Lola, or as she is known by her formal name, Lolabelle the Magnificent, is more than a cat. She is a lifestyle. Since adopting her from a shelter in 2008, she has become my companion, my alarm clock, my business coach, and my child-with-fur.
Though she now lives the life of a princess, Lola once lived as a feral cat on the Southside of Chicago, then later at The Treehouse shelter. At the time, her eyes were bad and a respiratory infection made it difficult for her to breath. When she walked into my lap and started purring, she began drooling and her nose stared to drip. I could feel a painful raspiness in her lungs vibrating on the top of my leg. The Treehouse had saved her from another Chicago winter outside, and they were treating her as best they could, but the stress of the environment wasn’t helping her to get better. Given her health, and her “anger management issues” with other cats, almost any other shelter would have put Lola down without a second thought. The Treehouse gave her a shot.
And then they gave her to me.
Within a few days of her arrival home, Lola’s infection began to clear up, her confidence surged, and slowly but surely, she assumed her reign over my house, and at times, my life in general.
Sometimes that means waking up at dawn to find her sitting on my chest, whiskers illuminated by morning light.
Sometimes that means making party hats to celebrate her birthday with friends (none of whom are cats).
Sometimes that means taking orders from her on my work. Lola loves to help make crafts. Perhaps, at times, a bit too much.
Sometimes that means buying an orange couch to show off her orange fur to its best advantage.
Sometimes that means getting up at all hours of the night as she is howling in the bathtub because she wants water directly from the faucet.
Sometimes that means dancing to Tupac songs at 6am.
Sometimes that means purchasing a grown-man-sized cat tree, only to have her reject it and demand a bed directly next to said tree, even if that means she now takes up 30% of my desk at all times.
Sometimes that means feeding her three times a day. Yes, three. Plus dry food around the clock. Of course, glamourpuss that she is, Lola only eats the best and she demands a variety of options. She frequently turns food down and wails for a replacement dish. When Fancy Feast asked if they could send me some of their new Broths with Chicken to Lola, I said we’d try them out and see what happened.
A week later we got the box, opened the packets, and the food literally looks delicious. Somewhere between chicken soup and a seafood stew. You can see the individual ingredients. I was impressed! Of course, my opinion does not matter here; the question was, what would Lola think?
This is what Lola thought.
Lola approved. Lola approved in 12 seconds flat.
Wow.
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Full disclosure: The post was brought to you by the makers of Fancy Feast. I received compensation to write this post. All opinions within this post are entirely my own. Or Lola’s. Mostly Lola’s.
Lola and I want to thank YOU for supporting the brands that make this site possible. Thank you, Fancy Feast!
If you would like to learn more #WaysToWow your cat, visit Fancy Feast’s social media channels.
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Hey, was just reading about the tornadoes out your way. Are you gals okay?
Thanks Lynn!! Yes, we are all fine. The worst of the storm hit 30/50 miles west, so beyond some fallen tree branches, all is well. Actually, I was saying on Facebook that Lola has a very *unusual* reaction toward storms (https://www.facebook.com/friendswithauntpeaches/photos/a.167404656638271.43857.153580024687401/942718785773517/?type=1&theater). Fingers crossed the kitties in McHenry County are recovering today — I’m sure it was a scary night for them.
Glad to hear you two are okay.
I think my favorite picture in your post is the one “waking up at dawn to find her sitting on my chest, whiskers illuminated by morning light.” Been there, seen and felt that! Great photo!
2nd fav is the July 2008 all-healthy photo.
Yep, you sure are the lucky one, Peaches!
I love Lola’s hats! What fun!
Thanks, Louisa! She shakes them off after a minute but she enjoys molding for photos first.
I just adore your cat. She is absolutely magnificent and reminds me of my Maine coon kitty who once ruled the roost. Her quirks are so deliciously cute. I love when you feature her. Thanks for brightening my day.
