WIN POINTS: The November Blog of the Month Contest

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the very first TCS Blog of the Month Contest!

This new contest aims at introducing our members with interesting cat blogs we picked up across the blog sphere. There are some real gems in here, and I truly hope you will become regulars at these great blogs.

We have five blogs for you to review this month. Please visit them whenever you can and leave your comments if you have something to say (you can always just say hello and that you found them on TheCatSite.com ).

Each participating blogger has been presented with three questions by TCS. Read on to learn more about the bloggers and the blogs from these interviews, and visit the blogs for a more in-depth look into their work.

Win 100 points for discovering new blog posts!

In the next post, I will be introducing the five blogs and the bloggers behind them. I will also mention the most recent blog post in that blog.

Keep an eye on those blogs and be the first to post in this thread if you see a new post on the blog! The more new posts in the blogs that you report here - the more points for you this month! By the end of November, as the contest ends, PM our Stephanie (DawnofSierra) and claim your points!


Win 250 points for making the first (non spam!) comment on one of these blogs where you mention you found them on TheCatSite.com!

So, without further ado, here are the five competing blogs for November 2008! Please take a few minutes to visit them and keep track of your favorites. Within two weeks time, we'll start a poll where you can vote for your favorite blog.

Post your thoughts and comments about the blogs in this thread - please be respectful towards participating bloggers - thank you.

This thread will be rotated through our forums over the coming few days. Please do post your comments and thoughts - thank you.

http://herecomesharry.wordpress.com/



Latest post:
Helping Mom
October 30, 2008

Here is a short interview with Melanie, the blogger behind Harry's blog:

1. Tell us about yourself and the cats in your life:
My name is Melanie, ever since I was tiny I have adored cats. When I was four or so, I broke out in hives and we found out I was allergic to a cat at my grandma's house. My mom automatically assumed I was allergic to all cats. When I was nine, brother and dad brought home a kitten that was abandoned in a motel room in Albuquerque, NM. That is when I found out I am not allergic. When I was 14 I brought home my first kitten, named him Buffy and he was my best buddy until he passed away in 1996, he was almost ten years old. I was completely heart broken when he died.
I didn't get another cat until 2006, on Mother's Day. I went to visit a neighbor and came home with a kitten, Princess, who is now 2 1/2 years old. She was such fun to have around and made me laugh. She was always right in the middle of everything I do. When I get home at night she greets me in the drive way with a sweet meow and will sometime jump on the hood of my van and wait for me to get out so I can pick her up and carry her into the house.

We live in a village called Bosque Farms, so we have lots or room for our kitties. In September 2007 I went to another neighbors house and brought home another kitten, Baby, she is a beautiful Calico Cat. She is one year old and in June this year she had four kittens. We named them Harry, Buddy, Polly and Tigger. I had all intentions of giving the kittens away, but grew very attached to them as they make me happy.

Harry, I knew I wanted from the start. He has the most gorgeous shate of orange colors in his hair, I love orange. Anyway, the longer the kittens were with us the more I grew to know their personalities. and we sttill haven't found any homes for them probobly because I haven't tried. . So my family, my two boys, my husband and daughter live with two cats and four kittens..


2. When did you start writing your blog and why?
I started this blog in August 2008 because I had been keeping track of how my four kittens were growing each week and just decided that since I was going to keep Harry, I would make him his own blog. His brother and sister have gotten pulled into it, because they are still living with Harry and the rest of us who occupy our house. I also love taking pictures of them for our friends and family to see.

3. Your message to other cat lovers is:
A house is not a home without a cat or a few cats in it.

Visit Harry's blog here:
http://herecomesharry.wordpress.com/

http://blogs.arkansasonline.com/rescue/



Latest post:

Top 10 Halloween safety tips for pet parents
October 30, 2008

The interview with Krisha, the blogger behind Rescue in the Rock:


1. Tell us about yourself and the cats in your life:
I have two beautiful cats, Annabel and Simon. When I moved to Fayetteville, Ark., in 2001, I didn't know anyone and was lonely, so I adopted Annabel from the Fayetteville animal shelter. It was love at first sight. I walked in and saw this little gray-and-white kitten in a cage full of wiggling and mewing bodies holding her gaze steadily on me. I asked to hold her, and the calm little cat instantly looked up at me and said "Meow". I was hooked. She is 7 now. I met Simon in 2005 when I found my husband-to-be. It was nice to meet a man who openly likes cats, and he talked about his all the time. When I finally met Simon, I was so impressed! He is the biggest, most beautiful cat I have ever seen. He's a 20-pound tabby with perfect marking, but he was just a little mutt given away by one of my husband's friends. Simon is a gentle giant who's greatest love is Annabel, second only to Fancy Feast.

