I've come to the end of my journey...

Mommy says that tonight we're going to someplace called my forever home. She says that I'm being adopted by the nice people who came to visit me last week. I did like them...I got tons of belly rubs and chin scratches and they brought fresh, "unsalivad" cat toys for me (which the pesky beagles immediately slobbered on). I'm going to a house with NO DOGS! I guess there's one other cat who's been on a diet for a while so maybe she can help me come up with some good plans for breaking into the cabinets for snacks or maybe she knows how to use the phone to order pizza. There aren't any sexy man-kitties there, but it's a fair trade to be without pesky beagles.

I need to thank everyone who has followed the blog for the last year and a half and my friends who commented on it and supported me on my diet. All of your kind words and motivational lectures have really helped. I'm sad to be leaving my friends here, but I knew all along that my forever home was waiting for me and someday they would find me. Mommy said it all has to be fate because my new mommy contacted her on what would have been her mommy's birthday...so instead of being sad, she was happy that I might have a home. Then on top of that, my new daddy's name is the same as Mommy's daddy's name, and they live on Elliott street, which is a cat here...and my new sister cat is named Olivia, which was always Mommy's mom's favorite girl name for cats. Mommy says that's all too much coincidence and so this must be the right home for me. I sure hope she's right!

I'm going to continue the blog from my new house...so here's the address for it. I hope I see all of you there and that you'll keep writing to me. You're all my extended family and I get to keep you even though I'm at a new house. http://www.thelifeandtimesofkinzicollins.blogspot.com/

Love & Kisses,

Kinzi

PS...I'm going to let Mommy have a few words now:

Hello all...Phyllis here. I need to thank everyone who supported me, Kinzi, and the blog for the last year and a half. I've had several people contact me for help with their fat cat so I feel that I at least helped change the lives of a few chubsters along the way.

Some of you might wonder how I could possibly give Kinzi up after so much time. It was hard...and I almost filled out an adoption contract on her myself more than once...but something just kept picking at the back of my mind that it wasn't right to keep her. She's beautiful, healthy, and full of life...surely she can find someone to love her. I found a little story on the Internet while I was searching for a poem that might be appropriate to put here and I think this may sum it up the best. Any of you who foster will surely be able to relate. Those of you who don't, maybe you'll consider it after you read this.

Thank you.

Phyllis
*************
Thank You for bringing this foster cat into my life.

Had I not made the decision to participate in rescue, I would never have had the chance to meet her. If I had sat here comfortably in my home and said "I already have four cats and I know that I couldn't take in another - even on a temporary basis," I would never have met this cat.

Yes, it takes time to rescue and foster... but who gave me Time in the first place? And why or what was the reason I was given Time? To fill my own needs? Or was there another reason ever so small and seemingly insignificant, like rescuing this one cat, that could make a difference in another's life? Perhaps to add joy, hope, help and companionship to another who is in need?

With great sadness, I sat down on a footstool in my kitchen this morning and watched as this foster cat bounced through the house and skidded across the floor to sit ever so perfectly in front of me. She was the picture of health, finally. She was all smiles for me.... and I smiled back at her happy face. Deep in her eyes, the storm clouds of illness and generalized poor health had blown away, and the clear light of her perfection radiated out from her beautiful soul. She holds no ill will toward man. She forgives us all.

I thought to myself as I impressed this one last long look of her into my heart, what a very fine creature you have created. Tears slowly pooled and spilled over my cheekbones as the deeper realization of how wonderful this cat is sank into my internal file cabinet of Needful Things to Remember. Lord, she's a cat - but she's a better human being than I am.

She forgives quickly. Would I do the same?
She passionately enjoys the simple things in life. And I have often overlooked them.
She accepts change and gets on with her life. I fuss and worry about change.
She lives today and loves today. And I often dwell in the past or worry about the future.
She loves no matter what. I am not that free.

This very lovely cat has gone to her new home today and already I miss her. Thank You for bringing this cat into my life. And thank you for the beautiful and tender lesson on how to be a better human.

Mommy must have been very, very bad!

The Easter Bunny didn't even stop here! We even have 2 bunnies that live in the basement, so you'd think he'd stop by to say hi to Lehana and Butternut, but nooooooooooooooooooo....Mommy was so bad that he didn't even show up. Mommy bought Daddy a chocolate bunny and he was nice enough to share some with her. I'm telling you, you do NOT want to be here on any day Mommy doesn't get some chocolate. It's almost as bad as when the Colts lose a game! It's DREADFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kinzi

Look who's sucking up to Daddy...

Apparently since Jillian's usual name is Jilly Bean, she thinks that Easter is HER holiday cuz everyone eats Jelly beans. Boy...some people are soooooooooooo self centered!

Kinzi

Alright...who ratted me out?

Someone hinted to Mommy that I've been stealing too much of Sunny's meals so she made me get on the scale today. Dang thing said I weigh 16.6 lbs so now Mommy is trying to figure out how to prevent me from getting the extra snacks. She already cuts my ration of kibble because I sometimes eat Sunny's food...but doesn't she realize that I eat Sunny's food BECAUSE she is starving me to death? Maybe if she'd give me a decent size portion of food I wouldn't have to climb the cat tree, jump on the kitchen table, and then leap to island to push Sunny off and eat his food. Did she ever think of THAT?

I see Jilly eating all the time...how come her butt isn't a mile wide???? I think someone is spiking my food with extra calories! That must be it!!!

Kinzi

Something is up...

It's Easter...and Mommy hasn't bought any Cadbury eggs. Does anyone know what is going on around here??????? Is it the end of the world or something???

Kinzi

In loving memory...

One of Mommy's very special former foster kids, Wishbone, passed away over the weekend. When Mommy pulled him from the Wyandotte pound, he had some big fatty tumors which made him rather unattractive to potential adoptors, even tho he was an adorable beagle mix. Shelter to Home got him all fixed up and after he recovered from his painful surgery, he was adopted by a wonderful couple who couldn't have loved him more.

Wishbone was blessed to have had this loving home, even if it was for a short time. I'm sure that Wishy and Quincy have already found each other at the Rainbow Bridge and are have a grand time romping around in the fields and taking long naps together like they did when Wishy lived here.

Kinzi

We are having company!

This weekend Janet is coming to visit. She and Mommy have alot of fun stuff planned, like going to Ikea and to the "Hops for Hope" fundraiser for the bunny rescue. Janet is planning to try to win some of the auction baskets there, and whatever money she has left is getting blown at Ikea or Home Goods. I'm a little concerned because I don't think those stores sell much good stuff for cats...so I'm guessing there won't be any new toys for me.

We have Honey in training for batting her eyelashes at Janet and snuggling up to her real close. We need Janet to get suckered into taking Honey home with her! Mommy even made Honey have a bath so she would smell nice. Boy, am I glad I don't have to have baths anymore. The dogs seem to like it, though. They run through the house like maniacs. I just don't get it. I used to run and hide after I had one. Are all dogs that crazy or just beagles?

Kinzi

P.S. Hey Winston, Honey is really cute and smart and she's a sound sleeper. She's not as bossy or high maintenance as your sister, Molly...so don't try to talk your mom out of taking her home!

OMG!!!

Roses are red,

Bradley's eyes are blue,

He sat down next to me,

NOW what do I do????

Rain Rain GO AWAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

What happened to the sun? What happened to the warm weather we had not so long ago when we had our windows open all night long for fresh air? What happened to the days when the dogs were outside laying in the grass instead of in the house bothering the cats and hogging up valuable sofa space? Is anyone out there building an Ark??... cuz if so, I'd like to buy my ticket in advance, please!!!

Kinzi

Mommy cheated on us!

This is Jane. Apparently she and Mommy bonded last week while Mommy was in Florida staying with her brother's family. Here is evidence of Jane camped out on Mommy's lap. I can't believe all that time Mommy never sent us a postcard or anything...but now we know why---she was too busy lovin' on another dog. Mommy always claims she doesn't even like little dogs...what a liar she turned out to be.

I've got news for you, Jane...that pretty afghan you're snoozin' on there is now in our house and we're all using it to sleep on Mommy's lap! That's actually how we knew Mommy had been cheating on us...all her stuff smelled like you and your brother, Rigby.

Kinzi

A sad post...

I have some sad news. Mommy's mom passed away last week. I'm sad I never got to meet Grandma because I know she read my blog and she knew all about me. I heard that she liked to knit and I was hoping she would visit so I could play with all the balls of yarn in her tote bag. She always mailed us good toys and treats at Christmas, too...so we'll all be missing that come December...which means I'll have to actually be good so that Santa brings me something because there won't be a box from Grandma this year. Phooey!

