Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Singing the Song of the Unsung

This afternoon, Echo goes to the doctor for her first examination. This is today’s big event, but now I would like to write a little reminder of someone else with whom I live.

Josie has been with me longer than any of my current cats. We have been together for going on seven years. I believe I may have mentioned before that she is not the spectacular sort, not the kind of cat who garners attention. She is not a cute and cuddly kitten, nor a diabetic requiring special care. She is just a cat. But she is my cat, and my friend. And that is something to celebrate now and then.

One of the remarkable things about my Chubs is that she likes to make eye contact with me. She will fix me with a stare that is steady but friendly, in a concentrated sort of way. It is as if she is studying me. Periodically, I will wake in the middle of the night and Josie will be in her usual spot, lying next to me on the near side of the bed. She will be looking at me, and purring. I rub her head, talk to her and then we go back to sleep. Well, I do. She may continue staring at me, and purring. I like to think so.

Josie doesn’t ask for much. Her favourite activity is receiving chin-rubs. I’ve described these before. She will flop on her side, near to where I sit in the bedroom and lie still, while I rub her fuzzy chin. I needn’t even exert myself - though doing this for a prolonged period can cause an arm to ache - and she will appreciate the barest movement on my part. Sometimes, she will be happy to lie on my hand.

The Great White doesn’t move about the apartment to a great extent. She restricts herself mainly to the bedroom. She is unafraid of any other cat; she simply prefers the comfort of the bed, or the curve of one of the saddles on Cammie’s old cat-tree. She will come out to the dining area or the kitchen when it is meal-time, but she likes to have her food served on the bed. She waits there for it, sometimes patiently. Hers is a voluntarily circumscribed world, small but, I hope, comfortable and pleasant.

Yesterday, as I decided to write this article, I recorded the cats’ weights, as I like to do every month. I saw that Josie had lost some poundage again. She is now below six kilograms. Hers is certainly not a dangerous weight, either too great or too small, but she has been diminishing for a while now, very gradually. I have been keeping an eye on this. As well, she has been regurgitating her food more often than used to; she’d always had a sensitive stomach. Josie is keeping plenty down, I believe, but too much is coming up. She had had a seniors’ blood-panel performed on her prior to her dental operation in, I believe, March. But I will discuss with the veterinary hospital what tests may be conducted on my Chubs to ascertain her state of health. I am not worried, just a little concerned.

After all, Josie may be just a cat, but she is just my cat, and my friend.

23 comments:

  1. Fingers (and paws) crossed that all goes well for both Echo and Josie. Certainly any change like loss of weight and throwing up more regularly is a cause for some concern. First thing that always pops into my mind is hyper-thyroidism, so if she's not been checked for that, you might want to have her T4 run. Keep us posted on them both!

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    1. That's one of the tests I've ordered. Josie goes to the hospital for a full exam in two weeks.

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  2. What a sweetie Josie is! Love her nicknames: Chubs, The Great White. This post reminds me that I want to purchase a baby scale, as a way to keep an eye on everyone's weights. Wonder how easily I'll be a able to get Patty O'Malley on that scale; he's a big 'un!

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    1. You could do what many do: weigh yourself, then do so again but holding Patty. But I've been told that isn't a good way, since some people don't want to know how much they weigh...

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  3. Josie and you...you remind me of Katie and me.

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    1. They may not have broken the mold with Josie, but that's all right. The world can use more like her.

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  4. What a beautiful post about Josie. You're right to be concerned about her health. My Jessica is 17 now, and I've had her since she was 5 weeks old so I understand how you feel. When you bring Echo to the vet this afternoon, mention Josie's weight loss to her. My vet recommends exams twice a year and blood work once a year for geriatric cats, so maybe it's time to get Josie another check up. Cats do tend to lose weight as they age because they lose muscle mass. But to put your mind at ease, speak to the vet.

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    1. The foster-cats in my care go to a different veterinary practice than the perma-cats, but I have already made an appointment with Josie’s regular doctor for a fortnight from today. I have ordered tests on everything, as well as a physical examination.

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  5. josie; we send best fishez two yur gorgeouz self that summer time haz ya eatin a wee bit less than norm....we due that round heer; dunno why, we just due...bring on de furst frost N we will bee apckin it a way again; even daiz who eatz like a ewe noe what that bee ginz witha "B" ~~~~ ♥♥

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    1. I hope that is the only cause of her diminution. We'll see.

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  6. no such thing as "just" a cat...they are all special in their own ways (as you well know....just saying)

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    1. Being "just a cat" is better than being most other things...

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  7. Thank you for this note on Josie. Yes, she is special - just for being your cat and friend. She is truly a lovely girl who, I think, holds you in high esteem. How wonderful to wake up in the middle of the night and knowing Josie is looking over you.

    I wish all the best to Echo and yo today.

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    1. At night, on the bed, there is often a rivalry between Josie and Renn to get the right spot. Renn is much more obvious inches personality; Josie is a quiet, subtle one.

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  8. I will add Josie to my prayer list. She is a beautiful kitty.

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    1. Thank you. I think she is well but it doesn't hurt to make sure.

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  9. Josie is so much more than just a cat. You said it best; she is your friend. A loved and treasured companion and a very adorable girl at that. It's the bond with the stable, undemanding cats that helps us through all of the crises that arise with the others. It's rhe quiet comfort a kitty like Josie provides that we take for granted. And we shouldn't.

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    1. And I want to make sure she is with me for as long as possible. My beautiful Chubs.

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  10. Josie reminds me of all 3 of my seniors. They are all "just cats", but to me they are very special and I love them deeply. Purrs and prayers for your sweet special Josie.

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  11. I hope all is well with Josie. I understand the comfort than comes from the cat is quietly and lovingly is there for us.

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    1. I think she will pass her tests. I just want to make sure.

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  12. I hope that Josie's tests are all good. Your description of her is very touching. It is an honour to wake through the night to see her watching you. She is ensuring you stay safe.

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