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JC@online-thecatsmeow.com !

Our planned update of THE CAT'S MEOW's website continues!

We're still working on the new photo galleries. Everything 'technical' is in place, but we've had the flu 'round the TCM office, and missed several days of "typing time".

Changes and additions on the current pages continue, also. Why not visit the website and see what's going on!?!

And, now, we offer you today's 'Internet potpourri'.... Should any of these gleanings inspire you to further investigation, be sure to visit our website for further information and helpful resources!

"Mom," said the little girl, "Is it alright to say you are going to water the horse when you are giving him a drink of water?"

"Yes," said her mother, "that is the correct thing to say."

"Well then, I'm going to milk the cat!"

Reprinted from Marianne's Goodies

Many of us have lost a dearly-loved furry one. But, they are not always lost forever, as this story sent by a TCM subscriber reveals!

Chester Came Back To Me

I strongly believe in the spirit world. On June2, my cat Chester was hit by a car, when we found him, I knew he would not make it. His face was crushed, his pelvis was crushed, yet some way he made it back home and over a chain link fence, I heard him crying. Went to check on him, and I was hysterical.

Screamed for my boyfriend: we live together along with my brother. After Moe picked him up and layed him on the porch, my poor Chester looked at me. I said "Chester, its ok if you need to leave now. I know you are hurt so bad. I just kept saying that over and over again and held his head in my hands, telling him to go ahead and leave this world, it was alright, I knew his spirit would come back to me in another kitty. This was on a Sunday, and the vet finally called back. Moe and my brother Mike took Chester in. I told Dr. Threadgill to go ahead and put him to sleep, but he wanted to get some IV fluids in him and some pain medication and wait til morning to see if he was any better. Called vet early Monday morning, and he said Chester was in shock, and even if he began to try to fix him, that he did not think my cat would live through the day. So I told him to euthanize Chester, but to wait for Moe to get there first. I told Moe to talk to Chester, and pet him during the procedure. I was in no shape to go, I was close to a nervous breakdown. We buried Chester in our backyard at one of his favorite "lazy" spots, wrapped in white velvet, and I just covered him in his fresh catnip which I grew for him. He has his own little coffin and gravesite with a flag on it. Moe called Chester Sargeant because Moe was in the Military.

I lay in bed crying for hours many nights; then I started praying constantly to God that wherever Chester was to let him be whole and happy. And I prayed for his spirit to be sent back to me in a little kitty. Well, 2 weeks ago, at my kitchen window, I kept hearing this pitiful yowling. Everytime I was close to the kitchen window, I heard it. So I went outside walked up the road, when I got in front of the next house, I saw a little orange and white kitty, I didn't call it to me or anything; When he saw me, he made a beeline right into my arms.I asked my neighbor if the kitty was his;he said no, but it had been crying on his porch all night. Well, I have my Chester back now. He acts just like him, and does the same things Chester did, and that day I was in tears of happiness all day. Chester was 6 yrs old. We had been blessed to have him in our lives for 4 yrs. And now I truly believe he is back. Does anyone else have any experiences like this to share?

Added on Jan.20, 2003: "Little" Chester has been in my life since August 1, 2002. He is more and more like "big" Chester everyday. Chester loves to help me with my computer, and he loves to snuggle in my bed. In my mind now, the two have blended almost totally into one Chester, which I suppose indicates a healing on my part. I pray that this time Chester gets to stay with me a very long time.

Sent to TCM by Anne Waid

If you've lost a pet, Rainbow Bridge offers help in overcoming your grief. Despite the callous views of those who've never lost a furry "child", the loss IS just as real...and as deserving of attention...as the loss of a human loved one! Try it, and let healing begin!

Dripping from a cloud

A raindrop,dripping from a cloud,
Was ashamed when it saw the sea.
"Who am I where there is a sea?", it said.
When it saw itself with the eye of humility,
A shell nutured it in its embrace.

~Saadi of Shiraz, 1184-1291

Persian poet

Sent to TCM by Donna Wallace

An Inch

In today's technological age, we often hear about the wide stretches of the Internet. We are used to telescopes making discoveries in distant planets. How often do you hear about the power of an inch?

That's right just an inch.

