tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65089734527583696792024-03-19T06:30:11.290-07:00I Have Three CatsJohn Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.comBlogger2029125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-59333819057508171512024-03-19T06:00:00.000-07:002024-03-19T06:00:29.622-07:00Enjoy the Day<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">On the weekend, we had a preview of a real spring day. It’s true that the trees are some time away from budding and the grass is still brown, but we had beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures, up to 20° C (68° F). Furthermore, because of the time of year, the sun’s direct light is beginning to fall into the apartment once again.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">However, because this is southern Alberta, this happy state of meteorological affairs will soon change. The temperature is already near freezing and for the next week, it will be below that point, falling to -7° C (19.4° F), and there is snow predicted for tomorrow and the following four days. I should not be surprised, as this is only the first day of spring; heavy, wet snow usually falls once or twice in large amounts in March or April. Still, it is a bit disappointing after such a fine weekend. Certainly, Brazil and the other cats enjoyed it, feeling the warmth of the sun on their furs for the first time in months.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">But soon, it will be too hot, and I will be anticipating autumn, and in any case, time moves too swiftly now. So I will enjoy the days regardless - no matter how much they try to persuade me otherwise.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_16xUdBBIOeWU-JZQlIzeWS4PuUNkNPP0SP5DLwNmEY4UnZhlPcJW4wM-7bDH_DMasKp0FU1J47ELjxMHK-BwP-AW9-8a1xB2Q1nLD1w3Jz3Dv_vgBJSvGZ69JhVhFWe3MdVN7BrP1nCpGORHjFT8t_1_2M8SiWU0pWAp_Ejln0v6SkxBHBr1a2iD2bE/s500/Sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_16xUdBBIOeWU-JZQlIzeWS4PuUNkNPP0SP5DLwNmEY4UnZhlPcJW4wM-7bDH_DMasKp0FU1J47ELjxMHK-BwP-AW9-8a1xB2Q1nLD1w3Jz3Dv_vgBJSvGZ69JhVhFWe3MdVN7BrP1nCpGORHjFT8t_1_2M8SiWU0pWAp_Ejln0v6SkxBHBr1a2iD2bE/s320/Sunshine.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-64892658115031339082024-03-18T07:04:00.000-07:002024-03-18T07:06:39.134-07:00Emori in the Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-ZbHnhxYevk1vOocBWZo0l2vKvKM0MfugfBtYzZohH85uKsC4734Zjyw-YCRGIppO4AbPObB4WEbNJzI5IOjZ_pDJeJsUdE9KwjA02baH9sQjyaaz5vY5CwwBFfct25zZboUXZnTPuZqveHBCjgkV0ExZFhKD6DnOlGnb06Jf0SiTOJPWo0oeRjXb4g/s500/Emori%20in%20the%20Morning%20Smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="500" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-ZbHnhxYevk1vOocBWZo0l2vKvKM0MfugfBtYzZohH85uKsC4734Zjyw-YCRGIppO4AbPObB4WEbNJzI5IOjZ_pDJeJsUdE9KwjA02baH9sQjyaaz5vY5CwwBFfct25zZboUXZnTPuZqveHBCjgkV0ExZFhKD6DnOlGnb06Jf0SiTOJPWo0oeRjXb4g/s320/Emori%20in%20the%20Morning%20Smaller.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Emori was silent during the night. She is used to spending the dark hours in her own room in her foster-home, due to altercations with another cat there; her foster-guardian thinks that Emori rather looks forward to the quiet and solitude of a restful night. When I came in to the library this morning, I found Em on top of a bookcase.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">She has no trouble at all in getting about. Lynn (of Lynn and Precious) gave another example of a tripod-cat, her Angel Peepers, whose mobility seemed unimpeded by the loss of a leg. I think that animals, once confronted by a situation that they instinctively know will not change, simply adapt; unlike some humans, they don’t worry about what might have been or what was. If they can cope, they cope; if not, they don’t. Mostly, they cope.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Emori would do well with the right cat, but she is a good candidate for those people who want only one. She is friendly, highly adaptable and, if her current situation is a standard, largely untroubled by change. She is eating less than I would like, but that, I think, will change - or would change - with time. In the meanwhile, she is a good weight, and is eating, so I am not worried. Her litter-box visits have already been satisfactory, and she makes little mess, which surprised me; I expected her disability to mean that she would have to throw some litter about in her exertions. That isn’t the case.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">This little cat is one appealing roommate.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Marietta wanted to read my previous entries about Emori, so here are their links:</p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2023/09/spanners.html ">https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2023/09/spanners.html </a></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2023/10/another-birthday-to-report.html">https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2023/10/another-birthday-to-report.html</a><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-family-portrait.html">https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-family-portrait.html</a></p><div><br /></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-56684716671253342092024-03-17T17:28:00.000-07:002024-03-17T17:28:41.482-07:00Emori Comes to Visit<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Readers may be familiar with the Cosy Apartment’s guest: it’s
Emori. I’ve written about her capture – along with the three kittens of her
first litter – and the birth of her second litter. She is featured in this blog’s
sidebar; her double surgery – for the removal of the remains of her missing
rear leg, as well as her spay – was very expensive, and the Lethbridge PAW
Society is hoping to recoup some of the expenditure through donations (click on
her picture in the sidebar to learn more.) Now, she is my guest for several
days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztuMS6BMkhP5yUQ0vGFFoC7gJbLhth8vPNbd5KferMWzrxyDWnSxZaGPoAyI3p_jMkWMaPxILGFcBIJZXkYkSJMUzjyyKXXGzyQmhZJYA4tBdbiRl50PP_SleGGfzoPlD4w1_h3N2RI7pIZ3cE0NHintsle0maHaRMBXqtvj78WFFg074xjGrYTSyo4M/s500/Emori%20Comes%20to%20Visit%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztuMS6BMkhP5yUQ0vGFFoC7gJbLhth8vPNbd5KferMWzrxyDWnSxZaGPoAyI3p_jMkWMaPxILGFcBIJZXkYkSJMUzjyyKXXGzyQmhZJYA4tBdbiRl50PP_SleGGfzoPlD4w1_h3N2RI7pIZ3cE0NHintsle0maHaRMBXqtvj78WFFg074xjGrYTSyo4M/s320/Emori%20Comes%20to%20Visit%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The rescue-group doesn’t like moving foster-cats about; it’s
confusing for them, and might result in some anxiety and behavioural changes.
