Sweethearts and Hissy Fits...Update

Cat Lady Karen commissioned this portrait as a Valentine's-move-in gift for her sweetheart Ali. The two combined households and cats this past weekend. Her hope was for the gift to be "a sort of omen for the happy, well-adjusted family that we will become!"

On Valentines Day Karen was happy to report: "Right after blueberry pancakes Ali opened the gift ...Needless to say he was just over the moon about it. We then walked around the apartment speculating about where it should go. The cats are doing okay so far - although we're minimizing conflict with separate water/food/litter/toys/cat trees, etc. for now, and we're keeping them separate at night time. Fingers crossed!"

Readers offered their own suggestions for introducing new cats to each other:

Cat Lady Barbara: Keep them separate for awhile and then slowly introduce them...or, put them all together and let them work it out. That's what I have done and they usually work it out.

Cat Lady Sarah (Cat Lady No, 61, pictured): Better to keep them separate for awhile, then switch rooms so they can get used to the other's smell without the pressure of the other cat actually being in the room.

Cat Lady Lauren: It is sometimes good to wipe down the cats with the same towel back and forth so they smell like each other and therefore feel more comfortable around each other.

Cat Lady Kelly: What we do, is we handle the new kitty in front of the others and introduce them to each other. We also will rub and pet on the oldies and then rub their scent off on the newie. That combines the regular scent with the new scent.

Any more suggestions? Share them in the Comments at the end of this post. Thanks!

Friendly Reminder...One World One Heart Giveaway Ends Tomorrow Evening!

Time is running out to enter the One World One Heart Giveaway. It ends tomorrow (Monday) at 7:00 p,m, PST when one name will be drawn at random . That lucky person will receive this matted limited edition print (value $60.00).

I've been thrilled to receive visits and comments from 300+ bloggers from around the world over the past three weeks, with the vast majority of them also being Cat Ladies!

For more information and instructions on how to enter, please follow this link to the original blog post: One World One Heart Giveaway

Sweethearts and Hissy Fits

Tuxedo cat Squeaky and terrific tabby Pandora can tell you: it's a little scary to take the big plunge and move in together. Questions arise such as: Just who gets to sit on the top perch of the scratching post? Will there be separate water bowls? What if the other cat looks at me funny and my claws accidentally slip out?


Sweethearts Cat Lady Karen and Feline Fella Ali, on the other hand, are quite ready to take the next big step. Karen explains: "We have decided to merge our households this Valentine's Day weekend. The most complex and stressful aspect for us has been figuring out how to successfully transition from 2 homes with 2 solo cats to one pair of cats !

"While Ali's cat Pandora, and my cat Squeaky, are on their own the most loving and docile cats you can imagine, our early attempts at acquainting them (via afternoon play dates) resulted in the usually timid Squeaky perched on the kitchen counter hissing.

"Since then, we've done research and made endless inquiries to vets and other cat-knowledgeable folks to figure out the best strategy for ensuring a successful meeting and providing for a peaceful home for both cats and people in the future. We think we're ready!"

Here's wishing Karen and Ali the happiest of Valentines Days with many more to come. May everyone's loving households be hissy-fit free today and always!!

When Karen isn't mediating cats, she creates beautiful stoneware pottery. Be sure to visit Karen's pottery studio at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/karenrobertspottery/

Do you have any tips for bringing new cats together into a new household? Leave your suggestions in the comments at the end of this post.

The Results are In! Feline Fellas Dominate!

Our Very Scientific Poll asked: Does the guy in your life prefer cats or dogs? A total of 58 readers responded and 36 (62 percent) said their guy is a Feline Fella. Nine readers (15 percent) live with a Dog Dude and 12 readers (20 percent) said that their guy likes both. One responded that none of the above apply...

Readers were invited to leave a comment at the end of the post and one name was drawn at random to win his/her choice of any one refrigerator magnet from my Cafepress online shop !

The winner was Cat Lady Jo!!! She said, "I have voted, my husband much prefers dogs and tries to get my cat/kitten to sit and wait like a dog - they just ignore him!"

Jo lives in Australia with her Dog Dude, Charlie Cat, new kitten Ruby, and two Dobermans: Brenin and Gaia. Stop by and say "hi" at her blog: Stop...Have A Chat!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Would you like a Custom Dog Dude or Feline Fella Portrait? ...A one-of-a-kind and very affordable gift for any animal lover...For pricing and options, please visit my Etsy online gallery by clicking here: CUSTOM PET PEOPLE PORTRAITS

A Birthday Surprise!

There is nothing more fun than being in on a Top Secret Birthday Surprise, so I was VERY excited when Skeezix the Cat and his Food Lady asked me to create a portrait of Daisy the Curly Cat for her birthday! Daisy is a famous and talented cat who writes one of the most popular blogs in the entire Pet Blogosphere. She is an adorable dilute calico Devon Rex cat who has the most stylish and extensive wardrobe of any cat I've ever seen, and she loves pink! Daisy has beautiful curly whiskers, and she shares her home and adventures with the handsome rascalcat Harley who occasionally engages in a bit of sibling rivalry...

It was very hard to decide which of Daisy's beautiful outfits to use for the portrait, but Skeezix and the Food Lady narrowed it down to three. I went with the Pink Lady outfit because that poodle skirt is just so darn cute!

Yesterday was Daisy's birthday and you can read all about what she thought of her surprise here: The Best Present, Ever. You can also see a photo of Daisy actually wearing the poodle skirt! I am SO honored that the Food Lady and Skeezix chose me to make this special gift, and SO delighted that Daisy and her Mommeh liked it! (Get well soon, Food Lady!)

Thanks for visiting!

The Great Backyard Bird Count is This Weekend

Looking to spend some quality time with your favorite feline this weekend? There's probably nothing he or she would enjoy more than learning the finer points of bird watching.

So get out the binoculars and prime the outdoor bird feeders with seed and suet in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count which takes place this weekend, starting Friday.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent.




Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. Click here to learn How To Participate


My "Birdbrain" collection features a series of fanciful felines enjoying the beauty of nature. A great assortment of gift items, home decor and apparel can be found here: BIRDBRAINS

Crazy For Calicoes...Art Auction on Ebay

Did you know that the state cat of Maryland is the calico cat? According to the state website:"Effective October 1, 2001, the calico cat became the official cat of Maryland (Chapter 194, Acts of 2001; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-317). Its colors of orange, black, and white are shared with the Baltimore oriole (State bird) and the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly (State insect).

"Calico is not a breed of cat, but an unusual coloring occurring across many breeds, including Domestic Short-hair, Persian, and Manx. Virtually all calico cats are female."

Pictured here are 10 miniature watercolor paintings of calico cat ladies that were a part of the 365 Cat Ladies featured in this blog during 2009. All are being auctioned off this week on Ebay...here is your chance to collect original artwork without breaking the bank, plus you will own a little piece of 365 Cat Lady history!

Place your bid today at:

http://myworld.ebay.com/whimsysu

Auction ends the morning of Tuesday Feb 16. Thanks for visiting!