So after yesterday’s selfie, I was put back in my carrier and my human and I boarded the flight to Nashville. My human gave me crunchy treats to help me with ear pressure when the plane took off and landed.
We arrived at BlogPaws the day before the exhibition hall and Cat Style Lounge opened, but my human needed to drop off a couple of books to Kate Benjamin at the Cat Style Lounge, so I got a sneak preview!
This cat tree TREE was possibly my favorite thing in the whole exhibition hall!
These cubes were pretty fun too.
That’s not a real cat next to me — it’s a flat cat. There were lots of those here! Too bad the litter wasn’t opened up and poured until the next day. I wanted to review it.
The next morning, my human picked up her badge (I didn’t need one) — and the awesome cat swag bag! Since this is my first BlogPaws, I don’t know what went on before, but my human says this is the best bag of cat items ever. Of course, I will be giving away much of it on Cat World Domination Day (yes, I am having it this year!).
Then my human gave me breakfast and had brunch (I hear it resulted in a blog post I will be doing in a couple of weeks), and she brought back some cantaloupe for me. I wasn’t expecting this special treat!
Then it was back to the Cat Style Lounge to check out more cat products!
I think I tried out all the cat trees and towers that were there!
This wall piece took some getting used to because I’d never seen anything like it.
I liked the Katio right away. But I’m used to show cages and enclosures, so that is probably why.
Don’t tell anyone, but I took a sip out of this fountain. I don’t know if I was allowed.
There were other kitties at the conference too! Katie and Waffles were there, but I didn’t meet them — my human didn’t want to stress them out, or possibly me either. Then there was this guy in the stroller. I’m not a stroller-type kitty — when I was out and about, I was in a sling so my human could keep me close.
My human does not like to play favorites, but she fell in love with Sophie! (And to be honest, she was already halfway in love with her from the blog she is part of, Kitty Cat Chronicles.) Sophie has a mild-to-moderate case of cerebellar hypoplasia, but that does not stop her from going places and having lots of fun! She spent a lot of time hanging out at BlogPaws, either in a sling or on a leash, like me. In fact, we even met each other and touched noses while we were in our slings!
The Random Felines human brought some of her fosters and I got to meet Queso, but he didn’t like me! I guess he thought I was some huge, scary monster cat, even though I was perfectly nice and calm around him. Plus, I am only 7 pounds. There were other cats there too, including Coco the Couture Cat! But I only saw a little bit of her, and none of the others.
I started the next day with a healthy breakast — and bacon! My human brought it up from her own breakfast and I was so excited. It was my first time having bacon, since the humans don’t eat it, and it was delicious.
This was a big day for me because I had to help my human work the Cat Writers Association booth and help her sell copies of Rescued. I sat on the table and helped draw people in! Since we were out in the main part of the exhibition hall, there were lots of dogs wandering around (I hear there were something like 100 dogs there!), but I wasn’t bothered by them.
It was a good thing I didn’t mind the dogs because I was surrounded by them later that night when I competed in Pawject Runway! It was sponsored by Only Natural Pet and Vetriscience and three kitties (including me), one rat and a bunch of dogs had to wear costumes created by our humans in just 10 minutes!
I’m glad my human scotched this idea early on.
Although I am not so sure about what I did end up wearing! I am not sure what my human was thinking! It was the goofiest outfit ever, but you know what? I won for Best Diva, and got a $100 gift card from Only Natural Pet! I really think I won because I actually walked across the stage. If you want to see, you can go here. My human managed to find the clip with my walk because the video of the whole event is very long and not super exciting.
One of my favorite feral cat rescues, Kitty Bungalow was there with one of their cats, Kissie. She didn’t win one of the gift cards, so I donated mine to them.
But I wasn’t done! Later that night, my human and I had an after dinner party in our hotel room, with champagne! I dressed for the occasion. I want to mention that all the humans who attended were well-behaved, and no one tried to abscond with me (although there were threats).
