Hello Internet:
Frugal Hound here. Extremely overjoyed this week to be sniffing a cat in my periodic hound-series: Frugal Hound Sniffs. Cats are very tasty cute creatures and I am thrilled to introduce you, my dear readers, to Spumoni, the cat who lives with Shannon from Financially Blonde.
1) Who are you? What are you? And who are your parent(s)?
My name is Spumoni. I am a flame-point Himalayan cat. My parents are Bill and Shannon, though my real companion is their 8-year-old very energetic son, Will.
2) What frugal tips and tricks does your human use in your pet care regime?
I am debating whether it is frugality or laziness, but they use an automatic feeder to regulate my food amounts. They claim that the regulated amounts of food it delivers not only keep the food bills low, but keep me from getting fat and having other health issues down the road. Bill also brushes me, gets out my knots, and clips my nails himself. Since I have a lot of hair that gets knots, some people would pay $80 per visit to have me groomed, my parents just purchased a $40 furminator which does the trick. I tolerate this because I do like to look my best.
3) Favorite treat?
I don’t know what they give me, but I love it. I have got them trained so that when I go to the drawer where they keep my treats, I meow and stand on two legs. Works every time!!
4) Favorite toy?
I found a bunch of Will’s super balls. These things are fun and make lots of noise as I roll them around the house. I like to annoy Bill by rolling them under things and then meowing until he retrieves them for me.
5) What’s the most expensive thing you’ve destroyed?
I really like my scratching post, so I don’t feel the urge to go after the furniture. However, Will has a rug in his room that I love to pick at. I have frayed parts of it pretty well, if I do say so myself.
6) Most embarrassing moment?
We have hardwood floors, not the easiest thing to get traction on. One day, after I got my nails cut, I was racing through the house (you know, it was crazy time, and I was enjoying it to the fullest). Anyway, I raced into the kitchen, was going to make the turn for the den, lost my grip and slid full on into the trash can. I casually walked off as if nothing happened, but also decided to make the same run again, which unfortunately resulted in a second trip into the trash can. Bill witnessed this twice and will not let me forget it.
7) How often do you get a bath and would you say it’s too often?
I stay pretty clean, but there have been a few incidents that have resulted in a bath. Usually it happens when I get poop stuck in my butt. What can I say? I have long hair and I would rather have a bath then have Bill and Shannon shave my butt area. Also, don’t tell all my other cat friends, but I love water. When I was a kitten, my parents tried to use a water bottle to prevent me from doing things (which is how you are supposed to train cats), but I just stood there when they sprayed me. So I don’t really mind the occasional bath. Like I said before, I like to look good.
8) What is your family’s financial plan or goals and how do you contribute?
My family often discusses their goals in terms of something they call “financial freedom.” This apparently has a lot to do with making sure Will can go to college, that they can live comfortably, but not excessively, and that they can travel, particularly when Will starts learning more about places in the US and the world in school. As for my part, I try to stay in shape to be healthy, after all, health care costs can really derail things. I accept the fact that Bill grooms me and I don’t need to go to a paid professional. I also accept the feeder, water tank, and litter box setup without any complaints, as they are more economic in the long run. In addition, they can all go away for several days and not have to spend money boarding me or hiring someone to come in and feed me. That turns out to be a big savings.
9) What is your best skill?
I am an excellent trainer of humans. I have got this group all set to my standards. When I want to be scratched, get fresh water, treats, etc., a few quick moves or meows, and I get what I need. If I feel everyone is sleeping too late on a Saturday, I hop up on top of them and meow until someone gives me attention. Then when I want to nap, I find a nice spot and crash (my favorite being whatever papers or computer will be needed the soonest).
10) BONUS QUESTION–ask and answer any question of your choice! If you could be any other animal, what would you be?
Why would I choose to be any other animal? I am already at the top as I am. Any other animal would just be beneath me.
The End.
Well, Spumoni, I think the obvious correct answer to #10 is GREYHOUND. I’ll let this slide since I am a professional journalist who never allows personal bias to impact my articles. You are clearly a very lovely and fluffy cat who brings great joy to your humans.
Mrs. Frugalwoods here: I want to thank Shannon for submitting this fabulous interview! I’m a big fan of her blog, Financially Blonde, and I highly encourage you to check out her writing. You won’t be disappointed!
Are you a pet?
Do you have something to share with the internet? If so, answer my Frugal Hound Sniffs: Exclusive Interview Questions and have your parents email them to my mommy: mrsfrugalwoods@gmail.com (I can’t believe they won’t give me my own email account) and you’ll be featured in an upcoming issue! While I know we are more than just our images, please do send photos too.
Kisses,
Frugal Hound
Spumoni sends a big meow of thanks to Frugal Hound and he feels honored to be the first cat interviewed by Frugal Hound. The Financially Blonde family thanks the Frugalwoods family for letting us participate in this. It was tons of fun!
Yay Spumoni! Frugal Hound was delighted to have Spumoni as her first cat 🙂
What a cute cat! And kid too – those pictures are wonderful. I laughed when poor Spumoni wiped out on the hardwood floors – my pups have done that several times.
Agreed–Shannon has a cute cat and kid :)! Poor Spumoni… I laughed too!
