National Cat Day 2025 (Wordless Wednesday)

 

Happy Global Cat Day!

 

Roary and I send our love to ALL OF YOU!!! Enjoy your day! xoxo

Happy 5th Gotcha Day Precious Roary!!

 

Happy 5th Gotcha Day to our most SPECIAL BOY!!!

Roary, it may have taken you and I a couple of years to bond, but now, you NEVER let me out of your sight!! 

You wake me up every morning with the most gentle kitty kisses, you meow a sweet "Good Morning" every morning and you give me so many cuddles all throughout the day. We have a most beautiful bond that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!

You hold your own perfectly with Levi and you give him as good as you get (probably BETTER!! lol) Your boxing skills on Levi's head are the BEST!

Happiest Gotcha Day sweet Roary!! You add so much love and fun to our home!! We adore you!

Happy International Cat Day 2023!!!

 As all of you do, we celebrate cats EVERY DAY but today is a day to celebrate not only our cats that live with us, but cats ALL OVER THE WORLD! It is a day to spread the word about just how pawesome life with cats is!

"Effective since August 3, 2020, the leading cat welfare charity, International Cat Care, became the custodians of International Cat Day. Since 1958, they’ve challenged cruelty, ignorance, and misunderstanding to affect positive change in the lives of cats. With an estimated global population of 600 million cats, half of which are thought to be unowned, their work has never been more important. To learn more about the charity, visit their website."

To all of you who have visited us for oh so many years and to those we recently have met, we think you are PAWESOME and we appreciate and celebrate each and every one of you!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY!!

AN UPDATE ON ROARY!

I thought it would be fitting to include an update on Roary and how he has been doing since his bladder stone surgery that took place at the end of May.

He is peeing like a champ and is doing SUPER WELL! (Paws crossed that this continues to be the case!) 

He had bloodwork done last week (because his bloodwork at the time of his surgery wasn't that great, the Vet felt it was due to the stones and it turns out it was!) Roary's bloodwork, kidney function, etc. was NORMAL and they also ran a urine test that was NORMAL!! YAY!!

One of the most wonderful outcomes of Roary's surgery is that he and I have FINALLY BONDED!

 (It only took THREE YEARS lol!)

I think Roary knew and appreciated that I barely left his side after his surgery......I waited on him hand and paw and we started a new ritual that I think helped us to bond. I started brushing him with the Furminator that used to be Cody's and he LOVES IT! I brushed him when he was wearing the cone to bring him comfort and now it is a daily ritual. 

He FINALLY sits with me on the couch, either on my lap or next to me (as you can see in the photo above where he is lying by me wearing my Lions pants.)

If it took the surgery to FINALLY have us finally develop a close bond, then I couldn't be happier!

What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and how does it work? (#GlobalCatDay)

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: Happy Global Cat Day which has evolved from National Feral Cat Day®.  Alley Cat Allies created National Feral Cat Day® on its 10th anniversary in 2001 "to raise awareness about community cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them. Because compassion knows no borders, international participation in National Feral Cat Day grew each year, reaching at least 20 countries with last year’s edition. That mark has already been eclipsed this year, with engagement for the inaugural Global Cat Day coming from more than 40 countries, from Australia to the United Kingdom, Belgium to Brazil, Saudi Arabia to South Africa and many more."

Courtesy of Alley Cat Allies on Facebook

TAKE/SIGN THE GLOBAL CAT DAY PLEDGE! “I pledge to be an ally to cats, including those who call the outdoors their home. I will advocate for compassionate policies that protect every cat in my community.” 

Today on this special day we are happy to have guest blogger Cherri Megasko writing about the importance of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return). Cherri has been an animal lover all her life. In addition to caring for her own pets, she has been trained to rehabilitate sick or injured wildlife. Cherri is currently traveling the world with her husband, Greg, and Yorkshire Terrier, Winston. Please check out her pet and wildlife blog –
Cats, Dogs and Polliwogs.

This colony of feral cats was photographed on a roadside
 while scavenging for food scraps
   Sara Golemon (Wikimedia Commons)

There are an estimated 70 million feral cats in the U.S. In addition to the damage they do to wildlife and personal property, they generally lead sick and miserable lives. Feral cats typically live in colonies where they must constantly hunt and scrounge for food, breeding uncontrollably until they are hit by a car, die of starvation or come to some other painful and tragic end. Today, (October 16), is Global Cat Day. You can observe this important day by learning about Trap-Neuter-Return programs in your area and and volunteering to help where you can.

