Happy to be One of the Top 50 Cat Bloggers (As Chosen by Thoroughly Reviewed)

Visit Thoroughly Reviewed

Cody and I are happy to be among a wonderful list of Cat Bloggers (many of whom are our friends!), that were selected by Thoroughly Reviewed as the "Top 50 Cat Bloggers."

"Thoroughly Reviewed is an independent review company focused on delivering the most up to date and relevant information to consumers who are researching products and services. They have a team of researchers/writers who perform an in-depth analysis and review of all products mentioned on the site. This process involves some or all of the following: hands-on time with the products, speaking to customers, aggregating review data, speaking to industry experts, analyzing specifications from manufacturers and more. The bottom line is they want to provide you with all of the information you need to make the best purchasing decision."

Here is what they wrote about us:

Cat Chat with Caren and Cody

Author: Caren Gittleman

www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com

Caren is a life-long Clevelander who worked in advertising at The Plain Dealer, Ohio’s largest newspaper.  She is now a professional blogger who also does freelance writing.   Caren started her blog after her current snuggle-bug and co-author Cody came into her life.  Cody helped ease Caren’s heartache after her beloved Bobo crossed the rainbow bridge.  She hopes that her blog will be a warm, cozy and inviting place for cat lovers around the world.

THANKS FOR INCLUDING US!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!

Visit the entire list of Top 50 Cat Bloggers

I'm A BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Awards Best Pet Blog Photo Finalist, and I am Verklempt!!

Hi and Happy Wednesday All!!!

One of the things we all love about Wednesday's is the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop, the hop that allows us to share photos that have no need for words,captions, or descriptions. It is a chance for bloggers to feature photos that evoke emotion, make us laugh, think, or just enjoy the sheer beauty of our pets.

When I found out late last night that I was a finalist for Best Pet Blog Photo for this year's BlogPaws coveted Nose-to-Nose Awards (for Pet Blogging and Social Media), I swear I had to look at the list about fifty times to make sure that there was no typo.

I will be blogging six years this Fall and for every one of those almost-six-years I hoped that one day I would have the enormous honor of being a finalist, and now, I AM!! 

Me? A Best Photo Finalist? WOW!

The photo that enabled me to experience this immense honor was posted on January 7, 2015 (yep, on a Wordless Wednesday), I decided that it was appropriate to feature it again today, and here it is:

This photo appeared January 7, 2015

I am Verklempt!!!!!**

I know everyone wants Wordless today, so I will wrap this up in a second, but first I want to thank the Judges and BlogPaws for this incredible honor. It means more to me than anyone could possibly imagine. I am full of emotion and my head is spinning.

I want to also thank CODY....without his adorable face and gorgeous eyes, this wouldn't have been possible.

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the other finalists in my category:

Best Pet Blog Photo Finalists:

Ammo the Dachshund

Basil’s Travels

Oh My Shih Tzu

I would also like to congratulate my fellow Cat Bloggers for being finalists.  I greatly love and admire all of their work and am just happy that I am NOT one of the judges, everyone is so deserving!!

Best Cat Blog Finalists:

Chronicles of Zee & Zoey

Cat in the Fridge

Glogirly

Island Cats

There are a number of people whom I adore that are finalists in the other categories as well (too many to list here!) To see a list of the rest of the finalists click here

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL!
EVERYONE IS A WINNER!!

There are so many other blogs that deserve the same honor in all of the categories, and I so wish that everyone could be a finalist.  We all work hard at what we do and I sure wish there was a way to acknowledge everyone....just know that we ALL bring unique talents to the table, each and every one of us are a vital part of the blogging world.  Thank you to ALL of the Pet Blogging Community for the knowledge, laughs, love and caring that you all bring to our lives on your blogs each and every day! 

**Now to go and pull myself together.....(I am verklempt in the BEST possible way!)

I can't wait to see everyone in Nashville!!

NOMS...oh wait not THOSE kind of NOMS! The BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Nominations are open! Please nominate us?

