Legato's Life

October 28, 2009 - Legato's Song is Silent.

One of my favorite songs from the musical "Cats" is the one about how cats contemplate their secret name, known only to them and not shared with their pet humans. I like to think that Legato shared that name with my sister who encouraged me to adopt him in 2004, although for no known reason he never seemed to like her after that first day. I had been struggling to decide on a name for him, knowing only that the name his rescue group gave him, "Snoball," was definitely not the right one for him.

When, about two weeks after adopting him, I told my sister how this still-nameless cat loved to sit on my lap and purr, she suggested "Legato," which she explained is an Italian word used by classical musical composers to indicate a "calm and peaceful interlude," and also sounds like the Spanish, "el Gato," which means "cat." So, "Snoball" became Legato L. Gato - the calm and peaceful singing cat.

I can't help but think that "Legato" was his secret name, the one usually cats reserve for themselves, and that for whatever reason, he loved us enough to honor us by sharing it with us. (Of 203,875 cats on Catster right now, he's the only one with that name.) Maybe he knew that no matter how many miles he traveled with me (300 miles, 3 times a month, for 2 years, then 110 miles, 3 times a month, for 3 years, plus one business trip - all by car), he had his forever home the day I took him home for the first time.

I spoke with the vet yesterday morning, and both vets in the practice felt that only the IV fluids were keeping Legato alive. When I went to visit him, I agreed. Both vets felt that the only possible options were either a bone marrow aspiration, which would not have shown anything which could be treated and which would have been horribly painful for Legato, or putting him to sleep.

At my request, since I knew I would not be able to drive home safely after Legato died, they agreed to keep him comfortable until October 29th, but Dad was able to come out and go with me back to the vet's.

Legato was put to sleep on the afternoon of October 28, 2009, because of a blood disorder. The vets were able to regulate his sugar, but he was showing no sign of improvement and no interest in his environment. The vet used the term "blood dysplasia."

Now, I go between completely numb and knife-like sadness, but I know I did everything I could, and I know I did the right thing by letting Legato go.

Legato's song is silent now.

Waiting, Waiting, and More Waiting

Two emergency calls to the vet yesterday (Oct. 25th) convinced me not to have Legato put to sleep. She said he might be more comfortable if I held food and water for several hours, then reintroduced it slowly. I did, and he's walking more, but definitely not steadily.

Legato woke me at 4:50am when he was vomiting again - he makes this horrible meow when he does - but has seemed mostly comfortable since then. He's been able to keep down liquids, and after I gave him two small amounts of water about 40 minutes apart, began drinking on his own.

The vet called this morning - she's waiting on the lab results. She said yesterday that she's hoping that the 8% "unidentified cells" in his blood count will be something treatable.

Legato's figured out that I will carry him if he feels too tired to walk. He has a different meow from the vomiting one, and usually walks as far as he feels like, then points his head in the direction he wants me to take him.

For now, I guess, it's back to more waiting.

The vet called back

The vet called back and we think Legato may have an ulcer in his stomach. He's resting comfortably, and I'm cooking chicken and rice for him. He only vomited once today, so I'm still hoping we can get through until tomorrow afternoon.

Update - Sad

Legato vomited something I've never seen this morning, and he's restless. If it gets any worse, I'll take him to an animal ER and have him put to sleep today. Otherwise, I'm 99% sure I'll have him put to sleep tomorrow, unless the bloodwork comes back with something easy and quick to cure and he can be kept comfortable long enough for the cure to work.

Very bad news

On Oct. 9th, Legato went to the vet's because of an incident the night before where he seemed to forget how to stand up in the middle of standing up. Blood tests showed a high white count, and he was started on injections of antibiotics. Legato has a history of coughing up pills, and it was life and death that he get the antibiotics in him.

At a follow-up a week later, on Oct. 16th, his white cell count remained high and the lab flagged it for review by their pathologist. The vet said the lab was suspecting cancer, namely Leukemia (like humans get, not the Feline Leukemia Virus, for which Legato has always tested negative). The vet and I were hoping it was a simple infection, because for the first time since June, Legato didn't loose weight - he gained 4.5 ounces in a week.

The pathologist reviewed the results, and on Oct. 19th the vet was told, and then told me, Legato does not have cancer. The vet and I thought Legato was out of the woods.

Yesterday, Oct. 23rd, I had Legato back at the vet's for a follow-up. He had seemed to be doing a little worse since Wednesday night (Oct. 21st), At yesterday's check-up, Legato had lost a pound. The vet drew more blood for another complete blood count (CBC) (4th in 5 weeks).

Last night Legato had a very, very rough night. He couldn't seem to get comfortable. I called the vet first thing this morning, and she saw him. The lab had alerted her that Legato's CBC from yesterday has been flagged for review by a pathologist, since 8% of his blood consists of "Unidentified Cells." We made the decision that if we couldn't get Legato comfortable, I'd put him to sleep.

