A LETTER TO MY FRIEND ~ ERin, the LITERARY CAT

By way of introduction, this is my friend ERin (or more properly ERin Chumley), a very literary

cat and also a Princess.  Her dear friend is Mrs. H (again, to be precise, Mrs. Hudson).

They are well known to do considerably concise and delightful book reviews

on a regular basis, but together, along with a charming cast of characters, are 

"authors" of some renown in their own right.

ERin pens and posts at her own blog, most often each Sunday, but on other days

as well, and we encourage you to VISIT HER HERE.

~ now, with the formal introduction over, I share with you, my letter to ERin ~

_____________________________

Dear ERin,

It was not so long ago that you (writing as M. E. Watson), along with our dear friend, Kerry, gifted us your lovely book Pirates & Pussycats, The Hunt for White Tail's Treasure.  

First, together we share in the loss of our beloved Kerry who sadly crossed her Rainbow Bridge and will always be remembered. 

After reading your book and believing in pawing forward, it was passed on to another "grandma" in our building for her little grand girl.  Just recently, mine Mommy saw the two of them in our lobby ~ the little girl shyly said, "thank you m'am, I liked the storybook".  Mommy thought you should know.  I believe Miss Kerry heard her say that.

And then, mine Mommy chatted with you about drama students she knew here from a high school for the arts, and a smaller but similar group of drama students in elementary school here, that she did not personally know but had been told about by her teacher friend.  

Before she even realized what was going on, but knowing the importance and value of reading at a young age ~ you, ERin, along with Mrs. Hudson and Mr. Watson stepped forward and told mine Mommy that a wonderful gift package of books was on its way to her!  Ten copies ~ oh my kitty cat, of their newest book ~ Chumley and Hudson Investigate, The King Herod's Affair.

What truly fabulous gifts, what a kind and generous thing for all of you to do for us and for these young school children who are receiving these books. The simple words of thank you seem not enough.  We are very grateful. 

Meows of thanks, JUNE and mine Mommy

________________________________________

For anyone interested in their own copies of ERin's books, 

both are available on AMAZON and you will find direct LINKS 

on the Cat Blogosphere's page

SHOP WITH FRIENDS.  

They are a wonderful read for all ages ~ 

are great for gift giving for

young readers and young at heart!

 

IN MEMORY OF OUR FRIEND ~ KERRY BARBERO

 Kerry Kaye (Crane) Barbero 

Kerry Barbero, aged 54, of Springfield, Oregon, died June 17, 2025 of natural causes from cancer and Cystic Fibrosis.  Kerry was born in Denver, Colorado to Mary and Donald Crane and grew up in Western Colorado.  She attended college at Colorado State and the University of Oregon, where she earned a Masters in Historic Preservation.  Kerry was an active supporter of the Shelton McMurphy Johnson House, serving as a longtime curator (2001-2021) and as a former Director.

Many here throughout the pet community will remember Kerry as an award winning author of short stories shared on her blog, Noir Kitty Mews (2015-2022), most frequently starring Valentine.  Most recently she was the published author of Pirates & Pussycats - The Hunt for White Tail's Treasure (2024).

Kerry is survived by the love of her life, her husband David of 31 years, also of Springfield.  Survivors include her parents Mary and Don, and sister Kelly of Montrose, Colorado; in-laws Sara and Donald Barbero of Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Brother and sister-in-law Jim and Gail Barbero, niece and nephew Bela and Jake of Cheyenne, Wyoming.  And in Florida, her goddaughters Isabella, Audrianna and Jade.  A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at a future date.

For those who wish to remember Kerry in a special way,

the family suggests a donation to the

Shelter Animal Resource Alliance (S.A.R.A.) 

at their direct link below, or through the GoFundMe link below.

With much gratitude.

SHELTER ANIMAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE

GOFUNDME

EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY

Every day we awake to a new day. 

Today we will place paws together that for many,
so many who are facing much,

this day will be a better day, a good day.

