Goodbye Earl!

I woke up soaking wet around three in the morning. Went for a tinkle, Ziva shot out the bedroom door with me. She wanted attention – a lot! She even sat on my lap for attention! And then she wanted out – since it was still dark, I wasn’t happy about it, but I let her out.

Mip Mips were still in sleep mode, so I didn’t disturb them – too much – and went back to sleep. Mewthos woke me when the alarm started going off. He woke me from some really, really weird dreams: I was working with a lot of wild animals, rescue and rehabilitation. For some strange reason, I was working with a snowy owl? And some kind of large feline – larger than a house cat but smaller than a cheetah. It had ginger-reddish fur with dark spots.

Anyway, I woke up to Mewthos wanting some cuddle time; Ziva was crying to be let in the front door. So I got up, let the Mip Mips into the lounge, let mommy in and made myself a cup of coffee. Mewthos now has to know about everything I do. He must know about coffee. He must know about washing hands – he jumped onto the bath rim and from there onto the bathroom window sill in one elegant leap – to watch me wash my hands.

I have a bit of a logistics problem today – the plan was: pet shop, drop worms & cuttings, hardware. Back home by ten. But the bird lady is only available after ten.

Okay, so I’ve turned that into two trips – not so good for the felines, as they are shut indoors longer than planned. I’ve got stuff to build the planned scratching post – not quite the way I planned, but it should work. I have a phone appointment between ten and eleven, so I’ll wait for that before I go and get the worms and deliver them and the cuttings.

And done. I got some worms – and can I just say: Eeuw! Live worms? Not my favourite shopping experience. Then I drove to visit the bird lady – she showed me her garden, her aviary – I got to see Sir Pecksalot, who is doing very well! We were having an absolutely lovely chat, and I had a hard time tearing myself away – but with Earl leaving, I wanted to spend some time with him. And take some last photos of Earl.

 

Lady Jane at the front, then Mewthos and Earl at the back

My little plumber / parrot
Earl

Back at home Rose came to visit. The Mip Mips were in Siesta mode, Lady Jane decided that her Siesta spot is on my chest! Too cute! And then the lady came to fetch Earl. She showed us photos of the enclosure she has built for her cats, and photos of her cats sleeping on the bed, and photos of her cats! I am sure he is going to a good home – but right now, I’m in tears! Literally.

Taking his last nap with his mommy.
I picked him up, gave him a last cuddle and put him in the cat carrier
And then I cried

But I need to put on a brave face for my three babies. Well two, because Ziva seems to be okay with Earl’s leaving. But Mewthos and Lady Jane are not their usual exuberant selves at the moment. Could be the weather – it is overcast starting to drizzle. Or it could be they pick up on my mood. Or they, too, miss Earl. Or maybe all of the above.

 

What's left of my family. First there was one, then there were five, then six, then five, then four now three.
Shadow still continues her duties - but only outside. She rarely comes upstairs to visit anymore

Well, they’ve gone to play outside now. I should be making dinner, but I’m really just not in the mood for cooking. Last night I whipped up a simple steak with a cheese & mushroom omelette. I don’t have a steak, but I can make a plan.

Plan made: fried myself some Bockwurst Grillers. Mip Mips are inside, Lady Jane was extremely cuddly until I finally put her on the chair next to sleeping Mewthos. I treated them both with Frontline, let’s see how long this one works! The Revolution worked for about two weeks. Both times. And I managed to treat Ziva as well. She’s not happy about that and ran straight back outside with Mewthos in tow. Lady Jane is back on my lap.

I got a message that Earl is settling in well, he’s now sleeping on the bed. He’s in a good home, where he will be loved. But Mewthos is definitely upset about Earl not being around. He keeps calling my attention, but he hasn’t learned how to ‘show me’ yet. He lets me know when something is wrong, like he did when he wanted his sandbox replaced, but he doesn’t know, yet, how to convey his meaning to a human.

That terror from next to Rose just picked a fight with Shadow. I first had to shut Mewthos & Lady Jane into the bedroom before I could go out and chase her off. By the time I got out, the fight was over – and Shadow had a patch of fur hanging from her mouth! I guess she won that fight!

I don’t know what it is about litter-box cleaning that affects the kittens’ bowels? I’m cleaning the sandbox and Lady Jane comes. Unlike Mewthos, she’s too shy and just walks away. She uses the one in the bathroom instead. When I’m done with the sand box I move on to the litter box in the bathroom – and Mewthos goes and soils the sandbox!

They’re all inside now, and that’s where they’ll stay. They are all a little lethargic tonight – like a spark is missing. I’m sure that will return, probably by tomorrow. But for now, the mood is somewhat subdued.