First of all, thanks for all the kind comments on yesterday’s post.. I made the error of sitting in Starbucks to do my blogging- I should have read those comments in the privacy of my own home. Hopefully my reading glasses hid my teary, swollen eyes.
Anyway! Life goes on. I’m still one of the co-hosts of Tuesday Topics, with Jenn from Runs With Pugs. This week’s topic is “Show Us Your Year in Photos.” As usual… I’m veering from the topic (is anyone surprised?) I’m going to talk about some things that are bringing me comfort right now.
First of all… these two rascals.
You guys. I cannot even imagine how hard it would be to lose a pet if they were your only one. When I think of coming home to an empty house and seeing the food bowl and pet toys… I know many of you have gone through this, but it seems almost unbearable. Luckily I still have cats to feed and litter boxes to scoop.
Last night my husband and I were sitting on the couch, talking about how sad we were. Then Muffin came and sat on my lap, and Foxy jumped up into his! How did they know we needed cuddles???
Next up. Who can resist presents? I got a package in the mail from Engie, who was my secret Santa this year!!!
How hilarious are those dish towels (and… how true, especially this year). And the “Foxy” ornament… I love it so much. BUT LET’S TALK ABOUT THESE PEANUTS.
“Congregational” peanuts: the ingredients read “premium Virginia peanuts, Kosher salt, peanut oil, one hour hand labor.” I think they sprinkled some kind of magic on them, because they are SO FRICKIN DELICIOUS. If I had to guess, I would say it’s because they’re fried in peanut oil- usually when you buy “roasted” nuts in the store, they’re fried in some cheap oil and they always taste slightly rancid to me. These are crisp, fresh, and salty. They almost make me want to move to Wisconsin (although Engie says they’re only available on a very limited basis, which makes it even more special that she snagged a bag for me).
One last thing. On Sunday I had planned a 20 mile run, but I didn’t feel like doing it. I just didn’t have the mental energy to plan a route, fill water bottles, and get all the fuel together. But I also didn’t exactly NOT want to do it, either. I knew I would feel worse if I let myself lie around all day. My husband suggested that I just try it and see what happens. I set off with a water bottle and some tailwind, and ended up running 14 peaceful miles.
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
Join us next week —> What are your goals for 2026?
Top photo by Mark Casey on Unsplash
33 Responses
You are right, it is really hard when you are a one pet household. Coming home to the empty house SUCKS. Sigh.
I’m glad you were able to go for a good run, clear your mind, feel a little better. These things help, and you’re good at them.
I love Engie’s gift, nicely done.
Engie definitely nailed it! And yes, I’ve been thinking about you these past few days.
That was the worst when Ester died – coming home to the bowls and other cat stuff. We quickly gathered everything and put it in the shed. I think some of it went to the recycling center which now is a pity because… we’re most likely getting a new cat. You weren’t around for the Weekly rundown last week when I talked about our mouse problem. For now the steady stream of mice has slowed down but I definitely don’t want to spend the rest of my life chasing mice or worrying whether they nibble on our vegetables. And as we all know, a house without a cat is just a house. So, we’ll see. I’m waiting for info about a group of kittens right now, whether there are any “unbooked”.
Your trail and weather look FABULOUS. I’m glad you got some trail therapy (wonderful expression too!)
YOU NEED A CAT! It’s the best way to control a mouse problem. Plus… cats are the best.
While I was at the vet with Charlotte, my husband cleaned all her things out of the house so I didn’t have to see it when I got home. It was the best thing he ever could have done!
Losing Charlotte hurts, but you’re right, the house isn’t empty, and Muffin and Foxy clearly knew exactly when to step in.
Well done on the long run! Getting out is 90% of the battle, and you conquered it. 14 calm miles sounds like the best of both worlds – a long run and trail therapy!
Yep, Muffin and Foxy are really helping- now I’m glad for all the chaos they bring to the house!
Cats are so smart. They know what we need and are quick to provide it. I am glad Muffin and Foxy snuggled with you! Back in 2016 when I had hip surgery, Oscar was my constant companion. She did not really like me because she has always been Phil’s cat but she overcame her dislike of me/preference for Phil and was such a source of comfort. And then she did that again when I was recovering from a miscarriage in 2019. They have such a 6th sense and know when we need their extra love and cuddles.
I’m glad you were able to get a long run in on Sunday. I am sure it was good for your soul!!
Oh, Oscar. That’s such a sweet story!
Again, I am so sorry for your loss and continue to send hugs your way. Kudos to Muffin and Foxy for sensing your need for their comfort and snuggling up with you and your husband when you needed them. Also, that’s a great picture of those two rascals playing. And yes, those two dish towels are fantastic!
