Summer Reading with the Cat Daddy #ChewyInfluencer

Meows from Mudpie!

This month when our Chewy Influencer email arrived Mommy was quite pleased to see something for humans listed - a book! And a cat book that she didn't already have, no less! While we have both of Jackson Galaxy's Catification books in our library for some reason we didn't have his first book, Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean, so that's the one we requested.

Here's what the publisher has to say about Cat Daddy...

Cat behaviorist and star of Animal Planet's hit television show My Cat from Hell, Jackson Galaxy, a.k.a. "Cat Daddy," isn't what you might expect for a cat expert (as The New York Times noted, with his goatee and tattoos, he "looks like a Hells Angel"). Yet Galaxy's ability to connect with even the most troubled felines -- not to mention the stressed-out humans living in their wake -- is awe-inspiring. In this book, Galaxy tells the poignant story of his thirteen-year relationship with a petite gray-and-white short-haired cat named Benny, and gives singular advice for living with, caring for, and loving the feline in your home.

When Benny arrived in his life, Galaxy was a down-and-out rock musician with not too much more going on than a part-time job at an animal shelter and a drug problem. Benny's previous owner brought the cat to the shelter in a cardboard box to give him up. Benny had seen better days --- his pelvis had just been shattered by the wheels of a car -- and his owner insisted he'd been "unbondable" from day one. Nothing could have been further from the truth. An inspiring account of two broken beings who fixed each other, Cat Daddy is laced throughout with Galaxy's amazing "Cat Mojo" advice for understanding what cats need most from us humans in order to live happier, healthier lives.

Now Mommy is a huge fan of Jackson Galaxy and all he does for kitties, but we have a little problem at our house. I won't let her watch My Cat From Hell! As soon as the show comes on all that screaming and turmoil sends me into a frenzy and she ends up having to turn it off to calm me down! What can I say? I like peace and quiet in my home and just don't want to hear all that kitty conflict! So she watches it On Demand when I'm sleeping in the bedroom or playing in the basement and she keeps the volume very, very low. (Do I rule our house with an iron paw or what???)



That being said, we loved this book and learned so much about Jackson that we didn't know. Given what Jackson does you might think it's a how-to book about dealing with behavioral issues using examples from his clients, but that's not the case at all. This is Jackson's own personal story of how he overcame life as a drug-addicted musician merely surviving day by day to one of the most famous cat behaviorists in the world thanks to the influence of a special cat named Benny. It's no secret that the love of a good cat can be life-changing, and the relationship between Jackson and Benny, two broken souls brought together to heal each other, proves it. Cat Daddy is raw and revealing, but it's also incredibly inspiring.

And yes, during the final pages when Benny went to the Bridge Mommy's tears were flowing, but that's where the power of Mudpie comes in. I came to her two years ago to piece together her shattered heart and she's a continual work in progress.

Chewy currently has Cat Daddy on sale for only $8.60, so why not add a little something to your order for the special human in your life the next time you need to stock up on food, toys, and kitty litter? 'Tis the season for summer reading, and if you're lucky you might get some extra lap time while their nose is buried in the book!

Disclaimer: We received a free book from Chewy.com as part of their Blogger Outreach Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own and we never recommend a product we don’t fully believe in.

Naptime Interrupted #SundaySelfie

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Ambivalent #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

I was kind of stumped about what to do for my Caturday Art project this week, but settled on a framed cube effect in one of our ipawd apps. I liked how it turned out but wasn't crazy about the black background. I cropped it down and then added a splash of color by applying some fancy corners in PicMonkey.

I don't know, it still kind of feels like it's missing something, but I like the vintage feel. What do you think?

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (answered by Mommy) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader!

1. As a child, my favorite playground activity was sliding.

2. For breakfast, I have a wheat English muffin with peanut butter, OJ and coffee.

3. An instrument I would like to play is the steel guitar. As a fan of classic country music there's not a more beautiful sound.

4. I always try to set aside what I'm doing and play or cuddle whenever Mudpie wants to, because I regret not doing that with Truffles, thinking we had all the time in the world.

Book Review: Queen Paisley the Magnificent by Sarah Andrews

From the publisher: Paisley’s day began in the ordinary way.…Isn’t that how all strange days begin? You wake up, have breakfast, run around and play, and then go back to sleep and wait for your favorite human to come home. At least, that’s what you do if you’re a cat.

