Artist Renee Lammers

 

   Festus, Miss Kitty, and I are settling into our lake cottage here in Ocklawaha, Florida.

 

 

  This is the view from the sunroom.  Steam was rising from the lake.

 

We have heard owls, hunting dogs occassionally, a rooster, baby raccons, sand hill cranes.

 

There are many cats and dogs running about because this is country.  Someone feeds them.

 

Every neighbor has a few cats and a few dogs.  Animals get dumped here so each resident adopts

 

a few of them.  They are all very happy and get along.  The neighbors are all very friendly.  

 

 

  Festus was enjoying the view this morning from the bed.  Miss Kitty was sleeping in a recliner.

 

 

   Poppy took a turn for the worst before I left.  I stayed in Maine a few more days because I was

 

concerned.  Poppy did not want to eat for two days.  We tried to hand feed her.  She was seeking

 

comfort from all the dogs.  She put her head on them all of the time.  She would whimper a lot.  She

 

was uncomfortable.  She was wobbly.  She did not want to go down the stairs to the back yard but would

 

go down the ramp to the front yard.  She had this far away look. Monet sniffed her and then cleaned

 

her face.  Lily also cleaned her face.  They all knew she was gravely ill. 

 

I made an appointment with the vet after texting Robert.  He was too busy at work. 

 

I took Poppy to the vet and stayed with her till the

 

end.  She is in heaven now.  I am still shocked.  I really thought Poppy was immortal!  She seemed to

 

have more energy and enthusiasm for life than I did!  I am very glad her quality of life was great until

 

the last two days.  I hope she is running at the beach in heaven.  Robert and Ted are taking good care

 

of Monet, Lily, and Lady Violet.  This was a hard thing for me to do but it was the right thing to do.

 

Good night.