Candid Carrie's Cat Corner, Introduction

Hello! First, I would like to thank the canines from this blog for that lukewarm reception. Second, hugs and kisses to Pauline for letting me participate as a guest blogger.

Here is a little bit of my background. I am a real human and have my very own blog, Candid Carrie. I have six human children, one out on his own, one at college, and four at home. I also have seven felines, all rescued.

I am not, however, all about cats! In the past, I bred and showed Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terrorists (yes, I meant to spell it that way) for about ten years. Gave up the small dogs for big dogs and had four Great Danes, all of them adopted through a variety of reputable rescue organization. I've also helped a friend by fostering retired Greyhounds until they found their forever home.

At this point in my life, cats are the better route for our family. So here I am, saving the world one cat at a time.

My intentions are to pop in periodically, blog about a product I've used, and chat about the experience.

If anyone would like to ask cat related questions, you can reach me at carriestuckmann@gmail.com and I will feature your question (along with a link to your blog) in an upcoming post.

P.S. I know those are the footprints of a dog featured below, but it is just better to let sleeping dogs lie, you know what I mean?

ruff ruff...and meow

Finnigan says: Greetings peasants and pooches. It is I, Finnigan the Great Master and Commander of the Entire Universe and Beyond.
It has been many moons since my last post (that sounded pretty sweet, didn't it?) and I have a majorly barkin' announcement to make.
Dog Mom is a traitor.
Yes, I said it. If I didn't rely on her for food, shelter, and belly rubs, I'd turn her in to the puppy council right now for treason.
Her crime? She has broken our cardinal rule barring felines from Ruff Ruff Ruff! Can you believe it?
Apparently, we will now be having a guest blogger coming in with some Candid Carrie's Cat Corner, or some ruff like that.
As a dog, I am totally against it. But Dog Mom says she won't transcribe for me anymore unless I agree to it. So here I am, announcing to the world (because I have no thumbs)that cats are now welcome on Ruff Ruff.
There goes the blogosphere...

Kisses and a T-shirt

Finnigan says: Greetings doglings and loyal human subjects. It has been a few weeks since our last post, and to celebrate our triumphant return and our kickin' redesign, we are hosting a new contest for a free T-shirt from the pawesomely exclusive Boodie Kiss online boutique.
Cat says: Hi puppies and doggies! Aren't you excited? Just bark us a comment to the post, or blog about it at your own blog and leave us the link here so we know to give you an entry.
Oh-and how is this for extra credit? Do both and get two entries! Hurry up, dogs! Get your people to enter the contest by May 24 at midnight.
Good luck and ruff ruff!

Scratch my butt! (or who wants a chance at a free massage???)

Dog Mom says: Remember our good friend Jen from Gentle Paws Pet Massage?
Cat and Finnigan recently got reacquainted with her at Pet Ritz Lakeshore in Roseville, where Jen recently began seeing clients.
To celebrate her new partnership with Pet Ritz, Jen is offering one lucky Ruff Ruff reader a chance at a free dog massage. To enter, just leave Cat and Finnigan a comment to this blog telling us why your pooch deserves some serious pampering! Or if you blog, write a post about our contest and leave us a comment with the link. And if you just can't wait, make sure to mention Ruff Ruff sent ya, and you'll be treated to a $5 discount on your first massage (for new customers only.)
Contest ends May 10 at midnight.
Remember the rules! Leave us a way to get in touch you or your entry does not count!
Good luck and happy massages!

Famouser and famouser

Finnigan says: Greetings my loyal readers! Dog Mom just told me and Cat that our blog has been listed on the Dogs with Blogs site. We are listed here under "Other Blogs!"
Totally pawesome!
Who wants a paw-tograph? Maybe I should practice my signature.
I may also have to hire a body guard...wait. Never mind. My little sister is a rottweiler.
She wouldn't hurt a fly, but not everyone knows that!

Tag! You're it! (and a contest, too!)

Finnigan says: Greetings, doglings and loyal humans. I, King Finnigan and Master and Commander of the Universe, am hereby decreeing that all humans must get their dog a very cool hand-stamped I.D. tag from Alli's Originals.
I know, I know. It is so much easier just to go to the local pet store and have one pumped out by that soulless machine, right?
Maybe, but where's the fun in that when you can rather tell inquisitive minds that the oh-so-cool I.D. tag your pooch is wearing is an Alli Original? I might not usually care about who made what when it comes to humans, but I really like my grey, hand-stamped tag.

