Pretty Mia and her purrfect paws!

I must admit it. I’m completely obsessed with my cat Mia’s paws. There is just something about them. So precious, pretty, sweet, dainty, and adorably perfect, that I could stare at them all day. But her paws and the paws of all cats are so much more than something for me to fuss over. They are a multi-functional, highly intuitive part of a cat, integral to their very survival. Here are 10 fascinating facts about the pawsome paw: Read more

My Dearest Zee,

While it is true, I can now walk into the kitchen and see your empty food dish on the counter next to the seven others and not break into tears as I had been, remembering the 3 times daily ritual I would feed you from it, it does not mean my heart doesn’t skip a beat, missing you being a part of it. Read more

My office is a small, 12 x 11 square foot space. Some might describe it as claustrophobic, cluttered, and chaotic. Others, like me, would say it’s cozy, charming, and comfy. It’s home to several monitor screens, keyboards, and printers for both my personal and remote computer work needs. There are also mountains of books, photo albums, binders, cat trinkets and mementos, stuffed animals, awards, wall-hangings, a couch, lamps, desks, file cabinets, a chair, bookshelves, stacks of boxes with packing materials for my books, an exercise bike, and more. How all this fits into one room is beyond me. But it’s my space, it defines who I am, and I love it. So does Jazmine, as rarely is there a day she isn’t somewhere in the room with me. And speaking of Jazmine, did I mention the room also has a cat tree, cat beds, numerous pillows and blankets, and cat shelves on the wall? Read more

Kizmet rockin’ the decade like a rock star!

While I’m not a fan of the loud fireworks that scare so many animals during the 4th of July, I am a fan of celebrating the day, especially since it’s our precious Kizmet’s birthday! This year is even more special because it marks a wonderful decade that he’s been on this earth! To celebrate the event, I thought I’d share 10 reasons why Kizmet is such a special cat.

1. He’s an old-soul cat. From the first moment I saw him in 2012 at Pet Supermarket when he was a tiny kitten in a cage and our eyes locked, I knew he had an old-soul spirit and was a special cat. I also instantly knew our meeting was predestined and he was meant to be ours.

Kizmet a week or so after we adopted him in 2012. Those eyes…how could I possibly resist him?

2. He’s always a kind, welcoming cat. No matter the changes sent his way – like new furry feline roommates Jazmine and Shadow, or when company visits and they bring a dog, he always is the first to accept the situation and offer a kind, loving, and reassuring paw to the newcomer or visitor.

When we adopted Jazmine in 2014, Kizmet insisted on staying by her side to make her feel safe and welcome.

3. He’s intuitive, empathic, and sympathetic. Unfortunately, there have been moments in our life with Kizmet where we’ve had to say goodbyes to one of our beloved kitties – Jazz, Harley, and Zee to be exact. Kizmet not only senses that I need extra love from him during those difficult times, which he gives me in spades, but he also senses when his catmate is ailing and needs his love too, and he rallies around them.

Kizmet stuck not only to me like glue, but to Jazz as well during his end-of-life journey.

4. He’s smart. All our other cats, no matter that we’ve never, ever, ever forgotten to feed them any of their meals, they meow, pace, jump and cause general mayhem with me just to let me know it’s time to eat. Kizmet has figured out that he will get fed every day and does not need to act like a lunatic or remind me with feline theatrics that it’s time to eat. He just sits, and patiently waits.

5. He’s extraordinarily loving. Kizmet loves to love. When I sit on the couch each night to settle in to watch TV, he either lays as close to me as he can so I can cradle him in my arms, or he’ll lie on top of my head, hugging it like a beloved pillow.

The love Kizmet and I share is a bond like no other.

6. He beats to his own drum. There are endless places in our house where Kizmet can nap but he’d rather be uncomfortable so he can be close to me, such as sitting behind me in my office chair.

It’s rather common to find Kizmet tucked between my back and the back of my chair when I’m sitting in my office.

7. He’s fun and goofy. When it’s playtime, he can run, jump, and fetch with the best of them and he’s a riot to watch.

8. He’s soft, snuggly, cuddly, and cute. I don’t think that needs much more explanation.

9. He’s well-behaved (mostly). He doesn’t beg for food. He doesn’t jump up on the table when you’re eating. He doesn’t howl and meow loudly all day long like some of my other cats, and he doesn’t steal food from his catmates.

10. He’s perfect.

Happy Birthday, Kizmet! I love you so much.

Calvin feeding my cats some treats. Do they like him? Yes!

Not only am I blessed to be a grandmother, but I’m also blessed that my grandson, Calvin, lives nearby, so I’m able to have him visit our house on a regular basis. The first thing people typically say to me regarding his visits, is “I hope he likes cats, and how do they get along with him?” They say this, of course, because I have seven cats, most of which make themselves quite known when he visits. Thankfully, I can say not only does he like them; they like him, too, largely because of how both my grandson and my cats have been brought up. Read more