Please Stand By

We interrupt your normally scheduled posts at Cat Naps in Italy to bring you a special news bulletin. The humans have dumped us wonderful cats in order to play with their friends (the nerve). A very special guest is arriving all the way from America which means one thing for us, no computer. We will be back as soon as we can, please don't think us rude for our lack of posts or comments.

You know what they say, when the human is away the cats can't play (on the computer).

Be back soon!
Love,
Opus and Roscoe

More Addtions to the Prize Van

The Great Raffle Giveaway Prize Patrol Van is still on the road!

We have a couple more additions to add to the prize van. Thank you again to everyone who has donated either the Cat Blogosphere or to the prize van. This raffle has turned out great and we couldn't not have done it without your help and participation. Here are our fellow felines who have recently jumped on the prize van...

Miss Daisy has donated a beautiful "friends are important" mug with her cute little face on it.


DMK has donated a wonderful, warm, holiday snuggle, just in time for the holidays.

***Just Added***

Karl has donated two wonderful booklets that he co wrote with Anastasia, Felines Unleashed. It is full of kitty wisdom and great photos.

Thank you all for your kind donations. Scroll below to see the rest of the prize list. Later this week, if the humans are ever home with the computer on, we will try to get up some photos and an up-to-date list with all the prizes.

To join the raffle simply make a donation to the Cat Blogosphere (be sure to include your name and email). If you are interested in donating a small prize, just send us an email at catnapsinitaly@yahoo.com.

Hop on Board the Prize Van!

It's the Great Raffle
Giveaway Prize Patrol Van!

We are happy to announce the prizes that have been donated to the Great Raffle Giveaway by generous humans and animals from all over the world. Thank you all for lending a helping hand (or paw).

This is the list of prizes as of today:

-Samantha and Tigger have donated TEN cat calenders.

-Rusi has donated a collection of 12 cat art postcards featuring Dutch painters and also a Francien's scrapbook (A-4, blank paper, sturdy cover,spiral bound).

-Miss Peach has donated handmade Kitty Kat ear joules and a handmade Kitty Kat bracelet.

-Sassy Cat has donated several bags of cat (or doggy) treats.

-The House of Mostly Black Cats has donated several Nip Raviolis.

-ML and KC have donated several Cat Blogosphere tee shirts and several pairs of cat socks.

-Rocky has donated one handmade cat bookmark (click here to view the beautiful bookmarks by Artsy Catsy).

-Kashlm and Othello have donated two packages of Greenies (healthy cat treats that are good for our teeth).

Roscoe and I will donate two Cat Blogosphere Print Calenders, one handmade ceramic piece made by an artist in our town and one hand painted water color of a cat in Rome made by our very own male human.

NEW TO THE LIST: JUST ADDED THIS AFTERNOON!

-Dragonheart has donated a hand-crocheted snuggle.

-Finny and Buddy have donated three orange, baby Squillions still wrapped in their blanket from the Green Wall Shelter.

-Snickers has donated a handmade, fleece, paw print snuggle blanket.

***JUST ADDED TO THE LIST SATURDAY MORNING***

-Parker, Puff, Powder and Rudy have donated four bags of Temptations Cat Treats.

-------------------------------------------------------

We are still waiting to hear back from other friends who said they might have something to donate. This is just a list of the confirmed prizes, if we have missed anyone PLEASE send us an email a.s.a.p.!

You still have time to donate to the Cat Blogosphere in order to be entered in the drawing. No donation is too small. To donate click here .

We are also still looking for more prizes, so if you wanna hop on the prize wagon just send us an email at catnapsinitaly@yahoo.com. Prizes can be anything you wish from cat treats to a new car (but we are NOT paying for the shipping on the car, hehehehe).

Thanks to all who helped thus far! It should be a fun and exciting raffle!

-Opus

Happy Turkey Day!

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love,
Opus, Roscoe and
the humans

A Roman Holiday With Asta

My friend, Asta, has her very own red vespa, so I thought it would be fun to invite her for a vespa tour of Rome. She graciously accepted my invitation and agreed to meet me a noon in front the Colosseum. I asked Opus if he would like to come along, but he told me he had "other plans".

(click on all images for a better look)

Asta was at the Colosseum promptly at noon with her faithful red vespa at her side. After exchanging greetings and taking a few snaps shots, we decided it was time to get going.



Asta was ready with a beautiful red coat to match our red vespas. We decided it would be more fun to share a scooter, so she hopped on the back of mine and we took off!


The first place I took her was the "Bocca della verita", the mouth of truth. Legend has it that if you stick your paw inside and have told lies, it will bite your paw off! But if you are an honest animal, your paw will come out unscathed. I was too afraid to stick my paw inside because of little, white lie I MIGHT have told about a certain hairball on the living room rug. But honest Asta stuck her paw right in and it came out in one piece! What an honest doggy!


We drove all over Rome making stops at St. Peter's square, Castle St. Angelo, and the Pantheon where a man from my town is buried. Archangelo Corelli, the great musician and composer was born in our little town of Fusignano. He was such an important man of his time that they honored him by placing him in a tomb inside the Pantheon. Asta was very impressed by this


I wanted to be sure that Asta saw the famous Spanish Steps. Go there any time of the day and you will find all kinds of people sitting and walking on the steps. Asta dared me to drive down the steps and so I did. It was a little more bumpy than we had planed and Asta almost fell off the vespa! There were some local police waiting for us at the bottom of the steps, but lucky for us they couldn't out run the power of the vespa!


It was starting to get late and Miss Asta had to get heading back to New York. There was one more place we HAD to stop before she left. I took her to the Trevi Fountain. Legend says that if you throw a coin into the beautiful fountain, it will guarantee your return to Rome one day. Asta and I threw in a couple of coins just to be on the safe side.


I took Asta back her vespa where we said our good byes and took one last photo. It had been a wonderful day full of adventure and friendship. It was so nice to spend the day with a friend who loves vespas as much me.


I started back toward home when I noticed a flashy, red car speed by me. I didn't get a good look, but swear I saw Opus driving a Ferrari with Momo the dog, Momo the cat and Sassy along for the ride.

I blinked twice, to get a better look, but by then the fast Ferrari was long gone.

Blog of the Month Award

Our dear friend, Sassy, gave us the Blog of the Month Award.

The award was in thanks for all of the hard work we did putting together the first episode of her smash hit CCSI: Cat/Canine Crime Scene Investigation. We had a great time doing the story, working with such a wonderful producer, great director and talented cast. Roscoe came up with the plot and I wrote the script. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, you can watch part one here and part two here.

Thank you so much Sassy for such a prestigious award. And now we would like to pass it on to our friend, Asta, who is always wrapped up in a good story herself. If you haven't seen her blog, go and check it out! Her photos are amazing and her adventures are always entertaining.

In other news, we have had a wonderful response to our "Great Raffle Giveaway". Already, some generous felines and their humans have donated prizes. Thank you all so much who have already touched based with us. We are still looking for more small prize donations, so if you have a little something you like to contribute, we would really appreciate it; more prizes equals more winners. Please keep in mind that the raffle is not limited to cats, so any of our canine friends (or other animals as well) would like to join in, you are more than welcome.

Our human has bought a beautiful, ceramic candy dish with a cover that was handmade by an artist here in town. It is being donated as the grand prize, so be sure to make a donation to the Cat Blogosphere over the next two weeks to be included in the raffle.

And last but not least, look who has a vespa!

Roscoe is planing a trip to Rome with is friend Asta, who also has a red vespa, should she accept his invitation. Stay tuned!
-Opus

The Great Raffle Giveaway

We all love and appreciate the Cat Blogoshpere and now it is time to show them just how much! To close out our month long Italian celebration, we are hosting "The Great Raffle Giveaway".

Here is how it will work:

-Starting today and ending on the last day of the month, anyone who makes a donation to the Cat Blogosphere will be entered in the raffle.

-Names of the winners will be announced on Sunday, December 2ND.

-Keep in mind that no donation is too small.

-Be sure to include these three things: your name (pet and human), what kind of pet you are (cat, dog, ect.) and email address so we can contact you if you win. Mom Robyn will be keeping track of the donors and will only forward us the names for the drawing. Be sure you include your name and email address when donating so we can add you to the drawing!

-The number of winners will depend on the number of prizes donated (we already have a few).

Click here to make a donation with your credit card via paypal (you do not have to have a paypal account to use paypal, no donation is too small) or to find out how to send a check, click here to email Mom Robyn.

The folks at the Catblogshere provide us with a great service, it is time for us to step up to the plate and help them out. Just think, it everyone gives just a little it can really add up.

Looking for another way to contribute to the raffle?

We are looking for prizes to add to the raffle. If anyone would like to donate a small prize, it would be much appreciated. We will have a list of prize donors and their blogs, so everyone will get credit for their help. If you wish to donate a small prize, please email us at catnapsinitaly@yahoo.com or you can leave a comment on this post.

The prizes need not be big and all we ask is if the prize donor can mail the prize to the winner (rather than shipping the prize to Italy and then having us ship it back to the winner).

If everyone helps just a little, we are sure that this raffle can be a lot of fun and also a great way to help our friends out at the Cat Blogosphere!

LET THE RAFFLE BEGIN!

