Month: August 2018

Raena sleeping selfie in lap

Chatting Cats: Lap Loving Is The Best

Published on by Service Cats U.S.35 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Let me tell ya’, you don’t know how good you have it till there’s an upset. I’s can’t ‘magine how anypawdy in this day and age can live without an a/c. Y, It felt so good in here yesfurday, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Well, actually, we did, but mommy kept noddin’ off so we didn’t get any visitin’ done at all.

 

Dezi sniffs mommys hand while laying in lap

 

 

 

 

          It’s not her fault Raena. She was ‘fraid to go to bed Sunday night cuz she didn’t want the repairmen to show up furst thing in the meownin’ and her not be able to let ‘em in and have the manager write her up fur bein’ uncoopurr-ative. And after they left she had a bit of cleanin’ to do and didn’t get to bed till 5:30 Tuesday meownin’; only to be jolted awake by the lawn crew some time t’ween 7:30 and 8 a.m.. Mommy’s just too old to keep those kinds of hours. 

 

Raena stands on small perch and leans front paws on the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

Well sissy, I’s sure hope she caught up on her naps, cuz we’ve got lots of visitin’ to do today. Our furiends could’a gone to the moon and back and we’d never know. Y, Mine’s Simon’s family didn’t have anythin’ cuz of a nasty o’l lightnin’ bolt and still they managed to visit their furiends. But mommy loses a few zzzzzzz’s and she’s s’posed to get a pass? 

 

          Uh, Your Simon, Raena? Since when? 

 

Yeah sissy, you know, our furiend Simon, Brian’s bushy tailed brofur? 

 

Dezi poses for a picture while laying on the arm of the chair

 

 

 

          Sure Raena, but that’s not what you meowed. You implied…  

 

Raena looks back from her dinner plate

 

 

 

I’s didn’t imply anythin’ sissy. I’s just meowin’ that we’ve got lots of things to do, furiends to see and…well we need to get busy. That’s all I’s was meowin’. Anyways, are you ever gonna let me have some mommy lap luvvin’ time? Every time I’s wanna get in mommy’s lap, there your fluffy hiney is, all stretched out and droolin’ all over the place. It’s mine’s turn fur lap luvvin’ time. Why don’t you go spend some quality time with the cat tree?. 

 

          Me’s not droolin’ Raena, me’s just happy. 

 

Well sissy, happy or sad, when spit falls outta your mouth, it’s called droolin’. Mommy says so. I’s thought us kitties were s’posed to be purr-opurr and dignified. All that slobber ain’t very diginified, ya’ know?. 

 

Dezi drools and gets love while laying on the chair arm

 

 

 

          When it comes to luv Raena, there aren’t any rules. But, me’s still not droolin’. 

 

 

 

Whatever you meow sissy. (Raena mumbles to herself) Ifin it looks like slobber then it must be slobber. Hmmmpnt  Besides, we’ve got a foto to prove it. MOL  Anyways, I’s think today’s mine’s day fur lap luvvin’, so move over. Why don’t you go finish your brekky and I’s’ll even let ya’ eat the last few bites of mine’s. 

 

Dezi gets her ears scratched while laying on the chair arm

 

 

 

          No Raena, me doesn’t want too. You spend every night cuddled up so close to mommy that even air can’t pass t’ween ya’. It’s only right that me gets her lap durin’ the day. 

 

 

Raena gets loving while sleeping beside mommy A on the bed

 

 

 

Night time sleepy time doesn’t count sissy. You’re just as cuddled up as me. And cuz mommy’s sleepin’ and can’t move, there’s no cuddle pets, chin scritches or cooing ‘bout how bootyful I’s is and how much she luvs me. Ready or not, here I’s come. You better scoot over or I’s’ll jump on top of ya’. 

 

Dezi gets loving standing on mommy's lap

Don’t you dare jump on me RaenaBelle!!!

 

 

 

          Hisssssssssss  RaenaBelle Mayce!!! (Dezi jumps down and flicks her tail as she walks over to her breakfast plate to finish eating.)  Sometimes, you can be a real brat.  

 

Raena sleeps in mommy's lap

Now this is the life. The bestest seat in the house.

 

 

 

But ya’ still luvs me, don’t ya’ sissy?  (Raena curls up and start purring as mommy A begins to pet her and coo over her.)  I’s luvs you mommy. Wha’d’ya’ say, we visit our furiends now? Yep, right after that scritch, right there, that’s the… (Raena closes her eyes and powers up her purr motor) 

 

 

Till the next time…………………………………………………Be Blest!!! 

