Thursday, January 20, 2011

Hey Diddle Diddle The Cat and The Fiddle



We three cats have been quiet cats for a long time now. She has been busy and we have been curled and hushed. Pixie is not well, with a green sticky sneezing. Maurice struggles to take a breath. So now only I walk. But mostly I sit and guard the house for Mr Griffiths. He is away in a warmer place but news is that he will soon be home. And Nadolig has made himself very comfortable by the fire at the neighbour's house.
As for Max, he has been strutting and posing and sleeping and helping. And I, well, I have been sitting in the bird tree among the bird feeders, waiting. Because I am Elmo and I am bad.

41 comments:

Angel Simba said...

We are so sorry Pixie and Maurice both have not been well. How good Nadolig has a place at the neighbors' hearth.

Dougie Donk said...

Sorry to hear virtual friends are not so well - positive vibes now drifting in the direction of Wales.

Robin Larkspur said...

Elmo, stay calm and watchful!! But not too bird-full!! Healing thoughts to Maurice and Pixie, and give Max a light tap on the head from friends far away! Robin.

MamaMeow said...

Dearest Gingers:

Thank you so much for the updates.
I hope that Pixie and Maurice will start feeling better soon -- perhaps when the weather gets warmer they can go out for short walks with you and Jackie. Thank you too, for the update on Mr. Griffith -- we sent our good wishes to him to be safe and warm this winter. It is so good to hear that he is well and will be home soon. Love and prayers to you all -- Judith, Finn, Levi and Baby Henry.

Sandies' Patch said...

Oh Elmo! Waht have you been up to now? We all still love you anyway!
Katie and Rosie cat send their love and purrs xx

Stacy Hurt said...

Oh Mr. Elmo, Fangs you so very much for the update on all things feline in your corner of the universe!

Anne Boleyn said...

This is quite a bit of disturbing news, but it is good to know what's happening, and it's wonderful to see the exquisite painting. It's good to know that Mr. Griffiths is kept warm as is his dear cat. Warm wishes to all for comfort and love.

Anonymous said...

Although half a world away, I worry so about the Ginger Kitties and Max in Wales. Sending good thoughts and the white healing light.

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings everyone,

We can understand as these passed weeks of transition from one year to a new one, all the while rain, snow and cold temperatures simple keeps us close to blankets and pillows to keep warm while sleeping.

Wishing you all the very best,
Miss Kitty and Egmont

The Ginger Darlings said...

I'm sorry, but Maurice isn't going to get better. He is losing lung capacity and having steroid injections that give him a boost but he is failing more each week and lig=fe is beginning to be more restricted and difficult for him. I can't make him live in a state of suffering just to prolong the time we have together so some time in the not to distnant future will have to help him on and that will be a bad day. Until then we quietly enjoy each others company and sometimes he sleeps on my bed and sometimes in the studio,and still sometimes in the winter sunshine watching the birds so life is still good for him. At least when it becomes not good I can release him into another future where hopefully he can breathe again without struggle.
Not sure about Pixie.
So, the cats are teaching me to live in the now and enjoy each moment.
But I do wish Maurice would stop weeing on the kitchen table!

ChrisJ said...

I've missed you and I'm so sorry about Maurice. It's hard, I know. But harder to watch them suffering. I had to laugh at your last comment here.

Lydia said...

The drawing is wonderful.

I love what you said in your comments that the cats are teaching you how to live in the now. It is all we have together, something 15-year-old Feather now on my lap seems to know instinctively. If I only pay attention she still has things to teach me.

Many blessings on each day with your ginger ones.

Narrative jewelry said...

There was a so long time without news from the gingers.
I can read that news aren't good for sweet Maurice, and am very sad about it.
All my thoughts and prayers are for him and lovely Pixie.
But i know that you Jackie, would do the best when time to help for no suffering will come.
With all my love,

WOL said...

Purrs to Maurice, poor guy. And hopes that Pixie gets better. We will keep them both in our thoughts.
(8>)
>^..^< >^..^< >^..^<

Steph said...

Poor Maurice and poor you. My cat Flotsam ended in a similar way and the vet put him to sleep in the garden, bird song the last thing he heard. Weeing so publically is a sign he seeks that special attention - human; I am not right. Please make me right, one way or the other. Be strong and proud to weep XX

Donatella said...

Hugs to all of you. I wish you a peaceful time with the pack and the pride. It sounds like you are savoring the remaining time with Maurice and Pixie. Thanks for the Glyn and nadolig update too. Much love to everyone!

The Curious Cat said...

Oh poor Maurice...I hate when these times draw close...they are indeed dark days. Thinking of you all and yes, it is all about the now! xxx

Carolee said...

I'm sooooo sorry to hear about Maurice...We recently had to help our 17 year old Cheetah cat pass to her next life. Very hard to do, but in many ways a final act of love...

~ Carolee

pattyj said...

It so hurts when that time comes, but all the memories are good and it helps to know that we gave them a good life.
So sorry...........

