alexist

I keep expecting to see her. I'm still checking the sofa before I sit down. Neil said he keeps thinking he sees her too. And I keep finding bits of cat fluff. :-( What can I tell you--I'm outrageously sentimental about animals.

I've been thinking about another cat. I don't want to get one straight away because then it's like you're trying to replace the old animal, and you can't love the new one for what it is. But thinking about it gives me something to look forward to. And since I do want to go to a breeder this time, it will take longer--often the kittens are reserved before they're even born. So, we'll see. I do want another Maine Coon though; I got to love the personality and the giant fluffiness. I'd quite like a grey/silver or red tabby this time, just to be a little different, but as brown is the most common coat colour in Maine Coons I may well have another Zoecat.

This is the first time I've been pet-less since I was 8 (when my parents finally let us have a cat. My mother resisted years of begging, then she found a couple of mice.) When my first cat, Sam, died, I wasn't going to get another one; I was 23 and thought it wasn't the right time, and we did have a dog. After a couple of months I was so miserable without a cat I changed my mind. I know it will be the same again. (I'd still love a dog too, but I won't have one as long as we live in a flat. I'd want a golden and although you can keep them in flats, they're really happier with a bit of garden to run around in.)

Aliza was adorable today; she held on to my finger while I was feeding her, and I swear I saw a bit of a smile when she looked at me. She's doing more facial expressions now :) I was thinking her eyes were going to turn hazel as they're so dark, but now I'm not sure--in the light they're very definitely blue, the same colour as mine. She still has a silly hairstyle: it's long at the crown and down the middle, and only very fine hair on the sides. When it stands up, it looks like a mohawk. Punk baby!

A lake-effect snowstorm in upstate New York (Oswego County, which most of you will never have heard of ;) ) has lasted 5 days and dumped up to 72" of snow. They're expecting "a couple more feet"! It's so bad they closed 15 miles of I-81 which is unbelievable; NYSDOT is fanatical about plowing and gritting.

It's not even near the records: one storm near Watertown in 2001 dumped 127" of snow.

Yeah, this will be the reason people leave upstate...

for 3 hours! Longest trip out on my own so far :-)

First was the doctor's--I was worried about the ice and snow on the ground since the direct route is via a footpath, but it was fine. The trouble was in front of our flat; the snow on the pavement had been compacted down and frozen over, so I had to wheel the buggy in the street.

New GP was nice, and did a thorough job on my meds review. I need an EKG because apparently if you have an existing cardiac problem, Effexor can aggravate it. I know my heart is fine as I had an EKG a few years ago, but he wants a new one. He was surprised I'd not had one during pregnancy, especially since I had a C-section. He also agreed that I should have my TFTs redone, as my dose may need to be adjusted again, but said I should wait another 4 weeks.

I went to the delivery office, got my package, and went to the supermarket, then home. Aliza had a bottle after I saw the GP, but she was hungry again when we got in, 2 hours later! She's been awake pretty much constantly since the doctor's--I saw her snooze in her buggy a bit, but mostly she was awake, and still is now. The sling didn't calm her either. Hmm, think she might have dropped off now... good, Mommy can have a nap ;)

I came home to find a consolation card from our vet's (handwritten, not a form card). That was nice. I was always really pleased with them--we've been to 3 of their practices (including the cattery at the Ealing branch) and they were always very nice and gave great care. I certainly don't blame them at all for what happened to Zoe; it was just too late by the time she got treated, and cardiomyopathy is sneaky. If it's anyone's fault, it's ours for not seeing the cardiologist last year. If anyone's looking for a vet in north London/southern Herts (or Ealing!) I recommend them (Village Vet).