Saturday, October 30, 2021

Halloween 2021: The Lion King and the Wild Cat!!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!!!

I am posting a little early because we will be busy with football on Halloween and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share some incredible graphics that were created by Ann from the Zoolatry blog (you really MUST contact her for artwork, holiday cards, headers, etc. if you haven't already). Ann captured the personalities of Levi and Roary even better than I could have!! Ann TOTALLY outdid herself!

First, we have Levi. From the day Levi joined our family as a 9 and a half week old puppy, he envisioned himself as being the KING:


Even with barely a mane or body fur, Levi had visions of not only ruling our family, but the WORLD!! Now, at 13 months old with the mane and body to match.....Levi has OFFICIALLY dubbed himself as: THE LION KING!


I laugh myself silly every single time I look at that photo!!!! No matter what anyone will tell Levi, in HIS mind, he is the KING (with a secret desire to be a CAT!!)

Speaking of cats, many of you saw this photo the other day, but for those who missed this adorable depiction of Roary by Ann, since the original intent was to use it for Halloween, here it is!!


I think Roary and Levi have their roles mixed up, don't you? That being said, Roary IS a WILD MAN much of the time. He is daring, bold, adorable, cuddly, brilliant, friendly and will investigate everywhere and ANYWHERE.....(especially places he is NOT  permitted to investigate, such as cupboards, tops of doors, the top of the shower stall, etc.)

These two really keep us on our toes and they give us a FRIGHTENING run for our money!

We wouldn't have it any other way!!

From our crazy home to yours, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween!

 

Friday, October 29, 2021

National Cat Day 2021! "Born To Be Wild"

This adorable photo
was created by Ann of the Zoolatry blog
for Halloween, but I wanted to share it today
because it's PURRFECT!!

 Today is National Cat Day!! Yes in our home (and yours!),  it is EVERY DAY but October 29th is the day that Colleen Paige officially dedicated to cats to help bring awareness to the number of cats that are waiting to find their furever homes.

Today I am honoring our adorable and sometimes WILD Roary!!!! 

Roary is one of the friendliest cats I have ever known. He is super confident! Last week when we went to the Vet for his rabies shot, he strolled around the exam room checking EVERYTHING.....he even checked out "Dr.Smiley's" computer. He never attempted to get back in his PTU (even after they gave him the shot and trimmed his nails). He was purrfectly happy to continue investigating.

Roary can open any cupboard with ease, he holds his own with Levi (which is a MAJOR challenge), he is athletic, and frankly I have yet to find ANYTHING that he is afraid of (and he is 16 months old). Vacuums don't bother him, thunderstorms don't bother him, the Vet doesn't bother him. He is our easy-going, fun, inquisitive WILD boy and we love him to pieces!

Roary has the best qualities of my Angels Bobo and Cody rolled into his adorable Marshmallow self, with some wonderful special qualities of his own thrown in. Here's a secret: he TALKS...but ONLY to ME. Never to Lenny. Only me and it's darling!! He's probably cursing me out lol. 

Hoping you all have a purrfect National Cat Day and give your kitties extra kisses from us!



Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Happy World Teachers' Day!!! 2021

Happy World Teachers' Day!!!!

 If you are looking for cats or dogs today, I'm sorry but there are none here! Today I feel it is important to honor Teachers, one of the most thankless jobs that there is. How teachers are able to navigate successfully everything going on with the pandemic is beyond me. In my mind, they are ALL worthy of a medal (and much more income than they receive, but I digress).

I was blessed to have a number of super good teachers in my life. My first memory is of my kindergarten teacher. I no longer remember her name, but I remember HER. My 5 year old mind  thought she was a Princess. She had long blonde hair, and she was the sweetest ever. I remember crying because I couldn't figure out how to put my boots on (not the brightest bulb on the tree for sure) and I was afraid I would miss the bus because of it. She patiently sat with me and helped me figure it out, I will never forget that.



I was also blessed to have a wonderful teacher in 5th Grade. Her name was Mrs. Sullivan. She had beautiful red hair, and truth be told, I think I mostly loved her because she had a Collie. She lived in the neighborhood, and I would take walks by her house with a friend hoping to catch a glimpse of her beautiful Collie.

In High School, my favorite teacher was Mrs. Bevington. She taught English and I adored her (and vice versa). She took a special liking to me and always encouraged me to write. I remember her beautiful BIG smile and that her cheeks were always flushed.



In college I was enthralled by my Philosophy professor,  Dr.Burlingame. He was soft-spoken, his lectures captivated me, and he would smoke a pipe in class (I LOVED the smell of his pipe tobacco).....He wore tweed suit jackets with turtle neck sweaters, I thought he was charming and captivating. We barely spoke one-on-one but I enjoyed his classes so much that I went on to minor in Philosophy (I took at least 4 classes that he taught, if not more.) At the beginning of the semester he would look at the class, see me and say "Ah!! I see a familiar face!!".



