Cat Book Review/Give-Away:Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat by Lola and Dawn White

AUTHORS TAKE NOTE: I am a sucker for presentation. When I receive a book for review, I pay attention to details. When someone, (primarily an author, not a publisher), requests a review, I take note of:was it shipped directly from Amazon? Was it signed? ( if I receive a book signed by the author I will ALWAYS keep it, ALWAYS). If the book is not  signed, it will more than likely  be passed on to make room on my jam-packed bookshelves, after I read it, whether I loved the book or not.

When I received a copy of Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat by Lola and Dawn White, it was one of a mere handful of books that impressed me by the care and thought taken when it was sent to me. It was signed and there were a few "goodies" included.

 Call me crazy, but when asked to review a book, reviewers  are NOT your "average" reader. Authors, take heed. Pay attention to presentation when mailing books to reviewers, it shows us you care about your book. For me, the experience of reading a book begins when I open the package/envelope that it arrives in, followed by cover presentation. More often than not, my impression of a book after I have read it, has matched my initial impression of the book when it arrived. Funny how things work.  Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat by Lola and Dawn White is one of those books that immediately impressed me upon it's arrival and it did NOT disappoint!

Cover photo Courtesy of Dawn White

From Lola herself: "Hi, I'm Lola! My life definitely took a turn for the worse when I was thrown away in a garbage dumpster and ended up in a shelter where I got very sick. But I was lucky because I found a fairy godmother who saved me and made sure I got a wonderful life. But not all animals in the shelter have a fairy godmother. I'm just lucky." Lola

I am in awe of so many of you who are reading this review who have rescued cats from shelters that might not have been "perfect" cats or kittens. While rescuing all cats is noble, rescuing a cat or a kitten that is ill or has physical challenges is something that I hold in high regard.

Author Dawn White comes from a family of cat lovers. Her "first love" was Marvin, a black and white cat with a "smudge" on his nose who she was forced to give up due to life circumstances. That led her to adopting "Lexy" a Marvin look-alike who had been at the shelter for nearly a year and was passed over because people thought at two years old, "she was too old." Dawn says that adopting Lexy was "the best decision I ever made."

After about 8 months, Dawn decided that Lexy needed a companion. Enter the magic of Facebook. Dawn was looking for someone to help her trap a spay when she came across Lola's photo on  the page of a cat-sitting business. "She looked pathetic, sick, and neglected, but there was something in Lola's eyes that drew me to her immediately." Dawn visited the vet where Lola was being taken care of and "5 minutes later I had adopted this 3.4 pound skinny cat with a face full of mucus who was so sick and weak she couldn't even meow. That was the second best decision I ever made."

Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat by Lola and Dawn White is a diary primarily pawed by Lola herself.  Each diary entry lists the month, date and year of the entry from Lola's abandonment, to her first year "Adoptiversary."

With each entry, Lola becomes more confident,  secure and much braver! I particularly LOVE that this book was written from the eyes of Lola herself.  Charm and love fill every entry:

August 5, 2011
Mommy's flip-flop makes a nice pillow. I think I may be onto something here. Maybe I can find an agent and sell flip-flop pillows. I'd be famous.

November 3, 2011
Mommy is a little under the weather and is going to bed early, so I've been missing out on computer time. Hey! I have an idea! I can hold her mouth open and pop one of my pills in there to make her feel better. I wonder if I can get some of my friends to help me?"

Lexy on left and Lola on right
Photo courtesy of Dawn White

Those of you who have had the pleasure of bringing a new cat home and introducing it to the resident cat(s) will love and be able to relate to the process as seen from the eyes of the "interloper" herself that are also abundant throughout this marvelous book.

November 12, 2011
This morning Lexy and I were on the bed and Mommy came in and sat down. Of course, I went over and gave her a lick hello. Then she gently brought me over by Lexy, and Lexy started licking my head. "See, you can be great friends," Mommy said. And then something happened...I won't keep you in suspense, I'll just tell you; Lexy bit my ear. Epic fail, Mommy, epic fail.

  As you can see by the excerpts I shared above, the  sweetness of Lola and her loving nature, as well as her impish side,  which is sometimes conveyed by a wicked sense of humor, is incredibly endearing. Each page reinforces the importance of and the unconditional love that is received when one adopts a rescue cat. 