 

 

Raena: Navy Blue  

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

 

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Deztinee 

Raena lays on cat tree looking back

Tell It All Tuesday: Word Trickery

Published on by Service Cats U.S.17 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. That stinkin’ lawn crew came thru and jolted me outta bed again this meownin’. Hmmmpht  I’s climbed over mommy and onto the vanity beside the bed where I had to maneuver the fone, alarm clock, humidifier, a small jewelry box, a couple of cat figurines, a candle lamp, and a salted night light to get to the bedroom window so I’s could give them a piece of mine’s mind. And wouldn’t you know it, they acted like they couldn’t hear me at all. No matter how much I’s shook mine’s paws at ‘em, they just kept bangin’ into the bedroom wall. Y, They hit the wall so hard they almost knocked me off the window sill. I’s climbed back over to mommy to help her get up and to the pawty so she could open the door and let me at ‘em. 

 

Dezi scratches cat scratcher while looking at the camera

 

 

 

          (Dezi meows from under the bed)  Purrlease Raena, the lawn crew can’t even see you, they fur sure don’t care what you have to say ‘bout ‘em.  

 

Raena sniffs the Made in the USA goody box from Chewy

 

 

 

Maybe not sissy, but it makes me feel better to get it off mine’s furry chest. Did you see the manager walkin’ ‘round takin’ fotos? Oh yeah I’s furgot, you can’t see anythin’ from UTB (under the bed). Anyways, mommy’s so tired of all this nonsense that when the mean manager lady came up on our purrch, mommy opened the door and asked her just what she was doin’. She gave mommy some story ‘bout takin’ fotos of all the leaves the leaf blowin’ man didn’t blow away. He makes mommy mad too, cuz he purr-pussly blows the leaves at and unner our door every week. It makes a mess that mommy has to clean up. I’s heard the mean manager tell mommy the lawn crew was paid $10,000.00 a year fur 3 months worth of work that they don’t actually do a very good job of. Anyways, I’s thought we might meow a little ‘bout the Made in the USA goody box we got from Chewy. C’mon out, the lawn crew’s gone.

 

Dezi and Raena check out the Made in the USA goody box from Chewy

 

 

 

          Oh Raena, me ‘members the last Goody box we got. It was really great. We had high expectations fur this box too. Let’s see what Chewy has to say ‘bout it.    

 

Made on the USA goody box from Chewy

 

 

 

Description

Surprise your cat with hand-selected goodies made right here at home with the Made in the USA Goody Box for Cats. Inside each box, you’ll find five or more premium goodies, including yummy treats, food, toppers, supplements and cat-approved products for your home ¬¬that your kitty is sure to love. Goody boxes are great for holidays, birthdays or just any special day with your furry companion. They also make the perfect gift to give another cat parent. Best of all, everything is 100% made in the USA in one of our 50 states, so you know you’re getting quality you can trust in each box. So open up a box and let your little hunter dive into the goodies, whiskers first!

Key Benefits

  • Contains five or more full-size goodies made right here in the USA, so you spend less time looking up where the ingredients came from and more time playing with your kitty.
  • Handpicked surprises for cats—from tasty foods and snacks to wholesome supplements and neat home goods. Recommended for all cats, kitten to senior, except for Natural Balance Platefulls (for adult cats).
  • Makes a great spontaneous gift for your own cat, but also an exciting surprise for your pet parent friends or relatives.
  • Enjoy great savings on the everyday prices of these premium treats and home goods, plus free shipping on every Chewy Goody Box order!
  • Give this special present full of American brands you trust any day of the year, with the health of your cat in mind.

Dezi and Raena check out the Made in the USA goody box from Chewy

 

 

 

 

We got our box and couldn’t wait to open it. You know, lots of really great things are made here in America, and we’d already been dreamin’ ‘bout what might be inside.   

 

          Yeah Raena, we could’a saved ourselves a little time ifin mommy had realized we were gettin’ exactly what they showed in the foto and not some other surpurrises. Our box had a package of Instinct Raw Boost Mixers, The Missing Link supplement, 2 packets of Natural Balance Cat Food, Blue Buffalo Cat Treats, 2 cans of Dr. Elsey’s Clean Protein noms and a soy candle fur the house in lavender.

 

Dezi sits with Instinct Mixers

 

 

 

Yeah sissy the candle smelled a bit like the groomin’ depawrtment at the pet store. Lavender makes mommy’s eyes itch so we gave it away to a furiend who could enjoy it. And, we’ve tried the Instinct Raw Boost mixers befur, so we’ll eat those up in no time. 

