The word that popped into my mind this week when gathering the pictures for this blog was PAWS. The word has several connotations for me and it is evident in this week's photos.
First of all, it is amazing to watch our furry babies sleep and how they configure their paw positions when they do. For Halo, each nap seems to display a new position. Their paws are used for pillows, to shade their eyes from light or just tucked away under them for comfort. Paddy and Halo often nap paw-to paw or they wrap their paws around each other in kitty hugs. If they are napping with me, they often just reach out a paw to assure me that they are nearby. Other times they just reach out a paw as I walk by to remind me that they are getting hungry or just want to play. 
Paddy and Halo had vet checkup this week. PAWS is the name of our vet's practice. This was the first visit for both of them since they were spayed, so the pet carriers immediately conjured up some fear. Halo always gets car sick even with anti-nausea meds on a simple five-minute drive to the vet. Paddy needed calming when we let her out of the carrier in the exam room. But they are both doing well, although Paddy needs to curb her eating a bit. Halo's oral surgery was successful and the stress of constantly being in pain from her teeth and in heat is gone. She has been more playful, more alert, but still as sweet and loving as always.
The other connotation of the word
PAWS that came to mind this week was its homonym PAUSE. It is always amazing to observe how easy it is for a cat to sit quietly, to PAUSE from the household distractions around them, and focus on something new or different. We turned on the pilot on the gas stove in my office and Paddy snuggled on a piece of brown wrapping paper and focused on the flames for a long time, totally relaxed.
Sunnybud takes time to rest and chill amidst his prowling ways. He has taken to sitting on a lawn chair on the patio to wait for his daily feedings before he heads off for parts unknown. While he is there, he is totally relaxed and often spends several hours there napping.
At fourteen, London spends most of her day napping. Only a jarring noise startles her from sleep and she particularly likes to nap in the afternoon with my hubby.
All of the felines have this uncanny ability to block out activity around them and pause, whether it be to reflect or, as in the case of Halo, to fall into a deep peaceful sleep. Perhaps we need to learn a lesson from our fur babies...reach out to others for comfort, allow our bodies to relax and pause from the distractions of our daily routines and be at peace.
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 91st novel will be released in 2016.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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©2015 Karen Rose Smith
