Let's get creative!!

Author  Gail Johnston has generously donated two signed copies of her book - 

 Creative Cues From the Cat: The Visionary Virtues of Our Feline Friends  

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Cat lovers are a creative bunch, judging by the proliferation of cat videos and photos on the internet. But creativity comes in many forms. We need creativity, for example, to problem-solve at work, parent our kids, and improvise in the kitchen.

With humor, quotes, clever analogies, and great photography, Creative Cues From the Cat  celebrates 15 feline features that teach us how to be creative people of vision. Creativity takes courage, curiosity, focus, flexibility, patience—all qualities we observe in the cat! Get a copy of Creative Cues From the Cat to inspire your  creative spirit!

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So, do you want your signed copy of this inspiring book?

Update: This GIVEAWAY has ended and the winners have been announced. 

How Do I Enter?

 

1. Post in this thread with the word ENTRY and your answer to the following question:

How does your cat inspire  you or distract  you from your creative endeavors?

2. You can have up to three entries in this giveaway. Make sure each one provides a fresh and unique answer to the question. Be creative! 

3. You can't have more than one entry per day. If you want to use all three entries, please do so on three separate days.

4. This GIVEAWAY will run for one week. Last entry can be made by midnight of February 14th. The winner will be announced the following day!

5. To participate in this giveaway you must be over 18 (eighteen) years of age.

6. The prize can be shipped internationally. 

7. This giveaway is for TCS members only. To win you must be a member with at least 10 posts on the site  by the day of the draw. If you're new to the community, welcome! Please contribute quality content, avoid spam posts just to boost your post count and don't forget to read the site rules.

Good luck everyone! 

ENTRY - Lucky's adorable face gave me the inspiration to use him as a future tattoo back in August of 2014. Ok, that's not my being creative per se, but the idea is still mine

ENTRY

Tybalt hasn't lived with me long, but he has become a much needed blessing in my life. He was prescribed to me as a service animal, and he's doing his job very well. So far, he's alerted and soothed me through two major panic attacks, and woken me up from two very bad night terrors. I've been loosing less hair, eating more frequently, and been on the longest, most stable sleep schedule in over three years. He's not only helped me with my medical conditions, but he's helped me with my career too. I'm a freelance artist, and in a very rough patch because of my mental and physical health. I have had one commission in the past four months, but it's only because I haven't been able to put new work out there. Since he's been with me, his own unique creativity (read destroying toys I buy him, hehe) has inspired my own. I've taken up sewing again, and seeing the little projects I've mended or even made for him, actually finished, has proven to me once again that I'm capable of actually finishing projects. I just have to start small and work up to the bigger ones! [emoji]128151[/emoji]

More to come in my next entry!

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My adorable rescued stray has opened up to me creative endeavors that I never would have pursued, without his presence in my life. He's the cat who helped me to realize that I'm a cat lover. Because of him, I rehabilitated an elderly cat. Because of him, I got into cat fostering, which is something I never would have even previously considered.

ENTRY - My cats have inspired my creativity towards giving them more access to the windows and high and low places they enjoy.  Things don't always work out but that just makes them works in progress.

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Nala Ava Marie inspired me to realize that I am a cat lover! I have always thoughts cats were cute but never saw myself being owned by a kitten! She's the love of my life. [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

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Sera distracts me from creative endeavors by meowing for food a lot and just wanting my complete attention

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Mouse and Linus (Linus, in particular) distract me from my creative endeavors by walking all over anything that I'm making/writing/doing. 

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Daisy distracts me from my creative endeavors by placing her furry self between me and computer monitor.  If I didn't know better, I would think she was doing it on purpose...

ENTRY - Angua distracts me from my novel writing/editing by rolling over on my keyboard and using her own creativity to hack my laptop, shutting off the screen or flipping the display upside down.

ENTRY - Boris loves to lie on my right arm, so I can't use my mouse or type.  And I hate to disturb sleeping kitty!  It's hard to be creative or get much of anything done when I am playing servant to the kitties.  But I love kitty snugs.

ENTRY.

Button Moon encourages me to be creative, inventive and persistent when it comes to my cat-proof fence. I still haven't been able to build one he can't get out of, but he keeps me thinking. I think my woodwork skills have improved a lot thanks to Button too.

Here's Button Moon, using the cat-proof fence as a hammock.

ENTRY - I can guarantee that Oscar would distract me from any creativeness while knitting. He'd want to tear the yarn up!

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My cats have inspired me to create a home that is more for cats than humans. Pretty soon, they will have more furniture than I will. 

