My room with a view...

Stray Cat View.

For two days it has been snowing where I live. I stare out the window and enjoy the view.

It seems to be windy and chilly, and I am not begging to go out there…

In a couple of weeks, it will be 10 years since I found Mamma.

10 years.  For about 8 months (or it coulda been a year, I am not sure about the timing), I was a street cat before she let me in to her warm farmhouse. I am very blessed.

My breed on average lives 12-15 years, I do not know if that is because of heart conditions (typical ailment of my kind) – as that seems very young to me.  We are meant to endure weather conditions, but it sounds like not for very long.  Sad to know it is imminent.  I think of Nonno Tony – my mamma’s father.  He is 74 years old, and still so active and energetic.   He too has a sickness, and it doesn’t let him down, it doesn’t stop him from working every day as a carpenter – he enjoys it.  He is my inspiration to take my medicines, to exercise daily a little, and to make sure my mamma is happy.

For example: I jump on her head in the early morning and wake her.  I lick her forehead if she doesn’t fully wake upon my jump.  She says “no” and “stop” but always follows both words with loving pets, so I continue to lick her and paw her hair until she says, “no” and “stop” again so that I can get a few minutes of those fabulous pets before she falls back to sleep.  If I feel restless, even if it is 4:30 or so in the morning, I pat her head again with my paw, and if that doesn’t stir her from her slumber, I will lick her forehead again, or move down to her cheek… it is a routine I repeat until I can get into my little nook to be held like a human baby and be pet until she gets out of bed to feed me…

I know this morning ritual makes her very happy.

I do not mind when it snows, it forces her to stay home, and that makes me very happy.

A little robin outside my window. 

The Slipper Series.

Monday

                                                                                        Tuesday

Perhaps Mamma is creating a "Slipper Series" and will share with you a photo of me each day of the week resting on her slippers...

Lately, she is taking more photos of me than usual, and usually she takes lots and lots.

As I have written before, I like to wake my mamma up a little before her alarm, so I can get her full attention and some really nice cuddles.  Recently, I have been jumping on her bed at 5am. Sometimes, Stivali, my little sister, is sleeping on mamma's belly, chest, or by her feet.  Either way, once I jump up, she jumps down.  Mamma and I usually snuggle for 15 minutes, but last week and this week, we've lingered longer into a half hour.

During this quality time, I rest in my little nook - which is the space on her side between her shoulder and hips.  My front paws over her underarm, my head on them, and my back paws over her hip and belly.  She wraps her arm around me, cradling me like a mother would a human baby.

Purr... Purr... Purr...

In March, I weighed in at 21.7#.

Doctors always told us that I was okay, perfectly healthy at 20# - 21.7# was considered a little heavier than I should be.  I am a big cat.  Not fat.  Just big.

Like I mentioned before, for a few days after my annual check-up I felt sick; but once I got my bloodwork, x-rays, and echocardiogram done in March, I began taking medicines, and I quickly got back to my peppy happy self.  I have not felt sick at all since.  However, I keep weighing in less and less.

I don't wanna lose weight.

Mamma is feeling alarmed, and is starting to really notice, physically, that I weigh less.

DATE:       WEIGHT:

March 19            21.70

April 08              20.50

Aug 01               19.11

Aug 16               19.04

The good news is, my quality of life has not negatively been impacted by my disease, I am still playful, joyful, and talkative.  I am loved, and that is a blessing to me. <3  

Your continued prayers are appreciated.