2. When did you start writing your blog and why?
I started Rescue in the Rock in July to raise awareness about animal rescue in Arkansas and offer a resource to the animal-welfare community, linking organizations around the state and country. I wanted to help animals, but I didn't have a lot of time or money to give. I was fortunate enough to work for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and ArkansasOnline, which gave me a forum. Now it's part of my job to tell the stories of animals who need help here in Arkansas. I also cull great pet articles from our newswire services.

3. Your message to other cat lovers is:
My message to other cat lovers is to show your cat love. If you're confused about what to do when they meow, pick them up and hold them. Respect them, especially outside cats because their lives are so hard and short. Also, adopt!

Visit Rescue in the Rock:
http://blogs.arkansasonline.com/rescue/

http://ballicus.blogspot.com/



Latest post:
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2008

The interview with Thomma, the blogger behind the Ballicus Blog:

1. Tell us about yourself and the cats in your life:
I'm a novelist, and I've loved cats ever since I can remember. I've been married to my husband for going on twelve years. Well, seven years ago, neighbors abandoned their beautiful orange cat, and we took him in. That cat is Brainball, the first of our kitties. Three years later, when a friend's cat had kittens, we adopted Dorydoo, our sleek, black kitty girl. Then two years after that, Marilyn MonREOW (white, odd-eyed kitty girl) and MaoMao (Snowshoe Siamese boy) showed up as strays on our back porch within a couple of months of each other. The Ballicus Household was complete. We call our cats Ballicai because each kitty has a nickname that includes the word "Ball": Brainball, Blackball, Eyeball, Maoball.

2. When did you start writing your blog and why?
When I started the Ballicus Blog, I had no clue that the Cat Blogosphere existed. I started it as a place to post pictures of the Ballicai. I also posted pictures of them on my writing blog. What can I say, I'm a proud cat mom. *grin*! I had gotten to know Kimo and Sabi, well-loved members of the Cat Blogosphere, and when I posted on my writing blog about adopting MaoMao, Kimo and Sabi encouraged him to start his own blog. So the Ballicus Blog became not only MaoMao's blog but a place for all the Ballicai to have their say -- or to be more accurate, their meow. And becoming part of the Cat Blogosphere has been such a joy. What a wonderful group of humans and cats!

3. Your message to other cat lovers is:
Cats are precious, and their love and friendship is dear, pure and unconditional. Cherish each day you spend with them. No matter how busy you are, always take time to pet, love, and play with your precious kitties. They're love covered in fur!

Visit the Ballicus Blog here:
http://ballicus.blogspot.com/

http://thecatrealm.com/



Latest post:
Happy Halloween!!!
October 31, 2008

Interview with Charly, the blogger behind The Cat Realm:

1. Tell us about yourself and the cats in your life:
Born and raised in Germany I moved to the sonoran desert because I HATE cold and grey weather! I love the summers here (40+ C) and contemplate of moving for the winters which after 12 years in this climate are too cold now

I am a biologist by academic training who now works as an artist.
I adore cats but never wanted to have some again because of the responsibility..... but of course you can't escape them....
my neighbor ("the butler") took in a stray (Karl) and of course i volunteered to help. A few weeks later a feral kitten in need of care came along and of course stayed. We lost her (Anastasia) three years later - the desert is dangerous, bobcats, coyotes, rattlers, owls, hawks. We took in Mrs. OZ whose home had gotten too crowded for her with three other cats and a toddler and Emil, who was rejected by his mother and needed a home. We Lost Emil a year later and got Tintin from the local pound as Karl needs a play buddy and Mrs. OZ and him tolerate each other but do not socialize.

The butler and I "share custody" of the three cats. Sometimes they all sleep at his place, sometimes at mine, sometimes some sleep at his and some at mine (they can choose where they want to be). They have free access to both places and the outside from sunrise to sunset (way too dangerous outside at night!) and can pretty much do whatever they want. They of course are all three wonderful cats, three totally different personalities.

