There is a saying that I have found to be true- ”Dogs have masters, Cats have staff.”

In 1998 a sweet grey cat was sitting on my porch one day. I gave her some water and explained to her that I had a cat who did not play well with other cats. She showed up day after day and Big Foot (resident Queen) did not seem to mind her. Neighbors from across the back field arrived one day, informed us she was their cat and took her home. The next day she was on the porch looking quite pleased with herself. We had been adopted. On July 4, 1998 she was suddenly much thinner. Three weeks later she brought her kittens out into the light. Big Foot passed the next year at 21 yrs old. The mother Cookie and her son Fluffy (we thought he was a girl) came to live with us. Two months ago I lost Fluffy to kidney failure and this week Cookie left to join her kittens. Animals teach us about unconditional love. I am grateful for the years we had together.