As for Raleigh…
His prescription of Prednisolone had him on one tablet and one-half tablet alternate days. Previously, taking him off the steroid every second day proved too little a deterrent to stomatitis. The dosage that he has been on for two weeks has been successful. It has kept the stomatitis at bay, allowing Peachy to eat without pain or awkwardness.
Now, he will be receiving half a tablet every day. I have hopes for this dosage, as it will provide the drug each day but at a reduced amount. I will be monitoring his eating habits closely, watching for the tell-tale scattering of food, the twisting of the head and the outright refusal to eat some days.
Other than his mouth troubles, Raleigh is doing very well. He enjoys his play-times, jumping and wrestling with a string-toy, or chasing the red dot. He keeps trying to lie close to Renn - every newcomer’s big brother - and in the meantime, loves lap-time with me. When he sees me approach the couch, he starts talking to me, hoping to get in some cuddles or, better yet, some chest-rubs. He nearly always falls asleep on my lap.
It is still quite cold at night, cold enough for the heated water-bowl to be used outside. Saturday evening witnessed a blustery, chilly darkness, and I felt sorry for all the homeless cats and dogs out there. It made me glad that Raleigh was with me, though. As an FIV-positive cat, he is susceptible to more illnesses than others, and he had no friend in the feral colony with which he associated, so had to stay warm alone. I watch him looking out into the frigid nights and wonder if he thinks of the old days. Perhaps not; perhaps he already takes his safety and warmth for granted. I wouldn’t be offended if he did. The highest compliment a human can receive from an animal is the expectation that his good life will continue. And the highest compliment a human can pay to an animal is to make sure it does.
I think Mr Raleigh looks contented sleeping on your couch in a nice warm apartment with a full tummy and someone to give him pats. I don't think cats worry about the past or future like us - they live in the moment. If it is summer they enjoy the sunbeams or the shade and in winter they seek out a warm bed.
ReplyDeleteRaleigh sure looks pretty darn happy!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear Raleigh is doing so well. When he looks out the window, I'm sure he does think of the old days before he came to live with you, John. But I'm also sure he realizes how lucky he is to be in a warm home, with plenty of food to eat, and that he's being cared for by someone who loves him.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that Raleigh is doing well. Thank you for the kind words you left for me on my blog about the loss of Tallulah.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the reduced dosage is working for Raleigh, and hope the further reduction works equally well. He does look very happy on the sofa, in fact I would say that is a smug expression as he thinks on how his life has changed so much for the better.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing him more close up! He is truly a handsome boy. I can tell even better. I am, as is he I'm sure, grateful for his warmth and comfort and love.
ReplyDeleteRaleigh looks very content in that photo. I don't know if cats think about past times, in their own way. I suspect they're more in the Present Moment, and thus naturally more advanced than we mere humans. I also suspect he's quite happy to be where he is, warm and safe and well-fed and loved.
ReplyDeleteYour final comments are spot on. If only all humankind felt the same way about animals.
ReplyDeleteRaleigh looks good, it's pretty clear he's content!
Eileen
I love this image of Raleigh; looking so contented.
ReplyDeletedood...ya look veree ZEN buddy....we iz glad de med i sinz iz helpin....N we two pray for all thos who call outside home...just this onze... we will say we feel bad for de burd...itz gonna be minuz 14 two morrow :(
ReplyDeleteNothing makes us happier than a well contented cat.
ReplyDelete