Legato perked up after IV fluids, a shot of a different antibiotic, and dexamethasone. He's home now, and eating and drinking a ton. Dexamethasone is a steroid and probably caused Legato's diabetes in the first place. Steroids are contraindicated in diabetic cats, but like the vet said, we had no choice.

Legato cannot survive on a regular routine of steroids. Nor is it fair to him to keep him alive if he is going to suffer like he did last night. The vet has promised to call me Monday morning with the pathologist's findings, but unless there's another miracle, I'll be putting him to sleep next week.

I think my vet's confused - or maybe I am - I'm too confused to tell!

Three years ago, when I first met my current vet, she said I had a skin infection. Nothing confusing there (even my pet human knew I did), except that according to the vet, my skin infection was one found only in dogs who have diabetes due to Cushing's Disease. As I've proven to my vet, I'm not a dog, and I don't think I have Cushing's Disease.

Well, yesterday the same vet was telling my pet human that my white blood cell count on October 9, 2009, was very, very, very high - so high she usually performs an emergency spay because cats with that high of a white cell count usually have an infected uterus!

So, in 2006 she says I have something only dogs get, and yesterday she said my lab results are more like a girl's. Now, the only lab I ever met had 4 legs, was named "Max," and tried to bite me, so maybe there are smarter labs out there, but for now, I think my vet should trade her lab for something smarter, like a Siamese. Maybe then I'd get passing test scores!

My Very Good Day

My pet says I'm not out of the woods, but I can tell you I'm eating more than I have since June, which is good. My pet says I've lost about 4 pounds since then and need to regain at least 1.5 pounds. I think my blood sugar is a little high, though.

Last night, I played with my laser pointer for the first time since June, too. I played for about 2 minutes. I wanted to play longer, but my pet was worried since I haven't run or jumped since early July, and the vet told her last week my heart is too big. (I always knew I'm a big-hearted cat!) Later last night, while my pet was sleeping, I discovered a tennis shoe with a lace! Oh, boy! Legatos LOVE shoelaces and strings even more than they hate vets! I played and played and played. My pet worried when she woke up this morning that maybe I broke some of her toys, but I was careful and didn't break anything. Not even the shoelace!

The only thing I did wrong was I got scared last night. My pet was brushing her teeth and saw me get scared. I couldn't tell her what I was scared of, and when she called my vet this morning to tell her how I'm doing, the tech said maybe I jumped back because I felt pain. I'm not sure what to tell my pet.

Well, now it's time for dinner, then my antibiotic and tummy med, then a catnap before bedtime!

A Little Bit of Hope

My pet human says my vet called her yesterday morning, even though the vet wasn't working. The vet said I have some sort of infection an they are giving me 2 shots of antibiotics a day to help me get better. My pet human says it's another "Hail, Mary! Pass." My pet's favorite team is the Cleveland Browns, and I really hope my vet's better at Hail, Mary passes than they are.

Spent the day at the Vet's

My pet human has been very worried about me. In June, my diabetes came out of remission. Then I caught a cold. Then my allergies got worse. Last night, I forgot for a few minutes how to stand up.

Today, I was a very good cat for a very vet-ish vet. The vet took blood from me twice, then took x-rays. I had to stay at the vet's for about 3 hours. The vet and my human spoke at the beginning, and the vet decided to give me my own exam room - not a cage, but a whole room. It was nice to be able to hide under the chair. Too bad the vet found me!

Well, just before my human and I came home - she stayed at the vet's with me most of the time - the vet told her that I have "progressive heart failure." I don't know what that means. The vet and my human think that someone made a mistake when they told my human I was born in 2001. They think I'm older.

I know I feel like a very old cat right now. I'm sleeping more and eating less. My laser pointer isn't all that interesting anymore. My pet human is crying a lot too, especially since last night.

Tomorrow, the vet will call with the blood test results from today. My pet human has said she and the vet will do the best they can for me, but my vet thinks I may be die soon.

I Tricked The Vet!

Okay, so my silly human has insisted on taking me to the vet several times a week lately, and every time, the vet either collects more blood - (a really weird collection if you ask me. Couldn't he just collect postcards like my pet does?) or gives me a shot of something.

Well, yesterday, the vet had his partner examine me. She's nice, too, but she seems to be starting her own blood collection (note to her - Collect coins. At least you can buy some catnip that way!) She thought my ears looked yellow, and so she collected more blood. (If you don't like coins, Dr. - what about stamps? Bottle caps? )

Well, then I wouldn't go back in my crate to go home. That scared my pet human, and worried the vet, since usually I spend my time there trying to get back in my crate. Well, you'd think someone who had been to vet school would know when a cat has to use a litterbox. My pet got me into my crate, but the ride home was too long and I couldn't wait. I hate pooping in my crate!

Update from Legato's Guardian

Legato hasn't posted much lately. He's been ill. In June, his routine, 6-month blood work showed that his blood sugar is too high, and a follow-up a month later was still too high. From December to June, he lost a pound, which wasn't too bad. The vet wanted him to lose half a pound in December.

Between late June and late July, he another pound, and in the last two weeks, another 10 ounces. The vet says that, in addition to his usual allergies and blood sugar problems, Legato has an infection. When I called the vet August 12th for an August 13th appointment, I really thought the vet would recommend putting Legato to sleep. I can't tell you how relieved I am that the vet feels Legato's problems are very treatable. His blood sugar results from last night (August 13th) are still too high, but we're giving him one more week to handle the infection. The antibiotic shot is already helping.

Please cross your paws, everyone, that Legato gets better soon. He's a wonderful, wonderful kitty!

Cross your paws for me, purrty-please!

So, on what has to be the hottest day of the year so far, with a thunderstorm rolling in, my pet human, who didn't have the sense to check the weather forecast before taking me out for a drive, had the nerve to take me to the vet!

Well, as usual, he took some blood. (Doesn't he have enough of his own?) In the past 6 months, my blood sugar has spiked from 103 to 340. My vet and my pet say this isn't good.

My pet human is very, very worried right now. I used to be on twice a day insulin shots about 2 years ago. When my pet would give me shots, she left on my collar. When she puts my flea drops on me, she takes it off. Well, two months ago she forgot to take off my collar, and I thought she was going to give me a shot. I tried really, really hard not to, but I bit and clawed her to get away. My pet human has told me that if I have to go on shots, and she and I can't find a way to do this without her needing to go to her vet every time, I have to be put to sleep. There's no one who can help her hold me when she gives me shots.

My pet human doesn't want me to die, but she doesn't want me to suffer from diabetes, which can have painful side effects. I have to give the vet more blood next month so he can see if I need shots again. Cross your paws that I don't.

My Day

Some people wonder what my day is like. Well, around 5:00am, I start waking my pet human up. She doesn't like this, and usually locks me out of her den until the radio turns itself around 6:15am.

Once my human is up, I wrap myself around and between her legs as much as I can, gently herding her into her shower. While she takes a shower, I meow to remind her to make the water come down gently enough to drink, and then I walk back and forth along the side of the tub, supervising her.

While my pet puts on her coats, I try to hurry her and lead her to my food dish. After she feeds me, I watch the birds outside the window, and hide as she goes hunting, since I don't want to hunt with her.

I spend my day sleeping on the seat of the recliner, the couch, my pet's bed, and the back of the recliner, and in between I patrol the back window and the front window, chasing any bugs I see and hissing at the neighbor's cat.

Once my pet human comes home, I greet her by purring and "flopping" - she calls it "flop-kitty" and most importantly leading her to my food dish. After I eat, I help her type on the computer by sitting on her hands, and also sometimes watch TV with her sitting in her lap. If she is kind enough to do her embroidery, I take advantage of the situation and try to floss my teeth. I've noticed the more expensive embroidery threads are much more enjoyable than the cheap ones.

If my pet decides to stay up late, I scold her into going to bed on time - after all, 5:00am comes early for her - and then in winter I climb in bed with her, and in summer I sleep on her for part of the night before heading to the bathtub to sleep.

White Stuff

Meow! Yesterday morning, as I stretched and purred myself awake, I looked out the window and saw a wonderful, magical thing - SNOW!!! I love how pretty it is, and there's nothing better than curling up next to my person and sleeping while snow falls softly outside. I feel sad for the outdoor kitties, though. Snow looks cold, and my pet human's coat is cold when she comes home from hunting at her office, so I worry that the outdoor kitties won't have a warm place with a good meal and a nice human.

I'm invited!

My pet human likes to do needlework, and is in an embroidery club. They'll meet this Thursday for a small party. My pet was planning to skip it because she has to take me to her parents' house, and going to the party then coming back to get me is an extra quarter-tank of gas (about $20).

Well, the nice lady who is having the party said that if I promise to be a good kitty and stay in my den (my pet calls it my "crate"), I can go to the party. My pet told there will be lots of emboridery needles there, so it wouldn't be safe for me to run around and jump on the table. I was scared, because needles at the vet and needles for shots hurt, but my pet promised me embroidery needles and vet needles are different.

Now, what should I wear?

Leaping to Confusion

Happy Leap Day to my Pet! She says the newspaper calls it Leap Day, because it's February 29, 2008. I thought it was Gottcha Day (as in "I gottcha," which is close to my pet's dialect for, "I got ya," which should be spelled, "I got you." Are you confused yet?)

Today, in 2004, I adopted my pet human. So, since today comes only once a year, is it our first anniversary together, or our fourth? Seems like a short time, except when I've been sick.

