We had to put our sweet Booker down today. He was 13 and terribly ill, and uncomfortable. In his younger years he was a caricature of everything fussy a cat could be, standoffish, ill-tempered... in his later years he softened and was much more agreeable to affection, and a real joy and a calming presence. He was the first soul Toia and I agreed to watch over together. Booker was her constant companion during the day while working night shift with me an over-scheduled intern. He was my constant companion late at night or early in the morning before people were awake.

Seeing this photo reminds me how beautiful and how peaceful he was before becoming ill. There were several times we thought we'd lose him, but he'd rally in some small way... ultimately we made the decision for him. The vet told us what we knew already, that we could never cure him, and that his enjoyment of life would only spiral even further downward.

I know we made the right choice, but the house feels empty now that everyone's asleep again.

Peter mulvey at Alberta Pub

Peter Mulvey at Alberta Pub

If love is not enough
Some people
Kids in the square
Going going gone
Letter from a flying machine
Windshield
Knuckleball suite
Shirt
Shoulderbirds
Bears
Sad sad sad
But I do: Bobby Charles
Mailman
Vlad the Astrophysicist
On a wing and a prayer

Encore

Our love is here to stay

- Eric

Dear Curt

Dear Curt,

Today is June 17th. We had dinner and then meandered around Northeast Portland for most of the evening. We went to look (unsuccessfully) for friends at McMenamins, and then also to look for a Father's Day gift (also unsuccessfully) for your grandfather. We very successfully obtained lingonberry jam from Ikea and watched planes land at PDX which was Really! Exciting!


You were a gem tonight. We got along and you did not run away or fight with me. I hope you liked the peanut butter cookie dessert we had, it seemed a little paltry to me, but you were clearly looking forward to it.

I don't know if you will remember tonight, but I will, because things went just right.

So, thanks. Thank you for being a wonderful little 4 year old boy. You were a wonderful boy and I felt like a good dad tonight.

Love,
Me