I have been lucky

I have been doing poorly lately.

On Monday, Mom took me to see Dr. VanHeusan. He did more blood work up and took some x-rays. He was very nice and gentle.

The blood work up looked better than a month ago.

The x-rays did not.

Mom and Dad made an appointment for Tuesday to go see Dr. Becker, who is a specialist. They another exam and reviewed the x-rays. Dr. Becker also found a lump on my leg.

Mom and Dad left me with Dr. Becker at the hospital. They put an IV in to help me rehydrate. And they did some xrays of my leg and TWICE took cells from the lump in my leg to examine under the microscope. Dr. Becker felt that whatever the leg lump stuff was, could most likely be what's in my lungs and around my heart.

After they examined the cells--Dr. Becker called mom.

It is cancer.

Mom and Dad are picking me up from the hospital today.

Today is Dad's birthday and I want to be there for him. I love him very much. And I know he loves me.

This is going to be hard. Kitty cancer (as Jon noted) is not something that the universe should allow . . . yet there are lots of things in the universe that aren't fair.

I'm only 7 . . . almost 8 years old. And that may seem too young for cancer and too young to deal with all this heavy stuff.

But I know that it's also 7, almost 8 years I almost didn't have. My mom died in a housefire, trying to rescue me and my siblings. I was so very young--nearly newborn, that I don't remember her. I know of her from what the Vet's office and my new mom and dad have told me.

I was lucky to be rescued by the firemen.

I was lucky that one of the fireman's moms worked at a vet clinic and she was able to nurse me to health, feeding me with an eye dropper.

I was lucky to pick my new mom and dad when they were in the waiting room, worried about Chester.

I was lucky to live in this home . . . with Tiger and Chester as brothers. With Jon and Jim as brothers. I was lucky to have mom--who babies me and helps me blog . . .

I was lucky to have my dad, whom I love so very much.

We could be there for each other over the years.

I know that you're going to miss me dad.

I'm so sorry that it's going to hurt for awhile.

Dr. Pillow says it will be like a hole in your heart--something missing that will always be missing. I'm sorry for that.

But I don't regret loving you or being loved.

I know that you have done everything anyone could do to make me happy, healthy, loved and cared for.

While I am not gone yet . . . I think this will be my last blog. Unless a miracle happens (which becomes more and more of a long shot every day) there really isn't a lot more to say.

I love you all.

I am sorry to make you sad, yet if you didn't feel sad, then it wouldn't be love. I wouldn't be remembered.

When the sadness eases a bit. . . . remember me for what I am and always was . . . the best cat in the world.

We have had some really good times.

Remember those when you think of me.

I hear NPR reporting the news.
I hear a train whistle and the rhythmic thump of the cars on the track--it's over a mile away, yet I can hear it so clearly this morning.
I hear the coffee pot brewing the Starbucks Italian Roast.
I hear Chester reminding mom it's be hours since he last ate.
I hear birds--some Robins I think
I hear a cicada--lonely cicada
I hear NPR now starting a new show . . . music transition . . . "Speaking of Faith" . .. .
I hear the tapping of the lap top.
I hear


mom



say



get



OFF




the




counter.




Can't a cat have a little butter in the morning?
Jeezeopete

Mom cleaned the garage out this morning

She's all dirty and sweaty.

We are not friends when you're icky, mom.

Come see me when you've had a shower and cleaned up.

I'll just take a nap on the laptop while you're goneoi;iiiiiiiimkimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmoi'ppommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Inquiring kittens own it all

Investigating today.

Dad made some comment last night that he was pleased to see me demonstrate some curiousity again.

Well . . . yeah.

I've always been curious. Just didn't feel like doing anything about it for awhile.

Feeling better now. So . . . .

What is this?

Why is it over here?

It smells . . . kind of nice.

It's mine now.

Oh . . . what's this over here?

It's kind of . . .. .well, no matter, it's mine too.

Hey! don't touch that!! I believe that's mine as well!

names to keep in the file

Watched TV with Mom and Dad last night. It was a biography of Walter Cronkite . . .Walter.

Hey Jon, and Jim--Walt would be a good name for a nephew. Walt Disney ...WalterCronkite--very creative, trusted name.

Or how about Bond? James Bond? I've always liked that name too.

Just sayin' . . . . . . . .

WHERE are the Sardines?

