Midna is home.

Midna is home. She still has diarrhea and is on meds, but the vet said that she's improved from what she was last week.

It is far too early for this kind of heartbreak.

It is far too early for this kind of heartbreak. I got up and wasn't greeted by a Snaga meow. She was one of my most vocal cats and I've been sensing her absence with my ears. She was always the first to run up to you with a meow - requesting her lovings. Ignore that and you'd get the polite but firm claw-pat that let you know it was really more of a demand and that you'd better go ahead and comply. 😂😂😂

Not that we'd ever want our animals to experience pain or suffering, but when they are sick there is usually at least a little time to prepare. With Snaga, she'd never looked healthier. She caught colds easily and often had skin allergies, but she had none of that going on. We're still in shock, but it's hitting me after not hearing her voice in almost 24 hours.  😭😭😭

I've gotta get up the nerve to check on Midna shortly. It was hard going all weekend without hearing anything, but most vets say that no news = good news. I hate to say that I'm avoiding it, though, just in case. I don't know how much more my heart can take.

Shaun just found Snaga...

Shaun just found Snaga (one of my cats) dead in the hall. No blood or signs of struggle. She wasn't even super old. Was healthy and normal as far as we could tell. I just gave the cats fresh food and water at 10 and she was fine. I am wondering if she choked or something because this was completely unexpected and so out of left field.

We are in shock. I'm gonna miss her. She was the grossest of my cats - she drooled a ton when you petted her and if she shook her head you got splattered. I loved those wet lovins. 😂 She had a great meow and she was very demanding. She would reach out and grab you when it was time to pet her. She liked playing in my mom's hair when she came over.

Whatever happened - she appears to have gone fast and for that we are grateful. We wouldn't wish pain or suffering on any of our kids.

Rest in Peace, Snaga-baga. ❤️

Y'all, I'm not really ok right now.

Y'all, I'm not really ok right now.  I don't know why.  You would think that I would be SO RELAXED since it was spring break, but my life just doesn't work that way.  I think the post from Tuesday sums a lot of it up, but there is more going on than that.

I've been on spring break since Monday and I haven't done a stitch of studying or schoolwork.  I should have really been taking advantage of this time to get good at Java and Intro to Advanced Math, but I didn't.  I slept a lot, caught up on housework, and have been a lump on the couch with my dogs, but over the last few days I've been avoiding notifications because I just don't want to talk to anyone and today I didn't even want to get out of bed.  I feel like depression and anxiety are getting to me, and I don't know what to do about it.  If nothing else being on break should have been relaxing and good, but nope.

Now thanks to tornadoes jacking up my school I have another week off, so it's almost like I've gotten a second chance to catch up.  I hope I don't waste it.  I am concerned that I will because my motivation is zero, but we'll see.

I'm probably about to take a break from social media because I feel like I just can't deal.  I actually just told Shaun (who is sitting on the couch next to me) not to talk to me because he was like a notification right now - something that wanted attention that I don't have to give.  So it's not personal.  I just need to be left alone right now.

Before I go I'm going to tell y'all what to do if you find small animals.  Best thing is for it's mom to have it, but if that isn't possible look for a vet or licensed rehabber (NOT THE ANNISTON MUSEUM).  I highly recommend Wild Mammal Care of Alabama 205.871.7803 for mammals and Alabama Wildlife Center for birds.  However, if you for some reason have no choice but to nurse a baby animal, do this:

1)  Warm the baby (and keep it warm, but don't cook it - they need space to get away from the heat source in case it is too much).  Never feed a cold baby.  You will likely kill it.

2)  Hydrate the baby with clear Pedialyte.  If they aren't hydrated they can't digest milk, and you will likely kill it.

3)  Feed milk that was MADE FOR THE SPECIES.  Don't feed wildlife kitten or puppy milk.  The FoxValleyNutrition website has formula for wildlife.  Buy it and use it.  Anything else can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, and some young babies are too vulnerable to survive that.

4)  Kitten bottles are shit.  For kittens and small animals, go to www.henryspets.com and buy their excellent syringes and silicon nipples.  For puppies, human bag bottles with premie nipples are amazing.

5)  NURSE THE BABIES FLAT LIKE THEIR PARENTS WOULD.  This seems like common sense to me, but so many humans think it's adorable to feed kittens, puppies, and wildlife like human infants.  It's not cute; it can be life threatening.  Don't do it.

6)  Wipe the butts with something warm after every feeding.

7)  Leave them alone except for feeding time.  Honestly, they are supposed to spend a lot of time sleeping, so don't mess with them.

*  If you find baby rabbits, find a rehabber.  They are especially hard to not kill.  I do not recommend trying to rehab them yourself.

*   Birds cripple easily so try to get them to the bird center, or maybe try Dr. Cooner at AMC.  Also note that many of them are illegal to try to rehab without a special license.

I hope y'all are doing well.  I'll see you when I feel like I have the energy for social media again.  Until then, take no offense if I don't talk to you.  I just can't right now.  ❤

From Denise Atkisson:

From Denise Atkisson:

Happy Tails! Blu Stephens...so many babies have been reunited with their parents thanks to your help. I love Happy Tails more every day!

Midna is staying in the hospital for a few days.

Midna is staying in the hospital for a few days. We were planning to say goodbye this morning because she looked so rough, but the vet thinks they can help her out. She ate for them already. She hasn't eaten for us in several days. The emotional roller-coaster continues. 😥

I didn't sleep enough last night. Currently, I'm on the couch with dogs. Faith always tries to prevent Booka from getting on the couch, but I guess once he's up here and covered in a blanket he makes a good pillow. 😂😂😂 How she can sleep on someone who's snoring that loud - I'll never know. I need these clowns in my life forever. ❤️

Over the last few days my sanity has taken a hit.

Over the last few days my sanity has taken a hit.

We frankened a working pet gate from two older pet gates.  The one that was taller is the one we ended up using.  Unfortunately, it was covered in Nappy's "nose art" and had to be cleaned.  I felt like I just washed the last piece of her out of my life.  🙁

Midna (my 10 year old cat) is very sick.  She's had runny poop for years, but no one could find anything wrong with her.  She was otherwise healthy; the only real downside is that she sometimes didn't make it to the litter box.  Over the last few days she lost her appetite and was just leaking diarrhea constantly and I assumed that she was having a final downturn.  I took her to the vet fully expecting that they would tell me there is nothing left to be done for her, but she's on medication and now my hopes are up.  I guess I don't get a break from rollercoaster emotions right now.

I had a salad with pickles last night.  I realized as I cut the pickle skins off that Emma wasn't there to eat them for me.  She always loved pickle skins.  That was a punch to the heart, as well.

I've been lazy for days and just finally loaded the dishwasher.  Among all of our used dishes were the dishes we used to try to nurse Bun back to health.  Ouch.

Of course the weather was stressful and I'm just now realizing the extent of the damage at JSU.  I am in panic mode.  I don't mean to sound selfish, but what does this mean for us - the students?  Will my degree be delayed?  Will we finish this semester?  I am positively petrified.

And of course my Facebook is blowing up with Happy Tails Lost & Found Pets of Calhoun County requests and posts needing approval.  It is such a sad day.  I hope everyone finds their loved ones safe and sound.

I hope you all are doing well.  I have been mostly ok, but today I am not.  I'm off to clean my house and immerse myself in homework so that I can feel I have a semblance of control over something.