Category: Blog Hops

Raena laying inside the small perch and looking out

Blest Sunday: Christmas Came Early for Mommy

Published on by Service Cats U.S.43 Comments

Meowllo everypawdy and welcome to a pawsum Blest Sunday. As most of ya’ know this is our favorite posty of da week. But we do have some new followers dat might be wonderin’ just what it’s all ‘bout. So we wanted to take a minute and ‘splain. Mommy says it’s good to give thanks each and every day fur da blessings in your life. And she says, no matter what, everypawdy is blest. Blessings come in all forms from da material to da unseen blessing of breath, luv and furiendship to name a few. So ifin you are alive and breathin’, you are blest. We know dat you might be havin’ purroblems or things might not look so good from your view. Trust us, we’re not without our own purroblems and issues. None da less, as long as we have breath in our bodies, things can change. Thus, we, and you are blest.

 Dezi lays on the back of the chair

Raena and me are so very blest to have a furever home with a furever mommy who luvs us more than anythin’ else in da universe. And we are blest to have so many amazin’ and wonderfully luvvin’ furiends. Yep, dat’s all of you. We are blest to live in a Country where we are furee to worship God and speak our minds. We are blest!!! And this week da material blessings came knockin’ on our door too.

 

 

On Furiday, da mailman came walkin’ up to our door. He’s new, we usually have a mail lady. Me didn’t recognize this man at all. None da less there he was standin’ at da door with a big ole box in his hands. Mommy brought it in and da box monster, Raena, was all over it. Smellin’ it, whacky pawin’ it and tryin’ to figger out how to get into it. Mommy got da scissors out and told sissy to move out da way, and opened dat there box. You shoulda seen mommy’s eyes. Da contents of said box was fur her. Yep, 2 big ole cans of coffee. Mommy luvs her coffee. And with da weather coolin’ off, she drinks da stuff all day and night.

 Raena sniffing gifted Folgers coffee

       I’s still don’t get what da big deal is sissy, but mommy sure is happy. I wans’t sure at furst cuz of all those tears, but she said they were happy tears. And dat she couldn’t say fank ya’ enuff to da angel what sent her dat delishus coffee. I’s fankful fur da box.

Yeah Raena, you know dat cup o’ joe dat mommy’s always tellin’ ya’ not to swish your tail furs in? Well, dat’s her coffee. And she luvs da stuffs. Says she can’t get goin’ without it. Me agrees with you tho’, da box is great fun. Anyways, come Caturday while we was sittin’ here watchin’ fur da storm to roll in, da Fed ex truck drove up. S’no big deal, there’s 23 other ‘pawrtments here dat they deliver to so we see their truck almost everyday. Da driver stood out there goin’ thru things fur da longest time befur pullin’ out some boxes and shuttin’ up his van. And then he headed right fur our door. One of da boxes was from Chewy. Mommy had found enuff green papers to get us a small bag of da freeze dried food dat she hopes will last till payday. Since Raena started growin’ up, let me tell ya’ dat girl likes da groceries. Anyways, da other box was huge, and said amazon on it. Mommy hadn’t ordered anythin’ else so she figgered da Fed ex man would be takin’ dat one elsewhere. Mommy opened da door and da delivery purrson put both boxes down in our house and left. Yep, da box monster Raena was at it again.

 Gift box

Anyways, mommy looked at da label as bestest she could withour her seein’ glasses and said, “Yep, looks like my name.” And then she got da scissors and cut da box open. When she got a eyefull of what was inside, she stepped back and got her seein’ glasses and checked da label again. “Hmmmm that’s my name and that’s our address” she said. And then da tears started flowin’ as she emptied da box fankin’ God and askin’ His blessings on da angel what sent it. somethin’ mommy does over every box dat comes in da house. Y, There was even a can of chicken in there and me’s birthday’s comin’ up next week on da 1st. There was cleanin’ supplies fur da house messes and our messes and fur human messes; includin’ some kleenexes fur all those tears and snot comin’ from mommys eyes and nose. Some noodles and even a chicken and dressin’ microwave meal dat mommy says we can share fur da holidays. Mommy said Christmas done come early and blest her real good. So a meowsy big Fank you to whoever blest our mommy. We all purreciate it very much.

