Tag Archives: Cat adoption

And Along Came Samantha

Posted on by
13

In the winter of 2021, I was grappling with the loss of Bobcat. He’d been one of my feline companions for about seven years. After his best pal, Lexington passed away in December of 2019, Bobcat and I formed a deeper bond. Without Lex, I could focus all my attention on Bobcat and he lapped it up, becoming more affectionate and playful. We became so in tuned with each other, it was no surprise that Bobcat knew I had cancer before I did. The weaker I became, the stronger he doted on me. I couldn’t lie on the sofa without him settling in on my lap with his face inches from mine. I would hold him and he would “kiss” my forehead and stare into my eyes, as if trying to heal me. He became my nursemaid from pre-cancer diagnosis, during treatments up until two weeks before cancer surgery, when he experienced renal failure after a battle with diabetes, and passed.

I was a cat lady with no cats for the first time in thirty-three years. It was an adjustment that I could not get accustomed to. After a couple months of grieving, I’d had enough.

* * *

Samantha Jo (fka Annie) was under weight, had badly matted fur and three bladder stones when she was relinquished to the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. When I met her she was recovering from bladder stone removal surgery. We locked eyes as I stepped into the small room in the shelter in which she was staying. She hopped down from the top of the cabinet she was perched upon and sashayed over to me. I sat down on a towel that was on the floor. She sat next to me then put her paw on the top of my hand and let out a soft “mew.” When I laid eyes on her, I knew we were a perfect pair, and this validated she felt the same way.

My adoption application was approved that day, but Samantha was still recovering and couldn’t be released for a couple weeks, and I had my final chemo treatment to endure and recover from. The adoption would have to be put off. In the meantime, the shelter let me visit.

On April 2, 2021, Samantha came home with me. Although we had a connection, she was guarded for the first year, keeping her distance as we got to know each other. I would often catch her staring at me from across the room, a penetrating stare as though she was sizing me up wondering if I would keep her, or if she’d end up back at the shelter. And if I tried to pick her up, she instantly wriggled out of my arms.

Today, Samantha Jo is my constant companion. I can’t be in the kitchen without her overseeing my every move, from pouring a glass of wine to making tea. She seeks me out to play tag, keeps me company as I work, and once in a while when I pick her up, she melts into my chest, and lets me hold her.

News Flash: I wrote a short story prequel to this adoption story, which is being published in a beloved book series of over 275 titles that has sold more than 110 million copies across the U.S. and Canada, and in 2008 became the best-selling trade paperback series of all time.

I’ll share details over the coming weeks before the sales release date, May 20th!

Learning Living Loving

Posted on by
14

“It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again”

Lyrics from “Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters

I awoke on Sunday, January 15th feeling a little restless, but wasn’t sure why.  I’d slept well, Samantha was curled up in a blanket-lined basket a few feet from the bed and it was Sunday—a day of doing what I pleased. Why did I feel heavy-hearted? I made coffee, settled into the cozy chair with the organic French Roast in my favorite owl mug and watched the dark predawn sky become light gray through the French windows. It was still lightly raining. Samantha was sprawled out by the small round ottoman on which my feet rested. I chuckled as I watched her watching me. She was so happy, and so at peace.

Then it occurred to me: January 15th was the two-year anniversary of Bobcat’s passing. I mentally time traveled back to that day in 2021, his last day with me, two weeks before my cancer surgery. He was a major source of strength for me during my cancer battle, never leaving my lap, or my side.

Bobcat comforted me and kept me smiling, even laughing during some of the darkest moments. I recall wondering how I was going to manage without him; dreading coming home from the hospital several days after surgery to an empty cottage.

I lit a candle in Bobcat’s honor, said out loud that I loved and missed him, hoping that he could somehow hear me from Heaven then brushed off the heavy feeling as I got on with my morning. As I washed the breakfast dishes, the song “Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters came to mind. The chorus looped through my thoughts while I placed the clean, wet dishes onto the dish-drying rack. Now I needed to hear the song–for real, not just in my head. I asked Alexa to play it and I watched, on YouTube, an emotional Dave Grohl belt it out through tears during the tribute to Taylor Hawkins concert.

Music can bring light to situations. My cancer battle, the loss of Bobcat, although tough and heartbreaking, those times made me learn to live again. Then Samantha Jo came into my life, and I learned to love again, and Samantha gave me reason to give, and give again.

Watch/listen to “Times Like These” sung by Live Lounge Allstars (BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge), a moving  performance of 24 musicians  during the COVID lockdown, which raised funds for various charities.

 

We’re Somewhere in Between

Posted on by
16

“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 4th 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.