Cat Book: Purrseverance (Inspiring Stories of Cat Resilience and Hope) Compiled by Sierra M. Koester

 

Since my beloved Cody passed on June 30th, 2020 as many of you know, my time blogging has been greatly limited. When Cody left, any desire to blog that I had left (to be frank, it was waning before he passed and his passing, as well as precious Dakota's nine days later, pretty much sealed the deal).

Eventually I returned, albeit sporadically. I also vowed to no longer do ANY book reviews. Why? Because many of them were just too painful for me to read. (Being candid, they STILL are.)

Back in April or May I was contacted by Sierra Koester, the writer who compiled the above book "Purrseverance" (Inspiring Stories of Cat Resilience and Hope). For those of you who may not be familiar with Sierra, she is "an award-winning freelance writer and professional blogger. Sierra is a Professional Member of the Cat Writer's Association and the Content Manager at The Cat Blogosphere, a place for all pets and pet bloggers. She also writes Fur Everywhere, an educational and entertaining blog about cats."

I'm not going to lie. I sat on this book for the LONGEST time because while it is now 4 years since Cody is gone, the pain is still raw. After enough guilt passed for not opening the book, I decided to finally read it.

I am glad that I did.

It was Sierra's own cat Jewel that was the inspiration behind this compilation. Jewel came to live with Sierra at the ripe old age of 14 after having lived a challenging life. Sierra penned, "it wasn't until I met Jewel that I understood just how remarkably resilient our feline friends can be. Jewel's persistence and resiliency served as the inspiration for this anthology that features other cats who have overcome life's struggles".

A few of my favorite stories in this book are:

My Name is Not Scooter-written by Lorianne Miller about her tripod kitty Evan. Lorianne writes the blog fourleggedfurballs.blogspot.com

Lazarus Cat-written by Sierra M. Koester about  her precious cat Lita

Wren: "A Caged Kitty Can't Purr" written by Julia Williams. This one resonated with me because when I first adopted Cody, he didn't have the fur color that I preferred. I also remember following Julia on social media when she first adopted Wren and was trying to come up with a name for her. 

Brian is Home-written by Terry Frum (who in the Cat Blogosphere is so well known he technically needs no introduction.) Terry doesn't just "talk the talk" he "walks the walk", rescuing a multitude of cats and tending to ferals for YEARS. Terry's beloved Brian, an endearing, wise, gentle and loving tabby boy won my heart many years ago when I first began blogging. Terry and his wife are two of the most dedicated pet parents I've ever known. Not just for their own pets, but Terry has been there for myself and countless others when we just needed an ear to offer support or anything else they may need.  Brian, had many of the same qualities as Terry. He believed "if you're kind, then everyone gets along and we can overcome adversity together." You can find Terry's blog Brian's Home at brianshomeblog.com and you can also find Terry on the Cat Blogopshere: blog.catblogosphere.com.

Carmine Fulfills His Purpose-written by Sierra M. Koester about her beloved kitty Carmine.

AND MANY, MANY MORE!

It is Sierra's hope that the stories in this book inspire you the way they inspired her (AND ME!!!). Sierra reminds us that "sometimes even seemingly hopeless situations can turn around. Our feline friends have so much to wisdom to offer. The next time you are facing a difficult challenge, she hopes you'll choose to follow these cats' example to "NEVER GIVE UP!"

TO PURCHASE :

BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/purrseverance&b=p_fr-ve-bl

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Purrseverance-Inspiring-Stories-Resilience-Hope/dp/B0CVRXJ6K1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1707969034&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/purrseverance-sierra-koester/1144891890?ean=9798350932331

In Full Disclosure: I received no compensation for this book feature. I received a copy of Purrseverance in exchange for my featuring it on my blog.

Gone Too Soon

 When I awoke this morning and visited Facebook, the first thing I saw was that a special person and friend, that was a long time part of the Cat Blogosphere,  one of the first bloggers we met back in 2009, Pattie Kleinke (aka TW or "The Woman", as her kitty CK also known as Cathy Keisha), called her, had passed after a long battle with cancer.

My heart sunk to my stomach. I honestly thought she would win the battle. I prayed she would.