I talked with one of my friends yesterday who is staying in another country. Even though it sounded like he was only a few feet away through the phone, the sound was actually traveling thousands of miles. That's technology and that's impressive. But I've also been impressed lately by the power of an inch.

You are probably saying now "What do you keep talking about the power of an inch, an inch doesn't have any power."

I'm talking about the inch that two muscles of each side of your mouth moves when you smile. It takes tens of muscles to frown but only two to smile. This is a power that every person can wield no matter what economic level they are or how much technology they have.

I began to notice the power when going through checkout lines. If I smiled when I got up to the register, it made the cashiers smile even though they had customer after customer to ring up.

Most of the people probably didn't even consciously notice they were smiling. It was as if my mouth moving a inch on each side made some kind of unconscious knee jerk kind of reflex happen in their brains. Without using hypnosis or offering people money, you could get people to respond.

You never know what one smile can do to a person's day.

Imagine a homeless person on the street sitting on a corner with dirty clothes on and everybody passing by not wanting to even look at them because they are afraid of what they might beg for.

Now imagine what it would do for that same person if someone looked them straight in the eyes and gave them a big genuine smile and actually spoke to them first and said "Good afternoon, it's good to see you today."

Sometimes work beats us down so much that by the time we get home our children may not see a smile the entire evening.

In some marriages, smiles even among spouses have gone the way of the retired practice of opening a car door during dating. As I even thought about it, a smile and knowledge are two of the only things in life that you can give away and have no less for yourself.

As you go through the day, pay attention to how your facial muscles feel when speak to people in passing. Then try to begin with a smile when you speak to people and notice the difference in their response to you.

We traditionally think we are supposed to smile when we are happy. Maybe the reverse is true too; try looking at yourself in the mirror then give yourself the biggest smile. Now notice how the hormonal response of your brain affects the way you feel. When you smile at yourself in the mirror, do you feel happier, the same, or more sad? Now, imagine what others will feel if you can make yourself feel happier.

Just when you may have thought you had nothing or couldn't afford to give anything, give a smile.

Give them an inch and they will take a smile.

A MountainWings Original by James Bronner

Reprinted from Mountain Wings

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."

J.R.R. Tolkien

Reprinted from Just For Grins

Life is an Echo

A son and his father were walking in the mountains. Suddenly,his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

To his surprise, hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?" Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"

He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?" The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers: "I admire you!" Again the man screams: "You are a champion!" The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: "People call this echo, but really this is life. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything,in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it."

Reprinted from Life's Adventures

Have you ever had this problem: When you are praying

during your quiet time or with friends, family, or

with the people in your church or Sunday school - do

you find yourself slipping into a routine of thanking

God for the same list of things? Do you think it's

because it's just easier than to try to think of new

things to be thankful for?

Here's a nice solution you could try that will really

let you know the things to thank God for - it's called

a "Thank Tank."

Turn an empty coffee can, milk jug or basket, etc.

into a "praise receptacle." Whenever something

happens you are thankful for, and you want to praise

to God for it, write it down on a slip of paper and

drop it into the praise and "thank tank." Then,

the next time you pray, pick out a slip and you

will have a fresh item to give praise and thanks

for! Just think about all the words of praise

you could place in the tank!

I encourage you to give it a try and see for

yourself how it works! It's a good idea to

keep a pad of paper and pens right next to

the can!

Consider what the Lord has done

For you and those you love;

Then give Him thanks with hearts of praise

For blessings from above.

Reprinted from Mr. Mom

Beginning Today

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy . . . admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath . . .pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning today. And every day.

" To be the best, you must be treated like what seems at times, the worst. But in reality, the more that is expected of you the better a person you will become through hardships and pain."

Charles Seale

Reprinted from Insprational Angels

Let the Last be First

I glance at the ears, the mouth and the nose
as my unrightful judgement against you grows
I hear your spoken glances,
your hatred and your lies
But my thoughts make me no different
Behind my guilty eyes
I hear your laughter,
and see your smile and your grin
And sadly, the last thing I look for
is your beauty within.

- Susan Sullivan

CHANGING THE WORLD
(UNKNOWN MONK 1100AD)

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

Reprinted from The Inspired Buffalo

REMEMBER TO FEED THE BIRDS!

Until next week, that's all from THE CAT'S MEOW!

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