:o(

Had a fun time at Rotary Festival, but a solemn mood hung over Dalton as we waited to hear from the vet on Friday about his dear little Callie. Thanks to Hugh and Sandra, who were heading to the Vet anyway, Callie was able to get checked out, and was tested for Feline Leukemia. When the vet first called to suggest that test, we were blown away. How much Leukemia can one kid handle? Friday morning we learned the test was negative, but still, no one could tell us what was wrong. The vet gave her antibiotics, and told us he would like to do bloodwork, but didn't feel she was strong enough yet, he would see if she could get through the weekend. Unfortunately, we got a call Saturday morning to say she didn't make it.

It was hard to tell Dalton, but he didn't say much, expecting such news. He remained quiet the rest of the day.

I know we didn't have Callie in our lives very long, but she quickly found a special spot in Dalton's heart. She is one of the two cats that showed up the week before Dalton got sick last summer. She and her sister were abandoned on the pulp road beside our property, with a bag of cat food. She was a petite calico, quite endearing and gentle. We were happy when Ms. McQuaid, Dalton's teacher, became her foster mom for the winter. Dalton looked forward to getting her back in the spring when we returned home. Callie had a bedtime routine...every night when Dalton went to bed, she would run upstairs and settle in on a pillow beside Dalton. It probably didn't hurt that Dalton kept a bag of treats in his night stand drawer! Callie would fall asleep as Dalton did, but when Philip or I headed up to bed a couple of hours later, she would pop in our room and snuggle in on our quilts. When morning came, Dalton was usually the first one up, and she would follow him down stairs.

Every day of life.

Funny how cats can even establish their own routines, and adapt to their humans with habits!

She wasn't too thrilled about Wilson showing up at our house, but the hissing actually subsided over the past few weeks.

We have since had several offers for replacement kitties. I know people mean well, but it annoys me, because Dalton needs time to grieve. The same thing happened when his kitty Hermione died last March. We would never dream of trying to replace any other family member that passed away, so why are pets any different?

I am sure we will have another kitty in the future, but we are in no hurry. I am a firm believer in cats choosing their owners, so the right one will choose Dalton when the time is right.

It worked for Hermione and for Callie, and even for Wilson. They all have their own unique qualities, but were so special in their own way for how they interacted with Dalton. That's why I love cats! They choose us!