A Brush with Fur the Art Your Cat Blog

A Look at Their Perspective on Life and How Their Lifespan Shapes It

Have you ever wondered what your cat thinks about life? What are their perspectives, motivations, and experiences? While we may never truly know, we can observe and learn from our feline friends. A fascinating aspect of a cat's life is its lifespan. In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into the world according to cats and explore their perspective on life, specifically their lifespan.

The Life Cycle of a Cat

Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years and are one of the most popular pets in the world. The average lifespan of a domestic cat is around 15 years, although some cats can live into their 20s. The lifespan of a cat can vary depending on several factors, including genetics, environment, and overall health.

One interesting fact about cats is that they age differently than humans. For example, a one-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a 16-year-old human, while a two-year-old cat is about 24 in human years. After that, each cat year is equal to about four human years. This means that a 10-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a 56-year-old human.

How to Help Your Cat Live a Long and Healthy Life

Several factors can impact a cat's lifespan. Genetics play a role, as certain breeds of cats are more prone to specific health issues that can impact their lifespan. For example, Siamese cats are prone to respiratory issues, while Persians are prone to kidney problems.

Diet and exercise are also essential factors in a cat's lifespan. A balanced and healthy diet and regular exercise can help cats maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Providing your cat with stimulating toys and playtime can also help keep them mentally and physically active.

Regular veterinary checkups are also essential for maintaining a cat's health and detecting any health issues early. Annual checkups can help identify potential health problems, such as dental issues, kidney disease, or cancer, before they become more severe and impact a cat's lifespan.

The Cat's Perspective on Life

While the average lifespan of a cat is around 15 years, there have been some cats who have lived much longer. For example, the oldest recorded cat was a tabby named Creme Puff, who was 38 years old! In general, indoor cats tend to live longer than outdoor cats, as they are not exposed to the same risks, such as traffic, disease, and predators.

So what can we learn from the world according to cats and their lifespan? Firstly, providing your cat with a healthy and stimulating environment that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and veterinary checkups is crucial. Secondly, while genetics play a role in a cat's lifespan, there are many things we can do to help our feline friends live long and healthy life.

Finally, it's important to remember that each cat is unique and may have different needs and health concerns. Hence, working closely with your veterinarian to provide the best possible care for your feline companion is essential.

Conclusion

Understanding the world according to cats and their lifespan can help us better care for our feline friends and provide them with a happy and healthy life. By considering their unique needs and health concerns, we can ensure that our cats live a long and fulfilling life by our side.

Memorialize your furry loved one today with custom cat art from Art Your Cat.

Listen to the the audio cast on Anchor or Spotify.

A Guide to Creating a Stunning Cat Portrait

A cat portrait is a great way to preserve the memory of your beloved feline friend forever! A well-done portrait can capture your cat's unique personality, looks, and spirit, making it a cherished piece of art that you will treasure for years to come.

This guide will go over the steps to turn your cat's photo into a stunning masterpiece. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, these tips will help you create a portrait that truly captures the essence of your cat.

1. Choose a high-quality photo
2. Decide on the medium
3. Sketch your cat
4. Add color and details
5. Finish and frame

Step 1: Choose a High-Quality Photo

To start making a wonderful cat portrait, pick a high-quality photo as the first step. The photo should be clear and focused, with good lighting and a simple background. Avoid using blurry, low-resolution images or pictures with a lot of clutter in the background.

If you need a good photo, consider taking one. A simple, well-lit photo with a neutral background works best. You can also use photo editing software to crop and adjust the image to get the perfect shot.

Step 2: Decide on the Medium

To create your cat portrait, the next step is to choose the medium you want to use. Many options include pencil, charcoal, pastel, oil, and acrylic paints. Each medium has unique properties, so you should choose the one that best suits your skills and the look you want to achieve.

Step 3: Sketch Your Cat

Once you have your photo and medium chosen, it's time to start sketching. Sketching is an essential part of the process, as it lets you get the proportions and placement of your cat's features just right.

Use a light touch when sketching, as you can always darken the lines later. Focus on getting the basic shapes and proportions correct, and don't worry too much about details at this stage.

Step 4: Add Color and Details

With your sketch complete, it's time to add color and details to your portrait. This is where your medium of choice really comes into play. Use the properties of your chosen medium to create texture, depth, and dimension.

When adding color, start with the lightest shades and gradually build to the darkest tones. Pay attention to how light falls on your cat's fur and adjust your colors accordingly.

