Goodbye, Sweet Boy

We said goodbye to our dear Sheldon this morning.



John became concerned early this morning (around 5) when he came to bed after pulling an all-nighter (editing) and Sheldon wasn't asleep next to me. He looked all over, then heard a retching noise and found Sheldon spitting up blood. We bundled him up and took him to a 24-hour veterinary hospital; on the way there, we came to the conclusion that it was time for Shel to be at peace. He had been having a harder time eating, and has lost more weight. He couldn't even go outside - he so loved to rush past us and down the stairs to eat some grass - anymore because the grass made him ill. He hardly seemed aware of his surroundings on the trip. They inserted an IV catheter in his front right leg and we said our goodbyes. I stayed with him for the injection; John could not, and I understand why.

We got home without him a little after 7 this AM, and it's been so strange. He was the one cat that got along with all the others (and vice versa), the glue that held them all together.

He'd been with me for almost 16 years (and with John for six), and was my constant, ever-faithful companion. He had a knack for knowing when I was hurting, and would come to comfort me if he heard me crying. He was with me through my mom's illness, and after her passing, and the same for my dad. He was my friend when I had no other. I know he's at peace, and out of pain, but my heart is breaking. I'm still almost catching glimpses of him out of the corner of my eye.

More pics of Sheldon

Charlie has been extra clingy, and Maggie has been hiding. The three of them were nap-buddies; we'd frequently find them nestled together, sleeping.

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More on Sheldon and His Yarn

This is not a sad story. I have no bad news to report. I thought I'd better preface the following with a bit of a disclaimer.

The last week has been very rough for John and I. Sheldon has been acting strangely: refusing my leftover cereal milk, not eating much, sleeping a lot more than usual, etc. It's been almost two years since he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and high blood pressure, and at 15½, we thought we were about to lose him. Money is scary-tight right now, and the tests they'd want to do are completely out of our reach, plus with his health the way it is, a trip to a hospital and the battery of tests would put so much stress on his heart (he completely flips out if we go near the car) that we decided to make him comfortable, spoil him a lot, and make the most of our time.

So, we've been running to the pet store and buying up a variety of smelly canned foods to tempt him. The cat-food snob in me did a lot of cringing, but it was more important that he eat (except, still no corn, since he's allergic (read your labels - you'd be surprised to find out how much corn/corn gluten meal/etc. they slip in)). Every time he turned up his nose or threw up anything, I'd hit him with some Nutri-Cal to at least get some calories and nutrients in. Luckily for the food snob in me (not so lucky for our budget (but we continue to economize on things for us)), the kind he likes the most is the best quality we can get around here (Wellness, either beef & salmon or turkey & salmon).

There's been a lot of trial and error while we figured out the food he likes and the way he likes it served, and the other cats have been more than happy to eat the mistakes. Lily, the former basement cat, especially: she's actually been venturing into other parts of the house when canned food is on a plate. The first few days were tough, since he'd eat maybe half a teaspoon at a time.

Sheldon likes his food like so: 1 T or slightly less, smeared on a saucer (not too thin) and warmed in the microwave (Power: 2, for 10-11 seconds, just to take the chill off). I'd carry it to wherever he was in the house and guard the plate so the other cats would let him eat. After a few days of this, he started going to the same spot and just sit, waiting for his food.

A couple of days ago, I mentioned to John that I hoped Sheldon would serenade us at least one more time, so we could get it on camera. I've been meaning to do this forever, and had put it off. It looked like I waited too long; then he proved me wrong:



He's not well, and we don't know how long our reprieve is, but he's better. Which we think is fabulous.

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Is it love?

A while back, I posted about Sheldon's love for a particular skein of peach acrylic yarn.

Well, that yarn is looking pretty ragged, so I joked to John on Sunday that I would put out a stuffed animal and see if Shel would take an interest. I selected the lion - obviously male, but with more bite-able area - and set it in the library (or the room that will become the library). The funny thing is, Sheldon never does what I want him to do. In fact, the more time and effort I put into a toy, the less they're interested. So, imagine my surprise when, last night, John spots him dragging the lion around.

