Tuesday, October 30, 2018

8 Tips to Keep Your Cat Safe This Halloween

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY; THIS POST FIRST APPEARED ON OCTOBER 3, 2014.

That wonderful time of year where we can hear the leaves crunch beneath our feet, ghouls and goblins lurk around every bend, delicious candy and snacks are plentiful, who wouldn't like such a fun holiday? Well, I'll tell you who....CATS that's who!! (for that matter dogs too, but that is something for Dakota  to handle, since this blog is devoted to CATS!!)

Halloween is right around the corner and can pose special dangers to our precious pets that we must be aware of. Let's "pawse" and reflect about these potential hazards:

1) Even if your cat is a social gadabout, do not let he/she out unattended on Halloween
(or near Halloween for that matter) Black cats are in greater danger than many others due to some evil minds that want to expose them to awful "tricks" on Halloween.





2) Always make sure your cat is either microchipped or wears a collar (good rule of thumb for all year), but especially if he/she becomes "spooked" at Halloween and takes off for parts unknown. By having the proper identification, should your cat "go missing", the odds of it being returned are much greater than if it had no identification at all.


3) CANDY IS A HAZARD!! That goes for candy wrappers as well. They can cause choking and chocolate can be toxic! Also candies that contain artificial sweeteners! Never, ever leave candy laying around unattended. Remember:"curiosity killed the cat"


4) Confine your cat to one room if you are hosting a party or when trick-or treaters are at your door.

5) Candles and lit pumpkins can be a hazard. Cats are naturally curious. Tails can be accidentally singed, fires can be started due to being knocked over. Opt for flameless candles instead.






6) I am not overly enthused about dressing cats up for Halloween, (or anytime, but YES, I have done it for a hot second to take photos and that is about it.) If you are determined to dress your cat up for Halloween please try the costume on ahead of time to see  how well he/she handles it. Make sure the costume enables her to see, breathe, hear and move around comfortably. Never leave the cat unattended while still in costume. If your cat struggles and balks at being dressed in a costume, for cat's sake, TAKE IT OFF!  I am more of a fan of a hat or bandana as Cody is wearing above. 


7) Most Cats do not enjoy Halloween parties, parades and God Forbid Trick-or-Treating!! These events are  scary and are torture for your cat! Enter the cat's photo in an online photo contest instead. The noises  of parties, parades and being outside, as well as the  extra stimulation, are the purrfect invitation for the kitty to "exit stage left"


8) If you are leaving for the night, the same suggestions that I have mentioned for the 4th of July or anytime you will be away are the same for Halloween.  Leave the TV or radio on throughout the evening to distract the cat from outside noises that might be frightening.


Follow these tips to help ensure that you and your cat have a Halloween that is only full of kitty approved treats and totally trick-free!!

Did I miss any?
Let me know in a comment below.....


Monday, October 29, 2018

"My Life in a Cat House" (A Curl Up with a Cat Tale Book), by NY Times Best Selling Author Gwen Cooper

"True Tales of Love,
Laughter, and Living
with Five Felines"
Cover Courtesy of Gwen Cooper
"Celebrate the human-feline
bond with all its joys, mysteries,
and life-changing moments."

(Available October 30th, 2018)

Sitting down with a book written by author Gwen Cooper is like being perched at your kitchen table with your dearest cat-loving friend, sipping a cup of your favorite brew or, depending on your mood, sharing a glass of wine with the same friend, curled up on the couch snuggled beneath a pile of cozy comforters with a cat (or two, or three or five) by your sides. (Cody actually joined me for a few stories in this gem and he thoroughly enjoyed pawing through the pages with me.)

Having read and reviewed most of Gwen's books, I eagerly anticipated pouncing into the pages of "My Life in a Cat House" the latest book in the Gwen Cooper feline family of print. A gentle rain was falling outside my window, I lit a candle, grabbed MY favorite brew and a comfy blanket and curled up on the couch ready to enjoy my long overdue visit with a cherished and dear friend.

Today, being National Cat Day, couldn't be a more PURRFECT day to present this PURRFECT book, written by the PURRFECTLY talented Gwen Cooper to YOU, my PURRFECTLY wonderful readers!