Be the Blog Award

This past Thursday our friend Daisy bestowed upon us the coveted "Be the Blog Award".

...this award is presented to a successful blogger, one who can “be the blog” - making it their own, staying with it, interacting with the readers, and just plain having fun.

If that wasn't enough, our friend, Momo, honored us with the same award today! That is wonderful because now Opus and I can each have our own award.

We want to thank both Daisy and Momo for giving us such a wonderful award. Sorry we didn't write about it sooner, but we have been so busy putting the final touches on our script for Sassy's production.

Grazie a tutti (thank you all so much).

And now we would like to pass this award to our friend, Gigolo Kitty, who always entertains us with his great comic strips.

We would also like to pass it along to Karl over at the Cat Realm for always sharing interesting, fun photos and great contests!

Stop by tomorrow for a BIG announcement!

More Cast and the Crew

We had a few late additions to the cast and wanted to introduce them to you. We also thought it was important to introduce the members of the crew who made this production possible.

Opus and Roscoe the writers, Sassy the producer and Ruis the director.

We also have....

Momo

as Second Mate Sandy,

Maggie

as Third Mate Chris,

and Zoey

as Fourth Mate Sunny.

The show is now airing on Sassy's blog. We put a lot of time and energy into the production and hope you enjoy it.

Meet the Cast

We are happy to announce that we have filled all of the roles for our CCSI script. We thought we would introduce the cast in the order that they were hired.

Presenting.......

Miss Daisy

as Miss Fistacuffs, the old woman

Latte

as Detective Gil Fishham

Momo

as Baroness Momo the Fluff of Dicken St Charles, aka. Fluffy, the missing cat

Tigger

as Snarls, the shipyard dog

Asta

as Mr. Pesce, the fish market man

Ruis

Sailor Sam

and Simba as first mate Matt

Thank you all for joining the cast of CCSI: The Kidnapped Cat Caper

Casting Call

Opus and I are participating in Sassy's script writing project. Since there is a writer's strike in Hollywood, she thought the networks would be interested in some fresh material from writers who aren't afraid to cross the picket lines. The show that has been chosen is CCSI: cat/canine crime scene investigation; an animal spin on the famous CSI television show. The first script chosen will be featured on her blog this Saturday.

We have gotten our story almost finished and are now looking for actors to play the roles. We are looking for animals to play the part of the detective, an old woman, a tiny missing cat, a fish market man, and a mean dog. If you interested, leave us a comment stating so and the part you would like to play. We will do our best to accommodate everyone. The pay is 10 kitty kisses from Italy per actor.

Who knows, this could be your big break!

***We are pleased to announce that all of the roles have filled at this time. Thank you to everyone who showed an interest.***

(All that is required to "star" in the story is a photo).

Seven Things About US

Classy Sassy tagged us for this meme. We are suppose to write seven things you might not know about us. Here goes.

1. When we were born, we had a natural bond with each other over the other kittens in our litter. For that reason, the lady who owned us tried to find someone who take us both in, but no one seemed to want two kittens. At the end of the end of the day, it was just the two of us left and the woman thought we were going to have to be split up after all. Thank goodness it all worked out. The person who came to pick one of us up saw us snuggled together sleeping and knew that we couldn't be spilt up. So, we both went to our new home together.



2. We were Christmas presents for our female human. We are the gift that just keeps on giving!

3. Rosocoe likes to talk in the middle of the night. - Opus

4. Opus snores. I mean he really, really, snores! - Roscoe

5. Oh yeah, well Opus likes to lick sweaters! - Roscoe

6. Yeah, but Roscoe likes to lick plastic and toilet paper! hehehehe!- Opus

Big mouth! - Roscoe

7. We are both demanding, spoiled, loving cats who like to have fun. But you already knew that, didn't ya?

We are gonna tag Karl, Asta, Mickey, and Mr. Hendrix, but play only if ya wanna.

Grazie amici!

Thank you to all our friends who made our Mafia movie marathon so much fun. We are happy that so many "Goodfellas" stopped in for some fun. At the end of the day, we all stepped outside for a group of photo.

Mafia Movie Night, November 11, 2007 Italy

(We tried to get a photo of everyone who came to the party. If you do not see your picture in the photo, but attened movie night please send us an email so we can get it added. catnapsinitaly@yahoo.com)

Mafia Moive Marathon Day

"The humans think they are the ones running the world, but we all know that they are just puppets. It is we, the average house pet, who are pulling all the strings."- Don Opus Gatone


Welcome to the Mafia Movie Marathon! Please come in and make yourselves comfortable. The movies will be starting soon. In the meantime, help yourself to some food and drinks. Machinegun Sassy was kind enough to raid a Speak Easy in Chicago and brought with her some boot-leg beer. We also have popcorn and Dr. Peper, gifts from Don Pyewacket, Don Tigger and Don Trixie of the Canberra Crime family. A big thanks to our friend Karl for bringing the catnip! Our human has made a batch of lasagna and some Italian sausage for us to enjoy. Do you know what they call Italian sausage in Italy? Sausage.

