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You are here: Home / Diary / Working the WAG Petcon

Working the WAG Petcon

December 17, 2018 By: Summer Samba41 Comments

somali cat at TICA booth at WAG Petcon

I had some fun work come up! I got to help out at the TICA booth at the WAG Petcon in San Diego. WAG is part of Vet + Pet West, an event that provides cutting edge education for veterinarians — and also people who live with pets. Our part of the San Diego Convention Center had the exhibitor booths, and short, educational talks. TICA — The International Cat Association — needed some “bullet proof” cats to be present at the booth, and my breeder suggested me. I don’t know if I’m bullet proof, but I do know how to work a crowd!

therapy cat with TICA therapy cat brochure

Not only is TICA the largest registry for pedigreed cats worldwide — I’m a two-time regional award winning show cat for them — they also have a therapy cat program, among other things. TICA is also a big supporter of all cats, not just breed cats, and most shows have rescues doing adoptions there. Since only 5% of the over 92 million owned cats in the U.S. are breed cats, it’s important to look out for the well being of them all.

somali cat at WAG in santa dress

I only brought a few wardrobe changes, since I figured most people wanted to pet my soft fur. One was this Santa dress.

Somali cat wearing sunglasses and a necklace

I also brought my sunglasses. Several attendees wanted selfies with me with my sunglasses on.

somali male cat at WAG

Obi was also there! This was his very first time doing something like this, and my breeder was very protective of him. People were allowed to bring their pets, which usually meant dogs. And while I am used to them, he really hasn’t seen any, or maybe just one. But he has flown to the Netherlands, and to Bogota for cat shows — and he has done a bunch of cat shows! — so it’s not like he’s some sort of newbie. He did really well. There was also a Bengal at our booth, but my human didn’t get a photo of him. He was very nice.

Steve Dale onstage with Summer Samba

Then something exciting happened! Renowned pet expert and animal advocate Steve Dale stopped by our booth. My human knows him, and they chatted for a bit, and… he wound up asking me to join him onstage for his short show hall talks in the afternoon! The topics involved cat behavior, and helping cats be more social and outgoing so it was a natural fit.

Steve Dale and Summer Samba at WAG

I think people enjoyed seeing me up there with Steve. It was a great end to a fun day!

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Comments

  1. LESLEY CASTLE says

    November 23, 2020 at 4:01 am

    Summer! Front & Center! <3

    Reply
  2. LESLEY CASTLE says

    December 29, 2019 at 8:08 am

    I love pic 7! You are a pro!

    Reply
  3. Dirisha says

    December 29, 2019 at 7:41 am

    Oh your bulletproof all right.

    Reply
  4. lola the rescued cat says

    December 21, 2018 at 4:19 pm

    You are quite the celebrity, Summer! This is pawesome.

    Reply
  5. Cathy Keisha says

    December 19, 2018 at 1:34 pm

    You are a natural on stage and off. I bet you’d be perfect for the big screen too. Human, get on it!

    Reply
  6. Kay griffith says

    December 19, 2018 at 11:47 am

    I loved your Christmas dress and sunglasses but the best part was you being invited up on stage. A true star

    Reply
  7. Prancer pie says

    December 19, 2018 at 10:48 am

    You are a doll in your Christmas dress!
    How exciting for you to be on stage with Steve Dale or maybe he should have been excited to be on stage with you…. MOL!

    Reply
  8. Dalton/Angel-MrJackFreckles/Pipo & Angel-Minko says

    December 18, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    My catness, Summer! You *are* so furmouse! And you handle it all with such aplomb!

    Reply
  9. Teddy says

    December 18, 2018 at 5:17 am

    Way to go Summer! You were the perfect “partner” for the presenter…..yep – you’re a STAR alright!

    Hugs, Teddy

    Reply
  10. Catherine Lingg says

    December 18, 2018 at 12:11 am

    Summer, you are indeed a star, I’m in awe of your talents, and you are still humble and caring. Gotta say those sunglasses always make me smile and chuckle. You look Mahvelous Dahling

    Reply
  11. CRAIG S. C. OKAJIMA says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:28 pm

    I love it when you wear that heart-shaped pendant!

    Reply
  12. Toby and Leia says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    Center stage! Pawsome! You should always be in the limelight. Except when you are napping.

    Reply
  13. Valentine says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:01 pm

    I think that Mr. Steve was smitten with you the first time he set eyes on you! How nice of him to take you up on stage with him! Darn, Mom wishes she had gotten a selfie with you in Portland. She didn’t think of asking! (Mom can be a lil’ absent minded at times. Tee hee hee). Maybe she’ll see you again at a show in the new year. Purr purr purr.

