"We All Shine On...."

 Today marks a year that my beloved Cody was taken away.

When I think back on Cody's life, it is as if it all went by in seconds.  Cody gave us thirteen years of love, laughs, fun, cuddling, and yes, sometimes aggravation, but mostly he gave us the blessing of sharing our hearts and our home with one of the most patient and loving cats I have ever known.

I miss Cody's quirky little mouth, I miss his gorgeous sea-green eyes, I miss him sitting on the armrest of the couch next to me, every night of his life for 13 years.

I miss his constant quest for food, his loudly announcing to all of us when we had to awaken and when we would eat.

Lenny and I probably mention Cody at least once a day. I often call Roary, "Cody." I sometimes am in the kitchen and think I see some gray fur out of the corner of my eye. 

I will never be able to re-live that day in print. NEVER. Believe me, you don't want me to. I remember Ingrid King of The Conscious Cat telling me I was suffering from PTSD, and a special woman I spoke to yesterday, who is in the Veterinary field, told me the exact same thing. She validated my pain by saying that those who  know the details of what happened that day, COMPLETELY understand that there is NO WAY I wouldn't (or my husband wouldn't), suffer from PTSD. Ingrid's comment and the special person who told me this yesterday, helped to give me some closure and to put my heart/mind at ease. For much too long I have beaten myself up because I promised Cody that  after his biopsy surgery he would be ok......until he wasn't. What happened to Cody was a freak one in a million incident, that I pray NO ONE ever has to WITNESS or live through.

There IS one strange thing that took place that day that I would like to share with you. Many years ago s special friend of mine made me a beautiful sweatshirt in honor of John Lennon's passing. (I am a huge Lennon freak). For a number of years I tore through closets trying to find that shirt and could never find it.

The day Cody passed, somehow he managed to go into the closet (where he often would lay in Bobo's old PTU), but due to his enormous loss of blood he couldn't make it in the carrier. Instead, when my husband found him, he was laying next to this.

My sweatshirt that I had been searching for and could never find. It was on the floor of the closet and Cody was next to it. 

I believe Cody was sending Lenny and I a message by choosing to die next to that sweatshirt. He wanted me to know that even if he was gone physically, he would never, ever be "gone." His memory would still continue to "shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun."......

Cody, Daddy and I miss you every day and love you more than you could ever imagine. I'll do my best not to cry.....I'll try and focus on the happy, loving, cuddly times.......the day I adopted you after YOU CHOSE ME, was one of the luckiest days of my life. Thank you my "Codester", "Codalicious", my "Co-dependent one"......you will NEVER be completely gone. You will ALWAYS "shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun." AND YOU ALWAYS WILL........

Cat World Domination Day 2021

Today, we in the cat community are celebrating Cat World Domination Day!  Janiss Garza started CWD in honor of her cat Sparkle in 2012. 

FROM JANISS'S BLOG:    "It started in 2012, with this blog’s predecessor, Sparkle. June 24 of that year was her tenth birthday, and my human wanted to do something special for her. So she created a holiday that fit right in with her personality. Because Sparkle was known for her books and advice on how cats can dominate the humans in their lives, Cat World Domination Day only made sense. You can see the blog post for the very first Cat World Domination Day here."

"Sparkle actually only celebrated three Cat World Domination Days before she passed away."

We still miss Sparkle, but are happy that this tradition in her honor lives on!!! 

ROARY: I am celebrating my FIRST Cat World Domination Day!!! I know this day is supposed to be about ruling HUMANS...but...in my house I have no problem with them. The one I LOVE to dominate is LEVI! All I have to do is look at him or swat him (and yes, sometimes I even BITE him! A cat's gotta do what a cat's gotta do!)

 I RULE THE GIANT SHELTIE!!

I also would like to wish my Mom and Dad a most pawesome Anniversary! Today is their wedding anniversary! Love, Roary

First Official Day of Summer and the June Pool Pawty #CatLadyBox #CatLadyBoxDay

 The Summer Solstice officially arrived at 11:32pm last night in the Northern Hemisphere!

SUMMER IS HERE! I now subscribe to get a monthly CatLadyBox and I am so happy to be a subscriber! The June Pool Pawty  box was so pawesome that I wanted to wait til the official start of Summer to share it with you!

The first item I am happy to show you is the Flamazing Flamingo Catnip toy. Too cute for words. Roary loved it and I do too!

