I Owe Ya One!

Hey, girlfriend! We haven't spoken in a long while. Totally my fault. I've missed you, and thought that there were several things that deserved to be shared with someone, and, of course, I thought of you first.

I've been thinking a lot about transitioning. No, not me, silly! More the way that things change around you. A friend dies. A friend for years disappears, either bored with her old friends or completely smitten with new ones. Another friend goes underground for awhile, and still hasn't reemerged. But then, a new friendship forms through the support group, and a half-forgotten pal comes out of the woodwork ready for long chats. The cosmic balance restored.

Our oldest black cat, Dr. Hook, gave up the ghost last month. More to the point, his kidneys gave up and we had to take him to the finish line ourselves. We are perfectly capable of giving fluids, and have done so for several cats, but Hook was a terrible patient. No matter how weak, he fought us tooth and claw, essentially refusing treatment. Couldn't let him suffer, and couldn't render aid, so the only option was the big sleep. We have a pretty high bar regarding euthanasia, but he managed to clear it.

The gap he left has been filled by two other strays that have entered our lives. Desmond, a tailless gray, has been with us for four or five months. And in November, we pulled a four-month old kitten out of our front bushes. I named him Tab Hunter. The Tab part was no problem living up to, but he earned the second part of his name this week. He killed a mouse in our basement, the first we've had in 19 years here. And last night, he and Timmy managed to catch another twice, letting it get away both times. I think that mouse is on borrowed time.

Christmas was grand. We spent too(!) much, but I think everyone was happy. I bought the missus a garnet necklace that nicely matched a pair of earrings she's had awhile. I have been busy flying sorties with WWII fighters in my new video game. I'll be trying to take out one of Hitler's Norwegian heavy water plants in my next mission.

Had a great support meeting last Saturday. A rep from the local police department came to talk to us. I was very impressed that he never betrayed any uneasiness, talking to an odd looking crowd. He was very professional and informative, and I hope he learned a little about our population, too.

I didn't think I would be able to attend. Mrs. L had arranged an outing in the early evening with some friends, and she really wanted me to spend time with her. Her friend, though, backed out when she realized that she had a schedule conflict. I had gone ahead and prepped for the meeting on the off chance of going, and it paid off completely. My car was already packed with everything I needed. The picture is from the meeting, of course, and if you look closely at my left calf, you'll see the nasty scratch that Dr. Hook gave me toward the end of his term. And new earrings I bought myself for Christmas (not on my calf, look higher)!

Well, I hope all is going well for you, girlfriend. Don't be a stranger!

Love,
Leslie