    Reply
  14. William's Kith & Kin says

    December 17, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    Summer, you truly are a superstar!!

    Reply
  15. Mark's Mews says

    December 17, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    You sure are one cat-tastic representative for all of us, Summer! WE would all be in panic-mode around all those Beins and other cats…

    Reply
  16. Sasha says

    December 17, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    We always feel so proud when we see pictures of you at work, Summer. You are a great Cat Ambassador.

    Reply
  17. Ellen Pilch says

    December 17, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    Obi is a cutie. You do look adorable in your shades and the Santa outfit- and everything you wear 🙂

    Reply
  18. Melissa & Mudpie says

    December 17, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    You have such fun weekends, Summer!

    Reply
  19. Pat K says

    December 17, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    It’s obvious you enjoy being out and modeling by your first 2 pictures. Then,
    you put on a Santa dress and THEN you put on your pink heart sunglasses!
    So, it’s no wonder Steve Good thought you would be a good one to join him
    on stage. Good for you. You look great .

    Reply
  20. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    December 17, 2018 at 1:43 pm

    That was exciting for you to be on stage. You are a natural at it.

    Reply
  21. ERin says

    December 17, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    I really do not think there can be a better feline representative than you, Summer, or your team, no matter the occasion or location.
    Purrs
    ERin

    Reply
  22. Sienna the TakeOVER Tortie says

    December 17, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    Ooooh Steve Dale had YOU as a guest star? WOW!!!

    Reply
  23. Margaret Elmendorf says

    December 17, 2018 at 12:03 pm

    Yay Summer. Now you are more famous than ever. What a good cat you are for sure.

    Reply
  24. The Swiss Cats says

    December 17, 2018 at 11:57 am

    Oh Summer, you rock ! How exciting ! That sounds like a pawsome event ! Purrs

    Reply
  25. Tamago says

    December 17, 2018 at 11:19 am

    Oh my goodness, it’s so exciting you got to be onstage with Steve Dale! You are the coolest cat and super star!

    Reply
  26. Eastside Cats says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:33 am

    Wow, up on stage! How exciting, Summer!

    Reply
  27. Savannah's Paw Tracks says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:28 am

    Squeeee!!! We know a rock star Summer!! That’s you!!!!

    Reply
  28. Just Ducky says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:21 am

    Working girl~glad you had a wonderful day.

    Reply
  29. Madi and Mom says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:18 am

    Summer you are always hard at work and girl you are rockin’ that fine frock and gawgeous shades
    Hugs Cecilia

    Reply
  30. Grace says

    December 17, 2018 at 7:47 am

    My word – your furs look beautiful!

    Reply
  31. dma says

    December 17, 2018 at 6:35 am

    you’re a superstar.

    Reply
  32. Cats Herd You says

    December 17, 2018 at 6:02 am

    That sounds like a great event! Our human read about Vet + Pet West last year and thought it was a great idea to get health information to people who want to know more about their cats, but it was too far for her to visit. It’s awesome you were able to participate.

    Reply
  33. Random felines says

    December 17, 2018 at 6:01 am

    great job representing all the cats. we love your sunglasses

    Reply
  34. The Island Cat says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:19 am

    Wow, Summer! How cool that you got to go on stage with Steve Dale!

    Reply
  35. Purrjamm Cats says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:13 am

    Wow! What a great day! Fame and beauty. Pretty cool Summer. You are a super star! We too love the Santa dress. Purrs

    Reply
  36. Holly says

    December 17, 2018 at 4:18 am

    Very cool. I think it’s great that the Fancy is expanding its involvement in events like that.

    Reply
  37. Brian Frum says

    December 17, 2018 at 3:47 am

    How exciting for Steve to spend some time with you sweet Summer!

    Reply
  38. Carry Loves Cats says

    December 17, 2018 at 2:00 am

    Wow, it looks like you did a very important job up there with Steve. Well done, Summer.

    Reply
  39. Fur Everywhere says

    December 17, 2018 at 1:39 am

    Wow, Summer, that sounds like a great event all around! I wish I lived closer so I could have come.

    By the way, my human has some questions about showing Tylan at TICA shows, if your human has a free moment to talk to her.

    Purrs to you and your human!

    Reply
  40. Mickey's Musings says

    December 17, 2018 at 1:15 am

    What a great event!
    You really are an amazing kitty Summer 🙂
    Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

    Reply
  41. The kitties of purring pines says

    December 17, 2018 at 12:19 am

    You’re such a star, Summer!

    Reply

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