Snickers' Turn

On Monday, it was Snickers' turn to be stuffed into the scary box and hauled off to the vet's. Over the weekend he had been exhibiting some of the same behaviors that had resulted in Pudge's trip to the vet, so we packed him up and headed out.

We, including the vet, are a bit puzzled as to why these problems are now cropping up with him. He is eating low magnesium food. In fact, Snickers will eat only the wet low-magnesium stuff, which comes in 2 flavors - smelly and smellier - and Pudge will eat only the dry stuff. We got the recirculating water fountain, and they both seem to be drinking fairly good amounts of water. As the vet said, "We've shot our best bullets already". There are a couple of things left to try - one is to give him a daily dose of kitty glucosamine/chondroitin (hopefully, it can mixed with his food) and as a "last resort" bring him back in for a sub-cutaneous injection of fluid to "flood" his kidneys and bladder and flush them out.

Snickers was very good on the trip to and from the vet's - that is to say, he didn't throw up. Back when we hauled the cats along with us in the RV, we could count on Snickers throwing up within the first 3-5 miles of the wheels starting to roll. Sometimes he would pee and poop as well, but the throw up was a given. Since the cats were always put in their carriers when we were moving, the throw up was contained. I had a tote loaded with paper towels, spray bottles, surface wipes, plastic bags, etc., and we quickly developed a routine in which Snickers would crouch in the back of the carrier while I cleaned and wiped up the mess.

Anyway, no throw up on the trip to the vet's. He was terrified though - his eyes were extremely huge and he was quivering all over - no drooling, but that was a definite possibility. He put up with the poking and prodding from the vet, burying his face in my stomach during the ordeal. After the poking and prodding were over, he did growl at the doctor, so I put him back in the carrier while we discussed what to do.

The last couple of days, he seems to be a little better. All we can do at this point is keep an eye on him and hope that the measures we have taken will do some good.

Gettin' Back in the Groove

Things are starting to settle down into the same old, same old again. Mamie, Igor, Brendin and Pi are back safe and sound from their big road trip. Sounds like they had a great time in Garden City - lots of family, food, and fun. Mamie is off today for 3 days of conferences in the town just an hour to the north. On Thursday, she and a friend will spend the night there so they can go to one of the Shakespeare festival plays being presented there.

GolfGuy is back to playing golf - his elbow has healed up again. The last 2 days of his big road trip, he was not able to play because his elbow had flared up and was really hurting. He's just playing 9 holes at a time now, not 18, to keep down the wear and tear.

Pudge seems to be overcoming her bout of "stones". Her pee clumps in the litter box are close to normal, and she's not going to the box a zillion times a day and straining to no effect. I'm not sure the water fountain is a big hit, but both cats seem to have accepted it. The change in food is going fine; they are eating the REALLY smelly canned food well, especially Snickers, and eating the dry food as well. Pudge is bouncing around again - all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

The baby quail were back yesterday around noon time. Several hours later, they were back - only this time so were the 1st batch of baby quail that I saw a month or two ago. Now this first batch are "juveniles" and look huge in comparison to the little ones. Baby quail dad did not like having the other quail family around his babies and shooed them off to one side of the yard before herding his family to the other side. Guess there won't be any play dates in their futures.

Fourth of July was pretty quiet around here - no parades, no bar-b-ques, no fireworks for us. I spent a good part of the day turning pounds of Costco hamburger into meatloaf and hb patties to stash in the freezer - boring and lots of work. I did watch "A Capital Fourth" from Washington, D.C., on tv that evening. Some of the music was good and some not so good - the best was when just the orchestra played as the Sesame Street characters and the blond bimbo singer in the skin-tight gold dress didn't do much for me. The fireworks were OK; the fireworks from NYC were better, but by then I was pretty much falling asleep anyway so gave it up and turned the tv off. Watching fireworks on tv just isn't the same as sitting in a lawn chair at the ballfield with several hundred other people and kids running around all over the place, hearing the boom and feeling the thump as the sky explodes with light and sparkles and a collective sigh and gasp from the crowd goes up. Just not the same.