Last and far from least, was Dr.Osborne. He was a professor of mine for a number of classes in Rhetoric and Communication. He used to call me "Tuff." I had a HUGE crush on him (don't get excited, nothing ever happened!!). My senior year of college was particularly hard on me, my grandmother passed, and my parents divorced. I used to spend hours in his office just talking about what I was going through, and occasionally we would go out to lunch. I was crazy about him. He truly listened to me and cared about what was going on in my world and he always tried to help. He also smoked a pipe (Captain Black tobacco lol! My father was a pipe smoker too so I bet that had something to do with my attraction to pipe smoking professors!!). He used to tell me he saw a "special light in my eyes.", and that I was always more animated and interested than many of his other students.



 When I graduated I was devastated to leave and dreaded returning home. I remember Dr. Osborne saying to me "Tuff, go forth and do GOOD things!" I was  heartbroken when I heard he had passed a few years ago.


Of course my husband is a teacher! Just look at who he resembles!!

My husband is also a teacher!! (Nope! He doesn't smoke a pipe!) He taught Special Ed. in the City of Detroit (Amelia Earhart Middle School) for 36 years, his mother was a teacher, his sister was a teacher, his niece was a teacher, another niece is a guidance counselor, and another sister is a Speech Pathologist in a school in Florida. My step daughter is an Assistant Teacher for a day care provider. My husband now is a permanent sub.  There are strong ties to teachers and education in our family!!

Hence, World Teachers' Day is a special day to me! " Considering that teachers mold future generations, taking one day every year to say “thank you” is the least we can do. No matter where you are in the world today, remember that teachers matter!"


A most heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the teachers in my life, past and present, and to ALL teachers everywhere!! You rock!!

Friday, October 1, 2021

In Honor of National Black Dog Day: "Sparky the Best Dog" by my Great-Niece, Talia

 Today is National Black Dog Day. Many of you know that black cats are harder to adopt out due to the myths surrounding them and for the simple fact that they are black.  Did you know that black dogs are also often the last to be adopted from shelters, and also have myths surrounding them, just as black cats do?

We have the pleasure of knowing an INCREDIBLE black dog. He happens to be a member of our extended family. His name is "Sparky" and he is deeply loved by my great-niece Talia, my great-nephew Ari, and their parents and grandparents (as well as their Uncle Lenny and Aunt Caren and other family members and friends)

Sparky is a vibrant mix of enthusiasm, energy and love!!

Recently I reached out to Talia and Ari's Mom and asked if it would be ok if I featured Sparky on the blog in honor of National Black Dog Day. Not only did she agree, but my incredible great-niece wrote something just for the blog that I am thrilled to share with you! Enjoy!!

Sparky the Best Dog (by Talia)

 Friday is National Black Dog Day. Black dogs often have a bad reputation but it could not be further from the truth. Our dog is Sparky named after Sparky Anderson. (Go Tigers!)

Sparky's first night with his new family


 We rescued Sparky from Compass Animal Rescue in Royal Oak. I was so happy they picked our family to adopt Sparky. He was saved from Hurricane Harvey in Texas. When we got him, he was very underweight. Now he is perfect. Sparky is probably the only one who loves being quarantined. He liked having me and my brother at home.


Sparky


 He hated when school started but he does enjoy barking and chasing the bus! I feel sad when black dogs often get overlooked to rescue. It makes no sense to me at all. They are so loyal.  In my opinion, everyone should rescue a dog if they can! Please consider looking into black dogs like Sparky!

Sparky and Talia on their trip to Florida


Sparky and Talia



Sparky and Talia



Sparky Sleeps With Talia Every Night! True Love!!

Talia had written a note to Compass Dog Rescue and on May 9, 2020 they posted it on their Facebook page. Talia's enormous love and devotion for Sparky  shines through this precious letter:


I want to thank Talia sooo much for her wonderful words about Sparky and for letting people know just how wonderful black dogs are!!!
 I also want to share a few of my favorite photos of Sparky as well.

When Levi was a puppy the first dogs he met in Michigan were his cousin Punky and Sparky!! Sparky and Levi liked each other from the beginning.



Two peas in a pod

We are so happy that Talia's family gave "Sparky the BEST DOG" a chance and adopted him! He has brought much joy to his family and everyone who is lucky enough to know him!!! Hopefully others will jump at the chance to adopt a wonderful black dog like Sparky too!

Sparky and I in 2019

Happy National Black Dog Day Sparky!!
 Have a great day!! We all love you!!