Dog or cat person???

I just finished reading 'Cleo' by Helen Brown. Great book. If you are a cat person, you should definitely read it.

Anyway the book got me to thinking about dog and/or cat person. Growing up, we always had dogs. My mom like small ones. We had poodles and a biscon. But I was always an animal lover.

Dad had a gas station and a guy came in with a kitten and asked him if he knew anyone that would want him. The guy who lived next to dads station had recently lost his cat and dad thought he would want him. When Mr. Hand came home, dad went over with the kitten. Mr. Hand said to dad, 'I don't want anymore god damn cats.' With that dad called mom asking if I would want a kitten. She promptly said, 'no.' When I came home from school, there sat dad with a shitty grin on his face. Mom with a pissed off look. I set my books down on the couch and something on the other end moved. It was love at first sight.

Tigger became my best friend. He was a big orange cat, but the most gentle cat there was. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I was in a lot of pain. I laid in bed and Tigger got up on the bed without me feeling him and laid down beside me with his head on my pillow. He put his paw in my hand kneading and purring away.

Then came Fluff. He wandered into the station and became dads friend. Dad accidentally ran over him. Rushed him to the vet and surprisingly was fine. Dad fearing something else would happen to Fluff brought him home. Fluff didn't like the dog. Fluff didn't like Tigger. Fluff had claws. Tigger didn't. So Fluff went to the vet to be declawed. The vet told us with Tigger and Fluff being males, the would fight for dominance. There was a lot of growling and hissing. They must have had it out one time when we weren't home. Tigger was king and him and Fluff became the best of friends.

Then came Spuds. We found her in the pool as just a tiny bit of a thing. Her mama wasn't around so we took her in and nursed her back to health. What a nasty thing she was. We swore she had brain damage from her near drowning. It would take her time to focus in on anything. It was funny to watch. Her head would go up and down and side to side.

All during this, mom never became a cat person and there was always a dog in the mix.

When I moved next door, I wanted a dog. A big dog. Went to the ASPA and got a dog. She was a beauty. I only had her a couple days when she became sick. Rushed her to the vet. She had parvo. She only lasted a couple of days. The vet told me not to get another dog for at least six months. That's how long the virus can live outside the body. I wasn't in a rush to get another dog, but mom called to say there was a black lab up for adoption. I called and went to see her. She ran around like a loon, jumped up and wrapped her paws around my waist, looked up at me with those chocolate brown eyes saying, 'well, why are we still here. Lets go home.' Of course I couldn't bring her home right then and there. They have to do a background check. She was delivered three days later on a snowy night.

I had a cat at this time. My friends daughter developed asthma and couldn't keep the cat. She called and asked if I would take her. This would be my old girl now.

I soon realized that my home was too small for me, the cat and a very big black lab. I was going to take her back when my phone rang. Mom on the other end said 'would you be mad if Danny and I took the dog.' Not at all. I packed up her bones, went next door and life couldn't have been happier for everyone.

Then four years ago, I found two kittens in the shed. Taming them was easy. Trying to find a home for them was not. I would walk up and down the pet aisle in the supermarket scoping people out. If I thought they were worthy, I would pull out the pictures and ask if they would like them. Everyone would ohh and ahh over them, but no one wanted them until one day. The lady said her daughter would love an orange cat. I got her name and number and told her I would call to make arrangements to drop him off. I was happy that I finally found a home for him, but sad because I had grew so attached to him. When I got home, he was no where to be found. He did not come home until later that night. The key word to that sentence is home. In the time he was gone, I realized they had found a home. Mine.

So my home is blessed with three fur-babies. They are pictured on my sidebar. My Baby Girls health is failing, but it has been for several years now. Everyday with her is a blessing. Yipper is well Yipper. She is a strange cat. Cold nights are spent inside. She has even managed to secure a place on the bed right up against my leg. Ralphy is just one of a kind. Well not really. I think there is something special with big orange male cats. He is more indoor then out. His place on the bed is on the pillow right next to my head.

So even though I love all animals, I am a cat person. I love their independence. Their constant smile. The loving look they give me. Their mews for attention. Of course this is all on their terms and I couldn't be happier.