It was one of those rare times when I had my camera nearby (always seems to be in my purse on the other side of the house when the cats do something picture-worthy) and I managed to get one good picture.

I wonder how long it will last?

Speaking of cat toys and effort... Back in August, I posted about an idea I had to adapt a project (for a child's toy) and make kitty-size toys. Well, I did, almost right away. They were met with a mild interest, but were not favorites. When we went back to the house on Saturday to pack up some more stuff, I spotted them and tossed them in a box. Right now, they're marinating in a baggie with a couple tablespoons of catnip. Maybe that will help. (Moo mini card for scale.)

It has nothing to do with the toys themselves. It's their usual pattern: paper bags, boxes, pen caps and milk jug rings are infinitely better than any handmade or store bought toy. Exceptions: the laser pointer and one weird little green mouse that came in a stocking full of mice.

I didn't throw them in the washer to felt all the way, because I liked the texture that a partial needle-felting gave. It's a fun way to use up scraps, if nothing else!

If you want to try this, but don't have cats (or small kids) around, check out Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls for another application.

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Follow the Sun

First, Sheldon picked out a choice spot in the sun. Then, Charlie sprawled out right next to him, and Sheldon took offense.

Sheldon picked out a new spot...

...which just so happened to block Charlie's sunlight.

Sheldon was quite amused.*

Charlie was not.

Then they realized that there was plenty of sunlight to go around.

The end.

*Violently clashing afghan was crocheted by my great-grandmother circa 1980 or so (for my brother; I had to beg for one, then it was damaged). I offered it to him on Christmas Eve, but he said I could keep it.

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Happy Christmas!

Photo by John Shaw.

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Home, again

It doesn't feel right, having a post about the move without pictures, but what can you do? It didn't cross my mind once to get out the camera during the process. Saturday night, after everyone was gone and everything was dark, John called me back to the living room and bade me sit on the couch and look out the window. We could see all the stars! That was the first time I thought about a camera, but was too tired and sore to go get it.

How about a recap, of sorts?
Things went as smoothly as they could for a Michigan day with snow showers and low temps (in the 20s, not counting the wind chill factor). Several people came to help, which was great. They all couldn't make it for the unloading portion of the day, so that half was a little tougher, but we persevered. John and I were still sick. We filled U-haul’s biggest truck, front-to-back and top-to-bottom, plus a few carloads and had to leave a lot of stuff behind. It’s about a 90-minute drive each way, so we won’t be making daily trips to get the rest of the stuff, but maybe a couple a week. (We have a lot of books and DVDs!)

HerdingMoving Cats
I got some confirmation from Steph that my original plan was pretty good, and used a couple of her suggestions as well. JDub had offered to transport all the cats, so when it was time to start packing the bedroom (where most of them were hiding (it would have been better to trap them all in one room, but that wasn't possible)), we grabbed carriers and, eventually, found the six regular residents. We already knew that getting Lily, aka Basement Cat, was going to have to be done separately.

We set up the master bath as the cat room, with litter boxes, water, food, baskets, blankets and cat nip, then let them out to wander while we unpacked the truck. A couple of them were traumatized by both the capture and the 90-minute trip and didn’t want to get out of the carriers for awhile, but I didn't rush them. After everyone was gone, I made the bed and tossed a couple of our blankets over it (the ones the kitties sleep on a lot), shut the bedroom door and opened the bathroom door so they had two rooms to explore.

None of the cats like traveling, but Sheldon, who is the oldest, has had more experience. When he first came to live with me (about sixteen years ago), we visited my parents' house pretty frequently; plus he's moved once and gone on a couple of road trips. He was rarin’ to go, wanting to explore, immediately, but we were resolute (plus, there were some complications that required the bedroom door to stay closed -- more on that later). On Sunday morning, after we caught up on some sleep, we opened the door and let them explore the main floor (none of them are getting into the basement until it's been swept clean).

