Franklin K. Peters ?-April 25, 2008

Franklin enjoying a sun bath

Franklin Kitty Peters, aka Frankle beast, Frankie toes or Franks, died today from vaccine related fibro-sarcoma. He was a beloved member of the Peters family, and will be missed more than words can say.

We adopted him from Cats in the Cradle about 4 1/2 years ago. The first time I saw him, I remember thinking, "WOW! He looks like a mountain lion!" For Victor and I, it was love at first sight. Martin and Ava came with us to see him, and they too loved him. We took him home that day. They estimated his age to be about 4 to 5 years old.

Victor and Franklin were inseparable. In true animal compassion, Franklin would sleep with Victor at night. Victor has always had a terrible time sleeping, and this was a great comfort to him. Franklin was a very patient cat with Ava, who was then around 1 1/2. He also liked to slip under her crib and lay down while we were playing in her room. I tried not to love him, and wanted to think of him as "Victor's cat". I had lost a cat and still remembered the pain. But alas, through the years, he became part of each of our hearts.

Franklin never begged for people food, but relished his cat food as well as an occassional helping of tuna. He graciously endured a greyhound entering his life, and towards the end could be seen hanging out with that "stinky abomination of an animal". Franklin loved to talk, in true Siamese fashion, and the quietness of the house will haunt us all for some time to come.

We loved you, Franklin. You were a fine cat.

Franklin was lovingly cared for by the Cat Clinic of East Cobb.

Howling Red Dog

What the heck is a "Roo" and what does it mean? Greyhounds by nature, are not barkers...but some do like to sing. This song is for all the lady greyhounds out there. Doesn't this sound haunting? Most of the time my hub can get him to sing happily...but this one sounds like, "I'm so lonely."
The lonely dog and I are off for a walk, and then a pawdicure.

Black hearse

She had clothes in the dryer...her pantyhose hanging to dry....a cutting board on the counter with onions...her nightgown thrown off on her bed...her Jeep was in the driveway, but she was no longer there.

Her answering machine had messages from all her children, at first bright and cheery, and then becoming concerned as she did not call anyone back. ESPN was playing on the tv right by her bed....the ball game long over.

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of my Mother's death, and I am still numb...I still have her number on my cell phone...I dream of her sometimes. I miss her profoundly.

Sometimes, like this morning, I need to sift through the memories of what it was like...still in disbelief...still wanting to imagine her doing fine in her sweet house with the "Mother Mulberry" tree in the backyard. Yet, reality comes to roost and I feel devastated once more.

The most poignant moment of my life thus far, was following the black hearse that contained my Mother's body.

The results

The vet called last week and let us know that Franklin does have fibro sarcoma. She said she estimates that he has about 2 months left, if that. We have not told the kids yet, and will be getting a game plan together to do so.

You would never know that he is "sick". Thankfully, the tumor does not have any nerves...but can grow to amazing proportions. He is still happily scarfing down food, jumping on the counter and giving Siamese dissertations whenever possible.

We have decided to forego the surgery route since the tumor is so large, and will give palliative care from here on out. The vet said that we would know when it was time to let him go.

I admire and don't understand the lengths that people will go for their beloved pets. Believe me, if this was a matter of a cyst, he'd be right in there....but I will not make his last few weeks or months on this earth painful ones. I wish we didn't have to travel this road, but since we do, we will do it with dignity, integrity and love...I hope.

Frankle Beast

Our wonderful boy, Franklin, has grown a lump on the side of his neck....and the vet thinks it's Fibro-sarcoma. Franks had a biopsy done yesterday, and we will now the results at the end of the week. He is the best cat in the world.

I've got the fevah

My family thinks I may have a problem...I'm in glorious denial. Ha. My beautiful foster hound may be adopted this wknd. To check out HER blog, see www.greyhoundadoption.org, click on adoption, then current, then scroll to near the bottom and click on BB's Filigree.

This blogging has been a great outlet for my creativity...it's one of those things that makes my heart sing.

My Crazy Foster Dog

The Video says it all. Oy vay.