It's A Tuxedo Girl, a new friend to comfort me over losing my Danny boy Options

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how your precious Mindy and you, and Shelley, are doing, and this wonderful picture of your precious Mindy. I am smiling at her "helping" you to make the bed. And I am so smlling when you share with us: "She always seems to get that way on a Saturday as she is happy to have me home with her."

I hope Mindy's pedicure time goes okay, and am glad to share your news that both your precious girls enjoyed some balcony time yesterday. I know what you mean when you share with us: "I'll be glad when it warms up a bit. It has been unusually cold for March." It has been 15 to 20 degrees colder for this time of year on the western side of Virginia, too.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy, and Shelley, kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, that I look forward to knowing how you and your precious companions are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[DannysMom]

Happy Easter from Mindy and Shelley!

I witnessed a sweet scene today. Shelley was napping on the pet bed when Mindy decided to lie there as well. At first she started scratching at the fabric with her paws and then she turned around to face Shelley who started washing Mindy's face and Mindy washed Shelley's paw. Mindy started to bite Shelley's neck and Shelley gave her a stern, motherly look that seemed to say:"Sis', it's nap time!" So Mindy quieted down and laid down with Shelley, her head close to hers and paws intertwined. That's when I quietly took a few pictures. After that, Shelley stretched and then lovingly draped one of her hind legs over Mindy's body. I couldn't stop looking at this sweet scene. They look so good together, and I'm glad they are such good friends. I think Mindy appreciates Shelley after the fiasco trials with the "thuggish" male kitty and the very grumpy Persian kitty. It's like Shelley and Mindy were meant to be together. Seeing them together makes my heart glad.

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and this wonderful picture of your precious Mindy and Shelley together. They are so sweet, and I know this brings much joy to you seeing them getting along so well. Thank you for sharing them with us.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy, and Shelley, kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, that I look forward to knowing how you and your precious companions are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[DannysMom]

I haven't posted about my sweet Miss Mindy in a while. She has been so good to me. Sometimes, when she gets in the mood, she will play with the big pink "hugger" toy. I laugh so much when she is on her back, frantically moving all four legs, trying to catch the hugger as I wave it back and forth. She grabs it and kicks it with her hind legs, but sometimes she "scares" herself when she gets too frisky and then she runs off. Last Sunday she spent the whole afternoon up on top of the big jungle gym, snoozing on the soft blanket. Mindy's morning routine is to sit in the window and watch what goes on outside while I eat my breakfast. She rests her front legs on the window sill and it looks so cute when she sits there and looks outside. She loves watching the birds fly by, and we have all kinds of birds here, crows, seagulls, robins, mockingbirds, cardinals, ducks, geese, etc. While Shelley always comes down to greet me in the evening Mindy prefers to sit at the top of the stairs, but that doesn't mean she's not happy to see me. And every so often she surprises me by quietly getting into my lap and snoozing away. She also likes chasing after a soccer sponge ball, but Shelley always beats her to it. This morning my girls played chase together which is so much fun to watch. When one of them has "caught" the other then the "caught" one starts the next round of chase. Here is Mindy looking very proud with her hugger toy.

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and this wonderful picture of your precious Mindy with her toy. There is no doubt she is a happy little girl.

Our precious companions do form their own special routines - - which bring joy and comfort to us and a peace that all is right with our world. Both your precious Mindy and Shelley are blessed to have you for their Forever Mom.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy, and Shelley, kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, that I look forward to knowing how you and your precious companions are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[xxForeverxx]

Hi DannysMom

Its lovely to hear Mindy is doing well.

Made me think if Fudge when you said she scared herself and ran off as he does that all the time.....sometimes makes me jump in the process as hes so quick!!

I love the fact she has a routine. Shes like a baby which is cute i am sure she is much better behaved then a baby though and does not make as much noise!