Next up is Jilly the Chilly Pop Catnip Toy. Every kitty needs to cool down on a hot day with a cool toy, and this one is just too cute!

There were also a darling set of Cat Lady luggage tags that have the same tropical kitty theme on them as the box.

What cat lady doesn't need another little purse? There was also a nice and squishy Silicone Kitty Purse! (I am using mine for misc. coins), but you can fit a number of different things in it.

My two favorite items I saved to show you last. The first is the Flocking Fabmewlous Tee

If any of you are fans of the cult-classic movie "Pink Flamingos" this shirt and the catnip toy that I shared a photo of above are MUST HAVES! I thought of that darned movie the second I saw this! 

I am particularly crazy about the T-shirts that are sometimes in the CatLadyBox because they are always well-made, high-quality and extremely unique. Also, if any one is "fluffy" like me, the plus sized T-shirts are PURRFECT!

Now, I saved my most FAVORITE item from the June CatLadyBox til last. It is actually a beach towel, it is named the Cool Cat Beach Towel.  It  is SO BIG I couldn't fit the entire towel in a photo!

Isn't it the cutest ever!? I'm actually not using it for the beach. My bathroom is white, lavender, green, pink and other colors that are in this towel, and I am using it for when I get out of the shower. I will tell you, if a towel fits around ME you can guarantee it is one BIG TOWEL! I can put it around me, tuck in the top and it STAYS PUT! I LOVE IT!

The retail value of each of these items is way more than the monthly cost of my subscription. The items are always fun to receive. It's like receiving a box full of surprises every month!

Each month a portion of what is earned on the boxes are donated to various charities. In June they were able to donate to:

Northeast Missouri Humane Society

Licking County Humane Society

Cenla Cat Project

Catnip Acres

Oh I forgot to mention the art that is shown on the right hand side of the above photo! Look at how precious that is! It was created by the featured cat lady artist for June, Denisn't

If you are on the fence about subscribing to CatLadyBox don't be! There are various subscriptions available for many budgets!! I waited too darned long to be a subscriber, but am happy that I finally signed up!

I was not compensated in any way for featuring these great products or the CatLadyBox.  Like many other bloggers, I just love this box so much that I just had to share!

HAPPY SUMMER ALL!

Our First Father's Day!!

 

ROARY: So, I hear that today is a special holiday!

LEVI: What holiday would that be? National Giant Sheltie Day?

ROARY: No "All looks and no brains", today is a day where everyone is supposed to honor their Fathers or the Father figures in their lives. It is a day to be grateful for all that Fathers/Father figures do and for their love and guidance.

LEVI: but my Father lives in Ohio. His name is Rambo. That's a really cool name isn't it?

ROARY: that's your BIRTH Father you furry fluff head, and no one cares who your birth father is! Definitely not ME!  You have your other Father that you LIVE with! Who do you think feeds you and picks up your poop and puts up with your bulldozer, manic and foolish actions? Certainly NOT Mom and I. Since I'm older than you, I will go first. Mom ordered me this mustache from Maisonwares that she saw on the Hauspanther blog. Mom knew that I want to look like Dad! 

I have a black one and a gray one! Now I look just like Dad!

LEVI: Where's your glasses?

ROARY: Oh what do you know? Dad doesn't wear glasses all day long. Anyway, it's not your turn.

Now I must write Dad a Father's Day greeting.

"Dear Dad, I thank you for coming  to meet me at Petsmart two days before I was adopted, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be living with you, Mom and Levi. (Wait, the more I think about that, maybe I shouldn't be thanking you, living with Levi isn't the best you know). Also, you have to learn to give ME more attention. I'm older, better behaved and less aggravating, if I do say so myself! Whether you have let me fall through the cracks or not, (upon the arrival of Levi), I still love you Dad, never forget that! Just please get your act together, ok? Love, Roary"

LEVI: that was a ridiculous greeting, but whatever. Want to see what Mom got Dad for Father's Day? Here, I'll show you anyway!

LEVI: I don't know what an "asshole" is but I am CERTAIN that it means that I am extremely handsome and well-behaved. I think this is a most wonderful gift for Dad, don't you agree Roary?

