THE SURPRISE

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I turned the corner of the driveway. It was standing, tall and beautiful, right beside the little white cross marking the grave of Bow and Yoshiko’s beloved pet, AC. The cat had been buried there a couple of months ago, and more than one tear had been shed by my son and his wife. Now a solitary, bright yellow sunflower graced the site.

I have little knowledge about plants, so have no idea how long it takes a sunflower to grow. It’s true I have been away for a few days, and even before my vacation I was arriving home after dark, so could have missed seeing the flower. Still, I walk down around there often with the doggies, and it seems I’d have noticed it during one of those jaunts. I didn’t. In fact, I’ve never seen sunflowers down there, or anywhere on my property, so the sight yesterday was a delightful surprise. I ran back up to the house and fetched my camera. For once, my pictures turned out good, and I can’t wait to show it to AC’s masters, who still miss her presence.

Camera still in hand, I decided my apple tree merited a few shots, as did the playful antics of Bud and Grump. Louka was sitting higher up on the hill, haughtily watching their games, so I caught one of her too. Then a cluster of plump white and brown mushrooms nestled in the green grass got my attention. I was trigger happy, LOL! My youngest son thinks he may have an adaptor to transfer the pictures from my camera to computer, so I believe I’ll run over to his home today and check it out. If it works, I’ll post some of these pictures.

I hadn’t talked to my brother much since my return, so I tried to contact him twice yesterday. The first time he didn’t answer the phone; I thought he was out and about. The second time he called me back to tell me he had spent the whole day between toilet and his bed, and was not feeling good at all. He must have picked up a virus. His system is still weak after the cancer treatments, so anytime he is sick it’s a cause for worry. We agreed that I would let him rest last night, but today I’ll see him just to make sure things are okay.

I also hadn’t heard from my friend out in Saskatoon for ages, and decided to give her a shout. We did what we always do on the rare occasion we get to chat; opened a bottle of wine and had a long conversation (was it really 4 hours, Karen?) to catch up on our doings. We don’t call each other often enough, but I suspect that, even if we did, the conversations would still last as long; we never seem to run out of something to say.

When I finally got to bed, I found that Morpheus was right there waiting for me. Although not all that long, my sleep was deep and appreciated. This morning it is grey and raining here – just the incentive needed to go through my closet and pull out autumn clothing. Tomorrow is a return to the office, and I know already that my agenda is full.

Vacation is never long enough, especially when one takes so few of them, or ends up working for much of it. Unlike my friend, Kilroy, who was not looking forward to his retirement (but enjoys it now, right?), I find myself longing for it on occasion. I’ll probably change my mind once I get there, LOL!

Hope y’all are enjoying the weekend and that each day gives you reason to SMILE!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

THE STORY OF AC

My Mom hardly ever called me at work, so I was immediately apprehensive when I answered the phone and heard her voice. What’s more, she sounded like she was crying, or trying hard not to. Her landlord had been in, she told me, and he had given her two days to get rid of the four kittens she had in her apartment. There was no way she would leave them at a pet shop (my brother had turned her against such places long ago because he would purchase kittens there to feed his boa snake); she knew no-one who would make a good home for any of them; she would have to get them euthanized if she couldn’t find a solution. Not only she couldn’t afford it, but the thought was breaking her gentle heart, and she was hoping I could help. After all, it was partly my fault if she was in such a position. When my youngest son had moved to a ‘no pets’ apartment, I had convinced her to take in his darling cat (the mama) that, unbeknown at the time, had sneaked out for a romantic liaison, and was in the early stages of pregnancy.

Two days. Two busy WORKING days.

I assured her I would take care of everything without the kittens being hurt, hung up, then immediately dialed my son’s number. He wasn’t going to get off so easy. Hearing the story, he agreed to pick them up the next day and transport them into the city where my office was situated. Then I started to make the rounds of my co-workers. Who would like a cute little pussycat to take home and spoil? In spite of my cajoling, there were no takers. I could picture myself having to call the vet, then inventing a convincing lie to tell my Mom. Damn!

Everything actually turned out fine. The next day my son showed up with three kittens; one of my mom’s elderly cronies had decided to adopt the fourth. They were adorable, and I showed them around the office, hoping against hope. Was that a glimmer in the secretary’s eye? She had never owned a cat, she told me. She wasn’t sure…she would think about it. She finally decided, and picked the biggest orange-stripped male. Two down, two to go…and those two came home to the apartment I shared with my son and another lad. We fell in love with them, and there they stayed; a cute little black and white female, who we called AC, and her orange-stripped brother, who was named, of course, DC. My mom was happy, the problem was resolved, and the kittens’ amusing antics gave us many hours of pleasure.

When I made my hasty move to the country (see my story of the Bud Saga), I left AC and DC with my son. He married his Japanese wife, Yoshiko, and the cats now had a new adoring mummy. The two animals grew up to be the fat, sleek, bosses in a home geared to their every desire. Anyone who owns a feline knows exactly what I mean.

Then, late last fall, AC’s health started to fail. Many visits to the animal hospital, and many dollars later, her worried humans were finally told that she had an incurable kidney problem. Medication would be necessary every day for the rest of her life…IF she survived. She didn’t. During this past week my son and Yoshiko hopelessly watched her go downhill until last night when, reluctantly and with torn hearts, they took her to the vet for her final visit. There are no children in their house, and they both felt as if they were losing their little girl. Grandma (me) stayed at home and agonized for them, waiting on the call to say it was done. They arrived at my house at 11:30 PM, carrying her in a little box, bringing with her all her favorite toys. After crying together, it was decided that, because of the hour, we would bury her only later today. She’ll be laid to rest beside Beef, and Ben, and little Mouse, snug on the hill at the bottom of my mountain, as we read together Corbin’s story of Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.