cat loving B&B guests

[Mark]

I sure it's OK for them to chew it  - that's what cats do! 

[JackSpratt]

I have one of those! All my cats (except Little Junkie - he isn't one for toys!) love it. Even Old Mog who gets so excited she hisses at it!

[Mark]

They arrived today 

They sent 2 x cat charmers. They are a long strip of fleece attached to a handle. As I took them out of the jiffy bag, Willow appeared from nowhere and attacked them 

They are an American toy and in true American style. There is a warning that " Although completely safe, this is not a chew toy and for catch & release only. If cat chews it, gently remove from mouth. Do not leave cat alone with toy as can cause cats to become aggressive" 

[dolcetta46]

During the 90's when I often visited UK for my holidays, the B&B I frequented in central London had a beautiful black cat Mimi.  She was really sweet, though she didn't come to my room, she was always friendly and welcomed everyone at the front hall.  From the second visit on I always brought some pressie for her, some toys or little basket of cat treats.  I was so very sad the 4th time they told me Mimi had passed a few months before...

This custom of American gift giving, it can be nice if done in a considerate fashion but it also can turn into an unwelcomed burden though... There was a couple who visited Rome this past summer, we only got acquainted on another forum (cooking) and never met.  I just gave them a few tips, suggestions and recommendations over an email.  They (seem to be very well off folks) were so impressed that they wanted to send us a gift.  I politely declined saying their thoughts are enough, but they insisted on knowing our postal address, I couldn't think of any way out so I gave it to them.  Since then 2 packets have arrived to us, they paid over $30 on shipping alone each time   I wrote a thank you note as well as doing my best to discreetly discouraging them from sending us more stuff, but judging from their reply my plea went over the deaf ears.  I have a nasty feeling another expensive packet will arrive from Missouri some time before Christmas... 

[JackSpratt]

I wasn't taught to send gifts, but I was most definately taught to send thank you letters. When I was younger I got a writing set as a Christmas present and spent the afternoon using it to write my thank yous to everyone for their gifts!

Mark, how cool. Willows fan club is going global!

[Sabrina (Auferstehen)]

what a lovely gesture, I do like that side of the American temperament.

I don't know about the rest of them but it was drilled into me to send thank you cards & gift baskets for everything.

It was very sweet of them to remember though.

I honestly can't sleep properly without cats around, I need something to wake me up various times a night.

[lisa77]

How lovely of them  Its nice to see that there are such nice people out there

[JackSpratt]

My partner went to Amsterdam with a friend of his a couple of years ago and when he got back they both regailed me with stories of the cat that lived in a cafe they visited a few times. Apparantly, he was an ace little guy! (Although, both my partner and his friend like cats so I guess they're biased!)

[blackcat]

1% hate cats

Why on earth do they book there then!!?? your web site makes it clear that you are cat-friendly so surely they can check if they 'hate' them so much - People really are the most irritating species at times ...

[carl (billy and baggys dad)]

The Albion pub in Chester had a resident cat, seem to remember he was a stray that walked in, liked the look of the place and stayed. He was a right gnarly old fella too, he looked like he'd had his share of brawls and sharked a few games of pool. I used to love going in there, everyone made such a fuss of him 

[Mark]

75% OK But just "like" cats
24% Love the cats and see them as a big bonus to their stay 
1% hate cats

This is only the second time they have been bought a gift by guests though 

 

[blackcat]

what a lovely gesture, I do like that side of the American temperament. Nice to see there are cat lovers all over the world, and some of them land on your doorstep

[carl (billy and baggys dad)]

What do your guests usually think of the furries, Mark?

[Mark]

That would be great, except we would be knee high in cat toys 

[carl (billy and baggys dad)]

Thats awesome! Bet you wish all your guests were like that eh? 

[clarenmax]

How lovely of them 

[Mark]

I had some American B&B guests here for a week over the new year last year. They were really taken with Willow who insisted on staying in their room and even joining them in the bathroom  - I was pleasantly surprised to get this email this morning 

Hello Mark,

I've dispatched an order to you from amazon.co.uk / Dog-Online UK which should arrive sometime next week.

The ordering process frustrated my best efforts to include a gift card which was intended to say,

"Hello Mark,
Merry Christmas to you and to our feline friends.  Here is are some play toys that have been highly recommended by Baxter and Marmalade, who live with our daughter in California.
We really enjoyed our stay with you at the beginning of this year and thank you for your hospitality.
Best regards,
Jim & Marianne ******,
Murrrysville, Pennsylvania, USA"

We hope this small token of appreciation reaches you in good shape and that it adds some enjoyment to the holidays.

Marianne and I send our very best regards to you and wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jim *********