I had a great time, but I was exhausted! We flew home the next day, leaving early because my human had been worried that I might not enjoy myself. She says that if she knew how well I would handle everything, we would have come earlier and stayed later. We are already registered for BlogPaws 2016, in Phoenix!
2022 Somali Cat Calendar Starring Summer Samba
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
You are such a pro Summer. I’d say one of those candidates for prex should invite you to share a stage with them. I’m sure you’ll be great spokespawson.
You were great in your walk! I know what its like to wear a silly costume and walk in front of a bunch of strangers! Kinda fun and kinda scary and how nice of you to donate your gift card to the shelter for feral cats.That’s so wonderful. Three of my felines are formerly feral so it is really important to make sure they have help. I look forward to more posts about Blogpaws!!!
Russell here (the orange man cat in the stroller you posted) – we would have loved meeting you! Little sis Alice was in the stroller, too. She loves to stay close to me. You are sure a cutie.
Wow Summer, your BlogPaws experience was action-packed! We bet you had alot of fun checking out all the merchandise in the Cat Lounge for sure! Great post.
Those gold ear outline completely made your outfit. They were perfect! That was so nice if you to donate your win to the headmistress of Kitty bungalow I know she will find some great things for her kitties. Thanks for sharing your Cat Style Lounge adventure with us!
I’m glad you had such a great time Summer! It was wonderful getting to meet you in person. You are so beautiful and soft! I know I’m a little over dramatic when I meet kitties, hopefully I didn’t scare you too much. It’s great that you won Best Diva. You deserved to win 🙂
Mom Paula told us about meeting you, Summer. She said you were beautiful and so well behaved. Mo Paula also had a great time with your mom.
It was so nice to meet you and see your human at BlogPaws. You’re even more beautiful than your photos!
It was SO great to meet you and your human, Summer! I totally fell in love with you – you’re such a beautiful and well-behaved cat! Hope to see more of you at upcoming events!
Sunmer, thanks so much for sharing! It was fun to see your adventures at BlogPaws. It was very kind of you to donate your gift card.
Mum wishes she were there, it looks like so much fun ! You did so well, and we’re glad you had great time with your mom ! Purrs
Summer, you are just the sweetest little girl in the world. I really think that. Your mom ain’t too bad either. Thank you for donating the gift card for Kissie’s place. xxoo
Our human loved meeting you, Summer. She said you were so incredibly soft and so polite that we can’t be angry at her for cheating on us with you. We’re saving our annoyance for the kittens she doted on the whole time.
Summer, our mommy was super thrilled to see you again especially since this time she got to hold you! We heard she kissed you too. Sorry about that, she can’t help herself sometimes. She’s weird.
Summer, you take everything in your stride. You always look so poised or is that pawsed? Very kind of you to give away your gift card
So you had a good time and did well with all the excitement. Great! 🙂
We are soooo glad you had a great time!
Noodle and crew
Oh wow it looks like you had sooo much fun! Im glad you were so relaxed and managed to enjoy it so much! Maybe next year we could go too!
Wow, you really conked out! It was so great to meet you and see your human again, Summer. Concats on winning that gift card and donating it to Kitty Bungalow was a really sweet thing to do.
Have a relaxing Monday!
XOXO
Looks like you had so much fun! Meeting other bloggers and some sweet kitties, and all those towers! Thanks for sharing your wonderful time with us!
Fabulous Summer. YOU are such a great girl and I’m so glad to see what a good time you and your person had together.
We feel as if we were there paw-ticipating along with you!!
You sure did have a lot of fun! Well, maybe not the costume part, MOL!!
Oh my Ceiling Cat, so much going on there. If you kept a diary it would be burnt up with all your entries. That stage outfit was like something from Mardi Gras! We are glad you had a good time, and shared it with us stay at home kittehs.
Mom was thrilled to meet you. Don’t worry about that Queso guy….he’s a little odd. 🙂
Looks like you were the star of the show at blobpaws!
We are glad you had a good time and got home safely.
