Loaf on an envelope

Maggie loves to sit on an envelope. Mom was opening Christmas cards and Maggie came and took a perfect loaf pose with her front paws tucked under. 

Earlier tonight Dad thought he was being smart. He had brought Steak n' Shake burgers home and thought he'd distract me by fixing some stinky goodness while they ate. What he didn't realize was that the stinky goodness would wait while I begged for burger bits (I did get some, and licked the wrapper). And now to go check on that stinky goodness. 

Happy girl

Nothing makes us happier than a lazy Sunday morning snuggling in bed with Mom. 

Cuddling together

It's moments like this that make Mom and Dad so happy. 

Just hanging out

Mom is in the kitchen cooking so we are in the living room about three feet from the kitchen waiting for her to let us know that she has a snack for us too. Maggie loves to lay with her paws against the legs of the end table. 

All we need under the tree

Maggie has claimed her favorite spot this time of year -- snuggled in under the tree. It is so cozy and warm. Pretty soon there will be a few gifts under there too that she can hide amongst. 

Caught in the act

Last Prime Day Mom and Dad got two Cloud Cameras so they could see the back door (the security camera is at the front door) but really only needed one for that. So they set up the other one upstairs in the bedroom so when they go out of town they can check on us. Well last night they know that at exactly 2:41 am I hacked up a hairball on the bed. (Sometimes they also see us being cute.)

Sweet potato hunter

"Hey Mom! Whatcha got there?" I have recently learned that sweet potatoes are good (especially when they have butter and brown sugar on them). I can get a little aggressive lately begging for food. But when Mom makes yummy food it's hard not to. 

Dad's lap

You know Dad's lap was Josie's resting spot. With Josie gone Dad has missed the snuggles and attention. Tonight cc Maggie found Dad's lap. Maybe it was the cooler weather, maybe it was the cereal milk -- whatever the case Dad is loving this right now. 

Feeling better

Maggie was feeling a little iffy last week. She hates when Mom and Dad travel and her stomach got weak and she started losing weight. She was down almost two pounds, which she really doesn't have to lose. Mom got her on some meds and she's doing better. She's got some weight back on and her appetite is returning (she even wanted Dad's cereal milk this morning). She is so good about taking her meds too, not like the rest of us. Jasper was like a Pez dispenser when Dad tried to give him a pill but Maggie's just like, ok I guess I'll eat this. Hopefully she'll get that next pound back soon. 

Don't mind me

Oh hi sister. That's just my tail across your head ...

Lunchtime

Mom's cousin and his wife came to visit so they had lunch at the kitchen table (instead of the coffee table in front of the TV like heathens). I was a very good boy and got to sit at the table. I kept staring at cousin Nick's good but he didn't give me any. (He has dogs so he must not understand what this stare means.)

Our favorite blanket

On of our favorite blankets ended up in the floor and we've loved it there so much that Mom and Dad have left it here longer than they normally would. Company is coming next Saturday so it will be picked up soon. So we're enjoying it while we can. (I say this like it won't just end up on a bed for us ...)

Nintendo

Snoopervising Super Mario Bros 3 is exhausting because Mom and Dad aren't nearly as good at it as they were a few decades ago. 

Happy birthday to ME!

So, yeah, I missed making my own birthday post. At this rate, I may lose the blog master title...

This is how I spent most of my birthday, resting in bed with Mom and Dad, watching football and riding out the storm that Florence brought to us. We were ok, other than one brief flicker of the power that erased everything on our DVR (bizarre, really). 

So I am now 14, the elder in the house. This was the first birthday I didn't get to share with my sister Josie. But she was on my mind. I never minded sharing with her. Maggie and I both had some Appetizers, which are now called Purely Fancy Feast. Dad always called them Appeteasers to the point that Mom thought that's what they were actually called. 

Overall it was a good day, all I could ask for really. 

White whiskers

One of my features that Mom and Dad love the most is my two white whiskers, like a fancy mustache. And yes, I'm still guarding the remotes. 

Remote control guard

If you are looking for the remote control it is probably under me. There's a slight chance I may try to bite you if you try to take it, because I take my job of guarding the remotes seriously. 

Backyard patrol

Hey, Huggy Bear here. Josie left me with some responsibilities before she passed. Josie was a very responsible sister. She took her job of patrolling downstairs and especially the back yard very seriously. She used to walk along the back of the couch and look at the squirrels on the deck. She'd get so aggravated that she would huff at them. With her gone Maggie and I are going to share this duty. It doesn't hurt to have a little help when it comes to keeping an eye on those squirrels. 

I'll also take over as the voice of the blog. Poor Josie never even got a chance to update the sidebar before her cancer diagnosis. We have a nice badge that was made for her that I need to put up too. I just needed a break before tackling the blog again. Josie and I were litter mates. It feels weird without get here, even though she spent most of her time downstairs and me upstairs. 

