Feline Aficionada Attends Cat Writers Association Annual Conference 2011

PROFESSIONAL CAT SITTER GAINS EDGE IN FELINE CARE AND WRITING INDUSTRY AT CAT WRITERS ASSOCIATION (CWA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Feline Aficionada Tonia Evans of The Kitty’s Corner Cat Sitting Service, Participates in Premier Cat Industry Event.

Whitman, MA (December 5,2011) – Feline Aficionada Tonia Evans, joined industry professionals from across the country for the Cat Writers Association’s (CWA) Eighteenth Annual 2011 conference held recently in White-Plains, New York.

The two-day event offered a distinguished program of industry professionals, speakers and sponsors, networking opportunities and an awards ceremony showcasing the best in cat related work for the past year. The CWA awards approximately $12,000 in prizes and 52 CWA Muse Medallions to winners in categories ranging from magazine and newspaper articles, to e-books, video, DVD or TV production, radio, podcast production, and more -all focused on cats! I was excited to meet Susan Logan, Editor of Cat Fancy magazine, Jane Harrell, Associate Producer at Pet Finder.com,  Cathy Unruh host of Up Close a TV show on PBS Florida and Amy Sholai, writer, entertainer and all around purronality.

Editor/Agents

In addition, I signed up for Agent/Editor meetings, and over the course of two days I met with Stephanie Flanders (She’s also a fun lady to hang out with), Editor at Tom Doherty Associates; Diane West Editor with New York Tails magazine; Anne A. Simpkinson, Online Managing Editor with Guideposts; Sorche Elizabeth Fairbank, with Fairbank Literary; Ellen Price from my very own member organization, Pet Sitters International; and finally Wayne Barr, acquisition Manager at Barron’s Educational Series!

Catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances!

I was excited to see Jane Brunt, DVM from the CATalyst Council, she took home a Muse Award for the Video Production/DVD/TV category, for their Video Cat Carriers: Friends Not Foes.

Professional Development sessions covered cutting edge topics including: the use of Facebook, social media strategies for pet writers, WordPress for bloggers, and using The Cloud for Internet writers. Minda Zetlin, Vice President of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, presented‚ “When Bad Things Happen To Good Writers.” Zetlin discussed how to copyright and protect your work at copyright.gov. “This conference is a great way to gain an edge in the industry,” shared Tonia Evans, Feline Aficionada, and professional cat sitter, “It offered me the opportunity to network with fellow writers and cat business professionals, be introduced to industry agents and editors, all while staying focused on my niche- cats and feline care!”

 

I also caught up with Stephanie Harwin from Catsparella.com who I met at the Business of Pet Writers Conference and  Lorraine Treadwell, fellow cat writers who was kind enough to remind me about this wonderful event. Half way through the event I saw Deb Barnes, who just recently published one of the most beautifully illustrated books I’ve ever seen, called The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey. You have to check it out!

Another popular seminar, “Vetting Veterinary Sources” featured Lorie Huston, DVM, a veterinarian and free-lance author/blogger who specializes in pet health and pet care topics. She shared tips on finding qualified and reliable veterinary sources when writing kitty health related pieces.

The liveliest discussion occurred during Elizabeth Cohen, DVM’s session, “Medical Problems Can Involve Behavioral Problems” Cohen, a licensed and USDA-certified veterinarian practicing in New York, is also the WCBS news radio 880 pet reporter for “Healthy and Happy Pet” radio show, and the author of “Most of My Patients Wear Fur”, touched upon the topics of feline urinary box issues as related to illness, and the value of blood work in revealing diseases before a cat presents with symptoms! “Due to what I learned at the CWA conference, I feel extremely confident in sending a query of my work to two cat related magazines in the near future,” shared Evans,  ‘I’m that inspired!”

The Cat Writers Conference was the best writers conference I’ve ever attended, they made everyone feel welcome, offered excellent seminars, and I had a lot of fun- The Bag Swag was the best ever! Thank you to the Sponsors of the CWA 2011 Conference for that!

I also won a Sturdi Pet product for my cats that they immediately moved into when I arrived home.

