I've read all of Natter and Spikes, but usually don't have time to post as well as read (I choose read when it's one or the other!).

But I am poking my head in to ask bonny to repost her link to the pet food delivery? I bookmarked it but want to make sure bonny gets the referral!!

Oh, thank you so much Java! I'm off to Press to do just that. Much obliged.

Honestly, I love those guys. I ordered some treats last week and they came the very next day...for $5. Score!

Oh man, you guys. I'm just posting because Tim's not home from work yet and I have to get this out of my head:

I am So. Over. Goddamn. Death.

Another of my uncles, one of my dad's brothers, passed away this morning. He was the one who was horrifyingly ill-appearing at my other uncle's memorial service in September. My dad said that today he was maybe 85 pounds. Honestly, I am surprised he made it this long. He was only 64. So that's 2 uncles younger than my dad who have passed away. It was marginally funny the summer that they all started having heart attacks within weeks of each other, but dying in close proximity? Not cool.

I don't even know what, ultimately, it was that killed him. Dad doesn't know. It wasn't the same heart disease that the rest of them have -- he's the only one who never had a heart attack or stroke or any cardiac procedure. But he drank and smoked in prodigious quantities his entire life, was not a healthy eater, nor did he exercise, and he refused to see a doctor. So -- liver failure? General failure of everything? Don't know.

I am having a (gluten-free) beer in his honor right now. If I had whiskey in the house, I'd have whiskey. I will not have a ciggie in his honor because I don't smoke and the prospect of bumming a smoke in my neighborhood runs the risk of an encounter with (1) a gang member or (2) a hipster, neither of which I want to deal with.

Fuck, man. My *mom* is 64. My dad just turned 69. I know it happens to everyone eventually, that's the deal. I know that. But damn. God damn. I've really had enough.

That's really young, Teppy. I am sorry that you and your dad have suffered such loss.

Oh, lordy, Steph. I am so sorry.

Steph, I'm so sorry for your loss, and your family's loss.

Oh, damn, Tep. That is just too much. Over it. Step off, Death. I mean, it sounds not entirely unexpected but there is only so much a family should have to deal with in a swath. Over.

Oh, that just sucks, Steph. Sending tons of sympathy your way.

Steph, I am so sorry.

Oh, shit, Teppy. I am so sorry.

And, thanks for the good wishes about Mickey, but it turns out I spoke too soon. Vet called this afternoon with the radiology report. He has a small mass in his lung. Not sure what that mass is but lung cancer is high on the list due to his age (he's 11). Because of where it is, they can't aspirate it. I need to have a consult appt with oncology to figure out next steps.

This is my nightmare situation. What can be done? And, can I afford it? And, even if I can, should I do anything? Will it help him in the long term? He's healthy now, he eats, he plays, he breathes fine, but how long?

Being an adult fucking sucks in some situations.