Cats
Well the Christmas holidays are drawing to a close and the new year fast approaches. 2011 has been a year of extremes for me; great sadness and also great joy.
As most of you know my brother succumbed to pancreatic cancer in March after a fourteen month battle. No other event in my life has been as harrowing as Angus’ death. Luckily we had the opportunity to gather at his London hospital as a family just a week before his death and say to each other all the things in our hearts that we would never have the chance to say again. It was at this time that I shared with Angus the confidential details of Robert and my upcoming elopement in May.
Actually it was Angus’ illness which was the impetus for our decision to get married because it illustrated how quickly things change and that the important things in life should not be put off. We felt a big celebration was inappropriate, but a quiet getaway for just the two of us was perfect! I wish Angus had lived to see the pictures of our happy day but at least he knew our secret plans and I was able to tell him about the special place we had chosen in Hawaii for our ceremony. As it turned out, our wedding was an intimate and magical experience and I could not have wished for anything more. Surprisingly some people disapproved of our secret wedding, but the essential family and friends in our lives showered us with generosity, well wishes and cards when we returned and we felt very loved indeed.
When we were away in Hawaii our dog Rio who was just under a year old broke her leg and required surgery. She was boarding at a farm outside the city and apparently fell while playing with another dog, when she stood up she was holding her leg off the ground. Rio had snapped her femur and required a metal plate with seven screws to be attached to the bone by an orthopedic surgeon. Robert and I were both very distressed that this happened in our absence and in an environment we trusted would be safe and enjoyable for her. Even though Rio still limps, she is at the height of her recuperative powers and we are hoping for a full recovery. We are very thankful that this trauma has not effected her happy and mellow nature.
The last major event to take place this year was at Halloween. Robert and I adopted Kip (Kipling Moonshadow) from the same private rescue where Jimmy came from. Kip, the stunning house panther, has made a seamless transition to our home and integrated beautifully with Rio and the cats. He is a happy, cuddly, curious and playful youngster with a sweet and gentle disposition and we are so very thrilled to have him as the final addition to our furry family.
- Happy New Year!
And so it's time to reflect on another year that has come to a close with alarming speed! 2013 started off with breast cancer and a fourth surgery. It was determined that the lumpectomies and tissue excision was not working and the situation...
- Livestrong Day!
Livestrong Day has arrived and for the second year the entire Cat Blogosphere has joined in to support the global campaign by going yellow. Too many of our family, friends and furries have been touched by this horrible disease so we unite...
- Christmas With Cats
I would never opt not to have cats in my life, but my gosh sometimes they are a challenge! I was just wondering how Christmas will play out this year with both Archie AND Jimmy experiencing it for the first time. We always have a real tree...
- Thankful Thursday
I am thankful that Molly was with me for many, many years. She was present for my life's major moments and saw me through good times and bad. Although I am so heart-heavy at her loss, I can't help but be happy that we were...
- Bridgend's World Record Bid
Our Bridgend Adoption Centre Manager, Sue Dobbs, explains how she overcame a personal battle to launch a world record bid for Cats Protection... Catathon and Moggytastic Cat Costume Show. Just saying those words fills me with a great sense of excitement...
Cats
Good-bye 2011!
Well the Christmas holidays are drawing to a close and the new year fast approaches. 2011 has been a year of extremes for me; great sadness and also great joy.
As most of you know my brother succumbed to pancreatic cancer in March after a fourteen month battle. No other event in my life has been as harrowing as Angus’ death. Luckily we had the opportunity to gather at his London hospital as a family just a week before his death and say to each other all the things in our hearts that we would never have the chance to say again. It was at this time that I shared with Angus the confidential details of Robert and my upcoming elopement in May.
 | |
| happier times, family holiday West Sussex 2010, Angus and the gals (L to R, me, Sarah, Mum) |
Actually it was Angus’ illness which was the impetus for our decision to get married because it illustrated how quickly things change and that the important things in life should not be put off. We felt a big celebration was inappropriate, but a quiet getaway for just the two of us was perfect! I wish Angus had lived to see the pictures of our happy day but at least he knew our secret plans and I was able to tell him about the special place we had chosen in Hawaii for our ceremony. As it turned out, our wedding was an intimate and magical experience and I could not have wished for anything more. Surprisingly some people disapproved of our secret wedding, but the essential family and friends in our lives showered us with generosity, well wishes and cards when we returned and we felt very loved indeed.
 |
| Hawaiian Wedding |
When we were away in Hawaii our dog Rio who was just under a year old broke her leg and required surgery. She was boarding at a farm outside the city and apparently fell while playing with another dog, when she stood up she was holding her leg off the ground. Rio had snapped her femur and required a metal plate with seven screws to be attached to the bone by an orthopedic surgeon. Robert and I were both very distressed that this happened in our absence and in an environment we trusted would be safe and enjoyable for her. Even though Rio still limps, she is at the height of her recuperative powers and we are hoping for a full recovery. We are very thankful that this trauma has not effected her happy and mellow nature.
 |
| Rio |
The last major event to take place this year was at Halloween. Robert and I adopted Kip (Kipling Moonshadow) from the same private rescue where Jimmy came from. Kip, the stunning house panther, has made a seamless transition to our home and integrated beautifully with Rio and the cats. He is a happy, cuddly, curious and playful youngster with a sweet and gentle disposition and we are so very thrilled to have him as the final addition to our furry family.
 |
| Kip |
Well there you have it kids my year in review, the highs and the lows of 2011. Life sure is a rollercoaster ride but as I've said before, I am truly blessed to have such good friends who commiserate with me in the sad times and celebrate with me in the glad times. I cherish each and every one of my Cat Blogosphere friends and send to all of you heartfelt wishes for a healthy and happy new year!!! See you in 2012...
much love,
Cat
xx
Cat
xx
- Happy New Year!
And so it's time to reflect on another year that has come to a close with alarming speed! 2013 started off with breast cancer and a fourth surgery. It was determined that the lumpectomies and tissue excision was not working and the situation...
- Livestrong Day!
Livestrong Day has arrived and for the second year the entire Cat Blogosphere has joined in to support the global campaign by going yellow. Too many of our family, friends and furries have been touched by this horrible disease so we unite...
- Christmas With Cats
I would never opt not to have cats in my life, but my gosh sometimes they are a challenge! I was just wondering how Christmas will play out this year with both Archie AND Jimmy experiencing it for the first time. We always have a real tree...
- Thankful Thursday
I am thankful that Molly was with me for many, many years. She was present for my life's major moments and saw me through good times and bad. Although I am so heart-heavy at her loss, I can't help but be happy that we were...
- Bridgend's World Record Bid
Our Bridgend Adoption Centre Manager, Sue Dobbs, explains how she overcame a personal battle to launch a world record bid for Cats Protection... Catathon and Moggytastic Cat Costume Show. Just saying those words fills me with a great sense of excitement...