Cat of the Day!

Wow! Thank you, Catster, for this incredible honor! Of course, I was Cat of the Day every day with my Mom, and honestly, I'm Cat of the Day every day at the Bridge, too (they treat us right up here), and now to be able to add Cat of the Day on Catster ... it's like the kitty trifecta!

Sincerely,
Waverly

Memories from "Grand"Mom in Ohio ...

I remember how he'd climb up on me when I was lying down. He would purr at me, and we'd touch noses. He didn't like to do that with Dad, and I always believed it was because he was used to a female, and my voice was more gentle.

I remember how, the first time he came to visit us, he was on the windowsill in the den, behind the drapes. When we called his name, we could see him move to the opening, and then he poked his head out as if to say "You called?" We were astounded that a cat would come when called.

I remember the time we saw him on the stove (it was not on, of course) leaning around the corner trying to figure out how to get the basement door open by turning that doorknob. If only he had thumbs. For some reason, our basements had always fascinated him. I guess he just had to see what was behind those doors.

I remember the time we were packing up to take him back to your house, and he hid from us. We must have spent an hour looking for him in all his usual hiding places. We just could not find him. Then, finally, Dad found him under the LazyBoy, not in his normal place, because we had checked there, but at the back, between the wood frame and the upholstery skirt. We still can't figure out how he did that.

I remember being amazed that he could get to the top of Dad's dresser to get to that plant that he liked. One night, we were awakened by his getting up there. This, by the way, was what made us finally start closing our bedroom door, as we were afraid he'd get hurt trying to get up there as he got older.

I remember his cuddling up with Duncan in Duncan's cage as we drove them back to your house after watching them. We were so surprised that they both would do this, but figured they must have thought they'd stick together through this horrible car trip. They looked so cute.

I remember him always drinking his water from a glass or cup, not a bowl. And even those little bathroom paper cups would do.

I remember him coming over to me for a Pounce treat, especially after he was on his restricted diet.

I remember that he would sit for his food. Again, we were amazed that a cat would sit on command. That was such an impressive trick.

I remember how he did not like it when we put that gooey hairball medicine on his paws for him to lick off. If we didn't get it spread thin enough, he was pretty good at shaking some of it off. I'm sure that pleased him.

I remember that he liked to sit on the kitchen chair by the patio door, especially when the sun was there. We actually call that Waverly's chair. I also remember how Abby would sometimes decide to play with him when he was on his chair, and how Waverly would sit up and bat at Abby (but no claws), and hiss at her.

I remember how he liked to sleep under the comforter on your bed. When we'd go looking for him, he'd be quiet and still, and he didn't make much of a lump in the bed. And then, when we'd find him, he'd just blink his eyes as if to say "go away and let me sleep."

I remember how he liked to go out on the deck on your lap and sit in the sun. It reminded me of your story about the first night you had him. You kept him in your apartment, and he just about climbed the walls trying to get out. But then, he adapted quickly to his new life indoors.

And finally, I remember how he would crawl up in my lap if I was sitting watching a baseball game or the news on television. He'd just sit there and get petted. I think he just wanted the love and attention. Then, on his terms, when he knew he was loved, he'd get down and climb up on his kitchen chair.

The Next Day

We are struck by the outpouring of support here on Catster.

This was such a shock. We don't really know what happened, especially after we had such a great report from the vet about Waverly's latest bloodwork. On Monday morning, June 18, Waverly was eating just fine, but he did not eat in the evening. By Tuesday, he was not eating. He was starting to breathe hard, and did not use his litter box until that evening. I kept him upstairs on the bed with me Tuesday night, but he did not want to cuddle. He couldn't seem to get comfortable, and I don't think he slept at all. Wednesday morning, he was under the desk when I woke up. He was breathing even harder.

We got him to Dr. T that morning. He said that Wave's heart sounded fine, but he had something wrong with his lungs, and his body temperature was low. At that point, I knew I couldn't put him through more tests.

I can't even believe that he's gone. He's been with me for so long, and as my brother said when I was talking to him last night, he went with me everywhere. He was such a perfect cat. He loved to cuddle all the time. He easily adjusted to any new place. He would have conversations with me as if we understood each other. He would sing with me. He would come when I called him, and he would start running if I said, "Hurry up!" He would always share my glass of water with me. He loved lying in the sunspot and would follow it around the house. He sympathized with me every morning when I had to take a shower and would sit on the sink and meow at me until I was done with that dreadful task. Like I said, he was perfect, and I can't believe he's gone.

Updated vet visit information.

Good news from today's vet visit! I've gained 1.5 ounces, and am now up to 8 pounds, 8.5 ounces (still short of my normal 12 pounds, but we're getting there slowly but surely).

