Yesterday we had to put Shadow to sleep. He was about 17 years-old, so he had lived a very long life for a cat. He was sweet as can be. We inherited him with our house when we bought it. He was such a loving cat and loved hot baths in the sink. I knew that he was getting old and that eventually it would be time, but I just wasn't prepared, I guess. He had been showing signs of getting older more and more over the last two weeks (walking a little slower, losing fur, losing a lot of weight, appearing like he didn't know where he was), but he still purred when I would pet him so I knew he was still happy.
On Saturday afternoon he was on the front porch and could barely hold his head up. One of his eyes appeared as though he had maybe had a stroke and couldn't see out of it. I spoke to him and stroked his fur. He didn't purr. He wouldn't eat. I knew that I had to make the decision. Then he wandered out of the garage on Saturday night and came home around 2:30am just fine! He was eating and meowing and purred when I would pet him! By the time we woke up on Sunday, he was back to not feeling well and hadn't left the blanket I have for him in the garage. Brian and Geno were kind enough to take care of dropping him off and then burying him. I planted a pink azalea where he is buried. 
With all of that emotion yesterday, I think that I got all of it out of me by today. Of course, I had been preparing for quite some time now for Geno leaving and me staying for another year. He headed out today to the Secret Service! What an amazing thing to even have been able to get into the Secret Service! He packed up everything he owns and stored some boxes in the attic. I made quick time getting my stuff spread out in my new space! I have been cleaning and doing projects all morning. I always get things done when he is gone. I think it is just that I keep myself busy with little projects to make the time pass more quickly so I don't think about missing him so much!
Good Luck! 
1 comment:
Shelly,
Received your post card and had some time on the computer to myself and visited here. Wow, do you have a grandbaby before me???? Very blessed.
Funny how the photos of Zach/noodles made me immediately made me remember little Christopher...who is not so little anymore. As soon as i saw that pumpkin outfit, I KNEW it had to be Christophers little one... you will have to give me his address so we can surprise him with a letter.
Brian has grown into a fine young man as well.
And Derek....I remember you putting on your mascara - in labor-as you did not want to go to the Dr without looking like you were NOT in pain.
Do you have a photo of all of you together?
Our family is still here in Alden. Mike works in the Twin Cities and I work in Owatonna. David (23)is ready to graduate from Stevens Point and hoping to get a job in the Black Hills or anywhere in the wilderness. He has a steady girlfriend that we love. Tiff is also graduating.
Dan (21) is going to college for engineering in St Cloud MN. He has 2 yrs left. He also has a steady girl - Emily who we are also so happy to have in the family.
Samantha is now 11 and sporting braces. She is very tall and VERY social---can't imagine where she gets that!!!
Dillan, or my little man, is now going to be 9 in May. Dillan is a typical boy, loves to run, bike, fish in the lake behind the house or go swimming down at the beach. He loves baseball and is excited this year he will get to be in coach pitch.
It has been one year ago today that Mike came back from Iraq. He was in Kirkuk and lived for months with bombs and bombers keeping them on guard all the time. He is still in the AF reserves as an electrician - now a Msgt who volunteered to be activated in Jan 2007. Rotation is only 4 months for the AF - now is 6 months. David is also still in the service with his Dad. Third generation of Leins to service in CE on that base.
Not sure what else to say...it was good to hear about you. I never write anyone...just hard to find time.
Jodie and Joy McClure came here last Dec and was good to catch up with them too. Bruce works as the electrician/handyman for the Mt - so goes to the faces every day. Much has changed there since we were out there!!!!
Well, best close - our address is electricmike64@yahoo.com
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