Tag Archives: cats

October – Black Cat Awareness Month

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🖤 Celebrating Balboa: Black Cat Awareness Month

October isn’t just for pumpkins and spooky tales—it’s also Black Cat Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the sleek, mysterious felines who’ve long been misunderstood. And who better to represent this cause than Balboa, the regal, mischievous heartthrob of Around Dusty Roads?

Balboa isn’t just a cat—he’s a shadow dancer, a sunbeam chaser, and a purring poet in fur. Yet despite their charm, black cats like Balboa often face unfair odds in shelters due to centuries-old superstitions.

🐾 Myths, Misconceptions, and Missed Connections

From medieval Europe to modern pop culture, black cats have been tangled in tales of witchcraft and bad luck. Some still believe that a black cat crossing your path is a sign of doom. But as Groucho Marx quipped, “A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.” Balboa would add—with a flick of his tail—that it’s probably toward a sunlit nap or a snack.

 

 

These outdated beliefs have real consequences. Studies show black cats are less likely to be adopted than their lighter-colored counterparts. Their features can be harder to photograph, and they’re often overlooked in crowded shelters. It’s a heartbreaking irony: the very traits that make them elegant and enigmatic are the ones that keep them waiting for homes.

🐈‍⬛ Balboa Breaks the Spell

Balboa’s story is a reminder that black cats are anything but unlucky. He’s a daily dose of joy, a midnight-colored muse who inspires blog posts, product spotlights, and cozy evenings. His antics—whether chasing shadows or curling up beside a book—prove that love, not superstition, should guide our choices.

A Balboa Blep- photo credit Deb Neumann

This October, let’s rewrite the narrative. Share stories of your black cats, support shelters, and consider adopting a feline like Balboa. Because behind every black coat is a heart full of magic.

photo credit Deb Neumann

 

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

 

 

The Joy of Feline Mayhem

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Midnight Mischief and Feline Antics

Last night, I wasn’t feeling 100%, so I cut our usual bedtime play session short. A bit after I went to bed, I heard muttering and tiny mews between the two cats, followed by thumps and bumps. I figured they were just wrestling.

Imagine my surprise this morning when I found all our bedtime toys scattered across the floor.

Banner’s look of Innocence photo credit Deb Neumann

They’d managed to open my top dresser drawer—where I keep their special toys—and pull everything out. Looks like they had a grand old time without me.

Balboa’s guilty look photo credit Deb Neumann

Banner Bites

Banner is my little purr machine. His purr is loud, constant, and oddly comforting. He’s confident, happy, and most content when stretched across my desk while I work. Sometimes he rests his head on my hand, quietly soaking up the moment. Other times—without warning—he bites me.

Banner’s favorite spot to snooze- photo credit Deb Neumann

Not a gentle nibble. A full wrist-in-mouth ambush. If I were petting him, I’d chalk it up to overstimulation. But often, he goes from serene to shark in seconds.

Banner also moonlights as my shower sentinel. He perches on the sink, watching like a hawk. The danger zone? When I bend to dry my legs. That’s his cue to launch a shoulder attack. I’ve started warning him not to bite—not that he listens.

Balboa’s Boldness

Balboa may be shy with strangers, but with me, he’s a force of nature. His demands begin with insistent meows. Even if he’s just spent an hour napping on my lap, any interruption earns a dramatic protest.

Balboa – Photo credit Deb Neumann

If I’m working, he stretches up my leg and hooks his claws into me to get attention. Recently, he’s taken to leaping onto my shoulder. At first, it was cute. Now? He adds a surprise chomp to the top of my head. Ouch.

Playtime Tactics

Each cat has a distinct play style. Banner is the stealthy ground force. He hides in paper bags with holes in the bottom, lying perfectly still with just his tail exposed. Then—bam!—a paw shoots out to swat a toy. That’s Balboa’s cue to pounce on the bag. Chaos ensues.

Paper Bag ambush – photo credit Deb Neumann

If Banner is infantry, Balboa is air force. He chases wand toys mid-flight with acrobatic leaps and bounds. It’s always entertaining—and occasionally hazardous to nearby furniture.

Balboa of the flying cat-endas Photo credit Deb Neumann

Conclusion: The Joy of Feline Mayhem

Living with Banner and Balboa is like hosting a nightly improv show starring two furry chaos agents. They’re quirky, demanding, and occasionally bitey—but they’re also endlessly entertaining. Whether they’re raiding drawers, launching surprise attacks, or staging elaborate play battles, they remind me daily that life with cats is never dull.

WWE for Cats Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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