Sometimes, all you need
is a little afternoon sunshine on your face
and a place to sharpen your claws
and an old crow feather
that's been stuck in a table
all winter long
to make you feel like everything is normal again
and you can cuddle up in the studio and help Person draw the rest of the day
(with green paint on your back)
and dream sweet dreams.
Every day should be like this.
And every day will be, Flossie.
For those of you who don't already know, Flossie is 17 years old and has been in kidney failure for the past 5 years. During that time she's had mostly good days, but we always knew the time would come - when her little old kidneys would just be . . . done. And we also knew that it would break our hearts. Results from blood-work done this morning has done just that. It's with a broken heart that I'm sharing this news with you.
Our only focus now is to keep her happy and comfortable. Every day is Cuddle Day. Every minute is Cuddle Minute. Soaking in every second. Flossie has always been very good at telling us exactly what she wants and needs - we're sort of counting on that more than ever right now.
Thanks so much for all the kind words since yesterday's post. Please continue to keep Flossie in your good thoughts. We'll try to continue to keep you posted, here or on Facebook. In between cuddles, that is.
It's a rough job managing this studio, but someone's gotta do it.
I have a new light over my bed.
It's bright. I like bright. I seek out bright light and sit under it, wherever it is.
And now here it is. Just for me.
Which is nice because we've had some long, busy days here in the studio this week...
In the wintertime, one must keep one's nose warm.
...chillin' together all afternoon on the couch.
Sometimes Person carries my little bed around like a Flossie-taco and plops me down wherever she sits
I never know where I'll wake up, but there's always someone to cuddle with there.
Last month Person removed all the Fun Stuff I Like. The boxes aren't nearly as fun when she's filling them up again.
I need to show my disapproval somehow.
Scratch scratch scratch.
What?!
Since the Fun Stuff I Like has been taken down and packed away for the rest of the year, it's just plain old boring cold winter again. I am not a fan.
I feel it's important that the world is aware of this. Person and I have figured out a way you can help me let the world know:
The "Flossie Does Not Approve" t-shirt:
Also available for those rare moments when the rest of the world falls in line with my wishes and desires, there's this one:
“You don't know me that well. My angry face and my happy face are the same."
-Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, “True Blood”
Both available now in Person's Zazzle Store. Men's styles and more products coming soon.
Enjoy.
I am not sure what prompted you to leave this puffiness, but you go on, have your day.
I'll be right here if you need me.
It's okay when Person works at the computer, because I can keep my eye (and hands) on her.
It's even better when she works at her desk, and I can curl up in her lap in my white blankie while we draw.
But the very best is when she brings her stuff out and we sit together on the couch.
This is where I can achieve maxium cuddlage.
...but now she's home.
And all is right with the world.
The chair is still warm.
I'll keep it that way, for when she gets back.
Hey, Person. I'm bored. I should get in your lap.
What do you mean, play with my bird? I couldn't be less interested in that bird.
Oh no, here I go.
Why can't I resist this thing?
Must. Stop. Must. Resist. This isn't what I wanted.
That's it, your lap. I wanted to get in your lap.
I'll just do that now.
Mmmm, warm hiding spot in front of the the heat register. I can hide in here and hot air blows all over me. No one knows I'm here; I'm as stealthy as can be with all this Santa stuff going on around me.
Hmm. Stealth can get sort of boring.
I'm going to go find a lap.
Hey, Person. What are you doing up there? Stop pointing that thing at all that nonsense going on over there. I'm down here.
Yes, down here. Pay attention to me.
I said pay attention to me!
Pick me up, Person.
Person, pick me up!
Seriously, what could possibly be more important than this?!
"Nothing, Flossie. Nothing in the entire world."
...of sunlight.
the heating pad is on in my corner bed, mmmmmmm.
Mmm, nothing better than a nice quiet evening lap
with my favorite piece of fur on it for extra cuddles...
Hey what are you doing wiggling around?
What is going on here?
Oh, it's just scritches.
Alright.
Mmmm.
Prrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Yeah, get up there, will you?
And down there.
And all over.
Ok. What was I saying? Oh yeah, a quiet evening lap...
...from inside
and out.
Mmmm, just feel that nice warm sun
it's so waaarm and niiiiiiiiccce aaaaaaannnd...
...what are you looking at?
That's bright.
Vacation was nice, but there's nothing like being back at home in my own bed.
What do you mean, vacation is almost over?
It was a lovely day today here at the beach cabin.
Just lovely.
I'm getting a little tired, though, just thinking how lovely.
...what was I saying?
Zzzzzzzzzzz.
Really?
You think these "mood ring" beads are going to give you pertinent information I am not giving you on my own, that sitting this thing on my head is going to give you some incredible insight into my psyche?
How's that working for you?
Shhh, I'm busy.
On vacation Person often sits at the big table all day and makes stuff. As you can see I help, just like I do at home.
Making stuff can be very tiring.
Everyone else is finally on Flossie Time. We might just sit and read a book.
All. Day. Long.
And of course, every evening we have to sit quietly together and wait for the sun to set.
Vacation provides more than usual Lap Opportunities.
Last month we went to our beach house.
I do not enjoy riding in the car.
Do I look like someone who enjoys riding in the car?
But once we get there
and my favorite window seat is all set up for me
all is right with the world.
Person stuck this feather into the table for me to play with. And I did. And then I loved on it for a while. And then we took a nap.
I'm going to make a run for it. All the way down the alley. No one can stop me.
I need to see what the neighbors have been up to.
Oh, great, Dog is here. "Flossie, are you supposed to be out here?"
"Is she supposed to be out here? I don't think she's supposed to be out here."
Dog, leave me alone. I'm busy. I have stuff to sniff.
That's all I needed. I'll just run back inside before anyone notices I've been gone.
Sometimes in the summertime, we just stay inside with a nice fan blowing on us
and we cuddle.
All. Day. Long.
Sometimes in the summertime, Person brings her studio outside and we can spend the day in the backyard.
Sometimes in the summertime, Dog makes a special fort just for me in the middle of the lawn, and I can climb down inside and hide, or just smell the dirt from up top. Thank you, Dog.
On warm summer evenings, when the sun starts to fade in the sky,
we sit outside
quietly, getting pets
and watching the sky
for bats.
