Thoughty Thursday: Thanksgiving & Rainbow Pets

by Amy Shojai | Nov 24, 2011 | Appearance (Theater, Signing, Talks) | 7 comments

Happy Thanksgiving! After a whirlwind trip last weekend to New York and back, I’m grateful to be home safe again. The Cat Writers’ Association conference has been good to me, and this year was no exception. While I’m thankful for the business opportunities and awards bestowed, those pale compared to the friendships developed through my work. I am honored to be in the company of these wonderful, dedicated professionals.

I’m thankful to be home with my family—furry and human—rather than on the bumpy road and bumpier plane. I’m thankful my human family, though miles away, remain close-nit and loving. And I’m thankful all remain healthy.

I’m thankful for veterinarians who make life better for the pets we adore. I’m thankful for researchers who work to find diagnoses, treatments, and cures for our ailments, both for pets and for people. I’m thankful for the animal welfare volunteers who do the work of the angels when others somehow let pets down.

I’m thankful that I have the best job in the world, sharing information about the cats and dogs that have become so important to our emotional and physical health. I’m thankful for publishers, editors, magazines, newspapers, TV and radio shows, websites, bloggers and email lists that share these important resources to benefit cats and dogs and the people who love them. And I’m thankful to writing organizations, teachers, agents and all those who promote the craft of good communication and help others pursue this rewarding craft.

I’m thankful that I found a dumped kitten fifteen years ago and brought her into my home and heart. I’m thankful that Seren-kitty still acts like a kitten and stays so healthy. I’m sure my veterinarian also is thankful Seren remains spry, since she is not a happy patient and the clinic staff likes to keep their fingers intact. I’m thankful Seren only rarely presents a hairball “gift” and that I’ve not found it barefooted at 3 a.m. for many months. I’m thankful she’s given up playing “gravity experiments” with my fine breakables, and has decided it’s okay to nap on my lap now and then. I’m also thankful that she’s decided the dog is a boob and great fun to torment, rather than spending all of her time sequestered upstairs.

I’m thankful for responsible breeders who ensure purebred dogs and pedigreed cats have a healthy paw-start in life. I’m thankful that Magic-dawg at age five has become a bit…just a bit…less driven. I’m thankful for water hoses, and tennis balls, stuffed teddy bears and Frisbees that wear Magic out without exhausting me at the same time. I’m thankful my roughneck dawg hasn’t had any injury or digestive “whoops” this year. I’m thankful Magic is smart, funny, a comedian, and a wonder to train—and doesn’t argue but has accepted that the cat is the boss of him.

I’m thankful that although he never grew up with pets, my husband loves Seren and Magic as much as I do. I’m even more thankful they adore him back (that could get awkward!). I’m thankful for my church family—pet lovers or not—who also support my furry notions. I’m particularly thankful to the Cuchara Gang (you know who you are) who lift me up with friendship and love.

I’m thankful for music that has always been so much a part of my life. I’m thankful for theater that feeds my soul. And I’m thankful my co-author helps me combine music, writing, theater and pets into exciting new possibilities–see the sample in video, below. Note that all the CUTE DOG AND CAT PICTURES are in the video. *s*

Finally, I’m thankful to you—yes, those who read this blog or any of the other writer-icity hangouts I frequent. Without you, I would not have a career, and my life’s passion would remain unfulfilled. Without you, your pets wouldn’t have the wonderful love and care you provide. Without you, there wouldn’t be any reason for this heartfelt—THANK YOU.

RAINBOW PETS

Black and white, brindle or tabby,
Merle or brown, sable, Abby,
Persian, Collie, whole or fixed,
Rainbow pets a perfect mix.

I was young, I was old.
I was rescued, I was sold.
I was sick, and you were kind.
By some mystic Master’s design
Can’t you see, meant to be
You will always be mine.

Whoops or planned, shown or banned,
Shelter, rescue, foster, pound,
Bottle babies, purebred ladies,
Perfect, damaged, all are found.

You were clueless, so were we.
Lessons learned don’t come for free.
Can’t go back, regrets define.
By some mystic Master’s design
Shed no tear, have no fear,
Pay it forward in kind.

Blond or blue, calico, curly,
Pointed, smooth, wirehair, surly,
Sweetheart, bold, or shy thereof,
Rainbow pets—we’re yours to love.

Love me now, love me then,
Love me when we meet again
At the bridge, the rainbow shines
By some mystic Master’s design
In its light, Ever bright,
You will always be mine.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

7 Comments

Brenda on November 25, 2011 at 2:26 pm

Happy Thanksgiving holidays to all of you! What a heartwarming story about Little Gray Kitty.

I am extra thankful this year for the great veterinarian who saved our dear indoor one when he had his close call with death. Also, I am thankful I got to know the two dear sweeties who so heartbreakingly did not make it through the autumn. (They were young ferals and their humans did not get them indoors in time.)

Thank you for your blog.
Reply
- Amy Shojai, CABC on November 25, 2011 at 4:26 pm
  
  Hi Brenda,
  
  Great veterinarians make all the difference. *s* Thanks for reading the blog.
  Reply
Chris Davis on November 24, 2011 at 1:56 pm

What a nice post, Amy – Happy Thanksgiving!
Reply
Catherine Fitch on November 24, 2011 at 9:15 am

Welcome home, Amy. Home is best, even better than a fun conference.

Thanksgiving Story: (I would put this somewhere else, but I have not figured out a way to start a new message. If you want to move it, please feel free.

We had a tiny little kitty. I named her Katie, but somehow it never stuck, and she just was always called Little Gray Kitty. She was almost a feral cat, and although she did come inside, you almost never saw her, except at feeding time. About once a week, she would come and sit briefly on my lap, as if to assure me that she really did like me.

Six weeks ago she disappeared. I thought the coyotes got her, and I gave away all her bowls so I wouldn’t feel sad, and I got another kitty, Isabelle, a Siberian Forest cat, but that is a whole other story.

Two days ago, I was waiting for my husband in our car, when he walked up to the car with Little Gray Kitty in his arms! She was terribly thin, and I treated her with Frontline before I even set her down inside, but otherwise appears to be fine!

So now I have two kitties!

We do not know where she was, but we are very thankful she is back. I see no animosity between the two kitties. Next week I will take them both to the vet. I will have Little Gray Kitty treated for tapes, and they want to check them both for something I never heard of that they said she could get (not Feline Leukemia; she has been vaccinated against that).

I am very thankful for both of my lovely kitties. And oddly, Little Gray Kitty seems much less fearful. She is coming, especially to my husband, and sitting with him. She even greeted all the dogs happily.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Reply
- amyshojai on November 24, 2011 at 1:33 pm
  
  Catherine, what a wonder Thanksgiving story–that the kitty is safe home again! Thanks for sharing. And…that’s the perfect place to post. *s*
  Reply
patriciasands on November 24, 2011 at 8:25 am

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family – every day!
Reply
- amyshojai on November 24, 2011 at 1:32 pm
  
  Thank you Patricia–you as well. *s*
  Reply

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