COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO HALIFAX RSPCA

About 13yrs ago, I adopted Meggie from you. She had been abandoned with her kittens. The kittens were re-homed very quickly but Meggie was in such a bad state that you had to care for her for quite sometime, until she was fit enough to be re-homed.

It was December 30th when I came along to your branch and saw Meggie . She was my first ever cat. Meggie came to my home on New years eve, returning a week later to be neutered.

Meggie has been a loyal, loving companion and I have loved and cared for her every day... even when she brought in all the mice!!!!

Three days ago Meggie stopped eating. Her always glossy coat, went dull. She walked very slowly. I had made an appointment to see the vet yesterday, but true to the independent cat spirit, she went awol! How she managed to not be found, I have no idea!

I feared then that she might have gone away to die, but hoped I was wrong.

Meggie returned mid evening. She slept on a pillow on the spare bed all night, but managed to get down to use the litter tray... a lady till the end.

This morning,with a heavy heart,we went to the vets. Meggie was found to have a growth, and the vet advised that the kindest thing to do, considering her age, would be to have her put to sleep.

I kissed her head, then stroked her and told her how much I loved her whilst the injection sent her to sleep.She looked into my eyes till the very end.

I can not begin to tell you how much joy Meggie has brought into my life.

I'm now terminally ill with Motor Neurone Disease, so another pet would be out of the question as it would be disruptive and thus I feel unkind to any animal, and would therefore be a selfish act on my part.

But what I need to say to you, via this email is:  

Thankyou  RSPCA, Meggie has brought such joy into my life. she was my little companion and so, so loving. It's hard to imagine tomorrow without her. 

HUG ME, I'VE GOT MND

WHEEL CHAIR RIDE IN TAXI

Before I write on the main subject of this Blog, I'd like to thank the 11,500 people who have read my Blog. Keep reading!!!

SO... yesterday I had to go to Tod to take my wheelchair driving test. Its part of the health and safety rules for the loan of a wheelchair. I was to meet Pete at 1:00 by the bus station, under the arches.

Taxi booked for 12:30. It arrived promptly. I had closed all the doors to keep Meggie in in order that I could open the main doors to exit myself.
So, all well I headed out. But tried to close doors my squirming round and pulling, ( they open inwards), after much hassling and grazing of door.( oops !!!) I realised that I had to get out, turn, then back outwards pulling door.  After many minutes I managed.

I was wondering why driver couldn't see my predicament and come to help, but he too had his own predicament. He was getting the ramps attached. Much to my horror, I saw it wasn't solid but two separate tracks.. no room for error! So, putting chair on high power, necessary to getup any incline, I zoomed up, just stopping in time to not exit through the opposite door!!!!.
 It was then that he explained that I needed to be turned at right angles to face forwards! Much back and forward, shoving and pushing,and I was in place, but only fitted because my feet were pulled under, very very uncomfortable. The doors had been open during this  20min process and I was now very chilled. As we descended into Hebden Bridge it started to rain!!

I saw Pete, and he suggested to not use power on chair to exit, but to disconnect drive. I went back from Taxi putting all my faith in Pete, whilst driver watched.  Driver said cost £18, but said pay on return.

Pete and I did a 45 min circuit of Tod. Including a kerb climb ... hairy you have to speed at it and pray that the kerb climber is set right, to leave a kerb you go backwards and have to go at right angles,or you may well tip.. any way I managed it all.. getting colder and wetter by the minute!!!The bottom line is that I passed, showing excellent awareness. Another accolade I could do without needing!!

I then had the first fun I've had for ages. I met up with several friends, bought some cream to make pommes dauphinoise AND a lovely BIG bunch of fragrant lilies from the indoor market. YEA!!!  Freedom. if only for mins. This is what I want to be able to do,and,  WHEN my car is drivable , I will. It will mean normality in this stressful life.

So now the taxi drive home.

The driver, and I had taken note of how to disconnect drive and pushed me into taxi. It still took ages to put on the restraints onto the wheel chair, but only about 15mins this time, Whilst we were driving back to MM, I asked if there was an extra charge for wheelchair users, as it took longer. No said the driver.

Thinking the cost was £18 I got out a £20 note. But no, the charge was £36 , but he would charge £30. I paid £30.

Got in wet and very cold, made a cuppa and went to rest on  bed. Elsa popped in for a short while and I got up. She made a coffee. After this I had planned to make the potato onion and bacon bake... but too tired, I had a bacon sandwich, and even that I couldn't eat all, so so exhausted.

I slept for 12 hrs.

HUG ME, I'VE GOT MND