Josie's cremains will come home tomorrow. Dad can pick them up on his way home from work. Mom and Dad are doing ok, but they still get sad. They worry about us too. Mom and Dad went to the beach last weekend and they kept turning on the security cameras to check on us. I think it made them feel better though. 

I'll update again tomorrow.

Goodbye ...

My time came up sooner than I expected. The bone cancer in my jaw was progressing very quickly and I was getting very uncomfortable and uneasy. I was also starting to have some blood in my drool (and I was drooling a lot because of the tumor). So Mom and Dad made the difficult decision to help me across the Bridge a day sooner than expected. At least I get to be with Jasper and meet Fluffy (Mom's first cat) and Mom's Mom, who will give me so much love. 

I made it one month short of 14 years, which is more than most get. 

I was lucky because I was able to spend a bonus week with Mom and Dad. That's something Jasper didn't get to do. I got to say bye to Huggy Bear and Maggie. Yesterday I napped on Dad's chest on the couch (one of my favorite things) and slept at Mom's feet all night. The closure was nice.

I even spent some time patrolling the back yard (no squirrels today). Even to the end I stayed vigilant. I guess Huggy Bear will have to take over this job. He does like to sit on the back of the couch. 

I'm not sure who will be assisting Dad in putting his shoes on in the morning either. That was kind of our thing. He'd put his shoes on and I'd rest my head on his shoe so he couldn't leave for work. Or I'd get his shoe strings. This never kept him from going to work but it did get me some extra love. 

Mom and Dad said I was the best little tuxie girl they could have ever asked for. I never caused any trouble, didn't ever try to eat their food, and was always so social when we had company (especially to the men). 

Huggy Bear will also be taking over blogging duties after a brief break.

Thanks for all the purrs and prayers and well wishes. You guys have been the best friends for the past 14 years! 

(Also cancer sucks. And I'll be perfectly fine being the last one to cross the Bridge in 2018 -- it's been a tough year with way too much loss. Purrs to you all, and give your people some extra love tonight.)

Hanging out

Mom and Dad have been making sure I'm with them at all times. I usually hang out downstairs so I can patrol things (especially watching out for squirrels on the back deck) but they said I could take a break from my duties. So they brought me up and put me in bed with them. This is one of my favorite blankets to snuggle up on. 

I spent a little time in the sunny warm window, too. 

This is a neat picture because you can see all three of us. 

Getting lots of love

Mom has been taking great care of me since my diagnosis. She's making sure I get as much love as I can tolerate. I was her cat before I started loving on Dad. When I was little I would sleep next to Mom, usually under the covers and pressed up against her until I got too hot. 

I have been getting some wet food to go with my pain meds. And I got a new nip stick of dynamite because my old nip cigar was pretty ratty. I sat in the window and watched the birds for about a half hour today. My appetite is still good. The meds made my walking a little goofy tonight but it has settled down and now I'm resting in the bed curled up on Dad's feet. 

Thanks for all the kind words and well-wishes. It really means a lot. 

Not the news I wanted

Well I went to the vet today. Dad took me early this morning and dropped me off. I talked to Dad the whole drive over.bPeople at the vet's office were very nice and very complimentary of me. And that's about it for the good news. 

It appears that I have a very aggressive cancer and my jaw is eaten up with it. They took an x-ray and my jaw is completely eaten up. This type of cancer metastasizes very quickly. I've lost many of my teeth on the left side of my mouth (but not in the front so Mom and Dad couldn't tell). And it causes me to drool too. Also my tongue is pushing to the right, which is probably why I won't close my mouth all the way  The vet gave me some meds to help with some discomfort and the drooling.

I'm still eating and pretty much showing no discomfort, but Mom and Dad know I'm not ok. We cats can be pretty stoic and I'm hiding it from Mom and Dad. 

So the short of it is my days are numbered. I'll go back to the vet next Tuesday to be helped to the Bridge. Mom and Dad are having a tough time with this, but they know it's the right thing. When it was Jasper's time he was so weak and sick. They don't want me to suffer like that. So I'm going to get all the love I can stand for the next week, and treats, and chicken, and whatever I want. And then I'll go hang out with my big orange brother. 

Thanks for the purrs and love and support. You'll get more updates this week but I wanted to let you guys know because you are family. Love on your people today because you just never know what tomorrow brings. 

Mouth breather

Dad is dropping me off at the vet near his office on his way in to work in the morning. They didn't have any available appointments but they said Mom and Dad could drop me off and they'll work me in. It's not our favorite way to do it but it's our only choice. 

