Our architectural masterpiece - Rolz on top shelf, Mia (left) and Peanut (right) on "arms," Zee on perch, and Zoey inside the heart shaped doorway

On the surface, it would appear that Dan and I are a bit crazy when it comes to our cats. However, it turns out you don’t have to dig much further to find out crazy is only the tip of the iceberg with us and a very polite word for our over the top behavior. Point in fact – we determined our cats were “bored” and outgrowing their current four-story cat condo and decided it was critical we build them a custom created, five story unit, lest we be condemned for mistreating our cats to live such a life of woe and cramped misery. 

Truthfully, the old condo was a bit worse for the wear. We had gotten it prior to Zoey and it was showing extreme signs of neglect due to its many years of use. The bottom, or ground floor was an open area with four carpeted columns supporting the rest of the condo and was almost bare to the plywood from all the cat scratching. The second floor had a barn type of housing enclosure and had a very small front door opening with very ordinary square windows. The next floor was a tiny rectangular resting shelf and the top floor was also a rectangular piece that had  upright sides about 4 inches high that gave it  the feeling of a carpeted box and it was Rolz’s primary place of residence during his afternoon naps. Based on this boring description, clearly this would not do. This is Zee and Zoey folks…. Nothing ordinary allowed, remember? Read more

As I mentioned in an earlier post, having seven very active and curious cats dramatically affects how one (meaning me) decorates for the Holidays if one wants to keep fragile collectible and keepsakes in tact. Having seven cats also dramatically alters how one (meaning Dan and I collectively) can come and go freely in our household. Just like when you have children, with pets there is an enormous amount of responsibility and commitment to their well-being, as they rely on us completely to take care of them and even leaving the house for a few hours requires a bit of foresight and planning. Read more

What? Too subtle? You’re right, I’ll be back in a second with more lights!!

Hi Everyone! You might not want to admit it, but we all know its true – it’s that time of year when we humans can’t help but involve our pets in the holiday festivities and our over the top, compulsive behaviors. You know what I mean – how many of you have tried to put a Santa hat or blinking reindeer antlers on your dog or cat, hoping to take that quick and blurry photo as they instantly try to take it off?  Or how many of you have a stocking hung for your pet with his or her name lovingly bedazzled on it or buy special toys and gifts for them to open on Hanukkah or Christmas morning? Any of this ringing a bell? Do you buy holiday cards with a pet theme, or do you take the family holiday picture and include the furry gang? Do you sign all your pets’ names on your holiday cards? Are they included as topics in your yearly family newsletter? Maybe you buy them that adorable sweater to wear, ignoring the look of embarrassment and disdain from them as they valiantly struggle to take it off. Or maybe you have a specially themed tree or ornaments devoted to your precious pet/s. Or perhaps it’s that special treat you cook for them – their favorite turkey and giblet dinner, cut in just the right bite sized pieces, served in a cut crystal glass bowl. Read more

It’s not necessarily Zee and Zoey’s fault, per se, after all, the two of them really are not much trouble (relatively speaking). However, when you add in the fact that because of them, we have an additional three very active young cats in the household – their offspring, Mia, Rolz, and Peanut, plus the existing household cat members, Jazz and Harley, we really do have trouble. And I mean A LOT of trouble. Read more

Clockwise, Old Dog Bone, Feather Toy, Kitty, Squirrel, Big Mouse, Little Mouse, Tiger, and center, Carrot

Who would have thought love literally was a battlefield, but in our household with Zee and Zoey, love indeed, is a battlefield! 

In the spirit of of love and holiday gift giving, let me share with you what that really means to Dan and I in regards to what Zee and Zoey give to us each and every night and each and every morning. I don’t know about your cats, but for us, if something happens with them once, chances are it will officially become a habit from that point forward. For Zee, that would be what we sweetly and endearingly call his “nightly homage” and for Zoey, that would be what we unenthusiastically call her “irritating and obnoxious early morning wake-up growl.” Both of them are completely devoted to their habits and take them very seriously, regardless of the weather, what day it is, or how inappropriate it may be at the time. Read more