On Christmas Day I lost a friend to pancreatic cancer. Only 55 years old, Leslie Smallridge was an incredible woman who was an avid animal lover with a kind and a gentle heart.

For the last seven years Leslie had been (daily) caring for our local "wild dump kitties." This is a group of about five stray and abandoned cats who have been surviving the harsh seasons at the town dump. I was able to fill in for her on many occasions, once for about two months after which I got to actually stroke the soft little head of one feral kitty. All the cats at our dump are black or black and white. All of them have been trapped, neutered or spayed, and have had their basic shots. We live in New England which has some severe winters with lots of snow and cold. Because of Leslie's love for these feral cats, they have lived relatively well in a snug little igloo house packed well with hay and always fresh (thawed) water and food. During my shifts as caregiver, I faced many days of bitter ice and cold, chipping through their frozen water to make room for fresh, and that was only a few months out of the seven years these kitties have been watched over! Leslie worked closely with a local charity known as Animal Dreams, together they made a huge impact on the quality of life for several stray or abandoned kitties.

After Leslie's passing, I looked into my heart for how I could best express my condolences....I decided that helping Animal Dreams would be my way of remembering Leslie. As an artist and Co-leader of the group Art for Critters, I hope to contribute a large portion of my art sales to Animal Dreams. I have also brought Animal Dreams into our Art for Critters list of charities so that all 55 of our members can donate to this charity. Leslie, if you are looking down on us...thank you for all you have done and I promise to continue to care for our "Dump Kitties." I intend to contribute a part of my art sales to Animal Dreams indefinitely.