Congrats on completing a decent amount of your long run. Completing those miles did far more than you realized. Your body would have been fine without them, but your mental state was helped greatly!
I missed yesterday’s post. So sorry. It’s hard to lose a pet. Glad your other two are providing you comfort. Love those towels. Perfect.
Running also can cure all or at least help.
I couldn’t add my link. I think it’s last weeks.
Oh did I screw that up??? Sigh.
Yes, running is a help for almost everything!
Yeah I don’t even want to think about it with my dog — she’s almost 12 now and still in great health but you never know. I’m just gonna enjoy all the time I have with her!
I remember having those peanuts as a kid (my grandparents were all in Wisconsin) and they were SO GOOD!
Great job getting out for a long run! Sometimes we have to adjust our plans but then they end up being exactly what we needed <3
Oh wow, you’ve had congregational peanuts??? Glad to hear it.
Yes, the tragedy is that we’ll outlive our pets, sob. All we can do is embrace the time we have with them.
What a lovely gift from Engie! I have never heard of those peanuts but they sound yummy.
I think our pets are so attuned to our moods and they know what we need, and when.
Yes, Engie totally nailed it.
When Stepdog passed, I couldn’t bear to put away her water and food bowls. I left them for a couple of hours and then took care of them. And two months later we got them back out again for Doggo! I do have some thoughts about getting another dog when Doggo is around five so that we will always have canine coverage. But then again, the two of us can barely keep ahead of Doggo so I think we might be a one dog household with periods of heartbreak every 10-15 years.
Yes to still “showing up to church” even if you didn’t stay for the whole service – of course I’m talking about the Church of the Long Run. 14 miles FTW!
Yes, I’m seriously determined to always have at least two pets. Of course- cats are a lot easier than dogs, so I get it.
I bet that run – with no expectations of yourself – was exactly what you needed. Well done. And well done to Foxy and Charlotte for showing lots of love and affection when you needed it the most.
There will always be a Charlotte-shaped hole in your heart, but Foxy and Muffin will nuzzle up to it and help it not feel so sharp and sad. There is just no way around the fact that loss is so very hard, but agreed that I’m so glad you have two kitties to show you love and help fill the void.
Yes- ll the gold stars to Muffin and Foxy!
Oh yes, so very hard with one pet. Hugging you again. But that photo of the kitties high five-ing each other (were they fighting?) is hilarious. I hope these two bring you some comfort.
They bring me so much comfort! There were just kind of batting back and forth at each other in that photo, but it does look like a high five.
Yes, it was HORRIBLE to be dogless the first few days after Beatrix died. My parents had a practice of getting a transition dog, and this is so mart– I will be sure to do this in a few years.
I seriously can’t even imagine. I think if Charlotte had been our only cat, I would have stopped at the humane society on my way home and adopted five kittens. I mean I understand why people want to wait and honor the memory… but oof, so sad.
I even hate it when one of my girls is at the vet office. The house is so empty without them! I know that someday we’ll have to make some decisions, but I’m not ready for it.
Congregational Peanuts FTW! As I’ve said, I’ve never had them, but people talk about them as if there is nothing better on the planet, so I assume they’re delicious!
They ARE delicious! You have to try some next time you get the chance!
As Birchie would say- someday you will have to make tough decisions, but today is not that day. Enjoy every minute with your babies!
Our cat is so good about snuggling us when we are sad. My daughter was sick a few days ago, and our cat spend much of the day cuddled near her. Glad Foxy and Muffin are taking good care of you guys.
Animals are incredible! Muffin and Foxy really stepped it up for us.
Good for you for listening to what your body needed while grieving. And those dish towels are perfect. and HOW did you get that cat pic?
Ha ha… they were sitting in front of the tree looking so cute, and I just started snapping photos. I probably took about ten photos and one of them just happened to catch that moment.
That photo looks as though your cats are practicing synchronized dancing. Hilarious. OMG, the teary Starbucks visit. Your gift from Engie is so fitting. I so enjoy a funny towel.
Oh, Jenny. I’m so sorry.
It’s hard to come home to that empty house. It’s always hard to lose a pet. why can’t they live forever.
I”m glad you were able to get some time to yourself to clear your head. Big hugs, friend.
Oh yes, the empty house is HARD when you only have one pet and they pass away. The last weekend with Dutch, I got all of his things together in a bag so I wouldn’t have to see them all when I got home from the vet. Ugh. Having other cats to give you cuddles is very helpful!
What a great Secret SANta gift from Engie! I love those dish towels!
Oh, I can only imagine how good it is for the soul that you still have Muffin and Foxy around! <3
And then the perfect Secret SANta package arrived with these beautiful cat towels and some delicious peanuts. I am just so excited to see all the Secret SANta posts around the blogosphere right now:)