Mondays With Meredith Ann

Oh, those were the days my friends

I thought they would never end

Do you know that song ?

What a Purrfect Summer I had.

Like the wind blew in over night.

Fall has arrived.

My porch is wet.

I can't go outside like I want.

(I've asked Mom to remodel the house for me.

Add an awning or something to the porch area

so I can go outside during the wet and cold season.

I'm going to go stir crazy if I have to stay

inside with my other Purr Brothers and Sister.)

Luckily for me, we have the beach place.

It does have the over hang on the deck.

I can sit outside on it and not get wet.

Even though Mom says I should come in.

I don't.

She gets me after a while.

She's just that way.

That's why I like her.

This last weekend, we sat in the rocking chair.

Just her and me.

I purred my heart out.

She heard me.

It's love I tell ya.

Mom says I'm healing her soul.

(She's still sad about losing Bella.)

Ah, it's nothing Mom.

I'm here for you but you better get working

on that deck for me.

Til Next Week,

This is,

~ Meredith Ann ~

Maddy Jean

Maddy Jean is eating !!!

I bought cans of Cesar dog food.

She loves it.

We are at the beach this weekend.

I was doing fine until I gave Maddy Jean a bone.

My girls would sit and I'd give Bella a bone first.

Since she was the oldest.

And, Maddy Jean would get hers after her sissy.

Now, I give out one bone.

Maddy Jean still waits a moment for her sissy.

It's getting better.

It is.

I went in the bathroom an bawled my eyes out.

I'm going on two weeks now .. almost.

It's just that her chair that she sat in is empty.

It's so quiet.

I didn't know she made so much noise.

It's a new life for us.

Maddy Jean and I.

We brought Meredith Ann with us.

She seems to know that I'm sad.

She's a smart one.

And, this will get better.

I know it will.

And, it was.

It's just those little things

that catch you and

 you realize that your heart is not healed.

I am broken.

I am without my Dear Sweet Bella.

And, if you can't tell,

I'm still annoyed as hell at the Universe

for taking my Sweet Bella away.

(put in all sorts of words

and imagine an old lady

yelling at the world)

~ JC ~

It's Been A Week



Sweet Bella as a baby



It's been a week since my Sweet Bella past away.

I am doing better.

Maddy Jean is too.

She still isn't eating though.

Had her checked at the vet and everything is ok.

So, I'm just trying new things to get her to eat.

Tuna juice over her food worked yesterday.

The weather has been nice lately.

Warm enough to sit outside with Maddy Jean.

Meredith Ann spent most of the day with us.

I attach her to her leash and then to the baby sitter.

(a rope attached to a shovel)

It works great.

She's the only cat that will allow me to do this.

She is so mellow.

A lot is going on around here.

Getting both my human kids packed.

My son is going to college for his freshmen year.

My daughter is transferring to a new one for her Junior year.

Both are going where there will be very cold Winters.

(we get a bit of snow but not a lot like they will get)

So, that is my update.

My soul is healing.

I look at the clouds and think of Bella.

She loved life.

She would want me to go on.

To enjoy each day.

Will I get a new dog or puppy ?

I'm not sure.

For now, I will enjoy Maddy Jean.

If she continues to be lonely, I might.

~ JC ~

Thank You

Thank You

to KC at the Cat Blogosphere

for making this for me and Bella.

Sabrina Isabella was ten years old on June 21st.

She was my birthday present.

I always told her she was the best

chocolate that I'd ever had.

Thank You to all of you

who have left comments.

I will try to visit your blogs

sometime next week.

It has helped my soul to know

that so many of you

understand what I am feeling.

The loss is so great

that it is hard to breath.

Maddy Jean and I are doing better today.

We're sticking together like twins.

Again, Thank You

and I hope you have

a Purrfect Weekend.

Bella would want that.

~ JC ~

Sabrina Isabella

Update ~ At 3:12 pm

Sabrina Isabella

went to sleep.

I just left Bella at the vet.

If you could all say a prayer or just a wish

that it's just old doggie illness

and not the terrible posibilities

that were told to us.

I would really appreciate it.

I'm trying to be brave.

She isn't just a dog.

She's my dear sweet daughter.

Not good.

Not good at all.

Just keep her in your thoughts today.

I'll know more this afternoon.

~ JC ~

Someone Has A New Toy

Maddy Jean loves her toys.

