Category Archives: Pets

Halloween at Welcoming Haven

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🎃 Halloween at Welcoming Haven 🎃

I love Halloween. So naturally, here at Welcoming Haven, we had to celebrate the spooky season with a few frightfully fun finds. While some stores are already decking the halls with Christmas cheer, we believe Halloween deserves its moment in the moonlight.

👻 Ghostly Campfire Nightlight
First up: a charming pair of ghosts toasting marshmallows around a flickering campfire. It’s cute, a little spooky, and makes the perfect nightlight for cozy autumn evenings.

 

💀 Skeleton on a Spin
Next, meet our resin skeleton who’s pedaled himself down to the bone—literally. This 6-inch tall exercise fanatic on a stationary bike is a humorous nod to fitness lovers who go all in.

👕 Spooky Shirt Collection
To round out the theme, we’ve curated a series of Halloween T-shirts that shout your love for the season. Whether you’re into ghosts, jack-o’-lanterns, witches, or pumpkins, there’s a shirt to match your mood.

 

 

Amazon Selection click here

🐈 Feline Familiars Forever

And of course, we can’t forget our feline familiars. Banner and Balboa—with their orange and black coats—bring Halloween vibes year-round. For these little monsters, we’ve added a Gothic cat tree with a coffin-shaped perch. It’s spooky, stylish, and purrfectly dramatic.

Gothic Cat tree selection at Amazon-Click here

 

 

🛍️ Where to Find Them

You’ll find all these seasonal delights in our Seasonal section, except for the cat tree—that one lives in the Pet section. And if you’re like me and can never get enough, check out my affiliate links to Amazon. They truly have everything.

Affiliate Disclosure:
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and think you’ll enjoy too. Thank you for supporting Welcoming Haven!

 

 

 

 

Of Wet Carpets and Cats

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Carpets and Cats: A Tale of Sniffs, Flicks, and Feline Drama

I used to think carpet cleaning was a human affair—loud machines, sudsy solutions, and the satisfying illusion that we were banishing years of snack crumbs and mystery fuzz. I assumed the cats would retreat to their secret lairs while the carpet cleaner roared like a dragon with a Dyson complex. But no. Banner and Balboa had opinions.

 

Banner photo credit Deb Neumann

Banner, ever the stoic gentleman, watched the whole operation like a supervisor who’s seen it all before. He sniffed, he paced, he gave me the occasional side-eye, but he didn’t panic. Balboa, on the other hand, acted like the carpet had been replaced with lava. He took one tentative step, flicked his paws dramatically, and gave me a look that said, “You expect me to WALK on this?” His gait became a sort of bow-legged prance, like a cowboy tiptoeing through a puddle of indignation.

He made his way to the food corner, where he sniffed his bowl with the intensity of a customs agent. I guess he wanted to make sure the carpet cleaner hadn’t tampered with his kibble. Banner followed, sniffing the air like a wine connoisseur detecting notes of citrus and betrayal.

The Toys: A Tactical Feline Response

Paws mustn’t touch the wet carpet- Balboa Photo Credit Deb Neumann

In preparation for the carpet cleanse, I gathered the cat toys. The plush mice, the crinkle balls, the feathered wand—all tucked away. Larger toys were stacked on the coffee table like a shrine to feline fun. Banner immediately began pulling the small toys back out, one by one, as if to say, “Nice try, human.” Balboa, ever the diva, perched in the center of the turbo cat scratcher like a prince on his throne, refusing to let his delicate paws touch the freshly cleaned floor.

Honestly, I think they both believe the carpet belongs to them now. I just pay rent.

🧼 Product Spotlight: BISSELL—Clean Floors, Full Hearts

If you’re looking for a carpet cleaner that gets the job done and gives back, BISSELL is a purr-fect choice. Every purchase helps support the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to saving homeless pets through adoption events, spay/neuter programs, and disaster relief. Since 2011, BISSELL has donated over $28 million to help more than a million pets find loving homes. So when you clean your carpets, you’re also helping clean up lives.

Banner approves. Balboa is still suspicious.

🌀 Product Spotlight: Pet Turbo Scratcher Toy—Balboa’s Throne of Drama

If your cat believes the world revolves around them (and let’s be honest, they’re probably right), the Pet Turbo Scratcher Toy is their red carpet, racetrack, and personal spa rolled into one.

