Category: Pets

Sunday Snaps: And Then There Were Two

Published on by J. Kelland Perry27 Comments

Back in March, I shared pics of the kitty suncatcher my daughter gave me, in memory of Vivian. You can check it out here: All That We Love Deeply.

One of my longtime blogger friends had mentioned I should have a suncatcher for Vivian’s sister as well:
“You need a little Maisie suncatcher so the sisters can be together again.” – Lois

Well, once more, dear daughter has surprised me with a gift. She found a kitty (the closest she could find to resemble her) to memorialize our Maisie who passed in 2020.

I’ve already shared her on Facebook and Instagram, but I thought all my blogger friends and followers should also have a look.

Aren’t they sweet?

These little mementos bring comfort—and occasional tears—and will have to suffice until we rescue one or two more cats later this year. ❤️

“All That We Love Deeply”

Published on by J. Kelland Perry38 Comments

Last month, our daughter Denise surprised us with this lovely sun-catcher she found online. Does it remind you of anyone?

Is it a coincidence that she found a cat replica that looks like our Vivian, who passed away in November? I think not. Now we have a visual reminder that she is still peering out over Perry’s Point, which she knew like the back of her paw. 🐾

It’s also the perfectly fitting remembrance of her many guest posts on this blog—“Vivian’s View From Here”.

We still miss her terribly, yes.

But I like to think we have our own little guardian angel

watching over us. 💙

“What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

A Look Back on 2023*

Published on by J. Kelland Perry40 Comments

I honestly can’t believe how fast this year flew by. 2023 was quite eventful, what with signing a new publishing contract—YAY!—as well as reaching a couple of personal milestones. More on those in a bit.

Not everything was rosy, however.

As many of you know, we had to say goodbye to our Vivian in November. Eight weeks later, the grief is still so raw, so fresh. I think the only way to ease the loss is to rescue another cat, or two, come spring. 


Now for the milestones.
In 2023, our house here on Perry’s Point turned one hundred years old!

We’ve lived here since we left the city in 2010, with very few regrets. Paul and I love it here next to the ocean and away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

If you haven’t already, check out my post from 2020, Ten Years in This Old House, to see how we spruced it up before we moved in.

Milestone Number 2: On August 15th, Paul and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary.

25 years married to my best friend. Of course Paul always reminds me we were together four years before our wedding day. 💕

I am deeply thankful on this New Year’s Eve for many things, and one of them is having you, my blogger friends, in my life. Each of you have made blogging much more meaningful than I ever thought possible when I started this journey.
Which just so happened to be on New Year’s Eve, 2011.

Wishing you good health and happiness in 2024!

How was your 2023?

*RDP Prompt: Looking Back

BEST. CAT. EVER. 💔

Published on by J. Kelland Perry48 Comments

The time has come to blog about something I’ve always dreaded, and the tears will be inevitable as I write it.
It has taken me a while to accept the heartbreaking fact that, after a brief but devastating illness, our precious Vivian is no longer with us.

Vivian K. Perry

Life is too quiet now. Our home will never be the same. Perry’s Point will never be the same. I’m still grieving far too much to make these words eloquent, so just know that our pain and loss is real.

Vivian was our constant companion and our family member for over sixteen wonderful years. Her love and her devotion to Paul and me was unconditional and mutual. She will remain in our hearts forever.

Her last night on my lap—November 2/23

My hope is that she is reunited with her sister Maisie, enjoying all kinds of capers, cuddles and catnaps in a sweet kitty afterlife.

🐾 🐾 ❤️❤️ 🐾 🐾

Rest easy, sweet kitty!

I’m sharing Vivian’s first guest post on my blog from 2012 below:

Guest Post: Vivian’s View From Here

Vivian’s View From Here: I’m Sweet 16!

Published on by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

Greetings, Peeps and Pets. Vivian K. Perry here, happy to share that I celebrated a milestone birthday last week. I know, I know, I’m already sweet and fabulous!

Sixteen wonderful years with Jennifer and Paul—three years in the city, thirteen in the country. And thirteen years with my sweet and beautiful sister Maisie.

Our Maisie

I still get to explore the outdoors here on Perry’s Point …

… especially during the gentle days of summer.

I even grab naps outside!

🐾 🐾 🐾

Yet, it’s equally as lovely indoors where I get tons of love and attention.

