Always My Christmas Angel

Truffles rushed off to the Bridge 17 months ago today. I'd like to say that I've reached acceptance of what happened but that's just not the case. Every day that goes by she's on my mind and in my heart. This will be my second Christmas without her, exactly the number of Christmases we got to spend together.

Since her portrait, paw print, and ashes rest on a table in the living room that gets moved to make room for the Christmas tree, I had to find a new spot of honor for her during the holiday season and created this special Christmas memorial area.

At night I turn on the small tree's white lights and my little angel shines like the brightest star in the sky.

4 Reasons Why I Recommend Scoopable Cat Litter (w/$50 Gift Card Giveaway!)

Over the past year we've had the opportunity to try out a few different cat litters. The kitty litter market is ever-expanding, with litters made from a wide variety of materials such as clay, corn, silica gel crystals, recycled paper, wheat, and walnut shells. One thing I'm asked on a regular basis is why I always choose scoopable cat litter.

Growing up my mother always used non-clumping litter, and when our cat Sebastian was diagnosed with kidney disease he was urinating so much it was nearly impossible to keep his litter box clean without completely changing it on a daily basis. Once we made the switch to clumping litter I never looked back.

While everyone has their own personal opinion as to which brand makes the best scoopable cat litter, here are 4 reasons why clumping litter (regardless of the brand) is the only choice for me when I go to the pet store...

1) Ease: A quick clumping cat litter makes scooping much easier because urine is trapped in firm, tight, odor-sealing clumps that are easy to scoop. Clumping litters trap liquids before they seep to the bottom of the box, eliminating wasted time spent chiseling and scraping.

2) Cleanliness: The ability to scoop and remove soiled litter from the box means that the box stays cleaner longer. As soiled litter is removed from the box, it can simply be replenished by adding an equal amount of fresh litter. Cleaning the entire box must still be done at least once a month, but still less often than with a non-clumping litter (usually at least once a week).

3) Economical: While non-clumping litters are much less expensive on store shelves, you still end up going through more litter because during the cleaning process the entire litter pan will need to be dumped. Cats scratch to cover up their business, causing urine-soaked particles of litter to mix with the clean particles of litter, and there's no way to separate the soiled particles from the clean without starting from scratch. Our fastidious felines know there is still urine present, causing "accidents" that aren't really accidents at all...

4) Health Monitoring: So much of what's going on with our cat's health can be observed in their litter pan. Changes to urine output will be picked up on more quickly with clumping litter. For instance, frequent itty bitty clumps can indicate a UTI, larger and more numerous clumps can be an indication of illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid issues. Having gone through all three of these diseases with my previous cats I'm hyper-sensitive about monitoring the quality and quantity of Mudpie's clumps.

Of course as with anything, the #1 determining factor as to which litter you use depends on which one your cat prefers. They do have the final say because it's their potty! Speaking from personal experience, my cats have always preferred non-scented clumping litter, and 95% of the time I'm able to scoop immediately (which they really appreciate). You would never accept using a dirty bathroom, and your cat shouldn't have to either!

Wag.com is the purrfect place to visit for all your litter box needs, and to help you save some money on potty purchases this holiday season we have a $50 gift card from them to give away! To enter simply fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone!

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nakturnal. I am being compensated for featuring this content but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nakturnal is not responsible for the content of this article.

Book Review/Interview: Crime and Catnip by TC LoTempio

While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown.

As Nora and her curious cat Nick pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him...

Over the past two books in this series Nick and Nora have proven themselves to be a crime-solving team to be reckoned with, and with this third and final book everything comes to a head as our questions are finally answered.

The central theme of the series has been the unknown fate of Nick's original owner, PI Nick Atkins. Now museum director Violet Crenshaw has asked Nora to look into the disappearance of her niece, the last case Nick was known to be involved in. Then another mystery presents itself when the event planner for the museum gala Nora is catering is found dead following interesting altercations with a variety of people, and with everyone in costume things become even more complicated.

Why would someone want the young woman dead? Why is Nick (or someone posing as Nick) sending cryptic postcards? And will Nick (the feline PI) be able to save the day once again and break his former owner's secret code? This book is a real brain twister and while it isn't your typical cozy thanks to international intrigue cryptic codes, it's a must read for anyone who has followed Nick and Nora's story from the beginning...and if you haven't, what are you waiting for???

Since Angel Truffles got to interview Nick a couple years ago, Mudpie decided to have a little chat with the real-life cat that inspired the character of Nick, kitty blogger Rocco!

