RIP Stache

    
Stache (short for moustache) appeared at my door in November, 1999. He was a tiny ball of fur with the cutest little meow. Well, I fed him and he never left. He loved me for 14 1/2 years, observing the birth of my son, the death of a husband and marriage to another. He resentfully tolerated various bothersome dogs that joined the family, and he let you know if wanted to be alone.


He would lie on my chest and sniff my face, sometimes patting my mouth with his soft white paws. He loved having his face rubbed, especially his jaws and the front of his ears. One of his favorite things was a vigorous knuckle rub on the forehead. He showed his pleasure with a loud purr.

Stache would be there waiting for my son to come home from school, and they would have their time together. He was a great listener, and he helped solve many of life's problems, big and small. 

Recently, Stache began to lose weight very quickly. He became very lethargic and disinterested in any kind of activity. As it turned out, his kidneys were failing, and they eventually gave up today. 

I miss and grieve for my kitty. Stache, you will always be in my heart. I love you very much. May you rest in peace.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Foothill Farms Veterinary Hospital for devotion and to and care of my faithful friend.

Meet Sandi

There I was, checking out from a Dr. appointment, minding my own business, when I saw it. A flyer containing a photo of  "Sandi," the cutest Miniature Schnauzer, looking up at me. Her mom had to move and couldn't take her along. How could I resist those eyebrows, the beard, and her sweet expressive eyes? I was in love.

I called Sandi's mom; we hit it off immediately and arranged a time to meet. Our whole family drove over to meet Sandi, and we bonded right away. Unfortunately, she had met up with a skunk, and she stunk to high heaven! There were a couple of issues: Sandi was 8 years old - how would she take to a new family at that age, and she had not been spayed - we would have to take care of that right away. We decided to adopt her, but we had to wait a week because we were going on vacation.


Upon our return from "the happiest place on earth," we went to pick up Sandi to bring her to her new home.  She had just been vaccinated and groomed,  although still a little skunky.  After a tearful good-bye, we loaded Sandi in the car along with a supply of food, her zebra bed, and 150 toys. (Ok, slight exaggeration - maybe 10 toys!)

It took a little while for Sandi to settle in.  She had a few accidents on our white living room rug, and she came into heat 2 days after arriving at our home.  Our 15 year old neutered beagle, Scooter, was very excited to meet her even though he couldn't figure out her intoxicating scent! After a few days of power play, they developed a good relationship, and they play together nicely. 


Sandi does not bark much, only to let us know when someone comes to the door. She loves to cuddle and does a cute little dance for a treat. We are lucky to add her as a part of our family.