Lola is most happy to provided this service. I had a Maine coon mix for many years — she was wonderful!
Thank you, Fancy Feast, for initiating this fantastic post. A wonderful rescue story. Why not form a story partnership with Aunt Peaches and Lola? Great PR. Love kitties. Love Lola. Love Aunt Peaches. Love, love, love.
Thanks Nancy, you are too sweet 🙂
Oh, the World According to Lola! What a fun way to start a Friday.
You did a good thing in giving her a home and a better life than the was originally fated to have. I appreciate people who show compassion to animals, and Miss Lola must appreciate having you as her person, because she seems to be okay with modeling fabulous chapeaus and posing for the camera.
her Vet said something similar last time we were in…that for a former alley cat she was ‘lucky to have found such plush diggs’…and Lola immediately bit his had. I think that’s her way of letting us know that *I* am the lucky one. Can’t say I disagree.
this is the cutest post!! I love the back story. :))
Thanks, Christy!
Now that is how you write a sponsored post! I do not have a cat and I don’t care about cat food even a tiny, little bit, but I thoroughly enjoyed this post and its story and in the end I really wanted to know if Lola liked the food. In fact, this is the first sponsored post I haven’t instantly clicked away from all week. Thanks for sharing your sweet story!
Yes! Exactly this! ALL OTHER BLOG WRITERS TAKE NOTE!!!
Thanks Misti. You’re too nice 🙂
Well that is quite a compliment! Lola was aiming to please.
We have two geriatric cats, both 21, and in the non-stop parade of treats and special meals that has become their lives, the Fancy Feast Broths are in almost daily rotation!
My boyfriend is always excited when he opens the pouch because one time he found some sort of tiny fish head (cat caviar!) and he’s always trying to find another one.
Great cat pics, by the way!
Oh my goodness, 21?? And two of them?? I’d say you guys know a thing or two about how to raise cat folk. I think occasionally spoiling them is key, don’t you?
P.S. Also, I love The Treehouse for what they do.
Dear Fancy Feast,
How about you sponsor The Treehouse and then Aunt Peaches can write about your good works in her blog, which is devoured by gazillions of devoted, demographically-desirable followers?
I’m pretty sure she’d be up for it. Am I right, Aunt Peaches?
Win-win-win-win!
Hahahaha. Nancy, you are too much! I’m not sure if the Treehouse has a relationship with a cat food company already, but I’m happy to assist of facilitate in any way possible! The Treehouse really is an incredible place. It’s a cageless no-kill shelter. They have a couple of facilities now, but the original where Lola was living, was an big old house and every room was designated for a specific group of ten or so cats. Rooms with big sunny windows, minimal furniture, lots of bookshelves and cat trees and beds. I’m sure many of them would prefer to be in their forever homes, but as a pit stop, it’s not a bad place to be.
If anyone reading this is in the Chicago area and wants to help out, The Treehouse is always looking for volunteers to help keep up with daily chores (feeding, cleaning boxes, helping in the food pantry, playing and socializing new residents…) it’s pretty swell. They also do some fun events. Check out their website for more: http://www.treehouseanimals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, Lola is THE most beautiful cat. And this post nearly made me cry. A post about (but not really) cat food. Well done, you. That’s some good bloggin’.
Lola has that effect on people. Thanks!!
This is a great post. It tells us a lot about you, and Lola, and even Fancy Feast. A sponsored post that was entertaining. Imagine that! You go, girl!
Thanks Linda! I have always known Lola would make an excellent spokesperson. Now the world does too!
Oh, Lola…how lucky you are! And Aunt Peaches, remember we all get a soulmate, best friend, and someone to help make furniture decisions…looks like you found yours!! Bon appétit!
AMEN TO THAT!
Even though you have already shared Lolas background before, I always love hearing it again. I am so thankful such a sweet and beautiful kitty found such a wonderful home!
Me too, Kaylin. Me too!
It’s good to be Lola at your house!
