Why "Vegan Flower"

Mike and I purchased our first computer in 2001 and as everyone with a computer knows, you end up creating an online handle. For me, it was a no brainer. I went with Flower. Quite a few people over the years have thought that I used it because I love the skunk from Bambi. Sure, that skunk is adorable and I'm honored to have that kind of connection with her, but that Flower was not even on my mind when I decided on using the name.
The Flower that inspired me to use the name was the beautiful girl in the pictures below. Flower was the first animal companion that I ever had. A few months after I graduated high school, I moved into my own place and almost immediately went to the local shelter to adopt a cat. She didn't have a name yet, but this sweet little girl caught my eye and she came home with me. Flower and I spent the next four years together, until one day, I decided I had enough of the guy I was living with and left him. At that time, I couldn't take Flower with me, so I had to leave her behind, which was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. About a month later, I was settled in a new place and could finally take her in with me, but my ex refused to give her to me. Looking back, I know that I should have fought for her, but at the time, I thought it was a hopeless situation. I had Crystal with me and we tried to go on without her sister.

About a year later, I ran into my ex and asked him how Flower was. He told me that he had started to let her outside and that one day, she just never came back. I was heartbroken and sick from thinking about what could have happened to her, but I also wondered if maybe she went looking for me. I hope that someone took her in and loved her for the rest of her life. I hope that she knows that I never stopped loving her.
Flower was everything I wasn't at that time. She was assertive, confident and knew what she wanted. She was a snuggler and could be so goofy. Her personality can never be matched.
Besides my dear Flower, there are a few other reasons that I went with Vegan Flower as my blog's name. I've always loved the sunflower "vegan" and decided to get a rather large tattoo of the V part of it on my right leg a few years ago. Out of all the tattoos I have, it's my favorite.
Vegan Flower also symbolizes the hippy in me as well as something peaceful and pure. When I was younger, I was very much a hippy in many ways. Now that I'm a bit older, I've changed a bit, but that part of me will never completely die. Over the last few years, I've found myself gravitating towards that part of myself more & more.

Then there is my love of flowers and all they bring to this world. They attract butterflies, bumble bees and dragonflies, which I love to see. They're colorful, beautiful and often smell divine (especially lilacs!). They cheer people up and make this world a much better place. They're one of the reasons why I want to live in a warm climate some day, so that I can see flowers growing and blooming year round in their natural environment. Flowers are a must for my paradise!
So, this brings me to you. If anyone feels so inclined, I'd love to hear about what your blog's name means to you!