       We sure do sissy. And fanky fanks fur da boxes too. Now, what’s a birthday? I think I’s gonna like those ifin we get chicken. And what’s these holidays and Christmas? 

Oh Raena, you’re such a…a…baby. Me will ‘splain it all in due time. Right now we just want to tell everypawdy to ‘member to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur da blessings in their lives. Fank you all fur bein’ a pawrt of our lives and fur each of you, we purray God’s richest blessings on you and yours.

 Raena laying inside the small perch and looking out

       And we’re joinin’ da Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. I’s’ll race ya’ to da big box sissy.

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

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue

Mommy A: Black

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Raena pokes her head through the hole of the Kong incline scratcher

A Cat’s Gonna Scratch, Where Will It Be #ChewyInfluencer

Published on by Service Cats U.S.29 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Guess what? I’s didn’t hijack anythin’ today. Sis Dezi’s gonna let me take da lead. She’s such a pawsum sisfur. She’s really pawsum fur a lot of reasons. Did you all know dat befur I was born sis Dezi was enterin’ contests and give aways tryin’ to win new toys and other stuffs to give me when I came to live with her and mommy? She did win one of them and I’s luvs dat toy. She’s really sumfin’, mines sisfur. She knew mommy couldn’t afford to buy new stuffs fur me and she wanted me to have somethin’ of mines very own dat wasn’t a hand me down. So, when we got da oppurrtunity to review a brand new kitty scratcher from Kong as pawrt of da Chewy Influencer purrogram this month, she jumped at it. Yes we have svratchers but they’re all scented up with sis Dezi and her sis Lexi’s (may she rest in peace) scents.

 Dezi lays on the Liberty Cat Tree

Disclaimer: As Chewy.com Influencers we received compensation for trying out and reviewing the Kong Incline Scratcher. All opinions unless otherwise stated are our own. As always we only review items we use or have tried and believe would be of interest to you our readers and friends. And will always tell the truth of our experience. 

      

       Be sure and let everypawdy know dat you’ll be sharin’ da new scratcher Raena. 

Of course I’s gonna share sissy.

 Kong Incline Cat Scratcher

       Me knows, but it’s good to make it clear. Anyways, let me say a few things ‘bout Kong. They are a pawsum company dat has been makin’ doggy toys fur years. They even make some dat can withstand almost any toture inflicted by da rowdiest of pups. So when they started makin’ cat toys mommy thought they would be no brainers. After all, we kitties aren’t nearly as destructive as da woofies.  MOL 

 Kong Incl;ine Cat Scratcher

Can I’s tell ‘bout our new scratcher now sissy?  (Dezi nods and continues to clean her furs) Fanky fanks. So we received da Kong Incline Cat Scratcher made of corrugated cardboard. Now this is da purrfect size scratcher fur this little kitty girl. It’s 19.25X7.5X1.5 in size and has a double sided surface. And it’s refillable. It also came with a small bag of Kong Purremium North American CatNip. Da scratcher has 3 small holes in da inclined end and a crinkle ball dangles there to entice kitty to play. Mommy says anypawdy who has had a kitten knows no enticement is needed. But dat might be a good feature fur an older less destructive cat. And we’ll ‘splain dat in a minute. Furst let me give ya’ da key benefits as listed on Chewy’s website.