"My Life in a Cat House features beloved favorites from Gwen's Curl Up with a Cat Tale series, as well as brand-new adventures sure to be treasured by cat lovers everywhere.

Gwen has the uncanny ability to touch our hearts with her gift of  conveying thought provoking, and heart-stirring emotions,  and often side-splitting humor that has her readers running the gamut of laughing out loud to grabbing for a box of tissues. Gwen's writing is unpretentious, its authentic, its REAL. Whether like me, you have nearly all of Gwen's books, or if this one is your first, you will delight in her descriptive, often hilarious and loving stories about her cats, whether you have had two cats like me, or twenty, you will be saying to yourself, as I did "My kitty does that too!!"   Speaking in reference to my Angel Bobo that was the MOST true, in reference to Cody, after reading about Gwen's cats and their antics, I began to think that my boy who I used to (the operative words being "used to") think was brilliant, I am now thinking might be a little "duller" than I previously thought...mind you that was said with the UTMOST OF LOVE!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Raised in a dog-loving family, Gwen never pictured herself as a “cat person.”  But from the very first feline she adopted—an adorable five-week-old rescue kitten, slow to learn how to trust after life on the streets—Gwen was smitten.  Eventually one rescue kitten became five, and all the ups and downs of a life with cats are lovingly depicted here: From the obsessive cat who teaches himself to play fetch and demands it morning, noon, and night from his hapless human mom; to the crafty white beauty who raises outside-the-litter-box thinking to the level of an art form; to the routine vet trip that turns into a hi-jinks-filled misadventure on the streets of Manhattan with three (VERY cranky!) felines in tow. And Homer, the Blind Wonder Cat himself, returns triumphant in new tales of life and love after worldwide fame. 
For the few of you who might not be familiar with Gwen Cooper's  books, she is the author of the blockbuster bestseller Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat, the book Love Saves The Day (which my eagle-eye caught a reference to in this book, because it is also the name of Gwen's "all time favorite vintage store"  and a clowder of other books! In My Life in a Cat House Gwen's much-beloved, world-famous fur family featuring the cool, cantankerous and aloof Scarlett, the stunningly beautiful man-loving Vashti, Homer the blind wonder catClayton the playful tripod kitty, and Fanny who has the ability to jump to amazing heights, (even with a moth trap accidentally stuck to her tail!), is back sharing their adventures of life, love, learning and hilarity.

One of my favorite moments of  purrfect humor was a conversation that Gwen had with her husband Laurence, when he brought to her attention that one of the cats had vomited in the other room. As I read the pages that ensued I was CERTAIN that Gwen had visited my home and had heard the same scenario play out with my husband and I,  when she wrote it.

I mentioned above that Gwen has the uncanny gift to touch our emotions through her brilliant writing, as well as the ability to have us stop and think about our own lives. When Gwen's cats lived with her each arrived at a different time of her life. The first arrived when Gwen was a new "cat mom" in her 20s.  Our cats, if we are lucky, live long and fulfilling lives. What I never thought about until I read this book, is that while our cats are getting older, WE ARE GETTING OLDER TOO. Part of what makes Gwen's books resonate with us,  is that she built her life around her cats, as most cat lovers do. Inevitably, we all grow older and change based on our life experiences, I was in my late 30s when my first cat (Bobo) found me and I was much, much older when I adopted Cody. The Mom Cody has isn't exactly the same as the Mom Bobo had. My kitty "children", my babies grew older too That is sometimes hard to face. 


Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life


Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I'm getting older too


----from “Landslide” written by Stevie Nicks


 My Life in a Cat House is ideal for new readers and longtime fans like myself and many of you. This purr-fect memoir is told in eight purr-fect cat stories that are all filled with the humor and heart  that WE, Gwen’s devoted readership, has come to know and love. As is the case with all of Gwen's books, it is magnificent. RUN (don't walk!) and get YOUR copy TODAY!!

