Siren's Big Adventure

The person took me to the terrible place this morning. She insists I'll feel better there but I don't remember that part. I remember the smells and the touching - oh!! too many humans - and they have sharp pointy things      that sting. Don't even try to tell me "only for a second". Do you know how long a second is?

Apparently the humans are getting complacent. Towels and extra hands indeed. Never assume you know a cat, we are ever changing entities of the highest possible will and intelligence.

The indignity of being dumped out of that ridiculous carrying device was the last straw. As Missy Silly Paw Prints Top moved to wrap me in a towel with a design matching her top I bolted. 

Let me tell ya. That first step is a big one.

I've never been free at the terrible place. It stinks. CSI should come in with a black light. I sensed the poor cats that had come before me and dogs!! oh the dog smell was more than anyone should have to bear. Silly humans think they're cleaning. I give them one moment with my nose. They'd never want to breathe again.

Once I adjusted to the smells I realized the humans were freaking out. This amused me. They were closing doors and moving chairs and best of all - they were asking me to come to them. Come to you? Are you freaking kidding me? 

My person was the calmest but she must stop apologizing for me. I'm in no way sorry.

I circled and leaped about. Hissing and growling at any attempt to catch me. I did my trick of making 4 legs seem to be 12. I did that Danger! Danger! thing with my tail. My teeth became huge and Edward Scissorhands had nothing on my claws. 

Dr. Dudley Do Right got down on the floor. Gotta admire his balls. Actually I was looking at them and my claws were itchin' for a little soft tissue.

He just sat there. A giant lump of furless human skin. They really are grotesque creatures. 

I took pity and stopped. The towel came down and my adventure was over.

Man it was fun while it lasted.

Open Letter To My Cats

Dear Siren and Isadora,

You know I love you very much and I'm sure you love me too.

Yet sometimes love is not enough.

What a clusterf**k of a weekend you two handed me. I know it stinks to have health issues and that at times you're uncomfortable. It makes you difficult and grumpy; trust me, I get it.

Of course you'd feel better if you took the pain meds without gagging, shrieking, hissing, and flailing about with all claws extended. Just a suggestion.

Your vet and all his assistants are the best there is. Siren, you're like Norm from Cheers; everyone knows your name. Unfortunately it's followed by get the heavier gloves, maybe we need sedation and I think we need more people in here. You have made German Shepherds cry and Pit Bulls hide. Children think you're a bobcat.

Don't get too full of yourself Isadora; you're no picnic either. Knowing that you freak out in small carriers I got you one big enough for a large dog or 2 cats - god forbid you should just share with Siren. Of course not. The carrier weighs a ton Iza, and you're not exactly a tiny girl so thrusting yourself around like a crazed dancer doing a bizarre Merce Cunningham routine does not make it easy to transport you. Neither does sticking out your paw and digging your claws deep into my carrying hand. I do appreciate the pain though, it balances out the pain in my back and ankle.

You are always going to need meds. You will visit the vet once a month forever.

Let's work together eh?

No more hiding in the coils of the sofa.
No one is trying to kill you.
Wherever we are I will stay with you and I will always bring you home.

Can I get an Amen

Going to the Vet

The kitties went back to the vet over the weekend to monitor their improvement. Siren is doing much better; he is gaining back weight and seems comfy and happy. Isadora still has some respiratory issues going on but she's eating and only hides half the day.

On going to vet day ...

Siren takes on his 'Hell No I Won't Go' stance

While Isadora dons her cloak of invisibility

45 minutes later I finally got her out from under the sofa. People laugh when I tell them we start getting ready for our trip to the vet 3 hours before the appointment but it's true.

Much later that night everyone came out to celebrate being home and feeling better.

We thank you for all the kind words and concern and hugs.

Cats on Tuesday

Hopeful Yet Realistic

Soon after I adopted Isadora I discovered that she was sick with an immune system disorder that caused her gums to swell and split open. Imagine the worst case of gingivitis times 10. After trying many treatments I decided that removing all her teeth was the best hope. That surgery was done just a year ago. The success rate for the surgery is at best 60% and gets lower the older the cat is. Isadora is 3, Siren is 10.

Isadora's issues are better but she still suffers relapses. They're not as severe and don't last as long.

About 6 months after Isadora joined us Siren began exhibiting similar symptoms. Little is known for sure about this disease. A very small group of vets and researches say it's a virus; more say it's environmental, poor nutrition in stray moms, or perhaps it's genetic. They thought a bacterial cause had been found but that was disproven.

The most effective treatment is a combination of long lasting, heavy duty steroid injections, antibiotics and pain killers. The steroids can cause diabetes as they did with Siren 6 months ago. I changed his diet and once the drug was out of his system his blood sugar was normal. Good news. Bad news is that none of the other treatments are working. Since Christmas Siren has lost 2 of his 10 pounds and is so miserable that it breaks my heart just to look at him.

So we come to yesterday. I took both Siren and Isadora to the vet and had them treated with everything that will make them feel better NOW. They need to eat. They need energy. They need to be happy NOW.

I will continue a high protein, low carb diet for them and the vet will monitor.

It was a difficult decision but using an ineffective treatment is absurd.

Cross your fingers for us

I have linked to Cats on Tuesday, I could use a hug from some fellow "cat people"

And on we go