Hiring a Pet Sitter is Good for Your Cat - and You!

Now that the holidays are over, many people may be planning a winter getaway to warmer climates and white sandy beaches to combat the winter blues. But what about your furry family members that will not be traveling with you? The belief that cats can spend several days (or longer!) safely by themselves is a misconception. Hiring a pet sitter is a safe alternative that is beneficial for both your cat and you.

Benefits of Using a Pet Sitter

There are benefits to both you and your cat when using a sitter. Our pets are our family, and making sure they’re comfortable in our absence makes us more relaxed.

Boxing Day 2018

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in on the most glorious day of the year: Boxing Day! My favorite of all holidays! Yes, I realize those who live in the UK, Canada, and some other countries have a different meaning of Boxing Day than cats do. But I must say that I believe cats have a better view of it. 

So, without further ado, I present you with some of my favorite box photos of 2018. 

Merry Christmas 2018

We want to wish all of our friends the Merriest Christmas ever. We are so grateful for your support and friendship, and treasure each and every one of you. 

Many blessings to all of you this holiday season. 

Lola, Lexy, and Dawn

5 Things to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Cat Bed

Hello, and Happy Tuesday! Today we're very happy to have a guest post from our friends at CatVills.com. You know, a lot of thought needs to go into finding just the purrfect bed for your cat. CatVills tells us about 5 humans should consider when they're choosing the perfect bed for their purrfect feline friend. Does your cat have a favorite bed? Tell us in the comments! 

Lola

Support Your Cat's Natural Instincts with Jackson Galaxy™ Toys from Petmate®. (And a Giveaway!)

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in, and today I’m bringing you some great cat products – just in time for the holidays! 

Pawesome Holiday Gifts for Your Pets

Hello, and Happy Friday! The holidays are right around the corner, and Lexy and I realized that we haven't shared a holiday gift guide yet! Well, there is still some time to get some pawesome gifts for your pet. 

Wordless Wednesday - You Can't Find Me!

Mommy will never find me here! I bet you can't see me, either!

We're joining Comedy Plus for their Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! Join the fun and see what everyone else is posting today! 

Lola

Waggle Helps Pet Parents Avoid Economic Euthanasia

Responsible pet parents always want what’s best for their pets. We shower them with everything that could keep them happy and healthy; the best food, treats, plush beds and an array of toys. (When Lexy’s scratcher lounger wears out, there’s always one to quickly replace it to keep her happy.) 

Frisco 62" Cat Tree Adds Style and Excitement to Your Cat's Life - #ChewyInfluencer

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in with a fab Chewy review. I couldn't resist their offer to review the 62 inch Frisco Cat Tree, especially since the holidays are coming and many of you may be looking for the purrfect gift for your favorite feline. 

Black Friday Blowout Sale! Get a Copy of Our Book Today!

Hello, and Happy Friday! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. We're joining the Black Friday tradition today with a book sale! Our book, Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat is now 30% off! 

Happy Thanksgiving 2018

Lola: Hello, and happy Wednesday! Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, Lexy and I wanted to wish you all a wonderful holiday. We hope your Thanksgiving is full of love and blessings. 

Thanksgiving 2018 With the Cats at Tabby's Place

This past Saturday I attended the second annual Thanksgiving With The Cats at Tabby's Place in Ringoes, NJ. I had made a last minute decision on Friday night to go because I had a very large cat tree to donate and I needed to make room in my living room for my Christmas tree. And also because I missed last year's festivities, and, of course, I wanted to see the kitties (including my sponsor cat, Rose.)  

Lola on the Road: Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center (Ann Arbor, MI)

Welcome to the sixth post in our series, "Lola on the Road". Throughout the summer I visited several cat cafes, and I've been sharing my experiences with my readers. Coffee and cats - two of my favorite things! If you missed the last installment in the series, you can read about The Cat Parlour here. And if you'd like to catch up on the entire series, you can do that here. 

My travels have taken me to cafes in Brooklyn, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Texas. I ended the summer in MI, where I not only got to visit two fabulous cafes but I also got to catch up with old friends and meet a blogging friend and another long-time Facebook friend for the first time (all of whom I met through my cats or through blogging. Cat people rule!) It was a great end to the summer. 

Today I'm happy to share a wonderful cafe that I'm sure you'll love reading about - Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center in Ann Arbor, MI. 

Sunday Seflies From Our Cat Tree

Hello, and Happy Sunday! I decided to take this week's selfie on our cat tree. If you read Lexy's previous post, you'll know that we're very happy it's still in the same spot by the window. 

It's a very cozy spot for napping (when I'm not birdwatching, that is.) Here's a close-up selfie. 

I hope you're having an easy Sunday, too. 

Lola
We're part of the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop with our good friends over at The Cat On My Head. Hop on over to their blog to see more selfies. 

Does The Time Change Affect My Cat? You Bet It Does!

Hello everyone. This is Lexy checking in with some information about the time change. This past Sunday at 2:00 am most states turned their clocks back one hour to return to standard time. Mother does not like the time change at all and always has a hard time adjusting. She’s a little grumpy and finds herself tired and hungry when she shouldn’t be. (Well, between you and me she’s always hungry. But don’t tell her I told you.) I was thinking “I bet humans wonder if the end of daylight savings time affects their cats?”  The answer is yes! Your cats can react to the time change.

Thankful Thursday - Our Cat Tree is Safe!

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in for a Thankful Thursday post. (And would you believe, with everything Lola and I have to be thankful for, that this is our first ever "Thankful Thursday" post? Hard to believe, I concur.) I have something to be very thankful for today. You see, Mother recently bought new furniture. If you saw this Instagram post, you saw how we were living for a while. (Lola looks less than amused.)

View this post on Instagram

We're hoping that our new furniture gets delivered this weekend. Then we can start posting new photos. Or else all of our photos will look like this. Don't tell Mommy I posted this! . #catswithblogs #nofurniture #excusethemess #noplacetosit #rescuecatsofinstagram #newyorkcattitude #newyorkcatsofinstagram #cats #meow

A post shared by Lola The Rescued Cat (@lola_rescuedcat) on Oct 25, 2018 

Flashback Friday - Window Love

Hello, and Happy Friday! I have a Flashback for today's post. This goes back to March of 2011.  Mommy used to love to watch me in the window because she said I looked like I was in my glory and that I was seeing some things for the first time. 

Saying Goodbye To Our Old Couch

Hello, and Happy Monday! You know, since I've lived here with Mommy and Lexy little things have changed here and there. Like the computer desk changed a few times, and then we got that DVD cabinet that Mommy hated for years. Just little stuff, nothing major. 

But then a couple of weeks ago, Mommy said we were getting a new couch! 

Throwback Thursday - The First Time Lexy Saw Me

Hello, and Happy Thursday Purrsday! Today's throwback stars Lexy. Here is a photo of her the first time she ever saw me, when Mommy brought me out of the bathroom and sat me down next to her on the couch. Lexy was a little surprised to see me! (Please forgive the quality of the photos - Mommy didn't have a very good camera back then.)

Three Things to Consider When Choosing a Litterbox

Cats are fussy creatures. They are particular about many things, and their litter boxes are no exception. Here are three things to consider when choosing a litter box for your furry friend.

Throwback Thursday - Copying Lexy

Hello, and Happy Thursday Purrsday! I'm here today with a Throwback Thursday that goes all the way back to March of 2011. I had been living here just about two months when these photos were taken. 

I was still getting used to being an indoor kitty with a real home, and I was still learning what to do with myself, so I would copy Lexy. (Boy, how times change! MOL) One night I saw Lexy sleeping on the back of the chair and decided to give it a try. 

Groom Your Cat With Confidence With the Furminator - #ChewyInfluencer

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in with our Chewy Influencer Review. 