PURCHASING INFORMATION

 MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE: TRUE TALES OF LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND LIVING WITH FIVE FELINES (with the all-new adventures of Homer and the gang) is coming out on October 30th.  Gwen will be donating 100% of her  royalties on all pre-orders and first-week sales (October 30th through November 3rd) to Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in Raleigh, NC in Homer's name.

 If you haven't done so already, please pre-order your copy TODAY of MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE--either on Amazon.com or, ideally, through your local bookstore (whether it's a small indie or part of a chain like Barnes & Noble).  Please note that if you do pre-order MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE through a bookstore, you must pick up the book/complete the purchase by November 3rd for it to count as a donation to Blind Cat Rescue.

GET SOCIAL WITH GWEN COOPER:

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a complimentary copy of My Life in a Cat House by Gwen Cooper in exchange for my always honest review. It is my honor to present this book to all of you.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Is Cody Moonlighting for ChocStars? #NationalChocolateDay

Hi all and Happy National Chocolate Day! The day where we celebrate all things chocolate!!!

Truth be told I am NOT a huge fan of chocolate. Yes, I enjoy a chocolate candy bar here and there and sometimes I enjoy chocolate cake,  but I have always been more of a fan of vanilla.

That being said, the other day when I was shopping at OFF 5TH Saks Fifth Avenue, I nearly died laughing when I discovered a REAL candy bar that had Cody's doppelganger smack dab on the front of the bar.

See for yourself and then tell me if YOU think Cody has a moonlighting gig that I'm not aware of?


Have a great National Chocolate Day, and you can check out the candy bar website here they appear to be made in the United Kingdom. Have any of our UK friends heard of this candy bar?

Friday, October 26, 2018

It's National Pumpkin Day!! (And a Recipe!)

It's National Pumpkin Day!! Oh how I love pumpkin! My favorite way to eat pumpkin is Pumpkin Pie and  Pumpkin Ice Cream, its delicious!!

Did you know that 100% Pumpkin (not the seasoned Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin in the can, if you give it to your pets use the  100% Pumpkin in the can), is great for tummy upsets and bowel issues that cats and dogs may have? (it helps with constipation AND loose bowels). When Cody was frequently on Pred, whenever he began a course of that medication we gave him approximately a 1/4 tsp of pumpkin once or twice a day to keep everything moving along.

Speaking of Cody, I wanted to re-post his adorable pumpkin photo from last year:

We also hope you enjoy this recipe! (I wish I could remember who gave this to me, I would credit them. I think I ate this at someone's home and they gave me the recipe but I can't remember who it was!)

Pumpkin Crunch Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1 15 ounce can pumpkin
1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 Cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 Cup chopped pecans 
1 Cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 baking dish.
Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix well and pour into your prepared dish. Sprinkle yellow cake mix evenly over Pumpkin mixture. Top with chopped pecans. Drizzle butter over pecans. Bake 50-55 minutes

Enjoy!



The above graphic was made by Nellie's Mom YEARS ago! We are so happy we found it! Enjoy National Pumpkin Day and leave a comment telling me if you like the flavor of pumpkin and if so, what's your favorite way to eat it?

Have a great weekend you cute little pumpkins!!!



Thursday, October 25, 2018

Our 9th Blogoversary! (Thankful Thursday)



On October 25, 2009 our blog was born!! Here is the link to our first blog post. We didn't have the room to post a photo for every year, so we just picked a few.

Many of you have been with us since we began in 2009! We thank you and are grateful for the many friends we have made through the years.

It's been a wild and wacky ride! If we have made you smile even just once, then that has made it all worth while.

Thank you for the kindness you have shown Cody and I through the years, and thank you for caring about my boy!


Monday, October 22, 2018

Many Thanks for Mom's Birthday Wishes

Hi every one! It's Cody, and Mom wanted me to paw out a special THANK YOU for all of her wonderful birthday wishes, on the blog and on Facebook too! (The REAL reason Mom wanted me to write this blog post is because she got the cutest card from Glogirly and just couldn't wait til next year to share it, MOL!!)
adorable card made by Glogirly



If you want to see what she was up to on her birthday, (let's just say I got some MUCH NEEDED PEACE AND QUIET!!), check out Dakota's blog today, but here are some teasers:




Saturday, October 20, 2018

A Trifecta of Holidays!

