I "met" Deborah Blake when she posted a cat rescue story as a comment on my blog. Since my four kitties are rescues, I asked her to write a blog about her experiences and she did. Our friendship sprang up. You know, the kind where two people just connect. Last summer, my husband and I took in a pregnant stray, Halo. I'd never been through the pregnancy and birth of kittens and Deborah had. She was a great support by email and phone. Although we've never met (she's in New York state and I'm in Pennsylvania), I consider her a friend.
We decided to find homes for Halo's three kittens--Tia, Mason and Miss Paddington. Tia and Mason were adopted quickly from afar. Paddington, Halo's first-born, toddled like a little bear, hence the name Paddington. Paddy didn't nurse the day she was born, and I hand-fed her. She always had trouble finding her mom's nipple and I guided her. She looked very much like Samhain, a calico cat of Deborah's, and Deborah encouraged me to keep her so she could be an aunt by proxy. Paddington had my heart and we made the decision to keep her (After a consultation with our son who assured us he'd care for her if ever we couldn't. He's a cat person too!) When Paddy was two months old, I unexpectedly lost my fourteen-year-old soulmate cat, Ebbie, who'd been my constant companion since we'd rescued her as a baby. Nothing has healed that loss, but keeping Paddington helped. Through all of it, I e-mailed and messaged with Deborah, whose encouragement and empathy I'll always treasure.
Fast forward a few months. Deborah lost Samhain, a dear member of her cat family. Samhain had been in renal failure for six years and there was an extra special bond between Deborah and her calico. Then in mid-February, Deborah received a call from the groomer at her vet's that they'd found a kitten in the snow drift who'd almost died. She looked like Samhain, even though she's a tortie rather than a calico. Did Deborah want to take her in? Deborah wasn't sure she was ready. We messaged often. Luna is now a part of Deborah's cat family. I'll let you read Deborah's blog to discover how the adjustment is going for all. Deborah's blog about Luna and Paddy (It might take a few seconds for Deborah's blog to pop up.)
The serendipity about this? Paddington and Luna could be twins!
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| Miss Paddington on the left, Luna on the right |
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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 87th novel will be released in 2015.
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