Be Disaster Prepared with the Sleepypod® Go Bag

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. For years I thought I didn’t need to worry about being prepared because I have never lived in an area that required evacuation or that was hard hit by a disaster. Then in 2012, Hurricane Sandy decided to hit my area, and she hit us hard. When I saw the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel flooded, I began to worry.

(If the video doesn't play, you can watch it on Youtube.)

And when the local news showed a neighborhood just three miles from me totally flooded, I began to panic because I had nothing prepared. I ran around the apartment grabbing things and throwing them in a bag in case we had to leave.

Photo by WABC-TV

That made me realize that in order to keep my cats (and myself!) safe, I need to be ready.
Thanks to the folks at Sleepypod I have the perfect Go Bag to pack my emergency kit in.

Why Lexy Writes to Save Lives - #RememberMeThursday 2018

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in for Remember Me Thursday. Lola, Mother, and I are very proud to be partnering with Helen Woodward Animal Center to promote this important day! We hope you’ll join us and our pals Three Chatty Cats in our blog hop to shine a light on pet adoption. (More details about that below.) 

Today I decided to tell you why I write to save lives. (Last year Lola wrote about her point of view on this subject, which you can read here.) My story may sound a little familiar to many of you because I wrote a post about it on my seventh gotcha day. But this is exactly why I write to save lives. Here’s my story…

DIY First Aid Kit for Your Cat

If your cat had a minor medical emergency, would you be prepared? Before working on this post I was not. I’ve been reading a lot about the importance of having a first aid kit for your cat and I thought it was time for me to put one together. Medical emergencies can occur suddenly without warning (like the time Lola fainted). It’s important to get your cat to the vet immediately, but being prepared for minor emergencies before they happen can be beneficial to both you and your cat.  

Here's how to make a DIY First Aid Kit for your cat.

The Brodie Fund Gives Hope to Cats With Cancer and Their Families

A diagnosis of cancer is devastating for a pet parent. Not only is it heartbreaking, it is also a confusing time as well. The options to treat cancer in animals have a broad range, and for some can be quite costly. I have two friends who had dogs diagnosed with cancer. One spent probably close to $20,000 to prolong her dog’s life for a little over a year, and the other did what she could to keep her dog comfortable because she did not have the financial means for extensive treatment. I wish I had known about The Brodie Fund at that time so I could have shared this information with my friends. 

Save the Date! Remember Me Thursday® is 9-27-18 (And We Have an Announcement!)

Hello, and Happy Thursday Purrsday! I have some very exciting news to share with you today that will definitely make you purr! But first, get your calendars out so you can save the date for a very important event. Ready with your pencils? Okay, the date is Thursday, September 27, 2018, and the event is… Remember Me Thursday! 

This is the third year that we’ve been participating in Remember Me Thursday, and we’re honored to be partnering with Helen Woodward Animal Center once again. 

Jackie - In Memoriam of a Special Cat at Tabby's Place

The first time I visited Tabby’s Place in April of 2011 I met Jackie and immediately fell in love with her. I was warned that she can be feisty and to be careful petting her, and for some reason that made me more intrigued with her. She was not afraid to let everyone know that if you wanted to interact with her, you had to do it on her terms. She was a girl of conviction. 

Jackie wondering who all the intruders were in her suite.

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Cats at Tabby's Place

Catnip Nation's August Report - Settlement Reached Over Jones Beach Ferals

In June I brought you the seventh installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation.  This month Tina brings us news about the settlement that was reached between New York State and the American Bird Conversancy over the feral cat colonies at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY. Tina first told us about the plight of the colony in this post from last year. 

I was hoping for better news for the Jones Beach ferals. In the eight years that I've been on social media (four of them blogging), I've never been publicly judgmental, attempting to keep Lola and Lexy's world a positive one. But I wonder how an agency can state worry over the existence and safety of one species with total disregard for the possible demise of another. All living beings are equally important in my book. But it doesn't seem that the American Bird Conservancy shares my view.

This is why TNR ordinances are necessary in every town of this country. Feral cats need to be protected. TNR ordinances work! You can read about a success story here. I thank Tina and her peers for working tirelessly on this issue and bringing important information to light. 

Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Tell us about them in the comments below. 
Dawn

Wordless Wednesday - Cat Sitter Fun

Morning Yoga

4 Reasons Your Cat Needs a Water Fountain - Enter to win a Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Fountain

To buy a fountain, or not to buy a fountain? I’ve heard this question from cat owners pop up many times over the years. Some reasons I’ve heard for not purchasing a fountain include not wanting spend extra money (some can have a higher price point, but there are many affordable options), dreading cleaning it weekly (it’s really not all that bad – I promise!), or not understanding the benefits of having a fountain. Here are four reasons your cat should have a water fountain.

Lola on the Road: The Cat Parlour (Pawtucket, RI)

Welcome to the fifth post in our series “Lola on the Road”. Throughout the summer I’ll be visiting several cat cafes and sharing my experiences with our readers. Coffee and cats; two of my favorite things! If you missed the last installment in the series, you can read about El Gato Coffee House here. 

I continue to be in awe of every cafe I visit. Each one brings me a new awareness of how dedicated the owners of the cafes are, and a greater appreciation of the hard work that happens behind the scenes. 

Today I'm happy to share a wonderful cafe with you, The Cat Parlour in Pawtucket, RI. 

Throwback Thursday - Me and My String!

Hello, and Happy Thursday Purrsday! For today's throwback, I dug way back into our photo archive. Today I'm taking you back to November 2011! One of my favorite things was my shoelace and I used to take it with me everywhere. 

MYLAP Pet Bed Makes Your Pet Feel Like You're Never Far Away - (Giveaway)

If someone were to ask me what I love the most about attending cat-themed conventions, I wouldn’t hesitate to reply that it is meeting  and making connections with other cat-loving people. If I make one connection at a conference, I consider it a success.

Cat Camp NYC took place this past May, and I actually considered not attending. ( I know, I know… what was I thinking?!?) I had a lot going on in addition to having recently attended Catsbury Park and BlogPaws, and I had an upcoming trip to the Cat Writers’ Association conference. But how could I not just pop in since it was practically in my backyard? (And the new location was right across the street from the Long Island Rail Road, which made it super easy.)

I’m very happy I decided to go because in terms of connecting with people it was a huge success! The first vendor I bumped into when I entered the exhibit area was Tammy Olley of MYLAP™ Pet Bed.

Throwback Thursday - A Little Kiss

Hello, and Happy Thursday Purrsday! Lexy took over the blog for our last three posts on Summer Safety for Cats, but now I'm back! I'm here today with a throwback for Thursday. Today's throwback goes back to 2012, before we started blogging. 

This video was taken on March 22, 2012. I had been living here a little over a year, but this was still a big deal at the time. I let Lexy give me a bath without hissing at her, and she didn't bite my ear (like she always used to do.) (Please ignore the broken blinds. Mommy says some things never change - I think she's blaming us.)




If the video doesn't play, you can watch it on Youtube.

Summer Safety Tips for Cats: 12 Signs Your Cat May be Overheated

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in. Today I’m back with the third post in our series about Summer Safety Tips for Cats, and I’m going to be discussing 12 signs your cat may be overheated (and some other info on  heat stroke as well.) 

Disclaimer: we here at Lola The Rescued Cat are not veterinarians. Any time you think your cat needs medical attention you should contact your vet immediately and follow their instructions. This post is for informational purposes only.  Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive right in. 

Summer Safety Tips for Cats: 6 Signs Your Cat May be Dehydrated

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in. Today I’m back with the second post in our series about Summer Tips Safety for Cats, and I’m going to be discussing six signs your cat may be dehydrated (and some other info on dehydration as well.) 

This photo doesn’t have anything to do with the post… I just thought you’d like to see me. (Was I right?) 

Disclaimer: We here at Lola The Rescued Cat are not veterinarians. Any time you think your cat needs medical attention you should contact your vet immediately and follow their instructions. This post is for informational purposes only. Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive right in. 

Summer Safety Tips for Cats: 6 Ways to Keep Your Cat Happy and Cool in Summer

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in with some important information regarding summer safety for cats. Summer is upon us, and we’ve had some hot and humid days here in the North East. With two months left of summer, (or more, if you experience Indian Summer where you live), I thought it would be a good idea to write a series of posts on Summer Safety Tips for Cats. This first post will focus on ways to keep your cat cool and happy during the summer months, and then I will move on to discuss dehydration, and finally how to tell if your cat is overheated in future posts.

Lola on the Road: El Gato Coffee House (Houston, TX)

Welcome to the fourth post in our series “Lola on the Road”. Throughout the summer I’ll be visiting several cat cafes and sharing my experiences with our readers. Coffee and cats; two of my favorite things! If you missed the last installment in the series, you can read about Rahway Kitty Hall here. 

As a lover of all things related to cats I knew I would enjoy visiting all of these wonderful cafes, but I am truly amazed by my experiences. I am meeting amazing people who are dedicated to making the world a better place for cats, and I'm gaining invaluable experience from each person I speak to. The impact the cafes have on their immediate communities is remarkable, and the impact on the rescue world is admirable. 

Today I'm happy to share another amazing cafe with you, El Gato Coffee House in Houston, TX. 

Throwback Thursday - I'm the Purrfect Nurse!

Hello, and Happy Thursday Purrsday! I decided that since we really haven't been posting a lot of photos of Lexy and me and sharing what we do day to day, I would take charge of the blog today! I thought a little Throwback Thursday would be nice. 

This photo goes back to June of 2011, just a week or so shy of me being here for five months (I wasn't quite a year old yet. Can you believe it?) Mommy had surgery on her hand and this is me being a very good nurse. Actually, I was worried about her, but Lexy told me it would all be okay. Mommy had surgery on the other hand before I moved in and Lexy told me it all worked out well. I was glad I was able to take care of her. 

Mommy does not look her best here but I'll give her a pass. She was still groggy from the anesthesia. 

I hope you liked my Throwback Thursday! 

Lola

PowerPate Chicken and Liver Dinner - #ChewyInfluencer

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in with another great Chewy review. Last time I allowed Lola to do the review, but now I’m back. (I know how much you all look forward to my reviews.) I will admit, Lola did a good job though. 

Lola on the Road: Rahway Kitty Hall (Rahway, NJ)

Welcome to the third post in our series “Lola on the Road”. Throughout the summer I’ll be visiting several cat cafes and sharing my experiences with our readers. Coffee and cats; two of my favorite things! If you missed the last installment in the series, you can read about Brooklyn Cat Cafe here.

Today I’m happy to share a wonderful cafe with you, Rahway Kitty Hall in Rahway, NJ. 

Frolicat Flik Interactive Cat Toy is Tons of Fun! #ChewyInfluencer

Lola: Hello, and Happy Friday! Guess what? I’m doing our Chewy review today! 

Lexy: What was that? I always do the Chewy reviews around here. 

Hide and Sneak by Dezi & Roo - The Purrfect Place to Play!

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in, and I have a spectacular toy to tell you about. Today I bring you the Hide and Sneak by Dezi & Roo! Before I dive in, I wanted to tell you that Mother originally wanted to do the review for you all. I had to put my paw down because only a kitty (a real expert) can really tell you how fabulous this toy is. 

OurPets® Toys are Delightful for all Cats! (Get a Rebate on Yours Today!)

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in. Today I have some fabulous toys to tell you about. The folks at OurPets®  contacted us to inquire if we would be interested in testing a few of their toys, and of course, we said yes! We never turn down an opportunity to bring quality information to our readers about products that can help their cats live happy lives.