How did all this start? Let me first tell you a story about really cool cat. 

We began by selling flowers grown in our garden to raise money and awareness for animals with special needs after having to make the very difficult decision to cross over one of our best friends, our rescue cat Arabella.

Arabella (“Belly”) and her brother Jones were born with cerebellar hypoplasia, a rare neurological condition that affects the part of the brain responsible for mobility, balance and coordination. 

They were deemed un-adoptable at the shelter I was employed at, but I fell in love with them and really wanted to give them a chance to have a good life. I learned all I possibly could about the condition and brought them home to meet their new brother, my pitbull, Howard! It was the coolest thing to see this big teddy bear of a dog take to these two, wobbly little kittens, and care for them like they were his. 

Because her case was more complicated, we were told Belly would never be able to walk normally, or eat or have a normal life. I padded my house walls with old yoga mats, covered couch corners and tables with soft blankets, and proved everyone wrong! She took very quickly to learned how to use the litter box, and learned how to prop herself against things for balance. We tried a wheel chair, but she really didn’t like that. She was stubborn in her independence. Eating was a little harder for her, but we learned that a padded eating mat did the job. 

We had consults with orthopedic specialists and mulled over the idea of a double hip replacement due to her anatomical problems and what would have become severe osteoarthritis. But the recovery process would have taken a really big toll, so we did everything else to normalize her life and keep her comfortable. Around two years old, she learned how to climb on the couch, and I’m sure my neighbors thought I was crazy when they heard me screaming with joy! She was the best cat and we loved her fiercely.

We only got 4 years with her before her neurological state worsened, giving her seizures and further complicating her mobility, her eating and grooming habits and her general behavior. Being a former vet tech, I worked with several veterinary friends, trying everything to keep her comfortable. Her quality of life was failing. 

In May 2023, we made the hardest decision to send her peacefully home across the rainbow bridge, surrounded by her four fur siblings. We’ll continue making strides to help other rescues and animals in her honor and make our little acre of land a beautiful tribute. We miss her so much.

Some people might say “It’s just a cat..”. Well, our animals are our family and like our kids to us. 

Animals are overlooked in so many ways- they bring us comfort, joy, patience, unconditional love- what more could you possibly ask for?! We’re here to be the voice of the unadoptables, the abused and forgotten, the animals that “no one wants anymore”. 

In December of 2023, the mental and physical toll that the working in veterinary medicine took on my health left me pretty rocked. I ruptured several discs and underwent several medical procedures to help with the unbelievable pain. I left behind my dream vet med job, only to pursue this dream. With the support of my incredible partner, we’re making it happen ❤️

We hope you follow our journey, and navigate this endeavor with us, as we work to bring people together for the sake of farming, animals, friendship, mindfulness and community.

-Chris Hoffman-Kraske