I'm headed off to Silver Sneakers later this morning. After playing hooky for a week and a half, I forced myself to go on Monday because if I didn't, I knew I might never go back. Our instructor had surgery 2 weeks ago and will be out for another 3 or 4. Unfortunately, the sub isn't "TOO tall, too...", and I don't much like her.

Pudge's Stones

Pudge has stones in her bladder. They are called "stones", but they are actually crystals -all pointy and sharp. They form because Pudge doesn't drink enough water, and the urine becomes too concentrated and thick. So crystals start to form, and they irritate the lining of the bladder because they are all pointy and sharp and cause problems.

What's to be done? One obvious thing is to get her to drink more water. Yeah, right! Ever tried to get a cat to do something you want it to do and the cat has no intention of doing? Trickery is called for - like adding a little extra water to the canned food (which so far is working quite well). The Vet also suggested getting a "cat water fountain" - a continuously recirculating water fountain that seems to catch cats' attention and attracts them to drink. Of course, we couldn't find one locally, but GolfGuy got on the handy dandy internet and ordered one; it should be here tomorrow.

Another suggestion was to switch food to one with no magnesium - one of the three elements of the crystals; no magnesium, no crystals form. We found the dry food (expensive stuff) and switched it out with the previous chow. They seem to like it all right - always a concern as cats are such picky eaters, unlike most dogs who wolf anything down without pausing to taste it. We haven't as yet found the right canned food - I would just as soon avoid having to purchase the extremely expensive brand at the vet's office (and which most cats would rather cover up than eat). I will do more looking today.

Getting her into the carrier for the trip to the vet's office was classic cartoon "Bill the Cat" action. The cat spread-eagled over the opening and the humans trying to pry loose the feet and legs and stuff them and the body in. I expected the same scenario at the vet's office, but he just turned her around on the table and she headed right back in the carrier. We think she decided it was better to be in there then out on the table where that man kept pushing on her bladder, trying to make her pee.

We expected her to really "punish" us when we got her home. She has a very long memory and harbors a good grudge quite well. But after a short disappearing act, she emerged her usual self, wanting GolfGuy to groom her, settling on "her" chair by ours to nap. At least we don't have to give her a pill - "pilling" a cat is NOT a pretty sight - or try to squirt liquid stuff down her throat. I just wish there was a quicker fix for the problem; it really bothers me to see her so uncomfortable.

Thief

I decided I needed a mid-morning snack, and since I didn't go to Walmart and buy cookies like I really wanted to do, I had to make do with cheese and crackers. One quarter of a slice of American cheese fits perfectly on one soda cracker.

I got out the cheese and the crackers and took the twist'em off the stack of crackers. I turned around to get a paper towel to put things on, and when I turned back, Pudge was on the counter with the twist'em in her mouth. She saw me looking at her and took off. I eventually got the thing back - not that I don't have others in the drawer that I could have used, but it was the PRINCIPLE of the thing.

I was not happy with the little thief. But then not nearly as unhappy as GolfGuy is going to be when he gets home from golf and discovers that she has totally destroyed the jigsaw puzzle he was working on (the majority is now on the floor under the dining room table) in her haste to get away from what she mistakenly thought was a chase by me.

Baby Quail

Had my first actual sighting of this year's crop of baby quail just now. There appears to be 5 of them - the brood usually starts out with 10+. They are just past true puff ball stage and getting little stripes on their backs, which will go away as they mature.

The grass in the backyard is kinda long right now (GolfGuy's been slacking), and they were having trouble navigating. They kept hopping up to spot Mom and Dad and get a fix on where to go. Later, I will have to go out and spread a good supply of bird chow on the ground and get the water dishes down.

Pudge is the one who alerted me to their presence - she had her nose pressed up against the sliding glass door, staring intently at them. Yesterday, it was a fat lizard that caught her attention. She seems to be pretty blase about the finches and doves - same old same old.

Spring is now complete.

Twist'ems

You know those little plastic-covered wire ties used to keep bread bags and other such things closed? Pudge, the "young" cat, LOVES them. If she has one, she can entertain herself for hours - batting it about, wrestling with it, picking it up in her mouth to carry to some other better location (frequently, the water bowl). But we have observed that if more than 1 or 2 are available, she's just not that interested in them - too much to deal with, perhaps.

