Jazmine – then and now. Happy Birthday precious one!

When we adopted Jazmine at the Global Pet Expo in March 2014, we figured her to be about 6 months old, so we christened her birthday as September 28, since we didn’t really know what day it was. Well, using that premise, today is her 9th birthday, which seems totally unbelievable to me! How in the world does time keep flying by so quickly? Regardless, every day with our princess has been a blessing and we wish her many, many more birthdays in the years to come.

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.

June 21st – it’s officially the first day of summer, although here in South Florida the distinction between one season and the next can be a bit elusive. Regardless, I’m blessed with a glorious tropical backyard, one that’s safe and secure for supervised evening outings with my feline gang after they’ve eaten their dinner. Recently, I’ve been able to capture some beautiful moments of them enjoying the fresh air and I thought today would be a great day to share some of those images in celebration of summer. You’ll note most of the pictures are of Kizmet – he’s by far the most cooperative when it comes to sitting still for photos. Others who complied are Zoey, Shadow, and Jazmine. I hope you enjoy them and Happy Summer! P.S. to enlarge any of the photos, just click on them!

Kizmet on pavers.

Shadow enjoys the heat of the deck stones.

Kizmet responds to whatever noise in the distance that has caught his attention.

Zoey is positive nobody can see her.

Shadow looking ever the glorious panther.

Kizmet reflecting on a stone bench.

Jazmine looks lovely framed by the colorful foliage.

The sun is at the perfect angle to give Kizmet a stunning glow in our tiki.

Our precious Maine Coon, Zee, has been gone nearly two months, yet somehow the world did not stop. Not for my pain, nor for his significance. There was no parade. No national holiday created. No indication from passersby I’d come upon in stores, restaurants, or wherever,  who cared to wonder how I was, or how I was coping, as surely they could see my heart had nearly stopped beating from a mile away, the pain of loss so deeply embedded in me. But no, none of that happened. Notwithstanding the kindness of friends, family, and my beloved cat community who have supported me with cards, gifts, comments, and more, life moves on without the courtesy of stopping, thus requiring me to manage my pain and emptiness within the frame of daily existence as I mourn an extraordinary cat.

Zee’s urn is front and center and one day will have his picture on it, too.

I’m still in a fog of denial. We have his wooden urn sitting on the shelf of our armoire, residing among our other angels: Bailey, Kit, Bandit, Jazz, and Harley. There is a lovely card from the vet’s office – Zee’s beautiful paw print emblazoned on it, with touching and heartfelt signed messages from the office staff. After all, Zee had become like family to them, too. One day I will get a frame for it. Something appropriately kitty-related so as to acknowledge the beauty, and one day I will put a picture of Zee on his resting container as I did for Jazz and Harley. Read more

A true Bengal, Zoey is a wild thing at heart.

One might think that perhaps as one ages, it would be done gracefully, with a certain slowing down, calm, and reserve. That, however, is not how our dear Bengal, Zoey, rolls. Today is her birthday, and at 14 she remains loud (breaking sound barriers loud), playfully active – running, jumping, and climbing up onto to anything she can, as well as an avid and skilled hunter of plush stuffed animals.

That said, she does have a quieter, softer side. One that is a beautiful biscuit-making, motor-purring machine when she’s ready to settle in your lap for a nap. From loud to quiet and everything in-between, we love you dearly, sweet Zoey, and wish for many more happy birthdays!

Zoey can also be wonderfully sweet and loving.