Kindness is a quality that I look for in everyone I form any kind of relationship with – it matters that much to me. Kindness to cats, and all animals, is the most important to me, but kindness to other human beings is a close second. One of my pet peeves: people who are unkind to waiters or other service personnel.Continue Reading

We’ve all heard of The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Many of us strive to live by this rule. It implies the basic assumption that other people would like to be treated in exactly the same way you would like to be treated.

Then there’s The Platinum Rule: “Treat others the way they want to be treated.”Continue Reading

We all have busy lives, and there are days when it feels like we’ll never get everything done. For most people, the first thing to fall by the wayside during busy times is time for yourself. I’ve never met a cat who says”I’m too busy to take a moment to stretch in the sun.” Why can’t we be more cat like when it comes to taking care of ourselves?Continue Reading

I couldn’t imagine life without my iPhone. I use it to check my email, search the internet, monitor the weather, give me driving directions, do my banking, make restaurant reservations, and, of course, take lots of photos of Allegra and Ruby. In fact, I still sometimes marvel at all the things one small device can do, and how it’s made my life easier in so many ways. But as awesome as it is to have all this power in the palm of my hand, it’s also a bit disconcerting just how much I’ve come to rely on it, and at times, it feels like, perhaps, I’ve crossed the line into using it  a little too much.Continue Reading

Conscious choices make a difference. Despite arguments that animal testing is a necessary part of medical research, and that finding a cure for human diseases outweighs the suffering this research causes to innocent animals, scientists are increasingly seeing that the results of animal experiments are not directly applicable to humans.

I won’t give to charities that support animal testing, and always check before making any type of donation.Continue Reading

When I think about what contentment looks like, I think of a purring cat. If there’s anything that illustrates happiness better, I don’t know what that would be. And it doesn’t take much for cats to be content: a sunny spot on the floor, a full tummy, a lap to curl up on – those are the ingredients for contentment when you’re a cat.

Why is it so hard for humans to reach that same state of contentment?Continue Reading

Cats enrich our lives in so many ways. From providing unconditional love to entertaining us with their antics, cats have a way of teaching us a thing or two about how to live a good life without really trying. Today, I’m offering you a somewhat feline-centric explanation of the habits outlined in Steven Covey’s timeless bestseller, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.Continue Reading

Sundays are for resting, and taking a break. And sometimes, the best way to spend a Sunday is to do absolutely nothing. And how better than our cats to show us just how to do that?Continue Reading

I believe that every single person in your life is your mirror to some extent. Others reflect back aspects of our own consciousness to us, giving us an opportunity to see ourselves in a different light, and ultimately, to grow. Sometimes, that reflection may come from someone we admire. Other times, it may come from someone who aggravates us and pushes all our buttons.

And just like humans, cats can also be a mirror for us. Continue Reading

Most of us know how important self-care is to our physical, emotional and mental health. Then why are so few of us good at actually doing it (unless we’re a cat?)

Is it because we’re conditioned to think that it’s selfish to put ourselves first? The reality is that unless you make taking care of yourself a priority, you won’t have anything left to give to those around you. It’s like the oxygen mask on an airplane analogy: you’re supposed to put your own mask on before you help others.Continue Reading