Friskie

I have been reluctant to post this picture and introduce this new member of the Collins family but I think the time has come. This is Friskie, my mother-in-law's cat, and she came to live with us last month when my mother-in-law could no longer care for herself and was admitted to an assisted living group home.
It has been a rough transition. Our household has been through a lot of changes in the last four months. Adding Friskie to the mix has not been easy, for her or us. At one point, I wasn't even sure I was going to keep her. She is scared and not socializing well. But giving her away is just not an option. She needs us. Gradually, she is starting to relax and explore her new home and I think in time she will fit in and become a full member of the family.
So, welcome, little girl.

Update on Toby

Well, Toby's pathology report did not come back with a good result. Her tumor was a grade 2 mast cell tumor.
It appears all the tumor was removed so now we are treating her to boost her immune system and prevent any reoccurrence.
Our vet has placed her on some Chinese herbs and she is tolerating them well. I also plan on getting her some homeopathic medication to help with anxiety as some cancers are believed to be caused by stress. Toby also has a lick granuloma on her front leg which is definitely caused by stress.

Toby update

Toby is home and doing well. She is panting quite a bit but I'm hoping she'll settle down soon.

Toby had surgery today

Toby had another lump removed from her back this morning. It was small and we're hoping even if it's another sarcoma, we got it in time.
I am waiting for a call from the hospital telling me I can go pick her up.

Missing sweet Charlotte

It has been just a little over a month now since Charlotte passed over the Rainbow Bridge and I still miss my little girl. I find myself looking for her at different times during the day and then I catch myself because I remember she is no longer here.
Morning breakfast ritual is a time that will always remind me of her. Her last few months were consumed with giving her medication and trying to perk up her appetite and get her to eat. She had special bowls and plates and they are still in the cupboard and on the counter top.
She also had a fascination for anything electrical. She loved to chew on the antenna for the mobile phone or sit on the remote control for the TV. Whenever John or I couldn't find the remote, the first place we looked was under Charlotte. Nine times out of ten, that's where it was. Just last night I reached for the remote and half expected Charlotte to be there.
Baby Charlotte - 8 weeks old
Charlotte perched on John's shoulder while he worked - 3 months old
I know she and John are together now and she can snuggle with her Daddy.