Today I’m interviewing Kay Stahler of Kay’s K9s as part of my ongoing series on Cat Artists.

Yes, you read that right. But despite the name, Kay’s K9s doesn’t discriminate by species and embraces cats and other animals in the subjects she sculpts.

And her miniature sculptures are enchanting. Made of wool through a process called “felting,” she creates purrfect replicas of cherished pets. Her clients can even send bits of their pets’ fur to be incorporated into the sculpture, providing a great way to memorialize the furry members of your family.

Karen: Kay, do your pets influence your work?
Kay: I think they do. In between custom orders, I enjoy creating miniatures scenes with my needle felted animals. The inspiration for a lot of these scenes comes from my experiences with my own pets. For example, I’ll soon be offering a scene with a Jack Russell Terrier digging holes in a yard while a mole is poking its head up behind him. That scene was inspired by my own Jack Russell, who spent countless hours waiting patiently beside a mole hole in my own backyard.

Karen: How long have you been making these felt animals?
Kay: I’ve been making my felted Kritters for about two and a half years.

Karen: How did you learn the felting process?
Kay: I first heard about needle felting online a few years ago. I’ve always been the type to enjoy trying my hand at a new craft, so I ordered a kit off of Ebay. After learning the basics from that kit, I started teaching myself and creating dogs based on my own techniques.

Karen: Can you describe the felting process?
Kay: Simply put, needle felting is the process of taking raw wool roving and using a special barbed needle to sculpt it into shape. The sculpting is done by poking the wool fibers thousands of times until they interlock and felt together. This process is extremely time-consuming, and each sculpture normally takes 15 – 30 hours to create.

Karen: Is it a difficult process, or is it easy to learn?
Kay: I would say it’s the same as most other art forms – easy to learn but difficult to master. The concept of painting is very simple (dip brush in paint, run brush along canvas, repeat) but of course it takes years to develop technique, not to mention it requires a certain level of innate artistic ability. Felting is very similar. Everyone can learn it to varying degrees (it’s an extremely simple concept of poking wool with a needle) but not everyone can master it in the same way.

Karen: I’m always struck by what phenomenally accurate likenesses your sculptures portray. Of the 15-30 hours it takes you to make a sculpture, what percentage of that time is spent fine-tuning the facial expression and likeness to make them so realistic?
Kay: It can take anywhere from a day to 2-3 days to complete the finishing touches on a sculpture (facial details, final posing etc). I always send photos of finished custom sculptures for customer approval prior to shipment. At times, I will get a customer who is rather particular about the details. In those situations, the fine-tuning has sometimes required over a week! Under normal circumstances though, I spend a day on the facial features.

Karen: Are there any breeds that you find difficult to sculpt?
Kay: Tabby cats have been the most difficult so far, due to the very detailed and specific markings. I do enjoy being challenged though, it helps me bring out my creative side.

Karen: Of the sculptures you’ve created, do you have a favorite?
Kay: If I had to choose a favorite, it would be a Rat Terrier sculpture that I made almost 2 years ago. I made that sculpture as a gift for my mother, and it was a replica of the family dog we had growing up and tragically lost to Cushing’s Disease 5 years ago. She had tears in her eyes when she saw it and she has treasured it ever since. I know it has brought her a lot of comfort, which makes it one of the best gifts I could have given her.

Karen: What is the biggest size that you’ve felted?
Kay: I once created a Boxer that was 8” tall and about 12” long. I massively underestimated the work involved, and severely undercharged it. That one sculpture is the reason I limit my sculptures to 4” body length (about 6-7” including cats tails). I would have to charge insane prices to offer sculptures that size, as they would end up taking me several weeks each!

Karen: Why do most of your customers buy these sculptures? Are they all commemorating deceased animals, are they purchasing gifts for friends?
Kay: I generally have quite a variety of customers. I’ve had several who order a sculpture of a recently deceased pet, frequently sending me some of that animal’s fur to include in the sculpture as a memorial. Others have ordered from me upon receiving the devastating news that their pet is terminally ill.

I’ve also had several sculptures ordered as gifts (I deal with a lot of husbands ordering for their wives around Christmas).

Most customers seem to order a sculpture of their pets while they are still living, which is easier on me emotionally. Having gone through the heartbreak of losing a pet myself, it can be a very emotional process to work with grieving pet owners.

Karen: But even as difficult as it is, it must be gratifying to be able to provide a pet owner with such a stunning memorial.
Kay: Yes. In fact, earlier in the year I had a customer contact me about ordering a sculpture of her seal-point Himalayan. Her cat had just been tragically diagnosed with kidney failure, so she knew she had only a limited amount of time before she would be required to say goodbye. She told me how excited she was to discover my work because she had been searching for a way to immortalize her kitty.

She sent me some of Camille’s fur, and also some of her whiskers, to be included in the sculpture. This way she would always have a part of Camille with her, even after she had moved on to Rainbow Bridge.

Hearing how much my work means to people, and how much it can comfort them during such devastating times in their lives, brings me so much joy. I truly love working with my customers to memorialize their cherished pets.

Karen: Thanks, Kay, for taking the time to talk with me about your work. You really capture the souls of the pets you portray.

You can find Kay online:

• Kay’s K9s on Etsy
• Kay’s K9s website
• Kay’s K9s Blog

A portion of all proceeds from Kay’s K9s sales is donated to the Ontario SPCA and local animal shelters. By purchasing from Kay’s K9s, you help support animals in need.

Don’t forget! You can leave a comment on this post for an entry in The Cat’s Meow’s giveaway of a custom oil painting of your cat by Linden Alley.

