For Sale

I know, I know. It's been a long time. I would say that I was in Spain on sabbatical, but it would be a filthy lie. The last several months have been particularly unpleasant. I developed an affliction that caused me to groom myself raw -- until I was patchy and bald. The itching was excruciating and I scratched until I bled. For a while I had Crazy believing that I was truly allergic to Max. This began back in December. It feels like an eon.

Shortly after my torture began, Crazy noticed that I had ripped out all the fur on my forelegs. I believe she slipped a Valium (or four) to calm herself and made a note to check on me in a day or two.

Then, it was off the vet (who said, let's just keep an eye on him.) Next trip, they tested for ringworm (icky). That test involved waiting a couple of weeks for whatever reason. I think they were growing the worm. I proved negative for said worm. Could it be a food allergy? Perhaps. And, I started a prescription diet -- duck and green pea. Delicious, but not helping cease my itchiness. Eight weeks I spent on this fare and eventually it was determined that no food allergy existed. Must be an environmental allergen. Crazy suggested it was my castle -- the kitty condo that she had given Max and me for Christmas. Could it be? Nah, seems unlikely. Vet shrugged.

Next stop -- kitty dermatologist. Now, this lady was good. She purported that Max had brought something itchy into our home when he was adopted from the rescue group. Could be that while the symptoms were dormant in him, they were present in me. Six week treatment for mites. No avail.

Meantime, Crazy was testing her theory. She moved our kitty condo into storage. Finally, my dermatologist prescribed a antihistamine. Two tablets twice daily. Bleh. That really means human finger down throat twice daily. So, each time I saw Crazy coming toward me I would flinch and run like hell. She usually caught me. After all, I was exhausted and uncomfortable.

By July, I turned around. My fur began growing in nicely and I began to look big and healthy again. Things are finally going well and Crazy is certain that the cat tree was the catalyst. I had been spending all my time there. Hey, maybe she's not as crazy as I thought.

So, I've put my kitty condo on the market. Call me if you'd like to make an offer.

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