Moving

Well, I moved. Not across the room, not downstairs. To a completely different house. But you know what? I got a better deal. Instead of having to share an entire house with the dogs, I've got the whole upstairs to myself. Oh yeah. Sweet. There's a mini-fridge up here where my food gets stored, I have my own bowls and my own space. The dogs come up to visit sometimes, but there's a door at the bottom of the stairs that can be closed so they can't come up here. This is the life, catsters.

I've ventured to the bottom of the stairs and looked around, but it's not very appealing down there. For one thing, there are dogs. And boxes. It's like a lost city. Did I mention dogs? They go skittering around on the hardwood floors, barking, chasing each other...it's much nicer upstairs. Sometimes I venture out of my room and nestle into the blanket that's at the top of the stairs. The blanket is next to a lamp that gets switched on at night, making a nice warm spot for me.

I will say that Alex is cool for a dog. He comes upstairs and gets on the bed with me. He doesn't give me hassle, doesn't try to get my back up. He's very companionable. For this reason, I hope that his tooth problems get cleared up soon. He cracked a pre-molar. Crazy dogs. My dental cleaning is supposed to be next month, so I hope I don't have any dental issues. Just clean my teeth and get me back to my room, thanks.

Hope everything is going well for the rest of you catsters.

Meowsie,
Amélie

Back on the pillow again.

I've been doing much better since my surgery and while recovery was a bit rough, I'm all healed up now. As a bonus, I have switched over to canned food entirely and get fed about 3-4 times a day. What's not to adore, right? Well, this morning I threw up before breakfast. Then I threw up my lunch. What a waste! I'll probably be heading back to the vet's office shortly.

On a positive note, the office I go to has people who know what they are doing. And get this--they only cater to cats! Yeh, it makes me purr too.

In other news, I've been given a permanent spot in the window at the head of the bed. The lady put a pillow there and I can watch the birds and chipmunks from the comfort of my room.

Damn it feels good to be a Catster.

Meowsie,
Amelie

Rabies Challenge Trials!!!

I've been keeping my eyes on the latest news regarding vaccination frequency for animals, especially in light of what happened to Amelie's brother, Teddy. Well, enough money has been raised through grassroots efforts to begin a Rabies Challenge Study. There will be two studies, one for 5 years, one for 7 years and both will be focused on proving once and for all that rabies vaccinations have long-term duration of immunity. This means that the government will then be able to lengthen mandated revaccination intervals.

In a lot of states the Rabies vaccine is required every year for both dogs and cats. In some states, like New York, boosters are required every three years. But under studies done by Ronald Shultz at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, serological studies have shown rabies titer counts have levels known to give immunity seven years after vaccination. However, his studies are not enough to prove the matter. There has to be an official study, done over several years, before the government will listen.

While the funds have been raised to start the trials, money will be needed to carry the study through to its seven year completion. If you want to help, go to this site:

http://www.rabieschallengefund.org

Please help prevent other dogs and cats from suffering the effects of over-vaccination!!

Amelie and I thank you for supporting this very important study.

Surgery is over.

Well, I'm back. They shaved off the belly, probably looking for the source of the Love but found 8 calcium stones. Shame that something so small should cause so much trouble. I have pain meds and antibiotics and my favorite spot is now under the bed.

It *would* come to this.

Turns out the stones are calcium oxalate, the kind that can't be controlled by diet. This means I have to go back to the vet on the 26th, to get x-rays and ultrasound done. This will determine how many stones I've actually got. If there are a whole lot of stones, I get to have surgery done. So I need the accumulated power of all you Catsters to ramp up your collective Belly Love and vaporize these stones.

Whee-cha!

And like that, the stones will be gone and when I go in on Tuesday the vet won't find anything.

Now that's what I call a happy ending.

Meowsie,
Amelie

Always go to a specialist.

The folks at the cat clinic had my problem sussed within an hour of my arrival. 2 bladder stones were found in the fur on my backside and the problem was obvious. Wonder why the regular vet didn't catch this? I overheard the lady say she was going to dress Alex and 'Devi in cat outfits and take them to this clinic when they needed medical care.

The stones have been sent off for analysis. If they are struvite crystals, it can be controlled with diet. If they are calcium oxylate crystals, I'll have to have surgery and then change my diet. In the meantime, they trimmed up my backside and I feel MUCH better. After this stone problem gets cleared up, I'll be fantastic.

