So Bright the Mornings

In regard to the messages I’ve received about Parker’s demise, I hope to contact each well-wisher and thank her or him individually. With some, it will be through their blogs; some do not have blogs, and I hope they will receive my replies to the comments they have left me.

I would like to thank, for a different reason, the Lethbridge PAW Society, whose unfailing support for Parker and me was responsible for his well-being for so long. Since he was, officially, my foster-cat, they provided funds for food and litter, and of course for medical care; expertise, and moral support. Parker would not have survived long without PAW.

But what about the others living in the cosy apartment? Of Renn and Raleigh, the former is patiently awaiting his appointment at the hospital, next Thursday, at which he will have his dental procedure completed. His composure in the face of this fate is remarkable. Of course, he doesn’t know it’s going to happen, but still… Raleigh is becoming more confident, though one hour, he may come right up to me for pets, the next he will run in fear. But his running is less frantic, almost precautionary. I am not worried about his progress.

Josie is recovering very well from her own dental surgery. She was ready to try some hard-food the day after the event. I didn’t offer her any, as I didn’t want to force the issue, but she chose to eat some, and had no difficulty that I could see. She has a couple more days of liquid medicine to take. She dislikes receiving it, but it is not troublesome to give it; the anti-biotic pills she has, so far, consumed crushed up in her soft-food.

As for my princess, Cammie has bounded back from her stroke in all but her vision. I will be talking to her doctor about it, but I think she is almost completely blind each morning, with her sight improving with the day’s course. It may be that the damage done has slowed the reaction of the pupil to light. I don’t know if such particular damage is possible, but that appears to be the cause of the effects I notice.

In the mornings, she cannot see much, if at all. Her eyes’ pupils are dilated tremendously, filling her irises, as they did when she was first struck. She bumps into things and is startled by other cats being in her way. She growls more, which is indicative of both anger and fright. Her pupils diminish, however, as the day ages, and she moves about more freely. Later in the day is when she is more likely found on her favourite cat-tree, facing the window, probably seeing through it.

Whether blind or sighted, whether intermittent or permanent, my Siamese friend is still moving about, using litter-boxes, eating and drinking; she still lies on my neck at night and purrs. She utilizes the steps at the end of the bed more, and drinks more frequently from fewer bowls, in or close to the bedroom. If she loses her vision completely, it will be a grievous loss, but not one she cannot overcome. She will remain secure and cared for; if her mornings are not bright enough to see, her days will still be fair and light.