Please place your paws together for our friends,

The J-Cats, Purr-sonally Speaking.

You can visit them here, to share your support.

 

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU ~

Just as we were thinking about a post for today, an email arrived from

our dear friends Linda and little Shelby ~

last Friday we had asked for "paws together" for Shelby, following her very serious surgery.

So many of you came forth and we thank you, she is doing well now and

Linda also wanted to share her appreciation.

In her own words ~

 💗

Shelby and I want to reach out and say thank you for all the prayers, love, and support shown after Shelby's life-saving surgery a week ago.  Prayers really do work.  Shelby is doing great, and her recovery time doesn't appear to be taking as long as anticipated.  If it weren't for her 7-inch long staple "zipper" on the side of her body and all her beautiful long fur being shaved off, one would never know what she went through.  Just knowing that so many out there were thinking about Shelby and wishing her well was a huge comfort to me.  I just knew all the prayers would be answered and they were.  So once again, to all our Blogville friends out there who left comments and healing thoughts here, POTP, the CB, and DaWeenies of Florida, my most sincere THANK YOU.

PAWS TOGETHER FOR SWEET SHELBY

 

Many of you know and remember our dear friend Linda Colon.

Linda was the creator and published of Our Rainbow Friends from

January 2012 through January 2025, dedicating thirteen years to remembering

all our pets who had crossed their Rainbow Bridge.

And she has had, for many years her own blog, DaWeenies of Florida,

though is not currently posting.

Recently, her dear little pup, Shelby, had serious health issues and was found

to have a large tumor located hear her lungs.  Shelby already suffered from a

heart murmur and at age 13, surgery was considered high risk.

But without surgery, the prognosis was fatal.

On Tuesday, her excellent vet and his team opened her chest, going in through

her rib cage and successfully removed the entire tumor.  A tube was inserted

to drain fluids and she spent the following days at the vet for observation.

This "fighting the good fight" little lady is now resting comfortably at home and

will have a recovery time of at least two weeks.  Her loving family, and

pupper siblings are watching carefully over her.  Mom Linda will sure appreciate

the Power of the Paw for Shelby and your caring words and thoughts.

Linda will be visiting here to read any and all comments left for Shelby, thank you!

IN MEMORY OF MARG ELMENDORF ~ "THE HAPPY MIDDLE"

There are no happy endings.  Endings are the saddest part.  
So just give me a happy middle and a very happy start.  

So wrote the poet Shel Silverstein.

     If we wanted to name a friend who gave the pet world a "happy middle" for more years than one could count, her name would be Marg.

     Let us begin with the happy start, in upstate New York, where she grew up, the love of animals embedded in her spirit and leading her to earn a degree in animal husbandry.  Then, as a young woman, she worked her way down the East Coast ~ largely on farms, and in stables ~ training and working with horses.  Teaching riding to the young and ultimately settling in Charleston, SC.  Some years later, Marg reached the dream of purchasing her own small farm to the west, in rural Anderson, SC.

     And now comes the "happy middle" when we in the pet community began to get to know and love our Marg through her blog, MARG'S ANIMALS.  For it was on this farm, in this life, that she shared with us those animals she so loved.  Two mini-donkeys, Smoke and Joe.  Her beloved Ande, always running at her side, the dog who got on so well with every critter on the farm!  And the kitties!  Her inside kitties, outside kitties, porch kitties, barn kitties.

     She wrote of each with love in every word, with humor, with whimsy, she never forgot a name. Any who fell ill made the long trip to town for vet care no matter the cost.  She photographed each with an artist's eye.  She cried at each loss, we cried with her.  We shared her joy at each new arrival ~ for no stray, no feral, no litter of newborns brought by a neighbor ~ was ever turned away from her door.  There was always room for more.  All lived in harmony.

