Feeling Fine

Valkyrie has been let out of the cat-room, to her own and Sable’s relief. I don’t think her incarceration furthered Sabe’s integration, but it kept Valk from wrestling with Xandria at a critical time in her healing.

The first thing Valkyrie did upon her release was start purring. The second was start running. She did engage in some jumps and chases with Xan, but at least there were no tussles, with Valkyrie being kicked in the abdomen, etc. Both kittens are resting now, after a good dinner.

Barring something extraordinary happening, Valkyrie will do just fine, and recover fully. She is on pain medicine for another two days; I will of course administer it, but I don’t think she needs it. Still, you can never tell. Feral cats I’ve trapped and released have had to do with neither cones nor pain-killers - aside from the initial shot given by a veterinary - but when the patient is right in front of you, there are more obvious incentives to worry.

However, as may be seen from the image below, Valk feels no physical obstruction to leaping and climbing, and her expression is as alert and vibrant as ever. Another month or so, and it will be Xan’s turn…

The Surgery's Aftermath

Valkyrie did well in her surgery yesterday. The procedure proceeded as it should, and she is now recovering.

She was quiet at the hospital and during the journey home, but once here, she became energetic and vocal. She is being kept with Sable in the cat-room, but that wasn’t to Valk’s liking. For the first hour or so, she banged on the closed door while other cats - especially her pal, Xandria - wondered what was going on.

After I spent some time with her, however, she calmed a little. She was very happy to be home again, and kept rubbing on me, bumping against me, rolling and twisting, kneading the air and purring.

My main concern was her incision, of course. She pried her cone off four times in a couple of hours. I couldn’t secure it more tightly without strangling her. But I watched her while we were together and she wasn’t insistent on licking her wound. Predictably, she removed her cone during the night, too, but her incision looked unattended this morning, so she didn’t cause problems even when she had access to it. However, the pain-killers given to her after her surgery will have worn off by the time I return home; I hope she doesn’t feel too much discomfort until then. If so, she may try licking the wound.

I was also worried that Sable would be upset by Val’s incarceration in the cat-room with her. Certainly, Sabe stayed in her enclosed cat-bed the whole time that I was in the room. But this morning, the litter-box was in a very messy state, with litter thrown out and urine balls smashed into small, inconvenient pieces. These are Sable’s trademarks. She also pooped too large for it to be mistaken for Valkyrie’s deposits. As well, it looked like Sabe had eaten a good portion of the soft-food left for her, and probably much of the hard-food. While her temporary roommate is likely a bother for her, Sable isn’t so disturbed as to have her bodily functions disrupted. And whether she wants it or not, she will have to become acquainted with her fellow beasts sooner or later.

This state of affairs will continue until Saturday, when Valk will be released. I will keep an eye on her, though, and if her shenanigans with Xandria become too rambunctious, I may have to separate them again.

All in all, then, the surgery and its aftermath have gone well. Though problems can still arise, the chances become slimmer with each day.

A Big Day for Valkyrie

Today is an important day for Valkyrie. She’s going for her spay surgery. I am not worried, as the doctor who is performing it is very experienced and knowledgeable, and Valk herself is at the peak of health.

Nonetheless, it’s going to be a disruption. No jumping or wrestling or exertion of any kind: that will be difficult for her. She will be separated from her friend and playmate, Xandria, for at least two days. I am going to put Valkyrie in the cat-room with Sable. This may work, it may not. I don’t think the kitten will bother Sable overly much, but the latter may be concerned about using the litter-box with another cat present, and I think Valk stealing Sable’s food might be an issue. However, it will be for two days only, and Sabe may benefit from the company.

First things first, though: Valkyrie was not pleased about missing breakfast and, pending her being collected for the veterinary hospital, she is staying in my bathroom. She is not pleased about that, either.

A Bit More About Playing

A few more pictures and words about play-time. While Moxy, Indigo, Sable and, of course, my oldster Neville haven’t indulged much - or at all, really - half the feline population in the Cosy Cabin continue to throw off the restrictions of the apartment and take advantage of their new home.