Coastal Pet Products

This clever contraption features:
• A circular ball track that keeps cats entertained for hours—perfect for those 3 a.m. zoomies.
• A replaceable cardboard scratch pad that satisfies their primal urge to shred something other than your couch.
• A sprinkle of catnip magic to turn even the most aloof feline into a turbo-charged tornado of joy.

Balboa, naturally, claimed the center of the scratcher like a feline emperor surveying his freshly cleaned domain. He refused to touch the carpet, but this toy? This toy was worthy. Banner, meanwhile, gave it a few swats before returning to his supervisory duties.

Bonus: The scratcher’s non-skid base means it stays put—even when your cat decides to launch a full-scale attack on the spinning ball.

Whether your cat is a curious kitten or a seasoned sniffer of suspicious carpet fibers, the Turbo Scratcher is a hit. And with replacement pads available, it’s a long-term investment in feline happiness (and furniture preservation).

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Banner and Balboa thank you for supporting their carpeted kingdom and toy hoard.

 

 

A Gothic Cat Tree That’s Drop-Dead Fabulous

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🖤 “Paws of the Crypt”: A Gothic Cat Tree That’s Drop-Dead Fabulous

This Halloween, give your feline familiars a throne worthy of their mysterious majesty. The Heavy Duty Gothic Cat Tree isn’t just a scratching post—it’s a statement piece for cats who rule the night. With blood-red accents and a coffin-shaped bed, it’s the purrfect blend of spooky and stylish.

Whether your cat is a curious vampire or a lounging ghost, this single-tier tree offers spacious comfort and eerie elegance. Designed for large cats who love to sprawl, scratch, and survey their haunted domain, it’s built to last through nine lives and beyond.

Available at Welcominghaven.com Here

🎃 Why Your Cat Will Love It

  • Spacious Coffin Bed: Measuring 23.8 x 16.1 inches, it’s deep enough for dramatic naps and midnight musings.
  • Stable Square Base: At 13.8 x 13.8 inches, the heavy-duty box keeps things grounded—even when your cat’s zoomies go full poltergeist.
  • Elevated Platform: The 19.7-inch rise from base to bed gives your cat the perfect perch to judge mortals from above.
  • Tree Branch Accent: Standing 23.6 inches tall, it adds a whimsical, witchy vibe that’s more Salem than suburban.

Crafted in bold black and red, these Gothic Themed cat trees turns your living room into a haunted haven. It’s not just décor—it’s a lifestyle upgrade for cats with flair. Order Here

Globlazer Heavy Duty Gothic Cat Tree, 72in Large Cat Tower with Coffin Bed, Sturdy Maine Coon Cat Tree for Large Cats 20 lbs+, Medieval Castle Style with 6 Scratching Posts & Hammock, S72, Black & Red

🕸️ Affiliate Disclosure

Heads up, cat lovers! This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that fit the vibe of Around Dusty Roads and make tails wag (or curl mysteriously around a candle).Thanks for supporting Around Dusty Roads and helping keep the storytelling flowing

Want to add a little haunted luxury to your home? This Gothic Cat Tree is more than a Halloween treat—it’s a year-round throne for your furry familiars. Banner and Balboa would approve.

Banner and Balboa – photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Curse of the Shared Brain Cell

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photo Credit Deb Neumann

Curse of the Shared Brain Cell: Life With an Orange Cat

Orange cats have a reputation. If you’ve ever spent time in the cat-loving corners of the internet, you’ve probably heard the joke: all orange cats share one collective brain cell. No one really knows where this idea started, but after living with one myself, I can confidently say—it feels true.

Orange cats aren’t just regular cats. They’re extra. They’re goofy, unhinged, and somehow both lazy and chaotic at the same time. Just look into their eyes—completely empty. Nothing going on in there.

Banner- photo credit Deb Neumann

 

Take my orange cat, Banner, for example. He has recently developed a vendetta against bulletin boards. He cannot stand to see them on the wall. I live in constant fear that he’ll manage to pull out a push pin and try to eat it.

Playtime

Banner’s approach to playtime is equally on-brand. Most cats love to chase and climb, but not him. He prefers to play from a reclining position, lazily batting at toys that dare to come close enough. On the rare occasion he does chase something, it’s like watching a chonky orange tank rumble across the floor. The cat tree? Fun when it was new. Now? Too much effort. A crinkly paper bag with a hole in the bottom? That’s the real prize.