 

Key Benefits

  • Available in three sizes to satisfy your cat’s natural scratching instincts by encouraging appropriate scratching behavior

  • Environmentally friendly cat scratchers are made with renewable resources and are recyclable

  • Double scratcher functions as a refill for the incline scratcher

  • Scratch pads are reversible for extended use, giving your cat’s paws double the use and double the fun

  • KONG Premium North American Catnip included to entice play

Sizes

  • Single Scratcher:  19.25 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches

  • Double Scratcher: 19.25 x 8.88 x 1.5 inches

And I’s already gave ya’ da measurements fur da incline scratcher which is size 3.

 Raena plays with the paper cover of the Kong Incline scratcher

Da furst thing mommy did was take fotos. And then she carefully pulled da paper off da scratching pad. Hmmmm  da spot where da glue held it on there is still there. Mommy’s tried everythin’ toget it off to no avail. Dat’s okay, let mines claws and teefies at it. I’s’ll make short work of it fur sure. (Chewing on and swallowing glue…Not a thought that makes mommy happy) Anyways, dat Kong nip must be purretty good cuz dat paper top was lots of fun. Furinally mommy headed to da livin’ room with da Kong Incline Scratcher itself. I was so excited I’s just couldn’t wait and jumped from da tree right at dat scratcher and mommy. Mommy dropped da scratcher and I’s started investigatin’. Dat’s why all our fotos are of me and da scratcher in front of da door. Mommy couldn’t even get it to da livin’ room. I began to scratch and chew. Yeah, I’s figger ifin it’s good fur sharpenin’ mines claws it must be good fur sharpenin’ mines teefies too. And then I’s found da hole and dat cutesy little danglin’ crinkle ball.

 Raena pokes her head through the hole of the Kong incline scratcher

Less than 2 minutes later, dat ball was mines. Yep, I dismembered pulled dat ball from da scratcher all together. Mommy couldn’t see a string attached to da ball so she just took a few fotos. I’s then returned to da Incline scratcher and while mommys back was turned I went in fur dat danglin’ string dat once held da ball. Of course it was a piece of stretchy elasticized string and mommy heard it immediately. She took dat string away from me so fast mines head spun. I’s purrtested, “But mommy, dat looks like soooooooo much fun.” “it’s mine, after all it was attached to mines new cat scratcher.” All to no avail. Mommy wouldn’t give me dat cool string no matter what I’s meowed, chortled or chirped. She said somethin’ ‘bout dangerous and chokin’ hazard, and serious tummy issues and so on and threw dat ‘lastecized string in da trash. Even without da cool string, da Kong incline scratcher is amazin’. I’s give it all paws up. Let’s ask sissy what she thinks.

 Raena carries the crinkle ball from the Kong Incline cat scratcher

 

 

       Fanks Raena. Me likes it too. Altho’ you already had da ball torn off befur me’s got a chance to play, da scratcher is sturdy and does da job. Cuz of da crinkle ball attachment and da dangers associated with such features, me gives da Kong Incline Scratcher 3 paws up. Fur $5.65 it’s a great buy. Me knows mommy wants to say somethin’, so me will turn it over to her fur a minute. Mommy…

 Dezi scratches the Kong Incline scratcher

              Thank you girls. The Kong Incline Scratcher is a great option for cats and kittens of all ages and size. However, the crinkle ball and the accompanying string should be removed immediately before given to any cat. This isn’t the first design flaw I’ve seen in Kongs’ cat toys and is a bit disappointing. But all in all, the scratcher is wonderful, sturdy and liked by both Dezi and Raena. That makes it hit in my books. So one thumb up for the scratcher. And remember, even declawed cats have the need to scratch. This would be a great option. (Please, Do Not declaw your cat) 

 String attachment for Kong Incline ScratcherThis is the offending string and that’s a small piece of lightweight

cardboard it’s tied onto. This is threaded through a hole in the top

that isn’t secured so kitty can tear it out easily. And that small piece of

lightweight cardboard is already torn. Very Dangerous!!!