It's that time of year again where bloggers around the world are putting their paws to the keyboard nominating cats, dogs and all other animals to be finalists in the annual BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Awards!

These awards are the ONLY pet blogging awards around the web where you do NOT have to BEG for votes! It is NOT a POPULARITY CONTEST! ANYONE CAN WIN! ANYONE CAN BE NOMINATED!!! You just have to politely ask BEG to be nominated!  That is what I am doing for my Mom and I right now. We have been blogging for four years and have NEVER been finalists! We are making sure that WE return the favor by nominating a VAST ASSORTMENT of kitties AND doggies and other animals around the web to be considered for an award because guess what? You only have to be nominated ONCE to be considered! AND THE COOLEST PART? Because we know that there are LOTS AND LOTS of worthy blogs out there and it is hard to decide who to nominate, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY! You can NOMINATE AS MANY BLOGS AS YOU CHOOSE FOR EACH CATEGORY!!!

Mom and I do our best to provide you with pawesome product reviews/give-aways, informative and entertaining book reviews, hilarious and SOMETIMES attractive photos (yeah, my Mom isn't the best photographer in the world but she tries!!), fun videos, guest bloggers, rescue news/events and so much more! Our mission is to be a well-rounded Cat Blog and we do our best every day to keep you entertained and informed. It would mean the WORLD to us to just ONCE be finalists in whatever category you see fit!

Here is info you will need if you feel we are nomination-worthy and we hope that you do! 

BLOG NAME AND ADDRESS:Cat Chat With Caren And Cody:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/

BLOGGER NAME: Caren Gittleman

BLOGGER EMAIL: cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

LINK TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE:CLICK HERE

LINK TO OUR TWITTER PAGE-https://twitter.com/CatChatCaren


Here are the categories that you can choose from to nominate US and OTHER BLOGGERS and the links to reach them for whatever categories you feel that we and others are worthy of being nominated for:

Here are the links to the nomination forms in the 12 award categories: (we put stars next to the ones that maybe you will consider us for?)

• Best Cause Blog
• Best Dog Blog
• Best Cat Blog--******
• Best Other Pet Blog
• Best New Pet Blog
• Best Humor Blog--****

• Best Blog Post-*****
• Best Design-*****
• Best Pet Blog Photo-******
• Best Pet Blog Video
• Best Pet MicroBlogger
• Best Use of Social Media by a 501(c)3

Nominations are open through Feb. 12!

Here are some links to some of our favorite posts during the past year:

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY: http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/04/its-administrative-professionals-day.html




FORK IT OVER: http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/05/fork-it-over.html

Fork it over!!!

A CRISIS AVERTED:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/05/a-crisis-averted.html



I WANT TO KISS YOUR PAWS:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/06/pet-appreciation-week-i-want-to-kiss.html



CODY AND BOUNTY-THE "QUICKER PICKER-UPPER":http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/06/cody-and-bounty-quicker-picker-uppers.html

"TEARS IN HEAVEN": http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/07/tears-in-heaven.html

VIDEO-HAPPY GOTCHA DAY:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/07/happy-gotcha-day.html

IT'S NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY: http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/07/its-national-cheesecake-day.html

A MESSAGE TO CBS AND TIME WARNER: http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/08/a-message-to-cbs-and-time-warner.html

EDITORIAL LICENSE:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/10/editorial-license-wordless-wednesday.html


CATCH OF THE DAY: http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2013/12/catch-of-day.html





CAT BUSINESS AS USUAL, OR NOT? http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2014/01/cat-business-as-usual-or-not.html

BE A PET BLOGGER IN THE KNOW:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2014/01/be-pet-blogger-in-know-blogpaws.html

CATURDAY ART:http://www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com/2014/01/caturday-art-1.html

While we seriously doubt that we would ever win, we would be INCREDIBLY FLATTERED to just be considered as Finalists. We DEEPLY THANK YOU for considering us and for your nominations!!!

