4.11.2002
During my lunchtime meditation at home today (one of the many benefits of having your office 7 minutes from your house) I lit a candle for Miss Rosie, and wished her well on the big journey ahead. I also wished peace for all of her wonderful family, and ease for their suffering.
Best wishes and love,
L.
posted by Lisa Link 1:28 PM
My best wishes, Peter. My mother's a kidney transplantee, a dialysis survivor (7+ years), and doing just great.
Alas that kitty kidney transplants aren't quite as relatively common and straightforward. I'll be thinking of Heather and Rosie today while I'm on the train up to Boston to do book events... and sending lots and lots of love.
I figure that if AAA goes to Ryegrass, WA, scene of one of my own road-trip fiascoes, they'll go to Barstow...
HB
posted by hanne blank 6:54 AM
Well, folks, I'm off on my own renal mission.
I fly tomorrow, Thursday afternoon, to Phoenix, to see my Dad.
In over 50 years, he's always been there for me and has never asked for a thing back. This time he asked. Last time we talked he was down to about 12-16% renal function. He has his first pre-dialysis meeting on Friday with his docs and he wanted me to be with him. Obviously, I gotta go.
Sometime Friday evening I'll start the long haul, driving back solo from Dad's Phonix place in the car he's selling me, all the way back to good old Seattle. With luck, I'll be back around these parts around Monday night after work. Without luck - does AAA go to Barstow?
Much love and warm fuzzies to all I know who are shouldering burdens, and I know I carry the same from y'all on this trip. It'll warm me and comfort me.
Peter
posted by Peter Throckmorton 12:34 AM
4.10.2002
I'm sorry you have to make such horrible choices about your dear and much-loved cat. Since you asked for advice, I'm going to offer some. Honestly, I would put Rosie to sleep.
I had a dog with renal failure - his name was Opus, and he was the most affectionate, dumbest Char Pei you ever did meet - and we spent a lot of time with the dog on doggie dialysis.
There are people who make less money in a year than we spent keeping that dog alive, trying to give him some more time because it seemed so cruel to put down this practically-puppy.
But the thing is, his quality of like sucked, and he didn't like us very much by the end. He appreciated the physical comfort we could give him, but he did not appareciate the endless injections, the frightening vet, or the scary machines. He certianly didn't appreciate us making him go through that, barking and whining and crying every time we took him in.
His life was basically a fearful and painful place. Not all the time by any means, but more than - in retrospect - I wish I'd put him through. He didn't have any understanding of what was going on, and that made it so much harder.
We did finally put him down. And I sobbed like a baby in the room with him, and walked away knowing I had done the right thing.
Rosie has had a great life with you, honey. I think you should give her the best ending you can.
Love,
Me
posted by Sabrina Dent 7:55 AM
4.9.2002
Heather...
You know how to reach me, and I've just sent a personal note along as well.
Both Littleone and I send our best, and our wishes for peace for all.
You need, you call, ok? That's how it works, all you need to do is ask.
Peter T.
posted by Peter Throckmorton 8:15 PM
hi, I just got home and it's 1pm my time, just saw the journal.
I wish I had good advice, though to be honest I've never dealt with that before. All the cats we've ever had in my life have been half outdoor, half indoor cats who always seemed to take it upon themselves to disappear into the woods when it was their time to go. I guess it felt like the natural thing to do to them, though we never found any of them (they must have wandered quite far to do it)
I do think that for people and pets both, quality of life is far more important than quantity of life. But I also think it's one of those things that you have to decide on far in advance of any moment of crisis and then try to stick with it even when it hurts, because letting go is incredibly difficult.
if you're around and need a voice on the phone, I'm here...
sending love and fuzzies,
jane
posted by Jane Duvall 3:04 PM
Poor kittymrrt, and poor kittymomma...
Nellcat the Hellcat and Mrs. Calabash send lots of cat fur, because you know cat fur can make almost anything feel better.
posted by hanne blank 11:33 AM
Heather- I'm rooting for Rosie. Hugs and love to you both.
- cilla
posted by 00goddess 6:29 AM
4.8.2002
Seska, thanks for the recipe. I'm always looking to add new ones to my repetoire.
I also wanted to follow your lead, and add some belated thoughts to the labia blog-a-thon. I'd been meaning to do so, but have been in the midst of last-minute wedding details (My beloved and I are tying the knot on April 27th, so we're pretty nutty right now :) and the time really got away from me.
When I first noticed the rush of "I hate/fear my labia posts" at Scarleteen (where I'm an advocate) I was totally flabbergasted. I guess I never really thought too much about the shape, size, or color; it simply never occurred to me, honestly. Upon reflection, I suppose I can trace that back to the time I asked my mother about my labia when I discovered them with the hand mirror. I commented that they looked odd to me (i guess I was about 6 or 7), and she told me, with her usual matter-of-fact candor, that labia were like most things in nature, such as snowflakes or leaves; no two are the same, and that's just fine - the way it's meant to be. From that point on, i really never worried about how my labia looked. I wish all parents could instill such healthy attitudes in their children, because seriously, i just never obsessed about it.
Because i feel pretty at -ease with my body, and because I'm naturally a big, round goofball, I'm more than willing to give and receive body humor during sex - i thrive on it, in fact. One particular encounter springs to mind: for some reason my partner and i were consumed with coital giggles (you know how that goes). At one point, while he was gently massaging me, I, for some strange reason, was struck by the sheer hilarity of them. In the moment, I grab my labia with my fingers, and make them "speak" (surprisingly, they have a german accent - heh) to my partner, saying "Vee Haav Vees of Makink you Orgasmmmmm." Trust me, it was pretty damn amusing in the moment...
posted by Lisa Link 8:50 AM
4.7.2002
I wanted to add some thoughts to the labia blog endevour but was a little late getting on board.
I have never had any issue with my labia. As an 9 year old I was a little freaked by the fact that I had pubic hair when the rest of my friends didn't -yes, we checked ourselves out at a sleep over- but I didn't give much thought to my labia. I suppose mine are a bit on the small side as compared to some but I have seen smaller as well. Sometimes I do like to look at my labia and pull at them a bit. My left side is longer than my right (my minora that is). I figure it would be good for multiple piercings if I were ever interested in going that route.
As for other women's I have seen many different shapes and lengths during my travels (both personal and porn-wise)...as long as they are healthy I decide their attractiveness by my overall attraction to the person they are attached to. Same goes for male genitals. The more romantic affection I have for someone the more affection I have for their genitals. Call me vain and selfish but I like mine (and me) lots!
posted by Seska Roonie 4:37 PM
