It’s not something we like to think about, but literally thousands of precious animals will be euthanized across the world in the brief amount of time it takes you to read this post. It is heartbreaking, unfair, and very difficult for those of us that love animals to comprehend, but the fact is, it happens. But rather than harp on the ethics of it all, I ask for your help, enthusiasm, and dedication to helping make a difference by joining the Remember Me Thursday™ candle lighting awareness campaign on Thursday, September 25th with rescues and organizations worldwide to honor those animals that lost their lives without finding a forever home and to help find ways to increase adoptions for the millions of animals who still need a good home. Read more

Well, it’s official… Jackie has gone back to Boston and the house is back to it’s too quiet self. Dan and I already miss her tons and so do the kitties. Their routine was a bit out of whack with her around – doors that we typically keep opened were closed (Jackie’s bedroom where there is a window for squirrel and bird TV) and doors that we typically keep closed (the guest bedroom with carpeting and lots of breakables) were opened for Jackie’s cousin, Katie, who came by for a visit the last week Jackie was with us and who does not like to sleep with her door closed. Read more

This picture was taken of Jazz in April of 2013 – this was right about when we started to notice his health was beginning to decline. To see full beauty of his image, please click to enlarge.

A year passes far too quickly. How is it that my Mr. Jazz has already been gone for 365 days when it seems like just yesterday he was snuggling on the couch with me, making biscuits on my chest with his big bear paws. But it’s true. Today marks the anniversary of the date I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends.

While my heart is still heavy with sadness, I have decided not to take the maudlin road that remains inside me, but rather to celebrate the day. Celebrate the fact that I was blessed to have him as part of my life and celebrate the fact that the love, joy, and friendship he gave me for 15 years far outweighs any of the sadness and grief I might still be feeling at his passing. Read more

No matter the day or age, this is always me. I love cats and I have always been surrounded by their love and companionship.

Since I am over 50 years old and I have been a cat lover my whole life, clearly I have had to say goodbye to many a beloved pet cat in that time-frame. It is never easy, but years ago when I was regular ole Deb Barnes, a person who was living her life that did not including blogging and social media, the grieving process was very different. Read more

There is no doubt that cats experience the five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste in a much more heightened level than humans do. Using every part of their body to communicate and survive – eyes, ears, whiskers, mouth, nose, tail, and paws, they navigate through life with incredible prowess and skill. I believe as well they have a sixth sense that enables them to be intuitive above and beyond those senses, giving them a complex level of understanding far beyond what appears on the surface. Read more