April 2010

[Honeylioness]

Honeylioness - 04/01/10 09:45 AM

I am trying not to get my hopes up or be too optimistic about what the Vet may say tonight. I gave the whole reason for this on my web page under Random Thoughts - David d'Khat. I would like to think that I could give this poor old warrior a few final years in comfort, but it may turn out to be only a few days. Either way - I wonder if perhaps I should not have named him yet, but on the other hand I just know I could not have stood by and watched him die a long slow death on the streets. So if I do have to decide it is in his best interest to let him cross the rainbow bridge now I need to feel that for him I made the most humane choice possible.

This is one of those times that I really hate being such a soft hearted push over deep inside.


beingthriftyisnifty - 04/01/10 10:20 AM

Honeylioness,[/b] I know its hard, particularly in regards to a stray, but I think you are doing the right thing for him. I would hope that he will make it many years in comfort with you, but if he can not, you have done the right thing by him.


3catslady - 04/01/10 12:14 PM

Honey;[/b] for the dishcloth, it takes me about an hour to crochet, but for the total package it takes around 5-6 hours total. If you use Lily's "Sugar and Cream" or Pisgha's "Peaches and Cream", the directions are on the inside of the wrapper for the dishcloth. The other 2 pieces are my own design. I use a size "G" crochet hook or larger.

Honey (2); What ever you do for David will be good for both of you. I lost the little one that I was feeding. I haven't seen him/her for at least 3 weeks or a month. I was able to pick him/her up, but with 3 cats in my room already, I just couldn't add another one, and now I feel very upset with myself because he/she could have had a warm home and company. But as I said, 3 cats in my one room is plenty.


dakota4600 - 04/01/10 12:18 PM

Honey-[/b] Sounds like a very sad situation with David. At least you are able to give him comfort and a good home for the time he has left.


Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - 04/01/10 12:20 PM

honey,[/b] Oh, I do, do hope for David d'Khat. They are so resilient. Perhaps some antibiotics and a de-worming, but you know, if his heart is good, it's amazing how cats survive crazy things. BFF and her DH found a half-frozen orange and white tabby at their barn one winter. For four days, touch and go. They kept Cluseau (Inspector Cluseau if you please! Open-mouthed) right on the hearth of their big stone fireplace, and fed him with drops of mashed food, etc. Well! Nine years later, a happier, more handsome big cat could hardly be found. DSis's adopted was found in an apt. in NYC in a closet, had been without food and water for ? Well! Six years later, Samm E. Cat lives the good life pampered within an inch, in his Atlanta fiefdom, having the time of his life.


shanendoah - 04/01/10 02:07 PM

honey[/b]: Whatever decision you make, you are showing David love and kindness and making sure that he is not alone in the world. That's a wonderful gift, regardless of how long it lasts.

[Honeylioness]

Angel 33 - 04/19/10 06:07 PM


R.I.P Old Man Dog. You were my best fur face. You gave me so much unconditional love. You will never be forgotten.



I got home around 4:15 this evening. The kids said their goodbyes to him. I got out his leash. When OMD was healthy he would dance all around and bark like crazy. He loved walks. He would just go nuts. Today he just wagged his tail when he felt the leash go on. We got to the vet and the vet checked him over. He agreed I was making the right decision. He said he could give him drugs to prolong his life for another few months if I want but that he didn't have much longer. Once the final decision was made he said that if it was his dog he would do the same thing. He took OMD out and put the IV in. Then he gave me time to say my goodbyes. I held him on my lap and stroked his ears, his head, his back, rubbed his belly. I reminded him of the very first time we met. He wore a red bandana around his neck. His owner had just groomed him. He was prancing around his back yard and came right up to the fence to meet me and lick my hand. We were best friends from that day on. I would go pet him everyday through the fence and play fetch with him. Then I asked his owner if I could take him on walks and she agreed. Soon she wanted to get rid of him and I jumped at the chance to have such a wonderful pet. He was always so energetic, full of so much love.

I talked to him about what a good sport he was to go through all the moves we had to do throughout the years.

Then the vet came in and I told him we were ready. OMD went very quickly. I held him the whole time. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I still haven't stopped crying even though I know it was for the best.

I did choose to have him cremated and have his ashes returned to me. I want a piece of him to be with me always. He was my best fur face...



Big Yellow Dog is confused. He is laying at my feet. He isn't sure what is going on but knows that his momma is completely heartbroken.


Thanks for all of your support.


SES_Books - 04/19/10 08:23 PM

Angel--everything you said applied to my last time with TJ and as I write this his little box of ashes is sitting beside me in the desk, in the same cubicle he would nap in. It really helps when we have such good memories.


Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - 04/19/10 08:55 PM
[/b]
Angel, Oh my gosh. Happy Cat and SES_ will be devastated for you. Yet, it is what was called for, a last gift. Angel, there will not be a dry eye on our thread, tonight. Oh brave Old Man Dog, you were loved and adored. Now you are greeting our best buddies on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Well. There is not the right icon for torn apart.


Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - 04/19/10 08:59 PM[/u]

Pet Ladies, It never gets easier, does it? I am thinking of DS, big, strong and if anything, cynical, who by his own admission "wailed like an I.talian grandmother" at the vet's when their bunny, Stu, was called over the Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts are heavy, unbearably heavy for you all, Angel.


shanendoah - 04/19/10 11:19 PM [/u]

Pets: No, it never gets easier. Our Smokey also knew something was wrong when we lost Moree. He curled up between DH and I as we both cried and cried. His behavior changed a bit, too, as he missed his friend. Having the puppy has helped, but I will never stop loving or missing my fuzzy.


HappyCat41 - 04/20/10 12:49 AM

Angel: Your words of love for Old Man Dog are moving beyond belief. I've been crying all day and I'm still crying! All I can say is hang in there and give your human kids lots of hugs to help them through. Old Man Dog KNEW he was loved from the start...at the end...and every minute in between. That's all the world's coolest dog could've really asked for isn't it? Good job, Human!!


HappyCat41 - 04/20/10 12:54 AM

SES: I haven't been on this thread for a couple of months so I missed TJ's passing. I am SO sorry to hear that you lost your wise and sweet buddy!! I loved hearing the stories of TJ and Onyx and couldn't wait to get back to this thread next month! See you over the bridge, sweet man!


Angel 33 - 04/20/10 06:05 AM


Well it is morning. I didn't sleep well last night at all. Big Yellow Dog slept on the floor by my bed where OMD used to sleep. He was there for me whenever my hand fell off the side of the bed looking for a ear to rub. I keep expecting to hear OMD's nails on the tile. He used to follow me wherever I went. I tripped over him daily because he was always following me.


Although the night was hard I do wake up knowing I did the right thing. I loved him and just couldn't continue to ask him to hang on until I was ready.


So I will pull myself up, jump in the shower, and soldier on knowing he is waiting for me.


cdarrow26 - 04/20/10 07:25 AM[/u]

Angel My heart's broken for you...You did the right thing. It is never easy, but, it does get better with time. Left hugHugsRight hug I sobbed after reading your post last night, which caused both of my doggies to jump in my face with their noses in my eyes, nose and mouth (cuz they HATE when I cry), which really didn't help much, but I gave them super big hugs and snuggles. OMD has some wonderful, loyal, loving pets to meet up with in the Rainbow Bridge. How are the kids doing? Did you know that there is a kids book about The Rainbow Bridge? My mom actually bought it for me after I lost my one kitty suddenly several years ago. It is a really lovely book. Maybe it would help them...

[Honeylioness]

22 April 2010[/b]


Honeylioness - 04/22/10 12:40 PM

Speaking of funds ... I have none. After depleting my savings to almost nothing paying off the insurance premiums, the light bill, the gas bill and a bill I "forgot" was past due ... and raiding my coin jar for groceries I am in single digits in my checking account and there is barely the money in savings to pay for Vermont ... and yes ... with all the other demands on my funds I have not even registered for the quilt show .. at this rate I will not be able to afford it and will actually miss the show my quilt is competing in.

But I am scared spitless to register. What if my car dies? I get sick? A window gets broken - I will have no cash on hand to deal with it.

The stress is affecting my digestive system and sleep patterns and I feel as though I spend most of the day swallowing back the panic.

Which is one of the reasons I have not been so active here the last couple of weeks.

Of course stress over the Quilt Show
honeylioness.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=quilting&thread=156

Worrying about David
honeylioness.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=thoughts&thread=152&page=1

And an earlier eruption of Mt. Honey at Anne probably are not helping either.

honeylioness.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=annet&thread=146&page=1

Oh, and I am supposed to work the Sheep Shearing Festival on Saturday, in costume and guess what? The dress either shrank or I have gained weight. My corset no longer fits and the dress looked like H#LL when I tried in on over my new fat body. I really want to just crawl into bed and not emerge for a few weeks.

