Ugh...

[asphaltcowgrrl]

So, last week, I had to get my rear brakes replaced because my truck is old.  Matter of fact, it's only a year younger than my younger child.

This week?  This week, my cat decides to try and keep me in debt.

Now, I have two cats.  The first is this monster:

His name is Buddy and we've had him for four years now.  He's a five year old moose of a cat and so far, the biggest issue we've had with him is that he doesn't like to groom himself.  And since he's a Maine Coon, he has a thick, coarse outer layer of fur with finer under layer of fur.  What does this mean for a lazy cat?  Mats.  Lots and lots of mats.  *headdesk*  I have to brush the punk twice a day to keep him looking pretty, but it's worth it.  He's a good cat, even if he's a jerk with a vendetta against my kids' Chapstik.  Oh, and some kind of irrational hatred of my egg-shaped paperweight.  *shrugs*

My other cat is the sweetest thing you'll ever meet.

This is Alfie and he's had a rough life.  We adopted him two years ago and found out that he'd been previously adopted only to be returned when the woman who took him home discovered her BOYFRIEND (not even her husband guys) didn't like cats.  So, she took the kitty she'd brought home FOR HER KID and returned him.  *seethes for a moment*  To say he's skittish and untrusthing is an understatement.  I often suspect that he was abused too, because if you make too quick of a movement (like, if you stumble), he runs and hides for an hour.

Up untl last night, I'd never had one issue with this sweet boy.  He's not a jerk like Buddy and, to quote my 15-year-old, he's a 'gay kitty because all he does is primp'.  Which is true - the cat is obsessed sometimes.  Anyway, last night, I went to pick him up and rub his belly, which he loves.  But, when I went to put him down, he let out this awful, horrible, pain-filled meow.  His belly was swollen and he was unhappy.  Took him to the vet and he has a blockage in his urinary tract.  Sadly, this is way too common in boy cats and he's one in a long line to fall victim to it.  So, he's spending a couple of days at Chez Vet's Office.

He's going to be fine, but it was so odd not to have his little furry self curled up beside me last night... to not have him tripping me up this morning.  I'm terrified of what this is going to cost me, but I couldn't let him suffer.  He's my boy.  

So, hold a happy thought for Alfie.  And roll your eyes at whomever thought that was a fitting name for this cat (because I'm still not sure it works).

And now... I'll shut up.  I just had to get all of that off my chest.

Comments

[peppermint-wow.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear about Alfie! I hope he's doing alright, poor baby. I hate seeing a kitty in pain. It's a good thing he has a family like y'all to keep him in tip top shape! :D

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) I'm supposed to call the vet today, but since we didn't get him seen until nearly 6:30 last night, I'm going to wait until later in the afternoon to call him.

I hate seeing anything in pain. I once took my $10 hamster to the vet because the little idiot got her pouch impacted and couldn't eat. :(

But thank you. We love our animals and our kids and try to do our best for all of them. :)

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

That happened to my Woogie when he was two. We switched him to a low magnesium food and he was just fine for years!

It was an ugly vet bill, so hugs all around. Hugs and happy thoughts.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Aw, poor Woogie. What a beautiful kitty though We had another cat, Darby, who went into kidney failure. She had a good 16 years though. :) Thanks for the tip - both cats are already on a grain-free diet (we had another cat, Cali, who had an allergy and really, grain-free is so much better) so I'll talk to the people at the pet shop where I get their food about a low magnesium option.

Ugh, I bet it was. And thank you. :)

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

He left the vet from that surgery with everyone loving him, and one of the tech still refers to me as his mom. Which is nice as she still pronounces his name right (soft g, I'm such a bitch). But yeah, he bounced right back.

Your baby will be home and happy soon enough.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

That's really reassuring, truly. Nah, not a bitch - you just want your cat to be called what you named him, right? So, it's not like boogie, then? Interesting. :) More like a 'j' sound?

Aw, thanks!

Oh - and on a happier note, even though I didn't think I'd manage yesterday, I did find a little over 700 words to write! YAY!

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Like jeep but without the P. He had an automatic setting, you could just hold out your hand and he'd walk back and forth under it, petting himself for hours.

YAY WORDS!!!! I LOVE WORDS!!! I don't know if you knew that. ;)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Cute name! Hahaha - we call that a drive by petting in our house. Moose cat, Buddy, will do that if you have your arm hanging off the side of the chair. Alfie likes to rub his head into my hand when I have it thrown across my head when I'm sleeping. :D

I know you do! I shall endeavor to make you MORE today. :D

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

Emma will nudge my hand if it's accessible while I'm sleeping. Which is ugly as she's not supposed to be on my pillows. As opposed to Lolly who drools when you pet her. Not like Eggs drools, but more than a cat should.


WORDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

OMG! I'm dying laughing right now. We had a cat - Tiger - and he'd suck on your shirt if you let him cuddle with you. I think he was weaned too early, the weirdo. :D

MOAR WORDSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

Maybe they're here to make up all look like our own lives aren't so messed up.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Good point. Because there isn't anything much more messed up than a cat. :D

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

Exactly! :D

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Right?

Just talked to the vet and he got Alfie *unplugged* as he put it last night but the little brat got his catheter out and wound up getting plugged back up. *beats head into desk* He's going to try again and if that doesn't work, he'll have to have surgery. :/

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

AWWWWWWW! They are both adorable! Good luck with that vet bill, and I hope Alfie is all better and home soon. 'What's it all about, Alfie..." (you should check out the movie - original with Michael Caine, remake with Jude Law - sometime to see what it's all about! Maybe your guy is like the cat version?)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. I lubs my kitties. :D Sadly, the little brat got his catheter out last night and is blocked again, but the vet is attempting to unblock him to see how it goes. :/

Ah! I love Michael Caine, so I will have to definitely check it out. Hahaha... I'm sure he would love the cat version. :D