Remember Me Thursday 2018

Barks, meows, and whimpers bounce off of the walls.  Furry paws frantically scratch at wire cage doors.  Tears stream from their eyes staining their fallen faces.  Hope begins to fade as time marches on bringing these orphaned pets ever closer to their grim demise.

Sadly, over 2.7 million shelter animals are euthanized every year before they are able to find their forever homes. (Source:  Animal 24-7 published by Merritt Clifton).  What's even more heartbreaking is that just 30% of pets in the United States are adopted from rescue facilities. (Source: The Humane Society of the United States 2013).  This means that a staggering 70% of pets are still being purchased from breeders.  

As a pet parent of five rescue dogs and three cats, I've never understood why people looking to adopt often immediately seek out a breeder.  They pay thousands of dollars for a custom canine or cat when their perfect match could be just around the corner at their local animal shelter.  

Some of the reasons I've heard from such adopters are:

• The shelter won't have the specific breed I'm looking for.
• Shelter animals have behavioral issues.
• I want to know my pet's linage.
• If I buy from a breeder, my pet's temperament will be perfect.

 In reality:

• There are hundreds of rescue groups and organizations across the country that are dedicated to specific dog and cat breeds.  I even know of several that only deal with differently-abled animals (blind, deaf, etc.).

• Many shelter programs incorporate training into the animals' daily routines.  If the prospective pet does have any issues, the shelter staff or foster parents will be able to inform potential adopters so that there won't be any surprises post adoption.

• Unless you plan on breeding or showing your new dog or cat, there is no real value in knowing your pet's linage or having official papers.  Also, it has been proven that mixed breed animals have less inherited genetic health problems than purebreds.

• Shelter animals have the added benefit of gaining socialization skills.  From group walks to day trips with their foster families, shelter animals get to experience the world around them.  However, animals coming from breeders are often kept in isolation to ensure that the bloodlines will remain pure.  

I would like to share the adoption stories of four of my dogs:  Theo, Penny, Adriel, and Hope.  Theo and Penny were almost euthanized while Adriel and Hope were rescued from backyard breeders.  Here are their stories.

Theo:  While not much is known about Theo's past, one thing is for certain:  He was abused by children.  Whenever Theo saw a child, he would fly into a barking and snarling frenzy while hiding behind our legs.  This is probably why he was dumped at the local humane society and labeled as vicious.

None of the staff could get close to Theo.  He was tired of being abused.  He was shut down.  The date for his euthanasia was set.

Two hours before Theo was to be killed, a woman specializing in Pug rescues came into the shelter.  She was immediately drawn to Theo.  The staff warned her that his time was up and he couldn't be rehabilitated.  The woman decided to try anyway.  

There she sat on the cold, hard concrete for two hours straight.  Theo had stopped snarling.  He sat next to the steel bars of the door and allowed the woman to pet him.  The staff was amazed when the woman left the building with Theo in tow, smiling.

Theo is now 15 years young.  If it wasn't for the kindness and patience of this woman, his life would have been cut drastically short.

Theo is now 15 years old!

Penny:  Penny was found roaming the streets of California.  She was immediately taken to a high-kill shelter.  While Penny was a sweet and loving pooch, her unique looks made her undesirable in the eyes of would-be adopters.  She was born with a deformed front paw and a severe overbite.

One day, a woman entered the shelter and discovered Penny.  She immediately made a call to her veterinarian friend, Cynthia Lee, who just happened to own Second Chance Animal Rescue in Springfield, Illinois.  Lee wasted no time in getting Penny out of the shelter.  In fact, she paid an animal transporter to drive Penny from California to the rescue in Illinois.

Penny's adoption profile was posted on Petfinder.com.  Still, no one wanted to adopt a seemingly "broken" dog.  Then I came across her biography and fell in love the moment I saw her picture.

While she may look different, nothing holds her back from living her best life.  Penny recently celebrated her seventh birthday.  She also has an award-winning children's book that tells the tale of her adoption journey to inspire others to adopt differently-abled animals.  Penny is also a volunteer with the Animal Protection Association of Missouri where she helps co-teach the humane education class. (www.pricelesspennyp.com)

Penny and her children's book.

Adriel:  Adriel was rescued from a backyard breeder.  She had been kept in a wire crate for most of her young life.  Her leg muscles did not develop properly because of this and she is unable to jump.  Adriel was also born with a very distinctive birth defect:  Her tongue is longer than her head so it always sticks out.  

From the moment I saw Adriel's picture on the St. Louis Senior Dog Project website, I knew she should be a part of our furry family.  When the adoption application was approved, we were overjoyed.  I couldn't wait to bring her home.

Several weeks later, I picked her up at the local Petsmart.  While I was excited, Adriel was terrified.  Her dark brown eyes darted back and forth.  She actually held her legs stiffly out in front of her so that she wouldn't get close to my face or chest.  I feared that she didn't like me.

Bringing her home was also difficult.  She ran and hid from me and my husband...but fell in love with our resident dog, Theo.  While they bonded quickly, it took several months before Adriel felt she could trust us.  

My husband and I worked diligently on training and studied up on dogs that had been rescued from breeders.  We soon learned that her terror was associated with the human interaction she received while at the breeder's facility.

Thankfully, with love and patience, Adriel soon blossomed into the world's best lap dog.  She now eagerly soaks up attention from everyone that she meets and will paw at the person if they stop petting her.  Adriel is also a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International where she provides touch therapy to kids' clubs, nursing home residents, Autism groups, etc.  

Adriel has been a therapy dog for 7 years!

Hope:  Hope is the product of a backyard breeder.  She is a mini double dapple Dachshund that was born without eyes and is completely deaf.  Her breeder bred two dapple Dachshunds together knowing that doing so can result in double dapples, which often have health issues such as being born blind, deaf, or both.

The exotic white coloring of the Dachshund pups in double dapple litters is highly sought after by adopters.  Often times, they have no idea what a cruel practice this is.  Upon finding out that Hope was both blind and deaf, he wanted to kill her.  She was useless to him because he couldn't breed her.

Thankfully, the man's wife stepped in and claimed Hope as her own.  Hope was protected for several years until the woman died.  The breeder than took Hope with a choke chain around her neck and surrendered her to Dachshund Rescue North America.

Hope was immediately placed into a loving foster home where she even had other doxies to play with.  I knew when I saw her on the rescue's website that she would need lots of extra care and attention.  My heart kept saying, "If you don't adopt her, no one will."

The first week post adoption was daunting.  My husband and I watched helplessly as she excitedly raced around the house running head first into the walls.  But, she never made a sound.  Hope simply backed up and went in another direction.

By the end of the week, she had learned the entire layout of the house.  Two months later, she taught herself to bark at the back door when she wanted to go out and potty and knew to come back to the door and bark to be let in.

She might be differently-abled but never disabled!  Hope has been featured on The Dodo where her video went viral with over 5.5 million views.  She has also been featured on numerous Facebook and Instagram pages.  Hope has over 7,000 followers on Instagram and receives messages daily about what an inspiration she is.  One person in particular sent a private message to her Facebook page stating that seeing Hope living such a wonderful life helps the person cope with his/her depression.

Most recently, she was selected as an Honorary Inner Beauty Ambassador by Instagram sensation, @a_gecko_and_his_pjs.  She now has custom stickers and magnets that are being sold with 100% of the profits benefiting Wayside Waifs, a no-kill shelter in Kansas City, Missouri. (www.havinghopealways.com)

Hope is known as the Queen Ween on Instagram!

I hope that these stories inspire you to adopt from your local animal shelter or rescue group.  Together, we can end the needless killing of animals; be a voice for the voiceless; and ensure that all creatures find a loving forever home.

Please take a moment today to remember those animals whose time ran out before they could be united with their forever families.

Wild Wiggles

In honor of International Cat Day, I would like to share the story of Wiggles.  It was a snowy day in March (hey, it's the Midwest) when I received a frantic call from a former co-worker.

"Lauren, I found a pregnant cat.  She is the sweetest thing ever and I want to keep her, but my husband is terribly allergic.  Can you help?" she sobbed.

I could already hear my husband's voice in my head:  "NO!"  I soon found myself driving in a blinding snow storm to meet my friend in the parking lot of the local Shop n' Save.  She and her daughter had red faces and running noses, not from the cold, but because they were that concerned about the cat and her safety.

They graciously provided me with some supplies.  I secured the confused feline in the backseat and started rehearsing the speech I would give my husband as we headed home.  Thankfully, we have a room that is next to our house (a former barber shop) where the cat could stay until we found out more about her health.

I made an appointment at our vet early the next morning.  The kitty traveled very well in the car and I never heard a peep.  Unlike our cats that howl like crazy the moment you take them outside.

Our vet loved her, but had a difficult time handling her.

"She's very wiggly," the vet said.

And so she became Wiggles.  I waited patiently as our vet took Wiggles to the back to do a blood draw.  This reminded me of the very first kitten that we ever rescued.  Miracle was just two weeks old when we found her in the middle of Main Street.  I was very familiar with all of the tests and numerous appointments we had to make to ensure she would be a healthy cat.

My heart sank when the vet returned with grim news:  Wiggles was FIV positive.  This was definitely going to hinder the ways that I could care for her.  We already have three cats of our own.  I knew that she would have to be kept separated so that our cats didn't contract FIV from her saliva or scratching.

I was treated to something very special.  I got to see Wiggles' ultrasound being performed!  The vet proudly pointed to three tiny kittens on the screen.  She did tell me that one kitten looked very small and said it probably wouldn't survive.  There is no way of telling if the kittens would also be FIV positive or if they were too far along for the disease to affect them.

She told me I had three options:  euthanize Wiggles, spay Wiggles and kill the kittens, or take Wiggles home and help deliver the babies.  This was obviously a no-brainer.  I then received a crash course in birthing kittens.

Wiggles settled in quickly.  She loved rolling over for belly rubs and was thrilled to have a steady source of food.  Weeks flew by and she continued to get larger and larger.

One day, Wiggles started pacing in her cage.  I looked down at the towel I had placed inside and noticed a spot of blood.  The kittens were coming!

My husband was at work and I was all alone.  Thankfully, I had my supply kit and The Complete Guide to Cats book by the ASPCA.  I said a prayer and moved Wiggles into her cardboard birthing box.

The sweet and loving cat that I had come to know suddenly turned into the Cujo of the cat world.  She was hissing and constantly trying to escape the box.  I did my best to keep her contained.

Wiggles finally settled down and I noticed a tiny pink tail and feet beneath her.  She began licking the kitten...but it didn't move.  Sadly, this was the stillborn kitten that the vet had warned me about.  Its legs were malformed and its little eyes never opened.  My heart broke as I took the baby away from Wiggles.

That was to be the only kitten she would birth.  The next day, I took her to the vet where she had a C-section.  I received a call later that afternoon that they had successfully delivered one kitten.  My heart broke even further as I wondered what happened to the second kitten.  Truthfully, I didn't want to ask.

As I walked into the vet's office later that afternoon, I was greeted by one of the vet technicians.

"So, Wiggles is rejecting her kitten," she said.

What?!  Rejecting her kitten?  How?  Why?

I asked if Wiggles was merely swiping with her paw or actually trying to bite the baby.

"She's biting," the vet tech breathed.

I told her that we were stocked up on KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) and had bought brand new nursing bottles in preparation for the kittens' arrival.  They handed me the crate containing the unhappy new mom and a Styrofoam box that held the smallest kitten I had ever seen in my life.

Baby Addy loves to snuggle.

My husband fell in love the moment that he saw the tiny bundle of fur sleeping on the towel.  He immediately volunteered to take the first round of bottle feeding.  This had to be done every two hours to assure that the baby would get all of the nutrients she needed to grow properly.

I decided to be brave the following day and re-introduced Wiggles to the kitten I had named Adeline (Addy for short).  Thankfully, Wiggles began licking Addy's fur and didn't object to nursing.  Our best guess is that Wiggles had still been in pain from the C-section when the vet staff had tried to get Addy to nurse and that her tiny little claws were making Wiggles feel less than comfortable.

Addy grew like a weed.  Her favorite thing to do was eat and her belly soon became round and pudgy.  My heart swelled as I watched Wiggles playing with Addy.  There is just something about the sight of a mother bonding with her daughter no matter the species.

Wiggles nursing Addy.

Addy loves her Grumpy Cat toy!

Four months had passed.  It was time to take Wiggles and Addy back to the vet to be re-tested for FIV.  My stomach turned as my husband and I sat in the waiting room.  I didn't want to give either of them up, but I also didn't want to risk the health of my established cats either.

The vet soon delivered the news.  Wiggles was still FIV positive.  Addy tested negative.

While I was saddened by Wiggles' results, I was thrilled with Addy's.  After much pleading on my part, my husband agreed that we could keep Addy as long as her test results were good.

I thought that we were in the clear...until the vet said that she wants to re-test Addy again in September to make sure that she's really negative.  In the meantime, Addy is to be kept away from our cats AND away from Wiggles.

This presented a great challenge.  Wiggles and Addy were already inhabiting the only space in our home that could be truly isolated.  My husband worked out a temporary solution until we could find a forever home for Wiggles.

Being known in my community as a resource for all things pet related, I began searching through my binder of shelters and rescue groups.  I was specifically looking for places designated as no-kill.  Wiggles is such a sweet cat and she doesn't deserve to be killed for having a condition.

The first shelter I called thanked me for everything that we've done for Wiggles and Addy, but said that they were full.  I went through my entire binder and was either told that there were no vacancies or (more often) that the shelters didn't accept FIV positive cats.

I'll admit, I was outraged.  My husband and I just visited an animal shelter in Houston, Texas that specifically has an FIV cat room.  How could places that claim to be advocates for homeless animals shun those that are truly in need?

I will continue my quest to find an outstanding rescue where Wiggles will be well cared for and, hopefully, find a loving forever home.

Addy (left) relaxes with Wiggles (right).

Wiggles has taught me so much about life and love.  I am honored that my former co-worker chose me to help Wiggles in her time of need.  When I look at Addy, I will forever be reminded of Wiggles and the wonderful five months that we spent together.

Meow Meetup Chicago Review

I have a confession to make.  I had never heard of Meow Meetup before, even though I'm a self-proclaimed conference expert.  From BarkWorld to BlogPaws, I thought I knew about all of the events that are geared towards pet lovers as well as pet care professionals.

While attending the Cat Writers' Association conference a few months back, a fellow attendee inquired if I had ever gone to the meetup as it takes place in Chicago which is sort of close to where I live.  Okay, it's actually a five hour drive to the Windy City, but I still consider that close.  I had no clue what my table mate was talking about.

Naturally, I raced back to my hotel room and grabbed my laptop.  A quick Google search took me straight to the Meow Meetup homepage.  The two day conference boasts presentations from industry experts, workshops, an adoption lounge, and meet and greets with some of the Internet's most famous cats.  I immediately purchased tickets.

My suitcase was packed a full week and a half before the conference.  Can you tell I was excited?  I made sure to pack all of my cat-themed shirts (including my Lil Bub tee), my cat BOBS by Skechers shoes, and every piece of cat jewelry I owned.  I wanted to be prepared.

Donning my cat ears, my husband and I started day one of the meetup.  It was amazing! We attended several presentations given by Dr. Melissa Bain.  I loved learning about simple and affordable ways to catify our house.  We also took in the exhibit hall that featured local rescue groups, vendors, and more. 

My cat ears are on and I'm ready to go!

Priscilla told us all about The Paw Project movement.

Look at this gorgeous Sphinx cat!  He was so soft! 

Did someone say shopping?  From cat toys and tees to exclusive Lil Bub merchandise, there was definitely something for every cat lover.  You can never have too much cat stuff, right?

My absolute favorite part of the conference was the meet and greets.  I got nervous and started fanning out before each session.  My husband laughed at me.  Clearly, he doesn't understand how awesome these cats are!  Being able to pet and pose with Internet royalty was such a thrill.

Chuck the Duck is too adorable...and sleepy!

Sinbad wasn't too sure if he should leave his carrier.

I couldn't believe that Eddie Meowster jumped onto my shoulders!

Selfie time with Mike and Lil Bub!

The adoption lounge was my weakness.  There were so many adorable adoptable cats and kittens!  If only I could have hidden a kitty in my purse.  I hope that they all found loving homes.

This adoptable kitty was fast asleep.

Loving this definition of what it means to adopt an animal.

Another highlight was the Cat Video Festival hosted by none other than Instagram stars Cole and Marmalade.  The collection of adorable and hilarious videos made me laugh and cry.  The ending featured the true adoption journey of one nearly-dead kitten.  There wasn't a dry eye in the room!

On day two, Matt and I decided to partake of the Pampurr Parlor.  We both got cat tats!  While I'm not brave enough to get a real tattoo, I was proud to show off my black cat cutie. 

Me and Matt rocking the cat tats!

We ended the conference by attending The Story of Lil Bub presented by Lil Bub and her Dude, Mike Bridavsky.  Matt and I are long-time fans of Lil Bub.  We first met her at the Yeti Art Gallery in Aurora, Illinois.  Then we met up with her again at Animal Planet's Woofstock.

I have to say, this was a very intimate event.  Mike was very open and honest about his life and what led him to adopt Lil Bub.  I feel like this is the most powerful Lil Bub event we have ever attended.  The accompanying slide show contained previously unreleased footage of Lil Bub doing adorable (and hilarious) things...like attacking a plush of herself!

Mike also hosted a question and answer session after the presentation.  Except, he didn't talk at all.  Questions were to be directed to Lil Bub as it was her show.  While Mike pretended to be on the phone, he would type the answers to the questions onto his laptop that not only appeared on the screen for everyone to read, but made real Lil Bub sounds with every tap of the keys!  Matt and I couldn't stop laughing!

As a special treat, Mike gave Lil Bub her favorite food:  yogurt.  Attendees were allowed to snap pics as Lil Bub happily snarfed up the delicious delicacy.  Could there be anything more precious than yogurt dripping off of Lil Bub's nose?

Lil Bub, you have something on your nose!

Lil Bub enjoys the yogurty goodness.

Matt and I enjoyed every moment of Meow Meetup.  We will definitely be back next year.  To learn more about the event, please visit their official website at:  https://www.thecatniptimes.com/meow-meetup-chicago-2018/

My Pet Wants a Pet Book Review

My Pet Wants a Pet by Elise Broach follows the crazy antics of one boy in his quest to get a pet for his pet.  The boy is thrilled when his mother finally allows him to adopt a dog.  The pair become inseparable.

They have such fun together that the puppy decides he too would like a pet.  The boy's mother protests, but the pup soon returns with a furry orange kitten.  The unlikely friends quickly form a bond.  A bond so strong, that the kitten would like a pet of her own...

Will the perpetual presence of pets become too much to handle?

I adore this book!  Broach's story is filled with humor and heart.  I love the idea of a pet wanting a pet of its own.  I am reminded of my Chiweenie, Penny.  When we rescued a two-week-old kitten from the middle of Main Street, she remained glued to its side.  Penny raised the kitten as if it were her own pup.  The bonds between animals are truly amazing.

While the animals in the book are adorably cute, my favorite character is the mother.  As the pets begin to multiple, she starts to lose her cool but is secretly a softy at heart.  I can see a lot of my husband in her.  He always tells me, "No more pets!"  Until I bring home another furry creature that he soon falls in love with.

Eric Barclay's illustrations have a comic strip quality to them that is reminiscent of The Family Circus.  His characters are cute and endearing.  I especially love the detail that he put into the beret wearing worm and tiny little flea.  I also like his hilarious nod to Rodin's sculpture The Thinker.

This is a wonderful read for animal lovers of all ages.

Niblet & Ralph Book Review

Niblet & Ralph by Zachariah OHora follows the escapades of two mischievous cats.  The clever Calicos have figured out that they live in the same apartment building.  While they spend most of their days talking to each other on the phone, they soon decide to meet face to face.

Ralph uses a clothesline to make his way into Niblet's apartment.  Meanwhile, Niblet pounces on the perfect opportunity to race across the hall to see his friend.  Both cats decide to wait until the other returns.

When their owners, Gemma and Dilla, arrive home from school, they are shocked.  Ralph doesn't want his hello hug.  Niblet wants nothing to do with his favorite toy.  Clearly, the cats are fakes!  So why don't their parents believe that a catnapping has taken place?  Will Ralph and Niblet ever be able to go home?  

I greatly enjoyed reading this story.  The plot reminds me of a mixture of The Parent Trap meets The Prince and the Pauper.  OHora's characters are hilarious.  I love how their personalities shine through in their love of music and cheesy triangles.  This brought images of my own cats to mind.  They are definitely different from one another.