 

South Shore Ferret Care Summer Fun Event

When Sat, August 21, 12pm – 3pm
Where@ 500 Columbia Street, South Weymouth, MA 02190 (map)

This event helps us to care for the hospice and abused ferrets who have found safety at the South Shore Ferret Care Shelter. ·

Join us at the New England Wildlife Center · Bring your ferrets for fun in the Enrichment Area · Meet and Greet Local Ferret Folks & Special Guests · Sign Ups for the “Caring Begins At Home” Educational Series: · Learning Living Loving Ferrets · Enter your ferrets in the “Caught in the Act” Photo Contest · Items for Sale including: Wonderful Weasel Laundry Soap, · Dry Dook Soup Mix, Ferret Tee Shirts, Ferrety Items · Custom bedding by: Little Feet Ferret Retreat · Raffle Items · Refreshments Available · General Admission: Adults: $7.00 Children: $2.00

A portion of each admission fee will be donated to the New England Wildlife Center. J We believe that all of God’s creatures should help each other J This event is open to the general public, folks who want to learn about ferrets, kids, ferrets and their families. Come & see all of the kinds of animals that are helped at the New England Wildlife Center. Ferrets who wish to have access to the ferret enrichment area will need to be up to date on vaccinations. We will also welcome older and special needs ferrets to accompany their family to this event.

We encourage you to bring in or email photos of ferrets “Caught in the Act” of being themselves. Winning photos of the contest will be featured on greeting cards and the new website. Come and sign up any of the fun & educational Caring Begins at Home: Learning About, Living with & Loving Ferret Classes.

For any questions, please contact: (781) 249-4628 or by email at: southshoreferretcare@comcast.net DIRECTIONS: The event is at the New England Wildlife Center, 500 Columbia Street, South Weymouth, MA 02190 *Do not use Map quest……Use www.yahoomaps.com or use the following directions: DIRECTIONS; From Boston: Take Rte. 3 South towards Cape Cod Get off at Exit 16B (Rte. 18 South –S. Weymouth, Abington) At the end of the ramp proceed onto Rte. 18 (you can only go one way) Go thru first set of lights Take a RIGHT at the second set of lights (Dunkin Donuts on right, Mary Lou’s on left). Go approximately 1 mile. The new hospital is BEHIND the Curtis mall –entrance to driveway is on theLEFT after the Curtis mall. Directions: From Cape Cod and the South Shore: Take Rte. 3 North towards Boston Get off at Exit 16 (Rte. 18 –Weymouth, S. Weymouth) At the end of the ramp take a LEFT onto Rte. 18 South (heading towards South Shore Hospital) Go thru the first stop light. Take a RIGHT at the second set of lights (Dunkin Donuts on right, Mary Lou’s on left). Go approximately 1 mile. The new hospital is BEHIND the Curtis mall –entrance to driveway is on the LEFT after the Curtis mall Weymouth MA 02190 Date: Saturday, August 21st Time: 12:00pm- 3:00pm Location: 500 Columbia Street, South Weymouth, MA 02190 Contact Info: southshoreferretcare@comcast.net

Study Will Change The Lives Of Local Ferrets

Not only are ferrets cute because of their pint size and their adorable little faces, but as I learned when I met the crew at the South Shore Ferret Care (a shelter for ferrets in Holbrook, Massachusetts) a few months ago, ferrets can be exuberantly playful. You can’t help but laugh when you’re with them. I would go as far as saying that ferrets are good for the soul.

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Draw The Dog- A Must See

Check out this website called Draw The Dog- an artists drawings of dogs, with a twist-the cartoons appear from scratch to finish, all before your very eyes! It’s so cool.

Most Current Cartoon is Dog’s Heaven#364

Ava Joins The “Crew” on Upcoming Episode Of Super Fetch

Calling all boaters! You’ve planned a day on the sea, a time for fishing, basking in the sunshine, and enjoying the fresh smell of the salty air. When you arrive at the marina you load all the essential things that you’ll need  into the boat and begin to prepare for the trip. Luckily, your good friend assists you by untying the boat from the cleat and taking in the bumpers. But wait-that good friend is your dog?

Yes, that’s right. Most people would think a regular house dog wouldn’t be able to learn such a strange task, but that’s just what Nicole Meunier from Plymouth Massachusetts taught her beloved Ava to do. With the help of Zak George from Super Fetch, Nicole learned some training techniques and taught Ava how to help out around the boat, and over a few months Ava officially became part of their crew!