Welcome, Rocco! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start be telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with your human?

Meow, thanks for having me, Mudpie! Well, I was a feisty little kitty in a foster home when my human, Toni (TC) Lotempio saw my photo on Pet Finder. She was looking for a male companion for her recent rescue, MAXX, and thought I would be purr-fect! As it turned out, she was a good judge of kitty character, merow. As she tells it, I was the boss the moment I stepped out of the carrier and raised my paw....

How did you get into blogging?

The Human (as I lovingly refer to TC) thought a blog might be a nice idea, as she'd just self-published some paranormal suspense novels. She thought that a cat doing the interviewing was a different "hook" and, of course, I displayed a natural talent in that area. I like to think of myself as a sort of feline Barbara Walters, but I have heard some folk refer to me as a "ham".

What's your favorite and least favorite part of being a kitty blogger?

My most favorite part is all the wonderful authors I and the human have met over the years. We love them all, and we are constantly looking to promote new authors. (we're still trying to get Nora Roberts and Mary Higgens Clark, too!). Least favorite part? When someone misses a deadline. Fortunately, that doesn't happen too often, merow.

You're the inspiration behind the feline character of Nick in your author's Nick and Nora mystery series. How much of the character is fictionalized and how much is really you?

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, meow! Seriously, about the only thing fictionalized is the Scrabble tile thingy, although I have no doubt that I could spell out words if I had to. I am a rotund sort of fellow, just like Nick, and I do enjoy a good meal - and a good mystery, too!

Tell us about the latest book in the series, Crime and Catnip.

Crime and Catnip is the third in the Nick and Nora series. Nora is asked by the Cruz Museum director to look into the disappearance of her niece, and after doing so, discovers that the niece's disappearance might be tied to another one - that of Nick the cat's former owner, missing PI Nick Atkins. There's missing jewels, Interpol, hidden identities - we've pulled out all the stops on this one.

What's your author working on now?

Right now the human is busy working on her new series for Crooked Lane, the Cat Rescue series. Unfortunately, I'm not the main cat in this one but I understand it's pretty good anyway, LOL. This series centers around Sydney McCall, who left a cushy job in advertising to come back to her hometown of Deer Park North Carolina and help her sister run the local animal shelter First time out while planning a fundraiser, one of the shopkeepers who opposed the idea is found murdered and the local Homicide Detective, who just happens to be Syd's High School crush, suspects Syds sister Kat. Syd gets help from an orange tabby named Toby to solve this one!

In closing, anything else you'd like your legions of fans to know about you?

I myself am always available for interviews, merow! and we cordially invite everyone to check out my blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com where you will find lots of author interviews, giveaways, and news on the Human's latest projects!

We will also be auctioning off an ARC of Purr M for Murder, the first Cat Rescue mystery, this month on Ebay. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the charity, KIDS NEED TO READ, for which I am an honorary spokescat!

About the author: While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – and in Spring 2017, the new CAT RESCUE mysteries from Crooked Lane! She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.tclotempio.com and www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Purchase Links:

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Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, December 9th for your chance to win a papaerback copy of Crime and Catnip. (US entries only please).

Tourwide Giveaway:

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Wordless #SundaySelfie

We're joining our friends at The Cats on My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Too Much Sadness #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

Losing our blogging friends hurts any time of the year, but it seems especially painful before Christmas. Mommy says it can be a really hard time for people too, as they remember loved ones, both 2-legged and 4-legged, that they can no longer celebrate the holiday with.

We told you yesterday about the unexpected passing of Easy Rider, who planned the fun Come Fly With Me Sammy blog hop that we participated in yesterday. Well, after visiting all our blogs, precious little Sammy was helped to the Bridge to join his dear friend. Earlier this week we also lost beautiful Treasure over at Mickey's Musings, and Fiona at The Cat on My Head isn't doing well at all, and she's way too young for all she's having to deal with.

So much heartache at what should be the happiest time of the year. I'm a sad tortie.

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop...

And now our weekly answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader!

Mommy's answers:

1. I have a hard time finding a gift for my dad. He's hopeless. All I ever hear is, "I don't need anything." Christmas isn't about what you need...it's about what you want!

2. I have no problem finding a gift for my mom. We're so much alike all I need to do is buy something that I'd love!

Mudpie's answers:

3. One of the best gifts I ever gave was the gift of ME...what else does Mommy need???

4. One of the best gifts I ever received was my forever home.

Come Fly With Me Sammy...to Vermont!

Meows from Mudpie!

