Dad Tom’s Photography

CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

Missing Raleigh Returns

If you weren’t with us yesterday, you will probably want to check out that post. The link is at the bottom of this one. And, if you joined the hop prior to 3:30 a.m., you may not know that Raleigh returned home. I heard frantic scratching at the locked cat door at 3:30 a.m., seven-and-a-half hours after he disappeared into the darkness. I assume the rain we had last night as well as his hunger were the impetus for his return.

Which of the Kitties Blue Is to Blame?

We had no idea how Raleigh escaped the catio. But, now, I must rat out the sneaky cat who brought about his daring escape. The photos, sort of, tell the story…or rather the aftermath!

grey cat trying to escape through a boarded up screen door

When Tom was on the catio yesterday morning, he caught Kizmet in the act of letting herself in through the loose screen on the screen door. We didn’t know the screen was no longer attached to the door. Wonder who did that? We’d already had to tape up Misty May’s electronic cat door when Kizmet figured out if she was right on Misty May’s heels when she went through, she too could get outside. We knew we would need to replace the door at some point.

At first, Dad Tom tried taping the screen. That only stopped Kizmet for a nanosecond. So, we decided to block the screen with cardboard, thinking if we put it on the outside, Kizmet couldn’t pry it off. You can see in photos one and two that wasn’t going to stop her. So cardboard went up on the inside as well. No additional escapes followed, but we will be shopping for a new screen door today.

Kizmet is too smart and too sneaky for her own good. She makes Sawyer’s previous Houdini acts look like third-rate imitations. She did lose her tracking collar on one of her forays, but Dad Tom was able to track it to our side yard.

Awww Mondays

Kizmet will be joining the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the Awww badge.

Sparks

I had a wonderful Spark for today’s post, but I am saving it for next week. It’s too special to include with this post.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Your favorite, fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on a new adventure tomorrow. You’ll be able to find them on Periwinkle’s blog, Friends Furever. I know whatever Periwinkle has planned will be loads of fun, and you’ll definitely want to join them. Adventures are always more exciting when you come along, so they’ll be waiting for you.

TORTOISESHELL CAT APPRECIATION DAY & A SPARK

Awww Mondays – Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day

Astrid and Calista Jo are here today to celebrate this special day for torties and to join the Awww Mondays blog hop.

tortoiseshell cat encircled with label reading, April 17 Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day"

Dilute Tortoiseshell Cat in a frame reading, Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day"

Our two gorgeous torties will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the Awww badge below.

Sparks

I wanted to use this photo Dad Tom took of some of our azaleas for my Spark, which is the opposite of how I usually do them. Normally, I would select the Spark first. When I found the quote by Wayne Dyer, I knew it was purrfect. For me, our gardens are my happy place and give me the opportunity to think a lot about my life.

The author of today’s Spark, Wayne Dyer, (1940 to 2015) was an American self-help author and a motivational speaker. His first book, Your Erroneous Zones (1976), is one of the best-selling books of all time. An estimated 100 million copies have been sold. He also wrote 20 more best-selling books and produced a number of popular specials for PBS. He was a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Sparks is the creation of Annie from McGuffy’s Reader. Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend. Annie stated when she began Sparks, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world.”

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Your favorite, fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on a new adventure tomorrow. You’ll be able to find them on Periwinkle’s blog, Friends Furever. I know whatever Periwinkle has planned will be loads of fun, and you’ll definitely want to join them. Adventures are always more fun when you come along, so they’ll be waiting for you.

April 17, 2023 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography Sparks Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day 14

KONA AMONG THE DOGWOODS

Caturday Art – In Memory of Violette Grant Blue

Though it is Caturday, my art today is of woofie, Kona. Kona is a white Golden Retriever. I am sharing Kona as a way of remembering our nephew Brent’s wife Violette.

White Golden Retriever with an overlay of pink dogwoods and a border of pink dogwoods.

Violette posted on her Facebook page, along with this photo, the following, “Who needs anything else in life when your puppy stares into your eyes like this?”

