Furever, Dresden.

I did something extremely hard yesterday.

In the end, it was the kindest thing to do.  And it breaks my heart to write about it.

This photo was Dresden a mere 2 months ago as we were sewing away on the Elvira Quilt Along.

Over the past couple of weeks Dresden’s weight loss went from “watching closely” to extremely concerning.  of course all of this happens right at the onset of a long holiday weekend.  Yesterday was the first open spot to get him in to the vet.

Taken Tuesday afternoon, just not himself.

Yesterday morning he was extremely lovey – just wanted to be held (Over my shoulder, baby burp style) and was purring like crazy.  I also know that purring can mean they are in pain.

I was sorting strips yesterday -

Keeping an eye on him sleeping on the cat tree.

That in itself brought a realization.  He NEVER liked the cat tree because he was really too big to be comfortable on it.  The cat tree was Lola’s domain.  He wasn’t comfortable in any of his pet beds or usual napping places.  As of nothing felt right.

I loved on him some more before I kenneled him.

He had lost so much weight – seemingly overnight.

The ride to the vet is a winding mountain road adventure.  He used to HATE riding in the car and would meow loudly all the way.  Not this time. It’s as if he knew.  A few mews here and there.  I had him placed behind the passenger seat where he had a clear view of me and I could reach my fingers back through the grate so he could rub his cheeks on my fingers.

This whole Covid thing?  I’m not sure if it made it easier or harder. 

I called them when I arrived.  We waited in the car for about 15 minutes until they called me to bring him in.  I stopped in the front vestibule of the vet clinic where owners dropped off one at a time as called.  I filled out some paper work, and handed him over to the vet tech who took him back through the “do not enter” door and said they would call me soon.  I went back to my car to wait.

We had been hoping for a thyroid issue.  Perhaps a bad tooth?  But it turned out to be an inoperable abdominal mass that had wound itself all around Dresden’s intestines.  No wonder he felt so terrible. If only he could have told me sooner.  But even then?

There really was only one kind and humane thing to do.  But to speak those words and give the go-ahead was so very difficult.  I didn’t know that handing him off to the vet tech would be the last time I saw him.

How to break this news to Jason?

RIP Dresden Hunter 2007-2020

Dresden was Jason’s “Big Boy.” and he loved him dearly.

More Dresden highlights found HERE.

And the chiding thought that kept going through my head was “More than 100,000 people have died from Covid and you are heartbroken over a cat?”  But I can’t help it.  For many reasons.

Having Dresden and Lola live with us was a constant reminder of how far away our son is and how Covid has affected his life.  Right now he is not working and having a hard time getting unemployment in Oregon – and he is emotionally stricken as many young folks are.  We are helping him all we can, but this is a loss for him that is hard to bear from so far away, and the fact that he couldn’t just jump on a plane and come here is another.

We had a good long video chat and a good cry.

The vet will be making a plaster paw print for me to send to Jason.

And then we had to decide what to do with Lola.

Come to the cabin and live, sweet girl.

Lola came to live with Jason and Dresden when she was 6 months old and Dresden was almost 2 years.  She has never spent a day or a night without Dresden.  I didn’t think that staying solo at the QPO would be enough stimulation for her.  She is a cuddler and needs to be here with us so she can curl up in laps in the evening while watching TV.  She can bird watch from her cat tree – she can sleep next to us on a big soft bed and be watched over by Zoey.

Emmy Lou who turns 20 in August is not quite happy – but she will get over it.

Bringing Lola home.

Exploring higher ground – on the bedroom dresser!

It was a rough night – emotionally, and also interruptedly as Lola continued to explore her new digs through the night, jumping on the bed, off the bed, trying to open closet doors, just being who she is.

I always thought that Emmy Lou would cross the bridge first, and we would bring both Dresden and Lola to live out their days here at the cabin together.  Life has other plans!

At 11 years old, I hope to have Lola for a good handful of years yet – and I know that we will give her as much love as she will take.

So now – I am facing going to the QPO this morning and finding it empty and that has my heart a bit sad.

I could take Zoey for company, get the mail out and then go see if Round House Road is up for hiking – it might be just what our hearts need.

If you watched my studio tour in yesterday's post - I promised you links to the other folks sharing their spaces!  I can't wait to visit them all.  

Remember this is about KEEPING IT REAL!

• Terry Atkinson https://atkinsondesigns.com/
• Gudrun Erla https://gequiltdesigns.com/blogs/ge-happenings 
• Annie Unrein https://www.byannie.com/LBR-annie-studio-tour
• Celine Perkins https://www.perkinsdrygoods-blog.com/lets-be-real-studio-tour/
• Deanne Eisenman https://snugglesquilts.com/lets-be-real-studio-tour/
• Nancy Scott www.masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com
• Shari Butler http://blog.doohikeydesigns.com/ 
• Debby Ritenbaugh Brown  http://DebbyBrownQuilts.com/
• Katy Cameron  https://the-littlest-thistle.com/?p=18826
• Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill http://blog.wholecirclestudio.com/studiotour
• Helen Stubbings https://hugsnkisses.wequilt.com.au/letsgetreal
• Scott Hansen https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvbXZ5JWx0/ Blog: https://bluenickelstudios.com/2020/05/29/lets-be-real-studio-tour/
• Lynn Harris  https://www.lynncarsonharris.com/blog/2020/5/28/studio-tour
• Shelley Robson https://youtu.be/IOQ4LbLjE7E
• Lee Chappell Monroe www.maychappell.com
• Pat Sloan https://blog.patsloan.com/2020/05/friday-fun-june-calendar-and-studio-tours.html 

Quiltville Quote of the Day

It's the unexpected things that add the spark to life - The unexpected things that change our direction.

How many of us are yelling "Plot Twist!" right now? I know I am.

Where will the plot twist of 2020 lead you?

With much of my teaching through 2020 and into early 2021 canceled, I am looking forward to settling in here and reopening Quiltville Inn in a safe and conscientious manner when given the go ahead.

I am reaching toward feeling excited about it and what the next chapter after this plot twist and pandemic hiatus will bring.

And that’s what is on my mind this morning.

What are you thinking about?