Yesterday we received results of my stepdad’s (David) latest cancer biopsy. In 2016 he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, and now it’s more aggressive than ever – the current nodules in his lungs are positive for high-grade malignant metastatic prostate cancer.
Today our family cat, Ceto, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. On Tuesday we found out she had a 2-3 INCH tumor in her stomach. She’d basically been starving to death, so it was time for her to make her crossing.
Tomorrow I have a mammogram, at the age of 30. There’s a lump in my right breast. Breast cancer runs in my family.
So why am I sharing all of this incredibly personal information? Because this is life behind the glory of traveling, kayaking, and owning a business. This is the raw truth as of today, and I know everyone can relate to a piece of it.
Meesi. Bud. Buddy Pal. Meesa. Meesins. Siamese; these are all nicknames I’ve come up with in the last year of having Leila in my life. I think “Bud” is probably the most used, simply because my baby Siamese has transformed into my serious buddy. She’s my pal. I can’t believe it’s been a year since this girl blessed me with her presence. Over the span of this past year, I’ve come to believe that perhaps Leila was put in my life by way of my heart cat, Edison.
Almost exactly four years ago, my heart cat Edison ran away. I admit that I still haven’t fully gotten over the loss, and I’m not sure I ever will. But last year I finally found myself searching for another cat. I wanted to throw a kitten into the mix so I could raise him or her around my other animals. For a while I contemplated adopting a kitten from AAWL, my favorite animal rescue organization. Then one random Wednesday afternoon I saw a Facebook post from my friend Stephanie. A friend of hers had found a baby Siamese kitten (who had been rescued from a car engine bay) that needed a home. When I saw the photos, I knew she was the one. She was what I had been waiting so long for. Not even five hours later, Leila was home with me, and I fell in love instantly.
Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL) is the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona. This year I am making it my mission to become more involved in their cause, as I’ve been an avid AAWL supporter for years. Now I want to take my support a step further, and to do that I am sponsoring an adoptable dog and cat each month! Without further adieu, meet our January AAWL adoptable cat of the month: Boggs! This bobtail beauty is sure to win your heart over!