Tag Archives: muse medallion

Cat Writers' Association, Uncategorized

Cat Scene Investigator wins six prestigious awards

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Cat Scene Investigator recognized for excellence by the Cat Writers’ Association

Cat Scene Investigator receives honors

Last week at the Cat Writers’ Association Awards Banquet in Myrtle Beach, SC, CWA honored my latest book, Cat Scene Investigator: Solve Your Cat’s Litter Box Mystery with six distinguished awards.

I wrote Cat Scene Investigator (Stupid Gravity Press) hoping it would help keep cats, who might otherwise be surrendered to shelters or abandoned, in their homes and to mend the human-animal bond damaged by litter box avoidance. Fortunately, the judges got it.

Best behavior book

Cat Scene Investigator received Muse Medallions for Best Behavior Book and Best Series of Illustrations. It also received the prestigious Dr. Jim Richards Cornell Feline Health Center Veterinary Issues Award. The Dr. Jim award goes to the highest quality entry on innovations in feline veterinary medicine that educates the general cat-owning public. Arnold Plotnick judged the category. He is a specialist in veterinary internal medicine and founder of Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York City.  Dr. Plotnick said, “Don’t be fooled by the small size of this book. It is jam-packed with up-to-date info on every aspect of inappropriate elimination in cats, written in an engaging, down-to-earth style. This book is the perfect blend of charm, humor and science.” This award was a double honor; the late Dr. Richards was my dear friend and mentor.

The book also received The Fear Freesm Cat Enrichment Award, sponsored by Fear Free, LLC and the Hartz® Glamour-Puss Award. The Enrichment award goes to the work that best educates about how exercise, food puzzles, scent training and other activities that can benefit a cat’s emotional and physical well-being and the role that has in their overall health. Glamour Puss recognizes the best work on parasite control, skin disorders and grooming.

In addition, cartoons by Stephanie Piro appearing in CSI received both the Muse for best series of illustrations and Stephanie’s CSI cartoons received the Kuykendall Image Award for the competition’s “outstanding image.” The book’s cover photo by Weems S. Hutto received a Muse nomination.

Thank you Cat Writers’ Association, CWA judges and special awards judges.

Cat Scene Investigator sports a new look.

Save kitty lives; spread the word

This book will save lives. We simply have to get the word out. Please tell your vet and local shelter and rescue group about Cat Scene Investigator. If you know anyone who has litter box problems with kitty, please tell them about Cat Scene Investigator. The book is available in trade paperback and Kindle. You can purchase it through Amazon, boutiques and veterinary clinics around the country. Additional distribution is pending. If you would like to carry this fabulous resource at your clinic or shelter, contact Stupid Gravity Press for wholesale rates.

News

AdoptAShelter.com Editor-in-Chief Wins Two Maxwell Medallions #AdoptAShelter

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Dusty DWAA Maxwell DogWriterAwards2015_9155_3
AdoptAShelter.com editor-in-chief Dusty Rainbolt displays her DWAA Maxwell Medallions.

(April 21, 2015) Tyler, Texas – After being named the 2014 Friskies® Writer of the Year at the Cat Writers Association Awards Banquet last November, AdoptAShelter.com’s Dusty Rainbolt was awarded two Maxwell Medallions at the annual Dog Writers Association of America Awards Banquet in New York City.

Dusty was also awarded CWA’s .Hartz® Every Day Chewable Vitamin Award, the Hartz® Milk Replacement for Kittens Award, as well as the CWA Muse Medallion for Excellence for best Online Article on Health and General Care.

Dusty received the DWAA Maxwell Awards in the categories of  “Online Behavior & Training Article” for her article ‘When Is It Time To Say Goodbye To Your Dog?’ and the best “Online Article- Rescue” for, ‘Ten Reasons To Foster A Shelter Dog’.  Both were published on Dogster.com.

“Dusty rescued her first cat in 1986. Since then she has rescued and re-homed over 1,500 cats and kittens, 500 of them bottle babies.  Oh, and she’s pretty good at writing, too,” says AdoptAShelter.com founder and CEO Chris Ruben.  “It is a privilege and pleasure to have her as a long-time partner in helping animals.”