TNR is one method of controlling feral cat populations. As the name implies, feral cats are humanely trapped, transported to a veterinarian for a rabies vaccination and sterilization, and then returned to their colonies. In addition, colony caretakers regularly monitor feral cat colonies and provide food, water and shelter for the colony population.

As adorable as this feral kitten is, he is sentenced to grow up in a harsh and frightening world.

Image Credit:

Serkan Dulgeroglu (FreeImages.com)

Who provides this service?

There are many volunteer organizations across the U.S. that support TNR programs. Funding for food and supplies generally is acquired from private donations. Many local veterinarians will also provide discounted sterilization services for TNR programs and some cities have government-funded TNR programs as well.

Why is TNR a good option?

Although not without its challenges, TNR programs are more effective in controlling feral cat populations than simply removing cats from an area. The reason for this is that cats are territorial. When you simply attempt to remove all the feral cats from one geographic area, new feral individuals will move in and start new colonies. By sterilizing colony residents and providing them with the basics of food, water and shelter, you are controlling population growth and helping to maintain a disease-free environment. TNR programs also include rabies vaccinations, which help protect area wildlife and adjacent human populations.

Many feral cats live dangerous and lonely lives.

 You can help by donating your time or money

 in celebration of Global Cat Day on October 16.

Image Credit:

Sener Aydin (FreeImages.com)

How Can I Celebrate Global Cat Day?

TAKE/SIGN THE GLOBAL CAT DAY PLEDGE!! Participating in the Trap-Neuter-Return program is not something that is advisable for an individual to attempt on his own. For obvious reasons, there are many logistical, safety and legal issues that need to be carefully considered. The first step should be to contact your local animal shelter, veterinary clinic or animal control office to inquire about programs that already exist in your area. Once doing so, there will be many ways to become involved. Volunteers are often needed to transport captured cats to veterinary offices, provide foster care as the cats recover from surgery, or to be a colony caretaker. Donations of food and supplies are most always welcome as well.

My Cat Offers 3 Tips On How To Avoid: Take Your Cat To The Vet Day #Cat2VetDay

Hi my furiends!!! It's Cody and as many of you already know, today is *******(Bring or Take) Your Cat to the (dreaded) Vet Day better known as Mom, Dad,  "Dr.Smiley" and his evil assistant get a good laugh day at MY expense!

******* (According to Days of the Year it is "Take Your Cat To The Vet Day",  catvets.com  is referring to it as "Bring Your Cat To the Vet Day" the message is the same!)

This photo is from a previous visit to Dr.Smiley's Evil Laboratory
Just for the record, Dr.Smiley and Gabby
are really NOT evil!!! 

Well, this is ONE CAT who is NOT going to the Vet today, and who managed to avoid that sordid experience last Wednesday when I was scheduled, (mind you, the operative word here is "scheduled") to go to the Vet for my annual Rabies shot. (Maybe I need to remind them that I am an INDOOR cat, I AM NOT A DOG!!!!! )

Anyway kitties, if YOU want to avoid a trip to the Vet, let me tell you how I got out of my appointment! You can take these tips and apply them to your own house, or come up with better ones of your own!

TIP #1 BE OBSERVANT!!!

It all started last Tuesday night. I was minding my own business, resting on a chair during the dark and quiet wee hours of the morning trying to drown out the relentless droning of Big Brother After Dark that Mom is obsessed with. My PTU (Personal Transport Unit for those who haven't been blogging long), is always kept in the living room with BOTH doors open. I will often slink into it's cozy, furry, blanket padded depths to get some much needed slumber. That night/morning something unusual happened. The rotund one actually moved off of the couch and closed one of the doors on my PTU. I WAS ON HIGH ALERT!!!! KITTIES! THAT IS A WARNING!! THAT MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO THE VET AND THEY ARE LEAVING ONE DOOR OPEN AT THE TOP SO THEY CAN PUT THROW YOU INTO YOUR PTU AND LOCK YOU IN FOR WHAT FEELS LIKE FOREVER!!!!!! I was beginning to formulate a plan, but didn't want to act prematurely. I  decided to see what else would happen that was out of the ordinary, and if strange things continued, I would spring into action!!

