Packing For Blog Paws 2014

Starting to get down to the wire and still feels like I have so much to do yet. One of which is getting us all packed up and ready to go. While I can get much of what I want to take packed before I am ready to leave on Tuesday before Blog Paws I still have to do it in a way that makes sense for both the fur kids and me. For that reason a packing checklist is an absolute must and this is what it looks like at the moment.

Ferret Packing List:

Gray Tub

• Paper towels (1 roll)    
  
• Business cards (Enlightened Travels) 
  
• Trash bags
  
• Toys ( busy blanket, wonka toys, squeaky monkey)
  
• Litter   
  
• Food
  
• Bottled home water 
  
• poop bags
  
• Hand sanitizer (extra)
  
• Red Ground cloth (for play area)
  
• Outfits
  
• Sticky Rollers
  
• Small whisk broom and dustpan

Groom Bag

• Ferretone
  
• Cotton swabs
  
• Gluc Meter
  
• Toothbrushes and paste
  
• Nail clippers
  
• Furminator
  
• Tweezers
  
• Small first aid kit
  
• alcohol swabs

Gray Carrier: In the car

• Hammy
  
• litter pan (small corner)
  
• Hanging water bottle
  
• Clip on Food Cup
  
• Photo Ids with Rabies Tag #s and Vet Phone #

Blue Tote

• Health Certificates
  
• Rabies Tags

Car

• Fold Up Play Area
  
• 1 gray tub
  
• 1 black roller bag
  
• 1jounalist bag
  
• 1 blue tote
  
• 1 pet carrier

Note to self

DON'T FORGET LEASHES AND HARNESSES

I am sure that last one got a chuckle or two. Believe me it is easy to do and also one of the reasons I try to pack extras as I have driven off without making sure the leashes and harnesses where where they were suppose to be. I am also I'll be adding to the list as I always seem to do as the day to leave grows closer.  What is really bad is I had to buy a new suitcase as the one I had been using was too small.

My Packing list looks like this.

Suitcase

• 3 day shirts
  
• 2 evening shirts
  
• Jeans (3/4)
  
• Black pants for Red Carpet
  
• Gray pants for Opening night
  
• Socks (6 pairs)
  
• Black shoes ( Opening Night/ Red Carpet)
  
• Tennis shoes
  
• Photo Album (Fashions)
  
• Critter Zone
  
• Carol's Ferrets
  
• Instant coffee (never have enough in the room)

Groom Bag

• Toothbrush
  
• Paste
  
• Stink juice
  
• Hairbrush
  
• Hair ties
  
• Nail Clippers
  
• Small Sew Kit
  
• Razor
  
• Female Items
  
• Ferret Bracelets
  
• Stink Pretty

Journal Bag

• computer
  
• camera
  
• Cords for computer, camera, phone
  
• Battery Charger for Camera
  
• Business cards (blog and Business)
  
• Pens
  
• Notebook
  
• Flash Card for Camera
  
• Jump drives

So while it looks like I am packed I am only half way there. So excited!!!

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

26 . . .Really? We're Under a Month to Go

 

Can you tell me what makes up the 26?

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Wordless Wednesday: Smilez

 

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

 

Jo

 

Review: Pop Up Ball Pit and Thru A Way Tubes

As many of you know, Marshall Pet along with the PetBook Lady sponsored me last year to attend Blog Paws. After the event, I was given many of the items that were in the small animal play area, as it couldn’t be reused. Much to the delight of my three fur babies as by far their favorite items were the pop up ball pit and the ferret thru a way tubes.

The look of pure happiness on their tiny faces makes me smile as they race through the tube I worked into one of the holes in the pop up ball pit. Although Marylin thinks the tube is hers completely and defends it against her brothers until they just jump over the top of the pit and do a rear sneak attack.

    

I often find them sleeping in the pop up ball pit along with their own additions to the pit. Which have included, jiggle balls, mice, blanket, rattles, and pillows.

Made from sturdy materials the pop up ball pit holds up well to ferrets jumping over the top and racing through the holes. The Velcro® strap on one side makes it easy to attach it to the side of the play area fence or the side of the crate. My one complaint is that the pit doesn’t hold a lot of balls and the few that it does hold are easily kicked out the holes.

