I rarely travel anymore, but it was my niece’s wedding shower, and I didn’t want to miss such a special day. It was a whirlwind trip: arrive in Tampa on Friday evening and head back home to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday morning. Even though it was short, and even though Dan is perfectly capable of managing our six cats, I never feel quite right leaving them. Nothing beats the routine of a mom who knows every single quirk, idiosyncrasy, and “do this, don’t do that, give this one this, and that one that” like the back of her hand. Read more

Who knew a cat so small could leave a hole in the heart so big?

Zoey was my dream cat—one I had wished for long before I ever held her. In mid-2008, several months after losing my beloved tabby, Kit, I found myself aching for light in a house that felt dim with grief. Even surrounded by my other feline companions—Whitney, Jazz, Zee, our loyal dog Bandit, and my fiancé, Dan—there was a heaviness that settled into every room. We all felt it. We needed a bright spot, and on June 14, Dan and I made the hour-long drive to a Bengal cattery to pick up my chosen girl, not knowing just how much she would significantly impact our lives.

June 15, 2008 – Zoey’s first photo.

I already had the name Zoey in my mind. It just felt right, and the moment I laid eyes on her— a tiny and beautiful bundle of spotted fluff—I fell in love. She was a fuzzy slip of a thing that fit perfectly in the palm of my hands. When I placed her in the carrier to bring her home, I was unprepared for the intensity of her reaction. She had a relentless, blood-curdling noise that bleated from her little lungs, and her petite paws had a death grip on the carrier with incredible strength, trying to pry it open to make her escape for freedom. She screamed like a wild banshee the entire trip home. This vocalization would soon be revealed as trademark Zoey forevermore.

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It’s that time of the year again. Not only do we celebrate Kizmet’s birthday, but we also celebrate the 4th of July. Kizmet is now 13, and the United States is 249 years old! Kizmet has aged well. He is one of the sweetest cats I’ve ever known and continues to fill our home and hearts with love and endless devotion. Happy Birthday, buddy! Wishes for many more! Read more

Happy 16th birthday to Mia, Rolz, and Peanut!

We know the world is crazy, but it’s truly been confirmed. Zee and Zoey’s kittens – Mia, Peanut, and Rolz are sixteen today! How is that even possible? To celebrate the day, I put together a graphic, sharing more recent pictures of each of them that epitomize who they are. Mia, our sweet, shy girl, is on the counter. She is wide-eyed, surveying the world around her in case she needs to jump and hide at any given moment. Rolz is also on the counter, but his sole mission is to ensure he does not miss an opportunity for a treat. He will literally do this from morning to night. And Peanut is out on the tiki deck, absorbing the warm Florida air on her favorite ottoman cushion.

As senior cats now, they remain as active and alert as ever. Working from home, I’m blessed to share time with them that I might not otherwise get, and while they can be a handful at times (a lot of times), they brighten my day with their ever-present antics. Typically, at least two of them nap together, but sometimes, there are rare occasions where all three are with each other simultaneously. I’ve compiled a collage of those moments I captured over the years – from tiny kittens to the present day. I hope you enjoy it – click on the image to see it in full-screen size.

Happy birthday, sweet babies, and happy birthday to Zeuss Catt, too. He’s the fourth kitten who lives with a dear friend in Boston.

I don’t expect anyone in the colder temperatures to get a violin out for me, but it’s been chilly here in South Florida lately. Being accustomed to 80-degree-plus temperatures lately, we’ve seen days in the 50s, and it’s been sweatshirt weather! I’m not the only one who noticed a dip in the heat. Zoey, who is typically snuggled with at least one of her “kittens” (usually Mia), got the rare treat of all three of her kin – Mia, Peanut, and Rolz – snuggled into her for some love and warmth!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, cozy Caturday!

Zoey is in the center. Peanut to her left, Mia to the right, and Rolz in front.