If you’ve never seen this post before, check it out and then this photo will make more sense:

Nosotros también miramos… by gojulius

David’s story of Hugh, to accompany this photo, which remains my top photo on Flickr in terms of views, comments, etc.

May 27, 2006
Photo by Rachael

This was taken a couple of days before Rachael and I drove down to Pennsylvania and New York to scatter David’s ashes.

Life’s been rough in 2006, but it feels rougher than ever now that Hugh is gone. He made the transition from my former life in Pennsylvania to my current life in Ontario easier because I never felt completely alone. We were the remaining two members of the House of Fielding, and we would stick together through thick and thin. Recently I cancelled family trips — a road trip to Maine and a flight to Vancouver — because I wasn’t comfortable leaving Hugh with a catsitter after his recent trips to the vet.

“Hugh’s in his twilight years,” I said to someone. “I have to make sure he’s alright.”

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March 31, 2005
Length: 1:48
Music: “Cieco, Cieco” Barber - Ben Charest (from “The Triplets of Belleville” soundtrack)

David playing with Hugh in front of our house in Scranton. Hugh wasn’t as lively in this clip because he knew he had to go inside soon. The clips I shot prior to this one are in the next video.

I asked Socar last summer what the lyrics to this song meant, and she said it’s rubbish Italian, just made-up stuff. All I could pick out was what sounded like “Toronto” and “Jimmy Hoffa” –?!?

David and Hugh
Length: 8:59

This video was a typical late weekday afternoon scene, after David returned home from work. We were the Three Musketeers after I joined the household. You can get an idea of how close Hugh and David were in life, and after David passed away Hugh was just like that with me. I miss them both so much it hurts like the dickens.

My heart shattered into a million pieces today.

I came home from work and found Hugh dead on the kitchen floor. I turned the corner, saw him, and fell to my knees, sobbing his name over and over… it’s as if it wasn’t me, it was someone else crumpled and unable to breathe.

I took his lifeless body to the vet this evening with the help of a friend, and preparing him for the journey was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I also boarded Gigi at the same vet (where she has boarded for two years), because I am too upset to be dealing with her, too.

I’m going to take Hugh’s ashes back to Pennsylvania and scatter them either there, or at Rhinebeck, NY where I scattered David’s ashes almost two months ago. Pennsylvania is where Hugh lived for all of his 15 years, except for the past few months in Toronto.

I will never have another pet like Hugh. He was with David to the very end in hospice, and he comforted me in the painful months that followed. We spent a lot of time together; constant companions. He never left my side — always either curled up at my feet or sitting in my lap. Every night he would lie on my belly and purr before eventually moving down to my feet to snooze, just like he would with David.

The House of Fielding won’t be the same without Hugh. He always greeted me when I got home, and now I have this sick feeling knowing I won’t see his little face at the door anymore.

Rest in peace, my kitty, I miss you terribly.

Hugh, by Gail

July 1, when Hugh returned home from the vet

*yawn*

Played photographer’s assistant this morning for a Picture the Cure shoot (see the Heroes gallery), leaving the pets alone again to ease them into sharing their living space with each other. When I returned, I fed Hugh his medicine and took Gigi out along the waterfront for a good long walk. It had rained on and off this morning, but the clouds have thinned out and hopefully we won’t get drenched this afternoon when I take her to the park.

Hugh’s being an ornery old goat today. When I was eating toast, Gigi was watching me intently and Hugh snuck around behind me to sniff her tail. I thought this was a good sign, but not long after that he started hissing and going after her.

Why now, Hugh?!?! So much for peace talks.

It’s been an interesting day here in Yuppieville, the best Friday I’ve had in a while.

I took Miss Gigi out for a two-hour walk and errands this afternoon, and when we returned Mister Hugh didn’t even hiss at her — this is progress!

Hugh seems more energetic today and his appetite for chicken has returned, as evidenced by a wild-eyed look once I imprisoned Gigi in another room so he could eat in peace. I spoke to the vet about whether I should keep to the pill schedule and reduce the frequency of the bethanechol chloride to 2x per day instead of 3x, and he said we should try it, but continue to give Hugh 1/2 pill each time instead of the regular 1/4. He isn’t anywhere near regular yet, and folks, this is what it’s come to:

I am a Poop Hunter and I am Hugh’s Pee Cheerleader. If any of you could see what I do to try to get Hugh to use the litterbox… really, the only way it could be more embarrassing is with pom-poms. After Hugh achieves successful expulsion, I give him treats and shower him with praise — “Good BOY!” — like he just won a triathlon. Pet ownership is a slippery slope to MADNESS, I’m telling you.

In other news, I picked up the promo cards for Picture the Cure from the printer and they look great!

And best of all, I received an agency call this afternoon — I’ve got a week-long assignment starting Monday, working for the Ontario government. Hooray!

More “walking the dog” photos after the jump. All shots are from the cameraphone.

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A picture I took a few days ago, to make up for yesterday’s rather undignified one.

Hugh’s not had a good morning. I cleaned up a couple of messy messes, he brought up a furball, vomited, and I accidentally stepped on him.

Poor thing’s spent all morning hiding underneath the bed. He hates the pills I keep sending down his throat, and tries to run away. I’m sorry, Hugh, I know it’s unpleasant, but I have to do it.

Poor Hugh, one of the side-effects of the above drug is drooling. I’m talking PENDULUMS of spittle.

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Dear Winston, Simba, Olive, Pearl, Puck, Clyde and Opie, Kitty, Princess Purrball, Max, Sadie and Slinky, Buddy, Buster, Ralph and Midnight,

I’m so mad I could SPIT!

*huff huff huff*

I gotta go calm down now. I’ll tell you all about it after I have a nice long bath. I need to relax.

*stomp stomp*

Mister Hugh

I spoke to the vet this morning about the urinalysis and bloodwork. Hugh’s calcium levels are even higher than they were two weeks ago, which may indicate lymphoma (as the ER vet suspected until the hyperthyroid was diagnosed). An ultrasound is scheduled for Tuesday.

Also, the pills he prescribed yesterday to contract Hugh’s bladder are not working, so I’m increasing the dosage today, from 1/4 to 1/2 pill every 8 hours.

His thyroid levels are now too low, so I have to cut back on the hyperthyroid medication to 1/4 from 1/2 pill every 12 hours.

I put plastic back on the bed last night, because Hugh’s incontinence has returned. I’m concerned that he hasn’t used his litterbox in a few days, just little pee episodes in his sleep. Hugh’s also begun to drool and his nose is running. He’s not himself.

I lined up a catsitter and found a reasonable flight to Vancouver, but I’m postponing the trip for the time being. I can’t go anywhere while Hugh’s health is so unstable.