Almost a year ago today, Muddy arrived at our home. A tiny black and white kitten who had fleas as big as cruise ships crawling all over her tiny body. She was listless and near death and her revival came with the administration of a few drops of my favorite exotic coffee- a mudslide- thus her name.

The caffiene jump-started her heart and she has survived and thrived under our care.

She will crawl on my lap then inch up my chest. Grabbing my neck with both of her paws, she hoists herself up to my ear and nuzzles hello. Then she stands on my shoulder (ouch) as if to claim me, slides down and settles in my lap periodically putting her paws into my mouth (if I let her, which I don’t)

This is a nightly ritual for us and she will kiss me gently on the chin before she settles down to sleep.