Thankful Thursday
On Thursdays, I try to participate in the Thankful Thursday blog hop hosted by Angel Brian. So, once again, I am doing just that. I am starting small, but am no less thankful for what occurred.
Raleigh
A couple of days ago, Raleigh gave me a cat kiss. Woo-hoo!
My second two thankfuls today involve occurrences for which I am not thankful. As that is totally contradictory, let me explain.
Lisbeth
Yesterday, Lisbeth returned to the vet. The infections on her face from a couple of months ago healed nicely and her lovely fur grew back. But, a few days ago, I noticed what looked like crusty scabs on the edges of both her ears. When housekeeper/treat lady Chris told me Gibbs had Lisbeth cornered in the laundry room, I suspected the worst. Had he been attacking Lisbeth? Obviously, none of this was anything for which to give thanks.
Then, unfortunately, Dr. McBane was not working yesterday, and our appointment was with a vet I had never met. Well, she turned out to be terrific, especially as she telephoned Dr. McBane to discuss what was going on with Lisbeth. So, as it turns out, Lisbeth now has some sort of bacterial infection on her ears and front paws, and Gibbs had absolutely nothing to do with it. There is lots we do not know yet and will not until blood work comes back. For now, we have oral antibiotics, wipes for her paws and ointment for her ears.
The following two photos are Lisbeth at the vet and then after we returned home and we had taken care of her paws and ears.
She already seemed to be feeling better and asked me over and over again to pet her. Obviously, she had forgiven me for taking her to the vet. Just being downstairs (where she has remained all afternoon) is a big deal! Additionally, Lisbeth asked me to tell you that if your vet has not started using an electronic thermometer to take your fur baby’s temp in its ear, that you should recommend it.
I am not thankful that Lisbeth has another infection or that I had to take her back to the vet, but I am thankful for the care she received and what I hope is now the road to recovery.
Jackie Avery
When we reach a certain age, we know that we will begin to lose friends who also fall into that age group. But that never makes it any easier. Like most of you, I found out that our dear, sweet friend, Jackie Avery (mom to Angels Eric and Flynn [Two Devon Cats], had left this earth, when I visited her May 1st post in memory of Flynn’s passing on that day in 2017. Though I didn’t always get there on Friday, I never missed Jackie’s Friday posts, which always included stunning art she created of the boys for the Caturday Art blog hop. I also loved doing the puzzles she created from that art work.
Many of you have already written about the amazing Jackie. I had planned a rather frivolous post for Monday and the celebration of May the 4th (Force be with you). That post no longer seemed appropriate, so I started over by looking for a Spark more befitting the loss of a friend. Though, I found a Spark I thought would work; I honestly could not wrap my head around writing something meaningful at the time. I thought I would do it Tuesday, but I still wasn’t ready. Then I realized that Thankful Thursday would be the day to do it.
I was thinking of Ivor and Jackie when I selected the Spark. They were married for 54 years. I cannot imagine the extreme loss and grief Ivor must be feeling.
Tom and I will celebrate our 53rd anniversary in less than two weeks, so I think I know that this Spark would have spoken to both Jackie and Ivor.
Jackie was a friend to so many of us, even though most of us never met her in person. She had a huge heart and love for everyone and their fur babies. If you visit her blog and check the Rainbow Bridge pages, you will see she rarely missed including a badge for our lost loved ones, including the humans.
I often asked Jackie questions about her health, cancer and treatments and she never failed to answer and explain things. And I truly believed she would beat it again. She was a fighter with an indomitable spirit. I will miss her!
A Final Thanks
Kitties Blue and I always appreciate each of you who visit and comment on our posts and join the Sunday Selfies blog hop.
We will be joining the Thankful Thursday blog hop at Brian’s Home. To do the same, click on the Thankful badge.
Raleigh gave you a cat kiss!?! Amazing, woo hoo!
I understand what you mean about Lisbeth, in the Ten Things of Thankful we do each weekend, we have “hypograts.” You’re not thankful for the thing itself (her being sick), you’re thankful for something which came out of it (finding another great vet at your clinic you can work with, getting a diagnosis quickly, gettin medication right away).
We’re going to miss Ms. Jackie for a very long time.
We’re glad to hear that Lisbeth is doing better after that vet visit. Our vet also uses an electronic ear thermometer (hooray!).
We were shattered to learn of Jackie’s passing. She was a special friend to so many of us around the world, and we will never forget her. We can’t begin to imagine what Ivor is going through right now. Our hearts are so sad.
How did we miss this post? Great tribute to Jackie. We’re glad Lisbeth’s issue has been diagnosed and hope she is better soon.
Noelle sends forever love to Angel Sawyer.
Charee: “Awww, we’re sorry to hear about Lisbeth’s trouble, but glad you drew a good vet and she is being treated! We send lots of purrs for her to feel better soon!”
Chaplin: “We didn’t know Jackie but we are always sad when a friend to animals has to go to the Rainbow Bridge. We are sure she got quite the welcome when she arrived there!”
I sure hope Lisbeth will heal up quickly! Sorry she has to go through all of that.
Raleigh gave you a kiss??? Amazing, maybe in very slow baby steps he might deign to like you…
Jackie leaves a large void in the blogosphere, but I hope all the many memories we all have of her and her kitties will help fill it up a bit…
I found it hard to to anything here in blogville for several days…
we send Lisbeth purrs and purrayers and POTP that healing is on the way.
Jackie’s loss is a huge one, for sure. I didn’t know about electronic thermometers for kitties…YAY! I’ve been noticing something similar with one of Mudpie’s ears lately. I think we’ll be checking it out at the vet very soon.
Those are really nice thankfuls and I hope Lisbeth heals up quickly. Yes, Jackie was sure a special lady and we will sure miss her. Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Purrs that the medicines help Lisbeth and she is better soon. We are heartbroken about Miss Jackie. Even though we never met her in person, we have lost a dear friend. We send comforting hugs and gentle headbutts to Ivor.
Did the vet have any idea where Lisbeth got this infection? I would also recommend the Four Leaf Rover brand of supplements. They have helped my pups immensely. Gut Guard is what she would need. Just don’t know if she would eat the powder sprinkled on her food?? And the dosage is half of the smallest dog dosage. It is safe for cats. https://fourleafrover.com/collections/gut-health
I hope Lisbeth continues to heal and is doing well soon.
So happy to hear that Lisbeth is on the mend – sounds like she’s feeling better already! We too were incredibly sad at the news of Jackie’s passing. She had so much spirit and so much love for her life but cancer doesn’t care about those things sadly – it takes away. BUT Jackie had faith and that sometimes keeps us going when our bodies begin to fail us. Having gone on a similar journey although not for as long as she did, I “got it”. She was an inspiration – and a good friend. I will ALWAYS miss her. I love the SPARK – it’s perfect.
Hugs, Pam
We’re very glad to read that Lisbeth’s problem has been found and is now being sorted out! Since I’m limited it’s hard to get around to every blogger, so I did not know Jackie; it seems she was a wonderful person, and my sympathies and my heart go out to all her friends and animals and her long-time husband. May everyone find peace and comfort in wonderful memories.
We’re very glad to read that Lisbeth’s problem has been found and is now being sorted out! Since I’m limited it’s hard to get around to every blogger, so I did not know Jackie; it seems she was a wonderful person, and my sympathies and my heart go out to all her friends and animals and her long-time husband. May everyone find peace and comfort in wonderful memories.