Moosieman, one of the loves of my life

Alot of people just don't understand how some get so attached to their pets. It's simple actually....they are family and you get to choose them. On Oct 1, 2011, I lost a piece of my heart when our Mini Moosie lost his battle with kidney disease. We had him for 11 years and he was approx. 3 when he came to us from the SPCA. It was him and our other cat's "anniversary" with us just last week. This would have been his 12th year with us. Some pets you just have a special connection with...and even though you love them all (we have 4 other furries, 3 cats and a dog), and you are not supposed to have a favorite, I did. Moosie was just that. We absolutely adored each other. I know it's going to take years before I will get over this and I also know that I'll be absolutely blessed if I ever have one that I love this much ever again. It's amazing how fast time passes. I remember telling Dave that I was "ready" to get another cat. I had lost my first cat, Mister Spook in May and we had just bought a house and got engaged. Little Gif was already living with us at the time (she came with dave as a package deal- win!), so the plan was to go and get me a new kitten. It was September 24. We drove over to the Edmonton SPCA (now the Edm Humane Society). I hated going to this place..it was small, cramped and just depressing, but the best way to find a kittie is to adopt and save a life, so off we went. There were loads of kitties in there. Kittens, adults, senior kitties. I did a quick look, Dave did the same. We looked at kittens, I looked at ones that looked like Mister Spook. Then we started to socialize with them a bit. NONE of the kittens wanted anything to do with people. They were very focused on each other and completely ignored us. The nerve! lol Then i went to the other side of the room and saw Puffy. He was pressing himself against the cage, purring madly. I let him out. I was squatted down as he was in a bottom cage and he rolled on my legs. I was done. Even though Gif was not yet fixed and we really needed to get a fixed male or a kitten, I had to have him. I looked around for Dave and he had Moosie in his arms and he said "this is the biggest cat I've ever seen!". We grabbed both of the cards on the cages and went outside to discuss. After a couple of minutes, we had decided to take them both home. We had a decent sized house so why not? The first 3 days we had them, Puffy drove us nuts...all he did was meowl. The adoption paper said that he had always been an inside cat. I'm sure they lied. He wouldn't shut up. LOL Meanwhile, Moosie hid under the bed in the spare bedroom. I was actually kind of scared of him because he was SO big. Not fat, just huge!!!! And pretty intimidating! Eventually when Moosie finally stopped hiding, we realized how awesome both of them were. Such characters. They both seemed to really appreciate having their own "house". We always think that just spending time at the SPCA made them a bit more grateful. They were both always the most social of the whole bunch. Gif and Puffy needed to get fixed asap, so we got them done. Next thing we know, all the cats are horribly sick with respitatory infections. Poor Puffy and GIf both just got fixed AND were sneezing their teeny furry heads off. Moosie was too, but he wan't as bad as the others as he was already fixed. After a HUGE amount of antibiotics and the emergency vet visit with Gif, everyone settled in. All of this, within the first month! GAH! What had we done? LOL Moosie claimed me immediately :) Happy years go by, things change, the animals start to age, things happen. About 5 years ago, we found out Mini was diabetic. Not to worry, I researched it like a woman possessed and got him into remission. (It's not really that hard to do - email me for info lol). But that went fine and within a couple of months, there were no more insulin injections needed, no more high carb food and everything was just fine! All of this made me worry about him constantly...special needs i spose..I hated going away for any reason because i just didn't want to leave him...ever. Plus he was needy, he really missed me when we were gone, you could just tell. Or maybe i just really missed him? hee hee He sure had some strange little quirks. he always insisted on fresh tap water...preferably right from the tap. I used to put a glass in the sink and fill it and he would happily drink from that. I had a lot of comments on THAT from guests. lol He also loooooved plastic. So much so that we had to ensure that no one ever left it lying around. Every person that ever came in the house KNEW not to leave it, as he would eat it. One time, he was watching me put a band aid on my finger and before i could reach it, he ate the plastic part that you take off. I had to make sure he passed it and had to inspect poop for 2 days. Gotta love them. I have to laugh every time...Moosie would jump up on Dave's lap while we are watching a movie...Dave would say "well hello you" and Moosie would look at him, look at me and walk across him to get over to me to snuggle. Too cute! The past few months, he'd taken to sleeping wrapped around my head on the pillow, which would have been just fine if he wouldn't have kept stepping on my hair and waking me up! lol All of these things make me smile. The past couple of years my husband and I had some marriage trouble which has been very hard on us. I focused on the pets alot more. It was easier to deal with them than to deal with our issues. Things changed drastically for a while but finally within the past few months and with the help of therapy, things have been much better between us. Our pets really helped me through that (plus a few close friends, of course). And then last August, Moosie was diagnosed with kidney disease. Now, I'm a realist...I know how bad this is and that it will eventually be fatal. But I figure, Hey we can deal with it....Diabetes was NOTHING, I can handle this!!! And I'm completely confident nothing will go wrong for a long time as we caught it in the early stages. He got his pills, had to get bloodwork done every few months and we were on our way. His peeing took on a whole new meaning...I'd find spots all over the place that he would go, and Dave and I spent ages cleaning up spots. We bought a spot bot. (the best investment EVER for pet owners), we bought urine out products, we threw out a leather couch that he'd been peeing on, but it was worth it because all the while, he was STILL "Moosie". He seemed absolutely fine other than that, so I really didn't worry at all. Then last week, i was sitting in bed typing away on the laptop and i noticed that he was wobbling while walking. I immediately knew that meant he was dehydrated because of my friend, Lisa's cat that had also had kidney disease. I kept a close eye that night and he went and layed in the dog bed and STILL seemed like himself, so I made my mind up to take him to the vet in the morning to get him checked out (of course that was after i texted poor Dave freaking out and asking him to check on him when he got home from work and if need be, take him to the vet in the early am before I was up). I took him in Thursday am and went to work. We knew he was constipated and would need an enema, but we were not all that worried at this point. The news just kept getting worse and worse. Mega colon, pancreatitis, plus his bloodwook was off the chart for his kidneys. Dave stopped by to visit him. But we still remained optimistic until Friday night. We both just KNEW. The vet called on Sat morning and said that his bloodwork had barely come down at all, despite all the fabulous care received from them, and that he was in complete kidney failure. She was very upset as well as Moosie had the whole staff wrapped around his paw. We knew we would have to let him go, even though it would kill us to do it. We went to the vet. I was soooo glad to see him. He looked ok, but very, very sick. He was so tired. We spent a long time with him and i held him the whole time. I couldn't stop shaking. He gave us both headbonks. As I held him, we let him go. I think i left most of my heart at the vet that day. Rest in peace Mini Moosie, my sweet, sweet special boy. Until we meet again.....xxxxxx