Also at the Awards banquet, Ambassador Susan M. Ewing presented Bernadette Kazmarski with the AdoptAShelter.com ‘Adopt-A-Homeless-Dog’ award.  It is presented to the body of work that best describes the plight of homeless dogs, the joy of dog adoption, and/or improving the quality of life of dogs in a shelter environment. 

About AdoptAShelter.com

AdoptAShelter.com is an online community where animal lovers can shop at hundreds of well-known merchants and service-providers while turning everyday purchases into contributions that directly benefit their chosen animal shelters, humane organizations or rescue and adoption groups. Click.  Shop.  Donate!

Cat Writers' Association, Special Days, Uncategorized

Cat Writers Association 21st Annual Conference was a Meowing Blast

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Dusty Susan Willett at CWA 2014
Susan Willett worked very hard to help make the conference a success. She even stepped bravely into the world of bling.

A week ago I was surrounded by my CWA friends in Atlanta and was running around like a cat with hyperesthesia. This morning I’m chilling at home, drinking a leisurely cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee with my husband, and fighting my kitties for my spot on the couch. The 2014 Cat Writers’ Association 21st Writers’ Conference has been put to bed. Officially, “It’s a wrap.” I’m once again a civilian. And it’s great to be home.

I want to the thank everyone who worked so hard to put the conference on. Where do I start?

  • Su Ewing-CWA past president, conference co-chair and good friend for her work coordinating with the hotel and listening to me whine and bitch for six years.
  • Marci Kladnik-Contest chair and incoming president. She pulled my butt out of the fire on many occasions. Marci never does any half-vast. (Yes, I know that’s not the phrase.) When our regular categories contest chair suddenly resigned last year, Marci stepped up and saved the day. This year she did an amazing job of leading the contest committee. And when we lost Lorie, and we were asked to find homes for her six cats, Marci jumped in again and arranged the transportation of the kitties to their new families. When I was feeling overwhelmed, she told me, “Dusty, you worry about the conference and finding homes for the cats. I’ll take care of the transportation.” She did. And then when asked to take the reins as president, she did.
  • Susan Willett for making lemonade out of lemons. Throughout the final planning of the conference, she was always there. It didn’t matter menial or how complicated the task was, she did it.
  • Wendy Christensen for many years, as CWA secretary, she has had my back. She’s the glue of this organization. If I listed everything Wendy does, I’d run out of web space. For starters she’s responsible for the banquet program booklet. And she made the incredible Muse Medallion necklace I wore to the awards banquet. (Contact her about making one for you too.)
  • Amy Shojai–I can’t even list everything Amy does. Behind the scenes activities, heading the emergency nominating committee, presenting an amazing talk about DIY publishing and sometimes just a calm word.
  • Fran Pennock Shaw- She worked on the nominating committee. She took the book signing off my hands and made it a success despite the constant change. For a the month I was president she sent me gentle prompts, “You should be doing this and this.”  And Fran simply does what needs to done. No questions.
  • Rachel Phelps-She was our BarkWorld liaison
  • Chris Ruben-Brainstorming, BarkWorld liaison, co-conspirator.
  • Karen Payne-for the amazing newsletter and by her persistence and discovering Lorie was hospitalized
  • Nancy Peterson for handling goodie bag donations.
  • Heike Hagenguth-Editor appointment goddess the last 15 years
  • BJ Bangs-for heading the nominating committee, taking on the job of VP and providing photographs
  • Stephanie Piro for drawing the illustrations that appeared in our banquet program and the cards for the winners display
  • Layla Morgan-Wilde-For her CWA website maintenance and blogs, her support and for organizing Absent Friends.
  • Belated Sharon Melnyk for handling registration all those many years.
  • Jonathan the Bartender-for being Jonathan the Bartender.
Dusty-Jonathan-waving-tiaras
Dusty and Jonathan the Bartender offering the Queen’s wave to adoring banquet attendees. He looks stunning in his Thank-You-tiara.
Wendy Christensen Original
You, too, can own a Wendy Christensen Original Muse Medallion necklace. The night was all about the sparkles.