Violette lost her life yesterday at age 48 after suffering a cardiac arrest last week.

I enhanced Kona’s photo by overlaying a photo taken by Dad Tom. It’s of pink dogwood blossoms from our yard. The border of dogwood blossoms is from favpng.

I did make a puzzle.

108 Konadogwoods

If you can offer some prayers for Brent and his and Violette’s children, Gavin (10) and Ella (8), Dad Tom and I would be so grateful.

Kona will be participating in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. You can do the same by clicking on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow is a special Sunday—Easter. I haven’t a clue which of the Kitties Blue will be here as your host, but I am fairly certain they’ll ask for a fancy, Easter-themed frame for their selfie. Feel free to add some bling to your selfie if you desire. And we’d love it if you would invite some friends to participate as well. We enjoy meeting new anipals and making new friends.

Have a great Caturday. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

April 8, 2023 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Dad Tom's Photography Jigsaw Puzzle Remembering Friends 19

AUDREY IS DISGRUNTLED & A BIRDY SPARK

Awww Mondays

Tabby cat atop an open suitcase looking disgruntled.

Like most kitties, Audrey finds her human’s suitcase irresistible. And, as always happens, she was not invited along on the trip, thus her disgruntled look.

If you enjoyed this photo, check out another displeased, suitcase cat at, “Dad Tom Gets Kizmet’s First Stink Eye.”

Though Audrey didn’t get invited to join her dad for a night out of town, she is joining the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

Sparks

Male house finch on a bird feeder with the quote, " Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except the ones that sang the best."

Growing up I always strived for perfection. Of course, I never achieved it, and I am trying to learn that just doing my best is okay.

The author of today’s Spark, Henry Jackson van Dyke Jr. (1852 – 1933) was an American author, educator, diplomat and Presbyterian clergyman. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1873 and Princeton Theological Seminary in 1877.

Dad Tom took this photo of a male house finch on one of our bird feeders.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on a new adventure tomorrow. You’ll be able to find them over at Friends Furever, as it is Periwinkle’s turn to plan their adventure. Adventures are more fun when you join in, so they’ll be waiting for you.

April 3, 2023 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 19

SPRING SPARK & RALEIGH

Sparks

PHOTO OF PURPLE TULIPS WITH THE FOLLOWING QUOTE, "Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems," by Rainer Maria Rilke

When I discovered this quote, it made me happy, and I knew I had to share it. I have placed it on one of Dad Tom’s photos of tulips in our yard.

Awww Mondays

Ginger kitten lying on his back with a yellow bird on a string.

Raleigh and I apologize for his blurry photo. I took it from a video. I think he is darn awww-adorable, but I wish he wasn’t afraid of Dad Tom and I and would let us touch him. He will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on a new adventure tomorrow. You’ll be able to find them right here, as it is Stinky’s turn to plan their adventure. Adventures are more fun when you join in, so they’ll be waiting for you.

March 27, 2023 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 13

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXXVIII

Snow or Pie?

Stinky is excited for today’s adventure and hopes Periwinkle will enjoy it. He doesn’t have much time to fret about it, as Periwinkle comes flying out of the teleportation tunnel and into his waiting paws right on time. She’s out of breath but manages to say, “Wow the tunnel was fast today. I’m feeling a bit dizzy. Thanks for catching me.”

The two tabbies share some whisker kisses before Periwinkle runs to the window to look outside. “Where’s the snow? My mom told me you finally got your first snow of winter.”

Stinky replies, “I’m sorry but it has already melted. I don’t think we had even an inch.”

“Darn, I was hoping to see it,” exclaims Periwinkle. She then asks, “What’s the plan today if we aren’t going to play in the snow? Are we going to eat pie?”

Stinky giggles at this, as it is Pi Day*, and lots of people celebrate it by eating pie. Stinky tells Periwinkle that they may have pie later but his plan is for a walk in Vic Thomas Park, which is part of the city’s Roanoke Valley Greenway system. He explains that it’s just two blocks from the house but it’s super windy, so they’ll teleport there as they’ll be doing a lot of walking when they arrive. Not wanting to waste anytime, Stinky grabs their coats and hats and then takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her back into the tunnel.

