The world is full of good people.

I receive a lot of emails from strangers, the contents of which are sometimes awesome, sometimes mean, sometimes funny, and occasionally batshit crazy.

But every so often a stranger actually makes my day just by reaching out to me in the simplest of ways. It happened today. And now I'm forwarding the kind words of a stranger along to you. Have a good one.

    From:     [kind stranger]
    Subject:     Best cat I ever had -
    Date:     October 22, 2008 11:15:30 AM PDT
    To:     [email protected]

Hi Sarah,

Just thought I'd try to put a smile on your face with a picture of Shadow.  He was a domestic longhair with possibly some Maine Coon in him.  He was 16 years old when he passed away (kidney failure).  Don't be sad because he had a great life with me in Pennsylvania and later in Virginia.  He would come when I called him, played fetch with a rolled up paper ball, and would jump up on the sofa or bed on command.  When I got him he was only 6 or 7 weeks old and weighed only a little over half a pound.  Had to feed him out of a bottle for the first two weeks.  He was so cute.

Anyway, I know you can't respond to all of the e-mails you get but I was a fan of yours when The Screen Savers was on (not "I am your number one fan" like weird people).  You were always very professional, knew your material, and presented yourself very well on a live show (not easy to do).  Just thought it would be nice to hear.

Rob

P.S. Happy (Belated) Birthday

Comments

[Rich Reader]

Shadow's picture reminds me of a large Maine Coon cat named Besadero who honored me with the right to be his guardian for a good long number of years. Late in his life, when we went on walks (he also chased me when I rode the bike) people would come from their houses and say "what are you doing with my cat?". He sure knew how to get extra meals and attention in three different communities that we had lived in.

He shows the attitude of confidence which speaks volumes for his having had a very good run.

[Bunny Emerald]

I had a beautiful gray and white Norwegian Forest Cat (very much like a Maine Coon) named Luther. He was one of a kind, a cat I'll never forget. Every now and then I think I see him out of the corner of my eye.

[Joey]

Nice letter. And every word was so sincere, nice to see that still going on in the world. :)

[Critter]

OK Rob! We know you found her weak spot with the cat picture and the TechTV remembrance too. Back Off! I seen her first! (joking.) Sarah the word is traveling about you. I did not know about the PopSiren Show until recent. I just recently checked your site and noticed the in-heels logo gone. Then, found some links to the show. Will... I told my Uncle about the show. He too missed TechTV days. Anyway, he is at a Chick-fil-A in Huntsville today. 3 nurses are talking about their husbands and he was over hearing the conversation. Will one says, my husband likes Drew Barrymore and "that girl" that use to be on Tech TV. She noticed my uncle laughing and he told her the name of that girl is Sarah Lane. She then told my uncle he must be an engineer and yep... He is! Me too for what it is worth! Wow! Sarah has guys that look like the Verizon Guy drooling..... OK, could be worse.... On the bright side, you are up there with Drew Barrymore minus the National Enquirer exposing the REAL YOU! We know you tricked us with the blonde hair. To finish this story my uncle told her to tell her husband about your show on the net.......he doubts that message will be delivered, so there are bad people too. This of course are women that are jealous.

[3Case]

The size and the ears, particularly, say there's Maine Coon in that cat. My Wife and I have 2. Those ears are unmistakable. That is a very handsome cat. Thanks for sharing the note and photo.

[wagi]

That cat matches the couche it's sitting on.

[Hen]

I always thought of emailing something like that but I just never thought they'd be acknowledged and will just be thrown in the trash with the rest of the fan-mail. I'm glad to see that I was mistaken and people actually read their emails, even after they've been famous and awesome for years =]