BlogPaws 2013 Nose-to-Nose Social Media and Pet Blogging Awards Are Here!

The BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose awards are here and it is YOUR chance to nominate ALL of the pet blogs/bloggers that you love!

From BlogPaws: The “Nose-to-Nose” Awards is the only awards program in which pet bloggers and microbloggers are judged on their expertise, creativity, and performance in one or more of 12 categories by a panel of distinguished professionals. The BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Awards are not a popularity contest!

Nominations open at 12:00 PM EST on Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 - and close at 3:00 PM EST on Friday, March 8th.

Yep, that's right! You don't have to experience angst wondering who you are going to nominate, you can nominate ALL of your favorites in as many categories as you would like!

As an example, Cody and I have already begun nominating blogs in the categories of:

Best Blog Design

Best Blog Writing

Best Humor Blog

Best Bark Blog

Best Meow Blog

Best Wiggle Blog (for animals other than cats or dogs)

Best New Blog

Best Cause Blog

Best Blog Video

Best Blog Photo

Best Facebook Design

Best Twitter Design

and you know what? There are a number of blogs that we feel are deserving in EACH category and we aren't going to just nominate one per category, we are going to nominate ALL of our faves for EACH category! That way, EVERY FURRY will be considered! How cool is that?

One thing that we love about the Nose-to-Nose awards is that even if you are just nominated ONCE, you are in the running, AND, you CAN NOMINATE YOURSELF!

Every blog that is nominated will be reviewed by the judges panel, but just once.

Please, please nominate ALL of the blogs/bloggers that you love for whatever category!

To read more about the criteria that the judges will be taking into consideration for each category, click here

Now...here is where we have to eat some crow. A while back we blogged about how it was becoming confusing/cumbersome etc. to acknowledge every blogger that blessed us with various small blog awards that travel the net on a daily basis. We mentioned that we are deeply appreciative of the awards we were given by so many of you, YOU are the reason that we are here, but we couldn't devote multiple posts per week to the zillions of small blogging awards being created every day.

 We are HONORED and FLATTERED that so many of you visit us on a regular basis, or even that you visit us at all! That being said, if there was a post that made you smile, a photo that you loved, a book review that inspired you to buy/read a book, a contest that you won, a product that you learned about here or anything else that you loved, that we work painstakingly and with all of our heart to share with you, we would be HONORED if you wish to nominate us for whatever category you see fit.  Well, except best bark blog since this isn't a dog blog! MOL! Our chances of being a finalist or even of gasp, WINNING...are next to none, but it would mean the world to us if we were even to be considered.

Should you wish to nominate us and we THANK YOU if you do, you can click on each category that we mentioned above and it will take you right to the nomination pages.

Here is our info that you will need:

Blog Home Page http://opcatchat.blogspot.com/

Contact Name for Blog Owner: Caren Gittleman

Email for Blog Owner: cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

Twitter Page for Cat Chat: https://twitter.com/CatChatCaren

Cat Chat With Caren & Cody On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cat-Chat-With-Caren-Cody/208923585790514?fref=ts

Now, Cody and I are off to do some more nominating for other deserving blogs/bloggers ourselves!!

Good luck to all!!

A Sleep Deprived Rant: "Sweetness" Overload and the TRUTH about Blogging Awards

Hi and happy Thursday Fursday everyone! It's Cody at the helm, and here I am again with some greatly overdue thank yous for some awards that I received!

In a purrfect world, it is always nice to be acknowledged and appreciated.  An award from my blogging buddies here and there is a GREAT and FUN thing.  It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy,
  if I'm feeling fuzzy I better be Furminated and quick!

But this is CODY'S WORLD, and I am known for saying what you REALLY ARE THINKING
and  what you WISH you would say, but would NEVER say, because you are TOO NICE to say it!  Guess what? I'm NOT!

