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!