Momma Told Me: April 2016

Blog Archive

The Joys Of Living With, And Cleaning Up After, A Cat #BissellClean #Giveaway 5/16

The $47.84 Bissell PowerForce Helix has powerful suction, a generous sized dust bin, and a 12lb lightweight frame, for budget flexibility and lasting functionality. #BissellClean #AD https://ooh.li/69ed1fa
Momma Told Me: Sometimes life gets messy.


There's an age old saying, "Cat's are assholes."

Forgive the foul language but there in indeed few sentiments that can better sum up the combination of shrew, calculating, chaotic intelligence a feline exhibits. Truffles has this trait perfected. Sometimes I feel as though I have our roles reversed and it is I who is her pet, her plaything, there only to amuse and adore her.

If you've ever seen those YouTube videos of cats knocking over glasses of water and swatting the remote off the edge of the couch, then you have a pretty good idea of the psychological warfare I face every day. I don't think a day goes by I don't clean up  mess of fair size; litter, fur, food, dust bunnies kindly drug from the darkest depths of my home, bags of flour knocked off the kitchen counter, or a cup of beads sent tumbling from the craft table. And my vacuum- it hasn't been put away in weeks.
The $47.84 Bissell PowerForce Helix has powerful suction, a generous sized dust bin, and a 12lb lightweight frame, for budget flexibility and lasting functionality. #BissellClean #AD https://ooh.li/69ed1fa
But wait- there's more.

Belonging to a cat isn't cheap. There's food, litter, veterinarian costs, and a plethora of gaudy toys and furniture they'll likely never touch, but you'll feel guilty about not buying, if you don't. And let's not forget all of the things your cat decides to destroy for sheer entertainment-

In our home I'm lucky enough Truffles sticks to knocking things over, more than shredding things up.

Lucky.

I'm also lucky to have found a powerful, lightweight, large capacity vacuum that comes in at under $50- just the thing I need for all of my baking/crafting/pet messes. In fact, the Bissell PowerForce Helix is an impressively powerful budget vacuum with a lot of thoughtful features you typically find on high end competitors. I'd say it's THE vacuum for a college student with it's affordable price point and large capacity dirt cup, or THE vacuum for anyone who has trouble lifting due to age or injury.
The $47.84 Bissell PowerForce Helix has powerful suction, a generous sized dust bin, and a 12lb lightweight frame, for budget flexibility and lasting functionality. #BissellClean #AD https://ooh.li/69ed1fa
The Bissell PowerForce Helix is astoundingly lightweight at just 12lbs. That's 3lbs less than my bowling ball, or 2lbs more than I weighed when I was born. (Yes, I know, my poor mother.) But the most impressive aspect of this feature is that is has fierce suction with multiple levels of height adjust-ability for every floor surface in your house. Because it's lightweight, I don't leave heavy tracks in my carpeting when I use it- and the powerful suction is able to grab everything from the finest dust, or catnip specks, to smashed dry food and dirt clumps.
The $47.84 Bissell PowerForce Helix has powerful suction, a generous sized dust bin, and a 12lb lightweight frame, for budget flexibility and lasting functionality. #BissellClean #AD https://ooh.li/69ed1fa
With it's 5' hose and suction wand cracks and crevices are never out of reach- and I can clean up that potting soil that 'mysterious' wound up on the living room table. I can even get at the hard to reach back corners of our litter cabinet without having to stick me head, and half my body, inside! I only have one complaint about the PowerForce Helix- the 23' power cord feels exceptionally short when you are literally gliding across your floors. Too many times I forgot to pay attention to the length and went 'cold turkey' when unplugged.
The $47.84 Bissell PowerForce Helix has powerful suction, a generous sized dust bin, and a 12lb lightweight frame, for budget flexibility and lasting functionality. #BissellClean #AD https://ooh.li/69ed1fa
This particular vacuum also happens to feature a unique technology hinted to in it's name- the Helix cleaning system captures dirt and other debris using internal "ribs" that are incorporated into the Easy Empty Dirt Cup. This naturally encourages large particles of dirt and debris to the bottom of the tank, keeping the filtration area free to do what it does best, filter. A free and clear filter means a more efficient vacuum that functions longer- that couples with the large tank capacity, and I can go longer between emptying the vacuum.
The $47.84 Bissell PowerForce Helix has powerful suction, a generous sized dust bin, and a 12lb lightweight frame, for budget flexibility and lasting functionality. #BissellClean #AD https://ooh.li/69ed1fa
Of course, if you have pets, husbands, or kids you're likely going to discover a plethora messes on a daily basis- thank goodness this vacuum is light and powerful. Almost too powerful I'd say- just look at all that I collected from one session in a recently vacuumed living room! I think it's time to bring out the air filtration system, what do you think?
Truffles the tuxedo cat has a catnip problem.
Of course, the Bissell PowerForce Helix can't stop the fact that your cat/husband/child is going to do what they do best- create more messes. And please, don't attempt to use the handy high suction detailing want to remove that loose catnip from the cat- it could end horribly for all involved. Mostly for the vacuum. Vacuums have feelings too.