How many of you secretly long to admit that after the first few of these, you suddenly feel as if you are in the movie Gremlins because they just WON'T STOP MULTIPLYING??? Just when you thought you had caught up with your thank-yous  .....BOOM! It's the ATTACK OF THE KILLER BLOGGING AWARDS! They are coming out of the woodwork! HHHEEELLLLP!!!!!!

Seriously! We all love getting 'em and we appreciate 'em but it's outta control!

You can't EAT them...

THROW KIBBLE OR MONEY PLEASE!!!

Anyway...back to my previously scheduled awards:

Technically the awards are supposed to be for Mom AND I, but since they pertain to sugar, not as in "gimme  some sugah"...but as in "ohhh you are as sweet as SUGAR",
 I  KNOW they are talking about MOI!  NOT! But let's pretend that they ARE referencing MOI!

The first award is super easy because I don't think it has ANY requirements other than to pass it on to five other bloggers. That award is the:

I was given this award by April over at:

THE TEACHER'S PETS

THANK YOU APRIL!

I think you are pretty darned sweet too!

Sadly, the next award we received DOES come with  obligations. I must answer some questions, but first, let me tell you what the award is. It is the:

SUPER SWEET BLOGGING AWARD

Anyway, I was honored to 

receive this award from 

Sheba of 

SHEBA'S LIFE STORY

bet ya didn't know 

that Sheba has a kitty brother named

CODY!!

 Pretty darned cool!

I also received the same award from

another great blog:

DOGSNPAWZ

THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU!!

This award does come with requirements:

you must link to the blog(s) that gave it to you---check!

and...answer the following questions----since I can eat nothing but rabbit, I'm gonna turn this one over to Mom. Take it away Mom!!

1) Cookies or Cake?  You baking?

2) Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla!!

3) Fave Sweet Treat? Coconut Cake

4) When do you crave sweet things?  When DON'T I?

5) If you had a SWEET nickname what would it be?  I can't even answer this one seriously because there is NO WAY that ANYTHING describing me would have a "sweet" connotation.  Let's go with:

DEVIL'S FOOD!

Now, on to the last requirement. I am supposed to pass this on to a "Baker's Dozen" bloggers.

You're nervous, aren't you?

You are scanning the list praying your name isn't here, but at the same time, if it really isn't here you're gonna wonder why, right? Of COURSE I'm right!

Well, it's your lucky day! There is NO LIST!

Do I really want to torment you like that and make YOU jump through hoops?

Of course not! I'm "Sweet", remember?

Now hurry and get outta here while you still have a chance before I change my mind!

Love, Cody 

Friday Fun!! I'm On Fire!!!!!!

Photo created by Nellie's Mom
from Cat From Hell

I look pretty scary don't I? Don't be frightened! It's only ME, Cody!! That fiery photo was created for me by Nellie's Mom from Cat From Hell in honor of the:

that they have given me! 

In order to accept this award (which I am honored to receive) I have to tell you 8 unusual things about me. This is gonna be tough!!

1) Hell's Kitchen is one of my favorite shows.

Photo from Wikipedia

2) I have no desire at all to go outside. Mom had tried to take me out on two different occasions. I wanted NO PART of it! With temps over 100 degrees for much of the summer, I am one smart kitty!

3) Mom doesn't like when I walk on the top of our oven. I know I am not permitted to do it, but I can't control myself. All of those wonderful smells just entice me too much! Mom is afraid because we have a ceramic cook top which stays hot for a period of time even when it is turned off. She is afraid I will burn my kitty paws.

4) Speaking of paws, Mom says I use my paws the way people use their hands! She says I am the most tactile cat she has ever met! (Whatever THAT means!)

5) I don't play by myself much. Mom doesn't understand it because she tells me that Grandpa Bobo used to amuse himself for HOURS with various toys. I have TONS of toys, mom says TOO MANY, that I rarely play with. I only like interactive toys, my mice and my 4-legged furry Sheltie toy, my brother, Dakota.

