The Katnip Lounge Cat Ladies Tour
The cherry on top the catnip cake after the Blogpaws conference was our visit to the Katnip Lounge. It so happens Trish, one of our favorite bloggers lives minutes from the conference venue, the Westin Lake Las Vegas. On Sunday after the conference ended, Trish picked up Paula, another favorite blogger from Twinkletoe Tails and I to meet the 13 feline members of the Katnip Lounge. As soon I saw her Hello Kitty Jeep with the Katnip vanity plate I knew we were in for some serious kitty fun. I visit both these cat ladies regularly online and it was awesome to meet in person. It was so gracious of Trish to give us cat ladies tours every day of the conference. I only wish I hadn’t felt a post-conference exhaustion or I would have enjoyed it even more.
The area is dotted with homes in earthy tones matching the desert landscape but Trish and her hubby Scott’s home stood out as an oasis of blooming color. The charming front garden featured a blanket of flowers and romantic archway leading to the front entrance. Baby is definitely daddy’s girl. Rupert the gray boy reminded me of Gris Gris.
There were cats everywhere in the newly renovated home: artwork, sculpture, collectibles and of course the #1 reason for our visit, the Katnip Lounge kitties. Scoutie, the orange tabby is shy and raced out in an orange blur. Some of the cats were more curious and friendly but all showed their distinct personalities. I always respect a cat’s space, taking my time to feel their energy before approaching especially if I have a camera. Not all the gang wanted to be photographed and that’s a cat’s prerogative.
The catio is a large space with a cat door and regular door into the house for flexible indoor “outdoor living”. It’s airy and bright with large enough spaces for little critters to slip through for hunting but keep large predators out and the cats safely in. The abundance of places to perch, play, nap or hide on multiple levels makes this the cat’s meow of catios.
Baby, the white cat who is recuperating from some health issues, enjoyed showing us around inside the famous catio and outdoors in the garden. She’s an intrepid hunter and showed off her prey sniffing skills in color and black and white.
Cats inspire me creatively and the Katnip Lounge crew inspired me big time! I could easily have whipped out another dozen collages and will post more another day. And of course Baby inspired some cat art as did the ever so regally handsome Maui and photogenic May Ling.
May Ling, the sultry queen whom our boys crush on (and a favorite of mine) showed off her athletic and other skills.
Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, Trish hands me a package of her special catnip and silvervine. This is the good stuff. We’ve never tried silvervine and it didn’t take Odin long to locate the sealed “feel good” baggie. I was unpacking my suitcase and didn’t notice he’d located, ripped open the bag and had a mega dose. Let’s just say what happens in Vegas, can be enjoyed in New York.
Please note: there will be an auction from May 20 to June 20 to raise funds for Baby’s huge vet bills. If you have items to donate please contact [email protected] and to learn the latest about the cats visit the Katnip Lounge Tell us which image you’d like us to donate.
30 Comments
nadbugs
Really nice, Layla. I love the Loungers and wish I could have been there. But your post is next best!
Clooney
What a fabulous post you did Layla! Love all your photos. It was really wonderful of Trish and Scott to invite us all into their home. It was nice to meet you (albeit very, very briefly) at BlogPaws, I meant to come find you to chat but got distracted and then BlogPaws was over in a flash!
Skeeter and Izzy
WOW!!! The Catnip Lounge peeps and kids are FURTASTIC!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing! We love getting to know more about everyone. We hope that Baby is blessed with many more wonderful years!
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig and Peanut and Romeo >^..^<
Caren Gittleman
It tears me up that I missed that tour 🙁 Your photos are the best I have seen, you really gave a good feel of what the catio is like!
Maggie
Love seeing the different versions of the catio on the different blogs! I especially liked the collages of Baby and the photograph of beautiful Maui.
Cathy Keisha
You got some great photos of the catio. It looks like heaven. I used to be spokescat for Silvervine but I’m on the wagon now.
meowmeowmans
That is so darned cool. What a terrific and wonderful opportunity to get to visit the Catio. And you got to hang out with some of our most favorite blogging friends (of course, YOU are one of those, too). 🙂
Sometimes, Cats Herd You
We love how everyone had different visits and saw different sides of the same cats! It is especially noticeable since nearly everybody posted their catio tour photos today for some reason. How fun!
Andrea and the Celestial Kitties
We’re so jealous of those of you who got to visit the Katnip Lounge! Looks like you had a great time!
Sue Brandes
That looks like a wonderful place for the kitties.
Kathryn
Wow, delightful in every way.
Love all the kitties and love your art work.
That catio is so beyond words. Never heard of a catio before but it is truly remarkable.
Marg
Sounds like a great visit to the Katnip Lounge. That was so nice of Trish to have all of you to her house. Have a great day.
Ann Boyajian
Our mom got to go to the Katnip Lounge, too! It was pawsome. And we love May Ling’s last pic!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
It was so sweet of Trish and Scott. Did you take any pics. I’d love to see them..
Brian Frum
That was was special trip indeed!
Deztinee High
Dat suwe is a Pawsum Catio. Meez suwe wishes meez kulda gone, but bein’ so new meez didn’t know anyfin’ ’bout it. Maybe nex time. 🙂 Glad yous had a good time, and wees can’t wait fuw mowe fotos.
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses ♥♥♥
Dezi
easy rider
I would love to spend a day there (without the pup of course). Bet it would be much better than every spa-day. have a wonderful friday and a great weekend, with silvervine it must be great, right Odin?
jansfunnyfarm
What a great trip you had and it must have been fun meeting online friends in person. Did you get to meet Carol and Barrie (Angel Ginger Jasper’s mom & dad) too?
Layla Morgan Wilde
I was at their little gathering briefly.
Angel AbbyGrace
What a wonderful visit! The Katnip Lounge is our dream catio!
Chris Davis
A fabulous post, Layla! Love that catio – looks like cat heaven to me!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Chris, it truly is kitty heaven.
da tabbies o trout towne
doodz….de food gal heer iz way happee yur mom getted ta meet de foodz peepulz at de lounge…N now that her HAZ seen de lounge…her can get ta werk on a catio for ewe guys !!! but let her haza day oh rest furst 🙂 N we like the baby…top left…pick sure one for donation ♥
and in honor oh R pal Godzilla’s new movie debute two day….heerz ta a dragonfish kinda week oh end !!
mariodacat
What a great post and what a wonderful opportunity you had. M would love to get to one of those conferences.
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
What a wonderful post! We enjoy the Katnip Lounge kitties and it was great to see all of these fantastic pictures!
The Island Cats
We are SO envious that the mom got to visit the Katnip Lounge. She told us all about it…and now we want our very own catio! It looks like you had a great visit…Miss Trish and Daddy-Cat Scott were so nice to open their home to all the humans.
Oui Oui
The visit with Trish, Scott & the Horde was definitely the highlight of the Vegas trip! It was so generous of them to invite us into their home. And it was extra special being part of such a small tour and then briefly meeting Scouty. He was off his game for sure! Our mom was so excited to meet you finally and get a chance to chat kitties too! She wouldn’t have missed going to Vegas for anything. We are all purring you are feeling better!
Layla Morgan Wilde
I loved meeting you. We were lucky to have a quieter visit. I need quiet to focus on getting good shots of cats.
Carolyn
It’s so great when my favourite blogging friends actually visit each other and then we can get another’s perspective. Layla, you just proved what I already suspected that, Trish, Scott and the Horde are awesome! Thanks for sharing your visit 🙂
Sparkle
How cool that you got to visit the Catio too! The Katnip Lounge humans are wonderful, welcoming so many of us during BlogPaws!