Goodbye Darling Smudgy...

 

                                                             Smudgy and me...

Hello dear friend,

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you are having a good day. I  am having quite a good day myself which is giving me the courage to finally tell you about the passing of my beloved cat Smudgy. He actually died at 2.30 am on 20th December last year, and I buried him in my garden two days later. He was about 15 or 16 when he passed. Losing him has left such a dent in my life that I could not bring myself to write about him until now. If you are an animal lover like me, I think you will understand.

I adopted Smudgy just before moving into my current home. I wasn't sure he would like being moved from the environment he was in - a stray, roaming the countryside in my little Welsh valley, but it all turned out brilliantly. He loved his new home, and a cat flap gave him the independence he'd got used to after a family had dumped him. He lived with me for seven years and was a wonderful companion.  A real character, he made me laugh so often - just being around him was a tonic. He was also very affectionate. At home I am always very busy, either writing, or doing this or that, but if I took a break and sat down he would jump up onto my lap. He also loved being picked up and cuddled, and always tried to stay in my arms for as long as possible. 

Many years ago a fellow cat-lover gave me a little porcelain heart inscribed: Cats leave paw prints on your heart. Hmm... 

Smudgy: So sweet. So loving. So missed... 

If you have a beloved pet remember to cherish them.

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

A great review: In this practical book, author Teresa O’Driscoll suggests that while formal prayers are a foundation of our faith life, these tend to be one-way communications. Our relationship with God can be deepened further, she writes, by having conversations with him — we tell God what is on our minds and then we listen to his response. Pray Then Listen is the result of one such conversation.

Günther Simmermacher editor of  Southern Cross Magazine Australia

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

A great endorsement: 

Take this book down to the beach in the morning, and I guarantee when you return sunburnt to your room at the end of the day you will see no one around you, from waiters to fellow holidaymakers, in the same way. The characters seeking escape amidst the idyllic beauty of Corfu never manage to shake off the problems they have run from, while O’Driscoll beautifully captures the intrigues of a tightly knit traditional Greek community.

Donald Finnaeus Mayo, author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal and Francesca

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Here's a great review: I was ill for a couple of years and had a great loss in my life. This book brought so much peace to me and even though I had been angry with God and blamed him for all my troubles, I found my way back to my relationship with him.

Rose Barrett Wilkinson

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

REMEMBERING MY GREY TABBY PRINCESS

Princess and Charlie

 

A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.
                              Ernest Hemingway (author)

Today, quite by chance, I came across my cat Princess’s Pet Passport and discovered it was her birthday. She was born on 7^th July 1993. The name Princess suited her well. She expected, and got, lots of attention. The above quote is highly apt.

                Princess was a big grey tabby born in Athens. I don’t know why so many cats in Athens are huge! When I first saw strays roaming the backstreets I was amazed at their size.
               Unfortunately, she died many years ago. She never did make the journey from Greece to the UK which is why those of you familiar with my blog ‘Quarantining in Corfu’ have never heard of her.
             But, a pet lover like you will understand, she is not forgotten. And the same applies to her mother Valentina who was such a character!
             The above photo was taken when Charlie was recovering from a blockage (in his alimentary canal) caused, as I discovered, from eating a new plant on my balcony, which had fibrous brown leaves. (See picture of Dracaena plant below.) Princess was keeping him company as he was naturally very sorry for himself – having just had a lifesaving operation.
            Anyway, memories, memories flooding back.
            Sending greetings to all cat lovers. Enjoy the company of your puss today.
  Love
Teresa x

PS If you liked the above quote please follow this link for more of the same ilk:  

A plant like this almost killed cat Charlie when he started eating it and it blocked his intestine... 

If you enjoyed this post I have a debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  recently launched which is set in Corfu which I think you will love! Find all the details here.     

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Actually, please find below the details of my other two books!

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Blessings,

Teresa x

PS. About the links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity  

Goodbye Darling Charlie

Hello dear friend,

It is some years since I last wrote but this time it is with a very heavy heart and a great deal of sadness because it is to let you know that my beloved cat Charlie passed away on Wednesday 9^th March at 11.11 am…

The only good thing I can say about that is that he enjoyed the freedom I wrote about in my last blog for about 4 years and 10 months. And for that I am more grateful than I, the writer even, can express. Those of you who live in apartments or flats where your cats have restricted movement will understand and empathize with what I am saying.

When I decided to bring Charlie to the UK he was already just turned 12 – which is quite elderly for a cat. But I told myself that even if he only got a couple of months of running around outside then it would be worth the trouble and expense. So put that against almost 5 years and you will understand my gratitude.

But. And unfortunately there is a huge BUT in this story. He could have had longer…

So I just want to warn you that if your cat has both thyroid and kidney problems, which seems to be quite common in older cats, be VERY CAREFUL when using medication. And NEVER allow a vet who has only seen a blood test not examined your animal to prescribe medication for them.

To tell you that I am devastated that Charlie is gone is the understatement of the year.

Goodbye my darling tigery boy, star of this blog, I miss you more than words can say…

Tears and kisses, Teresa 

28th April 23 

Reading the above is still devastating. I still miss Charlie so much...! 

I want to share some good news with you today though:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  recently launched which is set in Corfu and I think you will love it! Find all the details here.       

  

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!             

Actually, please see below the details of my other two books.

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Blessings,

Teresa x

PS. About the links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity  

 

Repatriate Your Animals Speedily Now

                                                   My cat Smudgy

Hello,

It is a long time since I last posted but as I have been on a lovely visit to Corfu recently and found the pet passport situation much changed I thought I would let you know how things now stand.

If you read over previous posts you will see that my cat Charlie and I spent the winter last year playing the waiting game, quarantining in Corfu until Charlie’s pet passport conditions were fulfilled. That is, he had to stay outside the UK until six months had elapsed after being tested positive for anti-rabies antibodies (at least four weeks after his anti-rabies vaccination). But the good news for ex-pats in Greece who want to bring their pets to the UK (and since the worsening of Greece’s euro debt crisis this number has greatly increased) is that this period of six months has now been contracted to…21 days!! For full details please follow this DEFRA link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/#a 

On the face of it, it seems strange that one minute it’s six months and then it’s less than three weeks to show that it’s safe to bring an animal into the UK; that they don’t have rabies. But everything is done for a reason, and though the wheels of change have turned slowly I accept that it was crucial that rabies was kept out of the UK. And, hey, if it had been a three week wait for Charlie to qualify I would have missed a wonderful winter on Corfu, so…

By the way, Charlie is loving living in Wales. In Athens and Corfu he was an apartment cat, only going out onto balconies to watch the world and other cats go by. (For many years he did have a companion, Princess, but she died…) Anyway, here he has the run of a house and garden and other gardens and even fields. And it’s great to see him running, jumping climbing, and making friends. But before all that could happen I had to get him vaccinated for feline enteritis and cat flu and other things. If you bring your pet back do take it to a vet for immunization before letting them outdoors to mix with strange cats.

When I took Charlie for his jabs I was in for a bit of a surprise. The vet said she would examine him to make sure he was healthy. She was listening to his chest through a stethoscope when she suddenly said, “Maine Coon”.

“What?!” I asked. Was Charlie ill?

“Maine Coon,” she repeated.

“What’s that?” I thought she was telling me he had a disease!

“It’s his breed, he’s a Maine Coon.”

I’d never heard of them. I asked her to spell it for me.

She told me that they originate in Maine, USA and there is some link between them and racoons.

I came home and looked Maine Coon up on Wikipedia. And…there was a picture of Charlie looking back at me. It was very weird.

I discovered that Maine Coons are the biggest of domestic cats. And that’s why I needed a small dog kennel for Charlie when I brought him over on the plane! (Your pet has to be able to stand, sit up, and turn around normally in their pet carrier. You take various measurements of them and input those into the relevant section of your chosen airline’s website and using a formula it tells you the size of the cage your pet needs.)

Anyway, I learnt that in Maine the winters are very cold and that the tufts of fur between Charlie’s toes are for walking on snow. And that his tail is long and fluffy so he can put it in front of his face if he is walking in a snowstorm, and the fur lining his ears is to keep them warm. I read about his origins and his loyal and good nature and lots of other things. It was quite a revelation.

Charlie was twelve years old before I discovered he is a Maine Coon!

I told a close friend. “That explains it!” she said. “I’ve been telling people for years about Charlie and how huge and fluffy he is and about his incredible tail and so on. And they’ve asked me what breed he was and I said that you’d said he was just a tabby. But now I know he’s a Maine Coon that explains everything!”

Yes, I guess it did.

Of course, Charlie is not a pedigree cat – he was born on a street in a mixed litter. And he is now an old boy with a little white hair. However, I am happy to finally know why he is the size he is. But I have to tell you despite all his fur, when we had snow for a whole week in January in Gilfach Goch he was not happy to walk in it at all! And his favourite place in the house at the moment is in front of the woodburning stove.