6) I don't mind taking medicine. Mom STILL can't believe it. I occasionally have to take medicine for my allergies and I eagerly take it! Mom sings this silly little song she made up called "It's Medicine Time" trust me it won't be released anytime soon and I come running into the kitchen for my medicine!

7) When watching TV with Mom I will only sit on the arm of the couch and it MUST be on the left side of Mom. I won't sit anywhere else when Mom is watching TV on the couch. Sometimes I will hold her hand with my paw, sometimes I even sit ON HER SHOULDER but I will only sit on her LEFT side.

8) I don't hiss. Not a bit. The FIRST and ONLY time I ever hissed was when Dakota first came to live with us. Of course I had to hiss then, he had to be made aware of just exactly WHO the boss was around here!!! He learned that lesson FAST. I  never had a need to hiss again....my work was done!

Sorry this is so blurry!
It was taken a loooong time ago!

So here we go again, I am offering this award to any kitty who hasn't had it! You're all HOT in my book!

Rabbit-flavored meows,

Cody

We Were Given The Illuminating Blogger Award

Happy Friday all! It's Cody and I am excited to share some flattering news with you! Mom and I were honored to be given another award, this time it is the:

Isn't it nice and shiny? Can't put it on our mantle mostly because we don't HAVE a mantle and even if we did this isn't tangible, but I digress... we can keep it close to our heart and that's what matters most!

We were pleased to be given this fine award from our friends at Twinkletoe Tails, thanks guys!!! One of the requirements of this award is I must tell you an "illuminating" story about myself.....

After careful consideration and a large dose of laziness, I couldn't come up with a thing!! Not even a kibble-sized tidbit. So...in LIGHT of my complete and utter lack of creativity, I have decided to share these with you instead.....photos of ME basking in LIGHT! Now THAT'S "illuminating!!" MOL!

Now...I am  supposed to pass this on to FIVE other kitties that I  would love to hear illuminating stories about, (or you can be lazy like me and just use "illuminating" photos). I normally don't pass these things on, but hey, why should I have all of this FUN by myself?

So...here are just a few of the kitties that I would like to have pawticipate in the fun!!

CAT WISDOM 101

ONE SPOILED CAT

 CAT FROM HELL

CHANCY THE GARDENER

SAVANNAH'S PAW TRACKS


Have a great weekend all!!!!!!


Love, Cody

Thankful Thursday-Candle Lighter Award

This morning I opened up an email from a special blog that I follow, One Spoiled Cat and discovered that I had received a huge honor, I had received an award,  The Candle Lighter Blog Award!

Thank you Sammy!!!!

What touched me the most about this particular award was that it was for bloggers who "light a candle in the darkness with their blog." or who "bring light into the world with their blogs"

THAT, in my opinion is an incredible honor.

I may not be the most knowledgeable, Facebook "liked" or Twitter "followed", technologically savvy, esteemed  or prolific of the cat writers on the web, but to know that Cat Chat made Sammy of One Spoiled Cat smile or brightened his day is the ultimate reward.

My goal when I started Cat Chat back in the Fall of 2009, knowing NOTHING about blogging, was simply to take my love of cats and create a warm and cozy corner where other cat lovers could convene, be made to feel welcome, and share their love of cats with mine through entertaining posts, videos, photos, stories and products.

My "Baby Bobo"

I never set out to be a cat maven, nor do I think that I am. I am merely like many of YOU. I love cats. Plain and simple. I dedicated Cat Chat to my beloved "soul kitty" Bobo...and wanted this blog to also serve as a THANK YOU to him, for the 18 years that he unselfishly gave ME the honor of sharing my life with HIM. For 18 wonderful years HE was the candle that lit MY life. The day he left this earth he took a portion of that light with him that will never be re-lit.

To my Bobo, I THANK YOU. I THANK YOU for your love, your life and for ultimately being the heart of Cat Chat. If you hadn't been on this earth, Cat Chat would never have been possible and I wouldn't have been able to meet so many other wonderful cat lovers such as Sammy and the other individual I am honored to present this award to. THANK YOU.