Speaking of rescue cats, in the back of the book are some beautiful stories from friends of Lola and Dawn who share the most beautiful stories of how they adopted their special furbabies. 

Ten Percent of the proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to animal rescue organizations and shelters.  - See more  here 

Author: Dawn White

Genre: pets/cats

Publisher: The Silloway Press

Publication Year: 2014

ISBN: 9780983155256

Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Books A Million and other online book sellers.

Dawn White
Photo Courtesy of:
Lola The Rescued Cat

Meet The Author:

Growing up in Rockland County, New York, cats were always a part of Dawn’s family, but animal rescue didn't come to her attention until she adopted a cat from a shelter in 2011. Since that time she has been an advocate for animal rights and has utilized social media outlets to network for animals that need saving. She has also participated in animal rescue transports, assisting in bringing rescued, and previously unwanted, pets to their new forever homes. Dawn’s genuine sense of caring has led her to choose her career path to help others. A dedicated Human Services Professional working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Autism since 1988, she earned her Master’s Degree in Psychology in 1992, and became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2014. She lives in New York City with her two cats, Lola and Lexy, who run the house. Dawn says “adopting two shelter cats has truly changed my life.” Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat is her first book.

GIVE-AWAY!!!

Dawn has allowed us to do a give-away! ONE  LUCKY WINNER who resides in the U.S.A will receive a copy of Lola:Diary of a Rescued Cat, a magnet and this TOTE BAG!!

Entering is super easy! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below. There is only ONE mandatory entry required, once you complete that, more entry options will open up. Good Luck!
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In full disclosure: we were not compensated for this review/give-away. We were sent a copy of Lola:The Rescued Cat in exchange for our always honest review.

Winner!!!! Texts From Mittens by Angie Bailey

Thanks to ALL who entered our give-away for:

It is now time to announce the

 LUCKY WINNER!

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Sandee also has a blog:

You can visit it
by clicking here!

HUGE CONCATULATIONS
TO SANDEE!!

The Googie Cat Bed! Fun for your Cat and Your Home! It's a Give-Away!!

"Eeey!!" said in the tone of Arthur Fonzarelli  (better known as "Fonzie" from Happy Days!). Grab your poodle skirt (that's right, grab your POODLE skirt, they didn't make cat skirts in the '50s, they DID have kitten heels, but I digress...) and your cat, we are going to time travel back to the 1950's with Googie Cat Beds!

The Googie Cat Bed
:Photo Courtesy of Tom Davies

Being a child of the 50's (did I REALLY just ADMIT that?), I was tickled when I first saw Googie Cat Beds featured on a number of blogs that are written by  some of my cat blogger friends.

I was even MORE tickled when Tom Davies of:

 generously afforded me  the opportunity to review one! 

I vividly,(and fondly) remember formica kitchen counter tops and the fun 50's fare that was placed on top of them, and when I watch Cody loving on his Googie Cat Bed, with the formica and plywood sides, the memories come flooding back! When I view the Googie Cat Bed I want to grab my hula hoop and do the Twist!

The Googie Cat Bed is one of less than a handful of items, that when it arrived at my home, Cody IMMEDIATELY set out to investigate it! It was truly love at first sight!

Tom Davies, the artist/craftsman/designer behind Davies Decor and the Googie Cat Beds wanted FUN items for his hum-drum home, (by his own admission, his home,  "looked like so many other homes, full of flat-pack, off-the-shelf furnishings that lacked personality and worn, hand-me-down furniture too uncool even for my parents.It got to the point where I was embarrassed to have people over. Sad, but true.I wanted to reset my home with fun, unique stuff that I knew no one else would have, but where would I get it?"

What did he do?

He created them for himself! 

Here is a bit of history about Tom, (one other connection that we discovered that we share is that we are both originally from Cleveland, Ohio!, Tom is yet another fine example of how "Cleveland Rocks!")

Tom Davies
Photo Courtesy of
http://www.daviesdecor.com/

"After working for over ten years as a web designer and art director in corporate art and marketing departments, Tom Davies decided to stop pushing pixels around a computer screen and to start making real objects that exist in the real world.

