Sunday, March 20, 2016

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2008. Mattie was home for two weeks recovering from his second limb salvaging surgery, before he could resume chemotherapy. The recovery was hellish and this was around the same time where Mattie's medical traumatic stress symptoms presented themselves. What I love about this photo was Patches. Patches was devoted to her family and to Mattie. She popped right up on his hospital bed in our living room and was there to provide support. She did not get the name, Nurse Patches for no reason. 

I remember when I was in graduate school, I became very sick, with an 104 fever. I was so out of it, delirious and weak. Peter was at work and I literally couldn't move or do anything. Patches sensed this and jumped on my bed and stayed with me the entire time until Peter got home. It was from that horrible illness that I always referred to Patches as my Nurse Patch!

Quote of the day: No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch. ~ Leo Dworken 

Today marks the third anniversary of our beloved Patches, who died in 2013. Patches was an abandoned cat on the streets of DC. She found us and was in BAD shape when she came to our doorstep.... with a leg shot by a BB gun.

These photos tell the story of our 17 year journey with Patches! She was an integral part of our family and deeply cared for Mattie. She put up with Mattie's crying at all hours of the day and night as a baby and his tail pulling and chasing around our home when he was a toddler. But over time they became fierce supporters of one another. After Mattie died, Patches was depressed and would sit for hours on Mattie's bed, staring out the window.... waiting for him to come home! She is a cat never to be forgotten!

This photo was taken 23 days after Mattie was born! Peter was holding Mattie and look who was overseeing the process on the arm of the couch..... PATCHES. Patches was never far from us and always wanted to be a part of the mix when her family was concerned. 

This was another priceless photo. Peter came home from work one evening and he could see Mattie was intrigued by Patches. So he helped them to have a meeting of the hearts and minds! I just love how Patches and Mattie were looking at each other, not to mention how Peter was overseeing all of this. 

It was hard to assess who liked Christmas presents more... Mattie or Patches. They both love hanging around packing boxes and getting to see what was inside!

This photo was taken after Mattie died. When Mattie was alive, Patches rarely spent time in Mattie's room. Mainly because he was active and always moving around and she preferred more space and quiet surroundings. However, after Mattie died, Patches became depressed. She spent many hours, for many weeks sitting on Mattie's bed, staring out the window. As if she was waiting for him to come home. 

Peter and Patches had a very close bond, which was why I always joked with Peter and said Patches was his "girlfriend."

I remember snapping this photo, and I particularly love the pink roses in the photo. The roses were for me, but Patches was intrigued by them, so Peter picked her up to look and smell them.