Born to be a Cat Daddy - The Tale of Katie's Doppleganger

Hi everyone, Katie here.

Yesterday was the big wedding! Glogirly's stepson, Gabe, and his sweet girl, Justina, said "I do."  While Gloman was pouring over old photos, I made a most interesting discovery.

Meet Max, Gabe's First Cat & My Doppleganger

Is it any surprise that Gabe helped Gloman choose ME out of all the shelter kitties to bring home to my girl?
Coincidence?
I think not.

Max was a very handsome and friendly Persian. It's as if the same tailor designed our tuxedos. He just used a little longer fur for Max's. 

Max had a very special relationship with Gabe, who at the time was just a toddler. Gabe was a gamer and loved to play. Max loved playing too and was incredibly patient with such a small human. Gloman said Max purred like a diesel engine ...and he never ran out of gas.

Though I'm very selective when it comes to the humans I allow into my heart, and within petting reach, Gabe has always been at the top of my list. Looks like Max the cat and I have more in common than just our wardrobes.

And it looks like father and son have a lot in common too.

Like Gloman, Gabe was born to be a Cat Daddy. 

Rules Of Engagement

KATIE:  Now calm down, everyone. This is NOT what you think. Waffles and I are merely POSING for a special greeting card we're giving to Glogirly's stepson, Gabe, and his new fiancé, Justina.

WAFFLES:  Um, Boss? So what happened to the old fiancé?

KATIE:  Waffles, there IS no old fiancé.

WAFFLES:  Um, Boss? So she must be really young then on account of how new she is, right?

KATIE:  No, Waffles. Justina is twenty-something, so I'm pretty sure she's out of grade school by now.

WAFFLES:  Um, Boss?  But you said she was NEW, right? Did Gabe just buy her at the store? Was she on sale?

KATIE:  NO, Waffles. You don't BUY a fiancé at the store.

WAFFLES:  Um, Boss? How about Amazon? Did Gabe get her on Amazon? I think he's got Prime.

KATIE:  NO WAFFLES!  Gabe met Justina after he finished his commitment with the US Marines. They fell in love and he asked her to marry him.

WAFFLES:  Well why didn't you say that the first time?

KATIE:  *shakes head*

BIG Congratulations to Gabe and his lovely fiancé, Justina! Welcome to our crazy little family. 

Kitty Love For Our Veterans

Hi everyone, Katie here.

It's Veterans Day in the United States today. And Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in other parts of the world. Waffles and I would like to pause in remembrance and honor of the men, women and animals that serve our country to protect our families, our homeland and our freedom.

It takes a very special individual to give of themselves through service. Today we are holding two very special US Marines close in our hearts– Glogirly's dad and her stepson, Gabe.

One of the most touching things anyone has ever told her came from Gabe, on the day he graduated from Basic Training at the MCRD in San Diego, the very place her father was a recruit some 70 years ago. He told her that he'd learned a great deal about the men that came before him. The men that served in WWII. The men that volunteered without hesitation, but with courage. They were the heart of the Marine Corps. To him, they were the REAL heros. "Like your dad."

~ Semper Fi ~

The Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto in 1883 (Semper Fidelis is also the title of the official musical March of the Marine Corps).  Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means "Always Faithful."  U.S. Marines use an abbreviated verbal version, "Semper Fi," to voice loyalty and commitment to their Marine comrades-in-arms. 

Kitty Love For Our US Marines ♥

Katie, "Is He Home Yet?"

Hi everyone, Katie here.

It's Memorial Day weekend here in the US. The actual holiday is observed tomorrow, but all over the United States, our thoughts turn to three-day-weekends, barbecues and wand toys. ...ok, we were already thinking of wand toys long ago. We also remember those that have served and continue to serve our country. Those that through their actions, commitment and loyalty, preserve and protect our freedom. A freedom that's so intangible, we almost forget about it.

Looking Up To My US Marine

Here at the Townhouse, our thoughts turn to two very special veterans. Each served their country as a US Marine.

And although they served decades apart, their strength of character and selfless compassion makes them brothers.

Glogirly's dad served in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. He fought on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and eventually Iwo Jima. He didn't talk much about what he saw, what had to be done. But he was proud. He was a man of true character. Strong. He was also a man of compassion. He was, and will always be, Glogirly's hero.

Gabe, Glogirly's stepson, recently returned home from his four year tour of duty in the US Marines. Gabe's dedication and commitment are something we are all so very proud of.

When he graduated from Basic Training, at the same Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego that Glogirly's dad trained at some 70 years ago, he told Glogirly how much he admired the men like her dad. He said they were the real deal, the true heros. That brought a tear or two to her eyes. And an admiration for Gabe that will never falter. Semper Fi.

Kisses for my US Marine

Oh, and did we mention he loves cats?

left: Gabe  

right: Glogirly's Dad  

lower: Gabe & Waffles

Black & White Sunday

We're participating in the Black & White Sunday Blog Hop hosted by My Life In Blog Years.

Waffles' Charm Offensive

Hi everyone, Katie here.

Thank you for your well-wishes and high-paws for my recent Vet Visit.  I celebrated my weight-loss victory with a nice plate of yummy, creamy goodness. Hold the Waffles. Extra Gravy.

Have you been watching the news about President Obama and his Charm Offensive? He's been making the rounds in Washington, shaking hands and eating hamburgers with Senators and House Representatives.

Seems while I was at the Vet (getting stabbed, weighed and otherwise violated) a certain orange cat was busy launching his own Charm Offensive. His intentions are clear as black & white.