Last night, Imogen pursued the red dot into the bathroom, where she chased it under the bath-mat, which was eventually propelled out the door.

I can’t be everywhere at once, unfortunately, and Shimmer had to remind me that the red dot isn’t going to move itself.

The kittens, however, were quite undemanding, ready to chase after anything - even each other.

And afterward, a soft-food snack and some rest - for the human, too.

Her New Best Friend

After a couple of weeks of coming to sleep on the bed at night, Imogen has decided to take herself somewhere else after the lights are dimmed. In that inexplicable way of cats, she has chosen the bathmat in the bathroom as her bed for the dark hours.

Why she has chosen to sleep there, I don’t know, but she must like it, since she also occupies that space when I have a shower or bath. The room doesn’t seem as warm to me as the bedroom, but, with a much smaller volume to heat, it might seem otherwise to a cat, especially if there is residual humidity from a shower.

I suspect that the proximity of other cats, especially Indigo, may have had something to do with her new choice, and it is a bit disappointing that Miss Silky is not still on the bed at night. But she is otherwise her old self and, knowing felines, she may change her nightly resting spot yet again in another fortnight.

Living the Easy Life

We had a tremendous amount of snow fall on my city over the past thirty hours. It has at last stopped, and I was out very early this morning, to get the shovelling over with. While I was working hard in the -11 degree temperature, this guy was watching me, as if with curiosity - and not a little superiority - from the sitting room window.

Then he moved to the side window to watch me further. The lazy freeloader.

The Pacifist

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I worry that Moxy and Indigo, especially the latter, are confining themselves to the bedroom. But I have noticed Moxy coming out to the sitting room on at least two occasions. Unfortunately, in both instances, he was chased and physically chastised by Brazil.

I think that Shimmer feels he has an image to uphold: he wants to be seen as a kind of top-cat. He has tried promoting this notion with Imogen and, though she will run from him if pursued, she will also turn and scream at him. It is less fear that he invokes in her than anger. And while he has tried to be the big man cat with Indigo, that does not end well for our would-be great leader. That leaves Moxy.

Though Mox came to me with a reputation for beating up on other cats, I tended to doubt it from the beginning, and nothing that has occurred since has changed my mind. Moxy has no interest in forcing his will on the group, and the few times when he has ventured too near someone like Indigo, he was whapped most vigorously for it. Moxy’s response was not one of equally vociferous defence, but of apology; he cringed and looked hurt that anyone would do such a thing to him. So Moxy seems a good candidate for Brazil’s show of strength.

If I see Moxy out and about again, I will either keep a more open eye on Brazil, or simply put him away in another room for a while. I want Moxy to know that the whole house is his, and not be frightened of going anywhere. It may take an effort to persuade Brazil to go along with this plan.

The Semi-confident Cat

Yesterday, Xandria and Brazil went to the hospital for vaccinations. I knew Xandria would behave well, despite her tiny protests from the carrier during the journey. She was curious and unafraid; the only problem she presented was not wanting to sit still for her examination.

I was worried about Brazil. His first veterinary visit, in October, 2023, produced such terror in him that he leaped about the examining room and no real examination could be conducted. His second visit, due to his refusal of food, was an all-day affair, for which he was sedated. What a difference this time!

With the examining room’s doors closed, I opened Shimmer’s carrier and pulled him out. He was reluctant, but did not fight. I spoke to him the whole time, and the doctor was able to look him over, listen to his heart and lungs, check his eyes and teeth, and give him his injection. After that, Brazil was put back into his carrier and the matter was concluded. He spent ten minutes under the bed upon his return home - Xan jumped onto the bed and snuggled down, purring - after which he came out and was perfectly normal.