What has she been up today? Well i suppose if she has a routine its the same old stuff shes doing

She is such a cutie.

xxForeverxx

[DannysMom]

xxForeverxx, thank you for sharing my Mindy with me. She is very cute, indeed! I thought she had gotten over her habit of suckling on blankets and sweaters, but today she climbed on my lap, started kneading me and suckled on my sweater, close to my chest. She got my sweater all wet, and she was purring all the while. Shelley just looked at her in amazement. I've read that cats do the suckling when they get separated from their mom too early. Mindy and her brother were picked up as strays and I know little about her history. She gave me such a satisfied and happy look after she was done suckling. Friday night she happily spun around in a circle, chasing her tail. I think she can tell when it's the weekend and I'll be home for the next two days. But...the weekend always goes by so quickly. I'm sure looking forward to Memorial Day and having a nice, three-day weekend. We've had such a cool Spring, and I'm hoping it will warm up by then. I know it's been colder than normal in England as well.

This morning Mindy wrestled on the bed with Shelley and then she and I played with the hugger toy while Shelley was impatiently meowing for her chicken vegetable stew. She loves that food and just can't wait to get it in the morning. Mindy also loves chasing little toy mice when I throw them for her.

[DannysMom]

Miss Mindy tried out the new cat bed yesterday and it meets with her approval. It is so cute! It has a hood for them to hide under and cover themselves. She crawled in there and snuggled for a while. She has been quite excited about the birds and the squirrels out there. She chatters at the birds any chance she gets. She loves sitting in the window and watching everything that is going on outside. Often, when she is downstairs by the door and I call her name she responds with a happy chirp and comes running back upstairs. I think cats are so misunderstood. Some people tend to think of them as aloof and too independent just because they don't respond to commands like dogs too, but I wouldn't want them to. Cats are actually very loving and sweet and get quite attached to their human. They have saved people's lives as well. They need to know that they're loved. They can tell if you don't mean it. I have always been fascinated by cats and would pet every stray cat that came across my way, because my parents were dog people and would not let me have a cat.

I love my Mindy. She has this quiet strength and tenacity, and she is so playful and sweet. And she always is well dressed in her beautiful tuxedo!

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Mindy, and Shelley, are doing - - and for sharing this wonderful picture of your precious Mindy in her new hide-a-way bed. She looks very comfortable and happy - - knowing that she is loved by her Forever Mom.

I totally agree with you that cats are misunderstood. I have enjoyed the privilege of having both canine and feline companions in my life. Each of them have their own unique precious personalities, and cats are as loyal to their human guardians as their canine housemates.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy, and Shelley, kindly, my friend, as you and your precious girls celebrate Mother's Day together, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, that I look forward to knowing how you and your precious companions are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[DannysMom]

Miss Mindy gave me quite a scare on Tuesday. She had vomited a bunch of food and some puddles of blood mixed with bile and foam. I was scared to death and rushed her to the vet. They took some x-rays, but didn't really see anything except that her smaller intestines seem very well defined which is a bit unusual for a cat. My vet thought he saw some thickening of her small intestines which could point to a touch of pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease. I was so distraught. Mindy gets premium cat food, Castor & Pollux Organix dry and Castor & Pollux Ultramix canned food. But she has gained weight like crazy, over half a pound since December. I don't overfeed my girls and I'm watching their portions already. My vet though the dry food might be too high in fat and recommended I switch to EVO Weight Management which is actually a lower grade food than Castor & Pollux. Sigh!

I've decided to feed the girls a whole can of food in the morning and give Shelley only a bit of dry food afterwards before I leave for work. The canned food has only 74 calories per can and it is very filling. In the evening they get a bit of dry food and only some more if they come begging after that. I make sure I feed them only a bit at a time and hopefully that will help Mindy lose weight. She is at 12.56 and should only weigh about 9 o 9 1/2 at the most. I'm even thinking of making my own cat food, but I need to do some further research. The dry food is convenient but it's mostly carbs and is really nothing more than glorified "cereal" and that's what makes them gain weight. Cats need protein, and they can't really metabolize fat very well. I just wish there were healthier options that aren't quite so expensive.

Mindy loves the canned food and so far she is eating normally and she seems alert and otherwise healthy. I read last night that vomiting blood could also be a sign of a tumor or cancer. I don't even want to think about that possibility. I can't imagine losing Mindy anytime soon. She is not even 2 years old and I want her to have a long and happy life. Shelley was very concerned when I took Mindy to the vet and she greeted her little "sister" with lots of loving when I brought her back.

