When my sister and I were young, our parents took us on vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our seal point Siamese, who only ever really loved my mother, was along for the ride. It was a hot August day, with the Valiant rolling down the eastern seaboard headed for Nag’s Head. Dad was driving with sis behind him. Sandy’s litter box was below her feet, which barely dangled over the edge in their beat-up navy Keds

The windows were open, pre-air conditioning, and we were relatively quiet, given our years and tendency to squabble. Then Heather dropped her doll. And the whining—which my usually patient father abhorred—began. With one arm on the wheel he reached behind him with the other and felt around in the box for the soft doll—when he finally snagged her, he tossed her to my sister and tugged his arm out of the too small space between the door and his seat back. He reached up and wiped the sweat from his forehead and then gasped. My mother realized what had happened and started to laugh. She was laughing so hard it surprised both of us!

“Knock it off Shirley and find me a tissue!”

Dad had smeared cat poo on his forehead while driving down I-95 in August. And my mother was laughing too hard to see into the depths of her handbag for a now priceless used Kleenex. Did I mention Sandy only ever really loved Mom?

–Sybil McGuire

Cat Travels!

This story involves not only a funny cat tale, but cat litter as well.

Some twenty years ago my cat Tosh and I found our selves on a relocation road trip from AR to NM. Not giving the litter box thing much thought. I just put him and his box in the back of the old S-10 Blazer. I figured he could just use it at his leisure. About half way into the trip I noticed he had not used the box at all. He just slept. No big deal, he must have a strong bladder. But that soon changed. Half way across Texas he started wandering around the truck. Into the box, out of the box, into the box, out of the box. As we approached the NM state line I realized I had to do something for my now frantic, panic stricken cat. Suddenly I see a rest area. “Perfect” I think to myself, what could be better, New Mexico has sand for miles, the litter box of the world. But NOOOOO! After finding what I thought would be the perfect spot, all he did was dig and cry dig and cry. Left with no option I had to find a way for him to use his box in somewhat familiar surroundings. Eureka, the Men’s room. With the litter box in one hand and him in the other we made the mad dash up to the facilities. Soon we were inside. Relief at last! Oh but it gets better, just as I was watching him gleefully relieving himself I hear A very perturbed, very Female voice say to me. “Excuse me sir, but I think you and your cat are in the wrong rest room. In my panic at 3:00 am, I failed to notice the sign on the door and the lack of urinals on the walls. She just watched with her hands on her hips as we apologetically slipped off into the weeee hours of the morning.

– Walter

Let me introduce the kitty mafia that runs my house – Fat Lenny the brains behind the operation, Indigo the lackey and muscle, Sherwin aka the Water Boy who guards the fountain and Wonton the youngest looking to be a made kitty. The mafia kitties are a sneaky group who like to rub their escapades in your face. I never actually saw this happen only the aftermath so you can use your imagination. One morning I open my bedroom door to find an empty 3 lb bag of food in the hallway. You know how they draw dynamite explosions? That is what the bag looked like. It was essentially turned in to a giant bowl. I imagine the scene went something like this… Lenny is perched on his ottoman while the other 3 look up at him. He declares that they have gone much too long without a heist and he has the perfect plan. “I will open the cupboard where she hides the food. Indigo and Water Boy you drag it into our room and make sure it is out of site. Wonton you listen at her door and give us the signal if you hear her coming. Once the mission is complete … WE FEAST!” A few days later when the bag has been eaten Lenny says, “Let’s put this by her door and see if we can get a refill.” Not this time boys we are going on a diet! Ha-ha I usually get the last laugh.

–Brooke

Congratulations to our top three stories! We hope that everyone enjoys them as much as we did. For those that won please get in touch with us by emailing Drew at drewwbcl@gmail.com. He will take care of getting you your awesome purr-rize! Also, if you can send him a photo of that cat or people featured in your story he will include it in next month’s newsletter!

