Shelter Cats and Redemption

Tyler's history with dogs: Part Two.  A Great Dane named Marley. Tyler's history with dogs begins with none other than a Great Dane. Marley. Marley was a brief, but important, encounter not too long into Tyler's nearly 15 year tenure with me. Shortly after Tyler and I moved into my first apartment in Glen Cove, NY, on LAWN GUYLAND, a friend came to visit me in my new humble abode. Wow, that was a boring sentence.  I moved, friend came to visit. I sound like I'm writing one of my old email responses during my dating days.  So, how was your weekend?  Do anything fun?  Well, I had friends over and we.....ZZZZZZZZZZ. No wonder I didn't get many responses.  Yes, I retired from online dating before apps and swiping took over.  THANK CHRIST. But seriously.  A friend did come over, and with a large Great Dane named Marley in tow. Now by then Tyler's role as the alpha-cat was well established.  He was in charge, he was the boss,...

My step-son Peter's girlfriend has a little dog named Pockie. Or is it Pocky. I can't remember exactly how it's spelled. Anyway, Pockie (I prefer that spelling) is a (I literally just asked Ashley for confirmation) Maltese/Shih-tzu mix. Would that make Pockie a Malte-Shit?  A Shih-Tese? You're laughing right?  You better be. Anyway, she's a sweet, and very cute little dog, who sometimes pops by for a visit if Peter and his girlfriend, who is half his height and in a different part of the earth's atmosphere, stop by in their endless gallivanting across Long Island. Pockie is no Macauley, Tyler's canine best friend, but she comes damn close. She's sweet, pleasant, loves to travel, and a good lap dog. I know what you're all thinking, dear readers, get to the part about cats! Patience. Tucker, to his credit, could care less about Pockie when she's here. Now nearly three years into being the happiest former shelter cat in the wor...

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...