Caturday Cycles & Circling
Caturday New & Mews
After the festivities of last week, we’ve had to ramp down the excitement. There’s still time to enter our KatKabin giveaway. Wild birthday boy Odin enjoyed napping in his KatKabin while recuperating from a puncture wound on his hind leg and is on antibiotics. He’s chomping at the bit to resume his wild ways but we had put our foot down. No outdoors adventures without a harness and leash and or strict supervision has resumed. We think he’s learned his lesson about visiting our neighbor’s construction site.
- Our dear vet Dr. G. visited yesterday to see the whole gang but Gris Gris pulled a Houdini at the last minute. Don’t tell him but Dr. G will be back in two weeks. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing way more of Dr. G. in the coming months.
Catch me if you can
- The best vet news is about Domino. He’s very healthy and not fat! At barely 12 pounds, his squat muscular frame and thick coat just makes him look pudgy. Always have a vet determine your cat’s ideal weight. Domino never stays any further than our garden and is usually found meditating on his favorite tree root or under a bush in the afternoon.
-
- Life goes on after death. A few days after my mother’s cat died she adopted a neglected seven-year-old calico from a neighbor. I had mixed feelings about her adopting so soon but when you’re old she says,”You don’t have time to lose.” The cat with the unfortunate name of Sourpuss has been renamed Lily Rose and for better or worse has bonded with my mom.
- Lately I’m having an eerie deja vu photographing Merlin. It feels like the summer before his sister Coco died. Every shot is one step closer to the inevitable. He’s fading in front of my eyes with every twitch and bloodcurdling yowl, pacing in tight circles at night, relaxing only in my arms, blind and now almost deaf. For so many years we were in tune and and now most of the time it’s like fiddling to find a radio station but finding only static.
- He’s lost almost a pound since Dr. G. saw him in April. Never a good sign with kidney disease with hypertension. The recent course of antibiotics helped with inflammation in his gums but it’s a quick fix and not a solution. We’re choosing to do as little as possible while keeping him comfortable; trying RenAvast for kidney support, essential fatty acids, vitamins and anything he wants to eat around the clock.
- There are moments of lucidity and sparked life force outside in the garden and once he loses interest with the scents there, I’ll have my sign that it’s time to go. Gris Gris and Domino watch over him indoors and outside, never venturing far from his side. Last night in the wee hours (who has time to sleep?) while Gris Gris and I watched Merlin circle around and around, a knowing look passed between us. He knows exactly what going on in the cosmic circle of life.
We haven’t been able to comment or visit other blogs as often as usual. Thanks for your understanding.
Click here to enter via email or Facebook. Thank-you for loving cats! Best Cat Blog.
21 Comments
Colehaus Cats
Purrs and pawhugs to Merlin along with good thoughts for many, many long days ahead.
Kat from Furrsonality
We are so so very sorry about Merlin 🙁
Karen Jo
We are all purring for you and Merlin. Mom says it’s really hard to watch a cat in decline and not be able to do much to help them.
Herman, Spyro and Oja
Oui Oui
We’re very sorry to hear about Merlin. We have been through kidney disease and health decline in older cats and know how hard it is watching but so helpless to do anything meaningful. The best thing to do is to give him yourself. We are purring for all of you.
Fuzzy Tales
Purrs to Merlin and to you as well. We ask the Universe and Goddess Bastet to be merciful, gentle and quick when it’s his time to cross.
Peace and Blessings.
CATachresis
It is certainly a very poignant time for you all. Animals know when there is something up. It is uncanny and somehow comforting! It is all under control.
That picture of you and Odin is just like me and Austin lol xox
boomermuse
Uncanny and oddly comforting indeed. Odin & Austin are two of a kind!
Zoolatry
More beautiful photos blending with thoughtful words … we are keeping your love, Merlin in thought and prayer. He does sound wise …
Glogirly & Katie
Oh, big (((purrs))) to you and sweet Merlin. xoxo
Your photos make us smile.
; ) Katie & Glogirly
John Exami
I specially like the annotations on the picture, I am a pet lover too, and I thank you for taking care of these beautiful felines.
The Island Cats
We send purrs to Merlin…and to you, too. Our mom says she knows what it’s like to watch a cat’s health decline…but you can’t dwell on that and try to enjoy every moment that you have!
And we’re happy that Odin is doing better…though we don’t think he’s really learned his lesson. 😉
Marg
We sure are sending many purrs and prayers to Merlin. It is really hard when they get old but they do seem to tell you when it is their time. We are crossing our paws too that life treats him easy right now. Take care.
Katnip Lounge
I will keep Merlin in my thoughts. It’s a hard thing; living longer than our furry companions. Cherish him.
Alice Towery
Oh, it is so hard to have a senior cat that you love get older & older and you know what’s coming. I have tears in my eyes for you and your Merlin, with thoughts also of my 12 year old Calvin who has dental issues but his heart may not be strong enough for cleaning. Please kiss Merlin’s head for me. It would all be to difficult to bear without the assurance of Heaven and our reunions.
ihavecat
awww Merlin! you are so in-touch with your kitties Layla they are very lucky to have you as their mum! xo
Cheysuli
We are purring hard for you and Merlin. This is a tough time for everyone. I knew what was happening with Georgia and I cared. I found myself quite distressed to have that happen to her. I am glad that the others are doing well.
Brian
We are all sending purrs for dear Merlin and we hope he remains well and strong. We can feel the love for Merlin from all over the universe.
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
Such a touching post Layla… I agree with Ingrid – this is a very bittersweet time with Merlin and your description of “fiddling to find a radio station but finding only static,” with him is so true with a cat in decline. My thoughts will be with you all… xoxox
Kathy Thompson
Dear sweet Merlin ,the wise and gentle sage. We send up purrs every day for you. We know this is a very hard time for you and your family. We wish for you all the peace and rest that you seek and Godspeed when the time comes to cross the Rainbow bridge to be with your sisfur. We have come to love each one of you as our own and our hearts are with you daily. All of our love and every purr that we can possibly muster Skeeter and Izzy >^–^<
boomermuse
Kathy, thank-you so much for your loyal and heartfelt felt support. As much as I love my fellow bloggers, reader comments hold an extra spot in my heart.
@Deb, many thanks for understanding and being true blue.
@Ingrid,thanks as always for knowing how it is.
@Brian, many purrs of thanks for your loyalty.
Ingrid King
It always makes me sad to read about Merlin’s decline – this time at the end of a cat’s life is such a bittersweet time.
I’m glad to hear Odin is on the mend – I love the photo of the two of you together!