Chapter 47 Pet Open Day: An Autumn Pet Food Exploration Trip
After finalizing the cooperation agreement with Isabella, the farm entered a tense and exciting preparation period.
With online communication becoming more frequent, Shi Wan's to-do list was filled with things she needed to prepare.
“How about we name the event ‘Pawsome Weekend: An Autumn Pet Food Exploration Trip’?” Isabella suggested during the video call. “Pawsome is a homophone for both ‘paws’ and ‘great,’ making it lighthearted, cute, and fitting for the theme.”
"Great!" Shi Wan immediately liked the name.
The next step is to prepare the materials.
Shi Wan was mainly responsible for the site and basic materials.
She set up a long, light-colored wooden table and benches on the spacious terrace outside the fresh food kitchen, and covered them with a green and white checkered tablecloth.
A handwritten banner with the event theme hung under the eaves, adorned with small, star-shaped rattan decorations.
She also specially set up several cat observation spots with soft cushions in the corner, so that the farm's indigenous people could supervise the activities at any time.
The custom-made adorable apron printed with the farm logo and paw prints arrived on time, along with an event schedule card and a simple pet treat recipe card that she had specially commissioned an artist to design.
Finally, we prepared plenty of water bowls for the pets and an emergency first-aid kit.
In short, she prepared everything she could think of.
Isabella was responsible for selecting professional content and promotional materials.
The carefully prepared PPT covers topics such as understanding cats' eating signals, the nutritional value of natural ingredients, and how to choose healthy snacks for your pet, and includes many vivid examples and pictures.
Isabella also took this collaboration very seriously. She actively posted recruitment notices for the event on her own studio platform and in the partner pet communities, clearly outlining the participation criteria.
The cat should be in good health, vaccinated, have a relatively stable temperament, and be able to adapt to short trips and new environments.
Ultimately, she carefully selected six families from among the many applicants to ensure the quality and safety of the first event.
Shi Wan also made sure to communicate with the important members of the farm.
“We’ll have guests visiting with their cats this weekend,” she solemnly announced to the core staff. “Everyone should show the hospitality and enthusiasm of our farm.”
Tangyuan, you are the farm manager, and you are responsible for the overall image of the farm.
Huanhuan, we can't let our guard down, but we can't scare the guests and the cats.
Mianmian, your good looks are our face.
"Pie..."
She looked at the chubby orange cat, who was eagerly waiting to be assigned a task, and said, "You... are responsible for showcasing the ultimate allure of our farm's food, but you are absolutely not allowed to steal the guests' snacks!"
Upon hearing the food and the temptation, Bingbing immediately meowed loudly, indicating that it was committed to completing the task.
On a weekend morning, the sun was shining brightly and a refreshing autumn breeze was blowing.
The farm was well-managed, and the feline staff were all in their respective positions.
Tangyuan squatted on the fence post, Huanhuan strolled around the perimeter of the activity area, Mianmian lay on her special soft cushion throne, and Bingbing stood guard at the entrance of the fresh food kitchen, looking on with longing.
Around 9:30, the guests began to arrive one after another.
There are lively and active American Shorthairs, calm and quiet British Shorthairs, curious and timid Siamese cats, and two adorable Chinese domestic cats.
The cats are kept in all sorts of airline crates or cat carriers, and most of them are a little nervous when they first arrive in a new environment.
Isabella and Shi Wan greeted them warmly.
Isabella wore a professional white lab coat with a custom-made apron similar to the one worn by Shi Wan, making her appear both approachable and reliable.
She first instructed the owners on how to help their cats smoothly step out of the carrier and how to let them acclimate to their environment in a quiet corner.
“Don’t force them to socialize immediately; let them do it at their own pace,” Isabella gently advised.
Shi Wan distributed welcome gift bags and event schedule cards, guiding everyone to their seats.
She noticed a young girl with a slightly nervous calico cat seemed a bit uneasy, so she went over and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, let him take his time. Look at our farm's Mianmian, she was very shy at first, but now she's become a social cat."
She pointed to Mianmian, who was looking very relaxed not far away.
The girl was amused, and her nervousness eased considerably.
The first segment was Isabella's nutrition mini-lesson.
