With the exception of two or three, the cats we have owned over the years fit the description of barn cats. Adventure eventually caused their demise as they wandered into the farm fields to be picked up by hawks or coyote; or climbed into visitors open car windows to get a ride to a far-off place.
The two young cats we acquired last August have managed to live through both scenarious. We were very careful with these little kittens as they were the offspring of feral cats and were susceptible to illness.
And get sick they did. One of the early days I let them out of their carrier into our living room. They proceeded to excrete a foul liquid from both the front and the back end of their thin kitten bodies. I reached for one of the kittens before it could climb up the couch. In doing so I tripped on a lamp cord pulling the lamp to a crashing thump on the floor. The momentum of everything falling caught me and I was pulled on top of the cord, and down to the floor on the lamp glass and right into the poop from the kitten’s back end.
The kittens were taken to the veterinarian who prescribed an antibiotic and special kitten food. They continued to hang-out in the house when we were home during the day. Then they retreated to their garage bed and snuggled with our dog Lillie at night.
I have become very interested in animals as pets and as support to ill or disabled people. My interested peeked when I had the opportunity to apply for a service dog and was accepted. Joy of Living Support Dogs of Salem Oregon is looking for just the right animal for my needs. When the dog is paid for, I will meet him, and our training together will begin.
Until then, there are two very astute young cats at our house. Today I was working on my laptop and a sudden severe headache came on. Charlie was gone to volunteer with the Lions club. I grabbed my phone and hit the speed dial so I could talk with him about the situation. Charlie’s phone rang back from the kitchen downstairs. With phone in hand, I lowered myself to the floor and laid out on my belly, covering my aching head with my hands.
The cat named Walnut came from her perch by the window and meowed at me. Then she snuggled in close to my body. She worked her way up to my head and started purring loudly and licking the side of my head where the pain was the greatest. She stayed there until we heard Charlie enter the house. When he called my name the cat ran to the top of the stairs and meowed loudly. The meowing got Charlie’s attention and he came upstairs to where I was sacked out on the floor.
A hot washcloth, two extra strength Tylenol, a benadryl, and a cup of coffee was my initial attack for sinus headaches. Two more Tylenol, a cold coke, and the application of an ice pack had me asleep on my bed. Two more Tylenol, a heating pad and a hot toddy allowed me enough relief from pain to get up and eat dinner. This has been my sinus headache fighting strategy for years.
Add in the watchful eyes and loud meow of a young cat. I am glad she was there to keep me company today. Her assessment of the situation and supervison of me while we waited for help was “magnificat“.
My headache is entirely gone. The cats who watched basketball from Charlie’s chest tonight are asleep in their bed in the garage. Another beautiful winter sun set viewed from the patio at the Clupny house brings us the possibility of a cold clear night and frosty morning.
If you are interested in helping with the purchase cost of the service dog, you may follow this link: https://www.tfaforms.com/4962730
Purchase Price: $10,800.00
And there will be cats meowing at the door, demanding their breakfast,
Please comment. I love to hear your thoughts!