Jessie’s trip to join her owner in Thailand - which we’ve been preparing her for by singing ‘One way ticket, one way ticket to the mo-oo-oon’ – (and of course having her vaccinated against rabies as required for her passport) is not to be.  She’s just too old.  Maybe she’d survive the journey but the vet says the heat would be too much, once she got there. 

 We’ve embraced her new permanent status in the family by calling her Jessie Smith and planning her funeral so that we are prepared for the inevitable, when it eventually comes.  Essentially, she’ll have the same arrangements as me – a brief but touching ceremony featuring the hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (omitting verses two and three) and then her ashes will be tipped into the River Thames from one of the prettier bridges. 

Playing now:

Superwoman -  Karyn White

 

Reading:

The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion

Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew - Bernard Hare

Letters to a Young Poet - Rilke