Super Fetch, with Zak George, is a new TV show on Animal Planet.  You may recognize Zak and his dog Venus as a dog-frisbee-duo, they’ve been actively involved in extreme dog competitions. On Super Fetch he shows pet parents a three step training process that teaches their dogs new and unbelievable tricks, while strengthen the bond between them in a loving and fun way.

Ava, a three year old, Old English Bulldog caught the attention of the scouts at Boston Casting, who were looking for potential people and their dogs for the taping of the new show Super Fetch. Nicole Said. “I guess Ava’s great personality and cute face won them over.”

Nicole and her fiance do a lot of boating from Spiniker Island in Hull, MA and she thought it would be fun to teach her dog how to untie the rope from the dock and surprise her fiance. When they called to tell her she would be on the show, she was very excited. Ava’s three step process was “Getting The Rope”, “Come On In Let’s Go” and “Pull The Bumpers In”.

What makes this work so well for all involved is having and developing a strong

bond with your dog. “Ava and I have a strong bond already,” said Nicole, “she’s curious and always wanting to learn so she took to this right away.” On the final taping where Nicole shows the world Ava’s new trick, she revealed it to her fiance for the first time too. Nicole laughs a bit and says, “He was so surprised, he had no clue what the trick was going to be, until I showed it to him at the end.”

Ava will be on one of the upcoming episodes of Super Fetch which airs on Saturdays at 8pm Eastern Time on Animal Planet. Wanna See Nicole, Ava and Zak George in action- tune in Saturday November 21st at 8pm on Animal Planet! Learn More

Pug Picnic Party

By Tonia Evans:

On Memorial Day weekend my mom and I went down to the Cape for a Pug Party. A group of about 50 or more pug enthusiasts from around the New England area gathered for a cookout with their dogs. Pug lovers benefit from these events because they get to hang out with other people who feel as excited about pugs as they do, and the dogs get to play off-leash with each other in a secure fenced in yard.

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Pictures Gallery-Maggie’s Dog House Event

By Tonia Evans

We had so much fun at this event, but everyone was very cold, being outside. A lot of locals came out and we got to meet lots of friendly and beautiful dogs.

The vendors had a variety of products and there were pet sitters and dog walkers available too. Pet owners seemed like they have a lot of fun. Tracy Woodman, writer of Trendy Tails, took pictures of the canine police dogs, but the pictures don’t really do the demonstration justice, as these dogs are so well trained that I recommend seeing them in action when you can-it’s very impressive. Enjoy!

Tonia

Lucy Celebrates The Biggest Loss of Her Life-30 Pounds!

By Tonia Evans

Get The Inside Scoop On How Your Dog Can Lose Weight too!
It’s Possible-with a healthy diet, and exercise.

Like many American dogs-Lucy had a problem with being overweight. Sure her pet parents thought she was simply Big Boned-but when her veterinarian had to schedule knee replacement surgery, at only 5 years old-the family finally realized they had to take her weight (Loss) seriously.

Lucy’s not alone, I’ve read that almost half of all the dogs veterinarians treat are overweight or obese. Now there’s hope for dogs (and cats) to lose weight, and it all starts with a plan.

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Rare Cows and Kids-The Furry Kind!

By Tonia Evans

Plimoth Plantation’s Rare Breed Parade

On Saturday March 21st, approximately 75-100 people, including my aunt, and me, gathered at the Plimoth Plantation to take part in the Rare Breed Parade. In attendance were the farm animals, the Plimoth Plantation staff, English Village Characters, the Plymouth 4-H Club that works with the Rare Breeds Program, and a handful of visitors from parents and kids-and I don’t mean the baby goats!
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“Best In Show” Drives South Shore Dogs To NY City

By Tonia Evans

Let’s Take A Sneak Peak and Get To Know
The Local Dogs That Will Be Attending The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show!

They’re barking up the right tree! About 2,500 canines from around the country will be competing for “Best in Show” at the 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, February 9-11th, in New York City-and some of the dogs are from right here in the South Shore!

We’ve asked their pet parents and handlers to share a little bit about their beautiful dogs. Make sure to watch them on TV or follow up by watching the Westminster Kennel Club online videos -go to: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/ for more information. Read more

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