If I left anyone off, let me know. I’ll add you.

_IMG_7083_Dustys 2014 Awards_no number
Fluffy shows off her mom’s awards. (L-R) The Hartz® Milk Replacement for Kittens Award, Muse Medallion for best Online Article on Health and General Care, Hartz® Everyday Chewable Vitamin Award and 2104 Friskies® Writer of the Year Award.

At the awards banquet I was honored with the Friskies Writer of the Year Award, the Hartz® Everyday Chewable Vitamin Award (for the best entry on senior cats) and the Hartz® Milk Replacement for Kittens Award (kitten rescue award.) I also took home a Muse Medallion for my Catster.com article about the quality of life scale.

_IMG_7119_Writer of the Year
Kiki and the Friskies® Writer of the Year Award.

However the most difficult and touching moment of the affair came when my friend and AdoptAShelter.com business partner, Chris Ruben, presented me with a bottle of Happy Cat Wine in a red bottle, a gift from absent friend, Lorie Huston. She had written Chris on August 30 (a month before she died) asking him to pick up the bottle to pick up a bottle and she would reimburse her. She wanted to give it to me as a thank you for helping her during her first year as president. Once he read her note and handed me the bottle everything else vanished. I so wish she had been able to present it to me personally.

_Lorie bottle
Lorie Huston’s final gift, a bottle of Happy Cat Wine with a note that I’ll keep forever.
lorie beautiful best
Lorie, wish you could have been with us. It was really YOUR night.

Thank you to all my CWA friends, the editors, speakers, officers and organizers for a memorable weekend. I’ll see you next year.

Cat Writers' Association

Cat Writers’ Association Announces Muse Medallion Finalists

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Heidi & Typewriter IMG_2767_webThis week the Cat Writers’ Association announced recipients of this year’s Certificates of Excellence. Entries are judged by three professional CWA members. Averaged scores of 90 or higher receive a Certificate of Excellence. The top score over 90 wins the Muse. However, CWA considers the Certificates of Excellence awards in their own right.

It’s exciting to see the names of so many wonderful writers, producers and artists recognized. I’m product to say that many of these talented folks are my friends.

The Muse Medallion winners will be announced at the CWA Awards Banquet, the grand finale of the MeowWorld Presented by CWA/BarkWorld Conference in Atlanta October 29 through November 1. For more information about the conference and banquet go to the CWA website.

Congratulations to the Certificate winners listed below.

I.1 Monthly Magazine: National
Susan Logan, Editor, “Cat Fancy”

I.2 Magazine Article: Health & General Care
Deborah Barnes, “Don’t Delay” Cats Fancy
Helen Jablonski, “Orphan Care” Kittens 101 2015
Bernadette Kazmarski, “Tail Vaccines for Cats Could Save Lives” Pittsburgh
Ingrid King, “Feline Medicine Goes High-Tech” Cat[ Fancy
Ingrid King, “It’s In the Will” Cat Fancy
Ramona Marek, “Faint Heart” Animal Wellness
Arnold Plotnick, DVM, “Change of Heart” Cat Fancy
Dusty Rainbolt, “Cat Bathroom Basics” Ready, Set, Rescue 2014
Dusty Rainbolt, “Hunters by Nature” Cat Fancy
Genevieve Rajewski, “Itching to Know” Tufts Veterinary Medicine PetConnections
Fran Pennock Shaw, “A Glimmer of Hope” Cat Fancy
Fran Pennock Shaw, “A New Frontier in Medicine” Cat Fancy
Fran Pennock Shaw, “Raw Intelligence” Cats USA 2014
Rebecca Sweat, “Happy Tails” Cat Fancy

