Cats were not always a part of my life. In fact, I used to very much dislike them. Since being attacked by one over night at a friend’s house, and coming home with claw marks all over my hands, I was decidedly a dog person. Then came that one fateful fall weekend in my early 20’s, when it all changed. Sitting in my first apartment, I was perusing local pet adoption sites, hoping to find a cute little dog to bring home; and ultimately complete the adulting experience I was so excited about. But with one defeating phone call to my apartment 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 realized 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 a local farmer, who brought more love, fun, joy, comfort, and entertainment into my life than I could have imagined. I was enthralled! And just like that, life with cats had begun.
Now almost two decades later, I still remember those first wonder-filled days with that cat. Then with two cats when Ariel joined us. They were my supporters to me through times of big transitions; my comforters after long shifts of nursing and caring for others in crisis moments; my companions through relationships, breakups; and my constant entertainment at home. They were my little mental health helpers! I am still in awe of the impact cats made in my life, and of the impact cats make in others lives.
That is what inspires me to grow this blog.
Here at CatLoveLady, I seek to highlight the mental health benefits that cats bring to so many of us, and to advocate for healthy relationships between us and our cats. 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.
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, 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. Now, please join me in celebrating our cats!
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