Sparkle the Designer Cat's Blog, page 39

Kitty Business

Not too long ago, my human took some photos of me for a contest in which I dressed up as a business kitty. So I thought it would be fun to try on several different business kitty looks. Above is my standard business cat outfit.

Here I am, dressed like a 1940s newspaper reporter! As you can see, there is a glass of whisky onhand, because those guys were tough and hard-drinking! They didn’t have laptops, but you get the idea.

And here I am as a secretary! I think I’d make a great gatekeeper.

And this wouldn’t be complete without my dressing as someone who works from home! Coffee mug and curlers included.

So what did you think? Which look is your favorite? And do you have any other looks you’d like me to recreate? Let me know in the comments.

The post Kitty Business appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

My Best Princess Cat Dress So Far!

My human brought home the perfect princess cat dress! And can you believe she found it at Ross? So of course the only place to model it is in the turret.

Of course I always feel like a princess, but this is just extra, if you know what I mean.

And of course no princess dress is complete without a crown, or at least a tiara.

Here’s the tiara. You can see me modeling everything in the video below.

The post My Best Princess Cat Dress So Far! appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Temperamental Outtakes

I will admit, I do look a little grouchy in some of this week’s outtakes! And even when I’m not being temperamental, I’m sticking out my tongue.

Although this one’s just a blep on the tongue scale.

Here I am with full airplane ears during my hoodie shoot.

I guess you’d call this a half-mast airplane ear since the other one is covered by my hoodie hood.

Here I am, impatiently waiting for my human to put the phone down so we can go shopping.

Whoa! I didn’t even know I could look that evil.

And that’s it for the outtakes! Now, where is my treat?

Do you have a favorite outtake? Let me know in the comments!

The post Temperamental Outtakes appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Quiet Therapy Cat Day at the Big Hospital

I didn’t have a lot of visits to make at the big hospital this week. I went down to the Cancer Center first, but there weren’t any patients. While I was there, though, I did visit with the receptionist and also the nurse, who hasn’t seen me in a while.

Pediatrics was almost as quiet. There was just one little girl to see, and her parents were welcoming. But she was scared of me! She alternated between wanting to touch me and cowering. So I wound up not visiting. Usually children are happy to see me, but every so often they’re scared, like this girl was.

Then I went up to Labor and Delivery. The nurses are always happy to see me there! And there was a patient to visit, a young Spanish speaking woman going through her first pregnancy. Even though she was in bed, she was still wearing her make up, including eyelashes. Sometimes when someone is going through a big hospital event, they need something like make up to help them feel something close to normal. While we were there, an older couple (probably her parents) showed up. The lady who was probably the mother told us how scared the young woman was. I was glad to spend some time with her.

By then, we still had some time, but as I was walking through the hospital hallway, a couple of nurses saw me and wanted to spend time with me. And of course I drew a little bit of a crowd. On days like this, when it’s kind of slow, I make sure to spend extra time with staff. They need the stress relief.

Even though my human and I were disappointed that we didn’t get to see that many patients, it’s still important to show up for the staff. And the visitors too. Hospital life is hard, and while most patients come and go, the people who show up every day to work, or are visiting a sick loved one are going through a lot. And they need me too.

The post Quiet Therapy Cat Day at the Big Hospital appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Who Wants a Goodie Bag From Kitten Rescue?

My human is good friends with a couple who are big supporters of a cat rescue we also love, Kitten Rescue. And every year, they have a table at the fundraising gala. My human and her boyfriend went, and they came home with goodie bags!

Unfortunately, I can’t use most of the items! They’re either food I don’t normally eat, or they contain CBD, which doesn’t agree with me. But lots of other cats will like these, so I’m giving them away!

Here’s what’s in the bag. Yes, I did keep a few things, but not a lot. Plus my human added a couple of samples from this past weekend’s cat show. And usually I add a couple of things from my own merch stash too.

To enter, all you need to do is comment on this blog post, and say you did on the Rafflecopter widget below! You can earn more entry points by following me on different social media accounts. Because international shipping costs are pretty crazy, it has to be U.S. only, so apologies to my friends in other countries.

The deadline is Monday, September 30, at midnight Eastern Time. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Who Wants a Goodie Bag From Kitten Rescue? appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Bored Cat? Here’s How to Keep Them Out of Trouble

It’s a big misconception that cats are low maintenance. And that’s why cat boredom can become such a big problem. And it’s something that anyone living with a cat should avoid.

