Confessions From a Cat Lady – The Consequences of Blogging and Branding
It really is a mystery why people think of me as the leopard lady…
Now mind you, I truly love that people think of me in this way and I certainly can’t deny my obsession love for all things related to Bengal cats, leopard print, or big leopard cats, but it can get me into a bit of trouble and I need an enormous amount of self-control to avoid potential bankruptcy. It all started when I found my name tagged in a post Karen Nichols of Mousebreath did on her blog. Apparently someone else shares my love of leopard and they painted their house in leopard print… somehow Karen thought perhaps I would want to do the same… which I actually would, but the ordinances in my city don’t allow that, otherwise I’m sure I would have a leopard print house by now…
Okay, so maybe this house is a tad over the top. I think perhaps if the leopard pattern were a bit smaller and there were a few more shades of color, then it would be perfectly acceptable and completely tasteful! SOLD!
Purr… Mine…
So, 7 short days and one heavy package later look at what I got!!! I will let the pictures tell the story, but I can tell you paws down that this is one of the best purchases I have ever made.
In case you don’t recognize me sans leopard, that is actually me in the pink top as the kitties investigate the mystery box soon to be unveiled…
What do we have here?
Hey! Whatever this stuff is, it sure is wobbly!
Well, what do you know!? It’s a cat condo for us and not another leopard outfit for the human….
Discussions ensue and deals are made as the cats debate which level belongs to each cat…
Everyone starts to settle in!
Rolz says “Ah…. Home Sweet Home!”
I got this cat condo from Overstock.com as a result of an email sent to me from Julia Williams of the Responsible Pet Ownership blog. Apparently she also felt I could not live without this leopard patterned item and she was right. I can tell you in all honesty that not a single day goes by that this cat condo isn’t use in one form or another by one or more of my eight kitties –whether it is used for napping, scratching, hiding, bird watching, or as a springboard for a marathon of jumping, climbing, chasing, and stretching. They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this condo and it gives me enormous pleasure to know how happy it makes them. I’m sure it all has to do with the condo being in leopard print and that if we ordered it in a neutral pattern, they would not love it anywhere near as much as they do…
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Dan, I, and the kitties put it together in less than an hour, no tools are necessary, and it is very easy to keep clean with the vacuum. Next on my list? My ultimate branding dream would be a leopard inspired sports car… if anyone comes across something like that, please be sure to think of me and share!!
P.S. Not like it really matters, but I would like to formally state for the record that I have always been the Leopard Lady and even had the role cornered before Peg Bundy of Married With Children made leopard print so popular… So there…
Oh my word, Deb – I know that EVERY post you write can’t be myfavorite (can it?) but I truly LOVE the photos on this one!
My husband and I frequently talk about how happy it makes us to know that we are giving our cats a good home and that they are so happy – so I know exactly what you mean when you describe that about watching your cats get such joy out of this most awesome of posts!
Only one question was raised, at the very end (and it has to do with branding). Do you REALLY want to associate yourself with Peg Bundy? (lol!)
Have an awesome weekend and thanks for sharing the feline joy!
LOL Create With Joy – you bring up a point regarding Peg Bundy – let’s just call me her younger and more sophisticated friend and leave it at that!! Glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures – it was fun writing it!
Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly find anything more unique in leopard print, you surprise me again! 🙂 The condo is AWESOME!
Oh no, Ingrid… that sounds like a challenge…
I saw that scooter and thought of you too and then I saw Caren’s comment that she knew it was for you. Oh my goodness, that is one incredible cat tree!
Brian – I happened to see your comment about me on that post!!!
That is one cool kat condo! I can see your reason for buying it. I know my kitty friends love condos to hang out in.Plus it is bootiful. I just wish they made a poodle condo for me !
Happy Caturday to you Deb and the kittehs.
A poodle condo, now that sure would be fun!!! Happy Caturday back to you, Carma Poodale and thanks for letting me know about the smart car wrap!
Oh and by the way , if you had a smart car you could get a leopard print wrap for it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lampadina/3740669040/
Just thought you would like to know 😉
Hey! My cats have one of those things too!
I hope your kitty housemates love their condo too, RumpyDog!
Deb, I almost quit reading and immediately went to Overstock. A cat condo that fits eight kitties is exactly what we need for our eight fur monsters. Heading there right now. Hope they still have some available! Hugs, Janet
Janet – the stock changes daily (I know because I bought my youngest son who is a cat lover, a condo as a Christmas gift for his cat) so I am certain you will be able to find something purrfect for your gang of eight!
The question is do you have leopard print undergarments! That’s ok TMI.
Love the new cat condo. It’s like a puzzle “can you find the cat or cats?” They blend in !
Well Riverfront Cats, I think the question answers itself!! LOL!
I refuse to believe that person with out a speck of leopard print on it is you.. 🙂
Awesome photos! That tree shows off the kitties beautifully
Connie – I am a complete disgrace and I can only hope the paparazzi doesn’t catch wind of this picture and expose me for the true fraud I am!! 🙂
Deb (aka crazy leopard lady – MOL) The condo IS awesome!! And I do have to admit that anytime I see leopard print….I think of none other than YOU! And I laugh to think that you are the only person I know that could go incognito dressed “normal”. ha!
Wonderful article, so interesting about the branding. When we opened my on-line shop I never imagined that little Abby would become our “brand”. Interesting how things evolve when you follow your heart. ♥
So funny, Toni, that for me incognito is normal! I never thought of it that way!
When I first developed the Zee/Zoey concept and had a logo designed depicting the love they felt for one another, for weeks after that all I could do is picture them as cartoons of themselves running around the house!
Abby is such a sweet brand and it truly is amazing what happens when you follow your heart!
LOVE this leopard laden post and clearly your little leopards love their new condo.
Thank you Layla – as you can imagine, there is plenty more where that came from!
Oh Deb what FUN this was and OMC I can see why you could NOT resist that cat tree! It is exquisite and was made for YOU and your kitties!
BTW…I almost didn’t recognize you without leopard!
That being said, you DO wear it well my furiend!
xoxoxo
Thank Ceiling Cat–IT MATCHES THEIR FURRS!!!! purrrrrs for all–a most PAWSOME cat condo…if you need a spare one you can have mine. I have not used it or even sniffed it since Catmouse…sigh
That is so cool! Never seen a leopard print one. I want one. LOL.
OMC! That cat condo is so you, Deb. And your kitties love it, too! 🙂
OMC! We LOVE that leopard condo!! But we admit…it is SO you….and your kitties!!
I normally would not ride a scooter, but that scooter would be fun ! Love the new condo 🙂
Mes thinks me would like all that leopard stuffs (even if me is a Siamese) me thinks leopard stuff is marvelous!
Kisses
Nellie
Nellie – leopard print would suit you very well!! Kisses back!
Now THAT would go purrfectly with my two leopard bean bag pouffes!! Austin would be spoilt for choice!!
Austin is invited over any time to try the condo out for himself!
You look so natural in leopard anyone would know this isn’t just a fad! The condo is amazing–and if there’s one thing I love about cats it’s watching them all together in the exploration and “negotiating” stage with something new. You can practically hear their thoughts out loud!
Thank you Bernadette – what a touching compliment! I know leopard is not for everyone, but I feel I was born to wear it! And yes, they really did appear to be negotiating the condo levels and even to this day, Rolz remains King of the top shelf!!