Feline Friday - Nin, the Old Cat

It is a hard thing (if not surprising at aged 18.5 years) to say but Nin is dying.

Nin in 2007

No, he hasn't been to the vet and we don't have an official diagnosis, but I know my cat and I know the end is coming. While for the most part he is his annoying self (singing at all hours of the day, climbing all over you on the couch), there are signs the end is near.  He is not eating as much. He is getting very skinny, and their are sometimes signs in the litter box things aren't right (and because I have seen him do it, I know it is him and not Baggy).

We have talked at length about what we want to do and we have decided that since he is clearly not suffering at this time we are doing nothing. That is right, we aren't even taking him to the vet at this time. [I do hear my vet rolling his eyes as I write this, but we have been friends for 20 years, so I know he will understand]. One of the main reasons we aren't going to the vet right now is that going is such a traumatic experience for Nin. I can't see putting him through all and all the tests to be told he is dying. I faced a similar choice when Loki was dying. They vet recommended another painful liver biopsy for him and I remember saying something like "Why? we know he is dying, what else will it tell us?" [In the end I agreed on another ultrasound which was far less invasive].

The moment Nin shows signs of distress, I will call the vet (who is on speed dial in this house) and take him there. We will do any treatment that will keep him comfortable but we will not do anything invasive. Nin has lived a good life and I want to treat him with the dignity I hope to be treated when I am in my 90s.

I don't know how much time we have left with him, so for now we will just love our crazy Nin!

This and That Thursday - Phod the Dragon Slayer

I don't like to imagine the life that Zaphod lived before he was picked up as a hitchhiker. He was found severely underweight (about 40 or so pounds when he should weigh at least 60), and scared. Whatever happened must have been horrible.

Instead of thinking about that, I have decided to create another back story for Phod. Here it is:

Phod the Dragon Slayer

Once upon a time, in a land not to far away, their lived a dog named Phod. Phod was a handsome and sweet boy. He lived in his village and was happy.

Life in the village was good until one night an ogre came and snatched Phod out of bed. The mean old stinky ogre took him deep into the forest and tied him to a tree. Here Phod was to wait for a dragon to come. This dragon was going to eat him. Phod was afraid. However, Phod was a smart dog and had a plan.

When the dragon came Phod said: "Oh wise and powerful dragon, I submit to being your offering. However, I know you are an amazing hunter and rather than just eating me here on this tree, would prefer to hunt me. If you let me go I can be your real prey."

The dragon thought about this and said: "Things have been a bit boring lately. Let's have a chase. I will give you a 2 minute head start to make it interesting. I will even close my eyes to not watch which way you are going."

The dragon untied Phod, closed his eyes and started counting. Quickly Phod sniffed the air. He smelt something that was going to help him and he took off to the south. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Just as he approached his target, he heard the dragon coming. Phod kept running and as the dragon's long back talon was about to close around his head, Phod leaped. He landed with a splash in the water. The dragon crashed in the water too. Since dragons can't swim or fly if their wings get wet, the dragon quickly drowned. Phod, who is an excellent swimmer, was able to swim away.

The only mark from his encounter with the dragon, is a little scar on his nose.

Phod wandered the country side, looking for more dragons to slay, until finally he found his way to his forever home, far away from dragons.

Yep, I slayed it good! 

Wordless Wednesday - Eyes

Tasty Tuesday - "Where are you going with those?" by Lee

I was very exceed on Sunday evening when I realized Lady was making Bake-A-Bone. It has been months since she did this. She said she had some bananas to use, so she did a banana bread for her, and banana cookies for us. I waited ever so patiently for her to get done with the cookies. It took like 87 million years. I even only jumped up on the counter to check once. I was so good.

The bake a bone stuff ready to go

Finally I got to try one and they were excellent. Lady said this batch made 34 and I was so excited to get to eat 34 cookies. Then Lady did something strange, she went and got a bag out of the cupboard and put some of my cookies in it. She put those cookies in her purse. I demanded to know where they were going. Those were my cookies. It is bad enough I have to share with Phod, now she is taking more away. She said she was taking them to work to give to her friend who just rescued a 7 year old dog named Huey. She said, we have lots of treats and toys and it is nice to share.

The bag for Huey

I guess the right thing to do is share, but this Huey better like them or I am going to be very mad.

Hailey, who only gets like 28 cookies (minus the ones I have to share with Phod) now.

Me waiting patiently

Mischief Monday - The Blower

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful beautiful and huge fireplace to help heat the house in the winter. This year, after a series of snags, we were finally able to have a blower installed. For those of you who don't know about fireplace blowers (I didn't until recently), it sucks cold air in, heats it above the fire and blows it out. The other day in about an hour and a half of running it, it raised the temperature in the house 3 degrees. It sounds like a loud fan when it is on.

Here is how the dogs feel about it:

Hailey: "I hate it. Turning it on ruins my life."

Zaphod: "It is scary please turn it off. I would rather be cold."

Yep, turning it on causes mischief according to the dogs!

Lee enjoying the fire when the blower is off (and yes she is half on and half off her bed)

Black and White Sunday - Girls love a guy with a scar

A scar from his dragon slaying days.

Catch up Saturday

Lady has had an insane work week (several days of 14 hour days) and she has to work today, so she says Sunday we will catch up with all of you (she did OK with visiting until Thursday and then it went to heck!)

The News from here:

Uncle Chris came over Friday night and stayed over. He is taking Emma home today. We have had a good visit and will miss her.

Until next time Emma!

Today we take a minute to remember our cousin Lemew. He died a year ago today.

Now to the comments:

Sunday: Dreaming of Spring
It got really cold again this week. It was acceptable until Friday, when our walk was only the 60 steps to the end of the driveway and back. Spring is 20 days away!

Mischief Monday: Man's Bad Day
Lady admits she did laugh a little at the Man for all his troubles. It really was his own fault. We are happy to report he hasn't driven into any snowbanks this week!

We have only seen Shadow one time and we were inside and he was out. We do hope he gets the help he needs to be an excellent dog. We hope that whatever happened was related to being new around here.

Lady says thank you to everyone who voted and for your congrats for the Canadian Blog Awards Best Pet Blog. She still has no idea how she got on the list. So thanks to whomever is responsible for that.

Tasty Tuesday:
We are going to check out the foods you suggested. We are also sharing them with a friend who welcomed a 7 year old rescue into her family this week. We purposely avoid seafood in this house as the Man has a sensitivity and we don't want to make him sick (he does enough to himself!).
The Canadian food she was thinking of was Boreal.

Wordless Wednesday:
That picture of Loki was taken in June of 2009. This was around the time he was diagnosed with his immune disorder (and 11 months before he died at age 8). The side effect of one of his drugs was that baby soft fur. It was a great side effect! Seeing the pictures of it reminds me of how soft it was.

Training Thursday: Loving Hailey:
Thank you all for the support on this topic. I thought hard about sharing this or not. But I have always tried to keep my blog honest and this is the honest place we have been sitting in. I do realize much of the problem is cause by me and some by the weather. I did try the treadmill earlier in the winter, but it has fallen off the radar, must put that back in. The past few weeks have been easier as I have had a better attitude, the weather has been nicer, and Hailey and Emma have found ways to play. We will keep looking for solutions and take the time to celebrate our successes. I know at the end of the day, it is going to be Hailey whose memory burns the brightest in our house! She is unforgettable!

Feline Friday:
I really do hope to catch Baggy loving one of the dogs again, but I don't hold my breathe. I live with the comfort that he is content in his old age.