Happy 17th birthday to Peanut, Rolz, and Mia.

Our little babies, Peanut, Rolz, and Mia, are seventeen years old today! I truly can’t wrap my head around it. They have been a part of my life nearly 24/7, especially as I’ve been working remotely for the past several years, and I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent with them. It’s a bittersweet moment. This is the first birthday they are celebrating without either of their parents – Zee and Zoey – and the emptiness without them is still present every day.

Zee and Zoey were such a significant part of Peanut, Rolz, and Mia’s lives. They adored their parents, and there was barely a time when one, two, three, or all of them were not together as a family. I decided that, for their birthday, it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and share some pictures from when they were all in the same photo. Bear in mind that the earlier ones were primarily from before the days of the quick, easy digital technology we’ve all grown used to on our iPhones and cameras. Before the days when I (or Dan) would take dozens of images of a shot in quest of that “perfect one,” just because I knew I could use it later down the road for blogging, or because I enjoyed capturing a moment to share on social media, or just because it touched my heart and I wanted a photo.

Some of the images are from when Mr. Jazz and Harley were still with us, and later ones from when Kizmet and Jazmine joined the household. Sadly, even though our latest rescue, Shadow, was with us when both Zee and Zoey were alive, he was never in a photo that included the whole gang, so I shared one that included Zoey but not Zee, since he had already passed away.

Some of the photos are blurry, the lighting is awful, they have headlight eyes, one or two cats aren’t looking at the camera, or some other inadvertent nonsense cats do to ruin a shot. But that’s how it is. They’re real, and they show love. I hope you enjoy them – they serve as a reminder to take as many pictures as you can! You will want these memories to look back on, one day. And, as always, a Happy Birthday to Zeuss Catt, the fourth Zee and Zoey kitten who has lived with a dear family friend in Boston since his adoption in 2009.

2009 – My office companions. Peanut, Rolz, Zee, Mia, and Zoey.

2009 – Untangling Christmas lights. Zoey, Peanut, Mia, Rolz, Mr. Jazz, Harley, and Zee.

2010 – Our custom-created cat condo. Rolz, Mia, Peanut, Zee, and Zoey.

2010 – Waiting for dinner. Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Zee, and Zoey

2011 – Family birdwatching. Peanut, Zoey, Mia, Rolz, and Zee.

2012 – Another cat condo. Mia, Peanut, Zee, Mr. Jazz, Rolz, and Zoey.

2014 – Hanging out on “Big Red.” Zee, Rolz, Zoey, Mia, and Peanut.

2014 – A new toy and catnip. Jazmine, Zee, Kizmet, Zoey, Rolz, Peanut, and Mia.

2014 – Waiting for dinner, Part 2. Kizmet, Peanut, Jazmine, Zee, Zoey, Rolz, and Mia.

2015 – A forever-favorite moment. Jazmine, Rolz, Peanut, Zee, me, Zoey, Kizmet, and Mia.

2018 – “Big Red” updated. Zoey, Mia, Peanut, Jazmine, Kizmet, Rolz, and Zee.

2024 – Dinnertime. Shadow, Rolz, Peanut, Zoey, Mia, and Jazmine.

11/5/25 – Rolz, Peanut, and Mia share what will be some final precious moments with Mama Zoey before she passed a couple of weeks later.

Zoey always loved the holidays—especially the warmth of the Christmas tree’s lights.

It’s the holidays, and I’m trying very hard to manage the pain amongst the joy. I miss my beloved Zoey so much. I’ve been living in relative denial, not truly believing her last breath was taken in my arms, the late evening of November 19. But something simple—pulling out the Christmas stockings, each one embroidered with my cat’s name, was a harsh jolt that she’s not with me. I carry the sadness in my heart every moment of the day. Still, I’m trying to be grateful for what I have—my dear family, friends, Dan, and my remaining clowder—Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Kizmet, Jazmine, and Shadow.

I’m sorry if I’ve brought anyone down. I’m just speaking the truth of my heart. But I didn’t want the day to pass without letting you know how blessed I am to have you all as part of Zee and Zoey’s Cat Connection. Take care, Happy Holidays, and see you next year.

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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The handsome model in this photo is our Shadow.

From our house to yours, wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving filled with love, light, and good food. Take care, be kind, and savor each moment given to you.

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