2. When did you start writing your blog and why?
I started the blog in april of 2007 while visiting a friend in New York and I can't really remember what made me do it ! Just a few days after I started I found the cat blogpshere and as they say "the rest is history". That is one of the most wonderful and amazing places ever, the cats and their humans there have become like a second family, taking care of each other with fundraisers if someone is in need, with advice and just being there for each other. A lot of the humans helping the cats blog have become really close friends like Karl's husband's (I think theirs was the first "gay cat star trek wedding in cyberspace" ) typist in the netherlands or Karl's fellow CCSI executives in italy, sydney, new york and iowa.

3. Your message to other cat lovers is:
If you don't do so already: start helping your cat blog!!!

Visit The Cat Realm Here:
http://thecatrealm.com/

http://mycatgoma.com



Latest post:
Now Poll Results Are In!
October 31, 2008

Interview with Sachie, the blogger behind My Cat Goma

1. Tell us about yourself and the cats in your life:
My name is Sachie, I am a graphic designer by day professional blogger by night. I am originally from Japan living in Burlington VT. I have a 1.5 year-old seal pt Himalayan cat name "Goma". His name means "Sesame" in Japanese. I love sesame and also when I got him he was really tiny!! So I decided to call him Goma!

2. When did you start writing your blog and why?
I started Goma blog to share his pictures and video with my friends and family. Since all of my family and most of my friends live in Japan, I thought it would be a good idea to make a blog so that people can check to see what Goma is doing everyday. After 2 years, we have so many fans from all over the world and making new friends everyday!! I love meeting and connecting with people so that is what keeps me going! It is too much fun!


3. Your message to other cat lovers is:
If you love cats, you are my friend! I honestly think cat lovers are the BEST and the COOLEST people is the whole universe!! Kitty lovers rock!! yey!

Visit My Cat Goma here:
http://mycatgoma.com

Just to keep this thread bumped - 250 points from me to the first TCS member to post a comment in one of the contest blog - and post a link to it here (keep in mind some bloggers need to approve comments first - it needs to show up to qualify here!)

Bumpity Bump.

No comments from anyone yet?

These are some absolutely terrific blogs! Congratulations to the bloggers!

Originally Posted by DawnofSierra

These are some absolutely terrific blogs! Congratulations to the bloggers!

Click to expand...

Very interesting stuff!

Nice blogs.

I have to admit I have a bit of trouble with blogs, these included. Maybe I'm too old or too stupid but I can't seem to navigate my way around the sites and haven't found anywhere to post a comment. They seem like great pages though, with beautiful cats of course!

You know, posting comments has gotten trickier, with such a variety of blog templates.

Usually, you will find a link, either at the top of a post, or at the bottom, where it says how many comments there are. It would look something like 3 comments or 5 people have commented or no comments.

That's where you click to view the comments, and as you scroll down, you'll see a form there where you can enter your own comment.

Hope this helps

A lot of blog software won't even show you the comment form unless you're logged in. Which stinks because then people won't even realize it.

Well i should clarify. it's not the software that does it. it's whoever designed the templates. (Themes)

You know, following the feedback here, I actually went and changed the comments bit in my own personal blog. I made the comments link show up both at the top and bottom of every post and instead of just indicating how many commetns, I added a "click here to add your comment" bit. I always felt that when there are zero comments the "no comments" link is very confusing. If I didn't know, I would read that as saying comments are not allowed.

Come on, people, comment on one of the participating blogs and post about it here - 250 points to the first member to do that!

Come on folks - the points are still here... just comment on a participating blog and let us know. Or, find a new post on one of the blogs...

OK, OK, Anne! Just for you I visited "Here Comes Harry" and left a comment on today's post...after all, my Tailer knows all about how to make a mess with cereal milk.

Whew, was afraid no one would... Don't be scared, folks - bloggers LOVE comments.

Tari, you forgot to mention TCS in the comment (just saying - I found you through the contest on TheCatSite.com would do!)

So, since you dared be the first one - I'm going to give you the 250 points but... another 250 still remain for the first person to post a comment with some contest and mentioning TheCatSite.com in it too!

Go ahead, comment away, people!

I recently changed my template because the comment section was a tiny stick out tab with a speech bubble to the left of the post at the top and no one ever seen it too.