A Monday Memory: Our Friend Spitty the Kitty

 Yesterday while reading blogs, I saw a post from Cody's old pal Spitty the Kitty and stopped by to leave a comment. Nearly 5 minutes after leaving the comment I found out on Facebook that handsome Spitty had run off to the Bridge. My heart shattered into a catzillion pieces.

While Spitty lived a long and good life, (he was 17 when he left), my heart ached because another blogging legend had left for the Bridge.

Cody knew Spitty (as many of you did), for a looong time! He and Spitty's Mama used to banter about their sports teams, Cody was Spitty's Secret Paws one year and the "Prince Bed" that we had bought for Cody (because he was the cat formerly known as Prince), was first seen on Spitty's blog. Then Cody blogged about the bed on his blog.

In loving memory of our dear furiend,  Cody messaged me from Heaven and told me he would appreciate it if I would share two blog posts from the Fall of 2012 that featured his pal Spitty and Spitty's sweet Mama. One post is from October 29th 2012 (NEARLY NINE YEARS AGO!) that is below 

Spitty,

Concatulations....

the best team won.

I'll have my pawson

contact your

pawson

just give me a moment....

Heart-broken In Detroit,

Cody

And another from from November 14, 2012,

A GentleWOMAN AND A Scholar! "Wordy" Wednesday

Many of you will recall that a few weeks back, my baseball team, The Detroit Tigers, was competing in the World Series with the San Francisco Giants, which happens to be the baseball team of my buddy:

SPITTY

Click here to visit Spitty's blog

Spitty's human and my Mom made a bet. The loser had to buy the winner a special surprise that was tied to their "home" city.

Much to our dismay and embarrassment, the Tigers were swept like yesterday's litter and the San Francisco Giants won the World Series. Thanks to Spitty's Mom for forcing us to relive the debacle by blogging about it...AGAIN MOL.

In an attempt to not be a sore loser, which we all know that Mom really IS, Mom sent Spitty's human a delectable treat from one of Detroit's finest, Sanders Fine Chocolates!  Mom sent the :

TOPPING AND TORTIE GIFT BAG

Photo courtesy of Sanders
Click here to visit them

Oh and noooo...the gift bag didn't contain a "Tortie" in the sense that WE kitties know "TORTIES"! There was NO cat in the bag! Mom sent the peanut, chocolate and caramel delight that we all know and love, along with a jar of Sanders famous Milk Chocolate Hot Fudge!

Mom and I were thrilled that Spitty's human enjoyed her treats! Mom thought it was all over and done with when...what did Mom receive today? Let me show you!

A beautifully wrapped package arrived!

From San Francisco!

Mom wondered

what in the world it could be!

Spitty's human  wrote

a most thoughtful note!!

Then Mom opened the package:

Spitty's human had sent the most WONDERFUL magnets that feature the art of Richard Diebenkorn, who grew up in San Francisco. Mom also received a gorgeous set of postcards that feature the artists Matisse and Picasso! They are from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Click here to read about the museum.

Mom was incredibly touched by the thoughtfulness of  Spitty's human, but she was also a tad embarrassed. To represent Detroit, Mom sends calorie-laden treats, well Detroit IS one of the fattest cities in the country, now we know why and Spitty's human sends culture, sophistication and intellect to represent San Franciso...all wrapped beautifully in a box!

Spitty's human said it was "one of her favorite spots."

Hmmm...I think there is a deeper message here. Spitty's human is the epitome of culture, class, brains and sophistication and she portrayed San Francisco as such.

My Mom chooses a gift to represent Detroit that is chocolate-caramel-and -nut-laden.  Mom's gift infers that  she  spends her days sitting on her fat-behind trolling the Internet while shoving bon-bons down her throat, while Spitty's human is soaking up art and culture. Mom chooses a gift that says that HER "favorite spot" is a friggin CANDY SHOP!!   If her gift is a representation of Detroit, NO WONDER WE LOST! 

THANK YOU SPITTY'S HUMAN!!

YOU WIN YET AGAIN!

Love, Cody

These posts made me smile in spite of my sadness that yet another blogging legend has run off to the Bridge, because they brought back sweet memories of  Cody and one of his favorite blogging pals, Spitty. I sure hope that you enjoyed the posts too. 

May you rest in peace dear furiend and please take care of my Codester  at the Bridge, ok? Love you  always Spitty and I will never, ever forget you! Sending tons of love and my deepest sympathy to your Mama as well. You had one of the biggest "catitudes" ever dear Spitty, but you also had a heart of gold. xoxoxo You will be forever missed. 

