Good morning, Digital Neighbors! Happy Friday ADD Irregulars and WSN Curators, and Curmudgeons. Hello again Friends & Refugees, Early Birds and Later Dayers, Conversants and Lurkers at the Report; Misfits, Political Homeless and Pham at Tribe Phetasy and finally you Awakening Wonders at Russel Brand.

I grew up with pets, mainly cats and dogs, and went for a long absence without any during my early years of priesthood. In 2012 I rescued Holly-cat and in 2014 Monsignor Jackson. Churchie people mistakenly thought he was a deacon, a slight Jackson was willing to overlook and forgive after treats, but since I was tasked with picking up after him, he knew he was of higher status in the community. He was a great dog and well loved by the parishioners of IHM. Letting him go in 2022 was much more difficult than I imagined. I am well acquainted with death and have buried many people I have grown to know and love. His passing was more personal and his absence more pronounced. I am ever so thankful to have had him, he was the best of boys.

Two weeks after the passing of Jackson, Rylee-girl came into my life. She was the coonhound-mix that belonged to another parishioner and friend of mine, Ginger, who is active in my community at Padre’s. I knew Rylee and had some doubts about her making a good church dog. I had taken Jackson on some walks with Ginger and Rylee and knew too well of her personality. I also knew about her boisterous barking, she is true to her heritage and can howl like nobody’s business. I could not have been more mistaken; Rylee is a natural flirt and melded right into the community. She is the quintessential moochie-poochie, she loves greeting everyone, but she really loves her patrons and peddlers of treats. I have been further demoted to butler and support staff by Rylee, but it is worth it. It is an 80/20 mix with Rylee-girl. 80% of the time I love her personality and energy, she is so smart and attentive, however 20% of the time she pissed me off way more than Jackson ever did. She is stubborn and at time slow to cooperate. I am pretty certain her main thought is “You’re not the boss of me.”

This Monday I adopted Ivy-kit. Ivy is 5 months old and full of energy. The last time I dealt with a kitten was in my childhood. Ivy is mostly isolated from the rest of the pack, but has had some encountered with both Holly & Rylee. Holly hissed and makes guttural sounds, Rylee wants to be friends but is too intimidating for Ivy. The introductions are moving along at a slow but predictable pace. I suspect Ivy will befriend Rylee before Holly grows to accept her. Holly is such a great cat; I am hoping in time she will adopt Ivy as he little sister. Time will tell. Happy Friday Digital Neighbors!

A True Perspective
In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him. - DEREKE BRUCE