But what happens if your favorite human never comes home? Suppose your unlucky, dimwitted human meets up with a dangerous wild animal and, chomp, chomp, chomp, no more human? Who will play with you and tell you how pretty you are? Who will walk your family’s shaggy brown dog? And most importantly, who will feed you?

That is precisely what happens to little Paisley on her very strange day—the day that transforms her from an ordinary housecat into a visionary leader with dozens of followers, both domestic and wild.

This is the day she becomes Queen Paisley the Magnificent.

I don't think I've ever read a book that has left me grinning from ear to ear the entire time I was reading it like this one did. Queen Paisley the Magnificent is without a doubt one of the most adorable and entertaining cat stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

It all begins on a regular morning when Mommy leaves home for the day and tells her three cats and a dog that she'll be gone longer than usual and for everyone to be extra good. Of course no one is listening so when Paisley the tortie wakes up hours later to a painfully silent house she manages to convince herself that their beloved Mommy has been eaten by a crocodile while out "hunting" for food at the place she calls "store" and won't be coming home. She puts herself in charge and announces to her fur siblings that she is now Queen and will be taking care of her loyal subjects as well as, if not better than, their Mommy did. But what happens when the dog needs to go for a walk? Or when they run out of food or the litter box needs cleaning? How are they going to protect the house when the door needs to stay open because it's too darned hard to keep opening and closing every time they have to leave? Paisley certainly has her work cut out for her, so it's a good thing she's magnificent and has a solution for every new problem that arises. Or does she?

I don't often re-read books because I have so many in my TBR pile, but this is one I'll be re-reading in the future because I'm sure there are little details I missed. While reading I was able to picture the entire story in my head, easily seeing pampered house cats left to their own devices getting into the trouble that this crew did. Poor Paisley doesn't even realize how much everything is snowballing out of control until the end of the day comes and she's absolutely exhausted, with no idea how she'll keep up such a pace from now on. It's absolutely hysterical and cat lovers from 9-90 will fall in love with her and her housemates. (And obviously Paisley is extra special to me because she's a tortie, but her sweet, innocent little brother Webster stole my heart just as much. I just wanted to scoop him up in my arms and reassure him that everything was going to be alright!) Yes, I got very emotionally invested in these characters...

If you'd like to meet the real life Paisley and Webster, visit them and their human (who writes pawsome cat cozies too!) at The Cuddlywumps Cat Chronicles! 

Get Help For Your Pet When You Can't Get Home with the PetHub WalletCard™

You've had a long day at work and all you can think about is getting home, putting on your PJs and vegging on the couch with your pets. There's just one more stop to make - you opened the last can of cat food this morning and while you're at the grocery store anyways you might as well pick up something quick for dinner - and with that your day is finally done.

The traffic light leading out of the parking lot seems to take forever but finally it turns green and you're on your way.

CRASH

Looks like that van that just ran the red light and broadsided you was in a rush to get home too, but now you're both headed to the hospital for heaven only knows how long.

This is a scenario that can happen to any one of us at any time, and if you're single and live alone it's a fear that can weigh heavy on your mind. What if you're so badly hurt that you're unable to tell first responders you have animals at home that may need help now that you're injured and heading to the hospital?

This is where the PetHub WalletCard™ comes in. The physical card links to an animal's free online profile at PetHub.com, where you can add a photo, description, veterinarian records, unlimited emergency contact information, license and rabies tag numbers, vaccination dates, behavioral issues, and much, much more.

"The WalletCard is an ID card for animal caretakers to put in their wallets and on their key chains to alert police and medical workers that an animal may be at the person's home needing additional care," said Tom Arnold, Founder of Pet Hub, Inc. When the card is used by a first responder, any emergency contact associated with the animal's profile is notified that something important is happening. "While first responders are hurrying to get you to the next level of medical care, your pet's emergency network is responding to help your pet," concluded Arnold.



For only $4.95 (plus S&H) you not only get a card to put into your wallet, you also get a smaller card with the same unique ID that can go onto a keychain. Side 1 contains a clear "call to action" to help first responders know that you're not the only one who may need assistance. On side 2 there's a unique QR code, web address, and phone number to a 24/7 call center to help the Police, Fire Department or Medical personnel reach other people on your pet's emergency contact list so they can make sure they can get them their food or medications.

Knowing that there's a plan in place for someone to be notified to take care of Mudpie should I not be able to get to her is priceless, and thanks to our friends at PetHub FOUR lucky winners in the US are going to have the same peace of mind by receiving a WalletCard of their very own! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: I was sent a PetHub WalletCard for free but I chose to write about it on my own.

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Snuggling with the Stuffies

Don't her crossed back legs just kill you???

The Purrfect 10: Ways to Keep Your Cat Properly Hydrated

We love reading and researching anything and everything about cats, and wanted to find a fun and unique way to share the interesting facts we learn with you! Since top 10 lists are very popular in the blogosphere, we created The Purrfect 10 as a way to present 10 educational or fascinating tidbits about a wide variety of cat-related topics, everything from health issues to cat breeds to famous felines.

Did you know your cat needs approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day? Essential to a pet’s overall health and well-being, water supports vital organ functions and is responsible for important bodily functions including digestion and waste removal. Unlike human bodies, which are made up of 55-60 percent water, a pet’s body is made up of 80 percent water, and can result in serious health issues if a pet becomes dehydrated. 

Since cats don't have a strong thirst drive, it's up to us to make sure they drink enough water, so in honor of Pet Hydration Month, July's edition of The Purrfect 10 features some tips and tricks on how to make sure your cat stays properly hydrated...

1) Feed a wet food diet. Canned food averages 78% water, whereas dry food only contains 7-10% moisture. Prey consumed by cats in the wild contains approximately 70% water, so canned food more closely mimics what a cat's diet is meant to be.

2) Add extra water to your cat's canned food. (I've found with Mudpie, the mushier I make her food the better she likes it.)

3)  Add a couple drops of low sodium chicken broth or tuna fish juice to flavor the water.

4) Add an ice cube to the bowl. Not only does it keep the water cold as most cats prefer, it's also fun to bop around in the bowl! Again, a drop of chicken broth or tuna juice can be added to the cubes to flavor the water.

5) Experiment with different types of bowls. Cats are picky (but that's hardly a secret, right?) Try different materials (glass, metal, ceramic) and different depths. Prevent whisker stress with wide bowls filled to the brim so kitty's whiskers don't touch the side when they drink. Have you noticed your cat likes to take a drink for your own water glass? Give her a glass of her own! (Mudpie has her very own oversized coffee mug that has become her main watering hole!)

Flickr Creative Commons/D Coetzee

6) Provide multiple bowls around the house. Place them near where your cat sleeps and other convenient locations to encourage them to stop for a drink during their daily rounds. If you have an older cat or one with mobility issues, multiple cats, or a large home with more than one level, place bowls on each side of the house and on every floor so they don't have to go out of their way to find a source of water. Avoid placing bowls near litter boxes and food dishes to prevent contamination.

7) Clean the bowls and refresh the water every day. Would you want to drink a glass of water with dust on top, food particles lurking at the bottom, or slime around the edges? Neither does your cat! A cat's taste buds are very sensitive and if the water goes unchanged for long it will taste stale to them.

8) Try bottled or filtered water. Some cats may be turned off by the smell of chemicals or chlorine in tap water.

9) Lots of cats love drinking from the water faucet. Since you probably don't want to leave your faucets running all the time, create a special routine each morning or evening before bed when you put her up on the sink for a drink. Cats love playing in the bathtub and sink too and if your faucets are like mine and always tend to drip a little, allow it to puddle or place a small dish underneath to catch the water.

10) If your cat enjoys running water, consider investing in a pet fountain. This enables fresh water to flow all day!

Is your cat drinking enough water? 

How do you encourage them to drink more?

Book Review/Giveaway: Cat Shining Bright by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

The stakes are higher and more personal than ever for feline investigator Joe Grey when death comes to his beloved coastal California town in this twentieth installment of the enchanting cat mystery series.

While new father Joe Grey is overjoyed to teach his three young kittens about the world, he misses his cop work — secretly helping solve crimes alongside his human friends at Molena Point P. D. But when beautician Barbara Conley and one of her customers are found dead in the salon, Joe makes an exception, he heads for the crime scene. He has no idea that the kittens are following him, or how they will complicate the investigation.

But this is not the only danger to the kittens. A stranger is lurking around the home of Joe’s tabby lady, Dulcie, where the kittens were born. Both parents’ backs are up and their claws out, ready to protect their babies and to protect Wilma Getz, Dulcie’s human housemate.