Emori, however, seems a most adaptable cat. She arrived this afternoon, and has
been pushing against me, accepting pets and strokes, and purring since then.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmWFCOHY1dy-YPZRJNZKerH1HicNir9IJzEphlLTWBedHhHIN5JEf9oo6swSltVbSGTAptcdebkOrPepxRHPeSoT6P6JzO40IxfMEjMghkJvBedKrqdvxFkY_of0rNg_bVDOUaPDZTw6Jq0ndwNrM0E58xAGPkrAdOznfSJneYYpwMaO6-Jq00dQorJA/s500/Emori%20Comes%20to%20Visit%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmWFCOHY1dy-YPZRJNZKerH1HicNir9IJzEphlLTWBedHhHIN5JEf9oo6swSltVbSGTAptcdebkOrPepxRHPeSoT6P6JzO40IxfMEjMghkJvBedKrqdvxFkY_of0rNg_bVDOUaPDZTw6Jq0ndwNrM0E58xAGPkrAdOznfSJneYYpwMaO6-Jq00dQorJA/s320/Emori%20Comes%20to%20Visit%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She is a small cat, but thankfully has gained weight since her
rescue. She cannot gain too much, though, as it would make things difficult for
her remaining rear leg. But right now, she moves about with no problem. It may
look painful as she walks with a bit of a hop, but her three-legged condition
is giving her no discomfort, and she can climb and jump without difficulty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg0wXn6BYOxBpL5J_0yuCFnQw52IR200Yt7a0lSA-aE9II46phqZwFGb2n77dpRUNaSVT4eA0rFwPk0qHALhbBEtFYFjv6ZHzgfw77O5lMAYfQmM0y2IuMm3_jAPpGiXzEHe8_scy0jvj4lmeCyJF3nDm003tFqjDImFBD3aBZtlVgsRwpJoNije4th8/s583/Emori%20Comes%20to%20Visit%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg0wXn6BYOxBpL5J_0yuCFnQw52IR200Yt7a0lSA-aE9II46phqZwFGb2n77dpRUNaSVT4eA0rFwPk0qHALhbBEtFYFjv6ZHzgfw77O5lMAYfQmM0y2IuMm3_jAPpGiXzEHe8_scy0jvj4lmeCyJF3nDm003tFqjDImFBD3aBZtlVgsRwpJoNije4th8/s320/Emori%20Comes%20to%20Visit%203.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Emori will be with me just until Friday. Her foster-home has to
bring in a human guest for the week, and with other fosters occupying all available
space, diverting Emori to my apartment for the time was the best option. She
probably won’t meet the perma-cats in that period, and I will be spending as
much time with her as I can. So far, she doesn’t seem to mind me in the least.</span></p><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-62790003413326729752024-03-16T15:33:00.000-07:002024-03-16T15:33:12.404-07:00His Own Way of Walking, Unfortunately<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I want to add a short note about Renn. Firstly, while he is eating
rather well – for Renn – he has also thrown up three nights in a row, expelling
all the food he had consumed the previous evening. This started before his most
recent visit to the veterinaries, so it isn’t caused by the Solensia injection
he received. I intend to give him a shot of Cerenia this evening, to try to
keep things down. I don’t want to lose the benefits of him eating decent
amounts.</span></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQhUYhSmf7aGEjG9jWMgqdjGnRfEpzngdrWOXXbO_R8yNpA3GV9ZauPiOShCKeCr5Zt_VR6zW0z_8Lzu1XXnF_yDpbgo8CtdG4DbItyDUEJvBZxe79hu1mjasKr3RzQYQN8h1t1xmae9729GTN9HOjkNtZReqBMuN69YHkzl9FpQHM6GNEWjSBWYtP3s/s500/Renn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQhUYhSmf7aGEjG9jWMgqdjGnRfEpzngdrWOXXbO_R8yNpA3GV9ZauPiOShCKeCr5Zt_VR6zW0z_8Lzu1XXnF_yDpbgo8CtdG4DbItyDUEJvBZxe79hu1mjasKr3RzQYQN8h1t1xmae9729GTN9HOjkNtZReqBMuN69YHkzl9FpQHM6GNEWjSBWYtP3s/s320/Renn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Secondly, this photograph shows something that I have just noticed
about my big boy. He is walking and, in this instance, sitting, on his
metacarpals (front bones of the foot), rather than on his toes. This, I think,
confirms arthritis, or at least some form of joint problem. This is one of the
symptoms which I hope the Solensia will reduce.</span></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7LE0cpEvspl6Ph-EA9rE81c-U1Nb_9AaKViL9bH7KfApujjYv0aPw5cr5uV57rWmy3Nz2wGk7pZD4iBZrE5USsNYtSrTvYleMeQhJn1_ye-mX1Ertn-9VQzz1xUGp_9LwPzIqidq_bnYXh4X8AP6hWXd7Zomc-5GXpdON-BDRkz7VdgauwMDEYTB6eE/s800/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="800" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7LE0cpEvspl6Ph-EA9rE81c-U1Nb_9AaKViL9bH7KfApujjYv0aPw5cr5uV57rWmy3Nz2wGk7pZD4iBZrE5USsNYtSrTvYleMeQhJn1_ye-mX1Ertn-9VQzz1xUGp_9LwPzIqidq_bnYXh4X8AP6hWXd7Zomc-5GXpdON-BDRkz7VdgauwMDEYTB6eE/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now, in anticipation of a non-Renn event, I will write that a
guest is arriving tomorrow at mid-day. She will not staying long, but
nonetheless should provide some interest for cat and human alike in the Cosy
Apartment. More information and, hopefully, pictures, will be provided Sunday.</span></p><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-90555912038741338482024-03-15T09:09:00.000-07:002024-03-15T09:09:48.152-07:00The Subject Was Renn<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I was able to discuss a number of Renn’s problems yesterday with his doctors. I spoke first on the telephone with one of them about providing Renn with Solensia, to help what I perceive is his arthritis. The doctor said that that was certainly an option, and that it has helped a couple of cats whom the staff at the hospital have. (In addition, a number of bloggers’ cats have benefitted from it, for news of which I thank my readers.) Then she suggested that, if I could, I should come in that afternoon; not only could Renn be given his injection of the new medicine, but there was a slot free which could be used to give Renn another ultra-sound reading. A second doctor - whom I have also been consulting for some years - would be in the hospital then and, as she was more practised in ultra-sound reading, she could take a look at the results.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Both veterinaries examined the ultra-sound and again pronounced Renn’s bladder healthy for its age. There is a small object within it but, as was considered on previous occasions, it has neither the look nor placement of a tumour. It is believed to be a polyp.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">This led to talk of Renn’s use of anti-inflammatory to fight what is probably the frustratingly idiopathic cystitis. My big boy has lost more bigness lately: he’s down a pound in weight. The doctor thinks this is due to the kidneys leaching protein due to the anti-inflammatory. We knew this could be a problem: it was always a matter of reducing discomfort in Renn’s bladder at the risk of hurting his kidneys. The doctor believes there is a chance that Renn’s litter-box problems are caused more by arthritis making difficulties in his position than in a false need to urinate initiated by cystitis. In that case, the Solensia would help greatly. However, it was admitted that this is a long shot. What it will probably come down to is the original choice: uncomfortable bladder or deteriorating kidneys.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Nonetheless, all opinions are that the Solensia will help my oldster. It will likely need a few weeks to show effects, though - possibly coincidentally, possibly not - Renn ate a good breakfast this morning for the first time in my memory. As regards the continued use of anti-inflammatory, that will be determined in the near future. He returns in a month’s time for another injection of Solensia, so that will likely be a good time for a decision.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">And on to Renn’s increased vocalisation… The doctors didn’t think it was due to discomfort or pain, which confirmed my belief. Renn often talks loudly when he’s emerging from the litter-box but not during its use, which I think argues against there being pain in the process. He talks when he’s simply sitting on the bed, or when he wants my attention. More than one fellow-blogger has commented about the possibility of deafness, and yes, my old boy is growing more deaf. I noticed his difficulty in hearing as long ago as a couple of years - I am careful not to startle him as I approach - and it doesn’t seem to have lessened. Why cats who are hard of hearing need to make sounds, I don’t know, though it probably has to do with instinct: needing to know that they can at least hear a little, for safety’s sake. My very-oldster, Minuet, was completely deaf and rarely made a sound; once the hearing is gone, I suppose there is no sense in trying.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">So yesterday was a day of progress with Renn. Despite his weight-loss and the postponement of a decision about the anti-inflammatory medicine, pending observation of more effects, some things were done, some things were determined. The next few weeks will be important to my old man.