Our First Valentine's Day!!

 Hi all! It's Roary!! Recently, Mom was telling Levi and I that February 14th is Valentine's Day!!! She explained the history of Valentine's Day to us too!

AHHHH love is in the air!!!!! I can smell it!

I wonder if one day 

I will have a Valentine of my own?

Mom says right now I am too young.

All I have is this woofie

who has no respect for social distancing.

He's acting like he's at the movies

trying to cop a feel!!!!

LEVI: 

"Move on Mom, there is

NOTHING for you to see here!"

That was certainly 
NOT what I had in mind
when I said I hoped
one day I would have a Valentine!!!

Mom says that Valentine's Day

isn't just about having a lover,

it's about showing the people

and pets you care about

lots of love...

that's all well and good but

I hope you have better luck than I did!!!

From the bottom of our

furry , crazy little hearts

we wish you ALL

a Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

We LOVE YOU!!

Roary, Levi and Mom too!

Happy Chinese New Year 2021 (The Year of the Ox)

 Today marks the official start of the Chinese New Year, and...it's the Year of the Ox!

(Courtesy of  Maggie Swanson)

For the past few years I have been the lucky recipient of the GORGEOUS Chinese New Year cards that talented artist, and fellow blogger, Maggie Swanson (visit her Shelter Cats blog here), has been creating for TWELVE years!!

Are you born in one of the years listed below?

I am always enthralled when I see Maggie's artwork.  Maggie is a  brilliant illustrator, you can read about her, and see some of her gorgeous illustrations  on  her artist  website:

When I was a little girl, we lived in an apartment over our grocery store. My parents sold the basics: canned goods, bread, milk and eggs, fresh vegetables and meat. Customers sat talking to my father while he filled their orders. Sometimes they read to me or we colored pictures together. I spent a lot of time in my nest under the penny candy counter, drawing pictures and sneaking an occasional piece of candy when the coast was clear. I can't remember when I decided to become an artist. It was all I ever really wanted to do.

After graduation from Rhode Island School of Design, I spent three years at Hallmark Cards. In college I learned about drawing and painting and dreaming. Hallmark taught me to start and finish a job in a timely and professional manner. After that, I started my freelance career, and have illustrated over 100 children's books for many different publishers.

Now I live in Connecticut, USA with my husband Rick and our cats Mickey Mouser and Rufus the Red, and In my spare time I like to read, garden, and volunteer at PAWS, my local animal shelter. I also photograph and keep a blog about the shelter cats that I meet there. 

We can't thank Maggie enough for taking the time to think of us, and for sending us this darling card. Hoping it brings us some good luck!!!

Happy Birthday to our Dad!!!

 

ROARY: Ya know Levi, today is a special, special day!! 

LEVI: You mean we get more food?

ROARY: No, it's more special than that!

LEVI: I don't think there is any day more special than a day you get extra food.

ROARY: that's cause you're still a baby, I'm 3 months older than you are and I know A LOT more than you do! Today is special cause it's our Daddy's birthday!!!

LEVI: A birthday? What is a birthday?

ROARY:  A birthday is when you celebrate the day you came out of your Mama's tummy with your litter mates. Humans make a HUGE deal when someone has a birthday.

LEVI: That sounds like fun Roary, does it mean that Dad gets more food?

ROARY: Actually, I think he DOES! But, we have to do something special for him BEFORE he gets more food, because believe it or not there are things that are more important than food! 

LEVI: Like what? Eating poop?

ROARY: OMC you are completely disgusting, but then again, I already knew that. You aren't the most discerning about what goes into your mouth like I am, but I digress...by saying there are more important things, I mean like acknowledging someone you love  as much as we love Daddy. We have to do something to show  him we love him. My idea was since Mom is constantly annoying us taking photos, we should break into her computer and post photos for Daddy for his birthday!

LEVI: Of food?

ROARY: OMC you have so much to learn! Nooooo Big Head! Pictures of US!! Cause WE make Dad smile! Trust me on this Big Head, he's gonna LOVE THEM!! I'm gonna share my photos first, ok?

LEVI: Ok!

Dad you make me soar to new heights!!!

I love relaxing with you!

YOU ARE THE BEST DAD EVER!!

LOVE, ROARY

😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻

LEVI: so now it's my turn?

ROARY: take it away, and when you're done, take your wooly, big-headed self back to Ohio where you came from! (Ooops! I didn't say that, that was my evil Gemini twin saying that, not me!!) Go ahead Big Head, post your photos!

You always make me feel safe!

You are fun to give kisses to!

I love relaxing with you after a long day of peeing and pooping

👀👀

In my world, you are BETTER THAN TREATS! 

(wait, I'm not sure about that but I will say it if I get more food)

Now, do I get MORE FOOD????

LOVE, LEVI

🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

IF I FLASH YOU A SMILE DO I GET MORE FOOD???

ROARY: Oh you are exhausting!!! I can barely stand it! No Big Head, you don't get more food until I sing Dad his special birthday song!!!!

ROARY: 🎜🎝🎶🎜🎝🎶Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday deeeaaaar Daddy!!!! Happy Birthday toooooooo YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU DAD!!!!

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

LOVE FROM ROARY AND LEVI

LEVI: YAY!! Now that the obligatory birthday post is over I DEFINITELY GET MORE FOOD!!!!! Bring it on Dad, step up the pace, jump to it!!!!!! I'm STARVING!!! Oh and enjoy your special day but, enjoying it doesn't mean you shirk your responsibilities!!!!!! BRING ON THE FOOD!!!

 LOVE, LEVI

🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