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Taag Along

Calvin, What I wanted to say...

The crowd of angels was so great around you, and I am so shy.

Had I been pushy like my brofur Nuk, I simply would've muscled my way up front to you.

Had I been demonstrative like my sisfur Sweets I would've called and pawed out to you.

But, I am me and so I hung back and I waited... patiently, for the crowd to thin out around you. So many angels, greeting you, taking you under their wings. Such a flutter at the Bridge.

I knew you by your striking green eyes, by your magnificent, regal bearing. (and of course by your over flowing heart basket) ;)

All I really wanted to say to you (on behalf of me and my family) was:
"We have been so blessed, to love and to be loved in return. Thank YOU with ALL our heart, for letting us share in your life."

I am a Guardian Angel {Again}

Oh purrs !!!

I am a Guardian Angel again ! - This time 2 brothers have graciously accepted my guardianship. They are just so precious.

If you haven't already met Smily Bob and his brofur Flipper - stop by and say a warm "Hello!"

They are 2 kitties who both have Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Flipper is more affected than Smily Bob.

Here is a nice, loving, educational video of Charley another kitty with Cerebellar Hypoplasia.
Charley

It's true. Kitties with Cerebellar Hypoplasia aren't like other kitties. Depending upon the severity of their condition they will present varying degrees of motor uncoordination. They may exhibit “Intention tremors” which are evident when the cat is focused on a toy or their human, but the cat will look largely normal if sitting still. Their walking is uncoordinated and with a wide stance, often using the wall for support.

While some people may find cats or kittens who display Cerebellar Hypoplasia "disturbing" - these kitties have a condition that is non-progressive meaning it doesn't get worse. They are NOT weak, only uncoordinated. They are no more in need of pity than my Earth Sisfur Sweets is with her fused patella. Kitties with Cerebellar are NOT in pain and enjoy the same quality of life as perfectly coordinated kitties.

What causes this condition?
The cerebellum is a complex piece of equipment. During development before birth, the cerebellum is maturing up until the last few days before birth. This leaves the cerebellum vulnerable to an assortment of toxins. In the case of Cerebellar Hypoplasia the culprit is the Feline Distemper Virus.

Growing nerves in the cerebellum are destroyed creating a tiny cerebellum and a disability in the kitten.
The mother cat need not be actually infected during pregnancy to create this syndrome; she can simply be vaccinated with a modified live distemper vaccine, the most basic of all cat vaccines.

Kittens infected with distemper under age 2 weeks may also experience enough cerebellar damage to suffer cerebellar hypoplasia.

This means that mother cats due for vaccines should not be vaccinated during pregnancy nor in the first 2 - 3 weeks following kitten delivery.

Although there is no treatment which can resolve the damage in a kitten/cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia, most cats have good life quality and make up in personality what they lack in motor skills.

Emphasis is on managing their condition. The CH cat should be indoors only and non-spill food dishes are best.

I am so happy that my 2 Guardees have found homes with a forever family who could see past their physical imperfections to their wonderful, warm, loving, perfect hearts within.

I am so honored to be their Guardian Angel !

We close our eyes and dream...

We close our eyes and the world has turned around again
We close our eyes and dream and another year has come and gone.

How strange it is to me to read your last year's MusikFest ends diary entry....
Written back when I took for granted our time and thought we would have many more years together. I took for granted any of the little things that made up our day-to-day lives with you. All the ways you were so *present* and so uniquely you.

But Time obeys no human standard - when time must end, so it ends.
It was Winnie and Chester's mom who helped us to see that Love too obeys no human standard - when love must begin, so it begins.

We had thunderstorms and Musikfest ending fireworks today - but no hail this year!
I wore your Memorial Necklace from Angel Amelia's Mom and you were close to my heart all through your beloved man's birthday celebration.

We thought of you often today. We missed you, we sighed, our eyes grew sometimes wet and shiny but we also smiled and were glad that you have peace now and that this year you could simply close your eyes and dream without fear, and without hiding.

Six months without you too is approaching (and on the heels of that sad observance follows the celebration of Gabby's first six months with us.)

You've been a busy angel in that time. Many friends old and new you have greeted at the Bridge. Each small comfort that you gave and that touched to another family's heart has also lifted and touched our own hearts.

Thank you for the privilege of loving you and being your family! Thank you for your gifts and your lessons.