Today is the day we celebrate our "tocks", it's "Tocktober"...and...it is my Mom's birthday and in certain states in the U.S. it is also Sweetest Day!!!

Have a purrfect day all!

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

The Cat Amazing EPIC! the Ultimate Puzzle Feeder for Cats Kickstarter Campaign!

Hi Humans and Furry Furiends!! I am so happy you could join us on Global Cat Day for a most AMAZING, PAWESOME AND EPIC ANNOUNCEMENT which will benefit the Cat Amazing Shelter & Rescue Enrichment Program, and the well-being of YOUR CAT(s)!! 

Cody and I know that many of you are HUGE fans of the original Cat Amazing Treat/Puzzle Box which is an enrichment toy that enables your kitty to use their brain and hunting skills to search for treats. Cody and I are also proud that we were among the FIRST cat bloggers to review the original Cat Amazing way back in 2012!!! 

For the past five years our furiends at Cat Amazing have taken the feedback they received on the original Cat Amazing Treat/Puzzle Box and began thinking of ways to improve it. They spent approximately the  past TWO years in their "lab" working on making it bigger, tougher, more challenging and better looking, while still utilizing the multiple difficulty levels. They also kept it planet-friendly, kitty-safe and easy to assemble....the result?


Introducing... Cat Amazing EPIC!

"The Ultimate Puzzle Feeder for Cats!!"
"The puzzle feeder designed to bring the stimulation of natural hunting behaviors to indoor cats"

When Cody and I were asked to give the Epic a test run I was delighted. Cody has a night time ritual of having treats virtually every 5 to 10 minutes. He whines and paces and is annoying. Being an indoor cat, the arrival of the EPIC! was timely because it gave me a chance to test-run a Puzzle Feeder that would CHALLENGE Cody by using his mental and physical abilities to get his food, just as cats do in the wild.

 The ease of filling his food bowl was definitely making eating every 5 to 10 minutes from 10 pm on, much too easy! Cody was the poster child of overeating, eating too fast and going around the house and chewing anything he could get his mouth on if he felt the food wasn't being served fast enough.

 After assembling my EPIC! (which was remarkably EASY, even for me!!), I tried it out with Cody. Truth be told at first Cody wasn't a fan. He walked to the EPIC! then back to his food bowl, then back to the EPIC! then back to his food bowl. He eventually gave in when he realized his treats/kibble were NOT going to make an appearance in his bowl........

Then, after the initial introduction, I heard Cody go over to the EPIC! multiple times during the day and in the evening. SUCCESS!!!! Not only was he getting his beloved treats/kibble, but he was also using his MIND and his PAWS!!

 "Chronic boredom is a detrimental condition afflicting indoor cats, resulting in behavioral problems like aggression and destructiveness, and stress-related behaviors like excessive grooming, crying and listlessness."



 “EPIC! stimulates natural feline behaviors to explore, scratch, sniff and retrieve hidden rewards.”

 Cat Amazing EPIC! is meticulously crafted to the last detail and has a modern design. After I had assembled mine, I was thinking that it would be so much fun to take crayons or Sharpies and color in the pattern on the EPIC! but unfortunately I didn't have a chance to do so. One day soon I think I will! 

The EPIC! easily assembles into three levels and seven compartments where treats and dry
kibble are be hidden.


 The heavy-duty double-layer cardboard outer shell contains openings of various shapes and sizes, strategically positioned to provide access to the treats inside. (In my photo above on the bottom right, there are 3 shorter pieces that I did not photograph).  Cody had to work to get his kibble/treats, just as   your cats have to work their paws and their brains to retrieve their tasty rewards!!  The internal compartments can be rearranged to adjust the difficulty level to match your cat's abilities – from Easier to Harder – and the setting is shown on the Level Indicator which is located on the side of the feeder as shown in the photo above.

 As many of you know, Cat Amazing is eco-conscious and the EPIC! Is 100% biodegradable !! It is also durable , and is printed with plant-based, cat-safe inks.


 Look at the Great Time Cody Is Having With His EPIC!



