Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Ready for the Sights & Sounds of Spring in our Kritter Kondo Kitty Walk

KATIE:  So Waffles. If we put our Kritter Kondo outside on the balcony, are you going to behave yourself?




WAFFLES:  Did you say BEEHIVE??? Boss, don't you know that bees are dangerous? They have those –

KATIE:  Waffles, you seriously have to get your hearing checked.  I said BEHAVE.



WAFFLES:  Define *behave.*

KATIE:  Waffles, if you have to ask...  Now get back down here before you get stuck.

WAFFLES:  Uh. Boss? I think I'm stuck.



KATIE:  There. Much Better. Now I've got you right where I want you.



About Today's Photos & the Kritter Kondo
This cool kitty-walk enclosure is called a Kritter Kondo. It's been in our garage all winter and at the last minute we decided to bring it with us on our vacation last week in hopes of finding some nice weather.  If you were following our daily vacation posts, you already know that we had a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of Lake Superior from the safety and comfort of our lakeside deck. It was perfect! 

It folds down completely flat and comes with a handy carrying case. We had no trouble at all fitting it in the back of our SUV. It would even fit in most trunks. 

Many of you have been asking about it, so we though it would be fun to pull up some of our original photos from when we first wrote about the Kritter Kondo last spring. 

As for the photos... anytime we shoot pictures for a product review, we never really know what we're going to get. The more interesting the product, the bigger the chance there is of Waffles doing something crazy. ...like crawling on the roof of the Kritter Kondo and getting his feet stuck in the mesh. Yes, only Waffles. You can't make this stuff up.

Have you every tried an outdoor kitty walk with your cats?


You can read our original review HERE.  

The Kritter Kondo we have, as well as a slightly larger one, are available on Amazon.


        

The above are affiliate links which means we receive a small 
commission when you click and make a purchase.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Window Watchers & A Question


KATIE:  Hey Waffles, can you hand me the flipper?

WAFFLES:  Flipper? You mean like for swimming? Since when do you swim, Boss?

KATIE:  No Waffles, you know... the remote, to change the channel.

WAFFLES:  Why? What's wrong with your channel? I thought you liked Bird TV.

KATIE:  There's too many commercials for people wearing parkas.


About Today's Photo:
Today's photo is another from our North Shore vacation. Glogirly & Gloman were just coming back from Sven & Ole's Pizza in Grand Marais, a long time tradition of their North Shore getaways, when they saw this staring out at them through the front window. Both Katie & Waffles were waiting and watching. It was dinnertime so they probably forgot that they were sitting so close to one another. Either that or our vacation has inspired a new friendship. We think the former though. Dinner trumps just about everything.


Behind-the-Scenes One Question Survey:
Many of the photos we take are what inspire the funny dialogue between Katie & Waffles. In fact, much of the time that dialogue is inspired by real events or interactions between them. We'd love to know if you would also enjoy hearing a little bit about the behind the scenes of our photos. There are no wrong answers here... more than anything we just want you to have fun with us when you visit our blog.

CLARIFICATION: Don't worry... the funny dialogue isn't going anywhere... we just want to know if you might also like to hear about the photos themselves!

We'll be sure to share the results of the survey question with you. Thank you!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Missing Our Vacation #SundaySelfies

WAFFLES:  So Boss, what do you miss most about vacation? I miss the seagulls and waves and stuff. 



KATIE:  Waffles, what are you talking about? You were scared to death of the seagulls and the waves. 



WAFFLES:  Was not!


About Today's Photos
One of the BEST parts of our North Shore vacation was the window watching. We had Seagull TV, Lake TV, Crashing Waves TV... even a little Funny Looking People in Parkas TV. It was like those huge windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling were made just for cats.

In the first photo, Waffles has his eyes pinned on one of those Parka People walking by out on the frozen rocks. Apparently it was so intriguing he forgot he was playing with his wand toy.

The second photo has me upstairs in the bedroom gazing out a huge corner windows overlooking the lake. Glogirly and I are a lot alike. We really loved just staring out at the bright water and listening to the waves hit the rocks.

The third photo is the FIRST of Waffles' vacation photos. Can you say scardy cat???

~Katie



If you missed our vacation, you can still catch up:
On the Road with Waffles & Katie





#SundaySelfies

Today's blog post is part of the
Sunday Selfies Blog Hop hosted
by our dear friends at
The Cat On My Head.




Saturday, March 28, 2015

TV Trip: Catsmoke with Marshall Waffles

MARSHALL WAFFLES:  Hey Miss Kitty! How do you like my new badge?!

KATIE:  Waffles, I don't care if this is Catsmoke, Bonanza or Waffles Texas Ranger... you better not call me anything but Boss.

MARSHALL WAFFLES:  Yeah but I'm supposed to be Marshall Waffles and you're supposed to be Miss Kitty.

KATIE:  No, I'm the Boss.

MARSHALL WAFFLES:  But isn't the Marshall supposed to be the boss? I mean I have the hat and the badge and the cool leather vest and everything. All you have is that lacy umbrella.

KATIE:  It's a parasol, Waffles.

MARSHALL WAFFLES:  COOL! You mean like for parasailing and stuff? But I don't think we can parasail in Dodge City.

KATIE:  Well then you better get the hello-kitty out of Dodge.





KATIE:  Wait. I'm perfectly fine staying in Dodge. Let me the hello-kitty OFF of this thing!



Click Me
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Friday, March 27, 2015

On the Road with Waffles & Katie: Vacation Recovery


KATIE:  Waffles?

WAFFLES:  Zzzzz.




KATIE:  Waffles???

WAFFLES:  Yaaaawn....



KATIE:  WAFFLES!

WAFFLES:  ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz....zzz.....zzz...z.



KATIE:  Apparently Waffles needs a vacation now that he's back from vacation.



We're Home!

If you tuned in yesterday, you know that it was a LONG ride home with Waffles singing and yowling like a bad episode of American Idol. I'd like to note that *I* travelled comfortably, peacefully and quietly inside my Sleepypod the whole way home. Even when we pulled over so Waffles could explore the car and rid it of any road-monsters, I stayed put in my pod.

So what did we do on the day after vacation? 
I resumed my normal routines and activities. A thorough check of the Townhouse, a little Bird TV, breakfast, lunch, dinner, a little play time, laundry duty, etc...

What did Waffles do?

SLEEP. He slept all morning. All afternoon. All evening. He barely made it to dinner.... and... he's sleeping again.


Need to Catch Up?
If you've missed our previous On the Road with Waffles & Katie posts, we've DVR'd them for you:





LAST DAY TO ENTER!
Whisker Stress Free Dish Giveaway from Trendy Pet

We are LOVING this awesome new feeder designed especially for cats and we think you'll love it too! 

Enter to win your own HERE.



Thursday, March 26, 2015

On the Road with Waffles & Katie: The Long Ride Home

WAFFLES:  But Glogirly, I don't want to go home. Can't we just stay on vacation forever???



KATIE:  Waffles, that's the smartest thing you've said since we got here. It's going to be really hard to say goodbye to this place. 

WAFFLES:  Should we give it a going away present?

KATIE:  I think the all that kitty litter on the dark blue carpeting is probably present enough. 



KATIE:  Waffles, now be sure to pack all your toys. Put them in your Sleepypod. You don't want to leave your catnip drumstick behind for the next guests. They could be dogs, you know.



WAFFLES:  DOGS???




*60 seconds after we left*
WAFFLES:  LA-LA-LAAA!  LA-LA-LAAAAAAA!!! ♫♩



 KATIE:  This is going to be one LONG ride home.




Today's Recap

It was SO hard to say goodbye to our vacation villa on the big lake that we called the office and asked for a late checkout. So after breakfast we ALL took one last vacation nap. It's quite possible that Glogirly and Gloman are turning into CATS.

Sadly, it came time to pack up the car and head home. What could've, should've, would've been a peaceful ride back to the city turned into the most annoying and LOUD trip any of us have ever experienced. Not even five minutes down the road, Waffles decided he did NOT want to go quietly. It was so bad in fact, we had to pull over at a rest stop and let him out of his carrier so he could explore the car and make sure everything was a-ok and road ready.

We're home safe and sound now and settling back into life at the Townhouse.  I'm sure going to miss those massive sun puddles, the group naps and bossing Waffles around. Oh wait... I am still and will always be... the Boss.

~Katie



WAFFLES:  Uh, excuse me. I can't reach the pedals and the steering wheel at the same time. 



Need to Catch Up?
If you've missed our previous On the Road with Waffles & Katie posts, we've DVR'd them for you:





GIVEAWAY!
Whisker Stress Free Dish from Trendy Pet

We are LOVING this awesome new feeder designed especially for cats and we think you'll love it too! 

Enter to win your own HERE.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

On the Road with Waffles & Katie - Vacationing with #CrateHappyPets, Plus 6 Tips to Loving Your Carrier

This post is sponsored by PetSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about Containment Products and Education for your cat, but GLOGIRLY only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.
WAFFLES:  Check it out, Boss! I'm OUTSIDE! ...by the OCEAN!!! 



KATIE:  That's not the ocean, Waffles. It's Lake Superior. But it's big enough to sound like the ocean.

WAFFLES:  Then where's the surfers? 

KATIE:  It's a LAKE, Waffles. Not the Pacific. 



WAFFLES:  Mmmm, is this what the ocean tastes like?

KATIE:  Waffles, that's just some leftover breakfast. 

WAFFLES:  No wonder, it tastes like chicken.



KATIE:  INCOMING! Seagull at 12 o'clock.







KATIE:  I could really get used to this view. Who knew this vacation stuff would be so fun!


Katie Talks *Containment*
When we heard we'd be writing about containment and carriers for PetSmart®, we had no idea we'd be reporting live from the shores of Lake Superior while on our family vacation! Although we use our indoor/outdoor kitty walk back home on our deck, the seagulls and crashing waves here sure beat out the sounds of the city.

Unfortunately when most cats hear the word *containment*, visions of doom and gloom and vets come into view. But not for us. Whether it's this fancy kitty walk or even our travel carriers, we've found a way to make friends with them by incorporating them into our daily life. Now when we do have to travel for pleasure or even the vet, it's a much more comfortable, and even fun, experience.

Discovering the Great Outdoors
A simple, contained kitty-walk is just the right thing to enable cats to experience some of the exciting sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors in a safe and controlled environment. Most will fold up nicely for easy travel. We brought ours on the road with us so we could enjoy beautiful Lake Superior from the comfort and safety of our own vacation villa's deck.

Most are large enough to add in a comfy blanket and toys... though we had more fun just watching the waves and seagulls!






It's All About Making it FUN
If the only time we had to go in our carriers was for visits to the vet, well... you know how THAT would go. The trick is making carriers FUN by incorporating them into our daily routines so they're associated with good times, not bad. We have one in each of our main living areas, as well as a couple upstairs by where we sleep. We use them for napping, snacking, playing, hiding and hunting. And sometimes, just for hanging out.

If Glogirly is in the fireplace room, one of us is usually hanging out in the carrier on the ottoman by her chair. If she's in the living room, there's a carrier on the rug next to one of the loungers.

It didn't happen overnight... but over the course of just a few months, we've been able to turn what used to be a prison of certain doom into a party!




LOVE YOUR CARRIER:  6 Tips & Tricks 
1.  Never Out of Sight
Leave carriers out and open in the main living areas where they'll become just as natural as a piece of furniture.

2.  Cushy Comfort
Place a soft pad, bed or blanket inside the carrier. It's much more inviting to spend time inside when it's cozy enough for a nap.

3.  Play Therapy
Incorporate the carrier into playtime. Waffles loves to play fetch and retrieve his toy from inside the carrier. Dangle a want toy inside and let the hunting begin. Make it fun!

4.  Catnip Dreams
Sprinkle a little catnip inside on a blanket or towel. Irresistible!

5.  Tasty Rewards
Treats are a great way of providing positive reinforcement for going inside a carrier. We're not above bribery either.

6.  Calming Aids
Even though we love our carriers and hang out in them everyday, the vet is never our first choice of destinations. A spritz of Feliway or other calming aid inside the carrier a few minutes before entry can make a big difference in times of stress, especially when the smells of other animals come into play.




Throughout the month of March, PetSmart will have a variety of carriers, crates and containment accessories on sale. If you're thinking about a feline-friendly vacation of your own, PetSmart has some great tips in their Traveling Safely With Your Cat article.







We're Coming Home!
We're on our way home today... safely strapped into our carriers. There's much more to share so please join us tomorrow for our official vacation round-up! 

Will Katie beg to stay?
Will Waffles sing in the car? 
Will Glogirly wake up in time for check out?


Need to Catch Up?
If you've missed our previous On the Road with Waffles & Katie posts, we've DVR'd them for you:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

On the Road with Waffles & Katie: A Vacation Birthday

KATIE:  Waffles! Wake up! It's here!




WAFFLES:  It's here, Boss! It's here!  

KATIE:  That's what I said, Waffles. It's here!

WAFFLES:  Uh... what's here again?



KATIE:  I'll give you a hint.



WAFFLES:  It's my BIRTHDAY? COOL!!! What'd you get me, Boss? A bucket of extra crispy? Original recipe?

KATIE:  No, Waffles. As shocking as this may sound, it's not always about you. It's Gloman's birthday! 



WAFFLES:  We need to get him a present! Do you think he'd like a wand toy? 

KATIE:  Not unless Nikon makes wand toys. 

WAFFLES:  I heard him talking about a 400 millimeter Nikon thing. That must be a REALLY BIG wand toy!

KATIE:  Waffles, I have a better idea. I think you know what Gloman likes the most. 

WAFFLES:  You mean even more than those Nikon millimeter things? 






Dear Gloman,

Happy Birthday from your FAVORITE cat. Thank you for adopting me and bringing me home to your girl. Thank you for our long conversations about life, love and Waffles. Thank you for understanding me, watching out for me and for the extra treats when Waffles isn't looking. 

Most of all, thank you for loving me.
~Katie




Deer Gloman,

Happy Birthday from your EXTRA FAVORITE cat. Thank you for always having room for me on your lap. Thank you for playing fetch with me, giving me my early morning crack, and fixing my broken wand toys.  I'm sorry about all the singing... if you tell me your favorite song, I'll try to learn it for you. 

Thank you for calling me your little buddy.
~Waffles



TODAY'S RECAP
It's Someone's Birthday!
Today's our last day here at our condo castle on the lake and it's a very special day. We're celebrating Gloman's birthday! Waffles has been working on a new song and I'm trying to find enough earplugs for everyone. 

We heard it SNOWED back home yesterday! No snow up here, but the lake was so cold the waves crashing into the shore were filled with big shards of ice. It looked REALLY cool (and really COLD!) and sounded like a cross between a giant martini shaker filled with ice and huge ocean waves crashing in. It was super loud and pretty scary at first. But once we got used to it, we all had fun watching the waves out our windows... while Gloman braved the cold, camera in hand.

Glogirly says it's funny how we've adapted so quickly and are doing so many of the same things we do at home. It's almost like we did a copy/paste on the computer. Copy all of us, our toys, food, daily routines and paste them into this new place. Once we're home, we're going to share some of the tips and tricks we've found helpful to make a feline-friendly vacation like this possible.


Need to Catch Up?
If you've missed our previous On the Road with Waffles & Katie posts, we've DVR'd them for you:






GIVEAWAY!
Whisker Stress Free Dish from Trendy Pet

We are LOVING this awesome new feeder designed especially for cats and we think you'll love it too! 

Enter to win your own HERE.

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