19 Cats and Counting on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

The holidays are upon us, and while we're busy celebrating, our cats may have a very different opinion about all the excitement! In this special holiday edition of 19 Cats & Counting, Rita Reimers, The Cat Analyst, takes us through the holiday season, from Halloween and Thanksgiving to Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. From unfamiliar visitors and disrupted routines to tempting decorations, festive foods, and noisy celebrations, each holiday brings its own challenges for our feline family members. Rita shares practical tips for keeping cats safe, comfortable, and happy throughout the festivities, including how to recognize signs of holiday stress, prevent common mishaps, and help your cats feel secure when their familiar world gets turned upside down. Whether your cat loves being part of the celebration or would rather hide until the guests leave, this episode will help you make the holidays enjoyable for everyone, including the four-legged members of your family! Because the best holiday gift we can give our cats is a safe, happy home.EPISODE NOTES: Holiday Safety: Keeping Your Cats Safe and Happy Through the Holiday SeasonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

Ashley Scott’s love of writing began in childhood, but her path to becoming a fiction author took several fascinating turns. After years of professional writing and a career that included working for the FBI, Ashley retired, spent a year taking classes, and finally listened when her husband reminded her that writing was what she had always wanted to do.The real turning point came while Ashley was cleaning out her mother’s home after her death in 2015. She discovered a box her mother had carefully saved containing Ashley’s childhood writings, including a story about an abandoned outdoor cat. That long-forgotten story helped point Ashley toward the work she was meant to pursue. Today, she is the author of several books, including The Queen and the Tom, the first in her new cat-centered series. She joins Rita Reimers to discuss her remarkable writing journey, the inspiration behind her feline characters, the sequel already underway, and her plans for cat-themed short stories and children’s activity and coloring books.EPISODE NOTES: From a Childhood Dream to The Queen and the Tom with Ashley ScottBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

Author, spiritual guide, and lifelong cat rescuer Ellen M. Laura joins Rita Reimers to share how cats have influenced her writing, her rescue work, and her spiritual journey. Ellen discusses the feline inspiration behind her stories, including Bella & Django: A Vegas Velvet Caper, while reflecting on intuition, healing, creativity, and the powerful connections we share with our cats. Join us for a warm and thoughtful conversation about the many ways cats can become our companions, teachers, and muses.EPISODE NOTES: Cats, Creativity, and Spiritual Connection with Ellen M. LauraBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

When most people think about cat shows, they picture beautiful, pampered cats competing for ribbons. But there is so much more to the world of pedigreed cats than meets the eye. My guest, Teresa Keiger, wears many hats in the world of cats. She is a CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) Judge, A Russian Blue breeder, editor of Cat Talk magazine, owner of a graphics design business, providers of graphics for the CWA (Cat Writers Association). Wheww! Needless to say, Teresa stays very busy! Teresa shares how she became involved in the world of pedigreed cats and discusses her work with the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). We also talk about traveling with show cats, what it's like to judge cats, and the many people who dedicate their lives to preserving and improving the breeds they love. During the second half of our conversation, we tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in the cat world: responsible breeding. Did you know that only about 3% to 5% of domestic cats come from intentional, responsible breeding programs? We discuss why ethical breeding plays an important role in preserving healthy bloodlines, maintaining breed standards, and helping ensure that many beloved breeds continue to thrive for future generations. Whether you've always wondered what happens at a cat show, are curious about pedigreed cats, or simply want a better understanding of responsible breeding, this episode offers an informative look into a fascinating part of the cat world. EPISODE NOTES: Understanding Cat Shows and Responsible Cat Breeding, with Teresa KeigerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

It’s been unbearably hot for many weeks here in the Carolinas. Across the country, we are experiencing record heat waves, and even our homes might not be cooling down as much as we'd like. My second floor has been a steady 78 to 82 degrees! Our indoor cats are affected, too, especially when it is both hot and humid. I have noticed some obvious changes in how my indoor cats act: •Drinking more water •Eating less •Sleeping more •Lying on top of the A/C floor vents (No wonder I'm still hot!) Although a cat's normal body temperature is higher than ours, averaging around 102 degrees, they still feel the effects of the heat. What are the risks to cats that become overheated, and what can we do to help them enjoy these balmy days more comfortably? My favorite veterinarian, Dr. Kelly Cairns, is here to help our felines stay cool and comfortable all summer long.EPISODE NOTES: Giving Our Cats Relief from the Heat, with Dr. Kelly CairnsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.