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Hello Friends, early January 2026 brought us a heart-breaking surprise. Our noisy, irrepressible, alpha diva dog Misty’s symptoms and x-ray showed a large & inoperable stomach tumor. It wasn’t there six months before but her clear discomfort made the choice to guide her over the rainbow bridge inevitable. After thirteen years together, letting go was impossibly hard, but our last night together - spoiling her with ice cream and whip cream and cookies as the vet recommended - let me see her restless discomfort. The in-home euthanasia choice was a blessing. My husband sat with us, we listened to quiet piano hymns and the vet was a gentle, calm person who helped us through the final hour. I held Misty as the sedation relaxed her into a deep sleep, and then, as she passed from this life to the next.

I chose this picture of Misty in her favorite place - a California beach. She came alive there with such joy. I imagine her in Heaven now, running up to everyone, saying hello, healthy and young, again.

Life is short and our days unpredictable. Hug every chance you get. Love wildly. Care deeply. Consider that there is a holy One who has offered us endless, priceless grace if we only believe in His Son’s gift of life. The joys of this world are nothing compared to what awaits us. And, the LORD of Heaven and earth made animals like dogs and cats to shower us with unconditional love. Okay, some cats and unconditional love might be a stretch, but surely our dogs love us in ways we don’t always deserve.

Life is quiet now that my high intensity diva girl has passed, but she’s in my heart, our hearts, forever. I’m so grateful for our time together.

~Karen

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Hello from Graycie’s World where I sink beneath her 12.5 pounds of clingy Tortie rescue cat. She loves to be petted. If I stop, she nips my hand. Adopted as an eight-year-old, she’s been with us for 1.5 years and exudes a quiet dignity yet lacks boundaries. Graycie will jump in my lap and then sit on her canine sibling Misty, the original house queen, making the dog her pillow. And, this often involves placing her rear in Misty’s face. The dog, also a self-absorbed rescue, is not amused.

Ah, Graycie’s a keeper. She takes her place in the world without apology, demands what she wants, and purrs when she gets it. A great role model.

Ok, not really. She does make me laugh at her outrageous, thoughtless, me-first behavior. No one herds a cat.

Some days I might be the cat. I’m not proud of this, but… How about you?

~ Karen