EXHIBIT A:
Cuddling, purring and generally sucking up with Senior Townhouse Representative, Gloman.

EXHIBIT B:
With Townhouse Aid, Gabe. This charm really IS offensive. Seriously, Waffles. Take it down a notch.

KATIE:  Hey, Waffles. I got your Charm Offensive. I got your Charm Offensive right here.

Ok, at the risk of sounding like a broken record...

Please Vote for Katie & Waffles Too in

1800PetMeds Photo Contest:

What Would Your Pets Do If They Had Thumbs?

• Voting is through Facebook, so you'll just have to log in once and then it will remember you.

• You can vote once everyday...not that we expect you to. But maybe you're bored.

• Or maybe you just want to look at our picture over and over and over again.

• Voting ends on Mar 31.

VOTE HERE FOR GLOGIRLY'S West Side Kitty

"If Waffles & Katie had thumbs, Broadway would NEVER be the same."

Thank mew!

Waffles Wednesday With My VETeran

Um, hi everybuddy. Waffles Too here.

This is my brother Gabe.  He's a VET-eran. But not the kind that you have to get in a PTU to see and who gives you shots and stuff. He's a US Marine VET-eran. He just came home after four whole years of wearing short hair and camouflage while he helped take care of our country.

Gabe just started college too. He's pretty smart already so I don't really understand why he needs to get more smart.

I think hanging out with me is WAY more fun.

And so does Gabe.

Real men really DO love cats.

♥

Nominations Open for BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Awards!

Nominations are open NOW through March 8, 3:00pm EST for these prestigious pet blogging & social media awards! This is open to EVERYONE! Nominate your favorite blogs in as many categories as you want:

Winner 2012 Best Meow Blog

♥ Best Meow Blog

♥ Best Bark Blog

♥ Best Wiggle Blog (non-cat/dog)

♥ Best Humor Blog

♥ Best Blog Writing

♥ Best Blog Design

♥ Best Blog Photo

♥ Best Facebook Design

♥ Best Twitter Design

♥ Best Cause Blog

♥ Best New Blog 

♥ Best Blog Video

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE BLOGS!

This is not a popularity contest. Each nomination will be judged on creativity, originality, overall impression, and then either design, content, purpose, clarity or humor as it pertains to each category.

Finalists will receive a BlogPaws Conference pass. Each category winner will receive a cool trophy and will be included in a collective donation of an embroidered Police Vest to Arlington Police Department K-9 'Hugo' along with a donation of oxygen masks for dogs, cats and small animals to local Fire Departments. 

We hope you will nominate many of your favorite bloggers! 

If you choose to nominate us (♥) you will need the following details:

Blog Homepage:  www.glogirly.com

Contact Name for Blog Owner:  Debbie Glovatsky

Contact Email for Blog Owner:  glogirl@visi.com

Remembering My Veterans

Sunrise at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, CA

photo by Gloman, 2008

Hi everyone, Katie here.

It's Veterans Day in the United States today. Glogirly and I are pausing to honor some very special people in our lives.

Although I never met him, Glogirly has told me all about her dad. He died just a year before I was born. He was Glogirly's hero. And until his last breath, she was his "little one." He was buried with a photo of the two of them in his breast pocket. She wrote, "I love you forever, Daddy. ~Your Little One" on the back.

Glogirly's Dad, Calvin Harms

Glogirly's dad was a United States Marine during WWII.  He was only 16 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked and with his mother's permission, enlisted in the Marine Corps the very next day.

He fought in what's called the "Pacific Theatre." That is, he fought in a number of battles on the Pacific islands of Saipan, Tinian and eventually Iwo Jima. He was wounded on Iwo Jima when enemy shrapnel blasted into his foxhole. His foxhole buddy saved his life by throwing his own body on top of him. To Glogirly's dad, the real heros were the "boys that never came home."

Her dad rarely talked about that time, in fact after he told her that story he apologized...he had never meant to share that part of the war with her.

After her dad died at the age of 79, Glogirly found his address book.  It was comforting to see his handwriting.  There were many names she didn't recognize, but she called every single person in that book to tell them personally that her father had passed away.  The most memorable phone call was with a man named Coy Shue.

Coy Shue & Cal Harms, US Marines 4th Division, 1942

Coy Shue was her dad's best friend during the war. They served together in the 4th Division of the US Marines. Glogirly had never met him, hadn't even talked with him until that phone call. He told her how much he had admired her dad. How he had been a great friend...how much they'd laughed. He was deeply touched by the call and he told her to never forget..."Your father was a hero."

Not long after that call, Glogirly received a letter from Coy's wife. She wrote to thank her for that phone call. She wrote that it had meant the world to her husband and would be something he'd never, ever forget.

Glogirly's dad isn't the only US Marine in the family. Gabe, Glogirly's stepson is a US Marine based at Camp Pendleton, California. Glogirly and Gloman are incredibly proud of Gabe.

Gabe wanted to do something very special with his life. He wanted to make a difference and serve his country. If Glogirly's dad were here he'd be SO proud.

He is just finishing his fourth year of service and we're all very excited to announce he will be coming home for good in just a couple of weeks.

I'm all ready for the big homecoming!
Yes, ladies...he's cute.
And yes...he likes CATS!

To all our veterans, we thank you for your service to our great country. You are ALL our heros.

~Semper Fi.

Dear Dad,

Your Little One misses you.