On the Pet Front

We've had some pet changes around here lately. First off, we are grieving the loss of Shine, who was Austin's cat. Shine decided some time ago that he wanted to be an outdoor cat and kept trying to escape and roam outside. He had been declawed, so this was not a smart or safe option. But he was following his animal instinct and wanted outside. We had a harness on him to put him on a leash, and that still was not good enough for him. He ran past us one night and we couldn't catch him and that was the last we saw him. I am getting teary eyed just writing this because I adored Shine. Even Miss Mimi seems lost without him. I am hoping that someone picked him up and gave him a good home rather than the alternatives like coyotes.Beyond that, we also have had some changes in that Auburn is staying with Ambir and so we have Ace. Lucky for us, he's a pretty easy one to babysit. We bought him this toy and he carries it around like it's his security blanket. He brings it to me to play tug of war with him. Nathan says it is because I make dramatic (his words, not mine) noises when I do play with him. Nathan likes to tease me a lot about the way I use words. Diana graciously told me today that it's what makes me a good writer. I love Diana. I'll have to remember to tell her that it's what makes me a great tug of war player too!This is another favorite toy. I don't get this one at all, but I'm not a dog so I'm not supposed to get it I suppose. I never thought I would enjoy having pets so much, but I really do love having them around. They have definitely become family members of ours. If you talk to Austin, I'd love it if you'd give him some sympathetic words about Shine. He is still very upset about losing him.