Trained as an artist in Massachusetts and forever designing and building, Tom combines his skills as an artist and furniture maker with his natural (one might say compulsive) attention to detail. His home is filled with handmade objects of his own original design.

Tom has been asked “Where did you get that?” by guests in his home often enough that he has now launched daviesdecor.com as a way to share his creations, including his unique architecturally inspired cat furniture, with the rest of the world." 

Cody isn't the only one who loves the Googie Cat Bed. I DO TOO! It reminds me of a stool/chair I had, (yes, in the mid to late 1950's) that was also lovingly hand-built. My mind immediately flashed back to that stool when I first saw the Googie Cat Bed! What great memories it brings back!

It is rare to find fun, stylish and quality HAND-BUILT items in the world we live in now. The Googie Cat Bed transports me back to a a time of innocence and , fun, The Googie Cat Bed "celebrates the spirited optimism of postwar America."

Don't think that CATS are the ONLY ones 

who want a Googie Cat Bed!!!

After reading and viewing the Googie Cat Bed I bet YOU and YOUR cat want one too! They are available on Amazon and of course on DaviesDecor.com, BUT TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY!!!

Tom has generously offered ONE READER OF THIS BLOG the opportunity to WIN a Googie Cat Bed! (A $250 value!) All you have to do is enter on the rafflecopter below. The give-away is open to EVERYONE...BUT....the beds are only able to be shipped throughout the U.S. (If a reader located outside of the U.S. would like to enter for an American friend, they are more than welcome to do so!) THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 18th, 2014.

ALSO if you order a Googie Cat Bed, BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST, 2014 (which by the way would be a PAWTASTIC item to surprise your cat(s) with during the holidays,) if you use the code: googieholiday at checkout you will get:

FREE SHIPPING!!

Now, put your paws to the keyboard and enter away! GOOD LUCK!!!!
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But wait! There's more!!! Check out this video featuring another amazing product from Davies Decor! The Post and Beam Cat House!!









In full Disclosure:I was compensated for featuring the Googie Cat Bed and for hosting a give-away. I was also sent a Googie Cat Bed for Cody to try---he LOVES IT! Receiving compensation in NO way influenced this  review. I only feature products that either I (or Cody), personally use, would use, or that I  feel would be of interest to my readers, I do NOT feature products that I do NOT believe in, regardless if whether or not I receive compensation.

Mice offer sage advice in "I Wish I Had A Pet" a new picture book by Maggie Rudy-Enter to Win

When I was a child, I had an incredibly  vivid imagination. While  putting my feet into slippers or shoes, I pretended that they were going into their homes. Sitting under the picnic table with a cloth thrown over it, was my make-shift fort,  a haven where I would let my imagination take me to secret places. With lush emerald blades of grass as my cushion, I would become intoxicated by it's summery scent, my eyes occasionally catching a glimpse of an ant or a lady bug, would be the catalyst for my imagining that it lived in a grassy city of sorts,  full of  adventure.

Watching squirrels scampering up trees, I was certain that they retired to homes resplendent with acorn bowls used for eating, and that mouse holes were in reality, secret little hide-outs that contained miniature beds, pretty frocks and other treasures that made their houses cozy abodes that I was too large to crawl into and enjoy with them.

"Potato Forest" photo courtesy of Maggie Rudy

As I "matured", I never lost that child-like sense of wonder, and still believe that faeries, gnomes, mice and other miniature creatures live in magical places.

There are few authors I have reached out to whose books I desperately wanted to review. Maggie Rudy's I Wish I Had A Pet was one of them.

Book cover courtesy of Simon & Schuster

You never know what riches you will uncover when you read comments on blogs that you follow. I don't remember the exact chain of events, but I first discovered Maggie Rudy's blog: MousesHouses through reading a comment left on a blog that I follow.  Following the link, I was smitten:

"Reunion" photo courtesy of Maggie Rudy

I was transported to a magical place from  my childhood, where mice live, laugh and play with abandon. They are wearing adorable clothes, have amazing adventures, and frolic and thrive, just as I always knew they did.

