Debbie's baby Ellie My very good friend Debbie Erikson lost a close member of her family last night.  Fortunately, it wasn't a relative or a family member, but a kitty that she had loved for years.  Little Ellie was a cute orphaned Calico kitten when Debbie adopted her almost 18 years ago.  At only four weeks old, Debbie did what any good kitty mother would do...she bottle fed her for almost a month and let her snooze in her shoe when she was sleepy. Many people, especially those who are not pet lovers, don't understand the feeling of loss that Debbie and other animal lovers experience.  We invite small, innocents into our lives and establish a very special bond with them.  They love us unconditionally.  They don't scold us for sleeping in late, in fact many of them share our same bed as they snuggle under the covers with us.  Our wonderful pets never turn up their noses at our cooking and gladly share whatever we are eating.  We can walk around in our slippers and house coat, hair a mess and lacking a shower and they will still look at us as if we are the king or queen of their world. Today I'll share in Debbie's loss.  I'll shed my own tears for her, in fact I am right now as I write this blog.  But I'll find strength and a sense of peace, knowing as Debbie does, that a special angel rejoices today as a new, healthy addition is welcomed into their garden. Keep Debbie and Ellie in your thoughts. Have a purrable day... Nick www.nicksacco.com