As the death of the beautician becomes entangled with a gang of thieves working the village, Joe, Dulcie, Kit and Pan are all into the investigation; and they are led to unexpected connections, to the building of the new cat shelter and to a neighbor who becomes suddenly an unexpected part of the tangle.

Joe Grey fans will relish this latest installment following their favorite feline detective and his growing group of friends.

The very first Joe Grey mystery was published over 20 years ago in 1996. I have every book in my collection, and while I haven't read the entire series yet, I have read several and through the years have enjoyed watching Joe and Dulcie solve crimes together and ultimately fall in love. In book 20, their litter of three extra special kittens, buff colored boys Striker and Buffin and calico Courtney, are born, and with them comes a whole new world of adventure for the felines of Molena Point.

For anyone new to the series, these cats have the ability to talk and many people in town share their secret. One human who is blissfully unaware is the police chief Max, but the cats still use their talent to be a snitch for the Molena Point Police Department via anonymous phone calls. In Cat Shining Bright a car theft ring is stalking the town and though Joe and Dulcie are new parents with responsibilities to their babies, the itch to investigate is still strong. When Joe heads to the police department to do some covert feline detective work, little does he know he has precious cargo hot on his trail. When a call comes in that the police chief's wife has stumbled upon the bodies of her beautician and another man in the salon, Joe has no choice but to let them tag along to the crime scene. Even at home Dulcie and the kittens aren't safe as their human Wilma is being watched by a stranger and subsequently have their home broken into. She suspects the thief was after a rare book about Molena Point's extra special cats. And at the new cat shelter in town, shelter owner Kate Osborne and construction worker Scotty Flannery are busy watching the suspicious goings-on at their elderly neighbor's property. There's a lot going on, but the murders and thefts are all tied together, it's just up to the cats (both the house pets and the ferals) to figure out how.

The Joe Grey series has been going strong for two decades for a reason...it's one of the most remarkable, unique collections of cat novels on the market. Each cat has a unique personality that will capture reader's imaginations, and watching Joe and Dulcie become parents just adds another layer through their interactions as each of the kittens find their place in the world. Baby Buffin is the one who completely stole my heart from the very beginning. Just wait until you see what his special calling is. Seeing the difference he's going to make in so many animal and human lives will be such a joy in subsequent books.

Whether you've spent the last 2 decades following Joe and Dulcie's adventures or you're new to the dynamic duo, Cat Shining Bright will leave you purring.

Amazon Purchase Link

Giveaway

Thanks to the publisher we have not one, not two, not three, but FIVE advanced reader copies (ARCs) to give away to lucky readers in the US! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Good luck everyone! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank! I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.

#SundaySelfie FAIL

Meows from Mudpie!

I was on the verge of taking an EPIC selfie this week when that darn neighbor cat Calvin walked by and completely threw me off my game. 

I hope you'll enjoy it anyways...the picture purrfectly shows off my diamond-shaped necklace and peanut butter foot!

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop! 

Lounging in the Lap of Luxury #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

Guess who has a second Gotcha Day coming up in a couple weeks?

This tortie!

Mommy has been going through pictures of me from right after I moved in and we can't get over what a scrawny little kid I was!

In honor of today being National Hammock Day I decided to use one of her favorite pictures of me napping in my lounger just days after I came home to create my art project his week.

This is the original. I settled in so easily, so quickly, that there was never any doubt that I was meant to be here.

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (answered by Mommy) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader!

1. My favorite thing on my daily to-do list is blogging.

2. My least favorite thing on my daily to-do list is preparing meals.

3. I could really do without summer. I live in Vermont for a reason - I don't do heat - and every summer moving to Alaska sounds better and better.

4. I would love to have more cat pins. It's my new cat collection obsession and Etsy is doing a good job fueling my addiction! 

Pampurr Yourself with Honeycat Cosmetics (w/Giveaway & Discount Code!)

This post is sponsored by Honeycat Cosmetics.

Did you know Ancient Egyptians believed that cats could make their female masters irresistible? Honeycat Cosmetics, a line of bath, body and spa products, uses the cat as a symbol of female strength, and everything in their line has a feline spin!

Honeycat products are hip, sexy, funky and fun, made in the USA with natural ingredients and never tested on animals. Here's just a small sampling of what they have to offer...

Vanilla Cream Grooming Bar 

It's a good thing this bar of soap has the Honeycat logo imprinted on it or the yummy scent might make you mistake it for a cupcake with buttercream icing! Shea butter, aloe and sweet almond oil make this soap a feast for your skin.

Warm Milk Martini Milk Bath

Some people swear by warm milk to help them relax and get to sleep, but why not soak in it instead? Chock full of coconut milk powder, honey powder, yogurt milk powder, skin softening milk proteins, vitamin E, and shea butter, this milk bath is sinfully delicious and extra rich.

Cat Tails for Two Apricot/Grand Marnier Shower Gel

Who says you can't take a bath standing up? This shower gel produces loads of bubbles while moisturizing your skin with sweet almond oil, mango butter and shea butter.

Cat on A Hot Tin Candle

This coconut milk/mango pure soy candle will leave you purring with contentment.

Chick Of The Sea Foaming Bath Crystals

Have I mentioned yet how ridiculously adorable the packaging on these products are??? These delicious muscle soothing, chocolate, amaretto and mint bath crystals come in a sardine can!!!

Rub My Tummy Hand & Body Cream

I much prefer applying hand and body cream each day for a light, delicate scent over harsh perfumes. This cream is chock-full-of skin softening ingredients like shea butter, kukui oil, honey, and of course butter milk.

Frisky Kitty Bath Time Fizzy

I think bath bombs are just so darned cute. Frisky Kitty is loaded with ingredients to pamper your skin. These bath bombs are available in four flavors: oatmeal, cocoa butter, lilac & honey, and rose & lemongrass.

Phew! And I haven't even touched on the fun gift sets, scrubs, bubble baths, lip balm, even a darling little wash cloth!

When I opened my box of sample goodies it felt every bit like Christmas in July. The scents coming from the box were simply heavenly, and of course being a cat Mudpie had to jump right in and came out smelling quite delicious herself! (Of course I still prefer the original Mudpie scent!)

As cat ladies we (rightfully) provide our feline friends with every creature comfort they could possibly hope for, but shouldn't we be pampurring ourselves just a little bit too? I think if our cats could talk they would encourage us to follow their lead and indulge ourselves on a regular basis. After all, the more rested and relaxed we are, the more prepared we'll be to cater to their every whim! (It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas either! Any cat lady would be delighted to find Honeycat goodies in her stocking!)

Now who's ready to lavish themselves with some Honeycat? Not only do we have a pawsome 30% off discount code (PURR30 at checkout), we also have TWO gift sets to give away to lucky winners in the US! 

The Chick of the Sea gift set contains: Coquito/Coconut Rum bubble bath, Chick of the Sea foaming bath crystals (in the sardine can!) and the Honeycat Signature washcloth.

The Milk Martini gift set contains: Milk Martini Tequila/Lime milk bath, sweet cream/bourbon bath bomb and Rub My Tummy buttermilk & honey body cream.

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone!

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Honeycat Cosmetics. We are being compensated for featuring this content but all opinions are our own and we never recommend a product we don’t fully believe in.

Thankful Thursday: All Stocked Up & Ready To Go

Meows from Mudpie!

I'm not a big treat eater, but I'm sure that doesn't realize surprise you. The one kind of treats I will eat 'til the cows come home is Pro Plan's Protein Crunch in the lamb flavor. YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!!!

The only problem is they are nearly impossible to find, at least in our area, so when Mommy spots them at PetSmart she buys a number of packages. The last couple times she's been shopping though they've been gone, and our Petco doesn't even carry them. Neither does Petsmart.com or Petco.com...

Chewy now has them but we didn't have a large enough order to get free shipping and Mommy is cheap. (Seriouslies Mommy, this is an emergency situation!!!)

Then over the weekend we discovered that Amazon sells them by the case (10 packages) and after dividing up the total cost the price per package is just over $2, whereas in the store they're over $4 a package now!

SCORE!!!

Now not only am I fully stocked up for awhile, we saved nearly half price! Are we pawsome little shoppers or what?

Tell us what you're thankful for this week!

Cue the Violins

Mommy: Now that all our friends are probably ready to call the ASPCA on me, how about I tell the real story?

Mudpie: If you insist.

