WEEPY LEAVES BIG PARTING GIFT TO SISTER APRIL

  WEEPY on Memorial Day, 2004 in one of his then favorite hiding places under table


WEEPY in his apprentice days in , er, on Coupon Country desk. Best
supervisor we ever had, keeping me company on long, difficult days

Missing Weepy, here's Big Sis 'sad-eyed'  APRIL back on same day nearby in a spot both April and Weepy loved, under table where they thought nobody was looking. Weepy left April many things, including a new low protein, high fat food we had recently tried for Weepy (which he didn't like) but is now what's keeping 20-year-old April going, the only such food she'll eat

WEEPY Leaves Big Gift to Sis April

Still difficult for us here with Weepy on our minds, but it's a little better with time. Just happened to find these older pictures, above, without even trying.. was meant to be. They do Weepy a little better justice - as I said it can be difficult taking pictures of a black cat...

Was thinking of the many things Weepy left us... including a new low protein, high fat food we had recently tried for Weepy (which he didn't like) but is now what' s keeping 20-year-old April going - the only such food she'll eat. We had just bought a case of the food for Weepy to try (saw it on the net), as there's only a couple such low protein , high fat cat foods on the market. Weepy didn't like this one - liked the other - but April really likes this and NOT the other. Without this food, thanks to Weepy, we'd be in big trouble ... (April also has kidney problems , like Weepy, but due to hyper thyroid, which when treated with medication causes the kidney values to climb. But after a year or more April is hanging in, eating a ton of food but not gaining any weight, which is par for the course with hyperthyroid , they tell me. At least she doesn't have the added heart issue, like Weepy , to deal with. By the wayThe new low protein, high fat cat food is called HI TOR NEO DIET in case anyonewhose cat has kidney issues is interested

Finally got the strength to pick up Weepy's ashes this week. Glad we have Weepy back with us now...

Weepy Took Care Of Himself in the End, Making the Transition Easier for Us

Weepy Took Care Of Himself in the End, Making the Transition Easier for Us

Weepy in his favorite spot on bed, sleeping with April. I would join him later

                                         

               I've been thinking alot about Weepy and his last days and how he / we really had things in control. In fact, things were going so well, I thought, that Weepy might be around awhile, though I knew the doctor's dark prognosis. We'll never know for sure whether it was a sudden embolism or if the kidneys, or heart, suddenly gave out (kidney values had suddenly gone up)...



 In any case, Weepy seemed content, considering, and not unlike the past year. He would come out in the living room  and sit on my lap, go back and eat his food and take care of his personal needs.   The only difference is that when Weepy got suddenly ill the first time, late September, he retreated to the dark closet in the bedroom. That would become his 'base' for his remaining days. He would sleep there most nights and I brought his favorite  bed from the living room so he seemed pretty content. I would bring his favorite foods - not always sure what they were until we tried out from the many varieties I brought in.  I had moved one      of the 'toilets into the back bedroom, not far from the closet. Also, I brought in another water bowl  and located it just outside the closet.



So, it was easier for Weepy to take care of all his needs within a small area , and, at the same time I could be nearby to see how he was doing.   Some nights when I saw him coming out of the closet to his water or toilet I would ask him if he wanted to come up on the bed. He really, truly , communicated with me: he would sit right by the bed if he wanted me to lift him up on it and go to his old , favorite spot on the bed.  Several nights it was like old times with him sleeping the night next to me and April (even April didn't always stay on the bed, opting for her own bed down the hall). 



 During the days, Weepy would still wander out from the back closet - I had given him his food and medicine early in the morning - and come out into the living room and to see my by my desk where I was working  . I would either help him up on his 'catbird perch' or invite him over to the chair where he would jump up on and sit on my lap - even during the day, which we never used to do. I would do whatever I could for Weepy now... every moment with him showing interest was precious. And it was just about like old times again. 



 Tbe silver lining...I had worried about Weepy losing a lot of weight and not eating / wasting away - but none of that happened. Only the last night before I brought him in to the vet for the final time did he not   show much interest in eating, but even then he did eat a little.   



 4 am the next (Friday) morning, August 2, Weepy was not in his bed but listless on the carpet next to the bed. I knew something was wrong and called the vet (open 24 hours, now, fortunately) and brought him right in. I certainly didn't mind taking him in at the early hour. The sooner the better if there's anything they could do for him, and , if not it was nice that there wasn't a lot of activity or a long wait at th is early time. Plus no traffic getting there..   I got the bad news and waited until final tests were taken to confirm the poor prognosis. Then , I waited for them to bring in Weepy and I spend  some time with Weepy, alone, saying my final goodbyes. ...



