Farewell to the Lioness of March

A thousand and one days worth of happenings can go down in a month, or so it seems.

David has now been 27 for almost a month. I wouldn't get through a single day with out him.

Alas, a very long standing part of him has been lost. I never knew him with out Wolbi, until now. To my understanding, Wolbi was David's cat from the moment they met. She slept in his bed long before I ever thought of it. To her, I was an intruding mistress. In spite of her condescending ways, she was a very tolerant pet. She was 4 years old when she was invited into the Nilsen family. She endured 5 moves, 6 new homes and various other pets, including the most recent addition of the miniature human who admired her quite firmly. Though she and I didn't have the most endearing relationship, we eventually developed a mutual understanding of respect and occasional affection. I cleaned her litterbox, she would with random decisiveness choose my lap. I'm sorry to say I bunted her (gently) once or twice, in annoyance with her demanding yowls for water when I was busy. I trimmed her nails and combed her hair once in awhile. I shouted reprovingly at Gandalf, the "kitten", who soon grew too big and felt that he had acheived a great catch by pouncing a motionless prey. I shared David. I admired her dignity. Sometimes, when I was feeling mystical (and generous), I imagined she gaurded our house from unseen evils, but I got suspicious when she'd give me a glowering stare. Had I been prone, she might've convinced me of reincarnation- she was a mysteriously lovely woman vying for David's affection, she was a crabby, demented old woman making incessant ridiculous demands, but suddenly content just for a spot of sunshine and a hand on her back. I cried a surprising number of tears over her departure. Part of my tears were inspired from sympathy for David's loss of a faithful companion. In part, it was his gentle affection for her that assured me that he would be a good father. In the days since her death I have noticed her absence with tender feelings one can only have for a constant friend lost. It's notable how some people and pets become so much the furniture of our lives we take for granted how present they always are, until they aren't. She was escorted into the peace of forever sleep March 22nd, at age 19yrs, six months and seventeen days. She rests in a corner of the Markley garden, nourishing the asparagus patch. She is missed... and remembered, even by her recent raven haired admirer.

We have completed our second post-placement study, a sign that the one year anniversary of "gotcha day" (I'd really like a more poetic title for this significant event, but have not yet imagined a more satisfactory replacement) is fast approaching. It's astonishing to think of...

We met our social worker in Columbus and after the interview, we were joined by Isabel's family. We eventually all ended up at the same park (my directional skills are, um.. lacking) and enjoyed several hours of playground play, which starred a stationary train, very appropriate to Yosi's recent fascination with "choo-choos". Maybe it's an inherited trait, as Isabel was equally, if not more, enthusiastic. Favorite moments: Yosi saying "Sissy"- her pronunciation of Izzy, Yosi's big-eyed fascination with Izzy swinging by herself, and Izzy's full on, fall over, goodbye hug that phased Yosi not a bit. We hope that this relationship becomes all the value that it can be as they grow.

Speaking of growing, speech has become a significant element of Yosi's day. Ana asked me a few days ago what words Yosi's says and David and I decided to sit down and figure that out. We started counting on our fingers, but we quickly ran out of fingers, so I started writing them down and we eventually had a list of 50-plus words! How did that happen?! I'm pretty sure she's added at least 5 more words in as many days since then. She's been known to express 2-3 word phrases occasionally too. I'm pretty sure this is part of why we have so much more fun lately, but also a part of why we experience a new variety of frustration daily. I've pretty much known since we met, but it's ever more apparent- this girl is definitely prepping to give you a big earful of her opinion and you better believe it. My heart thuds with pride and my mind seizes with "yikes!, etc!" (or should it be the other way around? -time will tell!)

Wolbi seemed to know we were waiting for someone important.

Wolbi patiently helped us teach Yosi the meaning of "gentle". David embodied the word, especially as he comforted her in her last days.