Cat in the Bag – photo credit Deb Neumann

Then there’s his way of “relaxing.” Banner loves to drape himself across tables and ledges with his head hanging completely upside down, as if letting gravity feed the lone brain cell he’s been allotted. My black cat, Balboa, would never be caught in such a position—he has too much dignity for that nonsense.

Just Resting – photo credit Deb Neumann

And it’s not just Banner. The internet is full of orange cat chaos. My personal favorite? The orange cat who only lets his owner carry him upside down. Classic.

So yes, orange cats may have to share that one collective brain cell. But they also share something else—pure entertainment. Today might officially be Orange Cat Appreciation Day, but in my house, every day is. Banner keeps life interesting, and brain cell or not, I wouldn’t trade him for anything.

Kitty Chaos photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

A Whirl Through August 28

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Sips, Style, and Sentiment: A Whirl Through August 28

I was muddling around wondering what to write about today, August 28. Then I saw it—National Red Wine Day. Naturally, Neil Diamond’s “Red Red Wine” popped into my head (though technically, that’s UB40’s version). But beyond the occasional glass with dinner or a cozy wine-and-cheese evening, I’m no connoisseur. I do enjoy cooking with wine—there’s something magical about a silky wine sauce draped over chicken or fish.

How To Make A Light White Wine Cream Sauce | Shelly Lighting

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White Wine Sauce for Pasta – Perfect for Seafood and Chicken and Pasta Dishes

  • Olive Oil – High quality extra virgin olive oil adds a hint of flavor.
  • Minced Garlic – You can freshly mince, but I just use minced garlic purchased in the produce aisle of the grocery store. You’ll never notice the difference and it’s one of my favorite shortcuts.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a little heat to this simple sauce.
  • Salt – I like to use salt from a grinder for thick flakes, but table salt works well, too.
  • Pepper – Fresh ground black pepper adds beautiful thick flakes and a subtle spicy flavor.
  • Butter – The base for this delicious sauce. Salted or unsalted, your choice.
  • White Wine – Use your favorite crisp white wine or white cooking wine.

Directions

Sauté – In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic, red pepper and sauté until golden (about a minute).

Make Sauce – Add salt and pepper, wine and butter.

Simmer – Stir two minutes, remove from heat and toss with pasta, chicken breasts, shrimp, or scallops.

I once attended a wine tasting and couldn’t quite get past the whole “sip then spit” routine. So… moving on.

Bow Ties

How do you feel about bow ties? Unless they’re paired with a tuxedo, I’m not a huge fan. But if you are, today’s your day to celebrate that natty little accessory. Bow Tie Day is all about embracing quirky charm and dapper flair. If that doesn’t tie up your attention, maybe Radio Commercial Day will strike a nostalgic chord.

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Radio Commercial Day

Does anyone still listen to the radio? I mean, really listen? Back in the day, radio commercials—those catchy little “jingles”—were everywhere. Some were so memorable they stuck in your head for decades. They were the soundtrack of morning commutes and weekend errands, a kind of audio wallpaper that shaped our daily lives.

165+ Thousand Old Radios Royalty-Free Images, Stock Photos & Pictures | Shutterstock

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

This one hits me right in the heart. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day honors the pets we’ve loved and lost. The Rainbow Bridge is a comforting idea—a place where our furry companions wait for us, whole and happy, until we meet again. But honestly, I cry buckets every time I say goodbye to one of mine. Saying they’ve “crossed the Rainbow Bridge” is a sweet thought, but it doesn’t always ease the ache.
Most people have heard of the Rainbow Bridge, but have you ever read the full poem? It paints a vivid picture of reunion and unconditional love. The part that always gets me:
“Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.”
That line alone is enough to unravel me.

Little Joe, Smokey & Rocky- Gone but not forgotten

Closing Thoughts

August 28 may seem like a random patchwork of observances—wine, bow ties, radio jingles, and remembrance—but maybe that’s the beauty of it. Life isn’t neatly categorized. It’s a swirl of flavors, fashion, nostalgia, and love. Whether you’re raising a glass, tying a bow, humming an old tune, or holding space for a beloved pet, today invites us to pause and feel. And maybe, just maybe, that’s worth celebrating.

 

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