…is that you might find a bucketful of new subscribers when you return. Welcome, Sarah, Marc, Molly, Denise, Laura M., alsjd, George, jmaynard, Myusuf, rv, Terri, Linda, Laura, Darci, Ryan, Karin, pardueg, Tracy, Abuhuraira, Lauren, Margaret, Bob, Martha
The loss of a pet is terrible, because they're family. Each time we say never again, but we can't live without them. Well done helping a starving kitten. In the UK we have an organisation called Pets as Therapy. People who have pets of the right temperament can register, and they get to take their pet to places like old people's homes. There are lots of benefits for human beings of having a pet, so if the animal has a good, loving home it's an all round wonderful situation. As for cat stories, I sometimes write them on my own substack, so I don't wish to encroach any further on yours 😊
A pet is a friend you didn't know you needed. My wife lost her second cat, several years back. She had the idea to foster dogs, and 2 out of 3 dogs later, are ours!
Your kitten is living the life! Great to have you back!
Fostering is such a wonderful idea--it can help you know if a pet’s personality meshes well with you/your family. Congrats on your fosters-turned-family!
So good to hear from you! My favorite pet was a doxy we rescued. He wouldn’t play, run, did not care for toys. He only wanted to lay by us and be petted here and there. When we had to put him down, it was so hard. But we got a lot of love from him, and he arrived at a particularly difficult time for us. I always believed God sent him our way.
Maxine is adorable. Having recently welcomed two rescue kitties into our home after swearing to never have any cats again, I can I see stand your reluctance. But I also know the joy of having one sleep in your lap and purr contently away. It’s truly the best! 💕
Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that she doesn’t have a playmate, but the neighbors have two cats who have been coming over and hanging out with her some. I’ll bet the antics are even more hilarious when two of them are playing!
It’s definitely fun watching two cats/kittens play. We also currently have our daughters tiny kitten with us while she’s visiting and that’s a whole other ball game. 🤣
Glad to see you back. I had no doubt you would return, when you were ready. It's important to honor that inner voice, or in this case, lack of that inner voice. We always have good reasons for our choices.
And Maxine, oh my goodness, what a cutie. We have two cats that we adore. One or the both of them is always near, sitting at my feet or on the back of my chair as I work on the computer. And I too can spend hours petting them. Congrats on the newest member of your family! 💜
You might not be crying, but I am. Well done, Holly, Well done, Maxine. First up, the courage of pressing forward, chugga-chugga, when it might really have been easier to just roll back down the hill. Not better, necessarily, but easier.
Next, having the wherewithal to do what you needed to do to let the water flow back into your creative well. Solitary drives, foxes, and fireflies - all delicious. And, Maxine's impeccably timed arrival, after you'd had a bit of a break, when the door was open just enough for the light to come in. It all makes me very happy for you, and us, the fortunate recipients.
We bid farewell to the third of our three cats in May, in an unexpected series of losses across of 18 months. It all happened too fast. https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/what-can-we-say-besides-goodbye We're on a pet break now, and like you, aren't sure there will be more. Unless we happen upon our own version of Maxine. She's spectacular!
Oh, Elizabeth! I am simply wrecked by your post, but in the best way--being broken in such a way that the gaping holes are able to be filled again with something much larger than myself. Sweet Nutmeg--what a beauty! Your way with words was evident in your thoughtful comment, so I knew the post would touch me deeply. Thank you for sharing the link.
Wishing you all the best in your no-pet lives, but also hoping your own Maxine finds and claims your heart.
Welcome back Holly! Every part of this resonated. The procrastinating part, in particular 😂 My kitty cat isn't a little ball of fur, he's a 16-lb avalanche of fur, but he manages to spend hours plastered to me as I work. His purr sounds like an idling Harley Davidson. He keeps me sane. I'm so happy you discovered the magic of a kitty companion!
Tommy is like a barnacle--he just attaches and that's that. Sometimes the claws get involved, so that's why I wear a thick sweatshirt and jeans when I work.
I’m learning to circumvent the claws. She starts to slide off my lap sometimes, which jolts her awake and sends her into panic mode. After a couple of scratches, I figured out that I need to stop the sliding before it gets too far!
So happy you are back, Holly! Fell in love with my brother’s dog, Pina- a 9 1/2 year old mini pinscher. She had surgery earlier in the year. We took care of her until she recovered. There’s just some unexplained bond that happens.
We had a dog growing up, but I swore I'd never get one again. I didn't want the responsibility, and I didn't want to deal with the inevitable crossing of the rainbow bridge. It took my family a year to convince me, but we brought a rescue dog into our home. He sits with me while I listen to records, and next to my laptop on the table while I type (I know I know).
Our Riley was a huge responsibility at the end. When you’re “dog shopping” you never envision the geriatric issues you’ll have to deal with. For me, the responsibility was a big part of not wanting another pet. I think a cat is a good fit for that since most cats have staff, not owners!🤣
Holly, how did you you know how much I needed your calm, reassuring voice through your story. I have missed you! As you may have read, we too had a kitty "choose us." We named her Delilah, and she had her first vet appointment this week. We found a vet who comes to you as we didn't want to stress her since she is finally now letting us pet her, runs to greet us when we come outside (we have an indoor kitty already who is a Spicy, Tortie and not at ALL delirious of a companion)...she has a chip. The company has reached out to her owners over this past week via texts, emails, phone calls...nothing. Who could not want their fur baby back??? We have to wait 3 more weeks and if they don't "Claim" her, we can file for transfer of ownership. I love, love, love the photos of Maxine. Now we are Kindred Spirits in Cats. How lovely.
I can’t imagine someone not wanting their pet back. We’ve had dogs I didn’t particularly care for, but I was always a committed pet owner once I made the decision to adopt. I hope all goes well with Delilah--she is beautiful!
I know! I cannot imagine it either. I feel like she was sent to heal us, and us, to heal her. We're all still working on it. She is beautiful and her spirit is just love. She is so pure. Thank you, Holly.
You know what? I am not a cat person but there is something magical about that kitty! Also, take all the time you need! It’s okay to be stuck and it’s okay to take a break :) Your readers are very happy to hear from you, but take of yourself however you need to! ❤️🔥
The loss of a pet is terrible, because they're family. Each time we say never again, but we can't live without them. Well done helping a starving kitten. In the UK we have an organisation called Pets as Therapy. People who have pets of the right temperament can register, and they get to take their pet to places like old people's homes. There are lots of benefits for human beings of having a pet, so if the animal has a good, loving home it's an all round wonderful situation. As for cat stories, I sometimes write them on my own substack, so I don't wish to encroach any further on yours 😊
Pets as Therapy sounds wonderful! And now I must search your posts for cat tales!
If you search the Archive thing for 'cat' you'll find some. The best ones imo are these:
https://open.substack.com/pub/terryfreedman/p/start-the-week-30?r=18suih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
https://open.substack.com/pub/terryfreedman/p/start-the-week-28?r=18suih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
https://open.substack.com/pub/terryfreedman/p/always-wear-trousers-on-a-video-call?r=18suih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for the links! Checking them out now...
Oh! Welcome back, Holly! It is good to be smitten by a kitten.
I have kitten-smitten-itis!
🙌 'smitten by a kitten' 🙌 Brilliant!
A pet is a friend you didn't know you needed. My wife lost her second cat, several years back. She had the idea to foster dogs, and 2 out of 3 dogs later, are ours!
Your kitten is living the life! Great to have you back!
Fostering is such a wonderful idea--it can help you know if a pet’s personality meshes well with you/your family. Congrats on your fosters-turned-family!
Oh, Holly, what a gift of a post! And Max is adorable. ♥️
Thank you for the highlight of my Saturday afternoon - wonderful! I was so thrilled to see this pop into my inbox today. 😊
☺️
So good to hear from you! My favorite pet was a doxy we rescued. He wouldn’t play, run, did not care for toys. He only wanted to lay by us and be petted here and there. When we had to put him down, it was so hard. But we got a lot of love from him, and he arrived at a particularly difficult time for us. I always believed God sent him our way.
I believe that too, John. Funny how He meets our needs in the strangest ways (and usually ways we never though of).
Maxine is adorable. Having recently welcomed two rescue kitties into our home after swearing to never have any cats again, I can I see stand your reluctance. But I also know the joy of having one sleep in your lap and purr contently away. It’s truly the best! 💕
Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that she doesn’t have a playmate, but the neighbors have two cats who have been coming over and hanging out with her some. I’ll bet the antics are even more hilarious when two of them are playing!
It’s definitely fun watching two cats/kittens play. We also currently have our daughters tiny kitten with us while she’s visiting and that’s a whole other ball game. 🤣
Glad to see you back. I had no doubt you would return, when you were ready. It's important to honor that inner voice, or in this case, lack of that inner voice. We always have good reasons for our choices.
And Maxine, oh my goodness, what a cutie. We have two cats that we adore. One or the both of them is always near, sitting at my feet or on the back of my chair as I work on the computer. And I too can spend hours petting them. Congrats on the newest member of your family! 💜
Thanks, Sue! I needed the break, but it feels good to be back at the keyboard!
You might not be crying, but I am. Well done, Holly, Well done, Maxine. First up, the courage of pressing forward, chugga-chugga, when it might really have been easier to just roll back down the hill. Not better, necessarily, but easier.
