It's February! It's time to get ready for roses, chocolates and expensive dates…or not. As I write this, it's only mid-January, but store aisles are already decked out in pink and red, and restaurants are booked out a month in advance on any given Wednesday night this month. I am. And I'm going to… sit at home with my cat.
Okay, that might sound like a crazy cat lady scenario, but here's the backstory: I've been married for a while, we have two sons, we both work full time. I work at a restaurant, and going out to dinner means changing out of my sweatpants (I also keep my slippers on, unless it's the drive-thru).
But let's look at the cat again. Love is a constant state of change, and its intensity, style, and even the way we think about love change as we move through life, but this is not the case when it comes to pets. This morning I was watching my sons play with the cat and realized that it's the only thing in the house that keeps the cat from fighting. His voice became calmer. It's all about giving your pet hugs, purrs, and love. This is a love that does not stretch, shift, or change over time, except to grow stronger and more touching. I've heard them say, “When I grow up and have my own place, I hope (my cat) is still around and I wish I had my own room!” there is.
We have had two cats die so far, one from poisoning (he was an outdoor cat) and the other from natural causes, and each time it was a difficult loss for the cats. There were heartfelt arguments that I would never have a cat as good as Fluffball again, and that I should never have a pet again until after a few weeks each time.
This is how the cat we know today was born. I was walking with my youngest and he remembered Fluffy 2 and thought lizards might be better, except that he didn't have fur and the house felt so empty without a pet. I decided not to. I checked my phone and said, “Okay, buddy, and he's closing at the animal shelter in two hours, so let's go check it out!”
It was a spontaneous decision, without even thinking about the fact that I hate cleaning toilets. It ended with them finding an orange tabby cat who couldn't help but purr when they went to meet him.
The staff member told us, “Ah! He has never reacted so quickly to people in his space!” The visit ended with me paying the $138 adoption fee and the staff staying 20 minutes after closing to finish the paperwork.
We now have another cat. Our home is a happier place and that is worth more than any adoption fee. Although I may say so myself, cats are very happy to have the whole house to themselves.
In conclusion, if you're looking for love that doesn't depend on champagne kisses and caviar dreams, pets are the way to go. (Seriously, any pet will do. I've wanted a pug or chihuahua for a while, but that's not possible right now.)
See what's delicious downtown this February
What's good for not only downtown kids but also pet-loving adults this February?
This place has been on my radar for a while, but I've refrained from writing about it because I'm a big supporter of the Humane Society. However, for young children, the variety of animals and smells can be overwhelming. This is where Santa Rosa Plaza's Mini Cat Town comes into play. This area is a cat lounge. All cats have free range in the luxurious living room area, no barking dogs or depressing cages. This means that each cat can be adopted into a cute, friendly, welcoming environment, and you won't be walking around with sad eyes staring at you from behind bars, so you feel guilty for not choosing one. No need to.
I wasn't sure whether to write about it here because there is an admission fee. A 30-minute visit is $15 for adults and $10 for children. However, consider the following explanation:
“Mini Cat Town's Kitten Lounge and Adoption Floor allows guests to interact with kittens and adopt any available kittens. It's a unique experience, and the price of admission allows Mini Cat Town to adopt more kittens. It helps protect you.”
Would you like to rescue more kittens? Please join me too!
Details: Since 2015, Mini Cat Town has rescued over 1,500 cats and kittens. What started as three sisters feeding stray cats evolved into a Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) campaign, foster care, and the creation of an independent rescue organization that eventually reached over 300 volunteers, 50 foster home, became a nonprofit rescue organization with seven full-time directors.
Location: Minicat Town
1071 Santa Rosa Plaza Space 1054A, Santa Rosa, CA
Phone: 707-544-3221
Hours of Operation: Open daily from noon to 7 p.m.
Website: www.minicattown.org
what should i eat
Hungry for something other than cats? Where can I get snacks other than the usual tacos that I rave about?
Trying to break my rule of writing about places I haven't personally tried (the soft opening is a week after the deadline), this new restaurant is located on 4th Street in the heart of downtown. In my opinion, they offer something we don't see enough of: a delicious banh mi Vietnamese sandwich. I'm so happy to have this within walking distance! They also offer boba, and that's a definite yes from me.
detail:
Location: Bliss Sandwich & Boba Cafe
622 4th St., Santa Rosa, CA
Phone: 707-843-5879
Website: blisssandwichesbobacafe.com
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 10am to 7pm