Each at their own pace, they've been roaming and exploring, and, in some cases, ripping up and down the entire length of the house. (Our old house was much smaller.) Neo, who has been with John since she was a couple of days old, isn’t exploring, but she’s ecstatic because she gets to sleep with him again.

One little hitch (of course there's a hitch)
The furnace wouldn’t stay on, so it didn’t get above 60F degrees all of Saturday. At first, we thought it was because the door was constantly open. Finally, around midnight, we got dressed and took the long drive to Meijer to get a space heater. (Why the bedroom door had to stay closed.)

Thankfully, due to a couple of issues, our real estate agent had purchased a home warranty for us (we would have done it if he hadn’t), so there was a repair truck in the driveway by late Sunday afternoon. Took him five minutes to fix it! (We couldn’t have done it, and it turns out the previous owner, who thought he knew what he was doing, had been repeatedly replacing the wrong part! (Condensation line was clogged.))

Basement Cat
John went back to the old house Saturday night after he returned the truck, and Lily wasn’t in the trap we'd set for her (humane trap, of course). We went last night, and it was still empty, so we went on a little hunt. We cornered her twice, and almost had her, but she got away. The third time, I got a sheet over her and got her wrapped up quickly. Not before she bit me, but she didn’t break the skin (she got the nail, so it felt like I’d jammed my finger in a drawer).

She’s set up in the guest bath, now that we have the master bath back. She’ll have to stay there for several days so they all get used to each others’ scent, and she calms down. We’re going to try to keep the basement blocked off, hoping she’ll consider staying up with the family. (The two youngest cats are hers - we couldn’t find a home for her, and didn’t want to put her back on the street after living with us for a few months, so she became the basement cat.)

Technicalities
Our stove won’t work in this house*, so we’re stuck with microwave, Foreman grill and crock pot until we can buy a new one (already ordered, due Wednesday). I have my first ever crock pot meal going right now, and SIL C. is providing recipes for future use. We couldn't bring our washer/dryer with us, and can't quite afford new ones right now, so I'll be going to a laundromat for the first time in my life (not counting the machines in the dorm at college). Should be interesting.

Next
I have to make curtains and continue unpacking. Kitchen first! I love my kitchen. Even without a stove.


*Silly me. I knew there was a gas outlet, so I assumed we could have either gas or electric (this is only my second move - I’m not “up” on appliances). We couldn’t afford new appliances right away, so we brought our old PoS appliances with us, including our electric stove. There isn’t an adequate outlet for the stove. Oops.

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On Thrifting

(We're closing on the house "today," so I've prepared something in advance. I'll probably be back at least once before the move, then off for several days.)

Welcome to visitors via Derfwad Manor! I think I'm up for Slow-cook Thursday.

Back in the day when I made a little bit of mad-money selling feast gear (for SCA & Rennies*), I used to go to thrift stores frequently. I had a whole route that I traveled, looking for wood and (new, food-grade) pewter tableware. (Pictured here: sorting buttons on my miraculous acorn plate, a total random find, which I adore.) That hobby is long over, although I still collect wood and pewter. I still like visiting stores, although I haven't lately (with the move coming up, the more stuff I buy = the more stuff I have to move). When we are all settled, I'm hoping to find some stores to hit on a regular basis.

I used to look at thrift stores with a mixture of dread and horror. Once I finally figured out how cool they can be, I gave them a chance. There are some things I won't buy (socks, underwear, hats), and there are things that I don't bother with (clothes, usually, because of the sizing). However, they can be great sources for things like sweaters to felt and/or unravel, some kitchen ware, etc. One thing I started noticing, though, is how crazy-high some prices are! Even when thrifting, one has to be an alert consumer, because sometimes the prices are better at the regular retail stores.

I really don't get the justification for the high prices I see so often. The product is free. The facilities and utilities are not, nor is some of the staff. But still, I see things that still have the dollar store sticker on them priced at a thrift store for $2-$3. I don't think they understand that if they priced things more reasonably, they'd sell more of the stuff they didn't pay for in the first place: moving more product = higher profit. (It doesn't stop me from trying, but I frequently walk away, shaking my head.)

