Saturday, April 08, 2017

Sunday Post: New Books, Blogging Tips & A Sick Cat

New to My Shelves: The April My Lit Box was waiting for me when I got home from work earlier this week. I always look forward to seeing what I will find. I hadn't realized it has been an entire year since I first signed up for the subscription box! This month's theme is "Letting Go," and the box included a bookmark of a door, doors figuring prominently in the month's book selection Exit West by Mohsin Hamid; a bit of green tea; and a tote with the word music printed in several languages in the shape of headphones, a reminder of something we all share, even if in different forms.


From my Going Postal Book Club I received:

Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell

Recent Purchases:

Blood's Echo by Isabella Maldonado

Veiled Magic by Deborah Blake

An Ancient Peace by Tanya Huff

For Review (Many thanks to Mulholland Books):

Penance by Kanae Minato

Additions to Mouse's Library:

 Wolf! by Becky Bloom and Pascal Biet
(free book with her well health check-up)

Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game by Neville Astley
(Mouse's choice at last bookstore visit)

What I Am Reading: I finished reading The Black Lily by Juliette Cross at the beginning of the week, staying up late one night to do so. It was more than I hoped for. I am looking forward to reading more in the series. I now am reading Etched On Me by Jenn Crowell, my current Going Postal Book Club selection. I have a feeling I will have a lot to say about this one in the group's reading journal. I have also started this month's TBR poll winner, which is already proving to be quite chilling.

What I Am Listening To: I am still in the same spot I was last week in The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. I hope to get back to it this week. Other things took my attention away from listening to any audiobook this past week.

What I Am Watching: Besides The Voice, I have not spent much time watching television. I did see the beginning of a Yo Kai Watch movie and the end of a Pokemon one, my daughter's current interest. She's also discovered Monster High. Should I be worried? Haha.

What's Going On Off the Blog: My daughter enjoyed her spring break and spending time with her grandmother. I think the feeling was mutual. I completely forgot about the Girl Scout Spring Break homework assignment Mouse was supposed to complete before our next meeting. We'll be doing that this week.

Both Mouse and the cats had doctors' visits this past Friday. I was really anxious to get Parker seen especially given his continuing health issues (Feline Triaditis and history of cancer) and more recent concerns that have arisen. He's a real trooper though, that cat. The veterinarian ran more blood tests, and found definite concern in regards to his kidney function. Parker will be undergoing an ultrasound this next week, before we settle on a course of treatment. He's lost a concerning amount of weight since his last veterinarian visit, probably the result of his throwing up more frequently. He also may have a tooth infection, but due to his other health issues, the doctor does not want to risk putting him under anesthesia at this time. In the meantime, he is continuing on his regular medications and we are hoping for the best.

Gracie and my mom's dog seem to be at a truce. Or rather, Gracie has decided not to torment the poor dog anymore. I can tell Gracie is feeling jealous though because whenever I am home, she is right on my heels begging for attention.

My husband and I took advantage of my mother's visit to spend an afternoon seeing a live performance of Evita at a local theater. We so rarely get time alone (usually only when my mom is in town), and so it was a nice treat for us. Sunday will be especially busy for us as Mouse has a Girl Scout event in the morning and a birthday party to attend in the afternoon. Soccer doesn't start up again until next weekend, thank goodness.


This Week In Reading Mews:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

*

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

If you could meet one author, dead or alive, who would it be?
I went round and round in my head about who I would like to meet. I have met authors before--in person and via e-mail or on social media. I am always a bit nervous because I have a tendency to become really shy when meeting an author in person--tongue-tied even and a bit star-struck. So, meeting an author in-person isn't high on my to do list. I would rather admire them from afar rather than embarrass myself by falling to the ground and kissing their feet.(Okay, so I would never actually do that).

I suppose I could go with any one of my favorite authors (J.K. Rowling, Michael Connelly, Lisa See, who I heard speak once, Sue Grafton, Ilona Andrews, Juliette Cross, Nadia Hashimi, Jim Butcher, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte . . . The list could go on forever). And I even considered listing some that aren't necessarily favorites (but whose books I enjoy) that I think would just be fun to meet (Stephen King, John Green, or Nora Roberts, for example). How can I pick just one? And then it came to me. And especially fitting since April is National Poetry Month.


