I didn't know, years ago...

...how hard, how painful, it is to lose a pet 

that has been with you for so many stages of my life...

since the end of graduate school, 6 of the 7 years in Ottawa, 7 years in NJ,

from having me single, dating, engaged, married.... and everything

in between... you just have to google my blog and Cleo to see how much

she has meant to me... 

I am probably going to share many pictures of Cleo eating. 

She mainly lays in the laundry room now, with trips to bathroom (next door)

and food (down the hall and to the left).  

I can assure you she still LOVES her wet cat treats, her milk and 

French Vanilla Ice Cream and still meows her requests quite

vehemently :)

But I know the end is nearing. She is so thin.

More sensitive to touch even, other than on her face and 

under her neck.

However, as my Husband pointed out...

Cleo is enjoying milk like it's an Olympic Sport she laps it up so quickly!

And then inspects the saucer carefully to make sure she did not miss one drop!

She is seriously into her treats... and it makes us laugh,

even though we know soon, she will be absent...

so it's hard and I cry but then I laugh and feel lighthearted.

From what I gather, this is all part of the process and I found my heart

filled with thanksgiving for Cleo and even for her dying because I know that

God is good, He loves all of His creation and somehow nothing good is ever lost.

How it all works out, with creation being renewed, a new heaven and earth...

My Husband brought us falafel which we enjoyed very much, at home...

***

I did various phone errands today 

(It was a heat advisory real feel up to 99F!) so I stayed home...

and I did dishes.  

I did not sleep the best (always happens if I am grieving, meaning

I woke about 5:30 AM or so) and with feeling sad, 

I just felt like eating vegan chocolate Popsicle and watching Perry Mason.

That I read my prayers, did my list of things to do, finished reading a book

and did not watch any Perry Mason till later afternoon, with said Popsicle,

for me was a what I am calling success. 

***

But the good thing is I know I will get through this grief.

I know God is merciful and good.

I know God is our Creator and He created Cleo and gave her to me

to care for and be blessed by.  

***

To be sure I answer Lisa's question, in case you did not see it in my comments on my last post,

I can't postpone my travel.  And I will be seeing a lot of family including ones that are

in the elderly category and one never knows when one's visit becomes one's

last visit, so as much as I wish I could change that, I really can't.
***
Lisa, I meant to add: when Mr Kibble (a cat for those who don't realize) was dying,
how could you tell that he was going? I don't know what to look for,
if Cleo gets to that stage soon.
I just gave her her medicine and she is now having more milk...
when I picked her up, I could feel even more bones than before.
She is slowly dwindling to fur, skin and bones.
I am glad she is loving her milk so much.
I think it must be soothing to her...

***

Well.  Thank you everyone who is praying for myself and for Cleo.

I can't tell you how grateful I am!

May God help us no matter what we are facing! 

Lord have mercy on us and shine Your face on us 

and save us!