Hi Everybody…..Happy thursday. We made it through the 4th of July this year without all the usual fireworks hoopla – just a few little fireworks in our neighborhood and they didn’t scare me! However, just before dinner time a bit of a rain storm popped up and there was thunder and THAT sent me to the basement for a bit.
See? Even without the fireworks, I still had need of my basement safety spot! 😀
Last week, my good buddy Cody and his Mom Miss Caren of CAT CHAT very kindly nominated me for an award I already have – The Illuminating Blogger Award (it’s posted on my home page). But when I got to thinking about it, I realized that when I accepted the award originally, I didn’t know I was supposed to tell an “illuminating story” too! I’ve been thinking really hard about what I could say (even if it’s a bit late) that might be illuminating. And then I realized, I could talk about WHY I think humans are so grand! That’s illuminating don’t you think? I think it might be illuminating to hear from a 12-year old cat’s perspective what’s so swell about living with a human.

Hey – I like being way up high! When you’re little, you never get to see all this stuff up here! WOW…..
To start with, I always thought it was pretty cool that when my parents first laid eyes on me at the shelter they fell in love with me. They took me home that very day and gave me a big house to live in with everything I could possibly have wanted. I was a feral kitten – too young to be away from his Mom and I don’t know WHY I was – but I was – and then all of a sudden I had a home and two humans who talked quietly to me and petted me and made me feel safe….for the first time. I had so much to learn and they were very patient with me. For the first few weeks I stayed in the basement because I couldn’t go up and down the stairs yet. My parents stayed down there with me a whole lot but I also had time to explore on my own and get used to the atmosphere in my new home! I’m sure the reason I love “my” basement to this day and that it’s my “safe place” is because that’s where I spent my first few weeks. Anyway, that was the start of my life here – and my experience with a kindly couple who gave me everything including their love.
When I’m sick they take me to the vet…..when I’m sleepy I have tons of good nap spots to snooze in……when I’m hungry I have plenty of food and get treats when I’m a good boy (or just for the heck of it!)……I have a big wagon full of toys to play with…….I have safe spots like Mom’s lap and my basement……my humans play with me lots and I’ve taught them games I like……I have a yard to play in when I want to go outside…….I just think I’ve really got it made thanks to my parents!
I hope that was illuminating! It’s just some “inside scoop” from an old guy’s perspective on how much YOU can change the life of your pet the moment you make a commitment to bring us into your home.
What would we do without each other? We love you, you love us and we help each other through the years to enjoy our lives for whatever time we have together.
Gosh – this is quite a different post from me isn’t it? See what happens when I try to bring a little illumination into your life??? Well, sometimes I think – just before I drift off for a nap in my afghan tent – “where would I be today if my parents hadn’t come to the shelter that day twelve years ago???’…….and the reality is, I probably would not be this happy. I find that VERY illuminating!!
Happy Thursday Peeps – go hug your human (and I bet you get a hug in return!).
Your Pal Sammy
p.s. Miss Caren and Cody – THANKS AGAIN for the award and a chance to be illuminating! 😀 😀 I love you!
Wow, Sammy! You really are a deep thinker, aren’t you? What a wonderfully illuminating story today – sure does make you realize just how much we all need each other, doesn’t it? Hope you have a wonderful day with the wonderful people who love you SO much (including all of us friends in blogland!)…
Hugs, Linda
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Hi Miss Linda! I know it was a very different blog today but I thought I should at least TRY to be illuminating so I could feel I deserve the “Illuminating Blogger Award” ! I do think that we animals who are lucky enough to have loving humans in our lives are “livin’ the good life”…..and hopefully we bring smiles and happiness to you in return for taking good care of us.
Hope you have a super day!
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Sammy, I have a little tear in my eye after reading your post. It is very true that we owe so much to our humans. It makes me feel just a little bad for trying to nip at Motor Mommy and Motor Man sometimes. Maybe I’ll try to work on not doing that – just to show my appreciation for all they do for me. Thanks, Sammy, for the reminder!
Have a wonderful day – stay cool!
