soop's friendly kitchen for like-minded folk and pampered pets.

I am so sorry to hear that news soop . I can't imagine your heartache . He will be sorely missed both in your home and amongst his virtual admirers.

Good news about Paw' Maw !

I know Charley . How nice thata simple outing like this has brought such pleasure to one small boy. He could not be dragged away and despite the weather is having his picnic sat on a towel near his beloved Chiron . He doesn't want to miss a minute he said.

You know you have made the right decision soop
You have made a feral cat into a lucky and very loved one.
You have all been lucky to have found each other so be thankful for that amid your sadness.

Oh soop how sad you must be. I found a poem for you both - hope it expresses something of how you are feeling.

They will not go quietly,
the cats who’ve shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think
we hear a meow at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them. . . and always will.

By: Linda Barnes

So sorry Rory has deteriorated , soop, he couldn't have been cared for by better people. Sending love to you all.

You're right, its often the simple things that the children love the most n&g, the joy on his face is simply wonderful.

Lovely poem gagagran, the sentiments could apply to all family animals, not just cats.

All this talk of soup makers has brought ours out of its summer hibernation on top of the fridge back into its place next to the kettle, ready for action next week.

Raining here, too. Right chilly, miserable day. Think our spirits are being impacted, neither of us is terribly cheerful. Oh well, back to caring for a grandchile tomorrow, that will bring a smile, as well as a sore back and sore feet - wouldn't miss it though.

Take are all

Lovely words gagagran
May your precious remaining time with Rory be filled with love, dear soop and macsporran

Soop that is so sad. It is his time but what a cat to have known. Sending love to you all. xxxx

Dear soop what sad times for you and your lovely man and such hard decisions too. Rory was fortunate indeed to find kind and caring folk who opened their home and their hearts to him x

corner I keep telling you to move! The sun is shining here and the washing is drying. Do put your feet up today because you will need every ounce of energy for tomorrow.

Sorry to have been missing. We've got a surfeit of grandchildren at the moment. But back to school next week and peace will retunr until half term at least.

I'm so sorry about Rory, Soop. You and MacS must be heart broken. I have a very special place in my heart for Rory as we have an all black cat too. I know we would find it difficult to 'make the decision' but I know you feel the time is right and you must be so sad.

Sit down Maw - while you can. Great news about Paw - hope all goes to plan.

Happy, happy boy N&G.

A friend of ours had a house in the US and her daughter was surprised to find it occupied when she turned up unexpectedly. They sold pretty quickly after that.

I'm thinking about a soup maker - but will it join the breadmaker in the shoe cupboard?

Off to roast a spare rib of pork (not a whole one - just a piece!) - it's just the right sort of day for it.

8kitty8 a certain company on line which appears to be taking over the world has the Salter large size on offer at half price. I am determined that mine will not join the juicer and other totally essential items.

I have just finished an on line shop and for once I looked at the recipes that came with this soup maker and even ordered some which I fancied on line. I am determined that this one will pay its way. Some items I will have to buy separately because what would I do with 12 bulbs of cloves of garlic? These stores forget that some folk live on their own and are not catering for restaurants.

ann gave a helpful hint earlier re using small potatoes to thicken the soup but I prefer it watery but tasty.

Soop although not a regular visitor to the kitchen, felt compelled to post. Dear Rory, what an adventure you have all had. You must have so many happy memories, and although the sad times approach, please remember the happy times.

The sadness of losing them, is the price we pay for having them. You and McSporran did a truly wonderful job with that dear boy, I send you all love and every good wish.

I am weakening! But asking for advice.....
Is the Salter soup maker generally recognised as the best around? It is an excellent offer but I would like confirmation from all you souper grans that it is the best!!

I am drawing a line at a soup maker I have no more room in my kitchen cupboard. There is an icecream maker in the utility room though. One has to choose one's priorities.

Maw I have just bought mine but I was on the whole, going on reviews and more to the point, what ann had to say. Being a Scot, 1/2 price was an excellent bargain. It is easy to clean, quiet to run and easy to use. I could not have bought it if I still had my old poky kitchen because there would have been nowhere to store it. If I ever get sorted I will have sufficient space to leave it on view so that I will not forget to use it. I cannot guarantee that it is the best around but it appears to be for me.

It must be said they are quite large pieces of kit. Larger than I expected so I keep mine in the box in the utility room.
I admit I chose on grounds of price after reading the reviews. I wasn't prepared to spend upwards of £100 But there had been some very enthusiastic posts on here some little time ago so I took the plunge and am pleased I did.

Soop feel for you, it is so hard to let a loved one go but you will make the right decision.

Feeling a tad put out today. Stopped by at a friend's today (pre-arranged) who has a new girl friend moved in a few weeks ago. We have met her twice before and thought she was a bit quiet but I know it is difficult when we are old friends of his. But we left after half an hour feeling very down. We could not engage her in conversation, she didn't smile nor did she offer refreshments. OH got a beer as our friend offered it before she came into the room, but nothing for me as I didn't want alcohol. Don't quite know what to do as we usually drop in every few weeks to catch up and make dinner for each other quite often. I know the ex-girl friend was visiting a neighbour earlier but I refuse to take sides. Is the new girl friend trying to push us aside?

soop I wasn't going to post today as we're going away for a few days and I'm doing last minute packing but I couldn't go without sending you and MacS a gentle hug. So sorry to hear Rory is not too good. I know how much he means to you as does anyone who has lost a treasured pet. At least you have the knowledge that he has had a wonderful life since he deigned to join you and MacS in your home. You 3 have had some wonderful times together so think of those times rather than the sad ones. I will be thinking of you ?

maw fingers crossed for a better return home for paw this time. I know our nurses are wonderful but sometimes, some of them aren't as caring as they should be. I hate seeing patients begging for a bottle or bedpan and being left to cope with the discomfort (or accidents) when one doesn't come soon enough. Fortunately, I think they are in the minority and most are very caring. Hope things go well for you

So sorry to read your news Soop, my tears are falling as well.
Maw, I hope that all goes well tomorrow, and that you`ve rested as much as possible today.

soop sending love to your wee hoos tonight. So sad to watch a beloved friend in this way. Sleep well Rory

Just to add to the soup-maker discussions. I bought mine from a chain of hardware stores that is mainly based south of Birmingham. It quoted a cheaper RRP than the famous online company that seems to sell everything, but was the same model as ann 's and still offered a discount that made it just under £40. Collected from store free of charge. I think it's definitely worth the money and made me clear a cupboard of some rubbish, so it's easy access for me too.

Agree about adding some potato - it worked for me anyway. I didn't add any seasoning to the ingredients as I rarely use salt and I find the stock pots I've used to be quite salty to my taste. Happy cooking everyone!!

One of our very good friend's who had multiple myeloma had several spells in hospital. During one, when he had pneumonia, a common side effect of a compromised immune system he was told just to defacate in his bed as it was easier to clean him up as to take time to deal with him by taking him to the loo or bringing him a bedpan.
He was a very private and fastidious man, a JP , a local politition and a gentleman. It broke his spirit to do this. Once his wife, as educated and fastidious as him got him home, she refused to let him go anywhere again.
She amazed us all by the way she looked after him in every way until he died at home with just the two of them together.
This should never ever happen. Sorry if this deviates, just saying hospital staff are not always as we hope and expect.

Sadly Ann it is sometimes less traumatic to have the patient wear incontinence products than haul them , with or without a hoist , onto a commode

soop so sorry to hear your wee companion is not doing well

ann for your friend. That must have been so distressful for both of them yet I'm sure they both felt easier with the situation than with strangers pulling him about.