Pretty Litter

Sunday Purrs: Getting Away From It All

Author's Life, Sunday Purrs| 28 Comments

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I’ve previously written about the value of taking a break and playing hooky, and I do try to take my own advice. But there was something I hadn’t done in far too long: completely getting away from it all. Even though I love my life, and I love working from home, sometimes, a change of scenery and a complete departure from routine are just what the doctor ordered.

So last weekend, I flew up to Hartford, CT, and spent the weekend with three different friends in Connecticut. And with 20+ cats and kittens. I stayed at the home of my friend and fellow writer, T.J. Banks, on Friday. I had never met Tammy in person. There’s always a bit of trepidation when you meet an online friend in real life for the first time, but I needn’t have worried. We never once ran out of things to talk about, and we were comfortable with the occasional silence – a true gift when it comes to friendship.Continue Reading

Happy 4th of July 2013

Author's Life| 12 Comments

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Happy Independence Day
from
Allegra, Ruby and Ingrid 

Please keep your cats safe during the festivities. A cat’s sense of hearing is much more acute than ours, and all the noises associated with the holiday are much more intense for them. Add to that the lack of understanding of what is going on, and you can have a very scared cat on your hands. Here are some tips for helping your cat cope with fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud noises:

  • Create a safe space for your cat. If you’re having a party, unless your cat is very social and doesn’t mind a lot of commotion, keep her confined to a quiet bedroom. Put her favorite blanket, bed or toys in with her, along with a litter box and fresh water. Shut the curtains and drapes and turn on lights to lessen the flash of the fireworks.Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Taking a Break

Sunday Purrs| 4 Comments

Sunday Purrs Taking a Break resized

Even though the above quote above is attributed to Gandhi, it could just as easily have been coined by Allegra and Ruby! I’m going to heed this wise advice today and take a little blogging break. Don’t worry, it’s just for today – we’ll be back tomorrow!

I hope you’ll consider taking a day of rest, too, but if you miss your dose of Sunday Purrs, allow me to suggest a couple of our most popular columns for your weekly dose of feline wisdom:Continue Reading

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

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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

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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

Nutra-Thrive-Cat

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

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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

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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

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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