Pattie's blog (or CK's blog, Stunning Keisha, I linked to it in the post below) was one of my favorites. Edgy, funny, often times poignant (especially when Pattie would post "Pop's" 911 post yearly), was loved by many. TW always "told it like it was" through the voice of Stunning Keisha. As my dear friend Layla Morgan Wilde of Cat Wisdom 101  said today "it's the end of the cat blogging era."

In honor of  TW's memory......I wanted to share  a post that I did on December 26th 2019. I wanted to share a happy memory of TW......it's heart breaking enough that she is gone.....but I think she would want to be honored with a smile and a few laughs. The post mostly mentions CK, but since CK shared the same snarky (as well as sensitive) personality as TW, it's purrfectly appropriate.  Enjoy!

Hi my furiends!! It's Cody pawing out the blog today! Well the long wait is OVER!!!! Today is the day that I am going to reveal the most pawesome gifts that I received from the incredibly STUNNING (and brilliant and kind), Cathy Keisha and TW (who we call "Mom").

Mom, Dakota and I opened our gifts on Christmas (oh yes we did!) because I thought it was appropriate to blog about it on Thursday, which happens to be Boxing Day and National Thank You Note Day! (Technically a hand-written note should be written, but we think a blog post is equally as good in this case!) It's the purrfect day to express our immense gratitude!

Ok my furiends, sit back and relax while I show you all of the goodies!

As you know, when the box arrived we all were so excited!

CK and TW had some lovely cards that I was excited to read:

But I just couldn't control my excitement and I wanted to see what was in that box!

When I peeked inside I found a beautiful kitty bag

Inside that adorable bag were wonderfully wrapped presents!!

Ok so I opened a few before Mom took the photo! Give me a break, I was excited!

CK has known me for my entire ten years of blogging, (she has been blogging ten years too and if you aren't familiar with her blog it is named after HER! It is Stunning Keisha and you MUST visit!) CK is a kitty with a lot of street smarts and general life smarts. She is insightful and she writes quite well. Her intelligence  just shines through her blog posts and she would never admit it, but she is also a sensitive kitty. Caring too. I knew since CK has known me so long, she would pick out gifts that would make me purr! She most definitely made me purr!

There were some little toys that I could swat around, a few of them were from the fabulous Catlady Box, and one of them had "World's Cutest Kitty" printed on it. Yep, that would be ME!!!

There was also a cool Tipsy Nip Pickle (I had one many years ago but could no longer find it, so I was thrilled to get another one!) but I think my FAVORITE gift of all came from Meowijuana!!! It was their Catnip Spliff with catnip and valerian root and I went NUTS when Mom let me open it!!! 

When it comes to Meowijuana I don't mess around, that's for sure!!! Mom said she was so happy because I don't play as much as I used to, and when she opened that toy I played like a kitten! In fact, all of that playing gave me the munchies. Thankfully CK had me covered!!! She had gotten me Party Mix too! (That CK thought of EVERYTHING!! But then again, that's how she rolls!!)

 I had so many fun toys and I am so grateful!!

After all of that playing and eating it dawned on me that I hadn't opened EVERYTHING yet! I went back to scope out the box

Sure enough, I had missed two presents! There was one for Mom and one for Dakota too! Wait til you see what Mom got! OMC!!

That is NOT a rug but it is quite large! You know what that is? It's a GORGEOUS  scarf from Cat Lady Box!!!! Mom nearly died! She LOVES IT!! The photos don't do it justice, it's even prettier in pawson!

The colors are just beautiful, it is like artwork on a scarf!!!! Mom is just so excited and practically cried when she opened it. Mom thought it was sooo thoughtful of CK and TW to give her such a beautiful scarf. She is crazy about it!

Speaking of thoughtful, there was even an adorably wrapped present for Dakota!!!

Dakota kept staring at it because he couldn't believe that he was lucky enough to receive a gift!!  Boy oh boy, CK and TW said they had never bought a dog a gift before, but wow did they ever pick a good one!

It's the cutest stuffed Beaver from a place we never knew existed. It is from AKC Select (we know AKC obviously, but we never knew there was a line of toys! Leave it to a smart kitty like CK to figure that one out!) It is so cute and it squeaks!

