I didn't talk about DX really, partially because we do that here, and partially because I didn't want to ugly cry on camera. It was just really good for the soul to hear the voices and see the faces of people who mean so much to me.

It was similar to the get-togethers after ita's death. We honored them by reaffirming our bonds as a community. We carried on Buffista-ing.

Popping into new Natter to let you folks know I'm still reading even though it feels like I hardly ever post.

I'll echo amych's "Buffistas are my buddy system." (Hi amych! Love you, miss you.) Ed was the first person to speak to me at the Pasadena F2F, which has so many highlights for me I can't possibly summarize them all. He was such a mensch in so many ways.

This group was my first experience falling in love with a whole community at once, and I do treasure and will always treasure all of you for putting up with my inability to filter or compartmentalize.

Too much to meara, I'm afraid. But I hold each and every one of you close in my heart.

Much sadness for me today. Pearlie died this morning. I came out of the bathroom and she meowed and meowed for me and I wrapped her in a towel and DH and I sat with her as she stopped breathing. How we cried. She was such a sweet and gentle cat. Yesterday she got to sit in the garden enjoying her sunny spot, so her last day was a good one.

Thank you guys for being here. It’s always a comfort to spend time here.

DX... thanks for all the times you answered my questions.

KB, I’m so sorry!

I’m sorry, Katerina Bee.

Katie Bee, I am so sorry about Pearlie.. I am glad she got to lay in the sunny spot one last time..

I just got off the phone with my mom, and it sounds like she has sciatica, or some sort of sciatic nerve irritation. She has been in PT for her knees, but this is different and much like my sciatica.

Trying to decide between making egg salad or Italian sausage... I think I doing Italian sausage,

ETA,Katie Bee I think you were the person who gave me the Rainbow Bridge poem when Mr. Kitty died living with my mom. It was such a comfort and I stil think of it, and it would be great if there were a Buffista bridge too. With ita there waiting for Connie and DX, and them in turn waiting for us.

Katerina Bee - I'm so sorry, but focus on the good day she had beforehand. I put Maeve through all kinds of medical tests before she died, and I really, really regret it. You did it right.

Thanks for the kind words. I’m always glad when my cats die naturally at home instead of being euthanized at the vet’s office. It’s much more peaceful and less scary than having to go for a ride in the car.

Lily understands that something is wrong, so she climbed into my lap and washed Dave’s hand when he petted her. She will miss snuggling with her furry friend.

Oh no, Katerina Bee! I am so sorry to hear about Pearlie. Tons of ~ma to you and your family.

Katie Bee, I'm so sorry. This has been a rough year for Buffista pets; I'm giving the piggies extra cuddles right now (Prubs is tolerant of affection, Marcie resents almost all humans almost all the time, but both are grudgingly putting up with it).

::hugs the stuffing out of Karl, carefully pats the stuffing back into place--good as new!::

Does anyone have tips for behavioral management for older cats with social issues? My mom just adopted a cat who it turns out is somewhat older and more emotionally difficult than she had been told (among other things, long history as a largely outdoor cat with what sounds like some neglect, even after she limped back in from a fight with serious injuries--she got medical treatment, but as soon as she was healed they let her right back out again), and who is hard to handle and very overdue for a checkup and shots (the last time her last human brought her to the vet, they couldn't get her out of the carrier even with heavy gloves). CBD or other calming treats? If so, which ones? Would it be a good idea to just get her a new carrier since the old one with the old smells is associated almost entirely with trauma? Are there carrier styles (maybe something that opens from the top?) that are easier for handlers to manage? Any and all advice eagerly welcomed.