Priceless

I love my cats and any animal God created.They deserve our care and attention simply for being themselves and adding so much to our lives. 

Can you conceive of a world with no animals in it? Can you imagine your family without your pets?

What we consider a 'humble' animal; those that we raise for the purpose of killing for our tables, too often SHAME us with their own brand of compassion. 

Often they learn to get along better than we do...

Animals, of all species, add a grace to our lives that we would otherwise sorely lack. 

They grace us with their humor...

Their loyalty, love and companionship...

How DARE we treat them this way????

If we are SHAMED, we deserve what accompanies that shame!

Remember, this summer, to take extra special care of the animals ~ cats, dogs, cows... ~ and practice what YOU PREACH!

 Simple kindness to what we call 'dumb' animals is also simple compassion on our part. Do you lack that?

I find it extremely disquieting that in our day and age there are those among us who still need a whack upside the head as a reminder. What does this lack of compassion say about us?

Catspaw

The Value and Importance of Adopting Rescue Cats - Part 2

Sasha's story:

Sasha, rescued in the street from an on-rushing car

'Here is Sasha. He just loves everyone. He is 2 years old now, neutered and has all his shots up to-date. I call him my Christmas Surprise because I was on my way downtown 2 years ago when I heard a kitten screaming just ahead of me. To my horror I saw this tiny kitten, no more than 5 weeks old, in the middle of the street just as a car drove right over him. I quickly ran over to this terrified little kitten thinking that I better rush him to the vet when he gazed up at me with those big saucer eyes and seemed to say: I’m lost, please take me home?

As I looked him over to make sure he was ok I realized I had something of a problem. I already had Xena and I wasn’t looking to get another cat. But then again, Xena was just turning one year old at the time and she did seem quite lonely when I had to go out. There was no one in sight and it was getting dark and very cold. I had a choice to make. My heart wouldn’t let me just toss this helpless kitten aside in a snow bank where he would freeze to death or land back on the road and get squashed by a car for sure or a dog may get a hold of him or someone may find him and be cruel.

But as I was holding this tiny kitten in my arms he started to purr and crawl inside my coat where it was warm. Suddenly it came to me that it was Christmas Eve!! All my life, growing up as a child, I had always wished for my very own kitten in a basket with a big red bow, just for me! Never got it. I realized then that if I had not gone downtown that night, I would have never found this kitten and the outcome for Sasha would have terrible – he would not have survived and would have died a hideous death. But I brought him home and in a few days Xena accepted him and now they have bonded.

But all I can say is: an Angel must have been watching over this tiny, helpless kitten that night and brought me there to save him and bring him home on Christmas Eve --- of all nights! Sasha found a home that night.

Hey, who says: miracles never happen and a child’s wish was fulfilled!'

Next is Maya's story

Catspaw

 

Cats and Dogs and Their Funny Sides

Grrrrrr

Its all about teamwork when your thirsty

He came over so the two of them could go on their daily walk...

The ultimate GLOW in the dark headlights!

Pretty much says it all about my Emerald when she hogs the bed at night!!

Catspaw

Tomorrow Is Soon Enough

May 12, 2012 ---

Alicia and Tim

My niece is married today. A brand new part of her life has just opened up and it will be very different from living single and being the only one responsible for working to make it on her own. She has married in time, in her early 20's and has time for children, time to build a family of her very own and to meet the challenges marriage brings. There are more pros than cons, she is no longer alone on life's road, she has a life partner who will support and help her, she has someone to share with and confide in... and he has the same in her. 

Both work; she's a nurse and he is in banking so they have established, excellent careers that will see them through financial difficulties. They are hugely fortunate that way ~ if only we all had that advantage. 

She grew up in the church and has traveled a good deal on missions to Africa, Australia, China and the Congo just to name a few. He has also gone on mission trips. Now that they have that 'wandering and seeing the world' satisfied, they can settle into married life more comfortably. 

It does bring to mind all the things that I could have/should have done, long before I was married; its a reminder that hindsight has no advantage in the present because it only provides a viewpoint from what has already transpired and cannot be changed. But it does offer up one benefit, perhaps the only one if we are willing to learn from our past and ask yourselves what can we do right now; what can I do differently at the moment, in our present circumstances and situations that will lead to the outcome we want or need; perhaps deserve, to have happen. If we are able to learn prudence, sacrifice and economy we may yet have a chance. 