Maggie Rudy, also known as the Empress of Mouseland, has been making mice with felt for twenty years and has been living in Mouseland for so long that she is starting to grow whiskers.

"Ice skating" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy

"Deluxe accommodations" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy

Maggie's Mice are made out of felt, pipe cleaners, cotton, nylon thread and black glass beads. They are pieced, sewn and glued. Maggie uses ALL that are made for her book illustrations.

Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy

I have a veritable pin-fest whenever I visit Maggie's blog.  I seem to never be able to visit her blog without pinning her images on a variety of my boards.

"Latkes" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy

"Redhead" Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy

When I read her blog and found out that she had published a new book, my inner stalker detective kicked in! I HAD to know more about this gifted woman, and I desperately wanted a chance to review her book.

It is my honor to have been granted that opportunity!

Five-year-old-ME
was entranced by the digital photographs, which are scenes composed of objects in combination with handmade elements by Maggie Rudy.

Maggie Rudy photographing her mice! Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rudy

I Wish I Had A Pet enables you to follow a young mouse as she searches for a pet that is just right for her. It is a hard-cover, glorious picture book, (an ebook edition is also available, but in my opinion this is one you will want to HOLD and treasure in your hands, the way a book SHOULD be read).
I Wish I Had A Pet is a feast for the eyes and imagination of children, and those who embrace their inner child, as I do, while sharing an important message.

  I Wish I Had A Pet lovingly teaches children that while it is wonderful to WANT a pet, there are a few factors that should be taken into consideration  before deciding on the pet that they want.

Big or small,
scruffy or smooth,
frisky or quiet-
there are so many pets
to choose from!

Which pet is just right 
for YOU?

Children will learn that pets  come with responsibilities, such as, "when your pet makes a mess, clean up after it....every time."

I Wish I Had A Pet touches on how not all pets like the same things, ie, some pets do not wish to  be dressed, and some might not enjoy play dates. How could you NOT bring a pet into your home when your child learns that the pet will become a  life-long friend, "who is wishing for YOU!"

There is SO MUCH TO SEE in the images in this book. The mice have "pets" of their own, lady bugs, caterpillars, etc. One of my favorite images in the book features two mice pushing baby strollers which were crafted out of walnut shells, tucked lovingly into the shells are none other than what I believe to be LOBSTERS!

I Wish I Had A Pet would be a gift that a child will cherish. It can be read as a bed-time story, for quiet time, in a children's reading group, as well as a classroom setting. The topic of what should be taken into consideration when deciding on a pet, and the detailed images, will plant seeds that will lead to HOURS of discussion!

Often, when I review a children's book I pass the book on to one of a number of children I am fortunate to know in my life. Not the case with this book. I am going to be selfish and keep it. I will keep it in my office where it will be an important reminder of the imagination that brought me so much joy as a child. I will share the book with little ones who might happen to visit, but ultimately, this one is going to be mine,  delightfully mine. I will share it when I feel like taking a much-needed respite into the joys of  child-like wonder, and I will continue to be awed by Maggie Rudy's talent, whenever I take that journey.

Beach Lane Books
Simon & Schuster
ISBN 978-1-4424-5332-6
Available wherever books are sold

MAGGIE RUDY is often spotted in Portland, Oregon, where she has a studio. You can see more of her mice on her blog: MousesHouses, follow Maggie on Tumblr and Twitter.




GIVE-AWAY!!!  I MAY NOT BE SHARING MY COPY OF I WISH I HAD A PET, (a $16.00 value), BUT MAGGIE RUDY HAS OFFERED A COPY FOR ONE OF MY READERS. IF YOU RESIDE IN THE U.S. YOU CAN ENTER TO WIN BY ENTERING ON THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW!! (My apologies to my International readers).  GOOD LUCK!

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Pruven™ Litter Trap Mat-Review/Give-Away!

Hi and Happy Monday all!

I got a good MEOW out of the fact that when Mom went to BARKWORLD she found a SUPER GREAT product for CATS!!! Go figure!!! Just goes to show ya, you never know WHAT you are gonna find if you venture out of your comfort zone!

