Both sides Now

 Mary collapsed this morning
One minute she was barking vaguely at a passing dog Roger had seen , and the next minute she was lying on her side in the throws of a fit. 
Her gums were blue
I scooped her up and we sat in the kitchen reading chair for an age. 
Roger’s nose pressed against my elbow 
Watching
And slowly things quietened and her breath came back to normal 
By midday she ate a small dinner of casserole beef and drank a beaten egg
She looked tired and had a wee on the living room carpet

This afternoon we listened to music on the couch, her head resting on my neck and I fed her bits of cheese which she took politely 
Bun joined us, or was it Weaver ? 
I still can’t be sure
Only one cat for the last week 
Joni Mitchell sang as we all fell asleep in a heap
Hey ho! 


18 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:08 pm

    ah..sweet Mary. I'm glad to hear she is a bit better after that unsettling episode. It is difficult to see them become more frail. Joni... I have always loved her -a brilliant songwriter....her voice does not carry quite the crispness and flexibility of her youth...but the depth of her voice remains breathtaking., it's just different. But aren't we all, from what we *were*?
    Susan M/ Calif.

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  2. Anonymous8:14 pm

    😢 Lee

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  3. Sending gentle hugs to Mary. Frightening for you all. I'm glad she's a little better, for now... xx

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  4. Anonymous8:19 pm

    This sentence killed me
    “ She looked tired and had a wee on the living room carpet”
    Hugs

    Keith

    Xx

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    Replies
    1. Dear Keith , I sort of knew you’d understand the prose

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  5. She has been so lucky to have you in her life, we all are.

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  6. She still has a will to live, to be with you because you’re giving her your love, you big hearted man xx
    I wish her health and much strength for you John 🩷💐

    Also I want to dedicate this poem to Mary:

    Sergey Esenin
    To Kachalov’s Dog

    Give me your paw, Jim, for good luck.
    I’ve never seen such paws – not ever.
    Let’s sit beneath the moon and bark
    at all this boring, noiseless weather.
    Give me your paw, Jim, for good luck.
    But please, old boy – don’t lick, don’t lick.
    Just try and get this simple thing.
    Friend, you don’t know what life is like,
    and don’t know what it takes to live.
    Your master’s kind and widely known;
    you’ve had so many guests before –
    and, smiling, every one has longed
    to pet you, touch your velvet fur.
    In your dog’s way, you’re bloody handsome,
    with such a kind and trusting face.
    And, needing nobody’s permission,
    just like a drunk, you kiss and kiss.
    Dear Jim, among your guests you’ve had
    some of all sorts, some out of sorts.
    But she – most silent and most sad –
    has she happened to call round, old sport?
    If she does come, I give you a command.
    Since I’ll be gone, please stare into her eyes
    and tenderly, for me, please lick her hand –
    for all my faults – and faults that weren’t my fault.

    Xxx

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  7. Anonymous9:05 pm

    Oh no ! So sad these pets break all our hearts . Sending hugs XBernie

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  8. Anonymous9:20 pm

    Mary 🙏♥️

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  9. Poor Mary, and poor you and Roger. Even when you know they're going downhill, it's still distressing. Take care.

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  10. Sweet Mary. Rest easy dear girl. She wants to be close. I'm glad you are right there with her.
    Take care John. This is never easy, I know.

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  11. Barbara Anne10:44 pm

    Sweet Mary, I know you and none of us are ready to say good-bye to her, but she's had a wonderful life with you and the pack and you're the best human in her world now and always.
    My previous post here seems to have disappeared. Wonder where it went?

    Big hugs!

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