Here Kitty, Kitty!

This week's stars ~ and they are stars!

Meet Henry ~ handsome, dignified, long and lean Henry.

He's gorgeous inside and out. A quiet fellow he enjoys just sitting with you and the occasional hug.

After a short getting acquainted period his curious side came thru and he started climbing.

This sweet 2 year old neutered boy is available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter, 303-326-8280, 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80011. Ask for Henry - A174961.

Our next star couldn't be more different. Smokie is a non-stop kitten!  It was difficult to get a decent photo of him as he was on the move!

This 5 month old boy came to play!

And what a curious climber, too!

If you like to play with kittens, this is the guy for you! Frisky, funny and lovable ~ we laughed non-stop playing with him! Aurora Animal Shelter 303-326-8280, 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80011. Ask for Smokie - A175200

You may remember 4 year old Bella

She was the overweight girl we had made our "project." We were on a mission to help her lose weight, get some exercise and find a loving home. We expected to have her around for a long time.

When we walked into the shelter yesterday we were concerned that she wasn't in "her room." Once we found our favorite Vet Tech we learned BELLA WAS ADOPTED! The three of us hugged, high-fived and even had a few tears. We are so happy she has a home and truly hope she continues on her healthy path. We have to admit, though, we will miss her. Be well, dear girl!

There's a new girl in the private cat room now! Meet 3 year old Penney ~ who actually resembles Bella in her beautiful coloring and markings. 

And like Bella, she needs to lose a little weight so she's our new "project" and we're helping her to get on a healthy path as well.

She is a lover girl who purrs and purrs and loves being pet. The more time we spent with her, the more her funny, silly, adorable personality came out!

I love her. She's 3 years old, spayed and ready for a loving home that will help her along her healthy weight loss path. Aurora Animal Shelter, 303-326-8280, 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80011. Ask for Penney - A175248.

A return visit from beautiful 4 year old, Nina  ~ she's still looking for a home ~ same shelter, same phone, same address. Ask for Nina - A174675. She's a cuddle bug ~ curious, playful and loving!

And you may remember Suzie from last week. She is a year old, gorgeous, playful, curious and a cuddle bug, too! Same shelter, same phone, same address ~ ask for Suzie - A174295.

After we spend time with these beautiful creatures we develop a connection with them. And although we miss them when they leave we rejoice in their happiness in finding loving homes with loving families!

Go get 'em!

Two Little Monkeys

Returning home from the shelter I am always so incredibly happy to see my two little monkeys. They greet me with wagging tails and their little puppy dog dances .

Seeing shelter animals and the longing yet hopeful look in their eyes would be more than I can bear if I didn't know that good things do happen to shelter animals. I mean my two little guys - both adopted at age 6 - once looked out from behind the shelter glass with that same look. And their life turned out alright. 

They like to wait for their Dad to come home and have their special spots.

Their Dad likes to cook and Koko (on the left) has always liked being his "sous chef." This morning Kizzie (on the right) took an interest so we called her "sous chef in training." Koko is hoping this means a promotion for him. They were getting a lesson in handling raw meat.

Koko is all boy. He loves cold weather and snow.

Koko is all boy. He smells worms and bugs and rabbit poo on walks. And he chews with his mouth open. (Which - to be honest - is pretty hilarious.)

Koko is all boy. He likes to bug his little sister. Endlessly. 

Koko is all boy. He makes messes and doesn't clean them up.

Kizzie is kind of a princess ~ all girl. She likes to choose the most comfortable spot in the house. And then claim it for her own. For all time.

Kizzie is all girl ~ a real fashionista!

Kizzie is all girl ~ she eats like a lady.

Kizzie is all girl ~ neat and tidy keeping her toys in order.

But in the end ~ they are both adorable, both beautiful, both loving, both funny and sweet beyond words. I could not be more grateful to The Universe putting them in my life...

All boy. He just can't help himself.

Y

A Life Changer Looking for a Loving Home

There are so many wonderful animal shelters and animals rescue organizations in the Denver Metro area so I'm highlighting another.  

The MaxFund is a no-kill shelter in central Denver and they have been around for a number of years.  You can read more about them here.

A sweet little girl has recently stolen the hearts of the staff there.  

Looking for a home!

An adorable Pekingese/papillion/Yorkie mix approximately 8 years old is currently residing at the MaxFund and looking for a loving home.  We are told she is so special ~ a real life changer ~ dog peeps, you know what that means. She is super duper special. She is on thyroid medication but that's no big deal. She is recently spayed, full of life and just waiting for that special someone to come along and scoop her up!

As someone who has adopted two adorable adult dogs ~ despite their small "issues" I can tell you it has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I'm here to say you can teach an "old" dog new tricks! And there is no more grateful dog than an older dog who has been abandoned/surrendered ~ then adopted into a loving family.  A true second chance. Best. Dogs. EVER!

You can contact the MaxFund for adoption information here.  Hurry ~ she is sure to be scurrying off to a home soon!

Adopt A Cat Month

Hey kids!  There is still one week left to celebrate Adopt A Cat Month!  There are so many sweet snuggle bugs just waiting for you at The Aurora Animal Shelter!

These three are just a sample of the cats patiently waiting for you! I didn't get a photo of the kittens - but there are adorable kittens there, too! I can tell you from personal experience that there is no more loving pet than one that is rescued from a shelter! All they want is a safe, loving home...

More photos to come!  Until then go see for yourself!!  

20 Years in the Making

Something has been on my mind. 

For a long time. 

And it's time to take action. 

I don't know about you but the older I get the more I wonder... what is my purpose? Why am I here? Pretty deep, eh? I wanted to record my thoughts and feelings prior to my next step on this path of discovery and compare them with my thoughts and feelings a few weeks and months down the road. And if I go public with my intentions, there is no turning back. I'm committed. Hence a new blog and accountability.  

Here we go.

I have always loved animals. Several cats and dogs have been family members over the years ~ too many to feature but these are the most recent. Some in Memoriam, some still with me...

Jack circa 1986

Ames circa 1995

A-choo circa 2000

Simba circa 2004

Boda circa 2012

Losing three of these guys - Boda, Simba and A-choo - within just a few months' span was almost more than we could bare.

First Boda  - Tim's (my son's) girl, then ours... for 4 short days:

Boda's Gift

(A little post script to Boda's post - she did, indeed, inspire us to adopt again but with a slight twist on what I had predicted!)

Followed shortly by Simba:

Until We Meet Again, Sweet Girl

After Simba passed at age 16 I said no more dogs. She was a hard act to follow. Fast forward 6 weeks and the void in our lives, the emptiness in our hearts and in our home was palpable. Enter Kismet (because she was meant to be ours) aka Kizzie:

To Love a Dog

Sharing promises with Kismet aka Kizzie at the Dumb Friends League 

the day she was adopted October 22, 2013

6 months later our A-choo was gone:

The End of an Era

Feeling Kizzie was lonely and might be in need of a buddy it wasn't long before Koko came into our lives - adopted from the same Dumb Friends League as A-choo and Kizzie. (Kizzie expressed to us later that she was just fine being an only dog. *wink*) I apologize to Koko with my whole heart that I never did a blog post about his adoption. You see, once he bounced into our lives with all his energy and um...no training... well, who had the time? I promise you ~ you will see and hear a lot about Koko Loco, Koko Bean, Bruiser, Sneaky Pete, Bubby, Monkey aka Koko in this blog for sure!  I mean ~ just look at that face.

Koko circa February 2014

I have loved - and do love - each one of them and all the others who have shared their lives with me - so, so much.  

But for the last 15 to 20 years I have felt a calling to do more than just adopt a rescue cat or dog and make them a family member. I have wanted to expand my caring, my energy, my passion and my love for animals beyond the four walls of my home.

But I didn't know where to start.

Thanks to my friend, Yukari ~ who has amazing timing and a wealth of experience ~ I am about to step off the ledge.  Follow my journey as I begin my new life as a volunteer at my local shelter.  It's a big step for me ~ one that I am nervous about, one that I am excited about... one that I have no idea what to expect except...

I know it will change my life.

I will explain in my next post why I feel I am walking into my fear

to quite possibly discover the meaning of life.