palterblog

Meet Sam - the newest member of our family.

Did I want a new pet? No.

Did we want a new cat? Eventually.

Could anyone say no to this face?

But what about Abigail? Will they get along?

It’s been a difficult start to the year.

We lost Brady today.

It all was rather sudden. His kidneys were failing. He had a heart murmur.

Brady was a unique cat. We always thought he was more dog-like than most cats. While independent, he seemed to crave human contact and affection more than most cats. When he was truly relaxing, he would lie on his back with his hind legs splayed wide. And he was patient beyond all reasonable expectations with little people. Never a hiss or swat when the kids were hugging and tugging at him.

He was loved. His presence will be deeply missed.

So far, Abby has almost doubled her weight - from about two pounds when we got her to about 3 and a half pounds.

Pictured here, she is making herself right at home, snuggling into Ella’s chest.

Oscar arrived in Leigh-Anne and Glenn’s house sometime in 1991. He became Leigh-Anne’s guardian during her difficult pregnancy with Maddy and continued to jealously guard Maddy as an infant and young child. He was a avid swimmer and even managed to learn how to navigate the ladder out of the pool, sparing the vinyl lining.

I first met Oscar in 1999 and he quickly became a friend. In 2000, as I was struggling to find a rope to throw my mother as she decended into Alzheimer’s induced dementia, Leigh-Anne suggested that Oscar might be the perfect companion. So Oscar moved to London to live with Pat and John.

Pat grew to love Oscar and he was a superb companion. But nothing could stop the Alzheimers and eventually Pat had to move out, leaving John and Oscar - a couple of old dogs - as housemates.

Oscar died peacefully in Leigh-Anne’s arms on Monday January 7, 2008. He touched many lives as a caring and loving companion. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Oscar.

Meet Abby - the newest addition to our family. Don’t ask me how it happened. Let’s just say a flood of joy has swept over our family. Who would have thought such a little creature could bring such happiness.