Monday, March 2, 2020

Words for a Cat

A person’s cat is the source of anxiety, frustration, revulsion, delight and joy, sometimes alternately, sometimes simultaneously.

Cammie is a good example. As some of those who have read this blog for a while know, my princess has a severe allergic reaction to almost any food; it causes her to throw up. It often happens late at night, long after she has eaten the offending food. I have been successful for some months in keeping her episodes at bay but they have occurred without her eating anything of which I am aware, so I am always fearful of hearing her wretch.

This she did; in fact, twice, at about the same time (approximately four o’clock a.m.) on two mornings, several days apart. Upon hearing the sound, I immediately woke and jumped from bed to see who was upchucking. It was Cammie, and my heart sank. I couldn’t return to sleep after that, for her episodes almost always include two instances of vomiting close together. Fortunately, nothing further occurred. I don’t know what caused the incidents - and twice, at that - but she ate well at breakfast, and her behaviour denoted no cause for alarm. (Anxiety)

Cammie has also taken to wetting in front of the litter-box that is placed in the library. I have two in the store-room and one in the library, in case the others are in use and someone needs to go right away. Cammie will usually amble into the storeroom and use the boxes there. She is not suffering an infection or obstruction; she just has her spot in front of the library litter-box. I had placed, even before she commenced this habit, a soaker pad in front of the box, if only to catch the grains of litter thrown out. She wets in the same spot on the soaker pad, the choice of which alternates among six that I have. (Frustration)

Late one night, I heard her get up from her heated bed. I knew where she was going, so I headed her off, directing her to the storeroom, and closing the door to the library. (I don’t do that all the time as it severely reduces the amount of space six cats have to avoid each other.) I heard her digging in the litter in the storeroom, so I returned to bed. The next morning, I found that she had indeed wet in the litter-box. And pooped on the rug outside the storeroom. (Revulsion)

Then there are the days when I am at my computer and she will decide she wants some time with me. She will sit on the edge of the bed, leaning toward where she knows I am sitting. She will periodically squawk and walk away, only to come back. This is my signal. I quit what I am doing and lie down on the bed. Cammie crawls onto my chest, bumps her head against my chin several times, lies flat and starts purring while I pet her and we talk. (Delight)

For all the problems that they give me, the financial worries, the messes that I must clean, the anger at endless choices of food disdained, the fatigue that comes from going to bed too late and waking too early because of their needs, I require only to think that some day they will all be gone, and I will be without them. That’s when my cats’ presence has the final word. (Joy)

18 comments:

  1. Am sending Cammie a hug and chin scritch from afar!
    I'd send the same to you, but the chin scritch wouldn't be appreciated...
    Having a kitty climb up and purr is so sensational, if we could bottle it and sell it, we'd be bazillionaires in no time!

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    1. Bottled purrs... A good name for a product even if there is no way to have it captured literally.

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  2. I've had two cats who were "problematic"--namely, we couldn't stop them from urinating on the floor. It was annoying and frustrating when they were alive, but now that they're both gone, I long to have them back--bad habits and all.

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    1. It's astonishing how tiny big problems become when you can never hold their cause again.

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  3. purrhaps cammie is trying to expel a hairball { necessity } and it has nothing to do with the food switch { hooray } and the rug incident just an accident { ??? } ♥♥♥♥

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    1. Ha! Good words - and good points. No, I don't think it's a food problem causing Cammie to throw up this time. The vomiting is quite different, so you may be right about the hairball. I'm loathe to give her anything for it, but I will keep watch. And yes, I think the poor girl just was thrown off her routine by the closed library door, and pooped where she had to. I won't close the door anymore. washing soaker pads is a small price to pay for my princess's peace of mind.

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  4. Every cat has its own special needs or own special quirks. But we happily (?) deal with the litter box issues or medical issues because that's what makes our cats unique. We love our cats just the way they are, and in their own way, they love us even with all of our faults. And when push comes to shove, we wouldn't have it any other way.

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  5. The joy often outweighs the not so joyous moments and we'll take the joy every time and deal with the others.

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  6. You are a good cat dad John. Miss pos does a special squak too when she wants a cuddle, and wants me to lie down so she can lie across my upper leg.

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  7. Maybe as she could not get back into the library, and not wanting to go back into the litter box she had already used, she felt the rug was the best option.

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  8. You've got me at it again John..
    I keep running out of tissues...
    Bless!
    And..Brian's comment is about right..! :)

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  9. Another wonderful post, perfectly describing life with cats. You really are a fantastic cat caretaker; your fur crew are so very lucky to have someone as patient, loving and understanding. I hope the joy always outweighs everything else for you.

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  10. Yep. Your words are so true! I love how Cammie lets you know she wants your attention. My Lucy used to give me gentle head bonks so she could have my full attention. My tabby boys not so much. I really love that last pic of Cammie, she's so regal!

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  11. Cammie certainly has had plenty of challenges this past year. it is, of
    course, no pleasure to clean up outside the litter box, but our cats
    don't have any idea. They just enjoy the cleanliness we provide. And
    that is as it should be. We delight in their company and the talks we
    can have with them.

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  12. So very true. Sasha has been pooping outside the box but thankfully it is solid stool and easy to clean up. But I do find they always make a mess when I've just, earlier that day, washed the floor or vacuumed. It's like a magnet!

    Can you move the library box over the spot Cammie was peeing in? I suppose she'll just move her spot...

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  13. Yes they take a lot of care and work and stressing and cleaning but, when you come down to it, they give so very much back. It has taken me almost 16 months to get Rumpy to accept that he needs a cleaning of his bottom just about daily. With the steroids he is now on we do get whole weeks of clean bloomers but... he can be messy. He used to be trained to run into the bathroom for a treat (and wash) but when we moved down here it changed. It was always a trick to get a hold of him as he "knows" and then he would be more difficult the next time. The past week after a cleaning all I say is "treat" and he runs up for a treat since he has been a good boy letting me clean him up. And he is not difficult to touch for 2 days. Now if I can get him to stop his impromptu attacks my anxiety will be lessened. He is so loving I would put in three times this effort. Thanks for a great post

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