Yes, you've come to the right place, your eyes aren't deceiving you, the title of the blog now is "Cat and DOG Chat With Caren"
Bear with me....this is the first blog post I've attempted since July and it doesn't feel like it's going to be easy.
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| Cody |
As most of you know, my precious Cody passed in a sudden and most horrific way on June 30, 2020, five days after biopsy surgery. (will spare you the details), that left my husband and I traumatized and haunted by horrible images that still plague us. Our Cody should still be here but it was God's will that he leave.
Cody was the most loving, cuddly, funny, patient, determined, stubborn, and silly cat. I didn't realize until he was gone just how GOOD he was. He was my heart. I will never stop missing him. The original blog which I began in 2009 "Cat Chat With Caren and Cody" obviously couldn't have existed without him. I am grateful for the many opportunities and memories that I have because of Cody. I miss that precious face daily.
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| Dakota |
Dakota had been diagnosed with cancer in June of 2020. It was on his heart. Both Cody and Dakota were only 13 years old when they passed. Dakota was my first Sheltie, a life long dream of having a Sheltie fulfilled. He was the most loving boy, super silly, super stubborn, super smart. The joy that he and Cody brought to our lives was unsurpassed. Dakota passed on July 9, 2020 nine days after Cody left us, I think Dakota's death was expedited due to his broken heart. Dakota was my heart dog and I will always grieve his loss.
The outpouring of love that I received, surprise gifts that touched my soul, graphics, emails, cards, etc. were appreciated more than anyone could imagine. I am blessed that my boys touched so many. You have ALL touched me. I am afraid to thank everyone by name because I fear that I will leave someone out, but please know how much every kind gesture, every kind word, every shared tear meant to me and will always help heal my heart.
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| Dakota and Cody Best Friends Always! |
It was a difficult journey reaching the moment where I can finally type about the boys without crying, but I think that I have arrived...at least for today.
My heart and my husband's are healing and we are finding joy again with the two wild boys that joined our family. Our crazy kitten Roary on September 21st 2020,
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| Roary |
and now our Shetland Sheepdog, Levi who is our newest addition as of November 21st, 2020.
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| Levi |
We are laughing and smiling again in between cleaning up poop and pee and rescuing a certain high climbing kitty from mountainous china cabinets.
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| Roary reaching new heights |
My goals blogging now? NONE. I have no schedule. I want to blog for nothing more than the joy of having a journal of Roary and Levi's lives. I don't care one bit about numbers, paid reviews, sponsorships, etc. If they happen, great.......if they don't, that's great too. I am hoping to blog one day a week, more if the mood hits.
I want to thank Glogirly of Glogirly Design for designing my new blog. Her expertise, professionalism, creative ideas, attention to detail and INCREDIBLE patience with my MANY changes were unsurpassed. Her caring and kindness throughout the process that she KNEW was painful for me, will NEVER be forgotten. I needed someone to design the blog that wouldn't need ME to do ANYTHING and that's exactly what I knew I would get with Glogirly (aka Debbie Glovatsky). THANK YOU DEBBIE with all of my heart!
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| Dakota and Cody |
I want to thank you all for the many years you loved my Cody and Dakota and for following their lives. You will occasionally see them on this blog too when I want to share some memories. I am hoping that Roary and Levi bring you even a fraction of the joy that you found with them. It will be wonderful to have you share this new journey should you be so inclined.
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| Levi and Roary Designed by Glogirly Design |
Thank you for being there for us, for me, thank you for everything!
See you soon!
Much love,
Caren, Lenny, Angels Cody and Dakota, and the wild toddlers, Roary and Levi.
I'm so glad that the love you feel for Dakota and Cody has helped you be strong enough to start a new blog. It isn't easy moving forward after such loss ... Blessing to you and your husband. RIP precious Dakota and Cody.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to Roary and Levi.
Jan. Milo & Alfie xxx
thank you so much!! You are my first comment on the first post!! Thank you! Now...I have to get cracking with a new link in the next couple of months so that Cody and I don't show up on the comments. Sigh...for now I will leave it alone xoxo
DeleteI am so happy to see this post and look forward to keeping up with "Cat and Dog chat" with Roary, Levi, and angels Cody and Dakota. We'll never forget those precious faces either.
