Remembering Cleo

On June 1, 2012, we lost a dear member of our family. Cleo was euthanized due to a worsening of her colitis. She had suffered from liquid feces for more than a year. For the last 5 months, I tried many things her vet suggested to help her but none of them worked. Many different foods, antibiotics, and steroids were tried as well as a diet of only boiled chicken for one week followed by a special low-residue food. In her last days she was not always using the litter box and she seemed to be feeling bad. Her end came peacefully without any distress or pain. She just went to sleep while I petted her.

What Cleo lacked in beauty she made up for in loyalty. She seemed to like to be near me without being clingy. She had a funny scratchy voice like that of Louis Armstrong. It sounded so funny I would coax her into a meow so I could hear it again. It always made me smile. To say she will be missed sounds trite but I will indeed miss my sweet little friend.

Smile!

Cleo does not have those big round eyes you see on most cats. Her upper eyelids are somewhat flat so she looks like she is frowning. Today I saw her on her cat perch and said, "Smile, Cleo. You look so sad". Then I walked a few steps to get some coffee. I was surprised that she galloped past me crossing three rooms in a burst. She was showing me that she was happy. I was glad to see her do that and somewhat amazed that she seemed to understand me.

Arnold sez,"I'm a cat; remember that"

Hey, don't bug me with that camera. I haz CLAWS.




Top View



Bottom View




Now go away. It's nap time.

Opportunists

Arnold and Cleo take over their bed after the intruders get up.

Arnold the Helpful

Arnold has a habit of "getting into trouble" to get my attention. He is so comical that I mostly allow it. He has taken to getting behind the PC monitor. At times he claws at papers which, thanks to my "housekeeping" skills, are plentiful.

Arnold Watches, Waits

Arnold waiting on the White Cliffs of Dover for the advance of Napoleon across the English Channel.

Arnold Bags a Chipmunk!

I take Arnold outside on a leash but let him go free and watch him constantly so he stays in the yard. Being a very smart cat, he sort of knows the limits. He loves to go out and just lay in wait for a chipmunk to come along.

Arnold the Helpful

Arnold sez, "This tape dispenser makes a good pillow"

Peggy sez, "How can I read my pattern instructions?"

Catnappers

Cleo and I like to hang out together like this.

Arnold Takes a Ride

How did I get into this?

Arnold Takes a Walk

Arnold likes to go out but we only take him out on a leash. Each day, we explore the yard.

Nellie Comes to Call

Arnold, used to living with dogs in his previous life, made friends immediately with visiting golden retriever, Nellie.

Arnold Went to the Vet to Have His Teeth Cleaned

Snowball sez, "I wuz too long under tan light!"

Fervor Unsaturated

Usually when we have been outside with an umbrella and bring it in to dry, we will find Fervor in his little cave.

In The Thick of It

Peggy is struggling over a complex quilt with many, many fabric pieces. Arnold wants to help.

Jungle Cat

Fervor gets in touch with his roots posing as a fierce jungle cat in Peggy's fern brought inside due to a frost advisory.

Breakfast Cat

We call Cleo our Breakfast Cat because she likes to be up close and personal when we eat breakfast. We draw the line at other times.

Sorry Cleo, You Have to Stay Home

We are on the road again (currently in Georgia). Cleo always seems to want to go along.

Sorry Fervor,...

...you can't come out now because Cleo is out.