h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Oh, az! That's horrible!

I wish you the best! I love cats, I remember when mine died... I was so upset, I was crying about it for nearly a fortnight - I kept her collar with me for nearly six years, it got lost somewhere along the line during a move.

She was so beautiful, and remembering all the little things she did hurts even now; it's the worst feeling!

You have my sympathy - and, of course, another big !

(Keep us informed!)

- Jordan

hi Kaz,

Yes, I am totally spoiling her. I'm even letting her play with my hair in bed - something I don't normally let her do because, um, well it hurts! This morning I woke up with Lua on my pillow and her front paws buried in my hair. Well okay, it only hurts if I try to move. So I didn't move for awhile and just listened to her purring away so happily (why she loves my hair so much has always been a mystery).

As for spoiling myself, I don't seem to have to since you and the others are doing such a good job of that yourselves.


az

hi Jordan,

Well, yesterday I (very morbidly) kept thinking about what it would feel like not to have Lua around - everytime I looked at her I would imagine her not being there and of course spent most of the day either crying or on the verge of tears.

Anyhow, today I am trying NOT TO GO THERE with my thoughts and just stay in the present with Lua and spoil and cuddle her constantly.

I really hope that next Wednesday I'll be able to tell you all that it *was* just a bad infection, even though the vet said I should probably be prepared for the worst. Thing is, because of her age (13 1/2) the vet said that even if it is a tumour Lua might not be able to have the operation. They will have to do some tests first to check if her kidneys and liver are strong enough to survive the general anesthetic. Oh well, will cross that bridge if and when I come to it.



hi Ivan,

Well, I get the and Lua gets her outrageously expensive 'paté' (Hill's ocean fish special blend - spiked with anti-biotics). Though no doubt she is also experiencing 'second-hand rioja fumes' from all the extra kisses on the head she is getting. Weird cat - hates being picked up but loves being kissed on the head.

az

My last cat was very - she liked sitting on someone's shoulder while having her tail held firmly. She lived to 23, by the way - she'd had some surgery done, and she'd been run over as well (by Dad) - but she eventually succumbed to extreme old age. So I'd say that Lua has a fair chance of being around for quite a while yet.

Ivan.

Ivan,

Wow - 23! And after having had surgery and being run over yet! That *does* make me feel more hopeful - thanks. Compared to 23, Lua is just a wee young thing.

Sunny also loves sitting on my shoulder. Which was fine when he was a kitten but now that he weighs more than 7 kilos I try to avoid this as much as possible.

az

Poor old Lua!

Give her a special 'ack' from me and make sure that she gets lots of expensive pate.

hi Blues,

Of course you are the only person here (so far) to have met Lua in the fur, as it were. So you know exactly what her 'ack' sounds like.

Well, as I told you earlier on msn, if this all works out for the best then I will let Lua eat expensive Hill's paté for the rest of her life (until 23? maybe?) and will let her play with my hair whenever she likes.

It's rather poignant how stuff like this reminds one that they should live as though they are going to live a hundred years but might also die tomorrow. To never take any of it for granted.

az

It was James Dean that said that, wasn't it?

I've never owned a cat, but I used to pet-sit for one who had a habit of sitting on my lap and not getting up until I read a picture book to her. She even looked at the pictures.

Strange.

hi Roadkill,

Well maybe James Dean said something similar - I was paraphrasing some old Spanish proverb.


hi RDO,

Lua has a little stool with a cushion that is always next to me where I sit while I'm on the computer. And she takes turns sleeping and watching the cursor move around on the screen. But I think she actually sits there in order to get kisses on the head.

My black gypsy street cat Azar (with the hugest ears ever) seems jealous of the books I read in bed - he comes along and bashes at them with his broken hockey-stick leg until I stop reading and pay total attention to him.

Sunny, who is actually a dog that happens to look like a cat, happily sleeps all night at the foot of the bed until 7am - at which point he climbs up onto my sleeping shoulders and either sighs heavily or moans softly until I get up to fix his breakfast.

I cannot imagine my life without any of them.

az

where as henry gets jealous of the phone ,walking round a circle,trying to get between me and the phone every circuit.

Well, that sounds like hollywood:

plagiarism + fame = originality

Well, that sounds like hollywood:

plagiarism + fame = originality

Live as though you will die tomorrow.

"Live as though you may die tomorrow, learn as though you will live forever." Gandi

"Dream as though you'll live forever. Live as though you'll die tomorrow." James Dean

"Learn as though you were going to live forever, Live as though you were going to die tomorrow." Old Hebrew Saying

"Live fast, die young, and have a good looking corpse." Line from "Knock on Any Door"

Found a bloodstain on the bedsheets this morning - about the size of a one-euro coin (one pound coin, american quarter). Would a nipple bleed like that just from being infected? Oh dear. I also have no idea where I'm going to get the 200€ for the op if it turns out to be necessary and possible. Though I'm more worried about Lua not being able to have the op done if she needs it.

She seems very aware since the trip to the vet's that I now know she has a problem and I think she is comforted by that knowledge (and also by all the pampering and fussing and special food).

Poor old Lua!

az

Az dont worry about the stain ,dont forget given position of "infection" it would not take much to give that size stain.If you want to check it out stick pin in thumb press on sheet

Oh dear az, keep strong, you don't know yet whether this is the serious thing you are worried about. I hope you have some good news to tell us on Wednesday.

thanks logicus and Kaz,

I just sometimes feel a need to talk about how afraid and sad this is making me even though, I know, nothing is definite yet and it still could turn out well.

Am also totally jonesing for a cig (after not smoking for five weeks!)

az

Az couple of links for you local
http://www.avepa.org/granada2002/en/
good for general info + related links
http://www.btinternet.com/~cpl.croydon/CPLlinks.html

Well, sad to say I succumbed to my sudden and intense need to SMOKE. I went next door to ask my neigbours (three lovely Spanish girls) if I could bum a couple of cigs and explained I was feeling very stressed because I was afraid my cat might have cancer.

The reaction I got from them was totally unexpected. I was not only given a couple of cigs but Cassie asked me if I wanted her to come over and keep me company for awhile. (!!!) And then she asked me if I would like to come over and have lunch with them today and take my mind off things. Isn't that just so lovely? I almost burst into tears (once again).

Anyhow, I thanked her very much but said I was okay here just taking care of Lua and also chatting with my friends on internet. But just knowing I can go next door for a hug and a chat when I need to is quite something. I barely know these people - they just moved in last September. I am always amazed when I experience such kindness like this. It's a bit overwhelming.

Well, will try not to smoke too much and it's only for today. Tomorrow I'll be very busy with classes and a couple other appointments I have for other things. I just find Sundays a bit lonely.

az
feeling so comforted all of a sudden