Love, Sundae
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Hi Sundae….I hope my blog wasn’t too sappy this morning but I wanted to try to say in my own way what it means to us kitties to have such nice humans in our lives! I think it would be most appreciated if you decided to give the “snapping at your parents” thing a break. I have to admit, in the heat of a playful moment, I’ve been known to do the same but I can tell Mom doesn’t like my biting too much (!) so I try not to do it. Stay cool Sundae – it’s another hottie out there today!
Love, Sam
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Ah, you illuminating cat, ya!
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Well I try to be illuminating once a while in addition to being adorable! Adorable is easy for me – illuminating…not so much! 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Ima little teary too Sammy. This was a very sweet post and I can tell it came from your heart. You are an illuminating ginger kitteh… 😀
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Hi Miss Pix….well, thanks for saying that. I was hoping I could manage to “DO” illuminating in my small kitty cat way so I’m glad I made my point! I wish every cat could be so lucky…. 😀 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Me too Sammy, me too.
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Thanks for the ‘illuminating’ post today! I’ll be your mommy and daddy think their lives are much better with you in it…and love you as much as you love them.
Hugs to s very special spoiled kitty.
June
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Aw shucks Miss June – thank you for saying that…my parents tell me all the time that they don’t know how they got along without me before I came into their lives and certainly I was lucky THEY showed up at the shelter 12 years ago! I turned on the “CUTE” when I saw them come into the cat room and the rest is HISTORY! 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Hiya Sammy,
This is a very nice post, very cool of you to share this. My human is all moved!
What you said is very true.
Purrs
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Hi Texas! Thanks and please tell your human I said thanks too…..there’s so many of us who have been lucky to find our forever homes but there are so many more who are waiting – patiently – for a chance. Kinda makes you want to go find your human and give her a great big hug doesn’t it??? :D:D
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Yep!
Also your story’s nice because some humans might read it and feel like adopting a kitty!
Purrs
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I hope so Texas….if another kitty gets adopted by someone who’s been “thinking” about it because I’ve shared my story then hey – that’s a WIN/WIN right??? 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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That was a truly illuminating story, Sammy! You are so fortunate to have found such great folks to give you such a terrific home. All of the dogs in my household are rescues. I always cringe when I hear someone say they paid $700 and up for a dog from a breeder. There are so many kitties and puppies (of ALL ages) who need good homes. You are One Lucky Cat to have found yours!
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Hi Miss Trish! I know that you’ve got some mighty happy dogs in your house and that they were all rescues – lucky, just like me. I don’t understand either why people don’t go to a shelter when they want to add a pet to their family. We are all so READY to love in spite of what we’ve been through before coming to the shelter. I am very lucky and I know it! 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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I’m enjoying Sammy’s Mr Spock impression in the middle pic. A touch of Vulcan in the genes?
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Wouldn’t surprise me if he might have a bit of Spock-ish-ness in his genes….I know that he’s darn good at the Vulcan “mind meld” bending me (and his Dad) to his every wish!
Pam
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Your paws are huge and I mean huge!!
So basically the basement is your kingdom. You are and illuminated cat or illuminati, all the same.
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Hi Doggy….yep – I’ve got an extra “toe” (claw) on each of my front paws so it makes them look like great big hands! HAHAHAHA Yes, while I spent some time in the beginning of living here in the basement I became pretty well bonded to it so it’s my safe place. When the doorbell rings, I see a stranger in my yard, there’s thunder or lightning or heavy rain – down to my basement I go. I don’t stay long – just til things feel normal again – then I’m back strutting my stuff!!!
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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I am sure your parents feel just as lucky to have you as you do them! But it is always nice to kiss up to them some!
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Oh I agree on the kissing up thing Callie….can’t do that too much can we?! I call it “kitty insurance”….hahahaha
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Oh Sammy!!! What a sensitive boy you are! You brought tears to my eyes!!! You COMPLETELY showed everyone how they can change the life of a shelter cat by adopting them….and…ANY cat that needs a home!
Sammy I bet you DO love the basement because it was your “safe place” when you were a little kit!
What an appreciative and loving boy you are, your Mom and Dad adore you with all of their hearts and souls….you bring so much joy, love and ILLUMINATION to the rest of us every day!
