Summing up

Yetismith

Jan 1

0818/31st December 2022

1st January of 2023 was apparently equally snow-free.

But there had been episodes of proper snow, not the feeble dustings we have had recently.

"Yes, missus. It was cold out here!"

This is how route 372 is supposed to look, in late December!

Perhaps it will be like this in May next year?

"Our contract says food will be supplied, whatever the weather, missus!"

"But of course, Master Sparrow!"

"New Year's Eve is so boring!"

"Can I at least go for a walk?"

For us, 2023 gets a neutral rating.

Compared to most, I've been lucky and I will never not appreciate what I have.

This time last year we realised there was a good chance there would be losses.

We had almost lost Toby twice.

And Penny was very old.

But you always hope they'll make another year.

One must be prepared for surprises.

In June, Lucy suddenly went blind.

She adjusted to her new, dark world as animals do.

It was sad and so unfair, but those were my emotions. In her way she appeared content and as I watched her, I made small changes that seemed to help.

Lucy was doing well and then at the end of September one evening I could see she was unsettled.

Some 36 hours later she was dead.

When you know the end is coming, you prepare mentally, you focus all your attention on your pet and you torture yourself with all those thoughts.

So, is it better when it comes as a total shock?

Would I have done anything different if I'd known Lucy was going to die?

In fact, no.

When a beloved pet is ill or dying, I think it is very important to avoid fussing or behaving differently because animals are so sensitive to our emotions and if we allow ourselves to be upset, so will they be.

How do you avoid being upset?

After making the final appointment for Penny and Toby, we wanted to spend every minute holding them close, but it would not have been normal.

Those last few days were HARD.

I could not close out the year without mentioning the losses. It still feels raw, but you have to go on and having 8 other cats is certainly a distraction.

We waited to see how the dynamic would shift.

Muffin and Lucy had seldom seemed to acknowledge each other and Muffin's life has not changed.

The one whose behaviour is most changed is Lily and when I was scanning through old photographs one day, a thought occurred to me. Another of those fanciful ideas I get.

Lily was part of my upstairs group of cats, before everyone moved in together when we came to Cambridge. She was very much my cat.

Over time, she drifted away, attaching herself more to Grant. I didn't wonder why. Cats do what they do.

But right after Lucy died, Lily began doing what she had done, years ago, poking at me so I would let her sit behind me as I write and wanting to be petted.

It was sweet, as if she sensed I was sad.

Then I came upon these pictures.

Lily and Lucy were my number 1 and 2 cats in seniority, sharing equal time with me.

Looking back, I realised that it was after this day pretty much that Lily attached herself to Grant.

From this day, I never saw Lily and Lucy sitting together again like that.

It was as if they made an agreement here.

"You look after her, I'll take care of him."

Sound daft? Nowadays, Lily splits her time. Sometimes she stays overnight with me and other times she goes downstairs.

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could negotiate and come to such peaceful and satisfactory agreements?

It seems to me that humanity could use a healthy infusion of animal wisdom.

"Too right!"

"Cat wisdom!"

"Rule 1. Dee Dee is in charge!"

"Take time to stop and sniff the zinnias."

"Come near me and I'll swat you!"

Perhaps we won't consult Tinkerbelle.

"Proceed with caution and know when to retreat!"

Sophia has come a long way. She loves to be petted and lets me approach her now!

Something traumatised her terribly and it has taken years for her to overcome it.

"Take frequent naps."

"Know your geography!"

"Just love everybody."

"Keep your options open."

Dee Dee, Willow, Tinkerbelle, Sophia, Blackie, Muffin, Patches, Lily and Little Red (spokesman for the wild ones) as well as Grant and I wish everyone:

A Very Happy New Year!