Results of Renegade Craft Fair

This was my booth for the Renegade Craft Fair. This show didn't utilize the frosted side walls available at the California Mart. I was disappointed because I like to use a wall shelf on the side like I did for the Unique LA show last Dec. They wanted to go for a marketplace feel but I prefer the mini shop aesthetic. The shop flow makes more sense. I setup a mini table they gave us as a kind of display shelf except that people were afraid to go back there.

Unfortunately the show was really slow and I didn't sell as much as I'd hoped. It was a super warm beach day so I don't think many people were up for shopping indoors downtown. That said I was in kind of a rotten mood halfway through Sunday. I've compiled the top things people say when they come to my booth that make me want to punch them in the face. (This is the uncensored and very tired "me" talking here.) I have to sit and listen to these phrases said at least 100 times over the span of 8 hours at every show I do...

1. You should make stuff for dogs.

What I'd really like to say to them: If I wanted to make stuff for dogs don't you think I'd be making stuff for dogs??!! I don't have a dog and I don't care about dogs. I prefer cats to dogs any day and you can go anywhere already and find an overabundance of crap for dogs. Do you see the 2 HUGE CATS on my banner?? WTF do you think they are on it for??

2. My cat doesn't like catnip.

What I'd really like to say to them: I don't believe you. You probably never gave your cat a REAL catnip toy. What you gave them was a toy that sat on the floor of a warehouse in China for 5 years and was sprayed with some "catnip" type scent. Yeah my cats don't play with those crappy catnip toys either. I think you are just cheap and making excuses. I feel sorry for your SUPER UNLUCKY PETS!

3. Catnip makes my cat CRAZY. (said like it's a bad thing)

What I'd like to say to them: You SUCK!!! What do you think it's supposed to do you idiot?? Can't a cat have a little FUN?? God it lasts about 10 minutes and then it's OVER!! You're just too cheap to treat you cat to some fun. Why did you even come to my table? Did you think this was the 99 cent pet store???

4. My cat won't wear a collar. (said by the same person who also said #2 or #3)
What I'd like to say to them: Why did you even bother to come over here?? Keep your stupid thoughts to yourself. What did you think I sold - CAT FOOD?? If your cat doesn't play with toys, sit on a play mat or wear a collar what exactly did you intend to buy them at my booth?? Nothing! That's exactly what I thought. You never buy your cat anything do you?? I'd hate life if you were my owner. No wonder all your cat does is sleep.

And a few more comments that were also said to me that I have to add.
• Do you have any cats?
• Do you make any of this?
• Is this a pincushion? (said while holding a catnip maki)
• What is this? (said by 2 separate people holding a swiss roll that has a label on it saying - organic catnip swiss roll)

Renegade Craft Fair!!

I'm about to head out to the California Market Center to setup for the Renegade Craft Fair taking place this weekend. I'll be sure to post photos of the Jake & Micah booth. Wish us luck for a successful weekend of sales and sharing Jake & Micah with more super lucky pets!!

Jake Update

I've been really busy getting ready for the Jake & Micah show this weekend but I wanted to post a photo of Jake and give everyone an update. It's been 5 weeks since Jake returned from the hospital. Since then he seems to feel better everyday. His diarrhea has been off and on but his appetite has been getting better and better. We still syringe feed him 1-2 times each day other wise he eats on his own. Ironically I've started giving him Iron and B Vitamin supplements. I'm not sure if that is what's responsible for his increased energy level or not but he's been venturing to the other end of the house this past week, something he hasn't done in MONTHS. He always used to spend evenings in the family room with us watching TV while we ate dinner. Since March he's not really had any interest in walking to the other end of the house but in the past week he has and we can only interpret that as he has more energy! His red blood count numbers have been creeping down for months so perhaps his new vitamins are giving him a much needed boost.

I have a review of the Bissell SpotBot that I want to post and I also plan to post photos of the Jake & Micah booth setup from the upcoming show this weekend so check back soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Curtain like a Veil...

Sweet As Sunday

It was another great day for Jake today. He had lots of energy, is over his bout of diarrhea, went outside to relax and was very engaged with what we were doing all day.

Jonah had a great day too. He did a lot of exploring outside. More pics to come later in the week.

Fionna was her usual feisty self. She also got to spend some time outside in the tent today.

Nice, LONG 4th of July '09

Our relaxing 4th of July holiday started with yummy chocolate chip pancakes and bagel/egg sandwiches for breakfast. Then mommy did a little work to prepare for our Jake & Micah show next weekend while we kept her company in her office. Jonah gave Fionna a neck washing. Look at that face! Mommy calls it her grouchy smoosh face because her face looks all smooshed and angry. Lick me you fool!