A Worthy Cause – Rocks Causing Ripples

A Worthy Cause – Rocks Causing Ripples

Finished Painting

We have lift off!

I decided to finally start the painting, so on Sunday afternoon I packed all my paints etc onto the deck and tried to remember how to put the easel together....

Apparently WE figured it out...thanks babe. LOL

Not bad for two nights work! At least 2 or 3 left though.  :)

Splat: on art

I don't remember exactly when i starting doing creative things. I can remember drawing as a child and doing cross stitch in high school. I remember buying painting magazines shortly after that and then the scroll saw came into play when i was in my 20's. I'd find patterns and cut them out, then paint them and give most of the things away as gifts. I still have a few of them kicking around here...and i think i even have some completed ones that never moved. Mental note to self: clean out that storage room (and the freezer and the litter boxes but that is another story)...

I do however, remember my first canvas painting. We had already bought the house that we live in currently and i needed something to hang up in the small bathroom. (Looking around the house now, it's hard to believe that we actually HAD bare walls at one time, but we actually did!) Anyway, it was a painting of a lighthouse on a sandy beach with a run down fence nearby, a few gulls flapping around.  I THINK it's at my grandma's house right now, but honestly I am not all that sure. For a first attempt, I think it was pretty good.

Painting came very easily to me and I suppose in that way I am lucky to have never had to take any courses. I am completely self taught. It is my one true love, next to my husband of course. It doesn't get much better than being out on the deck painting something on a nice day. Why I live in Edmonton, where there is only a handfull of days per summer I can actually DO this, is beyond me. lol

Over the years I have managed a bunch of pretty decent paintings...and I have one in particular that I am sooo proud of, but here's the thing...

I can't just visualize something, draw it up and paint it. I have to have something to go by. And with the way my OCD brain works, i look online like a madwoman until I find a painting that i love and go from there...usually big cats or animals of some sort.

I have also knocked off a Stephen Lyman cabin painting (that is hanging at my mother in law's house). She fell in love with it while visiting one time and I sent it home with her with the instructions that I wanted it back...later on, if you know what i mean. LOL

I once did a 11x14 painting of a longhaired calico cat that oddly enough looks alot like our cat, wicket. It was before we had her. *cues twilight zone music*

I did a particularly lovely one of a tiger...originally by my favorite painter, John Banovich. The painting he did was for a fundraiser and it was tiny - 11x14. I did a 20x24! I only wish I'd have made it even bigger as it's by far my best work to date. I actually haven't finished a painting since that one, as i'm scared it won't look as good. Yep, i'm a freak.

