Allegra

Does Your Cat Get The “Zoomies?”

Feline Behavior| 59 Comments

cat-zoomies

I actually found a definition for the word “zoomies” in Urban Dictionary, and even though the definition was for dogs, it’s exactly what I’m talking about: “when your dog runs around the house like crazy jumping on the couch, running up and down the stairs, and all over the house. It usually ends with them falling to the floor, panting like crazy and taking a nap.”

At our house, Ruby is the Queen of the Zoomies. Several times a day, she races through the house, up and down the cat tree, and up and along the back of the sofa. Her zoomies loop seems to be almost exactly the same every day. Continue Reading

Allegra and Ruby love their Cat Buddies

Products| 13 Comments

Cat_Buddy_Lola_Spirit_Essences

Our friends at Spirit Essences surprised Allegra and Ruby with two Cat Buddies last week! They turned out to be a big hit with both girls, and we would expect no less from any toy recommended by Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy.

Ruby immediately began wrestling with Cat Buddy Lola, pictured above. I keep finding Lola in different places throughout the house, even though I haven’t seen Ruby actually drag Lola around. Each Cat Buddy is handmade exclusively for Jackson Galaxy in Honolulu, Hawaii. The toys are filled with cotton batting and certified organic cat nip leaves and buds for long-lasting potency, and they’re nice and durable.

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Allegra fell in love with her Mini Krinkle Cat Buddy, which is so new,Continue Reading

Allegra’s World: Birthday girl

Allegra's World| 34 Comments

 birthday_cat_cupcake

It’s my birthday today! I’m three years old! I can’t wait to see what Mom and Ruby have in store for me today.

 Allegra_cat_exam_table

It’s hard to believe that I was ever this tiny. When I came to live with Mom, I was seven months old. The photo above was taken the day Mom met me for the first time.

Amber showing Allegra the ropes

My older sister Amber showed me the ropes. I know I probably drove her crazy. All I wanted to do was play, and she didn’t seem to understand that. I was sad when she passed away only five weeks after I arrived.

Allegra and Ruby as kitten

A little less than a year later, I got to be big sister to Ruby and show her the ropes. Continue Reading

Conscious Cat Sunday: what has your cat taught you about life?

Animals as Teachers, Conscious Cat Sunday| 31 Comments

Buckley_cat_office_chair

I have always believed that cats come into our lives to teach us. First and foremost, they teach us about unconditional love. But they also teach us to stretch and grow, to reach beyond our self-imposed limits, and to expand our consciousness.

I’ve been blessed that I got to share my life with the original feline master teacher, Buckley, and the original conscious cat, Amber. Both of these cats changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.

And both inspired books. Many of you have already read Buckley’s Story. I’m currently working on a new book which will feature Amber, and will be both a prequel and sequel to Buckley’s Story. You’ll be hearing more about it very soon!

Buckley’s and Amber’s lessons ranged fromContinue Reading

Allegra, Ruby and the taste test

Allegra's World, Feline Nutrition, Ruby's Reflections| 8 Comments

Pawgevity_raw_rabbit_cat_food

In my reccent post An inside look at how one small company makes safe pet food, I introduced you to Pawgevity, a small manufacturer and distributor of raw petfood based in The Plains, VA. Pawgevity is involved in every aspect of the food they make, from farm to bowl. Their meat and produce is sourced from local farmers who follow humane practices. Pawgevity owners Carole and Norman King personally visit each farm they work with.

I recently  had an opportunity to visit Pawgevity’s offices. Located in a refurbished former railroad depot, the offices features giant high ceilings, whitewashed brick walls, dark wood floors, a cozy seating area for visitors, and, of course, a freezer full of their products. I got to visit their spotless kitchen, where they prepare the organic produce that goes into the food. After a tour of the premises, and chatting with Carole and Norm for a while over ice cold lemonade, I was delighted to find out that they are adding a new line of rabbit food to their product offering.Continue Reading

Allegra, Ruby and the moth

Allegra's World, Ruby's Reflections| 8 Comments

cats_on_table

The other day, I was sitting in my living room reading when I heard a commotion on the landing below. I got up to check, and found Allegra and Ruby intently following the movements of a small moth, and occasionally pouncing on it. They rarely play together, so even though I felt sorry for the moth, it was delightful to see the two of them in cahoots like this.

