Mischief Monday - 1 down, 8 to go - by Lady

We had cats live in this house before, but they were old cats, so there are things we didn't think about when we got the new ones.Besides the ceiling (see Styx's adventures), we have a banister that runs around the upstairs and opens to our basement. At the end of this are windows. It never occurred to us before we got the Rivers that they would try and get on said windowsills.

Then we took Styx off the banister many, many times and realized this may be a problem. Before we had a chance to solve this, Tigris got up for the first time, tried to make the window and fell all the way down.

Dramatic recreation

It is fair to say both the Man and my hearts stopped watching this happen. 

We raced downstairs and she was no where to be seen. As we were worried about injury, when we found her under the bed, we pulled her out. We did a full exam and discovered, other than what appeared to be a sprain in her front left paw, and a scare, she was ok. She ate, she purred etc. We watched her very closely and by day 3, she was back to her normal self.

Tigris tolerating us icing her paw

The limp persists some, it is not as bad and not all the time, so isn't a major concern.

We are sure she lost a life that day. We hope that she has learned to NEVER try this again. 

We have put a Kleenex box (seen in the window) and a temporary tinfoil barrier to discourage anyone from trying this again. If people have ideas for a better solution, please let us know! 

Nature Friday - Visitor

 You know it is time to fill the feeders when the squirrel comes and knocks on the window. 

It is disturbing my nap on Lady's desk. 

Tigris

The Long Goodbye

The follow talks about the semi-suddenness of our goodbye to Phod and if you wish to skip it, I understand. I have promised to be truthful about our lives so this is our truth.

In reality, our goodbye to Zaphod started in the spring of 2023. This is when the arthritis became apparent and he started to have trouble getting up and down. It was at this time, we started Librela. I know Librela is very controversial but after speaking to 2 vets, and seeing how it worked for Phody,  I can truly say it gave us time with him. When we started the tech said the research showed we would get 1 year with him. Aren't we lucky, we got more.

Over the next 2 years, we saw a very slow decline. He stopped playing fetch. He stopped going down our stairs. He spent more time in the closet sleeping. He still loved a short walk and could be very playful. Given the chance he would sneak over to the neighbours in a heartbeat. His life was best described as slow. He was still happy and as comfortable as anyone in their golden years could be! 

Zaphod died on a Monday. That night, around 4, he cried out in pain for the first time. The Man got up and rubbed his leg. We thought it was just that he had slept funny. He was starting to be more stiff when he first got up.

The morning he was restless. This was not entirely uncommon. He could be like this. 

Separately, without discussing it, both the Man and I realized we were in the last few days/hours. I can't say how we knew this, but we did. I had the same thing with Lee. The day before, no clear reason why, when we were walking, my heart said, this is our last walk. In both cases I told myself not to be silly.

Thank you for Meezer's Mews and Terriieristical Woofs for creating this

I left for work around 11:30. At 1:26 the Man called me to say I had to come home, it was time to say goodbye to Zaphod. He had 2 medical events. The Man is not a vet and is unsure if it was a seizure or  cardiac events. They were close together and terrible. These made it almost impossible for him to walk and he didn't always seem to know where he was.

I got in my car, called the vet, made the arrangements and realized I couldn't be home in time. I met the Man and Phod at the clinic. 

About 2 hours after his medical events, he went peacefully, refusing the chocolate kiss they offered him. 

Zaphod lived about 14 years, which for a Shepherd mix is amazing, especially given the clearly rough start he had. In the end, even the best dog couldn't beat death. 

So when people have asked me if Phod's death was expected, my answer is yes and no. We have been waiting for his backend to go for 2 years. We just didn't know that it would be April 28. 

For those who read to the end, thank you. Thank you for all your kind words and love. It has been a very hard time and we are ok. 

Wordless Wednesday - Styx

 

Trouble on A Tuesday - Meeting Callie - by Tigris

 Dear reader,

You would assume indoor cats would be spared the indignation of being forced to meet dogs, however, in this new house, this is not the case.

As you may recall, the SPCA stated I should not be in a home with dogs. However, after hearing about Zaphod, and reviewing my record (no one could clearly tell why this was on my profile) I came to a dog house. 

Our time together was short, and I did my best to avoid the dog. We had come to an understanding. However, on Friday, the Lady and Man violated our agreement and let Callie in the house. As she shares her home with 3 cats (Milo, Cinder and Ash), Callie at least is respectful enough for a dog. 

Neither Styx nor I enjoyed being sniffed by this canine. At least her visit was quick. 

Me sneaking away from Callie

Styx getting smelled by her

A not thrilled Styx 

The human who brought Callie, brought us this.

We hope it was a one off and Callie stays outside where she belongs.

Tigris

When Will The Snow Be Gone - WINNER - by Tigris

 Dear readers,

Lady has charged me with telling you, we have a winner for the dogs' contest. She said it was very exciting because someone guessed the exact day the snow would leave. 

The winner this year is Beau, with a guess of May 2nd. 

Congratulations Beau!

Lady will be in touch about about a prize.

Now back to important things like lap sitting (which I don't do often or for long).

Tigris

May The 4th Be With You

 

Styx

Tigris