“Furminator” – haha -love that!!!! You should post a video of Spumoni and his wipeout with the trash can on Youtube – hilarious!! Thanks again, Frugalhound, for a fun and entertaining show. 🙂
I would watch that video! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Spumoni is really cute! I wanna have that kind of cat at home. And that last picture of you three wearing a santa hat and sleeping over spumoni, that’s lovely!
I love that Santa photo too. So much cute in one cat!
Ummm, I don’t think Spumoni got the memo that you were supposed to be pretend sleeping in the last picture 😉 But I love the picture so much!
We cut one of the cats claws last night, and he went through his crazy time – there were a few traction issues similar to Spumoni. I’ll admit I laughed so loud, and he sulked away mad at me for laughing so openly.
Spumoni’s face is priceless in that pic! Oh cats and their moody tendencies… 🙂
Ha! Our photographer kept saying “the cat won’t stop looking at me.” We like to think that Spumoni felt as though he needed to guard the family from the crazy guy with the camera. 🙂
Spumoni you are very pretty tutty tat, I must say! Sounds like you are well loved and cared for. Maserati driving into the garbage can (twice!) shows you are a risk taker. I guess that’s why you don’t mind taking baths. I love the last picture of you with your dreaming (or is it sleeping?) owners under the Christmas tree. You were too excited waiting for your presents and treats to fall asleep, I guess.
The trash can incident sounds pretty epic!
That is totally hilarious about the water bottle! All I have to do is pick mine up and my big boy just tucks his tail and hangs his head!
Awww! My parents’ cats were similarly terrified of water, so Spumoni is a unique little cat!
We WISH Spumoni was more like that. It’s tough to keep him out of things because he has no fear.
This is so cute and hilarious! And I learned more about you and your family, Shannon! Very cute!
The cutest! Frugal Hound even admits that cats can be OK sometimes 🙂
Spumoni is beautiful! And funny! “shave my butt area” hahaha
I know! Who knew cats were such humorists?!
I love the look on a cat’s face that seems to say, “Really?” and Spumoni certainly delivers the classic cat look. Great interview and I’m glad Spumoni really gets the need for all the work it takes to keep looking good!
Classic and adorable cat face for sure :)!
I’m sorry kitty but I would have laughed at you too if you slipped into the trash can. Im sure you were pretty grumpy about it. BTW the picture of you with your human family at Christmas is hilarious. They all look peaceful and you look like you want to eat the photographers eyeballs out. I don’t blame you…I’m not a fan of Christmas either. Too many happy people. hee!
Love the grumpy cat face Spumoni has going on in that Christmas photo. Simply amazing.
How adorable!! My one cat does the same thing as Spumoni in the first picture – paw up. It’s an amusing pose. Whenever I move the slights bit toward the kitchen, our kitten will make a beeline for the counter, thinking she’s getting treats. Oh cats.
Paws up! Love it. P.S. Frugal Hound would love to sniff your cats…. 🙂
Please give Spumoni my congrats on being the first to represent the cat world here on Frugalwoods and congrats to Frugal Hound on a good interview. 🙂 LOL to Spumoni who thinks she’s got her human friends trained to her standards!
Yay! I’m so glad we branched out to cats too! Frugal Hound was delighted as well 🙂
Spumoni is a cutie. Our cat has long hair and gets a lot of matts too. We’ve been trimming her hair ourselves to prevent that. Works great.
I’m impressed you do the grooming yourself–nice frugal move! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh, is the fulminator real? And do fish count as pets? I totally count my fish as a pet. Also, Spumoni reminds me of the Queen of England saying “we are not amused” in that top picture. It’s all I can think when I look at it 😛
Fish definitely count! And Frugal Hound would love to sniff them! They should do an interview 🙂
I have had the pleasure of admiring Spumoni in person and I must say, he IS a rather dapper cat!
Frugal Hound is very jealous that you met a cat in person! It’s a life goal of hers. I don’t think it’s ever going to happen 🙂
Hahaha, this is super cute! Nice interview Frugal Hound, Spumoni seems so adorable and fluffy! I I think my Spitz wants to have an interview too!
Oh how fun! Yes, send along an interview 🙂
Wow! Not sure what to say about this. Let me know if you want to profile my dog Pablo, the freeloading genius!
Frugal Hound would love to sniff Pablo! Definitely send an interview along :)!
This is too cute! I love this it made my day. Thanks!
Oh good! Glad to hear! We aim to please with cuteness here at Frugal Hound Sniffs 🙂
Spumoni needs to smile!!!
I dunno, I kinda like the grumpy cat vibe Spumoni has going on… 😉
Haha this is really amazing! Nice work. Spumoni is so cute! I wish I could submit a frugal pet interview.
Spumoni is definitely a looker :)! Thanks so much for stopping by.
So pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kinda wanna submit my parents’ dog. Trouble is she won’t sit still enough for decent pictures lol!
Oh, and Mrs. Frugalwoods… do you watch Jenna Marbles on YouTube?
You should! Blurry dog photos are accepted :). I must admit I’ve never heard of Jenna Marbles. Is this something I should be watching?
Adorable kitty and this series always cracks me up. We have long haired pets too and I feel like at least once a year we end up soaking one of them in the tub to dislodge #2 that got stuck in their fur (gross!). We’re fans of the furminator as well. Big money saver if you use it diligently and can skip the groomer.
Fur does have a way of collecting, uh, dirt doesn’t it?! Your pets should submit an interview 🙂