Cats and Dogs and Chili Oh My!

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Pamela Knudsen

I reside in a city that has a small-town vibe because of its historic charm, its quaint downtown by the sea complete with a tavern dating back to 1934, the Marine Room Tavern, and its ongoing community events. And what better way for a small town-ish community to kick off summertime than to have a Pet Parade & Chili Cook-Off?

The event, hosted by the Laguna Real Estate Charitable Assistance Fund has been supporting Laguna Beach’s animal nonprofit organizations for over 20 years. From sea lions to felines, Laguna Beach loves its animals, and what better organization for a cat lady to be involved with than The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats? I’ve been a volunteer for 10 years and have worked the Blue Bell booth at several Pet Parade events. This year was extra special because of the event’s return after a 4-year hiatus thanks to the pandemic and skyrocketing costs of the longstanding venue where the event was held.

A new venue was found and on Saturday, June 24^th, the parking lot of the Neighborhood Congregational Church was filled with people and their pets, colorful booths holding space for animal nonprofit organizations including Catmosphere Laguna Foundation, The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, One Mutt at a Time and Friends of Normie, various real estate firms, and the Laguna Beach fire and police departments.

One Mutt at a Time

I was honored to meet the police department’s support dog K9 Cooper, a loveable Lab who joined the police force to offer support and comfort to survivors of crime and people dealing with trauma. Not only do Lagunans love their animals, they understand the animal-human bond and the positive impacts that these precious beings have on us humans.

Dogs, puppies, cats and kittens were entered into the parade in various “cat-agories”. One of Blue Bell’s feline residents, Honey, won the award for “Most Gorgeous Senior Pet” and friend of Blue Bell, Rolo, won first place in “Best Costume” and “Happiest Rescue”. It was great spending time with Rolo and his mom Elizabeth who adopted Rolo at CatCon.

Blue Bell Resident Honey

Friend of Blue Bell Rolo the Adventure Cat

You don’t get much more of a small-town feel than being in a place where everybody knows somebody, the aroma of chili permeates the air, and people gush over pets in costumes.

And back at the cottage, Samantha has been her usual sweet and sassy self.

She expressed her dismay about not being able to go to the Pet Parade & Chili Cook-Off.

Yet she found solace on a sun hat.

Samantha was thrilled to see herself in Laguna Beach Magazine’s June/July issue, which featured my book Two Cats, a Mermaid and the Disappearing Moon!

And she adores my new home-office chair.

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July everyone!

A Barn Owl and the Shooting Star

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Pamela Knudsen

Today, November 20^th, Samantha Jo turned three-years-old! I never knew the birthdays of any of my other cats, only their approximate ages. So, a few weeks ago I thought, how fun would it be to have a birthday celebration for Samantha? But before I knew it her special day crept up on me and I’d not planned anything. What kind of cat mama am I to let her birthday celebration planning sneak out of sight?

I’d envisioned having her cat daddy and my cat-loving girlfriends over to the cottage, sipping champagne and singing Happy Birthday to Samantha, who would be busy batting her kitty soccer balls around, yet stopping to receive pets and snuggles from her adoring people while weaving in and out of our legs. She would then melt the crowd by rolling onto her back and wriggling from side to side, inviting tummy rubs.

But seasonal festivities, that day-job thing, my labors of love: working on my children’s book publishing process and participating in Blue Bell Foundation for Cats events stole time away from Samantha’s party planning.

Helped decorate Blue Bell’s Christmas tree at Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy

I found “purrmaid” wrapping paper!

Although, Samantha probably thinks every day is her birthday as I lavish her with random gifts, like the Gibson Flying V catnip guitar (move over Joe Bonamassa!) that I picked-up at Cat Con, made by Crochet Kitty and those wooden balls she loves to bat around the cottage that I recently found at Laguna Art Supply. Not to mention the “birthday” kisses she gets every day.

Samantha channeling Jimi Hendrix

The day is still young, and I’ll come up with a little something special for her, but as you all know, every day is a birthday party for our precious furry family members.

