Introducing Parker

My house-guest arrived yesterday afternoon. Parker is a big, friendly, orange fellow, about ten years old. Initially, I locked my beasts away in the bedroom - except for Cammie, who was high up on the tallest cat-tree - and let Parker roam about. Then, he went into the library that had been prepared for him. He has a special diet, and a schedule for eating, so, when I do integrate him with mine, there will be some adjustment in the availability of food, though it won’t be something to which no one can grow accustomed.

The injection of Parker’s insulin will take a little refinement on my part. He receives his medicine by syringe, rather than pen. The needles are long, and Parker’s skin does not pinch readily, as does Tucker’s. I may be receiving syringes with shorter needles. Trying to make sure that the needle doesn’t go through the skin and out the other side, or penetrate into muscle (or into my finger), making certain a cat is not hurt, while trying to inject medicine, all in a half-second or so, is quite the operation. Shorter needles would facilitate this.

My first attempt at injection was not a success. I had to call Parker’s foster-guardian for help but, as life goes sometimes, I tried again and successfully gave him his shot literally as the foster-guardian was ringing my doorbell. And this morning, though Parker felt the prick of the needle, the injection was completed successfully. It will take some time before he and I are both used to each other, but I am satisfied we will make a good team against his diabetes.

Aside from this, Parker is an easy-going guest. He sheds at a mere touch, and has a few mats in his fur; he doesn’t care for combing or brushing, but I will try to get him accustomed to it. He purrs a great deal. I spent half an hour with him before bed-time; he lie at my feet, purring and flexing his paws the whole time. I think he is one of those cats who simply enjoys human company. He misses his foster-guardian, but I will try to make up for her absence as much as I can.

Then there are my cats. I will slowly integrate Parker with them, but I don’t believe giving him time by himself would be a bad thing. He has always lived with several cats, and I think he may like being alone (or at least alone with a person). But I will see how things proceed. He may surprise me and become great friends with one of mine. (Actually, Parker being friendly enough for that would not surprise me; mine being friendly enough for that would.)

And, finally, an aside about Tucker. I was preparing the syringe for Parker, siphoning insulin from its vial. Tucker, lying on a chair at the dining table, saw me do this. He dropped to the floor, went into the sitting room and lie down. He had likened the shape of the syringe to that of his insulin pen, and thought it was time again for his own shot. What a good little patient.