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how your precious Mindy and you are doing. I can soooo understand how very upset you were on Tuesday, and how concerned you are still. It sounds like your vet is doing his very best to give your precious Mindy a healthy recovery, and hope and pray the new food will help her toward this goal. I know when our precious companions are not well "doing our best" seems really not good enough. Still, our precious companions understand that we love them and will do everything our human and humane power to give them a long, happy, and healthy earthly journey. And your precious Mindy is so very blessed to have you for her Forever Mom.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy, and Shelley, kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, that I look forward to knowing how you and your precious companions are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[DannysMom]

I am still so worried about Mindy. I just have this nagging worry and it's bothering me so much that I'm having stomach pains and haven't been able to eat much. I was there and SAW how much blood she had vomited. And there was no mistaking it for something else because of the tell-tale iron odor and the color and everything else. It's easy for everyone else to tell me it's no big deal, but I'm sorry it IS a big deal when a cat is vomiting blood. Who know what could be going on inside her body? I just have this nagging fear of losing her and I know I could not go through that again so soon after losing Tina and Danny. Mindy is Shelley's best friend. What would Shelley do without her? A cat just doesn't vomit blood for no reason. I have been watching Mindy and she has been eating normally and is active and just her normal self, but still I worry about her. I don't want to lose this sweet little cat. She is not even 2 years old yet. I keep holding my breath so to speak and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[Tom's Dad]

Hello DannysMom

I'm sorry to hear about Mindy (so close to your scare with Shelley) I don't think anyone here would say it's no big deal. Of course it's a big deal when our fur kids are having trouble. The vet does not sound like he's sure. Is there going to be a follow up visit? Is it possible she may have gotten into something. I hope she is feeling better and we will keep you all in our prayers. Let us know how both your girls are doing.

TTT

[DannysMom]

Tom's Dad, thanks for checking on Mindy. I just feel so all alone in this. It seems like nobody really shares the horror I felt when I saw how much blood she had vomited. The vet wasn't sure, you're right about that. He suggested doing some blood work if Mindy doesn't improve. She hasn't needed a follow-up visit as she seems to be her normal self. Yesterday she was so active and playful and she's eating and drinking normally. I too thought that she may have gotten into something, a bug or maybe some flower petals on the balcony that had fallen off. I am always so careful not to leave anything harmful out, and I don't have plants in the house and I don't leave out Tylenol or any other toxic thing. My household cleaners are non-toxic and I just try to take good care of my girls. Mindy's episode really rattled me. It made me feel like "Oh no, am I going to lose another cat so soon?" I get so concerned any time something is wrong with my girls. I don't want to miss any signs. I simply could not imagine losing one of them anytime soon. Losing a beloved fur kid is THE worst kind of pain.

Yesterday Mindy was snuggled up against Shelley's back and Shelley stretched her front legs and made little "baby" sounds. She was so happy to have her "sister" with her.

[Tom's Dad]

Hello DannysMom

You should know by now, you are never alone here. I'm glad to hear Mindy has shown such positive signs of improvement. That being the case, I'm inclined to think she may indeed have gotten into something. Blood work and x-rays may not be such a bad idea to make sure she didn't suffer internal damage. But, from what you say, she seems better and would probably be showing more signs of distress if that were the case.

I can certainly understand fear of losing her so close to Danny and Tina. That's bound to be at the forefront of your mind all things considered. But, you are a good cat mom, and I think she will enjoy many happy years with you and her sister Shelley. Great picture, BTW. Take care.

TTT

[xxForeverxx]

Hi DannysMom

I am so sorry to hear that Mindy has not been well. By the sounds of it it might have just been a little hiccup along her healthy journey but I understand your worry. When Fudge suddenly threw up, had diarrhea and started shaking last year one night I was absolutely terrified! All I could think about was not another one of my boys. I almost went into a very early labour! He laid in his basket at the end of my bed all night and I was ready to rush him to the vets in the morning and then suddenly the next day he was back to his playful self......and has been fine ever since.

