Thanks everyone. I think right now I am just in a total state of shock. It probably won't really sink in until I get back from vacation the last week of July and I really realize he isn't there. My Dad mentioned the Rainbow Bridge earlier this morning - he said it always makes him tear up.

M. Darcy, I'm so sorry to hear about Smokey.

Sorry about your loss, M. Darcy.

I'm so sorry, M. Darcy. My condolences to you. He was a great cat, I'm sure.

Oh! M. Darcy I'm so sad about Smokey. I know it will take some time to comprehend the loss, but know that you have my condolences.

And as was mentioned above, at least Smokey got to share a little fame as the "Prozac kitty" before he passed.

M.Darcy, I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry, M.Darcy.

Sorry about Smokey M. Darcy. Was this the cat you talked about on Jeopardy, or do you have more then one?

M. Darcy, you have my sympathies. May your memories of Smokey always be fond.

I am so sorry M. Darcy. It's so hard losing the little ones period, but it's even worse when it's unexpected. This site and forum was a great comfort for me when I lost my Spunky a few months ago. Everyone is really supportive.

Take care of yourself.

I'm so sorry M. Darcy. Take care, and my thoughts are with you.

Awww, Smokey. I'm so sorry to hear that. Glad you were with him, though -- that's been a comfort to me a couple of times that pets have been lost. Take care.

M Darcy, I have the exact same observation as Miss Alli. Take care, and take solace that you were able to be with Smokey at that time.

My condolences, M. Darcy. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

M. Darcy How sad. I'm so sorry to hear about Smokey. Take good care of yourself.

I'm also sorry to hear about Smokey. Losing a pet is a horrible feeling, especially since there's no way to communicate to them why they're ill and why you can't do anything about it.

Take care.

So sorry, M. Darcy. mr pseudo and I both offer our our condolences.

I'll add my hugs of condolences on Smokey's passing M. Darcy.

M.Darcy, so sorry to hear about your cat Smokey. I lost one of mine (my little grey 8yr old Pippin) very suddenly last year and I still miss her. I still have my old 14-year-old FIV cat Samwise around, but I know it's probably not for long, and am dreading losing my little guy.

I haven't posted here in the Meet Market (I keep meaning to!), but I've read many entries and know your cat was famous around here! I'm just glad that Smokey was with you at the end, and felt your touch and heard your voice. Also, I hope you can surround yourself with people who know what a loss this was. I was working a lot with several folks who don't have pets when I lost Pippin last year, and it was really strange -- they truly didn't get that it was a big deal, the loss of a family member. It really is a very big gap between those who understand how close a pet can be, to those who don't.

Many condolences and warm fuzzies. Take care of yourself. Hopefully Smokey's playing with Pippin somewhere... with lots of catnip.

M.Darcy I'm so sorry to hear about Smokey. How tough that is. I'm glad you were there with 'em at the end, and that he didn't have to suffer through a car ride to the (yucky) vet's office.

I could use some prayers for the dog I'm fostering. He has a serious case of heartworm....so bad that usually they'd operate to remove the worms...and began his treatment yesterday. The next two months will be very scary because if he gets excited in any way, he could release a clot of the dead worms and, basically, have an enbolism (sp?) and die. He got his first shot yesterday around noon and had a very very rough afternoon..shaking, crying, etc... He's at my boyfriend's clinic (he's a vet) because we felt that, as a dog that had been kenneled all his life, he'd be a bit more comfortable in a kennel. I can't really visit him in the kennel because he's familiar with me and he gets upset and barks when I leave him....excitement that is too much for him. I'm really worried about him and want him to make it, but he is in such a bad condition. So if you could send prayers, thoughts, etc.. his way, I'd really appreciate it.

labral, I really hope all goes well, and I'll definitely keep him in my thoughts. The poor thing. I think I have to go home this afternoon and give my cat some extra hugs.

labral sending good thoughts to your doggie. I know you must be so stressed, but keep in mind that he's getting the best of care. Hang in there.

