I am a crazy cat lady :)

You bet! I've mentioned Ginger on numerous occasions, and my previous signature said it all.

Between last November and this March, I lost my two older Bostons. My heart still aches for them. Thank goodness I had/have Ginger Snap. Before, when we went for walks, I pushed a stroller with the other two in it. (quite a sight!) Now, it's me and Ginger exploring in nature. AND, I can talk to her about anything, and she understands.

Also, my three kitties are so very special--and all four critters are in bed with me almost every morning. That part of life is good.

Toss in a hedgehog, who has her own personality, and two baby field mice, rescued from the jaws of death (the kitties)--and it's a brood that gives me warm fuzzies every single day.

Critters are always there for us . . . important to remember when they look into your eyes and ask for 15 minutes of your time with no distractions.

Jan

Yep we have a cat and his name is Grady. My daughter was 3 when we went to the pound and picked out our little guy. They said he was 6 weeks old but I'm guessing more like 4. He and my daughter were best buddies did everything together. She's an only child and he was like her brother.

Well, when she hit her **** years she started closing her bedroom door and wouldn't allow him in. So he became my cat. Now don't get me wrong he still loves her, but she went away to college in 2011 and is usually only home, (if I'm lucky 2 months) out of the total. She was doing allergy shots, as she's allergic to cats, dogs, and God's green earth. We didn't know about the cat until after having him for like 5 years. No way could I give up her beloved pet.

Grady and I are best buds now, he follows me everywhere. He loves to cuddle up and sleep in between my legs. He loves for me to hold him like a baby and rub his tummy for hours. My Grady is now 18 years old and he either has stomach cancer or lymphoma in his GI tract. I'm totally dreading the day that we need to intervene on his behalf.

For the moment, however, the Vet has put him on oral steroids, and a potent anti nausea medication. He has stopped losing weight. He doesn't vomit nearly as much as he did, and he's enjoying watching the birds more in the backyard. He comes to me when he's sad, wants food or attention, and he comes when he know I"m feeling bad. The highlight for me, is he gets grumpy at night and like to nip or bite my hubby's ankles when he walks down the hallway. I told my hubby it's pay back for the the mean things he's done to him.

He's the best thing when I'm in really bad pain. We snuggle up on the bed and sleep together. If you don't have a cat, dog, or any other type of pet; you should think about getting one. They bring a lot of joy into our lives. Yes, it's hard watching my decline and it's gonna hurt like crazy to put him down, but it's been worth having him all these years.

Hugs,
Barbara

Joie, I'm really glad you started this thread. It definitely relates to how some of us are soothed from the stresses of illness and life in general. Whether it's a funny story, a sad ending, thoughts of comfort, the background of how a critter became a family member . . . or any other number of ways to express our feelings about and gratitude toward the critters in our lives.

I would like to add that my two Bostons who passed within four months of each other were Opal and Pearl. Pearl was my shadow and best friend. Opal was always Snap is a blessing from above--so glad to have her.

Our kitties (Gracie--15 yo, Eddie and Willis, both 1.5 yo) are extra special. Gracie still rules the house and tolerates the young boys. The boys are an absolute hoot. Eddie is from the shelter and Willis came out of some tall grass by our home last Father's Day and never left. Eddie is black with long hair, and Willis is blonde with short hair. They are in separable!!!!!

Blossom, our hedgehog, is approximately eight months old, has a big house with a large wheel and plenty of toys, loves broiled chicken and freeze-dried mealworms (and filtered water) ;)--and loves to run around the house. She likes the outdoors if it's warm enough, and she'll be a help in our organic garden, since she likes to eat insects. (In the wild, a hedgehog covers approximately SEVEN miles per night!)

The "rescued" field mice are Fina and Nina--and live in quite a condo--tunnels, wheels, and all. They are best buds. They also eat quite well--veggies, grains, nuts, cheese--along with filtered water. They're about five months old. (Remember Ralph the Mouse? Well, when I realized Fina was a girl, she became Ralphfina, Fina for short.)

Years ago, when I lived in another part of Wyoming, I started and incorporated our county's humane society and had a small shelter built with money we raised. AS you can probably tell, animals are a huge part of my life.

Better stop--this is getting too long--

I love hearing your stories, Joie, Joy, and Barbara!
Anyone else with a critter who makes you sigh with contentment? ;)

Jan

My three cats have been gone for several years now. They lived to be very old, amazing comforts. Oreo lived to be 16. Cloud Nine 17 and their momma, Princess 18. Now that they are gone I celebrate the creatures that share the forest with me. We have skunks, raccoons, red foxes, bob cats, mountain lions and bears that traipse through. Our property borders redwood forest which is also home to a number of birds, many of which come into my garden to feed and hang out. Right now the Wilson's Warblers and Hummingbirds are blessing me with joy each and every morning.

Laura

Hey Joy,

It is nice. I forgot to mention the deer. We have those , too. And even though they eat some of my flowers, I sure love having their gentle presence around.

Laura

Hi Jan,

Yep.....even though you are not suppose to have favorites, Oreo was my ultimate because she was such a snugglepuss. Taking her name as my moniker was my way of honoring her.

Laura

I hav 3 dogs. One is a pretty old beagle mix that is really the kidd dog and two 4.5-5lb little stinkers that are my babies. If one isn't snuggled in my lap the other is and my beagle is usually snoring at my feet. They have helped me get through many long painful days. They are my babies as much as my kids are.