But I digress- Cats/kids/life is expensive, and vacuuming can often be tedious and back straining. The affordable Bissell PowerForce Helix is a wonderful compromise of budget and functionality. Head on over to the Bissell product page to learn more and discover where you can buy it (Hint: It's exclusive to Walmart).

What Daughter Says: You don't have to break the bank to keep up with life's messes.






Five readers, across all websites sharing this content, will be chosen to receive a BISSELL PowerForce Helix of their very own! To enter please visit the BISSELL PowerForce Helix website and tell me which feature you love most!

Don't Worry- Protect Your Dog Against 6 Common Parasites #SentinelSpectrum

This post is sponsored by Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® and the Blog Paws® Pet Influencer Network. I am being compensated to help create awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs, but we only share information that we feel is relevant to our readers. More information about Sentinel Spectrum. Virbac is not responsible for the content of this article.
Sentinel® Spectrum® is a delicious beefy bacon flavored chew you can give your dog once a month to prevent 6 common parasites in dogs; fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. As your vet about prescribing Sentinel® Spectrum® on your next visit! #sponsored
Momma Told Me: Don't fear, protect.

I am  bit of a worrier.

I worry so much that those around me need not worry- what I ponder and fret is enough to make up for them. You could say it comes from having encountered so much misfortune- but I don't feel it's a negative thing. If anything, my worrying only makes the nurturer in me stronger. After all, I'm not exactly sitting around expecting a house to fall out of the sky, or a tornado to pass through my Southern California home. No, what I worry about are the very practical things the average person prefers to blissfully overlook. Things that seem like a far shot, but are better off guarded against than winding up on the small side of a statistic. Things like heartworm.
Sentinel® Spectrum® is a delicious beefy bacon flavored chew you can give your dog once a month to prevent 6 common parasites in dogs; fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. As your vet about prescribing Sentinel® Spectrum® on your next visit! #sponsored
Heartworm might not strike an immediate chord with the average pet owner because it's often a problem that goes unnoticed until there's a very real, very dangerous, issue. And, if you're lucky enough to have gone your pet parenting career without encountering it you are either very lucky, or extremely diligent in your pet's health care.

Which is why I will say the next word.

Fleas.

Everyone can identify with fleas- even those who have no pets in their home at all.

So, while heartworm is very dangerous to dogs, fleas are a much more visible, common encounter for the pet parent. Both are part of the 6 most common parasites found in dogs. Rounding out the list is hookworm, roundwom, tapeworm, and whipworm- each as unpleasant and dangerous as they sound.
Sentinel® Spectrum® is a delicious beefy bacon flavored chew you can give your dog once a month to prevent 6 common parasites in dogs; fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. As your vet about prescribing Sentinel® Spectrum® on your next visit! #sponsored
When Nora was a puppy we had her visiting the vet regularly for her scheduled rounds of vaccination and shots. Once those were complete we continued with bi-annual check-ups and visited with our family vet. I am constantly surprised to hear how many friends and family members cease veterinary visits after those initial puppy years. Most dog parents 'treat' for fleas in their own home with "adulticides" (products intended to kill adult fleas) and only visit the vet when they feel their pet is behaving oddly, or feeling poor. Most of my friends and family had never even heard of heartworm in dogs, let alone tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm, and roundworm.

