A plum perfect farewell to Puddlecat

 

A PLUM PERFECT FAREWELL

I love the way children deal with loss. They are able to accept gentle honesty, don't need fairytales and usually process emotion in a practical, heartfelt way...

After Puddle-cat sadly left us on the 2nd of August, my Grandchildren asked if they could create a memory tree for all the cats who had been part of our household over the years. We chatted about each of their life stories, then said a fond farewell to Puddle, Rodney, Daisy, Leo, Socksie, Toffee, Poppy and Sally, with a decorated heart each, carefully tied with ribbon to the branches of our little plum tree... and with plenty of smiles. 

My ever practical five year old Granddaughter made me chuckle when she offered to make a heart for Stanley too... 'for when he needs one Nana'. Hopefully that won't be for many years to come, as thankfully he is currently prowling around quite contentedly!

xxXxx

Puddle came to live with us on the 28th August 2007, sixteen years ago. You can read more of her story here: https://allbear.blogspot.com/search/label/Puddle

Rainy Day Puddle

 

RAINY DAY PUDDLE

Yesterday was a rainy day... and a sad one. We said goodbye to our dear ol' Puddlecat, aged 16 years. Always the most gentle of girls, she left us peacefully and as was her way, without fuss.

Puddle came to us as a tiny scrappy kitten who had managed to tug at my daughter's heartstrings. She didn't have the best start to kitty life and Fay was keen to rescue her, so we brought her home and after a shaky start with her health, she soon blossomed into a beautiful glossy black cat with the sweetest nature and a penchant for playing with my knitting. She loved nothing more than to keep me company during the day, teasing me as I worked on my bears, or whenever I picked up my knitting needles.

As she grew older poor Puddle developed hyperthyroidism and gradually became very skinny and fussy about eating, although she never lost her love of cheese and I did manage to feed her a few tiny pieces yesterday. Her gentle nature never changed despite her health and she was always happiest to be close to us, especially in the evenings, when she liked to perch on the back of the sofa while we watched tv. Despite being quite a shy girl, she loved the children and always enjoyed a special fuss from my Grandson, who was very fond of her. She wasn't too keen on our other cats and dogs over the years, or so she would have us believe, preferring to remain aloof and distant with them. The only real exception was Daisy, a previous member of our long-standing cat family but yesterday morning, she allowed Cooper to approach and give her a very gentle kiss while she sat on my lap for a goodbye cuddle and despite her clear disapproval of young Stanley cat when he first joined us, I found them resting comfortably together in the sunshine on our conservatory sofa for one last time, yesterday afternoon.

So, yes a rainy day and of course a very sad day, but also a day to remember our gentle black Puddle-cat and to thank her for remaining faithfully by my side for so many long years.

Sleep tight sweet dear Puds. We will miss you. xxx

To read more about my cat family, please pop over to my full blog on this link: https://allbear.blogspot.com/search/label/cats

A tale of nine cats
https://allbear.blogspot.com/2010/04/tale-of-six-cats-and-new-kitten.html 

Blowing through the cobwebs in my mind

Goodness it's been hot! Way too hot 'n humid to work comfortably with mohair that's for sure! Rather than struggle on, I've been busy updating the Guild of Master Bearcrafters website, playing in the paddling pool with my grandson, reading arty type books, sketching and painting, eating ice-lollies and generally staying as cool as possible at home.

It has been fun to give myself a little time to mentally meander while it has been hot, but now the heatwave has broken with a lovely cooling thunderstorm this morning (horaay!) I find myself looking forward to making my way back into my workroom later today, to try to finish a pretty teddy bear I began work on before I began to overheat.

My poor dogs and cats struggled with the heat too, so we've been making the most of the beautiful evenings, by walking and playing in the garden just before the sun sets. It has been refreshing to be out and about at that time of the evening.

Rodney, now the grand old age of seventeen weeks, has had a great time exploring outdoors in the evening and learning how to climb Dad's plum tree.

And Polly and Betty have loved evening walkies through the orchard and across the field.

As for my elusive Puddlecat, she has been prowling through shady patches in the garden like a small black panther. She's always so hard to spot with a camera lens, but I did just about catch a black shadow lurking behind the lavendar bush yesterday evening.

