Finn Comfort

Summer is upon us and vacation time is here. Here are 6 books that you must read this summer: From the bestselling author of The Marriage Lie and Three Days Missing comes a riveting new novel of suspense about a woman who, in a fight for survival, must decide just how far she’ll go to […]

If you’re a WWE fan, you can not miss just one bit of this Stomping Grounds Match. It is one of those prestigious events in the history of WWE where most of leading WWE struggle with one another to become the top in the rest. This time, the event is Happening in the Quicken Loans […]

If you are a WWE fan, you can't just lose a bit of this Stomping Grounds game. It is one of those prestigious events in WWE history in which most of the major WWEs challenge each other to become the first in the rest. This time, the event is Happening in the Quicken Loans Arena […]

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects everyone’s right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference. It prohibits any laws that establish a national religion, impede the free exercise of religion, abridge the freedom of speech, infringe upon the freedom of the press, interfere with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibit citizens from petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. However, there are social media outlets that are actually banning people for using language that they deem as “hateful” or “hurtful” to others. Those social media outlets will even block or delete accounts that “they deem” as hateful speech; despite the fact that the Constitution affords us the freedom of speech.

I had no porkpie hat. It was a baseball cap. There were no Piracucu boots. I was wearing skateboarding shoes. They were limited-edition, paying homage to A Tribe Called Quest. The shoelaces were emblazoned with the phrase “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Path of Rhythm.” I started longboarding a few months ago. Usually, I’m weaving […]

If you’re a WWE fan, you can not miss just one bit of this Stomping Grounds Match. It is one of those prestigious events in the history of WWE where most of leading WWE struggle with one another to become the top in the rest. This time, the event is Happening in the Quicken Loans […]

Hellenocentrism is a form of historical chauvinism that attributes all advances of humankind to the Greeks and Romans – who really are just honorary Greeks anyway. It’s a form of Aryanism that sees the ancient (“Classical”) Greeks and Romans as tall light skinned Aryans – God forbid imagining them as the darker skinned Mediterraneans we […]

Ahoy, I’ve not really been gabbing/bragging about going to Helsinki recently but now I’ve cleared up some of the more pressing chunks of debris in my life, it’s time for a blog post on my recent trip. First, the video. Purpose: work.  With a little fun attached.  There was a conference which I was uniquely […]

It’s time to highlight another week of storytelling in Voice by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s home at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise indicated. A Midsummer’s Night Dream Events One of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream […]

The pair are utterly inseparable (Picture: Cats Protection) Pets are powerful. They can provide love and comfort in the darkest of times – even in the aftermath of a death. Jeffree the cat is so much more than just a pet. When Finn’s dad died suddenly after an unexpected cancer diagnosis, Jeffree prevented Finn from spinning off the rails. 13-year-old Finn has Asperger’s Syndrome, so dealing with bereavement was extra difficult. But Finn’s mum Gayle says that Jeffree provided a lifeline for the teenager. ‘In a nutshell Jeffree is not only the most handsome cat in the world ever, he’s the most patient, loving, friendly and gentle cat. He never stops purring,’ Gayle tells Metro.co.uk. ‘Jeffree has helped Finn to focus on something positive. ‘Finn now has a purpose; to look after Jeffree. Jeffree is also non-judgemental – an issue that Finn struggles with on a daily basis. ‘Being a 13-year-old who has Asperger’s Syndrome is not easy and unfortunately a lot of Finn’s peers do not have the emotional maturity and understanding to empathise with him. ‘Jeffree seems to understand when to be close to Finn, especially when he is having a meltdown or is a bit low. When Finn is struggling, Jeffree makes a beeline for him and doesn’t leave his side.’ ‘Pets are the perfect companion for not only children with Asperger’s but adults too’ (Picture: Cats Protection) Jeffree seems like an incredibly intuitive cat, and he really understands Finn’s needs. This was incredibly important when tragedy struck the family. ‘Unfortunately, we all had very little time to get used to Finn’s father’s cancer diagnosis and to prepare for what would happen next,’ explains Gayle. ‘One key factor when parenting a child with Asperger’s is to prepare them for everything in order to help them to cope. Preparing Finn for the death of his father is the most difficult thing that I have faced as a parent. ‘Although Finn’s father and I had been separated for a while, we both agreed that sharing custody of Finn would be the best thing for him, so he lived with me for half of the week and with his father for the other half; it was his partner Donna who called me to explain that he’d been taken ill. ‘None of us expected what would come next. Jeffree loves a walk on his lead in the garden (Picture: Cats Protection) ‘He was taken ill in February 2018 and died on the 4th June 2018. ‘During his stay in hospital, I took Finn out of school so that he could spend as much time with his father as possible. ‘After Finn’s fathers death, Finn moved in with me full time. This meant that he also had to move schools. Unfortunately, all of the upheaval, coupled with bereavement took its toll on Finn’s mental health. ‘He left me many notes saying that he wanted to die. Although Finn had (and still has) regular counselling sessions, he simply couldn’t shake the darkness that he felt and his depression spiralled.’ Things were really bad for Gayle and Finn in the immediate aftermath of their loss. Finn had been desperate to get another pet since his last cat Simon died in 2017, but with Gayle living on a busy road she thought it was out of the question. That is until she checked out the Coventry Cats protection website. ‘I saw an advert for a house cat. Jeffree can’t go outside as he is FIV positive (although he loves a stroll in the garden on his leash). ‘I knew that owning a cat would make a huge difference to Finn. ‘When Finn got home from school on the 6th December 2018, Jeffree was waiting for him. ‘Jeffree loves Finn and Finn absolutely loves Jeffree to the stars and back’ (Picture: Cats Protection) ‘At first, Finn thought that I had borrowed him – it took a long time to sink in that he was his. ‘From that day to this, Finn has been a different person. He now has something to live for. Jeffree loves Finn and Finn absolutely loves Jeffree to the stars and back. ‘I strongly believe that they have saved each other. After all, an older black cat with FIV hadn’t got much going for him in terms of finding a forever home. Most people want to adopt cute kittens.’ They are a match made in heaven and the pair are now totally inseparable. Gayle is certain that animals can have a hugely beneficial effect on children like Finn. ‘I think that pets are the perfect companion for not only children with Asperger’s but adults too,’ she says. ‘Finn struggles massively interacting with humans. Not everyone with Asperger’s does, but it’s a common trait. ‘Finn’s counsellor explained that people with Asperger’s are very much like cats; they like being on their own, they like being touched but on their terms, they are picky with their food, they are loving and warm to the people that they trust – she says that neurotypical people are more like dogs; sociable, friendly to strangers and will eat anything. [metro-zone-post-strip] ‘An animal will never judge you – will never call you names, will never talk about you negatively to others, will never assume that you’re an “Emo” just because you look sad, will never push into you because your friends think it’s funny to pick on the quirky kid, will never shout things at you when they are in a pack and you’re on your own. ‘Finn deals with this daily and then he comes home to Jeffree and everything is safe and OK.’ We are so happy that they found each other. Jeffree is one of 15 finalists in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, which is taking place at London’s Savoy, on the 8th August. Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity, helping around 200,000 cats every year through a network of 36 centres and more than 250 volunteer-run branches. [metro-fact-box title=”Cat Week” colour=”pink” icon=”exclamation”] In honour of Catfest, we will be partnering with the festival to bring you seven days of the funniest, cutest, coolest and most amazing cat content. Until Saturday 29 June, read stories about all things cats, including kittens abandoned on rubbish dumps to fantastic cat art, and everything in-between. Catfest will include cat-themed literature and film plus live music, poetry and crafts. There will be rescue kittens, talks from cat experts, Instagram cats and an auction as well as cocktails, cake and much more. Tickets have sold out, but you can still get involved on social media. Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit ERHAM RESCUE and INTERNATIONAL TRASH CAT & DUMPSTER DOGS to help cats and kittens as well as street animals in need. Are you the owner of a fantastic cat? Then tweet us your cutest kitty pics @MetroUK and @MetroUK_Life for a chance to be featured! [/metro-fact-box] [metro-link url=”https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/19/corsica-cat-fox-officially-recognised-as-new-species-10011197/” title=”New cat-fox species with wide ears and short whiskers identified in Corsica”] [metro-link url=”https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/18/dramatic-chubby-cat-played-dead-avoid-exercise-9992782/” title=”This dramatic, chubby cat played dead to avoid exercise”] [metro-link url=”https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/17/cat-gets-ridiculous-haircut-leaves-looking-like-accordion-9977127/” title=”Cat gets ridiculous haircut that leaves him looking ‘like an accordion’”]

The other day I flummoxed a contemporary who was showing me stuff on his smartphone by reminding him that whereas the 20th was a terrible century, what with two devastating world wars and the development of ever-deadlier weapons of mass destruction, this one has every chance of being worse, given the technological vulnerability of the […]

When my son introduces himself, it is delightful. 99% of the time he will proudly declare, “I am Finnegan James Norton.” Finn will be 4 years old in August. My journey with motherhood began a long time ago. Candidly, I am lucky that I didn’t get pregnant in my teens. My mom gets a significant […]

we said goodbye to our sweet boone on one of the hottest days of the summer so far. the car read 93 and we drove to the vet’s office with the ac blasting and all four windows down. in the backseat, kb stroked boone’s velveteen ears and he laid with his head on her lap, […]

“A financial advisor?” Kalani asks Temon, puzzled. “Of course, my lady. I helped the slave hold to grow its interests five fold in the few years I handled their assets.” This slave spoke in gibberish to Kalani. Tribe Wahine has never cared for its riches. To her, it is a necessary evil. “And what do […]

Arriving to Denpasar Getting in and out of Bali has become a breeze after recent airport renovations. If you arrive late at night, there will without a doubt be a number of taxis to choose from and bargain with if you want to negotiate a price to your destination. There are metered taxis, but for […]

Click on photos to enlargeThis painting of the old lumberman’s church at Port Severn, by Barrie jeweller Gordon Reeve, is one of a number by district painters assembled by Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association for display at Midland’s Huronia Museum this year. Assistant curator R. A. Grigg is seen with the painting; which occupies […]