ROARY: I'm trying to be gentle here, oh intellectually challenged one, the fact that Mom got Dad a shirt saying that sometimes you are an "asshole" is NOT a good thing! Mom would NEVER get Dad a shirt that says something like that in reference to ME. I don't take my toys and DROP THEM off the couch or onto the floor, trying to make as much noise as I can. I don't go around BARKING at the remote control and Dad's iPad as if they were my mortal enemies!! (Your fascination with barking at inanimate objects would keep a therapist busy for HOURS!!! ). I don't go ballistic at the drop of a hat. I don't act manic and out-of-control. To me, your actions define the word "asshole" perfectly.

LEVI: you think what you want, (oh wait! I heard someone in the hallway, it's time to go out of my mind!), and I will think what I want, and I say that being an "asshole" is a GOOD THING!

ROARY:Observe "oh brilliant one" in this photo. If that doesn't prove my point, I don't know WHAT DOES!!!

MOM: This photo was added at the last second. I know you are NEVER supposed to take a photo shooting directly into a window but the shot was too good not to! Yes, the exposure is off, but oh well!

LEVI: Enough about your bad photograph Mom. I am now sharing MY Father's Day greeting for Dad:

"Dear Dad, thanks for allowing me to jump like a kangaroo all over you, thank you for taking me on 5000 walks a day, (most of which I choose to just stand and let the wind blow my luxurious mane). Thank you for tolerating my incredibly deep and loud barking. Thank you for the seemingly never-ending supply of treats that you give me on a regular basis, (for pretty much doing NOTHING but sitting when I'm told to). Thank you for feeding me nearly all of my meals. Thank you for thinking that I am DEFINITELY YOUR FAVORITE! You have good taste! Sending Love, bites, barks and LOTS OF JUMPING, your FAVORITE, Levi."

ROARY: Well, I may not agree with a word of what you wrote in your greeting, but I think we can BOTH agree that we have the BEST DAD EVER!!! Thanks for all that you do, and all you put up with! Love from BOTH OF US!!

Roary and Levi

MOM: Sorry about another funky photo

 because of the window in the background

Oh and Happy Father's Day to all of

 you great Dads out here!!!!!! 

International Box Day & National Garfield the Cat Day!

Happy International Box Day and National Garfield the Cat Day!!!

"International Box day is celebrated every year on the 19 th of June. If you love cats and you have cats this day is for you. The purpose is to spend some time together with your loving pet and have fun. On this day people basically celebrate the magnificent pair of boxes and cats."

 While Cody was pretty much NOT a fan of boxes, Roary has yet to meet a box that he doesn't love!! 

Roary is insatiably curious! 

ANY box that enters this house, he's all over it (or inside it!) 

How about your kitties? Fans of boxes or not? 

Today is also  National Garfield the Cat Day. I was a fan of Garfield looong before I ever had my first cat. I have always had a "thing" for tabbies, and I was (and still am) a huge fan of Garfield's sarcasm.

"National Garfield the Cat Day – He’s witty, he’s sassy, he’s blunt, he’s saucy…he’s, well, Garfield."  Today we celebrate the world’s most opinionated feline!!!

The GARFIELD comic strip was born on June 19, 1978, created by Jim Davis and syndicated in
forty-one U.S. newspapers. Today it’s syndicated in more than 2,100
newspapers worldwide with more than 200 million readers,
leading Guinness World Records to name GARFIELD The Most Widely
Syndicated Comic Strip in the World.

(To me, Garfield was the ORIGINAL "Grumpy Cat" and I have ALWAYS preferred him!).

Courtesy of Penguinrandomhouse

ABOUT JIM DAVIS
"Jim Davis was born on July 28, 1945, in Marion, Indiana. He later attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he
distinguished himself by earning one of the lowest
cumulative grade point averages in the history of the university.  Davis has had many
successes with Garfield, including four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program and induction into the Licensing Hall of Fame (1998), but his most prized awards are from his peers in the National Cartoonist Society: Best Humor Strip (1981 and 1985), the Elzie Segar Award (1990), and the coveted Reuben Award (1990) for overall excellence in cartooning.
©Paws. All Rights Reserved."

(The above was from a blog post I did for Penguin Randomhouse on June 19th, 2018 in honor of Garfield's 40th Anniversary)

Hoping you all have a CATABULOUS day !!

Flag Day 2021

  “We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity, representing our liberty.”

- George Washington.

Happy First Birthday to our "Marshmallow Boy" Roary!!!! #ThankfulThursday

 Today is a most special day!!! Today a certain kitty TURNS ONE!! That's right!! Our Roary is one year old today!!!