Feeling much better this morning. The hunger strike is over.

I could only hold out for SO long . . . mom was pulling out all the stops. Pancakes, sour cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, IAMS, 9Lives, Disney Aristocrats--Appeteasers, cat treats, crackers, tuna on toast. . . .

but you know what? . . . . .no sardines . . . .

What is up with that?

She must have forgotten there are 2 tins up in the cupboard.

Dad's home!

and now he's off to work again. . . .

I'm at a loss . . . he's supposed to be HERE. Holding me.

He seems to think that I can nap on his PJs and that will feel like he's holding me. These pjs. Here. Right here. I mean . . . . well . . .yes . . .they are comfy.

And oh . . . it does feel good to settle in . . . kind of curl up in a little kitty nest of comfort . . .

But it isn't the same . . . azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


~~ssshhhhhhh~~

Cat napping

No more pills.
The pills have run out.

FINALLY

~~sigh~~

Just need a few more day sof delicious napping and I'm sure I'll be fine.

I don't feel like dancing yet, but I am feeling better.
Thanks for all the good wishes from friends and family.
I'm sorry I worried you.
I really didn't like being sick.
There's just no energy for pranks or kitten hijynx.
Mostly I've just wanted to lay around in the sunshine.

Low energy.
Sleepy.
But putting weight on.

It's seriously hard to be finicky when Mom and Dad will try ANYTHING to get me to eat.

Dear Dad,

I have been very good today.

Love love love
Dougal

PS
You left your PJs on the floor.
MINE NOW!

thanks

Dear Dad,

I promise to eat.
I promise to drink.
I promise to get better.

Please don't worry about me.
I've just been feeling a bit out of sorts. It's this bald belly thing. It is such a bummer.

PLEASE DON'T TAKE ME BACK TO THE DOCTOR!
I don't know WHAT he'd shave next, and I don't WANT to know!!!!

Love love love
dougal

Sockington's been found

Whew!
Phew!
Mew!

So relieved

OH NO!

RT @sockingtonHELP - SOCKINGTON IS MISSING :( http://bit.ly/OSe8d

licklicklicklicklicklicklicklick
love your new pedicure mom
licklicklicklicklicklicklicklick

Plans for today

1. Cruise the counter tops while mom's not looking. SCORE butter dish! SCORE peanut butter spoon!
2. Call for Dad. Randomly. room to room . Until he wakes up.
3. Cuddle in Dad's lap and nap.
4. Make pathetic mewing noises if Dad trys to dump me from his lap.
5. Consider sunbathing--however, the sun's rays are . . . odd on my bald belly. Mom says I need sunscreen.
6. Talk dad into taking me outside to nap on the hammock.
7. Whisper movie ideas to Dad while he thinks I'm sleeping, so we can watch Cat From Outer Space.
8. Check out mom's coffee . .. is that cream? Ugh! skim milk. So not worth the effort. . . oh . . . sorry for sneezing in your coffee . . . you got a problem with that?
9. Draw pictures of Dad's new car so he can put them on the refrigerator
10. Prepare for rematch with Chester for a marathon game of Risk. I SHALL rule the world. Especially if you stop cheating!

raison d etre

The reason I won't eat the tinned mice.

1. YOU are having smoked trout.
2. I get more attention when I appear finicky.
3. My tummy bothers me. When I lean down to eat out of the dish, my bare belly touches the cold floor. ICK!

The reason you need to love me more.
1. I am (cough cough) so delicate.
2. I am handsome.
3. I am dangerous!

What?

You talkin to me?

KFC?

You and me dad
You and me
We're best buds
Remember?

Weekend planning

Reading the paper this morning.
Goodness? It's almost Independence Day.

Dad and I need to take a drive to Ohio. I'm all out of bottle rockets!

Tummy report--no hair . . . still . . . no hair

Mom says she knows I'm not 100% yet.
Apparently she expects me to spit pills out if I feel healthy.

Takes too much effort.
And then she catches me again and we go through the whole process over and over until I swallow the pill.

Whatever.

Considering a long game of Risk this afternoon. Trouble is . . . Chester cheats. Or rather, Chester cheats better than I do.

Woggly Wednesday

Still not feeling perky.
Rainy and cold out.
Just want to snuggle up with Mom.
~~heavy contented sigh~~

It's so hard to be warm when your belly is bare.