Catspaw

On Reflection

So I'm missing my only niece's wedding but in redefining my role, I'm not as upset about it anymore. What do I mean?


A Wedding is only the first step into married life and if you do it right and you are fortunate, it will be the only marriage you have. To that end, I will share the things I have learnt over the passed ten years because I know she will guidance on occasion.


What was the defining moment for you, just before your wedding? What was the ritual or the tradition you started or felt you needed to do to begin your married life?


For me, it was purchasing items for my new home. I felt the need have my own possessions to start my new life and outfit my home only to find, years later, that the ones that have come to mean the most to me are the items that were given. My mother has always collected things, from antique furniture and lamps to every kind of old style dish and cup ~ the kind of stuff you just don't find today anymore. She gave me many things that I treasure today and keep safely tucked away in my china cabinet. They remind me of her and of my childhood, when and how she used to use them. She has given copious amounts of things to us kids ~ to my younger sister when she got married and now, to her grandbaby. Its vitality important that we cherish these items and not take them for granted because when the people who gave them to us pass from this life and leave us to struggle on, its these same items that will serve as remembrances and a legacy to hand down to our own children. 


I have a few things that belonged to my Dad, he passed away over a year ago now and every time I use them or look at them I remember how he used to use them. You don't forget so easily if you are surrounded by these objects and I'm grateful for all the things my mother has given me. I would not part with a single item. They are  too important to me and are a big part of my married life. Isn't it funny, the importance we attach to things we think we need like new dish towels and the perfect set of drapes when its the things you are given, together with your changing attitudes and behaviors that will count for the most. Even after ten years married, I still marvel at how much my attitude and moods affect my husband and the sheer power I have over him and he has over me. Its been a constant reminder to be more careful and to treat the people we love ever more gently.


Catspaw

Is This What It Takes???

How many people are still finding themselves alone and reaching their mid years? Its a very lonely road to walk by yourself. Always being the one to depend on and always being responsible for everything; its not an easy road to take despite what passes for what we call 'freedom' today. This freedom has a limited shelf life and it comes with high consequences if ignored or left for too long. The repercussions for marrying too late in life come in the form of childless marriages because you literally missed your chance or losing a partner too early and there are the financial considerations that being too close to retirement can bring or having too much debt to manage. My father once told me that the greatest risk to a marriage was money problems; its certainly up there with the top 5. Despite them, marriages in such circumstances can work and likely work better than most because both spouses fully realize what they have found and are grateful for this singular chance that they finally have.

You're right! This isn't you. They are models in an advertising campaign

We have a friend in exactly that position; yet another who doesn't show the slightest interest in settling down. So much depends on the choices we make or don't make, as the case may be. Hindsight is an unfortunate consequence of life that we just don't learn in time to see the value of finding a life companion sooner. Some are lucky enough to find someone early on but, for the most of us it can be a long journey fraught with all manner of confusion; sometimes difficulty and heartbreak. Then there are those who almost miss their chance altogether and don't find that sidekick until its close to being too late.

They are models too, just more believable ones

Now consider the other side of the coin. The flash relationships that happen at the speed of light these days, the bar scenes and the online dating; lets not forget the escort and phone services out there. Just who is on the other side of that phone line you are talking to? And  who is responsible for the concept of speed dating?  How in the world are you supposed to even get to know someone using any of these methods??  It is to be asked: How serious are we taking this?

My Hubby, Merrill

Well, I can vouch for one. I met my husband through an Christian online dating service and after months of exchanging emails with a lot of toads then deciding to answer the very last email I received before I threw in the towel ~ forever; I met my husband to be. What are the odds?!  

Does it work?  Depends. On you, on the service you chose, on the quality of people that joined the site... 

Is it worth the try?  Depends. You have to be dedicated to finding someone and willing to talk to toads to find a possible prince. 

In my case, I found a prince who became my knight within a few months and when I was at the end of my proverbial rope. You have to 'hang in there' as the old cliche goes and be willing to go the distance to find someone.

Like I did.


Catspaw