TIP #2 WATCH FOR A CHANGE  IN ROUTINE!!!

Normally, every morning I am on the couch getting MORE much-needed rest, (I am already fed because Dad gets up early to feed Sheltie boy and I while Mom snores away.) Mom usually says good morning to Sheltie Boy and then forgets that I exist. Well, last Wednesday after her usual morning greeting, Mom walked over to me and started petting me and cooing. Then, I heard her start telling Dad, "I hope he stays there, this will be MUCH EASIER." ONCE AGAIN, I WAS ON HIGH ALERT!!!  "THIS WILL BE MUCH EASIER?" I KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT!!!! I strolled into the kitchen and figured if I showed Mom and Dad my ample belleh, (which they LOVE to pet), they would be so overcome with my adorableness that they would be distracted.

 More talk followed...Mom said "Oh no!! He's off of the couch! He will soon disappear and I won't find him!!" I WAS OUTTA THERE!!!!!

TIP #3 BEGIN TO PUT YOUR PLAN INTO ACTION

Find the MESSIEST closet or room in the house and GET THERE FAST!!!!!!

Observe the photo above. My hiding spot of choice is in the messy closet that is in Mom's our office, (that she never uses). That white closet door doesn't open properly for humans, which is PURRFECT for me! That pink PTU was Angel Bobo's, (why she got a pink PTU for a male cat is beyond me, but I digress....) and I love to sleep there. When I go there, I feel Angel Bobo's spirit, and I know that  I am SAFE! Mom can't fit her fat-filled arms into that tiny space to get me because the door on the PTU opens TOWARDS her. I can get in, but SHE CAN'T!!!

I waited til I heard Mom say, "I don't feel like, stressing Cody or myself out today, I can't reach him when he is in Bobo's carrier, it's much too hard.   I am going to reschedule his appointment. It's just a shot and it can wait." 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Once I heard Mom on the phone with Dr.Smiley's evil assistants saying something about "being stupid because she forgot to barricade the closet", and I heard something about  rescheduling, I waited til I noticed that  the chauffeur,  Dad,  had left to run errands. Once he was out of the house I knew I was safe!!!! Mom re-scheduled the appointment for the end of August, thankfully, TOTALLY forgetting that August 22nd is (Take or)  Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day! At about 8:30 am (which would have been more than enough time to stuff me into my PTU had Mom not already canceled the appointment), I   nonchalantly strolled out of the closet and went back....WHERE? Why the COUCH of course!!!

YAY FOR ME!!! I AM "VET-FREE" til the end of August!!! Kitties you MUST try these tips yourself!!!!

FROM THE MOM: While Cody DID successfully sabotage a trip to the Vet he is by NO MEANS out of the woods! He WILL be going to the Vet at the end of the month!!! In our house we are firm believers in "wellness visits", (going to the Vet for check-ups when all is fine, and not waiting for an illness or a crisis to present itself), and keeping up with required vaccines.

Infographic courtesy of   Cat2VetDay

Wellness visits are important because they can often detect problems that could be cropping up. By catching a potential problem EARLY it can help avoid some costly vet bills! Preventative care is important for humans and it is equally as important for our cats (and dogs!!!) 

FROM CODY: Ok, so Dr.Smiley isn't really so bad, he is quite nice really, but I am not thrilled with being called overweight and getting poked, prodded and having a shot, even if I DO know how important it is. So kitties, what have YOU done to escape going to the Vet? Share YOUR tips because I can always use a few new ones!!

Oh and my FINAL tip for today?

KITTIES....WATCH YOUR BACK!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Cody

If Pets Had Thumbs Day

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: Another throwback!! This is from 2015 with some minor editing.

Hi all it's Cody! Well, it's Cody DICTATING this post to my incompetent human Mom. Which leads me to the point of this blog post.

As many of you know, today happens to be If Pets Had Thumbs Day, (or, in MY world, and for purposes of this post, it is If CATS Had Thumbs Day!)

No one seems to know the exact origin of this day (no surprise there, just add it to the ever-growing list of mindless holidays which in reality mean nothing, but hey, they are FUN, right?) So, without further pussyfooting around, just exactly WHAT would THIS cat do if he had thumbs?

