Catching up

[Andybev01]

That type of person perplexes me; a 'do unto others before they do unto you' mentality that anyone should steer very far around from.

On the other hand congratulations to your kid for garnering a other win.

[Murfreesboro]

Well, I'm assuming this woman was part of marketing for some big company or other, so I guess she was pitching their offer. I don't blame you for wanting to keep your 8-yr-old away from that. Yes, the potential money could be enticing, but the risks to Phoebe's psyche would be great, too, and, happily, your family doesn't need the money.

I've never heard of the military scouting children for potential soldiers. We know a young lady, college age, who is pursuing a military career via her interest in meteorology. She is being groomed to become a warrant officer in that field. But she was in ROTC in high school, has older brothers who are career military, and the military (Air Force? I think) is thrilled to be getting her. That's the way it more commonly happens. A young adult shows interest and aptitude, and the military is delighted to take them. I think that woman was blowing smoke up your posterior about the military's interest in a child.

[Murfreesboro]

We are having a sad weekend. Yesterday we lost our beloved outdoor kitty, Bijou, to a bacterial infection we didn't even know he had until it developed into sepsis. We rushed him to an emergency vet when we found him listless and having great difficulty breathing in our front yard. This was around 7:30 am. I thought he must have eaten something poisonous, since he'd seemed fine the day before. The vet said this was the way these things go, that the cats seem fine until they suddenly aren't. They worked heroically with him until he passed a little after 3 pm. He had a family member with him at all times, mostly me, but also my son and husband at different times. It was just so shocking to us because we'd had no idea he was sick. The vet speculated that he'd gotten into a fight with another male cat, who must have bitten him in such a way that the bacteria entered his chest cavity. We never observed a bite mark on him and might not have thought it so dangerous if we had. He was born in our backyard by a stray mama 6 yrs ago this spring. We have other cats, but we are really going to miss him. We are consoling ourselves that he lived his best life. He really loved the outdoors and would have been miserable as an indoor cat. We need to bury him today, but it's raining. This is the price you pay for loving them. We hope he is currently playing at Rainbow Bridge with the many other pets we've loved and lost.

[Andybev01]

Murf, I'm sad for you and your family, because pets are family.

People say that animals are a part of our lives but that we are their whole lives.

If you plan on burying Bijou in your yard plant some catnip over the spot, for your other cats and any to come in the future.

[TheHeadlessHorseman]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat, Murf. I'm sure that being there with him during his final moments brought him some comfort, and he knew how much he was loved by you and your family.

[Murfreesboro]

Thanks, both of you. The catnip is a good idea. I think I may do that at some point this summer.

He lived his kitty life on his own terms. We have 4 cats indoors who will live longer lives, but Bijou didn't want that life. He could have had it at any moment he chose.