This new addition is a Dalmatian puppy.

My daughter, when she was young,

got several of these as gifts.

They were very loved.

Later put up on shelves to look at from afar.

Now, after almost twenty years,

they are being donated or thrown out.

This one was given to the puppy toys gang.

Maddy Jean has always needed

something to have in her mouth.

She greets everyone with a toy

and a wiggle.

Even though she's going on eight

(don't tell her she's not a puppy anymore)

she still has toys and enjoys them

like she did on the first

day she came to my home.

This dog/puppy is an absolute love.

My love.

She took my heart the moment I saw her.

~ ~

I knew what I wanted.

Someone similar to my other Golden

but not exactly the same.

Did I ever get that.

Maddy Jean is full of life.

Always wants me to be with her.

Always wants to be with me.

I know that's the same thing

but I had to say it so you got

that she needs to have

someone with her at all times.

If not me, than her sister, Bella.

~ ~

So, on this eventful Friday

I hope you enjoy

your Dear Cats & Dogs.

I know I will be.

~JC~

(Maddy Jean's full name is

Madeleine Eugenie.

She has a big pedigree.

Wanted to make sure her hips

and eyes would be good.

My other Golden, Sandra Dee, had

trouble with those. )

Mondays With Meredith Ann

This week I helped Mom unpack.

Like a proud snoopervisor,

I posed by my newly scratched box.

Mom was lucky enough to get this photo

of me doing the kitty cat

stretch and scratch.

Jasmine Marie had to stop and stare.

She couldn't believe my talents.

What does she know ..

 she's a silly Snowshoe Siamese.

While Mom & I were busy,

Bella was snoozing with her toys.

Mom says she's dreaming

 of when she was a puppy.

As you can see,

 my work is never done.

I think I might have to join Bella.

Til next week,

This is

~ Meredith Ann ~

Thankful Thursday

Sedona

I was thinking early this morning about things.

You know how that happens.

 Early noise wakes you.

Too early to get up but your mind starts to go.

I always say a mini prayer.

 My own version.

That starts the day.

Nothing big just what I'm thinking.

(I grew up going to church six days out of seven.)

I always wish for good health for my family.

I go through the list.

Hoping that Riley eats more.

That Bella keeps going on like she has been.

That Maddy Jean keeps being puppylike
 and never grows old.

I hope for the big four cats to lose a bit of weight.

That Meredith Ann gets brave.

That the three humans in the group stay healthy.

That the stress in their lives eases a bit.

I then think of myself.

Hoping that today is a good day for me.

(That I am not in a lot of pain.
 That I get things done.
That the peace I look for visits.)

 I do my mini prayer that I learned as a child.

I'm just saying it to myself

in the hope that it will happen.

The good things for those around me.

A peaceful path.

I wish for that a lot.

Peace.

Since I woke up five years ago from my coma,

I've felt like I was on borrowed time.

Long story short ... I was not supposed to be here.

I have felt great peace the last month or so.

Making big decisions that were hard.

I think they have made me calmer.

Knowing that I did what was right.

Anyway, I thought I'd tell you about this morning.

That for just a bit I was scared.

For what could happen.

My Purr Gang is getting older.

I know that Bella is in a holding pattern
 that will soon end.

Maddy Jean is only two years younger.
I kind of want things to freeze in motion.

I'll take the pain of today and make it be good.

And, that is what I was thinking about today on
Thankful Thursday.

I am so very Thankful for all that I have.

I'm just a bit scared for when it may change.

~ JC ~

Mondays With Meredith Ann

Yes, I look at mice.
I play with them too.
Until the yellow dog took it.
Why did Mom get her ?

She had her own toy

and still was found chewing mine.

Later she was napping.

Like nothing happened.

I know something is going on.

Mom has her suitcase out.

She told me that she's going

 to Sedona, Arizona.

Is she taking the dogs ?

~ Meredith Ann ~

(Mom says I'll be ok.

Mr. Boatman & son are

going to watch over me

while Mom is on her

mini vacation)



The Purr & Fur Gang

I have birds that whistle.

The crickets sing all night.

Rain pours.

Bits of sun shines in  between.

My Golden sits on the deck.

Moist or not.

Comes in very happy.

Bella being older knows

not to sit out there too long.

Maddy Jean is still a puppy

even if she's almost eight.

Meredith Ann has been

combed a lot due to her

long furs making clumps.

I now know why they had

shaved her furs off

at the rescue place.

Jasmine has been running

around like a bunny rabbit.

Riley seems to be playing

catnip mouse all the time.

Big Al loves to nap.



Ashton mews to me as he

moves his toys around.



Oh, and coffee was really

good this morning.

~ JC ~

Mondays With Meredith Ann

I know .. I look amazing.

Mom took this photo of me

sitting on my cabinet

in my room.

(She calls it the bonus room.)

I've been busy helping Mom.

The Fur Gang

has been playing in the snow.

(Yes, even we got some.)

It seems to be flaking

a lot the last couple of weeks.

Maddy Jean loves to play in the snow.

Bella likes to come inside.

I even got to go for a walk

on the wild side.

Mom got me in quick.

(I wasn't supposed to go out.)

Hope you all stay warm.

~Meredith Ann ~

Friday With Some of The Purr & Fur Gang

Riley being cute.

 He sits and waits for the birds.

I drink my first cup of coffee and he gets pets.

It's our Mom and baby boy thing that we do.

Jasmine was up early today.

She is a late sleeper usually.

She sat next to me and followed me

around while I let the dogs in and out

and refilled my coffee.

She is the best Siamese ever.

Maddy Jean likes to go outside and sit on the deck.

No matter how cold it is.

Today she lasted ten minutes.

And, the windows need to be washed

but it's too cold to do it.

Bella was snoozing in the hallway.

She isn't much for going out when it's cold.

Even though Maddy Jean would love to have

 her come out with her.

My dear sweet Bella is old now.

Naps alot.

Her dementia is worse but her

other ailments are better.

I'll take my Bella any way I can.

~~~

Hope you have a fun weekend.

I'm going to our vacation place for a few days.

Still packing boxes and getting ready

 for my big move.

Have a Fabulous Valentine's Day !!!

Treat yourself to some chocolate.

If you can't do it then

when can you ...

~ JC ~



My Sweet Bella

Update ~ Bella is home from the spa.

 Good News on both fronts.

The bladder lining has improved.

Yeah for the meds !!!

The two tumors look benign.

No surgery needed.

Those ears well they are bad as can be.

The price was

oh let's not talk about that.

My Bella is home !!!!

My sweet Bella is at the spa today.

Sometimes known as the V E T.

Being sedated for a fancy x ray.

A look see of sorts.

She's been on her meds for four months.

The ray will tell us if they helped.

Will also let us know if it is cancer.

Which was the other possibility.

She's also getting her two tumors poked.

We'll know if they are benign or not.

Add in ear cleaning and a toe nail clip.

You have a lovely day at the spa ... V E T.

One can only imagine what this will cost.

That's what money is for .. right.

I'll pick her up later this afternoon.

My sweet Bella.

Old Dogs

I'd like to tell you what I did today. I'd like to say that putting up the holiday decorations was fun. Me dusting the mantle and arranging the candles .. the fancy ones that are kept in the china cabinet. Some from my Mother and others from years upon years.  My dining room table has quite the assortment of reindeer and ice skating figurines. The pizza order was made on line no less. The two boys drove to get it.

 As I went to find my next candle holders, thinking that I would put 'need more candle holders' on my gift list, I counted my dogs. One. Not two but one. Where was Bella ? Did we leave her outside ? I remember seeing her walk past the dining room windows a bit ago. Could she still be out there ? It's kind of cold out and they don't like to be out there for too long. I opened the door and called her name. Nothing. I clapped my hands in their known pattern. Yes, I clap a pattern for them. Still ... nothing. I walked across the icy deck to see if she was in the woods.

 It was then that I saw her. Sitting next to the hot tub. She looked lost. I called her name and told her to come. She looked away. I came closer. She tried to hide even more. I called her again while looking at those icy steps. She came just a few steps and gave me the 'who are you' look. I knew she was gone in her world. Lost to what she knows. My old dog. My puppy who is lost. I knew what to do. I got the bones from the kitchen. Walked back outside to where she was hiding. I showed her the bones by leaning over the balcony as far as I could ... still trying not to go on those steps.

 It's then that it happened. She remembered the bones. Not me though. She followed the bones all the way to the door. As she came in, she forgot why she had come in. I called her name and she turned her head. I gave her the two well deserved bones. She's coming in and out of remembering her life. My dear sweet old dog.

So, today will be remembered as many things. The day we brought out the holiday boxes from the attic. The day we laughed about things found in them. I will remember that today was the day that I realized that my dog is on her way. I have tried to repair her for years. This surgery and that. She takes pills every day for her 'maybe bladder cancer'. I pretend it's just cause.

Only today I can't pretend. I know. Today I know I'm going to lose her. I think it's just a matter of time. Damn ...

~ JC ~

Mondays With Meredith Ann

I went on a walk in the back yard.

Mom put me in a blue harness.

It has an almost matching leash.

(a girl needs to look fancy no matter where she goes)

Maddy Jean & Bella came with me.

I had a grand time.

When I headed for the old azalea,

Mom picked me up.

Later, Mom had to pick things

out of my floof.

Now, I know first paw what goes

on out in the wooded world

that we live in.

Today, we woke to white flakes

falling from the sky.

Mom says there's no way

I'm going out today.

We will see ...

Til next week. This is

~ Meredith Ann ~

Oh, and a

Happy Thanksgiving

to all you

Wild Kitty Cats

I can do this ...

These are the flowers that were sitting on my table when I got home from my Birthday Weekend. My daughter had left a few hours before me and I was more than thrilled to see these welcoming me home. The baking shop item will make pecan bars. I love pecan pie so this will be something to make on the next cold day.

My birthday was so much fun. I'm really too old for this kind of thing. Went to the mall and looked around. Ended up getting some opal earrings to go with the necklace that Mr. Boatman had shocked me with last December.

I brought my sand dollars home. Have them in a bag for now. Will be putting them in a location soon.

My dog, Bella, isn't do well at all. If you remember, she had that nasty infection and hematoma in her ear. She's still on meds for that. Done with the prednizone though which we thought was the cause of her moistening problems. I found out yesterday that my Bella also has a bad bladder infection. She is on meds for that and the lab results ... yes, more money spent on that very expensive lab ... will return later this week. Vet said he hadn't seen anything that bad in forever.

We are supposed to go camping for a few days. The girls were going to their spa location. Now, I don't know if I should leave her there. The campground also called yesterday ... yesterday was the day for things ... and a tree is about to fall and they took away our campsite on the river. They left a message that they relocated us to another site. We looked on line and it's not on the water but in the back woods listed as walk in only. So, we are trying to decide what to do. Also, the nice weather is now cloudy so the camping trip will be just a bit chilly.

My migraines have been rather mean to me lately. And, I am being polite. My right side is in a fight for it's survival. I am dizzy. I can't see out of that eye .. that comes and goes ... due to the blurries. My throat freezes up and I talk weird. My face freezes and I can't move it. My leg goes numb. Then, it all goes back to normal to start all over again.

I keep trying to pretend that this is normal. It's not normal at all. I know most would go to a Dr. in a full speed run but not me. I've been to so many Dr's in my life. Most tell me it's all in my head ... which I know ... and I end up going to my car crying. Last time I did that I told myself never again. Also, Mr. Boatman's new job ... he's been there almost a year now ... has terrible insurance and I mean terrible. Even if I did go to a Dr. I'd be paying for the mri's and all the meds myself. So, I hope this is just migraines resulting from my coma. (I was told that my coma caused my headaches to be different but this is nuts ... cashew nuts ... and I'm not a squirrel)

So, as I watch my birds and yes, a few squirrels, I wonder if this could be my last birthday. I even said that out loud. I had such a nice time that I thought ... maybe there is a reason I'm having so much fun. And, if this was my last birthday .. man, it was a good one.

I just worry about my cats and my old dogs. I hope to continue on until they are gone. I'm just asking for ten or so more years. Baby Kitty Riley would be fourteen. Am I being greedy ? Yes, I am.

I figured that I got another chance when I woke up from my coma. It's been almost five years of me fighting to survive. To relearn to walk and talk and get most of my memories back. Fighting the constant things that continue to happen to me. I know deep inside that I am running out of time. At least it feels like it this time. So, if I don't blog as much as I used too ... just know that I am trying ... to hang on ... to keep on going.

I sit here in the woods with my fabulous purr gang and my two adorable dogs. I will win. I am a survivor. This headaches will go away. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

~ JC ~