2.6.13

The numbers of our life...

So - what to write this Rainy Sunday afternoon? Seems like all we've had recently is rain - and looks like it's going to be a rainy winter.  At least today we got to enjoy hot chips on the patio in the wintry sun - now it is dark, and gloomy, and rainy - feels just like Melbourne - although I am sure not as cold!

So this week while flicking though my sketch book I came across a sketch I did late last year of our Bonnie Dog... and I got to thinking back...


When we got Bonnie we were a new family: 
With 'yours, mine and ours' children: 5 of us + Bonnie = six

We were six for such a long time... then we became 7 when a second 'yours' child came to live with us...  Which not long after dropped back to six when 1 went to Uni, then 5 when another moved away also... so Our number was Us, Mine + Ours + Bonnie = five

Then as Bonnie got older we   decided to get a puppy - as a companion dog for myself, and to keep Bonnie young... you know a kind of bringing in the new to see out the old...  This was a sketch I did this week from a photo taken earlier this year... and our number was back to  = 6

Then middle of last year we  I, (in a absurd moment of extreme weakness) adopted 2 young, male, Ragdoll cross cats... so our number became = eight



By that stage, Bonnie was getting older, and slowing down, and then she started coughing... and in January we had to put her to sleep as she had heart failure.  She was 13 and had had a great life -  Slept on the kids beds, waited for her bit of crust every morning, loved her walks, and was a faithful companion...  I love this simple pic  of the two dogs, and my youngest asleep in the back of the car when moving house last year...   And we were = seven


Then beginning of Term 1 this year Bella got sick - something called White Shaking Dog Syndrome (for all intents and purposes it sounded like MS and gets treated the same)... and we spent the next 3 months caring for her with steroids, and treats, and cleaning up after her... but  the time came when we had to make that hard decision... what was best for her? Was she happy? And so the hardest day of my life, it seems, was having to take her to the vet and say goodbye.   But you know it's the right decision when the vet doesn't even blink, but agrees with you - no second chance, "lets try..."   But, boy oh boy - that's a hard thing to do...

So now we are back to  = six


And six is a good number.   Its the number of Us and Ours + our two furry felines.

And for today its the number of our family.
What's your number?

Sharing with Sunday Sketches :-)
xo L.

17 comments:

  1. When Sylvester, our cat, got his hind legs twisted, we had to say goodbye to him too. The vet said a cat would not be happy if he was not free to roam. When we talked to him, he seemed to understand. I still remember him well. Patsy

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  2. It's always hard when pets go. My dog Toby was put to sleep on Friday. He grew up with the kids. I have so many memories of him..and I just can't stop crying. Am going to miss that bouncy ball of mischief... xx

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  3. What a beautiful bitter-sweet post. Your dogs were both so lovely and I got a little choked reading of your horribly hard decisions. I dread the day we might have to make a similar one for our two dogs. I love how you described your family and how the numbers changed as kids came and left and animals arrived and sadly left. My family is 4 - us and our 2 dogs. That will hopefully increase to 10 when we adopt some ex-battery hens later this year when we get the coop and run built!

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  4. This is a touching post that I can truly relate to. We were 7 with our 3 dogs, until my youngest daughter rescued a kitten off the street last weekend. However, I'm very worried about our 11 year old Boston Terrier who has occasional seizures and started limping this weekend. It's amazing how attached we become to them. Blessings!

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  5. I agree that this such a tender post. We are 4. Chloe our newest and smallest runs the house - something I should not be proud of. We do enjoy her antics, at least most of the time.

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  6. I meant to add Chloe is a Bichon who looks just like Bella.

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  7. Love your touching post and amazing drawings. Our pets are so dear to our hearts and a part of our lives, always a hard when we have to let go! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Your dog sketches are brilliant, however, I LOVE LOVE LOVE those two huge orange cats!!!! Yes, I AM a cat person!!!!

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  9. wonderful sketches!!!! and great photos too!!!

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  10. Your doggie sketches are wonderful. I love your loose, sketchy style. :)

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  11. Lovely sketches and beautiful photographs :)

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  12. Such a sweet yet sad story. It makes me feel so sad to hear of having to put pets down. I am not looking forward to the day our 3 family has to become 2 again. :((((

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  13. That is too heart breaking... such a sweet little face... but wonderful photos... my thoughts are with you ...sorry I am so late for Sunday Sketches this week... have no clue where the time has gone...xx

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  14. Linda, I lost my cat on Christmas Day of 2011. He was a Warrior if let out into the backyard, but at heart, a Momma's Boy in my arms. Even though I have one fur-baby left, I miss him every day. Heart-felt sympathy for your precious loss ~ Deej

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I love your comments! I read them all, and I will do my best to reply to you here! xo L.

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