Ten years ago today

started as a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky with cool temperatures.

Then tragedy struck us all in the way of terrorists that would change our lives.

We were all glued and gathered around the tv and radio watching and listening in horror. Asking how this could be happening.

This went on for days-weeks after. We watched the horror, terror and sadness of faces that appeared on the television. We cried, prayed, proudly flew our American flags vowing to never forget.

And forget we have not.

And as I watched the news this morning, I saw the same horrific images. Felt the same feelings of sadness, terror and helplessness. Cried tears like I did that day ten years ago.

Through my tears, I couldn't help but wonder. Why are we reliving this over and over again? Is it not better to give the families closure? To give us closure? Instead of showing the planes flying into the towers, the collapsing of the towers, people running in fear covered in dust and dirt. Should we not look at what good has come from this tragedy? There were several stories on the news this morning about the memorials, reflecting ponds and scholarship that have been set up in memory of a loved one. A couple people interviewed that received one of the scholarships that has changed their life.

I fly my American flag proudly today. I think of that day ten years ago. Think about how our lives changed forever that day. I think about all the men and women who lost their lives that day. I think about the men and women in uniform who continue to lose their lives for us because of that day ten years ago today.

Ralphy

Had to rush Ralphy to the vet this morning. He hadn't eaten anything since Thursday night. Last night he was very lethargic. My old gal woke me this morning around four. She really has no sense of time anymore. I just lay in bed for awhile. I heard someone gagging and jump out of bed to find out who. It was Ralphy. He threw up pinkish bile. I called and left a message with the vet and said I have to bring him in as soon as possible.

Before the vet called back, he didn't seem as lethargic, but he would not eat. He was interested, but wouldn't even try.

So the vet calls and I go speeding up the parkway. They examine him and took blood. The vet said that he didn't feel anything in his stomach area that would give him concern. He also said that he wasn't in any discomfort when doing the examine. He thinks that because he is an indoor/outdoor cat, he picked up a bug and gave him a shot of antibiotic and gave me pills to give him.

When we get home, he runs out of the carrier - straight for the food bowl and finished what food was left in there. He hasn't eaten anything since. I have tried treats, milk, cheese, his favorite- pepperoni. I have three bowls of food down hoping one would interest him. I finally tried laughing cow cheese and he ate some of that.

I'm hoping that his stomach is still upset and this is why he's not eating. Other then not eating, he's not totally back to normal but better then yesterday. He seems tired, but his eyes have life in them and he wants me to pet him and he is talking. Not as much as normal, but I hadn't heard his friendly mews in two days.

I keep asking the angels to get my handsome boy better soon.

Good deeds

Paul lived with his mom Martha. Neither drove and always took the bus down from PA. They had not yet been down and the grass was getting high. Thinking something may have happened with Martha and not wanting the code enforcement officer to send a letter, I mowed the lawn for them. When they finally did come down, there was a knock on my door. There stood Paul and Martha with three beautiful rose bushes. The rose bushes were for me for cutting their grass. I asked how they knew it was me. The neighbor behind ratted me out.

Because of this, I now try to be stealthy.

Several years ago, my friend lost her husband. She was having a hard times making ends meet. We knew she would not accept money, so we had to figure out ways to help her without her knowing.

Her car was in the shop for repairs. I found out the repair shop and went and paid the bill. Someone then put money toward her dentist bill. Someone paid her property taxes. She would come home to find her lawn mowed. Her walkway shoveled when it snowed. Cable and Internet paid. She couldn't believe that people would actually do this for her.

She passed away earlier this year at way too young an age. It was such a good feeling helping her and listening to the other stories of kindness she received.

Today while laying on the couch having a lazy day, there is a knock on my door. My neighbor's wife had locked the keys in the car at Wal-Mart and he needed a ride over with the spare keys. When we got there, he tried to give me money. I refused. It was my pleasure helping him out.

I understand why people feel the need to reimburse someone, but the thing is, it's not about getting money. It's not about getting a pat on the back. It's about helping someone.

My hope is that they pay it forward to someone else.