Despite the title, this unique kitty is most definitely alive and living in a happy and loving home. That said, the lighting and the oddly blurred reality of her facial features lent itself to a rather “moody” creation via PhotoShop.

I took the original picture during the course of a pet sitting visit – not at all unusual for me – I often combine business with my photography hobby. A few days later, a very good cat friend of mine from my rescue group’s shelter, Mia, passed away unexpectedly of heart failure. The next evening, I found myself sitting at my computer, and without any real conscious thought or effort – this image was created.

At first glance, you might think “why would a photographer publish a deliberately blurry image?” Or ”it’s kind of harsh, disjointed, disturbing, or downright ugly”…

It’s supposed to be – all of the above, yet more. The more I look at it (yep, I printed an 8x10 for myself), the more I realized just what I’d created. To me, it represents Mia – and the millions of cats who were given up or abandoned by their people, as she was – who passed over The Bridge before finding their forever homes.

What do you see in this cat’s eyes? How do you feel about this picture? Positive or negative, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please write me at diana hanshaw

Visit diana at http://www.geocities.com/newagecatcare. diana is a pet sitter in Carroll County, MD; Vice President of the Howard County Cat Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill cat rescue/adoption agency http://www.howardcountycatclub.org; freelance pet photographer, and Catnip Chronicles columnist and consultant.

As many people surely did, I received an email full of "hand paintings" and really liked this one - among others. Why such an obviously talented artist would spend so much time working on this very temporary art is beyond me. But, I'm certainly no artist...