Squeaker

I had Squeaker the cat  put to sleep yesterday.

I wasn't prepared for it.

She had been losing weight but I thought as she was an older

girl she was probably diabetic.

She could have been, but she also had kidney failure.

The vet said he could maybe give her 4 more months

but they wouldn't have been easy months.

Squeaker went gently to sleep hearing my voice

and feeling my hand stoking her.

 
It was very hard but I couldn't help but think 

how we as a society allow veterinarians to be far more

compassionate than we allow doctors to be.

 

 

Rain 'Drops'

 

From bitter cold and snow storms to rain and flooding in one week.

 

Nothing like Ontario in the winter.

 

 

I don't care, but Flynn is hydrophobic. Hates water.

 

 

Last night she wouldn't go out to do her business and held it all night.

 

 

I took drastic action this morning.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

But the mission was accomplished!

A 48 pounder as my Dad would have said.


Whew.



***

Top Dog

Sometimes somebody not only takes your spot,

they bring armed back up.

But if you are patient,

sooner or later

the universe begins

once again

to unfold as it should.

TheTale of Roland the Cougar

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you'd done things differently?

I'm not talking about big events like dropping out of high school and taking up a life of crime instead of becoming the lawyer your mom always wanted you to be, I'm talking about little things.

For example, today I decided to take Flynn the dog for a walk in the North Pelham Ball Park but for some reason about half way there I changed my mind. 

I pulled into a driveway , turned around and headed for the Roland Road entrance to Short Hill Provincial Park.

As soon as Flynn got out of the car she went into doggie high alert.

Mindful of our spooky experience in the park a few months ago when I thought we saw Niagara's mysterious and carnivorous big cat, I froze too.

And I must tell you that my blood turned to ice when we heard its cry.

Then I thought about what I had just heard.

"Jeesh," I said to Flynn the dog,  "I expected cougars to sound a bit more ferocious."

Nevertheless, we remained watchful and, indeed, It wasn't long till the beast showed itself.

Flynn rushed in for the kill and was rewarded with a loud purr and face rub.

The little 'cougar' was an unneutered male about 12 months old. 

He was wet, hungry and lonely.

He followed us for quite a way crying the whole time.

Eventually we turned back because I was afraid his meowing would bring a fox or coyote and that would be the end of him.

Or the cougar and that would be the end of us.

Flynn and I rushed home.

I knew I couldn't keep him, having four cats already so I phoned the Humane Society and told them I was going to go back and try to find him.

It wasn't very hard to locate the little fella. 

He was sitting in the rain in the parking lot crying. 

I set down some food and the cat carrier.

The rest of the story is the hard part.

I had to leave 'Roland' the pretend cougar at the Welland Humane Society. 

If you would like to adopt him, the Welland Humane Society is off Prince Charles Drive. It is on the left as you head south to Port Colbourne. Watch for the yellow sign.

You'll know you are close when you see all of the wonderful volunteers out walking the homeless dogs.

Please.

I'd like to think there was a reason I turned around and went to Short Hills today.

Sweet Rudy

This is Rudy.

He lives next door.

When his master was dying of cancer last year, 

Rudy stayed on his bed constantly during the last few difficult weeks,

so protective he even growled at the nurse.

He's just that kind of a guy.

He's staying with me this week because his mistress is away.

My neighbour gave Rudy one of her husband's sweaters to lie on

because he seemed very depressed after the death.

She said it really helped.

This is Rudy today, running towards me when I call his name.

I love this valiant little dog.

Today Flynn and I are taking him to the stinky horse barn.

Then after supper maybe we'll go to the North Pelham

ball park and sniff around the garbage cans.

I ask you,

could life possibly get any better than that?

Extreme Doggie Makeover

Yesterday my dog looked like this.

Today my dog looks like this.

Jeesh!

  What a miracle makeover.

I know where I'll be getting my next haircut.

Woof.