ReplyDeletexx from the Chirpy gang.
You have always been so kind to us and I can't thank you enough! I miss those faces too but am happy they are on the blog!
DeleteI'm glad you are now able to start a new website, Caren, though I well understand taking time out after the losses and Dakota and Cody, as I am missing so many little animals too. My sympathy goes out to you and your husband. I'm glad you now have Levi and Roary and I will look forward to your posts about them!
ReplyDeleteLeah and the kitties
I love your blog. It's so pretty. Glad you found happiness again. It's so hard to lose a pet. Let alone two. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSue
We're so happy to read this ! The new design is pawsome, and we're very happy to meet Roary and Levi. We're looking forward to reading their adventures! Angel Dakota and Angel Cody will be missed, but we bet they will give some mischief ideas here and there to Roary and Levi ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see you back with a new family. Of course they can never replace Cody and Dakota, nor would you or anyone ever want them to. They will bring their own love and charm to you and Lenny and all of us who read your blog.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading of how they grow together, but will never forget Cody and Dakota.
I am so happy for you with having Roary & Levi come into your hearts. You suffered such a tragedy losing both of your sweet Angels and so close together. I know that Dakota and Cody would be beaming with happiness in their hearts to see you smiling and at peace again. The blog looks great and Debbie did a fabulous job.
ReplyDeleteAwww, so adorable the both of them. I know they will bring you both much joy and you will bring joy to them.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. Scritches to your new babies. ♥
I love the new blog design, Caren, and I'm beyond delighted that Roary and Levi have come into your lives. What joy they will bring you and your husband. Dakota and Cody would approve, I'm sure, and very likely they're egging your new fur babies on to commit some mischief and mayhem. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour post made my day, it's a joy for me to see you back, however often (or not) you choose to post.
Lots of hugs and purrs from us.
Kim and Derry
I'm so happy that a year that carried so much pain for you is ending on such a happy note and filled with so much love. The new design is lovely and a wonderful testament not just to Debbie's talent, but to her heart.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Glovatsky did an incredible job designing your new blog. I loved it. The combination of those photos of happy memories and those to come brought a few tears of my own, knowing how hard it is to lose members of your family in such a short span of time. I'm sure Roary and Levi will help with the healing process, and I'm so glad you are out there for others, sharing your story. I look forward to your future blogs with Roary and Levi. My best to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd had a chance to comment on your Facebook posts about your new family members, but I was following and have been so, so happy for you and Lenny that you have some new family members to love. That's exactly what Cody and Dakota would have wanted. I look forward to following the antics of these newbies and still sometimes seeing the angel boys as well. I'm so glad you've found your way back to blogging again, and are doing it on your own terms. ♥♥♥ Oh, and Debbie did such a wonderful job, this looks perfect!!
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks lovely but how could it fail with Cody, Dakota and now Roary and Levi gracing it. Not to mention Glogirly's excellent design skills and your wonderful writing skills. Good luck in the future. Love those new guys a lot. If you can't be with the ones you love, you the ones you're with.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very happy for you, Caren! I know just how hard it is to find your voice and heart when you've lost such a huge piece of them both. I'm incredibly honored to have played a small part in helping you to find that again. Roary and Levi hit the jackpot and I just know your home will be filled with more and more love every day. Congratulations on your new fur family and congratulations on the new chapter of your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your incredibly kind words both here and on Facebook. Knowing you're happy means the world to me.
love,
Glogirly
I think putting our thoughts to paper (electronic) helps us work through anything we're going through. RIP Cody and Dakota. Welcome Roary and Levi.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! We LOVE the new design! We know that getting your mojo back after the devastating losses of Cody and Dakota isn’t easy. But we are SO happy that you have Roary and Levi to help heal your heart. We look forward to getting to know them better.
ReplyDeleteCaren, I am so happy you will still continue to share the joy of having pets. So sorry you had to lose both your fur babies so close together, their memory is always with us.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I missed you. And a big welcome to Roary and Levi. No one will ever forget Cody and Dakota though. XO
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you are back to sharing your thoughts and things again after your losses.Losing beloved friends and companions is never easy and it takes time to recover(if that's possible).
ReplyDeleteLevi and Roary are so cute!They will make their own mark on your heart,next to Cody and Dakota.We are sure the antics of these two young souls will make you smile and laugh again.
Purrs and hugs, Julie and the mum
Delighted to see a new post... and as always, it’s purrfect and a lovely balance of memories and looking forward. Here’s to the furry muses who fill our hearts with forever love.
ReplyDeleteWe're so happy to see you here, Caren. Your love you shared with Cody and Dakota will surely live forever, and we know they are watching over you, Lenny, Roary and Levi always. Love and hugs to you all!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to be able to get a blog from again. I loved ready your stories about Cody and Dakota. I am looking forward to reading your stories about Roary and Levi. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to get to know Roary and Levi!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you and welcome the two cutr family members. They are so adorable and I bet they will keep you on the toes. Dakota and Cody will live forever in our hearts and I'm sure they anew watching over you guys too.
ReplyDeletewe are so happy to hear that life is good for you... and to write about the journey with Roary and Levi is a ewonderful idea... it helps so much to heal our hearts...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see you are back with Rory and Levi! Our hearts broke for you last June with the loss of Cody and Dakota. I know you will miss them forever, but love that you have opened up your home and blog to these two new family members. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them!
ReplyDeleteDebbie did a wonderful job! We love your boys - including Levi and Roary - and you!
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy to see you again, Caren. We are sure that Angel Cody and Angel Dakota had a paw, somehow, in choosing Roary and Levi and sending them to you. They knew that these two sweet babies would find the best possible furrever home with you and would bring joy to your hearts once more.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, little ones. You have mighty paws to fill, but We know that Angels Cody and Dakota will whisper in your ears from time to time and help you. You have definitely hit the jackpot.
Yay! We absolutely love your new blog design, and we can't wait to see what Roary and Levi are up to all the time. We think your blogging goals are just purrfect. Big hugs to everyone.
ReplyDeleteCaren, my heart is overflowing with love and warmth. Roary and Levi are so adorable, and I know they are bringing some fun and silliness and love to your home. I'm sure having them around will help to heal you and your husband's broken hearts even further. Cody and Dakota will be missed by many, but I know that Roary and Levi have been welcomed into the blogosphere with open arms and open hearts. Glad to see you back at it. <3
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, dear friends. Looking forward to reading about Roary and Levi’s adventures. You have so much love to give, it makes me happy to know that two beautiful young animals have a wonderful life ahead. And how fitting that you are sharing with us Thanksgiving week.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Maggie
We are so thrilled to see you here again with Roary and Levi, I must say our world seems a little more normal again now that you are back. Your blog is beautiful, Glogirly did such a nice job. We love you bunches!!!
ReplyDeleteROARy and levi; we iz BUZZED happee two meet ewe both and happee gotcha dayz. ROARy yur name iz feerce and we lovez de spelling; levi we noe ewe will bee tuff az jeanz :)
ReplyDeletewe total lee under stand bout moms blog schedule; we total lee understand wear her heartz at and all ways will bee; we hope her and dad noez cody and dakota R never mor than a heartbeat and a memoree a way; and we R glad cody and dakota sended ewe both TWO mom and dad ♥♥♥♥♥
we look for werd ta reedin yur posts, watchin ewe growz up...and sinz two morrow izza holly day...az de peepulz call it; may we pleez start off with R furst recommendation ....due KNOT eat any bass terd turkee, but DUE help yur selvez ta PIE, PIE, PIE
lovez two all frum all oh uz ♥♥♥♥♥
Love the new header and what a great first post! Looking forward to future posts with your two new fur babies and especially memories of Cody and Dakota. Wishing you and Lenny a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteOh, Caren, Levi and Roary are adorable and have eyes full of love and sparkle. I am so, so happy for you after the terrible trauma of losing Cody and Dakota, and we miss them, too, and always remember their antics with smiles. Bake some bread...that helps a bit...I think your darling puppy would love a little bite of cinnamon focaccia! Food for the spirit...