My bloodwork numbers were great ... shocking (to mom) actually! BUN, which was 77 in March and 80 in May, is now 39!!!! Normal is 36. Creatinine, which was 4.7 in March and 5.6 in May is now 4.3! Normal is 2.4.

We're staying with the sub-q's the way I'm getting them now ... 100 ml in the a.m., and 100 ml in the p.m. I'm still not eating my prescription food, but Dr. T said to at least keep me going on the tuna in water and teh turkey baby food (no onion), because I'm eating a little bit of that. He gave me some Nutrical, a high calorie gel-like substance that's supposed to be palatable, but I don't like it. Mom tricked me by rubbing some on my paws so I had to lick it off. Hopefully it will help stimulate my appetite. I'm not really sure how I'm gaining weight because it doesn't seem like I'm eating hardly anything, but at this point, with such a positive vet visit (the first one in months), mom and I aren't questioning anything.

Sincerely,
Waverly

A Dog Named Bear, and Other Vet Anecdotes.

I was rudely placed in my carrier this morning and shuttled back to Dr. T's office. It seems to me that these excessive visits are quite unnecessary. As I was escorted into the waiting room, what do I hear but a loud panting interspersed with several whines. This was much worse, I thought, than the sounds my canine sibling makes. And indeed, I could see from the few holes in my carrier, that the beast in the waiting room was indeed much worse than my canine sibling. For a moment, in fact, I wished that my canine sibling were with me. The beast that peered in at me was big, brown, and accurately named Bear. He was clumsy, too, with a lampshade around his neck that only added to his clumsiness and my disgust.

After an eternity, we were ushered to Room 2. Dr. T tried to be pleasant as he yanked me out of my carrier and plopped me on the scale. The yanking and plopping were ridiculous and I mewed in protest, but far be it for me to ever lift a claw in displeasure. Well, Dr. T then said he was "tickled." I gained two ounces! Mom could have told him that based on our unscientific attempts at weighing me at home.

Dr. T then grabbed me under his arm and whooshed me into the back room to have blood drawn. We'll know the results by tonight or tomorrow, but hopefully those numbers are improving.

When I got home, my canine sister, in a ridiculous show of emotion, wagged and barked and followed me around, even after I gave her a swat or two in the face. I may have to rethink my philosophy of "never lifting a claw in displeasure."

Yours sincerely,
Waverly

My visit with Dr. T.

Went to see Dr. T today. The way my canine sister Abby talks about her visits there, you'd think it was the greatest place in the world (although there was her "dental" issue, but Dr. T was just calling it like he saw it in my opinion).

At any rate, we got there, and the waiting room was filled, I say filled, with a chihuahua convention! There were five other people there, and they all had chihuahuas, making me the largest animal in the vet today. I mewed my displeasure.

We were escorted to Room 2, and our visit was brief and miserable. I was quite literally dumped onto the examining table. I got my rabies shot, found out I'm doing well despite having lost four pounds in the past 15 months, and was sent on my way.

Now that I'm back home, Abby's chasing me everywhere, asking if I received some of her favorite crunchie munchies while I was there. Honestly, I don't know what I'd be doing with a dog treat, and I neither know nor care what a crunchie munchie is.

Sincerely,
Waverly

PS -- Two good things did come out of this visit: (1) I plan to feast a lot more; and (2) Dr. T called me "remarkably healthy" considering my age and FIV status. I owe this to a relatively stress-free life, despite the presence of Abby.

Daily Diary Pick!

Upon awakening this morning, I discovered that I was a Daily Diary pick of the day. It must, MUST, be due to my fantastically well-written entry about making a dog sandwich. I expect that was a hit around these catster parts. It really is an honor, and will motivate me to keep more up to date with my diary (after I take my morning nap).

Thanks Catster!

Sincerely,
Waverly

Dog Sandwich.

I discovered a fantastic way to sleep today. Wait for canine sister Abby to get comfy under the afghan (note that this takes a while, because Abby isn't quite smart enough to get it right on the first try). Then, crawl up on top of the afghan, on top of Abby, and cuddle with Mom. Nice and warm.

Yours sincerely,
Waverly

Flannel sheets

Finally. It's December before we get the flannel sheets on the bed. But now that they're there, I've barely moved. I do appreciate a good flannel sheet. And, my canine sister Abby is NOT allowed on the bed. There are some things to be thankful for ... that is one of them!

Yours sincerely,
Waverly

Greetings all!

I just joined catster, and wanted to say hello to all. Please take a few moments to peruse my photo montage. It's difficult to get digital photos of a cat, and for an old guy I can really move, if I do say so myself. You will also note one photo on this page with my canine sibling Abby. This was taken on the first day we reached detente (she had been with us for a year, and let me just say that it took some intense negotiations to get to this point of sharing the couch).

I'll check in again soon.

Yours sincerely,
Waverly