Suzy Says

Yet another long break! Maybe the more time off you have, the more you want. Or I just got out of the habit of writing. Or I skipped so much class I didn’t feel I could go back to class. Maybe 25 years of writing about nothing is enough. Or…

A year later, here I am again. Here’s what’s been happening in my little corner of the world.

Duchess is still Duchess. She is now comfortable enough that I no longer need the Feliway diffusers or the calming powders in her food, but the rest of the routine remains the same. I am coming to the regretful conclusion that she will never sit on my lap or sleep with me, but she does purr a lot and always sits next to me on the couch in the evenings. Lately, there’s been a lot of Canadian content chez moi. I just finished watching the most recent season of Law & Order Toronto, followed by all four seasons of Cardinal. Both were excellent.

In other feline news, I am sorry to say that the Great Catsby, the bookshop cat, died last month. He was such a beloved local character, and is missed by all. Going to the bookshop will not be the same without his grumpy fluffiness. He had a long and happy life, though, and died peacefully in his sleep, as befits the distinguished gentleman he was.

And since the Reaper rarely, if ever, leaves us alone (even though he knows perfectly well that he is a perfectly unwanted visitor), he took Stella from us last July. To be fair, it was time, and I do think Megan and Rob managed it perfectly, not letting her go too soon or too late. Her last day was a great one, with lots of love and cuddles:

The vet came to the property, and it was a peaceful exit for sweet Stella, who now rests near sweet Clyde under the chinquapin tree on the family estate. That tree must be sweeter than a maple with those two under it. I am hoping Clyde’s daffodils will spread over to Stella’s resting place.

In good news, Millie is doing just fine without Stella, which I would not have expected, since they were so close. But she likes having all the attention. Many of us do.

FIVE YEARS AGO: Celebrating my birthday.

TEN YEARS AGO: Marking my beloved Clyde’s birthday, and missing his wonderful brother, the one and only Roscoe.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO: Clyde and Roscoe turned one! Adorably, of course.

TWENTY YEARS AGO: Remembering a wonderful visit with Dad in London.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO: Cleo the pigeon-hater. She was an amazing cat.