My new tattoo honors 40 cats and dogs I’ve loved over 50 years

My first tattoo appeared in December – a tattoo of my blog logo. It is locate don the inside of my right forearm near my elbow. It faces me to remind me of something I’ve accomplished – a way that I’ve contributed. Also, it reminds me that I love this work.

The inkling for another tattoo came to me, to celebrate the dogs and cats I’ve loved. The divorce will sever our tie. A permanent record of our bond reminds me of our bond.

This tattoo vine runs from below my collar bone down my left arm, stopping just short of my elbow. The thin line connects 40 small paw prints. Each paw print represents pets I’ve loved since I was five years old. My cousin found our dog Jenny as a young pup in a neighbors trash can. Jenny claims the top print closest to my heart. The final print about an inch above my elbow represents sweet Mollie, our youngest cat

Mollie prefers her other human, last night she came into my room and crawled over the desk to help herself to a treat. It was a sign. A sign of good treats? Or affection? Maybe both.

In between are the true 40 loves of my life. They’ve been by side, at my feet, and pulling me down the street. It is my greatest joy to have cared for them. We did not choose any of them. They all came to us from shelters, rescues, friends, and the streets. I have regrets, yes, about lives cut short or third party interventions.

Still, I also have so many good memories that it is impossible to list per pet. Now I have a visible prompt to spark those little flashes, those sweet memories that may be tucked away but still linger around my heart.

I chose a line to connect the paw prints, like a vine connecting leaves and flowers and thorns into a continuous relationship from Jenny to Mollie, separated by 50 years.

Zero from KSD Tattoo Studio created the tattoo. The studio is in Greenfield, across from Giant Eagle. Zero also inked my first tattoo. And they created the current incarnation of the blog logo to emphasize our support for the trans community.

Yes it did hurt a wee bit and my arm bled a bit. I managed the pain. I looked away from the blood. Holding my arm in the same position for two hours was the most uncomfortable part of the process.

I have a tattoo buddy – my friend Sarah who also always wanted to get one. She now has two. I’ve been considering this since I was 30. I always found a way to kick the can down the road. The blog logo tattoo just hit my heart. After working with Zero on the logo, I knew it was time.

Just do it, my dear readers. I have no regrets. In fact, I’m proud of myself for making a little dream come true (twice) even in a period of personal crisis. You might think … how did Sue afford a tattoo when she’s crying poor? A kind friend sent me the money, insisting I do something to make myself feel good while also contributing to my Legal and Leving Expenses Fund.

Zero also inked Sarah’s second tattoo last night. It might become a standing friend-date.

Today, I face a painful and permanent separation from my current pets, all cats. After the divorce, their custodial human planned to rehome three of them. Last week, I found them homes myself. I take comfort knowing where they will land.

Contrary to popular belief, cats are property – all pets are property. The court has the authority to divide them equally/ I will have no home for myself much less the cats. So they are best left in their own home, without disruption. Pet visitation without an incentive is unlikely. Again, I’ll be focused on my own survival needs.

However, no one will take away the imprint they’ve made on my life and my heart.

As I type this, I’m met with indignant stares because their red dot device timed out … oh, the horror!

You can be part of this narrative by donating to my Legal and Living Expenses Fund. Help me pay my lawyer, buy groceries, and find safe, secure, and stable housing.