Piper the Beltline Cat

Lots of cats have their own Twitter or Instagram accounts, but there is one special cat whose story I recently came across who has his own snail-mail box as well!

Piper the Beltline Cat was a stray who lived in a drainpipe in the Atlanta Beltline -- a circle of urban parks around the city.

Passersby would leave him treats, water, food, toys, and love notes. He soon became a social media star and the face of local stray cats. He began a journey of adoption and adaption to a fur-ever home with John and Dana Craft. You can follow his journey here. His successful transition has inspired other strays to become indoor garden cats too.

Potted Ashley

Ashley Potted in Wisconsin

Chris Eirschele, a freelance writer in West Allis, Wisconsin, shared this photo and story:

"Ashley was found by firefighters after they put out the flames of an abandoned house in Milwaukee. Only her meowing let them discover her hidden under a pile of newspapers in a closet. The tips of her ears, her paws, and her tail were burned. She also had a thermal burn on her side. Eventually the Wisconsin Humane Society determined that part of her tail was too infected and had to be amputated. By the time we adopted her, Ashley's wounds were healed. Her stubby tail her badge of honor.

   "She fit right in with my second floor indoor garden and the two dogs and one cat already living with us. Ashley's past did not dissuade her from being inquisitive; she loved my big pots.

Ashley was always the adventurer, as we found when she moved with us from Milwaukee to Boston. There she lived a good life to the end where she crossed over. Ashley started out in a rough neighborhood, but in the end was loved among our gardens."

Wear Your Green for St. Gertrude!

Here is an update of one of our most popular posts:

Thank you to the Crazy Cat Ladies Community on Facebook for letting my know about Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, who is the patron saint of Cats AND Gardening. No lie! I'm Catholic, adore boths cats and gardening, and had never heard of her.

The 17th of March is her Saint's Day, which she shares with St. Patrick. "Fine weather on her feast day meant it was time to begin spring planting." This may also explain why we think St. Patrick's Day is the traditional day for early spring crop sowing -- especially peas -- even though St. Pat has nothing to do with gardening.

She lived from 626 to 659. According to Catholics Online, "Gertrude was a mystic, gifted with visions. She befriended the Irish saints Foillian and Ultan." You can read more about her life here.

Let's reclaim the day for St. Gertrude and wear your green proudly in memory of her love for gardening and for cats!

It's Miller Time

Kathy Stevens, who works at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, said, "There were actually two cats in pots on either side of my friend’s front door. Of course, one left as soon as I got close, but this guy, Miller, stayed put. It’s a south-facing porch and there is often a cat sun bathing out there."

Sweet Sachet

Deborah Williamson of Seven Oaks Lavender Farm in Catlett, Virginia, shared this kitty. She is named Suzy Lavender Sachet. Must be a sweet life!