That's really hard on you, labral, not being able to be there with him. Sending thoughts your way.... Take care.

Poor baby! I'll be sending good thoughts his way, labral. as will my pups Rusty and Isaac. I get so mad at people who don't bother to give the dogs heartworm preventative! It's so easy to do and saves so much suffering for the poor babies! Do keep us posted on how he's doing.

I am so sorry for your loss MDarcy. I get all choked up when I even think about the fact that I'll likely outlive my pets, so I know it must be terribly hard for you. I agree with everyone else that it's good --or at least a comfort-- that Smokey was able to be with you and at home at the end.
And labral, you are doing a great thing by fostering a dog with medical problems and doing your best to get him cured. I'll be sending good thoughts his and your way. Please keep us updated on his progress.

Thanks again everybody. I spoke to Smokey's doctor a little earlier and she thinks he had a blood clot. It was really strange getting ready this morning, I never realized how much of my morning was spent dealing with him (of course, it probably wasn't necessary that I used to ask him every morning what his plans were for the day and tell him what time I was coming home).

And, Labral, hope your doggie gets better.

It's comforting knowing why our animal friends die, and especially knowing that it was quick and painless. My lovely iguana died suddenly, a few years ago, and I paid to have a necropsy done. Some people thought it was silly to spend the money... "he's just an iguana"... and that stuff... but it was helpful to know it was just his time.

I'm going to change the subject for a sec, on to a bit of a brighter topic... I was just searching for cheap airfares for a trip a friend and I are planning to SF, and I thought "TARCON! Let's see NY rates!" and there actually was a flight from Seattle to NY around Sep 28 for $177. Unbelievable. Does anyone know when people here start organizing TARCON? It seems no one is sure of the actual finale date either. I couldn't find the appropriate thread to revive, so figured I'd check in here.

thanks for all the good thoughts, all. Roady survived his first night, but every day will be a test for the next few months. He was showing signs of anaphalasia (sp) last night, so we weren't even sure he'd make it through the night. But he did. He'll be there for a month. Poor thing was found running along with a clothesline around his neck about a month ago. Once he's finished his heartworm treatment (thinking positively), I'll have to work on house breaking him and also teaching him that people are...people he should pay attention to. He's clearly had no training whatsoever. Why would someone get a dog and not do anything with it? I never understood that. I'm with Mamatiger in my frustration with people who don't take care of their animal's health. Heartworm preventative is a heck of a lot cheaper than heartworm treatment....and a lot less dangerous to the dog's health.

ok. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks again!

labral I am totally with you on the fact that some people are irresponsible idiots who should not be allowed to "take care" (since they clearly don't) of a animal. My prayers/thoughts to Roady - and best wishes to you and your boyfriend for doing the good work!

M. Darcy - my sincere condolences on your loss of Smokey. I lost a cat last year to cancer and I miss her still. They are part of our families and we will always remember them.

Roady sounds a lot like our yellow lab Isaac, who was found running wild with a flea collar around his neck but clearly zero socialization. He was blessedly heartworm-negative, however, and was bright enough to housebreak in one day, and in the 2-1/2 years since we adopted him has turned into the sweetest snugglepuppy in the world.

And our golden retriever was probably dumped because he has severe thunderstorm anxiety; he was found half-starved and shot up with BBs, poor baby. I still feel sick every time I think about how scared and miserable he must have been. That's why I put up with a lot of psychological issues with him, because he's been to hell already and really deserves a loving home. He's on medication, and we use an Anxiety Wrap™ when he gets particularly frightened, and he needs lots of extra snuggles. The only thing he did not arrive with was heartworm, which is truly astonishing since something like 80% of stray dogs in Louisiana are heartworm-positive.

I honestly believe that rescued dogs often understand how much better off they have it in their new homes and turn into extra-terrific pets as a result. Our two certainly have. They're the best pets anybody could want.

