My Trip to Ashdown this Weekend :(

15 years ago

Ever since Ashdown announced that they needed help with their move, I have planned to go down to help. IÃ¢ÂÂve never been there before, and I was very excited. Now I canÃ¢ÂÂt go.

Cindy Lou, my oldest cat is failing, and I cannot leave her. She depends on me, and I have to stay here. I want to spend every minute I can with her . . . .

There will be other trips -- but, thereÃ¢ÂÂs only one Cindy.

Connie

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Comments (26)

LindyB
15 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. You've made the right decision to stay with her.
paddlehikeva
15 years ago
Connie,

So sorry to hear about your cat. Enjoy every minute with her. I lost my beloved golden retriever when I was out of town in 2007 and it still sickens me that I was not there for him when he needed me.

Kathy
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Hey guys! I'm so glad that many of you share my excitement. I have to say if you're reasonably close enough just go there. You will be glad you did. Daun: I actually agonized long about which ones I wanted a while ago. Those are the ones that my friend who lives nearby set aside for me at her house. Everything else was gravy as far as I was concerned. I chose them based on if it had at one time been on my little obsession list for Moore roses (like Dresden Doll and Tangerine Jewel), if they were reputed to be good growers (like Green Ice and Buttermint) and if on visual inspection it looked nice. Which nearly all did. I really don't worry about size or scent. I'm looking for the flower and even bought a couple that were not my first choice in colors just for fun. Furthermore if you can talk to Carolyn at the nursery and kind of tell your criteria she is a savant when it comes to Moore Roses. No one seems to know more except the Mr. Moore himself. Terry: I think at this point any roses that you order from the nursery will be money well spent. Maybe Leslie or Jeri will chime in as they are both familiar with a lot of their roses and has much more growing experience with them than I do. I did see several mature plants but since we are just a little before flowering time and the more grown bushes were planted and not for sale I'm afraid I don't know which was which. Connie: Like Terry said you will have to call. Also you can email and Carolyn promptly answered many of my questions via email. When we were there she was alone with Mr. Moore taking care of everyone and I did not see her pause for even a moment. If you do email you can leave your phone number and have her call you back. Hope this helps. My motto at this point is if you are even mildly interested in one of their roses go for it. Kate
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sunnishine
15 years ago
Oh poor thing...I am so sorry Connie. I was really looking forward to seeing you again but I guess that means Liz and I will just have to make the trip up to you...lol

Take care of Cindy

Sunni
rosesnpots
15 years ago
Connie

Your correct that Cindy Lou needs you now more than ever. We will miss you this weekend but there will be other weekends. One thing I have noticed is rose lovers are animal lovers as well. So I am sure we all support you.

Liz
caroleintegacay
15 years ago
Connie.....by all means you need to stay with Cindy. I'll say a prayer for her.

About a month ago I wasn't sure I was going to make it to Ashdown this week. My beloved cat Henry was terribly sick...vomiting for about a week. I ended up taking him to three different vets (due to the fact he was sickest on New Years Day, a Saturday and then on a Wednesday when I could take him to his regular vet.

None of the vets actually helped him much with his vomiting but his regular vet did find something on one of his lungs and told me he probably had about 2 1/2 months to live. She told me that I needed to do my best to get him to eat and she would prescribe an appetite stimulant if he needed it. We cancelled a trip to Disney World that day that we were supposed to take this month.

Since then Henry has been doing much, much better. The vomiting finally stopped and Henry has been eating like a pig. He has gained the weight he lost back and then some. He's playing again and back to being a general pain in the butt. I thank God for every moment I have had with him since that day at the vet.

Sorry for the long winded story....but the bottom line is spend as much time as you can with your baby.

We'll take care of things at Ashdown.

Carole
zeffyrose
15 years ago
Connie------it is true most rose lovers are also animal lovers.

You are right to stay with your kitty----

I've always been with all my pets at this sad time but I wouldn't have it any other way----

Thinking of you,

Florence
pfzimmerman
15 years ago
Connie,

We have four cats at Ashdown who are as dear to us as anything. Our entire move has taken into account their happiness and well being.

You stay home, take care of Cindy Lou and we will welcome you with open arms and love when the time is right.

Paul Z
Ashdown
buford
15 years ago
Connie, I hope all is well and you are enjoying time with Cindy Lou. I know how it is, I never liked leaving my cats alone and now that they are elderly, I just don't consider it.
carla17
15 years ago
Connie, you need a hug. I'm sorry to hear about Cindy Lou and I would not leave my pets sick either. Know I'm thinking of you.

Carla
trishaw
15 years ago
Connie-

While I will miss seeing you, I completely understand! I would never leave if one of my babies needed me. We always need help around here so when you are able to come we will be happy to put you to work!

Hugs to you-

Trish
jbfoodie
15 years ago
Connie,
Best wishes from Calfornia. You should enjoy every moment you can with your beloved kitty. Our pets are part of our families and family comes first.
Joanne
blackcatgirl
15 years ago
It is true that our pets are indeed our children. I have my goofball kitty on my lap as I type...and both of us send our love and best wishes for Cindy Lou.