Unfortunately nearly 300,000 dogs in the U.S. contract heartworm each year causing lack of energy, weight loss, breathing complications and even lung damage or death if left undiagnosed and untreated. And, while heartworm is contracted through contact with an infected mosquito, it's virtually impossible to know whether your dog has come into contact with one without regular screening at the vet. This can be especially scary since both indoor and outdoor dogs commonly come in contact with mosquitos throughout the year.
Sentinel® Spectrum® is a delicious beefy bacon flavored chew you can give your dog once a month to prevent 6 common parasites in dogs; fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. As your vet about prescribing Sentinel® Spectrum® on your next visit! #sponsored
How do you protect your dog against heartworm?

Thankfully there's an easy new prescription chewable you can give your dog once a month in the comfort of your own home. With a beefy bacon flavor, the once a month Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® chewable doses combat 6 major parasites found in dogs, fleas, heartworm, hookworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and roundworm. (Click here to learn more about Sentinel® Spectrum®.) That's right, you can prevent fleas while treating for 5 types of parasitic worms. For me this is a big convenience, especially since Sentinel Spectrum is so easy to dose (mess free) and in a treat form dogs will happily take.

Sentinel® Spectrum®'s unique formulation effectively prevents heartworms from infecting your dog while preventing flea eggs from hatching. As a paraciticide it stops flea eggs from developing, cutting flea infestations by forbidding them to repopulate. The fleas you may see in your home are typically only the tip of the iceberg- adult fleas make up about 5% of the flea population, with a whopping 95% being eggs and immature fleas living in the environment. Sentinel® Spectrum® stops the life cycle of fleas in your home anytime new fleas are introduced to your dog's environment, all while protecting against heartworm and other common parasites.
Sentinel® Spectrum® is a delicious beefy bacon flavored chew you can give your dog once a month to prevent 6 common parasites in dogs; fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. As your vet about prescribing Sentinel® Spectrum® on your next visit! #sponsored
While you likely treat and actively prevent against fleas in your home, there are many reasons why your dog might not have been recently tested for heartworm, or why they are not currently being given a preventative care regimen for it. Finances, time, or a simple lack of knowledge all lead to this simple oversight. Thankfully your veterinarian can test your dog for heartworm with a simple test (results given in same visit) and prescribe Sentinel® Spectrum® in 6 or 12 Month packages. Most importantly to those pet parents who often delay routine checkups or preventative care due to budget, #SentinelSpectrum is priced very affordable as a 6 parasite prevention formula. It's available in 4 different dose sizes (based on dog weight) and can be prescribed for dogs ages 6 weeks and older. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian today for more information.
Sentinel® Spectrum® is a delicious beefy bacon flavored chew you can give your dog once a month to prevent 6 common parasites in dogs; fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm. As your vet about prescribing Sentinel® Spectrum® on your next visit! #sponsored
If mosquitoes aren't prominent in your area it's likely you've hardly heard of heartworm prevention, if at all. And while I tend to err on the side of worry, there's no reason not to preventatively treat your dog for heartworm when the treatment option is as versatile, easy to dose and affordable as Virbac Sentinel® Spectrum®. No matter where you live you certainly encounter fleas, a good enough reason to choose Sentinel® Spectrum®- which means your dog also has the potential to come in contact with parasites such as tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm. Why not prevent them all in one, delicious to your dog, monthly chew? It's as easy as asking about Sentinel® Spectrum® on your dog's next annual visit to the vet and learn about a money saving rebate.

