Blogging conference: When did Travelin Jack talk to Cupcake?

The conference ended last night and the cat ladies sat around chatting for way too long in the lobby of the hotel. No one wanted to wrap it up and call it a night because most everyone was headed home in the morning. It was so nice to spend time with other advocates of cats - each in their own individual way and it is was so nice to honor that and talk and learn and listen.  I am very sad that it is over but I am so looking forward to going home..

I will not be headed there right away. I packed a few extra days to spend time with Lisa and Amy and Harvey and Lowenstein and Evelyn and Stilwell and Maxwell and Faraday and Allie. It is a shame we aren't all closer together and could someone please get on inventing the transporter, please.

But sometime during the past few days, it has become painfully apparent that Travelin Jack spent a little time with Cupcake and they must have talked about the awesome things that usually come in Starbucks cups (aka whipped cream)

Jack then thought a wardrobe change was appropriate since the sponsorship we received from Chewy doesn't include the rest of the trip, but I didn't bring his purple collar so I offered him my tiger eye bracelet. He wanted to show it off on the monster cat bed that our friend Amy Jo offered us because she thought her puppy might chew on it.

A fond farewell to all our old friends and our new ones. May you all have safe journies home and may we all be together again soon.

Blogging conference: day two

It is way too late, and I am way too tired, but I thought I would check in with you all and let you know I'm still kicking. 🐱 There is something uniquely special about hanging out with people who get you, who are into the same things you are. Tonight a number of the cat bloggers went out to eat at a local BBQ joint and had a wonderful time talking about cats and blogging and the things we have learned and vendors of products we have met.

I am really enjoying being here, even if the furry hoard at home is giving me major guilt trips for not being at their beck and call

Seriously, how did I ever leave the house?
and yes, that is snow back there. it is still coming down according to the Catman

Blogging conference: day one

Travelin Jack is exhausted. He had a very full day today; meeting brands, being social, being cute, and catching up with other blogging friends. While we arrived on Tuesday, one night of sleep in a strange bed does not quite make up for the exhaustion that comes from traveling. Make note, if you want to go to a blogging conference show up early so you can be well rested so you can hit the ground running.

We got lots of swag and wonderfully enough most of it we can use. The question becomes just how much of it is going to fit in our suitcase to make it home - we'll see

We have met some new friends and found some exciting new products and have interesting things to share with you in the upcoming weeks. You can check out my Twitter feed, Facebook page, and Instagram account to see some of what we have been up to.

(Technically this is not a sponsored post, but since I was sponsored to get here, I wanted to put in the disclaimer anyway)

Travelin Jack is heading to #BlogPaws with @Chewy

I'm flying out tomorrow to Kansas to meet up with other cat people and to attend BlogPaws. For their tenth anniversary they have partnered up with Chewy™ and in doing so they offered a sponsorship opportunity to a number of bloggers to go and blog and talk about the conference on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. (Amy, you will be proud, Grammarly reminded me to use the Oxford comma)

Technically, this is not a sponsored post because it isn't required, but I wanted to share what I am up to and what is going to be coming up. I've been trying to spend a lot of time snuggling the kitties because I'll be away for a while, but I am pretty sure they have no idea what is going on.. although I think they are starting to figure it out

 

Where in the world is Travelin Jack now?

Travelin Jack set off recently on a little adventure. Any guesses as to where he went?

He started out by getting on a plane.

He visited with some cuties at the market place and then finally landed at his destination..

Do you recognize those kitties? If not, you totally need to check out Sometimes, Cats Herd You! I was contemplating going to Global Pet Expo and Ashton offered me the use of her couch, which I have to say was beyond generous. She was a very gracious host. She even made sure there were treats.. (although I'm not sure that Newton was told about the fact that treats might be shared)

Since I don't have kittens at the moment I'll take the next few days and talk about my experience at the show, some trends I saw, some interesting and exciting finds, and things I was less than thrilled with. If kittens show up I'll move the posts to the weekends.

#TakeYourCatToWork on #TakeYourDogToWork Day

Today is take your dog to work day, but I say we don't let that get us kitties down.  As you know, I am lucky enough to be able to bring my foster kittens in to work on occasion to help socialize them. I know it is a huge benefit to them, and it improves their self confidence and allows them to adjust to new situations easier when they do it when they are so young.  I wasn't able to bring my current set in as they are a little young and litter box habits aren't to be trusted yet

I know most cat people aren't able to bring their cats to work, but we are not alone, most dog people aren't either.  But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate in spirit..

And know, if you have a young cat or kitten, the more you take them out of the house when they are young, the easier it will be on them when they are older. Introduce them to as many new experiences as possible. Repeat a few of them from time to time too so they are familiar with them. Take your kitties to a friend's house if they are accepting of your kitty, take them to the local pet store. I once took Jack to a local ice cream shop for ice cream; I will admit he made quite an impression on the folks there.

I often see people decry it as abuse when you travel with your cat, I say it is only stressful on the cat when they are not used to it. Make it a positive experience, be loving and full of praise, and you too can have a kitty you can take down to the local ice cream shop.

or that will hide in your inbox

Travelin Jack has a mischievous side

Travelin Jack selfie at the hotel 

Our last day in Nashville was a bit of a bore. My flight home wasn't until 8pm. I know I could have gone out and explored the city a bit, that really just wasn't my thing. I figured I would catch up on my email with the internet connection at the hotel, but unfortunately once I checked out I couldn't login anymore. They gave me a complimentary 40 minutes when I asked, but that left quite a bit of time for Travelin Jack to search out some new life and new civilizations.. adventure

I'm bored watching you check your email.. lets go climb a tree

This is way better than that, but still kind of boring

Lets play hide and seek..