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0E99QdgIHDjP-gMf0kXh7FT_rbqEAjTS_fL9OJU0T_e4vHD6NJT4S1AzXiN1u2VkpSsOqxgHuJLXZvEfsRxn-TlkCpnA3RmcGi-fTaVz9OJiAL9g-bHVaT7jgxWmX3Rt12T3GeubeRkhbJOFbdyvoddiE9-X8u_4Q9CzQzyH0sI0ZB_DlXQgEC9TLt8/s500/Renn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0E99QdgIHDjP-gMf0kXh7FT_rbqEAjTS_fL9OJU0T_e4vHD6NJT4S1AzXiN1u2VkpSsOqxgHuJLXZvEfsRxn-TlkCpnA3RmcGi-fTaVz9OJiAL9g-bHVaT7jgxWmX3Rt12T3GeubeRkhbJOFbdyvoddiE9-X8u_4Q9CzQzyH0sI0ZB_DlXQgEC9TLt8/s320/Renn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-10433412492091019232024-03-14T10:10:00.000-07:002024-03-14T10:10:52.346-07:00New Help for Old Bones<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Renn has been exhibiting some odd behaviour lately. His vocalisations, which are not new, have become more pronounced, and more frequent. Though they are often heard as he is coming out of the litter-box, I don’t believe they are symptoms of pain, since he doesn’t talk while in the box, and he also talks at other times, even when he is simply trying to get my attention. As well, they don’t sound quite like representations of pain.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">This video was sent to his veterinary who agrees that it doesn’t seem to be coming from pain or discomfort. There was even mention of some mild form of dementia. Since these sounds appear to be a more prevalent form of what he has done for some years, that would make sense. However, he will be having his anti-inflammatory medicine switched, as the one he is on now does lose its efficacy after a while. That too is a possible reason for his cries.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">My big boy is going to the doctor today. In an unrelated problem - or, perhaps, related, but only by age - Renn has been quite unsteady in his gait and looks to me to be having some trouble standing or lying down. Once up or down, he doesn’t have discomfort, but in the process, he seems troubled by more than just co-ordination.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Therefore, he is going to start receiving injections of Solensia. I first read of this drug in the Eastside Cats’ blog; Sweetie receives it to ease what I believe to be arthritis. I read about the medicine, talked to Renn’s doctor about it, and have decided to try it on my old man. Though the doctor stated that the makers of Solensia caution that it might take as much as two of the monthly injections before the effects are felt, a technician at the hospital tried it on her cat and saw positive results within a couple of weeks. In any case, I hope that this will make old age a bit easier for my veteran.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzaaZak8YfrWaqc8OJkmLTh87IwyI2oYvXP8qMfoXujP18TAupEuGQvupx7XuTiJiYfps0ITjthWYtgwVPjxQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-26195240722844607772024-03-11T06:42:00.000-07:002024-03-11T06:42:23.230-07:00Theodore at Home<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I was given permission by Theodore’s new person to publish some pictures taken in his new home. The photographs and their sequence pretty much speak for themselves. Theodore was uncertain and reticent at first, of course, but then, he couldn’t help exploring. Then he met his new brother, Brody. Brody is the sort of cat who likes everyone, and expected to be friends with the newcomer right away. For him, another cat meant play-time! Theodore was not quite so taken with the idea at first, and it required about a week before he started lying next to Brody. Soon, they were playing together. Now, they are family.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyrC7tiV5dnbHVPc-b86gQ7JApSD4sysoSIF3gVbIzFSOGnVJTgSHET1O7kJ3o2Rh267t16Oa3UZFo8oYmXsFFACkutrPSw6Rcqk9mzxW-WXGSRchZTM_kmZKyTXle6J-HtaptcYb4RV9RoemK6dYIdktlwMCTXMzebJBidpeJVf4elBnnGjlLiG6zjw/s800/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyrC7tiV5dnbHVPc-b86gQ7JApSD4sysoSIF3gVbIzFSOGnVJTgSHET1O7kJ3o2Rh267t16Oa3UZFo8oYmXsFFACkutrPSw6Rcqk9mzxW-WXGSRchZTM_kmZKyTXle6J-HtaptcYb4RV9RoemK6dYIdktlwMCTXMzebJBidpeJVf4elBnnGjlLiG6zjw/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgWw5S4uzkGCGOL4gpoVvreRO5FNZaV4jtV5GXzyuR_QGiXsMH8lQJLBuZ6eFnFRCjzbIBOPDAtD-Q361jdb4HsPKTgR_t0mRnFPcElfb_gZBKu9JXyr44FbgkVguBfRv4aaM6AoMAbzKwW_Ys45yEuhsffZY6JQS1tH8JbNIimAaeLUR4z5KXllsRRI/s648/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="648" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgWw5S4uzkGCGOL4gpoVvreRO5FNZaV4jtV5GXzyuR_QGiXsMH8lQJLBuZ6eFnFRCjzbIBOPDAtD-Q361jdb4HsPKTgR_t0mRnFPcElfb_gZBKu9JXyr44FbgkVguBfRv4aaM6AoMAbzKwW_Ys45yEuhsffZY6JQS1tH8JbNIimAaeLUR4z5KXllsRRI/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8UVK9N9nIgXYMAMlBPNM_KZpBJzdkdfaEukmi4BW1bIvt2LDwrrO5hz6VX1YkFm1prqAy0DcXT9v-c0TXnQwLQ4AO0mZdt5ME7a54Aw1LcuVMuQBGN7E_ZqyvseCgwADr8QnNdV4jFqVjC2uulZybydT4XBiMPAqXqpJa1YckLwUUNVy1UjUd2XpdHU/s640/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tHWT45-XiFK74gF1uZNFWCHojkumV3HzjmS4DwxxY5c_LbLg-LQjuZaqLfUPRYXsifXbgjed_D_LvNBi6ZtYCLQzF-LkHZWISeFSWecGj7dL1Ys6IIMojh4nNax_Hqmk8qvsXpbIhrZN54ndBQmtRPk6f6NqWceABux0NzCCMLdyMKfstLUf7qJtex0/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvm_EOuFvR6qnzB4W5ICKz8e_n666Tq8spV22u1uoHOp-53uVNPf-mS6qdWLxCb1YJ0FNfisZ3pB7bP51zySnKhyphenhyphenkzhzgfGMtS7axAyRZE-uw0JWB1MpM_g8aviAR9szF32A6mzh2w8R3qt05BnkqvyLI1I4y4FklC1d7bNZPj_A0mQ1w-35yU3c3EIqk/s1008/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvm_EOuFvR6qnzB4W5ICKz8e_n666Tq8spV22u1uoHOp-53uVNPf-mS6qdWLxCb1YJ0FNfisZ3pB7bP51zySnKhyphenhyphenkzhzgfGMtS7axAyRZE-uw0JWB1MpM_g8aviAR9szF32A6mzh2w8R3qt05BnkqvyLI1I4y4FklC1d7bNZPj_A0mQ1w-35yU3c3EIqk/s320/10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-46653830727888296372024-03-10T07:26:00.000-07:002024-03-10T07:26:00.292-07:00The Newest Bedspread<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoyL9h1XCYUmuIkhirIEmhyJzP-9sywZ1lGbO9d-tLJdpCHG0AqWcd8GJSlI-Vf0rlzqcbf_d8YBhw47ApST4tdEqYMhrHtduFIWxE2vdBXDryiix44SIhXjxSUrrYVnFiTAxSHjICHjEdLCvXElU0y5cRI9FYymYLdLxZFVr3TOfeUE0naOxhc2eB1E/s500/Three%20on%20the%20New%20Bedspread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="500" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoyL9h1XCYUmuIkhirIEmhyJzP-9sywZ1lGbO9d-tLJdpCHG0AqWcd8GJSlI-Vf0rlzqcbf_d8YBhw47ApST4tdEqYMhrHtduFIWxE2vdBXDryiix44SIhXjxSUrrYVnFiTAxSHjICHjEdLCvXElU0y5cRI9FYymYLdLxZFVr3TOfeUE0naOxhc2eB1E/s320/Three%20on%20the%20New%20Bedspread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have bought yet another bedspread. This is to replace the one
initially punctured and cut by numerous cat claws, and eventually torn into
strips by time and the antics of kittens. The kittens are gone, and the cats
who formerly used the bedspread as toe-holds when they leaped onto the mattress
are too old for such actions now.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I briefly had another before this, but found it unsatisfactory.
Despite being labeled for a bed my size, it was not the right fit (it was
square, for one thing), and was a quilted object, which took away its softness.
This new one is the same material as the previously destroyed spread; it is
soft, comfortable and easily folded.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">As one can see, the three cats who habituate the bedroom seem to
approve of it (though Imogen noticed that the comforter cover had been washed
for the first day of the new bedspread, and so was enjoying that position once
again.) I hope this new item lasts longer than its predecessor, but there’s no
telling when an errant claw will have its way.</span></p></div><p></p><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-20573998631034279472024-03-08T15:17:00.000-08:002024-03-08T15:17:50.365-08:00Soylent Renn<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It’s become clear to me that Brazil likes the company of other
cats; the physical closeness of them, in fact. I of course had seen this
previously. But his snuggling in the cylinder-house cat-tree could have been
mere acquiescence – he was already present when Chiff decided to join him – and
Brazil may have reasoned that the top of the taller cat-tree in the sitting
room had plenty of room for two felines.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But periodically, Shimmer likes to try settling in with Renn in
the bedroom’s saddle-topped cat-tree. There just isn’t room for two larger or
longer cats here. Theodore and Chiff successfully managed it when they were not
full grown. But Brazil’s attempt to share the space with his foster-brother
does not go over well with the latter, who starts complaining (ie. whining) in
a loud and strong tone. This – and the lack of anywhere comfortable to stretch