I.3 Magazine Article: Behavior & Training
Maryjean Ballner, “Winning the Affection of the Scaredy Cat” Pet Sitter’s WORLD
Helen Jablonski, “Solve Litterbox Issues For Good” CATS USA 2014
Jacqueline Munera, “Training for Cats in the Shelter: Part Three” The APDT Chronicle of the Dog
Jacqueline Munera, “Training for Cats in the Shelter: Part Four” The APDT Chronicle of the Dog
Jacqueline Munera, “Dogs and Declawed Cats: Extra Caution Required” The APDT Chronicle of the Dog

I.4 Magazine Article: Rescue/Advocacy
Kate Hurley, DVM and James Hettinger, “For Community Cats, A Change Is Gonna Come/Putting it
Into Practice” Animal Sheltering Magazine
Bernadette Kazmarski, “The Invisible Cat” Pittsburgh PetConnections
Cimeron Morrissey, “Pure Joy” Cat Fancy
Cimeron Morrissey, “The Quiet Living Legend” Cat Fancy
Cimeron Morrissey, “Setting the Records Straight” Cat Fancy
Cimeron Morrissey, “Up to the Challenge” Cat Fancy
Cimeron Morrissey, “the things we do for (cat) love” (all lowercase) Cat Fancy
Nancy Peterson, “The Challenges of a Rural TNR Project” Animal Sheltering

I.5 Magazine Article: Any Other Topic
Jim Baker, “Free to Good Home” Animal Sheltering
Stacy Hackett, “Around the World With 18 Breeds” CATS USA 2014
Bernadette Kazmarski, “Never Enough Time, But Enough Time to Love” Pittsburgh PetConnections
Marci Kladnik, “Kittens Gone Wild! The Feral Cat Challenge” Pet Sitter’s WORLD
Audrey Pavia, “Black Magic” Cat Fancy
Jen Reeder, “How Cats Broke the Internet” Modern Cat
Sandy Robins, “How Smart is Your Cat?” CATS USA 2014
Kim Campbell Thornton, “Protecting Jaguars” CATS USA 2014

I.6 Magazine Column
Cimeron Morrissey, “Cat Champions” Cat Fancy
Sandy Robins, “Life’s Purrfect” Cat Fancy
Nancy Peterson, “Catty Corner” Animal Sheltering

II.1 Newspaper Article: Health & General Care
Fran Pennock Shaw “Heartworm disease in cats on the rise” Intelligencer Journal-Lancaster New Era

II.2 Newspaper Article: Behavior & Training
no entries

II.3 Newspaper Article: Rescue/Advocacy
no entries

II.4 Newspaper Article: Any Other Topic
Jen Reeder “Celebrating National Pet Week With Jake the Therapy Cat” Huffington Post

II.5 Newspaper Column
Amy Shojai “P’etiquette” Herald Democrat

III.1 Newsletter: Breed Specific
Brigitte McMinn, Editor, Bengals Illustrated
Brigitte McMinn, Editor, Savannahs Illustrated

III.2 Newsletter: National Circulation
Cimeron Morrissey, Cat Tales

III.3 Newsletter: Regional or Membership Circulation Advocacy
combined with III.2

III.4 Newsletter Article: Health & General Care
Arnold Plotnick, “Blood Test to Detect Cancer” catnip
Arnold Plotnick, “Double Whammy!” catnip
Arnold Plotnick, “Cryptococcosis in Cats” catnip
Arnold Plotnick, “Hypertension in Cats” catnip
Arnold Plotnick, “Heart Disease or Not?” catnip
Arnold Plotnick, “New Advances in Treating FIP” catnip
Fran Pennock Shaw, “Pursuing a Cure for Breast Cancer” Cat Watch
Kim Campbell Thornton, “Hospice Care for Cats” catnip
Kim Campbell Thornton, “Holiday Hazards Can Tempt the Curious” Cat Watch
Kim Campbell Thornton, “A Simple Way to Check the Ears” Cat Watch
Elissa Wolfson, “The Coat Tells the Tale” Cat Watch
Elissa Wolfson, “Be on the Lookout for Nail Injuries” Cat Watch

III.5 Newsletter Article: Behavior & Training
Kim Campbell Thornton, “Fearful Cats Can Go on the Attack” Cat Watch
Kim Campbell Thornton, “Appealing to the Heart of a Hunter” Cat Watch

III.6 Newsletter Article: Rescue/Advocacy
Kim Campbell Thornton, “Kitten Nurseries Save Lives” Catnip
Nancy Marano, “Albuquerque’s Community Cat Program” Petroglyphs

III.7 Newsletter Article: Any Other Topic
Nancy Marano, “Cat Colors and Stereotypes” Petroglyphs
Lee Wardlaw, “Eight Things I’ve Learned from My Cats about Writing Haiku” Meow

III.8 Newsletter Column Topic
Lyn Garson, CVT, “Technically Speaking” OurCompanions.org

IV.1 Short Story
no winner

IV.2 Poem
Andrea Dorn, “Once a Cat” Meow
Andrea Dorn, “Lady Butterfly” Meow
Carole Nelson Douglas, “Feline Domestic” 2013 CWA Conference Program
Bernadette Kazmarski, “Once” thecreativecat.net
Linda Mohr, “Untitled Haiku” nlapw.org

IV.3 Humor
no winner

IV.4 Brochure, Pamphlet, or Short Publication
Teresa Keiger, “CFA World Show Ad” The Detroit News

IV.5 Annual or Long Publication
Bernadette Kazmarski, 12 Sketches of Cats
Susan Logan, Editor, Kittens 101 2015
Brigitte McMinn, Editor, Ragdoll Illustrated Calendar

IV.6 Opinion Piece, Essay, or Editorial
Deborah Barnes, “The Many Shades of a Crazy Cat Lady” Zee & Zoey’s Chronicle Connection
Janiss Garza, “Cats Do Not Equal Children” CatChannel
Janiss Garza, “Soul Cat” CatChannel
JaneA Kelley, “I Think Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws Do More Harm Than Good” catster.com
JaneA Kelley, “9 Reasons I’m Adopting Special-Needs Cats from Now On” catster.com
Dusty Rainbolt, “When is it Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat?” catster.com
Amy Shojai, “Cats Under Attack! TNR, TB, Toxo and Talkback” AmyShojai.com

IV.7 PR / Humane Education / Press Kits
combined with VI.1

V.1 Books: Fiction
Catherine Holm, The Great Purr
Belea T. Keeney, The Tiger Whisperer
Amy Shojai, Hide and Seek
Clea Simon, Panthers Play for Keeps
Linda Stewart, The Great Catsby

V.2 Books: For Children
no winner

V.3 Books: Health & General Care
no entries

V.4 Books: Behavior & Training
no entries

V.5 Books: Gift
Angie Bailey, whiskerslist (all lowercase)
Bernadette Kazmarski, feline style sampler (all lowercase)

V.6 Books: Poetry
no entries

V.7 Books: Other
Bryan Kortis, Community TNR , Tactics and Tools for PetSmart Charities

VI.1 Video, DVD or TV Production
Alana Grelyak, “CHATastrophe” catcatastrophes.com

VI.2 Broadcast, Audio – Any Format Advocacy
no winners

VII.1 Online Magazine or Newsletter
Vicky Walker, Editor, Catster

VII.2 Online Article: Health & General Care
Lorie Huston, “Seven Common Pet Parasite Myths Busted” pet-health-care-gazette.com
Ingrid King, “The Feline Health Care Crisis” The Conscious Cat
Letrisa Miller, DVM, “Senior Cat Dental Health” catwisdom101.com
Letrisa Miller, DVM, “Squeaky’s Long Fall” catwisdom101.com
Dusty Rainbolt, “The Feline Quality of Life Scale” catster.com
Sandy Robins, “How to Form a Lifelong Bond with Your Cat” pawnation.com
Sandy Robins, “What You Need to Know to Keep Your Cat Healthy” momtastic.com
Sandy Robins, “Summer Cat Concerns” on pawnation.com

