It Looks Like I Slept In A Raspberry Patch... An Update on the Little Deaf Kitty.

[Hekate]

49. My little Betsy was the best gift ever

My late MIL's friend gave her a cockapoo puppy, and she was so enchanted with the notion that she bought me one as a b'day gift. As I sat on the floor looking at the litter, the littlest one of all crawled into the space between my legs. When we brought her home she was 3 1/2 pounds of fluff. My MIL had no idea just how depressed and dark I was -- I think very few people did -- but I clung to that little dog like a life raft. Betsy remained a baby for years, perfectly willing to be carried around the house in my arms, floppy on her back, about 8 pounds. She adored my husband so much that we called her Freudian Puppy, because of the look she would give me from his arms: "I love you mom, but daddy's mine." She was still pretty sure she was a human baby, I think, even after the grown kids started coming home with their dogs, until my daughter was given the most awful Jack Russell pup and brought it home. I named her Bounce, and I was able to train her out of screaming, but she stole all of Betsy's toys and was so incredibly high-energy that finally Betsy was reduced to laying on top of her toys and snapping in a vain effort to keep them. Poor Beta Betsy had a bit of a nervous breakdown, and afterward she was quite sure she was a dog after all. A Princess, a darling, but not a baby human. She passed away at an advanced age a couple of years ago, and I have her ashes in a wooden box, with her favorite squeaky toy (a very small rubber ducky) on top.

Last fall we got an 11-month old poodle/Lhasa Apso mix who needed a new home. Cali is a totally different person. I can't believe she is only 12 pounds, because she feels many times bigger than Betsy. Lie down on her back and be carried? I don't think so. Her legs go straight up in the air before she wiggles around so she can see everything that's going on. She's the only pet in the house, and I think we are a bit boring (mid-6os), so she invents mischief in the back yard. She dug a pretty deep hole going after a gopher, and had a wonderful time getting totally muddy. Was fine with being washed off, but not sure why I was making a fuss (and didn't care). Very smart, very active. I'm really glad I have her. Right after I got her I got sick -- about 3 times total during the winter. During one bout I had pain and chills, and thinking I was alone in the house, allowed myself the luxury of groaning. Up came Cali with a dog biscuit in her mouth, and sat beside me, and offered me her cookie. "Feel better?" Oh, much.

I'm so glad your kitty found you and Big Moose.