Weekly Musings of the 25th - Mostly Tigger

 

And so all our company headed on their way on the weekend so we were suddenly missing our family.  It was a wonderful visit with two of hubby's brothers with their wives as well as my sister and her hubby.  Although I do have to admit that hubby and I were exhausted.  Being use to our quiet time having company did make us tuckered out pretty quickly.  We loved it but needed rest for the first couple of days after.  Not that we really got that as Tigger had not improved.

Oh, she was her usual bossy self and was eating and drinking as she normally did but no pooping.  I think part of it was that her butt was pretty violated at the vet.  She saw the vet last Friday with the first enema, x-ray and various other pokes and prods and then we had to keep careful watch to see if anything moved.  Another appointment Saturday morning in which another enema as well as x-ray and more poking and prodding.  On top the x-rays showed kidney stones too which was another blow.  We were still hopeful and on Monday there was yet another appointment for a cat who hadn't been in years this was a trauma.  She was eating well and drinking well and going pee no problem and acting her normal bossy self but no poop.  

It was stressful on us both because every time she came out to do her usual check on us, we went to check whether or not she did.  We were in touch with the vet but had to wait to Thursday for a fourth appointment.   Aside from no signs of poop from her everything else was pretty normal with no pain signs or anything.  Thursday was yet another awful appointment for her, this time she would have light sedation to work the blockage out plus other stuff.  We had to leave her there.  That was awful for hubby as Tigger is his girl through and through.  It was so sad when we picked her up.  She was stinky and miserable and barely awake.  We read the bill after we brought her home and saw all that was done including something that I am sure the assistant had done as what she thought was a helpful thing but to us it was another blow.  She cut Tigger's claws.  Now Tigger uses her claws to brace in her bed when she is washing herself and as an extra help when getting up on the footstool or other place she sleeps because her back legs are not as strong as they were and now she has nothing to help her beside her butt being violated repeatedly.

Having her look at me with that 'how could you?' look broke my heart and all I could say was that I was sorry.

They wanted her to be x-rayed again today and seen by yet another vet but this time we said no.  We would watch her, look after her and take it one day at a time but we were not going to put her through any more.  Not only because we didn't think it was fair to her to have her suffer through more but the cost was over $3,000 with the vet adding more and more costs each time.  

Both of us have agreed that if she recovers and poops like she always has then great but if she doesn't and still seems to be not getting better then we shall have to let her go.  It will be the hardest step but to put her through anymore would be cruel.  

 How could one tell that sweet face who is being put through so much that it is for the best?  They don't understand what is going on and all they know is that they hurt and it isn't stopping.  There is a vet in our area that does end of life home visits and we shall call them if and when the time comes but until then we are going to give Tigger the love and rest that she needs after those four trips to the vet.  

That was our week of full stress and worry.  If it comes to the rainbow bridge Tigger will be the very last pet we have.  I cannot make end of life choices for an animal anymore.  I have made enough of them in my life and Tigger is the last.  My heart cannot take another.  Hubby has said the very same thing, his heart cannot say good bye to another pet again.  

    
 

Weekly Musings of the 18th - Part 3

 

And so we come to the last part of hubby's birthday the 'No gifts gifts'  Hubby had said to everyone that he had no desire for any gifts as he had all the clothes and things that he could ever want.  All he wanted was to see his brothers and his SIL and their spouses.  

That was kinda out the window.  Everyone found the most fun gifts that he could ever have thought of.  

There were Happy 80th cards aplenty.  His brothers and their wives had a great sweatshirt, glasses and a wonderful carving made by one of the brothers.

Coca Cola of course

Now this correctly written is a French swear but 
broken down it is saying A Bag Rowing

Books from both sides

The carving in the back was by my dad 
and the face by his brother

Now when sister arrived with her hubby there was another bag as the Florida side of the family all wanted to send a little something.  

A favourite band from hubby's youth
(and beyond)

A shirt that says it all

And a hat to match

A niece

The purple card has a lovely note from the other niece. 

And so even though hubby said that no gifts were necessary these gifts just brought a smile to his face.  He loved each and every one of them and each and every moment with everyone.

Although he still doesn't smile much in the morning - LOL.  Happy birthday my love with all my heart. 

Yes he is. 

