On Marketing and Cat Health

Having majored in marketing at college, I pay attention to things like the names of products. I mean, seriously, the people who came up with the name "AcipHex" for a drug either never said it aloud, or they have a really sophomoric sense of humor! The first few times I saw their commercials, it took me several minutes afterward to stop laughing.

But turning to more serious matters, I have an elderly cat who always seems to have diarrhea. (Talk about your "ass effects"!) This is despite the probiotic supplement I sprinkle on her soft food every day. Not only unpleasant for me to clean up, as she also has problems hitting her litter box and has a tendency to drape poop across the sides, it has to be causing her some distress, as well. That's why I was really excited to find the product pictured here, RuniPoo Relief. No doubt what that's for, huh?

Who knows what went on in the meetings when the folks at Native Remedies were deciding on the name for this, but I'm ordering a bottle for my little Vixen today. If it even comes close to living up to its name, I'll be a loyal customer!

Oh, and did I mention that I've just added the entire line of PetAlive products to the Old Maid Cat Lady retail site? It's true! You can find a remedy for just about any ailment plaguing your little darlings, from adrenal gland issues to wounds. They're all natural and homeopathic, too. Don't know about you, but I feel better treating my cat with natural products rather than running up expensive vet bills and filling her full of chemicals. Here's a list of the various feline conditions that can be improved with their products:

• Adrenal fatigue & pituitary gland malfunction
• Aggressive behavior
• Anal gland blockages
• Arthritis & rheumatism
  
• Bathing
• Behavior problems
  
• Bladder control
• Blood sugar & insulin balance
• Cellular health & immunity
• Colds, congestion & sneezing
  
• Constipation
  
• Coughing & sneezing
  
• Cushings disease
• Cuts, scrapes & other injuries
• Dental & gum disease
• Diarrhea (Yes!)
  
• Digestion
  
• Dull, dry skin & coat
• Fishy breath
  
• Flatulence
• Flea dermatitis
• Hair balls
• Heart & circulation problems
• Hypothyroidism
  
• Immunity & liver health
  
• Intestinal parasites
• Itching & skin allergies
  
• Kidney problems
• Lactation & nursing
• Liver, gallbladder & pancreas function
• Lyme disease defense
  
• Nervousness from thyroid, heart & endocrine problems
• Obesity & weight control
  
• Pancreas & digestive function
  
• Paw & pad damage
• Performance, physical & mental
• Recuperation from surgery or injury
• Ringworm & other skin fungus
  
• Sadness, grief & separation anxiety
  
• Seizures & epilepsy
• Sinus infections & problems
• Stress & anxiety
• Tear stains
• Teething
  
• Toxin elimination
• Travel anxiety
  
• Urinary tract infections
• Wheezing & chest discomfort
• Wound cleansing

You'll find all the PetAlive products and many other fine health care products for your cat at OldMaidCatLady.com. And why not pick up a little something for yourself while you're there, too? Anyone who serves their cat as well as you do deserves a little treat now and then!

This Week's Cat Champions: St Francis Animal Rescue Center!

Our Cat Champions of the Week for August 9-15 are the folks at St. Francis Animal Rescue Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Chrissie, pictured here, is one of the almost 150 cats housed there.

St. Francis is a no-kill, cage-free shelter that rescues unwanted, abandoned and homeless cats in the York County and South Mecklenburg County areas, caring for the cats until they can find loving homes. Their innovative cage-free approach results in happy, well-adjusted cats who do not suffer like those confined to small cages for extended periods of time. Cats are social, sensitive creatures who like to explore, interact and bond with other cats. Visitors to St. Francis Animal Rescue Center always comment on how well their cats get along. Chrissie is one of their more shy residents, but most are very friendly.

This weekend, July 13-15, St. Francis will be holding their big Adoptapalooza event, where they'll be trying to find homes for at least 50 of their cats! The event will feature door prizes, entertainment and refreshment as visitors get to know the beautiful cats and kittens they have available for adoption. The center also holds an annual Blessing of the Animals to honor the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

As do most shelters, St. Francis has the constant challenge of funding. They suffered an act of vandalism in July in which their front plate-glass window was broken in the night and a number of their cats escaped. Most were recovered safely, but are still frightened from the experience. And the window replacement bill was a whopping $700! They also struggle to pay their rent each month or face eviction. They accept donations through PayPal, and have sponsorships available for cats in their care. You can also help them by buying your cat supplies and accessories this week at OldMaidCatLady.com, so they'll receive 10% of the proceeds! C'mon...do it for little Chrissie and her friends!

New Stuff Coming!

Just got in from Las Vegas at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, after a 2-hour delay in Atlanta due to weather. Been at the Vegas Gift & Home market all week, finding cool new "people products" for Old Maid Cat Lady. It'll probably take me a few months to get them all added, but they should make for a much more interesting Christmas shopping season! Cat-themed rugs, wall art, garden art, figurines, kitchen items, collectibles, even a lamp finial...can't wait to get everything added!

Oh, the photo here is a lioness in the habitat at the MGM Grand; they have a plexiglass tunnel where you can walk through the habitat, and apparently the lions like to lie on top of it...I'm sure that big, meaty bone in front of her has a little to do with that! At any rate, it made for a great photo opp. Check out the size of those paws!

Also coming soon to Old Maid Cat Lady will be plenty of books and DVDs! It's a long process to get these added, so it may take me a little while to get this section updated, but rest assured that the choices in those categories of the site will be getting expanded soon.

Resting up this weekend, but stay tuned for new stuff coming soon!