Rest in Peace, Sadie

I'm writing this post on Thursday because I don't think I can adequately tell you about Sadie today. Sadie is our 17 year old cat, our graceful princess who ruled the roost when we got her 16 years ago. As of late Sadie also has a failing body, confused mind and painful movement. That is no way to live and so we have chosen to let Sadie cross the rainbow bridge.

Dear Sadie,
As much as we love you we have to let you go to a place free of pain, and hopefully full of catnip, 80 degree sunshine, a cushioned bed and canned food. Hopefully dogs will leave you alone, and if they don't, please be kind to them. They are not as mature as you. There should be a person, preferably a woman, for you to sleep on at night and knead bread on her back.

You've survived, from the moment you were plucked from the city pound, with grace and a keen sense of confidence and self-preservation. The first time I met you you were 5 and hiding under the bed during a party. The next time I met you when you slept on my back. I went to sleep alone and woke up with your 10 pounds of weight nestled down asleep. I knew then that things were meant to be.

In your middle years strings were chased, you learned to jump on counter tops, the outside world was explored and you slept on us, never one to leave the bed if a person was in it. You slept in the sunshine or on the couch where we moved around you. You were curious, often poking your head around a corner to check what was going on before moving to your destination.

When you were ten we got you a kitten brother. You regarded him with all the contempt and disdain you could muster. Charlie loved you, worried about you and tried hard to play. If you noticed him you hissed and swatted but Charlie kept watch. You were still in charge. A few years later came your dog brother Max. This was a relationship of tolerance. You were slowing down but still got in a swipe now and again.

You were shy around strangers. We knew this and it was ok. We cut a hole between bedrooms so you could have your own space without having to go by Max. You've persevered between multiple moves, a flood and people coming and going with the grace that you have.

We knew your body was failing of the things that happen to old cats. We tried, with canned food twice a day, brushing your fur when you couldn't groom, trimming your nails when you couldn't scratch and creating stairs to places you needed to reach, but ultimately time wins. We can't let you live in pain for that is no life and so we let you go but remember always.
Love always,

Your moms

Wordless Wednesday- 4th of July Pics

A few of the animal bloggers I read have been doing "Wordless Wednesday" so I thought I would add to the  group. Sweetheart took these shots on 4th of July as we hunkered down from the fireworks. Enjoy!

Love Your Pets Day

I'm not sure if there is an official "Love your pets day" but maybe there should be, (as opposed to Hug your pets day, which is a bad idea). Today I put on the monkey suit and the pantyhose and the spanx and the heels and headed out to a large job fair. I can't say I was excited or even optimistic. I don't love these events which seem to be mostly populated with staffing centers, for-profit colleges and branches of the military but no one with specific positions they're hiring for. Since I'm actively looking for a new position these events are a necessary evil. While I was surprised and may have developed a lead or two at this one, it wasn't much better than a time-share sales pitch. When I left Max was snoozing on the couch. When I came home I was met by an excited, wiggling little guy.

Then I went into the bedroom (to get out of the Spanx and breathe again) and found Sadie and Charlie. Sadie sleeping and Charlie watching her before he left his post to get pet.

It's at this point I realize how great, even though all their flaws, my pets are. Charlie will bite your ankles to initiate play but most of the time he just wants head butts and body rubs. Sadie's not in the best of health and we live in mortal fear that she'll puke on our heads while we sleep but she is the best night time cuddle bug ever. Max freaks out at the sight of other dogs but is easy and willing to train and loves to follow us around. 95% of the time my pets are awesome. I can't always say the same thing about me. So for today and here on out I'll try to be more mindful of the great pets I have and when people complement them I won't be so quick to point out their flaws but appreciate all the joy, goofiness and love they bring.