It is so hard with cats as they cannot tell us how they are feeling. I bet the biggest thing with your Mindy is the fact that there was blood which would scare anyone. Pixie throws up quite a few times a week because her stomach cannot always handle the amount she eats but then there is no blood so and I have had her checked out so I am not worried.

I am sure and have hope that she is fine but you are doing everything you can and cannot do anymore so do not beat yourself up to much about it as she is getting the best care she can get from you. You do whatever you think necessary for her but please do not stop eating etc as she needs you to be as healthy as possible.

I just wanted to share with you this picture of Pixie as I saw the one of Mindy in her nice new bed and I just think she looks like Pixie so much. In the picture her eyes are dilated but normally they are the same colour as Mindy's.

How is she doing today DannysMom? I send my love.

xxForeverxx

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[DannysMom]

Tom's Dad, thanks for your comforting words. Sometimes it's just a bit hard when there's no "live" person to give you a hug or words of comfort. Mindy did have x-rays, and all the vet saw was some thickening of her small intestines which could point to IBS or pancreatitis. She is doing much better and hasn't thrown up again and for that I'm very thankful. I sure hope she'll be with me for many years to come.

xxForeverxx, thanks so much for sharing that picture of Pixie! She does look a lot like Mindy and how clever of her to sit where the food is! She looks like she's a sly one and perhaps a bit more feisty than Fudge. She is really cute! I am doing better too. It turned out that I had a nasty bout with gastro-enteritis and may have had some food poisoning. Mindy sure makes me smile. A few days ago she was sitting in the window with Shelley and Shelley sat in front of her, blocking Mindy's view. Mindy gave Shelley a swat on the head with her mighty little paw, but Shelley was unperturbed and kept looking out the window.

This morning I woke up to a very precious sight. Mindy and Shelley were on the bed, nose to nose, and Mindy was giving Shelley a good bath. This went on for a couple minutes and then turned into a little play fight. It just always amazes me how they get along so well. It's like they were meant to be together.

[DannysMom]

I made an extra effort this week to give Mindy more attention. I sensed that she felt a bit neglected and that she felt Shelley was getting more attention. For a few days Mindy was hardly "talking", not even a screech, but now she is talking again. Last weekend she and Shelley had a little play fight going on while lying down on the floor face to face. Mindy put up one of her paws, then Shelley put up a paw and this went back and forth with them just raising their paws and trying to dodge each other. I wished I had taken a video! Last night she nipped me a bit too hard when I was feeling her ribs. I thought I had felt a little lump on her side, but it was only her ribs. I touched her real gently, but apparently it was a bit of a sore spot and so she gave me a quick nip on my hand. I told her it was okay and that I needed to examine her every once in a while. She is always so patient at the vet when they examine her. I hope she'll start losing the extra weight soon. Mindy is much more overweight than Shelley, but she can still run up and down the stairs very quickly!

[DannysMom]

Miss Mindy has been a very frisky kitty this past week. Late Friday evening she got into a game of chase with "sister" Shelley which also involved Mindy wrestling Shelley to the ground. I heard a frantic shriek, but shortly after that they were both off running again. Cats!
Today I placed Mindy on top of the couch next to Shelley. I thought they might enjoy a nap together. At first everything looked okay. They were sniffing each other's noses, but then Mindy sniffed on Shelley's paw and Shelley took a swat at Mindy, but stopped in mid-air, sort of like a "warning shot". Mindy, quick as lightning, lunged forward and wrapped both front paws around Shelley's neck and had her in a stranglehold. Very expertly done! But Shelley broke free and jumped off the couch. She wanted none of this crazy business! Mindy, now having the couch to herself, settled down quite happily and I thought I saw a little smile on her face!

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Mindy and Shelley are doing. Yes - - I can just see your precious Mindy smiling at her victory of winning the domain of the couch. Have seen that a few times especially during challenges between my precious Noah and his beloved beautiful baby sister Abbygayle. Anyone who tries to tell me that our precious companions can't smile or cry - - have never taken the time to really look at their companions faces.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Tina's and Danny's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious girls. Please know you and your precious Mindy and Shelley are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how each of you are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam