Caring for Sheba

The vet gave us an appointment on Tuesday, but in making the appointment, I was calmed by their lack of alarm. Sheba is eating every meal, so they are not concerned that there is anything seriously wrong in her throat. But I am glad to be going to see Thomas about her foot pads and her throat this coming week.

All day yesterday, every minute, was about Sheba. I monitored her every move to ensure that she did not take her sock off and have a go at her foot. She’s been phenomenally cooperative; her sock stayed on all day. And there was no wheezing, no coughing, she showed more life yesterday than she had on Thursday, and I’m very relieved.

We slept on the sofa in the living room again last night. I’m very comfortable there, and it’s a treat to fall asleep in firelight. Even with my eyes closed, light flickers on my eyelids, and with Sheba’s strong back against mine, I am in heaven and quickly doze off to dreamland. 

My reading is going much better. I loved reading Bill Hays’ book about Oliver Sacks, and I’m loving reading Mid-Life Solo by my friend Beth. It’s a collection of her essays and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, and my enjoyment has nothing to do with knowing her, although it does add to my experience as a reader. I reckon one reason I like these two books, is because they are non-fiction.

When I was a kid, I read the books that were in our basement, which became my bedroom. I read them because they were there, and what a weird assortment of books they were. Once in school, I became a voracious reader of library books. Starting in university and lasting until my late fifties, I read non-fiction exclusively. 

Something made me switch to fiction, and I was again exclusive, but now it’s time to return to non-fiction. I suppose I could read either, and I may do that, but non-fiction is more appealing to me right now. However, the real trick is to find books, either fiction or non, that are engaging. And speaking of engaging, I saw a pretty great movie last night.

A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg and Keiran Culkin, both of whom deliver entirely believable performances. And Eisenberg wrote and directed the movie. I felt I was watching a small masterpiece of a film. I loved how it is edited; I felt like I was watching life, and not a movie. It’s a powerful film, ideally written. I saw it on Disney which is a free streaming service if Shaw/Rogers is your internet provider.

It's another beautiful sunny day. It’s barely rained all month. But we will be housebound again today as Sheba’s foot heals. I sense improvement this morning, and I am grateful for that.