Why Should You Care if Your Cat Is Bored?

Boredom is unhealthy, dangerous, and can destroy your relationship with your cat (and possibly some of your furniture or knickknacks).

The way cats behave out of boredom falls into two basic categories:

1. The sad cat. This is the cat that lies around all day, sleeping. Yes, cats can sleep up to 16 hours a day, but you should still see your cat having periods of being up, active, and lively. A bored cat that is just lying around is depressed and unhappy.

In addition, if a cat does nothing but nap, they are extremely understimulated, and their inactivity will cause health issues eventually, the same as it does for humans. Understimulated cats sometimes become habitual over groomers, causing hairballs and bald spots. They can gain unhealthy amounts of weight, lose muscle tone, develop heart and circulatory issues and have shorter life spans.

2. The crazy cat. This is the cat that always seems to be getting into some sort of trouble. You can kiss that pretty vase goodbye because they are bound to knock it over. Don’t congratulate yourself on how well you hid the treats because your cat will figure out how to break into that cabinet. And if they can’t because you put a lock on it, they will do something else to get your attention. They scream, they scratch furniture, often in plain sight, jump on the kitchen counter to “help” with meal prep…you name it. If you hate it, they’re doing it.

These cats are also understimulated. But instead of lying around, they go out hunting for their own fun. Often younger, more energetic and more curious than their sad siblings, these guys can be disruptive…and destructive.

Crazy cats drive their humans crazy too, and their behavioral issues may be too much to handle. But the good news is that with a few changes, you don’t have to handle it. Because the solution to cat boredom is really pretty simple.

The Number One Solution to Cat Boredom

If you are thinking, “I bet she is going to say spend more time with your cat,” you are right! But it doesn’t have to be a hefty time commitment. Even 15 minutes of interactive playtime will go a long way to alleviate boredom.

Most cats respond well to interactive play with their humans, and begin to look forward to this routine. If your cat is reluctant to play, or seems confused, it’s possible you are using the wrong toy.

Every cat has their own play preferences, and even these may change over time. One cat may like chasing after flying toys. Others may want to hunt something crawling on the ground. Some may be happy going after ping pong balls or little fuzzy mice. Maybe a catnip kicker will work. If you don’t already know your cat’s preferred play style, give them several options until you find one that works.

What If My Cat Doesn’t Want to Play?

Nearly all cats, unless they have health issues, are playful into their senior years. If your cat doesn’t want to play, and has checked out okay with your veterinarian, it’s possible they’ve forgotten how. Or you haven’t hit on the right toy yet. If they love treats, you can make a game of it by tossing treats and letting them chase after the goodies. That way, they get in exercise, get a reward, and have quality time with you, all at once.

More Ways to Excite a Bored Cat

Scheduling regular playtimes is just the start, of course. You can’t be there all the time. In fact, you probably work, and even if you work at home, you aren’t available for your cat 24/7. There are lots of ways to enhance your cat’s living environment to keep them happy and engaged. The important thing is to tailor it to your cat’s personal preferences.

Creating an Engaging Environment for Your Cat

The important part of offering your cat more stimulation is tailoring it to their personality. An older cat may not want to jump around on wall shelves, but your wild, year-old Bengal definitely needs that! Cat trees are good for just about any cat, but think about what your cat would really like it to have. Does it have a perch that would offer the perfect window view? Is it sturdy enough for a 20-lb cat? These are things to think about.

Cats can be pretty good about keeping themselves busy, as long as they have toys that engage them. A lot of cats love having treat puzzles, and it engages their mind along with keeping them active. Catnip toys (or toys filled with other cat intoxicants) are almost universally loved, but they need to be rotated so they don’t get stale. Electronic toys are getting more sophisticated all the time — just make sure they are safe for your cat.

Most importantly, make sure any toys, cat trees, or cat furniture you bring home is something that would appeal to your cat. If you have been engaging in interactive play with your cat, and observing their behavior throughout the day, you will have an idea of the types of activities they like to engage in.

Other Ways to Fight Cat Boredom

There are two ways to really keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. They are more advanced, and do require a larger time investment but they are also very rewarding.

1. Training your cat. Cats are bright, and they actually learn tricks pretty quickly. Of course, tricks like High Fives and Shake Paw are fun and good to show off to your friends. But there are also practical tricks, like sitting and staying for a treat, that are helpful if you want to keep your cat from getting underfoot. If you have regular training sessions with your cat, it’s also one of the best ways to bond with them.

2. Taking them outside on a harness and leash. This requires a learning curve for both you and your cat, but some cats really enjoy getting a chance to explore the outdoors safely with your observation.

One Last Word About Your Crazy Cat

Is your crazy cat two years old or younger? Are they male? These cats are most likely to the out-of-control crazy ones, and the good news is that they do eventually outgrow this phase. At least, most of them do! But instead of white-knuckling it through this period, use some of the methods above to bond with them and keep them focused. Harness that excess energy, figuratively, if not literally.

Have you ever had a bored cat? How have you dealt with them? Let us know in the comments.

The post Bored Cat? Here’s How to Keep Them Out of Trouble appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

I Got Another Shopping Day!

It seems like I was out shopping just a few days ago, and here I am again! Oh, wait, I was out shopping last week. But I didn’t like the food my human got me. There’s one flavor that I like sometimes, and don’t others. Well, this time I didn’t like it. So we were off to the store again to get me something else.

It was great timing! We got there just as someone with a dog was leaving. It was mid-afternoon and pretty quiet, so I was able to wander all I wanted.

My human also picked up a couple of things she knew we needed. She really was tempted to get one of those brightly colored ceramic bowls you can see behind me, but she didn’t.

And of course, I got lots of attention from the staff, which I always love. You can see a video of my shopping day below.

The post I Got Another Shopping Day! appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Hoodie Weather Begins

Last week we were having a triple digit heat wave! This week, it’s already hoodie weather. Well, it’s not total hoodie weather — I don’t need anything with really thick fabric. But a lightweight hoodie would be nice, and I have a couple to model for you here.

My human found this black DKNY hoodie a few seasons ago and kept forgetting we had it. She finally brought it out this year. Coincidentally, DKNY was supposed to make some sort of comeback in 2024, but I haven’t heard anything about it. I think she just likes it because it’s black, and she wears a lot of black.

Here it is with the hood on.

You may remember this one! It’s an ED hoodie, from Ellen Degeneres’ pet product line. I’ve had it for a while and it’s really cute. I like the ruffles on the bottom.

And here it is with the hood on. I always have to model hoodies two ways — with and without the hood.

So is it hoodie weather where you are? And do you have some hoodies ready? Let me know!

The post Hoodie Weather Begins appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Miss Congeniality at the Palm Springs Cat Show

I had a great day at the cat show in Palm Springs! It was hot outside, but totally comfortable in the show hall.

My space was a litter harder to find than usual because we had to move. Our original space was too small, so my human found a larger one in the middle of the show for me so I had lots of visiting area.

Here I am doing my favorite things — wearing a dress and eating a treat!

I got to see a bunch of people, and I think their favorite photo ops were when I wore my tiara.

I did have several wardrobe changes, but I never seem to get around to all the outfits I bring. I made sure to wear this one though.

A lot of times, I just wore my favorite pearl necklace and people were fine with that.

I got in a few quick catnaps, but I really was busy!

But all that work paid off! As you know, I never compete at the shows anymore, and haven’t in years. I just visit with the attendees. But at this show, they handed the attendees these “Spectator’s Choice” award ribbons to give to their favorite cat. And I wound up getting a bunch and winning an Amazon gift card for my human! You might say I got the “Miss Congeniality” award.

Don’t worry, I caught up on my sleep back at the hotel.

The post Miss Congeniality at the Palm Springs Cat Show appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.

Tongues, Tails and Other Silliness

All of this week’s outtakes came from a single photo session! There were no notably funny photos from any of the others. Can you believe it? But don’t worry, this session more than made up for what the others lacked.

For some reason, my human happened to capture me with my tongue out several times. Maybe it was my commentary on her trying to get me to pose like this on the turret steps. It’s kind of an awkward position!

See what I mean?

To be honest, I think this photo session was done right before dinner time.

And finally, it was the end of this photo session…and of this blog post! If you had a favorite photo, let me know in the comments.

The post Tongues, Tails and Other Silliness appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.