Mommy is very sad, of course, but when she got home there was a package waiting from her friend, Janet...and it had Cadbury Eggs in it! Mommy said that's just what she needed, so way to go, Janet! You sent that box just in time!

Kinzi

I will end with some happy news: A long time foster cat from the Wyandotte Pound, Quicksilver, was adopted recently! He came into the pound so thin and sick that nobody thought he'd even survive...but he did. He got healthy and turned into quite the stinker! He's a handsome Tuxedo cat, just like me...so I don't understand why it took someone so long to adopt him...then again, I can't figure out why nobody has adopted me yet, either! Hmph!

Woo hoo...fresh meat!

This is Bradley. Mommy named him that because he has dreamy blue eyes like Bradley Cooper. He's a big boy...nearly 20 pounds! He must think I look pretty darn good at 16 pounds...I might have a chance with this one!

Gonzaga plays tonight...everyone keep your paws crossed...or send a case of Cadbury eggs to our house!

Kinzi

Did ya miss me?

I know it's been a long time since I wrote...I've been busy! Mommy got a new fish tank for the living room, and it gives me and Jillian something to watch. Jillian is lucky she can jump onto the cabinet next to it and really stare those fishies in the eyes...I have to just watch from the floor.

So, anyone watching basketball? Mommy stayed up till midnight last night to watch some team called Gonzaga. For some reason, they are her favorite...has something to do about them reminding her of Gorgonzola cheese and that they are bulldogs. She also picked some team called the Wooford Terriers but they didn't win and that made Mommy very sad. Her method of picking teams based on their mascot didn't pay off that time. She said they are the terriers and they're from Wooford, and terriers say "woof woof"...so how could she not pick them?! (I think we need to get Mommy some Cadbury eggs before she goes completely insane).

Kinzi

PS...Winston had a scare after his surgery and got to make a little trip to the emergency vet, but he's doing fine now!

Good Luck, Winston!

Today Winston Beagle is having a little bumpity bump removed from his leg. I'm sure the day started out with the harsh reality of no breakfast being served. Well, it's all downhill from there, ...with the shots and being stuck in a cage and then waking up to find a contraption around your neck so you can't lick the wound.

Hopefully the package Mommy sent will get there today so he can wear a padded collar instead of one of those hideous cone collars.

Hope all goes well!!

Kinzi

Holy Toy Basket!

Mommy made it home from her trip. The car was full of alot more stuff than when she left, so I think she did some serious shopping while she was there. Janet took her to the world's most amazing shoe store and the Home and Garden show. You'd think with all that shopping she'd have brought something home for US...right??? ...but she didn't!

She showed us this picture of Winston's toy basket...it's HUGE! I guess most of the toys get played with by his sister, Molly....but still...when Emma the beagle saw this she got a little miffed cuz the beagle toy basket here isn't nearly that big. I've got the worlds best bowl collection and I'm even a little jealous of all those toys. I think I need more bowls!

Everyone missed Mommy while she was gone. Emma sat and looked out the window waiting for Mommy to come home Saturday night. Daddy took good care of all of us and nobody starved to death. As for the snow...it snowed about an inch where Mommy went so it's not like she was in the tropics wearing shorts and a tank top. It was cold there, too.

Kinzi

What kind of girls weekend is this???

Mommy is heading off to Indiana to visit her friend Janet, and also my friend, Winston the beagle. She claims it's a girls only weekend...but I'm a girl so how come I don't get to go? I bet Honey would like to go, too! NO FAIR!!!!!!!!

However...on the flip side of that, we can usually con Daddy out of some snackage if we bat our eyelashes at him and roll over for belly rubs...so it may be a really good weekend without Mommy!!!

Winston, make sure Mommy stays out of trouble over there!

Kinzi

I thnk the groundhog must have lied...

What's with all this snow and junk we are getting? I thought the groundhog said we'd have an early spring this year. Well...WHERE IS IT?????????????? It's a good thing that groundhog lives in Pennsylvania or I might have to give him a good whack upside the head! Jillian said she'd help me by using her claws to hold him down.

I know, I know...Jilly and I need to find some other way of working out our frustrations and dealing with cabin fever. Violence is not the answer. I used to eat to deal with my stress but in this house, all the food is on lockdown so unless I start gnawing on the furniture...that won't work. Come on, Spring!!!!!!!!!!

Kinzi

Well...we tried it!

We watched the Daytona 500 today...not the whole thing, but about the last 90 minutes. Mommy learned to appreciate that some of the cars are delicious things like M&M's, Taco Bell, and Cheerios. She liked the Aflac car because she loves the cute Duck in their commercials. There were some good wrecks and lots of carnage which made Mommy happy. I did hear her complaining tho, that the Dodge cars say Charger on them but in no way resemble an awesome Charger. That is false advertising!

Kinzi

Is it spring????

What's that green stuff out in the back yard? Is that grass???? There were alot of leaves blowing around today and as I watched the pesky beagles walking around the yard, their floppy ears were blowing in the wind and they sure looked silly. Of course, I watched all this from the comfy top perch of the cat tree in my room. I can't wait for summer when my window can be open and the fresh air blows in on me and I can hear the birds chirping. Oh sure, we have Frankie screaming all day now, but that's not the same as the peaceful little chirps from the birdies outside.

Mommy is taking Honey to another adoption event tomorrow but I'm being spared from the agony this week. (Pretty sure it's because the lump on Mommy's forehead hasn't gone down yet!)

This weekend is some big NASCAR race. Nobody here knows what that really is or why it's worth watching. Mommy isn't into fast cars, she's into big trucks. Plus, you can't see how cute the guys are if they're wearing body suits and crammed into cars. Mommy's friend Rhonda will argue this point until she's blue in the face, but she wasn't able to convince Mommy to watch the race. Keep trying, Rhonda...it's a LOOOOONG time till football starts again and Mommy is likely to get desperate.

Kinzi

What a day

Can anything else go wrong? First, I got stuffed against my will into the carrier and managed to sink my fangs into Mommy's hand before the door closed. (I was asleep when Daddy grabbed me and I was very mad to be woken up!) ...sorry Mommy...I will get you a Hello Kitty bandage if you need one.

Second...at the event there were alot of barking dogs and nobody really paid any attention to me. When it was over and Mommy grabbed me to take me out of the cage, I grabbed the bars with my paws and as Mommy pulled me, I pulled the cage until it landed on Mommy's forehead. (sorry, Mommy...would a Hello Kitty bandage work for that, too?) As if the bad language that spewed out of Mommy's mouth when the cage crushed her skull wasn't bad enough, I was so upset that I piddled while she was putting me into the cat carrier. Honestly, when is she just gonna realize that I hate these events and stop taking me???

And lastly...I found out that Mommy adopted Jillian today! So Jillian gets to stay here forever but I'm still being forced to find a new home. What's up with that? Is this about the nip and the cage on the head thing...cuz I said I was sorry...

Kinzi

awwww man...not again...

I just found out that I'm being dragged (against my will) to the Canton Petsmart tomorrow for an adoption event. I really hate being on display like a circus animal and having everyone point to me and make fun of how chunky I am.

Can I have a hot fudge Sundea when it's over???

Kinzi

I'm soooo happy!!!!!!!

Hello..Jillian here. Kinzi was nice enough to let me post on HER blog today to give a big announcement! BUDDY HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!!!! That boy used to chase me around and torment me so badly that it made the pesky beagles look like saints! So WOOOO HOOOOOOOO that he's now living with a very nice lady in Wyandotte who has no other pets. I heard that Buddy didn't even hide under the bed at her house and he slept with her on the first night!

Gotta give kudo's to Erin from PAWS who took this sexy photo of me at the "love me because..." event yesterday. You can even see the cute pink spots on my nose that Mommy likes to kiss!

Gotta go...we all need naps before the football game starts. I guess we're supposed to support the cheese team...although cats don't really like cheese, except for one gray one that lives at Terra's house. haha

XOXO, Jilly Bean

Dear Winston...

Dear Winston,

Thank you for sending a picture of yourself taking a stroll in the snow maze your mommy & daddy made for you. (Did Mommy really help...or did she stand inside and watch Daddy make it from the kitchen window?)