VII.3 Online Article: Behavior & Training
Marilyn Krieger, “What Do You Do When Your Cat Shows Signs of Senility?” catster.com
Marilyn Krieger, “Why do Cats Purr? Some of the Reasons Might Surprise You” catster.com
Marilyn Krieger, “How to Stop Litterbox Problems Before They Begin” catster.com
Marilyn Krieger, “I’m Willing to Bet Your Cat Hates Her Litter Box – Here’s Why” catster.com
Nancy Peterson, “It’s National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day” catster.com
Amy Shojai, “Why Cats Hate Halloween Costumes and How to Get Your Cat to Tolerate One”
catster.com

VII.4 Online Article: Rescue/Advocacy
Deborah Barnes, “World Spay Day: Setting the Record Straight—The Basic Facts on Cats,
Conception, and the Benefits of Spay/Neuter” Zee & Zoey’s Chronicle Connection
Janiss Garza, “10 Signs of Cat Hoarding” CatChannel
Joanne McGonagle, “Love At First Sight” Rescue Me I-5
Dusty Rainbolt, “9 Reasons Why Yours Should Become a Cat Foster Family” catster.com
Sandy Robins, “We Chat With Beth Stern About Her Life as a Foster Cat Mom” catster.com
Sandy Robins, “Meet the Stray Cats Who Live in Nelson Mandela’s Former Jail” catster.com

VII.5 Online Article: Any Other Topic
Janiss Garza, “Top-Secret Tips to Get Your Cats to Pose for Your Camera” catster.com com
Janiss Garza, “5 Totally Legal Ways to Get Your Cat Stoned” catster.com
Elyse Orecchio, “Cats, Kids, Reading = Enrichment, Adoptions, Compassion” aspcapro.org
Paris Permenter, “Zeki the Pet Safety Cat: From Rescued to Rescuer” Pet360.com
Dusty Rainbolt, “The History of Cat Litter and Litter Boxes” CatWisdom101.com

VII.6 Online Column
Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton & Mikkel Becker “Pet Connection” uexpress.com
Keith Bowers, “Cat Dandy” catster.com
Dusty Rainbolt, “Ask Einstein” catster.com

VIII.1 – Blog: Health & General Care (URL plus 3 blog posts)
no entries

VIII.2 – Blog: Behavior & Training (URL plus 3 blog posts)
no entries

VIII.3 – Blog: Rescue/Advocacy (URL plus 3 blog posts) Advocacy
combined with VIII.5

VIII.4 – Blog: Entertainment (URL plus 3 blog posts)
Lisa Richman, “A Tonk’s Tail Blog”

VIII.5 – Blog: Any Other Topic (URL plus 3 blog posts)
Janiss Garza, Sparkle the Designer Cat
Alana Grelyak, The Cat in the Fridge
Amy Shojai, Bling, Bitches & Blood
Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCApro Blog
Layla Morgan Wilde, Cat Wisdom

VIII.6 Website
no entries

IX.1 Black & White Photograph (Single)
Debbie Glovatsky, “I’m Innocent”

IX.2 Black & White Photography (Series)
Debbie Glovatsky, “As Moody as B & W”

IX.3 Color Photograph (Single)
Bernadette Kazmarski, “Frankencat and Old Grand Dad”

IX.4 Color Photograph (Series)
Jerry Thornton, “Protecting the Jaguars”

IX.5 Photographic Art
Janiss Garza, “Tortie”
Lisa Richman, “Monday Mathematics”

IX.6 Cartoon
Bernadette Kazmarski, “Purring Points”
Bernadette Kazmarski, “Saturday Morning”
Stephanie Piro, “Favorites”
Stephanie Piro, “Litter Boxes”
Stephanie Piro, “Peace on Earth”
Stephanie Piro, “Rainbow Bridge”
Stephanie Piro, “House Cat”
Stephanie Piro, “Endorsements ”

IX.7 Illustration (Single)
Bernadette Kazmarski, “The TNR Story”
Dawn Secord, “Mr. Knuckles”
Cori Solomon, “Kissin’ Cousins”
Cori Solomon, “Milly”

IX.8 Illustration (Series) Website
no winner