Some of you will remember me & h0p :)  I thought I'd drop in and let you
know how we're all doing, as well as seeing how you all are doing.

h0p is doing well.  He has the occasional seizure, but hasn't had any of
the severe neurological episodes that were plaguing him for so long.  His
IBD is under control, and his liver, though damaged, seems it be holding
it's own.  He's become very vocal in letting me know what he wants and
when he wants it, and sleeps curled up next to my head at night.  This is
the feral cat who couldn't be touched :)

Misty was diagnosed hyperthyroid last January and just returned from her
treatments at RadioCat last Thursday.  It didn't slow her down for a
minute and she seems to be doing great.  She turned 12 on July 9th.

George, who turned 8 on the first of the month, has completely recovered
from the removal of his mast cell tumor.  All his hair has grown back, and
despite the expensive diet foods he's as ...well, let's say chubby, as
ever.

Sammy is HUGE and still sucks on my earlobe at night.  He's as healthy as
a horse and the size of one too!

Little Ceili (pronounced Kaylee), the stray we took in last fall, is
unfortunately very ill.  She went to the cardiologist who said that her
heart murmer was well under control and that she's be find to have some
dentistry done.  She went to have her teeth cleaned and a squamous cell
carcinoma (cancerous tumor) was found and removed.  Now if any of you can
help advise me on this it would be much appreciated.

Ceili saw her regular vet, an oncologist, and a surgeon.  They all seem to
agree that the tumor will almost undoubtedly come back, and that the
cancer will end up costing her her life.  I was advised that with about
$6000.00 worth of chemo and radiation we might extend her life for six to
eight months.  Because the tumor was under her tongue, the radiation would
be directed there and she would have to have a feeding tube to her stomach
- which just seems awful to me for her to have to go through because the
end result will be that she will die anyway.  Anyone have any thoughts on
this?  So far Ceili shows no signs whatsoever of illness.

On a completely different note, I had the chance to use my VPI insurance
for the first time when George was ill.  Although I'd heard a number of
negative things about the company I was quite happy with them and glad I
had the coverage.  We'll see how they do with Misty now.

Thanks!

Dee