Thankful Thursday with Georgie

 

Me now

 With all the  stuff going on in our house -  kitties going to the Bridge and then getting a new cat - Mom never got back to me on the blog and how I was doing with my diabetes. She wanted me to tell you guys how things are going.  Remember back in November 2014, I was very sick and had to be in the vet hospital for days for ketoacidosis?  Well  I had to change my diet and even get insulin shots.

Me before (last year)

I have lost a lot of weight on the new diet (low or no carb).  Mom says she hardly recognizes me anymore cuz  I am so tiny!  I didn't think I was big since all my brothers were the same size.

Me before - pretty chubby

Mom checks my blood every morning using a blood glucose meter just like people use.  She pricks my ear and gets the blood sample there.  I don't like it and run when I see her coming.  I play this game where I run through the pantry and out the side door, around and around.  Mom gets a bit exasperated sometimes.  That's when I know it is time to stop and get on the bed so she can check me.  I know I have to have this done.

Napping

After I eat, I get an insulin shot.  Sometimes I jerk when she gives it to me and then we don't know how much went in!!!  I try to be still cuz that means more blood tests all day!  It is not a whole lot of fun but it could be worse.  I do feel better and have much more energy than before.  Some people have told Mom that she should be checking my glucose levels and changing the insulin accordingly but with all of us to care for she does not have time.  If I seem off, she will take another glucose reading but really I am doing pretty good.

A selfie with my slim look

I am thankful that the vet could help me and I didn't go to the Bridge when I got sick. And that Mom doesn't mind keeping tabs on my glucose and giving me insulin.  Her Mom and her mom's dog but had diabetes so she had plenty of experience before me.  Oh and I do take Miralax twice a day to help keep me regular.  I guess the insulin does a job on my regularity - so far so good!  Have a super day!

Mr. Kitty on Mancat Monday

Me on the back porch

 I guess this is my day for the blog so my Mom and Dad can see how I am doing with Auntie Cheri and Uncle Don.  So far so good.  I had a few hissing spats with Sweetpea and Callie but other than that no problem.

Being snoopervised by Minnie

I had my own room initially but that was pretty boring so I figured how to get out and meet the other cats.  At first I was a bit overwhelmed by how many there are.  But I am OK about that now.  I inspected every inch of this new place and settled right in.

 

I like to hang out with Uncle Don best, maybe because he traveled with me from  New England to North Carolina where I am now.  I follow him from room to room and sit next to him.  He give me lots of loves and pets.  When I hear his voice, I come running out of my hidy spot to sit with him.

My hidy spot in Auntie's office

It is not so bad here- they have lots of catnip toys laying around. I love to play with them and get a good bunny kick going.  I get to sit in the window seats and watch the critters and birds outside - they have a lot of things here we didn't have at my old place...copperheads, bears, coyotes, bobcats, hawks, foxes.  I guess I am better off being an indoor only cat here.

Welcome Mr. Kitty

Taken on his first night.

First off I want to apologize for my absence from the blog since I posted about Lily's passing.  I have not had it in me to even go visit your blogs to thank you for your kind comments, cards and emails.  This one was particularly hard and I think am still in denial.  I do appreciate all of your expressions of sympathy so very much.

Handsome Mr. Kitty

One thing that will take my mind off of this loss is that we have a new kitty with us. Let me start from the beginning.... my oldest friend from childhood has been going through a difficult time.  Her husband had to have a liver transplant recently (some of you know about this from Facebook).  The doctors told Deb that their two beloved senior cats would not be able to stay in her home with her husband when he came home as he will be on immunosuppression drugs for the rest of his life. She asked me to help find them a home.

I posted all over Facebook about the Maine Coon called Mr. Kitty and the sweet tortie named Squeaks.  Unfortunately it is difficult at best to find homes for 15 year old cats.  Since no one had contacted me, I told Deb I would take them.  My husband was in agreement and we made plans for him to drive up to New England from North Carolina to get them.