Mommy: Mudpie's favorite place on earth is the basement. I don't really mind because as I slowly declutter it I enjoy having her with me, but I've refused to put a cat bed down there knowing she'd never want to come upstairs. Last week she managed to find a nap spot on her own thanks to a pile of paper bags I use to collect the recycling each week. It sure doesn't look comfy to me, but she loves it!

Mudpie: Whose version of events do YOU believe?

* obviously we've been watching too many ALF reruns...

Mudpie Interviews...Snickers the Calico Cat

Meows from Mudpie!

Today I'm excited to be interviewing one of my Instagram pals, Snickers. (Mudpie and Snickers...hope we don't send you into a sugar shock!)

Snickers is a sweet kitty who's using her Instagram stardom to give back and raise money for the Oklahoma Humane Society through her brand new online shop. We hope you'll check it out!

Welcome Snickers! Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to live in your forever home?

I'm a 3 year old calico/tabby mix that loves to play with any piece of string I can find. I like to act extra cute when I want treats or food and I like to sleep on my humans clothes! I ended up at an adoption clinic after some nice people patched up and healed my eye! I'm not really a fan of other cats and I'm really defensive of my owners. When they came into the adoption clinic they walked up to my room first and I knew I had to play it cool if I was going to get out of there! So, when they walked in meowed at them and gave them rubs and they let me have some lap time. The next day, they came back and took me home with them! Now, life is everything I could possibly imagine.

What do you remember about losing your eye? Has it slowed you down or impacted your life in any way?

Well, we believe it was due to a level of mistreatment and a possible eye infection. Unfortunately, it got so bad the had to remove it. Luckily my humans are very conscious of it and help me when needed. I can't say it has slowed me down at all. I live each day like I have two eyes, sometimes I forget I only have on eye. Regardless of the situation, no toy will ever be to fast for me!

Is there any special meaning behind your cute name? (The cat that came before me, Truffles, was actually named Snickers at the shelter!)

Haha, before my humans found me my name was wink because of the missing eye. My new owners weren't too fond of that name so they named me Snickers because my coat looks like chocolate and caramel!

Do you have any favorite toys, treats, or napping spots?

Favorite toy, hands down is any type of string/rope. I'm always untying my humans shoes because I can't stop playing with the laces. I'm a big fan of my dental treats, although I don't chew them like I should, they're still sooo tasty! My favorite napping spot is definitely the window in the bedroom because the breeze and all of the smells!

How did you become an Instagram superstar with over 25,000 followers? Do you have any tips on how to follow in your pawprints?

Well my owner started my Instagram solely because he thought I was the cutest thing. As time passed by he noticed I was gaining significant traffic. Then he got a new camera and started taking super awesome pictures of me. A little later on down the road, he and his best friend started a marketing company together and it just took off from there! Now we're continuously growing!

Tell us about your brand new online shop!

Mommy and Daddy started talking about how cute it would be if we put together some digital renditions of my face! They were also looking for a way to give back to the humane society they got me from. So, they started an online shop and are making it better and better every day. We offer things like, metal magnets, throw pillows, phone cases, pet bandanas, coffee mugs, and more!

What's something about you that your Instagram followers don't know and might be surprised to learn?

I think most of them just see me as another "Instagram Cat" but my humans have much bigger plans for my journey. They see me being a "face" for disabled pets everywhere and to show that disabled pets are just as beautiful and loving as the rest. I started out in a dark place all alone. Now I have thousands of adoring fans and life just keeps getting better!

Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Series: "Buy in July" Event Supports Animal Rescue

Animal Rescue Programs

Guest post by mystery author Marla Bradeen (aka Paige Sleuth)

When in search of a new furry family member, most animal lovers think first of adopting from local shelters and rescue organizations. These places are always at capacity, and I sadly doubt I will live to see the day when the cat and dog overpopulation problem ceases to be an issue. Here in Las Vegas alone, there are an estimated 200,000 feral and stray cats. That number is overwhelming to me, and it highlights the importance of spaying and neutering. Luckily, we have an organization here helping with that effort. The Community Cat Coalition of Clark County aims to fix as many local cats as possible using a program known as TNR, or Trap, Neuter, Return. Through TNR, feral cats are temporarily captured, spay/neutered and vaccinated, and then released back into their communities. To help support their mission of humanely reducing the feral cat population, during the month of July I'm donating $1 from every Paige Sleuth book purchase (for books over $0.99) to this wonderful organization. If you haven't heard of Paige Sleuth before, she's my alter ego, and she writes the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. More information about her, her July book giveaway, and details for downloading your free copy of Murder in Cherry Hills, Cozy Cat Caper Mystery book 1, are at the end of this post.

