Gifts and goodbyes.

I got the most amazing surprises in the mail yesterday that I just had to share. I'm extra grateful and touched by them too because they came just when I was feeling my worst. :(

 I feel my photos don't do these justice but these fabulous little crocheted goodies are from Annie. They are just so pretty and precious and the finishing is oh-so-impeccable. The pin cushion will keep me from using the side of the couch where I stitch as a, uhh, 'temporary' holder of various needles. A very good thing. :)

I got ANOTHER surprise package on the same day - this one from Maggee. I mentioned that I had always wanted to stitch this pattern - I love dandelions even if they ARE  'just a weed' - on her post with the finished piece. She then graciously mailed the pattern off to me - along with two threads - on the sly.  Thank you both so much!!! It's the one bright spot in an otherwise terrible week, as we had to say goodbye to Mooshie yesterday. :(

 (April. Typical sleeping position for him, the goof.)

He had a good last week. As solid as one could expect, I guess, given he had a chronic illness.

 (May. He always showed up on 'his' chair at the dining room table, without prompting, to sit with us every night for supper.)

He spent time with me on the deck when the weather was nice this week. And he woke me up early Wednesday by sitting on my shoulder and licking my ear lobe and cleaning my face. Kinda gross but still sweet. :)

Thursday night he even fetched one of his glitter pom-poms for me. He used to fetch 2-3 a night, every night, before he got ill. Every few days though he would still drop one at my feet and go after it after I threw it. By morning, per usual, he had rounded it up (and maybe another one) and put it in the food dish. The one from Thursday night is still right next to the food dish actually. :(

 (Just a couple weeks ago, enjoying Deck Time.)

Yesterday I woke up early to find his legs/head weren't really working - he was wobbling and falling over on his side every few seconds or having to stop and get his bearing to continue on. He hadn't caught on yet that his body had failed him - he was still going around the house, doing his normal thing, albeit having to pick himself up every few steps. He purred all day as I pet him and gobbled up a can of tuna fish in a way I haven't seen him eat in months. (After all that bland kidney diet food, I'm sure it tasted like the best meal ever.)

I'm sure we could have dropped him at the vet for a couple days, gotten him pumped up on IV fluids and all the toxins flushed out so he could have, maybe, have a week or two more but it seemed better to let him go while his spirits were still up and he was still happy, as heartbreaking as it is for us. Another day and he might have felt the weight of what a terrible condition he was in and I wouldn't have been able to bear it if his spirit was broken. He had a good day, as far he was concerned, up until the end. For us.............17 years is a long time. My heart is broken. :(