Katie Cat Through the Years: A Retrospective

Hi everyone, Katie here.


In case you were starting to think the world revolves around Waffles, today I'm here to set the record straight.

Now please, everyone...remain calm and proceed in an orderly fashion through the gallery. Inside voices. We don't want anyone squeeing all over themselves or any cuteness-related injuries. To be safe, there are EMT's standing by.

Stay as long as like. We'll be here all day.

Dateline: September 10, 2005. 

My first night in the Townhouse. 

I'm only 13 weeks old and a mere 3 pounds. 

Gloman secretly adopted me and brought me home to my girl. I was her anniversary present. 

She said I was better than chocolate, better than flowers and better than the biggest diamond on earth.

Me and my girl. Together forever.

This was taken the day after Gloman brought me home to my forever girl and forever home.

This was also the original photo that became our very first blog header back in June of 2009. 

This bedtime story's making me sleepy.

Study this carefully. This pose will get you WHATEVER you want.

Because a girl's favorite toy should match her eyes.  

KATIE TRIVIA: Katie's eyes were a brilliant gold when she was a kitten, but they've changed over the years to a greenish gold and eventually to a lovely marbled sage green.

A lady always knows how to work the camera. 

Halloween or not, I still have a problem with Glogirly's ears. 

Sometimes I just like to think. 

Sometimes I have to stand guard.

Somtimes I have a LOT to say.

My eyes see more than you'll ever know.

Me and my girl. Together forever.

Katie today. 13 years young and as beautiful as ever.

💕

The Power of a Feather: How Waffles Found His Forever Home

Waffles right with his brother, Herbie 

Today's post is a departure from our usual Katie v. Waffles conversation fare. Glogirly is going to take you all the way back to November 25, 2012, the day Waffles became Waffles and the day our family and our blog found a whole new love. All through the power of a feather.

When Something Small Becomes Something Big and So Very Beautiful

It wasn’t until I clicked the ‘publish’ button on a blog post announcing some winners in a giveaway event I’d held that something struck me. And struck me hard.

The sponsors I’d worked with had generously agreed to double their prizes so that winning readers would have an opportunity to select a shelter organization to also receive a prize.

In the big announcement, I’d included all the shelter names and logos. These weren’t huge prizes – a kitty lounger for one shelter, a pet portrait to help with a fundraiser for another. And few shelters would receive a wand toy with dangly feathers. A wash of emotion overcame me as I thought about what a single toy could do.

It was Sunday afternoon in November, almost six years ago. I jumped into the car with an empty pet carrier and headed to the Animal Humane Society in Buffalo, Minnesota. It wasn't the closest shelter. In fact, it was almost a 90-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis. But there was someone very special I wanted to meet – a tiny orange kitten I’d found on Petfinder.com just hours before while lying in bed with my laptop perched on a pillow.

The shelter volunteers introduced to me to “Jackson” and his brother, “Herbie.” They showed us into a quiet room and handed me a wand toy with a feather on it.

Herbie (left) with Waffles whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

I sat on the floor, toy in hand, and invited them to come play. They jumped and flipped and twirled, everything was new and exciting to them. It was like they were giggling with delight. Or maybe that was me.

Herbie, Waffles oh-so-adorable brother

And YES, the thought of bringing them BOTH home was a serious consideration. Just look at Herbie's white boots and that face!!! There was another family visiting though and I could tell they really wanted to adopt one of the kittens.

After an hour or so, “Jackson” decided he’d had enough feather chasing. As I sat cross-legged on the floor, he hopped into my lap, curled into a little ball and stretched his neck straight up high. Gazing right into my eyes, he purred with the sweetest of smiles. That was it. I was his and he was mine.

That play session at the shelter with the wand toy – it was a bonding experience I’ll never forget. And something that’s taught me no gift is too small. That wand toy brought Waffles into my life and sealed our forever bond. That little feather changed each of our worlds.

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion a feather can change a lot of worlds.

Waffles Today

Waffles eyes still light up with wonder. Just like they did that day at the shelter. He still loves his feathers. And he loves with his whole heart. 

My little orange boy makes me smile and laugh every single day. Sharing his love with you, our friends and readers, is also one of my great joys. I hope he continues touches your heart and give you big kitty belly laughs.

Coming Up Next

Please join us this Friday for Katie - A Retrospective, a glimpse into our beautiful tuxedo girl through the years and how our blog began.

Chippendales Cat Audition Flashback

KATIE:  Ok, our next dancer is "Waffles." Come on in, Waffles. And tell us a little bit about yourself.

WAFFLES:  Uh, hi my name is Waffles. I'm 6 years-old. I'm a Gemini. 

KATIE:  Do you have any hobbies, Waffles?

WAFFLES:  Hobbies? Uh yeah, I like working out. With wand toys and red dots and stuff. 

KATIE:  Waffles, it says here on your application you want to be a rancher. Don't you mean dancer??

WAFFLES:  Uh, yeah. I mean I need to earn money for chicken rancher school so I thought I could moonlight as a Chickendale dancer. 

KATIE:  Waffles, this is an audition for CHIPPENDALES, not CHICKENdales.

WAFFLES:  But I was told there would be chicken. That I could dance for chicken and the ladies would put money in my–

KATIE:  Waffles, do you have any dancing experience? 

WAFFLES:  You mean with chickens?

KATIE:  (talks softly to other judges)  Well this is disappointing. This cat's got no experience. He doesn't even know what Chippendales is. Chickendales? Seriously?

DALE:  Gasp!

CHIP: Yeah, he's been backstage for HOURS practicing. It's pretty embarrassing. Maybe if we give him some treats he'll just go away. 

KATIE:  I don't think so. I've got a history with this one. I think we should go ahead and let him do his audition. Just try to keep a straight face. Ok?

CHIP 'n' DALE:  Ok.

KATIE:  Alright, Waffles. Show us what you've got.

* cue music: Loverboy's 'Working for the Weekend' *

♫♩

Everyone's watching, to see what you will do. 

Everyone's looking, at you, ooo-ooo-ooh.

Everyone's wondering, how did you button those cuffs?

Everyone's looking AT ALL THAT FLUFF, all that fluff!

♫♩

Everyone's workin' for the chicken–

CHIP:  Oh. My. 

DALE:  My EYES! My EYES!

KATIE: *shakes head*

   
About Today's Episode: 
Today's blog post is a flashback to our TV Trip Adoption series we used to publish every Saturday. Each episode featured adoptable cats from PAWS Pet Animal Welfare Society in Norwalk, CT. Through the magic of Photoshop, they joined Katie and Waffles for all sorts of TV-time-travel adventures as our "cameo cats."

The Chippendales audition post is one of our all-time favorites so we couldn't resist rerunning it. It's inspired by a hilarious 1990 Saturday Night Live sketch featuring the late great Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze. RIP. If you've seen it, you know what we're talking about. If you haven't, you owe it to yourself to WATCH. 

This post originally ran in 2015 and Chip 'n' Dale have long since been adopted. But there are still many wonderful adult cats waiting at PAWS and shelters in your own neighborhoods for their forever homes. If you're ready to add a furry family member into your home, please consider adopting an adult cat.

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.

Kitty-Cute Flour Sack Towel

 This post contains affiliate links

WAFFLES:  Hey, Boss! Glogirly's got a new kitchen towel. With CATS. Now I can help with the dishes.

KATIE:  You do know that means getting your paws wet, don't you Waffles?

WAFFLES:  I'm just going to dry.

KATIE:  Oh yeah? Well I suggest you get the hello-kitty out of that sink before it fills up with water.

WAFFLES:  Hello-kitty what?

KATIE:  Water, Waffles. WATER!

WAFFLES:  That was a close one! This dish drying stuff is dangerous.

Our New Flour Sack Towels from Counter Couture
Isn't this kitty flour sack towel just the cutest??? What you can't see in this photo is that one of the 55 kitties on it is daydreaming with his eyes shut.

Glogirly has been known to go through paper towels like they're jelly beans. So she's been trying to curtail her Bounty and Brawny obsession. And what better way to trim back on her paper towel hoarding than with beautifully designed flour sack towel?!



She found it on the Counter Couture Etsy Shop and couldn't resist. Just before she was about to check out, another one caught her eye. It has a simple line outline of the United States and you can choose which states your heart is in. So of course, she chose Colorado and Minnesota.

KATIE:  Even when Gloman is apart from us, I have his heart right here. 

WAFFLES:  Until he sees you're on the kitchen counter.

The flour sack towels are 100% cotton and hand screen printed. They're just the right weight for drying those pieces Glogirly doesn't put in the dishwasher. They're the best for cleaning eyeglasses too. It turns out that Counter Couture is right here in Colorado. We knew they were something special.

If you'd like one of these sweet towels for yourself, you can find them here - 

>Cat Flour Sack Towel

>US Map with Customizable Home State Flour Sack Towel

*FTC Disclosure: GLOGIRLY is a participant in Etsy’s affiliate program. This means that if you decide to purchase through any of our links, we get a small commission. We only spread the word about products and services we’ve either used or think you'd like to use too.

Meow Like a Pirate with Captain Katie Sparrow & Matey Waffles

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! Who turned out me lights???

KATIE:  Don't you think it's got something to do with that eye patch of yours?

WAFFLES:  Yeah but me ladies think I look hot in me eyepatch.

KATIE:  Anything for the ladies.

WAFFLES:  Uh, Boss... speaking of ladies, your lady-beard is crooked.

KATIE:  Waffles, if you're trying to impress the ladies, pirates or no pirates, it's best to steer clear of any beard comments.

WAFFLES:  What about beads on beards? Can I tell you the beads on your beard are crooked? Because they're crooked.

KATIE:  Careful, Waffles. Or I'll make you walk the plank.

KATIE:  I said walk the plank, Waffles. Not dance on it.

WAFFLES:  ♩♬ You should be dancing, yeah... ♩♬

KATIE:  Petty sure pirates don't listen to the BeeGees.

It's International Meow Like a Pirate Day!
We couldn't resist an opportunity for Katie to show off her Captain Jack Sparrow costume. And for Waffles to break into song and dance.

Today's post is a throwback to our TV and Movie Spoof Series. We love the posts from this series so much and plan on bringing them back to life every once in a while.

Until next time, maties!

Nice Antlers, Neighbors

WAFFLES:  Do you see what I see, Boss?

KATIE:  Considering I'm looking at YOU, I'm going to say that's a No. 

WAFFLES:  No, Boss! Out the window do you see what I see?

KATIE:  Why? What do you see?

WAFFLES:  It's our neighbors. One of them's got HORNS. Big ones.

DEER:  That's right, Waffles. They're huge. And by the way, they're antlers, not horns. 

WAFFLES:  *GASP!*  He's looking at me! He's looking at me! Do you see, Boss? 

KATIE:  Nevermind those antlers, look at that unibrow!

WAFFLES:  Yeah, he looks like that Frito lady. 

DEER:  That's Freda Kahlo, Waffles. The artist. Not Frito.

WAFFLES:  So does that mean you don't have any Fritos? How about Cheetos? 

DEER:  Wow, Katie. I don't know how you put up with this one. 

KATIE:  You have NO idea.

About Today's Photos
Last week it was squirrels, this week it's the deer family! It's unusual for the deer to come so close to the house. But just a few days ago, Glogirly planted some asters out by one of our hummingbird feeders. She had to cut down lots of wild grass and bushes that were close to the house as part of our fire mitigation project. It was leaving things looking a little bare in some spots, so a couple of potted plants seemed to be the answer to make it look more inviting.

Little did she know, the deer took that as a serious dinner invitation.

When she saw Mrs. Deer chomping the little purple flowers, she popped her head out the kitchen door and let her know that these were not on the menu. 

Mr. Deer was not far behind and didn't seem to care about the pretty blooms or even Glogirly's orange buckets filled with flower trimmings. He just casually meandered by towards the back of the house where the wild raspberries grow. 

Glogirly never gets very close to the deer, at least on purpose. They're typically very shy so she likes to be still and quiet so she can watch them from a distance. 

Squirrelly Acrobatics

WAFFLES:  Boss! The neighbors are here for dinner.

KATIE:  Those aren't the neighbors, Waffles. Those are squirrels. 

WAFFLES:  Did you invite them over or something? Because they're eating our tree.

KATIE:  They're not eating the tree, Waffles. They're gathering pinecones for winter. 

WAFFLES:  Like for decorating?

SQUIRREL:  Decorating??? You're kidding, right?

KATIE:  I'm afraid not, Mr. Squirrel. Apparently, you've never met Waffles.

SQUIRREL:  Well a squirrel's gotta eat. It's not like we've got pizza delivery up here, you know. 

SQUIRREL:  GERONIMO!!!

Our Friendly Neighborhood Pine Squirrels
When Gloman was home recently, our squirrels put on quite the show for us. We were all mesmerized by the dining room window. He grabbed Glogirly's camera and caught ALL the action.


This tiny, little squirrel was jumping from branch to branch like an acrobat on our tallest tree. He was grabbing the pinecones with his hands and mouth and tossing them down to the ground. He was moving SO fast, it looked like it was raining pinecones.

Did you know a single pine squirrel can clip HUNDREDS of cones per hour? The harvesting starts in the late summer and continues through fall. This was the first time we saw it first hand. And right outside our window.



Once he's dropped his bounty, he'll wait until the coast is clear to come back and gather all the clipped cones, one by one. He buries them in middens, which are loose piles of cone scales, cores of eaten cones and fully intact cones. These middens will get him through the winter. Whenever he's hungry, he'll just dig up a cone and nibble away on the scales and protein-rich seeds.

Special thanks to Gloman for his mad squirrel-photography skills!