Patty
hartwood
Original Author
15 years ago
When I got up yesterday morning, it was obvious that sweet Cindy's ailing body had failed her, and we made the decision to let her go.

She was a surprise Christmas present from my husband in 1993 -- named Cindy Lou (after Cindy Lou Who, from How the Grinch Stole Christmas) because of her beautiful, big blue eyes. She saw me through a lot in her 15 years, always carrying out her 'duties' with the grace found only in Siamese cats.

{{gwi:230109}}

As much as I'll miss you all, I'm too exhausted to make an 8-hour drive to help this weekend. Please know that I'll miss you.

Thank you for all the support, dear GW friends. It means a lot to me.

Connie
pfzimmerman
15 years ago
Connie,

I'm so sorry to hear the news, but you did the right thing for Cindy Lou. We'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

The Ashdown Cats send their thoughts too.

{{gwi:230110}}
carolfm
15 years ago
Connie, I am so sorry about your precious Cindy Lou. I don't know what to say other than you did the right thing and I know how sad you must feel. Take care.

Carol
buford
15 years ago
Connie, I am so sorry. I certainly understand how you are feeling having been in that situation. However I'm happy that you were with Cindy and she is at peace now and out of pain and discomfort. It's the least we can do for our furry children.
rosesnpots
15 years ago
Connie

I am so sorry to hear about Cindy Lou. This is never an easy decision to make. Please rest up and we will all be thinking of you tomorrow.

R/
Liz
paddlehikeva
15 years ago
Connie,

Cindy Lou was quite lucky to have you as her human for the past 15 years. I know your provided a great life for her. You and your husband are in my thoughts.

Kathy
olga_6b
15 years ago
Connie, I am so sorry about your precious Cindy Lou. I have aging cat too and I can't even think about what you should feel. It is so sad.
(((((Hugs)))))

Olga
caroleintegacay
15 years ago
Oh Connie....I'm so sorry to hear that. It sounds to be that you were all lucky to have each other.

Henry and I send a hug and our prayers to you.

{{gwi:230111}}

Carole
hartwood
Original Author
15 years ago
Dear GW Friends,

Yesterday was a better day. I tried to catch up on all the things that I have been unable to do while I was caring for (and cuddling with) sweet Cindy. I spent part of the afternoon in the greenhouse, making sure that the aphids hadn't taken over the place -- most of the cuttings and rooted roses out there have broken bud, and all that tender new growth is like an aphid salad bar. I also sat at the computer for a couple of hours in the morning, working on the outline for a presentation I have to give next weekend .... growing roses from seeds. How convenient is it that I have 7 or 8 brand new germinations in my flat of seeds under the grow lights in the basement? Maid Marion seeds -- my first noisette babies.

I am overwhelmed by the love and support here. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. To those of you I know in person, and those who I have yet to meet face to face, please know that you have truly made a difference.

(Carole, I am thrilled to meet Henry. He is very handsome kitty.)

Connie

{{gwi:230112}}
blackcatgirl
15 years ago
Ohhh...
Connie I am so sorry. Cindy Lou Who is at Rainbow Bridge, waiting for you. What a beautiful Siamese cat.

BadGirl (currently sitting on the printer, she's my shadow) also sends you a scratchy kitty lick and purr.

Blessings to you.

Patty

{{gwi:230113}}
lforro
15 years ago
I was kept away from the fun at Ashdown by my work....but if one of our six kitties had been unwell, I wouldn't have moved from the spot. We have a responsibility to care for our beloved furs every day of their lives, and you did that admirable for Cindy Lou. What a beauty she was!

Thinking of you tonight -

Lila
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
Connie, I was reading through this sad thread and the tears came at the picture of your beautiful kitty lying on the cat pillows, and knowing so well how you must be feeling. Our beloved one-eyed Maine Coon cat is about Cindy Lou's age and there is often the thought that we will lose him sooner or later, as we've lost other beloved pets before. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this heart-wrenching experience. I'm afraid it's the price we pay for having these precious beings in our life. Please take care.

Ingrid
alameda/zone 8/East Texas
15 years ago
Animals, esp. cats and dogs, are family members. So very sorry about Cindy. I thought I had lost my cat Mildred the other day [part siamese]. Looked everywhere......I was crushed - she follows me to feed the horses everyday, is always there. Found out she had sneaked up into the attice when I was putting away some things......what a relief!! There is a little poem about horses that I have framed.......the last line says....'Dont cry for the horses [the ones who have died]....Love the ones who are here'. Hope you find another cat to love!
Judith
duchesse_nalabama
15 years ago
Connie, I am so sorry about your loss of Cindy Lou Who has given you so much joy over the past years.

I didn't make it either, sick child and traveling husband, but I hope another time I will be able to come there and meet some of you all. Sam says hello.

{{gwi:218588}}

My Trip to Ashdown this Weekend :(

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My Trip to Ashdown this Weekend :(

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