A few days before Don left on this trip, Deb let me know that Squeaks had passed in her sleep.  She had been very distraught about her human dad being away in the hospital for so long and her human brother had also left for boot camp at the same time.  As one blog friend said, Squeaks most likely had a "delicate constitution." I think the changes in her home took its toll on her and she slipped away.

RIP Squeaks

We still wanted Mr. Kitty so Don drove up and back over the past weekend.  Don was able to enjoy some delicious seafood and visit with friends while he was there.  After a bittersweet parting from his mom, Mr. Kitty made his way to North Carolina with Don without any problems.

Enjoying the nip scratcher from Auntie Peel

He is a sweet gentle soul with an easy laid back temperament.  He loves to be with people but it will take time for him to accept the other cats and them him.  He has his own room for now and we let him out with us when the other cats are napping.  He is a slippery one and and escaped his room a few times to run and inspect the house.  So far all his interactions with the others have been just curious.  He already goes to the door of his room when he wants back in.  For his age, he is doing quite well.

A little nipped out!

I am looking forward to letting him host the blog in the weeks to come.  He is quite a character and will keep us on our toes for sure.  Please welcome Mr. Kitty!

Until We Meet Again Sweet Lily

  This one is hard to write.  On April 7 we took our dear Lily to the vet for the last time.  The cancer had grown to fill her mouth and she was not able to eat or drink.  In spite of this, she was as loving and silly as always, right to the end.  Her passing was easy and peaceful - she was ready.  Don and I were loving her as she crossed over.  She would have been 10 this spring.

Lily with her babies outside

 What can I say about this cat who was the embodiment of love?  She had an amazing life for such a short one.  She gave birth to three litters outside and all survived to become wonderful cats themselves.  She was smart enough to not get caught in our humane traps and taught the kittens to keep clear of us - it made trapping them all a challenge for sure.

She was a mother to us as well.  Lily was the one who would be sitting with us if we were not well, ever watchful.  She was always on hyper alert - listening for unusual sounds of alarm.  She loved to sit looking out our windows, keeping an eye on things.  I looked forward to coming home to her  face peeking through the screen.  I knew I had left everyone in good hands.

Even tho she was able to live her life with most of her kittens, she was a stern mother at times.  She had little patience with them.  If they got too rough or playful around her, she would hiss or whap them.  Often she preferred the company of non family members like Ivy.  Ivy, being our oldest at 17, brought out the maternal in Lily - they were always together.  When I read in bed, Ivy sat on me and Lily would lay next to me with her head resting on my body.  Oh how I will miss that.

Ivy and Lily

 

 She could be so silly as well - diving into the refrigerator whenever I opened the door, looking for treats, letting me dress her in costumes for the holidays, begging for a lick of butter with Ivy when I ate my breakfast muffins.

Punk Lily

 

Lily was stubborn, independent, and strong willed, all infused with an incredible unconditional love for us. While all the other cats would be sleeping the days away, she followed us around the house, involved in every activity.  She didn't want to miss a minute of life with us.  She slept only when we were not home or sleeping ourselves.  Perhaps she knew her time with us would be short.  I will end this tribute to our beloved Lily with this quote.

Under the Christmas tree

"When animals enter our life, we start on a journey filled with adventure, learning and love.  The animals reach deep into us and change us in ways that can hardly be described.  We grow in love.  And upon their leaving, we are lost, devastated.  Over time, we explore the story and see the meaning, and stand in awe of these remarkable beings.  What an honor they give us when they walk a part of our lives with us."

-- Barbara Janelle

Thank you, Lily, for sharing your life with us.  We will see you again one day.

Happy Easter!

Look what we got in our Easter Basket - a big tabby cat (Tabitha)!  

Happy Easter to all of our friends on blogland!

Only with two new buddies

Two Spot sharing with the bunnies.

P.S. We are joining the Sunday Selfies today at Cat on my Head.