 

Dezi poses with the Missing Link

 

 

 

          And mommy says she used to give that Missing Link supplement to sis Lexi. Me thinks it tastes purretty good. Mommy just might have to look into addin’ it to our autoship. Me wouldn’t mind havin’ it again.

 

I’s like it too sissy. Unfurtunately, that’s where the likin’ stopped. And, we were a little surpurrised to find that the Made in the USA box contained ingredients sourced from somewhere else. Just goes to show, wording can be a little tricky. 

 

Dezi eats treat atop the cat tree

The treats aren’t bad.

 

 

 

          Sure ‘nuff Raena. Like that Clean Protein food from Dr. Elseys. Clean Protein’s a new buzz word that the pet food companies are tossin’ ‘round and tryin’ to put on all their packaging. Mommy did some research and learned that one definition meant meat that was grown in a lab and actually pawrt of any animal. So, she called the peeps at Dr. Elseys to try to get more info and was a bit disappointed by the answers she got. Furst of all, Clean Protein here is nuffin’ more than a name. Yep, no lab grown proteins, just a trademarked name. So, mommy asked ‘bout the ingredients, as some don’t come from the USA, and was told all pet food was manufactured in FDA approved facilities under their watchful eye.

 

Raena eats Kittles treats on the Liberty cat tree

You’re right sissy, the treats are alright.

 

 

 

Well sissy, we all know that’s an outright lie. Needless to say, we’re purretty disappointed in the Dr. Elsey’s peeps and this purrticular Goody Box. With all the toys and treats and foods made here, we really expected better. However, we’re sure there are lots of kitties who would like the purroducts in the box and fur sure luv the box itself. And of course the Goody boxes also come in a couple of different options, and only cost $19.95. So, you’re sure to find one that will make every kitty happy. And you don’t have to worry ‘bout signin’ up fur any subscriptions. ‘Course, there’s nuffin’ wrong with addin’ one to your auto ship every once in a while. After all, us kitties and woofies deserve a special treat once in a while.

 

 

We received the Made in the USA goody box in exchange for our honest opinion. As always we tell it like we see it, good, bad or otherwise. We only review products we use or have tried and believe would be of interest to you, our readers and friends.

 

          Once in a while? Hmmmpht  We deserve somethin’ special every day Raena. And chewy has purrlenty of things fur all your pets needs and even a few goodies fur the humans. And their Customer service is great. 

 

Dezi and Raena eat breakfast. Raena tries BFF

 

 

 

That’s true sissy. One thing we did take away from this, was watching out fur the word trickery used in marketing. I’s thinkin’ we might oughtta write a posty ‘bout all the trickery goin’ on in the pet food industry, what d you think sissy? (the house falls silent except for the lapping noise Dezi makes as she eats her breakfast) Guess we’ll meow ‘bout that another time. Let’s wrap this up and go finish brekky.   

Have you heard of Clean Protein, and what does it mean to you?

 

 

Till the next time……………………………………………Be Blest!!! 

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue  

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses 

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee     

Close up of Dezi's face, selfie

Blest Sunday: Sweating Like A Pig In A Smoker

Published on by Service Cats U.S.25 Comments

Dezi:  MeOW  C’mon Raena, it’s Blest Sunday. Me wants to count our Blessings. 

 

Raena lays on the litterbox and sleeps

At least this plastic’s a little cool.

 

 

 

          Raena:  How can you even think in this heat, sissy? I’s just wanna find a cool place to lay and stretch out fur a good nap. 

 

Blest Sunday purple kitty clip art graphic

 

 

 

Dezi:  Purrlease Raena, It’s been hotter than this befur. We live in the South, and heat’s just a pawrt of it. 

 

          Raena:  Yeah sissy, but not in the house. The house is s’posed to be cool. Isn’t that what the air conditioner’s fur? Even mommy’s sweatin’. I’s heard her say last night that we were way past the glistenin’ of a Southern lady and well on our way to sweatin’ like pigs in a smoker. 

 

Dezi lays in mommys lap for loving

 

 

 

Dezi:  Me heard her Raena. Me even got me’s fur soaked when me sat in her lap fur a little lap luvvin’. She said the air conditioner wasn’t workin’ purr-opurrly. Me saw her turn it down several times. And me heard her yellin’ at it to work. She said it ain’t s’posed to be 80 degrees in here when the thremostat is set on 74°. She even tried the o’l human trick of hittin’ it. Hmmmpht  Humans think that hittin’ electronics will somehow make ‘em work. Me’s never quite unnerstood that concept, but lots of humans do it. 

