Happy 7th Birthday FenFen

As you can see from the photo, Fennik recently celebrated his seventh birthday. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned later that evening. For the past six years, I’ve gotten white cupcakes for everyone at the clinic, including Fen. I remove the icing and give Fen the white cake. This has always gone swimmingly well. Until this year.

Of course, Fen loved the cake. That went as predicted. However, later that day, just before we were set to go home, Fen was laying on his back, getting belly rubs from one of the staff members. He quickly rolled to his side and projectile vomited, while still laying on his side. He then proceeded to hack and cough for about 30-40 minutes. I was scared to death that he aspirated. Thankfully, he did not. He did, however, vomit several more times that night and then broke with diarrhea the following day. Sigh . . . Being nominated for best pet parent of the year award will not be happening this year. I felt terrible. What a birthday present—vomiting and diarrhea. Needless to say, next year Fen will get a different treat for his birthday.

It’s been a rough (insert stinky) couple of weeks in our household. Without going into a lot of icky detail, Newton is also have digestive problems that is leading to a lot of yuck. I think it’s his diabetes medication. I’m going to try and adjust some things and see if I make life better for all of us. I’m so very tired of cleaning flooring and fur. Fen and Newton are equally difficult to clean but for completely different reasons. Fen’s just lazy and unhelpful. With Newton, I’m lucky if I don’t come away bloody. Newton is not a happy camper regarding assisted grooming.

Honestly, I don’t know how parents of human children manage, especially when they’re ill. Not having any of the two legged, non-furred children, I’m at a loss. Kudos to all of you out there who are brave enough to raise the next generation. You are far more adventurous than me.

I actually did have another reason for posting today that has nothing to do with my malodorous home 😦 I’m happy to report that the Deadly Avarice Audiobook is now available for pre-order 🙂 Along with that, I finally finished the fourth, and final, Necromancer book. I’m still waffling a bit on the title. I’ve got it narrowed down and am decently certain what it will be, but not yet willing to commit. Copy editing should start late September/early October with proof reading in November. Assuming no catastrophes, a release date of sometime in December should still be doable.

I’m debating where to go next with my stories. I’m toying with the idea of giving Warlock Nicodemus Holland his own book. I enjoy writing his character and have set up the ending of the fourth Necromancer book so that this is a possibility. I’d also like to explore the characters I envision for the Magical Usage Council. I also have stories that have nothing to do with “pixie universe” that rumble through my brain, so who knows.

Okay, time to get going so I can continue proofreading the last Necromancer book and get it to editing on time. I think I’ll start cutting down the spent coneflowers later today. I’ve been leaving them up for the goldfinches to feed on but I haven’t seen any for a few days and suspect they’ve moved on. I may need to wear a hardhat if the sounds of the walnuts hitting my roof are any indication. I’m not sure what the squirrels are doing up there, but the walnuts are currently raining down on my house and thudding on the roof. Ahhh . . . the sounds of Fall.

Until next time, take care and happy reading. Enjoy the less humid weather and get ready to decorate for Halloween (at least I enjoy decorating for this holiday).

MJ May

I added a couple o more images of Fen’s birthday celebration. FYI, his party hat is excellent. I bought it 6 years ago and have used it every year since. It stays on beautifully, even when he shakes his head. Possibly the best six dollars I’ve spent.