I'm eating, purring, acting mostly normal. I just don't want to close my mouth and I'm swollen under my left jawline. I'll keep you posted. 

Vet visit coming up

Well it looks like I'll be heading to the vet. I've been keeping my mouth open slightly, and keep drooling (I usually drool when I get happy on Dad's lap and purr, but this is different), and I have what feels like a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck under my chin. I may have an abscessed tooth, maybe just fighting an infection. Hopefully it is not a big deal. Hopefully I can get in quickly. Their online reservation system didn't have anything for a week but I'm sure Mom will work it out once she can talk to someone. I'm not showing any distress and I'm eating, so that's good. But better safe than sorry (even if that means riding in the car). 

The high spot

Mom and Dad do a head count before they leave. This afternoon Maggie was in one of Jasper's old favorite spots, the landing looking over the stairs. But she fits through the spindles. (Jasper not so much...) It really is a great spot because you can survey most of what comes and goes. 

Harmony

Maggie on one couch, me in the other ... It is how peace is achieved. 

(In the meantime Huggy Bear has hunted two of his favorite toys and brought them from upstairs to Dad in the living room.) 

No, you can't go

Maggie has a plan to stop Mom and Dad from visiting Aunt Tiff. 

Hortence and her kittens

Mom and Dad's friends have been caring for a friendly outdoor cat. She showed up recently pregnant, and gave birth to three tiny kittens the other day. We've had some pretty severe storms the past few nights so Mom and Dad made a cat house for her out of a heavy duty storage container with a cat bed in it. They understand that you can't force her to use it, but hopefully she'll find it and use it. Right now she's tucked behind some bushes and against the house where the corner of the roof provides some protection. We'll keep you posted on these kittens. Someone had already offered to help have the momma cat fixed after the babies are weened. 

Happy birthday Maggie!

Thirteen years old and still a kitten! Happy birthday sister. I might hiss at you, but it's all out of love. 

Also, happy birthday Mom! Thanks for all the treats, snuggles, and love. You're the best cat Mom!

Happy sleeping cat

Huggy Bear loves to lay in bed next to Mom. It is his happy spot. 

Hanging out together

Just the three of us, sort of hanging out together... It lasted about two minutes, then I ended up hissing at Huggy Bear.

Tic Cat Toe

Three in a row! 

We were patiently waiting for Mom and Dad to come to bed. They were up until 2 am prepping for a meal Mom was cooking the next day. She made a bourbon espresso chocolate cake, lemon ice cream, bourbon vanilla ice cream, jezebel sauce, blanched some hericot verts, and started a blackberry-raspberry cobbler. 

And we got lots of treats because every time Dad went to the pantry we thought it was treat time, and he felt bad so he gave us extra.

Jasper's birthday...

Today would have been Jasper's 16th birthday! Making the bed is much less of a challenge for Mom and Dad now, but they'd trade that in a heartbeat to have him attacking the sheets again. We miss him every day. 

Our new game

We've started playing a new game with Mom and Dad called "Who didn't cover?" When you use the litter box you don't cover, then Mom and Dad get to guess who didn't cover. Here's a hint, it's all of us. 

All I can do...

Well this is all I've got left in me for tonight! I've developed some bad mats in my fur and Mom and Dad worked on shaving some of them off tonight. I got a little hissy about it, but I know I'll feel better soon. But that doesn't mean I'm happy about it right now...

Cat-sitter issues

Mom and Dad went out of town for a quick three-day weekend to celebrate Mom's Dad's birthday. The neighbor came over to check on us and I got a little bit of an attitude with her and snipped at her. I've done this before with her. It started when Jasper hissed at her and I joined in. Now I've just learned to be feisty with her. Looks like there might be a squirt bottle by the door next time Mom and Dad are away. 

Tuesday the neighbor snuck over and hung the Attack Cat sign by our front door. Well I do take my job as protector seriously. 

Sunny spot

Some days you just have to find a nice sunny spot. It's been cold at night and warm during the day the past few days, so I'm not sure if I'm coming it going. I'm ready for Spring to feel like Spring. 

Curly cat

Maggie is so content sleeping next to Mom. Dad really envies her ability to curl up. I think Mom and Dad would both like to sleep as well as she does. 

Maggie on a tuffet

Mom and Dad came home tonight after walking around the neighborhood and Maggie was waiting for them in the front parlor, resting on a pillow like a princess on a tuffet. Even though she can make me hiss, she's awful cute too.

All tuckered out

These Olympics marathons have worn little Maggie out. She really liked the short track speed skating but feel asleep during figure skating. 