out or curl up – causes Brazil to jump down.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But it doesn’t keep him from trying later.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7J_Hkri12PnbMsIhRN7wzm4WwOneW8aT5xBEppgXBHcWx40Rp7zgjED9Eg-k7Rx1f9R2e7qyPGuyxBBRCSMEJaZrNZU7KE_uAES710zy0pZhw5sMZ77W0OTcnkMlmjBxAviQpzTom-nLAqXNQEyq7XmFhXucaygJnKW_9zfejo3TcK-E_RB6pgdyFjU/s500/Trying%20to%20Make%20Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7J_Hkri12PnbMsIhRN7wzm4WwOneW8aT5xBEppgXBHcWx40Rp7zgjED9Eg-k7Rx1f9R2e7qyPGuyxBBRCSMEJaZrNZU7KE_uAES710zy0pZhw5sMZ77W0OTcnkMlmjBxAviQpzTom-nLAqXNQEyq7XmFhXucaygJnKW_9zfejo3TcK-E_RB6pgdyFjU/s320/Trying%20to%20Make%20Room.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-41093645528355124492024-03-06T11:04:00.000-08:002024-03-06T11:04:09.125-08:00Firing the Guns<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Monday night, I heard someone throwing up, twice. It’s usually one of my oldsters, Renn being particularly prone to puking in the mornings, due to his kidney disease. But Neville nonetheless lets fly now and then, too. When I woke, I dreaded what I would find, since it would add still more time and work to my morning before going to my job. As it turned out, it was just a small pool of debris, and on the uncarpeted floor of the storeroom, so its cleaning was easy and swift.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I had forgotten that I had heard someone throwing up twice.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I was reminded of this when I came home Monday. I didn’t find it until later that evening, when I was playing with Brazil. Neville, for that is whom I believe responsible, had chosen the premium location for vomiting: the top of the taller cat-tree in the sitting room. His delivery was impressive, as he hit two of the platforms - striking others with small bits - throwing detritus against both the glass panes of the sliding doors and the blinds that hung in front of them, and dropping what was left on to the base of the cat-tree, the carpeted ledge, and the floor.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqOR3dnpf8mV1GQzuBAFvpavkeYQki7oTxPc10bn4tU2IvunNsbFUFKX8UD49F2Xbg8edAR18uLhDhEwHbttUyI0KoaynUOrXnG2ogVMg52rXNwJmcVeIhptyejFPU0-RKf6iHAEAF7j1qEK7MVkr7ViqaJMmA65DYNbGAjfqfC1RzJiQKNl4bgxKCog/s500/Cat-tree%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqOR3dnpf8mV1GQzuBAFvpavkeYQki7oTxPc10bn4tU2IvunNsbFUFKX8UD49F2Xbg8edAR18uLhDhEwHbttUyI0KoaynUOrXnG2ogVMg52rXNwJmcVeIhptyejFPU0-RKf6iHAEAF7j1qEK7MVkr7ViqaJMmA65DYNbGAjfqfC1RzJiQKNl4bgxKCog/s320/Cat-tree%20copy.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Despite the praiseworthy effort, I could not but feel rather put-out at having to perform more work, cleaning up stale vomit in numerous and varied forms. Alas, it was far too late to remonstrate with the guilty party, and I had to settle for a steely look in his direction. Neville returned my gaze with one filled with his usual volume of concern and remorse.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I think he believed it was time to re-load…</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaTcxCBppDEfLqf6ZTKaFVAGHeDRc3P3dJ0dX1hJKBV41JQCQlfq2zMgXnCcCXNU0lZvF_5zTR5_mdq4VJEC5C8teLsqwOiYUOi4wLcQ86fUq0La87e74gVfi6jlWOJF3GsY_X1JK_cjEyKvAMK0qzckgZU7Lya7DFnqFNTToblAyKGEjt07M_qXM7PY/s500/Neville%20on%20the%20Temporary%20Bedspread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaTcxCBppDEfLqf6ZTKaFVAGHeDRc3P3dJ0dX1hJKBV41JQCQlfq2zMgXnCcCXNU0lZvF_5zTR5_mdq4VJEC5C8teLsqwOiYUOi4wLcQ86fUq0La87e74gVfi6jlWOJF3GsY_X1JK_cjEyKvAMK0qzckgZU7Lya7DFnqFNTToblAyKGEjt07M_qXM7PY/s320/Neville%20on%20the%20Temporary%20Bedspread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-86369322175413566452024-03-05T09:09:00.000-08:002024-03-05T09:09:20.218-08:00We Have Heard the Crimes at Midnight<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Last night, I was asleep, as I often am at night, when I was woken by sounds of running, thumping and dropping. I looked at the clock and saw that it was precisely on midnight. I knew who was about such an hour: it was Brazil, playing.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Despite not having a friend to chase and wrestle, Shimmer enjoys his games. He will often leap on a fuzzy mouse, knock it about, then speed away, as if the toy were after him. Then he will return, at a similar velocity, shoot past the mouse and down the corridor, or up a cat-tree. The difference was that this time, he was doing it in the dark, and while I was trying to sleep.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">But it didn’t bother me. I enjoyed hearing Brazil have fun as much as he enjoyed having it. I want him to have a companion, someone to play with, but he is a cat who can make his own games, too, and his excitement and activity can reach a height as great as that when playing with a friend. So I listened to him run about, scurry on the uncarpeted floor, bang and scratch against the cat-trees, and generally commit all sorts of crimes and misdemeanours against household serenity at the darkest of hours.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">A little later, I fell back asleep. In the morning, Brazil was in the saddle-topped cat-tree in the bedroom, himself just waking. We both had had a good night.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUhYutrhuEbEbfvDJcVOC7gQSyONqdu4lDhS9b8ARLWHVnXShwC_xkYPX13_gtHqpif-VumXWmIpqrmsuD8fAAhcTaXCNmzCEa1sKnYGwcpv5ULaiLRtDOn-Nq6mp6k6XOopc4OOVQqJUluRyz9FNfLJzQc4RjAle4wRR5-pJY2orfI8QVmi_3js_Aeo/s500/Brazil,%20Early%20Morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUhYutrhuEbEbfvDJcVOC7gQSyONqdu4lDhS9b8ARLWHVnXShwC_xkYPX13_gtHqpif-VumXWmIpqrmsuD8fAAhcTaXCNmzCEa1sKnYGwcpv5ULaiLRtDOn-Nq6mp6k6XOopc4OOVQqJUluRyz9FNfLJzQc4RjAle4wRR5-pJY2orfI8QVmi_3js_Aeo/s320/Brazil,%20Early%20Morning.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-64832590362380212252024-03-04T09:29:00.000-08:002024-03-04T09:29:35.797-08:00She Has Their Undivided Attention<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I learned over the weekend that Aurora will be adopted. The process will be final this coming Friday. Auro is an only cat, but she is receiving plenty of attention from her human and his girlfriend, and of my recent fosters, she is the one who would thrive best as a single feline. This is a good home for her, and I am pleased. I hope to have a few photographs of her in her new world soon.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I admit that I worried about Aurora. Though hardly a cat who was difficult to place - once the rescue-group found just the right home - I worried that lack of feline companionship would discourage her. Even though I knew she could do very well alone, her world had always had cats in it, so this has been an adjustment for her. There is no guarantee that she won’t have a chum of her own kind some day; but until then, she will enjoy the undivided attentions of her people.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">In case I haven’t mentioned it, Theodore too has permanent status. He is enjoying his new pal, especially. He took a week or so to come around; the resident cat was eager to make friends and start playing, but Theodore was reluctant. I have plenty of pictures of the pair of them together and will be speaking with their human this week. I will ask permission to share some images.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I have a temporary guest coming in the middle of the month, and, after that, I will be looking at bringing in someone else. With so many cats requiring foster-homes, even I don’t know who it will be at this point.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBwYuvKTtzmCf3GNDqmVzb_Qw3_b33CPAns6U9hppDYT2SIKXp-we7L_X4jyO2wceti3cn_iusSCrJpcSjGilkz3AnmIOrF-15pbUvT_fnOrvrPWoh9h4JxtocebbursGJN9KVTKanzswg-nGCDaTKWslWlErnUVSrub4MkekzTfwxdrWOtFWsEXoO3M/s500/Aurora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBwYuvKTtzmCf3GNDqmVzb_Qw3_b33CPAns6U9hppDYT2SIKXp-we7L_X4jyO2wceti3cn_iusSCrJpcSjGilkz3AnmIOrF-15pbUvT_fnOrvrPWoh9h4JxtocebbursGJN9KVTKanzswg-nGCDaTKWslWlErnUVSrub4MkekzTfwxdrWOtFWsEXoO3M/s320/Aurora.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-8703281978931125792024-02-29T06:15:00.000-08:002024-02-29T06:15:09.950-08:00What We Say To Each Other<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I’ve observed an interesting thing about Imogen. Whereas other cats I’ve had - most notably Renn - will bump their heads against me to show affection, Imo is the only one I’ve had who pushes her head forward when she can’t reach me. I then respond by bumping her head with mine.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I get the impression that she expects me to respond in that manner and, further, that she understands it is a sign of affection on my part. Other cats have not indicated that they want me to bump them back; it is a one-sided display on their part, and they are satisfied with that. Any attempt to respond in kind has met with what seemed to have been perplexity, as if they can’t figure out why their human hit them on the head with his own.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">When I bump my head against Imogen’s, however, she seems pleased. I may be quite wrong, and she too wonders why I am assaulting her with my brow every time she leans forward. But I don’t think so. Different cats communicate in different ways, distinctions in the usual feline manner of talking to us. It may be that Miss Silky comprehends that what she does means the same when I do it. I hope so.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtP8OjimwCKUcE0f3CyV40ZUYIFWFEBfw2_0bxkcN5mFUqxr7gHzCfQikajU8LwtIaFvZsFMENCMXV21Zlp_1WC0KzfYHHbAjXUGsoWvQTmDIzNsg_Yac_ftUCw-1e_KoVtQ6Mmr6B260I8AIU2vfeLNKUNuVLcDzpbY8UciM-A_7f9FXYpK0HzI4U3U/s500/Imogen%20Late%20February%202024%20Smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="500" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtP8OjimwCKUcE0f3CyV40ZUYIFWFEBfw2_0bxkcN5mFUqxr7gHzCfQikajU8LwtIaFvZsFMENCMXV21Zlp_1WC0KzfYHHbAjXUGsoWvQTmDIzNsg_Yac_ftUCw-1e_KoVtQ6Mmr6B260I8AIU2vfeLNKUNuVLcDzpbY8UciM-A_7f9FXYpK0HzI4U3U/s320/Imogen%20Late%20February%202024%20Smaller.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-71599145793504766092024-02-24T12:33:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:33:18.775-08:00Of Bowls and Other Vessels<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Not much new to report today, which is just as well, considering