What Daughter Says: There are plenty of unknowns one can worry about in this life- parasite protection for your dog doesn't have to be one of them.



This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virbac® Sentinel®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Yes, I Was Married. Free Resources For #FixingYourMarriage

Marriage Fitness with Mort Fertel: https://ooh.li/d39cf57 #AD
Momma Told Me: Marriage is work.

From an early age the thing I knew, more than anything, was that I wanted to grow up and get married.

It wasn't a case of too many fairy tales, and visions of white knights on horses- in fact, I was rather the tom boy. If anything my cousins were the ones toting around baby dolls and playing house with Barbie and Ken. No, for me, it just seemed like the logical evolution of one's life. Grow up, get a job, pay the bills, find someone to share your success, and failures, with- live happily ever after. And as soon as I was old enough to begin dating I fell hard and fast.

In fact, I never really 'dated' much. Once you've found someone you're really keen on, why continue looking- aren't they important enough to invest your time in and doesn't it feel all the more meaningful to actually commit? I always thought so.

And that's how, at 22, I found myself married.
Most people I know in real life respond with complete shock when I use the term 'ex-husband.'

"You were married?!" they always exclaim in awe.

I don't know how that's supposed to make me feel. Do I seem too young? Do I come off as too demanding to have ever married? Is it really that out of the ordinary for someone my age to be divorced? Or have I just suppressed that entire portion of my life so much not a single trace of my marriage remains? It's probably a combination of the latter two.

Ironically though my online community, my readers, know all too well I was married. That's precisely how this blog began with a young newlywed, housewife, whittling away the hours until her husband came home.
But where did my marriage go?

What happened?

Why was I filing for divorce at 25?

These are questions I ask myself regularly, despite the illusion that the entire chapter has been written from my life-book. Because my marriage left me scared. Scared to love. Scared to trust, Scared to even try. Yet my heart still longed to be a part of someone just as invested in me as I am them.

I think it was our second date at which I boldly proclaimed to Jay, "I don't ever want to get married again."

Those are pretty harsh words. Words he's reminded me of ample times throughout our relationship. Words I worry I will never shake.
When I was married I felt as though my marriage was over long before it officially ended.

This feeling of hopelessness is not uncommon.

It's hard to see beyond the loss of what we want to the reality of the love we have. And every marriage is based on that- love. And, as cliche as it sounds, anything worth having is worth fighting for- in this case, fighting means work. Marriage Fitness, to be exact.

I know, I know, the average person doesn't jump out of bed excited for that hour when they can hit the gym. We don't enjoy standing in line for the leg machine, or the burn of our muscles as we stretch them beyond their comfort for the sake of building strength. But we love the high, the feeling of accomplishment, and pride, the vitality of health. Marriage is exactly like this. Think of it as a vital life organ you much constantly exercise in order to maintain one of your most precious gifts, love.
Of course I realize this now- but I didn't always look at it that way.

When I was married- my husband and I went to 'counseling.' The term itself seemed to symbolize the end of our marriage. A last ditch effort that typically only left one or both of us feeling frustrated, or resentful towards the experience and one another.

And that's where Marriage Fitness with Mort Fertel comes in. Every marriage is unique, and the hurdles each couple face are uniquely diverse. Nobody can heal that marriage other than them. And Mort Fertel understands that with his easy to digest audio Marriage Fitness course. When you break a leg the doctor can prescribe casts and medication to help you through the healing, but you ultimately decide if it will heal, and how long that will take. Marriage Fitness puts the responsibility, and the power, back in your hands again.

I had a chance to delve into just some of the course's free content- The 7 Secrets to Fixing Your Marriage and I was fascinated to read about a phrase I have heard, and said, before in both marriage and past relationships, "I love you, but I'm not IN LOVE with you." You would not believe the true sentiment behind that phrase and how you should best respond should you ever hear it. That insight, alone, was well worth signing up for Mort's FREE Marriage Fitness and Help.
I suppose the number one reason most couples avoid counseling is that it is so very public. Even if it's simply you and one other person sitting in a room, there your marriage is, bare, raw, naked for dissection. The truth is, even some of the longest, healthiest, marriages have been through their own struggles. They simply chose to put the work into, well, making it work. Because their love, and their marriage was worth it.