There is plenty of room on the chairs and couch, so get comfortable. We have also put pillows and blankets on the floor for those of you who have been trained to stay off of the furniture.

Let me start by introducing myself.

I am Don Opus Gattone of the Catania crime family (Gattone is Italian for "big cat"). My people came from a large city in Sicily, Catania, from which our family takes it name. My grandfather came to America as a young kitten when the local crime boss placed a hit on him. He settled in New York where he started his new life working as an honest man. Later he got into the olive oil business, a lucrative one, but not as lucrative as "other work". And so, in a turn of events beyond his control, he got mixed up in the underworld and turned to a life of crime.


This is Lefty Litterpaw Roscoe. He is my brother, my right hand man and also the family consigliere (consular). He is a great asset to the family and my personal best friend. It is nice to know, in this world, that there is someone I can truly count on.

Now, I would like to introduce to a few other guests who have already arrived.

We have a couple of fun- loving flappers here tonight and what good looking flappers they are. As you can see, they have already hit the dance floor. Introducing....

Daisy

Asta

Ruis


and Karl.

Over there at the poker table are a few cats known around the world as the Canberra Mafia,

Don Pyewacket, Don Tigger and Don Trixi.

Bellied up to the bar is one cat that you don't want to mess with. Meet

Machinegun Sassy.

Looking rather dapper in his tuxedo, here is a cat who is always, first and foremost, a gentleman. Don't let the good looks deceive you, this is one tough cat. Meet...

Derby, the Enforcer.

Also dressed to the nines is a friend of ours...

Cavey Momo.

After we have had a chance to enjoy a few refreshments, we will start the movie marathon. On the list today; we will be showing Godfather One, Two and Three, Casino, The Good fellas, Donnie Brasco, and Scareface. Please make yourself at home and enjoy the party.

And please, if there is something you need, a favor for which you must ask, just come to me.

And now, the moives....

THE GODFATHER

GOODFELLAS

DONNIE BRASCO

SCARFACE

Wise Guys: Tomorrow

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our Mafia Movie Marathon. We will posting photos of our friend who come in costume (real or digital), so send us your photos (catnapsinitaly@yahoo.com). See you tomorrow or else you'll be sleeping with the fishes! -Opus

Ummmm, I like fishes.- Roscoe

You really gotta toughen up kid! - Opus

I Dare You

VOTE FOR US! Voting has begun at The Cat Realm. Head on over there and check out the funny humans dressed up.

Opus and I have decided to participate in The Cat Realm's "I Dare You" contest. This contest dared us animals to dress our humans up in a silly costume, like they are used to doing with us. No cat likes to have big bows tied around their necks only to have a photo of it posted in the Internet for all the world to see! We thought this would be the perfect way to get even with the female. We didn't have time to shop, so we dug through some old boxes and came up with a Dutch hat (which included red hair) a mask that was bought as the carnival of Venice last year, and we topped it off with a giant white bow! Take that human!

We had a hard time getting the photo as our human wouldn't look right at the camera. She also kept batting at her braids and tried to bite her bow off. At last we got the perfect shot and sent it on over to Karl at The Cat Realm. You can see by the look on her face just how excited she was to be participating in the contest.

Even if we don't win anything, dressing our human up in a silly outfit was reward enough!

Sunday: Mafia Movie Night

We all know that there is no such thing as the mafia, especially here in Italy (wink, wink), but we won't let that stop us from having Mafia Movie Night. You are all invited to stop by on Sunday when we will be hosting a movie marathon of nothing but mafia movies, our female human's favorite genre. There will be plenty of popcorn, candy and coke for everyone.


The party will start early (for our friends in Australia) and go late into the night (for our friends in North America). Come on by anytime you like!

Opus and I will be dressed up in our best "mafia outfit", you are welcome to dress up as well. Photos will be posted of any of our friends who come in costume. If you don't want to, that is OK too. We will just be happy to have you here.

Be sure to pick yourself out a mafia nickname, like Sammy the bull or Lucky Luciano. We will make a list of our "gumba" names.

Ci vediamo dominica (see you Sunday)! Or else you can just "fogettabouit"!

***If you plan to come in costume and would like your photo to appear on Sunday's post, please send your picture to catnapsinitaly@yahoo.com. Grazie. ***