We had to visit the vet after Scout got into a raccoon rumble.
This was hanging in the exam room. She was besotted.
I thought I would check-in. I’ve been fairly offline all summer and fall. The household has been in a bit of grief mode since Bixby. We also lost Gabe (you can read about that here) and Mabel and Maddie (their story here). Sorry for the links, but I cannot write about the losses again.
But, as is the way of the world of rescue, there is always someone who needs a home, and right after we lost Gabe (like days) Sully came into our lives. He was the only cat at PetSmart (from the county Humane Society) about an hour from my house. All alone in a huge cat area, in a bottom cage, hidden away. He came across my newsfeed shortly after he was relinquished by his owners and I knew he needed to come live here (his story is here), so I drove 2 hours to get him (that’s an hour with a wailing cat in the backseat). A heart does mend.
It didn’t take him long at all to make himself at home.
Everyone else is doing well.
Here’s Zander doing his best Agnes Gladys* Kravitz, making sure the neighbors behave themselves (and by neighbors, I mean the bird feeder that hangs outside my office window).
This is where Emma hangs out when I put her beloved water fountain into the dishwasher…and complains loudly…as only an 18-year-old Calico can.
Speaking of complaining…every.single.morning.
She was cold, so I wrapped her in her baby blanket.
That catches you up on all the critters. Yes, it was a sad summer, but I’m coping, the critters are coping. I spent the summer looking to foster/adopt various Great Danes – and one Saint Dane – yes that’s a real thing. I fell in love with a 7 yr old boy who, unfortunately, after some time with his foster, was determined to best be an only dog. BUT, we are expecting a new addition at Thanksgiving. So hold onto your hats and I’ll have some fun for you running up to the December holidays. Again, the heart does mend.
On the political front – I decided that it was time to really be involved locally – the school board has some real loons running and we are in line for a new Mayor and Council members-at-large. I went to a few meet-and-greets, made some donations, and put up yard signs in my very non-political neighborhood, so hopefully, everyone’s good feelings about me will translate to the candidates I support.
I think that’s it. I’ll probably stay offline for a bit longer. I’m finishing the first rewrite of one novel, completing the rough draft of a second and finally, finally, putting together the notes for TJ Wilde’s third book in the series (I just got back from LA with all kinds of ideas, notes and locales).
This is an open thread. I will probably stop by and read a few comments…but I have ton of work to do, so it will be later-ish.
I’d say behave yourselves, but who are we kidding? ?
*doh! thanks JuJu
Baud
Good to hear from you. Sorry for your losses and congrats on your new additions.
zhena gogolia
Oh, I am so sorry for your losses. I loved Bixby, Gabe, Mabel, and Maddie so much, it’s hard to believe I never saw them in the flesh. What a face on Gabe
ETA: Sully is beautiful.
Fair Economist
So glad to hear from you! Your posts are always such a delight.
Sorry to hear about the animal companions you lost (they all seemed way too independent to be “pets”).
Hope your novel writing goes smoothly and please check in with your great stories when you get a chance.
marcopolo
Life happens. Then it happens some more. And it doesn’t stop. Until we stop.
Glad to hear you are working your way through it as well as can be. I mostly lurk here now but nice to hear from you.
And, oh, hello Baud person who seems to bigfoot all the threads ;)
Everyone have a splendid Friday and lovely weekend.
p.a.
So sorry for your losses. I had not a clue about duck lifespans…
Ken
Yep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Danish_Roman_Catholic_saints
Starfish
Someone else that I know locally lost her Great Dane recently. It made me think of you.
SiubhanDuinne
It’s really good to see you back, and I hope you’ll be around much more often (though if your absence means another TJ Wilde, you’re forgiven).
You’ve had far too many losses recently, and I’m so sorry — but glad to know you and Sully connected. He looks like a sweetie.
satby
Aww, you got Scout her very own black cat just like the picture!
Condolences on all you companions passing, and congratulations on giving some other worthy friends a safe and loving home.
I feel you.