As someone who has been in a broken marriage, lost, and wondering where to go, what to do to piece my marriage back together, I certainly wish I had had Mort's Marriage Fitness program available to me. Who knows, I might never have started blogging, with the wealth of information, tools, and support offered right here by phone or online.

But most importantly, as an individual, I grow more and more each day so I can no longer be that person who says, "I don't ever want to get married again." Because marriage is a workout well worth doing.

Learn more about Marriage Fitness with Mort Fertel and sign up for the FREE 7 Secrets To Fixing Your Marriage course today!

What Daughter Says: Committing to strengthen a marriage, rather than repair it, will yield a healthier relationship for both involved.

5 No Fuss FUN Spring Ideas + The #SweetFUNd Sweepstakes

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Diet Dr Pepper®. The opinions and text are all mine.
Discover Sweet Spring FUN and enter the Diet Dr Pepper® Sweet spring FUNd sweepstakes when you buy Diet Dr Pepper® at Walmart and upload your reciepts for a shot at Walmart e-Gift Cards! #sponsored
Momma Told Me: It's Spring. Time for a break!

Spring is here and the SoCal weather has been crazy lately. It's hard to make plans when the entire freeway seems to slow down to a snail's pace over a light drizzle. We've had to get a little creative to get our FUN moments in this month.

It's no secret we're a Diet Dr Pepper® family. In fact, if there's one way we love to enjoy our Diet Dr Pepper most it's on the go; whether that's road tripping on vacation, a day at the beach, headed to league, or simply goofing off in the yard. A few years ago I dropped almost all soft drinks out of my routine, and Jay switched to diet varieties. That's when I discovered DIET DR PEPPER® the sweet treat that's loaded with all my favorite flavors from Dr Pepper® (original). Much like dessert, it became a unique way to indulge during special events and occasions. This spring is no exception- Diet Dr Pepper® will be on the go with us every step of the way.

Need a little inspiration? I've come up with 5 ways to instantly FUN your spring; be sure to bring your Diet Dr Pepper® along!
Lawn Twister: Discover Sweet Spring FUN and enter the Diet Dr Pepper® Sweet spring FUNd sweepstakes when you buy Diet Dr Pepper® at Walmart and upload your reciepts for a shot at Walmart e-Gift Cards! #sponsored
1. Lawn Twister: This one's simple, grab an old box, cut a 10-12" circle out of the bottom, pick up some Marking Chalk cans from the local hardware store, and spray a colorful grid on your lawn. Assign a referee to call limbs and colors and get down to business in the fiercest game of Twister in tour life. First one out grabs the Diet Dr Pepper®!
2. Paws for FUN: There are a lot of great ways to have fun this spring with your pets. Get Fido in the car and hit the road for an impromptu adventure such as hiking, fishing, a brown sack picnic or people watching at the pier. Nora and I love to pack a meal or some snacks and drive around until we spot something interesting (such as a flea market or art fair,) then back the car up and take in the atmosphere from the trunk. She finds people almost as fascinating as I do!
Diet Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce
3. Flavor Up The Grill: You don't have to leave home to enjoy the fun and flavors of Spring. Why not try making a homemade BBQ sauce and inviting some friends over for a cook out? Even better if you can convince a friend or two to bring a homemade sauce of their own! A little flavor competition never hurt anyone, right? Of course, my Diet Dr Pepper® BBQ sauce has never let me down. I have neighbors asking me to make them a batch all the time!
4. Add A Little Color: No matter where you live there's bound to be an event or two in your area each weekend. Jay and I try to do something each month, even if only one local event. These things range from a Renaissance Fair to a Tattoo Expo, or just the simple weekly swap meet at the fair grounds. No matter where we go we always bring a few cans of Diet Dr Pepper®- it's not just a line people - you may recall a certain color fun run photo of a certain mime holding his favorite beverage. Yea, that was Jay, and that's how we do FUN.
Discover Sweet Spring FUN and enter the Diet Dr Pepper® Sweet spring FUNd sweepstakes when you buy Diet Dr Pepper® at Walmart and upload your reciepts for a shot at Walmart e-Gift Cards! #sponsored
5. Find The Local Flavor: When all else fails, there's nothing special going on, and your friends are all out of town, become a tourist in your own hometown. You just may discover a new local haunt, or learn that your city's home to the largest paperclip in the country (who knew?) Jay and I made an afternoon renting a Surrey and peddling around the shores we'd visited a hundred times. The funny thing is- we always make a beeline for the water, and never knew there was a boardwalk or carousel just minutes away!
https://goo.gl/lWcdzb
No matter how you add FUN to your spring you're going to want to FUNd your spring as well. Right now you can add FUN, with the chance of FUNds when you purchase any Diet Dr Pepper® product at Walmart and enter the SWEET SPRING FUND SWEEPSTAKES online. It's as simple as visiting your local Walmart, buying the Diet Dr Pepper® package of your choice, and uploading the receipt the the Sweet Spring Fund sweepstakes page. Registration is simple and can be done with Facebook if desired. You'll get a chance to instantly win a $5 Walmart eGift card just for signing up, and another entry for every receipt you upload now through the end of April. Spend $10 or more in a single transaction on Diet Dr Pepper® and get 2 entries for your receipt upload!

