Smile

 Even though your heart is breaking...  Nat King Cole.  No, mine isn't breaking, but I think of that song each time I type the word 'smile.'  

So I decided earlier this year that I would go out and feed cats only every other day.  I've been sticking to that pretty much, but now that I am not working, still... (but I will be SOON!) I still wake too early even on those 'days off' and think about a few certain places that I know are low on food every day.  I try to leave lots of food on my feed days, but some are certain to be gone due to either the number of cats there, raccoons, or I just don't leave enough.  Remember, I am spending, with tax, from Chewy, an average of $150 a week for 12 16-oz. bags of Kit & Kaboodle dry cat food.  I fill up 11 2-gallon bags each morning and that is all I have.  If I see a stray cat not on my route, that cat gets a bowl of that and I wind up being short at the end.  Ugh.  I hate this business.  Anyways, I did go out this morning to just a few spots - one being the kittens on 4th and Central, where I rescued Titos.  I don't have the means to trap these little guys (no clinic spots for TNR, nor homes to take in now feral kittens).  

Another spot is Melville #2 where Monty's brother (I rescued Monty early this year or late last year?) and a beautiful long haired red kitty hang - both very friendly - and both deserving of homes.  I snapped his picture here, such a regal looking kitty.

Where the smile comes in is in the daylight, while I did a few spots this morning, people could see me and I could see them.  Otherwise, I am doing this at 4:30 am. in the dark until it gets light out around 6:30 when I am finished with my route.  I wound up smiling at each person looking at me and wondering what I was doing.  I wore my 'be kind' t-shirt because I am doing a kind thing by feeding these starving animals, and most people in these areas I go into think I am crazy.  A guy drove by after he saw me bending to feed some hungry cats on Pennsylvania, and when he drove by, he smiled at me!  A smile goes a long way.  Smiling not only has the power to elevate your mood, but it can also change the mood of others and make things happier.  Smiling activates the part of your brain that processes sensory rewards.  So, when you smile at someone, they feel rewarded (and vice versa).  Additionally, smiling is contagious.  I know it does for some, maybe not to all.  A big smile and a big greeting make a big difference to me for sure.

That's all I have.  Adopt a dog or cat today!

Have a great day!