Heaven's Newest Angel: Tanis du Quat DragonSlayer

Once upon a time (about 15 years or so ago) a cute part Abyssinian kitten was born.  He was adopted by an elderly lady who named him Garfield.  When he was nearly 9 months old, his loving Feeder passed away.  He spent a few days wondering what had happened before he was found.  Then he was adopted by a couple who already had an Abyssinian Princess*.  Because they certainly did not feel he was a "Garfield" he was renamed Tanis.  hey use Egyptian names for their Abyssinians.  Unfortunately, their Princess (who still thinks she is a Queen!) did not care for Tanis.

At the time, Sarah (Dale's wonderful daughter & my amazing step-daughter) wanted a kitten.  So, of course, my husband rescued Tanis and brought him home (they were catless at the time).  Sarah had been hoping for a kitten kitten but there he was.  Tanis was a wee bit autistic.  As he grew older he became a Grumpy Old Cat.  He enjoyed being One of The Boys watching TV with my husband and his roommate (obviously before we met & married).  There were only certain people he would react to and Sarah was one of His People.  When she found her own place, Tanis went with her where he could have peace and quiet.  No other cats around him and His Person to love on.

Some of you may remember that Tanis was sick at the end of June.  Then he got to feeling better.  But today Sarah called because Tanis had gotten worse.  She took him  to the vet who found a number of large masses in his belly.  Because of this and his quality of life, the decision was made to let him cross the Rainbow Bridge in peace.  We will all miss him but he has left many memories of love.  Tanis always kept Dragons (dogs) away from the house.  He was a brave cat.  A noble cat.  A loved cat.  I  know that Quigley the Demon Dust Bunny Hunter who was the same age but passed several years before will greet him at the bridge.  Good-bye Tanis du Quat DragonSlayer...until we meet again.

Sleeeeeeeeeeep

Tomorrow night Dad is going to play with both of his bands (Dad plays bass & keyboard & sometimes guitar).  Second & Vine (who plays tons of different stuff plus original) and then Us & Them (Pink Floyd tribute band) who will be preforming Dark Side of the Moon.  They'll be playing at the Blue Rooster in Murfreesboro, TN with a $5.00 cover going to Austism Speaks! (nonprofit group for Autism).  There will be 2 for 1 drinks and free pizza until it runs out.  So I'm resting up, since I plan to be there for the whole gig from 6-9 PM CST.  Da Boys are doing their best to help me out, while the kids will stay home to vend off the Huns (I also made them promise not to sack Rome this time!).

"Don't Worry, I Can Manage the Mixer!"

Who, Me?! It Was Him, Mommy!! No, Really!!!

On the way home from a doctor's appointment yesterday I tried to convince my children to help look for my 'life'.  My 17 year old daughter, who was curled up sleeping in the front seat (being 17, no fool, and having been sick all last week), muttered, "Yeah, right, I'm going back to sleep now."  My 14 year old son, the money bags of the family (no, really!, he saved up Christmas and birthday money year before last so he had nearly $150 to spend at an event... before that he saved enough to get a 'griffin' puppet at the local Ren Faire), said he wasn't interested in the $5.00 reward I offered.

Then he slyly said, "Hey!  What about giving me one of those calendars you made up once the new year starts?"  (they haven't gone up in the shop because CafePress hasn't switched to 2011 yet)  I thought about it and said, "We-ell, maybe.  It depends on how much they cost."  We dickered.  We finally came down to something from the shop, possibly even something made just for him with 'his cat' (Mister Kitten) on it, saying "Protected by Vicious Attack Cat: Mister Kitten".  When we got home, I reminded him about it, he looked for about five minutes and Voila! my life was in his hands.  "Where did you find it?" I asked.  He nonchalantly answered, "Oh, it was on your blue trunk on the corner."  My eyes narrowed.  "Do you mean the blue trunk under my bed where I looked at least three times already??"  He shrugged his shoulders, "I guess so.  I think Zaphy did it."  Riiiiiight.

"What?!  I didn't do anything!!  No, mom, really!!!  I's innocent!!"

 "I wasn't there!  Cross my paws!!"