Thanks to Our Friend, Arden Moore!

by Linda Hall, Executive Director

I’M CERTIFIED!!!

I feel like a child coming home from school, with a cool art project she made. I want to show everyone my accomplishment. I want it to hang on the fridge and when people come over I will show them and say, “Look what I did!” It isn’t an art project I’m proud of, however. It’s a certificate. I am officially certified in kitty CPR and first aid!

It all started a few years ago at a conference, where Arden Moore was speaking. Rita was familiar with her since they both write for Catster Magazine, but this was my first time hearing her. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Arden was informative, engaging and humorous. She’s one of those speakers that makes you want to invite her out for coffee, so you can continue the discussion one-on-one. In fact, Rita and I had the opportunity to take her to lunch, and we had a great time! It was at this lunch that Arden told us about the Pet CPR and First Aid Class she had put together for cats and dogs. Arden travels to teach people all over the country how to save the lives of their beloved pets. Rita and I loved the idea and decided to attend one. Sadly, we never made it to her class due to the schedule demands of our cat sitting business

Fast forward to the present… The world has been affected by this horrific pandemic and times are tough. Due to the COVID-19 virus and quarantine, Arden could not travel and therefore could not teach. We all know, however, that a determined woman on a mission will find a way. Arden decided she could take kitty Casey and dog Kona along with her new K.I.T. (Kitten in training) out to the building that is her office, which her wife has named Ar’s Den. (Get it? Arden. Ar’s Den!).

Anyway, Arden now teaches her Pet First Aid and CPR classes online via Zoom. She had to reduce the usual class size, so she can watch each person, making sure they were getting it right.

Our team here at Rita Reimers Inc, Rita, Nikki, Sebastian and myself, jumped at the opportunity! There is room for six or seven people in Arden’s classes, so my husband, Brian, and teenaged son, Cameron, also joined us. It was great class and Arden carefully went through everything, making sure we understood. We even got a course book to download.

I mentioned earlier, Arden does the classes with her dog, her cat and her kitten in training. That was impressive, adorable, and entertaining! Picture it: You are watching the screen intently to see exactly where Arden is placing her fingers to take Casey the kitties pulse. You try to replicate her exact actions and commit to memory the information. Casey begins to twitch his tail back-and-forth a bit, and suddenly a kitten paw reaches around the corner to grab his tail. We all began to laugh. That point definitely went to kitten in training, Rusty.

Did I mention how amazing these pets are to be the models? I have to give extra points to the cats. Sorry Kona. Dogs and cats both have the capacity to be very intelligent, learn tricks, to be very loving and want to please their humans. Dogs however, tend to take that desire to please to a higher level. Their desire to please their human can be laser focused, followed by the desire for food and possibly a good chew toy.

Cats are not quite so single focused. Cats want to love and please their humans but there are always other options. If the human is starting to get annoying they will stop the interaction. If something else catches their attention they will probably walk away from you. They will come back when they’ve satisfied that desire. Casey tolerated everything. The boy was laid out in whatever direction necessary as she demonstrated CPR and rescue breathing. He allowed bandages to be applied to stop fictitious bleeding. He allowed a head to tail check looking for problems and even allowed her to check his teeth. All were impressive but I have to give extra points to Casey for the incredible patience he demonstrates. I know he reaps many rewards in praise, treats and love but still … impressive!

So, if you’re ever in my neighborhood, meet me at my fridge and check out my certificate as I say to you, “Look what I did!” If you want to earn your own certificate, follow the link below for more information.

Sign Up for Pet First Aid and CPR Training with Arden Moore

With Love, Respect and Cattitude,
Linda Hall
Executive Director,
Rita Reimers Inc and Club Cattitude