Happy 7th Birthday to my Feline Loves – Rolz, Mia, and Peanut
Happy 7th Birthday to three of my favorite felines – Rolz, Mia, and Peanut
I remember the day like it was yesterday – Zoey was pregnant and nearly bursting at the seams. She came into my bedroom early on the morning of February 12, 2009, to wake me up to let me know she wanted me to be with her. It was still pitch dark and I grabbed my robe to follow her into the living room where I curled up with her on the couch. Her silky body was toasty warm and she tucked herself into the crook of my belly, purring up a loud storm.
A few minutes later I felt her body slightly contort and the next thing I knew, a kitten had been born on my lap… That’s how it all started. She had one more kitten on my lap before I was able to get her into the safety of the birthing room we had created for her in our bedroom closet where she subsequently had two more kittens (with a lot of help from Dan who was able to grab a towel and get the kittens into closet without incident).
Zoey and her kittens a few days after they were born. She was such a great mama and loved taking care of them so much.
It’s a moment I’ll never forget. That Zoey trusted and loved me so much that she wanted me with her while she gave birth is an honor and privilege I will always keep close to my heart. We kept 3 of the kittens and gave the 4th one to a dear friend that lives in Boston. He named him Zeuss Catt and Zeuss is very well loved and taken care of.
The kittens have long since grown into gorgeous adult cats and thankfully they have never known a day of hardship or stress in their lives (although they might argue that point because if I feed them even one minute past 5:00 pm – which is dinner time – that’s stress to them!). The most amazing part of it all – these guys have been together literally 24/7, living in an identical environment with both of their cat parents still with them (Zee & Zoey), yet they have distinctly unique personalities.
A photo of Peanut, Mia, and Rolz all grown up – picture taken just days before their 7th birthday!
Rolz is the most aloof of the bunch, Mia is shy and reserved, and Peanut is a lover. Interestingly, as they have aged, the one thing they have in common is when nighttime falls and we all sit on the couch at the end of the day, they all want to snuggle and become lap cats. During the day… not so much!
Happy Birthday my darling ones! I love you all so very much and you bring such joy and happiness to my life!
To learn more about my experience with Zoey and what it was like to help her raise a family of kittens, please consider reading The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary. It’s a warm, conversational, and humorous story filled with page after page of stunning full color photographs, charming artwork, and custom illustrations that will surely inspire you to find the best in each and every day you are blessed to have.
These are just some of my favorite Amazon reviews from readers who were personally moved by the story:
“I just finished this book yesterday and I am still overwhelmed. The book is written with so much love and passion and I could not put it aside. It is really encouraging to realize that in our selfish world there are still many people who care about our environment and the animals. Love and respect for those courageous cats. The story about Deborah Barnes and her animals is heart warming and just beautiful.” ~Valerija~
“After reading the description, I expected to be enchanted… but the experience of reading the book was so much more… the book exceeded my expectations… the best way to describe it would be to say that it felt like I was invited to be part of their lives while I was reading the book… so to come to the end of the book was like saying good bye after spending a long holiday with a close family friend…” ~Trishka~
“I do believe that anyone who has a cat or cats should read this book. I am 70 years old and I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I laughed, cried and everything else that could be emotionally brought out of me. How would I rate this book? Amazon only has 5 stars, I would give it 10 stars. Great, great book.” ~Amazon Customer~
Chapter 15 – I share a humorous take on what it’s like to bathe a family of 4 adult cats and 4 kittens after we had an outbreak of pesky fleas in our house.
For full purchasing options, please visit www.zeezoey.com for details.
What a special post for three special kitties.Happy Birthday Rolz, Mia and Peanut (and Zuess). May you enjoy many, many more. Hope your mom spoils you even more today than she usually does. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Thanks Kitties Blue – yes, the day will be filled with even more spoiling… is that even possible?
