I wrote: >http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2003/12/pop_goes_the_we.html >That picture of Ashling is about a year old, but she really DID have a >wonderful time I wasn't clear enough: Ashling wasn't a year old in that picture; she was about six and is almost 7 now. She looks a lot different now with her carcinoma, fur loss (She drops fur anytime she is under phycial or emotional stress since her follicles were compromised by bilateral adrenal disease years ago.), and ascites due to her carcinoma. She still is having a grand time playing every day, though! At the time that photo was taken she was still climbing up to the top of an 8' tall closet carrying a tv remote which weighed 1/4 of what she did, was still leaning into curves when running, and was still descending from the closet or from the top of the curtains by latching her front paws into something long with delicate fabric, letting her bum hang, and ripping her way down. She can't climb much now, but can still climb blankets to the top of our bed, and she has figured out a way to run despite muscle loss where she is using her rear legs in conjunction as sort of simultaneous pogo sticks. She's still alpha, too, but she gets a bit of help and all she has to do is to look at Hilbert the right way and he will lie down as if she had rolled him and do a bit of submissive piddling which thrills her no end. She does like being the boss. So, anyway, the picture is about a year old; Ashling in it was about 6 years old. Lingity is gray with mitts and bib but her mitts and bib are NOT cleanly margins by any means; there is some KIT or other spotting neural crest variant in her which is too bad because I can't help but wonder if she'd have had more time in her without carrying that genetic variant, maybe not, though, since most of the early deaths I've heard of with neural crest markings don't reach 7 years and we are thinking that she has a chance to do that. She is a fascinating individual and a marvelous companion. Steve and I just adore her. We know people should not have favorites, but she is one we've always hoped would make it to 11. Instead, we are very happy to be able to give her quality of life and when she is ready to go we'll give that gift, too. It will be her choice and we'll respond according to how she acts. So, we take it a day at a time and enjoy all the time we have together -- which has recently been a real hoot when it wasn't cuddly and kissy time. Ashling covers all the bases: tons of snuggly lovely dovey stuff, smart solutions, and hilarious play. [Posted in FML issue 4374]