Kizmet, a few days after we adopted him. How could anyone resist him?

Fourteen years ago, a tiny tabby kitten who had been found abandoned on the streets was given a birthday of July 4, 2012. A few months later, while stopping at Pet Supermarket during my lunch break to buy cat food, I walked past the cat adoption cages as I had done countless times before. My survival rule was simple: say hello without lingering too long.

Then I looked into his eyes.

In that instant, nothing else mattered. I picked him up, and he curled against my chest, a perfect fit, purring as though he’d been waiting for me all along. I tried to reason with myself. We already had a hectic household of seven cats. Dan was out of town. I was only supposed to buy cat food.

I handed the store clerk my business card and asked if they could hold him for a couple of hours while I talked it over with Dan. I sent him a photo of the kitten, secretly hoping he’d talk some sense into me.

Instead, he simply said, “Get the cat.”

And just like that, Kizmet came home.

I named him Kizmet—a play on kismet, meaning fate or destiny, with the “z” that had become a tradition in our Zee & Zoey feline family. Looking back now, I can’t imagine him by any other name.

Today, America celebrates its 250th birthday. Kizmet celebrates his 14th.

For fourteen years, he has quietly reported for duty every single day.

He is a kind, intuitive, happy, sweet, silly, and compassionate cat. He comforted Jazz, Harley, Zee, and Zoey through their end-of-life journeys, quietly staying by their side, then comforting me through the inevitable heartbreak that followed. He was also the first to welcome Jazmine and, years later, Shadow into our family.

We first learned of Kizmet’s healing powers in 2013, when Jazz was transitioning to his journey to the afterlife. Kizmet lay at my feet the whole time, offering love and comfort.

Kizmet was the first to welcome Jazmine when we adopted her in 2014. He has been her faithful protector ever since.

Kizmet likes treats, but he doesn’t demand them like the others. He loves attention but doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. Rather, he’s patient. He sleeps in my office during the day just to be near me. Then, every evening after dinner, once I settle onto the couch to watch television, he knows it’s our time. Without fail, he reports for snuggle duty. It’s one assignment he has never missed.

Kizmet loves the kitchen counter. Not so much for treats as for the chance to be close to his beloved humans during mealtimes.

Kizmet has a playful and athletic side. He loves to have these fuzzy pom pom balls tossed up for him to catch in mid-air!

He’s also my shoulder warmer, my overnight head pillow, and the quiet heart of our family. Never the loudest. Never the most dramatic. Just endlessly loyal, loving, and present.

Kizmet, in his ever-present quest to be as close to me as possible, is sitting between my back and the back of my chair!

Since I work remotely from home, Kizmet spends most of his day on the couch in my office with me.

Kizmet likes to lay his head on mine and wrap his paws around my head, hugging me.

Happy 14th Birthday to my faithful little guardian.

Thank you for fourteen years of unwavering love, quiet devotion, and faithful service.

Still Reporting for Duty Since 2012.

Happy Birthday, Kizmet!

Happy Father’s Day!

Today we celebrate all fathers—whether they’re dads to children, cat dads, dog dads, or caregivers to any beloved creatures who depend on their love and care.

This Father’s Day, I’m also remembering our beloved Zee, shown here with each of his kittens—Peanut, Mia, and Rolz (and Zeuss Catt in spirit, who now lives in Boston). Though he’s no longer with us, his love and legacy live on through the family he left behind.

Wishing all fathers, both human and furry, a day filled with love and perhaps a few extra purrs.

Casual kitties – Zee (angel), Shadow, Jazmine, Kizmet, Rolz, and Harley (angel)

Considering I’ve been working almost exclusively remotely since 2019 with a wardrobe that consists primarily of cat-themed sweats, I’m hardly one to judge casual. Even so, I think for this Friday, these cats knocked it out of the park, and then some!

How about you guys? What does your casual Friday outfit consist of? And do you have any cats like mine, who take the concept of casual to extremes?

I rarely travel anymore, but it was my niece’s wedding shower, and I didn’t want to miss such a special day. It was a whirlwind trip: arrive in Tampa on Friday evening and head back home to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday morning. Even though it was short, and even though Dan is perfectly capable of managing our six cats, I never feel quite right leaving them. Nothing beats the routine of a mom who knows every single quirk, idiosyncrasy, and “do this, don’t do that, give this one this, and that one that” like the back of her hand. Read more

The beautiful Zoey

Today would have been Zoey’s 18th birthday. I last held her in my arms on the evening of November 19, 2025, when I helped her cross over on her heavenly journey.

I wish I could have prepared a lovely tribute to her, but my heart cannot bear the pain. My precious soul kitty, I miss her so terribly. A beautiful bag sits in the guest room where I last held her, with a few clippings of her soft, silky fur. I have enormous difficulty going into that room. Writing this has made me realize how much unresolved grief I am carrying, as if part of me is still in denial, as though it never really happened.

Her ashes sit in the living room, where she rests with her beloved Zee and companions, Harley and Jazz. Maybe one day I can share posts with glorious memories. Right now, I just want to quietly honor her birthday and the thoughts of her that are forever etched in my heart.

Happy birthday, my beautiful girl. I miss you so very much.