The thru a way tubes are made from a heavy plastic wrapped around plastic wrapped wire and stretches a long ways. With work one end can be worked into one of the holes of the pop up ball pit but you need to inspect it frequently as the end wire tend to poke through the plastic and do have a sharp point to them. This was an easy fix for me as I just used my jewelry pliers to bend into a circle that I then crimped shut and So far no more problems with it poking though the plastic.

 

Ferret paw rating 5 out of 5 for both the Pop Up Ball Pit and the Ferret Thru a way Tubes.

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Pet Blogger's Challenge Repeat offender *chitters*

1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about. I’ve been blogging since 2009 and here is last year’s post.

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud. I’ve gotten to work with a few companies that I wanted to work with but I didn’t meet most of my goals last year.

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you? That I need to make realistic goals that I can manage now that I am back to working outside the home

4. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites? Don’t get stuck in concrete. I mean if you need to take a break do so but at the same time don’t burnout rule you.

If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be? More followers/comments. I set a really high goal of 400 readers and then fell off the face of the Blogosphere. But not getting one comment can put a damper on things too. Just a simple “Hi” is all that is needed sometimes.

5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content? Word of mouth mostly

6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year? Last year I didn’t do a lot of publicizing my blog and it showed so this year I will be publicizing it more.

7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience? I try not to gauge my writing as I tend to get overly critical about it and then I don’t post anything.

How do you know when it’s time to let go of a feature or theme that you’ve been writing about for a while? That is the hardest thing to do. I try to keep with what is current and write updates as they are needed.

8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on? It depends on the post and the reason I am reading it. Sometimes it is because someone left a comment on my blog so I let them know I followed their link back to their blog. Other times the subject means a lot to me or I have learned something new.

9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways? Yes

If so, what do you find works best, and what doesn’t work at all? I stay away from Raffelcopter as it has too many glitches for my liking and all reviews are my opinion no matter what the outcome. But I need to get several more done that should have been done last year.

If not, is this something you’d like to do more of? What hurdle is getting in your way?

10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge? Last year I had writer’s block and blog burnout not a good combination as I couldn’t seem to pull myself out of it that is until November when I do this thing called Nanowrimo. Where you have to write 50,000 words. I used word association and basically jump started several blog posts that will be showing up this year. Another thing I use is a site called write or die a great motivator.

11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go? Yes, I did last year and I felt like I was letting my readers down

Have you ever thought about quitting your blog altogether? What makes you stay? Yes last year I really thought about it. The fact is that there really isn’t any other ferret bloggers.

12. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

To post at least one real post a week and one wordless Wednesday post. To reach 100 followers and to let my personal life show through many of my posts this year.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Year in Review: 2013

As I sit here sipping at my coffee and watch from my window the snow that is falling I realize that Enlightened Ferret kind of fell down on the job this last year.

The first half of the year seemed to go well but behind the scenes, it was starting to show signs of no feeling it. On top of that our business Enlightened Ferret Fashions took on a mind of its own and gobbled up time that would have gone into writing.

We were completely sponsored for Blog Paws in 2013 something we’ve been working on for a long time. Which was great but it also left us feeling even more exhausted and taught us a valuable lesson. I loved working with Linda Cope and Denise (Sorry I can’t remember your last name) from Marshall Pets but being an introvert (is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.) and trying to be an extrovert clashed badly.

.

Kind of like a motorcycle tangling with a semi the motorcycle is going to lose ninety-nine times and so started the slow decline of posts for the rest of the year.

June saw me finally getting a bi weekly paycheck in the form of a job. Working for the Post Office which is great for many reasons but it ate the last little bit of time I had left for me. So now I was working basically two jobs, being a seamstress for Enlightened Ferret Fashions and a PMR (Post Master/Mistress Relief) and what was supposed to be only a few hours a week exploded as the main Post Mistress took time off as she hadn’t been able to for over a year.

Don’t get me wrong I love working there but it is hard to get a set schedule set when you don’t know what is happening day to day. But I digress as the blog suffered for it.