I suppose i just haven't been truly inspired as of yet to take the pics myself and paint them. I have a good friend who is a brilliant photographer and artist herself. She has given me permission to paint something of hers. The problem is there are so many fantastic photos, I can't decide which one to use!

But, i'm hoping to end my 5 year painter's block soon. I have something in mind for our living room that will be so much fun to do! Yes, it's kind of a knock off as well, but i already plan to change it up a bit to suit the space and color theme.

After all, I can't just buy a painting when i can do it myself, now can I? Perhaps forgery is a good racket? LOL No worries, i don't sell them!

...and i did get 40% off the canvas for the new piccie as well! Win! LOL

Thursday's Fluff

Marriage is not a ritual or an end. It is a long, intricate, intimate

dance together and nothing matters more than your own sense

of balance and your choice of partner.

~ Amy Bloom ~

Babies n such....

Now before anyone panics, i am not having one, but a friend of mine is and while we all wait impatiently, he is officially overdue!!!! I'm hoping that that is not the start of a pattern on his part...

Many suggestions have been made to "hurry" him up:

- doing virtual jumping jacks & lunges...thought that may inspire him...nope
- i put on a scream mask to try and scare him out ...that didn't work either
- tried sending Gator over.....all he did was attack the mailman  lol
- eating spicy vegan tacos....the rest of us will have non spicy chicken ones
- searching for a particular hockey player to send to her so he can "erm" help things along...still looking for him.....hey, Canada is big!

So far nothing, but whenever it does happen I can't think of a better mom! Let's hope it all goes smoothly and quickly for her!
You are woman! I can hear you roaring from here. xxx

One of my favorite photos - baby Wicket and Mini Moosie :)

Tuesday Musings

Last night, the hubby and I went to Sobey's for some late night grocery shopping. As soon as we stopped the car, we noticed the THOUSANDS of mosquitos buzzing around. I mean it was crazylike.... I know white (my car) attracts them but seriously. I was a bit nervous about getting out of the car in fear of being carted off by them! It wasn't a whole lot better INSIDE the store. Yeesh!
I guess summer has officially hit Edmonton.

While I'm discussing summer, how about a Top 5 of goods and bads?

Good:
1) Men without shirts - buff ones, not old, saggy, fat ones
2) We can safely put the ice scrapper and brush in the back seat (it NEVER goes in the trunk as the second you put it there, it snows)
3) Having a smoke OUTSIDE becomes a happy, warm and sunny experience
4) Holidays/staycations/decks
5) No winter coats. And flip flops

Bad:
1) Socks and shorts. Need i point out which sex i am talking about?
2) Stinky feet and smelly armpits
3) It only lasts a couple of months
4) Tornados and too much rain
5) Mosquitos that resemble large planes with talons...poised and ready to pluck you up and fly away with you for a feast. I fear for the dog....

Completely off topic, but worth a mention. Has anyone ever noticed that Stride gum makes your teeth squeak?

Project!!!

Thanks to my good friend who is designing her craft room, today I embark to the glory that is IKEA to pick up a dresser to paint up for her! I love projects! I have a reference photo and am looking forward to painting this one up! LOVE small projects like this...

Wow, what a backyard!!!!!

Space feels like a resort | Homes | London Free Press

William Shatner - I am Canadian - Video

William Shatner - I am Canadian - Video

And to kick off the weekend (at 9pm Thursday) I think some hard napping is in order! lol

Starting Up

Well here we go!

I just want to wish all my fellow/female Canadians a Happy Canada Day tomorrow!
Woot woot Canada!

I'm thinking of doing more purging and sorting this weekend. I actually have the holiday OFF, so we shall see what I accomplish! Of course the gardening is calling me as well. Since i started working a quazi dayshift (11-7) it seems I have no time or inclination to do a thing! Must remedy that!

Does anyone have any ideas on how to kick my butt and get me moving these days? Yeesh!

So yesterday Dave and I gave Gif her spring haircut. She usually gets one about twice a year as she is such a furball. I tell you it was close to the most disgusting thing ever! She needed to have her bits washed! Ewwwww...Still gagging just thinking about it. BUT, now she is clean and happy and non matted and non smelly. Win? LOL