She does lose them - under the white chest in the living room, under the stove or refrigerator, under recliners, under the sofa, etc. - but if she gets them in the pantry or front closet, she has learned to open those doors so she can retrieve them. Which is why we have been finding them open in the morning - she was looking for her twist'ems.

GolfGuy found a bunch this afternoon. We have decided to take the carpet cleaner into the fixit shop for repair (the carpet is approaching nasty state), and he went to the front closet where it lives with the vacuum cleaner to get it and load it in the belovedRav4 for the trip to the BigTown tomorrow. Later he showed me what he found under the carpet cleaner - a HUGE handful of Pudge's twist'ems. She KNEW they were in there, that's why she keeps opening the door, but she hates both the carpet cleaner and the vacuum and won't get close enough to either to try to fish out her toys. GolfGuy gave her one (the one she had been playing with is currently residing in the water bowl and she usually doesn't fish them out of there); the others went into the drawer where we store "her" twist'ems, to be doled out as needed. Believe me, she knows where they are and WILL let us know when she thinks she needs one.

Meet Max

The Igor family has a new member. On Saturday, they drove to a not-so nearby Boxer rescue farm to meet Max, a 2 year old brindle male who had just been brought to the farm that week. Not only did the 4 people-type Igor family members go, but they took Roxy as it was important to make sure that all involved would get along. The meeting apparently went well because they returned home that afternoon with Max.

That evening we were all gathered at Mamie’s. Igor left to “check on the dogs” and soon returned with both dogs. Max is a nice looking boy and seemed very calm in the circumstances. Max had had a traumatic week himself – separation from his family who had to give him up due to job loss and a move to another state, a stay at a strange place, and a long car trip with unknown people and dog. Igor was keeping Max and Roxy on the outside of the front patio gate to avoid any possible problems. The only incident occurred when Max decided he needed to check out Molly and Scout, Mamie's dogs, more up close and personal and vaulted the patio gate – not once, but twice. He wasn’t hostile, just curious at that point.

Max and Roxy did get into a bit of a tiff over a donut on Sunday, but evidently not too seriously. Later in the back yard, he treed Jo the cat when she had the bad sense to parade under his nose. She spent about 5 hours high in the tree before she made her way down far enough that Igor could get a ladder close enough to extricate her. Max and Roxy tiffed again briefly during that time – Mrs. Igor thinks Roxy was protecting Jo in the tree. At the vet’s this morning, he also managed to slip both his collar and the cone-collar the vet had just put on him to chase a cat. He couldn’t get much traction on the slippery floor and so didn’t get far in his pursuit.

Other than these minor incidents, he seems to be settling in. He has spent the last 2 nights in Pi’s room – occasionally checking on other family members before returning to his bed. He does need some work on manners, although he does walk quite nicely on leash and will stand still when told, but “sit” is not yet in his repertoire.

He does not exude the joy of life that flowed so freely from Rusty – BUT he is not Rusty and should not be compared to him. He will find his own way and place in the fabric of the Igor family life, and that is how it should be.

Sad Day

Yesterday was a sad day for the Igor family. They had to say good-bye to their beloved boxer, Rusty. For over ten years, he was an important part of the family – most of the family photos have Rusty in them somewhere. In later years, his earlier transgressions such as chewing the siding off the house and chomping through the cable TV line were mostly forgiven and laughed at. He tolerated, perhaps even enjoyed, toddler Bubby’s and toddler Pi’s pounding, tugging, yanking and overly enthusiastic hugging.

Rusty was a handsome fellow with a wonderful brindle and white color, lively manner and engaging personality. He loved people and welcomed everyone with great delight, sure they came just to see him. He especially loved his family and shared everything with them – furniture, bed, food (which often disagreed with him and resulted in HUGE disgusting, smelly piles) – even to the point of joining in on the fun on the trampoline or splashing in the wading pool.

Several years ago, Rusty assumed an additional, very important task. The Igor family acquired a female boxer who came from an almost abusive situation. Roxie is deaf – stone cold deaf. Rusty was her mentor and guide, acting as her ears and alert system, teaching her the ways of the family and of life. She has been lost and bewildered since he left without her, pasting herself to Mrs. Igor’s side, trying to understand what has happened.