I moved to S.Bend five years ago with 10 pets: 5 cats, 5 dogs. Most were old and I knew that by the end of five years I would lose many of them. As of today only one dog, Clayton (12), survives; and only two of the cats that came with me. 7 gone in 5 years. But I’ve added two more cats and will add the two I’ve spent the last year wooing off the streets. The heart does mend, and the need for homes for unwanted pets never subsides.
susanna
Just guessing here, but your heart needs to be filled, on a daily basis, with the loving animals that you bring to your home? My sympathies to you for the losses of summer, and look forward to hearing how the new companions thrive in your home. Loved reading about Bixby.
Welcome back, even briefly.
Dorothy A. Winsor
That does sound like a rough summer. I hope everyone is healing.
sab
Ponyo the pitbull got a pretty good report back from the path lab and the oncologist. We were not expecting that, but yay. So next we take Shadow the meankitty in to find out what is up with her breathing. She has been sneezing and wheezing for a couple of months. Her health got side lined by Ponyo’s tumor and Starscream’s hyperthyroid and our internet going out, in that order of imprtance.
Starscream is not going to be happy in the same cat carrier as her.
LivinginExile
RedDirtGirl
I too am sorry for your losses, but glad to see you here. Life certainly is challenging. I am watching my 89 year old mother wither before my eyes. She is in assisted living, and we moved her from Maine to New York to be closer to one sister and myself, and to give the other sister respite. The move took the wind out of her sails (as we expected) and she is fading away.
That is partly why my dog search has been so halting – fears that I won’t be able to look after both of them properly.
Nicole
Thank you for the update on the critters, and for making me google “Saint Dane” as now I can’t wait to show the photos to my 11-year-old, who loves all creatures great and small. Looking forward to photos of new additions to the household.
Our senior pit mix had 7 teeth taken last week (3 left to go, but her heart rate was getting a little iffy under the anesthesia, so they brought her back up and figure to get the rest of the bad teeth in a couple of months). I was so worried about her pain level, as she was wailing after we brought her home, but a google search said that when dogs cry after anesthesia it’s usually due less to pain and more to confusion and anxiety. Kind of the canine version of David After Dentist.
Eljai
TaMara, I’m so sorry for your recent losses. You give your animals so much love. Thank you for sharing stories and photos about them with us.
Sully is gorgeous!
Betty
So good to hear from you. Your losses have to have been especially painful, coming one after the other like that. Good to see the others doing well. The kitty is adorable. Hope the dog plans work out well for everyone.
Tazj
I’m sorry that’s a lot of loss. I’m happy you found Sully and everyone is getting along. I’ve always liked black cats since my family had one when I was little.
It’s good you’re involved in the local school board race, we need some sane people to counter the loons.
sab
@satby: Jeez. What a five years you have had.
Omnes Omnibus
I have this afternoon free. I think the Bond movie and then a run. You kids play nice.
TaMara (HFG)
I had the wrong link for Sully’s background…here’s his first post. I’ve fixed up top. https://whats4dinnersolutions.com/2021/08/11/welcome-to-the-family/
Raven
We’’re on our first beach trip since Bohdi died and I have to say, Artemis is a pleasant surprise. I thought she be timid down at the water but she is mesmerized by birds to the point that she doesn’t even notice other dogs. She’s loving long walks with my wife and crashing on the sofa. If it were not for the 15-20 mph winds and the tear gassing from the red tide it would be perfect. Since I can’t fish I went to the Man in the Sea Museum and it was really interesting. I have a buddy who has been deep sea diver since the 70’s and I really didn’t know much about it except they are fucking crazy!
https://maninthesea.org/
Raven
@Omnes Omnibus: George Bond is the name of the guy most instrumental in the Sea Lab program. He was an MD from Bat Cave NC! The father of saturation diving! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_F._Bond
FelonyGovt
Nice to hear from you, TaMara, and I’m so sorry about your losses. But thrilled about Sully and about a new TJ Wilde. Can’t wait to see what L.A. locations you use!
Comrade Colette
So sorry for all the loss, and also glad to see new critters!
