I Curate Art By & For Cat Lovers To Honor The Memory Of Callie, A Beautiful Soul

I recently started a blog/community called Kitty Curator to share beautiful original art created by and for cat lovers. It's given me solace in the loss of my dearest cat, honored her memory, and reinforced my belief that cats are truly magical creatures - capable of teaching us how to appreciate beauty, remain present and love unconditionally.

Cats have enriched my life in so many ways – silent companionship through difficult times, playful spirited entertainment, and more recently, reminding me to be mindful in every moment. Yet there was one cat in particular that was my muse, companion and heart. Her name was Callie. She came into my life at just the right time, but left too soon.

It was the fall of 2011, and I had just moved into a new apartment by myself for the first time. I was going through a divorce and trying to start fresh in a new area. Working from home and living by myself, the loneliness was acute. Fortunately for me, a few days after Christmas, my parents were overrun with cats, partly because my uncle had discovered a pregnant stray. A few adoptions fell through, so I offered to take two sisters - Callie and Chloe. They were about eight months old.

Callie was the motherly leader, while Chloe would try to nurse from her sister - still the hesitant kitten. But they filled my apartment with life. Sometimes a bit too much, as they'd capture birds from the balcony and bring them into my bedroom! Callie always seemed to know when I needed extra care. She would crawl on my chest, place her head on my heart and purr. Other times, she would pull my face toward her so she could lick my nose! Perhaps she was the mother for both of us. I felt like she was an angel. I went through some rough months of depression, and sometimes I would gaze at her sleeping, trying to emulate her still mind. She was so graceful and beautiful, and I found joy in taking photographs of her and her sister.

Fast forward to June 2015, things had changed. I was engaged and quite happy, but tragedy was about to strike. Callie was taken from us by something called feline aortic thromboembolism. She essentially had a blood clot that had shut down everything in her hind legs. I couldn't believe it. No symptoms, no indication that something so tragic was about to happen. Within an hour of finding her in terrible pain, I had no choice but to put her to sleep. I was devastated.

Over the last year, I sought ways to honor her memory. I made a little garden on the balcony with her paw print. I volunteered at a local shelter. I even created a painting of her. But I kept returning to her photographs. They seemed to capture her essence and the love I had for her. And so, Kitty Curator was born. Sharing cat art, sharing the love of cats. For Callie.

More info: kittycurator.com

I treasure this 30 second video because it was just a week before she passed away.

There were so many moments when I watched her sleeping, her little belly rising and falling. It helped me come back to the present and still my spinning mind.

Callie and Chloe were always surprising me with their synchronized positions. After Callie passed, Chloe's sweet, playful personality shined through - she's now my constant companion, as Callie once was.

As DaVinci said, "The smallest feline is a masterpiece."

Ever alert for bugs, although her sister Chloe was the ultimate bird hunter.

Her eyes were wise, breathing calm. She radiated loving kindness.

Callie was playful and coy. I think she knew how beautiful she was. ;)

I created this image to help me grieve, to help me see the loss as part of something larger.

The kind vets at the emergency animal hospital made this for me. It's tucked into a large pot as her memorial garden.