Shelter Cats and Redemption

Tyler, my first and still best cat ever, would have turned 21 today. The sixth year without being able to celebrate your birthday with you. Birthdays with Tyler would involve very expensive cat food, some turkey or chicken, and a new toy. Life remains incomplete without you, despite the fact that I am surrounded by loving cats. I love to imagine what he would be like if he were still here and still in charge. I expect that he would be loving being the "elder statesman" of the colony. Happy Birthday old man. I love you, I miss you beyond words, and I cannot wait until we are together again. Say hi to Tiger and Jackson for me. As is my annual tradition, here's a re-post, or re-blog, or re-whatever, of the first three chapters of Tyler's story. Enjoy! 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 U...

Anyone that knows me, and follows my Facebook page and this blog, know that we care for a colony of between 5-10 cats. We've been feeding these cats for over 2 1/2 years, and they've been the source of endless joy, endless love, and even the source of our third cat, Minnie.  Her father, Frank, and a few cousins still show up for their meals.  Without us, I couldn't even begin to imagine what what happen to them.  Thanks to the help of some great TNR friends, we've even been able to get a good chunk of the colony fixed and ear tipped as well. With the pandemic, and stay at home orders, two months in, times are tough for us all.  While I am working, fortunately, I haven't been paid in nearly one month while I await my first paycheck from my new job that I started last week.  That has stretched us to our limits, and even caused us to fall slightly behind in our rent.  All of our next few paychecks are going to bills so that we can stay on top of everything and...

Amidst (I've never started a blog post with that word before have I ?) all the chaos and craziness of these times that we live in, this is a week of special celebrations in my little world and the cats I choose to share it with. First and foremost: tomorrow, April 22nd, is Sophie's TENTH BIRTHDAY! No cat deserves to be celebrated more than Sophie. The matriarch of the family.  The caregiver.  The boss.   The only cat I know to have her own custom made bed made from an extra large basket (with handle) with foam, an orthopedic pillow, and her own fleece blanket! As I've said countless times, Sophie had MAJOR shoes to fill when she assumed Tyler's old alpha boss-cat role in August of 2014.  It took her a few months, for sure, but she not only filled those shoes, she made those shoes her own in the best possible way.  Her hugs are legendary.  Her lap time, sparse though it may be, is heavenly.   When she looks at me, she looks ...

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!