As part of my continuing series on artists for whom cats figure prominently as subjects of their work, today I’m interviewing Alison Kurek of Buffalo, New York.

Alison’s early artistic career focused on photographic imagery, often social commentary pieces. Over the years, her style mellowed, becoming more playful. Her work is aimed at people who just need some smile therapy.

Although she still creates photographs, her repertoire has expanded to include polymer clay, ceramics and acrylic paintings. She often mixes it up in her current work, so probably best fits into the “mixed media artist” category.

Alison is a Buffalo native and a graduate of the State University College at Buffalo. Her work has been sold through galleries, shops and art festivals for over 15 years and is held in numerous collections throughout the United States.

Karen: First off, Alison, please tell me about your cats.

Alison: I have 2 cats. Mylo: a 2-year-old gray tuxedo and Livee : a 1-year-old tortie. Mylo has kicked off my tuxedo cat craze. They’re self-supporting (it’s hard work being a model), they have a lot of energy and they make me laugh quite often so how can they not inspire me?

Karen: Have you always been a cat person?

Alison: No. I grew up with dogs and didn’t have a cat move in with me until I was in my 20s. They grew on me rapidly though and for a number of years I had four. Chester, one of my original cats, was truly the inspiration for my first pieces of cat art.

Karen: How long have you been working in polymer clay?

Alison: Over ten years. Maybe as long as 13 years but I can really put an official start date on it.

Karen: Are your own cats the models for your work, or is your work the product of a vivid imagination?

Alison: Well — Mylo and Live would like to claim that they are responsible for all of my current work — but I let my imagination run wild a bit.

Karen: You imbue your mini sculptures with so much personality! Do you plan a certain “mood” before you begin each sculpture, or does it take on a life of its own as you work with it?

Alison: Both depending on the day/specific piece of work. My 3D “Fat Cats” pretty much all start out the same way and find their personality along the way; but my mixed media pieces start out with a painting first — so the cat’s attitude, position, coloring, etc. has to work with the painting. When I work on custom orders the wishes/requests of the customer play heavily into what the final outcome will be.

Karen: Your “Cat Out of the Bag” photo (right) is heartwarming. How did you capture that perfect shot at just the right moment?

Alison: Ah, that’s my Chester. He was a fabulous, FAT tiger with a mountain of personality. That photo was all about being in the right place at the right time — Chester had a bit of an attitude and was NOT one to take direction well. He was the inspiration for my Fat Cat on Edge series.

Karen: Which breed of cat do you most enjoy portraying?

Alison: I can’t say that I’d really choose one over the other — other than to say that most of my creations are of domestic short hairs. Polymer clay doesn’t lend itself well to making furry, long-haired cats (or at least I haven’t figured out how) — and my own cats have all been domestic short hairs. I had a fabulous calico named Jane for many years — so you’ll still find a lot of calicos in my work, along with tigers and tuxedos. I’ve been trying to getting the speckled, brindle coloring of my tortie Livee but am struggling a bit with that.

Karen: Do you ever do custom sculptures?
Alison: Yes — quite often. I work from pictures or from descriptions and match hair and eye color while working names into titles.

Karen: Which of your current works is your favorite?

Alison: I’ve been having a blast with ACEOs! They’re quick and fun and offer flexibility that larger pieces of art work don’t allow.

Karen’s note: “ACEO” is an acronym for Art Cards Editions and Originals. ACEOs always measure 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches, the size of a standard sports trading card. Other than size, there are no other restrictions or limitations, and they can be created in any medium, including but not limited to paper, canvas, wood, clay, fabric and metal.

Karen: Aside from Etsy, do you sell in other online venues or exhibit in galleries?

Alison: I sell ACEOs (mostly cats) on eBay under user name: aekurek. I have a Facebook site, and a blog at alisonekurek.com.

Karen: Thanks for the interview, Alison. I really enjoyed learning about the cats behind the art!

Check out Alison’s online store. You’ll find that her work is affordable, with most pieces going for less than $20–a great gift idea for the crazy cat lady in your life… or you!

Find Alison Online:

• Alison’s Etsy Shop: Conservatively Outrageous Designs
• Become a Fan of Alison on Facebook
• Follow Alison’s Blog: AllisonEKurek.com

Darlene Pucillo (who goes by “Puci”) is an artist based in Spokane, Washington. For most of her professional life she focused on fine art paintings. Within the last couple of years, however, she’s branched out into pet portraiture, much to her clients’ delight. Darlene put the paintbrush down for a few minutes to chat with me about her work.

Karen: First things first! Tell me a little about your favorite pet.
Darlene: As a teenager growing up in San Francisco, my constant companion through that difficult adolescent passage was Alfie, a Maltese-Poodle. Alfie and I would walk in Golden Gate Park almost every day. When I returned home from school, there he was in the window waiting for me. And, as I lay on the rug in the living room doing my homework, he would curl up on my back and nap. He lived to see me through school and out on my own.

Karen: You’ve been painting over 30 years, but just recently began painting pets. What prompted you to take the plunge into pet portraiture?
Darlene: I’m still perfecting my skills as a painter–thirty years of painting helps with that. But inspiration is not a skill that can be perfected. It comes suddenly and mysteriously and can leave just as quickly. For me, inspiration arrived one day in the form of a realization that, with my talent of composition using Photoshop combined with my skill as a painter, could enable me to offer owners of animals affordable portraits of their beloved companions.

I had been considering the idea of doing pet portraiture for sometime before I finally launched my online venture while living in Portland, Oregon. Per capita, Portland has a huge population of pet lovers.

I built an online following for my artwork. Sometimes the portraits are done to memorialize a pet that has died. Often the response to these portraits will give a touching insight into the strong emotional bond people have with their animals.