    Time passes for all, and the time came when Smoke and Joe moved to the farm next door, but Marg could walk to the fence line to rub their noses and bid a 'hee-haw morning' to each.  Sweet Ande crossed her bridge.  As did many beloved kitties and neighbors knew not to bring new kitties now.  The long drive to town was getting more difficult.  Older hands found feeding so many harder, old bones ached walking out to the barn kitties ~ yes, much was changing now.

We believe that as her "happy middle" was coming to a close, 

and Marg moved on from her earthly life,

 she simply began another "happy start".

For on that day, there just had to be hundreds and hundreds of her animals, 

who probably brought a lot of their friends, waiting to welcome her.

To hee-haw.  To bark.  To meow.

In one voice, together ... all were saying, welcome home, Marg.

Marg Elmendorf, April 9, 1939 to December 22, 2024

~ ~ ~

Scroll down for a collection of photos of Marg.

If you would like to make a contribution in her memory,

information is at the close of this post for donations to the

PAWS Shelter of Anderson County, SC 

Above, Marg and kitties.

Below, Marg's own photographs of a few of her sweet kitties, and the donks.

Above, a montage of her kitties, a caricature by Barb Kowalik, with Smoke and Joe.

Below, a few of Marg's Animals blog headers.

Below, with long time and dear friend Dee.

With Ann and Terry.

Both photos, 2018, Anderson, SC

PAWS Shelter of Anderson County, SC

1320 Highway 29 South

Anderson, SC 29626

You may donate by PayPal, or by mailing a check to the address above.

Please note that your donation is in memory of Marg

and be sure to provide your own information so the shelter may

acknowledge and thank you for your gift.

For additional information, visit the link below, thank you.

PAWS Shelter

A VERY SPECIAL HAPPY~SUNDAY

Once upon a time (way back in another time, when living in the Sunshine State) I happened to meet, in real life, another pet blogger!  She had two kitties named TK and Pip ~ my two were named Maggy and Zoey.  I can't tell you that the kitties became friends (although Zoey later did, but that's another story for another day ...) ~ but she and I, well we did.  Fast friends, the day we met.  Best friends, to this day.  All of those beautiful kitties of ours are angels now, we've endured their loss together.  Together we've shared other personal difficult and hard times.  Together, crying.  And together we've shared laughter and joy and opened our hearts and souls to one another.  We have traveled together, spent time in each others homes.  She has always been there for me.  I hope I've done the same for her.  Today is her birthday.  And I say, simply, I love you and am thankful you are in my life.  Happy "your" day, my most special friend.  
P.S. and meowing love from Juney, too.

PAWS TOGETHER, PLEASE

 It has been said that "the friend you make today is tomorrow's family"

and that is so very true of many of the friendships forged, even if virtually,

through years of sharing much of ourselves by way of our pets.

When our friends are hurt, sick or sad ~ we are as well.

And so it was to learn that Mark, of the EASY Blog, had suffered a stroke last Friday.

This means Katty suffers as well, frightened for him, for all the

unknowns of the days and weeks ahead.

Please put paws together for these wonderful friends, 

family in our community.  Thank you.

VISIT THEM HERE

 

DON'T GO IN THE WATER!

SHARK WEEK!

And so it begins ~ tomorrow, Sunday, July 7

hosted by our adorable pup friends ~ 

"sharkettes Sunny and Rosy" of

THE LLB LIFE

for none do it better!

Don't go in the water, 

but you can dip your paws

HERE.

Shark photo: Baltimore National Aquarium

CATURDAY ART

 

FRIENDS ~ Lightning and Molly

THE BRIDGE

by Shel Silverstein

This bridge will only take you halfway there
To those mysterious lands you long to see:
Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fairs
And moonlit woods where unicorns run free.
So come and walk awhile with me and share
The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known.
But this bridge will only take you halfway there ~
The last few steps you'll have to take alone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So come and walk with me awhile.  They do not walk with us long enough,

it is never long enough.  Never long enough to share our world, to share all we

want to give them ~ to receive all they so unconditionally give to us.