So sorry about Smokey, M. Darcy. You know I think of my late Mr. Darcy every time I see your name on the site. I always have two kitties, and the one who's left behind when an old boy passes always pines, which means I have to get him a new kitty sooner than I'm ready. But the new kitty certainly appreciates it.

I'm finally back from my travels. Seattle and SF were blessedly cool. And Indy was cooler than I'd feared. There were 76 of the family there for the 85th birthday of the old unc. And it was very cool. Pretty much everyone but the grandchild stationed in Alaska and the one who graduated from high school and immediately moved to Syracuse and got a job. Why Syracuse? No one knows.

PButtercup, I know I'm many days late (I was paying $4 for 20 minutes and 20 cents for each additional minute in SF and had no PC in Seattle or Indy so there was a lot of missed TARforums these weeks), but if there is a big Nordstrom near you, they usually have great stocks of all sizes of bras back in a secret room and the sales staff is trained to fit. They do a great job and they are so unselfconcious about it that I had no modesty issues at all. Nordstrom may be famous for the shoe department, but the bra department is easily as good. And for our friends in Ontario, there is also a great bra place in Toronto called The Bra Bar where they have corsetiers who know what they're doing and a wonderful variety (but all expensive).

My best friend, who just bought the apt next door and the seat next to mine at the Flyers, is a week older than me (hee) and we plan to celebrate 50 next year in grand style at a Phils game in a suite in the new ballpark. Usually we don't make any deal at all, so this is well overdue.

The pictures came back from Paris and it looks like I had a great time and saw everything and ran around. You'd never know I was huddled in the top of an open bus sneezing, coughing, blowing my nose, and being all feverish. I've already started looking into how I get there on a pure vacation and do it right...including being able to taste the food.

I did see TAR in SF (thank goodness my friend finally stopped eating in time) but I missed Jeopardy.

I too was proposed to on a Scrabble board while we listened to "The Slipper and the Rose." (Rainbows raced around the room when he danced with me!) And I cried. And said yes. And was unceremoniously dumped six months later. Oh well.

Rinaldo, I sight read very well (except for Bach, and I know that's a psychological barrier caused by ear training class). I've never been able to take harmonic dictation. And my theory teacher kept telling me they were the same thing and I kept saying, "No they're not. They're exactly the opposite things!" Fortunately it didn't keep me from passing theory. It just kept me from getting an A.

I'm exactly the opposite. As long as we were allowed to hum a bit (which I was, anyway), I could call back intervals and chords, chiefly because I memorized tunes for all of them. But sight-reading was a struggle, and I actually had to find new music to practice on constantly. I don't think, at a distance of 10 years or more now, I could sight-read a piece to save my life.

Did I introduce myself over here? I don't think I've introduced myself over here. I only started watching TAR after the whole TWoP Banner Ads campaign thingie. I think that was probably early this year or late last year? They were airing the second season over here, so I got to experience the Taraweasel in their full glory. Except that they didn't air the second season finale when they were supposed to (don't worry, I had already known who won from before), and when I emailed my channel, they said they had issues with the tape or whatever, and I didn't stick long enough to see if they aired it eventually. I've been on TWoP for two or three years now (can you tell yet I have no sense of time-space?) so I knew that after the episode I had to run to read the recap.

Now I've started watching the 5th season through the wonderful wonderfulness that is the internet and the not-so-legal downloads. Perfect timing, though, because since I live in Buenos Aires, I get to feel useful in the discussions, since Buenos Aires is pretty much the only place I know.

After last week, when they were in Uruguay, I thought "They have to go to Argentina, they're right next to it!" But I didn't keep my hopes up. So I was really psyched when they did.

I should probably tell you a little bit more about myself, but... meh. Those who know me, know me. Those who don't know me, well, I have a boring LiveJournal out there that anyone can read.

labral, I hope your puppy continues to do okay.

Am I the only one who just read the newest forum announcement, and wondered why a specific thread for the Special Olympics had been created? Don't get up, I'll ban myself.

No, no, you're not the only one. I immediatly thought "special olympics? isn't that the kind where everyone gets medals?"

Yeah, when I saw the first version of the announcement, I wondered, do we really have that many people interested in watching the Special Olympics? Then I started giggling after I figured it out. Hell, I'd probably have written the same thing.

JenEx? Your Pixel Challenge entry RAWKS! Holy hell that is funny.

Since BoDiva brought up the bra discussion again, I just have to say thank you to the person (sorry, I don't remember who) who said that the underwire poking out from the body meant too small of a cup and too big of a band. I switched to a 34C, and it fits so much better. Also, La Senza was having a sale where bras were on for $8, so I was very excited to get some new ones.

Hi all, I'm back, and not a minute too soon, internet withdrawal and TWOP withdrawal is a terrible thing.
M. Darcy, my heart goes out to you, I lost one of my girls in a house fire a year ago, and the hardest thing was not having her greet me at the door, like she did every single day. My SO and I still miss her, and talk about how much she would have liked our new home. I did love your telling Alex the prozac story.

If anybody is in New England, there's an terrific chain of stores called Lady Grace that do excellent bra fittings. The one in Brookline is the best--get one of the little old ladies to help you. They also have an online catalogue, but you don't get the little old ladies that way.

Thanks, devajd. It's good to know I'll have company in hell.

My condolences, M. Darcy. I've lost three of my kitties in the past 5 years or so, and it never gets easier.

Of course in the meantime I've somehow acquired two more. My advice: Never TELL anyone that you actually want a cat. Somehow you end up with more than you ever intended.

I'm about to tear my hair out over adoption paperchase frustrations, which have me so worked up I have neglected to post for several days. I actually took the day off work yesterday because I was so stressed. One issue? I need a letter of employment which simply needs to state my job title, salary, length of time I've worked here, and prospect of continued employement. Company policy? "It is company policy not to comment on the prospect of continuing employment." I just need something to the effect of "there is no reason to expect that employment will be terminated" but no. Company policy.

I realize this is a CYA situation, but geez. It's not like I'm going to hold them to it, it's just for the benefit of the Chinese government. HR is "checking on it" and claims they will get back to me. Oy.

Join me, won't you, in an "aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh!" Thanks.

Arrrrrrgh. JenEx, do you think they'd take a quick note from your immediate supervisor that says that you're competent instead? Or perhaps some photocopies of past performance evaluations? Bureaucrats are so... grrrrr.

Would it do to get something that indicated that you were a "permanent" employee, as opposed to term or contract? I think the aim would be to ensure that you won't definitely be out of a job in six weeks.

(As opposed to maybe be out of a job, which might affect all of us if we don't stop TWoPping at work! Yikes!)

JenEx, my heart goes out to you, esp. since your little daughter is involved. Nothing frustrates me more than when bureaucrats put regulations before people. Hope that you can find the stellar HR person to see you through.

They do not use the phrase "permanent" employee anymore. There have been a lot of lawsuits over that designation.

Okay, okay. But there is a difference between "you have a job, and unless we starting losing pots of money or you start smoking crack while rifling through the stationery cabinet you'll keep it," and "this job will self-destruct in six weeks."

I don't know what they call the former, but they still exist, right?

"Full-time" as opposed to "part-time." And yeah, I'd better get back to my full-time one....

I just checked monster.com and they are calling them full time employee as opposed to full time contract or temporary. They must have changed them since I was looking last year, then they were called full time permanent (which was a joke when you think about it).

Here we call them "Regular" employees which sounds stupid, but isn't nearly the minefield that "Permanent" is.

Hey, if I don't get a chance tomorrow, have a good couple weeks, y'all! I'm off on vacation--cabin on a lake in NH--for a couple weeks. Sounds idyllic until you add in a two year old, a four year old, and for the first week, a pair of inlaws. So Hildy will be voluntarily adding in a large bottle of Grey Goose and a vat of tonic water.
Ahhhhh. That's better.
Have fun, everybody! Be Well!