Half-heartedly I posted pictures on Wordless Wednesday until even that faded. So I took several steps back and have been analyzing just where I wanted this blog to go in the following year but I also went back to the first few posts of this last year and saw that I set myself some very unrealistic goals that probably set myself up for some failure.

So the New Year is going to see some changes to Enlightened Ferret.

I will be posting a written post on Mondays and a pic on Wordless Wednesday. Granted that is a lot less than I have been doing but for the moment that is all I can do. They will be a mix of education, news, personal, and reviews, some of these posts maybe very lengthy depending on the subject of the post. Along with the occasional post challenge such as the one on Jan 10. (see badge for details)

Thank you for sticking with Enlightened Ferret though its silence and now that we are rested up we hope to hear from you all as 2014 starts its march towards 2015.

              

Have a Chittering Good Day and a Dooking New Year,

Jo

Wordless Wednesday: Ring Toss?

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Wordless Wednesday: Box Day

 

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Wordless Wednesday: Tunnel Vision

 

 

 

Have A Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Blog Paws Moments

Holy Ferret! Blog Paws flew by in an instant. Didn’t we just get to Tyson’s Corner?

Now we are unpacking the bags of swags, sorting the ferret’s luggage from mine. My throat feels like someone shoved a tennis ball halfway down it and my voice is squeaky. This makes Manny come looking for the toy.

My favorite moment?

Getting my ferret shaped jump drive from Marshall Pet. I don’t think there are any photos or videos floating around of me bouncing up and down like an excited little kid getting something they really wanted at least I hope there isn’t.

I know I squealed with delight. I’ve wanted it since it came out. It is still sitting exactly where I put it when I received it. In the nametag pouch.

What was your favorite moment?

Best surprise moment.

When roomie’s puppy mill rescue dog Ariel barked for the first time. The look on that sweet face was adorable as she looked so surprised at the sound that came out of her. Then just to make sure she did it right she woofed a couple more times.

What was your surprise moment?

The Aha moment.

I’ve tried for years to understand how to put a book proposal together and have always fell short of completing one. Thanks to Darlene Arden’s session, I have a good grasp on the concept and an understanding that I didn’t have before along with a few good laughs as she has the best sense of humor.

What/When was your aha moment?

I know you from somewhere moment.

I heard the story of how a pet owner reconnected with his pet sitter almost 10 years later. How incredible was that?

As for me, it was the hotel clerk I used to deliver to every night when I worked for a pizza place and he ran the front desk.

Did you have one of those moments?

My sponsors, , set up a great play area for my kids to play in although I think they slept most of the time but it gave people the chance to see what a ferret looked like and if they happened to be awake and playing how cute they could be.

Next year Blog Paws will be in Vegas and I already have my ticket thanks to Lisa Taron The Pet Blog Lady.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Blog Paws 2013 Photos

View Full Album

 

We are defiantly feeling the Blog Paws Hangover today. Still can’t believe it is over already.

Next year we are headed to Vegas!  Enjoy the photos.

Have a *yawn* Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Blog Paws Friday Recap

I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired or hyped at blog paws. It is a wonderful and exhilarating feeling.

breakfast was nice and calm being able to interact with just a few people at a time was delightful.

Marylin gave Jo from petside lots of kisses.  

At the first session we attended the speaker was Darlene Arden love her sense of humor and she explained how to create a book proposal in a very detailed way that understandable.

Also in attendance was Glogirly

Does that mean Waffle is planning on writing a book?

The ferrets and I took in the session on how to get free publicity. I am sure that Harrison  Forbes had no idea that there were ferrets attending but I loved his statement that you had “ferret out the information.”

I took the fur kids to hang out at Marshall’s small animal playpen. To their surprise new additions had been added by Bonnie and friend from Washington Metro Area Ferret Outreach 

  after checking everything out it was time for a nice midday meal and then off to the land of Napping  

If you didn’t know ferrets sleep between 14-18 hours.  The rest of the day was kind of a blur as it just seems to pick up speed and fly out the door.

I did put the breaks on and created an Honor Flag for Grace. Honor Flags is the brainstorm of Wanda Kruse and is her take on the Tibet Prayer flags. The Honor Flags can be made to honor a pet, or animal loving person both living or have made the trip across the bridge.

