Saturday, January 26, 2013

My Life Has Changed (Again)

Well, my furry family has expanded once again. Over the years, my family has grown from just having Bunny to including several cats that had been strays in my neighborhood. At one point, I had five adult cats and four kittens, but I was eventually able to get it down to four adults, which seems like a manageable if not reasonable number of pets.

I've also cared for the dog and two cats belonging to my ex-husband David whenever he was in the hospital (which was more and more frequent). Last Sunday, Dave passed away. It was a shock to both me and my daughter. While he had on-going health issues, what caused his death was very sudden and unexpected.

I gathered up his dog and cats and took them to my house so they could begin to get settled. Then I began the long grueling process of preparing for his funeral. Although we have lived in Pittsburgh for over 20 years, we are originally from Central PA, and I wanted to have him buried at home.

We took the four hour trek home to be with our collective family (Dave’s family and my own) and endured what needed to be done over the next few days. Dave was buried alongside his mother and father. We are now back in Pittsburgh and will be preparing a memorial service in the next week so our friends, neighbors and co-workers can say goodbye to him.

It’s been a hard week, and I imagine that the next few months will be equally hard as I try to help my daughter deal with the loss of her father and help his pets settle into their new home. I will try to keep up with the blog, but I have no doubt that all these changes will affect how frequently I post.

I also have a feeling that I will be writing more about dogs and doggy issues. It’s been 12 years since I've had a dog, and I am definitely out of practice! I will most likely be asking my dog-owning friends for their help with health and behavioral issues.

So thank you to everyone who has been so supportive during this very difficult time. I appreciate everyone’s kind words, as well as their thoughts and prayers. I will still be around the blogosphere – just not quite as frequently.

24 comments:

  1. We send you purrs, hugs and love and will be thinking of you during this difficult time.

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  2. Oh dear friend - my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I feel your daughter will be okay after she has gone thru the grieving process because she has a wonderful mother to help her cope. We're so very sorry for your loss and your daughter's loss.

    Mariodacat's mom

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  3. So sorry for your loss... ((HUGS)) The 2 kittehs and dog are blessed to have your wonderful home to share - you are truly a specail hooman with so much love to share! #ComfortingPurrs and love to you & your daughter.
    Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

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  4. Very sorry for your loss. What a blessing for him to have you there to carry on.

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  5. we are so sorry.....we are sending healing purrs and we know that no matter how long it takes, adjustments will be made and everyone will settle in.

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  6. I am so sorry to hear of Dave's passing and my heart goes out to you and your family. How kind of you to adopt the cats and dog - I'm sure it will be a process, but with your loving heart and compassionate soul, all will be good and these animals will be sure to bring renewed joy to your household.

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  7. Oh we're so very sorry this had to happen and we send loving purrs to your daughter....

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  8. You've got many, many friends in this virtual family here - feel the love, feel the understanding, take care of what you need to. Hugs to you and your daughter.
    And congratulations on your new family members! xoxo

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  9. You are in our thoughts and we are so deeply sorry...that is a lot to deal with at one time.
    if there is anything we can do to help, we are ready, willing and able
    ((((hugs))))

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  10. so very sorry to hear of your and your family's loss. Purrs for all of you going through this difficult time. Wishing you the best during this difficult time of transition.

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  11. take care of those cats and dog and your daughter thats more important.but we will keep you all in our thoughts,xx Speedy and mum

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  12. Oh Vicki, I am sorry about Dave. You are in my thoughts and prayers; big hugs to you and your daughter. If you need anything, or if there is anything I can do to help..... xoox
    Much love,
    Lisa, Abigail and Finn

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  13. So sorry for all that you and your daughter are going through at this time...so many mixed emotions, I imagine. Your late ex-husband's pets are very lucky that you were/are there for them.

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  14. Vicki, I'm so sorry to read about Dave's passing. It's going to be a rough time for you and your daughter, but you'll be in our thoughts and prayers. Dave's dog and cats will be very well taken care of, we're sure of that. Sending lots of love,
    Theresa (& Prudence)

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  15. I've missed your posts and had no idea. My sincere sympathies.

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  16. We are so sorry for your loss. We send you and your family, including the furries,peace in your hearts.

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  17. Big hugs your way, Vicki. Take the time you need and use the blog to help if that helps! :) I'm glad his pets have you to care for them, and I'm glad you and your daughter have them to still have him around a little bit.

    Hugs and thoughts. <3

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  18. Prayers for your daughter & the whole family. I'm sorry the year had to start with such a terrible shock for you.

    Hugs,
    Pam & Oskar

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  19. I hope your daughter and Dave's pets comfort each other in this difficult time. They're all lucky to have you looking after them. Remember to care for yourself, too. Take all the time you need to grieve and remember that we're all here for you.

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  20. I am so sorry for your loss.

    It is wonderful that you are taking care of the dogs. That is a very kind thing to do.

    Mary

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  21. Sorry for your loss Vicki. Sending good thoughts your, and your daughter's, way.

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  22. Sending hugs to you and your daughter. I'm so sorry.

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  23. Sending comforting purrs to you and your daughter. Your new dog and cats will have a wonderful home. Dave lives through them.

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  24. Vicki, I saw your posting about memorial service and did not realize it was someone so close. I am sure things are difficult right now but they will get better. Will be praying for you and your daughter for healing.
    So sorry for your loss.
    Kathy Hudak
    and
    Meow_Girls

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