I wish I could go back in time to meet Emily Dickinson. She is the reason I first fell in love with poetry. I wish I could go back in time and sit with her and get to know her better. I figure she and I might both be uncomfortable at first, her being somewhat reclusive and all, but talk of our love for letter writing and poetry might open up the conversation. I don't know if I would be brave enough to share my poetry with her, but I would tell her how much hers has meant to me. In her life time, she never knew she would be revered as one of the most well known American poets.

What about you? What author would you like to meet?

*


Every Sunday, Kendra Allen of Reads and Treats comes up with a theme for a Sunday list  of 5 things (because making lists are fun!) and asks participants to share.


Today's 5 Things on Sunday theme is on blogging tips!

1. If you want people to notice you and your blog, put yourself out there. Reciprocate comments. Comment on other people's blogs. Respond to comments on your own blog. Maybe even participate in memes or reading challenges. It may not happen quickly. Be patient. Keep at it. Also, keep in mind that a large audience is not necessarily better. Blogs with smaller readership are often the ones in which you'll build the stronger relationships and have the deeper conversations.

2. Do not be afraid or feel guilty for taking breaks--planned or otherwise. We all have lives off our computers and tablets. Your readers will understand.

3. Know that not all blogging tips will be a good fit for you and your blog. There's likely always going to be someone who may not agree with how you blog or what your blog looks like or even what you have to say. Blogger and review pet peeve lists may be popular, but they are just opinions. Do what works best for you.

4. Have fun. Blogging may feel like work sometimes, but try not to let it become a chore or just another obligation you feel you have to do. Blogging is voluntary. It's something you choose to do. So, have fun with it!

5. Most importantly, be true to yourself.

What sage advice do you have for other bloggers?


Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:


My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month. 



Thank you to everyone who took time to vote in my TBR List Poll! The final results are very close! For a while there, I thought the poll might end in a tie. In the end, however, The Quiet Neighbors by Catriona McPherson and Alex Marwood's The Killer Next Door tied with 8 votes each, making The Girls Next Door by Mel Sherratt edging in for the win with 9 votes. Thank you again for voting!



I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!




The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 


Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and is a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

 © 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

48 comments:

  1. Those lit boxes look so fun! And Veiled Magic and An Ancient PEace both look like good reads.

    Good luck with kitty and hope all goes well.

    Emily Dickinson- great pick! I remember studying the poets and liking the poems I read of hers. And hope The Girl Next Door is a good one!

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    1. Greg - The lit boxes really are! I just wish they weren't so expensive. :-( It makes it hard to justify getting one every month. I'm excited about reading both Veiled Magic and An Ancient Peace. I have only read Tanya Huff's fantasy novels before--not her science fiction. I am anxious to give it a try.

      Thank you. Hopefully the ultrasound will show nothing serious, and his health begins to improve. He's an older cat, but it doesn't make it any easier. I hate to see him suffering.

      Emily Dickinson has been my favorite poet for as long as I can remember. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Greg!

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  2. Aww, poor Parker :-( Hopefully he'll be ok.

    Your blogging tips are great! I agree with all of them, especially that the way to get a following is to go out there and interact, comment, etc.

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    1. Kristen - Thank you. The vet added another medicine to try, so hopefully this one will help. The ultrasound confirmed his chronic problems are still there, but also pointed to other concerns. I'm so worried about him. :-(

      I hope you have a great week, Kristen!

      Delete
  3. The books look good!

    I went through a monster high and ever after high binge two or three years back, and I think the series is pretty interesting!

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    1. Eustacia - Thank you! I think so too. :-) I've been enjoying the Monster High episodes too, admittedly LOL

      Thanks for visiting, Eustacia!

      Delete
  4. Ah, Peppa Pig... the youngest girl I babysit for intrduced me to those books. They're so cute. It's wonderful that they give out books at your pediatrician. I'm sorry that your kitty is ill. I never thought about choosing a poet to meet for the Book Blogger Hop question. I would have chosen Langston Hughes. Have a great week. :)

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    1. La La - My daughter has never been big into Peppa Pig, but occasionally she shows interest. :-)

      I agree! I think it's great that the pediatricians are giving out books at the children's annual appointments. I don't know if it's just the hospital chain we belong to or if it is a county/state or what have you practice. Mouse has been getting a book a year from her doctor since she turned one.

