Saying Goodbye To My Ella Mae

It's been a long, stressful, depressing couple of weeks. After finding out my cat, Ella Mae, had diabetes, we realized she wasn't responding to treatment. She'd already given up. So, Tuesday, July 14, Brian and I said goodbye to our sweet girl. She would have been 11 on August 19, 2020. Even though she was our feisty feline, she was family.

We rescued Ella Mae (originally named Cruella de Vil), on Valentine's Day 2010. She was born (estimated) on August 19, 2009. She was more than a cat. She was my friend. She always laid on my house shoes whenever I wrote books. She was the first to greet me in the morning with her gentle, almost silent, meow. She brought so much joy to my life. And I only hope she knew how much she was loved.

Sometimes I walk through the house and expect to see her trotting behind me with her belly swinging back and forth. Sometimes I still feel her laying under my chair, on top of my house shoes, just being in the room with me as I edit a book. Instead, her ashes are in a beautiful wooden box next to the picture of another gentle feline soul, Balki, my cat of 17 years that passed more than 20 years ago.

Yes, it's been a rough couple of weeks. My life will go on. I do not plan to get another cat. The hurt is too painful. As I mentioned in my last blog, if you own a cat and you're not aware of the signs of feline diabetes, please educate yourself.

I hope everyone is healthy and thriving during these uncertain times.

Angela Hood-Ross
Live, Laugh, Love.

2020...What's Next?

2020...What's next? To say I wished this year would end is an understatement. However, I don't want to rush time. But...

My cat, Ella, was diagnosed Tuesday with feline diabetes. For me, that was a relief considering I was prepared for the worse. Since she's been at the vet, I've tried to educate myself more on this disease; how to care for her, how to give her shots, everything I might need to know to make sure she's healthy the rest of her days.

For those of you with fur babies, please educate yourself on the signs of diabetes. Had I known what to look for, I probably would have taken her to be tested much sooner.

These are some of the signs I've been told: increase in thirst, frequent urination, increase in appetite, rapid weight loss, and not wanting to socialize. I'm sure there are more, but these are the most common signs.

So...2020? Whatcha got for me next? After the last few months, I feel I can take on anything now (within reason).

How are things in your part of the world?

(Picture of Miss Ella)

(UPDATE): Miss Ella Mae passed away on July 14, 2020. Rest in peace sweet girl.

Angela Hood-Ross
Live, Laugh, Love