Sunday Purrs: The Art of Relaxation, Feline Yogi Style

Sunday Purrs| 7 Comments

Guest post by Pippy

People often ask me “Pippy what is your secret for always being so relaxed and calm while running a yoga cat mat business and keeping your humans in line?” First of all, I am a cat and by nature we are relaxed and calm. For those of you of the human species, it will take a bit more work, but I am happy to share some of my secrets. I am after all a Feline Yogini and this is my area of expertise!

I practice yoga poses and breathing exercises several times throughout each day on my Yoga Cat Mat.

I make time for tasty nutritious meals and do not distract myself while eating. This means no web surfing, watching t.v. or particiapting in mundane conversations like the state of the weather.Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Father’s Day Reflections

Author's Life| 13 Comments

Father_and_daughter

It’s only when you grow up and step back from him―or leave him for your own home―it’s only
then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it. –  Margaret Truman

Happy Father’s Day!

Whether your kids are human or furry, enjoy your special day!

My dad passed away nine years ago. While our relationship was complicated at times, I always knew that he loved me, and I have lots of wonderful memories of him.  His life was shaped to a great extent by his experiences during World War II in Germany, and as a result of experiencing so much loss at such a young age, he held those he loved close to him – at times, too close for a daughter who wanted to spread her wings and fly from the nest.Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Is Your Cat a Mirror of Yourself?

Sunday Purrs| 9 Comments

cats_and_sinks

One of the most fascinating concepts in the area of personal growth to me has always been the concept that every single person in your life is your mirror. Others reflect back aspects of our own consciousness to us, giving us an opportunity to see ourselves in a different light, and ultimately, to grow. Sometimes, that reflection may come from someone we grately admire. Other times, it may come from someone who aggravates us and pushes all our buttons. It’s the latter reflection that may lead to exponential personal growth, if we allow ourselves to explore the concept.

It struck me the other day that if this applies to the people in our lives, could it also apply to the cats in our lives? Do our cats reflect back aspects of ourselves? Is this, perhaps, especially true if we live with a “less than purr-fect” member of the feline species?

I started to look at Allegra and Ruby:Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: 5 Ways I Want to Be More Like My Cats

Sunday Purrs| 12 Comments

Guest post by Julia Williams

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see my cats basking in a sun puddle and think, “Why can’t I be a cat for just one day?” I would get caught up on my sleep, that’s for sure. I’d have zero stress because I would not stir all day long, except to follow that warm sun puddle when it moves. I wouldn’t worry about where my next meal is coming from or if it’s going to taste good. Everything I could possibly need would be provided for me by my human servant. Which means, of course, that I wouldn’t have a care in the world.unless you count making sure the servant got out of bed when I said it was time for breakfast and not when the clock said.

Yes, my cats have a great life. And I admit I am jealous! I want to experience catdom for myself because frankly, I don’t think my kitties appreciate just how good they have it! Being human, I know they have it good, and I want some of what they’re having. It seems only fair. But alas, all I can do is dream.

Here are 5 ways I want to be more like my cats:Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: 7 Habits of Happy Cats and Humans

Sunday Purrs| 9 Comments

7_habits_of_happy_humans_and_cats

Contrary to what many people believe, happiness is a choice. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a mostly positive outlook, and practice habits that make their lives happier. Not surprisingly, our cats already practice many of these habits.

1.  Live in the present.

Cats live in the moment. When they’re lazing about in a sun puddle, they don’t worry about when the next sun puddle will show up – they simply enjoy the pleasure of the warmth on their fur, right now, in this present moment.

2.  Wake up at the same time every morning.

Have you ever noticed how many successful and happy people are early risers? Waking up at the same time each day keeps your circadian rhythm in balance, which keeps you calmer and more centered and also increased productivity.Continue Reading

BlogPaws 2013: Cat Ladies, Kittens and Tiaras

Author's Life| 21 Comments

BlogPaws_2013

I spent four fun-filled days last week with about 300 of my fellow pet bloggers at BlogPaws 2013. This was my third BlogPaws experience, and just when I think it can’t possibly get any better than the prior year, it does. From attending top-notch presentations by blogging and social media experts to networking with other bloggers, the weekend was a blur of learning, networking, and socializing.