I am dreaming of coastal holidays of course, but as much as I love a sea breeze on a hot Summer's day, unfortunately a holiday will have to wait until Rodney is a wee bit older. Until then, I plan to be outdoors as much as possible and who knows, I may even find time to write a few more blog posts! After all, everyone needs a Summer break to recharge their batteries ... even we teddy bear makers!

Happy Summer Everyone!

:-)

Rain, rain, you are welcome today!

It seems someone has turned off Summer here in the UK and instead set the dial to rain - again!  On a positive note however, apparently rioters prefer not to get wet while they trash their own communities (!) so the unseasonable weather has at least played a part in dampening down the current madness in our towns and cities ... thank those grey heavens above!

 July and August are historically quiet months in terms of bear sales, with funds stretched tightly as collecting folk pay for family holidays, new school uniforms and days out for their kids.  Despite that, it is still a busy time of year for bear makers because the Autumn heralds an exciting new season of teddy bear shows and shop collections and we need to prepare!

So I'm using this quiet period to work on new bears for a Winter shop collection and although they aren't all finished yet, I really don't feel like tackling the stuffing today, so I've parked myself in the conservatory to listen to the rain and enjoy my garden while I knit a waistcoat for one of the bears ... (and of course, wherever I am, my lovely Puddle is never far away!)

http://www.hugglets.co.uk/

As soon as I've finished this collection, I plan to start work on my show bears for the 'Teddies 2011' show in London on 11th September.  I do hope the current appalling behaviour reported in the news broadcasts won't put you off visiting this super show in Kensington Town Hall ... it's a moment of unwelcome madness and with or without the rain, it will pass.

Service with a smile ...

The doorbell woke me from a deep sleep at half seven this morning, which is the middle of the night as far as I'm concerned.  By the time I'd shaken myself into action, the offending bell ringer had absconded leaving a card on the mat threatening a repeat visit tomorrow morning.  I groaned as I realised I'd missed a crucial delivery from my stuffing supplier - a delivery he had gone above and beyond the call of duty to send to me, after receiving my order at the start of his summer shutdown ...

Supervisor Puddle!

Not only am I trying to work towards a big show in September, I have also been working on a collection of five bears for a shop and time is running out, so when I realised my supplier would be closed for over a week, I could have kicked myself!  However, it seems customer service is not a thing of the past and not only did my lovely supplier send my order on time despite being closed for a well-earned break, the delivery courier also took pity on this sleepy-headed bearmaker today and decided to pop back at a more sociable hour to re-deliver!

So thanks to good old-fashioned customer service, the bear in my basket can now get stuffed this afternoon ... thanks guys, what would I do without your help?!

Cats know, you know

We said a fond farewell to dear old Toffee recently.  Poor old boy slipped downhill fast over the course of a weekend and after fifteen years of giving me the run around, it was clear my crafty old boy's time had come.  You'll forgive me if I don't share his picture with you - it's still early days, as I'm sure you'll understand.

Puddle and Daisy have settled comfortably into their new 'girls only' routine and seem to be lapping up the extra fuss lavished on them ...

Daisy

Puddle

... it's reassurring how naturally pragmatic cats are about the grand scheme of life. 

Cats know a thing or two, you know.

Elephant legs and Puddle Paws!

After claiming my mohair as her own and chasing the dressmaking scissors with every snip I made, my naughty little assistant was unceremoniously fired for her own safety!

Lending a paw ...

Ooh goody, a tail to tweak!

It's been a while since I let you know how my Puddle Cat is, so I thought I'd show you what's she's been up to lately. She's two years old now and a real bundle of affectionate feline trouble. I'm not sure how this little lady still has four dainty paws attached to her four furry legs, she came so close to having them snipped off while I was cutting out my elephant's new legs!
 

It's mine I tell you, all mine!

Mote Park, Oh what a beautiful morning!

Mote Park
When I drove Puddle across town to the vet for her annual vaccinations earlier today, I had every intention of coming straight home afterwards and starting work - honestly, I did! But after a week spent cooped up in the house with no sign of a sunbeam, the glorious autumn morning I discovered out in the big wide world lured me straight back into my car. As soon as Puddle Cat had been safely deposited back home, I stuffed my little Canon Ixus camera in my pocket, pointed my car in the direction of Mote Park and slipped my shackles for a soul nourishing hour of fresh air, warm golden sunshine and beautifully rich autumnal scenery.