TNR is not a new concept for members of the animal rescue community, and even more people are familiar with the importance of spay/neutering pets (thank you, Bob Barker). Animal foster programs are also quite common, and also a great way to help an animal in need if you're not ready to make the long-term commitment of adopting. But there are also many secondary rescue programs out there that aren't as widely known. Some are so creative and heartwarming that I'd like to spotlight a few I've come across.

Pups on Parole. I absolutely love this concept. As part of this program, abused dogs are paired with qualified prison inmates until they're ready to be adopted out. Most of these dogs need a lot of tender loving care to get over some traumatic experiences, and the inmates work with them until they've learned how to trust people again. The dogs are also acclimated to a bathroom schedule and taught some basic essentials for life on the "outside" (such as how to walk on a leash), all with the goal of giving them a second chance at finding a loving home. But the dogs aren't the only ones benefiting from the program. Anyone who has ever had a pet knows how they can give your life purpose and structure, two qualities that can only help those who may have made some bad choices but are attempting to turn their lives around.

Paige Sleuth's rescue cats and cover models enjoying some time outside

Seniors for Seniors. Those actively involved with rescue know how challenging it can be to find homes for older animals. This effort strives to combat that challenge by matching senior animals with human seniors. Several variations of this program exist. Some give out starter kits (such as a litter box and food bowls) with every animal adopted out, and some are more of a long-term foster program, where the organization pays for everything, but the senior opening their home to the animal handles all care required. Either way, I think this is a fantastic approach to placing older animals in loving environments, and also a wonderful opportunity for humans in their golden years.

Reading to Shelter Animals. The idea behind this program is simple: Children read books to shelter animals. The animals benefit from some much-needed human attention, and the children get to practice their reading skills without fear of judgment. As an author, how can I not love it?

Now it's your turn! Tell me, are there any unique programs centered around animal rescue in your area? Are you involved with any, or have you adopted or worked with a critter enrolled in such a program? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Sleuth is a pseudonym for mystery author Marla Bradeen. She plots murder during the day and fights for mattress space with her two rescue cats at night. When not attending to her cats' demands, she writes. She loves to hear from readers, and welcomes emails at paige.sleuth@yahoo.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlabradeenauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marlabradeen/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14207326.Paige_Sleuth

Amazon: Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Series

As part of Paige's second annual "Buy in July" event, where $1 from every July book purchase (for books over $0.99) will be donated to animal rescue, she's hosting a book giveaway this month. Enter below for your chance to win one of Paige's books plus a surprise mystery book. And follow the link in the first entry option to claim your FREE copy of Murder in Cherry Hills, the first book in the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. Good luck and happy reading!

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Sunday Selfie

Meows from Mudpie!

Hope you don't mind that I'm snapping my selfie this week half asleep. I got so cozy snuggling up with the stuffies on the bed that nothing could disturb my slumber.

*YAWN* 

Sorry...are you still there?

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Caturday Art

Meows from Mudpie!

Today for my Caturday Art I tried using the Creamsicle effect in Dreamscope. Mommy thought it might be better suited to orange kitties but I wanted to give it a try anyways. I'm so glad I didn't listen to her because I think it looks super cool! It kind of has a steampunk look to it...

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (answered by Mommy) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader!

1. My inner child still loves stuffed animals.

2. My favorite month(s) are September through December. I cheated a little and couldn't pick just one. I live for the months surrounding Halloween and Christmas. The rest of the year I merely exist.

3. My favorite commercial is PetSmart's "The Perfect Toy", because it made me fall hopelessly in love with dachshunds. It came out about 10 years ago and it still makes me cry every time I watch it. Sometimes I feel like my love for animals have turned me into an emotional basket case.

4. Personally, I don’t care for any water-related activities. I've never been to a beach or even gone swimming. Occasionally I take the ferry across Lake Champlain into New York. If it ever goes down I guess I'll just drown!

Fun Feline Finds: Personalized Cat Christmas Ornament

Yesterday we discussed my (and Mudpie's) disdain for the summer season. There is, however, one event I look forward to every July.

