Fic Recs: Critters (Gen)

So.  I'm a bit of an animal freak.  Well, some may say I'm just an all around freak, but we won't go there right now.  Anyhow, here are a few recs in honor of animals ...

The Company of Cats by ellipsisblack. Gen, PG. Summary: "There is something about the presence of a cat that seems to take the bite out of being alone." ~ Louis Camuti  This story will break your heart and re-make it in a sweet and gentle way.  It's just ... so painfully wonderful.  The companion piece Stray by embroiderama is just as affecting and amazing.   Yet a second companion piece, Familiar,  by missyjack is a sweet little bit of love.

And while we are on the subject of animals ... here's a campaign I've just discovered: Dogs Deserve Better. It's a volunteer group out of Pennsylvania that sends anonymous Valentines to owners of dogs who are chained, "from" the dogs themselves.  It breaks my heart to see dogs that are chained up 24/7.  My parents' neighbor is one such dog owner.  The Dogs Deserve Better campaign has enabled me to send his address in as one of the recipients of the Valentine.  Sure hope it does some good ...