the veterinary activity that has been prevalent here. But I would like to thank
those who, during Neville’s problem with his alleged lip-swelling, suggested
ridding my cupboards of plastic bowls.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I think that’s a good idea. I have heard this advice before. For
some reason, plastic, no matter how well-washed, seems to retain bacteria of
some sort. These appear enough to create irritations of various kinds. However,
I use only ceramic and glass bowls, with smaller ones of metal – though I have
utilised plastic bowls for certain occasions (such as when there are extra cats
to feed), if only for short periods. My current four eat and drink from non-plastic
vessels, so I wondered how that material could have contributed to Neville’s
problem. The fact that he didn’t have such a problem answered that riddle.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Thank you again to all the well-wishers out there. While some
suggestions are not always practicable here, please keep on making them if and
when they occur to you. I’ve learned much on the Cat Blogosphere, and the world
can’t have too many ideas exchanged.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWF4DKWYvflxOSv2-9n1k4k7wylrr8PbKXONzeLLX49c8xUUtxNFDA8fXIddWbKLVrC9BDCaFG0jfQ1DTTvff-yOg5alDBTG3wXjBMqXvIQR40a3wyqyTgXVVuiNO8PbaydKu5VWmW-Kx6ZfSpxXKEXmmD8e_iW6C9f0RVkQC3S72AAxEujeL8Ly2OdA/s500/Bowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="500" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWF4DKWYvflxOSv2-9n1k4k7wylrr8PbKXONzeLLX49c8xUUtxNFDA8fXIddWbKLVrC9BDCaFG0jfQ1DTTvff-yOg5alDBTG3wXjBMqXvIQR40a3wyqyTgXVVuiNO8PbaydKu5VWmW-Kx6ZfSpxXKEXmmD8e_iW6C9f0RVkQC3S72AAxEujeL8Ly2OdA/s320/Bowls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-46890586360845309872024-02-22T05:53:00.000-08:002024-02-22T05:53:50.097-08:00Health Addendum: Neville Surprises<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">There was an interesting turn of events regarding Neville yesterday.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">As you may recall, he had a swelling on his lip, for which he was given various anti-biotics, including one injected into him that should have solved the problem. It did not. Instead, I noticed, several days ago, a kind of growth near that swelling; it was in Neville’s gums and looked long, rough and brown. I made an appointment for the doctor, but it would not be until next Tuesday. I called the hospital to which Renn goes (different than Nev’s because the latter is a foster-cat). They too could see us next Tuesday at the earliest, though they called an hour later and told me that a cancellation gave me an opportunity to bring the Nevsky in at two o’clock that afternoon. I was lucky enough to see the same veterinary Renn sees, someone of whom I’ve always had a high opinion.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK66xFNPRSg9mIn06w3D-KSjTmnkwOo0GiQUOM4Rrb8LlxyTMrB-BOMqYaSvrtgIT3t06eMCjO0L4Vobx0El_yA0o3OHjPuT9GZpeMxPRpHTB5eNfgotyh-LB9mHQCRZFD2fQUKpZ-ZPhA1xlKA1pK9RvoI3KXvjwtAgQKnGU7frVp-Srv_qVW747BaOc/s500/Neville%20at%20the%20Vet%20Again%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK66xFNPRSg9mIn06w3D-KSjTmnkwOo0GiQUOM4Rrb8LlxyTMrB-BOMqYaSvrtgIT3t06eMCjO0L4Vobx0El_yA0o3OHjPuT9GZpeMxPRpHTB5eNfgotyh-LB9mHQCRZFD2fQUKpZ-ZPhA1xlKA1pK9RvoI3KXvjwtAgQKnGU7frVp-Srv_qVW747BaOc/s320/Neville%20at%20the%20Vet%20Again%201.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">She thought the growth resembled a decayed tooth. I recalled that when Neville’s teeth were taken out a year and a half ago, some were left in place because their removal would risk damaging his jaw. This growth may have been one of them. In any case, it was sore to the touch, as it had caused infection. The doctor contemplated sedating my lion to remove the tooth (if that’s what it was), though sedation has its risks for an older cat, especially one who’s diabetes is resistant to insulin. But she then decided simply to try pulling the object; she and an assistant were able to achieve this. It did indeed resemble a tooth.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">As for the swelling, there was indeed some inflammation but that was likely caused by the bad tooth. The original swelling, which started all of this was, this doctor explained, not any kind of infection, but a natural protuberance that some cats develop on their lips as they age. Neville had another, rather differently shaped, on the other side of his mouth. That it was a natural part of his lips would explain why anti-biotics had no effect on it. (Though the medicine probably did help fight the infection instigated by the bad tooth.)</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQtaHoeHdRfLjzcoofaEyR1ka4OKA05rKZYRd-nNtnDTeYwO7Iw14d5IWwMcGy7OfSclMJU-4kmyFG6hMz0f80HP61vCwltnA1ckH3bbJEzx-pTy7BANEGdqJe7euBfNqs4Kj_22I4_Pj0aVwAxSjy1VY7ZJtZVIyZ_QxjVsQa_7pn-qpeRQ4Yd3GGA4/s500/Neville%20at%20the%20Vet%20Again%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQtaHoeHdRfLjzcoofaEyR1ka4OKA05rKZYRd-nNtnDTeYwO7Iw14d5IWwMcGy7OfSclMJU-4kmyFG6hMz0f80HP61vCwltnA1ckH3bbJEzx-pTy7BANEGdqJe7euBfNqs4Kj_22I4_Pj0aVwAxSjy1VY7ZJtZVIyZ_QxjVsQa_7pn-qpeRQ4Yd3GGA4/s320/Neville%20at%20the%20Vet%20Again%202.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The veterinary also felt the flattish lump on Neville’s side and concluded that it is probably simple lipoma. With the growth in Nev’s mouth, though, I feared it might be cancer, and linked in some way to the new trouble.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">So, the problem that I had noticed weeks ago (the swelling) was not a problem, but led to the notice of something else, which <i>was</i> a problem (the bad tooth) which has now been removed. The spot in the gums was flushed with water and, though it might have hurt last night, due to the pulling of the tooth, such discomfort will pass quickly, certainly faster than that caused by the rotten tooth. I will of course keep watch on that location in Neville’s mouth. It bled some last night, but it should heal normally.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">So much depends on the doctor one chooses - or happens to be given by circumstances. Their experience and training, as well as their rapport with the client and his pet, count for much. We are lucky in our town to have numerous hospitals for our pets, though there are not enough veterinaries, and their schedules are usually crowded. But the notion of a second opinion is a valid one, and I am glad I was able to have one given for Neville in this instance.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l8C75oO_uy9Ust70QQGgceZc2sIvzMQxx7S2ySznDVZ0i3Kjz41nD_tgkSas6N1BbubStzEPR1kyNdjnERUkK6RhL99xi7YZp6QiwUXOIPHMQLLZz8sSZPPfL4lKUDWzOINFsceHa-G3bypiHW-BHauD7Jqi0dqTpwOomBFVHcpLNLkUxqbAO-Vu4OM/s500/Neville%20at%20the%20Vet%20Again%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l8C75oO_uy9Ust70QQGgceZc2sIvzMQxx7S2ySznDVZ0i3Kjz41nD_tgkSas6N1BbubStzEPR1kyNdjnERUkK6RhL99xi7YZp6QiwUXOIPHMQLLZz8sSZPPfL4lKUDWzOINFsceHa-G3bypiHW-BHauD7Jqi0dqTpwOomBFVHcpLNLkUxqbAO-Vu4OM/s320/Neville%20at%20the%20Vet%20Again%203.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-69162461131395493582024-02-21T05:44:00.000-08:002024-02-21T05:44:12.523-08:00A World of Her Own<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">While Aurora has been in her new home for only a few days and is still adjusting to it, Theodore and Chiff have now settled into theirs very well. I have not spoken with Theodore’s people yet, but I’ve had a conversation with Chiff’s new humans. They sent me some photographs of her in her permanent home, and have given permission to put them on this blog.