Category: Pets

Just in Time Assembly

Our tortoiseshell cat Trixie sitting under the Christmas tree

We never do too much decorating for Christmas but this year the only decoration is the Christmas tree, with lights but no ornaments, and even that only went up a couple days before Christmas. Normally I assemble the tree, shoo the cats out of it, and put on the ornaments, reflecting on the memories they represent, but between dealing with Sam’s illness and the job search I ran out of both time and energy. Trixie has appreciated the tree the most, although she does not spend nearly the time under it that Emma did (who could?). She hasn’t tried to eat or climb the tree, a sign of her maturity I suppose at three years old, but that branch dipping down to the ground on the right was permanently bent by Emma during her many solo ascents of the tree. I used to hide deformities like those towards the back where they couldn’t be seen but now I embrace them as a reminder of sweet Em and her tree.

Rise of the Samwise

A close-up of our cat Sam curled up on top of the cat tree

The internal medicine specialist called yesterday and said all of Sam’s test results looked fantastic, and since he is doing so well on the new fiber-laden food, the plan is to keep him on it and see if that continues. The little fellow’s energy levels never dipped too badly but he is on full song now, tearing into his favorite catnip toy with abandon. This picture of Sam atop the cat tree with catnip sprinkled around him is from October, shortly before his health issues started.

On High

Our gray tuxedo cat Templeton rests atop my bookcase

A simple portrait of the master from 10 years ago, sitting on high atop the bookcase as he loved to do. Sorry we didn’t have any cat trees back then little one.

Christmas Eve 2007

A close-up of our black cat Emma as she sleeps on the guest bed

A picture of Emma from 10 years ago on Christmas Eve, a couple of days after we adopted her, one of my all-time favorite Christmas presents. I thought of her as I was putting up her beloved tree a couple days ago, seeing the branches permanently bent down from her repeated climbs, hard to believe she’s been gone almost three years. Miss you Em.

My Morning View

Our cat Sam sleeps on our bed

Although I took this picture in the afternoon when Sam was sleeping on our bed, this is the view I have many mornings when I wake. It’s the view I have right now, albeit on my couch instead of the bed. If I was a cartoon character I’d have a Sam-shaped divot in my lap. A more snuggly creature you will never meet.

Moving in the Right Direction

Our orange tabby Sam sleeps in my lap

I meant to post this yesterday in honor of the 10 year anniversary of the day we adopted Sam and Emma but I ran out of energy in the early evening. Sam is responding well to the new food with extra fiber, he hasn’t had diarrhea in about four days and his stools have improved as he’s transitioned to the new food. His appetite has been good but there is still room for improvement, and we’ll see how he does overall when he’s been on the new food over time. I had a dream a couple of weeks ago that consisted, in its entirety, of me scooping litter boxes and judging Sam’s poop, so I’m looking forward to when this twice daily activity becomes routine again and the little fellow is feeling better.

If he looks gaunt in this picture, he wasn’t, he’s just sunken down between my legs. He’s curled up on my lap at the moment with Trixie just coming in to snuggle up next to her hero.