Coincidences

The other night I woke up hearing a very loud thud. I immediately ran in to check the Boy, but he was sound asleep. So, I woke up my husband who didn't hear a thing. We looked around, but we didn't see anything. Eventually, we decided to just go back to bed. I think my husband thought I was crazy.

While pulling into our driveway last night, my husband said "What is that on our roof?" I looked up and there was a fairly large rock sitting up there. Apparently that was the noise I heard. How it got up there? We can guess, but probably won't ever know.

We were arriving home from our local "mall". I quote it because it's hard for me to accept that it lives up to the name "mall". I was trying on some shorts for our upcoming trip, and in the rush didn't notice the ink security tag. I only realized the back was off the security tag when it gouged the side of my thigh. I'm hoping it only ripped open my leg and not numerous others before me.

We're heading out on our trip today. Our friend is checking in on the Cat and fish. Hopefully they will behave for him.

Cat

Our cat is back to his mischievous self. After a rough time of it with an upper respiratory infection, then troubled with some major tummy issues which we can assume are from the high doses of antibiotics, we are thankful he recovered. He'll be 11 in April......which also means a pretty significant birthday for me too. I'll be 30. Wow. Life has a way of flying by, and I'm reminded time and time again not to rush any of it.

The calm

Mr. Nicodemus is feeling much more like himself. A call in to the vet made it clear what I've thought for years. Nicodemus is allergic to Clavamox. So, it's been noted in his chart, and he's back on Zithromax. And, can I tell you he is a completely different cat. He isn't sneezing as much and his tummy is getting better. He's been eating, thank God! And, Our Lovely Life had a wonderful suggestion in the comments before for getting sick kitties to eat. So, thank you again!




The Boy and I finally got around to starting some new avocado seeds this week. My pictures didn't come out very clear, but it was a lot of fun. We had a very big avocado plant in Maine, but since it was winter we never got around to planting it.





After all that hard work, we had three seeds started. Only to be questioned by my husband the next morning about how we had placed them in the water. I put them in upside down. So, we are peeling new ones tomorrow...pointy side of seed up.

If you want to try doing this, it is really fun. Plus, you get to eat the avocado first! Here are some instructions: Growing Avocadoes from Seeds and Grow an Avocado Tree!.

Update on my Cat

My regular vet wasn't in, so I got the part time vet. He was extremely excitable, and I don't think he was out of vet school very long. Either way, he had me in tears within 5 minutes of talking. He rambled on about all these things that would basically be the end of my cat, so we needed to do this, and this, and this.

After crying, and asking a ton of questions, I opted for the blood CBC. And, of course their CBC machine was broke. I had to wait until the next day for Doodle's results. He changed the antibiotic to Clavamox and gave us eye and nose drops.

They called with his results today. All looked great. His white blood count was down a bit, but that is expected with a virus such as URI. After they apologized for the other vet completely freaking me out, I thanked them.

Doodle is acting better from the URI, but he's not doing well on the Clavamox. For a cat that has consistently ate through this entire illness, his tummy is upset enough to cause him not to eat very much. Plus, his eyes stay dilated from the eye drops and I can't find out if that's normal. He's had trouble with Clavamox in the past, and this time is no different. So, I'll call the vet in the morning to see what to do next.

He did curl up on my head tonight. Something he hasn't done since he started getting sick. My poor baby.

My cat

I think anyone with a pet understands that bond you share with them. I grew up always having a pet as part of our family. Actually, I should re-phrase that to I grew up always having a cat sleeping on my head.

A little over a week ago we made the decision to adopt a cat from the local humane society. We used to have two cats, but sadly lost one a couple years ago. When we first saw this cat we knew she was the right match. The adoption process was a bit different then previous shelter adoptions I have done, and by that I mean they literally seem to just give you the animal and push you out the door.

I got her home, and she was rightfully a bit nervous. My cat was rightfully a bit angry, but he took it much better than I expected. By the night time though, the adopted cat "Miss Lily" was just not acting right. She was sneezing and coughing, her eyes looked funny and she wouldn't eat or drink.

By morning she was sneezing green mucous, and was not doing well. She was wheezing and having trouble breathing. Of course, this wass a Saturday. Most vets are closed. After speaking to a couple very helpful vets at the emergency clinic, it was determined she wouldn't make it. As in, she was extremely sick with a URI.

I then was told to bleach my ENTIRE home and everywhere Miss Lily had been. Not an easy feat, but I did it. I was then instructed to keep an eye on my cat, Nicodemus, who we call "Doodle". Not only did we lose the adopted cat, but URI's are extremely contagious. It's airborne, as well as living on surfaces for weeks.



Well, Doodle started sneezing last Friday. He was still himself, eating and playing and causing a normal raucous. As of Sunday, I felt he was sneezing way too much. Our new vet got us right in on Monday, and said he sounded great. She prescribed antibiotics because this shelter is known to have very sick cats and the strain is very hard to treat. But, in a home setting she felt it would be much easier to treat. She wasn't really concerned about it.

Well, we are heading back in this afternoon. He isn't acting right and he is still sneezing and coughing. I am thankful he is eating and drinking, but the guilt I am feeling over this is huge. I just want him to feel well. I have done reading online about it, and honestly I'll just wait to see what the vet says today.

Neighbor cat

There are quite a few animals who roam around my yard during the day and night. In particular is the cat my neighbor has had for maybe six months. She stays out all night and is let in sometime in the morning. This cat reminds me why it is so important to spay and neuter your pets. She hasn't been spayed and is blatantly in heat. She is very vocal. And, it gets my poor elderly cat all wound up. Only, he is neutered, which means he just doesn't understand why this cat is so intent on visiting him. And, it also isn't enjoyable to watch a cat so miserable. I never want to see a cat rub against my window like she does again. It is awful.

I'm sure before long there will be kittens to be given away. And, I could ramble about this for pages. I'll just leave you with some basic info: Humane Society.


And, if you are looking for a new companion, don't forget to check your local shelters and rescues!

Cat

Our Cat has lived with us for 10+ years, and he is completely different than any other Cat I've known. In his first year of life we found out he needed almost $1500 in surgery costs, which was hard to come up with. It was either fix his knees which wouldn't hold his body, or well, something you can figure out. So, the surgery has obviously saved his life, and given him a happy stress free journey with us.

He knew that I was pregnant well before I thought it was possible. He would nudge my belly, purr right against my belly, and sleep completely against my belly. I thought it was odd, but then again he is known for being odd.

I'll admit I was a bit worried about how he would react to having a baby in the house. Mainly because he had always been my baby. I didn't know if he'd feel jealous and try to take it out on the baby. I knew we'd find a way to fix any problems that may have arose, but still it crossed my mind.

The minute I walked into the house with the Boy, our Cat surprised me. He played the roll of protector. If anyone visited, he would jump right up and keep the Boy within eyesight. If the boy cried, he'd be right there with me anxiously like we was trying to make sure I was fixing the baby. Sometimes I sensed he got impatient with me for not nursing him quick enough. It was pretty funny and amazing all at once.

Now the Boy and the Cat are friends. They seek each other out during the day. He will somehow get the Boy to ask me if we can give him treats multiple times a day. And, they will play. My Cat steals the boys Lego's and runs away with them in his mouth. My son loves this and will chase him giggling. The Boy will play with this ratty toy we affectionately call the "bird mouse" with the Cat for long periods of time. It's great.



But, the Cat is still my baby. At night I can always depend on a quick nip to my arm. He does this so I know he needs me to move my arm. Because, a cat can't comfortably sleep against my head, if my arm is in the way.