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For us, the drama of the day was a visit to the vet.
Little Man was due for his booster shots and a re-check on his ears and lungs.
At his initial visit, Little Man’s ears had been in a bit of a mess and his lungs had sounded scratchy.
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When they choose to, cats can conceal themselves so effectively, you end up convinced they must have escaped.
And they are mind-readers.
Little Man had a hiding place we had not yet been able to discover.
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Consequently, yesterday morning I suggested that doors should be closed before the boy had a chance to disappear.
Every other day he “helps” me with the breakfast dishes, winding himself around my ankles, but perhaps yesterday he read our thoughts.
At any rate, he vanished before said doors were secured.
It didn’t help that I somehow lost track of time.
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Suddenly Grant was huffing about, searching:
“We’re going to be late!”
If I’d realised what the time was, it likely would have made no difference, because Little Man wasn’t coming out till he was good and ready.
So once again…
“I’m sorry but we can’t find him.”
We must seem like the most inept cat minders.
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Not long after that embarrassing conversation:
“Hi! Were you looking for me?”
This time we pinned him down and soon he was off to a delayed appointment.
The poor little fellow must have wished he’d stayed hidden because his lungs were still scratchy which necessitated an x-ray in addition to a second ear-cleaning.
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The x-ray result was not totally clear but because kittens don’t normally get their lungs examined, the doctors weren’t sure this was anything to worry about.
A radiologist could be consulted, for a hefty extra fee.
In the meantime there is that twitch that may or may not be an issue, not to mention the small matter of neutering…
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When you are responsible for a single animal, it is easier to make these decisions, but with four senior and 3 aging cats in our care, we need to consider expenditures.
Having lost a very sweet young cat to a stroke, following anesthesia for a tooth-cleaning, we are fairly neurotic about any sort of surgery, but we really can’t keep an intact male.
So, we agreed to detailed blood work for guidance and scheduled the surgery in two week’s time.
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Having an energetic, naughty young animal in the house is fun, but it also adds stress to the routine of our mature girls which they don’t deserve.
Little Man has yet to learn that must not chase the ladies.
We do our best to entertain him in hopes of wearing him out and stay ready to intercede, should it be necessary.
Because here he is.
And here he will stay.
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As we drove down to the clinic I got a message on my phone warning of severe thunderstorms approaching.
It was a fine afternoon, but these things can change in just minutes.
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An hour or so after we got home we were preparing supper when a shrill alarm emitted from both our phones.
This time it was not a tornado watch but an actual warning which advised that we should proceed immediately to a basement or safe place.
We carried on with what we were doing while keeping an eye on the sky. After a while it got very dark and the sky opened, just as Nibbs arrived for a late afternoon snack.
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The boy scurried in and spent the next hour safely indoors, but he does not like being detained and was soon growling to be let go. I made him wait until the storm was tapering off and then he went charging out and dived under a hedge.
We seldom see Nibbs these days and he is awfully thin, but at least he knows where he can go for a meal and a few kind words.
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The storm passed within an hour and left us wet but unscathed, once more.
Rome, New York which is 141 miles west got the brunt of this latest tornado. Viewing the damage, it is clear that our house wouldn’t stand a chance in the path of such a twister.
We would survive in the basement, but what always worries me most is persuading the cats to come with us down there.
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Hopefully we will never have to try.
When I went out to check on things I found a grasshopper sheltering inside a lily.
There were a few others images, but I’ll post them tomorrow.
Glad you are okay.
Cats definitely have a disappearing mode switch that we humans are unable to see.
Tornadoes must be terrifying, and it doesn’t help that so many American houses are made of wood, not brick or stone. I can’t even imagine emerging from a cellar to a pile of shattered wood. (We don’t even have a cellar, I should add) Take care, and stay safe.
Best wishes, Pete.
Looking at images from Rome, NY I noticed piles of bricks from walls that had fallen. It made me realise how vulnerable my house would be. I won’t live in Fear but in the back of my mind I am playing a scenario of what we would do with 8 cats if the house was gone. Often people get trailers to live in while their home is rebuilt. It would be great fun with the cats!
Thank you, Carolyn, for your delightful update on things in your world! I love the progress you are achieving with the beautiful Sweetheart, and he is gorgeous! The grasshopper inside the flower made me smile! Thank you!
Joanna
Did His Nibbs meet Little Man? Spending money on a cat that you guys didn’t bargain for is quite a different type of commitment, isn’t it? Your last photo of the lily and grasshopper is lovely – it’s amazing how a storm can leave such beautiful pictures behind.
Nibbs didn’t stay long at all. He hates being closed in but I wouldn’t let him go till the storm was more or less done. Little Man was in his hidy hole!