Author: Belinda O

Harvey was one cat who lived out his nine lives. Today I read on Facebook that it’s time to say good-bye.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2011 Joplin tornado, which killed 158 people, the vet at my local cat clinic drove the one hour north to the disaster site to care for wounded animals. What she saw shocked her. Although I never heard her describe it, I could only imagine, especially when I was told most of those she rescued would be unidentifiable to their owners. She brought back as many as she could for adoption, and Harvey was one of those.

Harvey had multiple injuries and it was a long road to recovery. While a good home was available to him, ultimately the vet decided it was best to keep him as one of the clinic cats. There this sweet boy led a happy and loved life.

This is the same vet who’s cared for all my cats, from Paco and Montero to Walter and Mimi, and shown sympathy and compassion to both cats and cat parents. She is a remarkable woman.

I know many of you have pets whom you entrust to your vets on a regular basis, and you value that relationship. I’ve heard a couple of stories in the past week of holiday mishaps–or perhaps mishaps that culminated in a visit on the holiday–and I’ve decided to declare January “Love Your Vet” month, at least in my household. I could find World Veterinary Day (April 27, 2024), but no month of love.

If you have cats, dogs, rabbits, or other pets, big or small, I hope you have a vet you love. Your pets thank both of you.

Image Credits: Header (kitten and pup) © Jixster–stock.adobe.com Cartoon cats © Nidhi–stock.adobe.com

Today marks nine years of blogging for me. It also marks the twelfth Christmas I’ve spent alone, and the hardest one at that. In the past I re-posted my first post, but I’ve come so far since that time, and besides, that post is badly in need of editing. So I’m keeping this short and wishing you all the happiest of holidays! I pray you find joy and solace in the spirit of the season.

Image Credits: Header © Romola Tavani–stock.adobe.com; Christmas cookies © Pixel-Shot–stock.edobe.com

A year ago I was quite sure what I wanted to do when I retired, a date which is rapidly approaching. Today, I’m not so sure. My plans were to move back to my home state of Minnesota, where social services and conveniences such as buses are greater than they are where I live now.

But it’s scary–and expensive–to move. I’d be leaving all the friends I have here and returning to a place where I’ve lost contact with most of those I knew well. I’m not sure I want to brave the Minnesota weather. I’d have to find a new church, new doctor, new dentist, new hair stylist.

There are a myriad of other considerations, and sometimes at night I’m overwhelmed by all of it.

Change is scary. In the past I made moves like this frequently, and I don’t remember being that fazed by it. Perhaps because the new location always seemed much more appealing than where I had been living, or maybe because my choices were limited. It’s a lot easier to make the brave choice when common sense dictates it.

But change can be valuable. It can get you out of a rut and into a situation where you’re forced to make some positive decisions. In the event of a move, you can make new friends, perhaps lifelong friends.

I don’t have any idea what decision I’ll make, but I do know this: whatever my choice will be, I need to start making some smaller changes soon. And that’s proving difficult as well. So I need to find some ways to destress, and Oreos are not the answer. To any of this.

I don’t like not having the answers.

Image Credit: MarekPhotoDesign.com–stock.adobe.com

Last month, when I visited my dad, a good friend, Madlyn, took care of my cats. I told her to go through a box of books and DVDs that I planned to donate to a local charity, and was pleased when I returned to see she’d taken a good number of both.

However, when I saw her again a few weeks later, I mentioned how happy I was to see she’d taken the DVDs. She told me then her TV had gone dead and she had no way to play them. Another friend was there at the same time, and as we walked to our cars she pulled me aside and asked if I thought we should work toward getting Madlyn a new TV. We knew that even though it wouldn’t cost much, she didn’t have the money, and we figured we could get several friends to pitch in.

Well, perhaps because the holidays are coming up and everyone is on a tight budget, we weren’t able to round up enough people to come up with the total we needed. So I looked online and saw that I could get an external drive for Madlyn’s computer for a surprisingly low price (Black Friday deals and all). I ordered it, and gave it to her last weekend.

I was afraid she’d be embarrassed or reluctant to accept a gift when she couldn’t reciprocate, but instead, she gave me a huge smile and heartfelt thank you. I was so happy to give it to her, and just as pleased that she accepted so graciously.

In this time of giving, let’s remember those who have less than we do without being afraid of how they might feel because of their circumstances. It’s a time of giving, after all, and if you can afford it, I can guarantee there is a friend, neighbor, or community member in need of what you can give. If they don’t do well with accepting the gift or even refuse it outright, you have shown the light of the season by trying.

And if you are on the receiving end of such a gift, remember it was done with love and your smile is enough of a gift in return.

Image Credits: Street scene © Татьяна Креминская–stock.adobe.com; Candles © asife–stock.adobe.com

Mimi is ready for the royal life. I almost called her “Queen Mimi,” but hey, I’m the ruler of the roost around here (why do I think I hear my cats laughing?).

Image Credits: Paws in Heart © Bigstock Photos; Cesar Cat © Belinda O; Mimi © Belinda O; Royal Cat © Kudryashka–stock.adobe.com