Whatever the number, I celebrated today by learning a new trick. I attacked the alarm clock by leaping the 8 feet from my cat tree to the top of the dresser. Not sure who was more surprised - me when I made it or my human when I set off the alarm clock at 3:00am. Who knew it had a radio? And that that button was the volume button? Maybe if I practice, I can figure out how to get the heavy metal station!

(Note from Legato's Pet - I saw that! Remember, I haven't been sleeping too well from this stupid toothache!

PS - I love you, too!)

Come out! Come out, wherever you are!

I know there's a bag of catfood in the cabinet! I just know it! I can smell it as easily as humans can smell - no wait, humans' noses don't work as well as cats' do.

Anyways, like I was purring, I KNOW there's a 12 pound bag of food in the cabinet! And in a kitchen full of easy-to-open cabinets, my pet WOULD have to choose to put MY food in the one which I can't open! NO FAIR!!!

I managed to get the treats off the shelf, but they're in a cat-proof jar! Honestly, does my pet really, truly expect me to wait until dinner time? Sheesh!

My Pet Won't Let Me Play!!! :(

For the past few nights, these large kitties with black masks and black rings on their tails have been playing on the back patio. My pet won't let me invite them in to play. She says they're raccoons and could make me or her very sick. She says they could have rabies. I had my rabies shot, so I don't see a problem. Maybe my pet needs to see the vet to get her rabies shot? I wonder if she'd like a tuna or liver treat?

From Legato's Pet

Legato fell out of an upstairs window (2nd floor US / 1st floor UK) one week ago today. His injuries are not life-threatening - two torn claw tips (like a chipped fingernail in a human) and a fractured fang, which the vet said is not as serious in cats as in humans.

Legato was clearly terrified when he landed, and so was I. He ran away as soon as he landed. I thought for sure if I lost sight of him, I'd never get him back. It's been a rough week, wondering if Legato would recover, even though he never looked or acted injured.

I'm posting this to remind everyone to make sure their windows, and doors, are pet-safe!!

Don't Try This At Home (Or Anywhere Else For That Matter!)

Last week, my pet was in the driveway talking with my neighbors' pets. She was staying out way too late, and not coming in to play with me, so I jumped on the windowsil to invite them all up to play.

I don't remember exactly what happened, but next thing I know, I'm flying through the air (which is not in the Official Cat Job Description)! When I landed, all I could think of was I needed to get home. FAST!!!

I was very, very scared, and my back paws and mouth hurt. Somehow, my pet caught me, and now everything's okay.

I've never, ever, ever been so frightened in my 9 lives!

Please Recall My Week!

Last Saturday, my pet overslept. I woke her to play at 2:00am, but she carried me out of the bedroom and locked me out.

FINALLY she got out of bed around 8:00am - instead of 6:15am, and fed me! (I was beginning to think she jumped out her bedroom window, and I don't think pet humans are as good at jumping as cats are).

WELL, while I'm nibbling the first nibbles, she swoops in, takes my food, and flushes it down the large white water bowl she thinks is a litter box!!

THEN she calls the vet, changes her fur, and runs away!!! She must have been really upset - she was crying and saying some words I'm not allowed to type.

AS IF THAT wasn't bad enough, when she comes home, she puts some awful-tasting food in my dish!!!! Well! I thought I could chew through the plastic to get at what was left of my old food, but before I could start, she took it away! I spent the rest of Saturday pouting, hoping she would bring back my old food, but she didn't, and I finally got hungry enough to eat the yucky new food.

I thought things were going well, but then on Tuesday, she took me to the vet. Tuesday must be Cat Day at the vet's, because I saw at least 10 other cats. The vet took some blood from me. He always takes my blood. Is he collecting it or something? Couldn't he get some from another cat? Maybe the loud one who was there to get fixed?

NO FAIR!!

WHO PUT WATER IN THE BATHTUB??? Every cat knows, bathtubs are for sleeping in!!! This morning, I jumped into the bathtub to take a nap, and GOT WET!!!!!

The Window Sneezed

Last night, I heard my pet's car and went to the window to investigate. Sure enough, I was right, and so I sat on the window sil in the living room and meowed, so she wouldn't forget I wanted dinner. (She was late because it was snowing hard.)


Well, all of the sudden, the window must have sneezed! All this white stuff flew up and hit the window in the face! Luckily, I jumped down onto the carpet, and the window boogers didn't go that far!

I sure hope my blanket doen't catch the window's cold! I hate sneezing blankets!

My New Year's Resolutions

1. I will not attack vets unless provoked.

2. I will not sleep on the computer while my pet is trying to type.

3. I will remember that Christmas trees are not cat trees.

4. I will not wake my pet up before 6:00 a.m., except in Extreme Emergency.

5. I will limit Extreme Emergency to mean fire, tornado, or armed intruder.

6. I will not attack vets unless provoked. Really. I promise.

7. I will not drink water out of the toilet.

8. I will be nice to dogs. At the vets.

9. I will not trip my pet on the stairs.

10. I will be nice to vets. Cross my paws. All four of them.

I'd Have Preferred a Lump of Coal . . .