Moochy Monday

Don't feel sorry for Cody!!! He had a few pieces of chicken in the kitchen before these photos were taken. I was working on the computer eating my OWN chicken when I looked over and saw Cody had appeared on the chair next to me.  Rest assured he DID have chicken!!

We are happy to FINALLY be remembering to participate in the:

Blog Hop hosted by our dear furiend Sandee at Comedy Plus!!! Head over and visit all of the other cute posts there!

Happy Birthday to MY Cat Daddy!!!

Dad,

Mom may have been the one who found me,

but it is YOU who has a major love affair with me.

I wake you up at the butt-crack of dawn,

whining and meowing you know you are my pawn.

You love me so much it's plain to see,

that my kitty cuteness has you overwhelmed with glee.

Our morning ritual is unsurpassed,

I lay on the chair in the kitchen and show you my belly ass.

You know how to pet me just right,

you give me tons of treats throughout the day and the night.

It is easy for every one to see, that your "main squeeze"

isn't Mom or Dakota.....

IT'S ME!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

Remember, today we fawn over you

but tomorrow it's back to fawning over ME!!

Love, Cody

Answer Your Cat's Questions Day

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: So far, this seems to be the "week of the flashback"...why? Well, we just happen to like yesterday's post from last year and today's post from last year as well. Since sometimes people don't see our blogs for whatever reason, we are repeating another post from last year today. Why? "Because we LIKE it!!" 

Hi all, it's Cody and today is  Answer Your Cat's Questions Day. Seriously? You are kidding, right? 

I'm going to ask YOU, a mere human for answers to questions?

Think again.

Let me put it to you this way dear humans, YOU find me an ANSWER as to why there are so many cats who are homeless and YOU find a SOLUTION to the problem, and then....MAYBE....JUST THEN....I will trust your "wisdom" enough to even bother asking YOU questions.

In the meantime, don't waste my time........or that of my fellow felines.

Allow us to just be the sagacious beings that we are,  without bothering us, thank you very much.

Sagaciously Yours,

Cody

Clean Off Your Desk Day

Hi furiends!! A year ago I posted the following blog post for National Clean Off Your Desk Day to show my Mom's disgusting work area.  At the end of this post I will share two photos to see if things have changed:

FROM 2018

Blogging Cat Wants to know: How Messy Is YOUR Desk?

Hi all it's Cody! Today I am so upset that I could just hiss!  Today is  Clean Off Your Desk Day.  It is a day where humans are supposed to get rid of all unnecessary clutter on their desks!!

I think a certain someone in MY house named "Mom" did NOT get the memo.  Dad and I are aggravated! Believe it or not, Mom and I HAVE an "office"....Dad keeps threatening to take it over, but Mom won't hear of it. It doesn't make sense because she NEVER uses it!

Ok, our office isn't   the best looking, it isn't modern, hip and happening, but it is FULL of all sorts of things that Mom loves and many that I love too!!!

Now...Mom hasn't worked in this office in so long that I probably cannot count that high. Instead, Mom has chosen to turn the dining room table into her "office." Furiends, I am telling you it is a DISASTER!!

Whenever I mention to Mom that WE need to get BACK in our office she tells me that she prefers the dining room table because she can see the TV AND it is close to the kitchen, (yeah, ok, we live in a mansion, NOT!!!  ANY room is close to the kitchen, and last time I looked, Mom needs to STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN, unless of course, she is feeding ME!!)

When I mentioned to Mom that I am TRYING to understand her illogical reasoning, I start pleading with her to  at LEAST clean the dining room table  up, she just refers me to these fun photos she found on Pinterest to support her argument that HER desk dining room table,  is FINE!!

From Pinterest

From Pinterest

From Pinterest

From Pinterest

From Pinterest

Ok Mom keep telling yourself that. Now, I am going to share the messy desk dining room table that YOU think is BETTER and we will have our furiends decide! Here you go, here is where Mom works (and where she forces ME to work too!)

I am thoroughly disgusted by that photo! So much so, that I had Mom take a quiz to PROVE to her that her mess is OUT OF CONTROL!!! Here are her results:

You haven’t seen your desktop in months and your workspace could use some TLC. Start by removing any unnecessary wrappers, papers and trash. Add an air freshener to get rid of foul smells. Label drawers and cabinets to help you stay organized. Consider relocating that old printer or bookcase that is rarely used, in exchange for a closed storage cabinet.



I rest my case! Now furiends do you think I should be subjected to working surrounded by junk, or in our designated office space as shown below

Let me know furiends, also, what is the area where YOU work like? Is it messy or tidy? This kitty wants to know!!!