Now relocated to Spokane, I continue to pursue my artistic muse as well as my business of pet portraiture.

Karen: You continue to produce fine art paintings in addition to the pet paintings. Which do you prefer?
Darlene: I love it all, really. I just love to paint and specifically with oil paints. The great thing about the pet portraits is the immediate satisfaction from my customers as well as the assured income.

Karen: How many pet portraits have you completed?
Darlene: I’ve painted about 150 pet portraits to date.

Karen: Do you only paint in oils, or do you also work in other media?
Darlene: Art school, of course, introduces the student to a variety of methods for visual expression, but oil paints continue to captivate me. I love the rich color and consistency of oil paints, the slow drying time and the passion that emerges when paint, brush and painting surface unite.

I’ve also come to appreciate the digital media. It seems magical what an accomplished artist/designer can achieve with a program such as Adobe Photoshop. (This is how I compose my pet portraits for client approval.)

Karen: Do customers ever send you photos that just won’t work for a painting?
Darlene: Yes. That is an issue. A photo with poor resolution or other issues is very difficult to work with, so I try to obtain as many photos as I can to mix-and-match. But when a good photo is just not available, I find that a whole body portrait of the pet surrounded by a well planned background area will successfully convey the personality/essence of the pet.

Karen: Your final paintings seem much more vibrant and alive than the photos on which they are based. What sort of reaction do your clients have when they see the final product?
Darlene: I’ll answer that question with some of my client’s reactions to the finished portrait:

“Hi Darlene-…my friend Katy was so overwhelmed with the painting- she just couldn’t believe how well you captured him- she said the same thing I did- that a painting is surely a much better option over just a plain old photo…” she is getting it matted and framed and hanging it over her fireplace! She said “gorgeous” and then she cried- so thank you again for giving her something she will have forever as a happy reminder of Charlie!”

“Wow! you have an amazing talent….thank you. It looks so much more like her – more alive than the photos can capture.. I love it.”

“Hi Darlene! YES we received the painting and it is absolutely stunning! My dad just about fell over when he saw it…”

“Darlene,
That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You did a marvelous job. I just can’t thank you enough. I miss him so much. You made me cry but then I have a hard time stopping these days.”

Karen: Are most of the paintings purchased as gifts, as memorials of deceased pets, or by people who just want to see their pets in oil?
Puci: Probably all three. Many of my customers who commission a pet portrait for themselves will commission more portraits of their family of pets. Many gift commissions are at Christmastime, on birthdays and the like. The memorial portraits are the most poignant commissions.

Karen: In addition to cats, dogs, and their people, do you paint any other types of animals?
Darlene: I’ve incorporated many pets and animals into my other paintings over the years, including horses, tigers, monkeys, hummingbirds, parrots, seagulls, frogs, fish… Currently I’m working on a project that involves endangered species.

Karen: Which is your favorite breed of cat to paint?
Darlene: I enjoy painting Ragdolls and other longhaired cats because the long fur can be painted in loose, long brushstrokes. Tabbies are also fun because the markings are always so unique to each cat. The eyes of a cat are most amazing.

Karen: Of all the cat portraits you’ve done, which is your favorite?
Darlene: My portrait of Target (part of my personal collection) is probably my favorite. Target was so special to me and my husband. He was so cool. He was a Tuxedo Cat who sort of adopted us and our apartment when his owner took off for Germany and left Target with the roommate. We called Target the Frank Sinatra of Cats.

Karen: In addition to your website and Etsy, do you sell your work elsewhere?
Darlene: I exhibit in galleries and I also exhibit in the cafes, restaurants and coffee houses that appeal to me. An example of a great coffee house venue for my pet portraits would be The Iron Mutt in Beaverton, Oregon.

Karen: I know my readers will want to know where they can see your work. If they don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, can they find you online?
Darlene: They sure can! I have a broad online presence, including the following sites:

• Darlene Pucillo Art: http://www.darlenepucilloart.com
• Etsy
• Facebook
• eBay
• Artfire
• PetLeeg
• The Pet Boutique Blog

Karen: Thanks, Darlene, for taking the time to let us have a peek into your creative life! It’s been a real visual treat getting to see your work!

You can commission a painting from Darlene, and it won’t break the bank. An 8″X8″ oil painting is $85; an 8″X10″ is $105, and a 16″X20″ painting is $210. It’s a purrfect way to commemorate a cherished family pet.

And, if you follow Darlene on Facebook, you can get sneak previews of her latest work!

[IMAGES: All images are the copyright of Darlene Pucillo.]

Today I’m interviewing Susan Faye (left), a self-avowed Crazy Cat Lady artist who creates brilliant watercolor portraits of cats and the people who love them.

Susan calls the Pacific Northwest her home, and her love of animals and nature is reflected in her gorgeous watercolors. Her popular blog, 365 Cat Ladies, showcases a new Cat Lady painting (and the occasional cat guy) and story every day.

If you’re a Laurel Burch fan (and what crazy cat lady isn’t?), you’ll love Susan’s brilliant washes of saturated color and whimsical designs. Even if you can’t afford a custom painting, you can indulge in one of her ACEOs (an artist trading card the size of a baseball card), magnets, or other merchandise. Just strolling through her Etsy shop or 365 Cat Ladies blog makes me happy! It’s guaranteed to lift your spirits as well.

Karen: Before we start, Susan, tell me about your cats!
Susan: I’m afraid that my status as a Crazy Cat Lady may be in serious jeopardy as I currently have only one indoor cat, Buttonwillow (photo at right).

