I asked my daughter the other night if she blamed me for not getting Callie to the vet when she first asked me (I had to work and couldn't do it). The first appointment available was Jan. 15th. She told me that she didn't understand why I didn't believe her when she told me she was worried about her. I told her that renal failure in a cat, according to my vett, is very difficult to detect and is usually recognized when it is too far advanced, which was Callie's case.

So now I've got yet another guilt trip thrust upon me as a Mother. My best friend was furious with me, saying that Amy could've easily taken a taxi to the vet or called her if she was so worried about Callie. She's right but I still feel bad. Amy says she now regrets not having Callie privately cremated. I tried to talk her into it but she said $180 was too expensive. When I had Casey cremated, I made installments and got his ashes back when the bill was paid. I do not regret my decision.

I wish parenthood came with an instruction manual.