In the meantime, I had better NOT let Mom see this!!

From Pinterest

 HERE ARE THE PHOTOS FROM JANUARY 2019......

Ok, so I will say it is maybe one teeny-tiny bit better than it was in 2018........but....did you notice the same jacket is STILL on the chair?????? Ok, so Mom HAS worn it since the original blog post was written, but seriously....use the closet Mom!!!!! And....move your rotund behind back into your office (which by the way furiends, happens to be a MESS right now! My cat toys are everywhere!)  It's appalling, simply appalling.
Love,
Cody

Our 9th Blogoversary! (Thankful Thursday)

On October 25, 2009 our blog was born!! Here is the link to our first blog post. We didn't have the room to post a photo for every year, so we just picked a few.

Many of you have been with us since we began in 2009! We thank you and are grateful for the many friends we have made through the years.

It's been a wild and wacky ride! If we have made you smile even just once, then that has made it all worth while.

Thank you for the kindness you have shown Cody and I through the years, and thank you for caring about my boy!

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day: Honoring My "Baby Bobo"

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

Deb Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (RBRD) in 2015 as a special day for pet guardians to honor the memory of those beloved pets in their life they have loved and lost, but never forgotten – whether fur, fin, feathers, scales or something else. It’s held every year on August 28, in honor of the day Deb had to say goodbye to her  precious Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, the meow author of Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond.  Be sure to share your posts, photos, videos, etc. on Facebook too by clicking this link.

My "Baby Bobo"

In order to not make this post overly "photo heavy" I have created three collages to honor my beloved Bobo whom I was blessed to share my life with from December 1989 until July 2, 2007.

Bobo was found as a stray in sub-zero temperatures when he was approximately six months old. He spent every day of his life showing me his gratitude for having rescued him, and more unconditional love and devotion than I ever thought could exist. His life cannot accurately be portrayed in a mere three collages, but that is all I can do for now. Many of the photos I am sharing with you today,  you have not seen, (I apologize for their poor quality, but they were taken before the days of cell phones and blogging), and I will offer some explanation of the photos. Please join me in remembering my beloved Bobo with all of my love and with a heart that still breaks and grieves when I gaze upon his photos and share these memories.

In this collage you will see in the top left some of Bobo's favorite toys that I cannot bring myself to part with, nor do I ever allow Cody to play with them. The photo on the top left shows them in the bag in which they are stored, in the bottom photo you see his "kitty" that he slept with every day, his stuffed woofie, a mouse, two balls and his catnip pillow with a picture of a kitty that looked so much like him.

In the photo on the top right, are his last bowls that are kept in a trunk for safe-keeping. I have never let Cody use them. They were Bobo's and as much as I love Cody, I never could bring myself to allow him to use these bowls.

This collage is rather eerie when you hear a story that accompanies it. First, why in the world I bought my mancat a PINK carrier is beyond me! For the life of me I have no idea why I did that!

The bottom left photo shows my maiden name with Bobo's name on top of the carrier, all ready for for trips to the vet. The photo on the right is my Bobo sitting on TOP of his carrier which he used to do ALL of the time!

The photo on the top left is a photo of the  carrier as it looks today.  I keep it in the closet of my office, everything in it is exactly as it was since the day he crossed the bridge.I haven't changed or touched a thing. I sometimes think I should dispose of it, but I can't. It will be with me always.

What is eerie is one day I couldn't find Cody. I searched everywhere, and when I finally found him I found him IN the closet, IN Bobo's carrier. He had opened the door, crept in, and it has now become  one of his favorite sleeping spots. He does this nearly EVERY DAY.  I like to think that on some level he and Bobo are communicating, and I am convinced that they are. How and why Cody ever discovered this in the closet, I have no idea. For some reason it brings Cody happiness and comfort to sleep there, and it makes me happy that he does it.

I leave you with a photo of Bobo on the top left in his eating area when we moved to Michigan in 2001. 

The other photos show him on the couch that was Lenny's before we were married. There is a photo on the top right of Lenny and Bobo. Lenny didn't meet Bobo until he was 12 years old and had already slowed down considerably, but they were blessed to have six years together. Sadly, that is the same couch that the Vet helped him cross the Bridge on and we no longer have it. I just couldn't keep it, it caused me enormous pain every time I looked at it.

Painting of Bobo by Becart

I used to think Bobo's markings were so unique until I saw a number of cats in the blogosphere who looked so much like him it was uncanny! I adored his perfect four white paws and his "bib", he was such a handsome boy.