The Mom and I had so much fun meeting you, Summer, and spending time with your human! You and I are kindred spirits 🙂 Oh, and you look great in your outfit for Pawject Runway. I was going to do it, but my mom changed her mind at the last second. I wish we would have!!! Hopefully we will see you again in Phoenix next year!
What an adventure, Summer! You look like you had a great time 🙂
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Sweetie. You are one. Very special kitty to enjoy something that. M wishes he were 30 years younger and she would have. Trained her kitties different. You are amazing,
Goo for you, Summer! Mommy was very impressed with you and she’s sorry she missed your cocktail party. She was SO tired. I purrsonally think humans out too much emphasis on sleep.
Summer, it sure looks like you has a whole bunch of fun at Blog Paws. Bet you were exhausted when you got home. Seeing all your pictures was great.
Summer soooo happy you had a pawesome time at BlogPaws and I am so sad I didn’t get to meet you in purrson. I did watch the video of your runway walk and you were just amazing and so adorable!!!
Summer, it looks like you had TONS of fun. I LOVED your costume and I’m glad you won the $100 gift card. You definitely deserved it. *ear licks* Noodle
Summer I can tell you had a super good time at Blogpaws with your human! You two did VERY well with the costume contest – I think she was channeling “Mardi Paws” when she made your costume – all those colorful feathers and sparkly things – you were wonderful walking across the stage. WOOT! That cat tree you were on looks like it might be VERY close to climbing a REAL tree. Can’t wait to hear about all the swag – looks like a major score!
Hugs, Sammy
What a terrific recap of BlogPaws. Mom says the hotel wasn’t great but that all the sessions she attended were first rate, and she really enjoyed having more kitties present this year. All your photos in the kitty lounge were purrfect. Kate you hire you as cat model next year. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
You have the most amazing adventures, Summer! That sure was sweet of you to donate your gift card to the Kitty Bungalow…I am sure they really appreciated it!
I am glad you had such a great time. I really wish I had been there to meet you and Sophie too. That was sweet of you to donate your gift card .
Oh wow – what a great time and you are the best! I bet there will be cat companies that will be offering you jobs as their Spokescat!
wow, what an adventure. and of course everything is even better with bacon.
You looked fabulous in the fast made costume your humom made. Looks like you didn’t want to get off the runway. A natural model. So glad you guys had a great time. We loved seeing all the pictures. Thx for sharing Summer. Purrs and headpats!
Hey, I’m totally impressed that you walked that fast across the stage and in that costume. You rock. My human said that. She spent quite a great deal of time telling Dennis about that too.
Summer, it looks like you had the best time at BlogPaws! The mom really liked meeting you. She said you were gorgeous…and very well behaved and handled everything so well.
It is so nice to get so many details about your time at Blogpaws. It looks like you had great fun testing out many cubes and other cat stuff. And you look so well behaved. I bet you were the most confident kitty there!
Sparkle, I watched your video and photos with delight and must say you are a wonderfully6 good sport! To wear all those costumes, see all those people (and animals) and still come up smiling is a feat worthy of the finest!
Summer, thank you for posting all these delightful photos of Sparkle to enjoy!
Wow, what a great time you had! It’s so exciting you got to meet Sophie! We are in love with her, too 🙂
The photo of you eating is bacon is so cute! I enjoyed all the photos and reading your adventure!
SUMMER OH MY STARS WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME YOU HAD AND SO MANY NEW THINGS TO SMELL AND KITTIES TO MEET. I WOULD HAVE HAD TO TAKE A DRINK OUT OF THAT FOUNTAIN TOO. I LOVE HOW IT FLOWS.
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF
We sure had a great time seeing you have a great time pretty Summer!
It’s so cool that you get to go on all of these fun adventures. Not many cats get to do that.
Glad you had a great time, Summer! Safe travels home!
We are glad you had a good time.
It looks like it was fun, though we kitties would not want to go.
Very nice of you too, to donate your winning card to Kitty Bungalow 🙂
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