True to form, Allegra mostly watched and waited, while Ruby batted the moth around. Occasionally, Allegra would take a half-hearted swat at it, but she seemed to have more fun watching Ruby play. After a minute or two, I went to get the camera.

As I was filming the video below, I reflected on how this was a reminder of our housecats’ true natureContinue Reading

Allegra and Ruby’s surprise

Allegra's World, Ruby's Reflections| 36 Comments

Allegra: Ruby, do you know what day it is today?

Ruby: Of course I do, Allegra. It’s Mom’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Mom! Allegra, do you think she’ll get mad at us for sneaking into the computer room in the middle of the night to post this?

Allegra: I don’t think so, Ruby. I think she’ll like our surprise. We should do some other nice things for her today. You know how she always makes our birthdays so special?

Ruby: We should make her a tuna cake! Yay!Continue Reading

Allegra’s World: Conquering Fears

Allegra's World| 22 Comments

cat_tree_tortoiseshell_cat

Hi everyone! Today, I get to brag a little about myself!

Those of you who’ve known me for a while may remember that I used to be really scared of loud noises and storms. It wasn’t just thunderstorms that scared me – even a heavy rain storm would make me run for one of my safe places.

I have a bunch of those. My favorite one is behind the shower curtain in the downstairs bathroom. It’s dark and safe down there, and I can’t hear the sound of the rain on the roof or against the windows. I also like to hide inside the kitchen cabinets (and before Mom discovered that hiding place, I scared her really badly when she couldn’t find me anywhere in the house one day).

I know Mom always felt bad for me when I got scared, and she tried everthing she could think of to help me. Continue Reading

Allegra’s World: Adoption Anniversary

Allegra's World| 13 Comments

tortoiseshell_cat_coloring

Today is my adoption anniversary! I’ve been in my forever home for two years now! Back then, I thought that day was the happiest day of my life for sure. But every day since then has been even happier, and things got even better when Ruby joined us last year.

I love my life! I love my Mom, and I love my little sister, even if she sometimes is a pain in the you know what. We have so much fun together, and Mom makes our lives so nice.

Look how tiny I was back then!

tortoiseshell_kitten

When I first came here, my big sister Amber taught me how things were done in my new home. Continue Reading

Ruby’s Reflections: House Cleaning

Ruby's Reflections| 13 Comments

tortoiseshell_cat_by_window

Hi, everyone! It’s Ruby! Mom says I have a “propensity to get myself in trouble.” I think that’s human speak for “I know how to have fun!”

The other day, I was helping Mom clean the house. I like almost everything about that, except for when Mom brings out the big scary monster. It’s this big blue thing with a long tail, and it makes this really scary noise. And it moves all over the house, and eats stuff that is in its path. I hide all the way in the corner of the living room behind an end table when the monster is running free, because I know it can’t get back there. I don’t know why Allegra isn’t afraid of that thing – she actually follows it around the house!

Other than the monster, though, helping  Mom clean is great fun. Allegra and I both like to bat at the lambswool duster. It’s like a big fuzzy toy, and we like to try and subdue it! I think Mom likes when we help her, because she always praises us, and we even get treats after the big monster goes away.

But the other day, I guess I did something Mom wasn’t thrilled with. She had sprayed something on a small stain on the carpet, and then turned away to grab a paper towel. I immediately went to investigate. There was some white bubbly stuff there that looked very interesting. I cautiously stuck my paw in it. Next thing I know, I hear Mom scream “Ruby, no!”Continue Reading