He wasn't a people cat as Cody is, I often wondered what Bobo experienced in the months before he found me. He didn't like strangers, he was a much more fearful cat than Cody (who is fearless), but he had a sensitivity and a remarkable way of being attuned to every nuance of my being that was something that isn't experienced often in ones' lifetime. When I hurt, he hurt, and vice versa.

The Rainbow Bridge poem was given to me by a friend when Bobo passed. I keep it in a frame in my office, where it still brings me comfort.

I didn't intend for this post to be quite this long, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I also would like to thank Deb Barnes for creating this wonderful event.

I send my love to each and every one of you, and look forward to reading your stories and seeing your photos of those "who came before." May we all derive some comfort from these posts. 

Plea from the Cat: "Don't believe FAKE News from the Pet Sitter!!"

Last weekend my husband and I were attending a beautiful family wedding in Chicago. My dearest friend, Cheryl was pet sitting for Cody and Dakota as she has MANY times before, and she ALWAYS does a SUPERB job (Cody would disagree but she did a great job this time as well and we are blessed to have her!!) Saturday morning I called home to see how everything was going, and the second I heard Cheryl's voice I knew immediately that she was NOT happy.

The main NEWS was that Cody woke her up at FOUR IN THE MORNING. (In defense of Cody, that is my husband's fault entirely. When he substitute teaches he gets up at 4 am and feeds the boys. Yes, it is summer, and my husband doesn't substitute teach in the summer,  but because he is kind a pushover, Cody continues to wake him up at 4 am and my husband willingly feeds him then. How I don't always hear Cody is beyond me, but the times that I DO hear him he IS particularly insistent and his meow is UNREAL, Cheryl said she thought a screaming infant was in our home!)

The main problem is Cheryl had taken a muscle relaxer for an issue she was having, and was looking forward to sleeping in. In Cody's world, sleeping in IS NOT AN OPTION!!!

Cody is also used to receiving a number of snacks in the evening, (which are also my husband's fault!). When Cheryl didn't comply with Cody's self-imposed feeding schedule, or if she wasn't serving up food and/or treats with the speed that Cody felt that she should, he proceeded to knock a number of her personal items (which included her prescription glasses),  off of the dining room table. Cheryl said that virtually EVERY SINGLE TIME she approached the kitchen at ANY TIME of the day or night, Cody went in and sat by his bowl. He was relentless!!

When my husband and I returned home we found this note:

"Hi Caren and Lenny,
Everything went better (than the first night). Cody was a little mad at me because I wouldn't give him a bunch of food.  He will tell you I was mean but I wasn't LOL. Hope you had a good time, Dakota was awesome, he didn't complain at all. He was a trooper. Love, Cheryl"

CODY'S REBUTTAL: "I was a "little" mad? I was ENRAGED! I am used to my evening snack starting at 10 pm and the snacks continue every 15 minutes after that until 11 pm. OF COURSE "Sheltie Boy" was a trooper and didn't complain. He kisses up to everyone. I don't kiss up because I don't have to! I did tell Mom and Dad you were mean because when Mom and Dad are here I RULE. I love you Cheryl and so does Mom and Dad and Dakota, but YOU need to realize who is boss around here! I was simply doing what any self-respecting kitty would do. I RULE THIS HOUSE AND YOU NEED TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM!! "

Cat Book Winner: Cat Book: "Age Happens GARFIELD Hits The Big 4-0" By Jim Davis

Thanks to all who entered our give-away for:

HUGE CONCATULATIONS

TO THE LUCKY WINNER(s)

LISTED BELOW!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR BLOG

Now this makes me happy! I don't think the kitties at Lone Star Cats have EVER won one of our give-aways!! I entered the comments into random.org and the first one selected was "Number 1" and they were the FIRST comment!!!! If they see this, please email me at cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com with your complete mailing address. You are going to LOVE this book!!! 

Cat World Domination Day and My Pawrents Anniversary!

Hi every furry it's Cody!! Today is a most impawtant day, today is:

Click to visit the blogthere is a give-away there!

Cat World Domination Day was started by my beautiful and brilliant furiend, Sparkle Cat, it began, I think, SIX years ago on what was then her 10th birthday. Sadly, Sparkle is no longer with us, but her wisdom lives on!! The gorgeous "Summer" is now handling all of the festivities, and while she had some major paws to fill, she has been doing a stellar job!

As anyone with half a brain knows, even in "bi-petual" households it's CATS who RULE!! We may not overtly appear to be ruling, but trust me, we ARE!

What is my favorite way to rule those around me?

Well, let me dust off this baby from my archives

and you will see!

Any Questions?
No? Good!
smart move!

Leave a comment
and tell me how
YOU DOMINATE!

Today is also ANOTHER
SPECIAL DAY!