But as was the case last year, the highlight of the conference for me was connecting and reconnecting with my blogging friends, including Robin Olson of Covered in Cat Hair,  Tamar Arslanian of I Have Cat, Angie Bailey of Catladyland, Deb Barnes of The Chronicles of Zee and Zoey, Janea Kelley of Paws and Effect, Debbie Glovatsky of Glogirly, Terri Thorsteinson of Curlz and Swirlz, Stephanie Harwin of Catsparella, Janiss Garza of  Sparkle Cat, Karen Nichols of Mousebreath, Connie of Tails from the Foster Kittens, Jeanne of Random Felines, Rachel Shubin of Sandpiper Cat, Lisa Richman of A Tonk’s Tail, and so many others. Kate Benjamin of Hauspanther and Joanne McGonagle of The Tiniest Tiger Conservation Cub Club, couldn’t attend this year, and they were deeply missed.Continue Reading

A Very Special Visitor for Allegra and Ruby

Allegra's World, Ruby's Reflections| 12 Comments

visit_from_robin

Allegra and Ruby got a surprise visit from our dear friend Robin Olson of Covered in Cat Hair last week. Robin was in town for BlogPaws. She’d been wanting to meet the girls two years ago when BlogPaws was held at Tysons Corner as well, and this year, we finally managed to find the time to make it happen.

Allegra, who loves visitors, took to Robin right away. She greeted her at the door, and led the way upstairs into our living room. Ruby, who tends to be a little more cautious with people she doesn’t know, didn’t take long to warm up to Robin, either. But why don’t I let the girls tell you about Robin’s visit in their own words.

Allegra: I love visitors, and I could tell right away that this lady was a cat person.

Ruby: New person in the house!Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: A Day of Rest

Sunday Purrs| 12 Comments

a_day_of_rest

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, and after spending the last three fun-filled days at the BlogPaws pet blogging conference, I am in desperate need of some rest! I’m going to follow Allegra’s lead and do absolutely nothing today.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Maya Angelou, on the importance of getting a day of rest:

“Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” – from Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now

Perhaps, I’ll need to take this advice every week, not just after attending a conference.Continue Reading

Allegra Will Be Featured on Nat Geo Wild’s “Wild Side of Cats”

Allegra's World| 27 Comments

National_Geographic_cats

Last August, I was contacted by a British production company making a special for National Geographic called “Wild Side of Cats.” The program looks at the behavior of domestic cats and examines how that compares to big cat behaviour in the wild.

The production company came across a video clip that I shot of Allegra testing the Imperial Cat Scratch ‘n Shapes Sofa Scratcher Chaise. I always knew Allegra was a world-champion scratcher, but apparently, her technique in the video clip is so perfect that they ended up using it for the special they’re filming.

The special will air this Sunday, May 19, on Nat Geo Wild at 8pm Eastern. Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Happy Mother’s Day

Author's Life| 37 Comments

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother’s Day
from
Allegra, Ruby and Ingrid

Mother’s Day is a bit of a bittersweet holiday for me. My mother passed away in 1994, but even after all these years, I still feel a pang when I see Mother’s Day cards appear in stores. My mom and I had a complicated relationship, but I always knew that she loved me.

I owe many things to my mom, but the two most important ones are my love of cats, and my love of books.

Even though we never had cats when I was growing up, my mom was a cat lover. The apartment building we lived in did not allow pets, but luckily, whenever we went on vacation, somehow, every bed-and-breakfasts or rented vacation condo we stayed at would always have a resident cat or two, or there would be a number of stray cats hanging around the property. My mom and I both loved spending time with those cats.Continue Reading