Should I Go Visit Blacky & Whitey...

From Ann (August 14th):

Time flies- I can't believe it's been over a week since I got your email already!  

We have been busy playing with our new cat furniture!  It has three levels and the top level of course everyone has to fight over. I see Whitey sitting up there nice and cozy and next thing I know Blacky jumps right up on top of her, sticks his foot right in front of her face and tries to make himself comfortable.  I looked right at Whitey and said "Oh isn't he just RUDE! You stand your ground, girl- don't you let him push you out of your spot!" Well, ten minutes later I see Whitey sitting alone on the top perch and Blacky pouting on the second level.  Good for her!! (Most mornings when I wake up though, Blacky is up there on the top, playing his "I'm The King of The World!!!" role while Whitey is snuggled quietly down at the foot of the bed.  

Sometimes I come home from work and find things in weird places.  Once a metal vase was knocked on the kitchen floor- boy I'll bet they ran like crazy when that hit the floor and clattered!  I'm sure there was some quality under-the-bed time after all that noise!  And I'm betting you and I have the exact same vacuum cleaner because when I pulled that sucker out of the closet, I had never even ever turned it on but they both had the look of Kitty Doom in their eyes!  I put them outside of the room and shut the door while I vacuumed but wouldn't you know? That wasn't about to keep Blacky out!  Sure there's a big scary vacuum going on but when there is a shut door, nothing is going to stop Blacky!  I see a little black paw sticking under the door so I open it a crack and he's peeking in, checking out this big loud monster and eventually it was just too much so he had to come poking inside, keeping his eyes on the vacuum the whole time. Eventually he just sat there and watched it going back and forth, fascinated.  Of course it helps that we were vacuuming around the litter box.  ANY time someone is poking around our litter box we have to monitor the situation with interest!

Well I personally think you MUST come visit!  They have met two people so far and were all over them- any new chance to get attention is just fine with them.  And I know I'd love to see you again and I'll bet they will be thrilled to hear Mommy's voice again!  I work from 7am to 3pm M-F and I'm usually home by 3:30 so it would be a nice amount of time for you both to visit and still get home before dark.  Anytime you want to come by, just send me a text message or give me a call- I don't always check my email every day.  

These guys just LOVE to have their tummies rubbed, don't they?  As soon as I come home from work, we are both lolling around on the floor on our backs expecting the rubdown! Too funny!

The shelter that I found you through didn't even expect a donation- can you believe it?  They said it was a 'special case'!  Aww! I had to give them a donation anyhow- I would never have found these little guys without them!  I know they were special comfort to you and I can certainly understand why- they have been such wonderful companionship to me. Truly a blessing that came out of the dark days I had right before I found them.  

Well they are finally bored of looking out the window now after sitting there for a solid hour.  So of course I have Whitey sniffing the keyboard as I type!  Looks like it's time to give them the daily worship that this King and Queen expect and demand!

I really, truly do hope to hear from you soon.  I've been thinking of you ever since you drove away, trying to be strong for these little guys.  I hope your babies finding a happy home has made things easier for you and I hope Tom and the kids also feel better knowing Blacky and Whitey are being spoiled rotten every single day.  

Looking forward to seeing you soon and wishing you all the best and love and meows,

Blacky, Whitey and Ann

 For the life of me, I could not get this last photo to turn upside right!!!

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From me (August 18)

Yes ma'am you sure got that right...time flies! We can only do so much in a 24 hour period and unfortunately sleep and work has to fall in there some where. Your emails elate me and I read them to any one who'll listen (my daughter, my mom and a few people at work). I don't live with Tom, we're separated and soon the divorce will be final. His 2 kids, the 2 that were there when you picked up Blacky and Whitey, they didn't have too much of a relationship with B&W at all so I'm sure they're not missing 'em. Tom, in my opinion, had every excuse not to keep them... but that's another story. I can say this.... I know I'm HAPPY and at ease knowing Blacky and Whitey are spoiled every single day!!! Not a day goes by that I don't pull up a picture or watch a video of them. Every day, through out the day, they cross my mind. I'm so happy you found joy in them. I was afraid you wouldn't come along... but atlas, you did!

Thank you for your phone number. I've added you as a contact. I was talking to my friend Chris, who is also a cat lover, her advice on me driving up to Harrisburg is this, I've copied and pasted her words:

Now about your sweet kitties. You know what I'm going to gently suggest. Gently, I say.

It might be best to let them settle in for a while and get used to their new mom before you visit. 

That way they will not get all excited and think you've come to take them home. Home is where they are, and you will be only a memory who will fade as they bond with Ann. 

Give her some time, it's only fair. Promise me you will!

I've been asking a few people on what they thought about me driving up to Harrisburg and so far I've gotten mixed advice. Since Chris's advice .... I've stopped asking! She lost a cat dear to her after 17 years and she's still not over it. I trust her advice and will take it. Some people may think of us as "strange" and that we don't know the minds of a cat but honestly, I don't care what those people say.... I take this whole experience seriously, I really do. I care enough about Blacky and Whitey that I don't wanna be messing with their minds having them thinkin' mommy's come to take us home sorta thing. On the other hand, it could very well be me that needs the time to mend. I still cry because I miss them. My heart and life still has a void. I dreamed about them a few nights ago. I still talk about them as if they're still a part of my life. Like I said earlier, this has got to be one of the most bitter-sweet things I've ever went through. When Chris says "it might be best to let them settle in for a while..." I don't know how long that "while" is but when it's time, I would love and look forward to coming up there for a visit so I promised Chris that I would be fair and give you 3 time to bond.

Your emails put me to ease whereas their comfort and happiness is concerned. If cats could smile I'm sure Blacky and Whitey are doing it. The one thing I didn't buy them and would of loved to was one of those cat castle's you spoiled them with. Yeah, sounds like Blacky is still up to be Mr. Bossy! Picking him up, he's all manly-cat like and then picking up tiny petite Whitey ... you just know you gotta defend her sometimes  -  but I've found out in the end she can hold her own. I'm surprised and glad to know Blacky decided to try to get acquainted with the vacuum cleaner. He's always been the brave one when it comes to that thing. If I was a cat and I heard a big machine coming down the hallway the first thing I'd be thinking of is "RUN, IT'S A CAT EATER!!!"

I love the pictures in the next email you sent. I love ALL the pictures you send. I've been downloading them to my phone so I can see them anytime I want.

Today I'm dog sitting at my parents house. They've been gone since I got off work around 4 on Friday and should be back any time soon. The dogs are Penny and Roxy, 2 - 12 year old dachshunds.

Let's just keep in touch, if you don't mind, until we arrange for me to come up there. Please don't be in such a hurry to answer my emails, I know you're busy and I'm not going anywhere so when you get to it, you get to it. Pictures are always the extra treat I look forward to. Please give those 2 love-bugs a kiss on the top of their head for me. Talk to ya soon Ann!!!! And, as always, I thank God for you!

PUBLISH DATE - SEPTEMBER 1, 2013.