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.

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.