Shadow - our Cat

Firstly, I want to say thanks for all the wonderful, supportive comments on my last post. Reading them really helped. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Shadow yesterday. He was only getting worse and although I would have loved for him to stay it would have been selfish of me to keep him around just because I didn't want to say goodbye. He was getting weaker. Wednesday night he started to get a little shaky on his feet too. Husband called the vet yesterday morning and got an appointment for the afternoon. Although he wasn't feeling well we did have a few cuddles. He let me hold onto him as we watched birds out of the window and we did go into the garden for a while.

Husband and two sons went with him to the vet. He was an indoor cat and not used to going outside - in fact until the last couple of days he'd been terrified of it and would cling on like crazy if you tried to take him outside - and I was worried he wouldn't handle the little car trip very well. But son held him on a blanket and they said he barely meowed. I couldn't go. I couldn't do it. I was already in tears and I didn't want to stress him out. I think he was ready as they said he didn't struggle, just laid in arms as he was held. He's never been a scratcher or a biter but I was worried he was going to be in distress.

The vet checked him out. He had a tumour in his stomach. Vet says it happens sometimes with older cats. He would only get worse and be in pain. Husband and sons were with him while he went to sleep.

The house seems really empty without him. He had a bed in the living room and kitchen, both are now just blank spots and seem really empty. I keep thinking I hear him meowing. I'm just a little sad and tearful today.

Monday Again

After a lovely sunny day yesterday we're back to clouds and rain today. I did manage a walk before it started to rain. I'm starting the week off with a new set of lists and things I want to get done. I have meals planned for the week and picked up most of what we needed today. There were a few things the shop was out of so I will head to another later in the week - list in hand so I don't get distracted!

I've done a little on my cross stitch - still not enough for anyone to see what it is. I was going to work on it today but the light isn't good. I started a new knit using up the horrible grey ball (that was supposed to be different shades of grey). It's not a challenging knit but it's something I can easily work on in the evening. I will pick out something more colourful to work on. I also have a couple of photography things I need to work on - one for my online camera club and another for the Mindful Photography course I'm taking online.

This morning when I checked my Instagram I was really pleased to see that Amy from Love Made my Home had decided to start blogging again! I loved reading her blog. She makes such gorgeous things. I have to admit when I first started blogging she was one of the people who inspired me (and inspired me to use up those little kits on the front of magazines!).

Today the photo I'm going to share is of my grumpy old cat, Shadow. He's getting on a bit now (aren't we all?). We got him when my son was about seven/eight. He is now twenty-seven. He was not pleased at all when I started taking photos of him. He finally got downright disgusted, stood up from his comfy spot, looked right at me, gave a large meow and wandered off to the kitchen. He's got a lot more vocal the older he's gotten.

What's everyone up to this week?