Cats were not always a part of my life. In fact, I used to very much dislike them. Since being attacked by one at a friend’s house, and the resulting three weeks of healing those claw marks up my hands and arms, I was decidedly a dog person. Then came that one fateful fall weekend. Sitting in my first apartment, with my first “real job,” I perused local pet adoption sites hoping to find a cute little dog to bring home. This, I thought, would ultimately complete the adulting experience I was so excited to be starting. But with one defeating phone call to the housing manager I learned- no dogs allowed! “But we do allow cats” the young receptionist offered. A cat? But everybody knows I don’t like cats! After some thought I decided sneaking a dog in could become a disaster; so, to really meet my goal of fully adulting, I might have to consider the alternative. A cat. I decided to try it out. I mean, if it was awful, it’s easy to give those away, right?
Cue meeting Tinkerbell. She was a little deaf, white kitten given to me by my family and a local farmer. This tiny, cuddly ball of fluff ad energy quickly brought more love, fun, joy, comfort, and entertainment into my life than I ever imagined. I was enthralled! And just like that, life with cats had begun.
Since that spur-of-the-moment decision with little Tinkerbell, I began my journey of cat ownership, which grew my respect for the species’ intelligence, capacity for emotion, and almost magical ability to benefit us humans. So much so that pre-pandemic, I even volunteered for a local cat shelter, and continue to enjoy them now, even in the busy-ness of mom life. Now, I spend my days running after a busy toddler with a baby on the way, enjoying the company of other moms and community members, and growing this blog! Long gone are the days of three 12-hr shifts, surfing the beautiful coast of Southern California, and catching rays in between. I have lived across the country – the Midwest, West Coast, a bit on the East Coast, and now the South. Both single, and with my little family. I should say, we – first Tinkerbell, then Ariel has been with me for all of this journey, with Aurelia joining us back in California! My little fur balls have been faithful companions and supporters on my journey, making it so much more fun.
Sitting here almost two decades later, I still remember those first wonder-filled days with that curious cat, then cats when her cousin Ariel joined us. These two “dog substitutes” were my supporters to me through times of big transitions; my comforters after long shifts of nursing, caring for others in crisis moments; my companions through relationships, breakups, births, and my constant entertainment at home. They were my little life helpers! I am still in awe of the impact cats made in my life, and of the impact cats make in lives of thousands of others around the world.
That is what inspires me to grow this blog.
Here at CatLoveLady, I seek to celebrate the benefits that cats bring to so many of us; and to help cat owners and cats everywhere grow healthy, loving relationships. I commit to offering you the best education, resources, and recommendations I can find to successfully own and care for your cat, entertaining you with cute cats along the way! And if it comes time to part ways with your fluffy, to provide you guidance through that, too.
Now, please join me in celebrating our cats!
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