The holidays are not the time one wants to be alone, especially when children and grandchildren live many states away. As was my habit, I left work early one Friday afternoon in 1994, heading straight to my friend’s home in New Hampshire for the weekend. From Schenectady, NY this was a three hour trip but, not as the crow flies!  Traveling through Vermont, most of the roads are through mountains and, given the time of the year that it was, following plows as they spread their gift of salt and sand was the preferred method of forward motion.

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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

Zee’s submission picture in the “Happy Healthy Cat Photo Contest”

Everybody loves Betty White, never mind Raymond, and Zee is no exception. In fact, he is such a fan of hers, he has gone to outrageous lengths to meet her and has entered a photo of himself in the “Happy Healthy Cat Photo Contest” sponsored by the Morris Animal Foundation and judged by none other than Betty White herself.

As you know, Zee is normally a pleasant and quiet sort of cat, not wanting to directly draw attention to himself. He would prefer Zoey handle all of the PR publicity stunts for ZeeZoey Partners and his pending book, but this was just too irresistible, even for him to pass up so he is humbly asking for help from all of you.

In the spirit of the holidays and giving, if you could support his dream, that would be the perfect gift for Zee from you – it’s quick and easy and requires no driving around looking for a parking spot or standing in long lines! Just click the link to follow to  find our handsome boy and vote for him as your favorite picture and he would be ever so grateful! As you can see from his photo entry, he is quite a stunning specimen and very much worthy of the prize – cover cat on the Morris Animal Foundation magazine! Just be aware, however, our Miss Zoey has made it VERY clear to all the other cats out there, that he is off limits and property of hers!! No way will she let fame and glory go to his head! She is the star of the family and we all best not forget that!

http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/67057/voteable_entries/11831663

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