Casual Conversation

They're alive!

My wife was recently on vacation and, historically, pets die when she's absent. Duke, the first dog I got as an adult, died the day she got back ... Technically not from vacation, but from a work trip.

Because we had a kid, I had Newbie put down while my wife was packing up the previous house and the kid was with her. That's the only dog I've ever chosen to put down. I think it was the right thing to do but it still hurt. Even typing this is hard. Please ignore the tears running down my cheeks. She was a damned good dog.

Remi died while the wife and kid were at the beach.

We have three cats, two of whom have been around longer than my wife. The wife and kid went to a family reunion this weekend. They left Friday and came back today. Saturday the older two cats were absent for the morning feeding. I wasn't convinced they would still be breathing when I found them.

However, so far as I can tell, they're immortal ... Or at least making the most of their nine lives.

edit: Newbie's health was failing. I didn't just decide she needed to go.

One cat asleep (that's pretty much her life), one out having yard adventures.

Dog is good, had our daily walk, now sleeping on my bed.

Kitty sitting in the window looking out, she’s indoor only.

Chickens are clucking around, finding out.

Leo is waiting for me to throw his stick:

The girls, Daisy & Rose, are just hanging out:

Tiny Old Man Dog is asleep in his crate. He snores. He ate this morning, took his meds, used his pee pad, all good things. He'll get more wet food this evening, with chicken powder sprinkled on top so he actually eats. (he's lost his appetite in his senior years, and I want him to not lose any more weight. He weighed 10# as a preteen. He weighs 8# now. Dude, eat your food!)

Well it’s Monday morning here and a little chilly, the snake is enjoying some sunlight at the window and the dog is on his bed.

Took my dogs, Veronica and Chloe, to see my Dad's dog Annie, and to get my Dad to the store. They always love a car ride and seeing other animals. My dad also has four cats but they disappear when dogs start barking.

I have four cats as well and they are all doing well. Troy Barnes keeps attacking Miles Morales for the top spot on the new cat tower. Maryjane wins it because she is the princess of the house, and Abed Nadir continues to struggle to get Veronica to understand how much he loves her.

Our tortoise Ivan just got a head of lettuce and when he started chowing down, Chloe was reminded that he exists and watched intently.

All in all, no problems. Everyone here remains happy, which helps me in turn to not fall into that pit of despair.

For example, the other morning I got to sleep in a couple of hours and all four cats came to snuggle with me independently of each other during that time.

Cat saw a child today. Relived trauma from years ago when a child chased her.

Then the child went away and food showed up. Now cat's in her heaven, all's right with the world.