Let's hear it for veterinarians who know what they are doing.

Is there anyone on Catster who hasn't been tagged?

The rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write in their own diary about the seven random facts and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your diary.

1. I hate the vet's office. And the vet too.

2. 'Devi loves my food.

3. I'm fat and politically incorrect.

4. I can't believe there are actually people who don't want to live with cats. I can understand not wanting to live with human children...but CATS?!

5. Sometimes I wish I had a feline sister or brother.

6. Sometimes I don't.

7. I can't think of a seventh random fact.

Gifts of the liquid variety. Not what you may think.

First, a big thank you to everyone who has written to show support for me during this whole breakup business. This community is very special and I feel fortunate to have such cool Catster friends.

Now about that entry title...

I had been making frequent trips to the litter box and about two weeks ago was taken to the vet. He put me on a round of antibiotics since my urine showed a high white blood cell count (not that he told me this personally. I overheard the lady talking about it). It's been two weeks on the meds and I'm still making frequent trips, plus I caught on to the nasty yellow pill they'd been mixing in my tuna. The term 'yuck' does not begin to adequately describe my loathing for that medicine. The belly love does NOT approve!

I got taken back to the vet today. They tried a couple of times to extract some urine, but had no luck. Or so they told the lady. I peed in the cage right before they came to put me in the crate. It was all over my leg and backside but the guy just shoved me into the crate and carried me out. After we got home, the lady saw me limping a little when I emerged. My leg was wet--what did she expect? About 10 minutes later I crawled into the litter box and left a liquid gift.

I don't ever go on myself and I found the whole ordeal demeaning. Plus I've got another week or so of antibiotics to take. They tested my blood and ruled out diabetes, said kidney levels were a little high but nothing to worry about. Basically, they have no idea what's wrong and they're throwing more antibiotics at it.

This story will sound very familiar to anyone who has read Teddy's diary.

Next week an appointment will be made at the cats-only clinic across town. In the meantime the lady is going to find out about getting some probiotics for me, to replace all the good bacteria I've lost so far.

On the up side, I get a pillow in one of the upper floor windows, so I can watch birds fly around in the courtyard. It's my favorite place to spend time and I hope all you catsters are able to enjoy similar views with similar comforts.

Meowsie,
Amélie

The value of meat

All you catsters know that I get a daily morning helping of tuna. It's great. But I have discovered the delicate flavors of pressed turkey meat and cooked chicken. In fact, anytime someone's in the kitchen is enough for me to trot in to see what's going on and if there's anything for me. If there's not, I ask for it. If I don't get it, it isn't because I'm not working my intense gaze of command and repeating "give me the meat...give me the meat..." It may sound to the lady like I'm saying 'meow, meow', but the meaning is the same.

The gaze comes from (what else?) the belly, which is why it is so intense...kinda like my hunger, which also comes from the belly. Dry food is a stop gap, not a solution. So next time you find your person in the kitchen you should reach deep down, ignite your gaze and loudly ask for some of whatever she/he is getting ready to eat, provided it's something meaty (a guarantee during the holidays).

So take advantage of all the leftovers going around for the next week. It's ample opportunity to get some fuel for your own belly love.

Happy holidays, catsters.

I've been seduced by the park side.

I said in an earlier diary entry that I would never go outside. In my own defense, that was true. I wouldn't have. But one day someone left the door open so Alex and Saradevi could go into the backyard at will (the yard is fenced) and I just...slipped out the door. It was interesting. At first I didn't mind being brought back in but the next time they left the door open, out I went. Now I like to sit in wait for the door to open so I can go out. I'm not thin enough to be fast and sneak past anybody, so I have to wait for someone to deliberately let me out.

The patio is nice for laying in the sun, but the grass is good for gnawing on and walking in. Unfortunately it's been too wet and no one will let me go out. They do open the window so I can look out and get some fresh air, but it's just not the same as stalking through the grass...okay, sitting in the grass and sharing my generous belly love with the ground. It doesn't sound glamorous, but it feels nice and that's just what this cat needs before winter comes crashing down, sealing the windows and shutting all the doors, locking me in with these crazy dogs.

Later, Catsters.