Zeke's new sleeping spot...

Every evening I let my cats out on the porch so they can look around, eat the tomato plant leaves, and chase bugs. So, the last thing I usually do before going to bed is close the porch door and count my cats to make sure all 4 are inside. Last night it took me a while to find Zeke... eventually I found him snuggled in and sleeping under my freshly laundered comforter. :-)

Doesn't he look sleepy??


Not happy with the camera flash!

Fur-Baby Friday!!!

My sweet Sammie-boy!!

This has been my life this week...

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Animal Transporting

So, a couple of weeks ago, I signed up for animal transporting. Basically, I get to help "at-risk" animals move from high-kill shelters to rescues in other states. Since I really can't do fostering (I am already over my max for cats), I thought this would be a neat way to get involved in helping animals who need a second chance. This past Saturday I took part in my first transport. It was awesome!

The next two photos are of Courage (#1) and Ronan (#2) when they were pulled from their shelters in North Carolina. Ronan was set to be euthanized the following day.

My leg of the journey was from Corbin, KY to Dry Ridge, KY. First, I met up with Ronan and Courage (transported by Connie and her friend) in Corbin.

Connie giving the dogs one last drink. Courage is the dog that looks like she is smiling at the camera.

Me, getting a few snuggles in with Courage and Ronan before we took off. Courage is in the red collar and Ronan is in the blue collar.

Both dogs were super excited to get into the car. They loved exploring their new setting and looking out the window.

I love both of their tongues in this picture, especially Ronan's super long tongue!

Ronan looks like he is smiling as he looks out the window!

Lil miss, aka Courage, settles into her spot very easily!

Even though Ronan probably had 20 pounds on Courage, he still allowed her to sit on the backseat while he settled in on the floor... I think he just wanted to be closer to the action (me).

Eventually the excitement was too much for Ronan and he fell asleep just like Courage did. He slept with his head on my armrest so I could occasionally scratch his head and snout.

Here I am saying goodbye to Courage and Ronan in Dry Ridge, KY. They continued on their way with Amy.

Ultimately, Courage and Ronan traveled two days from North Carolina to Illinois. It was an amazing experience watching them move from certain death to life with a family. It was great to be part of this experience and I can't wait to do it again!

Day 30-a picture

YAY! IT'S FINALLY FOOTBALL SEASON - GO BLUE!!

Day 29-3 Wishes

I've been a little lax in finishing up the 30 day blogging challenge... since I only have two days left, I may as well get them done today!

3 Wishes:
1. Harsher punishments for anyone who hurts an animal. It is unconscionable that animal cruelty is not taken more seriously in the eyes of the law. Only when those who hurt animals are sentenced to jail time, will people take these crimes more seriously.

2. That my family would come to know Jesus. I will not call out specific people, but there are people that I regularly pray would come to know Jesus.

3. That sweet Oksana would find a family. I hope and wish that there are hearts stirring out there, and that someone would step forward and declare that she is their child!

The Day That Changed America

It seems surreal that it was 10 years ago that terrorists hijacked 4 planes all aimed at damaging America in ways still unknown. It was and is a moment that changed me. In that moment, my safe little world changed. Fresh off a year abroad, the world had never seemed smaller. Before 9/11, the world was a place ripe for exploration. It was a place I longed to travel extensively, and I flourished in the idea that I was a citizen of the world. In the year I spent abroad, I felt just as at home in Berlin, Freiburg, and Amsterdam, as I did in Ann Arbor, South Bend, and Lexington. I was a citizen of the world.

But, the events of September 11th changed that idea for me. I was never more aware of my status as an American, as I was that day. Watching the world's capitals react, I became inherently aware that I would always be an American to the rest of the world, and I was grateful. Grateful that I was born in a country that valued freedom and democracy. Born in a country where I had opportunities for fulfilling work, for an education, and for the rights to pursue my own happiness. I am eternally grateful for this shift in my own truth.

So, on this, the 10th anniversary, I sit and remember the moment my world changed. I will never forgot the call I received from my roommate exclaiming that classes at UM were canceled because we were being attacked, I will never forget the fighter jets circling Ann Arbor for days, I will never forget the fear that this could happen again, and maybe this time closer to home.

Today, I lift up those who lost their lives on September 11th, and the loved ones they left behind. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.