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In yesterday's entry I started talking about how Tybalt has been helping me restore my mental health and even helped me start sewing again, but that's just the beginning. I've not only repairs some cat toys, but made a few too, not anything pretty, but functional and he loves it. After I started sewing again, I was inspired to work on a few other projects. I made a costume and a stuffed toy for my daughter, I mended a lot of clothes that needed it, and even began working on a unicorn costume I plan to sell once it's completed. I got so excited that things were getting done, that I even over exerted myself. I have terrible arthritis, and all that sewing by hand just about took me out. I got so enthusiastic that the enthusiasm became mania. I had to stop. I was still feeling so creative, and even kind of bored because I had been so crafty, so I picked up work on my tabletop game again. That's right, I'm working on a tabletop roleplaying game, not unlike Pathfinder and D&D. I never thought the game would come into fruition at the scale it has, but with my companion on my lap, I've been very inspired to work on it. Once the rough draft of the manual is complete, I'll begin working on digital artwork for a printable version, and create a Kickstarter or GoFundMe page. It's all thanks to Tybalt, because without his being by my side, I would be entirely to anxious to pursue an endeavor on this scale. I even hope to dedicate the book to him once it's printed. [emoji]128149[/emoji]

ENTRY

Not sure if this applies but it's from my heart:

Zander has inspired me to believe that no matter what you have gone through, as long as you have someone who loves you, you can make it through anything. She gives me strength.

ENTRY - Ziggy is curious about and into everything - he brings me dusters, pain brushes and exercise bands. So I have to be creative in putting away or hiding things that I don't want him getting into and putting out things that I do want him to get into!

The first two years of Linus being with me from 6 weeks old a kitten, at first I wanted him to be an inside cat, but he was already immune to the outside environment that he literally demanded it. I would not allow him outside and he had gotten skin wounds because of stress, fur kept falling off, there were skin blotches, and later gotten infected. Vet says he has a nervous disorder and was distress because he did not like to be stuck in the house. Was on medication and when he healed; I could not take it anymore of his screeching meows, so I let him go outside. He was much happier; in fact, he caught many mice and birds.

Linus, who is very loved, my furry critter distracts me at very odd early morning hours while I'm trying to get my 'zzzzz' just to let him outside. The word "Sleep" something that I seem to not get enough of and so desperately thrive for since I have acquired my pets. HELP!  What can I say "I am a Cat Butler" & a "Dog Butler" maybe I should put that on my Resume.  HA! HA! HA!



Linus has helped me with my depression. Linus has toys to play with and a scratching post. I hold, caress, and pet him. When I first brought my fur ball home, it took Linus a long time to warm up to me, allow me to hold him, snuggle and to trust me. Linus was born with a nervous disorder, very finicky, skid-dish cat and perhaps he has ADHD. Since, I have moved here at my new residency, Linus's mental disorder has become worse, I've notice that he is not the same cat, something happened to him, something different about him, and that he has changed his personality, altogether. He used to eat fancy feast liquid and the meat, but now he just drinks the liquid and wastes the food. He is more nervous, jumps at every little noise, being more fearful, kept going in and out and at night sometimes he would not come back home. He is definitely not the same cat. I have noticed since I have lived here the drastic weight-gained in Linus, too.This is the reason for the drastic change in my Linus.

I have been observing Linus's behavior and notice that Linus has been acting strange. I new something is different. Linus acts different, now. He is not the same, Linus. . I have investigated this further in a form of a question "Why has Linus behaviors and personality has changed?" "Why is Linus acting different?" Something has definitely changed. I investigated and discovered several things by being one of the "Neighborhood Watch" neighbors; I have found out several neighbors has been feeding Linus for quite some time about 2 1/2 years without my knowledge and approval.

Linus behavior has changed a lot in the last 2 years and later discovered why the dramatic and traumatic change. I found out that there were several neighbors feeding the tenants' animals that live here which is not their responsibility to feed them with total disrespect and disregard towards the cats' owners. In fact, one of my neighbor has been caught in the act placing food outside his door because I have found chicken legs and bones there on the sidewalk. I observed my neighbor opening his door and he yelled very loud for my cat to get out of his place and has been scaring my precious Linus for quite some time now. I knew that is why he has been more scared of every little noise and things around him startled him more quickly. However, I do not know if this neighbor has physically abused him or not. All I know, I kept finding food once in awhile in the enclosed hallway or other places, too. One day, I caught Linus eating something and discovered it was shrimp. Later, I have found shrimp in that same hallway. Now I am under distressed about this situation, Neighbors, cannot leave your animals alone around here!

This is the reason for the drastic changes in my Linus. I continue investigating in which I found out that same neighbor has been feeding Linus and allowing him to come in his residency which has confused him even more and has probably letting Linus come in by feeding him. This same neighbor has told me that he has fed lunch meat to my dog, too.This deranged, angry neighbor whom has been feeding my beloved Linus and allowing him to come in which he has repeatedly welcome my cat into his house for years fed him and now my cat is so confused, has developed a different skid-dish, personality behavior and his eating habits has changed tremendously, too. My cat does not eat what he used to eat for me because my neighbors. I have repeatedly asked my neighbors nicely, politely many times over in a 2 year period. I requested to my neighbors face to face repeatedly, "I would appreciate it if you would not feed my animals and do not allow my cat in your place, please."  They just continue disregarding my requests and my concerns, which now caused me more stress.  Why NEIGHBOR"?  "I have told you repeatedly, nicely, and politely over the years. "Please do not feed my cat or allow him into your place." I had no choice, I have made two complaints one to the police and one to SCRAPS. Both said they would have a talk with him. They told me, that my cat has to stay away from their area and stay in my area. Dogs and Cats are differently am I right. This is the reason for the drastic change in my Linus.

I had no choice, but to confined Linus in my place which he is used to be an inside/outside cat, but after a month of confinement, I thought everything would be different and allow Linus to go outside. I have even asked my neighbor politely again to please do not to allow my cat inside your place & please do not feed my cat. Of course, he would give me a huge smile and reassure me that he won't.Things smooth out a little while. I was relaxed and calmed. Then a month later, the neighbor would revert going back to his old stubborn ways, feeding my cat and let my cat into his place again. Because one day, I have seen Linus was trying to walkout of my when neighbors' place when he opened his door and says dam you, get out, but he scared him back into the home. Then the neighbor looked at me and said yes your cat is in here and started hollering at me. And he was chewing me out, blaming me, and accusing me of not taking care of my cat. Saying it was cold out, which at that time it was night cold out. He told me that it was not his fought that the cat keeps coming in, said he was not feeding my cat, and said I am not the only one living here. I just shook my head and walked away. Within 30 minutes, I was able to get Linus into the house for a complete confinement into the bedroom indefinitely until I figure this thing out. I have moved things around in the bedroom for him to be more comfortable and he sleeps on a recliner that you can carry around easily with a small foam mattress covered with a pillowcase on it. This would be therapeutic and less stressful for him. Being around his toys and scratching post, access to food & water. On a daily basis, I would hold him, talk with him, and comfort Linus.

Lately, Linus and my neighbors has definitely kept me on my toes. Problem Solving: I started thinking very hard what to do about this situation and started making plans. Looking for a new place and new environment. I researched the internet for better avenues and ideas in what to do to solve these issues. I do realize that I need to do something about this ordeal. I need to solve the problems that my neighbor has caused and some things that I may have contributed to or things that I have not done to prevent these things from happening. Now, I am looking at changes to ease my cat's confusion, emotional & mental status, trauma plus stresses that my cat "Linus" has been under due to my neighbors' actions. This whole thing has gotten me stressed out and more depressed, because I have to find another place that will be more suitable for my cat and my dog. It is tough to live in an apartment because animals need to live in a house.

Preparation for Training: Since the ongoing occurrences that have developed and occurred, I have been looking at other options. Therefore, I am looking at products plus cat training in how to discipline and train my cat with new products. If you want change, you have to be a the change. Looking forward to purchase a H type harness with leash, get many break away collars, so I can start easing Linus by introducing to him the harness by placing it by his eating and/or sleeping area for a few days, then the next step placing the harness on him off & on for the next 2 days, and then hook the harness with leash allowing him to get use to the new gear for up to 15 minutes at a time up to 4 times a day. Repeat these steps and process for the next few days. Place the harness on Linus, fasten harness, hook leash, and place a lot of treats in my pocket. Then start training him in the house with a clicker or use a pen in a sound of clicker. Step one, hold a treat in front of my cat at eye level, take one step forward, and say "Let's walk" and when cat walks forward make the clicking sound and give the cat a treat. Repeat each step forward and repeat the step process again at least for 4 times a day for the next 3 to 4 weeks until you are confident enough to try this outside for a few minutes at a time. 

Today, I would say having Linus my cat and Ozzie my dog has given me more perspective in life. Your animals are far better friends than the people surrounding you. The statement: people, places, and things are very true. What is important today is having a stress-free, happy. healthy life, and living in a serenity, peaceful, and safe living situations with your feline and canine loving companions who never does you wrong. Your pets are loyal, faithful, loving companions none like any other being could possibly meet up to their qualifications. My pets are my life.

  I give my pets a HEART1 and a thumbs up. Thank you Ozzie and Linus for being there for me and thank you for being my best friends.   Sign Anna

ENTRY : My cats inspire me to be creative by making me come up with new ways to keep them off of shelves and on their own cat furniture. 

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Sera and Vincent inspire me to be creative by making me want to give her nice things without paying extremely high prices.