My cat is a feisty little furball and his antics, albeit frustrating at times, are incredibly entertaining. I just returned home from an 8 day trip to South Carolina and, needless to say, Atticus Finch (AKA Atty) was more than vocal as I approached the door. Upon the slide of a key and the turn of a knob, I am greeted with a high-pitched meow and a swish of a furry orange tabby tail. It has been over a week since he had seen me, and, although he had a human caretaker in my absence, it was not enough.

I scoop him up and smother my face in his sweet, furry belly, as his purrs grow in intensity. I spend the next 20 minutes or so gathering my belongings from the car and dragging them up to my second story apartment. With each departure, a small, unsure meow echoes in the living room. And with each arrival, another high-pitch "You're back!" meow greets me.

Pets really are the greatest. Yes, we spoil them and lose our patience and, even, mutter some choice words when they awake us unexpectedly. But they are always excited to see us and their love for us knows no boundaries.

For Christmas, I bought Atty several presents, including new catnip mice, food bowls and scratch pad. By far the greatest purchase, however, was a new harness and leash. Yes, I am that cat lady that walks her cat. And let me tell you, he loves it! After a few skittish moments of sniffing in the stairway of my apartment, he finally agrees to climb down and venture outside. From there, he was a kitty on a mission.

As I look around at the near 1,000 things that I must unpack and put away, I have not a care in the world. Atty is purring gently in my lap, a warm candle fills the air with the scent of a rainy, spring day, and all is well in the world.