Pet Blogger Challenge

When did you begin your blog? And, for anyone stopping by for the first time, please give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

  August 2009. Holy Heck....over 10 years!! We talk about us, foster kittens, rescue, cat issues, and did we mention kittens.

Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2019, that made you most proud.
  I always love teaching someone something or helping educate. I've posted more "teachable" moments this year.

Which of your 2019 blog posts was your favorite and why? (Please include a link.)
  I posted an interview with my pet sitter about how they handle emergencies.

What was the biggest blogging challenge you faced in 2019, and how did you tackle it?
  Time. I had to change jobs and lost a good deal of "free" time to post. I haven't solved the problem but I'm trying to be more consistent.

One goal that we all seem to share is we want to reach more people. What is your #1 tip for bringing more traffic to your blog?
  I have yet to figure this out.

Do you do sponsored posts/reviews? If so, what do you find works best and how do you determine what to charge for a blog post, social media shares, etc.? If not, is this something you’d like to do more of? What hurdle is getting in your way?
   I used to but don't anymore. It wasn't drawing any traffic and honestly I felt like it was distracting from other things.

Looking forward to 2020, if you accomplish only one thing through your blog, what do you hope it is?
   I'd like to increase followers. I'd also like to post a few more educational posts.

The blogging landscape is constantly changing. What changes in blogging do you see coming in 2020 and beyond? What plans do you have to evolve?
   Honestly, I'm not sure. I've seen a decrease in interest and I'm not sure how to turn that around.

If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be?
   Traffic...

sleeping arrangements

Like a lot of cat homes, we have LOTS of bed and other options to sleep on around here. We are also allowed to sleep on the bed with mom at night.

The spot on the bed that gets the most attention is up next to mom's pillow. It tends to be occupied by the eldest cat of the family. It was Maestro's spot. When he passed away, Tim took over. When Tim passed away, Mozart took it over. Now that Mo has been gone, Ivy took over the spot.

Mom woke up one morning and Ivy had company. Daiquiri had wedged herself between Ivy and the headboard of the bed. It doesn't happen every night, but Daiq will squish herself in there every once in a while. Mom isn't sure if Ivy doesn't care or just refuses to move.

Mom did get to witness it in action one night - Daiquiri walked into the space between Ivy and the headboard. There was no where NEAR enough space for her to lay down. She slowly lowered herself to the bed and squished herself into the space. Ivy didn't move but there must have been just enough room. It didn't appear to be too comfortable, but the girls don't seem to mind it.

Quick trip

Recognize that cat??

What about this guy?

Or this?

Yep....mom took a vacation. She and Aunt Dee went to visit the Head Peep and the Cat Dad from Cats Herd You. They spent a day at Disney.

And they visited a cat cafe.

The weather was lovely and they even spent a couple of mornings at Starbucks with Cupcake and her crew. Mom said it was nice to get away but nice to come home...except it is VERY cold here.

Still here

They were spayed/neutered the beginning of the month. Mom went on a quick vacation, so the plan was they would go back this week. There was an adoption event on Saturday so mom kept them around for that. Dragon seems to have stopped sneezing (yay) but Wyvern has some....digestive issues. Since mom doesn't want him here alone, they will be here for a few more days. They are available and on the website though.

While mom was gone, Wyvern discovered the webcams. He grabbed one and pulled it down to face the wall. So helpful that boy.

2019 year in review part 2

Mom gave a review of how life is going with Goldfish.

There was a report on the single kittens and mom's weekend in Chicago at Meow Meetup. We still had the single kittens and mom got a new fountain....and it died.

We celebrated Ivy's 11th birthday. As the single kittens got older they starting getting into some trouble.

Mom wrote another post about FIV cats and the bug kittens came to join us.

Unfortunately, the single kittens went in for spay/neuter and Mopar was euthanized due to FIP (we hate that disease).

Lane and Fate were introduced to the bug kittens but weren't together for long as they were ready for adoption and moved to a partner store to find their forever homes. However, we also got a text that the couple that adopted Puzzle, renamed Anubis, was euthanized for FIP as well. The bug kittens sort of held still for a family picture.

We got a surprise additional kitten in September that we named Firefly when he joined the bug kittens.

Lane and Fate came back for an overnight. Unfortunately Firefly wasn't with us very long as mom found him one morning after he passed away overnight. It is the hardest part of rescue. We all had some treats. Mom had been leaving the foster room door open with the gate up to create a breeze in the house, but the kittens figured out how to get over the gate. We also posted about Remember Me Thursday. And Fate came back to us with a cold.

October brought us another jail break.

The rescue teamed up with another local non-profit that promotes lost pet posts and did a microchip clinic. There was a new kitten: Gargoyle

The bug kittens were spayed/neutered and headed up to our adoption center to find their forever homes. We brought home some new kitten friends for Gargoyle. The new kittens were named Gryphon and Dragon but unfortunately Gryphon wasn't well from the start and passed away. Goldfish wasn't happy with Fate being back here and mom posted about how she was doing.

November of course is that time of year when single kittens "mysteriously" appear at the rescue, so mom took another pair who were named Selkie and Wyvern. Mom bought one of those Christmas campers and set up a village of cat houses.

Mom wrote a post about having an emergency plan in place with your pet sitter. There was an update on the mythical kittens and mom wrote about our annual vet visits (for most of us anyhow). Mom got a new job, Cipher was adopted, and Gargoyle and Selkie were spayed/neutered.



Mom took Wyvern and Dragon with her over Thanksgiving and the kid got to spend some time with them. Roomba was adopted, Selkie went up to the rescue (and came back) and Gargoyle met her new family who was also interested in Selkie turns out. Gargoyle and Chanel met Santa.

All of our fosters from last year have been adopted except for Bissell, Wyvern and Dragon.

Year in review

We started out 2019 with 4 cats/kittens not adopted from 2018 but quickly got news that momma cat Delphi had been adopted. Mom also spent New Year's Eve doing a rescue.

Marzen was also adopted. Mom traveled a little west and visited a cat cafe in Dayton.

And to round out January, everyone was adopted as Kilkenny and then Carling with both (separately) adopted.

February brought us new floors in our living room and dining room (foster room). Goldfish continued to make progress and coming out of her shell.

Mom brought some snow into the house and the tuxedo girls decided to snoopervise the guy doing the transitions on the new flooring.

March brought us a new water fountain (that didn't last very long) and Chanel was fascinated.

That danged tuxedo cat discovered she could get into the foster room. That discovery will come back to haunt her later in the year. They helped with the recycling as well. Mom also took a trip and stayed at Chateau Cupcake and went to Global Pet Expo with Julie.  And....we got our first litter of kittens for the year- the vacuums - Bissel, Roomba, Dyson and Hoover.

The kittens continued to do well and grow - as kittens tend to do.

Remember our comment about Chanel and the foster room? Well she got in there with Bissell and the kittens and got her butt kicked. The kittens were 26 days old. Plus we added 3 more kittens - the decoder boys: Enigma, Puzzle and Cipher (also known as yellow, green and screamy).

The smaller kittens got their freedom, Chanel ended up in the cone of shame after an abscess on her foot opened up, and the vacuum kittens got cuter. 

April came with more updates on the vacuum kittens and the decoders. Goldfish celebrated her first birthday.

Bissell went back to the rescue to be spayed and get adopted. Mom took that opportunity to introduce the vacuum kittens and the decoder kittens. As always, mom tried to get family pictures and didn't have much luck. Kitten mischief ensued and mom got some weights.

Mom and Chanel traveled to St Louis for the Cat Writers' Association meeting. She bought a new crate for the car and to use with kittens. We picked up a new spare kitten named Fate, 4 kittens went to the adoption center and Puzzle got adopted. 

New beds

First - mom got another web cam. It is under the same tab as the other (in the header) but is a different angle. Of course the first night some unnamed (fuzzy brown tabby) kitten unplugged it and drug it across the room but mom thinks she's fixed that now.
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Our local partner store where mom cleans is going out of business. The landlord jacked the rent up and it was impossible for them to stay open. The staff is going to other local stores but it's sad.

That said, everything is on sale. Mom stocked up on food and bought some cute beds:

This was the first one

Then mom bought 2 more. They were all occupied until mom went to take pictures. Then some tuxedo cat had to get up and move.

Really lady?

Dragon and Wyvern should be ready to go probably after the first of the year.

Dragon is a little sneezy sometimes but not bad.

Wyvern seems to have developed a fur issues. We have the rescue checking on it and started treating him for suspected mites just in case.

Mom found this shirt (ok...made for a ferret) and put it on him. He was fine with it for the most part though it bunched up at his belly. He doesn't need to wear it and mom took it off after a few minutes, but he was pretty cute.

Random Fridays

Yep - all the toys in the world and they play with the box the food came in from the store.

Santa hat

Mom found a Santa hat....

Wyvern and Dragon were unamused

adoption news

If you didn't see it on social media, Gargoyle and Selkie went home TOGETHER on Friday. Another volunteer shared a picture of Gargoyle with a friend who showed another friend who was interested. They have a 16 year old calico girl cat at their house so there was a conversation about single kittens and Gargoyle being a bit of a big personality.

They decided to take both kittens and we know it will go great. They went home Friday night and we got an update on Saturday already. They had decided to let the kittens out into the house. Zeta (the resident old lady cat) was a little growly but nothing serious. Gargoyle was out and about and curious. Selkie was a little more reserved but we have no doubt he will come around in a couple of days.

Santa pictures

Mom took Chanel and Gargoyle on Saturday to have our favorite photographer take Christmas pictures.

Chanel isn't a fan of being held so mom needs to watch that for next time, but she cooperated.

Gargoyle wasn't too sure about that Santa, but was cute for the pictures.

Miss G was spayed on Monday and is doing well. She is all ready to pack her bags for her next adventure!! (Stay tuned....)

Weekend report

Selkie went back to the rescue on Saturday. He wasn't happy about his new roommates but seemed to adjust fairly quickly.

Gargoyle will be going today to be spayed.

Mom met with a nice couple on Sunday to introduce them to Gargoyle. They had expressed some interest after seeing a picture from a friend of a friend. They have a very senior girl cat and mom expressed some concerns about sending home a single kitten with an older cat. After talking to them, they had been discussed taking a pair as well. Mom suggested Selkie since he had been with Gargoyle already here with us. Mom kitten-napped Selkie back from the rescue on Sunday to meet his potential new family.

Gargoyle and Chanel had an adventure on Saturday and went to meet Santa and have pictures taken. Since it was easier for mom, they went in the same carrier. They were fine on the way TO Santa but decided to curse each other on the way home. We will share pictures as soon as we have them.

In other news, ROOMBA GOT ADOPTED.

Mom wasn't there for the whole thing, but she got to see Roo on Wednesday and Friday which was great for mom. Despite what seemed like forever in our medical department for URI and ringworm, she came back to the adoption center her friendly and outgoing self.