The lovely old lady herself, at one of her favorite pastimes: woodchippering. She still has shown no need for her pain meds. She falters not, exuding grace even in the infirmities of old age and terminality. What breaks my heart most is how much more scraggled her fur has become in her recent decline: Ghirardelli, in all his exuberance for (over)grooming, is doing the best he knows to care for and comfort Amalthea in her dying. And Amalthea, despite this meaning that her fur is being pulled out bit by bit, accepts this loving care of her. Because love. Because Amalthea is "not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; [She] alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom." And that, I think, is more bravery than I'll ever have. #AmaltheaMousie #endoflifecare #mousebabies #mousebaby #mousiemama #cancer