It is just the cutest!!! Mom tried to get some good pictures but Dakota has a tendency of taking off the second he senses Mom wants to take photos of him.  A super cool thing that happened was a few hours after Mom took photos, Dakota went over to the beaver on his own and started running around the room with it. That made Mom and Dad soooo happy! CK and TW Dakota LOVES IT! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

So there you go my furiends! Mom, Dakota and I cannot thank CK and TW enough for their incredibly thoughtful and generous gifts!!! They are just the best! Taking part in Secret Paws is ALWAYS fun, but it is extra fun when your Secret Paws is a kitty and human that you have been furiends with for 10 years and have admired just as long. CK is one of my first blogging furiends and it just made this extra, extra special. They touched my furry heart and Mom is just over the moon! Dakota too!

Love you CK and TW!!!!!!!! Thanks for making us so happy!!!

OCTOBER 7, 2023

WE MOST CERTAINLY DO LOVE YOU TW AND CK.

TW, YOU WILL BE DEEPLY, DEEPLY MISSED

AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Cat "Mews": Happy "Mew Year's Day for Cats" Coloring and Cabana Cats

Hi my furry furiends, it's Cody! Hope you enjoyed spending New Year's Eve and the "traditional" New Year's Day with your humans! Now this is new to me, but I learned from our Cat Blogosphere calendar that today is "Happy Mew Year's Day for Cats." 

I learned that this day was created by wellcat.com so cats could have their OWN New Year's celebration. Now, that's pretty cool!!

There are many ways to celebrate this day, one of the more obvious is for someone who wants to add a cat to their family (and who DOESN'T?) this would be a purrfect day to do so!

Other ways to celebrate are to share some things that are cat related, and that is exactly what we wanted to do for you today.

Back in November, our furiends at Sundays at the Shelter shared a page with us that we could color. Mom finally got around to completing coloring it the other day.

The artist behind the original drawing is none other than the talented Maggie Swanson, we reviewed a book of hers way back in 2012,  but never realized she has coloring books too! How did we NOT know this?

Mom isn't 100 percent pleased with how the drawing came out. But she sure had fun completing it!

Sweet Nellie
Photo stolen from Nellie on the Edge

The other bit of news we wanted to share is that our precious and cherished, long time friend Nellie isn't feeling well. We know that most of you have already visited and shared some POTP, but for those who didn't know, I know she would appreciate your good wishes!

Nellie is one of the first kitties I became friends with in the Blogosphere. We have shared many, many good times together. She is super special to me and my Mom. I was beyond flattered when she asked ME to be her Cabana Boy on New Year's Eve and make her some "Niptinis", of COURSE I was happy to oblige! Anything for my "Queen Nellie!!"

I make a pretty darned good "Cabana Boy" don't I?

I love Nellie with all of my furry heart,  and KNOW that she LOVES me,  and that is why when she would cavort with other mancats through the years, I didn't mind. I always knew that she had a special place in her heart for ME....and would always touch base with me. I am so happy when she gave me a meow out to help her out on New Year's Eve.

I LOVE YOU sweet Nellie, hoping with all of my heart that you are feeling better soon!!! Not ready to lose you!

Well, my furiends, that's it from me for today, hoping your "Mew Year's Day for Cats" is a special one! Meow to me below and let me know what YOU are going to do to acknowledge this day.

Love to all!

Cody

YOUR Cat Can Be A Calendar Girl (Or Boy!!) The Cats of 2017 Calendar!

For the past few years Cody has been honored to be a part of the Cat Blogoshere Planner/Calendar that "Mom Paula" from Sweet Purrfections painstakingly puts together each year.

Click here for all photo requirements and details!

This calendar is a MUST-HAVE for ALL CAT BLOGGERS!! I have always used an editorial calendar but NONE are as comprehensive, as fun to look at, or as well put together as this one!

There is TONS of space to write important notes that you need for your blog by each date. You know how some folks wonder how the rest of us know about certain holidays and others feel as if they are out of the loop? Well, when you have this calendar you will know about most (if not all) important events that pertain to cat bloggers and you can plan your blogging schedule well in advance.

Also, other calendars don't have THE MOST ADORABLE CATS OF THE BLOGOSPHERE featured in them!! It is so much fun to turn the pages and see the cats (as well as blogs) of our friends and we often meet new friends too!