And though we are by their side,

they take their final steps alone.

May they be peaceful steps.

Lightning, our beautiful Sibe Boy, rest well forever.

Molly, our beautiful Aire Girl, rest well forever.

THANKFUL THURSDAY ~ May Our Rainbow Friends

 ~ a special thank you to a very special friend who sent these lovely "cheer you up" flowers yesterday ~

Today, Our Rainbow Friends has published the May edition, for 

beloved pets who crossed their bridge last month.

Comments for those who cared so much for them are always appreciated.

Our Rainbow Friends

FOR KIM ~ FOR DERRY

More years ago than I can remember we met ~ Derry, Nicki, Annie and Angel Chumley, they lived at Fuzzy Tales (of course, it was a virtual meeting, as most are in our pet community).  I came to know their wonderful Mom, a loving cat-mom in all ways and an exceptional photographer of her beautiful "fuzzy ones" and the world around her.  As time passed, virtual friendships often develop into very close and deep ones, even though we may never meet ... and she trusted me to work with her photos, for her blog ... headers, holiday cards, silly things ~ make believe, and when the time came, as it always does, Rainbow Bridge memories.  Annie, then Nicki ... and now with tears saying farewell to her beloved Derry.  I want her to know that I, too, loved them all, as if they were my own in some small way.  So many photos of each are here and in my heart ... 

MUSINGS ON A SMALL LIFE

FRIENDS FRIDAY ~ THE TWO "T's"

Not long ago we met new friends ~ and we'd love for you to visit and meet them too!  Some of you already have, but if you haven't, well, these two very handsome boys are up for visitors anytime.  TOMMY and TEAGHAN, both Norwegian Forest Cats, now living the good life of retirement (but when did cats ever not be in retirement?) in North Carolina after a move from Connecticut.  Mmm, will they soon "meow" with a Southern drawl?

We sure enjoy reading their stories, seeing their photos ~ and they are very "photographable" to say the least.  We're so happy they are with us in the world of pet blogging!  Stop in and meow-or-woof to the "two T's".

CLICK HERE TO VISIT

 

FIRST FRIEND

First Friend.  I truly love my pet blogging friends who share their amazing and loving dogs with us.  Many dogs have filled my life with their companionship from my toddler days through the days of having my own children.  

This week will be devoted to just a few of these "barking bloggers".  I already know I'll need to do another week, or two, to share them all, as there were far too many to share in just one week!  

Please be sure to come by on Friday ~ it is Veterans Day ~ and we are posting the story of a very special Veteran, and a special dog, one we've written of in the past, one close to home.

This week, our daily posts will feature these great friends ~ 

Chester L.W. Spaniel 

Millie and Walter ~ Molly, the Aire-Dale

Dalton and Benji ~ daNelly and daPhenny

Hailey and Zaphod ~ Mackey and Sydney

Ruby Rose

Rosy, Jakey and Sunny

THE GNCAT GNOMES GARDENS of GOOD and EVIL

Earlier this month, while doing my family genealogy research, I met a few of my rather infamous ancestors, The Cat Addams Family.  Afterwards, my dear friend DANI began to help me look deeper into my background, and she discovered another branch of my family tree ~ the Gncat Gnomes!  Then (with a little help from her Mom, Wendy) she gathered them all together and sent them all the way from Canada to Maryland so I could meet them, joining them for formal introductions.  So, come with us please to meet them in the Gncat Gnome Gardens of Good and Evil.

The garden entrance was forbidding, but the topiary gnome-shaped trees and shrubbery were most imposing.  While I was a bit overwhelmed by the strange gnomes waiting in the shadows to guide us, I did keep my eyes on the threatening one high above.  Meanwhile, DANI had spotted a very welcoming gnome cousin, smiling down upon us and assured me we were indeed welcome. 