You can say that again, Susan. Lola is large and in charge.
Best thing about this post (aside from the delightful post itself) is the supportive comments. What amazing readers you have, Peaches!
This is why I automatically feel an affinity with cat people. But I love my dog people too (Like you, Michelle!) 🙂
AP, you know how I feel about cats 🙂 We give them Fancy Feast on birthdays, Christmas, and maybe Thanskgiving (if i remember!) There AIN’T no cat who doesn’t love Fancy feast…and this comes from a tight-wad. (Bravo on the FF gig! Love seeing greatness come your way.)
Lola, you gorgeous girl !! Glad she liked her noms. 🙂
My cat Chai has a crush on Lola and shares her love of water straight from the bathtub tap. He hates wet food but is jealous that is sounds like she has endless smorgasbord of food. (He is on a diet and eats his meals in about 12 seconds every time.)
Love your work Lola. You really have your human trained well. I’m especially impressed that you can get her out of bed to turn on the bathroom taps, I’ve been trying to train my human to do that for years, but she’s too stupid or lazy or something. Keep up the good work!
Cheers from Australia
Merlin.
(Using my human’s blog account…..where she totally doesn’t blog enough about me. It’s probably for the best though, I wouldn’t want to steal your limelight)
Hahahaha. Lola says she will teach Merlin some tricks of the trade.
I have to say first that I love your site! Next, Lola is beautiful and almost makes this dog lover want a cat. Almost… 🙂
Best sponsored post EVER. Lola has the most beautiful eyes. Glad she liked her new food!
Thanks, Emily!
Lovely post, but way too short. How about a Lola-cam, or a cat video. This was great for a sponsored post. does Lola have any flavor favorites for the new cat food? She still is the prettiest cat ever!
Lola like the idea of of a Lola cam. Remember when President Bush strapped a go-cam to Barney for Christmas? This could happen.
Is that a Matzoh S’More on your instagram? I still don’t know how to sign up for it. Maybe this weekend.
Sure is. That’s how you do Passover 🙂
I love Lola, she reminds me of my old cat fluffy the furburger.
That’s how you do a sponsored post! I had no idea of Lola’s humble beginnings. The “before” photo of her brought tears to my eyes. You are a wonderful person to give her a chance. I adopted my two cats from a no kill shelter. Somebody took a litter of kittens and put them in a sealed five gallon bucket and left it in a busy parking lot. (who does that?) Someone found the bucket in time, thank God. They were three weeks when found and I adopted my two out of that litter when they were five weeks old. My vet says the same thing…did you two get lucky! But I’m the lucky one. Five years later they are running my life! But I can’t see them wearing hats. They would have none of that. 🙂
Lola is one of the prettiest kitties I’ve ever seen. Great to hear more of your story together.
Yayyyyyyy! There’s your beautiful girl! Thank you for telling her story–what a fabulous life you have given her. Love happy endings. I hope you continue to pepper your blog with more cute stories and moments of the one and only Miss Lola.
How about Lola as official spokes kitty for Fancy Feast?
Dear Peaches and Lola, thanks so much for this lovely post. I know you were concerned about including this type of sponsored content based upon a section of your questionnaire. (Yes, of course, I responded!) Allow me to reassure you that you’ve both kept to the excellent standards of your entertaining writing style and provided truly useful information. My cat crew of…several…are all on a high quality dry food and doing well, but I’m keeping this information in my back-of-mind file in case anyone gets a case of the finikies. Well done. Many thanks.
Dearest Lola and Peaches,
I am grateful to live with Arthur Short Stop, Buddy Love, Collette Hell Fire, Darwin Honeya Lily Louise, and Eartha Miel ~ all felines from somewhere else who joined me here in the little house on Pine Street. I know how you love your girl and she you. I don’t use the word “spoiled” because it means no good any more, rotten, beyond it’s usefulness. None of these apply to our fur children or fur child. Be well, both of you.
Love,
Erica