Global Pet Expo 2014 – Happy Endings and New Beginnings
I have to admit I was not sure I would be going to the Global Pet Expo in Orlando until the last minute. Even once the decision was made, Dan and I questioned the purpose of it – what did I expect to gain from going? Besides the obvious – making new connections, learning about new and innovative cat products, and catching up with friends, I wasn’t sure. I have never gone to a pet expo before and truly didn’t know if it would be a good venue for me to be at.
As with life, I have learned many times there is a greater purpose to our being, we just don’t know it at the time and you have to let it all unfold on its own. Seeing Mr. Jazz in spirit form in the doorway of my office last week, my draw to feral cat advocacy, and my ultimately deciding to go to the expo, but this time with Dan rather than on my own… there was to be a significant connection to it all.
Getting to Orlando was about a 4 hour’s drive and once we arrived, parked, and found our way inside the Convention Center it brought back a rush of memories for Dan and me. We used to work together in the body armor business and had done numerous trade shows, including one in this very convention center. There is something universally exciting about the hustle and bustle of exhibitors and attendees mingling together and this time I was part of the media (one of the perks of being a blogger) so we got all kinds of great access to press conferences, receptions, and media events.
I had mapped out my two-day game plan – what booths I had appointments with and what booths I wanted to visit. After over 15 years of doing stuff like this, I finally have learned to throw vanity out the window and I no longer wear skirts, stockings, and high-heels. It’s about comfort and as long as I could wear my trademark leopard, I was happy. The expo is about a 4-mile trek of exhibits when all is said and done and is wall to wall with booths exhibiting a plethora of cat and dog beds, carriers, collars and leashes, toys, furniture, foods, medications, and more (as well as stuff for birds, fish, reptiles, ferrets and other creatures great and small).
I will share a brief overview in pictures for now – there is too much to cover in one post so I will detail specific vendors and manufacturers in the weeks to come with in-depth coverage, product reviews, and giveaways.
So that was my expo experience in a nutshell… That is until my last appointment on Friday with the folks at Imperial Cat who make a fun and sturdy line of cat scratching products. When I got to the booth there was a mix-up as to who I was supposed to be meeting with and while I was trying to sort everything out with them, Dan was busy making friends with an orange and white kitten who apparently was given to them by a local rescue group, Florida Little Dog Rescue Group, to keep at their booth in hopes of finding a forever home for her at the expo.
She was about 6 months old and was found living on an abandoned farm with an assortment of feral cats, cows, and goats. The homeowner had died and the animals were all found on the property some point after that. She was taken in by Florida Little Rescue Group and was currently living with a foster family who was socializing with her in hopes she would be adopted. It was the end of the show and nobody had inquired about adopting her. I could already see Dan had fallen head over heels in love with her and I was silently cursing to myself. Stay strong Deb, be the mature one, Deb.
Sigh. She had me at meow. How was it she didn’t have a line around the block asking to adopt her? She sat on her Imperial Cat scratching throne ever the regal and dignified young lady and she had no concern whatsoever that she was at a convention center with hundreds of people milling about. I made the mistake of picking her up and she melted into my body with a torrent of purrs and golden topaz eyes that blinked the slow, I love you blink made famous by Jackson Galaxy of My Cat From Hell to let me know she trusted me implicitly.
Dan and I left the booth to pretend we had something to discuss, but it was already in motion. Matrix Partners, a pet marketing and public relations firm that Imperial Cat was aligned with had already paid for the adoption – it was just a matter of meeting the team from Florida Little Dog Rescue Group and signing the papers. The kitty had already been spayed and had all her tests and vaccinations done. As far as transport and all the little details, that was the easy part. Dan and I instantly thought of our new friend, Ann Hanson from Petmate.
We went to share the news with her and were greeted with a massive hug. “Let me guess, you need a carrier?” Which we did. She hooked us up with their newest product, the “See and Extend” travel carrier they were introducing at the show, also nominated for an esteemed Edison Award for innovation). She also gave us a traveling collapsible water and food bowl as well as a luxurious Zip and Go pet bed for our kitty to sleep on. All of this was necessary because we were not heading directly home – we were going to be spending the night with Dan’s mom who lived an hour away, so we literally had nothing! Wow! Talk about generosity! And the team at Imperial hooked us up with litter and a litter box, toys, a cat scratcher, and food.
Why did this all happen? Now that we are home, the pieces have fallen in place. A mixed-up appointment that almost didn’t happen. Mr. Jazz was guiding me all along, letting me know this little being was meant to be and that it was time to open my heart again to another cat in need. This darling girl was his plan for Dan and me to help mend our broken hearts. We did not name her immediately – it took a day to think it over and we think we have it figured out. Jazmine. She has a lovely white and yellow coat like the colors of a jasmine flower and we also chose the name as a way to carry on the Zee and Zoey legacy with the letter “z” in the name, but most importantly, her name is the perfect tribute to Mr. Jazz.
So, we are back to a family of 8 cats and I will be sharing Jazmine’s story as it unfolds. Global Pet Expo will forevermore have a special meaning to me –typically an event like this is an opportunity for me to bring home a bag filled with cat swag for my beloved kitties. This time I took a more literal approach and brought home an actual cat in the swag bag.
To read in detail how Mr. Jazz led me to the Global Pet Expo and the subsequent adoption of Jazmine, please read this post:
For more information on Jazmine’s first few weeks in her new home, please read these fun and informative posts:
Jazmine is beautiful and adorable! ConCATulations on the newest member of your fabulous family. 🙂
I’m bummed I wasn’t in the big cat picture with you! your baby is ADORABLE! I need to learn the tricks of the trade from you for getting all that free swag. I TOTALLY WANT a See and Extend carrier – LOVE! But do I need to adopt a kitten to get one? Great pics and a great story. Good to see you and to meet Dan, if ever so briefly. Next time it will be at the CLEVLANDER! (sp)! xo TA
OMC, I think you WON the Global Pet Expo! Everybody else got ho-hum swag – and YOU got the awesomest kitten ever! You are so lucky!
She is gorgeous! You were definitely meant to be together. Congratulations.
I love that extendable carrier. It would have been great when I was traveling to cat shows and staying in hotels. I don’t do that anymore though. But what a great design.
I left an earlier comment, don`t see it, so
I just wanted you to know how sweet Jazmine looks, and how lucky you are fate brought you together. She will provide lots of love and healing for you both.
ConCATulations! Jazmine is a perfect name for such a beauty and as part of the amazing way she came to be with you. Mr. Jazz worked his magic to bring two souls who needed love together. I can only hope that when the time comes for my angel Phoebe to guide me to a baby in need it will be as an amazingly perfect situation as yours was. Much love to the family and its newest member!
Welcome to your new home, beautiful Jazmine!
I normally stop whatever I am doing and hop over to your blog whenever I see a new post from you, Deb, but in the wake of my mom’s passing, had not noticed that for some reason, your last several e-mails ended up in my spam box, so I am SO glad you left me a comment to stop by!
I can see why Jazmine had you at hello! She and Magellan are about the same age and he also does that melt into your body trick that melts your heart and makes you weak in the knees! Can’t wait to see how she and all of the other cats are getting along. I KNOW she is loving life with you and Dan!
By the way – the global expo looks awesome! Hope I’ll have a chance to do something so exciting one day! 🙂
Deb, I’m rarely speechless but wow, what an amazing experience, all of it and the jewel in the crown, Jazmine. What a blessing and gift. I was a little freaked out when I saw the pic. She looks like the incarnation of my Billie Beans, a female marmalade tabby from long ago. To be continued indeed!
I loved that Jazmine found the perfect home with you. She is beautiful! I am sure I would have been weak and swooped her up too if I had seen her. It is so cool to see all your stops at the expo because I didn’t get to much being stuck at my booth. Loved everything you shared.
She definitely is a gorgeous kitty. I can’t wait to hear updates on her. It seems like it was destiny, glad you found each other.
I am not doing much blog visiting at the moment, Deb, but saw the link on facebook and had to click to see!!! You were well and truly gotchaed!! I am so excited for you. She is yours, you both knew it. Done deal! Love it. Love her xox
What a fabulous, heartwarming story with a WONDERFUL ending!!! We think Jazmine is PURRfect!! And the Expo seemed really wonderful. We hope we can send our mom there next year, too!
Looks like fun … and of course … JAZMINE! Can’t get better than that!