∗ Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π. Pi Day is observed on March 14 as 3, 1 and 4 are the first three significant figures of π. It was founded in 1988 by Larry Shaw, an employee of the Science Museum’s Exploratorium in San Francisco, California.

Vic Thomas Park

On arrival at the park, one of three (Vic Thomas Park, Wasena Park and Smith Park), which lie next to each other and the Roanoke River, Stinky asks Periwinkle if she remembers their last adventure at the river?

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing winter coats and hats and standing on a bridge.

“Oh, Stinky, how could I forget. That’s when it was flooded, and we had fun canoeing with your dad’s help. The water was all the way to this bridge. It was fun but a little scary.”

“As that happened almost three years ago, let’s give our friends the link to that post, ‘A Day on The River,’ so they can check it out.

“Great idea, Stinky! Now that we’re here, what’s on the agenda?” asks Periwinkle.

Ann Davey Master Memorial Sculpture Garden

Stinky tells Periwinkle, “We are going to explore the Ann Davey Master Memorial Sculpture Garden.” He further explains that the goal of the project is to provide public art to blend with the park’s design. The intention is for it to represent Master’s commitment to the arts, as the former director of the Art Museum, as well as her dedication to the environment with the Clean Valley Council.

“Oh, I know what’s happening. You want to climb on the sculptures, don’t you? It will be like our ‘Elmwood Park Art Walk’ adventure when you climbed on those sculptures.”

“Well, maybe,” admits Stinky.

Calling the Flowers

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing winter coats and hats with the sculpture of a girl kneeling with her head back and hands in the air, entitled, Calling the Flowers.

“See, I knew it. Don’t you dare actually climb up and get in her hand,” Periwinkle admonishes Stinky.

“Gee, Periwinkle, you’re no fun. I guess I’ll just tell our readers about the sculpture. It’s called Calling the Flowers. It was sculpted by local writer and artist, Lawrence Reid Bechtel. I think our readers might enjoy checking out his website here.”

When Stinky gets down, the two tabbies head back on the path until they arrive at the next sculpture.

In Flux

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing winter coats and hats with a sculpture of made of recycled light poles and entitled, In Flux.

Stinky tells Periwinkle that the sculpture is called, In Flux, and was created in 2010 by Bland Hoke and Matt Rink (All Creations) from recycled lamp poles. The tabbies spend some time exploring it, and Periwinkle is delighted when Stinky decides to remain on the ground with her.

When they come to the next sculpture, Stinky hops right up on the rock where it sits. Periwinkle rolls her eyes but jumps up on the other supporting rock. She asks, “Is this supposed to be an animal?”

Rigsby the Raccoon

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing winter coats and hats with the sculpture of Rigsby the Raccoon made from tires pulled from the Roanoke River in Virginia.

“Yes, his name is Rigsby the Raccoon. Polly Branch created him in 2020 from tires that were discarded in the river. Rigsby is the mascot of the Clean Valley Council.”

Periwinkle points to another sculpture and asks Stinky about it.

Annie’s Peace

Sculpture of an orb with wings entitled Annie's Dream.

“That’s called, Annie’s Peace. It was sculpted by famous, local artist, Betty Branch. It’s in memory of Ann Davey Master.”

“It’s beautiful, Stinky. Thanks for not climbing the pole and getting on top,” Periwinkle says as she squeezes his paw. Stinky continues to hold Periwinkle’s paw and tells her he wants to show her one more thing that isn’t part of the Sculpture garden.

Bridge Mural

After a short walk, the tabbies find themselves under a bridge. “Stinky, this is so colorful and beautiful,”

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing winter coats and hats under a bridge with a colorful mural.

