Exactly one year ago I said goodbye to Toffee. He was my companion and friend for just over 11 years. Toffee loved road trips. He loved walks. He was excited if anyone came to visit, and he would turn in circles when offered vegetables. My days are quieter now. I get up when I’m readyContinue reading “1 year”
Tag Archives: good-bye
Paw prints
I noticed these on my neighbour’s back steps the other morning. Cats stop by at my back patio every day, but I didn’t realize that they also explored my neighbour’s balcony. Evidence of the cat or cats will disappear once the sun comes up and melts away the dew. For many years I lived inContinue reading “Paw prints”
Pussywillows…soft winds…
I’m reminded of the Gordon Lightfoot song, ”Pussywillows, Cat-tails, soft winds and roses”. Dad’s niche is a few feet away from this lovely planter. My son met me at the columbarium last week to see the new cover that was made for my father’s niche. When dad passed away there were so many unexpected decisionsContinue reading “Pussywillows…soft winds…”
Dad
I started writing this post on November 25, 2021, the day after Dad died. All I had was the title. This is what I want people to know about my dad. Today (June 24) would have been his 91st birthday. I haven’t decided yet how I would celebrate or honour his birthday. Last night IContinue reading “Dad”
Timing
November 24, 2021…..the day dad passed. One week ago today dad was in agony at the hospital. The 72-hour ward was over capacity, with many patients kept out in the hallways because not enough beds in rooms were available. Nurses often came 1 to 2 hours after being called. Medication was delayed so the painContinue reading “Timing”
Birds at the window
Each room here at Hospice House has a little bird feeder outside one of the windows. I noticed that birds were constantly at the feeder across the hall, in Michael’s old room. Dad’s feeder had no birds visiting at all until a few minutes ago. I wonder if he could hear the chirping. I wonderContinue reading “Birds at the window”
Hospice House
As we were directed down the hallway to my father’s new room, memories from 2010 started resurfacing. The nurses had just finished settling dad into his room which happened to be directly across the hall from Michael’s when he spent his final 3 weeks here almost 12 years ago. The first nurse who came toContinue reading “Hospice House”
On death and dying
It wasn’t a phone call I was hoping for. In fact, I thought my sister wanted to talk about problems with her move. She and her husband decided a few months ago to sell their home on the prairies and move closer to our parents to help dad look after mom, and cook for themContinue reading “On death and dying”
Assisted death
I started this particular post several weeks again, and could not get further than choosing the photos. The one on the left is Toffee in one of his mellow moments; the one on the right is Toffee in his final moments, cuddling in a warm and soft blanket on my lap, at the animal hospital.Continue reading “Assisted death”
memories of Toffee
My little protector is gone. People can ring my doorbell or knock on the door and nobody barks. It’s just quiet…so quiet. My neighbour whose two children have studied with me for several years let me know how sad they all are that Toffee is gone. Her son, when he started lessons with me wasContinue reading “memories of Toffee”
Reflections 