Sorry to be such a downer today.


nitza19 - 04/22/10 01:09 PM

Honey - What a big load of frustration for one person to carry! Is there any way you can get out of the sheep shearing thing? Even one less ball to juggle might help. Unless they want to pay you, of course, and then you can use the money toward Vermont But I have a feeling it might be one of those volunteer things, and you've been giving an awful lot lately. Maybe you deserve a break. And a margarita


SES_Books - 04/22/10 04:12 PM

Honey--Don't get down on yourself. Your budget has taken a big hit since Anne's arrival that you have just absorbed. In a few short months that will change. As much as you don't want to do it there are times that it is appropriate to use a credit card. I hope you will get to attend your quilt show. I can see how frustrating working on the committee would be for someone as organized and together as you. Good juju for the meeting tonight. Give David time. Feral cats require much patience, especially those who are adult cats. I think you are making excellent progress all things considered. Give yourself some credit for what you have accomplished.

As for the dinner conversation, feel good for expressing a viewpoint that they had never considered. Perhaps a "forceful" delivery made the content sink in a bit more. I think most Americans are so intent on allowing others respectful differences of opinion that many visitors don't often see deeply held personal opinions. (I wonder what their explanation of the German treatment of Turkish immigrants/guests would be) Hang in there!


spruby - 04/22/10 09:40 PM

Honey - totally congrats on your quilt getting in - I saw the pic you posted & showed my DH and we were both like WOW what a super talented person. I hope you can go see it in the show - and more importantly - cut yourself a bit of a break on your commitments - take time for you - I've been there with money (before & after DH - we're better now) and worry over money can be as wearing as chronic pain. It was amazing as I had less money all the things I found time to worry about. Now that the weather is nice - can you have a small yard sale (assumes things to sell of course) and raise a little cash cushion? or craigslist?

[Honeylioness]

MittenKitten - 04/15/10 06:37 PM


Question of the Week: [/b] Do you think your health/weight and your finances are related?

Challenge of the Week: Make a plan to do something healthy in your life on a consistent basis.



Honeylioness - 04/16/10 11:08 AM

QOTW:[/b] On some level yes. For many people who have no money for anything aside from food and shelter one of the first things they tend to stop doing are checkups, dental cleanings etc. Which eventually will lead to conditions requiring even MORE of the resource they didn't have enough of in the first place.

For myself I think that how I feel about my weight does affect my spending habits and views about money. At times I get rather depressed and may still find myself trying to smother that feeling with some "shopping therapy". However since joining this group I am much better at hitting the Pause Button to ask myself WHY I want this or that and will it leave me short financially for another want ...say ....oh... food? Then I can tell myself NO or at least cut way back. I am also struggling with wanting to do something about the weight but feeling constrained financially in not being able to pay for group program and then feeling as though I do not have the personal discipline to do anything solo.

Ah well - probably more than most of you wanted to know about this kitty cat.

COTW: This will take some more thought for me. While I intellectually know what I "should" be doing I need to find a way to make it something that doesn't feel like a punishment.



MittenKitten - 04/19/10 10:34 AM

Challenge of the Week:[/b] Okay I know I just posted one BUT this is turn your TV/screen off week so I am challenging everyone here to limit their screen time. (this could work well with last week's challenge of doing something healthy for yourself also)

Question of the Week: What is/was your most difficult spending habit to break? What surprised you the most about your habits when you looked at them? I used to go to the coffee shop 2-3 times a week now you figure that $4.50 drink times 3 times 52 weeks equals $702 a year! Now I go once or twice to McDonald's for a $2.00 and I think I may start making my own.



MittenKitten - 04/26/10 09:25 AM

Question of the Week (QOTW):[/b] It seems like many of us resort to food when we are upset. What do you do when you are upset? Are you trying to break this trend when it comes to your kids (if you have them?)

Challenge of the Week (COTW): IF you have an unhealthy trend when you are upset I challenge you to change that. Instead of reaching for the Ding Dongs, go for a walk or dance around.

Money Challenge of the Week: Take a $5-$10 bill out of your billfold and put it into savings. I also challenge you to get bigger bills when you go to the bank as you will think more before spending them. It is much harder to break a $50 for a $2 cup of coffee then a $5