Jennifer says she can’t imagine life without me.

All I know is, however long I remain in this earthly realm …

… I’m pretty sure no cat has had a better life.

I am one grateful feline.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

🎈🐾🎈🐾🎈

Vivian’s View from Here: Sunday Snaps (and an Anniversary!)

Published on by J. Kelland Perry33 Comments
Cat on a picnic table

Hello, Peeps and Pets! Vivian K. Perry here, fondly looking back on a memory from Summer 2022. Oh, how I miss the warm days on Perry’s Point! The brilliant sunshine, the butterflies and buttercups, the soft sea breezes and birds aplenty—yes, I know they will all come again, but I can’t wait.

cat on picnic table Perry's Point

The Photo Challenge prompt over at Xingfu Mama is Pull up a Seat.*

Well, a picnic table certainly counts, doesn’t it? Of course it does.

cat on picnic table 2022

I don’t like going outside for very long when it’s cold. So in the meantime, I will endure the long winter by taking lots of naps, with pleasant dreams of long summery days. The good news? The days are getting longer! Do you look forward to summer as much as I do?

Oh! Before I forget, let me share Jennifer’s blogging anniversary. This blog, Jennifer’s Journal, has now entered its twelfth year! Meow and Wow!

blogging anniversary

***************

*Pull Up a Seat Challenge @ XINGFUMAMA.COM

Happy First Day of Winter!

Published on by J. Kelland Perry30 Comments

Hi, everyone! I hope you’re all keeping safe, happy and healthy, wherever you are in the world.

Perry’s Point NL in Winter
Perry’s Point

For various reasons, it’s been a while since I blogged. But I hope to do better in the new year. I received a most unwelcome early Christmas gift, by the name of Covid. Thankfully, the vaccines must have worked because I was only feverish for a couple of days, and now if my sinuses would clear, I should be as good as new!

Perry’s Point

I wish for each and every one of you
the warmth of a memorable Holiday Season,
and an abundance of peace and prosperity in the New Year.
Looking forward to connecting with you all again in 2023!

❤️❤️❤️

A new addition to our family…

Published on by J. Kelland Perry56 Comments

Introducing Sophie Rae, my son’s new dog. She is a white golden retriever.

Isn’t she a darling? Welcome to our world, little girl! 💕

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Shulz

Saving Her Place

Published on by J. Kelland Perry12 Comments

Happy August, everybody!

Vivian K. Perry here, covering for Jennifer while she takes a little more time away from her blogging routine. Both of my staff have been rather busy lately, what with personal and work trips, but Jennifer promises she will return to a more regular blogging schedule—and to drop in on your lovely blogs—very soon.

I was happy to travel with my peeps on our usual two-week stay in the capital city in July, but I stay home and hold the fort when they go on short road trips for work. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll hear more about all of that before you know it.

In the meantime, I will save her place in more ways than one. Enjoy the rest of summer, dear friends! 💕

Vivian’s View From Here: Can You See The Difference?

Published on by J. Kelland Perry22 Comments

Happy Sunday, peeps and pets!

Vivian K. Perry here, sharing with all of you lovelies some new photos of moi. I posed for the first two back in 2012:

Look at me!

A force to be reckoned with at 5 years old

Zoom ahead ten years to the present:

In my fifteenth year, do you think . . .

. . . I’m still pretty?

I can’t see the difference. Can you see the difference?

Not much has changed for me in the past decade—aside from the devastation of losing my sweet sister Maisie two years ago.

As a mature feline (not gonna use the word old!), I still lead quite an active life. I go outdoors several times a day. I eat both wet and dry cat food, which Jennifer thinks helps keep my fur nice and soft. I’m an exceptionally clean creature and a fastidious groomer. And I get plenty of love and attention from both my staff.

The one thing that has changed a bit are the length and number of my naps.

Beauty sleep is a must!

Yes, there’s no denying I’m a cat “of a certain age.” But when you are healthy and enjoying your days in a relaxed, wholesome, loving environment, life is a joy. In some ways, I’m still growing: in my experience, my wisdom, an ever-growing collection of memories, and my “kitty” vocabulary!

Perhaps some of you (and that includes my human friends and followers) can relate.

Hey, pet peers,
any of you enter your senior years yet?
Are you enjoying your elder status?

“The great thing about getting older is that
you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”
~ Madeleine L”Engle