WE LOVE YOU SAMMY and your AMAZING MOMMY TOO!
xoxoxoxoxo
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Oh Miss Caren thank you for saying all of those super nice things about me and my Mom! I’m glad you think I bring joy to people because that’s exactly what I want to do and I’m finding my own joy along the way by meeting such awesome people and animals along the way – like YOU!!!!!
Thanks to you and Cody for being my friends……Mom and I love you too!
Kitty Hugs from ME and human hugs from Mom 😀 😀
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That was very illuminating, Sammy! What a GREAT story all ’bout yourself. I was feral too, you know, so we’ve got lots in common. purrs
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Hi Nerissa….Yes indeed – we should start a FORMERLY FERAL FELINE club….lots of us managed to luck out and find forever homes! Yay!
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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You are one very lucky and very spoiled cat 🙂 Great story.
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Oh thanks for saying that – I am very lucky….and don’t think for one minute that I don’t LOVE being spoiled! Hee Hee 😉
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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This was a great post, Sammy, and I hope it inspires some humans to go to the shelter and find kitties of their own!
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Thanks Sparkle! I hope it inspires some humans to cruise through their nearest shelter too – we’ve got LOTS of love to share if we are just given the chance! By the way, just saw where Binga is hogging that cat tree and eating your food – it’s time to plot some kind of revenge – count me in if you need “back-up” !!! 😀 😀 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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Talking about a spoiled cat Sammy… Loved this post!
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Thanks Herman and Mr. Bowie….I am spoiled and proud of it! 😀 I think more people should discover how fabulous felines are (right Bowie??) by adopting a cat. There’s plenty of us to go around!
Kitty hugs, Sammy
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*sniff sniff* That’s beautiful man!
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Thanks Rumpy…..and concatulations on the Pettie’s Nomination! Well deserved!
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
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aaaaaaaaaaaw uncle Sammy! What a beautiful stowy! Little Satchie wants to hug uncle Sammy!
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Hi Little Satchie! Well, I can “feel the hug” from here so thanks for sending it. Know what? I can still remember how much fun it was to be little like you – and in my dreams I’m still a little guy running like a race car around the house! 😀
Kitty Hugs, Uncle Sammy
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weeeeeeeeeeeeee the wace car game is the best game!!!
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I know how much fun you have playing wace car Satchie….it’s a great way to get rid of all that “baby energy” you have!!!
Kitty Hugs, Uncle Sammy
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Oh that made me eye’s water Sammy ! but I’m soooo pleased you found a luuuvlies Mummy and Daddy who adores yooo’s. Yeah, and you is spoilt rotten! but yooo’s deserve it. We Luv’s yooo Sammy. 🙂
Big Paw hugs and Sloppy kisses,
Mollie and Alfie xx
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Hi Mollie and Alfie….I’m glad you liked my tale (tail?) of coming to live with my humans. It’s truly “living the life” here and I’m glad for that believe me! I love you guys too and thanks for the paw hugs and sloppy kisses – I’m ALWAYS up for that! 😀
Kitty hugs, Sammy
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aaaaaw, uncle Sammy, that is beautiful!
I’ll go hug mommy and daddy now….
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Hugging is a VERY good thing to do…..no doubt your Mommy and Daddy like getting hugs from you almost as much as THEY like to hug YOU back!!
Kitty hugs, Uncle Sammy
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Mommy likes to hug me ALL the time. I like hugs but not all the time. Mommy is ALWAYS hugging me and kissing me and that makes daddy laugh
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Hi Satchie! I’m not all that crazy about hugging and kissing either but I DO love brushing! Have you tried that yet? It feels really good and makes me sleepy.
Kitty Hugs, Uncle Sammy
p.s. We gave you another award in today’s blog (7/12) – YIPPEEEEE!!!!!
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You do? I don’t like it but big bowther Jay loves it. I just want to bite the brush so mommy gave up. Mommy never gets mad at me, she just laughs. Mommy says little Satchie is too cute =^.^=
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Know what Satchie? I think when you get a little bit older the brush won’t be so much like a toy – it will feel really good on your fur and skin and you’ll get all sleepy-faced and love it….just like me and your big brother Jay. Your Mommy is right about one thing – – – you ARE TOO CUTE! 😀
Kitty Hugs, Uncle Sammy
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