This was Gracie, one of the Loews cats at her feeding station that was built by hotel employees to keep the cats sheltered and protected. Gracie is no longer with us, having passed on, nor are these iconic cat mansions that have been taken apart by Loews to be destroyed in the trash.

Ironically, it was a year ago that I began blogging about feral cats when I became involved in trying to save the small colony of outdoor cats residing on the once pet-friendly Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. They were part of a very successful and managed Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for over twelve years, but due to unyielding management mandates, they were eventually trapped and removed from the premises for relocation, despite the massive outpouring of concern from citizens and cat advocacy groups to keep them on the property.

While it may seem like a loss on the surface, in the long run it was a victory for feral cats. The visibility of the story brought the misconceptions of feral cats to a broader audience and it has become much more commonplace to see groups advocating for these animals. One such enterprise is the NYC Feral Cat Initiative of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals which is holding its Third Annual Architects for Animals Giving Shelter fundraiser and benefit. Read more

While today may be Wordless Wednesday, more importantly, today is my sweet little Zee’s 6th Birthday!! I hope you will all take a quick minute to send your birthday love to him on this special day, because he really is a special cat in every sense of the word. He has filled not only my life with absolute love, joy, devotion, and companionship, but that of Dan, his beloved Zoey, and his children Mia, Peanut, and Rolz, who adore the ground he walks on. I could talk about this sweet boy for days on end, but suffice it to say he is one of the most amazing creatures I have ever had the pleasure to share my life with.

Have a great day my special boy!! Love from human Mom and Dad, Zoey, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Jazz, and Harley!! (And your son from Boston, Zeuss Catt)

I must admit this is a new day to me and I feel remiss that I have not gotten my cats a proper Hallmark  card to celebrate this noteworthy day. I found out about it on facebook and the whole idea is to join the world by posting a picture, poem, story, etc., in honor of your cats – past or present – in your blog and sharing your blog link in the cat blogosphere.

Well, the picture I chose is of Zoey with her son Rolz who was 7 weeks at the time. This picture never fails to tug at my heart strings and it just epitomizes to me what love is – simple, pure, unconditional, and precious. For that is what my cats are to me – from Gigi-fluffy-Sharon – who was my first cat I remember when I was a young girl, to the current seven I have now (Zee, Zoey, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Harley, and Jazz), I love you all dearly and could not imagine a life without you. Each of you have given me my unique moments and memories – some wonderful, some even frustrating (just how many times can you use the litter box in a row after I scoop it?) Nonetheless, you have always been at my side, giving me your unconditional love and devotion. To me, every day is Cat Day, but, in keeping with tradition, cheers to my sweet babies on this August 8th!!!

A proud Mama Zoey and her days old kittens (Born on February 12, 2009)

Mama’s come in all shapes, sizes, colors, species and races. A mother can be a mother by birth, by adoption, by friendship or any number of other circumstances. A mother can even be a male, or maybe an aunt or a sister or someone who is an expecting Mama-to-be. To me, being a mother is defined as being someone who cares for, who nurtures for, who teaches and who inspires. Some of us are good at it and a lot of us still have a lot to learn. Doesn’t really matter how you define the word though – it is personal to all of us and there is no correct definition in my opinion.

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The incredibly gorgeous Miss Zoey… clearly she is aging with stunning grace,  beauty, and style…

It’s no secret in our house that Zoey is the cat love of my life. Besides her obvious physical beauty, Zoey is a highly intelligent, very special girl who means more to me than I could possibly express in words. Yes, she can be a bit moody. And yes, she has a very strong opinion about everything. She growls more than she purrs and can give you a look that will freeze you in your tracks. She also has a less than endearing habit of mowiling (a combination of meowing and yowling at the same time) very early in the morning for me to wake up BEFORE my alarm goes off. Despite all that, she really is a sweetheart and an absolute treasure. When she loves you, she really LOVES you and the volume of her purring then, can shake the house! She has the most adorable prance and when she gaits into a room, her whole little petite body radiates with pure energy and joy. She is my blessing and I adore her, quirks and all, with all of my heart and soul.  

On behalf of myself, Zee, her beloved cat companion and father of her children, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, and Zeuss, as well as Dan, my counterpart and her human Papa, along with her other feline housemates – Jazz and Harley, we salute you and wish you A VERY HAPPY 3RD BIRITHDAY!!! We all love you so much and we look forward to wising you many more birthdays with us ♥  ♥ ♥