 

 

 Raena scratches and bites the Kong Incline cat scratcher

Fanky Fanks mommy and sissy. I know you all wanna get a Kong scratcher fur yourselves. So head on over and check it out. While you’re at Chewy take a look around. They carry lots of supplies and ship speedy and furee fur all orders over $49.00. There’s a low flat rate shipping fur all other orders. And you can even set up an auto ship so you never run out of noms, treats or litter again. And don’t worry, you can skip, cancel or delay at any time.

Did I do okay sissy?

 

 

 

 

       You did great Raena. We’re joinin’ da Chewy blog hop and da weekly Pet Parade, so check them out. Me is gonna repeat what mommy said. All kitties need a scratcher, even those kitties who have been declawed. But, Purrlease Do Not declaw your kitty. Mommy has some business to take care of this afternoon, so we’ll be ‘round to visit soon. We hope you all have a pawsum weekend.

 Raena plays with the crinkle ball from the Kong incline cat scratcher

Till da next time……………………………………Be Blest!!!

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Mommy A: Black

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Deztinee    

Blest Sunday: More Firsts For Raena

Published on by Service Cats U.S.50 Comments

Welcome to a brand new Blest Sunday. We’re actually feelin’ some of those fall tempurratures ‘round here. A couple meownings this week we woke up to dew outside and cooler temps even in da house. ‘Course dat means mommy wants to drink more coffee and wear socklets. Fur those of ya’ wonderin’ what a socklet is, well it’s what we call those fuzzy wuzzy comfy socks. Mommy says ya’ can’t actually wear ‘em with shoes, but they’re great fur keepin’ da toes warm. Anyways, me’s used to mommys socklets, but Raena? ‘Member your furst…everything? Well dat’s what’s goin’ on with Raena. This is her furst fall, winter, cold weather, you name it, this is her furst of everything. Mommy says watchin’ Raena be exposed to new things is so adorable. Me doesn’t know ‘bout dat, but it was kinda funny watchin’ her da furst time mommy put on socklets. Well, let me just tell ya’ ‘bout it. 

 Dezi and Raena chatting over the cat scratchers.

When we all woke up Fursday meownin’ there was a bit of a chill in da air. So mommy grabbed a pair of socklets on our way to da kitchen. She made up our brekky and settled into her sittin’ chair so we could eat and she could enjoy a cup o’ joe. Raena and me settled in to our plates and started chowin’ down. Me saw mommy puttin’ on those socklets outta da corner of meez eyes, and thought nuffin’ of it. Raena on da other hand has never seen socks of any kind.

Mommy’s been wearin’ her floppy rubber sandals all summer or goin’ barefoot. So this was da furst time Raena ever saw mommys toes covered up. Her eyes got big as saucers and she bellied to da ground and inched towards mommys feet. She stuck her nose way out front and tried to sniff a whiff. ‘Course, da socks bein’ clean and mommy not usin’ smelly dryer sheets, they didn’t smell like anythin’. So Raena inched even closer to mommys fuzzy wuzzy socklets and put out her paw to touch ‘em. She drew her paw back really quick and looked at it, and then she touched ‘em again. This time, she started chirpin’ and fell over and rolled all over mommys socklet covered feetsies. Mommy said it was sooooooooo cute. It sure doesn’t take much to make mommys happy.

 Raena laying on the nip mat after her spay day

 We’ve been asked about the size of Raena’s incision by several

people as well as how it’s healin’ up. The incision is about an inch

in length and as you can see, it’s healing well. She is purretty bruised

up there as well as the 2 teets that were shaved, but everything’s looking great.

(Click photo to bigify.)

 

 

       Are you makin’ fun of me sissy? 

Nope Raena, just tellin’ everypawdy how you reacted to mommys socklets. 

 Dezi and Raena chatting over the cat scratchers

       Oh sissy, those socklets are so soft. Did you tell everypawdy ‘bout our other surprise?

No Raena me hasn’t had a chance too.

       Well hurry up sissy, I had a blast didn’t you? 

It was fun Raena, but me’s done it befur. It’s another one of those fursts fur you.

