From Hirsute to Velvet Suit

It was that time of the season again today: time for Neville’s haircut.

As he is growing older and a little less able to move about - far from an invalid, his body nonetheless seems to have fewer choices when deciding to move - the Nevsky is collecting more bits of litter and food in his fur. As well, since he doesn’t groom much at all, he has developed some terrible matts that defy combing and brushing, due to the coarse texture of his fur. A fittingly leonine cut for my grey lion was thus in order.

It was a long session; necessarily so, as there was much to do. At one point, he wet; I don’t think it was stress but merely the need to go, any complaints about which were mistaken for general declarations against the haircut. He also pooped. While these actions did little for Nev’s dignity, they did clear him out. And it was good to see that his diarrhea has disappeared. It was very good to see that…

Once done, Neville’s complaints vanished. He did seem to have some indecision about where to lie: the unaccustomed freedom he felt, combined with an equally unaccustomed lack of fur, may have required a search for just the right warmth in his leisure location. Interestingly, he chose my bed and the bedroom’s armchair for his relaxation; the former he had not used in months, and the latter never.

I was reminded of Minuet. After her haircut had removed matts under her legs, she started climbing her cat-tree more. Such knots of hair can be both inhibiting to movement and painful. Neville had some of those of long-standing cut away. The haircut may have restored to my oldster a little agility that was present but restricted.

In any case, I have no doubt that Neville is feeling much better than he has in months. If he has to use the heated cat-bed or those with high sides more often until the spring advances, I believe he will think it a small price to pay for comfort and relief.