I also would like to wish my pawrents a most HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!! Little did they know when they got married on June 24, 2006 that they would end up sharing their day with CAT WORLD DOMINATION DAY! I say it's as it SHOULD be, don't you agree?

Love you Mom and Dad!
 Happy Anniversary!!
(those photos above are OLD!)
Being married has caused Mom's hair
to be totally white now! MOL!

Friday Fun! OurPets Twirl & Whirl Electronic Spinning Interactive Cat Toy !

Hi my kitty furiends!! It's Cody, and today I am taking over the blog because instead of having Mom present the OurPets Twirl & Whirl Electronic Spinning Interactive Cat Toy, I think it is ME who should be featuring it. Why? Because  I think this toy would be EXTRA fun for  younger kitties and I wanted to tell them all about it myself!

Now, here is the story, the OurPets Twirl & Whirl is a scratching post or cat tree attachment that was created to bring out our hunter instinct! One important point is it was primarily created to be used on a SISAL scratching post.  Why Sisal? Because for kitties who like to scratch it gives them a place to scratch where they are ALLOWED to scratch,   (rather than scratching chairs, sofas, etc.). Your favorite scratching spot becomes action packed play! You can scratch, bat and claw to your heart's content without hearing "NO!!!" Sisal is super "scratchable". Mom prefers it rather than a carpeted cat tree because carpet on a tree (in her opinion) can lead to scratching the regular carpet. (Once again, that is just Mom's opinion.)

Now, remember when I mentioned sisal above? Well, I no longer have a sisal scratching post because even though I have claws, I'm not really a scratchin' kind of a guy. So Mom first tried this on my normal cat tree. and......after not using a Sisal post she did another wrong thing, she installed it UPSIDE DOWN!

MOM: "Actually no Cody. I thought so at first too, but then when I read the instructions (which is the HELPFUL thing to do) I read that it can be installed with the feather pointing either UP or DOWN, which is what I did. So there! You were intrigued by it BOTH WAYS Mr. Smarty Fur!"

In the top photo on the left it shows that when you press the little button (the toy requires 2 AAA batteries which are not included) the feather moves in an unpredictable way. It spins, and entices, just what kitties like! It's like their prey!

Ok kitties, then, Mom decided to attach the OurPets Twirl & Whirl Electronic Spinning Interactive Cat Toy on my other cat tree which is located in Mom and Dad's bedroom. This time, she attached it CORRECTLY (there is one Sisal Post on that cat tree and Mom tried it on one with Sisal and one without)

CODY: "Mom!! Take a look at these photos! These don't show the sisal post!"

MOM: "Relax Cody, the sisal post is in the back of the tree so it was harder for you to access, that is why I did it this way. Truth be told, you actually seemed to have preferred it on your other tree, facing in the opposite direction, so...the box was right! You can use it BOTH WAYS!!

But, if it will make you happy, let's share a video from OurPets that shows grateful, FUN kitties that are enjoying this clever toy!"

MOM: "Um, Cody, did you notice in the video that the cat tree does NOT  have a Sisal scratching post? AND...those kitties are REALLY enjoying themselves! I will have to agree with you though, that they seem like younger kitties and not an 11 year old lazy you-know-what.  I think those kitties appreciate the toys they have. See Cody, you DID need my help with this review after all! "

CODY:  "Chill Mom, isn't there a dog that lives here that you have to go and bug instead of me? I have to tell my furiends something special!!"

There is A Special Rebate

 for our Readers!!

Purchase an OurPets electronic cat toy from a PetSmart retail store, (offer is not valid for online purchases), click on the link below to fill out the form, and receive a $5 rebate gift card to PetSmart. The rebate will apply for ALL of the OurPets toys that we feature on our blog!! Here are the links to the toys that we have featured so far:

Mouse In A Pouch
Bird In A Cage

 CLICK HERE TO REDEEM YOUR REBATE!

About OurPets® 

The OurPets® Brand offers product lines that feature a variety of premium and innovative toys, accessories, feeding solutions, and waste management solutions specially designed to awaken a pet’s natural instincts. Available exclusively at pet specialty retailers, no other brand offers products specifically designed to foster a healthy relationship between pets and their parents.

Get Social with OurPets®

 

Facebook 

Twitter 

Instagram 

 This post is sponsored by OurPets® . I received the OurPets Twirl & Whirl Electronic Spinning Interactive Cat Toy, batteries,  as well as compensation for featuring this content , but Cody and I only share information we feel is of interest to our readers. I do NOT receive any sort of commission by you, my readers using the rebate link, that is a treat for all of YOU!