Brazil has certainly changed over the last year. He still hides when people come to visit, but the fact that he allowed a stranger to pull up his gums and stare at his eyes shows how far he’s come. He is still available for adoption - as if, of course Xandria - and I think he will have an easier time adjusting to a new home than he once would have. But for now, Shimmer is pleased to enjoy the amenities of the Cosy Cabin; it was warm, comfortable, and even comes with little sisters.

More Space, More Fun

The Cosy Cabin offers much more opportunity for the cats to play than did the Cosy Apartment. Because Imogen doesn’t care to be too close to Brazil, any proximity between the two distracts Shimmer and shuts down Imo’s drive to play. I had to play with one in the bedroom and the other in the sitting room.

Now, I can use the red dot with both cats simultaneously, while flinging about a string-toy for the kittens. Imogen likes to chase the red dot in the kitchen and down the corridor to the bedrooms, and sometimes into the bathroom. She slides on the linoleum and spins about, which I think she likes. Brazil thumps about the carpeted sitting room, trying to squash the dot. Valkyrie and Xandria pursue the string-toy, the former often jumping high into the air; Xan’s stubby little legs can’t give her much height, but she manages to tackle the toy nonetheless.

I need to involve the others in play, too. Neville has no interest in such fun, preferring to watch disdainfully from his heated cat-bed. This I understand. But Moxy and Indigo should be more active. I wonder if Moxy has ever played, as he seems a bit fearful of toys. Indigo I worry about the most, as she appears interested in little but eating, sleeping and having some petting time with me. This pair will be receiving some special attention in the near future. And of course Sable is a ways from any kind of interaction, though I did try to interest her in the red dot. It drew no response.

But to see Brazil rush about the sitting room - whereas previously he would lie on a cat-tree and wait for a toy to come to him - and Miss Silky run and twirl in quest of the red dot, is both gratifying and entertaining to me. I think it is the same to them.

Living Together

I don’t think many people actually want to take care of eight cats all at once. These things happen, especially when one is involved in rescuing. I do have the room now for eight cats, and a tolerant landlady who also loves cats - though I don’t really want to push my population any further, for a number of reasons.

That written, I must admit that the situation in the new Cosy Cabin is much better than it could be. There is still growling and hissing. Neither Imogen nor Indigo like other cats near them. (I won’t be giving any more cats names beginning with the letter I…) Indie will swat at any feline who comes too near (ie. within reach.) Yet they now tolerate others - even each other - on the bed at night.

As for the rest, Neville is probably the most reluctant, but he will put up with much before expressing disapproval. The kittens are very good friends; Moxy enjoys grooming Xandria, while Brazil is slowly being accepted as a playmate by Valkyrie. All we need is for Sable to become sociable - but that may come in time.

Except for Sabe, all the cats seem to like me, too. I am surprised at how friendly Indigo is with me: she will leave a comfortable spot to lie on my lap, or flop down next to me on the bed at night. (With her on one side, Moxy on the other, and Imo at my feet, it’s a good thing I sleep largely immobile.) I find that most cats want some form of interaction with humans; they want to be able to trust and even like a person. After all, being on one’s guard all the time is exhausting.

I therefore consider myself very lucky in the random allotment of cats life has strewn before me.

Weekend Update: Hairballs and Play-time

I hope soon to be publishing my blog from my home-computer. I have a new-to-me machine, and intend this week to install the programmes necessary to do what I want to do. Until then, I can at least access the internet and receive and send emails.

The weekend was a good one, though not without its problems. Neville threw up once but appears to be tolerating the Methimazole well. He is eating decently, and his biggest complaint is probably having periodically to share the heated cat-bed with Brazil.

Sable threw up a hairball. I was watching a movie Saturday evening in the cat-room; Sable was in her enclosed cat-bed. I heard the unmistakeable sounds of the preparation for feline vomiting and watched her tunnel-like cat-bed move back and forth until it culminated in a puke. I was afraid that it was something serious, as I would be able to do nothing for this guest who is still semi-feral. I was able to check the results later, though, when Sabe had moved temporarily to the carrier, and found that it was indeed a hairball, which can be a great bother but usually not a danger. I was relieved.

