The Art and Vision of Cat Wisdom
Update: We’ll return on Wednesday with Astro-Kitty Taurus and a yummy giveaway. See you then! ManCat Monday is joining Mondays With Merlin today to share some photo quote wisdom. Our blind boy Merlin gradually lost his sight over the past few years but not his desire to explore his world. I keep a close eye on him in the garden but he yowls bloody murder in protest when I pick him up to bring him indoors. I thought I was doing him a favor but the truth is: I was too impatient to wait until he was ready to make his way back himself. Everyone whether human or animal can appreciate completing a job well done. Confidence suffers when we can no longer do what we used to do.
A year ago, about to turn 18, Merlin was an unhappy camper showing rapid decline from kidney disease. He peed in bed, on the floor. Puppy pads and litter boxes sprouted in every room. He circle walked day and night, his head twitched, his inflamed gums flared up painfully. His garden walks remained his only joy. I didn’t expect him to last the summer but a year later he’s alive and more feisty than ever. Remarkably, his circle walking has all but stopped, his weight stabilized, his litter box habits are immaculate and his zest for garden walks remain undiminished. I credit his health turnaround to a holistic protocol of being fed small meals on demand 24/7, daily energy treatments from chi kung to Reiki, regular vet home visits and supplements from probiotics, NovaFit, RenalK to RenAvast. Best of all: he finds his way back to the porch by himself just fine.
It’s through adversity we grow and by being open we learn. Have an inspiring week!
24 Comments
Dale
Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Bernadette
I’m so glad Merlin caught himself and is back to catting around. Sometimes when an illness pushes them beyond what they can manage it throws them off-balance, but they can adapt if they have time and the patient assistance of a human. All that work has really made a difference.
Cynthia Southern
I am glad to hear Merlin beat the odds and is still hanging out and walking in the garden. He sounds like a very special cat. Thanks for sharing his inspirational story with us.
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
So many times in the past year, I would see a post heading about Merlin and worry that this would be it… but how wonderful to hear of his pluck, perseverance, and spirit. He is so well loved by you and Joe and his other feline-mates and it has suited him well. I am so happy to hear of such an uplifting story….
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks Deb, I kept thinking it was curtains last year and it goes to show you it’s all ultimately out of our hands. He has a destiny to fulfill and I’m playing my part best I can.
Skeeter and Izzy
Heart,Mind,Body and Soul….treating one without treating the others is useless. Merlin is a joy to behold and a living testament to what true love can do.
We purr for you every day Merlin cause we luvs you too! Luvs Skeeter and Izzy >^..^<
Layla Morgan Wilde
Purrs back ya!
Fuzzy Tales
Merlin’s a wonderful example of what can be done by an holistic approach to life and health care, not merely a western mainstream one. 🙂
Abby
It’s true when you realize that you cannot do what you once did it does cause sadness and depression. I’m sure it’s the same with cats, although they seem to adapt better to it than we do. I am so glad Merlin is better.
Janet@TheCatOnMyHead
What a wonderful post. Merlin is an inspiration to all humans and animals. We’re glad he can do things my himself and that you allow him to do so. We hope he has many more garden walks ahead of him. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
Penelope
Me thinks Merlin is Magnificent!
Kisses
Nellie
The Island Cats
Merlin is an inspiration to us all! We purr that he continues to do well.
The Florida Furkids
Go Merlin!
Thanks for coming to Ellie and Allie’s birthday bash! We hope you had a good time!
The Florida Furkids
Marg
We are so glad that Merlin is hanging in there. Also glad to hear that all that holistic medicine is working. I will be looking forward to your post about his treatment and what you do feed him. Cats do seem to enjoy eating often. And it is interesting that the ones that tend to throw up seem to do it first thing in the morning when they haven’t had anything to eat all night.
Good post.
Tamago
Wow your post is very inspiring!
Merlin is better and happier than a year ago because of your patience and care!
Brian
We so admire you dear Merlin and we all need to tap into your wisdom 101!
da tabbies o trout towne
dood…N heerz ta 18 mor yeers…we iz way happee yur mom finded de rite balance oh treetmints for ewe sew ewe can continmew
ta sass her on a regular basis…..rock on buddy….N eat trout !!!
🙂
Sparky Spitfire
wow. that is a lot of care and attention to you showed dear Merlin. I’m sure he appreciates it, even if he doesn’t show it. p.s. – love the cherry blossom picture.
Gretchen
Layla: Is there any one place that details Merlin’s care? The leader of my cat herd is 18+ and has kidney disease (and nasty teeth). He really is an amazing guy and I’d like to give him some help beyond sub-q fluids, special (not) food from the vet (that made his hair fall out), and periodic antibiotics for the mouth. Thanks!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Gretchen, I’ll be doing a more in depth post of Merlin’s care protocol but every cat is different. It sounds like our cats share much in common except Merlin is not on sub-q yet. The best advice I can give is to observe changes on a daily basis which you probably already do and make adjustments, i.e. being alert to pain/discomfort which may signal the need for another round of antibiotics. It’s a wonderful time to bond with your cat, to really tune in and listen to what he needs not just physically but emotionally. Staying calm, loving and supportive without expectations is key. As head cat, the dynamics with the other cats will continue to shift. Supplements like Renal K (potassium) and Ren Avast support kidney function are worth trying. Weight loss is a big concern with kidney cats and to reduce incidents of vomiting we feed small meals on demand in an elevated bowl. Drinking water is placed on bedside tables and close to his favorite napping spots. Our vet says at this stage any food they enjoy is fine. Let me know how it’s going.
Sam and Pam
Merlin is a real inspiration….he is, and has been for a long time, Sammy’s “hero”. Even though Merlin is blind, he is guided by love from you – he feels it and follows it and LIVES it and we hope that continues for a very long time. The treatments you are giving him seem to have given him the zest for life we all love to see in our cats – at any age.
Happy Monday!
Pam
CATachresis
I remember last year when you were sure he was leaving! Merlin is a testament to your care and his own feisty temperament!
Sparkle
Merlin, you are a miracle – and paws up to your human for finding the right methods that work for you.
Darlene Arden
What a wonderfully inspiring post! Good for you and good for Merlin. Sometimes we have to think outside the box, especially when we prefer that our cats not do it!