Yea, yea, it's easy to enter and you're going to buy Diet Dr Pepper® anyway, but what's in it for you? Enter the #SweetFUNd sweepstakes for your chance to FUNd your Spring with a shot at a $5 Instant Win Walmart Gift Card, or a chance to win a $50, $500, or a $5000 Walmart e-Gift Card through receipt upload! But hurry, the Sweet Spring FUNd sweepstakes ends April 30, 2016! After you enter remember you can return daily to upload a new receipt, and be sure to share the sweepstakes with your friends!

What Daughter Says: Have a little fun this Spring no matter where you go, or who you're with.






Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AMP Agency. The opinions and text are all mine.

My Cat Paints And Yours Can Too With #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay Toys! #Giveaway 4/27

This post is sponsored by Petmate® and the Blog Paws® Pet Influencer Network. I am being compensated to help create awareness about the Jackson Galaxy Cat Toy line available at PetSmart®, regardless we only share information that we feel is relevant to our readers. Petmate® is not responsible for the content of this article.
Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Momma Told Me: You better not bother the cat!

It's a funny thing, being owned by a cat.

It's a subtle form of slavery. You bring them into your home, your family, your life. You adopt this feline- you're saving them. Then you realize, despite being 1/12th of your size this cat has far more freedom then you ever dared, in your own home. They walk around naked, sit on expensive electronics, sit on expensive electronics while you use them, wake you up with more enthusiasm and discipline than a drill sergeant (because when it's time to eat it's time to eat,) claim anything that looks cool enough to have garnered your own interest (pillows, food, shoes, clothes,) and slink through your home at 2 AM doing who knows what with unimaginable intentions. And that box you call a toilet you spend your life scooping and cleaning? That's not a chore, that's a privilege; at least they're kind enough to humor your intentions.
Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
I'll admit, raising Truffles from kitten-hood, she was a bit spoiled rotten. And, when I began dating Jay she was quite the Napoleon cat, walking the condo with all the fierceness of a short dictator over-compensating for her size by claiming territory. There was a time when I'd utter phrases like "Don't do ______, you'll make the cat angry," and "Truffles won't like that. You've been warned." But, ultimately, the happiest cat is a Mojito cat- a cat who's so cool, calm, confident, and collected that they welcome others into their home with all the pride of a cocktail peddling entertainer.

So things had to change.

