It's a Boy!

I've always been glad Miss Piggy loves Adam, and vice versa of course! I told you what my dad had to say about men and cats. Piggs is an excellent judge of character as well.

But one cat? Only one? Complete malarkey. Just had to get husband on board. Yada yada yada…fast forward to last Monday. Someone had won something in NASCAR so Outback was giving away Bloomin' Onions (that free $4 appetizer cost us like  $60 so there's a bargain). Right by our closest Outback is a Petsmart. We stopped in to pick up the eco-friendly disposable biodegradable litter boxes we use. And there they were…cages of adorable cats. I'm not sure what Adam thought would happen when he suggested we go in the enclosure to meet some kitties!

I'd wanted to adopt an older cat, a sad case, maybe one who'd been at the shelter a long time. Hobo seemed like just the guy (had to be a male - Miss Piggy is a princess and we all know females rule in the animal world!). He was a goofy boy with what looked like the kitty equivalent of a cleft palate. I loved his little "deformity!" 

But then "Oreo" came out of his cage. He jumped up & purred like a motor immediately. A five month old black & white kitten, he was NOT what I had in mind! Then I saw him in my husband's arms, snuggling & purring. And so we filled out the application. We had to jump through some hoops - like personal and vet references as well as getting Piggs up to date on vaccines (I've never vaccinated indoor cats, what's the point? I BAWLED at the vet when she cried!). Then, Friday night, we brought our little guy home :) 

Adam named him Stache, obviously for his adorable little half-(Hitler)mustache.

It's been an adjustment for all of us especially Miss Piggy, but when he wakes me up at 4am trying to crawl into my skin or Adam laughs "hun you gotta see this!" while playing with him…it's all good. 

Stay tuned for news of our next addition :)

Peace Love & Rescue

 Everyone has a platform, a passion, a cause they truly believe in that moves them and breaks their heart.
At least, they should.

Mine is animal rescue. It's easy to love animals, of course. They're cuddly and cute and helpless and lovable. If you have a heart, the love and affection of a furry friend instantly warms it. Rescuers, however, devote their time, money, resources, and sanity to giving animals a voice.

We'd had cats in the family home ever since Frank became a part of things. First was Booger, a chubby calico with a big black spot by her nose. Next was Genga, ruler of them all, rescued when he was left in a motel room to starve by what I can only assume were heartless terrible people. Then came Smoky, a ginger tabby taken in when a coworker fell too ill to care for him. Tigger was a grey striped boy who was headed to the dreaded SPCA. Zuzu, taken in when she was left with her littermates on the vet's doorstep. Lastly, Blizzard, adopted after a frantic phone call during, you guessed it, a snowstorm.
*Frank always said, a man who doesn't like cats, doesn't like women. Cats are finicky, demanding, spoiled, selfish, and demand attention on their terms while returning affection only when they please. He was pretty spot-on with that analogy - did I mention he was the smartest man I've known?

My friend Grace is the founder of Finding Shelter Animal Rescue (www.findingshelter.org) and in the winter of 2010, she asked if I would foster a kitty named Sheila. She'd been found running the streets of West Chester on the day of Grace's sister's wedding. Being allergic to cats, Grace kept Sheila on the third floor of her house away from her and the 6-10 permanent and foster dogs taking up residence. So one Saturday, I picked up a sweet grey kitty and brought her home. You'd think she'd been starved...she became Miss Piggy. hehehe :) The following week, we heard some bad news from Frank's doctors - whatever was making him feel bad was in fact, very bad. I came home from school every night and cried in my big easy chair. This kitty cuddled up in my lap every night, all night, then slept spooned next to me in my big bed.

After two weeks, I let Grace know "Sheila" could be taken off the adoption list.

I believe my dad sent me this beautiful kitty when I needed her most. For four years, she's been my friend, my sidekick, my best girl. Not that she met a lot of men in her time with me, but when she snuggled up to Adam right away after hissing at others - I, too, trusted him.


"I may have rescued you...but it was you who saved me."