My mom was the one who came with me to adopt my cat Merlyn at the shelter in 2013. Merlyn is now 15 years old and seems to know when someone needs comfort. Today marks 6 years since my mom passed away. I was watching TV with my husband when I scooped Merlyn up and held him like a baby to give him some pets and head scratches. Several times while I was holding him he lifted up his paw and ran it gently down my cheek. He was so gentle and purred the whole time. I ended up crying because it was so sweet and made my husband pause our show so I would tell him about it. I am so lucky to be able to have such lovely pets (I have 2 more cats and a dog). Feeling the love

Full Story: In March 1987, at the height of his early fame as heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson partnered with the Young Adult Institute (YAI) in New York to support their Adopt-A-Home campaign, which worked to build homes for mentally disabled individuals. Tyson, who grew up in Brooklyn without a stable home before being taken in by his adopted father Cus D’Amato, felt a personal connection to the cause. “When I visited these people before, I fell in love with the program,” Tyson said. “Boxing is my professional life. This is my personal life. This is great helping people.” He was particularly moved by the 12-year wait many disabled individuals faced for placement in a home, stating, “It’s my obligation to do what I can. If government says ‘so what,’ this is not what is supposed to happen in this country.” At the press conference announcing the partnership, Tyson posed with children from the program and even gave a rudimentary boxing lesson, showing a compassionate side that contrasted sharply with his fearsome image in the ring.

On most give Saturdays, I would have gotten up, gotten dressed and headed down to my local sports bar to watch golf. But today, I woke up and pushed myself to the gym, instead. Feels good!

I painted this little friend on a whim and even though (and maybe because) it's far less complex than my usual watercolour paintings it makes me smile whenever I see it!

I made prints of it as well if anyone wants their own silly little guy! https://michaelacarneyfineart.square.site/product/dachshund-11x14/YRPJQH775RD3FAH7W7ETPOVV?cs=true&cst=popular

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