A little work was followed by a delectable lunch of grilled hot dogs and lobster tails. Eclectic I know but mommy and daddy thought it was pretty darn delicious. I was feeling REALLY good today so I ventured into the kitchen to keep mommy and daddy company while they ate. Mommy thinks that I might be over my diarrhea just after she bought that SpotBot thingee. I told her not to despair as I'll be sure to puke up something special for her sooner rather than later.

After lunch Jonah had the audacity to take a nap in MY cat tent!! He hasn't been in that thing since he was adopted... He looks pretty darn comfortable if you ask me. If I catch him doing that again I'm going to beat his furry butt.

Later we all got to go outside while mommy and daddy grilled steaks for dinner. Jonah had to stay in the tent so he wouldn't wander off.

Fionna had to be in the tent too as usual.

What? You thought I was going to be in that tent too? ARE YOU NUTS?!?!

I don't get put in any tent because I have to take my seat at the dinner table.

That's right!! FEED ME STEAK!!

Time for me to go take a nap on the couch as the sun was going down...

Do you see me sitting on the couch? Fionna was still hanging in the tent but Jonah had to go in the house because he got angry at being stuck inside the tent and he started rocking it like crazy. It was a fabulous 4th of July in my opinion. Can you believe it's been 4 whole weeks since I came home from the hospital? Look at mommy's pretty twinkle lights! It was so pretty and peaceful out there that I didn't want to go inside! – Jake Cat

Vomit, Hairballs and Diarrhea

In the past 24 hours I've cleaned cat vomit at least 2x and diarrhea 3x. That's just in the past day! I've had to clean vomit after 12 AM at least 2x this week. I'm not complaining. Instead I'm going out to buy the Bissell SpotBot Pet today at Bed Bath & Beyond. Anyone with pets knows that throw-up, pee and poop are a part of daily life. Multiply that by the number of pets you have (in our case 3) and that's a lot of cleaning! It has great reviews so I'll let you know how it works. With it's $129 price tag I think it'll be well worth it, IF it saves me time on my hands and knees scrubbing our carpets clean. I'll admit I'm a clean freak and I HATE pet stains on carpet and stinky pet smell. I'll be sure to post a review soon!

Steely Blue Eyes

This is the face I fell in love with. His eyes used to be a brighter turquoise blue but have grayed over time. This is the face that I love.

Special Regular Day

Every regular day that Jake is still with us is a special day. The bummer is that Jake's been feeling a bit off since last Friday. His breathing was more labored but that has since resolved itself thankfully. He's not been eating well though and has decided he's not going to take his syringe feedings sitting down anymore. We're still doing it but it's more difficult as he fights us and spits out half the food. Today he came down with diarrhea too. Not quite sure what's going on. Perhaps he has a flu bug or something that affected his breathing last week and his digestive system this week. Then again it could just be his renal condition. Please keep Jake in your thoughts, we appreciate it.

Fionna started on Prozac last week. It's still too early to tell how well it's working. Overall I don't see much of a change in her personality. Yesterday she was really going to town pulling the hair off her arms and stomach. She's been doing this for months now and we suspect that it's feline psychogenic alopecia after ruling out food and skin allergies. The stress of Jake's illness can't be helping her either. I bought a new bird feeder to install near the family room window for her. The birds haven't found it yet but I'm sure they will soon. This will give her a second location to go spastic on her feathered friends and get her mind off her troubles.

Jonah is our lovable fur ball. He coughed up some mean hairballs over the weekend. He needs to get brushed today but you saw firsthand how well that goes! I got some Petromalt for him at the store today along with some wheat grass for him to nom on. I've never given wheat grass to the cats so I'll be sure to let you know if they like it.

8 Month Anniversary...

of missing your sweet angel face, Micah. Jake misses your cuddles and so do we. There isn't a day that passes that we don't think of you a multitude of times. We know you're watching over Jake from where you are and that is one of the reasons he's still with us. As much as you want him to be with YOU, you know we still need him here with us awhile longer...

Treat Time!

Sorry this video is kind of long... I've been busy with work and at a loss for interesting things to blog about this week. BTW, Jonah doesn't like treats that is why he is never in these videos. What cat doesn't like treats you ask? Jonah. Jake has been doing okay lately. Some days he's more hungry or active than others. As with most CRF cats, eating is always an issue. He got some Fancy Feast yesterday which he thoroughly enjoyed but didn't agree with his stomach. I was cleaning puke off the carpet at 1 AM - how FUN!