Step 5: Finish and Frame

Finally, it's time to finish your portrait. This may involve adding a few final touches or blending the colors to achieve the desired effect. When you're satisfied with the final product, you can frame it and display it in your home.

Conclusion

Turning your cat's photo into a masterpiece is a fun and rewarding experience. Create a captivating cat portrait that truly reflects your feline friend's essence, whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, using the steps in this guide.

Remember to choose a high-quality photo, decide on the medium you want to use, sketch your cat, add color and details, and finish and frame your portrait. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a masterpiece that you and your cat will cherish for years.

If you're unable to do it yourself, check out this guide on finding the right artist. Need more time to create your own masterpiece? Let Art Your Cat do the work for you. Choose from styles including Royal, Professional, Military, Misfits, or any of our other lovely portraits.

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6 Tips to Introduce Cats to Each Other

Introducing a new cat to your feline ? Be sure to read our post of "6 Ways to Introduce Cats to Other Cats" for tips!

This is especially important for cats who have been rescued from a shelter, been surrendered by a previous owner, or have just been adopted from the humane society. In that situation, the new cat is likely very stressed and needs time to adjust and feel safe in his new surroundings.

1. Gently Handle The Cats Together

If you want to introduce any cat to another cat, the best way is to slowly approach them and gently handle them together. This will allow the cats to get used to each other, instead of getting scared of each other too soon.

2. Offering Treats

Cats are notorious for their need to snack. They will be looking for food all day if you let them, so it's important to keep them fed at regular intervals.

A great way to do this is by offering your cat treats as a reward or incentive. You can find these in any store that sells pet products, and many of them are designed specifically for cats. The best treats are highly nutritious and help your cat maintain a healthy weight over time.

Some people believe that it is safe to feed their cats dog food because it is the same ingredients as cat food but this is not true! Dogs require more protein than cats do, so feeding your cat dog food will lead to malnutrition and could even be fatal.

3. Place Them Next to Each Other for a While & Let them Sniff Each Other

Introducing cats to each other is a process that requires patience and a lot of time. There are many ways to introduce two felines – but it always starts with the sniff test.

The sniff test is important because it can tell you whether or not the cats will be able to live together in one household. The reason for this is because there are smells from different parts of our anatomy that we can’t smell, but cats can. There are also smells that we find attractive, but a cat might find it offensive or vice versa.

To avoid stressful incidents in the household, it is important to give cats time to adjust to one another. Allow them plenty of space without crowding them, and make sure they have plenty of opportunity to meet each other’s smells. 

4. Provide Toys for Both of Them to Engage in Playtime Alone or Together

Cats spend a lot of time playing throughout their lifetime, and playtime is an important part of helping them to live happy and healthy lives. Cats are natural explorers, so playtime is a great way to help them develop skills related to hunting prey.

Playing alone has the advantage of being able to engage in play time without interruption, but it may also lack the cuddling and companionship that comes with playing with friends.

"Solo cat play time with toys" can encourage cats to explore new areas of the house on their own terms or forage for food.

5. Let The cats Share the Same Room Gradually and See What Happens!

Cats may not be the best when they are in the same room together. They tend to fight, territorial and at times they will even urinate on each other's coats and beds. But introducing cats to each other can be a challenging task for many people. Cats at times don't like one another and will do everything they can to avoid contact with one another.

So it is best for cat owners to introduce their cats over a few weeks' time. Let them share the same room for two or three days, then separate them for about four days, then introduce them again for another two or three days before separating them again. This gradual introduction process will help cats get used to one another more easily and with less stress on both of them! 

6. Bring In Another Cat or Animal that Gets Along Well With Others into the Room (& then Leave!)

Some cats are not so friendly with other cats, so this step can be skipped if you have a cat that does not get along well with others. But if you have more than one cat at home, this is a great way to have them meet each other. You will need to find a new friend for your original kitty and the best way to do that is by going outside.

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If you like to introduce your cat to a new home, we recommend reading this blog post at REDFIN

Reducing Anxiety and Stress Level

with the Power of Cats and Pets

Fear. Stress. And anxiety. A lot of people  around the world are experiencing what you feel, and they have the questions beginning with “how,” what,” and “why.” It is expected to have any of those reactions during this worldwide pandemic. However experiencing all three daily may negatively affect your physical, emotional, and mental state! How then can one reduce the anxiety and stress level? One way is to boost your positive mood with the power of your cats and pets! 

Social Interaction

The truth is some people are not used to staying at home most of the time and there are those whose energy is boosted through social interaction. In addition, staying in touch with friends and family through social media sites, video calls, or texts may not be enough.

Cats and pets can fill in that need for social interaction and companionship! They are a great listener and a keeper of secrets, a comfort when loneliness strikes, and a good distraction that brings ease and peace when one is scared and stressed.

Encouragement

Play interactive games and do some walking exercise with your pets as this will keep you busy and moving. Such activities, including petting and talking with them, will help produce Oxytocin, Beta- endorphins, and Dopamine. These neurochemicals in the brain in turn boosts your positive emotions and improves your sleep, lowering your stress and anxiety level.

Happy and Calm

Relax, relieve the tension, and allow yourself to enjoy the small moment with your feathered/fur babies as you pet them, snuggle with them, watch your fish swim, and listen to your parrot repeat what you say. Such a warm, family interaction will bring lots of smiles, laughter, and a calm feeling to you and your loved-one.

Motivated

Cats and pets remind us that they are there and they know that something is wrong. In their own little way, they will wake you up, look at you to pet and play with them, some would follow their parents, and the rest is to let us feel that it’s okay. Allow the love and care from them and your loved-ones be the fire to motivate you and pull you up from drowning in fear, worry, and negative thoughts!

To conclude, cats and pets are great companions and motivators, but they also require our love, care, and attention during this COVID-19. How have your fur/feathered babies helped you cope? And what interactive activities can you suggest to cat and pet lovers which may lead to lessening stress and anxiety? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below😻

5 Fun and Interactive Games to Play with Your Cat

One of the worst enemies our world has encountered is COVID-19, pushing us to be distant with others, bound to rules, and stay at home for our safety. Meanwhile, our fur babies remain clueless of what is happening right now but they do notice that their hooman companions are mostly at home today.  

As parents to cats, why not take this moment to provide them with much needed cat care? Deepen your bond with your fur babies, encourage them to exercise, have fun and uplift their mood and yours through any of the fun, interactive games we have listed below! 

Remember to pick a time when they are mostly active and not during their resting time --unless you desire to unleash their godly claws wrath upon you. 

1. Stalk and Capture

Have your cat exercise his/her hunting skills with this game.What you will need is a scrap paper or paper bag, because cat's love the sound of crumpled paper, and a string. 

Crush the paper into a ball and tie one end of a long string or thin yarn to it. The next thing you need to do is move all of the things that might fall and hinder your cat as he/she chases its "prey."

Once everything is ready, throw the ball of paper next to your fur baby and slowly pull the tie across the floor. If you want to make it more exciting, you can hide behind a couch, door and then pull the string towards your location. Toss the paper and tug it again so your cat’s attention is on its target and they can capture it. 

2. Catch a Cat-fish

                                        Fish for your cat in this game! 

First tie a piece of string around a toy wand or stick. Secondly, fasten 2-3 feathers or a small bell at the end of the string which will be the bait for your cat-fish. Lastly, clear a space for you and your cat to play. 

Wave and move the wand in an upward and downward position above your fur baby’s head as if you are casting a spell to them. Entice your cat-fish further through moving it away from his/her view. 

3. Ball Game

Most cats find balls entertaining as they can easily maneuver it with their front paws. Moreover, anything that imitates a moving prey catches a cat’s attention. A light ping pong ball, stress ball, and small toy balls are perfect for this game. If you do not have any of those, you can make one by crumpling a piece of paper into a ball or cutting strips of toilet paper roll and assembling it(found online). 

Toss the ball near your cat, making sure it bounces a bit. Be patient as it might take a few attempts before they start playing ,since not all cats are used to having someone move the toy ball for them. 

4. Hide-and-Peek

This is an easy and fun game for you and your fur baby. First, wear a clove or cover your hand with a thick old cloth for safety, and then bring with you a     used- paper or old newspaper. The second thing to do is find a place where you can hide behind such as a couch, wall, door, or bed. Remember, your location should be around the corner from where your cat is. 

Catch your fur baby’s attention by showing half of the paper and making a noise by wiggling it on the floor and on the edges of your corner. Pause and pull back the paper. Do it again. 

If he/she peeks, softly pat your cat on the head and pull your hand away from him/her. If needed, move them back to their corner with your hand or by waving the paper near their face. Repeat the process again from getting their attention to slightly tapping their head.

5. Chase Game

In the living room, pile up 2-3 old blankets or 6-8 old clothes on the floor. Afterwards, hold a stick or stuff toy and place it under the stack of cloth. Make small movements, imitating a small animal, and watch as your cat readies themselves to pounce at its prey. You can also use your feet but you have to make sure that the mass of clothes is enough to cover you against your fur baby’s teeth!

Breaks are very important so your cat can rest and by treating them with some snacks encourages them to look forward to playing with you next time. 

Do you know any fun indoor games to play with your fur babies that is not listed here? Share to us through the comment section below. We love hearing and learning some new stuff from our dear cat lovers! 

Six Surprising Valentine's Gift Ideas

Purrfect for Loved-Ones

Are you having a hard time finding a unique, surprising gift for your loved-one this incoming Valentine? Do they love cats and other pets? We’ve got the purrfect gift item list for you that will ease your stress and bring overflowing joy and happiness to your lover!

Remember, there are a lot of ways to express your love to someone on Valentine's day and one of them is by giving him/her a gift to let them know much you care and know them!

Respect Royal Cat Ruler

Your lover is your king or queen but never underestimate their small cute cat partner!

They are the true rulers of their human companions.

Symbolize your acceptance, love, and adoration towards the both of them by giving your loved-one a royal king or princess cat portrait.

We’ve got the best royal, professional artists in the entire kingdom who can make a purrfecct digital painting of their pets. Your partner will surely be amazed by the transformation of their furry buddy and child!

Convey Affection

How can you communicate “warmth” and “love” to your partner?

Hugs and Blankets!

As the cold touches your lover’s skin, drape the cat Valentine’s blanket between you two, and cuddle up with that special person --whisper sincere words from your heart to her ear.

Purrfect for a sweet couple moment in February.

Practical Love Gifts

Have your lover laugh and smile when you dance around while wearing this funny kitchen apron of a passionate chef cat!

Stop for a moment to serve him/her favorite drink placed in the LOVE custom mug with their pet’s face on it to make the occasion more special and thoughtful.

Special E-Gift Card

If you don’t know what cat-related gift you can get for your loved-one, our egift card is purrfect for them! Our store has a lot of adorable items they can buy with a $50, $100 or $200 gift card.

Need help finding the purrfect gift? Feel free to message us here or email us at meow@artyourcat.com and we’ll help you pick a Valentine’s present!

Are you having a hard time finding the perfect, unique gift for animal lovers this incoming Christmas?

I know how that feels so I have enumerated the best, personalized gift ideas for yourself and loved-ones that you can get at Art Your Cat!

Pawtraits

Best gift for art lovers and animal lovers, and those who want an art dedicated or in memory of their pet.

Art Your Cat’s employs a professional artist to work on the design of your pet’s portrait. Proof emails are sent to make sure that customers are satisfied. Moreover, expect high quality digital paint with ink that will hold up overtime and will not fade!

Purrr Blanket

Beat the cold seasons by sitting near a fire, wrapped oneself with a blanket, sip some warm drink, eat cookies, tell stories, or read a book! Make that moment for yourself or loved-one even more special by having it personalized. A wonderful, warm gift to cuddle with --as if your fur buddy is hugging you.

Professional cartoon artist creates a cute, handsome artwork for the blanket based on the picture you sent!

Cartoon Hoodie and T-Shirt

A beautiful, handsome cartoon artwork on a hoodie or shirt is another wonderful Christmas gift for yourself and loved ones.

Art Your Cat’s artist makes sure every detail is present, creating an exact replica of your pet in a cartoon version! You can even have up to 4 pets in one design and add your pet’s name.

Custom Shaped Handmade Pillow

Do you miss your pet or do you know someone who does? The customized pet cushion pillow is the perfect gift  this incoming Christmas. The receiver can bring it anywhere, cuddle it anytime, remember their fur buddies, and brighten up their mood!

Celebrating Famous Felines

The smallest feline is a masterpiece - Leonardo da Vinci

Unleashing the World of Cat Art & Artists!

Cat art adored by artists and photographers worldwide. What makes cats a favored subject among pets? Cats' popularity in art can be gauged by the numerous likes, shares, and purchases of cat art photos on social media and art platforms. Cat lover and art enthusiast? Discover fascinating facts about cats in the world of artists!

British Museum Picture

Feline Masterpieces: Ancient Egyptian Cat Art Unearthed!

In ancient Egyptian history, cats are revered and feared during that time for they had feline goddesses such as Bastet and Mafdet. If one injures or kills a cat, severe punishment is given to the person held responsible. Moreover, these feline cats have small sculptures and paintings dedicated to them because most of Egyptian art is related to religion. In the city of Bubastis –known for its greatest temple –thousands of small cat sculptures and mummified cats have been recovered.