Well, the obvious of course:

•  I could open my own bag of treats
• I could open my own containers of food
• I could turn the doorknob and escape to parts unknown
• I could grab my annoying woofie brother with BOTH paws and hold that giant, furry head between those paws...and.....squeeeezeeee......oh! Please excuse me I got carried away!
• I could take my OWN photos! They sure couldn't be any worse than Mom's!

• I could text with the speed of light and not only that, I could pilfer Mom's iPhone and make all sorts of crank phone calls! Does anyone even still do that?
• I could steal the keys to Mom and Dad's car and drive them around town, Mom drives a stick and I could shift that gear stick like there was no tomorrow!
• I could brush my own teeth
• I could play computer games the right way!!

Those are just a few things that I would do....but...I believe the MAIN thing I would do is COMPLETELY BAN MY MOM FROM WRITING ON THIS BLOG! It would be MINE, ALL MINE! I would be able to type to my heart's content, I could say what I want without fear of upsetting Mom. I would change all of the passwords on her social media accounts too!

 If we all band together, and if we ONLY had thumbs, we would take over the world!!!!!!!!!!



What do ya think kitties? Are you with me? 
Let's take back our blogs!!! Love, Cody

7 Ways To Celebrate National Cat Day!

About National Cat Day from Wikipedia:National Cat Day was founded by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige. It is a celebration that takes place on October 29, every year in the United States. The National Cat Day website states that the holiday was first celebrated in 2005, "to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us."

If Pets (CATS) Had Thumbs Day and Blogging Cats Unite to Join the NUCAT Union!

Hi all it's Cody! Well, it's Cody DICTATING this post to my incompetent human Mom. Which leads me to the point of this blog post.

As many of you know, today happens to be If Pets Had Thumbs Day, (or, in MY world, and for purposes of this post, it is If CATS Had Thumbs Day!)

No one seems to know the exact origin of this day (no surprise there, just add it to the ever-growing list of mindless holidays which in reality mean nothing, but hey, they are FUN, right?) So, without further pussyfooting around, just exactly WHAT would THIS cat do if he had thumbs?

Well, the obvious of course:

•  I could open my own bag of treats
• I could open my own containers of food
• I could turn the doorknob and escape to parts unknown
• I could grab my annoying woofie brother with BOTH paws and hold that giant, furry head between those paws...and.....squeeeezeeee......oh! Please excuse me I got carried away!
• I could take my OWN photos! They sure couldn't be any worse than Mom's!

• I could text with the speed of light and not only that, I could pilfer Mom's iPhone and make all sorts of crank phone calls! Does anyone even still do that?
• I could steal the keys to Mom and Dad's car and drive them around town, Mom drives a stick and I could shift that gear stick like there was no tomorrow!
• I could brush my own teeth
• I could play computer games the right way!!

Those are just a few things that I would do....but...I believe the MAIN thing I would do is COMPLETELY BAN MY MOM FROM WRITING ON THIS BLOG! It would be MINE, ALL MINE! I would be able to type to my heart's content, I could say what I want without fear of upsetting Mom. I would change all of the passwords on her social media accounts too!

There seem to be a number of kitties who are in agreement, so much so in fact, that my buddy Austin has taken matters into his own paws and has created NUCAT (A UNION FOR CATS!)

Click to visit Austin's blog!

Let me tell ya, I don't wear a collar, but if I did, you can bet your sweet tail my collar color would be BLUE ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!

Austin and many other cats, including myself, are up to our ears with the incompetence of our "Affiliate Typists", aka, humans, 2-leggers, Moms, Dads, whatever you wanna call them, and we are not going to take it anymore!!!

In Austins Words:

The time has come for cats to show

That we should not go with the flow.

We'll gather as one to tell the human,

That we are starting a CAT'S UNION!

We'll call it the N.U.C.A.T.

And all can join voluntarily.

All for one and one for all,

Let's fight the fight and stand up tall.

There you have it my furiends!!! Won't you join us in the fight to stand up for our rights against these hapless affiliate typists that CLAIM that they have our best interests at heart? If so, head on over to Austin's blog and grab your badge today!!!! If we all band together, and if we ONLY had thumbs, we would take over the world!!!!!!!!!!

 What do ya think kitties? Are you with Austin and the rest of us? 
Let's take back our blogs!!! Love, Cody