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New kitty cat folk art doll figurine up on our Ruffing’s site

I just got Claudia the Maine Coon kitten’s web page up on our Ruffing’s site. I got her photos edited yesterday, and I’m just launching her now. She’s an art doll figurine by Max Bailey. The tuxedo cat doll she is holding is her favorite, Herman.

Please visit Claudia’s web page to read all about her and her adoption information, and view her photos in a larger size. I’m still working on more photos for more dolls. Next up is another mini cat figurine like Claudia.

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Taking it easy

I made some comfort food today, homemade potato salad, and I’m just taking things slow around here. The potato salad is improvised, using my mom’s directions. Boil about six red potatoes for about forty-five minutes, or until a fork goes into them easily, but before they get mushy. Then stab each one with a fork, and while holding it under cool running water, take a knife and peel away the skins, being careful not to burn yourself. Slice them into a bowl, and mix them with some oil and vinegar. I used extra virgin olive oil. Put them in the fridge to cool.

In another bowl, mix up some diced celery, chopped up green olives and dill pickles, two chopped up hard boiled eggs, and a little salt and pepper. Mix some mayonnaise with a little of the dill pickle juice, until it is the consistency of heavy cream. Pour this over the celery, olives, pickles, and eggs, and mix them together.

Once the potatoes are cool, pour the celery/mayo mixture over the potatoes, and mix everything together. Leave the potato salad in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the potatoes to absorb the other flavors. Season with salt to taste.

My mom seems to be a little better today, but still tired. Doctor’s orders are for me to stick around, just in case. So, I’m home bound for now. I’ve been reading The Cider House Rules by John Irving, which is very nicely written and interesting to read. I admit, I’ve also been napping a bit, as I’m tired from this past week. I need some rest and relaxation, and then I’ll be photographing dolls and getting them up on our website as soon as I can. I hope everyone has a great weekend ahead.

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Shoal Creek Chaste Tree

Yesterday was a very hard day. I had to say goodbye to my Laurence. We had seventeen happy years together, and I stayed with him as he passed away peacefully. It’s a very sad thing, hard to even express, but I am grateful that he had a happy and healthy life, with lots of kitty friends and people to love him. I planted a Shoal Creek Chaste Tree near him, as a remembrance marker.

Laurence came home with me from the SPCA when he was just five weeks old. He was the naughtiest kitten I ever saw, but also the smartest and funniest. He was as cute as cute could be. He had an angelic face, but there seemed to be no end to the trouble he could think up to get into. His creativity was boundless. He had plenty of adventures, flying into our Christmas tree, answering the telephone when it rang, gleefully playing with our cat and dog (who weren’t sure how they felt about kittens), wrestling stuffed toys, and climbing everything he saw. Nothing discouraged him and he always had fun. He always made us smile, regardless.

He grew up to be a handsome, elegant, kind-hearted, sweet gentleman. He welcomed every cat and kitten who moved in after him, sharing his toys, his food, and anything else they seemed to want. He played father and policeman to all of them, but always in a gentle and loving way. He was always up for a good conversation. At night, he’d sleep with a paw on my shoulder, or my hand, just to make sure we kept in touch. I don’t think there could be a better cat or a better friend. We will all miss him terribly, but I wouldn’t trade in the time we had with him for anything.

I would hope that anyone who is looking for a pet would consider adopting a shelter pet. I know I was afraid at first to go into a shelter. I remember asking my dad to go in ahead of me. But it was so worth it. There are sites like Petfinder, that can help you locate shelter animals in need of homes in your area. Even if you can’t adopt, I hope you will consider donating to a shelter or an animal charity. There are so many in need, especially in these times.

In other news, my mom is feeling a little better, but still unwell. It’s been an especially tough few days here. Here’s to better times ahead.

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Patients

We’ve been back and forth to the hospitals these past few days, the animal hospital and the people hospital. Mr. Laurence, our most senior kitty seems to have developed lymphosarcoma, a form of cancer. We are still waiting for another test result to come in, but all the other tests seem to be pointing to that.

He spent two days at the vets’ having IV fluids, and we visited him a couple of times a day. Everyone there was very nice, and Laurence is a very good patient. Visiting him seemed to cheer him up. I’ve learned that it is important to try to stay positive and calm around him. He seems to pick up on our emotions.

He’s at home now, resting, and we’re giving him subcutaneous fluids and medication here, to keep him as comfortable as possible. He is seventeen years old and he has always been, and is being such a good boy. We’ve been sitting outside with him, and keeping him company in the house.

He likes to sit in his little box next to the computer to keep an eye on me when he isn’t dozing off.

During this time, my mom has also been in and out of the hospital, first the ER, twice, and then overnight. We’re not quite sure what the cause is, a virus perhaps, but she is feeling unwell. She had lots of tests that all came back fine, and she came back home. We’ll be keeping an eye on both of our patients. I can’t post pictures of my mom’s past few days here, of course…she wouldn’t appreciate that! But, I hope Laurence doesn’t mind. He seems to feel better with her back home too.