I know I say this every year, but it really is true.  This was the best birthday ever!  I got to spend time with my daughter, she went completely nutso-crazy over my cake and decorations, and I had the most amazing night with all of my dance friends!  I feel so overwhelmed with love right now that I’m almost speechless.

Note that I did say “almost”.  My fingers still runneth over with words tonight!

The vet who is taking care of Dylan is absolutely amazing.  They give me regular updates, access to all of his records, and, best of all, the iCat webcam where I can watch him throughout the day.  He was especially entertaining when one of the techs was walking back and forth in front of his condo.  He kept looking at the guy and meowing.  Mr. Dylan is not one who does well without human contact…constantly.  He was pretty active most of the day, moving between his two sleeping cubbies and the top of both where he stretched out almost to his full, amazing length (space permitting, of course). 

I learned today that he has a neighbor named Savannah who bears a strong resemblance to our Scooby who crossed the rainbow bridge last month.  He is a beautiful boy who, from his pictures, looks just as healthy and unmarred by this disease as Dylan, which is a very good thing.  Clearly, more vets are watching for this and doing tests before it has had time to do any damage to our sweet babies. 

Here’s Mr. Dylan in his condo surveying the world around him, and keeping it safe for catkind.  I like the way they’ve given him privacy with his own, little restroom (through the circle in the back).

I should know tomorrow if he’ll be coming home on Sunday, or will have to stay longer to allow the radiation to reach acceptable levels.  I’m holding very positive thoughts that he’ll be home sooner rather than later.

Reading over the paperwork they gave me, I’m glad I’m an old fart because if I were under 45, I’d have to keep a greater distance between me and my man.  Since I’m just slightly past that I get to be as close as 3 feet from him during the day (and I think my arm is that long so I can give him pets!), though he won’t be able to sleep with me at night.  It will be rough on him since he’s used to sleeping around my head, or at the very least, on the night stand next to me.  But it’s all worth it to have many more years of love from my wonderful, sweet boy!

Tomorrow, I plan to be up early so I can start viewing his webcam as soon as the lights go on at 8 AM.  Watching him today not only made me feel better about leaving him for a few days, but made me chuckle as he went through some of his antics, including sticking his face right up to the webcam.  He’s nothing if not a character!

Birthday week is not over yet!  Tomorrow, we’re going to see Malefecint.  Originally, I was just going with my daughter, but it’s possible we’ll be joined by one of my amazing (and amusing) dance buddies!  It just keeps getting better and better!

But for now, I’ll leave you with my gratitudes because Toby is making it rather difficult to type as he swipes his big, bushy tail across the keyboard.

1. I am grateful for my incredible daughter who makes everything to festive.
2. I am grateful for my amazing friends who make me feel so loved!
3. I am grateful for birthdays…each one we celebrate is another year we’ve been given on this earth to make a difference.
4. I am grateful for dancing as it keeps me moving so the joints stay lubricated.  And it keeps us all young!!!  I don’t know anyone who dances regularly who looks or acts their chronological age.
5. I am grateful for the wonderful care my boy, Dylan is getting while his body is rid of something which could be very debilitating if left alone.

Love and light.