Thank You, and Sunday Selfies

Thank you, dear friends and family, for the tremendous outpouring of love, support and kindness after we had to say goodbye to our beloved housepanther, Zoe. She was an amazing little cat, so full of joy and life, and we hold fast to the hope that we will see her again, one fine day. Until then, her indomitable spirit lives on in our hearts and minds.

Thank you, Ann/Zoolatry, for this beautiful badge.

For those who don't know, we adopted Zoe and her sister Gracie together as senior kitties from PAWS. Bonded siblings who are older often have a difficult time being adopted. Gracie and Zoe waited for three years before they came home with us, and they infused our home with love. We have never, ever regretted our excellent decision to adopt them. And I'm not just saying that because Gracie is snuggled up between Tracey and me right now. 😉 

Speaking of bonded older kitty pairs, when we asked the adorable adoptable PAWS cats who would volunteer for the Cat on My Head's Sunday Selfie Blog Hop (this week's edition is in honor of Angel Zoe!), up stepped Miss Kitty and her brother Black Jack. And they both did a fine job. Just look at those faces!

Miss Kitty

Black Jack

Miss Kitty and Blackjack are about 8 years old, and are both super friendly lapcats. They love people and get along with other nice kitties. They are both spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, current on their vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. As mentioned, they are totally bonded, and must be adopted together. But as we will attest, that just means more love for everybuddy. Come meet Miss Kitty and Black Jack today, and fall in love!

It's Sunday, which means we're taking part in the Cat on My Head's Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. We hope you'll join in the fun!  Our dear friends, Mom Janet and the Kitties Blue, asked if they could honor our beloved Angel Zoe this week. We are so moved by this sweet and thoughtful gesture, and of course said, "yes." Thank you, sweet pals, for remembering our baby Zoe.

Fly Free, Sweet Zoe 💔

"The song is ended, but the melody lingers on." - Irving Berlin

Last night, our hearts were broken as we said goodbye to our beautiful and beloved Zoe. It was an unexpectedly sudden end for a cat who always lived her life with such a spirit of love, celebration and happiness.

Although Zoe had a number of health issues, she had been doing well on her meds and feeling good over the past three months. She had gained back some lost weight, and was her energetic and happy-go-lucky self. But this week was different. Zoe was keeping more to herself, hiding, eating less and not sleeping with us. So we made an unscheduled vet visit early last night, only to learn that what had been diagnosed months ago as "possible IBD or possible lymphoma" was indeed the latter. And that it had progressed to a stage from which there was no return. Zoe was clearly uncomfortable and on the edge of distress, and we knew in our hearts that it was time to make that dreaded but very loving decision to end her suffering. So, with her laying in my lap, and Tracey and I petting and kissing her, and whispering “we love you” in her ears, Zoe flew peacefully to the Rainbow Bridge.

Tracey and I know we made the right decision, but we are all utterly devastated. We can't imagine our lives without our sweet and lovable Zoe, perhaps no one more so than Gracie, her sister and littermate of more than 17 years.

Gracie and Zoe, catching some sunbeams

Zoe, what a special girl you were. Surely there will be a day when memories of you bring smiles instead of tears. Today is not that day, and it will be a long time until it arrives, but we know it will come.

There were so many special things that made you such a unique kitty.  Like your playful and childlike nature. And the way you could never go slowly from one place to another (you were so fast and energetic!). Your adorable "bunny pose," complete with your sweet little meow/trill/purr. And how you loved to soak up the sun in the windowsill while you watched Bird and Squirrel TV.

Mom Tracey and I will miss you coming to greet us at the door when we get home. And I will miss having my little shadow/buddy following me everywhere I go, and laying on my chest while we spend "family time" on the sofa each night. We will miss hearing your amazingly diverse vocalizations (you seemed to come up with new ones all the time).

We always marveled at your cool, calm and collected courage that made you unafraid of big dogs you spied through the window, landscapers with lawnmowers and leafblowers, vacuum cleaners, house guests, and pretty much everything else. And how you would run TOP SPEED out of the litter room after you did a number 2 (MOL!). And we loved how you loved to lick your catnip kicker pillow. And how you would tussle with your sister, just for the heck of it (you may have been smaller than her, but you were a fierce tussler who usually won the day (like in this video)).

Fly free, our darling Zoe. We love you always and forever, and long for the day when we see you again.

Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey and Gracie

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Frank

This handsome dude is our gentle and adoptable pal Frank. He's super snuggly, loves people (he's quite adept at giving head bonks), and gets along with other nice cats. Yup, he's just about purrfect. :)

Frank is about 7 years old, neutered, micro-chipped, current on his vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. He is borderline diabetic, BUT it's been recently determined that his blood glucose levels can be regulated through diet alone. Easy peasy, right? Come meet this awesome mancat today. We promise you'll fall in love! :)

Easy Like Sunday Selfie - Belinda

Meet our beautiful friend Belinda. This manx (tailless) tabby ended up at PAWS after her owner was seriously injured and could no longer take care of her. We can tell Belinda was well-loved in her former home; she's calm, trusting, gentle and affectionate. As you can see, she also takes a great selfie!

8 year-old Belinda loves people and gets along with other kitties. She's spayed, micro-chipped, current on her vaccinations and negative for FIV and FeLV.  Belinda also happens to be a serious lap cat. With autumn fast approaching, what could be better than a sweet, purr-tastic lap warmer? Come meet Belinda today! 💝

We're taking part in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by our dear pals at The Cat on My Head. Check it out HERE to see who else is hopping, and to join in on the fun!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Gromit

Senior mancat Gromit is the complete package! He's handsome, sweet and snuggly (he's a lapcat extraordinaire), and looking for a new best friend.

Gromit is about 12 years old. He's neutered, micro-chipped, current on his vaccinations, and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. Gromit has very early stage kidney disease, and gets sub-q fluids every other day, but he wants everyone to know he's not ready to slow down quite yet, and still has lots of love to give to some lucky adopter. He also qualifies for the PAWS Senior Pension Plan, which includes: no adoption fee, an annual wellness exam, vaccinations and blood work analysis for free for the rest of his life. Gromit is so ready to find his happily ever. Is it with you?

Eli's Sunday Selfie :)

Check out our adorable pal Eli. In case you're wondering, he's as sweet as he looks. 

Will YOU be my best friend forever?

Eli is about 3 years old. He's gentle, playful, and loves hanging out with his volunteer pals, who can attest to his love of snuggles, scritches and pets. Eli is neutered, micro-chipped, current on his vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. He's a super good boy, and he's waiting at PAWS to meet you! 

We're participating in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by The Cat on My Head! Click on the badge to see who all is hopping this week, or to join the fun!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Purrcy

Here's our new friend, Purrcy, wishing everyone a happy Wednesday! Is she not adorable?😸

Purrcy is about 4 years old, spayed, micro-chipped, current on her vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. She's very friendly, playful and outgoing, loves to be petted, and enjoys spending time with her human pals. Purrcy is fine with other nice cats, but would be just as happy as your only kitty. Come meet her at PAWS today! 💖