Thank you Scooter!

I'm not big on diary entries from the Rainbow Bridge but I just had to send a big thank you to my furriend Scooter (http://www.catster.com/cats/144863).

Scooter is one of the administrators of the Olde Furts group on Catster and recently redecorated their main page. Such skill, such talent.... It looked fantastic.

Then, I had a closer look.

OMC! there I was with my daughter Penny in the banner! So flattering!

Thank you Scootie!

Goodby From Mr Skins

Mr Skins passed away today at 20.75 years of age. She had been off colour for a few days and went to the vet to get checked out.

On investigation Mr Skins was discovered to have many fractues in her top jaw with malignant cancer.

She passed away peacefully.

Thank you to all her catster friends for making her last days so much fun.

She will be missed.

Mr Skins mummy.

Sunday morning vet visit

Do those words send dread through other kitties? I get scared. That happened to me today. My sweet breath following the extraction of my teeth has disappeared. My drool has had drops of blood, and my breath (as daddy puts so indelicately) smells like feces!

Mummy could probably have tolerated poor mouth odour, but I've also been a bit off my food and water. In fact I've lost 300gm over the last 3 weeks. Not good for an old furt who is underweight normally anyway.

So, once more I got prodded and proked. The news wasn't too good.

I have to go back tomorrow for the senior vet to check me out. The vet thinks I may have broken my top jaw somehow due to brittle bones. The smell is from food catching in my gums. I'm dehydrated and may need subcutaneous fluids. Oh for the health of my youth!

Excitement

As an old furt and a member of the exclusive 20/20 club, excitement in my life comes at a totally different level to that of when I was a kitten. I can still faintly remember the days of finding joy in chasing a feather, a blade of grass, or a piece of paper scrunched on the end of a string. Hours of amusement honing my hunting skills, killing the hapless victim over and over again.

Then there was the morning fun in bed. Mummy would run her paw under the quilt and I could pounce at that sneaky varmit. After capture I would practice gutting mummy's hand (for some reason she use to wrap her hand and arm in the quilt or towel for that!). Oh, what joy!

Now excitement comes from the little pleasures in life. A cuddle, a good feed and a comfy place to sleep. That toy wiggling in front of my face is still interesting, I can't resist stretching out a paw and giving it a whack, my eyes will dart and follow it, but that's about it. I'ld rather have another snooze.

Today my pleasure is from finding a stray cushion that found its way behind the bedroom door (I think its the one daddy threw at Penny during the night when she wouldn't stop yowling for attention). I checked it out carefully, tested it out before deciding it is the perfect place to sleep a Sunday morning away!

Excuse me while I go back to my nap...

Redecorating

How do all you kitties go when your humans decided to redecorate? I find it exciting and do my best to help.

If mummy puts furniture somewhere I don't like - I'll pee around it until it gets moved! The vibes have to be right folks!

If there is a fabric I don't like - a claw here or a claw there quickly takes care of it.

Floor length curtains = scratching post

New rug = new litter tray. Never seen the point in them!

I love to paint, but mummy doesn't see the artistic side of cat paw prints on freshly revamped timber floors.

When everything is right - it must be for me so I'll take over and sleep!

What to do?

Okay all you happening kitty cats! I have spent the last few weeks carrying on about my health. Mummy reminded me how dull grandma use to be going on about her health and suggested a change of topic.

Change of topic! My life consists of sleeping, eating and the occassional stroll into the yard. There isn't much variety in this old kitties life. However, what is boring and mundane to me, may not be to you dear kitty reader.

Apart from the people and Penny cat, we do have other creatures living in our little house. They are strange little creatures that look almost like cats but they climb really, really well. They have fluffy tails and pouches. Mummy calls these cats 'possums'. Their names are mumma possum, baby possum, baby 2, baby 3... and Bitey. Bitey bites mummy's and daddy's toes if they don't feed him!