Best,
– World’s Best Cat Litter™

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What a great month! We hope you had as much fun in November as we did! As you know, we have been sharing the “Best of Cats on the Internet” at the beginning of every month. We hope everyone has enjoyed these posts so far and that they have helped bring you up to speed on the latest and greatest involving cats on the Internet! With that said, did you get a chance to see our post last month? If not, you might want to catch up on all of the great stuff from Catober!

Ok folks, it is time to get down to serious business! Here we go again!

Kitty Cat Video Corner:

Office Cat Answers the Phone – Ring, ring!
Do you ever leave your house afraid you are going to miss an important phone call? Maybe you should think about hiring this cat to be your secretary, LOL!

Cat Playing “I Spy”
Cats playing “I Spy” … does it get better than that? Check out this handy camera work by Andrew G! This funny cat video has gotten over 70,000 views since its release just a few short weeks ago.

Best of the Cat Blogosphere!

November 20
Congratulations to the crew over at The Monkeys blog for welcoming a new furriend into the house! Samson and Delilah, we hope things are going better than your first meeting with Sweet Pea. You didn’t look to happy with her in your first few days together! We hope that you have gotten to know her better and are all getting along now:)

November 29
Do you own a senior cat? Want a chance to win a 6 month supply of World’s Best Cat Litter™? World’s Best Cat Litter™ is happy to be working with OldCatsRule and to be involved in a great contest on Facebook involving senior cats. To learn more about the contest, please read our recent blog post or visit our friends and furriends over at OldCatsRule for all the details!

November 30
World’s Best Cat Litter™ on Sumac Stories blog! Did you get a chance to see what the cats over at Sumac Stories thought about our cat litter? We were happy to hear they enjoyed the litter and that it delivered on their expectations. We also chuckled when we read about how pretty they thought the litter was and their comment about feeling bad about messing it up, LOL!

Tips, Tricks and General Info

November 16
Morris Animal Foundation commits $13 million to pet health studies for cats, dogs and other species! Big news! Over 23 feline health studies will take place in 2010 to help better understand diseases, conditions and general health issues commonly found within cats. This is great news for all cat owners as these studies will provide more information and insight on how to help cats when different health issues arise.

November 20
Did you read the great article on “Pet-Friendly Hotels” written by Lynn O’Rourke Hayes? Whether you have a trip lined up for the near future or are looking to plan an upcoming vacation, we recommend getting up to speed on all the hotels and lodging establishments offering pet-friendly accommodations!

November 21
Train your cat? Did you know that cats are trainable? Check out this great article on how cats are trainable and what shelters like the Michigan Humane Society are doing with programs like the “Pawsitive Start Program” for their cats. Check out this picture of a cat giving a high-five to his trainer!

Alright gang, I think that’s all we have for now. We have a big Holiday and fun-filled month ahead of us. If you happen to come across a great video, blog post, or something downright entertaining over the next month please feel free to share it with us!

Very Best,
– World’s Best Cat Litter™

An increasing number of lodging establishments are gaining guest loyalty by throwing a bone to Bob or a sardine to Sally.

We’re not talking about the aging uncle or the difficult, distant cousin.

Rather, the focus is on our beloved pets; those fast friends who, recent research shows, are often more treasured companions than their human alternative. And hotel owners everywhere are finding there’s nothing too good for Bob and Sally.

Red carpet treatment. Hotels and resorts are not only posting a welcome sign for your four-legged friends, they are going out of their way to ensure your pet is comfortable and cozy. Upscale hotel chains like Loews Hotels and Starwood’s W Hotels, have expanded their system-wide commitments to include guests’ furry companions. With perks ranging from toys at check-in to doggie or kitty turndown service, pets have plenty to wiggle their tails about.

Global programs. International chains like Best Western, Choice Hotels and Marriott have made offering pet friendly hotels a priority across the country and around the world.

