Shelter Cats and Redemption

On this date, and day, back in 2000, I met Tyler for the first time at Little Shelter.  How is it possible that this was nearly TWO DECADES ago?  Simply crazy to contemplate, especially since it seems like only yesterday. For those of you who are new to my blog, and it's corresponding Facebook page, here's the story of how Tyler and I met.  We pick up from almost the exact moment I first laid eyes on the greatest cat that ever lived.  Shelter Visit: Friday, December 8th, 2000: My escort to the cattery was a shelter employee named Gayle.  Or Gail.  I never asked how she spelled it.  Anyway, she had 9 cats and was the resident expert on every cat.   “What are you looking for?  Any specific color?” She asked, obviously expecting a snobby Long Island answer.  Apparently on Long Island (Lawn Guyland) people matched their pets to their decor.  That always pissed me off.  Match their PERSONALITY to your decor, n...

Coming soon.... Christmas with Sophie, Tucker and Minnie!

A phrase I've been using a lot lately? He's SUCH A LOVE. Yes, I'm talking about Tucker. Tucker is the ultimate love bug. He loves love.  He loves to get love, to give love. To just......be loved. Take these photos of Tucker and  Minnie for proof of what I'm talking about. Tucker and Minnie are in LOVE. He loves her, she loves him. They cuddle, they clean each other, they chase, they play fight.  The sleep next to each other. He watches over him, she keeps him clean. I think we can all learn from Tucker and Minnie and the meaning of TRUE LOVE. I mean, think about it: Minnie, until early 2018 was a homeless stray cat who happened to show up at our door at just the right time.  Tucker was a shelter cat who, for the first 3.5 years of his life knew NOTHING but shelter life. Now look at them. If this isn't true, unconditional love, I don't know what is.

Today's the day. Twenty years ago today, by my estimations at least, the greatest cat that ever lived was born.....somewhere.....on Long Island. In truth I never knew Tyler's exact birthday, neither did his shelter. So, I gave him one. Today. June 9th, 1999. Happy 20th birthday, old man.  I'm glad I was able to clean up your final resting place yesterday, finally, and apologies to Ashley for getting poison ivy while assisting me. Sorry! How I wish you were here.  It's still not quite the same without you, but I'm hanging in there. Until I see you again, I'll keep your story, and your memory, fresh in my mind and fresh in this blog. Speaking of which, let's read about the rest of his "coming home" story without any further ado. 5. December 9th, 2000 “What does that mean?” I asked my mother.  Serious?  A cat doesn’t smile, they ALWAYS look serious. “I don't know, he looks like an owl, or a bandit.  He has a serious look...

The story continues, and one more day until the big 2-0 for Tyler! Let's pick up right where we left off with Tyler's awesome story. 3. Tyler My escort to the cattery was a shelter employee named Gayle.  Or Gail.  I never asked how she spelled it.  Anyway, she had 9 cats and was the resident expert on every cat.   “What are you looking for?  Any specific color?” She asked, obviously expecting a snobby Long Island answer.  Apparently on Long Island (Lawn Guyland) people matched their pets to their decor.  That always pissed me off.  Match their PERSONALITY to your decor, not the color of their fur! “I’m looking for a cool, friendly cat.  I still live at home with my parents, so we prefer one already declawed.” “Oh, we have a few.  You would never declaw a cat would you?” “Never, been there asked that.” I did not want to get into THAT again. A short walk behind some barking dog kennels and we were at the fro...

Let Tyler's 20th birthday celebration begin! As promised, let's re-live, or in my case, re-blog, the, to me at least, incredible, amazing, awesome story of how Tyler, my first and still best cat ever, came to be in my life. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as much as I do! 1. "I understand, you need something to love." Animals never did well in my home as a kid.  Even before I was born.  My parents had a German shepherd named Knappie (named for Napoleon Solo from The Man from UNCLE) who had an outright hatred of my mother.  I’ve seen a picture, and he was basically the size of a horse. He LOVED my father, but my mother, not a chance.  Apparently he knew when she was pregnant with me and turned on her.  When my dad would leave for work he would stand eye to eye with her and stare her down.  So….he went to live at a farm out east, or so they told me.  I always wondered what happened to him.  My first REAL pet was Casey....

Here's something wild, or at least wild for me to contemplate. Next Sunday, June 9th, would have been Tyler's 20th birthday. TWENTY. Imagine what he'd be like, if he was still around?  An even older, crotchetier, old man cat? Is crotchetier even a word?  Hey google?  Hey, Siri?  Is it? In honor of the old man's special birthday, I'm going to re-post one blog per day all week long, leading up to the big day next Sunday. Re-live the memories, or for those of you new to the blog, read up on how the Tyler, the greatest cat that ever lived, and the reason I even have this blog, came into my life. It's going to be all Tyler, all the time!