I'm looking forward to seeking out a new set of thrift stores once we move, and see how my luck fares a couple counties away.

Completely unrelated
I'd love some tips for moving cats!

*SCA = Society for Creative Anachronism; Rennies = Rennaissance Faire folks. SCA more than the other has regular "feasts" where participants have to take their own table setting, and many like to get as close to authentic as possible.

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Sheldon Has a Thing for Yarn

Many years ago, I bought two burgundy cardigans, in two different sizes. One fit correctly and was worn with skirts and slacks. The other was too big and was worn around the house for warmth. I've never been a great housekeeper, but I was frequently confused when I came home from work to find my too-big sweater on the floor, nowhere near the chair I'd hung it on. I'd shake my head, confused, then pick it up and lay it over the back of the chair again.

Then one day, I caught a glimpse of something interesting: my cat Sheldon, who was around three years old at the time, dragging the sweater off the chair, clutching a bit of it between his teeth, and walking away. He loved on that sweater, if you catch my drift, and it immediately became Sheldon's sweater. For a couple of years, that sweater was his best friend. We brought it with us when we moved, and he continued to love that sweater. Finally, it had to be washed. And he lost all interest in it.

All this meant was that he no longer limited himself to loving the one sweater. He started adopting any garment of mine he could pull out of the hamper, and added a new trick: hollering while he dragged whatever he'd snagged throughout the house. When John came, he got a whole new wardrobe to love. If we are home, but not in the bedroom, it begins, and goes until he's hoarse. (He no longer looooves the garments; they're more like security blanket relationships now; he just carries them around, the excess material dragging behind him, yowling through the cloth in his mouth.) Once, he dragged a heavy, full-size blanket off the bed and brought it halfway down the stairs.

Well, recently, he''s decided that clothes are okay, but yarn... now yarn is where it's at. This is not okay with me, as he's dragged brand new, somewhat expensive balls of yarn out of my knitting bag/basket if I'm careless enough to leave them out in the open while I dare to use the bathroom or run downstairs to check my email. He leaves my knitting projects alone, unless they're attached to a ball of yarn. He doesn't chew on it, or damage it in any way, although there have been tangles. I learned pretty quickly that yarn could not be left out anywhere.

Finally, I gave him his own skein, some cheap acrylic that he pulled out of a basket. I took the loose piece from the outside and wrapped it several times, then tied it off, so there are no loose ends to chew on. We finally captured a picture of him doing his routine. Getting a video would be tough, because he doesn't usually let us see him (if he can see us, he's not upset).

Once we move, I plan on getting something else on video: Cass (behind Shel in this picture) likes to be spanked. It's the one of the funniest things I've ever seen!

Other news
We close in two days (Thursday) and move Saturday. We are nowhere near packed, and we are both ill (bronchitis). At least we don't have to move everything.

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Another Time Suck

Charlie likes YouTube, particularly bird videos and puppies and/or kittens wrestling, especially if they make a lot of noise.

So, yeah, I joined Facebook. Poor John was invited to join, then kind of inundated with messages from people he hasn't seen or heard from in years. I remembered my friend Lisa mentioning it, and thought I'd join to say "Hi" to her, and give John a connection there as well. Turns out a lot of people I know are on Facebook; there were fewer people in my phone book (Gmail) who weren't in it than who were. I "friended" the ones I recognized (you know gMail puts every one you email into your contacts list). A few have responded, and I spent some time putting in photos, etc. (like the above), plus profiles for all the cats. (If I know you, and missed you, it's because I a) don't have the email addy in my book that matches your account, or b) didn't recognize the entry.)

One of the first things I did was find a couple of people that I don't want to hear from and block them. That was strangely satisfying! (I mentioned them in the "church" post a couple of weeks ago.) To prove I'm a complete geek: my favorite app so far is Flair.

