Twix the Cat, and writer Joanne Sher
Welcome, to guest blogger Joanne Sher!
I am definitely a cat lover. We had cats at home much of my growing-up life, with the occasional dog. But I definitely preferred the kitties. 
Just a few months after I got out of college, moved into my own apartment, and started my first job as a high school English teacher, I went looking for a feline to keep me company. I looked in the paper and found a lady whose cat had just had a litter and was looking to give them to a good home. I had one of those – so I drove out.
There were quite a few, but one uniquely colored one grabbed my attention. She was a calico female, but instead of black to go with her caramel and white, she was brown. And tiny. And super playful.
It didn't take long to come up with her name. I called her Twix (because, of course, she was the three colors of that delicious candy bar). We quickly became buddies. And more. She snuggled in bed with me, tried to sleep in my underwear drawer, cuddled up on my lap, and, of course, plopped in the very middle of every essay, quiz, or assignment I attempted to grade.
Teaching was hard for me. VERY hard. And I was 75 miles from family. So Twix became my confidante. My comfort. She was the one I came home and cried to. She would curl up and purr close to me, calming me and sometimes even licking up my tears.
I ended up leaving teaching because of the struggles (more than once, actually – but that's another story!), but Twix never left me. She went along with me through several career changes, tons of moves (including a cross-country one in the car. NOT her favorite trip, I guarantee you), plus the addition of a husband and two children (not to mention other cats!) to my household. And still she stayed.
We finally had to put her down because of throat cancer. She was 18 years old by then. It's amazing the impact an animal can have on you. We've had others cats, both while she was with us and after she left the picture in 2009. But she'll always be special.
Joanne Sher is a Jew by birth, a Christian by rebirth, and a writer by gift. A native Southern Californian, she now lives happily in West Michigan with her husband and two school-aged children.
Her first book, still seeking a home, explores God's preparation, protection and provision through her husband's serious health issues. She is also working on a biblical fiction set during King Saul's reign and centered around the handmaiden of Saul's daughter Michal.
She is also a regular blogger, not only at her own site, but at the FaithWriters blog. She also posts monthly at Jewels of Encouragement, The Barn Door, and Internet Cafe Devotions.
