The Whelan's

My heart is broken. My precious kitty Tony died this evening at 6:10pm. I was and still am devestated. He was my baby and I miss him so much already. His leukemia came on fast and furious and he had no chance to fight it. He went from being playful to gone in less than a week.
Tony (affectionately known as Ton Ton - pronounced like tone tone) is now buried in our little family pet cemetary in the woods next to our house. He is with my old girl kitty Popper, who died in December, as well a couple hamsters, guinea pigs and I think a parakeet too. Richard went out this afternoon as bought a beautiful box for him to be buried in and I placed him lovingly inside with 2 of his little blankets.
I spent the last 4 days home with him as I was so afraid he would die while I was gone. I didn't want him to be alone. He seemed to be mostly tired and slept alot but this morning that all changed. He started to moan, whimper and cry out and so I knew he was in pain and called his vet to have him put to sleep. His appointment was for 615pm but he died in my arms in the car as we were approaching the vets office. My heart was broken but I was very thankful that I didn't have to get him the shot. His face was so peacefull right after he died, the pain was replaced and I am hopefull that he felt how much I loved him.
For those of you that have pets, I know you understand this sad side of having a companion animal in your life. Tony was only in this world and mine for 4 years and 4 months, but he brought me such joy that I will remember him for the rest of my life.
Sleep well sweet baby, mommy still loves you.
I am having trouble getting the pictures to upload so when I go home in the morning (I am at work) I will add them then. Until then say a prayer for my sweet boy please.

My poor little baby is very ill and according to the vet is not going to make it past the next 4-6 weeks. He is only 4 years old and as anyone who knows me, reads this blog or comes to my house, they know this cat is very special to me. He was rescued as a 2 week old and I bottle fed him and he has been like velco and stuck by my side ever since. Wherever I am, Tony is too. Except now he is in my bed resting. He was diagnosed with feline leukemia about 6 months ago but appeared healthy. I went into denial and hoped that the test was wrong but, he started getting sick 3 days ago and I took him to the vet. Had a fever and is anemic but I was still hopeful that we could help him. However the chest xray shows a huge mass in his chest and it is now affecting his breathing. The vet gave him a long lasting shot of happy juice to help him feel better and regain his appetite. Hopefully it works because I am beside myself with grief right now. I am planning on using my friend Vencka's advice and trying some holistic meds to see if we can perform a miracle. I need to stay positive but for the first time in my life I have decided that if he becomes miserable, I will not make him suffer for me. Now that is love when you already know I will euthanize a kitty that is more like a child to me.

Tony is shown sleeping with Cheena. Tony is the orange one. Cheena was a kitty I was fostering and loved to be with him.

Leukemia and rabies...what more can happen?

Richard and Elizabeth both have just started the rabies shots ritual as they were both bitten by a raccoon. He wasn't evil and hopefully not rabid but they still can't take the risk. Richard got the initial 7 shots and Elizabeth got 5. They have to go back in 3 days for another series of shots and then again in 7, 14 and 28 days. In all they will have between 21 and 31 very large and very painful injections. I had a hard time being with Elizabeth because those needles were huge.

No more feeding the raccoons. We leave food and water on the deck for one of our cats that wont stay in and the raccoons come at night and finish it off. Unfortunately Elizabeth wanted to give him fresh water, while he was eating and it bit her. Richard did the same they a few days later. We found out about Elizabeth only after Richard got bit because she was afraid to tell us because she didn't want the shots. However when she heard us talking about how there is no cure if the symptoms begin she started to cry and admitted that she had gotten bit too. I was a wreck. I know there is a small window of time that you have to get these shots and I was horrified when she told me. Off to the emergency room and straight into a room. We also had to fill out a police report, health department report and animal control report. Craziness.

But on a brighter note, after receiveing these shots you are immune for life ( so I have been told).

He is a picture of RJ. The window is dirty because he uses his hands to wash his food and then scratches on the glass if he needs more food.The raccoon we have been feeding for over a year but sorry big fellow...you are now on your own.

Well we just recently returned from sailing on the Mystic Whaler, a 100 foot 100 ton traditional rigged schooner. She is the sister ship of the Mystic Clipper, the boat I worked on in 1990 in Mystic, Connecticut. Richard worked on both ships. The kids had a blast and the weather was just about perfect. The last day it rained in the morning but the winds were cranking and whenever you can get a 100 ton boat to go almost 13 knots under sail power, that makes for a great day. At least no one got sick.

We got to spend nearly a full day in Block Island, Rhode Island. One of my top 5 destinations in the world. There is a restaurant there named "The Oar" which is a very cool place. Boats from all over sign an oar and have it placed on the ceiling, walls, whatever space is available. That was the one place I wanted to visit and we ended up having dinner at the Oar while the rest of the crew ate on the boat.

Alex got to drive the boat and Elizabeth a swim in the cold New England waters. Me? I got sunburned again. I cannot hide from the sun, I had a hat and sunscreen and I still looked like a lobster.

I will attach some photos for your viewing pleasure.