In my defense, I lost two beloved cats last year and am still too heartbroken to replace them, quickly passing boxes of “Free Kittens” with averted eyes. I also feed two outdoor “strays” that live in my back yard, Smokey Joe and Sweet Pea–and as we all know, the Cat Lady Rule of Thumb is “if you name ‘em, they’re yours”.

Karen: Boy, do I know that rule by heart. Have you always been a Cat Lady?
Susan: Cats have been a part of my life since I was about 6, when our family adopted “Patches”, a skittish calico cat that our veterinarian neighbor gave to us. In hindsight, I realize she must have been feral, as she lived out most of her life behind a couch on the screen porch or in the rafters of the garage–at the time I just thought she was shy like me. Since then, a long and illustrious list of fantastic felines have shared their lives with me.

Karen: Did you always want to be an artist?
Susan: “Have crayons, will doodle” pretty much sums up my childhood. Creativity through the arts was a great way for a very quiet and painfully shy girl to express herself, and thanks to great parents, art supplies were always at hand.

I dabbled my way through my teenage years exploring drawing, painting, embroidery, sewing, knitting, crochet, ceramics, macrame, and yes, even decoupage (you youngsters might have to Google that one). You name it, I dabbled.

Karen: Have you always painted cats?
Susan: Cats have been a continuous thread through my creations over the years which have included greeting cards, a line of silk-screened giftware, ceramic sculpture, porcelain jewelry, and most recently–watercolor painting. The other themes that I like to use are nature, wildlife, the desert, and gardens.

Karen: Your style is very distinctive. Has it evolved significantly over the years, or have you always favored those luscious brilliant colors and flat geometry?

Susan: As a confirmed dabbler, I’d have to say that my styles are always changing and slowly morphing because I like to try lots of different things. I’m currently torn between the graphic-art, illustrative “Cat Ladies” style and the more representational, detailed style of my traditional watercolor paintings (which can be seen at my other blog www.susanfaye.blogspot.com) . I love luminescent, glowing, transparent jewel-like colors. They make my heart sing, and I hope they have the same effect on others.

Karen: It certainly has that effect on me! Tell me a little about your 365 Cat Ladies project and blog.
Susan: I began painting Cat Ladies from my imagination a little over a year ago when I discovered the Wonderful World of ACEOs–little art cards that are the size of baseball cards. After successfully selling them on Ebay for most of the year, I decided to give Etsy a try.

Sometime in September a wonderful husband of a Cat Lady sent me a query, wondering if I might do a custom painting of his wife, who had just lost the cat-love-of-her-life. Having just lost the cat-love-of-my-life and still in deep mourning, I decided to give it a try, although I didn’t have high hopes of success. He gave it to her as a surprise gift and it made her weep, which of course made me weep. The rest is history, as they say, and I began offering Custom portraits on Etsy.

Inspired by several different groups of Daily Painters, I decided to start my 365 Cat Ladies blog on January 1st of this year. I thought it would be a fun challenge, but knew full well that as a flaky-artist-type I couldn’t be relied upon to actually paint one each day (that would require rigid discipline, and we all know how artists feel about rigid discipline!). So I gave myself permission to supplement my daily blog with many of the images I had in reserve from over the past year. So far, so good, but the reserves are running out. Yikes, I’d better get back to work!

Karen: Will you continue the 365 Cat Ladies project after 2009 ends?
Susan: If I make it to the finish line, I will dance a little jig on New Year’s Day, and then probably maintain the blog with just ONE Cat Lady per week. I’m not crazy you know..

Karen: Where do the Cat Lady stories for the 365 Cat Ladies blog come from?
Susan: Some Cat Ladies are real, and some are imagined… Whenever I do a commission, I ask permission to use the portrait on the blog, and ask for any stories or interesting tidbits they would like to share. You can’t believe the wonderful Cat Ladies I’ve had the pleasure of “meeting” from every corner of the USA and also from points beyond such as Great Britain, Canada, and Australia! They’ve included astronomers, authors, librarians, web designers, vet technicians, pet sitters, teachers, fellow artists, and even a dog lover or two. Each one has a heartwarming story to tell.

The imagined stories are little writing exercises for me–I try to find a little prompt, such as something interesting I have discovered on the web, then see if I can create characters and a little story around it. I enjoy writing almost as much as creating artwork!

Karen: How long does it take for you to create a custom cat lady painting?
Susan: The time varies based on the number of people and pets, and the size of the piece. The final painting itself may take anywhere from one to four hours to complete, but there are many exchanges of e-mails and photos and I usually do a thumbnail sketch first– so depending on my schedule, the whole process can take anywhere from one to four weeks for the client to receive the finished product.

Karen: Who commissions your custom cat lady paintings? Are they mostly purchased as gifts?
Susan: They are almost always gifts–for sisters, husbands, wives, daughters, and neighbors as holiday, birthday, or anniversary gifts. The most touching commissions are those given in memory of recently departed cat-loves.

Karen: In addition to selling your work online (Etsy, CafePress), do you also sell through galleries or art fairs?
Susan: As a veteran of almost 20 years of craft fairs and art festivals, I have retired the canopy and gypsy caravan in favor of the newfangled internet, proving that you CAN teach an old dog (or cat!) new tricks. I am currently selling my Cat Ladies online through Etsy and Cafepress only; plus my traditional watercolor paintings are currently represented by Lawrence Gallery here in the Great Pacific Northwest.

Find Susan’s Work Online:

• The 365 Cat Ladies Blog
• Susan’s Etsy Store, including custom cat lady paintings
• Susan’s CafePress Store – Susan Faye Originals
• Susan’s CafePress Store: Susan Faye’s Art & Gifts for Nature Lovers
• Susan’s Exquisite Portfolio of Nature Images
• Susan’s “Picture Show” Blog
• Buy Susan’s original watercolors through The Lawrence Gallery

Today, as part of our series on traveling with your cat, I’m interviewing Kimberly, better known as “Rosie and Cheeto’s Mom.”

