Annoying Monday

We had a couple of "contractor" strangers here earlier today.  We weren't happy about that of course.  But they dint make TBT very happy either.  Something about "costs".  He will post about that on his own bloggie tomorrow.

Thankful Thursday

TBT:  An apology and several different subjects today...

First, sorry for not showing new pics lately.  I just haven't begun using the new camera yet, and there seems little point in taking bad-color ones with the old.  Its the same camera model, I guess I just haven't felt like taking any again yet.

Second, I took Marley to the vet again for sub fluid injection.  It is amazing how he knows I plan to.  To my knowledge, I do nothing different in the morning, but somehow he knows.  And he finds places almost impossible to get him out of!

Behind the wine cooler is a favorite spot.   It is cluttered on top and next to a plant stand that is awkward to move.  And I can't lift him one-handed from an angle anyway.  He hid there last Saturday but I "worried" him out of there. Yesterday, he went there too, but got away when I started to move things.  So he ran behind some drapes behind a large cat tree.  I pulled him out slightly, but then he grabbed the base of the tree with all claws.  

It was like trying to pull rope out of a block of ice!  I eventually managed to loosen one paw at a time, but neither of us were happy about.  Marley is a kind and peaceful cat, but I'm sure it was all he could do not to strike out at me.

I was planning to try the injection myself under supervision yesterday, but felt too shaky about it.  Not "mentally" shaky;  physically shaky.   So maybe next time.  It would be good to do it at home.  Then, I could just pick up Marley while he was calm.

Third, it feels like life is just generally falling apart.  Oh, I don't mean I'm dying or anything (I hope).  But hand and arms and ankle muscle cramps are getting routine, and topical rubs are not helping as much as they used to.  Sometimes, it is hard to prepare dinner or type.  I feel fine other than the muscle cramps.   

But obviously I need to see a doctor.  Having lived alone 50 years and being (as one doctor said) "obnoxiously healthy",  I don't actually have much experiences with either illnesses or more general physical problems.  I should probably have some serious screening.  Cancer, heart, blood, nutrition, etc.

But I also mean The Mews (and this is mostly about The Mews).  It is total coincidence, but having multiple cats with serious problems is a struggle.  Ayla dying of starvation and having to be assisted Over The Bridge before things got unbearable was both sudden and hard.  The emergency clinic vet did an exam, took x-rays, and did a blood panel and couldn't actually find anything specifically wrong.  He gave her an electrolyte injection and provided a pill and some oral medication for appetite stimulation.  

He said if that if those didn't help Ayla begin to eat again in 2 days, nothing probably would.  And it didn't.  So I had to bring her back for a last vet visit.  Having to build a memorial box for her will be difficult too.

Marley needing injections 2x a week for life will also be hard.  Stabbing a dear pet routinely will not be easy.  The calming treats the vet gave me for Laz don't seem to have any affect.  Thankfully, the serious medication will arrive later today.  I sure hope those help.  Lori is becoming more and more distressed by Laz's brief attacks.  Marley is upset hearing cat fights.

Let's just say I've had better times...  And sometimes things just don't go the way you expect.  I suppose I just can't adjust to changes and problems the way I did once.  

I think I need to start taking more pictures.  That seems like a positive thing to do.  Cats when they are happy.  Plants in flower.  Ripening tomatoes.  Birds at the feeders.  Etc...

I initially titled this "Thankful Thursday" out of habit.  And there isn't a whole lot to be very thankful about.  Alyla is gone, Marley has to be stabbed 2x a week, Laz needs sedation meds for the foreseeable future, and Lori doesn't understand why her BFF attacks her sometimes.  So I changed it to "Thursday Thoughts" because "Thankful" didn't seem to work.

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But I can end on a positive and thankful note.  The vet gave me 4 cans of Hill's Science Diet canned "Kidney Food" that should provide enough protein for him but ones that make it easier on his kidneys.  And a non-expiring presciption for that and a Royal Canin variety that I can fulfill at several places.

They warned me I might have to very gradually blend it in to his accustomed food because most cats don't accept it at first.  So I had only mild hope.  But I decided to see how he would react to it and put a unmixed spoonful in a bowl while Laz and Lori were outside.  He LOVED it just as it was!  Even turned the bowl upside down to lick for spillage.  And asked for more! 

I gave him more.  Marley now has a new favorite food.  It is "chicken and stew" and there are 2 cans of "beef and stew".  Well I'll see if he likes that one, tomorrow.  And we will try the Royale Canin as well.  Variety is good.  And anything to help his health... 

So it is "Thankful Thursday" again...  You take what you can of the good things and focus on those.  If Marley likes new his healthy food, that is good.  Hoping that the Laz medication will help him calm down is good and that would mean Lori would be happier too.  There are possibilties for bringing peace and happiness to the household, and I will stay focussed on those.

The 3 are my proper focus now...

Womancat Wensday

AYLA:   I hate the new little twerp!  She's worse than Iza was when SHE first arrived.  So, OK, Ive SAID it!  I hiss at her whenever she gets close.  But Im not sure what ta do.  TBT likes her.  Marley says she is OK.  

Even Laz is accepting her.  He lets her pounce him and doesnt beat the poop out of her (though he DOES seem a little confoosed).  He didnt treat ME that kindly when HE first arrived.  

Im even a little worried about my Princess status...  She is cuter than me (well, shes a kitten).  Can I be "unPrincessed"?  I'm not sure how that works really.  TBT still calls me "Princess", but royalty issues are a bit vague.

I consider that HE is spending altogether TOO MUCH TIME with her.  I mean, she follows him everywhere.  She sleeps with him at night (under the covers) and sits on his shoulder sometimes when he walks around and is fast to get onto The Lap!  Im so peeish that I cant even sit happily on the back of the TV chair when she is on The Lap.  

She even gets "special kitten food".  OK, he gave ME some too and I see why she likes it.

Im retreating to the bedroom and human litterbox room while I decide what ta do.  Laz was bad enough; he was difficult for TBT too at first.  Lori is worse.  She gets all KINNA attention.  I never thought I would be jealous of pics.  I mean, we sometimes try ta avoid them.  Lori glories in it.

OK, its not like Im not getting attention.  TBT brings me my meals an still follows me around with the food bowl while I decide where ta eat.  He nuzzles me when Im up at his head level.  And calls me "Princess".  And gives me scritchies and treats.

But Im still not happy with "her".  And did I mention she loves to climb?  Thats MY territory!  She went right up to the top of the cat tree yesserday an even considered walking on the curtain rod.  She will be up on the tops of the bookcases next.  Even Laz seldom dares do that.

But at least there ARE pictures of me.  He still likes me THAT much...

Lori still has The Mews Room mostly to herself.  TBT says it is temporary.  But I went in an peed in her litterbox, MOL!  THAT will teach her who is the Princess around here!