If you have repatriated a pet I’d love to hear how it went... I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about the subject. I do have friends who are bringing their pets back from Corfu this winter so if you need any specific information please contact me.

Wishing you the best of luck if that is in your plan.

Love and light!

Teresa

If you are familiar with *San Stefanos (Avliotes), Corfu please check back soon as there is a plan in the pipeline to create a special link between us.

2nd May 23 

I want to share some good news with you today:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  recently launched which is set in Corfu and I think you will love it! Find all the details here.       

               

* For those of you familiar with San Stefanos, Avliotes (see above) - the novel is based on this resort but fictionalized. In other words, though I feature the fabulous beach and Z shape of the resort, I have added in lots of other aspects from my imagination - including the Paradise Hotel! And all the characters are imaginary.

Actually, please see below the details of that book and my other two books.

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Blessings,

Teresa x

PS. About the links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity  

From Corfu to Wales! Quarantine Done!

Hello and welcome,

It has been some time since I last posted. And in many ways the repatriation of my cat Charlie and myself from Corfu to Wales seems a distant memory. The event was though, rather traumatic, for a number of reasons.

First, Charlie has begun to be terrified at every journey now. I found this out the day before the flight when I had to take him for his last visit to the vet. Only 5 minutes into the 15 minute journey he began being sick, and not only. The next day on the way to the airport, the same thing happened. Ooh, er. Not pleasant for anyone concerned  - beginning with Charlie himself.

When we arrived at the airport the airline knew nothing of Charlie’s booking. I had nothing in writing as the payment was made over the phone by card. I had arrived about 3 hours ahead of our flight. We had to wait on tenterhooks until the flight was closing and only then was Charlie’s ticket confirmed. Wonderful, not! And neither was dragging him out of his cage in the middle of the airport while the staff took his cage away to x-ray it for security a picnic either. Thanks so much to the lady from Bristol who was travelling on the next flight who watched over Charlie while I battled over the missing paperwork with airline staff.

Anyway, board the plane we did! The Thomson staff were lovely and checked on Charlie for me. “He’s fine and he’s got his water,” they told me. But I couldn’t relax because I had never noticed just how noisy a plane is until that one took off and I knew my little scared puss was in the hold below me. The engines positively roared! In actuality they were no noisier than on other planes it was just that this time the decibels mattered. I only hoped that when we were airborne he would get bored with being scared and nothing happening and just settle down. There was apparently another cat in the hold with him, so that was a bonus. 

We landed. I got my bags – lots of them which had cost me a fortune in excess baggage! Then we began the next fraught stage – the dreaded document check.

I had sent scanned copies of all the paperwork to Devra in the UK. And they had said that they seemed to be in order. But no one commits themselves to say for definite that they are. And I worried about the chip in Charlie’s neck, would the reader be able to scan it okay, and so on. If anything whatsoever is not in perfect order your pet may be taken away and put into quarantine. And this time in a cage, for who knows how long until you can sort things out. Think – time, money, worry and you are on the right track. (People who travel with their pets for fun must have very strong nervous systems!)

So, what happens is – the authorities go to the plane and collect your pet from the hold. They then take them away – in this case about a mile away from the airport at Bristol. There they check the animal over to make sure it is healthy. And, in Charlie’s case, they were kind enough to clean him up too. Boy, he really needed it! Then they thoroughly check all the documentation, including the pet passport, which has to be attached to the animal’s cage in a plastic wallet. If all goes well you are then free to pick your pet up and take it home.

We had landed at ten o’clock at night. It was dark and pouring down with rain. The airport was confusing and it took some time for my brother, who was meeting us, to find me and my luggage. It was also a bit of a hassle subsequently trying to find Charlie’s whereabouts. But find him we did. And collect him without problems in documents or anything else, we did!

Our mission was accomplished!!! Amen and alleluhia!!

All we had to do was drive home and get on with the rest of our lives…

 

P.S. If you want to bring your pet from abroad and want any help please don’t hesitate to contact me.

2nd May 23 

I want to share some good news with you today:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  recently launched which is set in Corfu and I think you will love it! Find all the details here.       

               

* For those of you familiar with Corfu and the San Stefanos, Avliotes resort - the novel is based on this resort but fictionalized. In other words, though I feature the fabulous beach and Z shape of the resort, I have added in lots of other aspects from my imagination - including the Paradise Hotel! And all the characters are imaginary.

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Actually, please see below the details of my other two books.

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Blessings,

Teresa x

PS. About the links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity