The Opinionated Pussycat

Honors for Meowsings!!! Daddy Kiril Runner-Up for Purina Cat Chow Correspondent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good afternoon, Felinity Assembled, Elvira Mistress of Felinity here! 

13 years ago, this Spring, Daddy Kiril visited the Inland Valley Humane Society Shelter, in Pomona, Ca., and was adopted by a precocious little Kitten.

By the end of Fall 1998, they were both posting online discovering the internet for the first time.

In Spring 2002 they discovered Blogging.

There was no Cat Blogosphere back then, and Cat Bloggers, Feline, and Human, alike, were just figuring out how, & what, to do in this new online world.

The stories Daddy, & Nikita, have told me about those early years are fascinating to me, and inspiring.

Back then they did not know that Nikita would eventually become active in the emerging Cat Blogosphere that had been born in 2006, and in January 2010...finally...start his own, long overdue, blog, this one.

In the early months of this year Daddy did 2 things:

He bought a ticket to attend Blog Paws 2011, in August, in Va., and though he has yet to buy plane tickets, and his hotel room, he has hopes to still attend, maybe even find a sponsor (Announcement, about this idea, to come).

He was among the hundreds, if not thousands, of Humans to apply to become the very first Purina Cat Chow Correspondent, a one year, $50,000 salary, postion with so much for the person to do to promote Purina, and attend, and write about, Cat related issues, and events, that it blows my furry little mind (Not! Hee, hee!).

Some of the Humans of our Fellow Cat Blogosphere Bloggers, also applied.

Anyway, the folks at Purina, appear to be like many folks when it comes to who they think writes many of the Cat Blogs that are online, hence the fact they went looking to hire our Humans.

 

We all know who are the "REAL" brains of our blogs, and some of us are even published authors of books!. ;-D

Most applicants, like Daddy, submitted applications online, or by mail, but some were able to attend interviews in person.

They explained why they were best qualified, and plugged their blogs, and websites, and hoped for the best.

Earlier this week, the notication process began, and final choices were made, and e-mails sent.

 

Daddy was notified that he was one of an unspecified number of Runners-Up!

We were so excited!!!

None of us expected that THAT would happen!

The fact that he was not able to go to one of those interview events, in his mind, pretty much meant his chances of be chosen would be slim, but to be considered, and recognized, in such a favorable light as this indicates, is a great honor, and inspiration.

The message was humbling, and inspiring:

"Kiril, you are amazing. In fact, we think you're the cat's meow. Unfortunately, you weren't selected as the Purina® Cat Chow® Correspondent.

Thanks for letting us get to know you better. We learned a few things about you:

1. You tell a great story.
2. You are really talented.
3. You have a boundless passion for cats."

Oh, and if you are hungry, here's a discount coupon for some of our chow (Buy 1 get 1 free!) ;-D

The writers of the Cat Chow Facebook Page say that  even though they don't know the exact number of Runners-Up...the number of submissions, and the calibre of those applying, was very high, and the choice of the 7 finalists, and the winner, was difficult to make.

The winner will be announced in May.

I am young, and only been blogging a few months, but I know that this recognition, and those 3 Compliments, reflects especially well on Nikita for all the hard work that he has put in over the years, and especially since starting this blog.

Daddy, and Nikita, have taught me so much, and tell me I am doing a good job with my own contributions, and that makes me Purr, but I know I still have much to learn to become as good, and well respected, as Nikita.

One day, I know, I will no doubt take over from Nikita when it's his time to go to Rainbow Bridge...I promise him, and you, dear reader, to be ready, and to not let anyone down.

One a final note, something that Daddy & Nikita say it's OK for me to say:

This tremendous honor, inspires all three of us, and comes at an amazing time in the history of this blog....there is change, and evolution, coming, Pussydom Assembled.

The computer classes Daddy has been taking, the books he, & Nikita have been reading for inspiration, and our first video on You Tube, with the 3 of us in it together, are just the beginning.

Nikita has been teaching, and talking, to me again, lately.

He has read Norman Vincent Purr in recent days, and he once wrote:

"That part of you that produces creative ideas is your real self; your strong self."

"Keep believing in yourself, have confidence!"

"If you always wait for a propitious time you may have a long wait."

Another Cool Cat he read, Dan Meowler, wrote:

"Don't wait on perfect conditions for success to happen; just go ahead, and do something."

"This is a process of releasing that unique genius, purpose, mission, or calling, that only you have been placed on earth to fullfill....Don't ignore that task."

After almost 9 years it may be time to finally take new, unfamiliar, steps.

Nikita tells me that, yes, Daddy is unemployed, and unsure if he will make it to Blog Paws, or even what the rest of this year holds for us but, we need to believe that a great future is possible... WE CAN IF WE THINK WE CAN.

 ****FROM NIKITA - 830PM****

WOW!

I knew Daddy had applied, but had completely forgotten all about it because nothing else occurred related to it.

A very cool honor, even though he didn't win.

I feel that, in a way, my ability as writer, and journalist of sorts, were complimented as much as Daddy, and it will spur me on to hopefully better things. ;-D

When I agreed to let Elvira make the announcement I had no idea what she had in mind, and am as pleased in her writing skills, as I am embarrassed by her tribute.

Not that I'm in any all-fired hurry to head to Rainbow Bridge, you understand, but I am becoming more confident, with each passing day, that I would be leaving this place in safe paws when I do. ;-D

Oh, and yes, she is right...change is coming to Meowsings. ;-D

Thank you, everyone, for your support, and encouragement.

****END UPDATE****

 

Weekend of Silence and Remembrance: Hosted by 3 Tabbys in Vienna

 

Our friends ~ Three Tabby Cats in Vienna ~ Kashim, Othello and Salome ~ are hosting a
Weekend of Silence and Remembrance.  

In 2007 the entire Cat Blogosphere Community came together and remembered our many friends, loved and lost and it is time for this once again...

I have written about our little Maximus, and my mentor, The Old Warrior, Tom, in the past, and Daddy still thinks fondly of his old Dogs, Bailey, and the sibblings Ginger & Jr., years before him.

The Storms Shall Pass, and Your Humans Will Rebuild, Stay Safe....

 

....I join many of my fellows, in the Cat Blogging Community, in purring, and purraying, for the safety of all Felines caught in the path of the destruction, especially those members of our blogging fraternity.

Thank You, Ann, of Zoolatry, for the image.

National Hairball Awareness Day: PeoplePets Features Nikita's Awesome Specimen!

On April Fools Day I announced that this blog was going to be participating in a Hairball Awareness Day Event.

For anyone who thought I was pulling your tail...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is National Hairball Awareness Day! ;-D

No, no, it's not a day about the fight for Hairball Rights, with intelligent, self-aware, politically active Hairballs holding  a Million Hairball March on Washington D.C., with speeches on the Mall, and in front of the White House...

Daddy convinced me to sacrifice my dignity for a very good cause...helping FURminaor deShedding Tools, PeoplePets, and Romeo the Cat, spread the word about hairballs, and the health issues involved with them for Cats.

Hairballs are no laughing matter...to us Cats, and our Humans, anyway. ;-D

All 90 million of us!

Unpleasant to look at, unpleasant to cough up, unpleasant to clean up, they are hazardsous to Feline health in many ways.

Tools like the FURminator are a comfortable, Cat friendly, way to brush your Cats hair, and redude shedding by up to 90%.

Because we are fastidious groomers, our rough tongues made for the task, we ingest a lot of our own hair, and this annoys our stomach. ;-D

When up to 2/3 of your shed hair ends up down there, hairballs form, and those things have to go somewhere, right?

Now you know why your Human puts a lot of the Family Valuables out of your reach. ;-D

  

I'm a hairy dude, as you can see but, in all my 13 years, I've never had an issue with Hairballs.

Even though the little buggers are not just made of fur, but can have food particles, and mucus in the mix.

They can not just cause you to toss your cookie, as the humans call it, but give you constipation, diahrrea, intestinal obstructions, even a loss of appetite.

 
 

Did you know that hair ingestion equals roughly 0.011 ounces of hair for an outdoor adult short-hair weighing in at 6.6 lbs., and this can add up to 1.24 ounces ingested a year?

As much as you might not care to admit the need for it, Kitties, you might want to enlist the assistance of your Human, or professionals, with your grooming, so the dead undecoat can be removed before you swallow it.

Traditional treaments like lubricants, and diets, only address the issue AFTER you have swallowed a stomach full of hair!



So, I let Daddy Kiril turn me into a test crittter for the FURminator tool, the company sent us to try out, and I will admit that it felt comfortable to have the hair removing part caress my back, and stomach, areas, removing enough hair, over several days, so Daddy could pretend he was a Mad Scientist in his laboratory. ;-D



My contribution was to suggest that he use an empty toilet paper roll as the body of his creation. ;-D

The result? The Nikitastein Monster. ;-D

People Magazine has a PeoplePets Website, as mentioned above, and they have done a very cool thing.

They have posted a gallery of the creations of more than 20 Cats & our Humans, inviting their readers to visit our websites, and discover a side of the Blogosphere they may never have imagined existed.

Thank you, as well, to FURminator, for posting the photos, and blog links, on their Facebook Page!

It's been interesting to read the information about hairballs provided by FURminator, and Romeo, and fun, and amusing, to check out the humor in the photos of the other creations, especially by my fellow Cat Blogosphere Kitties (The CB is well represented!).

Romeo will hold a drawing next week.

The winner among us participants gets a $500 donation to a pet rescue of their choice and second place gets to choose Romeo's May FURpower organization. ;-D

 

DVD Case Cover, and Label, for Our 1st You Tube Slide Show Video

Daddy brought home the DVD Case Cover, and DVD Label, for the DVD of the video he recently made in his PhotoShop Elements 8 Class, and we posted on You Tube!

 

Daddy took a bunch of pictures on a CD to his class, and chose from among them whcih ones to use in the Video, and on what you see here.

 

 

This looks so fun, and cool!

 A Nikita Institute of Pussydom Studies Production! Hee, hee! ;-D

 
 

I love the choices he made for the Cover, & Label, even including the Gotcha Badge! ;-D

 Rated P ! Hee, hee! ;-D

 

When Sweetness Ascends to Light, Rainbow Bridge Becomes Brighter

 In the fall of 1995 Ceiling Cat became aware of a Human woman, named Paula, going thru some difficult times, and decided to investigate...

CC was also aware of some Persian kitten in the vacinity of this Human, one thing leading to another, the Human "found" herself visiting the store where the Kittens were. ;-D

By the time she left the store she had bonded with a kitten she came to give the registered name of "Miss Paula's Sweet Praline", a Tortoiseshell Persian whose Mom was a Seal Point Himalayan and Dad was a Red Tabby Persian.

She was born on September 25, 1995, & her great grandparent on her fur Mom's side achieved championship status.

Praline, however, chose to avoid the show business side of the family prefering to be pampered by her Human Mom....and to one day, years later, take up blogging.

In June 2008 she found herself joining the Cat Blogging Community, and making more friends than she ever dreamed of, and inbetween playing nurse, & therapist for her Mommy, napping, snoozing, eating, playing, and blogging, she was awarded the first of many awards by her new freinds, and readers, over the next several months.

She was doing rather well for Senior Diva Kitty, with the blodd of champions coursing through her veins. ;-D

The years went by and, in her 15th year, her health began to change, and it became the turn of her puzzled, and worried, Human Mommy to play nurse.

She was diagnosed with a tumor (possibly cancer) in her spleen/stomach and could not have an operation.

She valiantly battled Fate, determined to go out on her own terms, when SHE was damn well ready, and not one moment before!

Easter 2011, came, and Sweet Praline, & Mom Paula, had a chat, and made a decision...and so it is with sadness in my heart, yet happiness that she is no longer in pain, that I report that Ceiling Cat called Sweet Praline to Rainbow Bridge Monday morning...I guess he was in need of another Diva to liven things up a bit. ;-D

I no longer remember when I first encountered her blog, but I've always enjoyed her work, and especially her photos, and videos.

It must have been in the late Fall of 2009 because she left her 1st 4 comments, not on Daddy's blog, but here, in my first month on my own. ;-D

Beginning with THIS post, hee, hee! ;-D

In Sept. & August she was one of 2 contestants in a contest we held, though she didn't win.

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

Amidst the difficulties of her final days, and weeks, she showed her support for Elvira in the That Darn Cat Contest and, for tha,t and her support, and encouragement, since Elvira entered our lives, she will foreever be thankful.

Elvira, Daddy Kiril, and I, are sad, but we know that, based on Mom Paula's own shared thoughts, that one of the first things Praline no doubt did upon arrival at the Bridge...was to go have a chat with Ceiling Cat about plans, somewhere down the road, when they feel her Mommy is ready. ;-D

I've written several poems for occasions such as this, sent them to Mom Paula, and I hope this brings friends, and fans, of Sweet Praline, some comfort.

Just Another Stroll With Thee: Elvira's First Stroll

How Kind You Are: Songs of Comfort for When Furry Friends Go to Rainbow Bridge

Rest in Peace, Sweet Praline.

Total Saucepot With IMPRESSIVE "Curriculum Vitae" Woefully Behind in Contest

And on the 12th day of the contest Elvira looked at her position, and said... #*%@!

 

I know, I know...Not very Lady Like...hee, hee! ;-D

It has been a couple of weeks since I announced my entrance in the That Darn Cat contest in the Orange County Register newspaper, and humbly asked for your support. 

{{{{ Thank You, everyone who has voted, and added the Cool Badge, by Zoolatry, to their sidebar! }}}}

I awoke, this morning and checked in on the contest, voting for a few of my faves among the other 580 contestants, as I checked my position.

Despite the fact that Whicky Wuudler The Everycat, in his wisdom, pointed out to other voters that I am a " Total Saucepot ", and Rose & The Royals praised my IMPRESSIVE " Curriculum Vitae " ...I am mired in a very distant 28th Place. ;-D

 As of this morning the Top 10 Vote Getters are:

1. 14,178 (Giving new meaning to the term "Stuff the Ballot Box!" (Totally allowed, mind you.) this Kitty can't stand on its own...needing a stufffed/cooked Turkey as a prop, and no story.

2. 9,423

3. 7,400

4. 5,765

5. 2,615

6. 2,204

7. 1,770

8. 1,380

9. 1,107

10. 1,000

#20 has 500 votes, and me, Elvira Mistress of Pussydom, The Most Delightful Saucepot in Orange County?

Possessor of the absolutely most IMPRESSIVE "Curriculum Vitae" found outside the Advertising, & Back Pages of the outspoken, and informative, alternative OC Weekly Magazine (They like us, & we think that's cool!)?

I have just a measely 260 votes. ;-D

With several contestants coming up hard on my tush. ;-D

You know what my problem is?

Being a Young Republicat I knew my photo might be a problem in some of the more Conservapuss circles of this county.

Plus, some folks (Feline & Human) just don't know how to Google the term "Curriculum Vitae", and find out just what the hell it actually means! ;-D

Theoretically the Judges, who choose the other of the 2 winners, know what it means, whoever they are, and I still have a chance, so cross your paws! ;-D

 

There is still plenty of time for those who like my photo, and Bio, to show your support ( No need to feel guilty about Stuffing the Ballot Box! ).

Go here to Register, Vote, & Comment !

The contest runs thru May 11th.

For those asking why I, Nikita, and Daddy Kiril, are not voting for me...We wouldn't want it on our consciences if I won, and had to explain to The Ceiling Cat, or The Lord Almighty, on Judgement Day, why we three were the only ones to vote for me...hee, hee! ;-D

 

 

The Great Pussy & Pooch Meow Mingle Goody Bag Investigation

As reported in my last post, Daddy went to a Shindig last night!

So what did Elvira, & I, get out this...aside from an opportunity for Daddy to tell a couple of people about this blog?

I'm glad you asked! ;-D

2 little Goodie Bags!

 

The bags Pussy & Pooch uses when people make purchases, big, and small, are pretty cool looking.

 

Though they can be a tad frustrating to Cats with Big Heads. ;-D

 

Daddy brought home 3 cans of cat food, a bag of a Cat Food neither of us had ever heard of, some Kitty treats, a couple of discount coupons for nail trims at P & P, and a card promoting "Luxurious" cardboard furniture, and wall scratchers by Marmalade Pet Care.

 

 

Inaugural Meow Mingle, at LB P & P, OK, Daddy Kiril Reports

 

Good Morning, Felinity Assembled!

As reported yesterday, not to mention, last month as well, there was a momentous event scheduled in the Belmont Shore section of Long Beach, last night!

Meow Mix Tonite at Long Beach Pussy & Pooch Store

As you can tell from the above photo Cats, and their Humans, were practically busting down the door to attend. ;-D

NOT...As you can tell, by the comment, and Daddy can attest, even Sparkle couldn't get her Human to traipse into the wilds of Belmont Shore. ;-D

 

That doesn't mean the Pussy & Pooch event was a complete failure, not by a long shot, just a very modest beginning.

Three Cat specific customers came in, over 2 hours, made some purchases, asked some questions, nibbled on the treats set out for the Humans, and took home our flier from Daddy, as well as Goodie Bags with samples.

A charming, and cute, 3 year old Human Girl, there with her Mother, for Dog related Shopping, had other ideas...becoming fascinated by Frida, who threatened to kick the ass of a big Dog who tried to get too close to not only her, but especially the child. ;-D

The girl kept petting Frida, and asking questions, and made no bones about what she thought about the "Bad" Dog, compared to the "Nice Kitty". ;-D

Several other Dogs also brought their Humans in for some shopping.

 Daddy held several interesting conversations with Janene, & Rob, the Founders, and other employees, and got to hang out with several of the company Kitties.

 

These first 2 photos are of the recent birthday girl, Minxx, age 15, who is a Manx mix ( Alas, the stub tail. ;-D )
 is Chief Scratching Officer.

She loves Catnip, and has been known to empty a whole bag of the stuff on the floor, and just wallow it. ;-D

As described on the company website:

Minxx is a regular shadow-chasing-Super Hero who never met a piece of cardboard that she didn’t like. Her senior status is characterized by maturity and stability. Working from the home office she assists in all matters to keep things running smoothly. A techie, she loves computers and speakerphones. She spends her days off scratching in between napping and leaping off tall counters...

 

The Talk of Pussydom #8 - 11: Playing Catch Up!

 

Good morning Felinity Assembled!

Not to mention Cat Lovers, worldwide. ;-D

Do you know of, or host, a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, round-up for Cat Bloggers or, like Friday Ark, Pet Bloggers Blog Hop, and Camera Critters, one that includes Cats?

Send me the particulars so I can add it to the list in the sidebar, which will enable me to post the latest edition once it's up.

E-MAIL = opinionated.feline (at) gmail.com

SUBJECT = Talk of Pussydom

So, let's get to this weeks edition!

Actually, I'm playing catch up, thru this last weekend, because it's been a very busy month in our house.

1. Carnival of the Cats #367 to 370:

Billy SweetFeets -- We did #368! -- Reepicheep and Felix and Tiger and Sidonia of When Cats Attack! -- and Pet and the Bengal Brats, at Pet's Garden Blog, did the latest edition.

The CoTC is the Grand Daddy of Cat Blogosphere events, and If you want to learn how to submit a blog post, or host, go here!

2. Friday Ark #332 to 335, hosted as usual by The Modulator, were, as usual, as entertaining, and varied, as visiting your local Zoo. ;-D

#332 -- #333 -- #334 -- #335

3. Weekend Cat Blogging #302 to #306

#302 was hosted after all! = Weekend Cat Blogging with Samantha, Clementine & Maverick

Over at Paulchen's FoodBlog, Kashim, Othello, and Salome, play host to #303, and it's great to seem back in action!

You can learn about hosting, and submitting, at the home of Weekend Cat Blogging.

#304 was hosted by Meowza!

#305 was at CatSynth, with Luna!

#306 was at Sidewalk Shoes, with Patchouli, Coco, and Smudge!

4. Gattina, of My Cats & Funny Stories, hosts Cats on Tuesday (The Rules are here!), and the latest editions are: Here, here, and here!

5. Ollie the Waco Foster Cat has a new blog home!...

It's still somewhat a work in progress, but its coming along nicely, and while the Human is on vacation there are a couple of things of interest.

 New Blog .

 On Tuesday's Ollie posts what he calls "Artful Cats": Links to anything he finds online with a Feline Theme.

His last March edition was about gorgeous Wind Chimes!

Well, um, Shoot, Daddy about peed his pants he laughed so hard, when I showed him the latest edition in the series...Cat Themed Toilet Seats! ;-D

Check out the great archive of previous editions!

6. Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop is Co-Hosted By: Two Little Cavaliers, Life With Dogs, & Confessions of the Plume.

Confessions of the Plume is the Cat Blogger, and her recent editons are here, here, and here!

7. Camera Critters #155, 3rd anniversary! = 156, 157, & 158, were held on the Camera Critters blog!

8. The Anipal Photo Hunt is back in action over at Cokie Cat!

Anipal Photo Hunt: What The Heck Is That Thing!??

Anipal Photo Hunt: Grazin'

Learn how to share news, and Blog Posts, with The Worldwide Cat Blogosphere Community, 7 days a week, by going here.