Every likes to say three-legged dogs and cats do well, and I think this is so, but it is wrenching to see how hard this is for Minnie, how much she is struggling for her balance, how vulnerable she is. I am never entirely sure it is proper to allow an animal to suffer so much because we can’t bear to see them go. It has been almost three weeks since some animal damaged Minnie’s left rear leg so badly it had to be amputated or she would have had to be put down.  Maria is so lucky to have Maria as a caretaker, Maria is attentive and loving to Minnie, and it reminds me of the time I spent with Simon, you can see the healing powers of love on an animal. Minnie is going to be inside the house for the rest of the week at least, she is not yet able to maneuver easily or jump up.

In the daytime Minnie roams the house, sitting in my study, looking for patches of sun.  Lenore loves to visit with her and sit with her, Red seems not to notice she exists. Minnie tries to get up on things, but can’t. In the evenings, we sit with her on our laps, she loves to cuddle and she talks a lot, she has a lot to say. Minnie’s stump is healing very well, she looks alert and healthy, she is eating well and heartily. This morning, I brought Frieda in to be face-to-face with Minnie for the first time, you can see for yourself what happened. Twice a day we take Minnie outside to sit in her rocking chair next to Flo, who has little to do with her, as always. Flo is not one of those sweet cats, she is a thug.

The vet says Minnie’s remaining leg will move a big more towards the middle of her body to give her balance, she doesn’t have a lot now. She looks longingly out of the window, eager to get back to her barn. Soon I hope.

I shot a video this morning of Minnie talking, trying to walk, sitting in her rocking chair, coolly meeting Frieda. Simon brayed for good measure, come and see Minnie on the path to recovery.