Beth’s Blog

I’ve been thinking a lot about friendships lately. It all started as I watched some magical relationships develop among my foster nuggets. I say friendship, but love is a better word for what bloomed between Moonrock and Mr. Gray.

Not only is February Valentine’s month, it’s also Kitten Bowl season. This year, the first weekend in February was especially special, with two fantastic bowl games — Cat Bowl I on Saturday and Kitten Bowl VI on Sunday (Thank you, Hallmark Channel!) — plus several glorious adoptions at our house.

When the ball dropped in Times Square, 2018 became 2019, just like that. But for people who care about animals, a lot changed besides that number. Across the country, from Illinois to my home state of Pennsylvania, laws went into effect that will improve life for pets. The most dramatic is California’s law that requires pet stores to sell only dogs, cats, and rabbits who come from local shelters and rescue groups.

December is already designated as National Cat Lovers’ Month. And since this is the month of giving — of finding ways to give something of real value to the world — I asked myself, why not take Cat Lovers’ Month one step further and shine the spotlight on black cats?

There’s a subtle art to distinguishing between frightened cats and those who are feral. But kittens are different — they’re more adaptable — and I felt these babies just needed a week or so at the Beth Stern Socialization School to relax and trust.

World Animal Day was October 4th, but in our home, animals are celebrated every day of the year. To commemorate this day, I’m highlighting a few adult and senior cats available for adoption at North Shore Animal League America. Adult and senior cats are absolutely incredible companions, but sadly they are often overlooked in shelters across the country even though there are so many good reasons to adopt an adult cat.

One gift that animals give us is the friendship of other people who love them as much as we do. I met Julia Belle Mason in June 2017 when she traveled from her home in Mississippi to New York for her Make-A-Wish dream come true. Her wish was to visit Animal League America, spend time with me, and meet lots of cats and kittens.

For most of my life, passing a Maserati dealership did not bring tears to my eyes. But all that changed on July 10, when a teeny, adorable, grey and white kitten arrived at my house. We named him Maserati, because just one week earlier someone found him in a dumpster behind a Maserati showroom.

It starts first thing, and first thing arrives early at our house. I wake up at 5 a.m. every day, whether Howard has to get up for his radio show or not. We keep the same schedule on weekends and during vacation. Then it’s coffee and time to brush Leon Bear and Walter, make sure Yoda is groomed, feed the cats and kittens, and play. There’s a lot of playtime in the mornings.

Our house has gone formal in the past few weeks. So many Tuxedo cats and kittens. Did they all get the memo? Did it specify white gloves and, um, tails? Must be prom time, or maybe wedding season. Actually, no. It’s kitten season, and what a season it’s been …so far!