Pawsitively Artistic: Exploring Cat Art in Asian Cultures!

How about in Asia? Cats are found in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese arts. They are typically depicted as pampered pets, hunters, ghosts, monsters and spirits by Asian artists.

Cats Suggested As The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, (1850), woodblock print

The Ukiyo-e (woodblock print and paintings) of Japanese illustrator Utagawa Kuniyoshi contains 55 cats and is displayed in museums.  In addition, Kuniyoshi gave Kabuki actors cat faces. 

InkDance Chinese Painting

Meanwhile, cats in Chinese art are favored by Chinese painters and calligraphy artists for their rounded and contour bodies. 

Byeon Sang-byeok’s Myojakdo

Korean painter Byeon Sang-byeok was known for his detailed brushwork and affections for animals, and an example is his work Myojakdo (Paintings of Cats and Sparrows).

French Artists to Artistic Icons: The Feline Evolution!

If you have watched films or seen arts with witches and their familiar cats, some of you must have thought that it is cool or you admired it. Sadly, some of the people in the past had a negative opinion of cats. During the early 1800s in France, these adorable and innocent cats suffered due to an assumption that they are a part of witchcraft and are a demonic symbolism. Later on, it ended and cats became the favorite subjects of artists in the 19th-century. An example is Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen’s prominent cat poster Lait Pur Stérilisé (found below).

Lait Pur Stérilisé by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen

Another French artist whose work of art centers on a cat is Berthe Morisot. Her art piece Fillette au Chat shows a drawing of her daughter affectionately carrying a kitten. 

Fillette au Chat by Berthe Morisot

     Do you agree that cats are great, mighty hunters? Here is a fact: This trait is highly regarded by some societies or cultures from the past up to the present. An example is an art of a cat capturing a partridge in the well known Pompeian Casa Del Fauno (House of the Faun) mosaic circa 2 B.C.E. 

         snappygoat

    Cat art became a recurring theme in modern art forms during the 20th century. Why? Most artists were inspired and connected to the cat’s solitude, tranquility, and elegance. One artist who was known to adore and love his furry muse –allowing to accompany him during his creative process –was Henri Matiss. His art piece of his daughter and cat can be seen below. 

Matisse’ Marguerite with a Black Cat, 1910

Feline Artistry Unleashed: From Mighty Hunters to Modern Masterpieces!

At present, cats are still one of the favored subjects of artists. Moreover, with the emergence of new art forms, artists are able to bring these felines closer to people. Some museums and programs have interactive art that features live rescued cats ready to be brought home to a family. Through art, cats are appreciated and it also becomes an opportunity to encourage others to adopt.

What are your thoughts to our fun facts? Would you like to add an information? We would love to hear from you in the comment box below.

Sources:

• Cat Museum San Francisco
• The Great Cat
• Google Arts and Culture
• Swann Auction Galleries
• The Artifice

Honoring the Memory of My Beloved Cat, Blacky

Losing a precious family member (including pets) is never that easy to move on. I lost my cat Blacky 3 years ago and sometimes I can’t help feeling a bit sad. At first, I thought my cat was just adjusting to the change of my time at home and work. That wasn’t the case. He started to eat less and rested a lot so I tried to give most of my attention to him. I also brought my cat buddy to work that my boss was fine with it. His energy slightly improved but he was still in that condition. I didn’t know what to do so I had to bring my cat to the vet. I was told that it is possibly due to his old age –Yes he was not a kitten when I got him. I asked what this meant and he explained to me what my cat Blacky was going through.

A Journey of Love, Loss, and Healing

Do you know what it feels like when you hear that your cat buddy’s sick and there’s nothing much to do? Some people think men don’t cry but I did once I got home. I hugged him softly, telling him that everything was going to be fine. I called my family and some friends who knew my best cat partner Blacky. Told them what was happening even though the words that came from my mouth felt numb.

Every day was precious between the two of us. I mostly brought him wherever I go but I try to be careful so I won’t make things worse. I took lots of pictures and kept many precious memories. In his last month, my mom and sister and a few friends took their time with Blacky. They loved him, especially my sister who cried when she saw her favorite cat niece. I could not cry because I was trying my best to show that I am okay.

When Blacky’s time came, all emotions came. It’s not easy to get over it. I’d look at his pictures and you know just smile and remember those fond days. Years passed and he was still in my thoughts. I got a second cat this year when I felt that I have moved on from Blacky’s passing. Her name is Lady Holly and I am loving her as much as I can.

