My beautiful Zoey – your memory is forever etched into my heart.

There have been many Rainbow Bridge losses in my life, each of them holding a unique spot in my heart. Grieving is never easy. There are the familiar stages of grief identified by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—that many of us experience in one way or another. But I have come to realize there is another layer. Not so much acceptance, but simply a different life.

Nine months have passed since my beloved soul kitty, Zoey, left this earthly world. Our life is quieter now, but I still perceive her imprint throughout the physical home we shared with her.

I see her sleeping on the pillow on our bed. I see her on the ottoman in the dining room, snuggled with her babies, Mia, Peanut, and Rolz. I see her every time I put six food bowls on the floor instead of seven. I see her sunning in the kitchen window, and I see her every time I walk into our guest bedroom, where she spent her final moments wrapped in my arms.

Even during Zoey’s last weeks with us, her kittens, Mia, Peanut, and Rolz cuddled with her on the ottoman.

Zoey had an enormous personality and an equally enormous impact on all of us—me, Dan, her kittens, and her catmates Kizmet, Jazmine, and Shadow. I miss her loud yowls as she pursued and “killed” plush toys scattered about the house, her soft purrs, and the feel of her silky fur when she sat on my lap. I miss her fussy eating habits, her insistence on drinking water from the faucet, and the way she curled up next to me on the couch each evening.

Many Bengals have a penchant for water, and Zoey was no exception.

Like I said, not so much acceptance, because how can I ever truly accept her loss? Life is simply different. And her absence is magnified by the bittersweet realization that, as I look at each of her surviving kittens, one day their chapters will end, too.

All I can do is love and spoil those still with me—fiercely—and be grateful for the incredible memories those I have loved and lost have left behind.

I give all of you who have loved and lost a beloved companion my deepest sympathy and support. Every day is a day to remember them, but consider today an extra-special hug from me to you.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a special day dedicated to honoring the memories of those beloved pets in our lives we have loved and lost but never forgotten. Whether a pet with fur, fin, feathers, scales, or something else – one pet or many – this day was created for you to honor that pet in any way that feels most comfortable to you. Post a picture, write a poem, share a favorite memory, host a memorial event, upload a video, or write a special blog post and share the link.

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded in 2015 by Deborah Barnes, award-winning author and blogger of Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles, in tribute to her Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, whom she had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her critically acclaimed book, Purr Prints of – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond, and decided to create the day in his honor so others around the world could share memories of pets they had loved and lost.

Graphic designed by Deb Barnes

Kizmet, a few days after we adopted him. How could anyone resist him?

Fourteen years ago, a tiny tabby kitten who had been found abandoned on the streets was given a birthday of July 4, 2012. A few months later, while stopping at Pet Supermarket during my lunch break to buy cat food, I walked past the cat adoption cages as I had done countless times before. My survival rule was simple: say hello without lingering too long.

Then I looked into his eyes.

In that instant, nothing else mattered. I picked him up, and he curled against my chest, a perfect fit, purring as though he’d been waiting for me all along. I tried to reason with myself. We already had a hectic household of seven cats. Dan was out of town. I was only supposed to buy cat food.

I handed the store clerk my business card and asked if they could hold him for a couple of hours while I talked it over with Dan. I sent him a photo of the kitten, secretly hoping he’d talk some sense into me.

Instead, he simply said, “Get the cat.”

And just like that, Kizmet came home.

I named him Kizmet—a play on kismet, meaning fate or destiny, with the “z” that had become a tradition in our Zee & Zoey feline family. Looking back now, I can’t imagine him by any other name.

Today, America celebrates its 250th birthday. Kizmet celebrates his 14th.

For fourteen years, he has quietly reported for duty every single day.

He is a kind, intuitive, happy, sweet, silly, and compassionate cat. He comforted Jazz, Harley, Zee, and Zoey through their end-of-life journeys, quietly staying by their side, then comforting me through the inevitable heartbreak that followed. He was also the first to welcome Jazmine and, years later, Shadow into our family.

We first learned of Kizmet’s healing powers in 2013, when Jazz was transitioning to his journey to the afterlife. Kizmet lay at my feet the whole time, offering love and comfort.

Kizmet was the first to welcome Jazmine when we adopted her in 2014. He has been her faithful protector ever since.

Kizmet likes treats, but he doesn’t demand them like the others. He loves attention but doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. Rather, he’s patient. He sleeps in my office during the day just to be near me. Then, every evening after dinner, once I settle onto the couch to watch television, he knows it’s our time. Without fail, he reports for snuggle duty. It’s one assignment he has never missed.

Kizmet loves the kitchen counter. Not so much for treats as for the chance to be close to his beloved humans during mealtimes.

Kizmet has a playful and athletic side. He loves to have these fuzzy pom pom balls tossed up for him to catch in mid-air!

He’s also my shoulder warmer, my overnight head pillow, and the quiet heart of our family. Never the loudest. Never the most dramatic. Just endlessly loyal, loving, and present.

Kizmet, in his ever-present quest to be as close to me as possible, is sitting between my back and the back of my chair!

Since I work remotely from home, Kizmet spends most of his day on the couch in my office with me.

Kizmet likes to lay his head on mine and wrap his paws around my head, hugging me.

Happy 14th Birthday to my faithful little guardian.

Thank you for fourteen years of unwavering love, quiet devotion, and faithful service.

Still Reporting for Duty Since 2012.

Happy Birthday, Kizmet!

Cats Make the Heart Grow!

Yesterday, June 21 marked the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day and shortest night of the year, and the official start of summer. Along with my love of cats, I love summer gardening, so I took to the drawing board to create a sweet and whimsical tee that celebrates both!

Available in cool colors for summer – white, gray, pink, and blue – this comfy shirt comes in a classic ladies’ fit, a slim ladies’ fit, or unisex sizes for kids.

To visit Zee & Zoey’s Cat Creations to shop for this collection, please click here.

Happy Father’s Day!

Today we celebrate all fathers—whether they’re dads to children, cat dads, dog dads, or caregivers to any beloved creatures who depend on their love and care.

This Father’s Day, I’m also remembering our beloved Zee, shown here with each of his kittens—Peanut, Mia, and Rolz (and Zeuss Catt in spirit, who now lives in Boston). Though he’s no longer with us, his love and legacy live on through the family he left behind.

Wishing all fathers, both human and furry, a day filled with love and perhaps a few extra purrs.

Casual kitties – Zee (angel), Shadow, Jazmine, Kizmet, Rolz, and Harley (angel)

Considering I’ve been working almost exclusively remotely since 2019 with a wardrobe that consists primarily of cat-themed sweats, I’m hardly one to judge casual. Even so, I think for this Friday, these cats knocked it out of the park, and then some!

How about you guys? What does your casual Friday outfit consist of? And do you have any cats like mine, who take the concept of casual to extremes?