Mom met the great folks at Pruven Pets and got to chatting, and told them she would LOVE to try their Litter Trap Mat! Mom thought the look of it, all squiggly and all, was just so intriguing!

Our friends at Pruven said they would be happy to send us a mat to try out, and when it arrived, Mom was just as pleased as she thought she would be! I was too!

Mom kept my old mat there for a few days and put the  Pruven™ Litter Trap Mat along side of it because she wasnt' sure at first how I would react to the feel of the mat on my paws. Well, I'm hear to tell ya that it feels great! Here is how it looks by my litterbox.

It has been there a few weeks now and Mom is quite pleased that it really helps any tracked litter stay in one place!

Here are some impawtant points for you to know!

Pruven™ Litter Trap Mats traps and holds 99% of litter that usually gets scattered around your floors. It provides superior litter capture to protect your floors from grit and moisture.

  Traps 99% of litter

  Less mess

  Open web technology

  Thousands of tiny litter-grabbing loops to keep your home clean

  Soft and pleasant to the touch

  Easily vacuumed or rinsed for cleaning

Don't believe me? See for yourself!!




Want a  Pruven™ Litter Trap Mat of your own? Why OF COURSE you do!!! My furiends at Pruven Pets are offering ONE READER WHO LIVES IN THE U.S. the chance to win their own  Pruven™ Litter Trap Mat

HOW TO ENTER:

MANDATORY-leave a comment telling me what your BIGGEST cleaning PET peeve is! REMEMBER THIS IS MANDATORY!!

BONUS ENTRIES 3 ENTRIES EACH:

FOLLOW @PruvenPets on Twitter
FOLLOW @catchatcaren on Twitter

Leave a comment telling me that you did these and you will get the extra entries!

The give-away is open NOW (to those 18 and older who live in the U.S.) and the deadline to enter is MONDAY OCTOBER 7TH AT 5PM EST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be announced WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH! GOOD LUCK!

Can't wait to see if you won, and want to know where you can purchase the  Pruven™ Litter Trap Mat or any other pet products by Pruven? Click here!


In full disclosure: Mom and I were not compensated for this review/give-away. We were sent a litter mat to try in exchange for our honest opinion!

Mark Poulin Jewelry Give-Away WINNER!!!

Ohhhh we couldn't be MORE excited

 to announce the winner of our

  Mark Poulin Jewelry Give-away!!! 

Thanks to all who entered!

Ready?

does the PINK

give it away?

Here she is!

Click here

to visit her fabulous blog!

HUGE CONCATULATIONS!

We can't wait to see

what you pick for your prize!

Love and

Happy Early Valentine's Day!

Cody & Caren

Winner! "I Am Tama Lucky Cat" And Martha Stewart Pets At PetSmart!!

The Winner of
the "I Am Tama Lucky Cat" book give-away is:
Old Kitty and of course CHARLIE!!
from the wonderful blog
Ten Lives And Second Chances
Concatulations!!
Please email me your complete address to:
cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

Don't I look totally handsome
in my new shirt?
Mom brought it home for me from BlogPaws!

I AM "The Leader Of The Pack!"
The nice people from PetSmart
gave Mom this shirt and a few others.
Now I have a rockin' wardrobe!
This shirt is part of the
Martha Stewart Pets line at:

Pet Charity Give-Away Winners!!!

Thank you to every one who entered my Birthday Give-Away!!! (and to everyone who stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday!!)

The 4 winners were chosen in a lottery-style format by www.random.org. I assigned a number to each comment that was left requesting to be entered into the drawing and the winning numbers were 1, 10, 15 and 24. I am thrilled and honored to mail each winner a  $25 donation to the pet organization of their choice!! AND THE WINNERS ARE:

PUMPKIN PUDDY

ARTEMISIA

HANNAH & LUCY

KITTY'S CAT CHAT

Please email my Mom at

 cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

 with your complete name

 the name of whom you would like your $25 donation check written to

 and your complete mailing address

 and my Mom will send it in the mail to you!!

Also:Mom is going to mail bumper stickers

 to everyone who emailed her requesting one.

 If you would like one and didn't email my Mom,

 please contact her at cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

 and she will send you a bumper sticker!

CONCATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!!!!