Turning Precious Memories into Beautiful Art

One time, my coworker showed me this online store that does art stuff on animals. I just nodded and continued with my job. When I got home, I saw that Lady Holly (my current cat) was looking at me and she ran. I saw that she broke a glass framed picture of my buddy. I checked if Holly was fine, and it seems no broken glass got into her paws. I went out of the house for fresh air while I held my Blacky’s picture. For a few minutes I stared at it. I just suddenly remembered what my coworker showed to me and I thought of it. I didn’t want my cat to get hurt if I replaced the frame at the same time I wanted Holly to meet my buddy.

I asked my co-worker for the site and that was how I got to know Art Your Cat. I looked for pictures on my camera or phone and I had to ask those who might have one to send it to me. Picked out the best pictures and one during his last days. I had the store do a canvas of him. It doesn’t matter if I spent a bit of my savings. He was my buddy and best friend so he is worth it. When everything was finalized between my side and Art Your Cat’s artist, I waited. Work kept my mind from excitement and wanting to ask them to check my order.

A New Chapter of Love and Friendship

Once I got the canvas art, I held my breath for a few seconds, Blacky’s happy eyes flashed into my mind. I could not help my lips from forming a smile, I hanged two of the cat canvas art in my living room and one in my room. I held Lady Holly and told her stories of my cat Blacky. Sometimes, she’d stare between my buddy and me. I also promised Holly that I would get one for her next time too.

You can’t help remove a bit of pain when you remember them but you can fill your heart with joy when you think of them as you look at pictures and art. They won’t ever disappear because my Blacky is here with us as long as I don’t forget.

Finding My Path Through Furry Companions

My parents kept on telling me it’s bad to watch cartoons and animes and playing arcade games. They told me that as a girl I must go and make girlfriends or get a boyfriend. I would ignore what they said. I gave up my 16 years of life to reach their expectations and I just lost it. I love them and I gave my best but it became the reason I have nothing. I don’t know what I like and what do I actually want to do. I didn’t have those questions not until I was faced with a blank page of my college and career. I just wrote what my parents kept conversing during dinner.

Our teacher talked to each of her students about their choices, and when it was my turn, I answered like a robot. My teacher did not push me to make my own path… she gave questions for me to answer to myself –think about it. I was lost. My friends tried to help me “loosen up” by going out, watching, drinking, and playing arcade games. Of course, my parents were so disappointed at me that they decided to place all expectations on my older brother.

I was 17-years old when I was kicked out of the house because my mom could not take it anymore. My parents provided me an apartment and told me not to cause any trouble. I did stay away from trouble and ran away from reality. I didn’t notice that I missed entering college…What did I want to do? “Wait I gotta finish this then I might take some time to think about it.” I kept on delaying facing my life until my brother visited me.

Hope: A Beacon of Light in My Darkest Days

My brother forgave me in spite of the expectations of my parents fell on his shoulders. He gave his best to reach out to me… and he brought someone with him this time. In the box he held, I could hear the sound of a kitten. “He wouldn’t do this to me,” I thought.

That loud furball in that box was now my responsibility. I was angry at my brother but I think it was the best moment of my life. I named her “it” at first, later on, she was called Hope. She pulled my attention from fiction to reality, my eyes were slowly opening, and “baam” I was hit with the present. I held my kitten Hope as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I love Hope so much it became a decision for me to care for her more. She became the reason my brother and I talk longer during his visits –mainly on Hope. I was 20 years old when I made the choice to enter college. It was because my brother and Hope were my strength to stand-up and face life and become better.

Stray's Influence: From Lost to a Life with Purpose

On my way home from college last year, I brought to my apartment an abandoned cat which I found outside my college campus. I named him Stray and he was the one who influenced my decision to work part-time at an animal shelter. I wanted to help cats, dogs, and other pets that didn’t have a place to call home. I discovered another purpose in my life.

Without Hope and Stray, I would not be the person I am today. Until now, I am still thankful of my brother for bringing home that furball that time when I was so lost and confused in life. As a gift to myself and brother, I bought a personalized cartoon shirt from Art your Cat. The staff were kind and helpful to me. I really felt their care for their customers because they made sure that the art is just right by communicating between the artist and myself. When I received it, they did what I imagined. I love wearing this shirt. Some people carry quotes or celebrities on their shirt but I carry my cats who has brought me hope and joy in life. How about you? Do you have a furball who has given you hope?