Next, having the wherewithal to do what you needed to do to let the water flow back into your creative well. Solitary drives, foxes, and fireflies - all delicious. And, Maxine's impeccably timed arrival, after you'd had a bit of a break, when the door was open just enough for the light to come in. It all makes me very happy for you, and us, the fortunate recipients.
We bid farewell to the third of our three cats in May, in an unexpected series of losses across of 18 months. It all happened too fast. https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/what-can-we-say-besides-goodbye We're on a pet break now, and like you, aren't sure there will be more. Unless we happen upon our own version of Maxine. She's spectacular!
Oh, Elizabeth! I am simply wrecked by your post, but in the best way--being broken in such a way that the gaping holes are able to be filled again with something much larger than myself. Sweet Nutmeg--what a beauty! Your way with words was evident in your thoughtful comment, so I knew the post would touch me deeply. Thank you for sharing the link.
Wishing you all the best in your no-pet lives, but also hoping your own Maxine finds and claims your heart.
I believe in miraculous coincidences! :)
Elizabeth, this is such a beautiful piece of writing.
Thank you, Mary. Grateful to know it resonated with you.
Welcome back! I missed you. Maxine is adorable.
Thanks, Sally!
Welcome back Holly! Every part of this resonated. The procrastinating part, in particular 😂 My kitty cat isn't a little ball of fur, he's a 16-lb avalanche of fur, but he manages to spend hours plastered to me as I work. His purr sounds like an idling Harley Davidson. He keeps me sane. I'm so happy you discovered the magic of a kitty companion!
16 lbs?!?! Good heavens! I can only imagine how loud that purr is. I have enough trouble with Max in my lap (now just over 4 lbs.). How do you do it?!
Tommy is like a barnacle--he just attaches and that's that. Sometimes the claws get involved, so that's why I wear a thick sweatshirt and jeans when I work.
I’m learning to circumvent the claws. She starts to slide off my lap sometimes, which jolts her awake and sends her into panic mode. After a couple of scratches, I figured out that I need to stop the sliding before it gets too far!
So happy you are back, Holly! Fell in love with my brother’s dog, Pina- a 9 1/2 year old mini pinscher. She had surgery earlier in the year. We took care of her until she recovered. There’s just some unexplained bond that happens.
Mini pinschers are so adorable. I can see how you would get attached, especially caring for her for so long!
I’m very glad you’re back! I love the little engine that could--my kids got very, very tired of it!
I was so happy to see your name in my email inbox today! Welcome back, Holly and "I think I can, I think I can..." You got it.
❤️
Welcome back Holly!
We had a dog growing up, but I swore I'd never get one again. I didn't want the responsibility, and I didn't want to deal with the inevitable crossing of the rainbow bridge. It took my family a year to convince me, but we brought a rescue dog into our home. He sits with me while I listen to records, and next to my laptop on the table while I type (I know I know).
I can't imagine life without him.
Our Riley was a huge responsibility at the end. When you’re “dog shopping” you never envision the geriatric issues you’ll have to deal with. For me, the responsibility was a big part of not wanting another pet. I think a cat is a good fit for that since most cats have staff, not owners!🤣
Holly, how did you you know how much I needed your calm, reassuring voice through your story. I have missed you! As you may have read, we too had a kitty "choose us." We named her Delilah, and she had her first vet appointment this week. We found a vet who comes to you as we didn't want to stress her since she is finally now letting us pet her, runs to greet us when we come outside (we have an indoor kitty already who is a Spicy, Tortie and not at ALL delirious of a companion)...she has a chip. The company has reached out to her owners over this past week via texts, emails, phone calls...nothing. Who could not want their fur baby back??? We have to wait 3 more weeks and if they don't "Claim" her, we can file for transfer of ownership. I love, love, love the photos of Maxine. Now we are Kindred Spirits in Cats. How lovely.
I can’t imagine someone not wanting their pet back. We’ve had dogs I didn’t particularly care for, but I was always a committed pet owner once I made the decision to adopt. I hope all goes well with Delilah--she is beautiful!
I know! I cannot imagine it either. I feel like she was sent to heal us, and us, to heal her. We're all still working on it. She is beautiful and her spirit is just love. She is so pure. Thank you, Holly.
You know what? I am not a cat person but there is something magical about that kitty! Also, take all the time you need! It’s okay to be stuck and it’s okay to take a break :) Your readers are very happy to hear from you, but take of yourself however you need to! ❤️🔥
She really is a special kitty, Kara--there’s just something about her. Thanks for reading the ramblings of a crazy cat lady!
Haha anytime! 💞🐱