 

          Raena:  MOL  I’s seen it too sissy. So, are you meowin’ that it doesn’t actually work? Cuz you know, when I’s can’t get our ‘lectric toys to work, all I’s have to do is whacky paw ‘em a few times and they suddenly start workin’. 

 

Dezi:  There’s a big difference in you furinally whacky pawin’ the power button and humans slappin’ at the sides of a machine Raena. Anyways, least we have fans. Did you know that peeps used to think sweatin’ was a way to lose weight and get skinny? Sure ‘nuff, peeps used to pay good money fur stuffs to wrap themselves up in that would make ‘em sweat. Hmmmpht  We didn’t have to pay anythin’ fur this. See? You can find a Blessing in everythin’, ya’ just have to look. 

 

Dezi lays on liberty tree and Raena on the small perch looking at each other in front of the door.

 

 

 

          Raena:  You’re right sissy. Altho’ I’s don’t think that losin’ weight pawrt works…mommy hasn’t lost anythin’. I’s mean, I’s didn’t put her on a scale or nuffin’, but… 

 

Dezi: Of course me is Raena, me’s always right. Me’s older and wiser and…

 

          Raena:  You’re old alright sissy. I’s not so sure ‘bout that wiser thing, but ifin that’s what you wanna tell yourself… 

 

Dezi:  RaenaBelle Mayce, that’s not very nice. 

 

          Raena: Sorry sissy. Do you want a hug? 

 

Dezi gets loving while laying on the arm of the chair

Me’s gettin’ purrlenty of luvvin’ from mommy.

 

 

 

Dezi:  No Raena, stay back. Your ‘pawlogy’s enuff. By the way, do you see anythin’ innerestin’ outside? 

 

          Raena:  Nope sissy, not a thing. I’s haven’t even seen any birds. I’s did see one of those annoyin’ gnats in your brekky a while ago tho’. Ifin you don’t want the gnats to steal it, you better go claim it. 

 

Dezi:  What ‘bout yours Raena? Ifin they’re tryin’ to steal me’s brekky, then they’re purrobaly in yours too. 

 

          Raena:  Nah sissy, I’s finished mine’s a few minutes ago and I’s even had a few bites of yours. (Raena snickers a bit as she licks her paw and wipes her face) Guess I’s was purretty hungry this meownin’. Meowin’ of, we’re purretty Blest to have such tasty noms. And a mommy who only wants the bestest fur us. 

 

Dezi gets loving while laying on the arm of the chair

 

 

 

Dezi:  That we are Raena, that we are. And, a few of our facebook furiends got together and donated some green papers so mommy could have gas money to get back to the dentist fur some adjustments on her dentures. We sure do ‘purreciate everyone that helped. Meowin’ of furiends, we have the bestest furiends in the universe. 

 

          Raena:  Oh sissy, I’s luvs our furiends so much. I’s wish we could all have a big get together and meet up fur to fur to flesh. Wouldn’t that be just wonderful? 

 

Close up of Dezi's face, selfie

Me’s ready fur more luvvin’ mommy.

 

 

 

Dezi:  It would Raena. But fur now, we’ll just have to settle fur readin’ their stories and seein’ their fotos. As we do each week, we’d like to remind everypawdy to take a minute today and every day to give Thanks fur the Blessings in your lives. And we wanna fank each of you fur bein’ Blessings in ours. 

 

Raena sleeping selfie in lap

 

 

 

          Raena:  And don’t furget to check out all the Sunday Selfies over at the Kitties Blue. I’s gonna go back to mine’s purrch now and see ifin anything’s goin’ on outside. 

 

Dezi:  Me’s gonna go get some more lap luvvin’ Raena. Enjoy the purrch. 

 

Till the next time………………………………………………..Be Blest!!! 

 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue  

Raena: Navy Blue 

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Dezi gets loving from mommy while laying on the arm of the chair

Service Cats: Introducing The New Cat To The Resident Cat(s)

Published on by Service Cats U.S.21 Comments

MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays, where we answer your questions and tackle any topic relating to pets, cats in purrticular. Ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can click the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. And you can ask your own questions or make topic suggestions in the comments section below or by sendin’ us a private email via our Contact page. Last week we talked about introducing kitty to roommates and a new apartment. Today, we thought we’d tackle the tough topic of introducing and integrating kitty into a household with resident kitties.

 

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

 

 

 

The following post will be written in human English for reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Training Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal training, cats in purr-ticular. And to offer insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, successful Training is all about Repetition and Rewards.

