Cleo

While this is Carrie Ella's blog, I do need to take a minute and post about my boy Cleo.  For more than 13 years he's been with me, and I'm so sad to have lost him this weekend.  Before there was Sean, Duchess or even Carrie Ella, it was just me and Cleo.  And that's how we spent our last night together, just the two of us in the guest bed downstairs. 

 

He certainly did come a long way.  Born on a farm in upstate NY, to hard core living in the Bronx and Hell's Kitchen, then 2400 miles across the country to Seattle. 

 

When I first got him I thought he was a she and named "her" Chloe and bought a pink collar :-)  And when I found out he was a boy I called him Cleo.  Also a girls name.  I guess I was confused...



 

 

 

Cleo and my girl, Bailey.

Very lucky for myself, Cleo & Duchess, Sean accepted the package deal and became their person just as much as I was. 

My boys.

Keeping cool in our Hell's Kitchen apt.   That 5th floor closet apartment got HOT in the summer.

 

Such a beautiful boy.

Awaiting CE's arrival

 

Not so sure....



 

She's not so bad after all



 

 

He HATED having his belly touched but it was so hard to resist when you found him like this.

 

He always loved getting in boxes, baskets, you name it, he'd try to get in it.

 

Towards the end he was tired and didn't move much, which made him an easy target for CE.  I'd like to think he didn't mind all that much and enjoyed the attention.

Kisses for Cleo.

Saying goodbye.

 

 

 The house feels uneven and a little less full.  We're going to miss him. But that's life for you. I'm glad for the memories and the good fortune of being his person and sharing his life.

 

We're going to miss you buddy.  Rest in peace.

Where does the time go?

The weekend is over already?  It may have gone quickly, but it was very nice. 

 

Looking ADORABLE in an outfit from Aunt Cynsie.

Yesterday we visited Buchanan Place, the Full Life Care home for elderly with dementia that I volunteer at. They were having a holiday party for residents, family, friends and volunteers. I made my first candy cane coffee cake of the season to bring. Carrie Ella wasn't shy at all this time. I think it had everything to do with the dogs that were there. She was greeted by a big old lick to the face. She certainly has no fear of dogs or cats.

There were three dogs visiting, but this one was CE's size.



 

Stopped at Ross's Dress for Less on the way home. CE was REALLY excited when we found this.  We made it out of the store without it though...

 

 

 

Last night we had Michelle babysit and Sean and I went out to the Windows Holiday party.  Was nice to have a night out. 

Today we got CE down for both naps without a bottle.  (Yesterday it didn't work out.) Let's hope we have a successful week with this.  I'd like to have her completely weaned before we head to NY.

This afternoon we went to the Parr's for a PEPS holiday party.  It was great seeing everyone and all the babies.  They're all so big! 

In other news, Cleo is sick :-( It started with an upper respiratory infection (we think) and then he stopped eating for a long time which gave him fatty liver disease.  Apparently this is completely reversible, provided he gets enough food and eventually starts eating on his own again. He's on antibiotics, an appetite supplement and we're force feeding him by injecting high caloric cat food.  Really hoping this works....

Weaning one. Injecting food into the other. Oy.

Morning wake up

It takes her a while to wake up. Some mornings she's content to lay there quietly, others she plays and gabs with her buddies and others she yells until we come in. This morning she was laying their quietly, but I could hear her moving around in there.

Fun day!

 

It was a nice enough day that this afternoon I took Carrie Ella to the park.  First we dressed her in some cool new threads from Aunt Lizzie.

 

 

"Watcha doin' Daddy?"

These two poodles came around a couple times barking & yapping.  So CE barked right back at them which whipped them into quite the frenzy.

We ran into Daddy on our way home, he'd finished putting together CE's new car, a gift from the Grossman's. 

Baby you can drive my car!

 Beep Beep! 

She's really starting to take to the milk. 

 

The new Cheer Bear Care Bear vs the old one (circa 1985).  Thanks Mammi!

After snuggling and reading/listening to her new book from Mammi (If...) I put her down for her second nap with no bottle. She's not doing so well, crying and fighting sleep....think she may finally be settling down...maybe....we'll see.  Mommy and Daddy are going out on a date tonight!  Can't wait...