My pet told me that for Christmas, she scheduled an appointment for me to get a rabies shot and a microchip. I thought I was a Good Kitty????

I think I'm in love!

I think I'm in love, which is something I never expected because, well, this being a family-friendly site, let's just say I've had the most common surgery performed on male cats.

I met my True Love last week. She was in my pet's purse. My pet pulled her out, and it was love at first sight! I love to chase her, and chew her, and snuggle her. My pet doesn't seem to mind, although she did say something about a new pin cushion!

(PS from Legato's Pet - He's in love with a felted wool pin cushion I bought at a craft fair. Since it's the first toy he's really liked, he can have it. Luckily, he fell in love before I started using it.)

My Pet Did Something Nice for Me Today

This morning, my pet was typing on the computer and trying not to cry. When I checked, she was typing a letter to my vet. It was how to care for me if I was sick and the vet couldn't find my pet. She wrote that if he couldn't find her, he should call her father or her sister. She also wrote about what to do if I died. I think that's the part that made her cry.

So Many Questions; So Few Brain Cells

Why does my pet take the fur off her legs when she knows it will make her bleed and say words I can't type here?

Do all pets get upset when their guardian cats try to sleep on their heads?

Why doesn't anyone make mouse-flavored cat food?

What is the meaning of life? Is it nine times as complicated for cats as it is for people?

Why is it bad to be "catty?" Shouldn't "catty" be good and "doggy" be bad?

My pet says she keeps me inside because she loves me. The cat next door says his pets leave him outside because they love him. Whose pet is right?

Where do pets go all day?

Why did Ginger, Mary Ann, and the Howells take so many clothes on a 3 hour tour? Did Gilligan tell them they'd be ship-wrecked?

Do any other cats wonder about these things?

Trapped!!!!

Yesterday, my pet went off to hunt, and I went to do something really important - take a nap in the bathtub. (Wonderful place to nap - I highly recommend it on warm days, since the tub is not as warm as carpet, blankets, or furniture.)

And now, back to our Regularly Scheduled Story:

while I was taking my second or fourth nap (not too good at counting), the wind blew and slammed the door shut. That nasty wind woke me up!!! Worst of all, I couldn't get the door open. At first, I was very upset, but then I found a giant white water dish in the bathroom. I couldn't find any food, though, so I spent most of the day cat-napping, which if you ask me, is a perfect way to spend a day. Still, a snack would have been a nice touch.

Much later, my pet came home. She opened the door, let me out of the bathroom, and fed me dinner.

From Legato's Pet

First of all, I am NOT a vet or any other sort of medical professional, just a person who loves her cat. If you have any questions about diabetes in pets, please talk to your vet.

By the time I got Legato to the hospital, his sugar was too low to register. According to the vet, even after an hour of IV dextrose (a kind of sugar), Legato's blood glucose remained dangerously low.

Had I recognized the signs of a hypoglycemic episode (low blood sugar), I would have been able to help Legato quicker.

Thankfully, Legato lived and is looking out the window as I type this.

My week - even scared myself for a minute!

Well, those of you who've read here before may know, but for those of you who haven't, I have something called "diabetes." My pet has tried to explain it to me, but I don't understand it too well.

For the past few months, my pet has been giving me shots. First, it was once a day, then my mean vet told her I needed two shots a day. I don't like shots at all. Shots hurt!

Well, Friday night, I was trying to attack the shot, but missed, and my pet got the insulin into me. Saturday morning, too. A few hours later, I wasn't feeling so well, so I meowed, but my pet thought I was mad because I saw a dog. (Why can't pet humans speak Cat?)

As the day went on, I felt worse and worse. I'd never been so tired in my life, but I wasn't sleepy-tired, just yucky-tired. I felt too yucky to go all the way to the litterbox. How humiliating!

My pet started thinking something might be wrong, so she offered me some treats. I felt too yucky to care. Then she tried to make me stand up. Twice. I fell down. Twice. I even started meowing like a queen in heat (which I'll never be - I would have been a tom, but a vet fixed that!)

My pet got worried, and put me in my carrier. I really didn't care what she did. I just didn't want to feel yucky-ucky any more. My pet, and her queen and tom took me in the car. I didn't know where we were going, but figured it couldn't be worse. I was wrong! So very, very wrong.

In the car, in my carrier, I had something my pet called a seizure. All of the sudden, my muscles were moving without my moving them. Then I started drooling and panting. When the car stopped and my pet got me out, she was crying. I wanted to tell her it would be all right, but I wasn't sure, and didn't want to make any promises I couldn't keep.