We stopped first in a sun-dappled enclosure where DANI introduced me to my Great Aunty TigGNer Gnome and she was charming and so pretty.  The shy flutterby Great Uncle GNeorge spoke little and stayed quiet atop his fence, safely away from we intruders.  He did however, wave a wing with a gentle goodbye as we moved on.

The next stop was definitely one we could have passed by!  We all know that every family has its share of "black sheep" and sad to say, mine was no different.  Admittedly, I enjoyed meeting them ~ albeit from a distance.  DANI said that according to her research, all were just second or third cousins, for which I was thankful.  Gnome Batty intrigued me with her purple sparkles ... Gnome BunEars way in back had adorable pink paws, and that snaggle-toofed nameless one in the middle did remind me a bit of Angel Zoey.  So I politely offered up a soft meow, but no cat cuddling with this clan.  

And then, then!  OhMyGncat Gnome ~ surely I am a direct descendant of her, how could I not be?  Nearly hidden in her paper-tent, little Miss GnomeJuneyOne waited to bid us farewell.  We did touch noses, we did give cheek-rubs and shared some tail wagging and I told her how much I loved my paper-tents.  She agreed they are the best fun and that's why she had channeled her love of them to me!  I will remember and think often of her and it was hard to meow goodbye to her (to all), but our time here had come to an end.  T'was a gnome garden of much good ... only maybe a bit not.  So I left happy and content having met my new family of once upon a time. 

Our visit to the Gnome Gardens to meet and greet would not have happened without our friend DANI ~ so thank you and a very big paws up.  Dani and her creative Mom, Miss Wendy did the art and design for all the "good - and the not so good, too" little gnomes shown here today.  All we did was tuck them into some backgrounds.  So again, thanks for bringing some fun to our month of Boolatry.  You might want to visit Dani, if you don't already know her ... she's a beautiful kitty lady with an amazing blog ~ O DANI GIRL.

PAWS TOGETHER ~

Today, we have our paws together.  

We are anxious and worried for our family in Florida ...
and for the many friends made when she lived there,

as well as our pet blogging friends throughout Florida.  

May all remain safe today and in the days ahead.

SPOIL YOUR DOG ~ and YOUR CATS, TOO!

It's SPOIL YOUR DOG DAY

and I've no doubt that Tuiren and Fenris are totally spoiled 

(as are all the dogs I know ~ and all the dogs that have been part of my life!)

You can go these pretty pups at ATCAD.

_______________________________________________

But we figured we could also SPOIL OUR CAT TODAY.

And here are a few pics of June being spoiled!

With odd little toys (like a tin box with a penny inside), 

lots of cardboard boxes of course, and places to hide, 

her favorite spring toys,

mousies and plenty of them, 

and always, always ~ her paper tents!

 

INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY

It's the day ~ International Cat Day ~ and who better to represent this day

than the most stunning one of all ~ CK!

So paw over right now, meow or woof!  She really won't bite!

STUNNING KEISHA

________________________________ 

Now, I, June the Cat, may not hold such an esteemed title, but nonetheless, 

mine Mommy thinks I'm purrty special and in my own way, 

on the edges of being a little bit international or at least nationally recognized ... 

well, OK ... known around town ... 

oh, alright, the next door neighbor knows me by name!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

C'mon.  Finish your coffee.  Put on your extra-eyes.  

Open my 'puter.  Get my mousie ready to run around.  

I've got to hurry up and get over to Brian's Home and ~ ~

Well, all of you gotta get over to Brian's Home today,

cause it is a very wonderful and special

 Thankful Thursday there!

 

WORDLESS ~ and ~ WORDY

WORDLESS

and

WORDY

of course we must be wordy, as today is the 1st birthday of a beautiful little

kitty girl we totally fell in love with when we got to meet her in purr-son on her arrival at her furrever home

MARK'S MEWS

She is the sisfur of Ayla, Marley and Laz 

and also known to be the 'best cuddle buddy friend' with Laz, 

all the kit-kids of TBT, 

please stop in today and wish her Happy Birthday!