As with any year, 2024 saw its share of highs and lows, joys and heartaches. We also saw a time in our nation more polarized than we’ve been accustomed to in recent years. The presidential election brought out the best and worst in many of us, with the results, for some, so unbearable the thought of moving forward in any positive fashion seems unfathomable.

I, for one, was deeply saddened, disappointed, and discouraged by the outcome. But I also believe we must make the most of circumstances and not drown in negativity, anger, or denial. Pick up our bootstraps and adjust our sails, so to speak. Business consultant Susan Graham sums it up nicely:

“Win with humility, lose with grace, and do both with dignity.”

I am still me, and all of you are still you. Despite how it might sometimes seem, this is a wonderful world, and we are blessed to be a part of it. I’m grateful for my cats, family, friends, colleagues, and the birds and squirrels who brighten my world daily. I’m also thankful for my job and my writing and graphic design opportunities. The list goes on, so for 2025, I remain committed to living a life of gratefulness, kindness, compassion, empathy, and tolerance. Nobody can ever take that away from me. Look for common ground in circumstances that don’t always make sense or might not be your opinion or choice. If my mortal enemy cats, Jazmine and Shadow, can find common ground to get along, I think the rest of the world can, too!

It’s been over 5 years, and Jazmine (Left) and Shadow (Right) still don’t get along. Food, however, is their common ground, and for those brief moments at feeding time, all is well with the world.

Happy New Year Everyone! Best Wishes from all of us at Zee & Zoey’s for peace, love, good health, and happiness.

AI generated artwork based on the creative prompts of author and artist, Deborah Barnes.

Our very own peach -Miss Jazmine!

The Pantone Color Institute named its 2024 color of the year, PANTONE 13-1023, “Peach Fuzz,” declaring our need for compassion and human connection in the year ahead. This velvety and soothing tone represents “our desire to nurture ourselves and others” and “whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.” The sentiment is greatly needed and one we should embrace every year and every day. I thought it was fitting to end the year with peach, too, hence featuring my lovely ginger Jazmine in this year’s holiday card I designed.

From all of us at Zee and Zoey’s, we wish you a joyous holiday and best wishes for a peaceful and loving New Year.

When we adopted Jazmine in March 2014, we had no idea how old she was. But, based on what we did know, it was easy enough to surmise she was probably born in September 2013. The date of September 28? I decided to bestow that upon her so that she had something official. But, truthfully, Jazmine is by far the biggest Diva cat I’ve ever had the pleasure of being owned by, and for her, every day is a celebration of her existence on this planet!

But still, being the princess she is, she deserves even more love, attention, and treats on this specially decreed day. Happy birthday, sweet girl. You bring sunshine into our lives every day, and we wouldn’t want you any other way than the spoiled kitty you are!

Our precious Zee.

When we lost Zee on March 18, 2022, our once eight-cat household, now seven, has never been the same. He was such a large part of our lives, and honestly, to this day, it seems surreal and impossible that he’s gone. I grieve him and all the other many pets I’ve had to say goodbye to over the years, not just on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, but every day. But today, I don’t dwell on the loss. Instead, I humbly count my blessings, living in the past, present, and future of life. Read more

Kizmet is using my head as a pillow. He lives for these happy moments and so do I.

Kizmet is an “I’m happy if I can be sleeping on my beloved human’s head,” kind of cat. Politics is not his thing to pontificate, nor as his human, is it mine. However, with today the 4th of July, 248 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, it’s hard not to think of politics as America ponders its future.  Today is also Kizmet’s 12th birthday and the only wish he has, is the same one I have: regardless of where you stand, or what your beliefs are, we hope we can come together as a race, with compassion, empathy, tolerance, and fairness.

Happy 12th Birthday, Kizmet!

Take care everyone, and be safe. And don’t forget,  the 4th of July can be a rough, scary, and dangerous time for our feline friends. Please visit here for my previous post on how to keep our cats safe and secure during the 4th of July festivities and the hot, summer days.

Kizmet from November, 2012. This was a few days after we adopted him from Pet Supermarket (he had been found, abandoned on the side of the road as a kitten).