My Furry Babies

I grew up on a farm and obviously was surrounded by animals at home.  And my sisters and I befriended and named them all.  Each year I named a black angus "Freddy".  We had about five Freddies!  Shucks, my sister Theresa even had a favorite chicken she trained that would sit on her shoulder.  It's truly amazing we never had lice, or just awfully lucky, I'm not sure what to call it.  Gosh, I'm scratching my head just thinking about it!

Included with all the farm animals was a barn full of cats.  One summer, we had over 25 cats and I loved sneaking out to the barn to yell, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty!"  The cats would come running from all different directions.  Ever see Ace Ventura - Pet Detective where he stands in the middle of the room and all of his animals come running to him?  Yup!  That's how I felt!

It was only natural to take on a kitty we rescued when my husband and I lived in Saginaw.  He was an injured, wild kitten so moving in with us was scary for him at first.  Oscar, as we named him, adjusted well, though.  And so did we.  See, I was used to OUTDOOR animals, not INDOOR ones.  But I fell in love and found my best little friend who would cheer me up whenever I needed it.  Oscar was my first "baby".

When we moved first to Seattle and then to Rockford, Oscar was there with us.  We decided that he would need a kitty friend when I found out I was pregnant so as God would plan it, on my way to work at church, I saw a sign that said "free kittens".  I stopped and that was all I needed.  Found little Bella.  And the two became fast friends.  

All through the years, my kitties were my source of joy (they're so funny!) and comfort.  When I had a bad day, I would talk to my husband and then find a kitty to pet.  Sometimes I would go to the kitty first and THEN talk to my husband!  In 2007, I had to have Oscar put to sleep and the pain I felt in my heart was so intense.  It was one of the saddest moments in my life holding my dearest little friend as he died.  =(

But now I have two new kitties who I think were brought to me by Oscar Angel.  It was meant to be for these two...Hurley, a rescue kitty from Crash's Landing No-Kill Cat Rescue in Grand Rapids, MI and Chenelle (a.k.a. Nellie) who came from my sister's house where the doggy door invites more in than just dogs!  

Bella loves to lounge on the steps (and get a good tummy rubbin' every now and then!).

Nellie & Hurley resting together in one of our large Easter baskets (no longer used for Easter!)!

Bella, Hurley and Nellie are good buddies and they all bring me much joy and give me unconditional love.  They're my furry babies and I love them and am SO thankful for them!  If you ever want a pet, please consider rescuing a shelter animal...they have so much love to offer and need to find their forever homes!