Pouting

I don't tolerate being brushed very much, so I've developed some mats in my fur. Mom and Dad forced me to get Furminated some tonight and they brushed, cut, and picked out two of the big knots until I got really hissy. So now I'm downstairs on the couch, ignoring Dad when he came through to the kitchen, and being shunned by the giant stuffed pink cat-bear on the couch. There might be a well-placed hairball later. Just sayin'.

Jasper came home

Hi, everyone. This is Josie. I figured at some point I might have to take over the blog, but I always hoped not. We all thought we had a few more years with Jasper. But when your body stops, that's all we can do. We miss him so much. We've been paying extra attention to Mom and Dad since Jasper left. Mom has really needed some extra love. Huggy Bear, especially, won't leave her side.

Mom and Dad picked up Jasper's ashes last Monday (January 22). When they brought them home, they set the box on the floor to get a picture or two of us with him. They didn't anticipate our reaction.


Huggy Bear rested him head on the box that contains his ashes. This was completely unprompted and was so emotional. He really misses his brother.


Maggie and I paid our respects too.


Then Maggie rubbed her face against the corner to put her stink on the box.


The crematorium also make an impression of Jasper's paw. You can't really see it in the picture. I'll try to post a better one.

The house feels more empty, and Dad keeps stepping over the spot Jasper where would stretch out in the mornings like Jasper is there. Jasper is now resting in the bookshelf next to Fluffy, Mom's first cat. Thanks again for all the kind thoughts and words during this tough time. Jasper was Dad's first cat, and a great friend to all of us.

It's my time

Well guys, I've had a good run, but unfortunately my body just can't go anymore. My kidneys are shutting down, heart rate slowing, body temperature getting low. I'm not in pain, not suffering, but I've just run out of time. So Mom and Dad made the difficult decision to help me across the Bridge tonight. 

Everything was peaceful. Mom and Dad got to love on me. I even got to show the vet tech who was boss briefly. They were talking about how I was so weak I wouldn't stand or walk so I pushed myself up and took a step just to prove them wrong. One was all I had in me, but I did it. Unfortunately they didn't think I'd even make it through the night. 

Josie, Huggy Bear, and Maggie knew. They'd been giving me my space. Maggie even was sleeping with me last week. She sensed something because that's not like her at all. I'll miss them. They taught me how to be a cat.

But I think what I'll miss the most is sharing Mom's pillow with her, my head butted up against hers. And watching Tennessee football with Dad. I was always his Big Orange Boy. And the sink. I loved the sink -- sleeping in it, drinking water off the counter -- it was my favorite spot for sure.

I've loved having all of you as friends here for the last 13 years. Even though I'm gone Josie will take over the blog eventually.

Now I've got to go catch up with Fluffy who came before me. I've always heard such great stories about him. Then I'll go meet up with all my blog friends who went before me -- Scooby and Shaggy, and Ginger, Quest, and Q2, and Diva Kitty, and William and Russell, and Buzzerbee and Meep and so many others.  I can't wait to catch up again.

Thanks for all the love through the years. And keep Mom and Dad in your thoughts.

Jasper McKitten-Cat
April 15, 2002-January 17, 2018

Chronic Kidney Disease

I had to go to the vet today -- I just haven't been myself recently, and I had a bowel issue in the walk-in closet where I've been hanging out. Mom was afraid it was another anal gland so she rushed me to the vet. 

The vet examined me and did some blood work and came back with the worst diagnosis I could ask for next to cancer -- chronic kidney disease.

I received subcutaneous fluids that perked me up for a little bit, and Mom got a variety pack of Royal Canin renal food, which I'm ignoring as of right now. I'm back in the closet resting on Mom's shoes, but I'll be sequestered into the bathroom tonight so Mom and Dad can monitor if I use the litter box or eat my new food. 

Please send all the purrs you can muster my way, because I'm rigid, and weak, and lethargic. Mom worries that I'm giving up. I'm a little sore in my back leg where they took the blood, and I was fussing earlier when I was walking. 

I really hope that tomorrow is a better day and that the trip to the vet did something more than just get me diagnosed. 

Thanks for your purrs, prayers, and thoughts. I know our community is strong and we can make great things happen when we set our minds to it.

The nerve of them...

So I've been wintering in the closet, sleeping on Mom's shoes. I usually hang out in the sink, but with the cold the closet has been nice. Mom has been a little concerned because I'm a little out of character staying in the closet and not snuggling in bed. I'm showing some signs of arthritis, and have started on a hemp extract CBD oil (https://www.cwhemp.com/charlottes-web-pet-hemp-oil-supplement). 

Mom and Dad had the nerve to move all the shoes I've been sleeping on and buy me a big fancy cat bed. Clearly I was offended, even though I stayed in it while Mom was petting me. Once she went to bed I moved somewhere else and abandoned the spot. So Mom moved the bed and I'm back in the closet, just in fewer shoes.