Perfect for 'Poohsticks'!

Strolling around the lake in this beautiful parkland always brings back so many memories; Mote Park has been part of my world for more than thirty years but while I'm there, by some trick of the light the years fall magically away and it feels like only yesterday when my children were snuggled into their anoraks and wellies, playing poohsticks under the little stone bridge one minute then dashing off to collect leaves, acorns, conkers and anything else they could cram into their little pockets the next! Happy times.

I hope you have enjoyed keeping me company on my morning walk and if you ever happen to be passing through Maidstone, do please treat yourself to a stroll around the Mote Park lake, then just sit awhile and take in the tranquility ... as 'tis said, the best things in life are free!

Poorly Puddle

Puddle on the prowl

I'm a little distracted today I'm afraid, my poor little Puddle cat hasn't been feeling too well for a few days. She's going to visit the vet this afternoon, who I am sure will be able to work some feline magic and mend her. Puddle doesn't want to eat and so wicked Paula is having to squirt a little cat milk into her mouth using a pet syringe ... this is not endearing me to her, I'm sure! Puddle is usually a bundle of frantic furry naughtinness, but today she's floppy, disinterested and somewhat downcast.

Poor little Puddle.
Taking a cat nap

Friday 26th July - PUDDLE UPDATE:

Thanks to everyone who sent get well soon messages to my little Puddle cat! Those messages worked wonders and today Puddle is a much brighter, far hungrier kitty! After some poking and prodding, the vet declared Puddle had a nasty tummy bug requiring an antibiotic injection and kaolin medicine. I was also told to continue syringing water into her mouth to keep her hydrated. By teatime yesterday, Puddle was showing positive signs of recovery and today, I'm relieved to say, she's so much perkier! She has already been asking for food and keeps begging to be let into the garden. Needless to say, she'll be staying indoors with me all day so I can keep an eye on her and as the vet says she's not allowed to eat until tonight, she'll have to stay hungry a wee bit longer too!

Noel, Noel!

My goodness, no sooner did I pop 'Noel' in Santa's Sack, than he found his special someone and announced he was moving to France. Oooh la la, this must rate as the fastest ALL BEAR adoption yet!

Still, I did promise to share the outcome of that fabulous piece of Schulte mohair with you as soon as I had finished working on it and a promise is a promise, so here it is, in all its glory. I hope you like it! I used the green twinkly eyes too ... they suit him well, don't you think? By the way, that super velvet bow tie is a genuine vintage find from the 1970's ... very Starksy and Hutch! Suave, sophisticated, it is the perfect dressing for Noel!

Changing the subject somewhat, I must ask, do you ever get frustrated with your computer? I certainly did today! I couldn't for the life of me work out why the text on my screen had shrunk to such a miniscule size, my poor ol' lady eyes could no longer read it. I fiddled with this setting and that and eventually had to shamefacedly ask for help. Luckily for me, several helpful folk soon rushed to my aid and helped me reinstate my text size.

And the moral of the story is? Well, the moral of this story is: 'don't let your kitten press buttons on the keyboard while you are trying to work'! Puddle is such a helpful soul and by lazily reaching out a black furry paw to press the 'control' button while I was trying to scroll, she successfully reduced my text sizing to almost invisible! Kitties eh?!

Puddle's Progress

Puddle's ruling the roost now. She has terrorised Leo and Toffee (my two boy cats) into embarrassed submission and has stolen the hearts of all who gaze into her emerald eyes. A true witch's cat! These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago when she was just 11 weeks old ... cute eh? Don't you believe it! This really is one monstrous moggy!

All things bright and beautiful.

It's been an up and down couple of weeks. Firstly, a funeral for a close friend of Stuart's: a beautiful service for a man who had what many of us have failed to achieve, a long-standing marriage full of warmth and love and a family life filled with happinness and generosity. A timely gift to those of us attending, a reminder to cherish our own families and nurture our relationships.

Then a couple of days ago a new arrival to welcome to our family. 'Puddle' has proved to be somewhat of a distraction! Full of mischief and cuddles, this tiny bundle has us all smiling again!