!

If you are looking for a pet gate, The Auto-close Pet Gate from Primetime Petz should definitely be on your list!

Dakota's plans to visit "Cat Land" have been attractively thwarted!


(Post was originally on Dakota's blog hence the logo)



WHERE TO PURCHASE:

AND MORE!!!


FOLLOW PRIMETIME PETZ!!


FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM


In full disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. I was sent an Auto-close Pet Gate from Primetime Petz in exchange for my always honest review.






Thursday, February 16, 2017

#TBT Guest Post: Cats And Dental Disease, "Mario Da Cat's" Story

FROM CAT CAT WITH CAREN AND CODY:February is National Pet Dental Health Month and because many of our readers weren't following us when this published in 2010, we decided to repeat it. Even Mario doesn't know!! We are pretty certain he won't mind.


 I hate going to the dentist (do any of us actually like it? Well frankly my husband does but that is another story!) I have periodontal issues that necessitate that I see a dentist every three months. While sitting in the chair I remembered how my former cat Bobo suffered from periodontal issues. Leaving periodontal disease untreated in humans and in animals can cause a myriad of problems, one glaring problem is heart disease.

It is ironic that after one of my own visits to have my gums deep scaled I met Mary on Twitter (the Mom of @Mariodacat) who was telling me about the dental problems that Mario had experienced. I asked her if she would share Marios' story with the rest of us, she graciously agreed and I am honored to share it with all of you:

Mario's Story
as told by "M"

I was thrilled when Caren asked me to do a guest blog post regarding my cat’s (@Mariodacat – on Twitter) dental problems and how he became toothless at the age of 4. Hopefully it will bring awareness to the importance of having your animals teeth cleaned when your veterinarian recommends such. If your vet recommends brushing, it can be done with proper training.


We adopted Mario from our local shelter in October 2008. A week later we were in having his teeth cleaned, and one had to be pulled as it could not be saved. He kept having recurring infections after that. Finally, after 4 changes in antibiotics (which clearly were not helping) our veterinarian said Mario might be one of those rare cats that are allergic to his own bacteria in the mouth. She recommended seeing an animal dentist in another city.

After many blood tests, extensive
 X-rays (Mario did have to be put under anesthesia for that), the dentist called us and said Mario’s teeth would have to be removed. When normal veterinarians remove teeth, they do the best that they can with their skills & equipment. Probably 99% of the time, it’s good enough for most animals. But it was determined that Mario was allergic to his own bacteria in his mouth. The dentist found little tiny bone fragments remaining from what his regular vet had pulled. These could not normally be seen without the specialized equipment that a dentist has.

He pulled all of Mario’s teeth, except the 4 canines, that first visit & cleaned up the hidden fragments left behind from his visit to our local vet. We were sent home with toothpaste for cats, a tiny brush, taught how to brush his teeth, and of course, more antibiotics. The Dentist stressed the importance of brushing daily. Well, even with our faithful brushing the infection still did not clear up. It was then determined that the 4 canines would also have to be removed.

By the time Mario had been with us a year, all his teeth had been pulled, we were missing a few $1,000 dollars, but we gained a very happy, healthy, loveable cat. He is able to eat dry kibble and, of course, canned cat food for a treat.

There wasn’t anything that we could have done to prevent this from happening, as we didn’t discover the problem until we had adopted him. But we are very grateful to our dentist for being aware of the problem and referring us to a specialist.

If you have an animal that has recurring infections in the mouth area, question your vet on whether or not your pet might be allergic to the bacteria in his/her mouth. If your vet hasn’t even heard of it, I would encourage you to contact an animal dentist in your state. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. Had we not been referred to a dentist for animals, Mario probably wouldn’t be around today. Peridontal disease in animals is very serious and can be deadly. The infection can eventually enter the blood stream and that is when it becomes deadly.

Mario wrote about his ordeal in his blog – Mario's Meowsings. It was written by him (with me, his human) typing for him so it is very lengthy, but informative. If you have an animal that you think might have a similar situation, I would encourage you to read it.





Friday, February 10, 2017

Hilarious Cat Book: "Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep" By Rosa Silva Illustrated by Diana Necsulescu (With Give-Away!!!)

Finally a cat book that pokes fun
 at the "darker" side of living with cats!!! 

I knew the second I first read that one of my favorite cat-people, Rosa Silva, was publishing a book, and the second that I read the title,   Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep, that this book would be right up my alley! I was right, it TOTALLY is!


While I am insanely in love with cats, I would be lying if I said that every single moment was all sunshine and roses. Cats rule our homes, they rule our lives. While cuddly and endearing, they can be annoying little "SOBs"!! If you are saying that your cat(s) are perfect, I am calling you out on a BIG. FAT. LIE. 

While I adore my cat, Cody, (and Angel Bobo,  "the one who came before"), there are (and have been) moments that have been beyond exasperating. Moments where I have called my kitties names involving "HBO words". Many of the moments that have been particularly annoying,  have involved trying to sleep when a cat has decided it is time to be AWAKE, because they have other things that they are thinking of. For many cats, and my Angel Bobo, those thoughts usually involve playtime, but Cody's thoughts always involve FOOD. The relentless quest for food. In our case, it is my husband who is the poor "victim" who loses sleep, because he does the morning feedings and because I can pretty much sleep through anything But, even I have my moments where Cody's incessant meowing is on my last nerve, and I will yell at him to "SHUT THE F*CK UP!!"  Not to be deterred, Cody will meow incessantly, jump back and forth across my husband's weary head, cry, knock things over, and more.  He will do anything in his quest to wake my poor husband up.

Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep by Rosa Silva, addresses these moments in a nod-your-head-in-recognition accompanied by belly laughs kind of way, in a style reminiscent of children's books, but in this case, the book is definitely for ADULTS ONLY!!  


FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For all the crazy cat lovers out there, sometimes that crazy could be because your feline friend will not let you get any sleep.

Inspired by, and in the tradition of Cortes and Mansbach’s adults-only bedtime story, Go the F*ck to Sleep, Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep is a funny take on the frustrations of losing sleep because of a feline friend. The struggle is real.

Anyone who is a cat lover knows that the cat rules the roost, and that certainly doesn’t change at bedtime. You might be ready to sleep, but you can bet that kitty is ready for just about anything but some shut-eye. Release your frustrations with a good laugh as you read along with Rosa and her struggle to get Mr. Cat to Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep!

Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep is a funny bedtime book for all the desperate cat parents out there. If you have experienced the nightmare of having a kitty who won’t let you have a good night’s sleep, this is the book for you. It’s the perfect gift for crazy cat lovers who appreciate hilarious insights into the feline nature.


What I love about this book:


It is small in size
and length.  . It is just the pick-me-up needed when you need a laugh, (especially when you are tired from being kept up by your cat!)

It would make a great gift for any cat lover!
 Be it a get-well gift, a "newly-adopted-cat" gift (hehehe), a birthday gift, it would be a gift that would be sure to make the recipient smile.

Each page is written as a rhyme
 and is accompanied by vibrant and darling illustrations by Diana Necsulescu


It is FUN!!
 I think many of us can use some fun in our lives right now and Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep By Rosa Silva fits the bill purrfectly.

I learned something new
Knowing author Rosa Silva as I THOUGHT (the operative word being "THOUGHT" that I did!), hearing her even utter a frustrated thought about her beloved Mr.Cat, or utter an objectionable word would be something that I would NEVER expect. I LOVE books with unexpected "gifts" and the "gift" for me, (other than the obvious, that this book totally cracked me up!),  was learning something new about Rosa. It endeared her to me even more!

Photo taken from
Cat Lady Confidential on Facebook


More About the author:
Rosa Silva is an author and blogger. When she's not working on her next book, you can find her reading, chilling on the beach, hanging out with her cat, or writing the next post for her blog Cat Lady Confidential. Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep is her first book.

I give "Stop Meowing and Go the F*ck to Sleep" By Rosa Silva a resounding 4- PAWS UP!!!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

GIVE-AWAY!!
Rosa has generously offered one of our readers who is 18 and over and who RESIDES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD a chance to win a copy!! (A $9.99 value)  Entering is super easy, just enter on the rafflecopter below, and good luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway





In full disclosure, we were not compensated for this review/give-away. We were sent a copy of this book in exchange for our always honest review.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Cat Video that "Voices" My Sentiments EXACTLY!!

While going through my email on Monday I nearly died laughing when I saw this video that was sent to me by my dear friend who writes the blog Tails Around the Ranch.....

The cat not only looks just like Cody, but...since I am off having lithotripsy number-I-lost-count-I-have-had-so-many, it sums up my mood exactly!!!

Have a great day all!!



For those that wonder, no....I don't get 1 or 2 stones. I have 100s. All day, every day! It's the nature of the condition that I have. No, they will never go away. The purpose of the lithotripsies are to keep the stones a manageable size so that:

1) I can pass them at home myself without going to the hospital
2) So they do not block my kidneys causing them to shut down
3) So I hopefully don't have to wear a stent


 Catch ya after I'm done getting "stoned"!

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Book Cover Reveal! "Plan Cee" by Hilary Grossman and Give-Away!!!

Yes, yes this is a cat blog, but today we are taking a break from cats (for a hot minute)  to share this  super exciting day for our dear friend, "bestselling author",  Hilary Grossman!! I had the distinct honor/pleasure of reviewing both of Hilary's previous books, (the most recent of which was Plan Bea. if you haven't read either of Hilary's previous books,  you MUST!!)  Hilary's writing is like chatting with a dear friend, or being nosy and peeking into their life!

Today, I am BEYOND EXCITED because  today Hilary is revealing the cover of her soon-to-be-published THIRD book!

ON TO THE
COVER REVEAL!!!

  DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!


ABOUT "PLAN CEE"

Would you abandon your present for a second chance at your past?

Cecelia Reynolds has spent most of her life trying to forget the commitment-phobic man who broke her heart. It wasn’t easy, but eventually she did it, or so she thought…

As Cecelia and her husband gather for a friend’s wedding, her perfect world is thrown into complete turmoil. Even though it’s been twenty years since she last laid eyes on Keith Emerson, all it takes is one glance for her to feel emotions she thought were long gone. When Keith ends up officiating the ceremony, she quickly realizes his message of love is directed at her, not the happy couple. But can she believe him?

We live our entire lives thinking we know ourselves. But do we ever really?

As secrets and lies cause Cecelia’s world to spin completely out of control, she is forced to seek advice from the most unlikely ally. In the process, she must confront the demons of her past and the events that shaped her into the woman she is now. Will she finally learn the real meaning of love, friendship, and family?

While this book is a sequel to Plan Bea, it also reads as a standalone.


PRE-ORDER "PLAN CEE" BY HILARY GROSSMAN HERE


About Hilary:

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her "characters." She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She's been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island. 

Facebook page 

GIVE-AWAY!!!
 WIN A $10 DUNKIN DONUTS GIFT CARD!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway