It has come, the day I've been dreading since September, when Callie and Xena were diagnosed with kidney disease.  Xena has responded well to a change in diet, but Callie has proven a bit more problematic.  I've been giving her subcutaneous fluids at home since December, and had hoped things were at least stablizing.  As we got into May, however, she has been increasingly leghargic, which resulted in an unplanned vet visit today, culminating in a referal to emergency care for possible IV treatments.  Sadly, the diagnosis after ultra sound shows the kidney damage to be irreversable, as well as multiple growths in her pancreas.  As sick as it makes me, I face up to reality and give the ok to euthanize.  I was at least able to tell her that she was the bravest and most patient cat ever.

It's just before Halloween, and  a certain seasonal wind seems to be blowing in from the catios.  In General Population, Bayou stops me to ask for some cuddles and strokes, which I'm all too glad to distribute. I have always been a sucker for cats who head bump against my arm.  I take a seat to see who else may be wanting love.  Poncho is quick to take me up--he is in an expansive mood and quite happy to crash out like a baby in my arms.  In the main FeLV room, big handsome panther Sabor is also anxious for head bumps--I assure him that he has permission to give out as many as he cares to.  He eyeballs me as if questioning my mental state, but decides that affection is worth even lame human attempts at a joke.  Meanwhile Tarah has settled in on a shelf opposite.  I've been a bit unsure as to her current spirits, and indeed she gives a growl and swipe at her own tail as she settles in, but she also seems to have some acceptance of me as a soothing sort of human.  I sing to her and tell her that I wish I knew of a way to make things easier for her.  All in all, mission accomplished for the moment!

It's Wednesday once again, and I have staked out a seat just under one of Leroux's favored spots on the catwalk.  He's been showing more signs lately of mingling with his feline roomates, and I want to make sure he is feeling ok about human contact as well.  I've let him know that I'm good for brushing him as he feels the need--it's still warm enough that keeping his medium legnth coat in order takes a fair effort!  Meantime, Frollo is happily climbing on my shoulder--he introduced himself a couple weeks ago, and is giving me reminders that strokes and bum scratches are good things!  An unexpexted bonus is when Noemi hops onto my lap for a very cautious hello.  I've seen her from a distance, and her red collar marks her as an "approach with caution" sort of gal--so the idea of her coming to introduce herself is a thrill. I give her a very gentle rub on the back, and suggest that we can stick to her own terms for attention--but please to be cautious how she uses her teeth!

It's Wednesday and time for a nice midday nap on the main catio.  Gretchen is curled up content under my chair--or should I say, I am seated just above her preferred siesta spot.  In either case, I'm quietly thrilled--Gretchen is, to say the least, cautious around humans, and the fact that she is willing to tolerate this much company is a major deal.  One can only hope that this beautiful calico is dreaming of a human to meet her particularly particular standards. Meantime, Leroux has sauntered over to strech out nearby and is showing his belly as a sign of goodwill.  Leroux is a rather introverted sort, and is frequently to be found slightly out of human reach on the catwalks--any day he chooses to come down and mingle with human visitors and his feline roomies is a good one. I've made a point recently of hanging out near him just to give him some sense of familiarity and let him see me interacting with the other cats--may I hope that he is coming to accept me as not quite a total maniac?  Story to be continued!

It's Tuesday, and long past the time to be back since COVID 19  started playing havoc.  It's a bit of an adjustment, as quite a few of my pals including Reih have been adopted during the interval.  Sweet quiet Timothy and dainty April O'Niell, however, are still here and seemingly willing to overlook past absence on my part.  As to sweet super-senior Pollyanne, she is taking full advantage of her 22 years to put in her nap time--but manages to give me her best encouraging look when I start singing to her.  It's always a bit of a question whether the boys and girls appreciate my voice--or whether they are thinking, "There goes the human, she tries so hard to be entertaining"--but either way, bonding is bonding!

It's Christmas Eve, and I am in my annual post-work rush to get ready for church and lector duty.  Silverton, good fur son that he is, is sticking close, pleading with me to stay indoors--don't I know that only very foolish humans venture out on a cold, rainy December night?  Don't I appreciate comfort and the presence of three cuddly fur children?  His sisters are more blase, having put up with my shenanigans and evident lack of sense for longer.  I escape with a promise to be back soon.  

Later, having survived the drive and my annual quota of carols, I'm back, pulling into my garage with visions of hot chocolate and down time in my head.  Silverton is, of course, waiting at the door, with Callie and Xena close behind.  All's well in my world--sleep in heavenly peace!

Haniyya is on the prowl, doing her very best impersonation of a tiger so as to impress her new roomates in the FIV room.  This tiny tabby seems at least somewhat interested in befriending the nearby human--but right now her main priority is establishing herself as alpha par excellence.  One has to give her full points for spirit--she has no problem going toe to toe with Brisket over a cat treat, and alpha male Brisket looks to be, oh, about twice her size.  Normally placid Ofglen makes a strong plea for peace by bopping Haniyya over the head. Looks like the saga will continue for at least another day!

It's Friday, and I'm currently hanging out on the geriatric catio--it's a bit of an original feature, that rooms for our various groups of cats have access to their own screened porches.  Today, Twizzler and Onyx have solved a question that has been puzzling them for some time now--how do a pair of good-sized best pals move from the catio to indoors, through a standard cat door, while remaining side by side throughout? Twizzler is a long tall orange tabby, and Onyx is a square-jawed, rather husky black panther of a cat, so it's a challenge. The solution?  Twizzler starts by getting head and shoulders through--and Onyx follows half a step behind, thus preserving togetherness!

I'm a proud mom to three cats who are the lights of my life.  I'm also a volunteer at a no-kill shelter.