 Weepy has been with me more than 16 years so it's very tough, as compared to my first four cats who hadn't been with me long.  The  pangs of 'hurt' come early and often and a week and a half later I still can't sit in my TV chair. I keep Weepy's bed in the back closet as a reminder.  


I am fortunate to still have April and now Zack, who only came into my life a little over a year ago after
nearly passing after  left  at  'forclosesure' home. They don't remove the pain of loss but they do help for sure.

Weepy in his 'catbird' supervisorial seat only weeks ago while I worked next to him. Works not the same anymore

                                                                 

JUDY SALAMON - Sad Story of an Oakland Do-Gooder

JUDY SALAMON - Sad Case of an Oakland Do-Gooder

I was captured by the story of
Judy Salamon of Oakland whose life was  tragically
Snuffed out by a bullet July 24, 2013

Judy was part of a unique, caring and tight mixed-race , small, idyllic community surrounded by the 'killing fields' of East Oakland. It's a community of middle age , liberal folks who care about Oakland and the middle class community they live in, and chose to settle in the old, tree lined and charming Maxwell Park district rather than running to the safer suburbs like so many others in their demographic. Many were scholars at nearby, historic Mills College - now heavily gated - and wanted to remain part of that community, too.

Salamon's IS a story of a woman , who had done the corporate thing , been married and divorced , and decided to downscale her life and do the humanitarian things she loved, even if it involved risks.  That would be caring for animals, walking dogs, placing pets in new homes and , generally looking after these furry friends who don't have the voice of humans all amidst one of the highest crime areas in the nation. However, the tight knit community had been relatively crime free with its neighborhood association and neighborhood watch. The 'random' killing has shocked and re-awoken this sometimes idyllic neighborhood and shows that, perhaps , the floodgates of violence here can no longer be held back.

Sixty-six year old Maxwell Park resident Judy Salamon was driving through the nearby Fairfax District when she was fatal wounded by gunfire on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. Maxwell Park and the Fairfax District adjoined neighborhoods in Central East Oakland, situated on the opposite side of High Street from Fruitvale. Around 10:00pm, neighbors began gathering on Fern Street between Fairfax Avenue and Brookdale to hold an impromptu vigil in her memory where she died just outside of Home of Peace, a 115 year old Orthodox Jewish Cemetery. Neighbors gathered to light candles, leave flowers and other mementos, and share stories of the well-liked woman, who was best known as an animal lover.

Judy, ironically, was driving past the Home of Peace Cemetery, a 115-year old Jewish Cemetary, when she was killed.

Her gentle spirit was also evidenced in her communications with her neighbors.

Several remembrances spoke to Judy's real love and concern for the animals for which she cared. One man noted how she would even nap with his pets to comfort them while their owners were away on vacation.  as a pet lover , myself , I know how certain people may take to pets and their unconditional love they can't always get from even their own human friends.

“Six years ago, my husband &  I took our daughter trick or treating for her first time,” recalls neighbor Yvette Santiago. “We stopped at Judy's and she didn't realize it was Halloween, so she didn't have any treats. She would NOT let us leave and would not let our daughter walk away empty handed. She said she didn't want to disappoint her, went rummaging around her house and came back with cash! We insisted that wasn't necessary of course but she wouldn't have it any other way.”

Maxwell Park is a close-knit community which has a very active neighborhood watch and whose community members have actively worked to take back the local park for children, with a mosaic tile project each summer over the past five years.

Judy Salamon may have walked past the cemetery, nearby Courtland Creek Park, and the spot by the cemetery where she died numerous times in the course of her more than fifteen years as a pet sitter and dog walker. She was active in animal rescue, and trying to place pet rabbits when she died.

“I never got to meet Judy, but I feel like I knew Judy from her always thoughtful and kind postings, her love for animals, and her knowledgeable and sensible advice on dog training,” wrote Rachael Emilie, a member of the Melrose Park email list.

In the wake of her death, residents are looking for other ways to honor her memory. A second candlelight vigil is planned for tomorrow night, and there is renewed interest in hiring a security patrol, something Ms. Salamon favored which some residents believe might have saved her life.

Judy could have been my sister, Joan ( or myself for that matter), who passed 12 years ago of cancer. She was the same age as Judy.  Joan also loved pets and  was an extremely kind, innocent who had been taken advantage of by people and turned to her dogs for unconditional love, which she gave back to them.

I was honored to care for Pucky and Roscoe  for four bittersweet years after Joan passed -  in effect extending her life living through her dogs.  I could have also been Judy, having had similar disappointing life experiences, often   let down by humans.  I find myself turning to my pets, now, more and more. Currently, I am caring for my wonderful cat, Weepy, who, re cently,  has perhaps miraculously bounced back (for now) from a double whammy of kidney and heart failure . We savor everyday of life.