Not so much because I couldn't live under the iron thumb, er paws, of my tyrannical cat, but because a less stressful mentality and environment would best benefit Truffles as much as the humans who lived with her.
Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
While that story is much longer and for another time, I will say that there were a few very basic things we did to help build Truffles' confidence in her new home and roommate (Jay.) My first step was to put Jay on food duty- feeding Truffles both meals, day in and out, until Truffles came to associate meal time (a positive) with him. Next, we added some extra cat friendly furniture to the new condo to help Truffles find more ownership in the space, and define places that were safe to her. Adding height was a big concern to me, as I wanted her to be able to feel as though she could watch this new inhabitant in her home from a safe distance. Lastly, we spent more time fostering her natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill. This channeled her more aggressive energy towards the correct targets and away from Jay's favorite shoes.
The Catnip Vault- Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
During this time I also became very acquainted with the techniques and wisdom of a man often referred to as the 'cat whisperer,' Jackson Galaxy. Former rock musician turned cat behaviorist (no, I'm not making this up) Jackson Galaxy is most commonly known for his appearances on Animal Planet, particularly with a show titled My Cat From Hell. While he doesn't actually talk to cats (I'm the only one who can do that) he does have an intuitive awareness of a cat's needs based on reading their physical presentation and personality. Jackson has a keen sense of feline's most basic needs, hunt, catch, kill, groom, eat, and sleep, and urges cat parents to keep these needs in mind for the overall health of their cats.
The Mixed Twisted Kicker- Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
The Mixed Twisted Kicker- Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #SponsoredThe Mixed Twisted Kicker- Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
So, when I heard Jackson Galaxy and Petmate® were teaming up to launch a new line of cat toys and enrichment tools sold at PetSmart, I didn't hesitate to give a few a try in our home. Play time is a big part of Truffles' day, even as a 6 year old indoor cat. While she spends a large portion of her day lounging in the window soaking up rays and napping away the work hours, she regularly interacts with a number of elements and toys at her own leisure. I'll admit- I don't bother to contain it- she drags her 'prey' through the house and deposits it wherever she desires. So having toys that are stylish and fit her personality are a must; after all, they're practically decor!

Jackson Galaxy's line is not only vibrant and stylish, but also well thought. From the genius Vault Catnip Toy Marinator to the Mixed Twisted Kicker and the more advanced Air Prey Teaser Wand, these products feature intelligent designs all devised to engage and nurture one or more of your cat's basic needs/instincts.
HepperPod from Hepper Home
I was so inspired by all of the beautiful colors and shapes in the Jackson Galaxy by Petmate line I decided to talk Truffles into a little art project. After all, a Mojito Cat should take pride in their home!

I began by clearing a space near one of Truffles' favorite hangouts, covering the floor in a dollar store shower curtain (not too shabby, it's kind of stylish, right?) I then placed some of her usual toys and accessories on and around the curtain, as well as her blank canvas. Keep in mind you will want to support the back of a mounted canvas so it can bear the weight of, say, a cat sitting on it. I used a few magazines stacked side-by-side, beneath.
Ideally you can leave your cat studio set up for a few days to allow your cat to explore it themselves and decide all is well. If your cat's anything like Truffles the canvas will shortly become their new favorite place to lounge- expect a lot of loose fur and maybe even for the canvas to migrate overnight. If your cat shows absolutely no interest in the 'studio' attempt to give off a nonchalant, "I couldn't care less that you're not interested in this space I clearly created for you" attitude in an effort of reverse psychology.
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
When you feel your cat is in a positive mood, and has moderately accepted these changes to their environment go ahead and drip, pour, and splash some paint of your choosing onto the blank canvas. Cover the canvas with a plastic sheet to protect paws (and your furniture) from any mishaps. I use a cellophane roll (for gift wrap) from the dollar store. I find this creates a fun crinkling texture and sound that Truffles responds well too.

Next, bring on the toys.