 Raena posing in her harness on the small cat perch

     Well I sure hope I’s gets to do it again. I’s better tell everypawdy what “it” is. I got to go outside fur a walk. Yep, sure ‘nuff, I went fur a walk. As ya’ll know, none of da harnesses we have will fit me, so mommy wouldn’t take me very far in da stroller, cuz she couldn’t secure me. Fur some reason, she thinks we oughtta be tethered into da stroller even ifin it’s zipped closed. Somethin’ ‘bout our safety. Anyways, she did look fur a harness dat would fit me at da pet store and Wallyworld. But alas, they didn’t have a size to fit me dat would work. And altho’ I’s gonna be a big girly, I’s not so big right now. And mommy can’t put mines trainin’ on hold till I get big enuff to fit into a harness. So, mommy began to search da innernet to find a harness we could afford and dat would fit me. There was some money left over from getting’ da car a/c fixed dat was ‘posed to go to fixin’ at least one of da windows. Da mechanic’s been so busy he hasn’t had a chance to look at it and tell us how much it would cost to fix it. So after checkin’ with our Angels, they said mommy could use it fur whatever she needed. So after much deliberation, mommy ordered me a harness of mines very own.

 Raena outside in her walking harness

       Ifin ya’ recall, da last time I’s had on a harness, mommy took me to da VET to be tortured. Needless to say, when mines harness arrived and mommy put it on me, I wasn’t a happy girly at furst. But then, mommy put a harness on sis Dezi too, and I’s felt a little more comfy. Y, In no time at all, I was playin’ and chasin’ sissy ‘round. Mommy said she was so purroud of me and then she hooked me up to a long string and picked me up. And out da door we went. Mommy put me down on da sidewalk and let me explore a little. She wouldn’t let me go waller in da dirt, somethin’ ‘bout da doggies out here and poopin’ everywhere. But she did let me walk up and down da sidewalk. What fun I had. Did you enjoy your walk too sissy? 

 Dezi outside in walking harness

Yeah Raena me did. And me’s glad you like your new harness. It does look good on you.

 

 

       Y, Fanky you sissy, you look bootyful too.

 

 

Fanks Raena. You know, we are so blest to have a home and a mommy to take care of us. Our little outside adventure was lots of fun, but it was even better cuz we got to come back inside where it’s safe. There are lots of kitties dat live outside all da time. They don’t get to go inside when somethin’ scares them or it gets cold or wet or too hot or fur any reason. They don’t have a mommy or warm bed. Y, They don’t even know when they’ll eat next, and fur sure don’t get treats like us. You know feral cats didn’t choose dat life, it was forced upon them by humans. Da lucky ones have caretakers who look after them and feed them and try to get them medical treatment when needed. Da really lucky ones learn to trust humans and eventually find furever homes. But most of them…they live their very short lives outside and never know what it’s like to have a home or mommy and daddy to luv and purrtect them. They have to fight fur everythin’ and lots of peeps are mean to them and don’t want them ‘round.

 Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

Fankfully there are purrograms like TNR dat can help stop those kitties from constantly havin’ babies. And by doin’ dat, da colonies become smaller and more manageable. And dat hopefully means dat da mean peeps won’t be so mean to them. Even so, there are lots of places dat don’t know ‘bout TNR purrograms or da benefit of spayin’ and neuterin’ even their pets. A little education goes a long way toward fixing the purroblem. Peeps takin’ respawnsiblity fur their own pets and having them spayed or neutered and keepin’ them inside will also help. ‘Member me said ferals are a result of human abandonment. When you adopt a pet, it’s fur life. It’s not till da new wears off, or kitty grows up, or you get bored, or you get allergies, or pregnant, or any other reason. It’s fur LIFE.

 

 

Everypawdy can help even ifin you don’t have a feral colony in your neighborhood. You can donate money, food, supplies and your time. Lookin’ after a  feral colony is a day in and day out job dat is offen done by one or two dedicated peeps. There’s no glory in it, and once peeps find out what’s involved, volunteers offen disappear.