 

 

Raena sits posing in her tiger harness

 

 

 

     It was long thought that cats are solitary in nature and preferred to be the only pet in the house. While that is partly true, we are/can be very social and enjoy the attention of our human/family and yes, even other animals including cats. Of course, we must remind you, that there are exceptions. Mommy A calls them Exceptional Kitties, and believes that even they can be integrated into multi pet households. Sis Lexi had been one of those Exceptional Kitties at one time. There may never be the sound of blue birds singing and bees humming, but most kitties can co-exist beside their patient and loving human(s). There are many reasons one may need to integrate a new kitty, such as adoption, marriage, rescue, new roommates, and even long term fostering to name a few. What we’re going to tell you next is the widely accepted way to introduce new kitties to resident kitties or re-introduce kitties after a trauma causes a rift. This is NOT the method mommy A uses; and we will discuss that in another post.

 

Pheremone and Stress Reducing Products:

     While we’ve not had a lot of luck with pheremone based products, you might want to try using them. They come in collars, sprays, edibles, water additives, and plugins. If you use a plugin, watch it closely and change out the entire unit regularly to avoid burning, or any other mishap. You might also want to try flower essences, treats, or other stress reducing products on the market.

 

Dezi and Raena play with the flitter during Raena's first week home

 

 

Note: Before bringing new kitty home for the first time, kitty should have been checked by a Vet and have been tested for all communicable diseases. All cats should be up to date on vaccinations and/or healthy before any face to face meetings or co-mingling of furs and bodily fluids.

 

 

 

Initial Homecoming:

     We do recommend having a Decompression Room/Area for both the resident cat(s) and the newcomer. You can learn how to prepare one here. It is recommended that new kitty and resident kitty be separated in different rooms. New kitty’s space should already be set up with everything he/she will need. We advise including scent markers for everyone in the house, such as a piece of clothing, towel, pillow case, fabric mouse/toy, etc.. Make sure you spend time with new kitty in their space. After a couple of days remove an item that new kitty has scented up and place it in the area of the resident cat(s). Begin feeding kitties closer and closer to the door that separates them. Refresh scent markers in both areas often. 

 

Site Swapping:

     Once new kitty is comfortable with you and their area, you can begin Site Swapping. We can’t put a time frame on any of this, as kitties react based on their previous experiences and personalities. Typically, kittens do acclimate quicker. Site Swapping will allow new kitty to see and smell their entire new territory as well as give them the opportunity to “stake their claim” to it. It will also allow resident kitty to fully explore the scents of their new housemate. During this time, continue feeding both kitties closer and closer to the door that separates them. 

 

Dezi and Raena eating treats on the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

Site Seeing:

     Once both/all kitties are within a couple of feet of the door that separates them, you’ll want to start opening the door so they can see each other. A baby/pet gate draped in a sheet or towel can be used to keep the cats separate and yet allow them to view and smell each other over a meal. NEVER leave the cats unattended until you know how they’re going to act/react. Slowly raise the towel/sheet while the cats are eating. The hope is that they will notice each other but continue to eat. Be prepared to step in and distract either kitty with a toy, wand toys work great for this, and block their site. Continue doing this until both/all cats can eat without any aggression toward the other or you. 

 

Dezi and Raena eat breakfast next to each other

 

 

 

Comingling:

     Finally, allow both/all cats to inhabit the same space at the same time. Observe how both/all cats interact with each other and be prepared to intercede if needed. Do Not be overbearing or baby either kitty during this time. There very well may be a few hisses or growls, but as long as both cats remain calm, don’t step in. And remember, keep each kitty’s Decompression Room/Area set up so they can escape if need be. Remember to take these steps slowly and be prepared to back up a step if either cat(s) shows signs of stress or isn’t ready to take the next step. We highly recommend during this step, cats be introduced face to face through play and/or treat time. We believe it helps “break the ice” and take the stress out of the face to face meeting.  

 

     These steps are also recommended if you suddenly find yourself with discord amongst your usually happy coexisting kitties. We previously wrote mommy A’s Tips for Reintegrating cats in the same household. You can read those Tips here.

 

Dezi wipes eyes while laying on the scratcher

 

 

 

Well, we do hope these tips help. Join us next week when we discuss moving with kitty. Sis Lexi used to meow ‘bout it all the time. Y, She and mommy moved 12 times in her lifetime, and she was a happy and well adjusted adventure kitty. Remember, we cats bond with our humans, not a house. And remember, if you’ve missed any post in this series you can ketch up by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. And, let us know what topics you’d like to read in the comments section below, or send us an email via our Contact page in the menu above. We’re also joinin’ Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday. Go by and check out all the other adorable kitties. We’ll see ya’ next week or sooner. 

 

Till the next time…………………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Are you an only (Exceptional) kitty or do you have housemates?

Does everybody get along?

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle