Waffles Wednesday - Rockin' the Orange

Hi everybuddy, Waffles here.

Look what the man in brown shorts brought me! I have a brand new ORANGE harness! 

Glogirly got it for me on account of her mom used to tell her, "Always match your handbag to your shoes."  I LOVE bags, but I'm a little worried about wearing SHOES.

I bet the same applies to harnesses and Waffle Wagons!

Oooooh! The Ladies at the nursing home are really going to SWOON!

Waffles Wednesday: On The Road Again With a Therapy Cat In-Training

Hi everybuddy, Waffles here.

Yesterday Glogirly and I visited the ladies in the nursing home. Before we left the townhouse, I made sure that she packed everything I would need for my visit.

Um, Glogirly? Are my toys in here? Don't forget my toys!

I don't see my treats. Are you hiding them from me again? I promise not to eat the whole tub this time. Really, I promise. 

What's In My Therapy Cat Bag?

Did you know I have my own therapy visit bag for all my stuff? I bet you're dying to know what's inside!

1. Rabies certificate (ouch)
2. Therapy training log (my supervisor writes in it after each visit) 
3. Treats (yum)
4. Toys
5. Postcards to had out to the ladies
6. Kitty wipes in case I get dirty
7. My blanket in case I want to get out and sit in one of the ladies' chairs
8. My iPad with lots of my pictures 
9. And more treats

My Therapy Supervisor
I have an awesome supervisor at the nursing home. Her name is Kathy and she takes care of scheduling my time and making sure I get to see all the ladies that LOVE cats. She stays with me and Glogirly and does a wonderful job of introducing us. She works with all of therapy animals and really knows her stuff.

At the end of each visit, she fills out an evaluation. After my tenth supervised visit, I'll be able to apply to be Licensed Therapy Cat.


Here's what my supervisor wrote about me yesterday:
"Great visits today!! Waffles is getting even more comfortable."  ...She forgot to mention that I'm getting even more cute.


We're participating in BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. ...Ok, so Waffles isn't exactly 'wordless'...that's just how he rolls. Hop on over to check out all the other great pet blogs participating  HERE.

Happy Birthday to the Cat Blogosphere's Morgen! 

The Boss and I would like to wish Morgen a very Happy Birthday!!! Morgen is the magic man behind the Cat Blogosphere. That's where the who's who of cat bloggers join together to share important cat news and blog updates. He does a fabulous job and deserves a big round of applause and lots of kitty kisses. Thank you, Morgen!!! We ♥︎ you!

Last Day to Enter Laughing Cat Studio Giveaway!
One GLOGIRLY reader, anywhere in the WHOLE-WIDE-WORLD, will win a $50.00 gift card to spend however they like in the Laughing Cat Studio online store.
Deadline to enter: Wednesday, February 19 @ 11:59pm EST
Enter Laughing Cat Giveaway HERE

...or if you can't wait, save 20% now thru March 31 with promo code glocat20 at Laughing Cat Studio.



Vote for Mad Kitty Cocktail!
Let's get Waffles' picture on the NEW Mike's Harder Lemonade can!
Only 5 votes per person/email. If you've already voted, THANK YOU ♥︎

Instructions: 
Just click the link and log in with Facebook or your email.  If you're voting from outside the US, you'll need to click a drop down menu and select your location first. Once you're logged in, move the voting *slider* over to cast five whole votes! You'll only need to do this once ...that is, according to Mike. 
Voting does not play nice with the iPad or iPhone.

VOTE FOR MAD KITTY COCKTAIL

Special Sunday Edition: Waffles the Therapy Cat's #RecipeForMoments

Hi everyone, Waffles here.

Lots of my friends know that I'm in training to become an official Therapy Cat. Glogirly says she noticed something special about me when I was just a kitten. I know what you're thinking... ALL cats are special and that's true. But Glogirly said there was something more, something bigger.

Maybe it's because I love to play, or maybe it's because I love to cuddle. Maybe it's because I'm not scared of vets and vacuums.

Or maybe it's because I just like people. Even the ones that say they aren't cat-people.




Being a Therapy Cat definitely has its perks. Check out my sweet ride! Some kitties might call it a stroller. But I say strollers are for babies. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to my Waffle Wagon.

I ride in my Waffle Wagon whenever I go on a therapy visit. It's a purr-fect way to see the world and visit my friends. And it's a real chick magnet.

But being a Therapy Cat is about much more than cool rides and fancy harnesses.

We're a Therapy Team
One of the most important things about becoming a Therapy Cat is understanding what it means to be a Therapy TEAM. That's exactly what me and Glogirly are. We're a team.

Whenever we visit the ladies at the nursing home, I always know that Glogirly is right there by my side. It's kind of scary at first, going outside, riding in cars, and visiting strange places. So many new smells and sounds. But that's why we're a team. Glogirly pays attention to how I'm doing. I give her cues when I'm tired and need a rest, or when I'm curious and ready for more. I'm her A #1 priority. She's my protector and she always keeps me safe.


The Human Cat Bond
Glogirly says my therapy work has created a very special bond between us. I think that means we're like Elmer's Glue...but without the sticky mess.

But do you know what the BEST part of being a Therapy Cat is?




Ok, you might THINK it's the treats. But that's really more of a fringy benefit.




Making People Happy, One Purr at a Time
The best part is making people happy. Everyone at the nursing home is always SO excited to see me. They smile really big, they pet me, they laugh and giggle. And lots of them tell me about a kitty they once had.

One nice lady had an orange cat, just like me, named Butterball. I think it makes her heart happy to remember her cat and share his stories.

There was another lady who'd lost her ability to see or speak. But the staff knew she LOVED cats. Glogirly wheeled me over to her and she was able to touch my fur. She knew I was a cat right away. And even though her eyes couldn't see anymore, they lit up like stars in the sky.

Glogirly said that it must be really hard for some of the residents to leave their homes and their families. Some of them probably had to leave their cat too. That's why it's so important I visit them.

Just the Girlz
All this gushy love talk might make you think that Glogirly plays favorites. But that's not true at all. My sister Katie, the one I call the Boss, may not be cut out for therapy work, but she and Glogirly share a bond like no other. They talk about love, life and catnip. And I swear Katie has her own secret stash of treats. Must be a girl-thing.

This post is sponsored by Nature’s Recipe on behalf of the BlogPaws Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about Nature’s Recipe For Moments on behalf of Nature’s Recipe, but we only share information we feel is relevant (and FUN) to our readers. Nature’s Recipe is not responsible for the content of this article.




Do you have a special moment to share about you and your cat? 
Nature's Recipe is looking for stories through the eyes of your pets. It's a chance to celebrate the special bond that connects our hearts and brings us so much joy.

This is a BlogHop
Our story is a part of the #RecipeForMoments blog hop hosted by BlogPaws. Link up below to share your story of the bond you and your pet share. What do you think your pet feels in your special moments? Five random U.S. winners who link up their blog post will win a Nature’s Recipe® lightweight collar camera to capture special moments from their pet’s point of view. See BlogPaws for official rules and details.

Waffles Wednesday: The Ladies Love a Therapy Cat In-Training

Um, hi everybuddy. Waffles here.

Glogirly says I'm doing really great with my Therapy Cat training! We visited the nursing home on Thanksgiving morning before turkey. We were just hanging out in the lobby talking to the residents that came by. The ladies are all really nice and very excited to see me. Except for the one lady that said she never liked cats. Can you believe it? She obviously hadn't ever met a cat like ME before.

But that's ok. Glogirly says that every time we visit, we're brightening someone's day. I bet there are lots of people in nursing homes that used to have a cat and really miss them. That's why it's so important that I visit them.

The Ladies Love My Souvenirs 
I give everyone I meet one of my special WAFFLES postcards so they can remember our visit. The ladies think I'm very photogenic.

This is me here on the front and my Waffle Wagon license plate on the back.

The ladies can put them on their dressers with their other pictures or they can even pin me to their bulletin boards. 

Therapy Cat In-Training
Within the next two weeks, I'm going to be starting my official therapy visit evaluations. The organization I'll be working through, called Love On A Leash, is a non-profit foundation for pet-provided therapy. I'll need to have 10 documented visits. With each visit, an evaluator will fill out a form about how I'm doing. I have to be up to date on all of my vet visits and shots too. It doesn't say anything about being cute, but I bet that can't hurt.

Glogirly is going on a therapy visit today with my purrsonal trainer, Spaghetti Bob and his human partner, Dee. Glogirly wants to see how a really experienced therapy cat works his magic. Then she'll come home and teach me all the stuff she learns.

Nice Ride
Whenever I go on a therapy visit, I get to ride in my Waffle Wagon. It's like a pet stroller, except WAY cooler. It has a detachable cockpit, I mean pet carrier. And has a sporty set of really bicycle wheels. Chicks dig that.

I always wear a harness and leash too, but I'm just posing at home here so I don't have it on.

My Waffle Wagon folds up for easy travel. The wagon fits in Glogirly's hatchback and I ride inside the pet carrier up front.

Ok, ladies! Are you ready?

We're participating in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. 

Click HERE to hop over to see all the blogs hopping. 

Waffles Wednesday: Therapy Cat In-Training Visit

Hi everybuddy, Waffles here.

Yesterday was my very first visit as a Therapy Cat In-Training! That's me right before Glogirly and I left to meet the nice people at Catholic Eldercare, a nursing home just a mile from our house. I was making sure the Waffle Wagon was ready to roll. 

We met up with my friend Dee, Spaghetti Bob the therapy cat's human. She's been helping me with my training and showing me and Glogirly the ropes. 

We didn't take any pictures because it was a really important training session and Glogirly needed to be right by my side. Everyone said I did really well for my first visit. I was a little scared, but I was curious too. It's fun to ride in my Waffle Wagon, poking my head up and looking around. Don't tell the Boss, but everyone said I was super cute. And someone even thought I was a GIRL.

The first part of my training is to just practice visiting and getting comfortable with short visits. 

Catholic Eldercare has a number of therapy pets that make regular visits so they were very understanding about me not having a lot of experience. I let some people talk to me and pet me. I even saw a POODLE. I didn't let him pet me though.

They said I could come back for another visit so Glogirly is checking my social calendar.

Waffles Wednesday: A Grand Day Out - Waffles' First Shopping Adventure

Um, hi everybuddy. Waffles here.

You'll NEVER guess what I got to do yesterday! Ok, the headline is sort of a clue.

I went shopping! Glogirly brought me to the local PetSmart. In fact, Katie...I mean the Boss, was looking around the Townhouse ALL morning long for a receipt. I think she wanted Glogirly to try and return me. Or at least exchange me for some freeze dried salmon treats.

But this wasn't that kind of shopping trip. It was like going to school. I was learning to not be afraid in strange, new places and to be friendly to people I don't know.

When we were getting ready to leave the Townhouse, Glogirly put my harness on and *helped* me into my carrier. I wasn't too happy about the carrier, but she kept saying we were going someplace fun and someday I might actually like getting into the carrier. Then she put me in the car and strapped my carrier down with the seat belt. She drove way slower and calmer than she usually does and she was talking to me and singing the whole way there. She sang "You Are My Sunshine" and changed the words to "You Are My Waffles." I think the people in the other cars thought she was singing to them. But they probably weren't named Waffles.




Glogirly brought me into the store inside my carrier in a shopping cart. She opened up the top of the carrier and attached my leash to my harness, then let me get comfortable with the surroundings. I got to ride around the aisles looking through the shopping cart. There was SO much to see and smell. I was a little scared, but I didn't freak out at all.

Lots of people came up to say hi. Glogirly says I was very well-behaved and let them pet me and talk to me. It was still a little scary, but Glogirly protected me.




We met our friend Dee at the store. She's Spaghetti Bob's human. Bob's the therapy cat we featured on our Labor Day blog post HERE. Dee is super smart when it comes to training cats and helping them become comfortable in new environments. She told Glogirly to look for subtle signs of stress, like dilated eyes and lip licking, and to not push me to do anything I didn't want to do.

When I was ready, I even let Dee hold me in the toy aisle. I've never seen more feathers and catnip mice in my LIFE!



One of the highlights was meeting my new friend, Rat. You can tell by the look on his face that he was pretty surprised to see me. He even tried to run away on his wheel. I really wanted to bring him home for the Boss, but Glogirly said we better stick to the salmon treats.

That was my adventure! Glogirly says we'll go back again soon after I practice a little more with my leash and harness. Next time I think I'll say hi to the birds and fish.

Smucci Too Pet Bed Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter our COOL giveaway! One lucky GLOGIRLY reader will win their choice of a small or medium Smucci Too Bed Set valued at $159. There's LOTS of hip designs and beautfiul colors to choose from. Enter by Sunday, September 8 @ 11:59pm EST. 

And if you just can't wait...

Save 20% thru the end of September with coupon code: Glogirly. 

ENTER HERE

The Hardest Working Therapy Cat In Minnesota

Hi everyone, Katie here.

It's Labor Day today. A holiday devoted to honoring the working people in the US and Canada. We think this holiday should be extended to our furry working friends too – from animals that serve in our military and help keep us safe to therapy animals who bring joy, compassion and smiles to people who really need them.

It's our honor to introduce you to a very special friend of ours – Spaghetti Bob. Some of you regulars here may know him as my *boyfriend.* But Bob is much, much more. He's a Registered Therapy Cat. We originally met on Facebook and learned that we were neighbors. The friendship (and the romance) blossomed.

We thought it would be fun to interview Bob today so that you could get to know him too.

KATIE:  Hi Bob. *blushes* Thank you for letting me introduce you to my friends today. I bet everyone would love to know what kinds of things you do as a therapy cat.

SPAGHETTI BOB:  Thank mew, my lub. I'm very happy to be here. When I'm on a therapy visit, I walk around nursing homes and let people pet me. Sometimes I let them hold me too.

Sometimes it can be a bit stressful, but the people are so happy to see me and even those who report not liking cats smile when they see me.




KATIE:  Smiles are good, Bob. We specialize in smiles here.

SPAGHETTI BOB: *looks coy and shuffles paw back and forth*




KATIE:  Awwww, Bob. I bet it's very rewarding, being a therapy cat. What do you love the most?

SPAGHETTI BOB:  The best part is all the positive energy I feel and getting to go out of the house to see all sorts of new and wonderful things and people. Flirting with nurses is great too! Er, I mean, um... I like making the staff's day brighter too!

KATIE:  Phew! Well just as long as you're not flirting with any other ladycats!

SPAGHETTI BOB:  I only have eyes for mew, my lub.



KATIE:  So Bob, I know that you are a *registered* therapy cat. What kind of license or documentation do you have? And did you have to take any tests?

SPAGHETTI BOB:  I'm registered through Pet Partners, formerly Delta Society. They are a national organization that registers many species, such as rabbits, cats, dogs and guinea pigs. I needed to be checked for parasites, viruses, etc and be current on all my vaccines. Cat's don't need to take a class or anything but must pass an evaluation. You and your human partner are tested by being presented some challenges you may see on a typical visit, such as: rough handling, noises, toys and dogs. The human's main job is keeping you safe! Trust me... that's important, as it really is a partnership.

KATIE:  Does is matter how old or young you are?

SPAGHETTI BOB:  You must be at least 1 year-old to register and it's probably easier to work with younger cats, but you can register as an older cat too!



KATIE:  Bob-dear, where can people go to learn more?

SPAGHETTI BOB:  Well certainly the best unofficial resource would be the Therapy Cats Facebook Page I just started!

There are several organizations throughout the US, but Pet Partners is probably the largest and they only have 179 registered cat therapy teams! I would recommend looking at their FAQ section here: Pet Partners FAQ.

KATIE:  Thank you SO much for mewing with us today, Bob. And thank you for all the love you spread. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us, Bob?

SPAGHETTI BOB:  Harness, leash and clicker training are things that everycat can work on with their human! There are so many adventures our humans can take us on!

Be sure to visit Spaghetti Bob on Facebook and show him some *lub.*

All photos courtesy of Spaghetti Bob - Registered Therapy Kitten.