Anyone who knows me knows that I love animals. Especially cats.

I have three - Poe Starry Night, Apollo Adama Launchpad and Twinkles AKA Twinkie Winkie Firecracker Flapjack Weeks. We call her Twinkie for short.

Twinkie and I had an adventure Thursday evening when we made a guest appearance on the Kootenai Humane Society's inaugural telethon. Development director Vicky Nelson, who I have had the privilege of working with on many occasions in my time at The Press, was kind enough to invite us.

Twinkie sang the song of her people as we drove to the shelter. It was a soul-crushing, alto lament traditionally reserved for traveling in motor vehicles.

When we arrived, we walked in the fresh twilight air to a white canopy tent where guest co-host Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts was gently pressuring everyone watching to open their pocketbooks for this nonprofit, no-kill shelter.

Sweat began to spring up on my palms when I looked around and saw the bright lights and the production crew from Twisted Pair Enterprises. It felt like a movie set; there's just something a little intimidating about being in front of a camera. Reporters and photographers prefer to be behind the lens, not in front of it.

However, this was for a great cause: To help KHS get through the end of the year. The funds will help with surgeries, medication, amputations and other costly expenditures necessary to save lives.

And I have reason to give back. When Twinkie unexpectedly came into our lives, we didn't have extra funds set aside to get her spayed. Thanks to KHS and its super low cost spay and neuter services, we were able to get her spayed and microchipped for less than $100. How awesome is that?

I had watched some of the livestream of the telethon before I showed up, and I am so thankful to everyone who contributed their adoption and pet love stories. I wish I could adopt more kitties, but three's company (for now …).

We had a fun visit with Scotty Steele from Rock 94.5 FM, who enjoyed giving Twinkie new nicknames as our conversation continued. I hope it got through how appreciative I am of the good work the dedicated staff and volunteers at KHS do for the animals in our community.

Our spot was over in a flash. Twinkie serenaded me on the way home and celebrated when the cat carrier released her to freedom to be sniffed all over by her siblings.

As of Friday, the telethon had brought in $20,000, but extended giving is open until Sunday.

"We’re hoping to get in a little more," Nelson said. "But truthfully, in watching other events out of big cities with other animal organizations, I feel like we hit it out of the ball park. For this small town and the number of people watching, I was very impressed and very pleased."

About 20 people participated in the telethon, from sponsors and volunteers to the charismatic hosts. My hat is off to all of you. It's also off to all the big-hearted community members who donated their hard-earned money to the cause.

It's especially off to you, KHS, for caring for the unwanted, abused and abandoned creatures in our community who only want to be loved. Thank you for loving them.

Visit www.kootenaihumane.org to donate, volunteer or find your next family member today. I recommend a cat. Or three.