One cool thing about this award is when it is presented to you, you don't have to do anything. Being the contrary, cantankerous individual that I am, that translated to well of course I am going to give this to another deserving blog, if I HAD to I wouldn't, but tell me I don't have to and it's all systems go!

The handsome "Brian"
he bears a striking resemblance
to Bobo doesn't he?

The blogger/blog I would like to pass this special award on to is Brian from Brian's Home. Brian also has a blog that is a labor of love, his mission in his own words  is to "Adopt Cats, We Deserve It!" From the first day I started to follow Brian's blog there was never a time that I read it that I wasn't touched in some way, either through stories about his own cats, his unselfishness in helping other bloggers and primarily through his mission to help thousands of homeless cats find their furever homes, every day he "brings light into the world through his blog". Brian was the first cat who came into my mind when I was deciding whom to pass this most touching award on to.

To Brian I say, THANK YOU, thank you for your regular visits/comments to Cat Chat and the often hilarious comments that you leave, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO....please accept this award presented to you with love and gratitude, why? Because "YOU DESERVE IT!"

"Easy" And "Awesome" Like Sunday!!

Happy Sunday everyone!  For today's post  I would like to first present you with the "Easy" that this Sunday has to offer:

I remember the first time I read about "Easy Like Sunday" in the blog-o-sphere, it was on the charming and loving blog Brian's Home! From that moment on I was hooked! It is only fitting that today I would post the precious bumper sticker that Cody and I were lucky enough to receive in the mail this week from none other than Brian's Home!

 We are proudly displaying it in our kitchen along with Alex's bumper sticker from Feeling Beachie!

Cody and I love how this bumper sticker made by Build-A-Sign reflects the essence of Brian's blog purrfectly!! Thanks so much to Brian for sending it to us!!

Now.... on to the "Awesome!"

I was stunned and thrilled as I was reading CindyLu's Muse tonight to see she had presented Cat Chat  an award that Cody and I  hadn't received yet:

Wow are Cody and I ever flattered!! Thanks so much to CindyLu'sMuse for presenting this "Awesome" award to Cat Chat!! Cody and I think you are pretty darned "Awesome" yourself!

One of the requirements that I must complete in accepting this reward is to tell 7 things about myself. Last time I mentioned things about me, this time I would like to mention 7 things about Cody!

•  The day I adopted Cody I actually wanted to adopt his sister or his brother but not Cody (yes I am ashamed that that is true!) Wasn't meant to be. His sister and brother didn't like me at all. 
•  Cody is an incredibly friendly cat. He has to greet whomever enters our home and he always walks right up to them to be petted (or ideally given something to eat!)
•  Cody is also quite brave. When someone he doesn't know visits our home, his Sheltie-brother, Dakota, stands BEHIND Cody waiting for Cody's approval of said visitor!
•  Cody can eat his food in less than 30 SECONDS. (Not good!)
•  Cody is an incredibly good brother to Dakota. They play together and kiss each other every day.
•  Cody doesn't like to sleep with my husband and I at night (he is totally different than most cats in that way) He prefers to sleep in the living room with Dakota.
•  Cody helped begin the healing of my aching heart after Bobo had crossed over The Rainbow Bridge. I adopted Cody two weeks after Bobo had passed.  I couldn't bear to live without a cat, and I am convinced that Bobo sent my loving and cuddly Cody to me to help ease my pain.

Another requirement of this award is to present it to 15 blogs that I think are "Awesome". For those of you who follow this blog regularly, you know me well enough to know that I simply cannot choose just 15 blogs that I think are "Awesome". If I follow you and comment on your blog, I already think you are "Awesome", if I didn't, I wouldn't be following you or commenting. It's that easy, that's how I roll. So, if I am a follower of your blog or you see a comment from me in your feed,  please accept this "Awesome"  award "with love, from ME to YOU!!"