Mewdy Blue's Story - a video

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I should have posted this a long time ago but I think I can still brag about it a little. Back in April the Cat Behavior Associates held a contest for the best video describing your cat’s behavior problem and how you solved it. Being the proud mama I immediately thought of Mewdy Blue.

When he was a kitten he excelled at slipping out the front door! It scared me to death because my front door leads to a sidewalk that leads to the street. The first couple of times he did it he didn’t get far. But one day he made it all the way to the middle of the street where he simply sat down. I knew I had to do something and quick.

This video describes my attempts to leash train him as well as my discovery of his ability to learn tricks very easily. Eventually Mewdy Blue became a champion agility cat. During the 2006/2007 show season he became the very first cat to win the award as Best Agility Cat in the CFA Midwest Region.

I’ve never produced a video before so I had a lot of fun using Apple’s iMovie to create what I think was a pretty good first attempt. We didn’t win but my video was one of the runners-up. You can see the video (and the other two winners) here:

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/my-cats-story-video-contest-winner-announced/

I’ve also uploaded my video to YouTube so you can always see it there if you are so inclined J Hope you enjoy it.

Have you ever created a video of your pet? Have you ever shared a video on YouTube? I spend way too much time on YouTube watching funny, cute or touching cat videos. How about you?

The Iowa Pet Alert

Here’s what things have been like around Iowa this spring:

But now we’re getting a taste of sunshine! Unfortunately that means our pets are also getting a taste of sunshine by slipping outside unattended.

This year I’ve been working with a group of pet lovers in central Iowa to help reunite missing pets with their people. The group operates under the umbrella of The Pet Project Midwest but the lost and found branch of this tree is the Iowa Pet Alert. Through the IPA website people who have lost pets of any kind can post an ad for free and people who have found a pet can post an ad for free.

The internet is a magical thing. It can unite us from all over the world. But here at the Iowa Pet Alert we are bringing Iowa people together with their pets.

Lady Butterfly safe at home

When I first found the IPA website I started comparing lost ads with found ads and searching craigslist ads for similar descriptions. It was extremely rewarding to help someone find their pet reaching out from the comfort of my own home. I expanded my efforts by contacting rescue groups as well for those animals that weren’t claimed by their owners.

A dog that was "found" twice!

But then I decided I should become more involved. When the IPA decided to start a newsletter I volunteered to write “some” of the articles. Little did I know that I had volunteered to become the editor! I love my new role and truly believe in our mission.

Have a look at the website here. Do you know of any similar programs in your area? Have you ever done anything to help reunite lost pets with their owners? I’d love to hear your stories.