Editors Note: When I wrote this post for a scheduled Saturday publish date, I had no idea I actually might be smiling for a camera… a camera by TV crews at a protest rally on behalf of the Loews cats who have been cruelly and inhumanely trapped from hotel premises these past couple of weeks. As I write this, I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I, along with the other devoted cat advocates who were able to take the trip to Orlando to take a stand against David Bartek and his cold-hearted actions, I pray we can make a difference for these cats. I thank all of you amazing people across the nation and the world for the overwhelming support you have given us to help spread the word against this travesty of animal rights. I will update you with details later, in the meantime, keep us and the cats in your thoughts today... Now, on to today’s scheduled post!

Remember when you had to hold film negatives up to a window to figure out what image number it was that you wanted to get re-printed? Nowadays you can access photo images in a split second on your phone or computer and print them instantly… Or email them… or post them on social media networks…

There is no doubt that I love my cats. I literally have THOUSANDS of pictures to prove that thanks to the talents of Dan and I am more than happy to share them all day long like the proud kitty parent I am. With digital photography now part of our mainstream life, we no longer have to wait for a roll of film to be finished to either drop off at our local pharmacy (which, by the way, back then, there was only one per town and not the mandatory CVS or Walgreen’s you find on EVERY street corner), a Photo mat, or in the mail in a prepaid envelope from York or some other company like that to have them developed and mailed back to you.  Some of these processes could literally take well over a week, and then you had to deal with the high probability that your film got mixed up with someone else’s and you have to prove that the picture of some strange guy in ladies underwear is not really your husband…. Okay, that never really happened, but you get the picture, so to speak…    Read more

To see full beauty of image, please click to enlarge

I cannot even pretend that this quote was not written specifically for me. My cats have me wrapped so tightly around their little paws that even a stranger could recognize that fact. Oh well, I would wager a very strong bet that most of you reading this would swear that quote was written specifically for you as well…

Bill Dana (born October 5, 1924) is an American comedian, actor, and screenwriter. He often appeared on television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and began his career as a page at NBC’s famous Studio 6B while performing comedy in nightclubs around New York. He has been on The Imogene Coca Show, The Danny Thomas Show, and The Martha Raye Show. (wikipedia)

I was very happy to be presented with two wonderful opportunities recently to talk about my favorite things – cats and writing. In her “Spotlight on Amazing Women” series I was interviewed by freelance writer and fellow CWA member, Stacey Ritz, for Examiner.com. This series focuses on women who volunteer in communities, who operate their own businesses, or who are authors, so it was a perfect showcase to talk about how my writing career began and where it has led me to. To read the full interview, please click here.

The next opportunity was also presented to me by a fellow CWA member, Lorie Huston, DVM, for her animalCAFE podcast where I was able to discuss the pending situation with the feral cats being trapped and removed from the Loews Orlando resort properties as well as the misconceptions of feral cats. To read the full post and listen to the podcast, please click here.

I thank both of these ladies so much for reaching out to me and it gives me great pleasure to continue to help inspire others to follow their dreams, whether it be to write, volunteer, or crusade for the well-being of cats.

No doubt about it – I love my sweet Zoey with all of my heart and soul. Happy Birthday my precious one…From the moment you came into my life, that tiny little ball of fur you were…Until now, still a tiny ball of fur, but with a larger than life personality…You bring me joy each and every day and I am so grateful to have you.

Love from me, but also from the human male who loves you as much as I do. Love also from your cat soulmate, Zee, your children, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, and Zeuss, as well as your other feline roommates, Harley and Jazz.

The best part about being a cat blogger, is that when I say that not only did I go to Boston last weekend to visit my step-kids, but to visit one of my dearest cat friends, you all merely nod you heads as if that is the most natural thing ever. Doesn’t everyone get on a plane to visit a cat friend? Of course, by a cat friend, I mean an actual four-legged friend of the feline species… the infamous Zeuss Catt, the other son of Zee and Zoey and brother to Mia, Peanut, and Rolz.  It has been almost 3 years to the day that Zeuss packed his furry bags and boarded a plane with my step-daughter Crystal and her then boyfriend Sean to his  permanent residence in a charming Boston suburb.

L to R - Peanut, Mia, Zeuss, and Rolz - one of the last pictures of all four of the kittens together.

When he first left us, it was both joyful and painful. Joyful in that I knew Crystal and Sean would be wonderful guardians to Zeuss, but painful in that it would be the last time I would see this sweet kitten that was such an ingrained part of my life. Dan and I had already agreed we were going to keep the remaining kittens, as we were so in love with them and could not bear the thought of parting with them, but these kittens had literally been together with us 24/7 and it was hard to imagine not having Zeuss with us anymore. Read more