Wally Bear

We have had a loss in our family. My parents are still in England and have a lady watching their home and kitties. I got a call today from her that one of our kitties was in the hospital and not doing well. I was able to call her back and then call the Dr. My good kitty Waldo, who is pretty scared-y, had not been seen for a few days and the house sitter found him on Thursday laying in the bath tub not moving. She rushed him to the hospital where they determined that he had a urinary blockage. At the hospital they were able to pass a urinary catheter to relieve his bladder and started him on fluids and hospital care. He was not successful urinating on his own on Saturday, so he was kept in the hospital with a catheter for the weekend. Sometime between Sunday morning and Monday morning he became paralyzed in his back end. He had no pulse in either back leg and both back legs were cold, meaning there was no blood flow. The Drs diagnosis was a blood clod that was most likely caused by an underlying heart condition. There is no cure or treatment for this type of condition. I had to make the final decision to put him down, I knew there was nothing else that could be done and that it was the best and most loving choice. After talking with the Dr, we both felt that the urinary issue was most likely caused by stress (since he is so fearful), which might mean he would not be drinking as much as he needed and holding his urine longer than he needed. Then the added stress of being sick could have exacerbated the heart condition, causing the clot to form and break free. Just a bad deal and series of bad events that all seemed to work together for a bad outcome.
I miss him a lot already. He was a very special kitty. When he was really happy and excited he would mix with his front feet like he was dancing. He had the best tail ever, it was like a big bushy feather duster. He had a loud purr and a little tiny noise he would make when he wanted the other kitties to play with him. He was a good "watching over kitty" for me when I needed it most. My Dad told me just before we got him, as I was having a hard time with the illness and impending loss of one of our other kitties, that even though I was sad at the thought of loosing him, not to think that getting another kitty would divide my love but instead would multiply it. It really did and Wally was a wonderful special kitty. Rest easy now Waldo,go quiet and calm, no more pain. I love you.
A heartfelt Thank You to Lucy, Dr. A. Ross and all the staff at CAC. I know you all did the very best you could and your care is deeply appreciated.

Drama

Blargh. Work today was blargh. There is a ton of drama going on at my work, none of it relates to me at all, other than the fact that I have to work with it going on. It is never easy, especially since everyone is so busy trying to make it seem like there is nothing going on...which would be fine except it is not working since the deep current of tension is so strong you can cut it with a knife. Oh well, I know if I keep my head down and do my job to the best of my abilities I will be fine.

Contact

I have been a bit behind on my blogging...between work and the extended Tour coverage I have not been making time to post. Today I talked to my sister. From England. They have finished their ocean voyage and were able to call using Internet phone. It is 8 hours ahead there, so it was very late and our conversation short. Mostly assuring each other that we were well and inquiring about the trip from my end. It was very strange. I found myself crying after hanging up the phone. Somehow at this point the distance just seems so much. I know in my logical mind that it is not going to make it any more difficult to see her and the kids...we were not able to see each other all that frequently when they lived in the states (it will be more time consuming, but worth it I am sure)...and that we will still be able to talk and e-mail...but it just seems somehow more. I suppose that it will take some time to get used to and right now it is just the initial unsettling that can be expected. I am sure that it seems a little odd...my husband said as I was crying saying that they are gone now really really and in England, "Did you think it was somehow not going to happen?"...It isn't that really and I knew they were going. I just don't know how to put it into words. Anyway, I was very glad to have heard from them, that they had made it safely and were getting things set to right and getting settled. They will have our parents there for another week to help and do adventures with. Then Mom and Da will head back home. I know my sis and her family will be in for many adventures and someday we will be able to go and visit. Until then, we will rely on technology to make things feel less far.

Downs and Ups

The "big move" is truly for real now. My parents and Sister are on a big boat in the ocean heading for England...it is very strange to have them so far away...and not really be able to contact them realiably. I am feeling ok, but a little unsettled about the whole thing.

In the good new side, the Tour was very exciting today! It was team time trial day, and it is the first time in 4 years that it has been back in the Tour. Even better Astana (Lance Armstrongs tesm) took first....and Lance is 1 second back from the yellow jersey. Whoohoo!

Vive Le Tour!

Le Tour de France started yesterday! Yipeee! We now commence tour coverage 16 or so hours per day!!! I love Phil, Paul and Bob. I love the Tour!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Today is day two of above 90 degree temperatures. It is way.too.hot. I know that the summer is just getting started and it will get hotter...but right now...it is too much. Especially with the holiday weekend and all of our kennel space full at work, full of barky dogs...who also really do need some relief from the heat too. So we leave the kennel door open so they can get some cool and in return...we get headaches from all the barking. C'est la vie.
Don had the day off today and did a little riding in the morning and ran a few errands. Then he came home and started cleaning my parents car. It is staying at our house while they are with my Sis heading to England. I called him as I was leaving work to find out what the plan was for supper...there was none(not surprisingly). He said maybe I should just go pick up a pizza...so I did...45 minutes later I finally got home. Apparently lots of other folks had the same idea.
Tomorrow is the start of Le Tour De France and therefore big goings-on at our house. We absolutely love the Tour and...practically live it for the entire month of July. Our social calendar, travel plans, everything is planned around our ability to watch the Tour. Don gets up at o-dark-thirty to catch the live broadcast, we DVR the mid-day, and I prefer the expanded coverage in the evenings (not just because I hate getting up early!). Go Lance!
With the holiday tomorrow we are also going to get together with our friends A and G for some food and fun. Apparently I am making apple pie (Don seems to feel it is a 4th of July tradition, despite me never having made one on July 4th before...) and we are barbecuing some chicken and Tuscan turkey burgers. I know it will be a good time regardless and we may even head out to watch some fireworks.
Right now I am just enjoying the AC (which is in itself a truly remarkable occurrence) and thinking about a snack if the car washing takes much longer...the pizza is starting to call my name.

Insanity

This week has been crazy. Work has just been out of control as of late. I feel like I have barely any time to even think let alone get anything done. Today was terrible as one of the workers left early and our boss filled in for her...except our boss was supposed to do something in her "home life" and she wasn't able to. It just made for a tense afternoon. Yesterday we did a good favor for our friends D and J and stayed at their place last night so they would have help if they needed it. Tonight my parents are sleeping here for a few hours and then we are heading out early early early to the airport so they can head out to help my sister move to England. Good thing tomorrow is my day off.