Murphy Jones – Oldest to Newest Posts

  • Part 118 – Words For Dad

    Mom and I have spent a lot of hours today talking about this post. I may have thought telling about my life was the most important topic I could pick. Today, talking about my Dad, is far more important. Dad was in the hospital all last week. He has done that a lot over the last two months. We hated that he wasn’t home with us. We also hated that Mom had to drive a lot to be with him. Only Missy got to visit him while he was in the closest hospital. I don’t think it is fair that dogs have more rights than cats. We are just as capable of giving kisses and love.

    This week, Mom explained that Dad was sicker than he had been before. She said he had an infection that just wore him out. He didn’t want to fight it anymore, so he stopped eating and drinking. On the day after Christmas, Mom had some people bring him back home. More ladies came from something called hospice. They said that their job was to make him as comfortable as possible. I knew that Miko, Missy and I needed to be his extra special nurses. We took turns giving him kisses so he would know how much we loved him. Mom did the same thing too. She also read the first of her books to him. She wanted him to hear her voice. Miko spent the most time laying beside him so he could hear her purring. I wish I could do that. I do purr but he wouldn’t be able to hear me. At least, I do a better job of purring than Missy. She just gave him bigger kisses.

    Last night, Mom called back one of the hospice nurses. She checked Dad to confirm what Mom had told us. Dad had died peacefully. We each had a chance to give him our last good-byes. Later, another man came to take Dad away. We will all miss him because we loved him so much. We know he loved us too. What more can any of us ask?

  • Part 119 – A New Year

    Mom explained that Tuesday night was New Year’s Eve and the Wednesday is the start of a new year. To be honest, I don’t really care. I know that each day will be different than the days before Dad died. I know Mom has a whole new list of things she wants or needs to do. My job is to help her take care of herself. I’m selfish that way. What would happen to us if something happens to her? Miko, Missy and I try to snuggle even closer to her at night. For the next few weeks, it looks like the nights will be colder. We want to make sure she is warmed by our love. Of course, Missy disrupts us when she scratches, but she is just a dog.

    Mom and a friend went for something called “1st Day Hike” at the state park. In past years, she has taken Missy. I offered to go until I learned it would be 1 1/2 miles. I like to go for walks, but 1 1/2 Blocks would be more than enough. The sun was shining, so I’m sure it was good for Mom to get out. I’ll encourage Mom to do more hikes even if she does take Missy. For now I’ll help her clean and organize things here at home. I do what I can.

  • Part 120 – Furniture

    Mom has been cleaning and rearranging things. She did a lot of that when Dad had his first hospital stay, and then came home with a walker. She rolled up all of the area rugs and vacuumed up the sand that had collected under them. (I’d call the sand “dirt” but that just sounds bad. Our house may have fur, but it isn’t dirty.) She also removed some furniture to make certain he had a clear, easy, wider path. Now those rugs can go back down. Missy appreciates them.

    In addition this week, she moved Dad’s recliner out to the porch where a man is to pick it up. In its place, the two chairs in the living room are now in the family room. They have nice wide arms and back for stretching out for naps. Because there are two of them, Miko and I can each have one. Missy would have lots of room to sit on the seat, but she hasn’t done that yet. Mom has also moved her work-in-progress quit to one of the chairs in the family room. She hasn’t settled long enough to work on it this week, but I think it is part of her grieving to move a lot. I ask her to pick me up often, so she takes the time to just breath. I’m good at that.

    The hoop for the quilt is a very comfy place for me to take naps. It is even better than the top of the chair. Yesterday Miko joined me there. Mom thought we looked cute, so she had to take a picture to share with friends. I think it was a good way for me to show Mom how special snuggling can be. Miko agreed.