* * *

I instigated an impromptu birthday celebration in the late afternoon, with a visit from Cat Daddy and Auntie Marilyn. We made a toast to Queen Sassy Pants and she enjoyed snuggles and our admiration at what a healthy, happy and darling girl she’s become.

The celebration was winding down when I happened to look up into the almost-dark twilight sky. I saw the majestic wingspan of a barn owl as she gracefully flew over the neighborhood towards the hills of the canyon. I walked out into the yard to get a closer look. And as she disappeared into the distance, a shooting star fell slowly from the indigo sky, soring downwards towards the ocean with its tail trailing behind.

I couldn’t have planned a more purrrfect birthday celebration.

Bonus Video! Watch Samantha play ball on her birthday…

We’re Somewhere in Between

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Pamela Knudsen

“Moving backwards, hurt comes after / Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line
Moving onwards, feeling strong, but / Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line”

Lyrics to “Justified” by Kasey Musgraves

At a Laguna Beach Business Club meeting a couple of weeks ago, a fellow member, in commenting on how healthy I looked said, “… You just bounced right back!” I laughed and told her it depends on the day. Appearances can be deceptive. I’m learning my limits. I’m learning that one does not bounce back from Stage IIIC endometrial cancer, major surgery, and chemo and radiation treatments in just a few months. But I’m much further along than I was a few months ago.

Loving my warm welcome back with co-worker Danielle, who decorated my office.

I returned to work on October 4^th after an eleven-month medical leave, working part-time and mostly from home. I was ready to work again, but wasn’t anticipating that even a partial day at the office could be so draining, leaving me with just enough reserves in my tank to take care of Samantha Jo, the cottage and myself in the most basic of ways. The vim and vigor I had to do those things that fuel my soul (volunteer work for The Blue Bell Foundation, working on my children’s book publishing efforts, walks along the beach) before I returned to work were gone. Yet, it felt good to be productive, earning a paycheck again and having a daily routine. I am grateful for that, and have accepted my temporary limitations. I’ve had to incite self-discipline on many occasions—saying, “no can do”. But it’s paying off. I’m adapting to my new schedule and my strength and stamina are slowly creeping back. It feels good to run a couple errands at the end of the day and have a little fun on the weekends without feeling completely wiped out.

Me at the office; Samantha waiting for my return…

Samantha, my executive assistant.

And I also have the emotional and mental strength it takes to take care of Samantha who is also going through her own healing journey. She was diagnosed with a medium sized bladder stone in October and responded well to an herbal supplement, Break It Up! by Natura Petz Organics, which breaks down bladder stones. I was over-the-moon thrilled to see her kitten-like behavior return, and the best indicator of healing—no blood in her urine for almost two weeks! Then external forces triggered high-anxiety in my cat-child. A roaming neighborhood kitten who got too close to the cottage for Samantha’s comfort, a cat fight one night in the crawl space under the porch, the thumps and bangs of debris hitting the roof caused by harsh winds all happening within a bout a week’s time triggered high anxiety in my girl, which caused the cystitis to return. Her behavior has stabilized, yet most of her pee puddles still contain some blood. So…it’s back to the vet again.

Samantha Feelin’ Good before all the outside ruckus occurred.

Enjoying Halloween…

Me and my girl, we’re somewhere in between healing and healed. Feeling good, but not great; feeling great, then feeling bad; riding out a plateau, then finally moving forward. We’re stumbling along the healing track together sometimes getting derailed, but we have each other, and together, we’ll get there.

Photo courtesy of Tarek Jadeba

In the meantime, we’re having some joyful moments! Enjoy Samantha’s first video in the last scene.

Samantha turned 2 on November 20th! Happy Birthday, Baby!

I was able to help decorate a Christmas tree for Blue Bell at Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy!

Blue Bell’s tree won 3rd place in the tree decorating competition! Standing with Jenna, Blue Bell’s assistant director on the left and fellow volunteer Terri on the right.