Rosie and Cheeto are road trip veterans, having logged over 5000 miles crisscrossing the United States. I caught up with Kim to find out more about her experiences and get her tips on traveling with cats.

Karen: How far have you traveled with your cats?
Kim: Rosie and Cheeto have journeyed all across the United States. They’ve navigated trips from Miami-to-Michigan-to-San Francisco and most recently, the trip from San Francisco to Chicago. All in all Rosie and Cheeto have traveled more than 5,000 miles in the car.

Karen: Have they always been good about traveling in the car?
Kim: The cats aren’t too keen on road trips – especially Rosie.

Karen: How do you deal with it?
Kim: The first 20 minutes are typically spent screaming.

Karen: Does screaming at the cats help?
Kim: Oh no no no it’s not me who’s screaming, it’s Rosie and Cheeto. I usually turn on music and pretend that they are singing with me. They prefer the open road (highway) to city driving because there is less stop and go.

I don’t let them out of their PTU (Prisoner Transportation Units) unless I am traveling with another person. When I let them out of their carriers, Cheeto hides underneath the passenger’s seat with his booty sticking out. Rosie, on the other hand, needs to be touching me all times. I refer to her as my fifth appendage.

Karen: Do you reserve hotels beforehand?
Kim: During road trips I prefer not to reserve hotel rooms in advance.

Karen: How do you find pet-friendly accommodations?
Kim: I typically just go up and ask if they are pet-friendly.

A couple of inexpensive motels that are pet-friendly include: Red Roof Inn (no extra fee), Motel 6 (no extra fee) Best Western and Candlewood Suites.

Karen: Do you ever just sneak the cats in even if pets are prohibited?
Kim: I confess, on occasion I have snuck them into the hotel with me (wink).

Karen: When Rosie and Cheeto stay at hotels with you, do they have a hard time adjusting to the new surroundings?
Kim: Rosie and Cheeto are always excited to get out of the car after a long day of driving. After using the litter box they typically hide underneath the bed or behind a chair.

Before I let them out of their cages I always do an inspection of the hotel room. I also make it a point to look at the box spring of the bed to make sure there isn’t an opening where they can sneak in. I learned early on that Cheeto likes to hide in the box spring and will do everything he can to avoid getting back into his carrier.

It’s also very important to put the “do not disturb” sign on the door. The last thing you want is a maid opening the door for the cats to run out of the room.

Karen: How did you prep your parents for the drive from San Francisco to Michigan? Did they know what they were getting into?
Kim: Fortunately my mom drove to San Francisco with me so she knew what to expect. I made sure my parent’s car was equipped with a disposable litter box, food, water, blankets and paper towels (just in case).

Karen: Do you have a litter box set up in the car? Do the cats let you know when they’ve got “to go”?
Kim: Yes, I make sure the cats have a litter box in the car. You can purchase disposable litter boxes at most pet stores. The cats don’t really let you know when they have to go, but you sure can smell it once they do! Knock on wood they have yet to have a litter box mishap in the car.

Karen: Can you drive as long as you like with the cats in the car, or do they have a limit to have far they’re willing to go in a day?
Kim: They aren’t too picky about the amount of driving we do, but I try not to overwhelm them. To make it easy on them, and me, I try to get at least seven hours of rest in a hotel room.

Karen: Were you able to enjoy the trip and see the sights, or were you limited in what you could do with two cats in tow?
Kim: Unfortunately, I’ve found that traveling with cats limits what you can and cannot do on road trips. Although some may disagree, I don’t like to leave my cats alone in the car for any period of time.

Karen: Ever let them drive?
Kim: No, I’ve seen what happened with Toonces. I will however let them snoopervise from the passenger’s seat.

Karen: Any travel tips you’d like to share?
Kim: Be careful when traveling with cats not to let them interfere with the driver for any reason. They can cause havoc if cats get below the driver’s seat.

When traveling alone I prefer to keep the cats inside their carriers. They typically scream and yell for the first 20 minutes but eventually calm down.

Road trips are not the time to test out new harnesses or walking devices. I tried out a harness with Rosie in a restaurant parking lot and forgot there was a breakaway safety collar. Fortunately she ran directly to my dad, but it could have been a HUGE disaster!

Karen: I’m glad it turned out alright! I’ve read horror stories of cats getting loose at rest stops, and the families (unbelievably) continuing the trip without them.

Thanks for the tips, Kim, and give Rosie and Cheeto some headbonks from me and Skeezix!

For more information on traveling with your cat, check out Catster’s Forum on Cats & Travel.

Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a spectacular prize package in Iams’ Travel Contest on The Cat’s Meow. Got a travel story? Tell me about it. If we publish it, you’ll get five additional entries in the contest.

Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. As part of Strollin’ Week on The Cat’s Meow, I’m kriss-krossing the country to purr with strollin’ cats about strolling so you can see what all the fuss is about!

Today, I’m interviewing one of my oldest and deerest frends, Bitey, hoo lives in Pencil-vania.

Skeezix: How long have you bin strolling, Bitey?
Bitey: I’ve been strolling since Christmas 2006.

Skeezix: What prompted yer peepul to get you a stroller?
Bitey: I kept running outside and escaping, leading my parents on a chase around the neighborhood – hissing and growling. Mom thought that if I could go out in a controlled way, it might solve that problem. And, knock on wood, it has!

Skeezix: What model of stroller do you have?
Bitey: I’m stuck with a cheapo $25 eBay model.