Her explanations were vivid and interesting, not only explaining the theory but also combining it with real-time analysis of the cats' condition on site.
"Look at Bibi, the orange cat on the farm. His current posture is relaxed, his tail is wagging slightly, and his eyes are focused on the direction of the kitchen. This is a positive sign that he is highly looking forward to food."
Bingbing licked its lips very cooperatively, eliciting a burst of good-natured laughter.
"The Siamese cat brought by this customer had its ears slightly back and its body lowered, a sign of caution and observation. At this time, we shouldn't rush to pet it, but rather give it space..."
The guests listened with great interest, asking questions from time to time.
The second part is Shi Wan's pet food baking class.
After the mini-lesson, everyone moved to the fresh food kitchen.
The owners, wearing cute aprons, all looked eager to try it out.
Today, Shi Wan will teach you how to make easy versions of honey pet cupcakes and cat grass oatmeal cookies.
The ingredients, such as minced chicken, pumpkin powder, cat grass powder, and oats, which had been prepared in advance, were neatly arranged on the worktable.
Shi Wan demonstrated step by step, explaining the function and precautions of each ingredient.
After compiling the recipes from the system's online store, she immersed herself in the kitchen and tried them many times. She also had the Mimi employees taste the food many times before she was able to achieve the consistent quality and smooth performance she has today.
"The chicken paste needs to be beaten until it becomes elastic; only then will the mini cakes have a springy texture..."
"Pumpkin is rich in fiber, which aids digestion..."
"Cat grass powder can help with hairballs, but don't add too much at once..."
The owners got to work, creating a heartwarming yet slightly chaotic scene.
Some cats peered curiously from their carriers, while others were held in their owners' arms, trying to participate in the creation process.
The farm's cats acted as technical advisors.
Mianmian had somehow jumped onto the top of the cabinet, far from the work surface, and looked down at everyone's work as if she were scrutinizing whether it met her aesthetic standards.
Bingbing was so anxious that he paced around the doorway, meowing whenever a delicious aroma wafted out, reminding everyone not to forget him as the ultimate taster.
One guest's American Shorthair cat seemed particularly interested in the cat grass powder, trying to reach for it with its paw, but was stopped by its owner with a laugh, prompting everyone to take pictures.
The last part is free interaction and social interaction between the cats.
The time spent waiting after the baked goods are put into the oven is free time for activities and conversation.
The owners, holding the herbal tea prepared by Shi Wan, chatted in twos and threes about their experiences raising cats.
Under the care of their owners, the cats began to socialize cautiously.
The farm's indigenous people showed great hospitality.
Huanhuan allowed a bold American Shorthair to sniff her from a safe distance.
Mianmian did not show any aversion to a British Shorthair that admired her beauty from afar.
Even Tangyuan, after a calm country cat took the initiative to show friendliness, reservedly returned the same feline friendliness signal.
Of course, there are also social pranksters like Bingbing. He tried to use his chubby body to sneak into a customer's snack bag, but Shi Wan, both amused and exasperated, picked him up and said, "Bingbing! Mind your manners!"
The entire farm was filled with laughter, and the figures of people and cats intertwined in the autumn sunlight, creating a warm and touching scene.
The enticing aroma wafting from the oven further enhanced the wonderful atmosphere.
At the end of the event, each participant received a pet treat they made themselves. Shi Wan also prepared beautiful packaging bags, and everyone enthusiastically chose their favorite bags to pack their treats.
When they left, Shi Wan gave them a gift bag and a recipe card prepared by the farm. The hosts all had satisfied and happy smiles on their faces, and they all said that the experience far exceeded their expectations.
"That's great! Not only did we learn something new, but my Mimi seems less shy now!"
"The environment is wonderful, and the cats are all very friendly. I'll definitely sign up for the next event!"
"Homemade snacks are so reassuring! I'll try other recipes when I get home!"
Before leaving, the young girl with the calico cat made a point of finding Shi Wan and Isabella, and said gratefully, "Thank you so much. My cat, Xiaohua, never dared to go out before, but today, although he hid in the bag most of the time, he actually dared to peek out at the end!"
After all the guests left, the farm returned to tranquility.
Although Shi Wan and Isabella were exhausted, their faces were filled with the joy and satisfaction of success.
Minutes after the event ended, Isabella's official studio account and Shi Wan's social media account simultaneously released a set of carefully selected event photos and a short video clip.
The photos show owners wearing cute aprons, intently making pet treats; cats sniffing each other cautiously yet curiously; and Mianmian's elegant figure looking down on everyone from her throne.
Of course, there's also the signature silly look of Bingbing longing for food and the hilarious scene of him being caught trying to sneak snacks.
The video captures scenes of everyone listening attentively during Isabella's lecture, heartwarming interactions during the baking session, and moments of people and cats enjoying each other's company during free time.
The online response came like a tidal wave.
The guests who participated in the event immediately started posting about it on their WeChat Moments and various pet WeChat groups as soon as they left.
"I took Mimi to an amazing place today! The environment was so soothing, and the cats were all so cute! I learned so much about pet nutrition, and I even made some cookies for Mimi myself! [Pictures][Pictures][Pictures]"
Dozens of comments immediately followed:
Wow! Where is this place? Please give me the address!
"This looks amazing! Is it okay to bring a cat?"
"Mimi actually went outside? And she's even socializing with other cats? That's a miracle!"
"That orange cat is so chubby and cute, and its eyes are so focused, hahaha!"
Homemade pet treats? That's so thoughtful! I need a recipe!
Another participant shared their experience in a local upscale pet community, praising Isabella's professionalism in particular.
"...Isabella's explanations were very detailed and practical, not just superficial. You could tell she truly understands and loves cats. The farm owner was also super nice; the environment was clean and natural, and the cats were all very well cared for, which was reassuring. I highly recommend it!"
The number of comments and likes on the event post published by Shi Wan's official account increased at a visible rate.
"What kind of amazing event is this! Humans are inferior to cats!"
"It looks so therapeutic! Taking your furry friend to a place like this on the weekend is much more fun than going to the mall!"
"That kitchen with the cat paw door! I'm dying! It's so cute!"
"Does the farm owner still hire cats? The kind that's college-educated and knows how to use the litter box!"
"Is it Bingbing? He's already won over fans with his eyes. Does he have his own set of emojis?"
"Princess Mianmian is so beautiful! Is she really real?"
"When will this kind of event be held again? I'm begging you to open registration! @MeowMeowMimiFarm @Isabella'sPetClass"
Some local food bloggers and lifestyle bloggers also shared the relevant content.
The enthusiasm generated online directly translated into actual attention and demand.
The number of visits and inquiries to online stores has increased significantly.
Sales of mini cakes and crispy duck jerky saw another slight increase, with many new customers leaving comments when placing their orders.
"I found this through the event post!"
"Supporting Bingbing and Mianmian!"
"I hope my cat can also eat such thoughtfully made snacks."
Isabella's course consultations and one-on-one appointments have also increased, with many new clients mentioning that they learned about her through farm activities.
An editor from a local magazine focused on urban lifestyles contacted Shi Wan and Isabella, hoping to conduct an in-depth interview and report on their innovative cross-industry collaboration model of combining farms with professional expertise.
Shi Wan scrolled through the new notifications popping up on her phone and looked at the growth data in the store's backend. She felt as sweet as if she had drunk warm honey water.
She showed her phone screen to Tangyuan Farm Manager, who was resting next to her, and said, "Tangyuan, look, everyone loves our farm so much, and they love you all so much."
Tangyuan glanced reservedly at his own heroic figure perched on the fence post on the screen, his tail tip twitching almost imperceptibly with pride. Then he pretended to be nonchalant and continued licking his paws, but a joyful light was clearly gleaming in his mandarin duck eyes.
Even Huanhuan, who was dozing off on the supervisor's platform, twitched her ears slightly at the frequent message notifications.
Bingbing was even more direct. He came over and nudged Shi Wan's hand with his big head, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her and then at the kitchen, his meows sounding soft and sweet.
His meaning couldn't be clearer: he wanted a reward, and a delicious one at that.
"Okay, I'll go open a can of food for you right away to reward our traffic star today!" Shi Wan smiled as she got up and headed to the kitchen.
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