First In. One of the earliest adopters of the pet-friendly phenomenon, the Cypress Inn, is in the pet-friendly enclave of Carmel, Calif. Owned by actress and animal advocate Doris Day, the Mediterranean-style establishment is a short stroll from the beach and offers pet sitting, plus suggestions for outings with your four-legged friends. Up to three pets are welcome. No doubt Ms. Day, the iconic pet lover, would be proud to see how the industry has changed to welcome pets of all shapes and sizes.

On the web. Websites like PetsWelcome.com and PetTravel.com help travelers chart a driving route that makes it easy to plan and book feline friendly hotels in advance. Travelers are able to sort lodging options by type of pet and locations.

If you go:

Plan ahead. Consider making an advance reservation through a pet friendly travel site or chain hotel website so you will know that your cat will be welcomed after a long day of travel.

Gather the gear. Don’t forget your pet’s collar, leashes and ID. A carrier or crate will also be important for making everyone feel comfortable and safe inside the hotel room. Consider bringing a familiar blanket or toy.

Remember their litter. You might not think a change in your cat’s litter will be significant yet it may affect the success of your trip. To help your cat feel at home in the hotel room, make sure you bring along their favorite cat litter so your pal does not have to adjust to yet another new smell or experience. Cats are creatures of habit and keeping their litter the same will keep them happy. World’s Best Cat Litter™ fits well into your travel program because it is 100% all natural. It is also flushable, making the disposal of litter hassle-free when you’re in the hotel and on the road.

With a good plan in place, you can relax and enjoy your time away!

Plan ahead. If you are considering a road trip or flying to your destination, set aside plenty of time to prepare yourself and your feline friend for the journey. Consider how your pet has handled car travel in the past, if only on a trip to the vet. Is he or she comfortable? Do you have a crate or carrier? How long will the trip be? Will other family members or friends be along for the ride?

Gather the gear. You’ll need a collar, two leashes and ID for your cat. A small carrier or crate will also be important. Add a blanket and toys. It won’t work if your pet wants to cuddle up around your feet just when you need to step on the brake.

Remember their litter. You might not think a change in your cat’s litter will be a big change for your cat but it may affect the success of your trip. To help your cat feel like at home, make sure you bring along their favorite cat litter so your pal does not have to adjust to a new litter while traveling. Cats are creatures of habit and keeping their litter the same will keep them happy. World’s Best Cat Liter fits well into your travel schedule because it is 100% all natural. It is also flushable, making the disposal of litter hassle-free when your are on the move. For more information visit www.worldsbestcatlitter.com

Practice makes perfect. If your cat is not familiar with crate travel, consider placing the crate in your home for a few weeks before your departure. Leave the door open and occasionally toss in a treat or two. Sooner or later, your feline companion will view the spot as a comfortable retreat and won’t be intimidated when the time comes to pack up for the outing.

Take the same approach with a leash if that is not part of your regular routine. Also consider taking test drives to evaluate how your cat handles the situation. Don’t forget to secure the carrier with a seat belt or other restraining method to avoid slipping and sliding within the car.

Room for two. Do your research to find pet friendly hotels and inns along your intended route. There are plenty of places to stay that welcome feline companions. During busy travel periods, make reservations in advance.

Safety first. Be sure your cat has identification firmly attached. Make sure vaccinations are up to date and any necessary medications are packed for the trip. Consider bringing along his or her medical records, particularly if you are crossing state lines. Remember that hot cars can quickly become dangerous for small animals. Don’t leave your pet unattended.

Motion Sickness. Ask your vet about the safest way to handle motion sickness. Short drives can familiarize some cats with the sensation of car movement. Others might respond well to medications designed to treat motion sickness or anxiety.

Fly Away. If you will be moving or traveling long distances consider booking your cat on Pet Airways. Your feline friend will be in the good company of other “pawsengers” as they wing their way to a new destination in the comfort of the main cabin and with the constant attention of their own flight attendants. For more information and markets providing service visit www.PetAirways.com.

Arrive, relax and enjoy!