This week
our guest on the show, Susan Janin, is an advocate for all animals
from domestic cats to snow leopards in the Himalayas. My interview
with Susan, especially our conversation about Pets Are Wonderful
Support (PAWS) gave me
a reason to reflect on how my own pets have helped me heal during
traumatic times. My two cats, China and Kitty, got me through the
sicknesses and deaths of both of my parents who suffered from
cancer. My cats Amelie and Matisse got me through my sister's
cancer journey and passing. To me, that unconditional love from a
pet when you are down is incredibly healing. I honestly believe
those troubled times would have been much more difficult without
those kitties in my life.
Now
my mother-in-law is moving into a senior living home. My first
question was, "can Sunny move in with you?" Sunny is her yellow
tabby who gives Judy, my mother-in-law, unconditional love. It is
with great relief to know that Sunny will be her roommate because
now, more than ever, she needs his companionship.
I am
happy to hear there is an organization such as PAWS helping people
stay with their beloved pets. Susan is a great advocate for all
animals and it is no surprise that her cats are the cat idols and
feline ambassadors three years in a row for PAWS. (I have included
a couple pictures so you can see how adorable they are!) The
photographs below are by Mark
Rogers, an animal
photographer in San Francisco who volunteers his time and photos
for promotion of this cause.
