From the archives: Curious cats check out holiday lights back in 2008

This is one of my fondest Yuletide photo memories.

Recuperation journey: Sharing a favorite from this date in 2015

Pa RUMP a pum pum 

Recuperation journey: Sir awesome

Sharing a Facebook memory from July 31, 2013. 

Linus certainly was awesome! 

Linus was my favorite furry friend

Linus on Jan. 22, 2019

It was time. Our Linus was no longer himself.

It was a difficult decision but today we just knew was the day that he had to leave us and cross over the Rainbow Bridge. 

Linus no longer had any quality of life; he was really just existing. He had lost a lot of weight, his fur was not what it had been, his eyes were leaking, and his back legs were getting weak when he started to stand up.

Linus spent his last few days sitting near his food and water bowls, staring at me to give him more and more food and water. He had an insatiable appetite and was always thirsty

It was so sad to witness his decline. And it was obvious he wasn't going to get better.

Oh Linus, I love you, we love you. 

Until we meet again. 💔

Recuperation journey: Just for fun

Last week I found feline friend Linus sitting in our 'winter village' by the window. 
I couldn't call it a 'Christmas village' this year because I didn't put it up until Groundhog Day. Woops.
I plan to take it down by St. Patrick's Day! 

Better late than never - that's my motto.

Recuperation journey: Giving thanks for my cat

So this morning I'm standing at the stovetop making stuffing, minding my own business, when the cat of the house starts horking (my word) right nearby, under the table. 

File photo

Ugh. Must he? I guess so. 
And as cat owners know, it always sounds much worse than it is. 

But like always, I thanked him for horking - luckily he doesn't understand sarcasm - and told him I hope he feels better! 

Wishing my readers a Happy Thanksgiving!

Recuperation journey: Sharing a memory

This photo just appeared today in my Facebook memories. It's one of my very favorites and has a place of honor in our home.

Recuperation journey: Waiting for breakfast

Linus was so intent on what was on the table that I had to get a photo.

Recuperation journey: Sleep, glorious sleep

As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.

I do agree, and add that sleep is a close second.
I've been really tired lately - medication interrupts my sleep - and the exhaustion kinda caught up with me. 
I'm sure many readers can relate. Children, work, stress, worry, can really hinder our all-important sleep. 

This week I was lucky enough to able to take afternoon naps as a way to revive myself. And today I finally feel more normal.

As a full-time caregiver for husband Ralph I know I won't be able to properly take care of him if I'm not feeling up to par. 
And then, of course, there is our needy cat. It seems Linus always needs something from me.  

So I let myself take the time to rest instead of crossing things off my daily to-do list. And I didn't even feel guilty about it!

Recuperation journey: How smart is my cat?

My cat is so smart ...

He jumps up on the kitchen chair so husband Ralph, who uses a wheelchair, can reach him for head scritches. 

That's how smart Linus is. 

Recuperation journey: Summer slumber

  "I'm just resting my eyes." - Linus

Recuperation journey: It's that cat again

Just noticed three hours after I published a blog post this morning there were typos that magically got into the text. 
I realized since they were created with the letters 'a' and 'q' located on the left-hand side of the keyboard that Linus had been sitting right there before I saved the post.  

He ruins everything! Well not everything, but he does get into mischief around here from time to time. 

Recuperation journey: So nice to see the sun

Have a great Friday!

Recuperation journey: Writing companion

I don't mind if Linus keeps me company and swishes his tail around my old camera. I actually thought it looked cute. He's always good for comic relief.

Santa brought me a better camera - with lots of bells and whistles that I don't really know how to use yet - so Linus can make himself at home (as if he didn't already!) 

These days my mantra is 'auto photo, auto flash.' It has been working out so far.

Recuperation journey: Ceramic issue

Anyone who has a cat knows you can't shake a half-empty bowl of dry food to fool kitty that the bowl has plenty inside.

When a cat sees the ceramic at the bottom of a bowl (or stainless steel or whatever your vessel of choice) that finicky feline will sit and stare at you until you put a crown on the pile of kibbles.

And I won't even get into the non-stop water bowl issues!
That was what I dealt with first thing this morning.

Have a sparkling day today, local friends, before tomorrow's snowstorm in the forecast for Connecticut. ❄ ❄ ❄ 

Recuperation journey: Kitty says make the world go away

When I returned from a brisk midday walk I wondered what happened to our cat who had bugged me for 90 minutes this morning for his "lunch." 
He kept walking back and forth in front of the monitor and sitting next to the keyboard so that his tail swished on the keys and I had a hard time typing. 
He sat inches away from me and kept yawning (cat breath!) right in my face. 
I urged him to "eat the dry food," but finally gave in to his wet food demands at noon. I did make him wait!

Of course as soon as I got back I assumed he'd be begging for something else. 
But then I saw this:

So cute.

I was surprised to see Linus was using his condo. He never goes in there any more. 

I'm sure cat owners can relate to the above described behaviors to get attention. They sure know how to get us where they want us.

Oh the fun of having a furry friend around the house. 💜

Recuperation journey: My muse

... and also my "mews."


Have a great Friday! 

Recuperation journey: Kitty knows best

Soon after I return to bed after getting up during the night Linus jumps up on the bed,  makes himself comfortable against me, nods off for about 15 minutes, and then just leaves. 
A cat nap, you could say.
This has happened many times, which makes me think that it's his way of making sure I go back to sleep.

Is he that considerate? If so, isn't that cute? 

Recuperation journey: Cat enjoys sock drawer

Why yes, Linus is making me wackier by the day. 
As you can see we let him frolic in Ralph's sock drawer. It's a cozy place for a cat nap.

Recuperation journey: Tabletop tree, kitty, and me

I think I'll leave my cute little tree up for a few more weeks. 
It's so cozy to have the colored lights brightening the room after the sun goes down.

Linus surprised me Monday by jumping up on the table, so it was time to take a photo. 

He doesn't bother to jump up very much any more! I guess he only will do it only when the spirit moves him.