Happy Third Birthday, Giovanni!

 Today is a very special day here. It's Giovanni's third birthday!

To be honest, Giovanni had a rough year.

Just three days before his second birthday, he had to have one of his toes on his back foot amputated because he had a mast cell tumor on it. His mast cell tumor ended up being cancerous. He recovered well (though he tore his bandage off about 40 times during the two and a half weeks he had to wear it!) and adapted well to his missing toe. 

Last May, we lost Tylan. When I brought Giovanni home as a 10-week-old kitten, Tylan welcomed him with open paws. Tylan was so happy to have another kitty friend after we lost our sweet Carmine. Tylan immediately accepted and loved Giovanni from the first minute he entered our lives. And it only took Giovanni 24 hours to return Tylan's love. 

When Giovanni was a kitten, he would curl up right by his new big brother in his heated bed. They were good pals. 

Last June, I brought Gabriel home. Giovanni initially struggled with this. He found Gabriel's kitten energy to be too much. How quickly Giovanni forgot that he was that energetic not too long ago...

Giovanni and Gabriel get along pretty well these days. Gabriel has calmed down a little (but still has lots of energy!). I find the boys curled up together for naps more days than not. They happily sleep together for hours at a time. Giovanni even lets Gabriel bathe his head and face! It's so sweet to watch.

In November, we moved to a new apartment. That was also stressful on Giovanni (who hates leaving the house). 

BUT Giovanni adjusted to the new place, and now he is noticeably happier and more social. And he loves having so much more space than he did before! Giovanni and Gabriel love our nightly play sessions. 

I have a feeling that things will only get better from here and that Giovanni is going to have a great year!

Giovanni, Gabriel and I love you so very much, and we are so blessed that you chose to be part of our family. You are such a sweet, loving, intelligent, and absolutely adorable mancat. We look forward to all the great memories we will make with you this year!

Happy Birthday, Giovanni!

We love you lots!