Fingerprint Friday: Lost & Found

By Ginny (MAD21)

There are many things that enter and exit our lives unexpectedly. Makes it hard to plan. Most of the time it's just small things so there is only a little flexibility that is required. Then there are those times when you have to take a moment to think about how it will impact things long-term.

While we were on vacation two weeks ago, a teen friend of ours called me and said that someone had dumped a 7-8 week old kitten on their yard. She wanted to know what she should do. We talked things out and made a plan for how to take care of her in the short-term. And then she sent me a picture...

Oh.My.Goodness. I'll save you the long version of what happened during the following weeks save to say there was a visit to the vet (at 3.2 pounds, she was actually 12-13 weeks old), medications administered, weight gained, pets introduced, and a ton of snuggle and play time.

We were really worried how our cat, KC, would react to having a new little fur ball added to our family.  This is her home, and we made it clear to our girls that if KC didn't like it, or it stressed her out too much, that we would have to find the kitten another home. As I've written about before, KC's a bit possessive and gets really stressed out at times.

But as with many things in our lives, God apparently had a plan for this little kitten, and for us. Both Bailey and KC have reacted well to having the kitten here. There are still a few tense moments, every now and then, when the cats get nose to nose and walk carefully in circles around each other, but they all seem to be adjusting very well.

I really wish this little ball of fur could tell me what she's been through in her short little life. What it was like to be lost. The vet said she'd been on her own for some time. But even so, there wasn't an ounce of feral behavior in her. All she wants is attention and play time like any other kitty, and when she's happy you can hear her purring from the other room.

I have no idea how someone could ever let her go. But she is no longer lost. She's found a home with people who will love her for as long as it takes. And even though she still has a ways to go to finish healing from her time alone, she is covered in God's fingerprints, and she's spreading them all over our house.

Meet Tia:

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Fingerprint Friday: Purple Violets & Ninja Cats

By Ginny (MAD21)

I was admiring how beautiful the flowers were on my violet plant. I don't think I've ever seen that many blooms on it all at once. I took the first picture and looked down and noticed my ninja peering up at me from the shelf below. I am so very thankful for the beautiful flowers that God has created for us to enjoy, but I'm also very thankful for how much fun my cat can be. I pray she never stops stalking me. So... thank you, Lord, for both fingerprints this week!

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

One Word At A Time: Pets

By Alan

"All Dogs Go to Heaven" - The popular Don Bluth movie (no, it was not Disney) continued a long line of tales, cartoons, and stories that gave animals voices, personalities, and even alluded to having eternal souls. Do dogs go to Dog Heaven? Do cats go to Cat Heaven? Do Dogs chase cats in Dog heaven? That would make Dog heaven into a Cat Perdition.

Maybe heaven would be where all the animals hang out together with perfect peace.

We humans, (Americans in particular) have a special relationship with our dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals. Sometimes we love them more than our fellow man. We weep when we see a tragedy involving a pet, yet we're supposed to giggle when we see a human do something careless (but fatal) on TV.

We love them so, we sacrifice so much for them to live and thrive, and we grieve desperately when they are injured or succumb to the end of life like all other living things. Does that give us incentive to create a heavenly story end for our pets?

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Fingerprint Friday: Dog Hair?

By Ginny (MAD21)

So I asked my husband where he saw God's fingerprints today. His answer may surprise you. I know it did me. In fact, it took me about 15 minutes before I understood what he was trying to say.

He began speaking about the newness that spring brings... The leaves are full and the shadows are darker now because the leaves on the trees are almost fully grown. But leaves and colorful flowers appearing are not the only sign of renewal. They also appear in the most unlikely (and annoying) of places. Like our carpet.

My husband said that while most people think that piles of dog hair all over the carpet is just a sign that it isn't cleaned often enough (it is if you ask me!), he thinks that it also symbolizes something else.

Dog owners know that during spring and early summer, in just a matter of minutes, the carpet you just spent a half hour vacuuming can once again be covered in dog hair. One tummy rub, one romp on the floor wrestling around can result in a blizzard of hair with piles of fur left behind (much to my dismay!).

My hubby says we can also think of shedding season as a life-lesson, and see it for what it really is (me: a mess? more work?). He said, dog's also get to experience renewal. A fresh coat. A new start.  Shedding the old and growing new. Some dogs experience continued renewal (i.e., shed all year, no thanks!), others experience dramatic renewal (i.e, nothing and then all at once = lots of time outside!). We should recognize God can do the same thing in all of our lives. Continued renewal by fixing the little day-to-day things, as well as sudden moments of change.

As funny as it was to think my husband was seeing dog hair all over the floor as one of God's fingerprints, I'm thankful that he is someone who can see something funny, and something we can learn... and recognizes the fact that it's nearly impossible for me to keep our floors clean this time of year.

Ok, lesson learned... I'm off to vacuum... again.

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Fingerprint Friday: KC's Love

By Ginny (MAD21)

I've talked a little about our family cat KC around here, but its been awhile. I thought it was time she got another post. As I've said before, I know there are people out there who hate cats (you know who you are!), but I still firmly believe that it just means you were never loved by one. 

Here's the thing. Dogs love just about everyone. Seriously think about this... have you ever heard of a shy dog? Now cats, on the other hand, they are more selective. Which is why I think there is trouble with people not liking them. Cats don't care. Which is what makes having one love you all the more sweet.

When we first got KC, she was so little. She loved and played with everyone. But now, almost two years later, she, well, doesn't. In fact, her main people (yes, I said HER people) are my oldest and me. She is hot and cold with my youngest, but that's because of normal 4-year-old behavior, and she tolerates my husband. Which is to say that if he is next to me and is sitting on the side she likes to sit on, she might let him sit next to her. Or better yet, she might even sit on his lap when he is sitting in her chair with her blanket.

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