Mom Paula needs approximately FIFTY more photo submissions within the next TWO WEEKS. You can find all of the guidelines by using the link I posted under the photo above.

If you are in doubt as to how to put together your own collage, NO WORRIES!! I had sized mine incorrectly for this year, but Mom Paula is more than patient and accommodating, she fixed it and already has put my collage together and here it is!

Doesn't it look great?

Now, don't miss out!! Due to the arduous task that it is to make The Cats of 2017 Calendar the deadline is strict!! Hurry and submit your photos today!!!!!

Thank you and Happy Birthday to the Cat Daddy of the Cat Blogosphere!!!!

Thanks for keeping those  "daily linkies" up and running for us!

THANK YOU for keeping us up to date on

our special events, and giveaways, and contests

and for telling us sometimes sad news

that we should know about

We couldn't do it without you!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR MO:

Purrchance To Dream

(P.S.:we are still waiting for you to add "follow by email" to your blog)

THE CAT BLOGOSPHERE

MORGAN on FACEBOOK

I'm Kicking 2015 to the Curb and Ringing in 2016 in the Cats of the CB Calendar

Hi and Happy Monday All! It's Cody, and I am hoping you are all recovered from the Christmas festivities this past weekend, if you don't celebrate Christmas, well, it's "festivus for the rest of us!!"

Mom and I were looking at our blogging schedule (or the lack thereof) for the next week or so, and we were pawing through our Cats of the CB 2015 Calendar (where I made an appearance in February of 2015 ), and now....I am featured this week in the NEW Cats of the CB 2016 Calendar,  kicking 2015 to the curb,  and ringing in 2016. Depending on which calendar you are using, (the old 2015 calendar includes the entire month of January 2016 and most of the first week of February), you just might miss me! Anyway, here I am.......

Have you ordered your Cats of the CB 2016 Calendar? I sure hope so, we would be lost without our daily calendar/planner, and we thank Mom Paula for all of her hard work putting these calendars together. Order your calendar now if you haven't already!

CLICK HERE!!

Cats, CATS and "Mo" CATS (Day!!)

You know what I think of the pawson

who said that there should be a 

NO CATS DAY?

OF COURSE you do...

In the spirit of Wordless Wednesday

I will keep this BRIEF and to the point:

Now, I dare ya pal

come a little closer and say that

to my FACE!!!

I Love My Little "Calendar Boy!!!"

LOOK WHO IS ON THE

WEEKLY PAGE

OF THE

CAT BLOGOSPHERE

CALENDAR!

Thanks to "Mom Paula"

from Sweet Purrfections

for all of your hard work!

We are loving the calendar!

We also love seeing

all of the other

ADORABLE kitties

that are featured here!

Have a great week all!

Happy Birthday to the Cat Blogosphere's Chief "CAT DADDY!!"

Today somebody SUPER SPECIAL

 is having a birthday!!!!!

Thanks to Ann from Zoolatry for this great graphic!

"Herding Cats" is no easy task but Mo works tirelessly on the Cat Blogosphere website keeping us all informed and in touch with each other, all while working full time!

Without Mo, I think all of us would be lost!

Thanks for your love and caring that you show towards 
ALL OF US!!!

We wish you the HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS!!!

Love,

Caren and Cody

Purrs and Prayers Still Needed

Hi every furry, it's me, Cody and I wanted to stop by just to give you a quick update.

As many of you know, I am not feeling well. Mom and I aren't going into detail right now because we don't know anything definitively at this point, but as soon as we do we will update you.

For those who do not know, I haven't been eating right and I was at my regular Vet Saturday and then they made me go to the Emergency Vet where they stabbed, poked, shaved and upset me with all of their pawing around trying to find out what is making me sick. I was an excellent boy, but I just wanted to go home.

I went home Saturday night and I ate all of my food. Then, I ate ALL of my food Sunday without any appetite stimulant!

I got up this morning and didn't feel like eating at all. Mom gave me my appetite stimulant about an hour ago and I haven't eaten yet. Mom is quite worried. We are supposed to call our Vet tomorrow when he is back in town (for follow-up testing), but if I haven't eaten by this afternoon, Mom said she is going to call his Associate.