Stinky tells Periwinkle that the bridge is going to be replaced beginning in the spring, and he doesn’t know what will happen to the mural then. “However, there are murals all along the Greenway. Dad says he’ll take us out on his bike when the weather warms up so we can see them,” Stinky explains.

“That will be really cool, Stinky. Speaking of cool, I’m getting sort of cold. Are we ready to go back to your house?”

“Yep, let’s head back to our tunnel. I have a surprise at home,” Stinky replies.

Periwinkle gives Stinky a quizzical look, but he doesn’t say any more.

Pi Day

When they arrive at Stinky’s, he takes Periwinkle’s coat and hat and hands her her apron and chef’s hat. “Does this mean what I think, Stinky?Are we going to make a pie?” asks Periwinkle.

“Yep, let’s go!”

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing chef's hats and aprons, sitting at a kitchen counter with baking supplies for Pi Day.

Periwinkle and Stinky get busy making a tuna pie. While it’s baking, they clean up the kitchen. And when it comes out of the oven, they share it with all of Stinky’s fursibs. There’s lots of pushing and shoving among all the Kitties Blue to get the biggest piece. Audrey, aka The Hoover, is especially aggressive. But everyone enjoys their fare share.

Finally it’s time for Periwinkle to head home. The tabbies spend about a half hour whisker kissing and paw hugging. Then Periwinkle enters the teleportation tunnel, and with a wave and whoosh she is gone. Stinky heads to the bedroom to nap and dream of Periwinkle.

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky will be joining the Happy Tuesday blog top at Comedy Plus. Click on the badge below to do the same.

March 14, 2023 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Pi Day The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 13

BUSTER THE LONGHORN BULL

Sunday Selfies: Week #447

Today’s selfie is of longhorn, Buster the Bull, from Steele’s Tavern, Virginia. Actually, we don’t know his name but decided he should have one.

Selfie of a brown and white longhorn bull in a green field in a rustic, hardwood frame with ribbon and ricrac bows with button.

When he asked if he could share a selfie with you, we didn’t think we could refuse. Those horns look very scary.

Did you know that Periwinkle & Stinky visited the longhorns on one of their adventures? It was July 14, 2020, and also Cow Appreciation Day. If you’d like to see lots more longhorns as well as Stinky and Periwinkle in their cow headdresses, click on the link. They look totally adorable.

Whether you have taken a selfie today or you have enlisted a surrogate, we sure hope you’ll join the Sunday Selfies blog hop. Did you notice we are getting close to that 450 hop milestone? Take advantage of these last couple of preceding Sundays to purrfect your selfie skills.

If you haven’t done it yet, also take a little time to spring your clocks forward an hour. Purrsonally, we hate this messing around with the time. We get totally confused about when it is time to eat. Our mom, on the other hand, who always preferred standard time has decided she likes the longer hours of light during daylight saving time.

Thanks for joining us. Have a terrific and easy Sunday.

Purrs & paw-pats, Misty May, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer, Kizmet, Audrey & Raleigh

March 12, 2023 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 22

KITTY CLOWN CAR & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) provided another absolutely goofy photo as inspiration for this week’s poem. Of course, I added a few of the Kitties Blue (Misty May, Raleigh and Audrey) and then wrote an equally goofy poem.

Upside down red and white car with tires on top, man driving, dog in passengers seat and three cats on the hood.

Kitty Clown Car

This looks like a clown car or a car for a clown.
We can’t believe this fellow is driving it around town.
Those tires aren’t going to get much wear,
As they sit on top skimming through the air.
We decided to join this woofie to enjoy the ride
But have decided to sit on the hood and not inside.
We know we are going to look silly just like this car,
And we honestly don’t expect this auto will go far.
We have no idea what was on this human’s mind…
Maybe he just wanted to brag his car is one of a kind.
Whatever he was thinking, we don’t really care,
But if he gets on TV we want to join him there!

On closer examination, this appears to be a truck. We’ll just call my interpretation “poetic license.”

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out Two Spoiled Cats (by clicking on the poetry badge) for next week’s inspiration photo. And please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and he always knocks it out of the park!