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">This is Chiff, former foster-cat, in a world of her own.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPFE-skBl-r8642nRfmFmKKWPeDum-5AfheJWZJeolkFd9o8if6CGuFMJWwT07J-EMWqngSG7YxabMnIGwCIBZkq94MRPrXg5i9-XZu92cHJNNg-TYZ6QSP0LUWAfCzwX6C-WCotCQ6bFJvK-weqTuLhgP9OW55MnoQcEElye6sG1GppEkSv7ND0uS-o/s504/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="504" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPFE-skBl-r8642nRfmFmKKWPeDum-5AfheJWZJeolkFd9o8if6CGuFMJWwT07J-EMWqngSG7YxabMnIGwCIBZkq94MRPrXg5i9-XZu92cHJNNg-TYZ6QSP0LUWAfCzwX6C-WCotCQ6bFJvK-weqTuLhgP9OW55MnoQcEElye6sG1GppEkSv7ND0uS-o/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocQhgBH6WdC5cofQaHbbNJr9yJdhPnGJClWvzUuNm7AjcbPQqoUIBL_HROgRRHA06_fsdhDaM_W-d_OFVmQG7uXt7uw24w0LZFZAYf6xKd6hx6mm-ufI7vaiA_2UbFoALwmqUdl06Dq0gkWE_MTEMZCemasNbC1Gnpa8QjXmqgCsVhWzb4PF9wzhs3dU/s640/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocQhgBH6WdC5cofQaHbbNJr9yJdhPnGJClWvzUuNm7AjcbPQqoUIBL_HROgRRHA06_fsdhDaM_W-d_OFVmQG7uXt7uw24w0LZFZAYf6xKd6hx6mm-ufI7vaiA_2UbFoALwmqUdl06Dq0gkWE_MTEMZCemasNbC1Gnpa8QjXmqgCsVhWzb4PF9wzhs3dU/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEuoQx2umhlcFCH9TNn1l0yhMpAlcEBVv9go5mLjGtTMceOc3YIx319RW7VHvH1SNhsU2ZxKLPnMrywqJIbW2XwmOoR-UjkY7LOs2Y5JyrEz-kJz2OR4Q70EfnCems5JIZeWODTo16H8D6is60muOzPjogQGPi_uYgpcY8TuSI7AkdENf1Pv3JimTK8E/s533/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="533" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEuoQx2umhlcFCH9TNn1l0yhMpAlcEBVv9go5mLjGtTMceOc3YIx319RW7VHvH1SNhsU2ZxKLPnMrywqJIbW2XwmOoR-UjkY7LOs2Y5JyrEz-kJz2OR4Q70EfnCems5JIZeWODTo16H8D6is60muOzPjogQGPi_uYgpcY8TuSI7AkdENf1Pv3JimTK8E/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1ERl6ms4hi4ugKQkkWWpTvVY9XRzToxKJ98gDrC-VIrWBCaZTmFEHXgf3S45VScnr5wH0aZBudJh0PPlCZOj_dOvbKGdBM3VWAqAJkeI0VEyiPYNrYwESdsOBt7hAu5WNiYWJ2sZ5UVX3nuDTw3Cc7XGTNzH29LV0SJd2JEYbVWWS9-Q9G_o2kezTQU/s686/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1ERl6ms4hi4ugKQkkWWpTvVY9XRzToxKJ98gDrC-VIrWBCaZTmFEHXgf3S45VScnr5wH0aZBudJh0PPlCZOj_dOvbKGdBM3VWAqAJkeI0VEyiPYNrYwESdsOBt7hAu5WNiYWJ2sZ5UVX3nuDTw3Cc7XGTNzH29LV0SJd2JEYbVWWS9-Q9G_o2kezTQU/s320/4.jpg" width="269" /></a></div></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-57102047411181972072024-02-20T06:27:00.000-08:002024-02-20T06:27:13.913-08:00Long and Lean and Healthy<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The last cat to be described in the current review of the beasts’ status is Brazil. So far as I can tell, this long and lean cat’s health is excellent. He is certainly an active fellow. I know he would love a playmate, someone to run with and chase, perhaps someone to cuddle with, though that is probably secondary to playing. However, he does pretty well on his own, rushing about, pouncing on toys and climbing cat-trees. (He doesn’t scale a tree leaping from platform to platform, but rather climbs using the outside edge of each platform, similar to one of those people who ascend cliffs by finding narrow hand- and foot-holds.) He and I play, too, but he doesn’t derive as much pleasure out of that as he does from a game with a feline friend.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">He is also a people-cat, so long as he is given time to know and trust his people. He likes to rub up against me, then lie down at my feet, asking for some attention; long strokes along his back, over the top of his head and, to a lesser extent, chest-rubs, are what he likes. He has reached the stage at which he is now rather a lap-cat. He hasn’t jumped up on my lap of his own accord, but if I place him there, he remains for some time, enjoying the benefits of face-rubs.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Shimmer has come a long way, and will go further with someone who makes no demands of him, and lets him be himself.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QkqZZ3tc8vbU2_MOJ0bXG1bHEI_ruhJ6stqK14vmW1fRUMHAQHtb6nkLeLHMXp47vycdqHUtdIWMyLygIFKBRRn-ksoqFWcwMIa39yvuVdI-6CfZMflBcvHHG0cO0paWTZIrTZ6qY388kjGCFOdW5svxztI-_glr2r5pHyigXsv-IFNQfCeHpjNFO3I/s500/Brazil%20the%20Lap-cat%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QkqZZ3tc8vbU2_MOJ0bXG1bHEI_ruhJ6stqK14vmW1fRUMHAQHtb6nkLeLHMXp47vycdqHUtdIWMyLygIFKBRRn-ksoqFWcwMIa39yvuVdI-6CfZMflBcvHHG0cO0paWTZIrTZ6qY388kjGCFOdW5svxztI-_glr2r5pHyigXsv-IFNQfCeHpjNFO3I/s320/Brazil%20the%20Lap-cat%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_-t1C_eP4SDkNSD2Li_FSpY0zlAWfIv2R3Cm3fLOLl0FqZD0GMJk0Ofx_u323MmwwN-TyREMhpmtVlXZ_1cuEFFrI7XJdF9rKNQbKGp0_dHazBjibySWOfk5rtvbNdAOuWEWCdvynzGM77YB5sSsehWQORdjDL-DCe_3-NZcNg2Qa9CdCPno5qXNDTg/s500/Brazil%20the%20Lap-cat%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_-t1C_eP4SDkNSD2Li_FSpY0zlAWfIv2R3Cm3fLOLl0FqZD0GMJk0Ofx_u323MmwwN-TyREMhpmtVlXZ_1cuEFFrI7XJdF9rKNQbKGp0_dHazBjibySWOfk5rtvbNdAOuWEWCdvynzGM77YB5sSsehWQORdjDL-DCe_3-NZcNg2Qa9CdCPno5qXNDTg/s320/Brazil%20the%20Lap-cat%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-725613927415350332024-02-19T07:12:00.000-08:002024-02-19T07:12:57.709-08:00Silky Freedom<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I think Imogen feels the household has improved with the removal
of Aurora. The latter had an unnerving effect on Imo; the younger cat stalked
the older too often. Whenever Imogen would jump down from a height, or move
from a room, Aurora would notice and follow. There was never any dangerous
confrontation; I don’t believe that was ever Auro’s intent. It was something
akin to a game to her. To Imogen, however, being followed everywhere by a cat
who crouched low and hurried toward her, all the time seemingly ready to
spring, must have had a tediously wearing effect.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now, Miss Silky is less guarded. She moves about more and feels
she has more freedom. She of course always was able to go where she wished but,
like a man afraid of an omnipresent bully, she did not always wish to go
anywhere, because of Aurora.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">There is still Brazil. Brazil’s behaviour toward Imogen is similar
in some ways to Aurora’s, but distinct in others. Unlike Auro, Shimmer will
rush at Imo to make contact with her, and that contact is not always pleasant.
Also unlike Auro, he will follow Imogen rarely. He may watch her from a
distance; the hazard of contact comes only when the two are already near each
other. Much of the time, Brazil will pass by Imogen without incident; neither
will go unnoticed by the other – and there may be hissing and/or growling from
the girlcat – but, contrary to Aurora, Brazil seems to have other things to do.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Aside from her relations with the other beasts, Imogen is doing
well. She plays well and hard sometimes. When she is not distracted by her
wariness over Brazil – I take her in the bedroom, close the door and bring out
the string-toys – she will run and leap and roll in enjoyment. Other times, she
will get it into her head, as cats do, to rocket about the apartment, rarely
going into the sitting room, where Brazil is likely to be, but nonetheless
exercising her youthful vigour.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Miss Silky is eating well and is diligent in her litter-box
habits. And I was even able to cut some of her claws. How all this will be
affected by the next addition to the household when it comes, will remain to be
seen. That is the future. Today, Imogen is good.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkufA0-dB6CarrSErdMhHJde3cbkj2i8fQjReLt2zbtJBBQ67ojrQcFs3TCxgXfnjnQvX7NPVIlAZm3tebL9mURwwLS_-wjbzwHuirvWPtUW8ue84Nb-Uap0IdbqpkzRLUYcOiM27B4QFRaUp5EiFy-UimfNqGHlcO-hc9PSmK_pdPIv6YdCa6tOFWbIg/s500/Silky%20Cupboard-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="500" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkufA0-dB6CarrSErdMhHJde3cbkj2i8fQjReLt2zbtJBBQ67ojrQcFs3TCxgXfnjnQvX7NPVIlAZm3tebL9mURwwLS_-wjbzwHuirvWPtUW8ue84Nb-Uap0IdbqpkzRLUYcOiM27B4QFRaUp5EiFy-UimfNqGHlcO-hc9PSmK_pdPIv6YdCa6tOFWbIg/s320/Silky%20Cupboard-top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-60075953401371690242024-02-18T13:00:00.000-08:002024-02-18T13:00:59.694-08:00Renn the Oldster<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chapter two in the continuing updates on the health of the Cosy
Apartment’s remaining cats features Renn. My big boy, now also officially my
oldster, is doing well.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The problem with his urination is being managed. The veterinary
originally prescribed three units daily of an anti-inflammatory medicine. It
worked well, apparently reducing the mass in Renn’s bladder and,
correspondingly, decreasing the desire to wet frequently; the latter was caused
by the mass filling the bladder’s interior and making it feel full of urine.