      Thank you for the well wishes for my cat. He has been with me for many many years and is a big part of our family.

      I haven't read much by Langston Hughes, I'm ashamed to say. He's on my list of classic authors to try though, so hopefully I will get to him in a reasonable amount of time.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  5. Aww sorry to hear that your cat isn't doing so well. It's so hard when the fur babies are sick. I hate that helpless feeling. I hope everything works out and he gets well soon!

    I've been thinking about trying out one of those book subscription boxes but there are so many to choose from that I can't pick, and some of them are really expensive. lol!

    I hope you love all of your new books, and have a great week!

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    1. Julie - Thank you. I hate to see my cat suffering. Like you, I hate being so helpless to help. He's such a sweetheart.

      I had wanted to try a subscription box for awhile and had tried another one, but wasn't happy with it. I really like My Lit Box, and have been happy with it. They do get expensive though--and it's a question I constantly am asking myself--can I continue to subscribe? Should I? I'm sure my husband would rather I didn't sometimes. :-S

      Thank you for visiting, Julie!

      Delete
  6. You got some great looking books!

    How fun that Mouse and her grandmother got to spend spring break together - what a treat for both of them. I'm glad y'all were able to get in a little fun while your mom was there.

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    1. Kathy - Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading them. :-)

      Mouse had a nice visit with her grandmother. We were all sad to see her go.

      Thanks for visiting, Kathy!

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  7. Have fun with your new books, Wendy!
    I hope Parker gets well soon. And I totally agree with you on the blogging tips you shared.

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    1. Melody - Thank you! I hope they are all good. :-)

      Thank you for the good wishes for Parker. I am trying to stay optimistic, but it is hard sometimes seeing how much weight he's lost. You've been with me since the beginning so you know how much he means to me. I am really worried about him.

      Thank you for visiting, Melody!

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  8. Our Lucy has feline leukemia--shots twice a day and lots of visits to the vet. :( Hope Parker gets better soon!

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    1. Jenclair - Thank you. I am sorry about your Lucy having to go through all that. Feline Leukemia is no joke. We aren't to shots twice a day yet, but the doctor did mention we might need to inject fluid under his skin every other day if he doesn't start drinking more. We have water in just about every room in the house for him right now, and plan to get a fountain for him to see if that will help. The ultrasound came back showing more of the same in regards to what's wrong with him. They did find a couple other concerning things--again related to his digestive system. We're going to try him on reglan (I think that's the more popular name for it), and see if that helps. He already gets B-12 shots once a month and takes two other medications every day. It's so hard seeing him like this. It's not to the point where I think his quality of life is gone, but it could easily head in that direction if he doesn't start eating and keeping food down again. The doctor mentioned doing some more tests to see if its lymphoma if the new medication doesn't help.

      Thanks for visiting, Jenclair.

      Delete
  9. Nice haul! Veiled Magic looks like fun! I really like your blogging tips! I'll keep them in mind! I hope your cat will get better soon!

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    1. Lynn - Thank you! I am excited to read Veiled Magic. Hopefully soon! And thank you for the well wishes for my cat. He seems to be doing better with the new meds, but I'll find out for sure on Friday. Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. I am sorry about what you're going through with Parker. I know you must be worried. :-( By the way, I am stealing the format of the first part of your post. :-)

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    1. Stephanie - Thank you. I do worry about him. I know he's older, but he's got a big piece of my heart. Steal away! It seems to be a well-used format now among bloggers. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  11. Oh I hope everything with Parker works out. I stress out so much when any of my pets are ill! Glad you and your husband got some alone time!!
    Have a great week!

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    1. Samantha - Thank you. Parker seems to be doing better. He's eating and keeping it down, so that's a definite good sign! We see the vet again on Sunday to check on his progress.

      Thanks for visiting, Samantha!

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  12. How great that you got to spend some time alone with your husband.

    Enjoy your books...I have been meaning to read The Girls Next Door.

    There are many authors I would love to meet, but of the ones who are alive, I pick Lisa Scottoline, who is so down to earth...I've loved her memoirs, as well as her fiction.

    Have a great week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES




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    1. Laurel-Rain - It was a nice treat for us. :-) I'm just over half way through The Girls Next Door now. It's certainly suspenseful!

      Lisa Scottoline is very nice. I had the chance to meet her one year at a book festival. She's funny too. :-) I hope you do get a chance to meet her one day!

      Thanks for visiting, Laurel-Rain!

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  13. Hope your kitty is doing ok. It's hard when a pet is ill. You have some great looking books here and I really enjoyed the blog tips.

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    1. Barb - Thank you. He seems to be doing better. He's eating and holding down his food, which is great. You are right, it's so hard when our animals are sick. We want to help them, but it's hard to know just what is wrong and how to best do so.

      Thank you for visiting, Barb!

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  14. Aww, good luck to Parker :(

    As for writers.. There is one writer from my country who lived in the beginning of the century... I've felt so much connection with her when I read her biography, that I've always dreamt of meeting her, although that would never be possible.

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    1. Evelina - Thank you! It's hard to see him suffering. He does seem to be doing better right now, and so I am cautiously optimistic.

      It is wonderful when you connect in such a meaningful way with an author through her writing. Thank you for sharing!

      THank you for visiting!

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  15. I love that you get your kitty in the pic with your lit box---it makes it that much more adorable. :-) Glad you had a nice spring break, even if you did find yourself behind on some projects.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Nicole - My cats seem to like getting into my book photos for some reason. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  16. My sister's cat is having major kidney issues and has lost a lot of weight too. She was at the vet's for several days this past week and now has to receive injections of fluid every other day. :( Hope you cat gets better soon and everything goes well.

    Exit West looks interesting. It has been receiving a lot of praise.

    I enjoyed Emily Dickinson's poetry . I think it would be hard to choose an author to meet. I always get so tongue tied around them! I'd love to meet J.K. Rowling but doubt I'd be able to have a coherent conversation!

    Hope you have a great week :)

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    1. Christina - I was so sorry to hear about your sister's cat. Parker's vet had mentioned us possibly needing to give him fluids every other day by injection, but we haven't reached that point yet fortunately. He seems to be taking in more food and water on his own, now that he's on a new medication. Hopefully that will continue to be the case. Thank you for the well wishes!

      J.K. Rowling would be an awesome author to meet, I think. Like you though, I am not sure I'd be able to have a coherent conversation with her. I just love her.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. I'm so sorry to hear that your cat has been sick. Poor thing. I hope his health improves.

    I love the tote. Its message about what we share with other cultures is such an important one. :-)

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    1. A.M.B. - Thank you! So far he seems to be feeling a bit better, and hopefully that will continue.

      I thought that was a clever message too. :-)

      Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  18. Great set of books you got this week! The Girls Next Door looks pretty interesting!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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    1. Ronyell - Thank you! The Girls Next Door is pretty intense. I'm enjoying it so far.

      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  19. I enjoyed reading your blogging advice. Best wishes for a great week.

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    1. Pat - Thank you, Pat! I really don't like giving blogging advice given how differently everyone blogs and just how much tastes vary. And it really depends on the purpose of the blog too. I hope you are enjoying your week too! Thanks for visiting.

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  20. Hallo! What a great post to read! Thanks for all the tips, you are welcome to visit me and read my How to dismally fail at book blogging post from last week!

    Penance seems like a great read. I've already checked it out on Goodreads. Thanks for the share!

    Hope you will have a good week.

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    1. Mareli - Thank you! Your post on dismally failing at book blogging was very funny. :-) I can actually see myself in a couple of them--at least somewhat. Haha.

      I read another of Kinato's books and really liked it. I'm looking forward to Penance.

      Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  21. I hope your kitty gets the right treatment so he can feel better soon!
    Thank you for sharing what you got in your lit box. I'm so tempted to sign up. What a fun treat to look forward to! And, I'm with you, if I could time travel I would love to meet Emily!

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    1. Iliana - Thank you! The new medicine the vet prescribed seems to be working. I'll know for sure Friday, hopefully. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  22. Hey, that Lit Box stuff this month looks REALLY nice! I've never heard of Hamid before, so I must check out this book!

    I will also be checking out "Veiled Magic" and "An Ancient Peace". As you know, fantasy and urban fantasy (ESPECIALLY if they feature kick-butt female heroes) are two of my favorite genres!