The original Cat Amazing has succeeded because of YOU!! Your kitties LOVE IT! Your cat(s) will love the EPIC! too! Please help make Cat Amazing EPIC! a reality!!!! All of the human and furry hearts at the Cat Amazing headquarters will be forever grateful!! Once  you see how much YOUR cat(s) love the EPIC! you will be thrilled that you helped make it a reality!!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The EPIC! Kickstarter campaign officially started at noon today, (October 16th).  Cat parents and cat lovers have a great chance to back the project and benefit from a 30% discounted price, and to provide their cats a happy and enrichment-filled life.

"A portion of all Cat Amazing proceeds goes toward funding the company’s Shelter & Rescue Enrichment Program, which provides enrichment products to cats awaiting adoption, as well as educational materials to new cat parents. Aggressive and destructive behaviors in the home are a top reason why cats are tragically returned to shelters (ASPCA Rehoming Survey). The Cat Amazing Shelter & Rescue Enrichment program aims to address this problem with toys that help shelter cats socialize in advance of adoption and learn to release their energy in healthy ways."


Photo Courtesy of Cat Amazing EPIC!






All information about the features of the product and consumer feedback are available at the product launch website at www.catamazingepic.com 

Disclosure: We received an EPIC! to test run, share on our blog and to offer our opinion before the Kickstarter campaign began. We were not financially compensated.Being a Cat Amazing EPIC! Kickstarter partner the affiliate links in this post may earn us a small commission.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Captain America is Halloween-Ready on "BOOLATRY!!" (Better known as "ZOOLATRY")

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's CAPTAIN AMERICA!!


Halloween has arrived early over at Boolatry!!! Cody is delighted to help kick-off one of our most favorite holidays of the year!!

When Ann posted on her blog looking for volunteers for costumes, both Cody and Dakota  JUMPED at the chance to purrticipate!!

Ann captured Cody's adventurous, brave and also sweet "purrsona" purrfectly with the darling graphic above. 

We LOVE what Ann wrote about Cody on her blog to describe this photo:

CODY is the Captain.  Captain America.
Fighting evil.  Doing good, avenging wrongs to make them right.  
Strong and brave and loyal.  Kind and caring and loving to all.
A gentleman of the highest order.
CODY ~ super hero!

Thank you so much Ann! We love it!! If you think THIS one is cute though, just wait until you see Dakota's which will be posted on October 24th...it is HILARIOUS!!!!

Thanks Ann for such a great Halloween kick-off!!!


Tuesday, October 9, 2018

"Emma's Gift" Furry Friends through Many Lifetimes, A Memoir by Katherine Mayfield

It is unusual that a book's dedication can sum up perfectly and succinctly, the message that a book is sending. In "Emma's Gift ,Furry Friends through Many Lifetimes by Katherine Mayfield" the dedication that author Mayfield has written to her "soul kitty", Emma, does just that.

"To Emma, who taught me how to love, and how to love myself. Thank you for seeing beyond all my problems and faults, and showing me the beauty of my soul."

It's the unconditional love of our pets that often gives us the validation that many of us never received both growing up and as adults. It is through the devotion that our pets show us that we learn that we are WORTHY of love.

I think an animal's unconditional love is most noticeable to our wounded souls through the first pet we have AS AN ADULT. It is often the first pet we had as an adult whom we had the deepest bond with, when that pet leaves us, the pain is unfathomable and often unbearable. Many times we try to replicate the unconditional love received from the first pet with all ensuing pets.

The way we are lead to our "soul pets" is often serendipitous. I believe it is something that is out of our control. We are led to the pets we are SUPPOSED to have WHEN we are SUPPOSED to have them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
"She Was God in a small, furry package"
Do animals reincarnate in order to renew and strengthen the loving bond they have with their humans? This heartwarming memoir suggests that they do.
Emma's Gift: Furry Friends through Many Lifetimes describes how the author's lifelong loving relationships with cats taught her to love herself after a difficult childhood, understand her deepest self, and reconnect with her soul and the energy of the Universe.
Raised in an unloving family where love and affection were lavished on cats, the author bonded with felines instead of people, and grew up with a sense of her truest self as a cat underneath the false self she developed to please her parents. Emma's Gift tells the story of how a close feline friend encouraged the author in her journey to uncover and nurture this tender, fierce aspect of her soul so she could step out from behind the mask and live more authentically.
Emma's Gift is a celebration of the soul connection between animals and humans--the eternal, loving bond that transcends the physical dimension. Packed with amazing insights about our current civilization and the human-animal bond, this heartwarming memoir will touch your heart and broaden your perspective on the nature of Life itself.


Available in print wherever books are sold. Kindle version available on Amazon; Epub available through Apple IBooks and Kobo.

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY:Normally I include snippets of my personal feelings/experiences in my reviews but this one hit SUPER close to home in reference to some things from my childhood, and with posts staying on the internet forever, I have chosen to pass on conveying my personal feelings and experiences.

Suffice it to say that once again I believe in life there are no coincidences. The animals sent to us are sent to us EXACTLY when they SHOULD be. It is through the love of animals that we find OURSELVES and Author Katherine Mayfield writes about her ongoing recovery from an abusive childhood, her self-discovery, her experiences, memories and love of cats beautifully. A true MUST READ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katherine Mayfield is the author of an award-winning memoir, The Box of Daughter, which is the story of her journey of recovery from family bullying in childhood; a book of humorous essays, The Meandering Muse:Uncommon Views of Everyday Life; a guide to coping with a dysfunctional family, Stand Your Ground; a guide to recovery from bullying, Bullied: Why You Feel Bad Inside and What to Do About It; and other books. Visit her website here.


We received no financial compensation for this book feature. We received a copy of "Emma's Gift" in exchange for our always honest opinion.

Monday, October 1, 2018

Affordable, High-Quality Window Treatments for your Home that are SAFE for Your Cat from ZebraBlinds and Savings for YOU!



I can't tell you how I cringe when I see photos of cats lounging in windows with improper window treatments. By "improper window treatments" I am speaking of curtains and primarily window blinds that have string cords attached to them or the rods that you pull to open the blinds or drapes that hang from the side (like a wand in a cat's mind).

When a cat sees a cord dangling from window blinds the first thing they see is a TOY. The cat reaches for the cord and can become tangled. The cat would inevitably become terrified which could cause the cord to wrap around it's paws, it's body...or  worse, it's neck which could cause it to be strangled. Rods that attach to blinds/curtains also pose dangers, the cat can cause the drapery or blinds to come crashing down if they attempt to play with it, which would terrify them...or worse......possibly kill them.

I am ashamed to say that for over 17 years I lived with the blinds featured below.

Not only are they hideous to look at, but they clang and crash in the wind, they allow heat and cold to come through the windows and do not block the sun adequately. (We get the late day sun which in the summer makes our second story condo, HOT). Many of you were experiencing hotter than normal temperatures last summer and we were no different. What did I do to try and block out part of that afternoon sun? Look at the embarrassing photo below:


Don't say I didn't warn you! It's embarrassing and disgusting! I had to put a sheet up to block some of the sun. I had to also keep two sides open so that Cody could sit in the window. This is disgusting to look at!

Last summer I joined Dealspotr  a website where influencers can find products to promote. A company named:



who posted that they were looking for individuals to test and promote their blinds. I visited their website, loved what I saw and applied thinking that no way would they ever approve a cat blogger! It was my LUCKY DAY! They did!!!

ABOUT Zebrablinds.com

They offer the most affordable blinds and shades found online. You meeasure and install yourself, using their  guidelines or live help, and save by getting the best prices online through ZebraBlinds. ZebraBlinds provides the products directly from the manufacturers, including everything you need to install. Free shipping and free samples available.
Tbeir products range from simple and affordable aluminum blinds to high-tech smart motorized shades that are compatible with home automation and voice assistants such as Google Home.
Whether you are looking for a new blind for your living room, looking to experiment with home automated smartblinds, or you need to do your whole house, they have a variety of products available at the lowest prices found online.