Renn would make repeated trips to the litter-box and leave very little or
nothing. Leaving nothing was troubling to him because he would then simply sit
in the box waiting for urine, that wasn’t there, to flow.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">As per the doctor’s instructions, I tried lowering the amount of
medicine Renn received daily, or keeping the amount and reducing its frequency
(ie. giving it every other day). These attempts were not successful. They led
to more trips to the boxes, more tiny lumps left in the litter; never as much
as when he received no medicine, but still bothersome for the big boy.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Currently, he is being given three units a day again. The
difficulty with this is that it will hurt his kidneys over time, but a shorter,
comfortable life is, I think, preferable to a longer uncomfortable life, at
least for a cat. I have gone over this argument previously, and so won’t waste
space doing so here. Each reader has gone through something similar, so each
understands.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The question I have is whether the mass in the bladder reasserts
itself effectively each time I reduce the amount or frequency of the
anti-inflammatory medicine. It seems unlikely – and cannot be determined
without daily or even hourly ultra-sound examinations – so it may be that the
mass is caused by, causes, or in some way is related to, cystitis. Previously,
Renn’s urine and blood were analysed and found to be surprisingly healthy.
Therefore, it is probable that idiopathic (veterinarian for ‘I dunno’) cystitis
– connected in some way to the former mass in the bladder – is at fault here.
The most that seems practicable is what is being done now – application of the
anti-inflammatory – so I have not talked to the veterinary again about this.
But I will need to renew Renn’s supply of medicine soon and, though the doctor
has considerately left an indefinite prescription for it, I will likely take
the opportunity to go over Renn’s situation with her.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">For now, however, I am please with my oldster’s health. I can tell
that he is not suffering pain from anything; when he had the feeling of needing
to urinate, he was restless, clearly in some discomfort. I wish he would eat
more but those familiar with Renn’s past know that he has never eaten much; he
is simply consuming now an amount commensurate with an older Renn. His gait is
a little more uncertain, especially on narrow paths, and he is slower. But
these are the signs of age, I’m afraid, an illness for which there is as yet no
cure. If my big boy suffers that ailment in reasonable comfort and contentment,
all is well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0DVHZ6RNJp_gAhdRB_ezVZplt_RGzniUv882naLSvj9SnrBaar_Lxiqq222TeJaT8kYKpFRfnxK4zJfY20qDdrKjACbYRAhFm9kYc1Fw3wkP2jluM_ugC6oJnZRcmzwmC9A38uae-SsirCSOnpUcOYD3OqpIJzBOJzCEi_7AaLt6FmTNNsq12y0dOBI/s500/Contented%20Renn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="500" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0DVHZ6RNJp_gAhdRB_ezVZplt_RGzniUv882naLSvj9SnrBaar_Lxiqq222TeJaT8kYKpFRfnxK4zJfY20qDdrKjACbYRAhFm9kYc1Fw3wkP2jluM_ugC6oJnZRcmzwmC9A38uae-SsirCSOnpUcOYD3OqpIJzBOJzCEi_7AaLt6FmTNNsq12y0dOBI/s320/Contented%20Renn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-21232098874107065402024-02-17T12:17:00.000-08:002024-02-17T12:17:58.820-08:00A Little Inactivity<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">With Aurora in her new home, it’s time to look at the other residents
of the Cosy Apartment, specifically Neville.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The Nevsky is still sporting a small swelling on his lower lip.
The injectable anti-biotic did not have an effect on it. Unlike the previous
anti-biotic, it did not remove his appetite or give him diarrhea, though it
caused him to throw up after a couple of days. I administered some Cerenia, and
that calmed Nev’s stomach. It could not, however, force the anti-biotic to do
what it would not. The swelling is the result of something that is resistant to
anti-biotics, or which is not caused by bacteria.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I wonder if there is a connection between the swelling on Nevill’s
lip and the flattish lump on his flank. The veterinary offered to perform a
biopsy on the swelling, but if it is cancerous, then there is a danger similar
to conducting a biopsy on the lump: that the procedure would spread cancerous
cells.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I will consult further with the doctor next week, but for now,
there is nothing to be done for my grey lion but to let things be. The swelling
is not hurting Neville. He doesn’t paw or scratch at it, shake his head or roll
on it. If it is indicative of a tumour, there would be little to be done anyway
for a diabetic cat (for whom insulin is ineffective) now in what I think is his
fifteenth year.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">As long as he is enjoying his life - well, it’s Neville, so… As
long as he is not disliking his life too much, I will let things go
unchallenged for now, while continuing to observe and discuss the situation.
Nev seems content with my decision.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCF6ZN-t81rKh0dS22PqZIZYe6E2-MoYLltmTW0gMMtL-YEVfZWO1qfGP5EXd4B9DvP7YvkBFXKHyba0M-lJU4Ifxy9RLie-RTqWdy0oco-Y1tspI67Mzo_H8wd000rOaZNDYdFQcSZQTDSNgNmJ3gxsoG_613pqyMUJeaYhGTr8XEpSH2D1ZrPfJ7AE/s500/Neville%20in%20a%20Favourite%20Spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="500" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCF6ZN-t81rKh0dS22PqZIZYe6E2-MoYLltmTW0gMMtL-YEVfZWO1qfGP5EXd4B9DvP7YvkBFXKHyba0M-lJU4Ifxy9RLie-RTqWdy0oco-Y1tspI67Mzo_H8wd000rOaZNDYdFQcSZQTDSNgNmJ3gxsoG_613pqyMUJeaYhGTr8XEpSH2D1ZrPfJ7AE/s320/Neville%20in%20a%20Favourite%20Spot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-13930086906175798192024-02-16T20:13:00.000-08:002024-02-16T20:13:59.807-08:00Another Farewell<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Aurora went to her new home this afternoon. The first report is
encouraging. She was scared, of course, but nonetheless came out of her carrier
readily, and was not very shy about meeting her new person. I am not worried
about her eventual adaptation to her novel surroundings, though being an only
cat will likely take some getting used to. Nonetheless, I think that, with an
attentive person, she will not miss other felines much.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Even so, the worst part of fostering remains the dispatch of a cat
to her new home and family, no matter how nice they may be. It is the fact that
the change cannot be explained. From their point of view, the adopted cats have
been abandoned by the people they had come to know so well. Aurora was sleeping
peacefully minutes before she was placed in her carrier.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It must be this way. She will have a loving home and another cat
will have the chance to be taken into foster-care. In this particular case,
Auro will no longer contribute to Imogen’s stress, and that will be appreciated
by all here in the Cosy Apartment. But Aurora will be another cat whose unique
personality will be remembered, even as her memories of her erstwhile home
disappear.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh13vuVMdPuMSvF0nD5lWBnNMB6LJvPuSrpQ-qN8dcj8qLxZjBLo6msCV00Mudnnnpt4P_8cwmRinVk4N-CzHfCZlYcWjtTlpZyuBFy9oXwd496WKuedeMXGX7bJcyHxGTvJPdei5gIXL5EcP48muFJJPDZE0oLykYk7exaxSFG1vrmoWszNEAecx9Ik/s500/Sleepy%20Torbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh13vuVMdPuMSvF0nD5lWBnNMB6LJvPuSrpQ-qN8dcj8qLxZjBLo6msCV00Mudnnnpt4P_8cwmRinVk4N-CzHfCZlYcWjtTlpZyuBFy9oXwd496WKuedeMXGX7bJcyHxGTvJPdei5gIXL5EcP48muFJJPDZE0oLykYk7exaxSFG1vrmoWszNEAecx9Ik/s320/Sleepy%20Torbie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-31894361987421255662024-02-12T19:13:00.000-08:002024-02-12T19:13:09.198-08:00And Away She'll Go<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The news today is that Aurora will be going to a prospective new
home on Friday. The rescue-group certainly has not had a lack of interest in
this little beast, but many of those inquiring after her were not in a position
that would be considered promising for a pet-adoption: they were often very
young, in university, with no permanent home yet (except their parents’) and no
job or clear idea of their futures. This prospect, however, is quite different,
so Auro will be travelling to meet him at the end of the week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MnCottfp38evPwpPqoFM8WzF2TvkaEri034zCdoRiaJd173esFWZ62Wy1FkpPqIkw0QcS81S_kkef5bDYiS8IiRwoVkjsdtAy-06bUxo5UK65SRvOo6YxiR4IEL1z_cDcTcD5U6rVawPCoWQ5oXhBzDQgUP7pInYM1-F9gM_Kl_qdsaqIGGZBcxepfs/s500/Aurora%2020%20Jan%202024%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MnCottfp38evPwpPqoFM8WzF2TvkaEri034zCdoRiaJd173esFWZ62Wy1FkpPqIkw0QcS81S_kkef5bDYiS8IiRwoVkjsdtAy-06bUxo5UK65SRvOo6YxiR4IEL1z_cDcTcD5U6rVawPCoWQ5oXhBzDQgUP7pInYM1-F9gM_Kl_qdsaqIGGZBcxepfs/s320/Aurora%2020%20Jan%202024%202.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Aurora is another instance of a cat I would be happy to keep but
for her relationship with one of the perma-cats. Like Hector and Renn, Auro
feels compelled to annoy Imogen whenever possible, and that is causing stress for
Miss Silky. Even so, the right adopter had to present himself before Aurora
left for her own home. We think that home has been found.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6gAwy91ox00FHH7lgPRXaevKtk3WVRhGloSOaYe0P7KIQmMZkQ4RcOMbgHf-Zd1BuyHCF8epKI_wmJPHC0G5k7X0kYGy3GgHHaIqtKIX5UgnhvXJwazSz1Ut7YsTPn4vsQnIJ-yhEjk5EH1MGu-tLBZQ1mQpjmIXfb9VmcnmxKsV1lcaXH9KNrY_PR8/s500/Aurora%2020%20Jan%202024%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6gAwy91ox00FHH7lgPRXaevKtk3WVRhGloSOaYe0P7KIQmMZkQ4RcOMbgHf-Zd1BuyHCF8epKI_wmJPHC0G5k7X0kYGy3GgHHaIqtKIX5UgnhvXJwazSz1Ut7YsTPn4vsQnIJ-yhEjk5EH1MGu-tLBZQ1mQpjmIXfb9VmcnmxKsV1lcaXH9KNrY_PR8/s320/Aurora%2020%20Jan%202024%203.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-64598666269948664422024-02-11T17:29:00.000-08:002024-02-11T17:29:18.563-08:00Five Together<p></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It was a quiet weekend in the Cosy Apartment; so quiet, in fact,
that I was able to take this picture: all five of the beasts in one room. Though
I have been able to capture more than this in the bedroom – in the final days
of last year, six out of the seven I had at the time were together – and just a
few days ago, I published a photograph of Miss Silky with her two bêtes noir
(ironic, since she’s the black one) near by, this latest picture includes everyone.
I was most pleased at this minor triumph and, maybe, if they had given it
thought, the cats would have been, too.</span></p><p style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW2SUifhUAnuS4ZmfLkMfN7K3XoMHd8e30zppKjshTiOiyBavvlz7a-2oRN4KE5CRQ0HIks0kALCbzbdwZHiHc5SQuDU0ZLVmzC4KCelgEr-i6SNbqNH-tXUowJVIgo3AKFon_BaV9XwheF-y2T8-4vSxz5MEP6zZuXTuJvH8qJR99ELXbwk2khk4EUM/s500/Five%20Together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="430" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW2SUifhUAnuS4ZmfLkMfN7K3XoMHd8e30zppKjshTiOiyBavvlz7a-2oRN4KE5CRQ0HIks0kALCbzbdwZHiHc5SQuDU0ZLVmzC4KCelgEr-i6SNbqNH-tXUowJVIgo3AKFon_BaV9XwheF-y2T8-4vSxz5MEP6zZuXTuJvH8qJR99ELXbwk2khk4EUM/s320/Five%20Together.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-50892980919360248472024-02-09T08:05:00.000-08:002024-02-09T08:05:01.364-08:00The Personal Touch<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Aurora is a cat who would do well as a single feline or with company. This is especially the case when she is snoozing. Sometimes, she prefers to be apart, while at other times, she likes some propinquity. And then there are times when there must be physical contact, even if it’s just a little.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFFn_GPrMKatdC5rHpksHI78UlTFa2od4Ylkr5mqAjpNViIhkEbzkK24yGLnvEwtDTayrxOxFemKnhW-XRbBw6mjEx1JDDjGQlsnKMNLXl__kIlu4UCOeNEPtRNUY-JmBIYW47_UzSqDyh66XzYkZB_UnzZFxD4-AunAWLCvPK8qtsGaASnfXYlcE4JA/s500/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFFn_GPrMKatdC5rHpksHI78UlTFa2od4Ylkr5mqAjpNViIhkEbzkK24yGLnvEwtDTayrxOxFemKnhW-XRbBw6mjEx1JDDjGQlsnKMNLXl__kIlu4UCOeNEPtRNUY-JmBIYW47_UzSqDyh66XzYkZB_UnzZFxD4-AunAWLCvPK8qtsGaASnfXYlcE4JA/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaorKtVbjgaTYyoz5HZpvrfDnaNmYhLV1D8WZv4bHaTC7d6xUGZ7Yv7fkGJP2qYM8wFsl0ueNYsgX09Y_wTj8rtcRbK9kLDGypm7ra0vuxj8i516qu5hSsgLJupARE-Dit9xPRzkkPqeJed3hwdVq9OfuScH1uWcei01n3om4wB5DBZGIIzVB1Oj2_N60/s500/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaorKtVbjgaTYyoz5HZpvrfDnaNmYhLV1D8WZv4bHaTC7d6xUGZ7Yv7fkGJP2qYM8wFsl0ueNYsgX09Y_wTj8rtcRbK9kLDGypm7ra0vuxj8i516qu5hSsgLJupARE-Dit9xPRzkkPqeJed3hwdVq9OfuScH1uWcei01n3om4wB5DBZGIIzVB1Oj2_N60/s320/2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAF3ldznQz_pEWb8Etac0bqHAZXOEmQiHx_vqHyyKHu_p_I1wVemWrRiXWwZTo5b57etyQ7zZv_L5LdsVZELf-q9Kjs3Dfgjqoq211l4MGVryVukZAt51VnkdP6EE8CMblIZDj4jnWArQIOvIQQvUhk9LkJYM_9hp0BxDaGBicGUMPefyle2keIsaVVE/s500/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAF3ldznQz_pEWb8Etac0bqHAZXOEmQiHx_vqHyyKHu_p_I1wVemWrRiXWwZTo5b57etyQ7zZv_L5LdsVZELf-q9Kjs3Dfgjqoq211l4MGVryVukZAt51VnkdP6EE8CMblIZDj4jnWArQIOvIQQvUhk9LkJYM_9hp0BxDaGBicGUMPefyle2keIsaVVE/s320/3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6508973452758369679.post-15577942684343846232024-02-08T10:15:00.000-08:002024-02-08T10:15:40.264-08:00Progress of Sorts<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I am rather pleased at how Brazil and Imogen are coming along in their relationship. There is still far to go, but it isn’t what it was. It’s always been my goal to allow Shimmer into the bedroom, since relative proximity would be necessary for any workable relationship to exist between the two in the apartment. Brazil now comes into the bedroom often and, as long as he is relaxed and situated away from Imo, the latter will tolerate him. </p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Certainly, there are still incidents. Those late at night are undoubtedly because Brazil chooses to come too close too fast to Miss Silky. Other times, out of my sight but not my hearing, the issue may be caused by Imogen simply disliking how close her roommate is; there is consequently some paw-action and screaming. When I am present, things are calm, as I am able to keep distances and to reassure Imogen. The more Brazil stays in the bedroom without causing trouble, the more Imo will accept him.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">He is, in fact, less of a problem to Imogen than is Aurora, who follows Imogen whenever she leaves the room, stalking her and causing anxiety on the part of her ‘prey’. On the other hand, Auro has very rarely tried to rush Imogen, so she has been tolerated in the bedroom from the start. Nonetheless, crouching near by, as if ready to pounce, and staring at Imogen, is not conducive to good order. Fortunately, she is not always like that. When Aurora is adopted - and she is likely to be - the situation will be eased considerably.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Here are the three in question last weekend, when I was in the midst of changing the sheets on the bed. The process took longer than it should have.</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1gjyIGRHCV1UQDArgI-qZeCnWBpv9E3Lj68W2V-vmh00GwFw2bq1mAHy66LjGHgRawpUseZh3II8ORVq5eCv72jJQTTVJJJYmnVcS9eQG7oqbwbJfuU_iANXpEO10-SWrlUycaABMNnBOyRW2oSHDcBtNq6GaYlUjiM5YXSzmJV16nP4QrHOgTbirxU/s500/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1gjyIGRHCV1UQDArgI-qZeCnWBpv9E3Lj68W2V-vmh00GwFw2bq1mAHy66LjGHgRawpUseZh3II8ORVq5eCv72jJQTTVJJJYmnVcS9eQG7oqbwbJfuU_iANXpEO10-SWrlUycaABMNnBOyRW2oSHDcBtNq6GaYlUjiM5YXSzmJV16nP4QrHOgTbirxU/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>John Bellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10946140614088069665noreply@blogger.com13