The Great Thank You Tour, part 2

It's time to continue the tour!  I'd like to start with this pic:

I used this photo (I think) the first of the few times I hosted the CotC.  I'd like to begin my post today with thanks to a stalwart of the Carnival.

Thank You Marvelous Ms Mog, and your host of magnificent cats, past and present.  I have always appreciated your dedication to the Carnival, and your support of this blog.  Mog's always done a wonderful job hosting and managing the carnival, sharing her lovely cats with us and spreading the word about all of ours.  I've loved her cats, Meowza (one of the BEST cat names on the internet!) and Bazel (who I always thought was the handsomest!) Izzy and Ritzi and Cece and Jezi.  Apologies if I've omitted anyone.  Their personalities came though in Mog's blog.  I wish I'd had a chance to know them.

No mention of the Carnival would be complete were I not to give thanks and credit to Laurence Simon, the godfather of the catblog.  I don't think that I'd have ever thought of this on my own.  Hell, I may not ever have had a cat were it not for Laurence.  

An explanation:  I never grew up with pets (unless you count fish)(which are really more kinetic art than pets) and a couple of short-lived gerbils (cute, but short on interactive personality).  I'm also allergic to cats as is my dad.  Thus, no pets in my childhood.  My brothers are dog-types and had an active anti-cat policy in their youth.  I had no idea what I was missing.  Laurence came along with IFOC, though, and opened my eyes to the fact that each feline was a unique creature with a vivid personality, capable of a real relationship with it's humans.  Laurence's relationships with his marvelous collection of cats, so lovingly displayed, primed the pump and encouraged me to take a chance on an adoptable Maine Coon cat named Maddie.  I may well have adopted her anyways, but still I can never thank him enough.  Laurence does more 100 word stories than catblogging now, but every once in a while a cat shows up and the stories are worth the price of admission.  Go visit.

Ann of Zoolatry deserves our thanks by the truckload.  Not only does she have a magical blog with links to cats, dogs, bunnies and more, but she created our Maddie, Forever badge.

This is a wonderful tribute and a gesture that I will always appreciate.  

Today's final thank-ee is Katie Kat of Katiez Furry Mews.  She apparently fell in love with Maddie at first sight (who wouldn't??).  She graciously passed on Ann's badge to us and was incredibly kind.    Go visit the Furry Mews immediately.  Why?  KITTENS!!!  OMG KITTENS!!!!!  Seriously.  Go now.

Finally, I'd like to thank one of our unsung cast members here at ChezRanger; one of the real heroes of our two-cat days:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...the wedge pillow.  This lumpy green beast kept the peace around here for 3 years.  As the poet said, good fences make good neighbors.  

The tour continues next week!  Thanks again to all.

Comments

[da tabbies o trout towne]

guys...a great tribute post; we did indeed stop by the above mentioned & even introduced R selves with an offer...." ta help yur selves ta whatz cookin on de grill over at TT...."

N wedge pillow...frum all oh uz in de land o trout....

lookin good ther miss plum a tood ...how manee rabbit kicks did ya get over de yeerz ~~ ♥♥♥

[Kiril & the Kitties]

A most powerful and eloquent post, my friend.

[Shaggy & Scout]

I used to read Laurence, haven't been by in some time. He had some great cats!
The wedge pillow was indeed a wonderful tool to keep detente!

[Mog]

OK, so I'm a teeny bit slow here. I've neglected things while my sister was here for 3 months. Spent some down time recovering, rebooting, force-quitting browsers and bugging my internet provider. I greatly appreciate Kiril for taking care of the carnival so well. And I appreciate your lovely thanks. I'm down to just one now, Ritzi. Meowza's passing was really hard on me as I know Maggie's loss must be on you. You are so gracious to thank so many kitties. It is a wonderful tribute to your cats.