I am thoroughly enjoying doing my fur baby A - Z album. I am enjoying the challenge of working on 6 x 6 which is a size I almost never use and love seeing the album build up.
The P pages were very special to me as they showcase Pebble. Pebble was our first ever proper fur baby. We married in April and said we would wait until the summer holidays to get a kitten. We lasted till May - and even that was only becasue that was how long it took us to find a kitten. In those days we knew nothing of Cat's Protection and rescue centres and I am ashamed to say we bought her from a pet shop. She was the princely sum of £8 and was just 8 weeks old. We had seen her through the window the night before and my MIL was detailed to go and pay for her as soon as the shop opened as we were totally smitten.
There were 4 in the litter and she was the only tortie and white. She was chocolate box pretty. Many of you will already know the story that when I went to collect her they had been unable to sell her ugly scrap of a little sister who was plonked into my hand and I was told I could have her for half price if I took the two! I am sooooooo glad. I would never have a lone cat again and indeed we like three ata time LOL
Pebble was the only cat truly mine. The others have all been Daddy's girls (and boys) but Pebble was my special friend. She hated to hear me cry. I remember once having a really bad fall outside off a set of steps and she just sat with me for ages till I stopped crying. Any time I cried for any reason she was there. She was loyal, determined, so gentle and very stoic. We had her for almost 18 years. For the last 2 years she had thyroid trouble and was on medication - and in fairness I don't think she ever really got over the loss of her beloved sister, though she did bond well with Boushka. I remember the day I finally realised she had had enough. It was the only day of her life she didn't purr. Even when she was poorly she still purred. I had known she had been ill for a while but that day she stopped purring. I took her to the vets and she was poorly, dehydrated, her thyroid was very bad and he said he could treat her and she might possibly be able to have another couple of months but that seemed so harsh. I asked what he would do and he knows us so well. He said he would think about what a wonderful 18 years he had had and let her go with dignity. I agreed completely. Nigel couldn't get home in time so he said goodbye to her over the phone and I held her in my arms as she passed away. She had been one of the most loyal and trusting friends I could have wished for.
This other page is the one made for the latest challenge on A True Friend pet blog (link is always in my side bar - do check regularly as it is fab) The task was to do a Wish I'd Known page. I debated something funny - because goodness knows there were plenty of things I could have said, but went for the newest picture of them to say, in spite of everything, I love them tremendously.
There has been some negativity about UKS today and whilst I normally try and stay away from conflict I just had to join in. I am a huge fan of UK Scrappers. It isn't perfect - what is? There are sections I don't visit, but lots that I do. Whilst it has grown very very big and become to some extent a victim of its own success, I feel it is a wonderful forum with so much for everyone. Like any large organisation it has critics as you can't please all the people all the time, but there is a tremendous amount of information there, it is a supportive community where advice is freely given and a lot of people spend an awful lot of time making sure it runs smoothly and effectively for the benefit of everyone. It is still my home page and will remain so. I am still garteful for the friends I have made on UKS over the years, for the opportunities I have as a result of UKS and for the daily fix I get from visits.
Congratulations UKS - I think you all do a fab job.