Christmas in July!

I'm ecstatic that this weekend alone is the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament premiere, Gold Crown Christmas Week on the Hallmark Channel, and three days of Christmas in July savings on QVC!

Confession time: I already bought my first new Christmas ornament of the year earlier this spring, a personalized tortie ornament from JayneyMac on Etsy (you can also choose a black and white cat, black cat or tabby). When I saw that a tortie was one of the choices I nearly fell off my seat! I'm constantly complaining about the lack of tortie-related finds.

You can also pick from 4 different colors and 2 wood textures, with either a holly or star background.

The ornament ships from the UK, is just over $10 with shipping, and arrived in less than a week.

Did I put it away to hang on my tree this Christmas? Nope! It's been hanging in my living room since the day it arrived :)

Speaking of Christmas in July, this is how we were able to spend part of our day yesterday...

When it's a heavenly 60 degrees in July you rejoice and cuddle in Santa blankie! #mudpiethetortie #christmasinjuly #catblogger #tortiesofinstagram #catstagram #catladylife #catmom

A post shared by Melissa & Mudpie (@mochasmysteriesmeows) on Jul 13, 2017 at 3:03pm PDT

Human & Feline Thoughts On The Green Pet Shop's Cool Pet Pad

Mudpie enjoys the summer weather about as much as her Mommy does...in other words, she despises every minute of it. Her two favorite things to do are play with her toys and cuddle in blankies, neither of which can comfortably be done in the yucky heat and humidity, making Miss Mudpie a very unhappy camper. I can't help but laugh at how grumpy it makes her too. Always prone to typical tortie chatter, I imagine her walking around and griping, "Don't touch me!", "Get outta the way!", and "Leave me alone!"

I've always been intrigued by the pet cooling pads that have been on the market for awhile now and wondered if they actually worked and would make a difference, so when The Green Pet Shop offered to send us one of their Cool Pet Pads to review we were very excited.

About The Green Pet Shop's Cool Pet Pad

This pet pad requires no water or electricity. The cooling gel formula is weight or pressure activated. As soon as your pet lies down, the cooling effect starts and lasts for up to four hours. You can supercool your pad by putting it in the refrigerator to make it last even longer!

In addition to it's main purpose of cooling your pet, the pad is also supposed to "aid in the relief of pain, swelling, discomfort and stress, as well as the following conditions: heat stroke, hip dysplasia, cushing’s disease, allergies, post surgery, skin conditions, post chemotherapy."

The pad is non-toxic (of course it's not meant for consumption and an animal should always be checked out by a vet if they ingest any part of the pad), and can easily be cleaned with soap and water using a soft cloth. It's great for travel because it can be folded to a quarter of it's full size and slipped back into the plastic bag it comes in. A machine washable cover is also available to protect the pad from scratches.

My Thoughts

As soon as I applied a little pressure to the pad with my hand I felt the cooling sensation! My first thought was I wish they made these human sized because I'd be tempted to park myself on it 24/7 with minimal clothing! (And lo and behold, a quick check of The Green Pet Shop's website shows that they DO in fact carry human cooling products!!! Somebody hide my credit card...)

My mom was ready to nab it for her aches and paints when she read that it offers relief from "aging bones, creaky joints and achy muscles."

Mudpie's Opinion

This was the tricky part. Mudpie loves laying on glossy sales circulars, wrapping paper, even flattened cardboard boxes, so I thought she'd gravitate right to the pad. When she didn't I started placing it in various spots around the house where she likes to sack out when she's hot but she just walks over it. Finally I resorted to putting it right in front of her food bowls so she had no choice but to sit on it for a few minutes (and hopefully see how good it feels), which she did, but then didn't voluntarily return to it later for nap time. I'm starting to wonder if maybe her fur is so thick that she can't feel the cooling action. My next plan is to try adding it to her cat carrier the next time she has a summer vet appointment.

Personally, I'm a fan, even if Mudpie isn't (yet). I still have hopes that one day she'll discover it on her own and have a "Eureka!" moment, but if she doesn't...I just might confiscate it for my own personal use!

Has your pet ever tried a cooling mat? 

Disclaimer: We received a Cool Pet Pad for free in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are our own and we never recommend a product we don’t fully believe in.

Amazon Prime Now Delivers Mudpies!!! (You Know You Want One...)