Turns out, we were at a hospital for animals. When the vet's helpers were getting me out of my carrier, I had another seizure. I don't remember much after that. A long time later, I woke up and there was this itchy thing in my front leg, and a strange kind of collar around my neck.

I was very scared in the hospital. There were so many sick and injured animals. Sometimes, the animals and the people helping them cried. I even heard some pets cry.

The next morning, a helper took me out of my cage. I thought she was going to take the itchy thing out of my arm, but she didn't. She took me to another room. My pet was there!!!! Finally!!!! I could go home!!!! My pet offered me food, but I just wanted my carrier and my blanket. My pet was crying, too, and that scared me more. Then, one of the vets came in and told my pet I had to stay in the hospital four more hours. When the helper came back and took me back to my cage, both my pet and I were crying.

What seemed like much later, my pet came back and took me home. She didn't give me any shots. The next day, she put me in my carrier again. I thought we were going back to the hospital. We went to see my regular vet. Guess what he said? NO MORE SHOTS!!!!

From Legato's Pet, regarding "Free to a Home"

Yikes! Darn cat!

Just want to set the record straight - I am NOT being rehomed. Neither is Legato, although if he tries this again . . .

Free to a home

I need to find a home for my pet. You see, she took me to the vet yesterday. She didn't let me eat from the sushi bar. Then, this morning, she gave me a bath. LEGATOS HATE BATHS!!!! HISS!!! HISS!!!

My pet is a human female and litter-box trained. I have tried my best to train her, but she still gives me shots. She'll need a cat who can train her better than I could. Please help me rehome my human! Thank you!!!

Attack of the Killer Boxes

Remember how I wrote about the boxes in my last entry? Well, the boxes have started attacking me.

Last night, for example, I was minding my own business, climbing around on a shelf I'm not allowed on. The box pushed the shelf out from under me, grabbed my hind leg, and swallowed me!

I fought, and fought, and fought some more! The box wouldn't let me go! I almost escaped, but then the box called its friends, and other boxes landed on top of it!

My pet wanted to save me, but she couldn't. The boxes took over her thoughts and made her think this was funny! She couldn't stop laughing because the boxes wouldn't let her!

Finally, Duffel Bag, which my pet takes when we travel, heard me and bravely knocked the top boxes out of the way! I jumped out and ran under the couch! The box ate the duffel bag!!!! Poor, poor Duffel Bag!

Boxes! Boxes Everywhere!

My pet has been bringing home empty boxes and putting our things in them. She says we're "moving." At first, I was scared, because when my old pets talked about "moving," they meant "dump the cat at a shelter."

My pet has promised me she won't make me find a new pet. I believe her. She has said I'll need a new vet, though. I guess we're moving too far away. I hope the new vet doesn't give shots, take my temperature, draw blood, give me a bath, take x-rays, or do any of the other horrible things my old vet does to me.

Now, if I can only make my pet lose my insulin and syringes during the move, I'll be a very happy kitty!

My Honeymoon

Today I went to the vet. My pet took one of her friends' dogs with us to the vet. I had to share a seat with the dog. Sometimes, the dog climbed on top of my carrier to see out the window.

The vet was very happy. He checked my blood sugar, and liked that it was 112. The vet said I'm on my honeymoon.

My pet says for a diabetic cat, a "honeymoon" means no more shots. I'm so glad! I was afraid I'd married the dog!

Finished?

My pet said I finished my first bottle of insulin this morning. Does this mean no more shots?

From Legato's Pet: An Answer to His Question

Your vet says you have diabetes, and without insulin, you'll get very sick and die. The vet says insulin comes in pills and shots, but the pills don't work for cats.

I know you don't like getting shots. I don't like giving you shots. I thought that, maybe, if you knew you'd get a treat afterwards, the shot wouldn't hurt as much.

Someday, there will be a cure for diabetes, in cats, other animals, and people. In the meantime, I guess we have to put up with the shots.

Now, if only I could get the whole home blood glucose testing thing mastered, maybe you wouldn't have to see the vet every week for a test. How about it?

A question for my pet . . .

Why does my pet have to give me a shot before she'll give me a treat?

From Legato's Pet

Two years ago today, I spent my first full day as a cat's guardian. Legato still had his old name - it would be another couple of weeks before my sister suggested "Legato."

It was a cold, snowy day, and when I came home, I couldn't find the cat. I wasn't sure how he could have gotten out and locked the door behind him. After a pretty thourough search of the apartment, I decided to start dinner before I called the rescue group and told them I already lost the cat.

When I reached under the sink for a dish I needed, I was very surprised to find a cat sitting in my slow cooker, looking like "Didn't you know? Cats always hide in slow cookers!"

Since then, he's hid in the slow cooker several more times. Probably the worst was when he disappeared in July, 2004. Long story short, my nephew found him in the linen closet. He had found his way into some ductwork and took a couple of hours to find his way out.

