Our cat Samantha doesn’t want for much; and she’s tough to buy gifts for. I wanted her to have something special for her 15th birthday, but she is a challenge! She has a few favorite treats which we always keep in supply, but toys and such don’t interest her much. She has loved the catnip plants she’s had in the past, but she hasn’t had one for a while.
Before I left for BlogPaws, I started a few organic plants from seed, and catnip was one of them. I had to leave the plants in the Dadz’ hands while I was gone, and he did a great job of keeping them going! When I got home I moved the catnip seedlings into the pretty pitcher we had used before. I wanted them to grow some more before giving them to Sam, and they were just about big enough, so I tied a bow around it and gave it to her as her birthday gift! I think it was a hit:
I had a few cat toys in my swag bag from BlogPaws, but where Sam is blind, toys are tough for her (not that she was ever a big toy lover anyway). I chose this Mylar Ball crinkly toy from Savvy Tabby (thank you to BlogPaws for the gifts), thinking since it made some noise she might find it easier to play with.
Well, she enjoyed rubbing her head on it while I held it anyway! There are some other catnip toys I’ll let her try, but the rest of the toys will go to cousin Nina, who will enjoy playing with them. I think Sam is happy to share with her, as long as she has her catnip plant. 🙂
*Have you entered our giveaway for a Paw5 Wooly Snuffle Mat? Luke and Cricket had a lot of fun with this food/treat toy and think your dog might like one too! Click here to read more and enter to win.*
Looks like the catnip plant was the big hit!
That was very thoughtful. Is there a chance she would eat the plant? I’m just curious because I only ever got the dried stuffed toys for cats I’ve had in the past.
Yes, she does eat it, but it’s fine for them to do that. The only issue sometimes is if she eats too much and it comes back up! She would do that with cat grass I gave her every.single.time, so I did stop giving her that. She’s pretty good about just nibbling the catnip.
Happy 15th birthday Sam! I think the catnip was a perfect gift and the pitcher is really cute.
Thank you, Raven! I love the pitcher too because you can also see it from outside and it looks very pretty in the window. 🙂
She definitely likes the catnip plant! Sometimes we find it growing wild and mom will bring it home. But cats always seem to enjoy it more after it’s dried then when fresh. Love Dolly
Sam just loves plants. It doesn’t matter what it is, she’ll chew on it!
I should try that, I bet the kitties would love fresh catnip! Have you ever tried to grow it outside? I imagine it would attract all the neighborhood cats.
Actually I just started a big pot of it outside, because it’s safe for our chickens, and then if Sam ends up needing a new one I’ll have one ready (hopefully….it hasn’t actually come up yet).
I’ll let you know if we start getting neighborhood cats in our yard. 😉
Happy late birthday Sam, 15 that is terrific keep going strong.
Looks like the catnip was a big hit! You guys can mind my garden anytime since you clearly have a green thumb. ????
Well, sometimes….not always. There have been a lot of failures in the gardening department around here. LOL
Homegrown catnip?? It can’t get any better than that! Good job by you parents growing some nice organic catnip for that beautiful girl, and SO glad she enjoyed it-love seeing the pics of her doing so! Oh, and Nina says Happy Birthday to Sam as well, I forgot her wishes yesterday-but seeing her mentioned here made me remember-and she thanks Sam for sharing any goodies Mom got!
Sam says thank you to Nina, and we will get her goodies to her sometime soon!
Happy Birthday Beautiful Samantha!
She’s in catnip heaven! She’s probably thinking, “This is the best birthday EVER!” 🙂
Cat bro Bert says catnip is always a winner!
I think the catnip was a hit! Give Samantha some birthday kisses from the bayou. ♥
We can attest that there’s nothing better than fresh nip. Enjoy it, Samantha!
You are such a special gal Samantha and we are happy you enjoyed your nip!
Happy Birthday, Sam! I never thought about toys for cats who are blind. I wonder if she’d respond to kicksticks or Yeoww bananas with catnip in them. Bear doesn’t play with them like he does his other toys … he just goes nuts rolling all over them or in the case of the kickstick … attack it with his back claws. But if she responds to catnip – she might enjoy catnip toys even if she doesn’t play with them like traditional toys.
Oh, I’ve seen those bananas on other blogs and wondered about them. Something bigger like that might be easier for her to find. She’s played with catnip toys in the past, but she usually just seems to lose interest in most of them in a short time, though their have been a small few that she played with for a while.
I got some other catnip toys in the swag bag, so there is one other I’m going to try with her (a small catnip stick).
Happy Birthday to Samantha! I’m glad that she has her catnip plant – she sure seems to love it!!!!
Ahh you are a cutie patootie
Lily & Edward
Awwwww, your birthday girl is purring like a kitten I bet!! I do believe this is her best birthday yet, Momz! Love the photos!!
Happy Birthday Samantha, your mom knew exactly what you would like!
that’s a super gift… it’s quasi home- and handmade… pawsome :O)
What a wonderful gift for your wonderful girl !
Oh I think that catnip plant was a BIG HIT! I hope she’s having a wonderful LONG 15th Birthday with treats that she will enjoy!
Hugs, Teddy
She did, and she got extra food too, so she was a happy kitty!