Kristin, I talked with my vet about this, as he's done many amputations, including TC's. He says losing a hind leg is less of an adjustment than losing a front one for cats (it's the reverse for dogs). Since Byron is older, recovery will take a little longer. He'll be sore and achy, and he'll need stools and steps to get up on furniture, into windows, etc., and especially down. You'll want to make down, especially, easier, so that he doesn't stress the remaining leg.

That said, he'll adjust far faster than a human, and it won't bother him if he occasionally forgets the leg isn't there and topples over. If this is a choice between him losing a leg and losing his life, I think you know what his choice would be. All I can tell you is that living with our three-leggity beastie has been a joy, for him and for us. All possible good thoughts to you and Byron.

So I found out last night that between federal, state, and Bush rebate tax refunds, I'm getting 3000 back.

The universe's timing isn't always bad.

{{{Kristin and Byron}}}

I'm glad the money is there to let you do what feels right, Kristin. Best of luck for an easy recovery for Byron.

ION, Annabel just "wrote a story" to send to her grandma in Alabama. It's squiggledy lines on the page with some animal stickers at the top. I asked her what it was about and she told me the following:

"It's about a princess, a big princess, and she got a present. She opened it and it was a NEW CROWN. She put it on her head, but the wind blew and knocked it off, and then there was a BAD GUY. He came and got the crown. And the prince came." Me: "The princess?" Her: "No, the prince. And they had SWORDS! Fight fight fight fight, fight fight fight fight...OWWW. That was the bad guy. The prince won, and he gave the crown to the princess, and she put it back on and she was happy."

I guess she's really my daughter, huh?

Aww! Did you write the story down for grandma, Susan? You totally should!

Sigh. Am waiting hoping to hear from a woman about a job. Yesterday she left me a message saying she was sorry she hadn't heard yet, but was hopeful, and expected to hear today. So far, no word. The phone just rang...and it was not her. AUGH.

{{{{{{Kristin}}}}}}

(((Kristin & Byron)))

Did you write the story down for grandma, Susan? You totally should!

Yep. I'm going to send her Annabel's paper and the translation.

Aww, she's going to love that!