Cats aren't totally aloof....

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My mom had to put her dog down yesterday. She was 13 which is pretty good for a big dog, but it was still very sad. She was a really good girl. We went with my mom to the vet to put April (the dog) down. I couldn’t be in the room when they did it; it was just too much for me. Bob stayed with my mom and April, he said it was very sad and April was such a good girl. She went quickly and quietly, she was very tired.

We were both pretty subdued last night and the cats knew something wasn’t right. Lucky is particularly intuitive. He knows when the other cats aren’t feeling well, he knows when we’re sad or not feeling well. When Jack was a tiny little baby he had an upset stomach one night. Lucky was so sweet, he curled up with Jack and comforted him. Jack had Lucky’s tail in between his front paws like a little blanket. I wish I had taken a picture of them. When Ernie first got sick Lucky did the same thing, I have pictures of Lucky with his arm around Ernie.

After I fed everyone this morning I went back to bed in the spare room because Bob was snoring so loudly. When I woke up Lucky, Ernie, Jack, Hurley and Pippi were on the bed with me and Herbie was laying in the door way on the floor. I can count the number of times they’ve all been on the bed like that on one hand.

Packing for vacation

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We just got back from a few days in Vegas. I brought my suitcase up and everyone swarmed it. I can’t decide if Hurley thought he was preventing me from packing by getting in it or if he thought it was a new bed. As soon as I opened it he climbed in and made himself at home. He looked very comfortable and wasn’t happy when I pulled him out so I could put my clothes in, he tried to get in after I’d filled it.

I started putting food out for the neighbor cat and now we’re feeding some strays. One of them is fairly tame and appears to have been fixed. I’m assuming that’s why his ear is tipped. He’s awfully friendly for a feral cat though so I almost wonder if he didn’t belong to someone that left him behind when they moved. In any case I know I can’t leave him out there when it gets cold so I’m trying to figure out what to do with him. I could take him to the shelter or possibly my vet could take him. He’s a big orange cat with a sweet face. I would love to keep him but we’re at the limit now and I don’t know how an adult cat would do here, Pippi already growls at Ernie from time to time.