These possum cats are real noisy at night. They live in the roof. At dusk and dawn they tend to fight. I think they are trying to make more possums! It isn't normally too bad. We just hear running feet, screaches and the occassional bump in the night.

Just like all the other neighbourhood cats, these possum cats come in and eat our food. That causes a few spits I can tell you! Hiss, snarl, growl! What fun! Too bad they aren't scared.

What is real amusing is watching mum chase our possum cats around the house when they come inside! Penny and I sit in our spots and watch in amusement as she corrals and scoots them towards the doors. Boy, possum cats are even dumber than Penny (oops, shouldn't say that about my little kitty should I), they can't find the door!

At least we seem like well behaved, darling cats when they are around!

Finally back on the computer!

Mummy has been busy and hasn't let me get on the lap top for days and days. She thinks she is entitled to a life, what about me? She happily gads about town and Penny and I sit at home. She could at least leave the lap top out for us....

Anyway, things have been going on pretty standard. Mummy wakes me up in the morning and shoves some goop on my lips(antibiotics). Then she thrusts a tablet down my throat! (thyroid) Then she wonders why I'm a bit grumpy. The only bit I like is when she smears the goop on Penny's lips also.

I'm still gobbling down food like there is no tomorrow. Mummy thinks its fantastic as I'm putting on weight. I have to fight Penny for it!

I need to go back to the vet for a check up about my gums to make sure all the infection is resolving...

Ah, the life of a slightly older used kitten appears to revolve around the vet, food and sleep... Now where is that bed....

I Want To Play

Okay all you youngsters out there, I don't mean I want to play with a catnip mouse or chase a string or such. I mean I actually have the energy and inclination to do something!

Wow, getting my teeth removed, eating, and having boring beige tablets for thyroid seems to be rolling back the years a bit!

I wake up after a snooze and the first thing I want to do is eat, then wee, then eat some more and a bit extra for good measure. Then I want to do something, go places.

The downside is that I get most playful at night. Mummy just gets up and feeds me and tells me to go to sleep. Penny cat is no use, she is busy sleeping! Daddy isn't impressed as I don't want to sleep so I call for someone to play.

Daddy isn't much fun though. When he gets up he just puts me OUTSIDE! I have to wait until mummy gets up to let me in. She then gives me a big cuddle, feeds me (Yeah!) and tells me to be quiet or daddy will put me out again. Yes, she spoils me. Now, I just have to remember not to wake daddy...

Mummy got a call from the Vet

I'm not sure I like the vet no more. Mummy got a message saying I need Thyroid treatment. She has been playing phone tag trying to get the details. I need a procedure or treatment of somekind....

Maybe it will help stop my 'accidents' as no one is amused. The nice vet did say early on that thyroid problems can mask kidney problems... I guess this means once my thyroid is under control then my little wee problem might be able to be resolved and I'll not be called lazy.... Oh PURR! I think I like the vet after all...

I really really feel good now. I keep eating and eating and eating! Daddy can't believe how much I"m eating so I have to scream and scream and scream for more. Mummy understands and just keeps putting it out until my tummy gets full. I like mummy. Penny is similarly enjoying the culinary feasts again. She is even gumming down the dry lumpies! Mummy is saying we haven't eaten this much in years and years and years!

Funny wet stuff falling from sky!

Wow, strange wet stuff has started falling from the sky. It is like mummy went outside and turned on a big shower.

I heard mummy say it was 'raining'. It has been so long since it rained I had forgotten what it was like. We have been having a drought for so long that rain is an oddity... I'm sure there are some young Brisvegas kitties who have never ever seen it.

For me I think alzheimers is kicking in as it took me awhile to recall what the wet stuff from the sky was called.

I have decided I don't like the rain. I went outside to use the facilities and I got damp all over. My paws got damp and my fur got damp! Bring on the sunshine again!

Mummy says no - it needs to rain lots and lots so she won't feel guilty about having a bath with the water restrictions! A very politically incorrect treat around here! I can't see the attraction of ducking ones body in a big puddle of water but then humans have some strange ideas...