ReplyDeleteSo here we all are, distanced and masked but the end is in sight. Patience, courage, and maybe a good bottle of vino......Love from Loulou, Suzanne and Don
Oh, I don't see our comment. From Loulou and family. SO HAPPY for your two new darlings. We miss Cody and Dakota, too, but we have missed you and your lively writing so much, so it's lovely to hear you might keep us up on the antics of the new cuties. ❤️
ReplyDeleteHello Roary!
ReplyDeleteHello Levi!
Welcome to 'Blogville'!
You have inherited a great family, and now this blog, wonderful!
We will look forward to reading all about your antics and other fun things.
Petcretary is so glad that you two are turning your pawrent's tears and anguish into great joy!
Us WBS Angels (Pipo & Minko) and Angel MJF, along with the hooligans Dalton & Benji, are happy that your hearts are full again.
Angelic purrs, and wags & wiggles!
And yes indeed!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
What a joy to see two Roary and Levi! We know you have chosen well and will give so much love to your parents and get so much back. This indeed is a Very Happy Thanksgiving and we really look forward to all the fun you bring your family, each other and us. YAY!
ReplyDeleteTimmy, Dad, Toby, Rumpy, Miss Fitz and Einstein
Caren I couldn't be happier for you and Lenny. Both of your boys are so incredibly adorable and I know you are in for a FUN ride with them watching them grow up and enjoying their company for many, many years to come. I know your heart will always ache for Cody and Dakota - you know that I TOTALLY GET IT - not a day goes by that Sammy doesn't pop into my head and I know it's him just checking in! I will look forward to every single post you do with the "new boys" in town. They are lucky guys to have you as a Mom and Lenny as a Dad. May you find each day to be a fabulously fun adventure.
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs, Pam (and Teddy too)
I am glad to see you again. Nice fresh clean blog you have created. I am sure your two new family members--Roary and Levi will get along great together, and will keep you busy and give you new joy. Happy thanksgiving to you all.
ReplyDeleteHello Roary and Levi!
ReplyDeleteYour new header is beautiful :)
Welcome Roary and Levi - and welcome back to you and your blog. We have missed you and your animals, but kno ho it took time and much thinking. Purrayers.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you blogging again! And so very happy to meet your two new additions! May they bring you many many hours of happiness as I am sure they will!
ReplyDeleteCaren, I was so happy to see you return. I can't imagine the shock of losing two babies so close together. I enjoyed reading Cody's humor and all your pics with family. I'm happy that your heart begins to heal with the new additions of Levi and Roary. They are adorable and honestly remind me of your angels that passed on. Wishing you a happy holiday ahead. ♥️ I love the new look of the blog too.
ReplyDeleteGod are they adorable- so PURR-FECTLY CUTE!!!!
ReplyDeleteSee, I told you that you had a lot of love to give and I know exactly how you feel- Casey's been gone for 2 years- I still cry over him. Have an excellent holiday season- I'm glad you and your hubby have 2 cuties to enjoy. There's nothing better than giving a nice animal a home.
We'll be here, whenever you want to blog about something!
ReplyDeleteRoary and Levi are adorable; wishing you all only the best.
Welcome back! It's a joy to meet Roary and Levi and we look forward to the many, many adventures in store! Take care of yourself and don't worry about clocks or schedules. Blog when you feel like it and appreciate life! Purrs from Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang. P.S. Hugs and kisses to angels Cody and Dakota, too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back sweetie! So happy to see you and your new babies back. 🥰
ReplyDeleteCaren, I'm so happy you found the strenght to blog again. The pet blogosphere needs you!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to follow Roary and Levi's adventures.
Your postie touched our heart. We're so happy to see you and the sweeties and we know you'll always be surrounded by your purrecious Angels✨ Extra double Pawkisses to all of you and welcome to the bloggieworld Roary and Levi🐾😽💞
ReplyDeleteWhat a tough year it has been, but I am so happy that you now have Roary and Levi in your life. What adorable boys. I look forward to getting to know them.
ReplyDeleteTransitions are often difficult, especially under such terrible circumstances. I'm glad you've brought new young ones into your family. They will be so loved and cared for, and will bring much joy.
ReplyDeleteRory is so adorable. I'm so pleased you have one of each again!!!
ReplyDelete