2022 CatCon: Everything You Need To Know, Highlights, & Haul
If you’re the type of cat parent who ain’t afraid to represent (i.e. has more than one cat t-shirt in your wardrobe), or better yet loves all things cat (cat tote, cat kitchen towels, cat mug …), Life will likely lead you to CatCon. What is CatCon, you ask? Or, if you are a CatCon veteran of yesteryear, how is the 2022 CatCon? Allow me to give you an insider view.
A Smattering of Fun Feline Finds!
Hello, dear friends! How are you this toasty mid-summer Tuesday? Lately I’ve been feeling my feelings, diving into cooking, and wandering around my local library (#ultimatehappyplace). If you are in the mood, here is a smattering of fun, light-hearted feline gems from around the interwebs :) What is bringing your heart joy these days?
Foster Friday 3: The Most Precious Moments
The countdown to Butch & Cassidy’s graduation from foster care is booming in my ear like a grandfather clock, but I’m reminding myself to be present and savor this precious time with them. Alas, the most precious moments are often unwitnessed. And almost certainly un-photographed. Such as when Butch and Cassidy shimmy like kangaroo babies to tuck in close as the three of you sprawl on a fleece blanket on the floor. Or when Butch asks to be your little spoon and purrs so loudly when you oblige that he drowns out the AC. Or when Cassidy gingerly licks your face and you wonder — who needs La Mer when you’ve got this kind of glam squad?
Interview With Cat Toy Maker Hiromi from Nyagomidokoro
Nyagomidokoro founder Hiromi is a cat mom extraordinaire and creative soul. She started hand making cat toys for her adopted tabby, Myu, who would get into all sorts of mischief swallowing components of mass produced toys. Since starting her cat toy shop, Hiromi has made and delivered over 20,000 cat toys around the globe – that is a lot of happy cats and cat parents! An ever curious and dedicated cat parent, Hiromi is currently pursuing her certification in feline nutrition, holistic pet care, and more! I’m so delighted to share our conversation:
Foster Friday 2: How Fostering Kittens Made Me Take Up Swimming
You know how many experiences have a honeymoon period? Well, it’s Day 15 of my first kitten fostering journey, and … the honeymoon is going strong! In fact, I am somehow even more in love with Butch & Cassidy. I mean, just look at these two perfect beings. Of course, there have been learning moments and aching backs (all that sitting on the restroom floor!), and my definition of honeymoon has expanded to include “studying poop while wearing a headlamp.” Plus, fostering kittens made me take up swimming. But first — an update on Butch & Cassidy:
6 Cat Products I Regret Buying
Ok, regret is a strong word. Ain’t no learning like real life experience, right? But it does feel icky to buy stuff that doesn't work and thereby add to environmental waste (we try to donate or repurpose if paw-sible, but some stuff is not amenable to either). Now, keeping in mind that cats are the consummate individuals, I've only included products with a design or fundamental execution flaw. I have no affiliations with or ill feelings towards any of these products. However, as a type A cat parent, I feel a responsibility to share candid reviews.
Foster Friday 1: Introducing Butch & Cassidy
Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbabies up to this weekend? If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you may know that Junipurr, Favorite Parent, and I have been hosting two very special guests: Butch (orange & white boy) and Cassidy (calico girl), two six-week-old siblings who were found in a car engine. Since coming to our home, they have learned how to eat, use the litter box, climb (everything), purr, enjoy lap naps, and play exuberantly with new friends. For today’s Tell Junipurr It’s Friday (TJIF), instead of the a link pack, I thought we’d do something a little different. Let’s call it… Foster Friday!
StrengthsFinder for My Cat
I recently took a personality test for work, and when my results came back, I felt so SEEN. Naturally, when I looked up from my report and locked eyes with Junipurr, like a true convert, I immediately wanted to apply the Truth of Personality Tests to her. After all, cats are people too, right?
TJIF | Fireworks PSA
Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbabies up to this 4th of July? Junipurr is going to exercise her courage muscle, and I’m looking forward to an outdoor picnic + festivities that do not involve explosions. I used to love fireworks, but meeting this beautiful grey fox last year made me realize the impact a few minutes of fireworks has on the local ecosystem. Did you know that fireworks, in addition to terrifying many indoor companion animals, causing wildfires, and harming the environment, also cause countless wildlife injuries — and even deaths? I know it’s a somber topic for a holiday weekend, but for today’s link pack, let’s explore some info every person should know (plus, a hilarious cat linguist & a cat tree inspiration mood board!)
Midnight Confessions: A Reflection on Cat Mom Guilt
Last week I shared a guide for new cat parents on the essentials of cat care. To be clear, though: I am not a perfect cat parent. I'm not even sure such a person exists. There are incredibly wonderful cat parents to be sure, but purrfect? Either way, I, for one, am far from that ideal. Afterall, it's no secret that Junipurr has a Favorite Parent, and that is not me. Gah! Which brings me to my point: Cat mom guilt is a thing, y’all.
TJIF | Creative Animal Shelters & Adoption Campaigns
Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbaby up to this weekend? Junipurr is going to create a glorious mess thanks to a cardboard box full of tissue paper, and I am going to create a ‘lemonade bar’ with home squeezed lemon juice + an assortment of mixers like cardamom sugar cubes, lavender bitters, and fresh rosemary twigs. We livin’ that fast & furious life, I know 😸 For today’s link pack, since bringing home a new furbaby has been on the mind, voilà TEN inspiring, innovative, & delightful animal shelters and adoption campaigns:
New Cat Parent Guide
So you adopted a cat … HOORAY! GET OUT THE BALLOONS AND GOOD CHINA, FOLKS! Congratulations on one of the most heart-opening and joy-activating decisions of your life. Here is a resource kit for first time cat parents to walk you through all you need to know about care.
TJIF | All The Feels
Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbaby up to this weekend? Junipurr is hoping to discover some spiderwebs, aka her version of cotton candy, and I’m looking forward to my weekly volunteer shift at the wildlife rehabilitation center. A friend and fellow volunteer texted me this: “I was cleaning the dove aviary on Sunday and watched a baby swallow making itself comfy on the back of an adult mourning dove. The dove walked around with it on its back trying to get it off, and finally gave up, letting the baby sleep on its back.” Doesn’t that just give you all the feels?! Voilà five fabulous cat gems from around the www to beam you into the weekend:
Good News Wednesday: The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
Woohoo! It’s Good News Wednesday! Oh you ain’t heard? Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.2773, aka the “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2021.” Sponsored by Michigan Democrat Debbie Dingell, this bill “provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, territories, or the District of Columbia; and (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects.” (117th Congress, House Bill 2773)
TJIF | Nerdy & Fun Cat Links
Happy Friday, friends! Any plans for Memorial Day weekend, my US folks? I’m going to attempt to deep clean the windows so that Junipurr has a clearer view of her land. A cat mom’s life is a glamorous one, I tell ya!
Voilà six unabashedly nerdy and fun cat-related gems from around the www:
Cats & Money
Recently a dear friend of mine inherited a cat, and she asked me: How much should I budget for cat care? This got me thinking: Despite the tidal wave of awesome financial education and the many wonderful people talking about cat care, we don’t often discuss topics like how much is cat care, whether or not to get pet insurance, etc. So, I polled a number of cat parents across North America and we are spilling the beans!
Cat Parent Interview: Bernadette of Bernadette Teaches Music
If you have ever thought about learning to play the ukulele or guitar, I hope that Life has been kind enough to lead you to Bernadette. The creator behind Bernadette Teaches Music, Bernadette is a teacher, a musician, an incredibly wise soul — and a cat mama! I am so delighted to have her join us for this edition of Cat Parent Interviews. In this open-hearted conversation, we talk about her journey as a content creator; KitKat’s adoption story; cats and babies; and, so much more. Here’s Bernadette:
TJIF | Catsicles & CatCon
Happy Friday, friends! The weather is getting so toasty, Junipurr and I are tempted to go straight from breakfast to popsicles. Speaking of which, are there popsicles for cats? The answer is yes, and apparently, you can also make your own Catsicles! Voilà more fun feline links from around the Great Interwebs
The Nerdiest Corner Of The Internet … On Cat Litter
I admit: I am one of those cat parents to whom litter box cleaning is almost a meditative practice. To be clear, it's not that I enjoy it -- after all, how many people besides the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra actually enjoy the act of meditation? Nay, as a confirmed germaphobe, I'd gown up in PPE for a cleaning sess even before the pandemic hit us. But good litter box hygiene is essential for our furbabies, and cat litter history and science is so fascinating.
Cat Parent Interview: Negeen & A Cat Named ‘Doll’
Cat lover Negeen, who is an aspiring psychiatrist, has fostered many kittens before. But when she met a cute-as-a-doll bottle baby, something felt meant to be …