June 8th – National Deborah Barnes is Trying to get on the Ellen DeGeneres Show Awareness Day
There are 365 days in the year and it seems like almost all of them have been claimed for some sort of awareness day for one reason or another. The year is almost half over and we have already had National Spay/Neuter Month, World Spay Day, National Hairball Awareness Day, Be Kind to Animals Week, National Kids and Pet Day, National Pet Month, Adopt a Cat Month, Hug a Cat Day, and Pet Appreciation Week to name just a few. As a cat blogger, this can really start to get out of hand, especially when some awareness events fall on the same day and don’t get me started with the ones that have nothing to do with cats such as Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, Winnie the Pooh Day, and National Asparagus Month. How does one prioritize all of this awareness? I typically leave it to other more talented people to champion and just hand pick a few special days to highlight throughout the year such as World Spay Day, which is my all-time favorite, not to mention, I prefer to love, hug, and appreciate my pets and animals all year long and don’t really need a specific reminder to do so.
All of this got me to thinking that I need my own National Awareness Day. After all, I do have something I have been trying to bring to bring to someone’s attention for over two years and all of my efforts have been a dismal failure. I need some serious awareness going on to make a dream of mine come true and therefore I officially declare today, June 8th, National Deborah Barnes is Trying to get on the Ellen DeGeneres Show Awareness Day. Why today of all days? Well, mostly because I have temporarily run out of things to blog about and this fit into my schedule. Also, because I really like Saturday’s.
Ellen was the one who introduced me to the vision board concept whereby you put images on a board of things you want to happen in your life by visualizing them so that the positive energy will make your dream come true. She did it to get on the cover of Oprah’s magazine a couple of years ago and I have been doing it for years to get on her show. Now granted, she might have an edge by being a super celebrity, but that won’t stop me from trying!
As most of you who have been following my blog know, my ultimate bucket list goal in life is to appear as a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres show. I have been a fan of hers since the 1980’s when she first started doing stand-up comedy and she is one of the reasons I am who I am today – an author, blogger, and cat advocate. All things I had no idea years ago would be such an important part of my life. Due to an epiphany moment that occurred while I was watching her show back in 2009 while I was going through a very stressful and emotionally trying time after being laid off at 48 years of age, a light bulb literally went off in my head and I realized I did have the strength and courage to change my life and that is how and why I wrote my first book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey.
As a result of her positive influence on me, when I wrote the book, I actually devoted an entire chapter to her called “Of Godwinks, Ellen, & Afghans” and it would be my greatest dream come true if I could be a guest on her show to bring her an autographed book and to personally thank her for saving my life. Now I am sure you are all saying to yourself, wow Deb, you should contact Ellen and tell her this, you’d make a great guest.
Seen here is the actual chapter in my book that discusses how Ellen changed my life after I was laid off in 2009. I got into a routine of watching Ellen with Dan and my cats and it was due to her uplifting and inspirational personality that I found the courage to follow my dream of writing a book.
I quite naively thought that Ellen would instantly be thrilled to know I wrote a book that featured her in the story line and sent her a custom wrapped book that was delivered to her in an old fashioned movie can to get her attention. Dan came up with the great packaging idea, but we never heard from anyone that the book was received.
When the Furminator people contacted me last year to create my favorite celebrity out of my cat’s hair and blog about it to promote National Hairball Awareness Day, I naturally thought of Ellen. Seen here is me pretending I am on her show. And yes, I sent her the blog post and pictures. Again, crickets…
Giving up on people, I started to resort to using my cats as bait since I knew Ellen is a huge animal lover and sent this image of Rolz presenting an autographed copy of my book to Ellen to get her attention.
Since Rolz couldn’t do any better than me, I then sent a picture of Kizmet reading Ellen’s book. Seriously, what is cuter than a kitten, especially Kizmet, reading a book? The most amazing thing about this picture is that I cannot believe Kizmet actually used to be this tiny! This picture was taken in December of last year.
Resorting to full war mode, I brought out my guns blazing by having Peanut and Mia impersonate Sophia Grace and Rosie, the two little girls that Ellen adores and who are always singing Nicki Minaj songs on her show. I thought for sure this would get her attention, but as usual, I was wrong… crickets again…
Naturally, if I get on the show, I will make certain to tell the whole world just how wonderful cats are, why people should adopt them as pets, and I will also talk about the critical importance of spay/neuter. It would be a win for kitties across the world and I would be eternally grateful to all of you! Plus, I will bring an extra pair of cat ears as a gift to Ellen and make her wear them. Wow! Her ratings will surely go up as a result of that alone! I will also bring all of you with me as a guest on her show as a gesture of my thanks (this is not actually going to happen – I just made that up to get your attention).
My ultimate goal is to be on Ellen’s show and have her wear a pair of my cat ears. As they said in the movie, Field of Dreams,”If you build it, they will come,” and I am hoping that will be true for me one day!
Thank you all and I invite you to have fun with this if you want. Go ahead and tweet, share on facebook, or whatever else you can think of! This doesn’t have to be limited to one measly day… I’m willing to call this National Deborah Barnes Campaign and Marathon to Get the Ellen DeGeneres Show if that’s what it takes!
I have no doubt that you will be on Ellen’s show some day.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Ingrid – I sure so hope so!
I have never commented before, I don’t think, but I read your blog. And I have written to the ellen show via the link you gave and this what I wrote. (In the picture you can upload I put the one of you and Ellen with cat ears and in the link I put a link to this blog)
I read a blog from a woman who totally admires you, and in fact, says that you have changed her life. She has written a book that has a chapter dedicated to you. She is an advocate for cats, and does an amazing job getting the spay/neuter message across. Anyway, it is her life dream to meet you and be on your show (as you can see from the link). And I thought that for all she does in trying to help catkind (if that’s a word), that the least I do is share is her devotion to animals and the dream to be on your show. I know you almost certainly get a lot of requests to be on your show, but I hope you at least consider this, because honestly it would make a awesome show. Thank you for listening, thank you for being an animal lover and thank you for being so dang funny.
I hope I didn’t under sell you, I figured I’d let the blog speak for itself. I really hope you get on the show. Good luck. I don’t have to tell you, but I will, your cats are beautiful and I enjoy reading about them 🙂
Oh my goodness, Robin. What a sweetheart you are. Thank you so much for taking the time, not only to introduce yourself to me, but to write to Ellen on my behalf. Your comment to her is absolutely perfect and I can’t thank you enough! Have a wonderful weekend and I am so glad you enjoy the blog! 🙂
Deb, even if I missed the actual “day” of Deb Barnes on the Ellen show awareness, I can now say I’m informed. Last year, I had a contract with Warner Music Group and traveled to their Burbank, CA offices to assist with the training that was taking place (this was for a royalty calculation system). In any case, I took a tour of the Warner Brothers Studios lot and nearly lost my mind…I saw so many exciting things. You’ll be jealous to know they allowed us on Ellen’s set (the show was on hiatus, so no one was around) but I got to stand on the spot she comes to and walk around where she dances! We weren’t allowed on the part of the set with the chairs, but it was still amazing.
I think you should go to Burbank and go to see the show. She has an overflow room, and if I’m not mistaken allows people who can’t get into the show in that room and I think she may come in to greet those folks.
Go to the show with your ears and your book and get the attention of the producers. It can be done!! 🙂
Laura – what a cool experience for you! Yes, I am a bit jealous, but I am happy you got the experience. I had something similar – 20 years ago I won a contest and part of the prize was a walk on appearance on the soap, The Bold and The Beautiful. Because it is a CBS show, I not only got to see the B&B set, but that of The Young and The Restless, which was my favorite soap back then! I saw one of the soap characters in person, Victor Newman, and nearly fainted! The coolest part though was getting to visit the Price is Right set. They too, were on hiatus, but it was so thrilling to see the “Big Wheel!”
Anyhow, perhaps a trip to the show is not a bad idea!! A whole cat lady contingency should be planned!!!
OMG….I would like to say I am YOUR biggest fan, Deb, but I am sure you have many admirers. I will do everything in my power to make your dream come true…. If Ellen only knew how incredibly awesome you are!!! And she would love your story.
Liz – if anyone can move mountains on my behalf, I have no doubt it is you!!!! Even though we have only been acquainted for a few months, I am your biggest fan as well and love your enthusiasm and joy you put into everything you do. The world is a better place with you in it and I appreciate your support so much!
Oh my, she should sure have you on her show, you two would be so much fun together!!!
You are right Brian – she should have me on the show because we would have so much fun!! And how cool would it be for her to wear the ears that your human also wore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leave up to you to make me spew coffee all over my key board…..this is hysterical….and to totally possible. I do love your enthusiasm, your love for cats and that you make me *SMILE*.
Good Luck Deb….me thinks you may should start working on your “cat dance”…I’m off to tell Ellen how wonderful you are!!
LOL Toni! Glad I could give you a laugh and sorry about the keyboard… I’ll just bill Ellen for that and get you a new one… Thank you for the support and a special cat dance, yes, I’m liking that idea!!
Deb, persistence pay off. The only way to connect is via her management . Ellen is repped by ICM
LOS ANGELES
10250 Constellation Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067
t 310.550.4000 NEW YORK
730 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
t 212.556.5600
Thanks Layla – I have reached out to ICM in LA, but I had not tried the NYC office. I will look into that!
I know you won’t believe it but TW HAS written to Ellen on behalf of others but never heard back. Maybe you should send her a video with Zoey playing her. I think, tho, you have a better chance of being on Ellen than TW has of throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees’ game. MOL! Best of luck.
CK – that’s a good idea about Zoey – she would make a fun Ellen! If TW ever needs me to reach out to the Yankees, just let me know!! LOL! Good luck to both of us!
There you go, Layla has the answer. Bet you will get on the show now. Hope you make it.
I hope so Marg – thank you!
I sure hope you can be on the Ellen show. That would be so cool. Good luck.
Thank you for the good luck, Sue – I sure do need it!! I’m trying to win the lottery too… that’s not working out too well either!
I forgot to say I did share on twitter and FB.
Wow Deb, you have come precariously close to becoming a stalker, but I can’t blame you, I too am fond of Ellen and her show. All your attempts have been so creative, it is mind-boggling that you have not received an invite. Ellen sure would look cute with those cat ears. We’ll go to her site and see what kind of encouraging message we can leave. Mommy says that she really, really wants to go with you. She was thinking maybe if we got lots of pet bloggers to picket the studio. Much luck! Purrs and hugs Janet from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
Well Kitties Blue, I actually learned it from Ellen herself when she started stalking Oprah to be on the cover of her magazine! It was then that I realized you had to give it your all, which I am trying to do!! Thank you for helping me out – I don’t know about picketing, but I sure would love to see all us cat lovers at one time in her audience!! That sure would be a hoot!!!
With your determination, we know you’ll find a way to get on Ellen’s show.
Good luck! I am sure that with your determination it is only a matter of time before your dream is realised.
Thanks Flynn – I sure hope you are right!
After all of this, you just gotta be on Ellen!! You just gotta!!!
I agree, Island Cats!! And look, I got your human with the yellow hair to wear my cat ears, so why not Ellen, right?
Well don’t despair. Remember it’s like playing the lottery. She has MILLIONS of fans and followers writing, emailing, uploading…But persistence pays off. You will make it. This idea is brilliant and now you have your biggest supporters campaigning for you. It’s a matter of WHO is reviewing the inbox.
I think another tactic is to get tickets to the show–and I AM GOING with you! We could either get tickets for her Cat Week –or– For 12 days of Christmas. I’m game for either.
Thanks Christine… I would not have it any other way – my cat partner in crime needs to be by my side and I hope we can pull something off!
Ha ha ha! Ellen should be begging to be on YOUR blog! That’s what *I* think anyway 😉
My Human spends a lot of time thinking about ways to meet Anderson Cooper. She figures her best shot is to somehow be a bystander at some kind of spectacular mass murder (bad idea) or maybe wait for the Big One to semi-level San Francisco and hope she can be one of them shell-shocked survivors he loves to talk to soooo sympathetically. A girl can hope, right?
Oh Spitty! You are so funny – thank you for the support! As far as Anderson Cooper, well, um, much as I would love for your human to meet him, I do hope the circumstances will be a tad less spectacular!! But sure, a girl can always hope!
Auntie Deb mew would be pawsome on Ellen! My Mom and I have been Ellen fans for years too and love her commitment to animal welfare. It is exciting that mewz new Awareness day is on my Human’s 3?th… *quickly replaces number with a ‘?’ as Mom walks in and reads what she is typing on Auntie Deb’s blog, screams in protest ‘YOU CANNOT PUBLISH MY AGE ON THERE!!’ and leaves room muttering expletives. Pheebs snickers and goes back to typing comment*
Oh yes, my Human’s birthday! I look forward to celebrating both and will write to Ellen letting her know how many humans AND cat furiends, fans, and family would love to watch mew as a guest on her show. We kitties do have some influence in the world, as mew know. I will keep my paws crossed that Ellen reads the posts from people about mew and books mew on her show soon. If anyone deserves it for all they’ve done to help kitties it is mew. Purrrrrrr!!!!!!
Ms. Phoebe – since you, er, um, let the “cat out of the bag,” so to speak, would you please be so kind as to wish your human a Happy Birthday from the Zee/Zoey gang! We promise we won’t tell anyone and we thank you SO MUCH for writing to Ellen to try and get our human on the show!! Geez… do us cats have to DO EVERYTHING???
Haha!! Can I just say that you are more famous in this household than Ellen!!! She should be stalking …. errr …… reaching out to you!!!
I don’t think Ellen can be as big over this side of the pond, though I do think her show is on some minor satellite channel! Could be wrong about that. Anyways, it should really be “Ellen DeGeneres is Trying to get on the Deb Barnes blog Awareness day”!! Just saying! xx
CATachresis – you are so funny!!! At least I am famous somewhere!! Austin is equally as famous in our house!! I do love your idea of the Awareness day, but somehow I don’t think her producers share your enthusiasm!
deer mizzuz Z….
ewe knead ta rites a letter frum de kittehs…sayin their mom…who wood bee ewe…wants ta come on de show….ask dood jazz ta rite de post
N purrhaps if ewe offered her sum trout; sted oh cricketz…ewe could get on de show quiker…frank lee…cricketz iz crazed…we find we seldom use em for bait coz they iz loud N all over de place…let on get looze N ya gotta mess
if ewe contact jackson galaxy…N tell him ta send ellen sum trout…with out cricketz…N de trout arrives wearin cat ears….well….
yea, think ’bout it !!!! 🙂
Well tabbies – food and bribes is a good idea… thing is, Ellen is a vegetarian, so I might have to send her some catnip instead of trout! But trout with cat ears, now that really is an idea!!!!
Wow, with that backstory, what the heck are Ellen’s producers waiting for? They should be knocking down your door, Deb!
That must be my problem, meowmeowmans. I keep thinking they are going to call me, but maybe they knocked at the door and I wasn’t home to hear it!!