Many litters and a whole lot of cute later, I'm composing post number 3000!
Never in my wildest dreams did I think the IBKC would become what it is today. I honestly thought only friends, local folks, potential adopters and my mom would follow along, but we quickly gained momentum and our following grew to the beautiful community that it is today. Who knew people would love looking at pictures of cute kittens on the internet SO much?
Because of this blog, I've been able to connect with incredible families and find the most wonderful homes for our kittens. I've made real friendships with people I've never met, and I've watched others do the same. I've seen an amazing community of good, positive people form and I've felt loved and supported by many strangers. I've witnessed so many generous acts and watched us raise over a half million dollars for our shelter. I've seen that money put to good use and have watched many positive changes happen for cats and kittens.
Eight years ago, if you would have told me this is where the IBKC would be, I don't think I would have believed you. This is coming from an optimist, too. I believe that determination and focus can bring good things to you in time, but I never thought that this much good could even exist, let alone come my way.
Without your love and encouragement over all these years, I never would have gotten here and I wouldn't be hitting "publish" for the 3000th time.
In celebration of this milestone, and in thanks to you, I dug through the IBKC archives to bring you the cutest of the cute over the years. I think every litter is represented, but not every single kitten.
I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I loved combing through our history and finding these images and memories to share.
Here's to the next 3000!
With much love,
Laurie
What a wonderful way to start out the day. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations
ReplyDeleteYou not only find homes for your kittens & raise funds for your group, you inspire people like me to keep working at feline adoptions. Thank you. Gail
This is why we can have nice things!
ReplyDeletePERLA!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. What a lot of beautiful pics of a lot of lovely kittens. I recognize some but not all of them, as I didn't start following the blog until late 2012, if memory serves. Anyway, congrats!
ReplyDeleteI feel so blessed to be part of the IBKC community. Thank you Laurie, Craig, Ms. Bean, Ms. Wylla from the bottom of my heart and to everyone who shares in the IBKC dream. PS: I see Pearla and Baby Kisses -- my spirit kitties :)
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Geraldine Dearborn yelling out her name is still one of my favourites :)
ReplyDeleteBut, oh, that photo of Filbert Stout almost brought tears to my eyes all over again....
Congrats on 3,000 posts!!
Also, a question: Have many kittens in total have you fostered over the years?
DeleteSeeing little Jerry Lee still makes me cry- but so many precious kittens are there- so many families have been given the gift of an IBKC kitten. Thank you, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! IBKC reminds me of good people and bright futures for kitties when I've had my limit of the sad and horrible pet stories that occur each day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us such a special spot to fill up on floof when we need it!
Beautiful. I am so very glad my best friend found this blog which led me to my girls - Enid and Hester. I am very grateful that the girls were touched by loving hands (and paws) at the beginning of their lives. Everyday I am grateful for such wonderful cats and your kind heart. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I answer the phone at work. The called laughed and said I sounded so relaxed. I laughed too and said I was looking at itty bitty kitties on line. Today, I'm having a pretty rough day at work. Looking at the itty bitty kitties has helped me relax. I love today's pictures. Some I've seen before and some are brand new. All are precious. Thank you Laurie for taking such good care of all of us.
ReplyDeleteIBKC and coffee are a must in the morning. Thank you for this blog and congratulations. More power to you and more cutiepies to come.
ReplyDeleteI am sending three thousand elebenty bazillion loves to Laurie, Charlene Butterbean, Wylla Stout and all of the precious, itty bitty kittens! Thank you for all you do!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on #3000!!!! Thank you for sharing these kittens, for making us laugh, for making us cry (Drewey, Jerry Lee), for making us cheer on kittens to good health, for sharing The Kitten Whisperer and for brightening our days. Oh and for getting gobs of kittens fab homes and raising tons of cash for others. Love the montage down memory lane!
ReplyDeletedang....that's a lot of cute!! Concats on 3000!!
ReplyDeleteand what is it about those round trackballs that makes kittens climb into the middle and take a nap? :)
Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeleteI became a follower some years ago, waaaaay before Wylla entered the picture. I remember it as if it was yesterday, when I saw her first picture on your blog. To this day it's the cutest of them all.
But reading this post brought back so many memories - happy and sad alike, the Dearborns, the Von Tussles, of course Audrey and sweet little Filbert (his picture brought a tear to my eye), just to name a few.
You are truly special, Laurie, Craig, Charlene and Wylla, for doing all you do for the kitties. Thank you!
You touch hearts all over the world. This one sits in Germany.
Awesome, pure and simple.
ReplyDeleteonce again you made my day Laurie! what could be better than a ton of pictures that include: pink tongues, toe beans, kitty piles, bean with kitten(s), round kitty belly's and beautiful kitty portraits? congratulations on post # 3,000, i am so very thankful that you decide to share your awesome world!
ReplyDeleteYou have, without a doubt, the BEST cat blog in the universe. What a public service to all us cat people! Makes me proud that we live in the same state!
ReplyDeleteWe just love seeing your photos and love every single IBK! THANK YOU. xx
ReplyDeleteThere are no words to describe how this blog has gotten me thru some pretty bad moments. I can always count on feeling better if even just for moment when ever I visit. Laurie thank you for all the smiles and laughs you have given all of us 2 legged individuals and for all the love and new families you have given all the 4 legged fur babies. Keep up the great work!!
ReplyDeleteLaughed & cried (Jerry Lee & Drewey) my way through these. All little itty bitties that I remember. I'm so grateful there are people like you in the world, Laurie. You have blessed so many kitties & so many families. Thank you times 3000!
ReplyDeletePass the Kleenex! What a beautiful and touching retrospective, Laurie. Each photo shows LOVE!
ReplyDeleteI have just died of the cute. Congratulations on reaching this milestone and thank you for being such an awesome human. Our sorry old world needs many more like you. God bless.
ReplyDeleteHadn't thought about Jerry Lee for a while.
ReplyDeleteI could look at these photos over and over and over. Such sweetness does the soul good.
ReplyDeleteGod continue to bless you Laurie for all your efforts, and thank you for sharing all these wonderful itty bitties with us. A joy beyond measure.
Congrats on 3,000 posts worth of kitty adorableness, love, and good vibes! Visiting is always a bright spot in my day, and FUNdraiser season is my favorite time of year because I know you're likely to update more than once a day, which means more than one bright spot and, best of all, posts on the weekend(!!!). I love the sets you build each year.
ReplyDeleteIt's no mystery to me why IBKC has grown the way it has. Your love for the fosters comes through in each post, and you do a great job of communicating what's humorous and entertaining in a way other people will laugh their butts off, too. Your photos are so fabulous, we just HAVE to tell our friends to go and look, and while they're there, check out the other posts, too. Kittens are hard to resist. The power of Teh Kute compels you! ;)
Just *gorgeous*. You are very talented, and I am not at all surprised that your blog has done so amazingly well. You have much to be proud of.
ReplyDeletex
Love love love every one of those pictures! Congratulations on 3000!!!
ReplyDeleteJoining in as I cry and laugh through all the beautiful sweet kitten photos. I've followed IBKC for years...lost my two older girls this year. Have since adopted a lovely adorable boy 'Oliver Kitten' and still have my part-feral Tiger Lily (age 6),
ReplyDeleteBless you and all the others who have compassion for the innocent creatures. Kisses to Charlene and Wylla.