I found it very relaxing and the world seemed to slow back down a slow spin. This is the flag for Grace

Don’t remember much about the rest of the day as I think I was sleepwalking most of it. But I do know I answered a lot of questions about ferrets.

For a select few there was a mini ferret fashion show as Emmy and Allen Pearson took some photos of the kids modeling some of the fashions created for fur challenged ferrets and for the stylish ferret.     

Allen is the professional photographer for Blog Paws this year. Thanks for the great tips. These photos are mine how great it was to have nice clear images.

Can you guess who these Blog Paws Attendees are?

Can’t believe that it is already Saturday.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

This post is brought to you by the people of who kindly sponsored us to be at this great event.

Leading Up to Blog Paws: Last Minute Details

Tomorrow we will be up bright and early to start our long drive to Tyson’s Corner, VA and the start of Blog Paws.

We are sad that our buddies Nikki and Ashley, from I love Rescue Animals won’t be there but were pleasantly surprised to find out that Edna from Nutro, Snotface Critter, George the Duck’s Typist will all be there.

This is the first year that we had two sponsors one we have met and the ferrets love giving her kisses and hugs. This is the second year she has supported Enlightened Ferret again thank you Lisa Taron.

After many emails back and forth and I am sure some other outside help we secured sponsorship from Marshall Pet.

Notice: If you don’t like them that is fine but don’t put hateful comments as they will be deleted from this post and any other regarding the Blog Paws Event.

This year the little fur kids will have their own playground to romp in not that, the dog park wasn’t fun for my kids it was my own peace of mind that was worn.

Enlightened Ferret will have some surprises for a few people as well. What they are differ from person to person but we are sure they will be well enjoyed.

With roomie joining us at this year’s Blog Paws, I hope to be in more pictures with my fur kids than they are. *Chitters* but they are the draw.

If you have questions about ferrets please be sure to stop by the Washington Metro Area Ferret Outreach’s table or Marshall’s if you can’t find them or they are too busy I will give you an answer if I can or will help you find it.

Ask nicely and I will chitter for you.

See you at Blog Paws.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Blog Paws T- Minus 12 Days

Where has the time gone? Soon the fur kids and I will be joining other like-minded bloggers and pet related people in Tyson Corners, VA to expand our network and reconnect with friends.

This year is even more special for Enlightened Ferret because in addition to our long time supporter Lisa Taron the Pet Blog Lady.

Manny has known Lisa the longest and can’t wait to give her more ferrety kisses and introduce her to his sister Marylin.

Marshall, no not the clothing store, is also sponsoring us. Manny and Marylin are both Marshall ferrets and will be enjoying their sponsored small animal play area along with their brother Marcuz off and on throughout Blog Paws.

I am excited that there will be a brand there that geared to the ferret parent (ferrent).

Who knows maybe the 3M’s will give a weasel war dance demonstration for those that would like to learn those crazy moves. No guarantee though as ferrets have their own ideas of things.

We are grateful to our sponsors both old and new and can’t wait to see them both in just a few days.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Blog Paws Nose to Nose Finalist

               

 

Enlightened Ferret is a Finalist in the Best Wiggle Blog category for a Nose to Nose award. This year our competition is:

The Rat Whisperer

My Mini Pet Pig 

The Maaaaa of Pricilla 

Congrats to you and may the best wiggler win.

We also want to make sure we thank our two amazing sponsors for our attendance at Blog Paws this year.

Our first sponsor has supported us for the Salt Lake City Blog Paws and this year. She is one of the funniest ladies I know with a dog that loves his neighborhood cats and who created the Cat Patrol. This Canadian loves to have a good time and it shows in her smile. We can’t wait to see Lisa Taron who is known as The Pet Blog Lady  in Tysons Corner.

Our other sponsor has been a part of the Enlightened Ferret family in so many different ways. From the birthplace of Manny and Marylin to many of the toys that are hidden within the kid’s room. Marshall Pet Products was established in 1993 as a new division of Marshall Farms.

This is a new adventure for both of us so I can only hope it will be the start of great things to come for the both of us.

COUNTDOWN TIMER WIDGET

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo