Show us your pets!

[Catrin]

She is so sweet, her personality just shines through the photos. Peace, indeed, to both of you. Your post and the pictures brought tears to my eyes.

[Rebecca19804]

((((Lisa)))) and special cuddle for Pearl. What a gorgeous BRAVE girl.
I am sitting here with the tears just streaming down my face. Lost my Maddie 4 months ago. Sometimes still feels like yesterday.

[bmccasland]

(((((Lisa and Pearl)))))
I can sympathize, Herald has good days and bad days. Today was a good day, he was a hungry little monster this morning. The bad days make me wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

Big hugs to everyone who's dealing with end-of-life for your fur-babies. It sucks.

[lph]

Lisa, Pearl is such a beauty! She looks like she has led a very happy and contented life.

[nancielle]

Sundial, So sorry about the loss of your beloved Colin. Despite his health concerns it sounds like he was a much loved (and loving) member of your family. You gave him something a lot of sick shelter dogs never get...a loving home. He chose his family well.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

(((((Lisa and Pearl)))))
I can sympathize, Herald has good days and bad days. Today was a good day, he was a hungry little monster this morning. The bad days make me wonder if I'm doing the right thing.
Big hugs to everyone who's dealing with end-of-life for your fur-babies. It sucks.

Wise words.
Yes, embracing beloved pets into our lives entails both the happy and the sad parts of life. As with most worthwhile things in life, we cannot have one without the other.

Pearl keeps fluctuating up and down- she really surprised me today by actually eating two tablespoons of food- more than she's eaten in several days. Every day her behavior changes unpredictably as well, and her habits of where she decides to spend each day- sometimes mighty strange (today's spot of choice was curled right on top of the toaster and also the microwave ) One day she wants to find every low hidden place dark she can, now she is seeking high exposed vantage points where she has never gone to before. We are trying to accommodate her as much as we can. There are little nesting spots made of heaped towels everywhere now, to encourage and offer her more comfy and reasonable resting spots.

As you noted- on the 'bad days' it makes you wonder and you get up in the morning half hoping they will have passed on peacefully during the night. But then they look up at you lovingly and purr and it makes another day's nursing care worthwhile again.
The good part in all this is knowing you have provided love and protection to these little innocent creatures and have given them as much happiness as you possibly could. This is the comfort we can hold onto.

[PamNY]

Sundial, I am sorry to read about Colin. So handsome. You write very eloquently about our relationship with our animals. Sometimes I have wondered why we do this to ourselves -- and then I'm eager to do it again. Because, as Colin was, they are so, so worth it.

[marni]

your main is a gorgeous girl. My heart goes out to you as I dealt with the same issue with our 20 year old cat this summer including the silent wish each morning that he would not be alive so I wouldn't have to watch him suffer another day, but then the purr and the greeting chirrup- I knew it was time when he quite eating and drinking entirely for a couple of days and spent his nights wandering and crying out to find the other kitties. I held him on my lap all night for two days before I could really face and accept that it was time. I am so sorry for your pain, but know that she is aware how much she is loved, and that it is the one kindness that we grant our animals that we cannot seem to grant ourselvs.

[sundial]

Lisa, your beautiful Pearl is a comforter, even in her struggle with her illness. She is strong in spirit and will remain with you for as long as she can. You are a very compassionate, caring mom who will know when to release her when the time comes. She will let you know. As the day draws to an end, may you both continue to share in the little victories and the small pleasures of life.

[sundial]

I can sympathize, Herald has good days and bad days.

Oh Beth, I'm so sorry that you are having to struggle with this too. Please know that you are near in my thoughts as you walk this path. (((((Beth))))))

[Possegal]

I haven't had a pet for nearly 2 yrs. In 2006 I had to put down the first cat that was mine and mine alone, rather than a family pet. She was my best little buddy, with me through my getting my PhD, then moved back north with me and was by my side for so many of life's ups and downs. At one point, she and I had to take in my Mum's cat, when Mum died. She never liked him, but never stopped loving me. He's the cat in my avatar and I had to put him down in Jan of 2009. At first I couldn't bear to get another one, then I had so much house renovation going on that it seemed bad timing. Then I think I got scared that I wouldn't be as lucky as I had been with my other two cats.

But today, I brought home with me two cats that I met at an adoption event last Sunday. They are fostermates, though not littermates. Boy and girl, with no names yet. Have to come up with something. The woman fostering them even said - please promise me you'll change their names from the ones the shelter gave them. She doesn't photograph as adorable as she is in person. Her fur is orange and gray, but when you take the photo, the orange doesn't seem to show up. ETA - I added another photo that shows her colors a bit better.

[Catrin]

Possegal, those are beautiful cats and congratulations on the new additions to your home!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Possegal, how good of you to take in those two lucky happy kitties who so desperately needed a loving home!
They look like the perfect pair. How sweet! They will bring you so much joy.

[bmccasland]

Possegal - they're so cute! Congradulations on your new fur family.

[sundial]

But today, I brought home with me two cats that I met at an adoption event last Sunday. They are fostermates, though not littermates. The woman fostering them even said - please promise me you'll change their names from the ones the shelter gave them.

Possegal, how wonderful for you! What a wonderful opportunity that came at the right time. And not one but TWO special kitties nonetheless. Their new names will come to you as their personalities emerge. I believe that rescues like having a new name to go with their new lifestyle.