Back to work

I came to work today, didn't want to lose my job. My boss is not very sympathetic about losing a cat, or as Meari put it my "fur baby". Yes she was my fur baby. Looking backward, I see she was saying goodbye last week. She climbed in bed with me and laid by me, something she never does. She purred so loud she kept me awake. She didn't stay all night. I feel very sad and depressed so I may not write for awhile.

Thank you for your condolences and "Happy Mother's Day to all".

My Shelly is gone

This morning Shelly was looking for places to hide. She started making a weak cry, so I knew it was time. I held her for a long time and talked to her about her life and how happy she made me and she purred. I took her to the vet. Putting her to sleep wasn't as hard as I thought. I cried all the way to the vet because I felt like such a traitor. I imagine everyone feels guilty doing that. I held her while they injected her and petted her and as weak as she was she looked at me and purred as she went limp as to say thank you for the release. I have entrusted her to my departed grandmother who liked cats to take care of her on the other side. It may sound strange but I believe when you teach a pet to love that much, that love does not die. I took Shelly out to the country to my stepmother's house and we buried her in her favorite blanket under the apple tree and put lilacs on her grave.

Thank all of you who offer your solace. She will be missed.

My Shelly is leaving

I have a cat named Shelly. She is 17 years old. I got her when my daughters moved out on their own. I was lonely and needed the companionship desperately. She's a
mellow loving cat. Never whines for food, always greets me at the door when I get home from work. She stopped eating a couple days ago. I would put her food in her dish and she would take a couple licks and then go sit at my feet and ask for love by sitting quietly waiting for her petting. She lost weight fast. I took her to the vet yesterday and found out that she had cancer. Two large tumors by her kidneys. As the vet examined her, she purred real loud but so limp and weak. I was offered chemotherapy. I told the vet that I couldn't put her through the misery of chemo when she doesn't have much life left. The vet gave her a shot of prednesone (steroid) that would reduce the inflamation and maybe the urge to drink and eat. She has drank very little water, maybe a few tablespoons and does not want to eat even tempting tuna. She has laid in her bed all day today. I pet her, hold her limp body sometimes and tell her how good she is. I don't know when she will die, it must be soon because her paws are getting cold and but her breathing is still strong. I won't let her suffer. If she doesn't pass away tonight in her sleep, I will take her to the vet and have her put to sleep. It is so painful to watch her go, I have gone through a box of kleenex crying.

Marjolein Bastin

I been focusing in on one project. And it's a big project! It's Marjolein Bastin's Spring in the Garden. I like the print and I'm following it faithfully but I don't like all the green. If the strainer bowl that holds the flowers in the center of the picture was another color but green, I feel it would look better but I wasn't in the mood for the conversion. I'm working from the center and almost have the bowl of flowers done. I was in the mood for flowers - so here I go.

I have been feeling very sad. My daughters have cut off all contact with me. Mother's Day is coming and I know it will be no different from any other day. But my saving grace is a friend at work - who is my best friend is taking me out to dinner and a show with HER mother! She is such an angel. She is always so good to me.