It is only fitting that I share a little about the pets that inspire me each and everyday. My greatest inspirations are my girls, Jazmine and Pippen. They are 13 year old domestic short haired cats and they are sisters. A friend had informed me that some kittens had been rescued from the basement of what was then the new United Center in October 1994. I went to the shelter and there they were three of the cutest little kittens. At that time, they were 3 months old. One had already been adopted, a brown tabby. I was then informed that of the two remaining, only the black kitten was up for adoption. I asked why not the other, a grey tabby. As it turned out, the grey tabby had only three legs, and the shelter didn’t think that I wanted a “less than perfect” kitten. Her umbilical cord had wrapped around her leg at birth, cutting off all circulation to that part of her limb. It was determined that the mother cat had detached that portion of the limb at birth while instinctually detaching the umbilical cord.

Of course I left with two kittens that day. And now 11 years later, they both continue to bring me the greatest joy and companionship one could wish for. But please, don’t tell Pippen that she is “less than perfect”. She is a true “diva”! She is perfectly mobile and does everything any four-legged cat does. There may be some things that she cannot jump onto because of its’ height. However trust that she has no problem jumping into bed and purring her way onto my pillow. The only remnant of her “less than perfect” stature is when her right ear itches and she cannot reach it with her right nub. The proverbial phantom scratch kicks in as the nub moves diligently to try and alleviate the itch. It’s at that time where Pippen seeks me out for a good scratch or her sister, Jazmine, for a good lick.
As for Jazmine, she is very protective of Pippen! Even as a sister, her maternal instincts take precedent. She is very vocal and everything comes on HER terms. Jazmine’s use of her voice is multi-dimensional, such as informing me that Pippen has gotten into something she shouldn’t have, insisting that I’ve hit the snooze button one too many times, or stating her preference to drink out of the sink rather than her water bowl.

Homage to their beginnings at the United Center, and I being an avid Chicago sports fan had a bit of a challenge coming up with two female names associated with the UC. Pippen, sounding gender neutral, was named after Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls. Jazmine was named after Michael Jordan’s daughter Jasmine who was a toddler at the time and often mentioned in the Chicago newspapers.

Jazmine and Pippen were my inspiration in starting For Pet’s Sake! However, your pets are my inspiration in continuing to provide professional, passionate, and personalized pet care. Thank you for this opportunity to assist in providing the unconditional love and companionship to those pets that make your days as special as Jazmine and Pippen make mine. They deserve nothing less, For Pet’s Sake!

Stacy Lymber
Owner, For Pet’s Sake!
stacy@for-pets-sake.net