Caturday Chronicles: From a From a Broken Window to a Forever Home, Honoring Banjo

Welcome to another edition of Caturday here at Abood Elegant Journeys. If you’ve spent any time browsing our Cat & Pet Muse collection, you know that my heart belongs to the whiskers, the purrs, and the quiet companionship of our feline friends. But before I spent my days pouring resin and curating handmade nature jewelry, my life looked a little different.

Today, I want to take you back to 2014. Back then, I wasn’t working as a Night Auditor or a Jewelry Designer; I was a Realtor. I spent my days traversing the beautiful New River Valley and Roanoke Valley, helping folks find the places they would eventually call home. Little did I know that one specific listing in Giles County would lead me to a family that would change my life forever, and eventually inspire the pet memorial jewelry I create today.

The Broken Window in Giles County

It was early 2014. I was representing a seller with an older Victorian home that had been vacant for some time. It was one of those houses with good "bones", the kind they just don’t make anymore. When I pulled up to the property, my clients were already there, but they weren't looking at the house. Their eyes were fixed on the neighbor's property and the street across the way.

Across the street, a group of vacant homes had recently burned down due to some children playing with matches. It was a somber sight. Interestingly, the Victorian I was representing didn't have a single piece of burnt wood on it, sturdy and resilient. However, the house right next door was suffering; its vinyl siding was literally melting away from the intense heat of the fire across the street. That house, too, looked deserted.

As I stepped out of my car, I caught a movement in the corner of my eye. There, through a broken window on the second floor of that melting house, I saw a cat. She was carefully carrying a tiny kitten in her mouth, moving it deep into the shadows of the upstairs bedroom.

My clients were immediately preoccupied. We forgot about the floor plans and the crown molding for a moment. We walked toward the house, and as I approached a pile of kittens that hadn't been moved yet, one of them, a tiny, feisty thing, actually hissed at me! She was the designated protector, standing her ground while Mama Cat worked to get the rest of the siblings into a cozy spot upstairs.

I knew I couldn't leave them there. A vacant, damaged house was no place for a family, and I had a feeling my seller wouldn't be thrilled about "uninvited guests" next door either. So, we found a box. I started with the feisty little girl, then went upstairs to retrieve the kitten Mama had already tucked away in the bed. With Mama Cat following closely behind, I gathered them all. To my surprise, when I put the last kitten in the box, Mama Cat jumped right in. She knew she was safe.

A Full House and the "Sons of Anarchy" Crew

The drive home was surprisingly quiet. But as I drove, a realization hit me: How am I going to tell my roommate about Mama and her five kittens? We had just moved in ourselves!

Luckily, our new house had a basement with an unfinished section that was perfectly snug. We already had our cat, Tribbles, so we had the supplies. I set up blankets, food, water, and a litter pan. The basement had a vent for heat and AC, so I knew they’d be comfortable. When I finally broke the news to my roommate, he didn't even hesitate. He came downstairs, saw those tiny faces, and fell in love instantly.

At the time, I was a huge fan of the show Sons of Anarchy, so the names followed suit:

• Mama Cat: Originally named Gemma (though "Mama Cat" is what eventually stuck).

• Lyla: The feisty, hissy girl who protected her siblings.

• Jaxson: Mama’s prettiest boy.

• Apache: A sweet soul who was supposed to be a barn cat for a client, but we couldn't let him go.

• Piston: Named by a friend who briefly adopted him and Lyla.

• Banjo: Named by my roommate.

Remembering Banjo: A Heartbreak Like No Other

While all the cats were special, Jaxson and Banjo became "my boys." Banjo, in particular, had a way of getting under your skin in the best possible way. He was soulful, gentle, and always there when I needed him.

When 2020 hit, the world changed for everyone. But for me, the hardest part of that year wasn't the lockdown, it was losing Banjo. He passed away from complications related to a feline version of COVID. I stayed with him until the very end, holding him as he crossed the rainbow bridge. Even now, years later, talking about him brings tears to my eyes.

The grief of losing a pet is a unique, heavy weight. They aren't "just animals"; they are members of our family, keepers of our secrets, and witnesses to our daily lives. When Banjo left, I felt a desperate need to keep a piece of him with me. This personal journey through loss is what eventually led me to specialize in pet memorial jewelry.

Turning Grief into a Lasting Tribute

When I create a cat memorial piece, I’m not just making jewelry. I’m creating a vessel for a story. I understand the shaky breath you take when you open a small envelope containing a lock of fur. I know the reverence required when handling ashes.

At Abood Elegant Journeys, we use high-quality resin jewelry techniques to preserve these precious elements forever. Whether it’s a pair of memorial drop earrings with a few strands of pet hair or a custom figurine, each piece is handmade with the same love I have for my own crew.

Our pet hair jewelry is a popular choice for those who want a subtle, wearable tribute. By embedding the fur into resin, we protect it from the elements, allowing you to carry your best friend with you wherever you go. For those who prefer something for their home, our resin keepsakes offer a beautiful way to create a memorial altar or a quiet corner of reflection.

Each of these pieces is one-of-a-kind. Just like Lyla was the "feisty" one and Jaxson was the "pretty boy," every pet has a distinct personality. I try to capture that essence by incorporating shimmering accents, natural elements like lavender, or specific colors that remind you of them.

Where They Are Now

The Giles County family has had quite the journey. We did eventually get Lyla and Piston back after they had been gone for six months, though Lyla had a hard time adjusting to her brothers again. Thankfully, through the help of the Animal Hope Alliance (the same wonderful people we got Tasha and Tavi from later that year!), we found Lyla a home where she could be the only cat and truly rule the roost.

Mama Cat became my roommate’s favorite, and Apache still clings to her to this day. Even though life has moved on and I live in a different space, I still go over to my roommate’s home daily to feed and water them. They are a part of my history, a reminder of a broken window that led to a decade of love.

A Heartfelt Invitation

If you are currently walking through the valley of loss, please know that you aren't alone. Whether you found your fur family through a broken window like I did or they were a planned addition to your home, the bond you share is sacred.

I invite you to explore our Pet Memorial and Muse page. If you have a story you’d like to share, or if you’re interested in a custom piece of handmade nature jewelry to honor your companion, please reach out to me. It would be my absolute honor to help you preserve your pet's legacy in a way that brings you comfort and peace.

Thank you for letting me share my "Caturday" story. May your day be filled with purrs, soft paws, and the warm memory of those who have left paw prints on your heart.

With love and light,

Katie Owner/Operator, Abood Elegant Journeys