BOO!  I scared you didn't I?

Posing by the fountain

Distracted by the birdie in the tree

oh Garçon! Can I have a niptini?

Sniffing the gardenias magnolias 

TJ! NO!! you may NOT hijack the shuttle bus!!

SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST

TSA isn't a fan of shenanigans so Travelin Jack played it cool

TJ NO!! You may NOT hijack the police vehicles
(I wanted to pose him on it but decided not to, two seconds later the police walked by)

Making friends at the airport

Travelin Jack knows all the ladies like chocolate

we were both a little surprised to find kombucha at the airport

considering a possible gift for DH

My dinner. Travelin Jack thought he should have some then remembered he was stuffed.

Heading home

oh so happy to be home

Tails from the Foster Kittens went to BlogPaws

I know I know, I am SOOO late in getting these up.. I'm sorry. I know you were anxiously awaiting the photos I took while I was away.. *sigh* I'm sorry (look at me stroke my own ego.. like you really were waiting.. ha ha ha)

Anyway.. For those of you who didn't know at the end of May I traveled down to Nashville TN to attend the 2015 BlogPaws conference. I also went in 2013 when it was in Baltimore - which was so nice because I could drive.. I really hate to fly because I really hate being treated like chattel. I ended up flying SouthWest a few years ago and it is now my preferred method of travel because you get to pick the seat. Being someone who is of the "plus-sized"* variety of people out there, I know full well that there is a segment of the population of the world who look upon us with disgust and near hatred, so I feel very uncomfortable 'forcing' myself upon them when I sit next to them - mostly because I simply do not know. I know I shouldn't care, that it is their problem, but I do... and I feel much more comfortable when I can sit down first and let someone choose to sit next to me... so SouthWest it is.  (ramble much Connie?? anyway as for the *, I hate that term, but it is the one we all know what I mean when I say it. It isn't like there are minus sized people.. Look, we are all just people, if you hate us for being a size, get over it. I am not going to apologize for taking up space in your world)

So.. tickets booked (eventually - goodness it was hard getting a good flight) and bags packed, Travelin Jack and I headed down to spend time with like minded individuals. It was like coming home - only with a lot of travel.. (seriously, I know traveling to Maine is a pain, but it's so worth it, ya'll should come here.).

I also chose not to bring my DSLR, because it is big and bulky and at the other conferences I was worried about it too much of the time, so I relied completely on my phone camera for the photos. and seriously, I want to flog myself for all of the 'portrait' type photos I took when I strongly prefer 'landscape'. I just kept forgetting to turn the phone on it's side. Most of these were seriously cropped to get the look I wanted.

Travelin Jack always likes to stop at the gift shops.. he's weird like that

Travelin Jack wonders if we say "SouthWest" enough times if they'll comp us some tickets
SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST

In Baltimore, wondering where Tony and Gibbs are.

First picture I take at BlogPaws? Waffles of course!

Travelin Jack channels his inner Odilia

The next morning, checking in, getting my name badge and swag bag

My kitten fever was getting a little out of control,
thanks to Jeanne for providing some relief

Travelin Jack said if it is good enough for Odilia... 

Part of the exhibit hall
This is where you get to know the brands that want bloggers to blog about their products

One of the highlights of the conference, baby ducklings at the Jones Natural Chews booth.
No, they will not be made into treats. (Btw, Flea rocks!)
You can see just some of the recycling bins around the hotel trying to make it zero-waste

which of course means "DUCK SELFIE!!"

A horrible photo of the entrance to the Cat Lounge. I like the lounge a lot, but one down side
is there aren't that many things that are given away. Most of the booths in the exhibit halls had freebies,
but it was nice to see and touch the products that Kate talks about over athauspanther.com

Carma Poodle was there.. 

Just hanging out with Katie (well trying to convince her I wasn't there to steal her)
oh yeah, and Debbie and Lisa too (priorities, right?)

Summer and Janiss' legs. (again, just look at my priorities)

The amazing Sophie

a trip to Target is tradition when you are traveling with Amy

Silliness on social media for a good cause. They sang and food was donated to their shelter

Travelin Jack heard there were hats at the Honest Kitchen booth, he had to show Jack up.
I was offered one, but I didn't think I could get it home in one piece.
I should have tried, that would have been adorable on kittens

I took Waffles to "Ashton's Chicken Emporium"
Seriously Julie, those glasses are freakin awesome!

and I hung out with Jeanne's kittens again.. 

and helped Debbie and Lisa get ready for their party

We went into the city for dinner

Amy, Lisa, Jenny, Debbie and Stephanie

We saw Elvis! (and a lot of drunk people)

Kitten Pawpurrazzi Rachel, Sophie and Emily
You can see one of the photos Sophie took here

Herman (although he was distracted at looking something WAY more important)

BlogPaws cheesecake

yes, another kitten break... seriously, why do you think I constantly foster kittens??
Kitten Fever is real and it burns!!

The closing banquet - after we ate they gave out the nose to nose awards

Don't tell Debbie, but Waffles wanted to come home with me
 I failed to plan and didn't have an orange mancat sized space for him in my stuff

We went to the Waffle House, and Stephanie was so over Travelin Jack trying to take the perfect selfie

Checking out. The gentleman was super helpful

SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST!!

oh yeah, and some point in those few days there were some seminars that I went to, where I learned about interesting things in some, and didn't in others. Because I roomed with friends I focused more on spending time with them instead of the conference and so I know I missed out on a few things and possibly a few opportunities, but I am okay with that. I had fun.

Travelin Jack and I had most of Sunday to hang out since my flight out wasn't until 8 and I had to be out of the hotel at noon.  His little adventure trying to waste some time will have to be a different post..