Cat says: Mine is pink! That is so grrrrly and I LOVE it! And all the puppies I know are soooo totally drooling over my I.D. tag. It's like, everybody gets theirs at the pet store, so mine is like, a designer, or something! Talk about cool points for me at the dog park.

Finnigan's Ruff Ruff Review: Four out of four paws. It's simple, elegant, and compliments my royal persona quite well.

Cat's Ruff Ruff Review: Duh! It's pink and grrrly! Like I wasn't going to give it four out of four paws????

Dog Mom says: Alli of Alli's Originals has graciously offered a Dog I.D. tag in your choice of pink or grey to one lucky dog! You the know rules: Visit Alli's site and then leave us a comment telling us what your favorite dog or people item is and why you'd like an I.D. tag! But remember, your entry will not be considered valid unless you leave us a way to contact you! So be sure to include your email.
Contest ends April 27 at midnight. Good luck!!

Barkin' it up at the Ritz

Dog Mom says: Finnigan has been dropping some major hints that he needed a serious haircut and the good folks at Pet Ritz Lakeshore Resort offered a grooming session and tour just the other day.
The facility is beyond clean with a rigorous sanitation regimen and a new batch of fresh air piped in every 20 minutes, thanks to a fresh air exchange. Indoor and outdoor play areas are available for the pups running and playing pleasure, and the staff is incredibly friendly. I've been in other dog boarding and daycare facilities that just left me feeling like my dogs were up next for a scientific experiment, but Pet Ritz feels warm and inviting, kinda like my dog's dream yard.
Maybe it's the constant human interaction or the fact that the facility is staffed round the clock, or it could be the 24-hour web access that lets you peek in to see how your pooch is doing. Whatever it is, I loved it.
Keep reading for Finn and Cat's dog-servations about their day! (And if you're local to the Metro Detroit area, you have the chance at a free weekend boarding opportunity!)

Finnigan says: This is Denise, the groomer. Note my wild-man look. Can you say "Baby comes first?" I find it highly coincidental that I have not had a proper grooming since she was born.


Check it out! TV's for the guests! And in case it is too blurry, it's "Madagascar." Cool flick. I've seen it once or twice with the family.


Wait, what's this? Prison? Dog Mom said they are "suites" but I'm not thinking anything sweet at all right now...Wait! Where is she going??? Well, at least it's roomy and I have a cellmate I am comfortable with.


Cat says: Kudos to the artist for their beauteous rendition of the owner's rotties. Maybe there is a chance of immortalizing me? I'm a natural model.



Dog Mom and Buttercup made a friend named Jersey. She is a cute puppy and I want to play with her, but then again, I want to play with every puppy all the time.



Wow-my bathtub at home is nowhere near this big!



Check out Finnigan getting a haircut! Boy, am I glad I don't have to get those.


Guess who we are looking clean and spiffy with? That's right, it's Jen from Gentle Paws Pet Massage! She's at Pet Ritz now and that's just pawsome. I may have to guilt-trip Mom into going to visit again.

Finnigan's Ruff Ruff Review: All in all, I think Groomer-lady Denise did a pawesome job on my coat. I am now back to the height of all things dapper and am sure to make the girls go wild when I am out on walks or playing at the dog park. I can't bark about the overnight stays or the playgroups, but from what Dog Mom is raving about, I'm gonna have to give Pet Ritz a four paw rating.

Cat says: Can we go back? It was fun. Everybody loved me (which is nice, because a lot of times people are afraid of me even before they get to know me). I loved my bath and Groomer-lady Denise is very nice. I'm with Finnigan on this one: Four paws!

Dog Mom says: I'm back to give you the inside bark on a very cool and generous contest. Interested in a free weekend boarding opportunity for your pooch? If you live in the Metro Detroit Area, the people at Pet Ritz are waiting for me to announce a contest winner! So check out their site and then leave us a comment telling us what you liked about what you saw. Remember that while Finnigan may be King of all Dogdom, none of us is psychic, so leave your email address in your comment if you want your entry to count.
To give everyone a chance at entering, the contest will end at midnight on May 8. We'll even post reminders! Good luck!