Mom and I want to thank everyone for all of the caring emails, Facebook messages and Facebook comments we have received. We can't begin to thank you enough for your kindness and caring. We feel as if we didn't thank EVERYONE and if we didn't respond to you personally in a comment on Facebook, we apologize.

Please pray that I am feeling better soon.

I was supposed to have a give-away today for the Neko Nappers Pet House that you see above, but I am not feeling up to it right now. I called the sweet lady at Nekochan to tell her, and she was so nice! She said to just get better and we will hopefully have the give-away soon! I just want to be feeling more like myself so that I can handle the give-away purrfectly. (I love the Pet House and have been spending virtually ALL of my resting time in it! It makes me feel all warm, cozy and safe).

Thank you so much for your understanding, love, caring and support........we love and appreciate each and every one of you.

Cody and (Mom too)

UPDATE: I ATE!!! At 9:30 am Mom "delivered" my food to my cabin, (ordering in is ALWAYS good!) and I ate half of my container of Chicken Purrcata!!!   (Mom had given me the other 1/4 of my appetite stimulant at 8:30 she gave the first 1/4 at 7:30)  Mom is thrilled and told me I am a good boy!!!

Mom and I were also remiss by not saying anything about all of the others who have recently had kitties cross the bridge and poor Marge who needs help with that adorable Donkey boy "Joe". We are heartbroken by all of the loss, illness and horrible events taking place in the blogosphere right now, we send our love, sympathy and prayers to all,  and we pray that things improve for EVERYONE SOON!!!

Blogging Cats Spread The Joy Of Giving!

One of my favorite things about the month of December is the spirit of giving that casts a buoyant glow in the hearts of many.  In the Cat Blogosphere,  giving takes place ALL year, but in the month of December, blogging cats are known to work even harder to ensure that homeless cats, (and often other animals), have the help, hope, supplies and toys that they need to make their holiday season brighter.

This year is no exception.  In the month of December you will be reading on many of our blogs, about some causes that are near and dear to the cat blogging community.

The first of two causes that I would like to share is the:

that was created by Summer and her human Janis, from the Sparkle Cat blog.

The Santa Kitty Toy Hop was created with love by Janis, (as a result of brainstorming with other blogging kitties on Facebook), when it was thought that the yearly Santa Paws Drive would not be taking place (it now IS, and you will read more about that further into this blog post). 

What I LOVE about the Santa Kitty Toy Hop is that it focuses on Blogging Cats giving to other cats (and even dogs!), in their OWN COMMUNITY!

From Summer's blog:To participate in the Santa Kitty Toy Hop, all you have to do is play Santa Kitty to a rescue in your area. Bring the kitties cat toys, treats, or other gifts to brighten their holidays. Take photos of your visit, and then write a blog post about the rescue and what you did. There will be a blog hop that I will host starting on December 12 and going through December 19. It will be a linky you will be able to share on your own blog if you so desire. We cat bloggers are everywhere, so we are hoping to bring the spirit of Santa Kitty to cats worldwide!

Cody and I were super excited to participate! We performed our Santa Kitty duties a few weeks ago at the Novi Pet Expo that was held on November 21st. 

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you know that we often feature rescue/adoption events held by The Michigan Humane Society. As it turns out, Michigan Humane was one of the sponsors of the Expo and they had stated that they were accepting donations there! They were hoping for gently used toys, supplies, monetary donations, anything!  I suggested to Cody that we gather some of his unused and GENTLY used toys together and donate them to kitties who are less fortunate! We also included some misc. supplies such as paper towels, etc.

   

 Cody had his doubts that giving his toys to less fortunate kitties was a good thing, he had some trouble letting go.

 It was important to him that Dakota also get in on the giving!

Our sensitive Sheltie
Shares his Goodies

Dakota's toy donation!

Cody just had to be sure that
some of Dakota's toys were being given as well!

When we completed filling the bags
we ended up with FOUR bags full
of toys and misc. items for Michigan Humane

Our furiends at Michigan Humane
were so happy with our items
that they allowed me to take their photo
(of course, I don't have their names!)

