2 January

Shaman’s Dog Jack

by Jon Katz
The Shaman’s Dog Jack

The Shaman’s Dog Jack is getting ready to leave the world. He has stopped eating, stopped going outside, stopped moving. The Shaman has a contract with Jack, an understanding. As long as he is not in pain, he will leave the world naturally, of his own will and spirit. He will be cremated. The shaman thinks it will not be long. Jack is at peace. Think of him. He had a long and wonderful life. Death is not only said, it is also beautiful, natural, important.

2 January

Flo At The Vet, Cont.

by Jon Katz
Flo At The Vet

The Cambridge Valley Veterinary Clinic is just down the road from us, and is a bright, cheerful and inviting place. Flo acted as if she had been in a clinic before, she was very calm during handling. We are canvassing the neighbors to make sure she doesn’t belong to anybody nearby, but Florence Walrath’s granddaughter Lori told me that this cat often hung around the farm when Flo was around and Flo fed her food scraps. We think she has been living in our woodshed for awhile. Tom Wolski said she is fine outside, apart from the dangers of predators and the road. We are somewhat protected on our farm, given the fences, dogs and donkeys. Flo will stay in the woodshed, Minnie in the big barn.

It is hard to fathom what happened to Mother. Minnie and Flo are content here and safe. Mother must have decided to go somewhere else to live. The prerogative of a barn cat. Photo Album of Flo On Facebook.

2 January

Flo At The Vet: A Work-Up

by Jon Katz
Flo At The Vet

Flo got a good workout at the Cambridge Valley Veterinary Clinic from our friend Dr. Tom Wolski. Some might call him an old-fashioned vet, but he has always embodied the best kind of vet to me – blunt, aware of the cost of things, a realistic advocate for animals who always keeps the relationship in perspective. He does not pull any punches and reminds us always that we are dealing with animals.

He gave Flo a good work-up. He thinks she might have been spayed – there are scars there and wants to wait a bit to make sure. She got all of her shots, was wormed. He said she was a very good cat – calm, grounded, affectionate. She hopped off the table at one point and looked around and swatted Red on the nose. He was shocked. Her claws were in. Dr. Wolski thought Flo had been a pet, at least for awhile. She was comfortable with him, with us transporting her, with the vet staff. He said outdoor cats are often healthier than house cats and he said a tall woodshed was a good place for her. We go back in three weeks for a follow-up. She got rabies and other shots and it seems that she is our cat. Okay with me. More photos on Facebook.

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