Yesterday morning, however, I found that the previous night’s puke was just a prologue. Sable had released the contents of her stomach all over the cat-room. Somewhere in it all was a small clump of hairball. I hope that is all she has to offer and, while she has remained hidden in her cat-bed, Sable appears to be on the mend, having eaten soft-food several times Sunday.

If a hairball, and one cat getting on another’s nerves, are the extent of the difficulties in an eight-cat household, then things are running almost smoothly, and I am thankful for that. Another thing for which I am thankful is kittens at play. The books have almost all been placed in their cases in the library, leaving about two dozen empty boxes lying about the floor. These have become a glorious playground for Valkyrie and Xandria, as they jump in and out of boxes, knock them down, chase each other through the labyrinth and generally enjoy themselves. They will think the finished library terribly boring.

The Best-laid Plans of Cats and Men...

Yesterday was less than successful. Neville went to the hospital to have a check-up on his hyperthyroidism, and how the medicine he is receiving for it is working. That part brought good news. His thyroid reading is now within acceptable limits, though just barely. His dosage of Methimazole will remain the same. It may be causing him to throw up, which is a concern, as he continues it through the day unless given Cerenia. I have that drug and can easily administer it to Nev, but his condition would be better without either the vomiting or its remedy. He may grow more accustomed to the Methimazole’s effects.

He also had a blood-glucose sensor applied to him. He has had these attached previously - twice, in fact - and has not worried about them, unlike another cat of my acquaintance who shall remain nameless (Indigo). I felt that two weeks of glucose readings would give me a good understanding of how the hyperthyroidism and its treatment is affecting his diabetes.

Unfortunately, the sensor ceased working immediately. The first reading told me to come back in ten minutes; ten minutes later, it reported that the sensor was finished and that I should attach a new one. Sigh.

The cost of the sensor, the vet visit and, most of all, the inconvenience and stress for Neville: all for nothing.

Later that night, my cellular telephone froze. This would not be such a bother if I had internet with which to communicate with others but that, as you may recall, is also inoperative at the Cosy Cabin. I hurried down to the telephone shop before it closed, and was shown how to release the freezing, which I will remember for next time.

Also, one of the brakes on my bicycle does not work.

However, the Nevsky is feeling good this morning; he ate a decent breakfast and was comfortable in his heated bed when I left for work. My telephone is operable again and I don’t really need brakes on my bicycle. That’s an old wives’ tale. I am in the process of negotiating a new computer (the negotiations are in my head: I’m trying to decide what to buy) so I should be able to perform the rudiments of computer work from my home again soon. Until then, please bear in mind that, as my blog is moderated, any comments made over the weekend will have to wait until Monday to go on the blog; a similar delay will relate to emails.

Life is still good, it’s just annoying as heck sometimes.

Now, I Am Old

Now, I am old.

I walk slowly, and don’t really care to walk at all. I can’t remember the last time I ran. My joints ache and my muscles hurt, and my bones are brittle and weak.

Now, I am old. I don’t have the appetite I once did, and food tastes bland and dull. I shiver too much and the air is too cold. I sleep most of the time, and my dreams are filled with what used to be.

Now, I am old. I watch the youngsters play, and remember making my friends laugh, and strangers smile. I now climb slowly, where I used to leap. I am excited by nothing and enthused by less.

Now, I am old. Some day, relatively soon, I will die. But I will not cease to exist. For I will have loved and will have been loved; I will have experienced joy and contentment, and given joy and contentment to others; I will have touched the world, and been touched in turn. And all those I will have touched, and all those they will touch, will carry a piece of me with them. When they smile, I will smile; when they love, I will love. And when youth yet unborn runs and jumps and feels the sun upon its face, I too will run and jump and feel warmed by the glow of a new day. I will exist in a million lives because I will have lived one, and I will be a part of eternity.

Even though now, I am old.