May 01, 2026

DO NOT GO GENTLE


"Do not go gentle into that good night," wrote Dylan Thomas.  It was way back in June 2007.  Nineteen years ago.  I was then 63 years old with far more nimble fingers, faster ones, too.  Of course, blogger -- laptops [did we even have them? not that I recall!] -- our technology, our creative tools,  all these wonderful tools we enjoy today to create and share our blog postings weren't available. But we pawed forward nonetheless.  

Others may have been here longer, some not so long.  For us, it has been a beautiful journey, one we are now traveling more slowly, with slower steps.  And don't forget those not so nimble fingers.  We've no plans to fade away gently, yet neither are we quite up to ranting-and-raging with all the fervor of days past [though those folks in our neighbor city of DC sure do make us feel the need to do so!].

Anyway, along the way we have made amazing friends, both virtual and in person.  Some are gone now, though not forgotten.  The joys and sorrows of everyday life have been shared through images and words, publicly through our blogs and often privately writing to one another …

It has been my privilege over so many years to create designs, do art for The Cat Blogosphere and for many bloggers ~ this was always my “first love”, my passion when blogging, and my way to be part of our community.  

FOREVER images, for beloved pets, loved and lost have numbered in the thousands, each an honor to design.  I will continue to do these on request, as long as I am able.  Remember, you need only to email and request, aways complementary.  

Zoolatry has been home to cats and dogs, to children and grandchildren ~ to random photography ~ to what I chose to call “photo-art” [long before the days of artificial intelligence].  Photo-art, using online tools to manipulate photos artistically in the hopes of creating a painting-like image or simply a unique or different design. 

"Do not go gentle into that good night," wrote Dylan Thomas.  So, where do we go from here?  Not so gently into that good night … but napping more, spending days in the sunshine more!  

And we’d always believed [as June would say, kinda-sorta] in “blogging without obligation”.  Yet, if you were kind enough to take time to comment on our blog, I did feel some obligation to visit and return your kindness.  Now, all those naps, the arthritic painful and slow hands and such so often get in the way of doing so …  yet you’ve put your own creativity, time, heart and soul into your posting … you deserve recognition!  Yes, you do.   We had pulled away from much posting because we could not do much visiting and commenting … not fair.

So, where do we go from here?  We think [our tentative plan of the moment] is that you’ll see us twice a week.  Wednesdays: when we can be wordy or wordless: June and I still do want to rant-and-rave pawlitically on occasion (we promise not to do that too often) or sometimes just show a cute, maybe cute photo.  And on Saturdays: this is the day when we can share our art images, always our favorite.  And maybe, hopefully, on the in-between days we can manage a little visiting … thanks for sticking with us, y’all are the best of the best!  

And we'll do our best, as we'd kinda-sorta like to make it to twenty years ... 

thank you and meows, ann and june ~ Zoolatry

29 comments:

  1. We will take your posts as we can get them. You have earned your naps! Your compassion and talent have supported us through hard times, and celebrated with us in joyful times.

    Your art has sustained the catblogosphere for decades. We are all beneficiaries of your talent, and we have been lifted by your contributions. Thank you!

    Now, take a nap, dear friend. We love you.

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  2. We love you both, Ann and June. It's good to hear from you and we completely understand not being able to blog as much as you used to.

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  3. Charlee: "We understand! Things change, times change, people change; our Dada says it's not the same now as it was during the glory days of Dennis, Tucker, Trixie, and Trouble all those years ago."
    Chaplin: "I'm sorry we missed all that. It seems like it was fun times, and we didn't have, you know ..." *gestures vaguely at all the chaos everywhere these days*
    Charlee: "Anyway, we will still be here watching for your posts, and we will see you when we see you!"

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  4. Ann and June, we will be delighted to see whatever you post, and whenever you are able to. Life and age being many changes; we all certainly understand needing to cut back...and needing more naps! Sending love and hugs. ❤️

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  5. As long as you are safe and sound, happy and contented, nobody could ask more of you. We will just have to make sure we visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in between Mrs H's naps and my own ;)
    Stay safe, live long and prosper in everything you do.
    ERin & Mrs H

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  6. oh that Arthur Eye-tis, he izza bass-terd! dee mum keeps tryin to git him to take a hike. so she jus takes her time and duz what she can win she can, it takes longer now and that izza ok. we love yoo both!

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  7. juney chowder, total lee understand, total lee sendz hugz and lovez two ewe N yur mommy, total lee see ewe knead mor springz, total lee manee thanx, total lee N joy yur week oh end, total lee 😸🐾‼️💚🦋

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  8. We absolutely love your art and have missed seeing it daily, but we totally get slowing the schedule! We ourselves can only blog once every few months. We'll look forward to seeing you any time! That is a gorgeous new header of June today!