My beautiul white cat was dusty gray, covered with soot, and needed a bath. I tried, but ended up letting the vet's office do that! Never, ever, ever try to bathe a Legato!

Our Anniversary (sort of)

I adopted my pet on 2/29/04, and she says we'll only have an anniversary every four years!

Well, I've decided to celebrate the anniversary of the day we met. I remember it very well.

In December 2003, I was in a shelter. I didn't like it there, and I was scared. I was sad, too. Once in a while, some of the other cats would leave, and some new cats would come. Another cat told me that a few of the cats left to go to families, but many went to a rainbow bridge. Not sure where that bridge is, exactly - I think it's a border crossing between the United States and Canada at Detroit or Niagara Falls.

One day, some people came to the shelter. A shelter worker told me these people were from a rescue. I didn't know what a rescue was. The people chose a calico cat and me, and took us out of the shelter to a house.

At the house were three other cats, and a dog. They told me what a rescue was. The dog said they all agreed a long time ago to share their pets with animals who didn't have pets. The dog told me I could stay as long as I needed to, until I found my own pet. One of the other cats told me how rescues save animals from dying. She told me I could call her pets my "foster family."

My foster family was very nice. They fed me, played with me, and took me to a vet. Sometimes, they would put me in a cage and take me for a ride in a car to a place with many other cats and dogs. The first time, I was very scared. I thought I was going back to the shelter. After what seemed like forever, the foster family took me back home. They said they were happy, but I sensed they were a little sad for me.

The foster family's dog explained what had happened. I had been to an "Adoption Day." The foster family and some other foster families with the rescue took the cats and dogs to a store every week to try to find us pets. The dog said it was a good deal for everyone - the store got customers, the dogs and cats got pets, and the foster families got room to rescue more animals.

I went to several Adoption Days, but February 15, 2004 was different. When the foster family put me in the cage, I knew something special was going to happen. At the store, I sat in my cage, top row, left. I was there for a while, looking around as pets walked in and out, and then, suddenly, I saw HER! MY PET WALKED IN!!!

She walked in, and started talking to the rescue people. She didn't understand she was supposed to be my pet - she wanted a dog to adopt her. A DOG!!! Well, I stuck my paw as far out of my cage as I could, and she took it in hers. She was so gentle. The rescue lady must have read my mind - she asked my pet to hold me, and opened my cage. My pet didn't know what to do, so the rescue lady placed me in her arms. I tucked my head under my pet's arm and purred as happily as I could. I'd found my pet!

Sadly, my pet's sister came by, and my pet gave me back to the rescue people. My pet explained she really didn't want a cat, but hoped I'd find a good family and have a good life. I don't remember when I've been so sad.

Two weeks later, on February 29, 2004, I was back at the rescue's adoption day. Part of me felt like I had two weeks earlier - like something special was going to happen, but I tried not to get my hopes up. My heart was still broken. I didn't understand why my pet hadn't let me adopt her. Then, my pet walked in with her sister! She was back! I hoped and prayed she would let me adopt her. She came right over to us, but she didn't see me! She started to ask if I had found a pet, and then our eyes met! She started to fill out some papers, and the rescue lady seemed very happy.

All too soon, my pet walked away again! I wanted to die, but my the rescue lady told me that my pet was just buying some food for me. It took forever, and my pet and her sister went back to the car - but not before promising me they'd be right back. After what seemed even longer than forever, my pet came back. The rescue lady was hugging and kissing me, and telling me to be a good kitty and take care of my pet. She started to put me in a cardboard cage, but my pet had brought a soft-sided cage for me, and I was placed in there. Then, my pet took me to the car, and I knew she had let me adopt her.

My Awful, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day!

Yesterday was HORRIBLE! It started out okay - I managed to open the treat jar and eat all the treats. My pet didn't notice it right away, so she fed me breakfast. Then things went downhill.

My pet gave me my shot, like she does every day, and left to hunt. (Note from Pet - I don't hunt. I work in an office.) While she was gone, I threw up in my litterbox. Twice. Too many treats, probably. (Now there's something I never thought I'd say!)

When my pet got home, instead of feeding me dinner, she took me to the vet. There, the vet's helper lady took some blood out of my back leg. Maybe I did something wrong. The vet didn't seem to like my blood. After a lot of thinking, he had my pet give me a shot of something. He said he wanted to see if my pet was giving me shots right.

After the vet, my pet dropped me off at home, and left. She forgot to give me dinner, so I didn't get to eat until three hours later than usual.

Two sick tummy times, three shots, and a vet visit. I hope today goes better.

Overnight Overdose

I had such a great night! I learned a new trick! I opened the plastic treat jar! With my paws! When my pet woke up this morning, she laughed and called me all sorts of names, some of which I can't write here because they're not that nice. I don't think she was too angry, though, because she couldn't stop laughing, even when she realized I ate all the treats!

