To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. ― Thomas Campbell

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day when we honor the memory of the men and women who have died in military service. We also celebrate the arrival of summer, but because of the reason for the holiday, it never feels right to me to say “Happy Memorial Day,” so instead, I’m wishing you a day filled with love and beautiful memories.

I think most of us who share our lives with cats can appreciate that one of the greatest sacrifices our military personnel make when they deploy is having to leave  beloved pets behind. Thankfully, there are organizations like PACT for Animals, who assist members of the military in finding temporary foster care for their pets during deployments.  The video below shows the joyful reunion between National Guard member Joy Warner and her two rescued Persian cats Herbie and Petunia. Click here to read my interview with Joy.

As you enjoy this holiday today, please take a moment to remember those who gave all, recognize the sacrifices of our military personnel and thank them for their service.

The Conscious Cat is an award winning website published by writer and cat expert Ingrid King, author of Buckley's Story and Purrs of Wisdom. Here at The Conscious Cat, we're passionate about cats. Our mission is to educate cat guardians so that every cat, and every cat's human, can have a happy, healthy life together.

On this site, you will find expert advice from a seasoned cat consultant. The Conscious Cat features articles on cat health, cat nutrition, cat behavior, cat lifestyle, pet loss, and, of course, pictures of cats. We'll bring you product and book reviews, as well as news from around the cat world.

We'll also share Purrs of Wisdom: lessons in conscious living, inspired by the cats who share our lives. Other features include our Mews and Nips; fascinating feline stories from around the globe, and Allegra's World and Ruby's Reflections; written from the perspective of Ingrid's two feline companions. After all, who better than a cat to teach us a thing or two about how to live a joyful life!

And let's not forget, we have a soft spot for tortoiseshell cats and their unique personalities, also known as "tortitude."

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