Skeezix: What do you like about this model?
Bitey: I liked that it was cheap since I didn’t know if I would like strollering.

Skeezix: What do you dislike about this model?
Bitey: It’s hard to steer with one hand, and mom kicks the wheels when she walks behind it.

Skeezix: Wood you rekummend it to a frend?
Bitey: I’d recommend it as a beginner stroller, but not for the serious strolling enthusiast. Mom always said she’d upgrade it if I liked strolling. Um, I’m still waiting for that upgrade…

Skeezix: How often do you stroll?
Bitey: Not often enough! Maybe once every two weeks. And only ever with Adam, my silly human baby brother. He’s one year old.

Skeezix: How far do you stroll?
Bitey: We do laps around the neighborhood. And sometimes they park me outside by our pool when everyone is swimming or eating.

Skeezix: Do you stroll alone or with other cats/kids in yer howse?
Bitey: Only with my baby human brother. He cramps my style and nobody pays attention to me anymore. Yes, I’m bitter.

Skeezix: Do all the cats and kids in yer famly like strolling?
Bitey: Adam, the kid, likes stollering, mainly in his car with his cool bumper stickers that Mom made. Stevie likes to nap in my stroller, but as soon as it moves, he’s gone. Lucy doesn’t even get in after her one disastrous trip down the driveway.

Skeezix: What do you like most abowt strolling?
Bitey: The fresh air and the birds.

Skeezix: Is thare anything you dislike abowt strolling?
Bitey: Just that I don’t get to go enough! And sometimes the neighborhood dogs get a little too close and I have to hiss at them.

Skeezix: Have you ever seen any other pets in strollers on yer strolls?
Bitey: Nope, I’m the lone strollering pet in the neighborhood.

Skeezix: How abowt wild creechers?
Bitey: Mom, Dad, Adam and my grandpap saw a snake at the park over the weekend. Mom says that poor Adam will never go to the park again, at least with her. I would like to have seen that! Otherwise, I just see birds, bunnies and squirrels. And old people – it’s an old people neighborhood.

Skeezix: Do you only stroll in yer nayberhood, or do you travel to parks or other places to stroll?
Bitey: I have only ever strolled in my neighborhood. I think I’d hate the car ride too much to travel anywhere else. And Mom can barely fit Adam’s stroller in her tiny car, so there’s no way mine would fit too – again, it’s cheap, so it doesn’t fold up!

Skeezix: Any funny strolling stories you’d like to share?
Bitey: Just that if Mom or Dad yell, “Bitey, stroller!” I come running from wherever I am, even if I’m sleeping soundly, and fly down the stairs and leap into the stroller in a single bound. I like to stroll THAT much! Oh, and one time I was napping in my stroller and some kid who was visiting zipped me in. Hours later, when they realized they hadn’t seen me for awhile, they found me, still zipped in. Jerk kids.

Skeezix: Well thanks fur telling me about your and Adam’s advenchers in strolling. (Maybe now that yer Mom has been publicly reeminded that she promist you a stroller upgrade, she’ll get you that nice new stroller!)
Bitey: When pigs fly, my friend. But it was great catching up with you. Be cool.

Despite the fact that Bitey is stuck with his cheapo eBay stroller and never got the promised upgrade, eBay is still a good choice for getting a cheap gently-used stroller in which to try out strollering to see if your cat will enjoy it. If your cat hates it, you can auction the stroller back on eBay, donate it to a shelter, give to a cat-loving friend, or give it away via Freecycle. If your cat LOVES strolling, you can then upgrade to a better model, confident that it won’t be a wasted purchase.

If you go the “test stroller” route, keep in mind that a good stroller will make strolling a far more pleasant experience, so don’t judge the quality of the strolling experience by a cheap stroller.

Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. As part of Strollin’ Week on The Cat’s Meow, I’m mewing with strollin’ cats so you can see whut strollin’ is like!

Today, I’m interviewing Super Stroller Linus, who lives in Whiskerconsin. Linus’ bruther Mickey also enjoys strolling. Linus goes to lots of cat shows, so strolling purrvides him with a grate way to unwind. Welcome, Linus!

Skeezix: How long have you bin strolling, Linus?
Linus: About 2 years.

Skeezix: What prompted yer peepul to get you a stroller?
Linus: We are strictly indoor kitties, and Mom thought we might like to get out once in a while. Especially after seeing how much some other kitties like strolling on Catster.

Skeezix: What model of stroller do you have?
Linus: We have a blue Pet Gear AT3 All Terrain Pet Stroller.

Skeezix: Do you like this model? Wood you rekummend it to a frend?
We love it and would highly recommend it to friends. Very roomy, rides well (has shock absorbers), and very well made and sturdy.

Skeezix: How often do you stroll?
Linus: Not enough. Mom works, but she tries to take us out once a week if the weather cooperates. We also don’t get to stroll in the winter as we live in northcentral WI where the winters can be pretty severe. We don’t get to do much strolling between Nov. – April.

Skeezix: How far do you stroll?
Linus: Depends… if it’s a hot day we keep the strolls short. If it’s a nice day, Mom might take me for a nice long stroll at the park on the trails along the river – that’s fun!

Skeezix: Do you stroll alone or with other cat(s)?
Linus: Our stroller is big enough for 2 cats, but we prefer to stroll solo.

Skeezix: Do all the cats in yer famly like strolling?
Linus: No, Mr. Fez prefers to stay home – he gets too scared away from home, probably because he doesn’t see very well. Mickey and I LOVE to stroll though. That’s Mickey on the right.

Skeezix: What do you like most abowt strolling?
Linus: Everything! It gets us out of the apartment, fresh air, lots of interesting things to see and smell, and extra attention from Mom. Oh, Mom also says strolling gives her some exercise too.

