I have been keeping this Web site for just under five years. In that time, I am proud to say that I have somehow avoided becoming obsessed with another blogger (in that really unhealthy way). I have met people through mihow.com, but I haven’t developed any unhealthy online girl (or guy) crushes. Thus far, I haven’t flown to the far ends of the Earth in order to meet another Web site personality. Thus far, I haven’t ever hunted a blogger down in order to spend a little time with them. That is, up until last weekend.

About two weeks ago I was visiting Gothamist where I discovered a new community blog. The most exciting part about my discovery was that the blog was being written from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, not 15 small blocks from where I currently reside. What’s more, the blog was being maintained by a public business. This Blog didn’t try and deter having obsessive readers, nor did it secretly want but look down on having obsessive readers, this blog wants obsessive readers to come forward and show their faces.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that’s the day I discovered and became obsessed with the personalities that power Barc Shelter Cat Loft.

I was introduced to Smokey first. Smokey is a Greenpoint Warehouse fire survivor. He looks pretty bad in that picture but I know firsthand, he’s doing much, much better. And he really, really likes attention. As a matter of fact, he’s an attention whore. Right after I read about Smokey and immediately sent Tobyjoe the link, I discovered Molly on the blog. Molly sealed the deal; I simply had to meet these fine bloggers.

Tobyjoe and I took a walk down there last weekend and became volunteers. We spent just under 2 hours with them all. We were able to open their cages (if they were in them) and pet them, brush them, feed them, get them new water, pull them off of one another, talk to them, let them head butt us – you name it. We met Hermes who is known as the “Big Daddy” and is known for nurturing orphaned kittens. (Who knew?!) We met Oren and Onyx and Licorice and Sabrina and Miao and Princess – we met them all.

We’re heading back to the cat loft this weekend to spend more time with them and take pictures. And while we’d love to meet the dogs as well, they are swamped with dog volunteers so we’re there specifically there for the cats.

(Here is where I ask for your help.)

If you are an animal lover and you are living in Brooklyn (or anywhere near here), help out your fellow orphaned felines and canines. Swing by the Barc Web site and donate a few bucks. (If you don’t live here, donate to a shelter near you.) Barc is a no-kill shelter. Some of its cats have been there for over a decade. Cody (the big guy in that picture) has only one eye and is the best head-butter there is. (He really liiked Tobyjoe.) Barc needs all the help they can get to keep these babies alive until someone (hopefully) adopts them.

Lastly, if you would like to see all of Barc’s inhabitants and bloggers, visit Lisacat’s Flickr page. Make her a contact. Send her a message. Say hello to the orphans. Tell her you like what she’s doing. Tell her you’ll visit her blog. Leave her a comment; just let her know you’re out there and that she’s doing a great thing for fuzzy things without human voices.

(I don’t ask for much so I simply must do this. If you can help in anyway at all, even if it’s just linking to their site or telling a friend about them, please help them out in whatever way you can. I mean, how can you resist a face like this one? Click on it, I dare you.)

Edited to add: Seriously, read Cecil’s story. It’s heartbreaking but has a good ending.

Cecil was abused very badly by a not so nice human being. But he’s OK now. He’s received help. I’m so glad to know that there are people like the Barc Animal Shelter out there.

Go visit them . I’m asking really, really nicely. Stop by, and say hello.