Naturally, your cat will likely have already caught on. They're not stupid, after all.
#JacksonGalaxyCatPlay #sponsored
#JacksonGalaxyCatPlay
Here's this whole new space right in the middle of my territory and all of a sudden the human wants to play with me.

Luckily the Jackson Galaxy Air Prey Teaser toy is perfect for luring said cat into your trap art studio. With it's telescoping wand the Air Prey Teaser can dangle the toy of your choice several feet from where you actually sit, so you can engage your cat with the utmost disconcert. Even better the included feather attachment clips onto the end of it's 30-32" retractable cord so you can fish for your cat with all the prowess of a Pro Bass Fisherman.
#JacksonGalaxyCatPlay #Sponsored
I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the Jackson Galaxy by Petmate Air Prey Teaser as much as Truffles. It's unique feather layout and weighted tip give it the illusion of actually flying (yes, like a bird) through the air with minimal effort. I was pretty darn captivated.

Right until Truffles caught on to the fact that I was just as transfixed as her and grabbed the opportunity to snatch it, full weight, mid-air. Thank goodness I can grab a replacement feather attachment on our next trip to PetSmart.....that birdie's missing a few feathers....
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
But I digress- use your uber awesome Jackson Galaxy Petmate enrichment tools (toys) to captivate your cat and subtly lure them to the studio. Practice letting the teaser soar up into the air and casually land on the canvas. Drag the feather attachment from one side to the next, only to jet up into the sky for a few loops. Be sure to let the toy stop here and there to make it seem more attainable, and to help keep your cat's interest.
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Walking across the canvas will create it's own unique patterns and effects, but what you really want is some impact action. Truffles is a small, lightweight, female cat so I knew I had to up my game a little if we were going to get some real art out of this. It was time to bring out the big guns.

The Jackson Galaxy Ground Prey Teaser is perfect to stimulate your cat's hunting instincts and won't need to even touch the canvas to get a desired reaction. The teething friendly rubberized snake attachment is weighted and jointed to help encourage a natural movement when drug or gently lifted. You can actually get it to dance with a little lift and wiggle. Position this toy on the floor opposite your cat, with the canvas between and watch as your cat pounces into the canvas, sliding and making for some awesome visual effects!
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Of course the type of paint you use and the protective cover you cover your canvas with will impact the amount of movement of paint and the visual effects you will see. We used basic acrylics, and the cellophane stuck fairly well to help blend and smudge without sliding off the canvas. Obviously larger and more enthusiastic cats can create quite the work of art in just a few leaps and slides! Truffles spent about a half hour working on hers.
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Your work of art is done when your cat is.

It is their painting, after all.

If you're working with a slow-to-dry oil based paint you can leave the canvas out for a while after your play session and perhaps your cat will return for a few finishing touches. Truffles decided her canvas was the perfect place to rest up after that exhausting play session. Between you and me, I think she was just remaining vigilant for the next 'sneak attack.'
Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
Excuse me you've got something on your....oh, never mind.....

I'm sure you're just dying to see our work of art. But for that, you'll have to wait for another post. Take my word, it came out fabulous. Truffles is even talking about opening up a gallery. Of course she'll have to work on funding the rent first, but those are minor details. (I think she mentioned a Kickstarter.)

Whatever your cat's personality, the Jackson Galaxy by Petmate toy and enrichment collection is perfect for stimulating your cat's most basic needs and inspiring creative play time. Learn more about the Jackson Galaxy collection by following Petmate on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find these colorful and exciting toys in store now at PetSmart.


What Daughter Says: Inspire your cat's inner Mojito with engaging enrichment tools and toys from Jackson Galaxy and Petmate.


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PetMate. The opinions and text are all mine.


Cat Painting- This SIMPLE and fun art project can be done with your cat! Discover #JacksonGalaxyCatPlay by Petmate toys and enrichment tools at PetSmart and unleash your cat's inner Mojito! Foster a cat's natural instincts to hunt, catch, and kill with these colorful and engaging cat toys! #Sponsored
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