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  9. Ann and June do as you need to for your well being.
    I 'll pop in when I see your post
    Hugs Cecilia

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  10. Yes, do please continue to blog, even if not with the sam regularity as before. We always enjoy your posts and would miss them sorely. We will be celebrating our own 18th blogging anniversary in June and we echo your sentiments. So many wonderful friends and great furries, too many of them gone, but some still hanging on. Let's continue our journey together as long as we are able!

    Purrs etc.
    The Chans, Olie, The Vs and #1

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  11. We always enjoy hearing from you and June but we too are aging and tiring. We will be happy if you feel like checking in just so we know how you are doing. We read many blogs, but don't comment on every one, so we want to be sure you know we are still faithful followers !

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  12. We are right there with you, Ann. The knees do not treat us so well and maybe a bit the wrists. Mainly we don't seem to have a lot to blog about. We love you and June and all who came before dearly. We wish you the very best. Do rest and take care - that is our biggest wish for you.

    Hugs from Kathie and Woos from Misty and Timber with much love tucked inside.

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  13. Aww, Ann and June, I think it sounds like a plan. I haven't been here long but I came initially for the beautiful photography and photo-art and because there was a like-mindedness that called to me. And because there is humor and a little spice in the mine Mommy and June conversations. As a newcomer here, I am thankful for you, June and your tentative plan.

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  14. I am relieved that you are not going quietly into the night. I enjoy your blog and you do not need to visit me in return. XO

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  15. You are one of a kind, in the best way possible and our Blogosphere wouldn't be what it is without you. I'm also glad you are not going quietly, that's the bestest news. Hugs and love from all of us.

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  16. Ann, you're the best!!! I definitely understand slowing down a bit. I've been saying for so long now that I need to sit down and write you a newsy email. Problem is that there is never anything "newsy" going on anymore. What a boring life we live down here ... LOL I will write soon - promise. Hugs!

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  17. Friends don’t put expectations on friends. I’m glad we’ll see you regularly. Visit when you have time and want to, but no obligations.

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  18. I'm going to continue to check in and will appreciate every post. Cat blogs have been such a wonderful thing in my life and it's been disappointing to watch them reduce in number over the years. So, congratulations on such a long history of blogging and of being so actively involved in the Cat Blogosphere. It might seem like a silly, whimsical thing to have spent time on over the years but please be assured that it has made an important difference in the lives of many. Who would have thought??! LOL
    Megan
    Sydney, Australia

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  19. We know all about that Arthur Itis dude, he visits me far too oftewn in my fingers in my feet and elsewhere. I my self have only logged a little over 10 years, (Starting with Catster/Dogster back in 2009...and then switching over to a bog when those entities died.); and I do enjoy reading, commenting, visiting, and once a week or so, making a post. Good to know that you are not 'quitting'; we love you and it would not be the same in 'blogville' without your presence.

    Just like in my 'real' work, I started that in 2011,and over the years have cut back so that now I am there only 3 - 5 times a month...I just couldn't keep up with being on a schedule anymore, so now I just work when they need me there, at my own choice.
    Peeps gotta do what they do...and I am glad you too, saw a need, and are taking good care of it!

    Good to hear from you and see you here again, soon!
    🥰 ❤️ 🥰

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  20. Great photo June. A lot going on out there in the big world eh!

    I'll be here to read your posts when you get time to :-D Take care both of you <3

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  21. We love the two of you and we love your posts - each and every one of them and we love your June blog header, Juney. Happy Saturday!

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  22. Have never been concerned if I made a comment but didn't get one back.
    While I appreciate comments, I know my posts are sometimes...weird, for lack of a better term.
    Dragons? Books? Museums? Scotland? Artichokes? Tattoos?
    And now, a seemingly never ending dialogue about Henry.
    Hope you enjoy the flowers; The Hubby and I are walking into town to the first day of our city's farmers market, even if it's COLD OUT!
    Hugs and purrs.

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  23. We will be here to visit when you post. Don't feel you have to comment if you visit us. We totally understand.

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  24. We'll be here whenever you feel able to blog. It should be fun - not an obligation. Take care of yourself.

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  25. It can be hard to accept that we're slowing down and can't keep up the pace as we used to. Visit and post when you can. It's a connection, yes, but it's also for fun, not an obligation. We'll be around...

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  26. Your posts are always welcome and we appreciate the effort you take to deliver them. Please know how much you mean to us. We'll take your visits with joy and love and encourage you to not feel obligated to make comments. Your kindness is legendary. Sending hugs and tail wiggles with the hope they'll help hurting fingers. xo

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  27. Take it easy, Ann and sweet June, as long as you both stay healthy and happy, effurrything will be allright😸We read more of your posts, than we comment. Not that we don't want to, but because we have to switch from one browser to another, and forget to do that in the end🙈Double Pawkisses for a Happy Day and Week ahead to the both of you🐾😘💞

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  28. Ann and June ~ Now I know why I have not heard from you ~ do take care of your self ~ Aging is not easy to say the least and you have earned your naps and I thank you creating Forever photos for my 2 Yorkies ~ You are a special lady as is June ~ Hugs ^_^

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