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear the not so good news. I have missed you and your furry family Jackie. Love to you all and especially Maurice.

quiltcat said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Maurice, and very concerned about Pixie. I recently had to buy an inhaler for Sylvie, who has feline asthma. She hasn't gotten used to it yet, so she's still on steroids and still wheezing. But not as desperately ill as Maurice sounds. I hope that the vet has given you antibiotics for Pixie for her upper respiratory infection?

Also sorry to hear the Mr Griffiths must be in hospital again, but relieved that Nadolig is being looked after and warm and that Mr G might be home again soon.

rees glanister said...

I do understand the cat business. I have an eighteen year old girl, Etching, she came to us, tiny,tiny, because her first mummy did not want her. Now she is in trouble with her breathing and not eating so well. It is a matter of time, but the vet tells us to leave her b...and just bring her to them when we feel the time is right. Good luck with your friend. We have a young Dachshund who likes to wee on innapropriate places...she is called Haiku, and because she is so adorable, we forgive her sins! Even though we do not really believe in sins, being Buddhist! :-) With best wishes Suzanne.

Leanne said...

sending huge amounts of love to Maurice and to you too, in this bittersweet winding down time. Maurice's time with you may be drawing to a close, but what a time he has had, what adventures and wanderings, what care and devotion. You will not cry alone when the time comes,believe me.

Leanne x

XenaBallerina said...

All our warmest wishes to Maurice and Pixie and you from me and my kitty companions. We are keeping you all close in our hearts and prayers.

Stacy Hurt said...

I'm so happy to have the update on everyone. So sorry; I thought I had posted this comment way long time ago but apparently it didn't get verified.

Hugs and purrs to all.

Jane said...

We think often about you and your gingers and we are so sorry to hear that they are not well. We send our purrs to you and also a good helping of life and youth and gingerness which has been brought into our household by the arrival of the glorious Titus!

Ragged Thread Cartographer said...

Feel for you. Have been there time and time again, facing the loss and maximising the day. Sounds like the peeing is the kidneys weakening. At least it was with my previous one. Kitchen floor covered in newspaper.
Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Love reading about the Ginger cats............am so sad to hear this kind of news........

Yarrow said...

I'm so sorry to read this Jackie, my heart goes out to you all.xxx

I've sent some Reiki to all of your lovely cats, but particularly to Pixie and Maurice.x

Maggie Marsland said...

My heart breaks for you, Jackie. And Maurice Hugs xxxxxxxx

Griffin said...

Hmm, weeing on the kitchen table is definitely not good. Still, poor Maurice and poor Pixie. I understand the living in the moment tho'. Animals can teach that to us only too well.

Will you do a painting of the three of them? It will fix the memory of them as your photos do. I still have pictures of our three cats now gone away into the silent land. I miss them but I don't forget them.

I hope Pixie will improve and be stronger soon. And in the meantime there is always Elmo the Mischief-maker to shine a bright ginger light among the trees.

Courage to you too Jackie, a lioness with a wonderful pride and pack. Courage and love,

The Griffin

Val said...

We had five old cats and now have four, and one old dog..but we were lucky the oldest feistiest cat was not frail for long and died curled up on my lap by the stove..a good end for a good cat.
Each day with the old dog is a bonus she is 15 and failing and we will have to make a decision if she starts to suffer..but for now she is happy and we take it one day at a time and tell her we love her. We send Maurice wishes for as many happy days in the sun and your company as he can enjoy and then for his spirit to adventure freely.

Val said...

Oh and sympathy with the peeing...lol our hound now occasionally (ok often) floods the house...I think we live in a visitor free zone for a reason

Anonymous said...

we send our love and good thoughts to Maurice, the other gingers and their mum - hope you have lots of happy, warm spring days and bird watching Maurice,
with love
The Dorset Hare and Black Cat Trio x

Debrina said...

I have been reading one of your books (Can you see a little bear?)to my boy for three years now without ever knowing that you were one step away from me in blogland via my friend Cathy from the One Pink Goose! How delightful to find you!! I'm a big fan!!

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

Sending purrs across the waves for dear Maurice and Pixie. Time for gentle comforts and closeness.

{hugs} to you too, Jackie.

Victoria said...

I hope Pixie feels better soon.

I agree, you should not force Maurice to live in suffering. I feel that giving our animals release from suffering in this life is the last loving thing we can do for them. Still, I know it's hard to do, and my thoughts are with you and Maurice. About him weeing on the table...when my cat, Norman, quit using his litter box, it turned out that he had a bladder infection. Antibiotics from the vet cleared it up and he was soon weeing where he should.

Hugs and blessings to you and all of your animals, and Nadolig too.

Marie said...

I've been gone for a while as well and just now getting my blog restarted -- part of my resolution for the new year :-) The various furballs at our house send their greetings and much love.

Gesine Seepferd said...

I just found your blog and, sad to read this!
In the last months two of my cats passed away and I´m still sad but as you wrote, I try to focus more at the moment and thank for each day with my others!
Greetings from Berlin!
Gesine

Beacee said...

Hugs for you all x

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

...to live and enjoy each day. Our cats do teach us that, don't they. You are in my thoughts...