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Check-up for Sheldon

Sheldon, on John's shoulder - Memorial Day Weekend, 2006

A little over a year ago, we had to rush Sheldon to the hospital because he'd suddenly started walking into walls. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and mild heart disease (blood pressure spikes caused his retinas to partially detach). The next weekend, we were due to go out of town with my brother's family, to visit my parents' graves. Sheldon, who is not a traveler, went with us, on a leash or in a special carrier (I wish I could remember where I stashed this!). He actually did really well, but we've refrained from taking him in the car with us otherwise because it seems so traumatic for him.

Today was his check-up. We're a little late, but he's been doing so well that we weren't worried; however, one of his prescriptions ran out and he had to see the heart specialist to get them renewed, and we want to make sure he's really doing okay. I dropped him and John off at the hospital, and returned home to continue working until they were done. (I'm working at home today, and the hospital is less than a mile from our house.)

Results: he's doing very well. He needs to continue to take his meds (one twice a day, one once) and they're adding ¼ of a Pepcid because his tummy's been upset, but his blood pressure is normal and the upper chamber of the heart has reduced in size. His left retina is still partially detached, but otherwise his vision is good. I am SO an expert at giving pills to cats; not such a big fan of cutting them up, though. Major pain. At this moment, he's walking the house, dragging around some article of clothing he pulled out of a hamper, and yowling. Pretty much back to normal.

Later today, if a local store has it in stock, I want to get a copy of this book: Your Older Cat. It's time. We have three cats now who are considered senior, and their needs are changing. (Note: the book isn't available locally, so I've ordered it from Amazon (along with a cat behavior book).)

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Thumbcat

This is our Cass, who steals snack food out of bags and bowls. She almost never eats "face first," preferring to pick up the bits with her paw. Sometimes she drops her treasures before eating them; sometimes, she lifts the food to her mouth.



I shot several clips of her yesterday, and John edited them together last night. All told, she probably ate 7 pieces of popcorn in an 8-hour stretch - it's not something we let her do all the time. She's also been known to steal french fries in this fashion, and loves cheese dip.

In other news
I got out yesterday to visit a few of the thrift stores in the area. No real spectacular finds (I only made it to three, and the pricers at two of the stores live in a special fantasy world where empty salad dressing bottles are worth $1). I did pick up:

• Tombstone cookie mold pan ($2)


• S'more Maker ($4) -- I couldn't resist!


• Apple peeler/corer


• 4 wood plates


• 2 pairs of shoes


• 2 huge glass mugs (for John)


• A couple of books for Heather's kids. I've been meaning to get some books for them, although not necessarily at the thrift store; however, two books about sharks - the very subject M. (the girl) is most interest in - fell off the shelf and hit my leg. Had to buy them.

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Me & my Shadow

Except for Neo, who is John's baby, I am the other cats' favorite person. To be honest, I'm not sure why. John is way nicer to them than me.

Cass, pictured here, takes the devotion to extremes. There is an area on my "desk" (old gate leg table (I hate it)), to the right of my keyboard, that is hers. Before I switched to left-mousing, getting anything at all done was a chore; she would lay down, near my hand, then sprawl, stretching more and more, until I had to move the keyboard and mouse over. Then she'd shift again.

A couple of months ago, I got (what I thought was) a clever new mousepad with a calculator on the end. It didn't work out so well for me, but that's okay: it's Cass's spot now. The calculator part has to align with the edge of the table, and the mouse pad part must be kept completely clear. Once she starts doing the thing where she walks back & forth in front my monitor, I just have to tap the mousepad and she walks over to it and sits down. (Only if it's completely clear.) She still spreads out, but I've found that keeping a novel next to the keyboard keeps her from "helping" me type. As long as she's touching me, she's happy.

Halloween Music, Stories & More
For years, I've wanted to do a kick-ass CD mix as a Halloween party favor - or just a gifty to friends - but have never really gotten in gear. Well, thanks to this guy, I will have what I've always wanted! It's a great resource for sound effects and readings (like Christopher Lee reads the Exorcist). He's struggling to keep it all available, so if you find something you like, shoot him a couple of bucks, okay?

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