    Mouse's books are SO cute!! Oh, to be a kid again.....lol. Sure miss those days! :)

    I would definitely like to read "The Sense of an Ending". That book is supposed to be EXCELLENT. I don't listen to audiobooks much, so it would have to be a printed edition.

    So sorry to hear about Parker's health problems.... :( And he sure is a GORGEOUS cat!! Sending him get-well wishes!! <3 :)

    How NICE that you and your hubby were able to spend some quality time together!! And you watched "Evita" in a theater?! AWESOME. I've never seen either the play or the movie..... And it was GREAT that Mouse got to spend some quality time with Grandma, too! WIN-WIN for everyone!! YAY!!! :)

    I feel very much like you in regards to meeting authors in person; at least, for any extended period of time. The few authors I HAVE met in person were at book signings, so I didn't really get a chance to talk to them. But, paradoxically, there ARE some authors for whom I'd try (MIGHTILY) to put aside my shyness, and actually attempt to carry on a conversation with. And I LOVE your final choice -- Emily Dickinson!! Although I don't read as much poetry as I'd like, I totally concur with you! I LOVE her poems!! And, since she was always a shy person, it might not be that much of a problem for me (or you) to converse with her. GREAT choice!!

    I LOVE your blogging tips!! As for the first one, alas, I have a pet peeve regarding it, as you know....and that is that, in spite of the fact that I HAVE reached out to other bloggers, and commented on their posts, I have NOT gotten comments back, more often than not. Yes, a smaller readership is better, but only if people actually comment, and comment back, AND actually leave meaningful comments. Sigh.....

    What I need to do is to comment MORE on the blogs of TRULY NICE people like YOU!! You and others like you take the time to leave MEANINGFUL comments. I LOVE commenting back on this post, because you are REAL, you're GENUINE, and you obviously want REAL blogging friendships. So I should be commenting on other posts you write, too, and I will endeavor to do just that!! <3 <3 :) :)

    Thanks so much for always commenting on my Book Blogger Hop post, and leaving TRULY MEANINGFUL comments, Wendy!! Sorry for this late comment back, but, as you know, I ALWAYS do comment back, even if it's not right away! Have a WONDERFUL rest-of-the-week!! HUGS TO YOU & MOUSE!!!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)


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    1. Maria - I am always excited to see what My Lit Box has in store for me each month. :-) I have another of Hamid's books, but I haven't read it. I have far too many unread books . . . And yet I keep collecting more.

      There are some great children's books out there. It's fun seeing what Mouse picks out for herself to read, even when it isn't necessarily what I would select for her.

      Those were my exact thoughts about meeting Emily Dickinson--that both of us being somewhat shy and introverted might have a really good conversation--or we could sit silently and stare at each other. LOL

      You are too kind. Thank you for the compliments, Maria. I feel the same way about you.

      I hope you are having a great week. Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  23. Hope Parker is okay. My cat had some kidney issues when he was about 16 years old. He lasted a little while after that but had to be on meds to get him to eat.

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    1. Ti - Thank you. He seems to be doing better on his new medication. Parker has had chronic digestive problems (Triaditis) for years and he's been taking medication to encourage his eating for just as long. Now his problem is keeping the food down. The ultrasound and urine tests show his kidneys are functioning fine, thank goodness. Right now the concern is mainly his stomach, which isn't working the way it should on top of a flare up of his Triaditis. The new medication has been helping with that, fortunately. Hopefully it will last. Parker is about 16, and so I know his time is probably coming sooner than any of us want. We'll do what we can for him until then.:-(

      Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  24. I'm so sorry about Parker being so ill- I just went through that with my Dorkie, Keisha and it's tough when you can't just cure them with sheer love. I hope the vet finds some nice viable options for you. :)

    An Ancient Peace by Tanya Huff looks good! I just got into her books last year and she's really excellent at characterization. I hope you enjoy it.
    ~Litha Nelle

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    1. Litha Nelle - Thank you so much. I wish love was enough because I so love that little cat. He's doing better, although I'm still worried. We'll see what the vet says on Friday when I take him in again.

      I have only read Tanya Huff's fantasy books and so am excited to give her science fiction a try. It does look good, doesn't it?

      Thank you for visiting!

      Delete

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