Weekly Musings of the 18th - Part 2

 

And so after the brothers and their wives spent the night at a nearby hotel and my sister and her hubby were well on their way to our place having crossed the border on Thursday night, Tigger came out looking in pain.  I watched her carefully as I spoke to a nearby vet who does house calls.  She was trying desperately to go poo without being able to.  She was blocked and constipated.  The vet said this was too much for them to do a house call and so I reached out to the vet service that Tigger had seen up until she was fixed which was such an awful experience for her (the surgeon vet and her being feral did not get along) she had not been back.  

The good news that came out during the call is that since it had been nearly 12 years since last she had been there was that all the staff had changed over.  I explained how feral Tigger was and what I thought was going on.  We had an appointment within the hour and so I sent texts to all that we had an emergency with a sick Tigger and had to go to the vet. 

Funny that one always learns a lesson during these things.  I had grown up always trying to make sure that everyone was taken care of, had what they needed, taken to interesting sights and stressed greatly if everyone had not been taken care of by me.  The brothers and their wives all went off and explored on their own and from what they said, they all had a great time exploring here and there in our area.  I did not have to do anything for anybody, that just dropped the stress and need to have hands on everything from my shoulders.  Hubby and I took Tigger to the vet, and watched as this new personal all took care of our feral cat to the point that she was completely calm with a mask over her face that covered her eyes.  She had x-rays, blood work, IVs, and of course an enema plus meds and after 2 and a half hours waiting while this was done we very carefully took her home with another appointment set for the next day, Saturday.  

Once home the family started gathering at our place getting ready to go to The Beach House for hubby's birthday dinner.  I had made the reservation under the family name so that if someone wasn't with us, they would know where to go without us.  While hubby was getting pictures of himself and his brothers my sister arrived too.

She and her hubby had driven up from Florida for this dinner for hubby's 80th.  

Another family group shot of sister and our hubbies.  

We had a great time with lots of laughter and memories before heading out to continue our wonderful family visit at the Beach House.  There are many wonderful restaurants in this area and all very good each in their own way but the Beach House sits on the beach in Port Dover at Lake Erie.  Whenever anyone from areas far away come for a visit this is the place to take them.  

Whether it was planned or not it worked out that we got to spend time with the brothers and their wives on Thursday and Friday and my sister and her hubby on Friday and Saturday, how perfect was that?  

Hubby said it was one of the best birthdays he has celebrated.  

We went to the vet the next day and it seems that the blockage had reduced by about half.  We are hopeful that Tigger is rounding the corner and on the way to being better.  

And being back in her rocker soon.  There is another appointment on Monday afternoon but we are hoping for a lot of progress before then.  

Saturday evening we went to my sister favourite place for wings - The Barrel so that she could enjoy them before they headed back on Sunday morning.  Robert's side were all heading back to their homes in the Ottawa area this day, Saturday.   

This morning my sister and her hubby were on the road for home and hubby and I went back to our usual Sunday routine and of course a much needed nap this afternoon - LOL.

Weekly Musings of the 18th - Part 1

 

This was hubby's birthday week and there was a lot going on and so there is no way I can do this blog in only one sitting.  Also, I think those that read my blog would like a break in-between everything.  Monday started with a few errands as we would be having six people visiting with us on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  There would be no time to do much else.  At least that is what we thought but Tigger also had plans that we had no clue was coming.  

Tuesday was my cleaning appointment with our dental hygienist at Polished Smiles and I have to say that it was so great to see Lianne again.  The temps that were working at my dental office just did not have her care and ability so I was a pretty happy camper after that visit.  

One morning I was getting ready for my morning walk and the sky was this red/orange colour but by the time I got downstairs and got walking the colour was gone.  I don't care to take pictures through screens but this one was worth it because it disappeared so quickly.  Wednesday was cleaning and laundry because of course nothing of that nature would happen once company arrived.  

Thursday morning before company arrived I picked up drinks and a little Norfolk gift bag idea.  

 In the late afternoon both of hubby's brothers and their wives arrived and it was wonderful to see them once more.  

Catching up on all that was going on in our lives and all the kids, grandkids, cousins and the like.  It was wonderful chatting and laughing over pizza and our favourite drinks like coke.  Seems all of us rarely drink anything stronger than ice tea, coke or ginger ale.  

At this point Tigger made herself vanish but we both could see she wasn't truly herself.  Something was wrong but the night ended with our guests going to the nearby hotel and us getting off to bed as the next day would be hubby's 80th birthday.  

More to come....

Weekly Musings of the 11th and Come From Away

 

Yes, I am remembering September 11th and all the lives lost with sadness but also all the amazing stories of help that happened.  So, I am listening to the soundtrack of Come From Away.  Which is the story of when so many planes were rerouted to a small airport in a the small place of Gander, Newfoundland.  

Below I will put a link to the trailer that is on YouTube, although I am sure you can find clips, shows and the full music soundtrack on all kinds of streaming services.

Just like I have music for nearly every special occasion and songs that take me right to a special moment in my life, this album brings me back to September 11th.  

So, the week was the week starting of course with Labour Day and also the week we gave the carpets another wash as next week company will be here when we celebrate hubby's 80th.  We are keeping it a small gathering as he didn't want a big fuss and that is good with me too as I am not a big fuss kind of person either.  Anyway the carpets are nearly done for this month.

I just love the morning clouds on my walks, some I just can't help but take a picture.  This was yesterday.

We went off to visit a friend yesterday afternoon as well and it was so good to catch up with her.  She keeps the crosswords from her paper for hubby and had quite a collection since the last time we got to visit.  It was lovely enough outside to sit and chat and watch neighbours go by.  Hope we get a chance to visit again sooner rather than later.  

So, that was our week really, not a lot going on and mostly usual stuff but the kind that makes you appreciate the quiet day to day. 

   Have a good one

 

Weekly Musings of the 3rd

 

This week I was kinda happy to see the end of.  It was a bit of a tough one.  On Saturday Tigger had eaten a bit more of something she really shouldn't.  My fault really, I always stumble when I get that sad eyes look, although I will not be giving in again since that night she was sick, and that I mean not one throw up but many.  We kept a close watch on her and cleaned up as needed.  Each day she got a bit better so what was bothering her was being purged but she was not herself and we could see she was hurting.  We took care of her carefully and of course prayed for her and each day was better and by Wednesday we knew the worse was behind her.  

During the care of a sick Tigger we went out Sunday morning to go to Mass to find that Sparky (the car) was dead.  Now what?  Lucky that we are close enough that we can walk to church which is what we did.  

I was a bit upset after all it was just a week ago we took it in and was told all was good.  Nothing to be done on a Sunday, not for a sick kitty nor for a dead car.  We went to Mass and came home after.  

Of course this week was hot, hazy and humid to July levels which of course must happen since kids were going back to school.  

Tigger spent most days sleeping in various places as she recovered from Saturday and of course as we cared for her we both worried a lot.  

We walked to the grocery store on Tuesday to pick up a few things needed and came home bathed in sweat and grateful for the A/C.  

Got a text from the garage, yup the battery was dead again and since it was just replaced in the spring it was under warranty so would be replaced, the bearings were in and would be taken care of.  Okay, but it would take a couple of days, that was fine we could make due with short walks and stuff on hand.  We wanted to keep an eye on Tigger anyway as she was getting better but it was slow going.  

Weather-wise through the 3Hs there were storm warnings up to tornado levels through southern Ontario.  News-wise it was hard to listen to all the hurt filled comments from American politicians.  No one wants to work it out they all want to win at all cost, from changing the name of a lake to just being insulting on all sides trying to make everyone believe they were right, just like little children.  I put music on in my hearing aids while hubby watches these things on the news. 

Storm clouds actually matched the political clouds.  Lots of tree damage as well as trees coming down as they were hit by lightening.  Our dealer that was working on Sparky had one of their trees that edged the property get hit by lightening and come down on two brand new trucks.  

Thursday we finally got the text that Sparky was ready.  I had a list of things needed so I headed out and got the car and ran a lot of errands to catch up.  

I asked why Sparky used up batteries like a flashlight and they were unsure but I expect it is because newer cars that have so much computer stuff in it never really shut off when the car is off and use the battery and since we don't need to drive often, the battery just runs down.  I plan on each day heading out for a drive to someplace different, either to shop someplace new or just look around.  Not far nor without purpose, it has just gotten too easy to stay home than go out.  Time to go out more often to keep Sparky moving.  

So by Friday all things are back to normal and I think that the humidity will be leaving this long weekend but I am sure glad to see the backend of this week.