A Word About Bookish Collections (or lack there of) & Beyond the Books: My Darling Cats

Every Thursday  Karen of KissinBlueKaren  hosts Beyond the Books, at which time participants are given a topic and asked to write about it on their own blogs. They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Every now and then I get the urge to try a new-to-me meme. I first discovered the Beyond the Books meme on Katherine's I Wish I Lived In a Library blog and decided today would be a good day to jump in and participate. Today Karen's Beyond the Books topic is to talk about our pets. Anyone who knows me knows I love to talk about my furkids.

 Parker, 14 years old

My beautiful and loving Parker was my very first cat. He was a stray kitten of about 8 months old when he came into my life, having lived in the parking lot of the courthouse where I was working at the time. He fit into our little family quite well, taking to our dog, Riley, and my husband and me as if he had always lived with us. We've been through a lot together. Many changes, including a big move, a baby in the house, and the losses of two of his best friends (Riley and Anya). among other things. He's always so calm and patient: with me and my tendency to maul him with kisses and hugs as if he was a dog, with my husband, and with my daughter as she's grown from baby to preschooler.  

Parker and Mouse

Parker is approximately 14 years old. It's hard to know for sure given we don't know his exact birthdate. As soon as I sit down or lay down, Parker is right there, wanting to climb up on me and settle in. He has the sweetest purr. He is my alarm clock in the morning, including when it's not needed. Pluck, pluck, pluck. He uses one of his nails to pluck at my blanket or night shirt to wake me. He'll persist no matter how many times I roll over and try to go back to sleep. He knows when it's time for breakfast--and he makes sure I know it too. Parker has had some health issues in recent years, giving us quite the scare a couple times. Parker is the reason for the title of my blog and my nickname, Literary Feline. Parker turned me, a lifetime dog lover, into a cat person too.

 Gracie, 2 years old

If you have ever suffered the loss of a beloved fur friend, you know the hole it can leave in not only your heart, but in your life as well.  Two years ago, I had to say goodbye to my sweet dog, Riley, and my precious five year old cat, Anya. They died within two months of each other. It was devastating to not only me, my husband and my daughter, but to Parker as well. I was not sure any of us were ready to take in another animal, at least not for awhile. I knew though that if we did, it would likely be another cat. As much as I love dogs and would love to have another one in my life, careful consideration made me acknowledge that our lifestyles were not the best suited for raising a dog right now.

As Parker sunk into depression and his health declined, his veterinarian mentioned she had a kitten who needed a home. Gracie was the last of her litter who had been abandoned outside the cat hospital waiting for a home. I was told she was the biggest and not the cutest of the bunch, resulting in her being passed over for her siblings.  It felt too soon yet, but after talking to my husband, she came home with us for a trial visit. My husband and I knew almost immediately though there was no "trial" about her visit. She'd found her forever home.

Gracie was just what our family needed. She was what I needed to help heal my broken heart. She will never replace Riley or Anya, but she has made her own place in our lives. She is playful and bold (a quality that comes in handy when living with a young child), and extremely affectionate. She loves to hang out with me when I blow dry my hair in the mornings, hoping I'll turn the dryer on her, and she enjoys cuddling on my chest. Parker has taken to her as well--and she to him.  Although, I am sure Parker sometimes wishes Gracie wasn't quite so enthusiastic in her play and she probably wishes he would play with her more.

Gracie and Mouse 

Both Parker and Gracie are often at the door as soon as Mouse and I arrive home at the end of the day. They take turns receiving cuddles and loves. Many evenings all five of us can be found in the same room, enjoying each other's company. Parker and Gracie are a big part of our family, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

(And would you believe I am allergic to cats? It's true! Fortunately, my allergy isn't terribly bad like it is for some. I take allergy medicine every day. It usually takes me a few weeks for my immune system to get used to a new cat in our home, but if I walk into someone else's house and they have cats, I'm a sniveling, burning-eyed mess until I leave.)

Parker and Gracie

Do you have any pets? Please tell me about them!

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you collect things that are book related? Like bookmarks, nameplates, 1st editions. (submitted by  Bunnita @ Worth Reading It?)

Some would say I collect books given how many I have on the shelves in my house. Not to mention the piles that sometimes sprout up out of nowhere. Well, maybe not exactly out of nowhere. I imagine many of you can relate. I have never been particularly drawn to collect 1st editions or autographed copies (although I do like to go to book signings now and then). I grew up surrounded by books as my dad and mom had shelves of them. I inherited their love of books. I saved several favorites from my childhood which now line my daughter's shelves.

I have a nice sized bookmark collection, which right not is tucked away in a drawer of my desk. I do not actively collect bookmarks anymore, but for many years I did. I still find myself pausing to admire bookmarks when I find them while out and about.

Some of my favorite bookmarks 

(the We Love Books one was made for me by a friend. 

My name is on the back.)

I do enjoy looking for book and reading related items, but nothing that would qualify as a collection. I have a couple pieces of jewelry which have literary characters or quotes on them. And I am always on the look out for figurines of cats and books combined. I have one of a cat reading a book that sits on a little shelf at my desk at work. 

What about you? Do you have any book related collections?

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.