Simba is relaxing in a wall hammock during his exploration of PAWS’ new Show Room.
Continue reading “Catification Continues!”
Tag: Tommie
Gratitude
On a Spring morning many years ago, when I was taking out the trash, I saw a tiny kitten with enormous paws in our front yard. I called to him, and he approached close enough for me to scoop him up.
When my husband Rick got home from work that night, I said, “Look what I found”.
Rick said, “I think that’s our kitten”.
And we lived happily ever after until last week.
We feel so fortunate that we found each other. I’m also grateful for your understanding and expressions of sympathy. They have been enormously comforting.
Thank you.
Maggie
Tommie
This should have been Tommie’s birthday blog post. He would have been 17 years old soon. Tommie had the biggest heart of any cat I’ve ever met. But his big heart was no longer able to pump all the fluids we were giving him to treat kidney disease, and we had to say good-bye yesterday.
He had those wonderful polydactyl feet and 24 sharp claws that he never used in anger.
Tommie liked tummy rubs, chicken baby food, fresh catnip in the Spring. His purr motor had an instant “ON” switch.
Tommie loved life and he made our lives so much sweeter.
I’d like to thank his vets, very especially Dr. Patricia Doherty, and also Dr. Dave Santisi at A Cat’s Place in Norwalk CT for their kind and knowledgeable care.
Sweet Sixteen
It seems like yesterday that an adorable tiny tabby kitten with ENORMOUS paws wandered through our front yard.
How lucky we were that Mother Nature delivered him to us!
This year Tommie had 6 teeth removed, and we continue to give him fluids twice a week to keep his kidneys working. Through it all, he’s our role model for calm acceptance and enjoyment of life.
A nap in the sun.
A whiff of the first catnip in the Spring.
I hold his paw, and he holds my heart.
Happy Birthday, Tommie!
Mickey Mouser says, “If it’s Tommie’s birthday, why am I the one stuck wearing the hat?”
Tommie at 15
When our Tommie had his yearly wellness exam last November, including a blood test because he’s an official older dude, everything looked fine. In the Spring I noticed him drinking a LOT of water and peeing much more frequently, so we went to the vet. After a series of tests it was determined that he has the beginnings of kidney disease and had lost two pounds!
How could he have gone downhill so fast? Then I realized that while it was only 6 months in my calendar, in cat years, it was 2 years later for Tommie. Annual wellness exams are very important. Paying attention to our cats’ changes in weight or habits is equally so.
We give Tommie subcutaneous fluids twice a week. He won’t eat the prescription foods that are low in phosphorus for kidney disease, so I mix a binder into his food twice a day to prevent the phosphorus from being absorbed. In another month he’ll have a blood test to see how his innards are doing.
But, I can tell he’s a happy boy. He sleeps in the open and doesn’t hide. He delivers his favorite mouse toy to our bedroom every night announcing its arrival as he climbs the stairs. And he purrs me to sleep lying by my pillow.
Kittyblock
Meanwhile at our house, it’s nap time at the kittyblock.
Whatcha doing Tommie? Mickey Mouser would like to play.
We think the Kittyblock is the most sturdy and best scratcher we’ve ever bought. When Mickey starts to bite on it, (see top right corner) we can just turn it 90 degrees.
Here’s the KITTYBLOCK WEBSITE. I bought ours at www.fab.com where it was $10 less (limited time offer).
P.S. I should say that I bought this scratcher myself and have not been paid or asked to review it.
Tommie, Gracie, and Mickey Mouser
Our cats have taken over the blog today! They have been interviewed by the fabulous Funny Farmer Felines for the online magazine Mousebreath.
CLICK HERE to read the interview.
This is a rare photograph of all three cats together (without the use of photoshop).
Tommie and Mickey get along fine.
But three’s a crowd.