So often, when we post here,

[slightlv]

it's either a picture of a new family member or one we've rescued. And yes... I am SO jealous of you who can post pics. I just can't seem to make it work for me!

The other reason, unfortunately, is to mourn a family member who has passed. I thought that's what I'd be doing this weekend, and to say I was panicking, heartsick, and at wit's end is to state an understatement.

I have a very tiny cat I rescued from a kill pound 20 years ago. She's a Japanese Bobtail (not a Manx). She's four pounds of spit and thunder with a puffball. While you can never put a price on such things, with her convoluted colon, we've spent thousands keeping her healthy and her colon flowing freely. And every penny, even those we scraped together, were given gratefully to the talented vet we'd been with for years. Izzie was that special to us.

Don't get me wrong, all my babies are special to me. Last year at this time, I lost 2 who were over 20 (one was 23) and another to a diabetic crisis in space of 3 months. I thought they were going to have to help ME over the Rainbow Bridge. Especially because of the one I lost to diabetes.

But when I had my hip replaced and was working from home, Izzie spent 8 hours a day laying across my arms while I worked on the computer. Then she led me to bed to lay down. When I worked the stairs during rehab, she was right there with me for every step.

The last two weeks, she's changed from being with us in the Family Room to staying exclusively on my bed. This past Monday, she didn't wake up when I did. I admit I poked her hard until she raised her head quite disgustedly at me. I should say she is now deaf as a post. Day before yesterday she sat herself in front of my shower while I was in there. She's never done anything like that... EVER before. I just knew I was on the last days with her, and was so heartbroken. But the day before, when she had gone into a coughing fit, I made an emergency appt with the vet here that I trust in this little town, and they fit me the next day.

We ran blood labs and x-rays. Izzie's got thyroid problems we're treating and the treatment is going well. Her lab numbers, even for her kidneys are great, I'm happy to say. She was a little dehydrated, so they gave her intravenous fluids, and then I told them to take her back for X-rays. It means I'm going to be scrimping a bit for a while, but the peace of mind they gave me made up for it. They showed NO masses anywhere in her little body. Her lungs are good, no masses in her stomach, and even her colon is good (which my hubby was thrilled with!). We're thinking now her coughing fit might have been either because of the dry heated winter air in the house (especially my bedroom), or even the fur from the other cats. There are at least 6 who sleep each night on the bed.

So... instead of writing an "in memoriam"... I'm writing a "Hallelujah! Bast be praised!" This little black puff ball cat that stole our hearts is not ready to give up yet, even at the ripe old Queen's age of 20, and her Mama ain't ready to give up on her, either. She's spoiled rotten, and will continue to be so for as long as she'll let me. Besides, she spent all last night curled in my arms around my neck while we both slept. How much more peace can there be at night for one person? To love and know you're loved just as much in return.

I only wish I could post a pic. (sigh)