Skeezix: Is thare anything you dislike abowt strolling?
Linus: Nope – what’s not to like?

Skeezix: Have you ever seen any other pets in strollers on yer strolls?
Linus: No, not yet…

Skeezix: Do you only stroll in yer nayberhood, or do you travel to parks or other places to stroll?
Linus: We’ll stroll in our neighborhood, but Mom also drives us to parks. We enjoy strolling in the parks more. We’ve also strolled at PetSmart, PetCo, CFA cat shows, and (unfortunately) the vets.

Skeezix: Any funny strolling stories you’d like to share?
Linus: Usually people just assume Mom has a baby in the stroller… unless they actually look closely. We get a lot of double takes. One time a little girl pointed to our stroller as we were strolling by and said “kitty” and the parents started to correct her telling her “No, it’s a baby… Oh, it IS a kitty!” Yep, smart little girl! I don’t mind – I’m still Mom’s baby.

Skeezix: Can you tell my readers a little bit about the Super Strollers Group on Catster?
Linus: It’s a fun group. You can get info on strollers, stroller accessories, and strolling and share your strolling adventures.

Skeezix: Well thanks so much, Linus, for taking the time to purr with me about strolling today! Hope you have a grate strollin’ season this yeer!

Linus: Me too, Skeezy. Hope to see you around the Super Strollers Group!

Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. As part of Strollin’ Week on The Cat’s Meow, I’m mewing with strollin’ cats so yoo can see whut strollin’ is like!

Today, I’m interviewing one of the ferst frends I made on Catster, Rocky Ann. I don’t think thare’s a Catster alive hoo duzn’t know Rocky Ann. She not only founded and administers the populer Super Strollers Groop on Catster, but she also takes Stroller dekerayting to a hole new level. She lives in Suthern California, so she can strole praktikly all yeer around. Welcome, RA!

Skeezix: How long have yoo bin strolling?
Rocky Ann: I have been strolling for almost 3 years. I took my first stroll on June 29, 2006 at the age of 15 years old. I started the Super Strollers Group on August 11, 2006.

Skeezix: What prompted yer peepul to get yoo a stroller?
Rocky Ann: I read all about my friend, Catster Colleen, having a stroller in WI and it sounded like so much fun. Mommy wasn’t sure if I’d take to it at my age, but my Daddy thought I’d love it. Daddy was right as usual! If it wasn’t for Catster, I might never have started strolling.

Skeezix: What brand and model of stroller do yoo have?
Rocky Ann: Right now I stroll in the blue PetGear AT3. I started off with a PetGear Happy Trails in PINK and moved up to this model. It is very roomy, has a smooth ride and Mommy can walk really fast with it.

Skeezix: Wood yoo rekummend it to a frend?
Rocky Ann: I have recommended this stroller to many friends. I highly recommend any of the Pet Gear Strollers.

Skeezix: How often do yoo strole?
Rocky Ann: I stroll almost every day when the weather is nice (summer, spring, fall) . During the winter months, esp this year, not very much. As I’m getting older Mommy doesn’t want me to get chilled.

Skeezix: How far/long do yoo strole?
Rocky Ann: I usually power stroll for an hour. I’m not sure of the distance. I think my longest stroll has been near 2 hours.

Rocky Ann and her mom, mid-stroll

Skeezix: What do yoo like most abowt strolling?
Rocky Ann: I love being outdoors. There is so much to see. I never fall asleep, I have to pay attention to everything going on. We have many different routes to stroll, so I see many different things. I love to stroll in the dark too. My favorite part is being able to join Mommy on her daily walks.

Skeezix: Is thare anything yoo dislike abowt strolling?
Rocky Ann: I don’t really like it when humans come up to my stroller and interrupt my stroll. I like to watch them from a distance. And I like to keep moving. Also I don’t care for the coyotees. But I usually turn around and go in the opposite direction when I see one. They have the right of way around here.

Skeezix: Have yoo ever seen any other pets in strollers on yer stroles?
Rocky Ann: I’ve only seen one doggie in a stroller and he was in a baby stroller.

Skeezix: Do yoo only strole in yer nayberhood, or do yoo travel to parks or other places to strole?
Rocky Ann: My neighborhood is connected by many sidewalks and bikepaths. I have alot of strolling options right in our area. There are different subdivisions, parks, dirt paths and shopping within strolling distance. Really, Irvine is made for strolling. But I have never gotten in a car to get to a strolling place.

Rocky Ann is the Babe on Board this stroller!

Skeezix: Any funny strolling stories yoo’d like to share?
Rocky Ann: It is just so funny that everytime I am out strolling there are people who come up to my stroller, and think they will be looking at a human baby, and are so surprised it is me in there!! I bring a smile to many peoples faces I have the nickname “Lucky Cat” by some of my neighbors. I decorate my stroller so I’m very noticable.

Skeezix: Any stories related to being a member of the Super Strollers Group that yoo’d like to share?
Rocky Ann: It has been fun meeting strollers in many different states and countries and reading about their adventures. Everyone has something different to see in their area. In the past we use to do virtual strolls so that we could all stroll together.

Skeezix: Thanks, Rocky Ann, for taking time away frum strollin’ to share yer ixperiences with The Cat’s Meow.
Rocky Ann: Thanks for the interview, Skeezy! Strolling cats (and cats considering strolling) are always welcome to join in the fun at Super Strollers.

Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer.

Last week, a vary special Catster was feechered on Animal Cops Philadelphia in a segment that demunstrates the healing power of love. Millie is a terrific orange tabby who neerly didn’t make it past her ferst year. Heer is her arrival story from her Catster profile:

Millie was dumped at the city shelter with a grapefruit size tumor, pregnant and losing hair. Her former family told them to ‘kill her’.