Happy Birthday! And thank you for gracing our world Rolz, Mia and Peanut. Much love to an already love filled home. MaMa Deb will make your world bright!
Thank you for sharing their Birthday, Deb.
Aww! You are so very welcome Deborah! Thank you for the BD wishes!
Happy Birthday, Rolz, Mia and Peanut! I can’t believe it’s been seven years!
I know Ingrid – totally crazy that amount of time has gone by!
Happy Birthday beautiful kitties.
Thank you Sue!
Oh Deb, where does the time go?
Happy Birthday guys!!
Gosh Toni – that is the question of my life… if you find out, please let me know… and make it slow down too!
Happy Birthday Rolz, Mia and Peanut! Such a sweet story and ho nice that you are all still together.
Thanks Ellen – it really is wonderful to see them all grow up together.
HAPPY Birthday!!! what a bunch of cuties….
Thanks Random Felines!
What an awesome rememberance, so touching and inspiring and a little envy on my part of Zoey wanting you to be part of her deliverance and cuddling. The babies were so little, makes me want to hold them. You are a gifted writer with emotion and love; thank you Deb; I’m so glad I found your blog. Brings lots of smiles:-) Happy, Happy 7th Birthday Rolz, Mia and Peanut (and Zuess); kind of sad he is not still with mama and siblings but I’m sure he doesn’t know the difference. He could be dining with the Deb & Dan & Zoey Cat Household instead of just himself with his pet parents. I hope you all have a loving, playful day with lots of cat treats, food, and specials! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your kind words Dianna – it does my heart good to know you enjoy my writing and the Zee/Zoey blog.
And I truly do realize what a gift I was given from Zoey – I really miss the days when she had the kittens and I helped take care of them – I was obsessed with them and could barely leave them out of my sight!
Have a beautiful day – oh, and as far as Zeuss, while I kinda wish he was with us too, rest assured he couldn’t have a pet parent that loves or dotes on him anymore than the one he has in Boston! He is a very lucky and special kitty!
Happy Birthday everyone! Giuseppe, Mewsette, Sunshine and Jelly Bean send a special nose tap to their other favorite blogging siblings, and Mimi sends a nuzzle and purr to a sister mom cat!
Hard to believe how the time flies!
Happy Meowday Rolz, Mia and Peanut. We know yous day will be just purrfect.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
What a special day! Happy Birthday gang from all of us!
GUYS….DE BEST OH FISHES, HAPPEE DAY WISHES & MICE CREEM DISHES ALL ROUND ♫♪♫♪♫
WE HOPE YUR DAYZ TOTAL LEE MEGA AWESUM WAY SOOPER GRATE FUN, HOPE EWE EACH
GET 7 NEW CAT TREEZ, EAT PLENTEE OH PERCH PIZZA PIE & HEERZ TWO A YEER A HEAD FILLED
WITH HAPPEE NEZZ & HEALTH & TA 77 MOR ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
{ N heerz two a happee heartz day oh love ~~~~~ kinda week oh end ♥♥♥ }
Happy Birthday Rolz, Mia, and Peanut ! We wish you a wonderful day with your amazing mom ! Purrs
Happy Birthday, Rolz,Mia and Peanut. That was indeed a privilege that Zoey wanted you to be with her as she gave birth.
Happy birthday to all three of you! What wonderful memories for your family to treasure.
Happy birthday kitties
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Happy Birthday to Rolz, Mia and Peanut!
Aw, that must have been an awesome experience, having kittens born on your lap! When I was growing up, I had a kitty who wanted me to sit beside her box each time she gave birth (apparently we didn’t think to fix the cats back then..) but to hold her, wow that would have been wild.
Happy birthday Rolz, Mia and Peanut! And to your distant brother, Zuess!
That is an amazing book. Happy Birthday to Rolz, Mia and Peanut. Here’s to 7+ more years of stress-free health and happiness. I hear you about late feedings.
Happy Happy Birthday to the PURRFECT Trifecta!