Christmas Means... Chinese Food and a Movie

Luna sitting pretty by the tree.

Fidel loves his gifts from Grandma Margie!

Eat that gingerbread man!

Luna got her first Coach collar. She's hot.

"When can we open our gifts?"

Corgi stuff from Matt.

Chinese food and a movie, as always! This year we saw that Benjamin Button movie with Brad Pitt. We both agreed that "Slumdog Millionaire" which we saw a few days later, was much better.

This About Sums It Up...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Rest In Peace My Sweet Prince

December Snow Storm??!!

As some of you may know, we've been inundated for the past week with SNOW! Yes, snow in Western Washington. We're not talking about just a light dusting either. Last night alone we got 6 inches! I know, I know, it doesn't sound like much for those of you back East, but let me tell you, that amount is unheard of here and people just can't handle it. We've also experienced Thunder Snow and hurricane-force winds (70MPH). Yesterday, Matt and I stocked up on batteries and non-perishable food (including cat food). You can find any de-icer, snow brushes, shovels or windshield washer fluid up here in Everett. Its been crazy! I haven't worked since Tuesday (thank God for PTO), but Matt has been braving it to work (even if his friend's driving landed them in a car accident). Craziness, I tell ya!

Here are some pictures from our adventures this morning. Before we could defrost our cars we had to find them first!

Update on Nikita

Matt and I braved the icy tundra that is Western Washington today and got Nikita to his 9am appointment at the veterinary oncologist's.  He's still there now waiting for the radiologist to make it in for his ultrasound, but it is not looking good.  Even with chemotherapy the average life span for a kitty with lymphoma is only 6 months from the time of diagnosis.  We're waiting for the vet to give us a report once the ultrasound is done before we make a decision.  Either way, its not going to be easy.  

Snow Day with the Kids!

Since I teach, I don't have to work when the district is closed so I've been home the past two days with the furkids thanks to the unusual snowy weather outside. So what have I been doing? Besides, housework I've been entertained by the furry ones. Fidel has been very curious about why I am home and wants my attention at all times. So much so that he's found himself in unusual places like in this video!

Silly kitties!  Luna was desperate to find him so she could "heard" him around the house.  

Our Poor, Sweet Nikita

I took Nikita to the vet yesterday for what I thought was just a mild case of dry heaves that he's been experiencing for the past month or so. I had try laxatone but it wasn't getting any better and I knew he was breathing really hard. I thought maybe he had anixety over there being a dog in the household now. Boy was I wrong.

After several x-rays, our Vet confirmed that 90% of his lungs were filled with fluid. The poor guy was struggling to breathe! She managed to drain a lot of the white, milky substance, but not all of it. She sent that and some of his blood off to the lab and we should have the results by tomorrow, Monday. Her face clearly expressed concern over why our 6 year old cat had this problem. He could have lymphoma (FeLv) or a tumor in his lungs or he could have heart problems. He's only 6 years old!

I left with her promising to call with the results on Monday and then we'll discuss the "options." I was also given the information for two emergency vet clinics in case his breathing got worse over the weekend. I could tell by her tone that one of those options might be putting him down. My poor, sweet, Nikita. He's only been with us for 5 years now.

He's home now and resting as comfortably as he can in his window seat. He's still breathing hard and sometimes he has to open his mouth so he can get enough oxygen. Some of you may know that our other cat Fidel was diagnosed with kidney failure and hyperthyroidism 2 years ago. I joked with the vet about our house quickly becoming a pet hospital.

So please keep Nikita in your prayers, thoughts or meditate for his speedy recovery from whatever is ailing him. At the very least, keep your fingers crossed. Its been my experience, that FeLv is a death sentence for cats.

Santa Photos Are Here!

Its a scan of a print so the picture quality isn't great, but isn't she a cutiepie?

Santa Photos!

Luna had her picture taken with Santa today at Artis Photography in Mill Creek. She did really well. Matt said she wasn't really smiling, just giving her "curious" look. I'll be sure that all the "grand"parents get one! Hehe. She did bark at a pretend life-size Santa as we were walking to the studio. Oh, and before pictures I took Luna to Paddywack to get a bone. Apparently we frequent it so much now that the people there know her by name! I was shocked.

I'm reposting the following from the Corgi forum I belong to. I thought it was cute and fitting for Luna.

Luna'd better watch out,

She'd better not bite,

She'd better not cry,

I'm a tellin you why

Santa Dog is coming to town.

He's making pup's lists,

Checking 'em twice,

Gonna find out which corgi's naughty or nice,

Santa Dog is coming to town.

He sees Luna when she's hoarding,

He knows just what she takes,

He knows when she snarls at her brothers,

So be good, for goodness sakes!

Luna'd better watch out,

She'd better not bite,

She'd better not cry,

I'm a tellin you why

Santa Dog is coming to town.