The importance of pets

I had a bit of a scare with one of my cats last night. Patches is 15 years old and has lost quite a bit of weight this past year. I took her for blood work a couple of months ago and they couldn't detect any problems and said it was probably due to her age. But I don't feel that she's that old. My Satin lived to 21 and Toby was 18 when he contracted an aids-like virus. Patches is far too young to look like she does. The photo of her here is from the summer before this past one. She's aged so much since then.

Last night I went to visit with my mom and when I came home, Patches was in poor shape. I won't go into all the graphic details but I was afraid she had suffered a seizure or stroke. She was obviously frightened by it herself. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep last night and thought this may be the end of my little Patches. But she completely surprised me by coming out this morning and eating some breakfast. She isn't back to herself quite yet but certainly much better than last night.

I took Patches when she was just a tiny kitten. Satin had just passed away and I was having a hard time adjusting to life without her and thought a kitten might help. Plus I only had Figaro at that time and have always had two cats. I love calicoes and thought Patches was beautiful. She has quite a bit of Maine Coon in her. She has been such a good and faithful companion throughout the years. My pets have always meant a great deal to me but now as the time may be approaching when she'll no longer be a part of my home, her importance becomes even more apparent.

Here's a photo of Dickon.
I had seen a female cat at PetSmart and my heart went out to her so I went to the pound to bring her home, even though I already had two cats. However, when they took this female cat out of her cage, she began hissing at all the other cats and became very agitated so the pound said she had to go to a home where she'd be an only cat. Then I saw Dickon who was about a year old and had been there for four months. What a big beautiful boy - he's huge! They let him out of his cage so I could play with him a bit and of course he came home with me.

My pets are a special part of my life and the bond I have with them is a strong one. They've given me so much totally unconditional love. Hopefully, Patches and Dickon will be with me for many more years to come. They're my buddies. :)

Introducing two of the very best friends I've ever had.

I'd like to introduce you to two of my very best friends - Patches and Dickon.

Patches will be 15 years old next week.  She's a calico and has a lot of Maine Coon in her.  She's been a companion to me since she was a tiny kitten.  She grumbles a lot but she's a real sweetheart.

And then there's Dickon.  And Dickon, well, Dickon can be a real dickens!  I first met Dickon  at the Monmouth County SPCA where he had spent the previous four months.  His name was Smoky then and he was a year old.  He's 9 years old now though he doesn't believe it.

These two are my most loyal and constant friends.  They never criticize me.  They never let me down.  They never are jealous of me or talk about me to others.  They are always forgiving.  And they always love me unconditionally.  What more could you ask of friends?!