pet connection

As often happens when I’m on deadline (always) or all spun up over something (often), I couldn’t sleep last night. I have a very interesting new project I’ve been developing for the “day job,” which involves something just up my alley — blogging.

I love my day job. I took it back in 2001, when my professional writing life tanked when 9/11 understandably took the steam out of the New York City publishing industry. Not to even suggest that the impact on my life was anywhere near the families who suffered losses on that day, but the reality is I had to give up the free-lancing life and head back to an office.

I landed in a good spot, though, and recently as I’ve contemplated leaving because the writing life — books and syndicated column with our darling Dr. Becker and the rest of the Pet Connection team, blog with Christie — is back on track, I find that I don’t want to leave the day job because … um … I like it here, like the people, the public agency and the work I’m doing.

Instead, I’m working on telecommuting and part-time options. Because … well, they won’t let me bring four dogs, a cat, a rabbit and a bratty, genius parrot to work. (It may be the only thing “wrong” about my employer.)

Still, with what’s basically two full-time jobs and more on my plate, I get a little stressed sometimes and cannot sleep, even with a purring cat on my belly and a pile o’dogs on the bed beside me. Since I know Christie is always up late, I often call her, mostly to talk about upcoming stories, posts for the blog and so on.

But last night I just wanted to tell her one thing: I really, really love my cat, Clara. She is sweet-natured, affectionate, inquisitive, beautiful and all cat, right down to the tips of every soft strand of furry on her long, plush coat. I haven’t shared my life with a cat for years — because I had a dog (now deceased) who wouldn’t have tolerated one — but now that I have her, I cannot imagine my life without her.

The picture at the very top isn’t of Clara, but rather from ICanHasCheezBurger, which is one of my favorite sites, the place I go for a smile when a day gets rough. The clear affection so many of us have for our animals is so apparent in these pictures, along with all the reasons we love them, including how they make us smile.

Of course, the cat in this picture isn’t anymore special or less special because of the incredible markings on his or her legs. But I can tell you how special I felt to have it shared with me this morning.

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