ROBERT'S GONE AGAIN

Robert (2nd fiddle) has disappeared again.

Maybe he's got the jump on Richard's latest two bozos and gone to explore the end of the universe.

ITS ALL IN THE PICTURE

Akish's blank portraits (left) certainly were boring. They just needed the right image (above).

8 LIVES LEFT

Willow, our 9 y.o. Burmese cross cat took a dive off the deck on Thursday night. I went out on the deck to look at the glorious new moon with Venus so clearly in sight. I didn't notice that Willow had followed me out and that she had jumped up onto the deck railing behind me. It was a bout 9.30 and the railing was slick with night dew. Willow must have skidded right off the edge. I heard a scrambling noise followed by a crash and a thump. Looking over the side I saw her painfully creeping along the path at the side of the house. The drop must be about 6 metres but fortunately her fall was slightly broken by a large rhododendron bush. It was unfortunately also broken by the sharp edge of a neighbouring fence. I wrapped her in a blanket to help protect her from shock and we immediately took her to the all-night emergency vet clinic which luckily is quite close to us. Willow had to spend the night there and all day at the local vets undergoing x-rays, blood tests etc. Fortunately she didn't have any broken bones or internal injuries but has a bad cut and extensive bruising. She is having difficulty walking and flops over if it huts too much.
We have antibiotics and (if pain seems extreme) painkillers to administer. We had great service from both the emergency clinic and the vetinarian. Cost - about $1400 but hey, she's family.