The illustrations and funky and fun.  OHora uses acrylic paint on Stonehenge printmaking paper to really make the images pop.  His use of a bold color palette draws in the reader's attention and is a true feast for the eyes.

I love the detail that OHora has put into the characters of Ralph and Niblet.  Their faces are mirrored opposites that can fool even the sharpest of readers.  This adds a very Where's Waldo element to the story.

This is a fun read for children ages 3-5. 

The Christmas Kitten Book Review

The Christmas Kitten by Jessica Spawn follows the adventures of one homeless kitten on Christmas Eve.  Kitten is on the prowl searching for food on a cold winter's night.  He keeps dreaming of a family of his own and a warm place to call home.

Suddenly, a large bird finds Kitten and knows what his Christmas feast will be.  Kitten can't believe his eyes when three of Santa's reindeer fly in and save the day.  The reindeer can't help but notice that instead of being happy, Kitten is sad.

He explains that he has no home and is tired of being alone.  Prancer knows exactly what to do.  Fashioning a pair of antlers from two nearby sticks, he makes Kitten a part of their team.

Will Santa be fooled by this furry farce?  Can Kitten learn the ways of the reindeer before Santa's magical flight?

I absolutely love this book!  The story definitely tugged at my heartstrings and made me tear up.  Being the owner of three rescue cats, I know what a horrible life they had before they were rescued from the streets.  Cat over population is a nationwide issue that is beautifully summed up in the book.

I also love that the story rhymes.  For some reason, Christmas stories that rhyme seem more magical to me.  Children will be drawn to the musicality of the text in addition to the magic and mystery.

Benjamin Vincent's illustrations are adorable and stunning.  I fell in love with Kitten the moment I saw the cover of the book.  His over-sized eyes really pull the reader in creating even more empathy for him.  The comic book style quality of the illustrations will definitely keep children engaged and excited about turning the page.

This is a fabulous story for animal lovers of all ages.  I think this book could also be used as part of the humane education curriculum in animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. 

I Love Cats! Book Review

I Love Cats! by Sue Stainton introduces the reader to a young girl who really loves cats.  She walks around town happily describing all of the different kinds of cats that she loves.  Some of the cats seem strange, but she doesn't mind a bit.

Hilarity ensues as the reader is taken on a journey through the girl's city meeting a menagerie of cats.  From dancing and cooking, to reading and juggling, these cats know where it's at.  The girl becomes sad when she has to leave her new friends behind and head home.  She soon discovers that her parents can be just a sneaky as an alley cat.

I really enjoyed this story.  Being a fellow cat lover, I quickly identified with the little girl and her desire to take all of the cats home.  Stainton's characters are full of happiness and heart that will make even the youngest of readers smile.

Bob Staake's illustrations are amazing.  His characters are larger than life and really pop on every page.  I also love his use of a bright and bold color palette.  Children will be captivated by the creative cats appearing throughout the story.  I also appreciate the nod to one of America's most beloved Beagles.  

I love that the story also sheds light on the adoption option.  Being the proud pet parent of three rescue cats, I love sharing their adoption stories whenever I met new fellow animal lovers.  This is also a great way to let other interested adopters know about local rescue groups and animal shelters in their area.   I could also see this book being used as part of the humane education curriculum in animal shelters throughout the country.

This is a wonderful read for children ages 4-8.  The book would also make a great gift for the cat lover in your life. 

Paws of Triumph Blog is Live!

I'm very excited to announce that I have created a new blog called Paws of Triumph.  The purpose of the blog is to provide valuable content and resources for animal lovers of all ages with a focus on pet parents of differently-abled fur babies.

Having adopted six differently-abled animals, I know how challenging issues such as blindness and deafness can be.  But I also know how precious the love of a special animal is.  These creatures are truly amazing and have such a zest for life.

The blog will feature personal stories, product reviews, guest posts, and so much more.  Visit Paws of Triumph now by clicking on the link:  https://www.pawsoftriumph.com/

Be sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages!

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

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pawsoftriumph/

Pintrest:  https://www.pinterest.com/pawsoftriumph/

Triumphantly Yours,

Lauren

Cat Fanciers' Association Cat Show Review

While attending the Cat Writers' Association Conference in Houston, Texas, I had the extreme pleasure of attending my very first cat show.  I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first.  Now I'm a cat show addict!

Welcome to the show!

Unlike the famous Westminster Dog Show, the cats are not put on a leash and paraded around in a circle.  Instead, each cat is placed into a metal cage behind the judge's table.  The cages have numbers that are specific to each participating cat.  One by one, the cats are removed from the cages and judged individually to see who will be the best in breed.

This cute kitty is waiting to be judged.

The judge in action!

As I toured the room with a fellow CWA attendee, I was surprised at how friendly all of the show participants were.  Nothing at all like what numerous comedy films portray.  The cat owners loved talking about their fancy felines and even encouraged petting and photo taking.

Taking a nap between judging.

I really wanted to hug this cat!

That face!

Striking a (grumpy) pose.

I fell in love with this Maine Coon!

Pick me, judge!

Being a show cat is hard work!

Snuggle time.

Would you believe that this cutie only has one coat of fur?

I love the look of these cats.

A gorgeous Bengal ready to pounce!

Can you see the eyes of the snuggling cat?

Patiently waiting.

My favorite cat that I met is Aharon.  He is a Norwegian Forest Cat.  His owner, Leah Dow, shared Aharon's journey from being mistreated to being best in show.  

Aharon was a former show champion who eventually went to live with an elderly couple.  When the couple divorced, a local rescue group discovered that Aharon had been living in a cage outside in the Texas heat!

Leah remembers how happy Aharon was when she and her husband adopted him.  She even showed me videos of Aharon zooming around his new home.  Leah said that she was surprised when she was given Aharon's papers and awards certificates during the adoption process.

Now, Aharon is living the life of a true champion.  He dazzles judges with his stunning good looks and charms them with his calm demeanor.  I would definitely vote for this king cat!

Aharon is ready to win!

I had a wonderful time attending my first cat show.  I met so many wonderful people as well as fabulous felines.  To learn more about the Can Fancier's Association, please visit their website at:  cfa.org.

El Gato Coffee House and Cat Cafe Review

When the MC for the Cat Writers' Association Conference announced that attendees would get to  visit El Gato Coffee House and Cat Cafe, I was thrilled.  Having visited Mauhaus Cat Cafe in St. Louis, Missouri (where we adopted Sven), I was anxious to see what El Gato had to offer.  They did not disappoint!

The building is painted a bright, eye-catching green.  Upon entering, I found myself in the official El Gato shop.  This is THE place to go for all of your El Gato merchandise needs.  I purchased two shirts and a sweatshirt.  I'm definitely a proud cat mama!

El Gato Cat Cafe in Houston, Texas.

The official logo and food truck of the cafe.

Stepping into the cat room, I gasped.  Window seats contained hidden compartments for cats looking for privacy.  Doors had small round cut-outs for additional relaxation space.  The ceiling supports an intricate system of wooden walk-ways and bridges for cats on the move.

This kitty enjoys people watching.

Cat-shaped cut-outs are adorable and functional.

Can you spot the cat hiding behind the door?

Toothless claims his spot on the wooden bridge.

Jackson Glaxay would be proud.  This cafe is catified!

A back room boasts a gorgeous wall mural dedicated to those who helped make El Gato a reality.  The artwork is truly stunning.  This room also houses a mini library that is filled with feline friendly books for readers of all ages.

A stunning mural tribute to those who helped bring El Gato to life.

El Gato is proud of their feline residents.  They even have their photos hanging on the wall.  A separate poster includes photos of the resident cats that call El Gato their home.

Meet the El Gato family!

The resident cat lineup.

This gorgeous muted calico is so sweet.

Attention diva!

Domino was unsure about all of the cat crazed people.

Striking a pose.

I fell in love with this Maine Coon!

The perfect snuggle face!

Aside from an amazing facility and adorable cats, El Gato has the friendliest staff around.  The owner is beyond sweet and was kind enough to keep El Gato open late just for the CWA attendees.  I made fast friends with one of the cat caretakers as we bonded over our love of all animals, especially cats.  Before I knew it, we were sharing photos of our furry babies and swapping stories.

If you are ever in the Houston area, I would highly recommend that you make El Gato Coffee House and Cat Cafe one of the stops on your to-do list.  From petting cats to making new friends and sharing a snack, El Gato has it all.  Be sure to check out their official website at:  www.elgatocoffehouse.com

Don't forget to follow their social media channels!