When I was young, some might say, just as the ark hit dry land, my friends and I dressed up for Halloween and went Trick or Treating.
Someone’s mother escorted us through our neighborhood where we hoped to “Trick” the neighbors into not knowing who we were hidden behind our mask or makeup.
We ended our evening by returning to the home of the escort parent to compare our treats and trade with each other for our own favorites.
We didn’t have food allergies, ADHD or asthma. And kids walked everywhere – even when it rained or snowed.
I appreciate the technological advances we have made; but, I wish we kept the softer and gentler world along with the journey.
It saddens me that your child/grandchild can’t be more than inches away from your supervision, your babysitter needs a criminal background investigation and those children/grandchildren will never know that softer and gentler world.
This is how my boys celebrated the day.
othing to do with Tennyson and I felt so bad for him because he wanted to play all the time. I ran in to Pam at a cat adoption weekend and told her that Tennyson needed a friend. Smiles came home for a “test drive” to see how the three would get along. Sophie wanted nothing to do with Smiles either; but, he and Tennyson were best buddies. Tennyson and Smiles came from a 90 cat rescue Pam Jackson and her volunteers conducted. All 90 cats, surprisingly in good health, had the best purrsonalities. Sadly, inbreeding and constant breeding brought health issues. Tennyson had heart problems. He crossed the bridge after a heart attack in January 2006. Smiles had other health issues through his life and crossed the bridge in May 2014 after a battle with renal failure.
Diamond was a rescue by Dr. Shawn Verbrick at The Cat Clinic. It was difficult to say “No” when she asked me to take him and give him a new home. This brown marbled tabby would be kitty #4 in the house. At his heaviest, Diamond weighed over 20 lbs. AKA “Alpha D” because he was, without a doubt, the Alpha, his weight fit his large frame and Dr. Verbrick never recommended a low-cal cat food for “The D Man.” He was a gentle giant. Infants could pull his tail or ears, scream and throw toys. He never flinched or moved. Dr. Verbrick saved his life and she would always be his first person. When health issues hit Diamond at the end of 2014, I learned how to administer IV fluids along with other medical procedures, in between his visits to The Cat Clinic. Shawn, Gary and I said our goodbyes and let Diamond go across the bridge on June 29, 2015.
oving van was parked in front of a neighbors home. I kept feeding this stray cat and then letting him sleep in my garage when it started to get cold at night. Catamaran wasn’t too keen with my attempts to cut the hair balls off. It was later confirmed that this beautiful full-bred Maine Coon once belonged to the neighbors who moved. We had four cats before, off to the vet we went. He needed to be hospitalized for a respiratory infection before any other treatments could be done. It was touch and go for a few days. Catamaran pulled through. Finding no microchip, I had one implanted along with a “nip-tuck” procedure. Pure bred or not, we had no intentions of breeding him. He is our “old man” now.
Catmandu, named for Kathmandu, Nepal, was a lively addition to the household. I’ve never
Catseopeia, named for the constellation Cassiopeia, and also a Pawmetto Lifeline rescue, came to keep Catmandu occupied and away from his older brother. We thought her age was in error because of her small size. A check with Dr. Verbrick confirmed she was 7 months old. I noticed Catseopeia was quiet one evening. Maybe she was just tired. The next morning she was sitting in a chair and would not move, even when the food came out. I carried her to the food bowl and nothing. I flew to The Cat Clinic. She became their patient for a few days. Blood work showed problems. The numbers were off the chart. A referral to South Carolina Veterinary Specialists, advanced testing and the bad news. Her kidneys never fully developed. The prognosis was not good. We were told, “She could live two weeks to two months, but expect the shorter.” Catseopeia came home and we followed up with Dr. Verbrick. No one expected her to be alive on her first birthday. She made it! Supergirl made her first birthday! Following a recommended treatment of Dr. Verbrick, IV feeding and fluids, and a couple of prescriptions, our Supergirl lived 7 months longer than anyone expected. On August 17th, I made another difficult decision to let Catseopeia cross the bridge and join her brothers and sister.
In support of the kennel quilt initiative, my friend and sister cat lover, Beth Karr, delivered fabric, batting and five completed kennel quilts this morning.
scstephquilts 