A caretaker must be there fur those kitties every day. Even on da days when you feel sick or tired or whatever other excuse. Da truth is, ifin a colonies caretaker doesn’t show up, kitties don’t eat. They go hungry. Me knows most of you don’t know what it’s like to really be hungry, me doesn’t. Mommy makes sure we girls are taken care of and always have food, but me has seen hungry, and it’s not nice. Alley Cat Allies has a website where you can find oppurrtunities near you to help. We purray fur all da feral and abandoned cats and their caretakers. We fank all of you who devote so much to those kitties. And our hope and purrayer is dat someday, there are no feral colonies cuz all kitties have furever homes.

 Raena sits in mommys lap

       Oh sissy I sure hope God answers our purrayers.     

Let’s wrap this up and maybe mommy will take us fur a walk or stroll today. We are so blest to have a pawsum mommy, home, furiends and our Angels. Fank you all fur your luv, support, purrayers and help. You are all in our purrayers every day. ‘Member to take a minute today and everyday to give thanks fur da blessings in your life. We’re joinin’ da Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. We hope you all have a wonderful day.

 Dezi: Vibrant Blue  

Raena: Navy Blue

 

 

 

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

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle    

Dezi sits on the floor in her typical pose

Peace Is Returning

Published on by Service Cats U.S.29 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Well, what a week we’ve had. Mines tummy’s been sore and mines balance was a little off at da beginnin’ of da week. And then there was sis Dezi. She wouldn’t come near me at all. And every time I tried to give her a nose bump or even walk by her she would hiss and growl at me. A lot of ya’ ‘splained dat basically I’s stank and dat’s why sissy didn’t like me. I asked mommy to give me some of her purrfume so I could smell purretty like sissy and maybe then she would like me again.

 Dezi on Liberty Cat Tree

       Raena, mommy told you it wasn’t just your smell and dat you didn’t actually stink. You just didn’t smell like da Raena me had learned to luv and accept. And trust me, no amount of mommy’s smell good purrfume was gonna mask dat.

 Raena laying on the floor

Well, ifin I’s didn’t stink then how come you were still bein’ mean to me a couple days later after mommys scent was all over me?

       (Dezi says under her breath and grins) Cuz me could. (Looks up and talks to Raena) Well Raena, mommy allows fur stinkerness after certain events without withholdin’ treats, so me was just takin’ advantage of every second of dat rule.

Is dat why you’re not hissin’ at me as much anymore?

 Dezi and Raena laying on the Liberty Cat Tree

       Yeah, mommy’s run outta patience and said we better get along or else. And besides it takes a lot of energy to do all dat hissin’ and growlin’. Me even missed a nap or two.

 Dezi and Raena laying on the Liberty Cat Tree. Raena has her tongue out.

Well sissy, I’s glad we’re furiends again. Wanna play with our silvervine sticks? 

       Dat sounds like fun Raena. You know a couple peeps asked ‘bout where we found our sticks of da vine. As most everypawdy knows we don’t have much money, so mommy searched da innernet far and wide and found them on ebay fur less than a dollar and free shippin’ all da way from China. All ya’ gotta do is put silvervine sticks in da search bar and voila’ you’re on your way to vine bliss. Speakin’ of, me needs to find me’s stick. Befur we go, we’re gonna join with Rascal and Rocco and their pawsum co-hosts fur da weekly Pet Parade. 

 Pet Parade banner new

Don’t furget to tell everypawdy dat mommy’s gonna be busy gettin’ together our entry fur a pawsum contest today. We’ll tell you all ‘bout da contest next week. And mommy’s also gotta go get a flu shot this afternoon. Maybe I’ll get to go with her. So we’ll be by to visit as soon as we can. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

 Raena playing with a silvervine stick

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue 

 

 

Till da next time…………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Deztinee