They contacted Mommy’s work to report it as cruelty/neglect case. Millie had mammary gland hyperplasia, and an infection all through her. She had sepsis, her complete torso area’s skin ‘peeled off’, leaving her with the last layer protecting her. Millie wasn’t expected to live. At 1.5 years old, she only weighed 4 lbs. Mommy hand-fed her (b/c she wouldnt eat) and stayed with her at night when she thought Millie wasn’t going to make it. After weeks of intensive medical treatment, we were able to take her home for foster. By this time, Millie and Mommy were in love and the whole family was invested in her getting better. One night, Mommy noticed that the area where her top right nipple WOULD have been, was leaking what looked like Elmer’s glue. She had emergency surgery to remove strings of mammary glands (at this point, she could sustain being under for surgery).Our family kept extensive medical logs, charting Millie’s progress. Millie has made a FULL recovery, more than doubled her weight, and is friends with every kitty in the house!! She is playful and sweet and talks to everyone who wants to have a conversation!

Skeezix: How it is possible that someone treeted yoo so badly? Why wood they do such a thing?
Millie: Mommy says people that do these things are missing pieces of their hearts. She says that people who actively hurt animals are evil but that people who just don’t care of their babies are dumb-dumbs. I have to agree with her. I don’t know HOW the people could have acted like they didn;t see the tumor on me. It was the size of a grapefruit and I only weighed about 4 lbs.

Skeezix: Yer story is vary hartbraking. Were the peepul hoo were so awful to yoo ever charged with animul cruelty?
Millie: My mommy went to the court hearing, just to give them the stink eye! They were charged with failure to provide veterinary care, charged court fees and given 25 hours of community service. Not enough, if you ask me.

Skeezix: How long is it sinse yoo were rescued frum that bad sitchuation?
Millie: I was brought into the PSPCA hospital on February 27, 2008 and came to live with my family as a foster the end of May of that year. I was adopted officially about 3 weeks later.

Skeezix: Have yoo recovered fully, or do yoo still reqwire daily care?
I have fully recovered, after having a second surgery (they showed the first surgery on air).

Skeezix: Yoo have a huge famly! Do yoo have a best frend, yet?
Millie: We do have a big family, but the house has 3.5 floors, not including our basement, so it doesn’t seem so big (that is, unless you are cleaning the litterbox, Mommy says!!)

My best friend in our home is Mommy, for sure, but my best sibling is probably Jake Oscar Beckett, our Jakey. He’s an orangie like me, ‘cept he has CH (cerebellar hypolplasia), which makes him move a little funny. I helped him when he came into out family. I also am very fond of Flurry, my other CH brother. I don’t mind when he pecks my nose with his, even if sometimes, its a whole lot harder than I would like. I hold his head still with my paw and clean his face and ears for him. I like everyone and get along well with all! My brother Rosey has a particular fondness for me and always kisses me!

Skeezix:Did yer mom know whut she was getting into when she took over yer care?
Millie: Mommy says she never once gave it a second thought. She said it wouldn’t have mattered what needed to be done. She said she was glad that she was asked to help me while I was still in the hospital.

Skeezix: What’s the long-term prognosis for yoo and yer helth?
Millie: I have no long term effects from the tumors now that they have been removed. Once they combatted the sepsis through me, I was good to go.

Skeezix: Whut was it like being filmed for animal cops?
Millie: I don’t remember too much of the filming when my tumor burst or during surgery, but while they were here in my house, it was neat! At first, I wasn;t too crazy about that camera thingy, but you get used to it after a short time and you forget the crew is there. They didn’t clip a mic to me, only Mommy and Daddy, so that was good, too!

Skeezix: Can yoo tell us a little about the PSPCA?
Millie: The PSPCA has been around for over 140 years! There are lots of good people there who really want to make a difference for all animals. They have the largest single Humane Police Department in the country. My mom is the special events coordinator there and she take adoptable animals to different events and activities in the greater Philly area. She’s taken dogs and cats to the PA Ballet, Phillies games, and even the Animal Planet Pet Expo. There is an animal hospital, including an ICU and ER care along with a general vet service at the shelter. They offer dog obedience classes as well as Good Canine Citizenship training and testing.

Skeezix: Is it troo that orange cats rool?
Millie: I think orangies rule, of course, but I have so many different brothers and sisters, I think we’re all cool! And judging by the great friends I’ve made on Catster, I’d have to say CATS RULE in general!!!

Skeezix: How’d yoo git yer name?
Millie: My name used to be Consuelo. Mommy changed it to Millie while I was in the ICU. She said that I needed to NOT have the name associated with the people who allowed this to happen to me. She chose Millie because it means “Mild Strength” but also because it is short for Emiliana. Emiliana is in honor of Beloved Angel Amelia on Catster.

Skeezix: Yoo were SO sick! What was yer secret to surviving evrything yoo went through?
Millie: Mommy says the one story that makes her eyes wet everytime is when I had turned the corner with the infection, one of the vets told mom: “You know, Millie is nothing short of a miracle. You had everything to do with that.” Mom replied, “No, Doc, that was her fight. It was always up to her.” The doctor touched mom’s arm and said “You gave her love. You gave her a reason to fight.”

Skeezix (dabbing his eyes with a hanky): Oh, my goodness, whut a way to end the interview. Thank yoo so much Millie, for taking the time to talk to The Cat’s Meow. I hope yoo have a long and happy life.
Millie: Thank you for the interview, Skeezix! For those of you who missed seeing me on Animal Cops, here’s the segment!