We all knew this day was coming sooner or later; but, of course, it happened too soon, much too soon. No matter how much you think you have prepared yourself, the reality is a terrible blow. We grieve for the Igor family and the huge hole in their lives. Go in peace, Rusty; we will miss you.

Poor Snickers

Poor Snickers. He’s in deep doo-doo with The Family – and he doesn’t even realize it. Maybe that’s for the best.

Everyone was over for Easter dinner last evening, and I was in the kitchen finishing up when I heard a big ruckus in the living room. Igor yelled, “Damn cat – you’re lucky I didn’t drop kick you into the wall over there!” By the time I got there, Snickers was so stressed out from all the noise and yelling that he hissed at me when I approached and appeared ready to attack. It took a long time, but I finally got him talked down enough that he let me pick him and carry him into the bedroom out of harm’s way (Snickers, that is, not Igor – who is way too big for me to carry). I closed the door and told him he would have to stay there until everyone left – Pudge, of course, had bee-lined for either under the bed or the closet shelf as soon as the first scary outsider came through the front door.

Turns out that for some reason, Snickers had felt threatened when Igor walked by him to put something on the table. Snickers slashed out, claws at the ready, and left some very ouchy scratches on Igor’s leg – right through his jeans. Cat scratches burn like the dickens, so I understand why Igor reacted so strongly.

As is our habit, GolfGuy and I walked out to the drive with them when everyone left later on. Mamie and GrandmaT were the last to leave, so we headed back inside when they rolled down the street towards home.

When I got inside, Snickers was coming down the hall, aiming for the front door; Pudge was still in the bedroom, peering around the door that was now open about 8 inches – plenty of room for a cat to get through. A quick check with GolfGuy and the departed family showed that none of them had opened the door. Had to have been Pudge. Our interior doors have lever handles and she has gotten quite adept at opening doors that swing AWAY from her. She has been working to perfect her technique on doors that swing TOWARD her, as the bedroom door does from the room side. I’d say she has it down pat – I frequently find the front closet door and/or pantry door open in the morning; and I know for darn sure that neither GolfGuy nor I have been opening doors while sleepwalking.

We’re fortunate that Igor was the object of Snicker’s wrath and not Pi, who has been the usual target in the past – earning him banishment from family gatherings on many occasions. Snickers has never forgiven Pi for coming over here with Aunt Mamie when she used to bring her dog as well; nor has he forgotten that she used to basically chase him and try to squeeze him, as toddlers are wont to do. He was called “Mean Meow” for a long time by her. Cats have long memories, so we’re told by the vet.

Poor Snickers – he’s getting on in years and doesn’t handle noise, confusion, and invasion of his territory by hordes of noisy people very well. Family gatherings here will now be time-outs for Snickers, behind the closed bedroom door. Hopefully, Pudge won’t spring him until people are gone.

Broken Beagle

Mamie’s Beagle is broken. Not permanently – at least not this time around. But seriously enough that it necessitated an emergency run to the vet by Mamie, Beagle in arms.

Yesterday morning, my cell phone made the noise that announces that Mamie is calling. “Obviously you’re not at home!” “Nope, just got to Costco. What’s up?”

The story was that she had just gotten a call from GrandmaT saying that Scout had been out back and done something to his back again and was dragging his hind legs. Of course, Desert Vet was not in his office that day, but they did refer her to a vet in the BigTown. Mamie was on her way to the Village from her office in the BigTown to get Scout and return to the BigTown with him; and she wanted her Mom to go with her to the vet. Unfortunately, I was not available at the moment, so she had to go alone.

He has had this disc problem before, and there will be more occurrences until at some point surgery will be required. We’ll cross that bridge when it’s necessary.

Scout is doing much better today – although still gimping and moaning at times. He is very good about taking his pills – as long as cheese is involved.

Darn Cat!

Snickers, my big grumpy mostly Maine Coon cat, just knocked the remains of my cold, delicious fountain Diet Coke from Maverick off the kitchen counter. Naturally, the lid came off.

Both cats found the cleaning up utterly fascinating to observe. I noticed that neither one offered any assistance - nor has Snickers said why he was on the counter in the first place. Maybe 'cuz he knows that's verboten.