If there was ever a perfect cat to represent what happy is, that would be our Jazmine. Just look at that precious face – not a care in the world – a sure sign that she is well taken care of and loved.

There’s far too much negativity, strife, heartache, stress, and difficulty in this world, so when there’s an occasion for happy, I’m on board. Especially when the happy involves cats, my all-time favorite thing ever! That’s right, as inspired by the CATalyst Council, September is Happy Cat Month, a month dedicated to ensuring our companion cats are happy, healthy, enriched, and valued. Read more

Simply. Overwhelming. That is my reaction to yesterday’s first annual Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day event. I knew the day would have impact for a lot of people, but I was not prepared for just how much. Between blog posts and the Facebook and Google+ event pages, the day was inundated with people sharing pictures, graphics, poems, stories, and so much more of their beloved pets that had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. All I can say is thank you. Read more

Mr. Jazz – my forever muse and beautiful boy. I will love you always and not a day goes by that I don’t miss you.

When I wrote the book Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond – a book written after saying goodbye on August 28, 2013 to my beloved Ragdoll companion cat, Mr. Jazz, who had lived to the age of 15, I did it with the purpose of wanting to help others who had lost a pet and were having difficulty with the grieving process. I knew full well after publishing the story that I would subject myself to people contacting me to discuss their innermost feelings of grief and pain, as I knew the manner in which I wrote the story would be something that would deeply resonate with most anyone that had lost a pet. Read more

Cats communicate to us in various ways – whether by meows, the twitch of a tail, body posture, ear stance and more – each action a unique gesture to signify something different. The same is true for litter box habits. Most cats instinctively know to use a litter box, but when they don’t, it causes extreme frustration for pet parents and is one of the most common reasons why cats are brought to shelters. What pet parents might not realize is that when a cat is acting inappropriately, they are actually communicating to them that something could be wrong. Read more

For years this has been Mia’s sentiment when company dares to come visit…

Years ago when Dan and I would have house guests, the cats would react with typical feline horror and disdain. You know what I mean – once the thud of the suitcases hit the floor, several of the cats would take instant residence under the nearest bed. A few others would high-tail it up to the tallest spot in the house to glare at said house guests from a safe distance, and some would bravely walk among the strange new humans, with a cautious “you can look at me, just don’t touch” attitude. Read more