As for a snow maze here...the answer to that is a resounding *(#%)#$ NO! The reason is that in 2008, my mommy and daddy thought they were going to have to move to Tennessee so they started selling off stuff. The beloved snow blower now lives in Ohio with a neighbor of one of Mommy's friends. The last 2 winters weren't so bad cuz Daddy lived in Tennessee and Mommy was here alone. The neighbors who have snow blowers felt sorry for Mommy and cleaned the driveway most of the time for her. Now that Daddy lives at home again, nobody is taking pity on them so they shovel by hand. That's the story of why the beagles here don't have a snow maze.

I also heard that your mommy and my mommy are having a disagreement over who should win the super bowl. Hopefully things don't get too ugly cuz I know my mommy is going to visit you next month and we don't want that trip to be cancelled over a silly football game!

Love, Kinzi

Snow Day!!!!!!!

Here's a video of Honey bouncing around in the snow. What a goofball! I spent the day all wrapped up in a blankie on the sofa. I was a little disappointed that Mommy didn't bring me any hot cocoa, but I guess that's not on my diet.

Kinzi

Hmmm..who looks guilty?

Do these girls look guilty about something? I can't figure out who did something bad. Honey's hiding behind Abby as if she thinks we can't see her! There must be something destroyed around here somewhere! Yesterday someone murdered a cat toy that had a ball in it. Mommy had to clean up the remains when she got home from work. We were all napping so we didn't see who did it and Frankie only knows how to scream, he doesn't know how to say our names yet. Boy, are we all in trouble if that bird ever learns to talk!

Kinzi

Hey...don't bother me!

I'm putting the moves on Daddy. He's my new BFF and I'm in a constant battle with one of the pesky beagles for this spot on the chair. If I turn my eye for a minute, she'll steal it! Daddy has really big hands and they're awesome for rubbin' my really big belly! Ahhh...life is good!

Kinzi

Guess who went ice fishing...

That crazy beagle, Honey! I don't know what she was thinking! I mean, she's lived here for MONTHS and knows darn well there's a pond in the garden....yet she trotted right outside, past Mommy, over the fence into the garden and plop, right through the ice and into the water. I bet she scared the poor sleeping goldfish!

It got even funnier when Mommy told her she had to have a bath cuz Mommy didn't want a dog smelling like fish poop to be sleeping in her bed.

Kinzi

Bring on the Cadbury eggs...

Well...the Colts are done. And I'm giving the evil eye to the guy on defense (that I'm sure needs protection from all the Indy fans who would like to get their hands on him today!) who roughed the kicker from the Jets and gave them a first down instead of giving the Colts the ball...it's all over. Mommy handled herself rather well, I thought...but the truth is that she's also got it bad for one of the guys on the Jets. His initials are LT and he had a very good game last night which helped ease the pain for Mommy. So, I think for the rest of the season we have to be Jets fans. Kind of unusual around here as Mommy usually only likes teams with animal names...but hell hath no fury like a woman scorned so I'm certainly not going to bring it up to her! Just keep the Cadbury egg supply coming!!!!!!!!!

Kinzi

Who does he think he is?

Who's Mr. Sexy all sprawled out on the floor like he owns the place? It's Buddy! He's so funny...when he first got here, he hid under the bed for 2 weeks and Mommy was worried he'd starve to death. He got adopted...then returned because he was hiding under the bed at his new house and they didn't give him time to settle in. Now that he's back, he's all sassy and arrogant. He sleeps on Mommy's feet every night and growls AT THE DOG when she tries to get in bed! Mommy says that fact alone aught to earn him a permanent spot here, but she thinks the perfect home is out there for him, somewhere. He's a 4 paw declaw who's about 7 years old...if you know of anyone who wants a good, silly cat...tell them about Buddy!

Kinzi

Time to be silly!

'Twas 2 weeks after Christmas and just to be funny, not a creature was stirring, not even the new bunny. The beagles were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of bonies danced in their heads. Mommy in her kerchief and me on her lap, all snuggled in for a long winters' nap. Then what should appear before my eyes...but 2 Cadbury eggs that will go right to my thighs!

Ok so maybe that's not how the poem really goes...but they're already selling Cadbury eggs at the store...and I thought it was nuts to see Christmas junk being sold before Halloween. At least Mommy will be happy...football ends soon, especially if the Colts don't keep it together...so these will be good for consoling her.

Kinzi