Roary was born on June 10, 2020. What is strange about when he was born was that Dakota was diagnosed with cancer on June 8, 2020, we found out Cody was going to need biopsy surgery on June 9, 2020 and then Roary was born June 10, 2020. (I would say that SOMEONE had a plan, didn't they?) We are most grateful for that!

Roary is a Gemini: "The Gemini cat is all about intelligence, speed, Mercurial moods and curiosity. Gemini cats are charming and kittenish well into old age but don’t expect them to be loyal lap cats. They will be affectionate if and only when it suits them"

Roary DEFINITELY keeps us on our toes. He is probably the most inquisitive, mischievous and the most daring cat of ANY who have come before him.

I call him my "Marshmallow Boy" because his white fur tinged with some gray reminds me of how a marshmallow looks after it's toasted. Roary is so cuddly and the white fur he has is so snowy white, that he always looks completely edible to me. 

Timmy Tomcat and his family
sent this card to Roary
It is special to us because Timmy
was one of Cody's favorite friends
We send purrs to Timmy and his Dad
because Timmy isn't well right now
Please visit his blog and say hi!
Tomcat Commentary by Tim

I think the most fun way for us to celebrate Roary's birthday is for me to share some of my favorite photos from his first year, and of course, just like Timmy I will add commentary! (I apologize in advance that I didn't get a chance to properly edit any of these photos, nor are they in chronological order). Hope you enjoy them anyway!

Roary and Levi are establishing their relationship
Every day there are changes!

Roary is FAR MORE aggressive than Cody ever was
If Levi gets to be too much
(which is OFTEN)
Roary is totally capable of putting him in his place!

It was so much fun when Roary discovered birds this year!
He was captivated with looking out the window at them!
I love when he stands tall like a human!

Roary is a HUGE FAN of water!
He is constantly in the sink and bathtub
He has been like this since the day he joined our family
I often find toys of his in the bathtub that he carries in.
I love that Roary transports toys in his mouth to different rooms
That is something Cody never did.

A few months ago Roary met our eldest Granddaughter for the first time
The feelings of love were mutual!
My granddaughter thinks all cats are called "Mimi"
because she has a cat named "Mimi"
If she sees two cats she will say "Two Mimis!!"

Roary wants to be laundered

Trying to keep the giant Sheltie in line

Brother time on the couch

Supervising Levi sleeping

Keeping Levi in line yet again!!

Pesky younger brother!

This makes me smile
Cody and Dakota frequently sat together like this
Hoping Roary and Levi  grow up to be just as close!

Brother couch time

"No chance am I letting you out pal!!"

Roary is a huge fan of QVC
He particularly likes Lock N Lock

Roary also enjoys waiting for
"Today's Special Value" on QVC

Jumping on Daddy while he is showering
is particularly fun
Roary LOVES scaling all things high!

In the sink when he was a baby

I also call him "Rat Nose"
because of his pink nose!

When Roary first joined our family
he loved this toy so much he always slept with it close by.

The "Neighborhood Watch Cat"

Those are just a few of MANY fabulous photos of Roary. Roary is incredibly brave, super tough, insatiably curious, he has to know how EVERYTHING works! He opens cupboards (Cody never did), opens doors, he is obsessed with all things mechanical. The dishwasher is a particular obsession.

Roary was sooo active when he was a kitten, we thought we would never adjust to his wild ways! Now, he is much more calm. He has turned into a lap cat, he is super loving. He loves to be extra close to our faces, loves to be cuddled. 

Roary puts up with A LOT in reference to Levi. I often don't know how he puts up with him!

Our little "Marshmallow Boy" has brought my husband and I much joy from the day he joined our family. He makes us laugh, he makes me yell (with his daredevil, troublemaking ways), but I wouldn't trade him for the world!

I am looking forward to seeing the mancat he will become!! 

Happy Happy First Birthday Roary!!! Daddy, Levi and I love you sooooo much!! PS: Roary's presents will be arriving later in the week. I got him a new Petfusion scratcher (Roary LOVES scratchers!), a new PTU for the Vet (lucky Roary lol), and some new blankets to go in it. Hoping he likes his gifts!

Love you "Roary Boy!!!" We are so thankful to have you in our lives!

We are also thankful to be a part of the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop over at Brian's Home!