Today we're participating in a fun blog hop hosted by Madi and Easy for my sweet friend Sammy from One Spoiled Cat. Sammy is dealing with the effects of aging and has not felt well for some time. He is purring for a few more good days with his peeps and is hopeful that with his vet's help he can rally a bit. Sammy is known for his Tuesday Teasers, where he posts a photo taken from somewhere around this great big world and then challenge us to guess where the picture was taken. Sammy and his peeps love virtual and real travel.

For this hop we've been asked to find a place in our city, state, country or home that we think Sammy would love to visit. Here's what we picked!

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I live in Vermont, and let's face it, we're known for being a bit weird. There's even a marketing campaign that uses the phrase "Keep Vermont Weird," and it's a title we wear as a badge of honor. (A great article about our beautiful state's quirkiness can be found here.)

But one of the strangest things you'll see in Vermont is right in my town of South Burlington and has become a landmark of sorts...whale tails on the side of Interstate 89 between Exits 12 and 13.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons/Niranjan Arminius

Wait a minute. Sea creatures in New England's only landlocked state???

Actually, it's a statue called "Reverence" created by Jim Sardonis in 1989. The sculpture depicts two tails of whales "diving" into a sea of grass and is meant to symbolize the fragility of the planet. The tails were made from 36 tons of African black granite and stand 12-13 feet tall, and reside on property known as Technology Park where Ben & Jerry's ice cream has its corporate headquarters.

The sculpture is on the cover of at least two books, Weird New England by Joseph A. Citro and the art history textbook A World of Art by Henry Sayre.

Whaddya think, Sammy? Wanna come see the whale tails in purrson?

Note from Mommy:

One of the hosts of this fun hop, Easy Rider, had to unexpectedly go the Bridge shortly after planning this event. We didn't know Easy well but did know what a beloved part of the pet blogosphere he was. Life can change in a heartbeat. After losing Truffles within the span of 2 hours I know that all too well. My heart is breaking for his family because I remember the shock of losing a pet so tragically and suddenly.

Over the River & Through the Woods to Grandma Lucy's House We Go #Giveaway

Meows from Mudpie!

Isn't "Grandma" one of the nicest words in the English language? It just evokes coziness, comfort, warmth and love. I adore my Grandma and am so thankful that I get to spend time with her every day.

I recently received an email from another Grandma, Grandma Lucy, asking if I'd like to try out some samples and host a giveaway of her line of cat products, and seeing as how it's the season of giving, I was happy to say yes!

Grandma Lucy’s goal has always been a basic one – to make pure and simple pet food products. They do things the same way you would if you had the time to cook for your pet, using only the finest, all-natural ingredients and nothing else. Since the company’s inception in 1999, Grandma Lucy’s has been family owned and operated while being proudly made in the USA. They've had no recalls in the 16 years they've been in business! (How many companies can say that?)

Grandma Lucy's line of cat products includes their Artisan™ Chicken & Fish freeze-dried food made with USDA Alaskan pollock (just add water!), single protein treats for both cats and dogs in 4 flavors (chicken, liver, whitefish, and tuna), and Simple Remedy, an easy-on-the-stomach meal replacement which contains just chicken breast and plain white rice, making it purrfect for upset tummies.

I'm enjoying the sample packets of the Artisan food that I received. The package gives instructions on how to rehydrate the food but since I like my food super juicy Mommy has been adding more water than suggested for extra mushiness. I'm not a huge fan of freeze-dried treats of any kind, but I think my friends at our local shelter will love the single ingredient treats. The bags are big enough that everyone should be able to enjoy a taste or two!

Speaking of shelters, Grandma Lucy’s also gives back to help pets in need by partnering with rescues and charities nationwide through the #ProjectPetRAK program. For every Random Act of Kindness (RAK) people complete benefiting pets, they donate a pound of food to their current monthly partner. More information on how to get involved with #ProjectPetRAK and nominate your own favorite shelter to receive a donation can be found here.

Grandma Lucy, thanks so much for the tasty treats and please be careful when you head outside this holiday season. I keep hearing on the radio that there's this crazy band of rogue reindeer out to run Grandmas over with their sleigh. I've told mine to stay safely inside until Christmas is over (although Mommy says people are in more danger of being run over by crazy shoppers than reindeer!)

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Grandma Lucy's has generously allowed us to give away a prize package containing samples of their Artisan food and a bag of whitefish treats to one lucky reader in the US! To enter simply fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Good luck everyone!

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Grandma Lucy's. I am being compensated for reviewing this product but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Grandma Lucy's is not responsible for the content of this article.