Monday Sighs

It has been a few days which has just caused an excess of sighing.

In a few weeks time (the 20^th if you want to make a note) it is my birthday. I have noticed a current trend for people to put a logo on their blog or send an email to friends proclaiming their life is marvellous, they want for nothing and please give a donation to their chosen charity in lieu of a birthday gift.

I would love to be so honourable, so generous and so sweet. However on Saturday Trulli cat went into the vets (and is still there as of Monday evening). He has had a predisposition to bladder crystals which can be very dangerous. His first bout was 20 months ago and it required two invasive operations. Since then he has done very well, on his special diets but at the end of last week he started to pass small amounts of water and growl at his willy. Be it cat or human, growling at your willy is a bad sign. So better safe than sorry and off he went to animal hospital.

The news is good. He has had his bladder flushed, no serious crystals were found, a slight infection was detected and he should be home soon. A happy ending is in the offing but also a big, fat vet bill.

Hence my birthday message is I am more than happy to be showered with gifts, preferably ones which still with their receipts or have good resale value on ebay.

Sad news yesterday was the death of Charlie Williams, a great Yorkshire comic who paved the way for many British black performers. Some people say his humour may have been misplaced as he often made jokes at the expense of his colour, strangely a similar debate is currently raging about Little Miss Jocelyn at the moment. I think he was right for his time. We Yorkshire people are very good at being right, centuries of practice you know. Bye me old flower!

But today I felt thumped in the stomach when I heard the news of Steve Irwin’s death. I thought he was a great ambassador for environmental issues and natural history. His delivery may have made some squirm but it was that peculiar charm he had that meant he engaged with a huge group of people who may otherwise never realised the majesty of wildlife. Like hiding medicine in sugar, his on-screen buffoonery educated people without them realising! I particularly liked the fact he was never patronising. So many people in that field can be. I can’t bear another celebrity fronted ‘let’s save the X’ programme where they moon about the African plains with their stage school downturned mouth telling me how guilty we should all be whilst rubbing it in that they are somehow special and hence afforded this amazing opportunity. Steve Irwin was quite the opposite; he bounced on the screen and reminded us all what an amazing world we have under our noses.

Steve Irwin was a great conservationist, passionate and really made a difference. My heart goes out to his wife, young children and his extended family of workmates and animal friends at Australia Zoo.

cat, birthday, Charlie+Williams, Steve+Irwin, Australia+Zoo

Comments

[Kate]

Steve Irwin was really good at what he did, and yes, he educated the viewer without them realising, which is a rare talent.

I didn't know Charlie Williams had died. I know he had quite a few critics, but I don't think we would have comedians such as Lenny Henry if it wasn't for him.

Glad to hear Trulli is ok :-) That must have been a worrying time for you.

[Stegbeetle]

Irwin is a great loss. Good Aussie!

Birthday? Well I'm glad you told us but I'll not remember it - you never look any older. ;)

[Rhonda]

Aw, sorry about Kitty. My Rasta had the same recurring problem but a special diet kept it at bay eventually. Still it is scary (and expensive) to know they are hurting and afraid.

And, I am mourning the loss of Steve Irwin right along with you. It is a huge loss to critters and the environment.

[Thursday]

I know all about big fat vet bills .... *sigh*

[weenie]

RIP Crocodile Hunter

[Rebecca Hobbs]

Kate: I know Lenry Henry has said Charlie wsa a trailblazer for him. Actually I am going to see Lenny Henry for the first time in Decemeber - can't wait!

Steggie: You always say the right thing!!

[Kate]

Have fun! I saw him years ago when he was on Tizwas, (they did a live show in Stratford) but I'm guessing his act has matured since then LOL

[Beki]

Kate: I hope he hasn't matured too much, I haven't and at Christmas time I regress even further!

[Jane]

Vets bills have loomed large (very large) in my life this week too. But I hope Trulli makes a full recovery. It is hideous when pets get ill.

[Kate]

Oh, you would have enjoyed that show then ;-) It was typical Tizwas silliness. They had welly-wanging too - I had a go but didn't do very well ( I was a rather puny 8yo) I seem to recall the girl who won was rather tall and sturdy and claimed to be 9, but I suspect that was an untruth.

[Sharon J]

Vet's bills really can be quite scary, can't they? Maybe you should try one of those ads in the back of Private Eye?

Had to laugh at your "growling a willy" remark. If I ever catch my other half doing that, I'll know to take him to the vet!