From Legato's Pet

I swear, trying to get blood from Legato's ear is like trying to get blood from a demon-possessed rock! Three tries over three days, and not a drop of blood! Impressive bruises, though - on Legato and me!

Games my pet plays

Maybe this whole injection thing isn't so bad after all. It has my pet feeling really guilty, which turns out to be a good thing!

My pet bought these balls. She puts my food in them, and then I have to roll them around to get the food out. It's an okay game - a little easy for me, but it makes her laugh. I love hearing her laugh!

A couple of days ago, she found my laser pointer!!! My favorite thing in the world, other than her! I love chasing that little red light!

Then, too, are the treats. I've noticed that as soon as the shot is over, I get some treats. I haven't had treats since that mean vet put me on a diet in November. (My pet needs to learn not to listen to him!)

Insulin

Well, my pet has ruined four perfectly good mornings so far by giving me shots! I can't understand why she does this to me, but I can tell, she doesn't like doing it. She tries hard not to hurt me, and gives me lots of treats. She's mentioned something about blood glucose testing my ear. Does that hurt?

From Legato's Pet

Legato started insulin this morning - and neither of us required medical attention afterwards! (I was afraid I'd make a mistake and hurt him, or end up needing stitches myself.) Maybe this will work.

From Legato's Pet

Legato seems a little confused. He is NOT getting shot. He will be getting shots (injections) of insulin. Silly cat! I think I have to stop letting him watch crime dramas, if he's starting to learn about guns!

I have to take insulin :(

My pet took me to the vet yesterday. I do not like going to the vet. He scares me. Last night, my pet wanted to trim my claws, but I wouldn't let her. After the vet, I needed to relax.

The vet told my pet I need to start getting insulin shots. I don't know what insulin is, but I know what shots are, and I don't like them. My pet seems nervous. She says I start taking insulin on Wednesday. She said she has to take me to the vet before she goes to work so he can teach her how to shoot me. Here I thought I was getting A shot, not getting shot! I know I was mean yesterday, but isn't that a little extreme?

Hurry up, already!

Breakfast is almost 3 hours late, and I'm hungry! My pet keeps talking about getting something called a "fast blood sugar." Well, get the blood sugar, already, and FEED ME!! How anything with "fast" in the name can take so long, I don't know.

From Legato's Pet: Legato doesn't understand that we have a vet appointment this morning. The vet wants to take a fasting blood sugar to decide if Legato needs insulin. I promise, I'll take food with us to the vet and feed Legato as soon as the vet says I can.

Wish me luck!

Last night, my pet was talking on the telephone, and she said tomorrow I have to go to the vet. What a way to ruin a weekend!

My pet was talking about how I have to get my blood sugar checked again, and if it still isn't good, I have to start insulin. She said she hoped she didn't need to give me shots. SHOTS?!?!?!? I don't want to get shots!!!!

Wish me luck!

Need Help Training My Pet

Last night, I was sitting on my pet's lap trying to teach her how to purr, which isn't easy. I've been trying for almost 2 years now, and she still doesn't purr well!

During our purring lesson, the phone rang, and she made me get off her lap to answer it. Then she left, and didn't come back for several hours.

Two training questions:

1. How do you teach a pet to purr properly?

2. How do you teach a pet that when a cat is gracious enough to sit on the pet's lap, the pet shouldn't stand up?

Thank you for all your help!

Night Adventures

Last night, I was sleeping next to my pet's legs, protecting her from all sorts of things, like lint and shadows, when all the sudden, the undignified happened!

I fell out of bed, and took the covers with me! I'm SO embarassed! Will you still let me stay on catster?

Adopting a Pet

My pet human found this website a few days ago and decided I should be on it. May as well tell you a little about myself.

My full name is Legato L. Gato, but you can call me Legato. I adopted my human on February 29, 2004. We met on February 15, 2004, but silly human she is, she thought she wanted a dog! She had to "think it over" before she let me adopt her.

The rescue group told my pet I was born in May, 2001. I'm not sure what day, but my pet, who spent several years living in Japan, decided that since I'm a boy, and Japan celebrates Boys' Day on May 5th, she'd celebrate my birthday then.

My rescue group gave me another name, but my pet didn't like it. Finally, her sister suggested Legato because I spent my first two weeks training my pet by sitting on her lap and purring whenever she sat down. "Legato" is an Italian word which is used in writing music. It means "calm and peaceful interlude" and sounds like the Spanish word for "cat," "el Gato."

If you're a kitty looking for a pet, here are some suggestions:

1. Make sure your pet understands how to care for you. They can learn by talking to a vet, other cats' pets, checking online in places like this, or reading books or magazines.

2. Train your pet as soon as you can. Humans usually use more sounds to communicate than we do, so this may take a while. When all else fails, try speaking their language.

3. When interviewing a pet, be on your best behavior. If you can, be cute. Whatever you do, don't bite or hiss! That scares pets.