Cody, Dakota and I were proud to take part in the Santa Kitty Toy Hop and hope that this is the first year of a new tradition that will benefit the kitties that are located in our local communities for many years to come!

As we mentioned above the:

is alive and kicking again this year after it was initially thought that it wouldn't be! Cody and I have contributed the past couple of years, (and this year as well!), and we were thrilled to hear the news!

About the Santa Paws Drive:

Santa Paws Drive is the dream of Dorian Wagner, founder of  YourDailyCute.com and the Cute Transport Network. She had the idea for the program, but no idea how to actually pull it off. She reached out from her home in Deerfield Beach, FL to several friends around the world with difference expertise to make it a reality. (See the Elves page for a little bit about each of them!) 

In the past five years, Santa Paws Drive has raised more than $55,000 in toys, treats and donations for 30 shelters worldwide. It's been a huge success, and we were able to mail off huge gift packages and a check to each! 

This holiday season, we want to make an even bigger difference and do things a little bit differently. Our amazing 2014 organizations work together to do something very special – they rescue homeless animals from high-kill shelters, and then transport them safely to partner no-kill rescues up North, who have the space and can find them homes quickly. 

In the past two years alone, the groups Santa Paws Drive 2014 is benefiting – along with their wonderful network of more than 800 volunteer drivers and fosters! -- have worked together to save more than 350 cats and several dogs from kill shelters! 

The ultimate goal is of Santa Paws Drive this year is not only to provide toys and cheer to shelter animals – but to make it possible to give them the ultimate joy… a forever home. 

Photo Courtesy of http://blog.santapawsdrive.com/

And so the donations we are collecting are everything needed to save more animals and make these transports possible. You can donate to save one shelter cat or even a whole family! Or you can donate a carrier for them to ride in, toys and supplies for the ride, or sponsor a spay/neuter surgery. The more we raise, the more lives we can save! 

Donate to help shelter animals today!!

You can also donate directly on the widget on our sidebar!

The Cat Blogosphere 2015 Weekly Planner!

Looking for the PURRFECT gift for a cat lover in 2015?

Are you a blogger who has a New Years "intention" (I HATE the word "resolution" , it is too definitive and confining, but I digress....) of being better organized?

I don't know about you, but if  I didn't maintain an editorial calendar for each of my blogs I would be even more disorganized than I am now!

That being said, you do NOT have to be a blogger to enjoy seeing some of your favorite kitties from the blogs you love, (and some you have yet to meet!), displayed beautifully on the Cat Blogosphere 2015 Weekly Planner! 

Front Cover/Logo  Design by Glogirly

Kitties from all over the world submitted photos to Mom Paula from the adorable blog, Sweet Purrfections (starring Truffles and Brulee), who had the painstaking and rather daunting task of adding all of the kitties to this incredible "week-at-a-glance" planner! The wonderful front and back covers as well as the logos were designed by none other than Glogirly! You know what? Mom Paula and Glogirly completely outdid themselves in this 2015 keepsake, it is GORGEOUS!

Back Cover Design by Glogirly

I have been blogging a little over five years now, and of all of the planners that  I have used to keep my blog posting schedule organized, this one is TRULY the BEST!

The photos of all of the kitties are bright, clean, crisp and a wonderful size! I am loving that when I turn the pages of the planner I am seeing some old and good friends such as Bugsy and Knuckles from the blog Before You Write,  as well as brand NEW friends, (well new to ME!),  who have blogs that I will be adding to my subscription list!

See the page on the right above? That is one of my favorite features of this planner. It actually has spaces large enough to make decent notes in! That is something that I have been hard-pressed to find from the planners available in run-of-the-mill stores. For me, that is a MUST and is a feature that I adore!

The weekly planner  is also quite large, (8.5 " wide by 11 " tall), so it won't get lost on your desk! (if you saw my desk, that is a feat in and of itself!)

Check out Cody's page!

As you can see I have already been starting to add blogging tasks to this planner and I just couldn't be happier!

Once again, this weekly planner is NOT just for those who have a blog, it is for ANYONE who loves cats and who wants to keep their daily tasks organized in an attractive, practical and FUN way, 'tis the season of giving, why not share the blogging love with friends and family? 

Hurry and order your Cat Blogosphere 2015 Weekly Planner NOW!