We’ve had coyotes hanging out for the past few days – they woke us up again with the pre-dawn howling in our front yard this morning – so our cats are staying indoors. They hate it and have not ceased letting us know how disappointed they are in us. (We live in a completely urbanized area of San Francisco.)
Nicole
@TaMara (HFG): What a lovely post! Reading it made me remember my first job post-college; the woman I worked for adopted a full Burmese a few months after I started. Chocolate brown, named Lewis (originally part of a pair, Lewis & Clark). He was A TALKER. Drove her business partner nuts because the cat wouldn’t shut up. Nice to know the Bombay isn’t quite as chatty. I adored that Burmese, though.
O. Felix Culpa
So happy to hear from you. You’ve been missed. I love Sully–along with the rest of the menagerie–and am more than a little jealous. My allergies won’t allow for cats in the house, although I love them. Sigh. Will have to enjoy kitties vicariously, so post as often as your life allows.
No name
My heart is breaking for your losses. I especially loved Gabe; you could see the sadness and uncertainty in his eyes fade away the longer he was with you. Not to mention he was a gorgeous boy. Sully reminds me so much of our sweet Buddy, gone for over a year now. And the ducks…we had a small flock a few years ago and yes, I was unaware of their all too short lifespans.
catclub
@Raven: I
And then you have cave divers. Deep sea diving with claustrophobia. Crazier.
Kelly
Looking forward to Christmas where nearly all the grandchildren a vaccinated. The youngest is 4 he’ll still be unvaxed until March 2022.
My original whitewater crew is getting together for a raft trip the first time in 2 years tomorrow. Our first trip together was in 1981. Two of them just been cleared for action after hip replacements. We’re getting creaky but still creekin’ on!
VeniceRiley
Scout wants a dog sized cat, obviously.
Sully is handsome!
greenergood
Oh, I am so sad to read about all your losses, but especially Gabe – just the most beautiful boy (don’t tell my Cassie-girl). I’m so glad you’ve found a new Basement Cat overlord, but I will remember your photos of the beautiful Gabe.
Benw
Big hugs, TaMara. Sad to hear about your losses and pleased about your new loved ones.
eclare
So happy to hear from you! I am sorry to read about what sounds like an awful summer, but you are right, the heart does mend. Looking forward to hearing more about Sully and the Thanksgiving arrival as your schedule allows.
CaseyL
TaMara, it is wonderful to hear from you, even when the news is sad. So many losses in such a short amount of time! But you gave Maddie, Mabel and Gabe their very best possible lives, particularly after such rocky starts. I think there is no better mitzvah than rescuing the helpless and giving them a joyful, loving life (of whatever species).
(I didn’t know that about duck lifespans, either. I don’t keep ducks, but I know people who do. I hope they’re aware of the limited lifespan, and don’t freak out if large numbers of their flocks start dying!).
Congrats on acquiring a House Black Panther! Sully is very handsome, I love how he’s made himself at home already. Does Scout think he’s all that? Considering how enamored she was with the photo of a black cat at the vet?
And I look forward to hearing about the new Dane, whether Great or Saint.
Let me say again: So good to hear from you.
Juju
TaMara, I’m so sorry to hear about all the loss. It’s hard to take and the hardest part about having critters, but as you say, the heart does mend. I’m looking for another rescue after my beautiful red curly golden retriever died in April. It’s been hard. I’m glad things are looking brighter for you, and to hear from you.
I’m old enough to know it’s Gladys Kravitz, not Agnes. Sorry to be so nitpicky, but I can’t help myself.
satby
@sab: Thanks, but it was at least expected. And not concentrated in one summer as Tamara suffered through. But I’m a big believer in the healing power of saving another animal when one has gone.
Gravenstone
@TaMara (HFG): He’s a beautiful boy, and I’m glad you two found each other. Especially with the first pic of the post showing Scout all “mom, mom – I want one of these! can I get one, please?”
MazeDancer
No chance when what you’re talking about is love. And giving your Bombay Boi a chance at not just love, but a relatively perfect life, is indeed paying great honor to Gabe.
TaMara (HFG)
@Juju: OMG, You are correct, it was Aunt Agnes!! I shall fix.
Raven
@catclub: Ozark
Betty Cracker
That’s a lot of loss in a short time. I’m so sorry.
SiubhanDuinne
@Raven:
Ha! Exactly what I was thinking!
cain
Black cats are the BEST! I got two of em, and I love them to death. :-)
Yutsano
Oh so wonderful to hear from you sweet spirit. I am sorry you have gad to experience so much loss, but hopefully the salve that you gave all of them their best life will help ameliorate the pain.
Oh goodness Sully is a handsome boy! And thank you so much for rescuing a black kitteh. They can be hard to place in shelters and often are on the destroy list.
Proper authoritahs were alerted. A black cat enthusiast who also had a recent health scare. I really need her sardonic wit back on here.
Dr. Daniel Price (Saint Vincent)
Now it can be told: I wanted to steal Gabe from the moment you posted the first image, and I therefore miss him although we never met.
TriassicSands
Oh, TaMara, so much loss. Life can really be a downer. I am so sorry.
Bixby, Maddie, Mabel, and Gabe. It’s too much.
Sigh, Gabe, 5 years old. From the first photo you posted of Gabe, I’ve always thought he had one of the handsomest faces I’ve ever seen on a cat. i volunteer at a no-kill shelter, so I see a lot of cats, but, to me, Gabe was truly striking. At the same time, I always felt like there was a kind of world-weary sadness to his visage. And a dignity. I’m partial to tabbies and loved his coat.
Walker
Just got back from a vet visit for my 14 year tortoiseshell. She has lymphoma and gets monthly vet visits. No chemo (apparently chemo does not significantly help cats with lymphoma). Just steroid treatments to keep her comfortable and keep her eating (without them her appetite crashes).
Thing is she has lived with lymphoma longer than anyone expected. When it was discovered the vet looked at the ultrasound and gave me a prognosis of 6 months. That was 20 months ago. And she is still going strong with no sign of major weight loss or lack of activity. Vet is baffled.
WaterGirl
@Walker: I had a dog with that issue and apparently there are kinds of lymphoma that respond really well to the steroid, and there are others that do not.
I don’t know if your vet did the testing, but apparently your cat has the kind that does. Very happy for you both.
Suzanne
TaMara, many hugs. We lost our Scout two weeks ago, and it is difficult and draining.
I am, like, existentially tired. I might need some comfort food when I get home.
Yutsano
Macaroni and cheese. Easy to put together, relatively quick, and usually is well received* by the family.
*I don’t recall if any of the Spawn are lactose intolerant.
creature_NYC
Sorry for all the loss. I know the grief well. I’m about a year out from the loss of my last kitty and still haven’t managed to start a new cat family. It was a rough go with her at the end. That said, welcome Sully! You may have inspired me to get back on the cat horse.
Old School
TaMara – My sympathies for your losses.
OT: The FDA has given approval for shots for 5-11 year olds. On to the CDC next week!
eclare
@Yutsano: Seconded. Great comfort food. That would make an interesting thread: what is your favorite comfort food?
Suzanne
@Yutsano: Well, I am on a train, and expect to get back into PGH around 8pm, so I am not cooking. I texted Mr. Suzanne and told him that I expect there to be food when I get home.
Mac and cheese is okay, but my very favorite comfort food is just a great plate of spaghetti and meatballs. If there’s Parmesan, parsley, and garlic bread, it’s just perfect.
When I was a kid, we used to go to this restaurant on Long Island called Christiano’s. It was the last place we ate before we moved away. It was my absolute favorite. I still have taste memory of that red sauce. Billy Joel apparently even mentioned it as the best Italian food in that part of the world. I looked it up, they closed a few years ago. Sounds like they had a pretty good run.
Suzanne
I just Googled Christiano’s. Apparently it is thought to be the inspiration for “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”. CRAZY. Apparently they were in business for 56 years.
eclare
@Suzanne: Wow! Great trivia!
CaseyL
My comfort food of choice depends on what I need comfort from.
For vicissitudes of life, it’s Mexican food, preferably nachos with guac
When I’m feeling crappy, like have-a-head-cold crappy, it’s Chinese food delivery. Specifically, pot stickers and wonton soup.
eclare
@CaseyL: Cold medicine for me is hot and sour soup.
Suzanne
@CaseyL: Yeah, a great plate of enchiladas, arroz rojo, y refritos is another comfort favorite.
rikyrah
TaMara,
I am so sorry for your losses. :( :(
Anonymous At Work
BFD ALERT:
Pfizer vaccine approved in 5 to 11 year olds. Should be available next week.
Anonymous At Work
BFD ALERT:
Pfizer vaccine approved in 5 to 11 year olds. Should be available next week.
Anotherlurker
@Suzanne: For several years, my friends and I were regulars at Christiano’s. My favorite item on the menu was the Baked Special with xtra meatball. Comfort food heaven!
Suzanne
@Anonymous At Work: HOT DAMN I just texted my husband.
Suzanne
@Anotherlurker: Awwww that makes me happy! God, it was so good. Absolutely my favorite restaurant when I was a kid. We went pretty regularly. Phoenix doesn’t have anything like it.
WaterGirl
@Suzanne: That news might just be better than even comfort food!
Soprano2
I swear Emma looks almost exactly like my late beloved Coco, who lived 20 years. I can see the differences, but boy when I first saw her I thought “Coco”.
Raven
Shit, we know Artie was horribly abused but she’s doing so well it’s still shocking to see how terrified certain things make her. It’s blowing so bad on the beach I took her to “The Truman Show” doc (where they shot the moon scene) just to throw a couple of spoons in the bay. She ran to the end of her leash and flipped on her back just shivering. I put her in the van with a ton of cookies and now we’re back at the condo and it seems that all is well. I gave her a bone but she just wants to curl up next to me.
dkinPa
Thanks for the update. Very rough summer. May their memories be a blessing. Congrats on getting lovely Sully!
Jeffro
hey, um, Gary Abernathy (the Post’s man of the people!) has outdone himself this time: it’s actually President Biden’s fault that Republicans are still rallying around trumpov.
Republicans have NO agency, none whatsoever, and don’t you forget it, libs!
(and yes, I have alerted the NY Times Pitchbot =)
debbie
So sorry to read about your losses, but glad to read of your productiveness book-wise!
David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch
Thanks for checking in.
We ❤️ you and your family so much.
Thank you for giving Maddie, Mabel, Gabe, Bixby, and present day companions a good life. You’re a good mom.
schrodingers_cat
Basement Cat rules, pawsome kitteh. Sorry for all your losses of the furred and feathered kind. I am still not over losing my handsome, one and only boss kitteh!
J.
Man, you’ve had a rough go of it. I would be beside myself. But I’m glad to hear your heart is mending. Missed seeing your posts and glad to have you back, even if temporarily. Looking forward to hearing about the Thanksgiving addition.
Hoosierspud
One of our cats, Mommakitty, would jump up on the table and stick her head between the slats of the miniblinds whenever she heard the neighbors outside. We also called her”Mrs. Kravitz.” We considered telling the neighbors that it was our cat spying on them, not us, but we didn’t think they would believe it.
Mary
Tamara, so good to hear from you again. So sorry for your losses. I grieved for Bixby too. What a shock. And Gabe. Those beautiful eyes. Such precious little folks. And now you’ve given a home to little Sully who looks like such a gentleman kitty. You are a profoundly good person, Tamara.
John Cole
THE MORNING COMPLAINT IS YOU FUCKING AROUND WITH US AND NOT GIVING US THE LETTUCE.
SIGNED
NICK AND NORA
Yutsano
@Jeffro: I had a slight opinion there…
laura
Big BIG hug. It’s been a year.
Nancy
I’ve missed you. Understandable that you might feel a need to give yourself time.
TaMara (HFG)
Thanks for all the good thoughts…and sharing your love and loss stories.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
@catclub: Cave divers!?! I cannot even imagine. Must be adrenaline junkies because it is so dangerous
And TaMara, thank you so much for posting. I’m so sorry for your losses, and so pleased you now have Sully. He is SO handsome.