Photo Courtesy of ZebraBlinds
cordless-tdbu-mirage-blackout-cellular-shade-crown

From the first day I was put in contact with Jeff Lee from ZebraBlinds the customer service that they provide was evident. Not only was I incredibly annoying asking zillions of questions, I was concerned about the measurements I provided being correct. Jeff was more than patient addressing all of my concerns and answering all of my questions. He helped me figure out which blinds would be best for me based on my top concerns:

1) Safety for Cody
2) Their ability to block out the late day sun
3) Their ability to help block out drafts in the winter
4) They had to be aesthetically pleasing


ZEBRABLINDS OFFERS:

 A huge selection of customizable blinds, shades, shutters and draperies.
When you shop at ZebraBlinds.com, you can choose from thousands of styles, colors and types of window treatments. From solar shades and roller blinds to blackout shades and traditional draperies, they have what you are looking for!  All of their products can be ordered in a wide range of sizes and colors, with the add on options you want, so you can create just the right window treatment for you. 


Do you have unusually shaped or very large windows that you simply can't find treatments for anywhere else? They can help you there, as well with their custom sizing options. 

I have a living room window that is rather difficult to fit, the blinds that Jeff and I agreed would be best for me are the  Cordless TDBU Mirage Blackout Cellular Shades Crown

 ZebraBlinds.com,  offers free samples. Just sign in to your account and hover over any color or style you want to order. Their free samples let you try out the fabrics, styles and colors that interest you, all in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Jeff helped me with everything, when I couldn't decide between two of the colors that I wanted, he sent me free color swatches in the mail of the two so I could make a decision. I couldn't be more thrilled with the color that I chose which is called "Tussah". 








From the moment I placed my order ZebraBlinds updated me in a timely and professional manner letting me know the order was received, how I could track it and when it was expected to arrive.

When my blinds arrived it came with the hardware that was needed for easy installation as well as printed instructions. (The instructions are also available online and are clear and easy to understand).


I am not handy at all, nor is my husband but my incredible son-in-law kindly offered to put the blinds up for me and I have to say he had them up in probably less than 20 minutes!!




All you need is a small 3-step stool, a hand drill and a tape measure. All of the hardware is provided!




My shades have the The Cordless Top down Bottom-Up combined feature that will be particularly great when summer returns. I can choose to open as much as I wish at the top and the bottom.

As I mentioned I think I drove poor Jeff crazy with questions and emails throughout the process that pertained to measuring, ordering and installation he is the perfect example of the superb customer service that ZebraBlinds provides. ZebraBlinds has an "unwavering dedication to customer service."
At ZebraBlinds.com, they believe that low prices and an amazing selection aren't enough. They also want to offer a pleasant and hassle-free shopping experience. That's why they offer live customer support with a dedicated and friendly team of support specialists. If you ever need them, they are here to help. They also offer free shipping on most of their  products.

ZebraBlinds  stands  behind what they do!

Their 100% money-back guarantee is applicable on all first orders under $50. If you’re unsatisfied for any reason, you have 30 days to return your product for a refund. 
In addition to their money back guarantee, they also offer a limited life time manufacturer warranty on most products. Our warranty gives you extra peace of mind.

The Final Test: What Did Cody Do?


Cody immediately returned to his spot in the window. He sniffed at the blinds and hasn't attempted to scratch them. He has MORE ROOM than he did with the previous blinds and doesn't have to crash into them to sit and look out the window. I have the blinds open even higher today to allow more light in and to give Cody a wonderful view during the daytime hours. I also have peace of mind that he won't have a window rod/wand that he could knock everything down with. Cody didn't miss a beat and I think that HE prefers them too!

I couldn't be happier with my experience with ZebraBlinds, from the initial stages of decision making and questions, through the delivery, installation  and use of the product. I am ecstatic!!!! The shades are high quality and I am LOVING looking at them.

Now..........what to do about my DOORWALL??? Hello ZebraBlinds, I WILL BE BACK!!

EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR YOU!!

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 This post is sponsored by ZebraBlinds. I  received the blinds at no charge. ZebraBlinds is not responsible for the content of this post. ,  Cody and I only share information we feel is of interest to our readers.