The Wrapping is Always the Best Part - #ThrowbackThursday

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! Check out the cool new cat tower Glogirly bought me!

KATIE:  That's not a cat tower, Waffles. That's the wrapping the cat tower came in. 

WAFFLES:  So it's kind of like a gift with purchase?

KATIE:  Waffles, what do you think this is? A department store cosmetic counter? No, it's just the foam wrapping the cat tower was shipped in. 

WAFFLES:  So did we have to pay extra for it?

KATIE:  No Waffles, it's just the wrapping. I'm sure we'll just throw it away.

WAFFLES:  You mean in the GARBAGE???

KATIE:  Why oh why did the door to the kitten quarantine room have to open?

WAFFLES:  What did you say, Boss?


About Today's Photos

Wall of today's photos were taken on 12-12-12. Twelve used  to be Glogirly's lucky number. That is until this. Knowing a crazy height obsessed kitten would soon be sprung fro kitten quarantine, we decided a cat tower was in order. To say it was like assembling furniture from IKEA blindfolded and with only one hand is an understatement. Granted we love our tower and still use it everyday. But the assembly process was... well, Glogirly really has no words. At least no words appropriate for public consumption.

It took about 8 hours to assemble and was one of those things where there are mystery parts left over. It's still standing, so hopefully those parts were optional.

Waffles Wednesday: LIVE from the Townhouse

WAFFLES:  Coming to you LIVE from the Gloman's lap at the Townhouse.  The ONE...

WAFFLES:  The ONLY.

WAFFLES:  LALALALALA  LALA   LALA  LA  LAAAAAAA!

WAFFLES:  How was that?

About Today's Photos
Waffles doesn't do ANYTHING half way. He's an all-in kind of kitty. He plays hard, runs fast, jumps high and can steal treats out of bag before it's even open. What you may not know is his approach to R&R is just as passionate.

Every single night, and ALL day on the weekends, Waffles has a standing date with Gloman's lap. Though there's not much standing involved at all. He'll eagerly but patiently wait while Gloman finishes his dinner, watching him closely. Ready. If Gloman takes a little too long to lay down on the sofa, Waffles will remind him with a single determined meow.  Then as soon as Gloman is in a reclined position, Waffles hops aboard, makes a few biscuits and settles right in. For HOURS. If Gloman needs to get up for a soda or bathroom break, Waffles keeps his spot warm and waits for his return.

Gloman says he feels like a piece of furniture the way Waffles lays on him. But we all know the truth. He's smitten.

#TuxieTuesday - Nothing But Glamour

KATIE:  Despite what a certain overconfident orange cat may think, there are still a few things he'll never be able to pull off like I can. Sure, he's got the cute thing all locked up. That bewildered look he tosses our way whenever he gets into trouble. 

I prefer more of a quiet sophistication.

KATIE:  Elegance unmatched. Classic beauty from every angle.

KATIE:  Footprints on the kitchen counter, you say?

KATIE:  She'll never suspect ME.

About Today's Photos 
We love black & white photography. In fact we have a whole wall devoted to it in the Townhouse. But we don't seem to feature it all that much on our blog.

It's no secret that black & white loves a tuxedo cat. Today's photos span almost seven years. The first two photos were shot just this past weekend with a camera that only takes black & white photos. Bet you didn't even know there was such a thing! The next photo is a close up of a random shot from 2012. Katie was just hanging out in the fireplace room looking out towards the back window. And the last photo was from back in 2008. (gasp!) It's a rare on since Glogirly doesn't often show her real face here on the blog. We're guessing needs probably that soft focus way more now than she did back then.

So, "where's Waffles?" you ask. That's what Waffles Wednesday is for. Today it's nothing but glamour.

On the Road AGAIN???

KATIE:  I don't know about this thing. No treat compartment, no on board litter box. I bet you can't even order a drink. 

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! What are you doing in my Waffle Wagon?

KATIE:  Well Waffles, the big pet blogging conference you and Glogirly go to every year is coming up and I'm sort of playing around with the idea of going too.

WAFFLES:  Huh? Boss, I don't think there's enough room for you in the Waffle Wagon. 

KATIE:  What do you mean, not enough room? There's plenty of room in here. As long as you're not in here. 

WAFFLES:  Glogirly, is the Boss really going to come with us to Nashville? What about all the ladies at the conference? My girlfriends and stuff. She's not going to flirt with my girlfriends is she?

KATIE:  Don't worry, Waffles. I'm not really the flirting type. Still, I think we ought to make some improvements to this wagon... you know, just in case.

WAFFLES:  A Katie Wagon??? That sounds really dumb. 

KATIE:  I'm thinking more on the lines of the Boss Mobile. 

What are we THINKING???
Well it's just a crazy little thought floating out there right now. But based on how much fun we all had on our family vacation, there's a chance both Waffles AND Katie will be road tripping to Nashville for the BlogPaws Pet Blogging & Social Media Conference. It's coming up in just a few weeks, so we've got a little bit of time to decide.

We'll be driving about halfway there on the first day and shacking up with our pals from A Tonk's Tail. Word is they're already preparing our luxury accommodations. From there our friends Miss Lisa (A Tonk's Tail) and Miss Amy (Bosox Amy) will be joining us as we continue onto Nashville for the conference. Guess they'll have to draw straws over who gets to sit next to the cats and who gets the litter box. HA!

Can You Hear Me Now? #SundaySelfies

WAFFLES:  Hello Boss? Can you hear me? 

KATIE:  Waffles, what on earth are you doing???

WAFFLES:  Boss!! Can you hear me now?

KATIE:  Waffles, I can hear you just fine. So tell me, why exactly are you talking into your feather?

WAFFLES:  BOSS!!! I think I just invented the first feather phone! I think I'll call it the iFeather.

KATIE:  Waffles, you are not right in the iHead.

About Today's Photos & a Special Article by Glogirly
Speaking of (not into) feathers, did you know that Glogirly wrote an article for the Cat Writer's Association about feathers? Well it's not actually about feathers... it's called Finding a Forever Home Through the Power of a Feather. It's written in her own voice and is about that special moment when a person connects with a shelter cat for the very first time. How the simplest of things, like a feather toy, can create a bond forever impact those two lives.

There's even a Baby Waffles picture from way back when he was at the shelter.

If you'd like to read it,  just click here: Finding a Forever Home Through the Power of a Feather. We hope you enjoy it!

So about today's photos... 
Even though they look like they are taken at the same time, they were actually taken over a year apart. Gloman took the photo of Waffles scaling the banister to catch his feather. Glogirly took the photo of Katie just a couple of weeks ago. Though she looks like she could be talking to Waffles, she's actually eyeing a feather of her own!

#SundaySelfies

Today's blog post is part of the

Sunday Selfies Blog Hop hosted

by our dear friends at

The Cat On My Head.

TV Trip: The Flying Cat

WAFFLES:  Boss! I can FLY! I can FLY!

KATIE:  Waffles, you're laying down sideways on the blanket in our living room. I'd hardly consider that flying.

WAFFLES:  But look! My hat has wings!!! It's magic!

KATIE:  That's not a hat, Waffles. It's a habit.

WAFFLES:  A HABIT??? You mean like when you told me I had a chicken habit?

KATIE:  No Waffles. That's what the nun's wear. Their outfit is a habit. That so-called hat is part of their outfit.

WAFFLES:  So they must wear these habit things for flying, huh? I'm going to fly to California. I bet I can find a nice chicken ranch there.

KATIE:  Well good luck with that. Air travel just isn't what it used to be.

WAFFLES:  Ok, everybuddy, hats up in 60 seconds! I hope packed your wand toys! 

MIMI (left):  This is embarrassing. I look like Yoda. How am I ever going to find a forever home with this crazy get up on? 

STORMY (right):  Yeah well, I've got a wing span of about 5 feet. I'm never going to fit into the litter box again!

KATIE:  Whoooooaaaa!

WAFFLES:  Look Boss!  You're FLYING!!! 

KATIE:  GET ME OUT OF THIS CRAZY HAT!!!

WAFFLES:  Uh, Boss? It's a habit. 

TV Trip Saturdays with the Shelter Cats!
Our Saturday spoofs just got a whole lot furrier! Each week an adoptable cat (or cats!) from PAWS Pet Animal Welfare Society will be making a cameo appearance in our TV Trip blog series. Through the magic of Photoshop, they'll join Katie and Waffles in their TV time-travel adventures.

We'll also introduce you to the cameo cats and share a little bit about them. Maybe, just maybe... some silly wigs and special effects will help our shelter friends find forever homes.

Special thanks to Maggie Swanson, the talented photographer behind our cameo cats and a devoted volunteer at PAWS. Maggie is the author of the blog, Sundays at the Shelter, where she features adoptable cats from PAWS each and every week. Her beautiful photos have helped countless cats find loving homes.

Today's Cameo Cats

Stormy is a young torbie (tortoiseshell-tabby) cat with beautiful green eyes. She’s friendly to people and other cats. Her favorite hobbies are napping and sharing a couch with volunteers.

Her roommate and buddy Mimi (tabby &white) has been at PAWS since last summer. During that time she's blossomed into an outgoing, curious girl cat.

Both of these beautiful girls are available for adoption at PAWS, Pet Animal Welfare Society in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Mimi & Stomy's  photos by Maggie Swanson

Bathing Beauties

 WAFFLES:  Hey Boss? Want me to help you get between your toes?

KATIE:  Thanks but no thanks, Waffles. I know where that tongue of yours has been.

WAFFLES:  What do you mean? My tongue is right here.

KATIE:  I don't care where it's been or where it is right now. Just keep it to yourself. We are NOT going to become those cats that bathe each other. 

WAFFLES:  How about the cats that bathe together???

Did you know it's National Hairball Awareness Day?
The last time I was aware of a hairball, I plopped it strategically in Glogirly's shoe. For some cats, all this bathing can lead to some nasty hairballs. In all seriousness though, hairballs are not something any of us kitties OR our cat parents enjoy. An occasional hairball is to be expected, but if you're coughing them up on a regular basis it could be a sign of other health problems and should discussed with your vet.

For those random hairballs though, we've got a few quick tips to keep them away.


Katie & Waffles' Hairball Prevention Tips
1. Regular Brushing and Combing
Some cats LOVE being brushed or combed, but not all cats. Treats make the world go round, and they also go a long way towards making your date with the brush a little more fun. Long hair cats may need daily brushing, whereas short hairs cats like me and Waffles only really need it a couple of times a week. Regular brushing will help cut down on hairballs and can also become a special bonding time for you and your cat parent. We use the Andis Steel Comband the FURminator deShedding Tool for Cats.

2. Proper Nutrition
A species appropriate diet high in protein, grain free and with little or no carbohydrates can go a long way towards keeping those hairballs away. Canned food and whole foods (not kibble or dry) are smart choices. There are many hairball prevention treats available too, but we believe that good nutrition is the foundation.

3. Water
Some of our cat friends aren't very good drinkers. Many cats prefer a little movement to their water. We use a filtered fountain. It's always running and the bar is always open. It's best to keep your water separate and away from your food too.

4. Stress Management
Awhile back, Katie began over grooming, most likely because of stress factors like a new kitten in the house. For a short time, we used an odorless and tasteless product called Cat Lax that our vet recommended to us. Just a half teaspoon or so added into food once a day. That, in combination with things like increasing playtime for both Katie and Waffles and making sure to get plenty of one-on-one bonding time in really made a difference. Two other products we've had a lot of success with when it comes to maintaining calm in the Townhouse are Feliway's Plug In Diffusersand Spirit Essences Stress Stopper.

Please Note: We're not veterinarians and we're not experts. We're just a couple of cats who've been around the block when it comes to our own hairballs.

#ThrowbackThursday - Size Matters When You're a Kitten

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! How long do you think before I'm taller than you?

KATIE:  Why is it you boys think size is all that matters?

WAFFLES:  Because it's COOL. Do you think I'll get to be THIS tall?

KATIE:  Sure. If you hold onto that stool for the rest of your life. 

WAFFLES:  I bet if I eat all my breakfasts and all my dinners and all YOUR bre–

KATIE:  Yeah, you can just stop right there. That's not going to happen. 

About Today's Photos
Today's pics were taken on December 30, 2012, just a little over a month after Waffles joined our furry family. Once he was sprung from the kitten quarantine room, he spent ALL his time exploring the townhouse. It was and still is his playground.

Some people say most cats are either tree dwellers or ground dwellers. I am most definitely a ground dweller. Sure I've spent my time secretly counter surfing. I've even summited the top of the kitchen cupboards. But I'm happiest when I'm grounded.

It was clear from the moment Waffles arrived that he was most definitely a tree dweller. Even when he's on the ground he's reaching for the sky. Silly dreamer kitty.

Waffles Wednesday: Top Ten Troubles

WAFFLES:  If you've been following me on Facebook lately, you know that I've been getting into some stuff the Boss likes to call *trouble.* But everyone keeps giggling and telling me how handsome I am. So I'm thinking this trouble stuff and handsome stuff ... it MUST be related.

So I thought I'd share my top ten troubles and then you can tell me if I'm even MORE handsome.

Waffles Top Ten *Troubles*

1.  Locked myself in the powder room. 

Like about ten times. But I like the powder room. The door is super fun to play behind and close with my paws. Can I help it if I can't open it?

2.  Locked myself in the guest bedroom overnight. 

I only did this once. I swear I smelled treats on account of that's where Glogirly stores ALL the cool stuff we get from the man in brown shorts. After everyone went to bed, I thought it would be fun to shut the door and see what happened. What happened is I almost MISSED BREAKFAST the next morning. 

3.  Spilled a little litter. 

It was only like 40 pounds. It was in a plastic bag and I love plastic bags. You know how you make a little tear in something and then you just keep making more little tears?  

4.  Stared at the Boss. 

I wasn't really staring. I was just looking. Over her shoulder. While she was eating. Her whole breakfast. And dinner.

5.  Stared at the Boss. Stole a pillow.

Ok, so the Boss was sitting on puffy pillow on the sofa next to Glogirly while she was blogging. It looked SO comfortable. I may or may not have *looked* at her. Can I help it if she got up to go get a drink? Can I help it if I kept her pillow warm?

6.  Counter surfing.

But Gloman brought home KFC! (Sunday)

But there was fresh pizza on the counter. (Monday)

But there was turkey sandwich stuff on the counter. (Tuesday)

But–

7.  Cupboard inspection.

For the record, I only opened five of the kitchen cupboards. I may or may not have taken out *some* of the paper napkins.

8.  Carpet maintenance. 

When I did #2 (no not litter box #2, but #2 on my troubles list) I worked my magic on the carpeting under the guest room door. I looked for a scratching post, but I would have had to walk a whole 12 inches to get to it. 

9.  Bedtime fetch.

Gloman doesn't like to play fetch after he's in bed. Sleeping. I guess he doesn't like waking up with a fetch toy stuck to his leg either.

10.  Locked myself in the guest bathroom.

That one was a tactical error on account of no one hardly ever uses it. Thank COD Glogirly was in the very next room and heard the door slam shut. She has sonar door shutting hearing. I don't really think this counts as trouble though because she was laughing. 

And that was just one week!

So??? Am I even MORE handsome now? Because if I am, there's lots of trouble I haven't even found yet!

Black and White and WHAT??? #TuxieTuesday

From the WAY-BACK machine... Katie Kitten and her first fur-sibling, Larson. (RIP)

KATIE:  This is sure a funny looking cat.

LARSON:  CAT??? Who are you calling CAT? 

KATIE:  Ok, rat?

LARSON:  Sheesh. What's a guinea pig got to do to get a little respect around here?

KATIE:  Ok fine. I'll make you a deal. Stay away from my food and I'll call you whatever you want.

LARSON:  Larson. And I'd appreciate it if you kept your mitts off my lettuce and pellets.

KATIE:  Yeah, no problem there. I'm not big on greens. And I'm not touching anything called a PELLET.  

KATIE:  So Larson, are you sure we haven't met before? You look a little familiar. You wouldn't be related to my catnip mouse would you? 

LARSON:  Uh oh. I've seen that catnip mouse. Or what's left of him. 

WAFFLES:  Hey, what about me??? I changed into my black and white furs. Can I play too?

About Today's Photos:
Very few people know about Katie's fur-sibling that came before Waffles. Actually, he came before we even had a blog. The first two photos were taken in the late summer of 2005 when Katie was just a few months old. Glogirly worked for Marshall Field's at the time and they held a fund raiser for the Humane Society at their photo studio. Staff photographers were on hand to take portraits of employees' pets in exchange for donations to help the shelter animals. Way back then, Glogirly's stepson (Gabe) and his guinea pig (Larson) were living with us in the Townhouse.

There were all kinds of animals at the studio... dogs, birds, cats, a hamster, a couple guinea pigs ... even an iguana. After Katie and Larson each had their portraits taken, the photographer asked if he could take a few pics of them together. Katie wanted to have fun but Larson wasn't really into her.  ; )

"He's just not that into me."
~ Katie 

And the Password IS...

WAFFLES:  Hey BOSS!!! What's the interwebs password?

KATIE:  I don't know, Waffles. You were the last one to change it.

WAFFLES:  Oh yeah, it's something like I M AWESOME.  Oh wait, no. It's CHICKEN.  Totally chicken.

KATIE:  Totally Chicken? Or just Chicken?

WAFFLES:  No, just chicken. 

KATIE:  Upper case C? 

WAFFLES:  Not SEA CHICKEN, Boss. There's no such thing as a sea chicken. Is there?? Ok no, just CHICKEN.

KATIE:  No, Waffles, I don't mean Sea CHICKEN. I get that it's chicken. I just want to know what's upper case and what's not.

WAFFLES:  What's not what???

KATIE:  Great. Now we're locked out. We need a new password. 

WAFFLES:  I know! I know! WAFFLES. Totally WAFFLES. Ok, not totally Waffles. Just Waffles. Totally.

*heavy sigh from Katie as she tap taps W-A-F-F-L-E-S*

KATIE:  Uh yeah, it says your password is WEAK. True on so many levels. 

The Story Behind the Story:
Today Glogirly got a huge laugh out of an email exchange she had with a fellow Cat Writers Association member. Her friend sent her some login credentials for the CWA blog. (Glogirly has a guest post that will be publishing sometime this week!) The temporary password she assigned to Glogirly was WAFFLES.

Of course there was quite a protest once I got wind of this. What about KATIE? Or perhaps KatieIsBEAUTIFUL? KatieIsSMART would work too. But WAFFLES??? So Glogirly emailed her back and told her I was more than a little upset, upon which we received this prompt reply:

"Tell Katie the computer told me that password was WEAK"  *giggle* 

To which Glogirly burst into giggles and guffaws.

Do passwords make you as crazy as us?

#SundaySelfies - What Color is Your Kitty Smile?

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! How do you like my lip color? It's called Pink Cattylac. 

KATIE:  Waffles, everyone knows cats don't wear lipstick. Besides, that's just your natural color. Now please tell me you haven't been digging through Glogirly's make-up bag.

WAFFLES:  NO. I haven't been digging through... Wait. She has a whole BAG just for make up??? 

KATIE:  Yeah, and you better keep your paws off of it. 

WAFFLES:  Can I put my paws in it?

KATIE:  I'm not responsible for what may or may not happen to Glogirly's mascara. Ladies, please keep your cosmetics locked up. And for the record, my lip color is Sweet Licorice. *wink*

About Today's Photos
Sometimes something funny or crazy (Waffles) happens and there's no true photographic evidence to support it. But it will inspire a storyline so we'll delve into the photo archives looking for something that will help tell the tale.

Glogirly was getting ready in the master bathroom the other day. She'd pulled her cosmetic bin out of the medicine cabinet and had placed it on the vanity before she hopped into the shower. The medicine cabinet is built into the wall to the side of the vanity. It's really deep... even deeper than a kitchen cabinet. You can probably see where this is going.

So she's drying off and opens up the cabinet door to reach for her q-tips and deodorant only to find WAFFLES has somehow gotten inside and is sitting perfectly posed in the spot her cosmetic bin usually sits. Oh, to have had a camera!

So when putting together today's post, we looked through some recent photos to find close ups of our lips. Waffles' photo is an outtake from some photos we took featuring a food dish by Sleepypod. Whenever he looks up in the air and parts his lips, Glogirly thinks it looks like he's wearing pink lip gloss. Mine is a close up from a Neko Fly play session on the stairs.

#SundaySelfies

Today's blog post is part of the

Sunday Selfies Blog Hop hosted

by our dear friends at

The Cat On My Head.