Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2008. Mattie was in his second month of treatment at the hospital. Each of the rooms in the pediatric intensive care unit had windows out in the hallway. Seriously to me the room was like living in a prison and the window out into the hallway seemed to be a reminder that we were part of a institution and being watched. There was very little privacy, with people coming in and out of the room at all hours of the day and night! That particular evening, Mattie was getting stir crazy. So what did we do? We blew up gloves and Mattie had a puppet show through the window. Anyone in the hallway couldn't miss my six year old with dancing gloves in the window! The beauty of Mattie Brown!
Quote of the day: What greater gift than the love of a cat? ~ Charles Dickens
This morning, after I dropped my dad off at his memory care center, I rushed home to try to capture Indie, place her in a carrying case, so I could take her to her annual vet check up.
I have to admit that Sunny, the Australian Shepherd, was my boy, and Indie bonded with my other half. In 2023, I was left to manage Sunny (who had cancer), my parents, and learn to care and bond with Indie. We had an adjustment period, but as I say, Indie is smart, and she learned quickly.... I am it! She has to rely on me for food, love, care, and litter box maintenance (by the way she has TRAINED me well.... as she has two boxes that get cleaned daily).
This photo of Indie was taken at night. Every night, after I get my parents into bed, Indie comes into my room, hops on the bed, and gets cozy right next to me. Together we watch a Hallmark movie. She has become my buddy. The funny part about her is while I am sleeping, she migrates right up to my head. She sleeps between my pillows and the pillows of my other half.
One of the things I do not like is having to assemble Indie's carrying case and then capturing her and putting her in the case. But one of the things that happens when you live alone is you become very good at being organized and strategic. I have to be, as I don't have back up! So two days ago, I assembled the carrying case and put it in my closet. I did it while Indie was downstairs and couldn't hear what I was doing. The key to all of this is catching Indie by surprise! If she knows what is coming or gets fearful and I will be running all around the house trying to capture her. This morning, I took the assembled carrying case, covered it with my sweater, and placed it in another room. I know Indie's habits..... mid-morning, she goes back to my bedroom and sleeps on my bed.
I literally had a conversation with myself while driving back from my dad's memory care center. I gave myself a pep talk. If I could figure out a divorce, a mortgage, and caregiving 24/7, I think I am capable of outsmarting Indie and getting her in her carrying case. So I got home, went upstairs, grabbed the carrying case, and calmly walked into my bedroom. Remember the carrying case had my sweater over it, so literally Indie did not put two and two together. I then went to close my bedroom door, and then revealed the carrying case. To which Indie freaked out. She tried to run around, but I caught her and got her in the carrying case.
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