The Opinionated Pussycat

First-of-its-Kind Social Networking Site Where Pets Do the Talking Debuts

 

A FELINE NEWS NETWORK SPECIAL REPURRT:

We got an email the other day; in it was a brief letter from a lounge Lizard....

Well, OK, it was a human, name Ken Braun, with those words in his email address.

 

He wanted to let Daddy Kiril know that "pets are about to get an online voice with the launch of a new social networking site where we critters do all the talking."
 
As if we don't already, in many corners of certain social networking websites? Not to mention provide all the written material for thousands of blogs around the world, some of which are award winning sites.

With the encouragement of Daddy Kiril, Elvira and I read the email, and visited the site.  It seems that this new site, called uraPET, "allows human users to set up a profile and post, comment, share and “like” as their animal companions."

Labor of Love Weekend Tribute to ML, and KC

 
 

In the Cat Blogging Community this weekend is not just Labor Day Weekend, but Labor of Love Weekend, and Elvira Mistress of Felinity, Daddy Kiril, & I, want to join others in honoring, and celebrating, our very own, very special ML (& KC Kitty, too!). 

ML is the head, and hands, and heart, behind The Cat Blogosphere, who works tirelessly 365-days a year to keep it up, and running, for all of us! 

She does so without compensation, often at her own expense.

She deserves enormous amounts of thanks for all she does. 

What you may not know is that she has also rescued, cared for, found homes for, and transported so many kitties over the years, we it's amazing!  

If you have been around Cat Blogging long enough then you know  ML & KC, of The Cat Blogosphere Website, and their hard work, that contribute towards making the place the successful, supportive of Cat Blogging, Community Resource that it is today.

The Sherwood Bunch
is the home blog of Missy, Sol, BJ, KC, Smokey, Faith, & Mom ML!

Among the many things the CB Blog does is encourage purrs, and purrayers for all those in need, within the Community, and condolences for those who have travelled on to Rainbow Bridge, promote auctions, and events, and so much more.

Over the years ML has spearheaded efforts to show support, in words, care packages, and financially thru auctions, of not just Daddy when he had a seizure, and broke his ankle, but when we rescued Elvira as a Kittlen.

ML & KC are "GodMothers" to Elvira. ;-D

ML has been a friend, and encourager of my efforts as a blogger, since before Daddy gave me my own blog, in Jan. 2010, and afterwards, especially when Elvira entered our lives, later began blogging herself.

She has also been a friend, and encourager, of Daddy Kiril, thru the tough times of the past 2 years, thru his seizure, and broken ankle, recoveries, and unemployement.

KC, the Toughest-Assed Tortie I know (Besides Sassy Elvira, of course!),  was introduced to the CB in July 2006, and became an  Offishul Repurrter for The Cat Blogosphere in just a few months, and the rest is history. ;-D

I know there are many who will be reading this who were not around, last Fall, when Daddy took it upon himself to thank KC, & ML, in a very, very, special way, based on his passion for Genealogy, and storytelling, and I took his pictures, and notes, and turned them into a powerful 3 part series that begins with this post:

In Search of KC's Roots: A Feline News Network Investigation

There are links to each succesive chapter, and I hope you read it.

You won't regret it, I promise you! ;-D

Thank You for all you have done, and continue to do, for the Cat Blogging Community, & especially for being our friend, {{{{ Mom ML, & KC }}}} !!!

Monday is World Cat Day! Be There, or Be Square!

 

TOMORROW is the 3rd Annual World Cat Day!

WHEN: Monday, August 8, 2011

 

WHY: To Celebrate ~ Honor ~ Remember our CAT(S) 

( Monday Update! OUR WCD Post is now up!!! )

HOW: On Monday, August 8 ~ simply publish and post to your own blog any or all of the following:

• A special photo of your cat(s), your favorite photo(s) ~ old or new
• A favorite poem about cat(s) ~ written by you, or authored by others
• A post ~ a new one, or an old one ~ a favorite one purrhaps
• A cat story ~ telling why you LOVE your CAT(S)
• Artwork, cartoons, music ~ whatever your IMAGINATION and your HEART can create that celebrates, honors and remembers why we all LOVE our Cat(s)

WHERE: And please be sure to add your blog link to The Cat Blogosphere on 8/8/11 so all can visit you on World Cat Day

LINK IS: http://www.blog.catblogosphere.com/ ( Hat Tip to KC for this wonderful Announcement! )

How Much Effort Does it Take to Get on My Blog Roll?

Pussycats are taking over the Internet,

and the World,

Which is really good!

Whatever I like is added to my blog roll,
 

"Cause Pussycats are really Cool, you see.
 

I think you'd surely agree with me! ;-D

 

Good evening everyone!

I put Elvira to work, today, sorting through all my Feline Blog Links, that for years had been in nice, and tidy, blogrolls from Blogrolling.com.

Since they closed up shop last Monday everyone has had to find other ways to post their links on their blog.

The simplest is plain old HTML so I had Elvira practice her spelling, and organizing, skills, then when all was ready I put the new, updated, lists back on the blog!

The lists have grown since I took them down, and one thing has changed.

The "Rescues, Shelters, Societies, Foundations, & Assoc." List has many new additions, some from the links list on the Cat Blogosphere site, and others from  a few links I checked out.

 

My blog roll combines my personal blogroll, with some links from some of the other lists, free for the taking, at the CB, but NOT the Whopper Main CB Blogroll, with 300 or so links.

Not yet, anyway. ;-D

I had got rid off my copy of the CB Blogroll, intending to just link to the CB List Page, but discovered that that list was actually smaller than mine had been, not to mention being a list from 2007!

Eeekkk!!!! ;-D

I shouldn't have dumped my list!

Our corner of the Cat Blogging Community, alone, has come a long way in 3 years. ;-D

Way back in the Spring I'd begun to look at the links in the CB Blogroll, and found some  where the blogger had either quit completely, was now blogging infrequently, or maybe even moved the blog.

Other things happening in our lives distracted me from continuing my exploration, but now I am going to slowly go thru the list again. ;-D

I will use it, as well as all the comments left on this blog this year, to make sure I return all those who were on my first list, to this new one.

Not everyone else on the old CB List will make it on to my blog roll, or any of the other lists in my sidebar, as I go thru it (Hell, most of the bloggers, websites, and organizations, linked in my sidebars don't even know who I am, yet, or even link to me, hee, hee!) but....

If you want to add me to your own blogroll / list of links, and think I might find your website / blog / organization worth adding to one of my lists, then feel free to link to me, and send me your link in an e-mail (It's listed in the sidebar).

I have several ideas for new sections in the sidebars, but adding them will take time.

I have been blogging since 2002, alongside Daddy, and one thing we have learned is that there are plenty of bloggers, and websites, that we link to that don't link back, and visa versa, partly because of ignorance of the others existance, but sometimes out of choice.

Afterall, there is simply no way anyone can link to, or read, everything that is out there. ;-D

When it comes to links in ones sidebar each blogger has their own interests, styles, and  comfort zones in this regard.

I'm pretty sure there is nothing else quite like MY Collections! ;-D

( PS: Anyone old enough to remember the commercials, and jingles, for a certain candy, from the 1950's through the 70's, will know what I am paying tribute to with the post title, and the opening lines. ;-D )

Live, Learn, Move On: A Lesson for the Critter Blogosphere, and Those Wishing to Network With Us

Well, it seemed like a brilliant idea at the time I was approached to do it.

When I was contacted last month by a Publicity Person, for the Chicken Soup Pet Food Brand, to hold a contest I thought it would be a Win/Win for both of us, though probably more for me since they were the big, popular company, and I, well... ;-D

Teaming Up With Chicken Soup Brand Cat Food for Summer Travel Stories Contest

Soup's On! Announcing Summer Travel Stories, and Tips Contest Winner

The contest was held, and we had only 2 contestants, and few visitors to either post.

Before I go any further I want to make it clear that the Publicity Person treated me, the whole time, with the utmost respect, and seriousness, and I thank that person.

That one I ain't annoyed with. ;-D

But, there is a reason that my "Mr. Cute But Serious" Picture is in the post, and why my Motto is "You Giva Me No Trouble  - I Giva You No Smack!"

Let what I am about to share give you something to think about, and be a reminder why the BlogPaws Website, and Conventions, are so important in the education of both Critter Bloggers, and those who wish to connect with us.

On Tuesday I posted an essay that was turned down for a guest spot on Chicken Soups struggling attempt at creating a blog.

Tortie Tuesday 2: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone, Expand Your Creative Horizons

What follows is a series of correspondence that speaks for itself...

9/3 - Hi Nikita,
 
Hope all is well.  Do you have big plans ahead for the long weekend?  I was wondering if you would be interested in writing a guest post that will be featured on the Chicken Soup site? 

The topic choice is open to you, and if you would like, I could send over a few guidelines to help out. 

 If you would like to participate, I can send the post over to Chicken Soup to look at right away once I receive it, and then can send the link to you when the post is live.  Please let me know what you think and if you have any questions at all.
 

MY REPLY: Oh, wow! Daddy almost slipped, and fell in the shower when I told him about your offer!
 
It's my fault because I never ever bother him when he's in there, but I was just too excited! ;-D
 
Yes, Daddy, & I, would be very interested! Send over the guidelines!
 
It may take all weekend for me to write the story, but it's doable (I host the Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos on Sunday evening, but other than that....)

9/3 -  Nikita,

The Bad Kitty Cats Festival sounds like a lot of fun, what does that entail?  I left early from the office today and won't be back in till Tuesday to send the guidelines, but feel free to send over a post whenever and I will make sure they fit within.  The basic gist is that the post be original and be about 300-500 words.  Did you have a post idea in mind?  I look forward to reading your post.

MY REPLY: It's a once a month thing - Planning 2 B Bad this Month?: Confess Your Sins to Bad Kitty #119 NEXT Month!

I have an idea, and will double check previous guest contributions so I don't repeat, but I think it is sufficiently different. ;-D
 
And I'm reasonaly sure I can do it in 500 words, or less. ;-D
 
I'm a different sort of Critter blogger, and I like to encourage other critter bloggers, or other bloggers who may never blog about their critters, to step out of their comfort zone, and try something different because it will show people looking for animal stuff online that there is much more than silly videos, and LOL! Photoshopping. ;-D

9/3 - Sounds different and fun.  I'm looking forward to reading it and your idea.  I know they are looking for a post on a topic that you enjoy writing about.

On the evening of the next day, the 4th, I sent in my post with this intro:

My topic is about encouraging Critter Bloggers to expand their creative horizons in a medium that is bringing new attention to itself every day.
 
It comes in at 499 words! ;-D
 
I'll let you guys insert the URLS since whoever does the blog would know how to do so....
 
Guest Blog entry from Nikita Cat - Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat ( http://www.opinionatedpussycat.com )

On Tuesday, while I did not receive the promised "Guidelines", or any thoughts on the piece I submitted...my letters announcing the contest winner, and sending them the persons contact info, and address, were acknowlwedged.

Then silence...

 

Soup's On! Announcing Summer Travel Stories, and Tips Contest Winner

 

On August 22nd Meowsing announced it was teaming up With Chicken Soup Brand Cat Food for a Summer Travel Stories Contest. ;-D

As I tell Elvira...it's time to choose a winner!

( No fair peeking, either, dear reader, or Contestant! Take in the story of this event, one picture at a time, top, to bottom, I don't care if the suspense DOES drive ya nuts! ;-D )

 

As I said before...

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul Brand Pet Food has a website that is devoted to Dog, and Cat Food, Cat and Kitten care, a Vet Notes section, and more, including a month old Blog that shows some potential for the future.

They also have a presense on Facebook (If you enjoy their effort "Like" them, and spread the word!), and on Twitter (If you like their Tweets then follow them!), so check them out in between your Naps, Snoozes, Play Times, Strolls.

I thank them for asking this blog to host this contest, and providing the prize, and thank those who spread the word, and our contestants as well. ;-D

 

We had 2 brave blogs submit their thoughts for this contest, as can be seen in the comments to the post above!

1. Artemisia, Fenris, Socks & Scylla of the blog Alasandra The Cats, and a Dog.

2. Sweet Praline.

Both blogs offer wonderful pictures, and stories, about the resident Beasties, and their Humans, and more besides, and I whole-heartedly encourage you to check them out sometime. ;-D

So let's pick a winner shall we?

 

Daddy wrote the names of our contestants on 5 pieces of paper, each, and crumpled them up so neither I, Nikita, Professor of the Nikita Institute of Feline Studies, or Miss Elvira, could tell who was named on any piece.

He said he was gonna test a theory, but would not tell us what it was, at first. ;-D

 

 

Teaming Up With Chicken Soup Brand Cat Food for Summer Travel Stories Contest

I get e-mail....

I was among those approached to host a contest that would do several things:

Promote this blog, promote the blogs of others, and promote a Cat food brand with ties to a popular book series, and their websites....

The hope being that it would be a Win/Win, for everone. ;-D

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul invites readers of Meowsings of An Opinionated Pussycat, who are Cat Bloggers, and/or Humans who Blog about Cats, or any Humans with Cats who don't blog at all, to participate in a contest to win a Cat “goody bag” including pet food samples.

As summer continues, I’m sure many of your readers are spending time on the vacation with their families and pets enjoying quality time together.

Chicken Soup would love to hear (1) readers travel stories with their cats and (2) tips on how they handle taking care of their pets on the road, or care for them while away.

Prize: A Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul pet “goody bag” for the winner that I choose ( Cat food and toy mice! ).

***Open to US Residents only***

Please leave a comment...identified as "Contest Entry", and don't forget to fill out the e-mail, and Website URL, portions of the Comment Form, so I can contact the winner, and get the info needed to send them their prize.

The contest begins 1201am PST Monday, August 23rd, and ends at 1159pm PST Saturday, August 28th...and the winner will be announced on Friday Sept. 3rd, and will have 3 days to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

In my book anyone who contributes is a winner, but I can only choose one (I think Daddy is gonna have either Elvira, or I pick a folded piece of paper, with a name on it, up off the floor!), so that's that! ;-D

As anyone who has checked out my sidebar knows I have read, and recommend, the Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul book, and Daddy owns a copy of the Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul book, which he recommends on HIS blog.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul Brand Pet Food has a website that is devoted to Dog, and Cat Food, Cat and Kitten care, a Vet Notes section, and more, including a month old Blog that shows some potential for the future.

They also have a presense on Facebook (If you enjoy their effort "Like" them, and spread the word!), and on Twitter (If you like their Tweets then follow them!), so check them out in between your Naps, Snoozes, Play Times, Strolls, Blogging, Meal Times, and Trips to the Litter Box! ;-D

 

Because I did not want to do this without having tried a can of their Adult Food, Daddy bought a can that I tested, and found quite tasty (I won't say which flavor, so as to remain impartial, and fair, to all the flavors!). 

But what do I know? 

I rarely eat Wet Food! ;-D 

****UPDATE - 8/27****

Jan's Funny Farm is also holding the contest, and there's still time to enter at her place, too!

****END UPDATE****

****SUNDAY 8/29 - 1030AM****

The Contest is now CLOSED!

We have 2 contenders, and I thank them for their submissions! ;-D

 

 

 

 

Daddy is Going to College at the Cat Channel!

Daddy, and I, first joined The Cat Channel Community in early 2008 but, like Catster, we didn't feel comfortable, or ready, to participate, and couldn't seem to find enough time to do it anyway.

Now, like with Catster, we have updated our profiles, and Daddy has signed up to go to Cat College. ;-D

Daddy hasn't been to college since he got his Bachelor Degree in 1982 so this ought to be, um, interesting. ;-D

Cat College is a 3 month curriculum that will give the Humans who complete it the foundation to better understand, and care for us, and gives any Feline who helps their Human study a better understanding of ourselves.

 

Oh, My CAT! I'm Returning to Catster!

Diary of the Day was one thing.

After a bit more than a month on Catster, in February 2008, I was still learning my way around the Community, and trying to live up to THAT!

 

Then something else happened.

Daddy and I awoke, one morning, to begin a typical day:

He went to check his e-mail.

I went to the top of my Cat Tree, and prepared to resume my interrupted nap. ;-D

Suddenly Daddy was jumping up and down and had a tear on his face as he smiled at me.

When your human is struck speechless, and can't tell you what the heck the fuss is about, the only thing a Cat can do is try to figure it out for himself.

I went and looked at the e-mail.

Make that 2 of us in shock!

I don't know the criteria used for choosing me, but I was, and still am, very honored that I was, and hoped that I could live up to this very special Honor, and the great Responsibility that having earned such recognition entails.

By the middle of Spring, sometime, I was no longer participating.

What happened?

I am more than a little ashamed, and embarrassed, for being away for a year, maybe closer to 2.

I wish to, first of all, and most importantly, apologize to all those fine, upstanding, members of the Catster Community who befriended me way back when, and may have done so, or tried to do so, in my absence.

 I still deeply cherish the honors given me back then...

Though I sometimes think that, in light of my long absense, I might no longer deserve such a kind honor.

However, a lot was going on in the life of my Human, and of myself, as well, and Catster became too much for me to get my Paws around, much less participate in on a daily, and then even weekly, basis.

I was just beginning to grasp how vast, and complex, The Cat Blogosphere was, and is, and decided to focus on my Co-Blogging duties on Daddy's own Blog, and become more familiar with the Cat Blogging Community.

I thought I'd even deleted my Catster Account, at some point last year, even recently telling Catster on Twitter something to that effect.. ;-D

I had no blog of my own back then, and slowly expanding my horizons in this regard in the last 2 years has opened my eyes.

My involvement in the Community expanded as I hosted Carnivals

Last December Daddy realized something important had changed... before I did.

I was ready for a Blog of my own...no more sharing, and that is the blog you are visiting today.

Having a place of my own has set me free to be who I am in ways I never tried before, and to expand the resources found in my sidebar.

The acceptance of my fellow Kitties was immediate, and has grown, touching me deeply.

I'm on Twitter (@Nikita_TwitPuss), & have made 2 very short YouTube videos, with plans for more. ;-D

Daddy got me a Feline Utility Vehicle (A Pet Stroller to all y'all in Rio Linda!), this week, for my Birthday on Friday, and the support, encouragement, and advice, in response to my post about it, yesterday, has overwhelmed me.

This leads me into why I'm getting involved in Catster again.

Maybe The Great Cat in the Sky knew something I didn't, and it was meant to be that I'd find my way back, I don't know. ;-D

I am ready now, I think, to find a way that I can comfortably participate in the Catster Community, and I hope that my old friends there can find it within them to welcome me back into their friendly embrace.