Thankful Thursday

Sharing our thankfuls with you is something we look forward to doing each week.

I am particularly thankful for more nice weather and the opportunity to get to work in the yard and enjoy the blooming trees and bulbs.

Yesterday was my birthday, and I am grateful for all the kind wishes sent to me on Dad Tom’s Facebook page. We also enjoyed a yummy dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. And Dad Tom took this nice photo of me. (Not too bad, I guess, for someone one year short of being 3/4’s of a century old!)

Portrait of blog author.

Stinky is thankful for his recent adventure with Periwinkle. They went to the The Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation, Inc. Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio. If you didn’t join them, check it out at Friends Furever. There are lots of cool photos.

I am so thankful I found a new blog theme that I am relatively happy with and that is compatible with my host’s upgraded servers.

Our final thankful is to let you know how sincerely grateful Kitties Blue and I are for your support, following and friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by our friend, Brian, and his fursibs over at Brian’s Home. We hope you have some things this week for which you are thankful and share them with your friends. You can do that by clicking on Brian’s badge.

March 9, 2023 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Kitties Blue Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 12

SPARK: REDIRECT YOUR ENERGY

Sparks

Photo of the full moon with a white halo surrounded by a peach colored halo and clouds with the following quote from Ralph Marston : You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination."

I have used this Spark previously on September 12, 2019. As it was a few years ago, I hope you don’t mind me sharing it again. The original post was “Sparks of Positivity & Determination.”

I am sharing it again, as I need the reminder. I have been super frustrated with trying to find a new theme for my blog and learning how to make the change without sending my entire site into a blackhole…never to be seen again. Doing this is not something I want. Unfortunately, my current theme cannot be updated to be compatible with my host’s servers. Trying to find something similar to my current theme that does not require either too much customization or have an exorbitant price is proving to be a challenge. But, enough about that.

Dad Tom took this gorgeous photo of the full moon.

Awww Mondays

Today’s Awww Mondays photo is also a flashback. It is one of a series of photos I took on April 9, 2020.

Very large ginger tabby cat lying on his back with all four fetid the air.

Cooper Murphy was being a total goofball that day. I think our giant, ginger tabby is totally awww-adorable! Let me know if you agree.

Cooper Murphy will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

February 27, 2023 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 12

LIFE RESTORING LOVE

Sparks

With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I wanted a Spark about love. When I found this one from Lydia Marie Child, it “spoke” to me.

Photo of a bright red male cardinal with the following quote from Lydia Marie Child: The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word 'love'. It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life.

Dad Tom took the photo yesterday when we were having non-stop rain. We have several male and female cardinals that visit our yard and bird feeders daily.

Whether they symbolize love, loyalty or are embraced as spiritual messengers, cardinals are conspicuous in mythology and literature through the centuries. Many individuals believe cardinals appear as messengers from Heaven bringing love and comfort when loved ones have passed away. In Native American lore, cardinals represent devotion, loving relationships, courtship and monogamy. In Christianity cardinals and the blood of Jesus are used as the symbols of everlasting vitality. At Christmas their presence is seen to represent hope and joy. And seeing a bright red cardinal means that the individual is being blessed with good luck and fortune.

So I think this photo is the perfect backdrop for today’s Spark.

I found the author of today’s Spark, Lydia Maria Child, to be particularly interesting. She lived from 1802 to 1880 and was an American abolitionist, women’s rights activist, Native American rights activist, novelist and journalist. In spite of her long list of accomplishments, she may be best known for her poem “Over the River and Through the Wood.”

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on their next adventure tomorrow. As it will be Valentine’s Day, I suspect Stinky has something special planned for his lovely lady, Periwinkle. You can join them right here, and they certainly hope you will. They always have more fun when you tag along. So, please drop by and lend them a hand or paw in whatever they get up to! They’ll be waiting for you.

February 13, 2023 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Holiday Sparks The Pet Parade Valentine's Day 13

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.