The NON-political chit chat thread

[weltschmerz]

Damn! I'm SO sorry, mmhmm. How old was he? Going out peacefully is all we can ask for.

[mmhmm]

He was 19, Welts. Would have been 20 in October. He lived a good, long life and gave much more than he took. Letting him pass easily was the least we could give in return. Thanks, hon!

[weltschmerz]

Letting him pass easily was the least we could give in return.
---------------
I wish we could do the same for our human friends, but that's a topic for another thread.
I'll be thinking of you tonight, and hoping your heart isn't too heavy.

[mmhmm]

I agree on the human end, hon. Thanks. While I'll miss him, and it hurts, I know it was the right thing to do. That gives me comfort.

[weltschmerz]

How are you holding up, mmhmm? Are you OK?

[mmhmm]

Doing fine, welts. I knew what I had to do, and knew it was the right thing to do. The old guy is definitely missed, but he's beyond suffering and that's what was important. Choo Chi is howling and calling to beat the band, and Arnie is looking around a mewing from time to time, but they seem fine, as well. We're pretty much back to what we laughingly call "normal" around here.

[mmhmm]

I really have to chuckle. Mourning seems to be wrapping up and the cats are all trying to figure out who's going to run the show now. Arnold, the black and white tuxedo eating machine is the lone male. We call him "Braveheart". He hides when the doorbell rings, even if it's family. Won't come out until everyone has left (well, sometimes he'll take a peek). He adored Hoover and tried to be just like him. Now, he's laying around in Hoover's favorite places, trying to assume the position of leadership and failing miserably. Sylvia, the tortoiseshell and white elder (at 8 years) thinks she's going to make a move to fill those big, old Siamese paw prints. Choo Chi, the wedge Siamese thinks that ain't happenin'. It's a freaking free-for-all around here. Mother and I have been laughing ourselves silly at their antics.

[Jaguar]

So sorry mmhmm about your loss, my sincerest condolences.

[mmhmm]

Thank you, Sugi. That's very sweet of you. He was old, and tired. It was time for him to move on, and we were fortunate to have him for such a long, happy time.

[weltschmerz]

It's always funny to watch them wrangle their way into claiming "top dog" status.

[mmhmm]

It has been decided. The youngest, loudest, skinniest and silliest is "leader of the pack". May whatever dieties are willing protect us!

[Jaguar]

Jul 27, 2012 19:54:48 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

It has been decided. The youngest, loudest, skinniest and silliest is "leader of the pack". May whatever dieties are willing protect us!

[weltschmerz]

My son has been working nonstop lately. Yesterday was his first day off in I don't know how long, and he was really looking forward to sleeping in. Yeah, you guessed it....the howling started around 07h30.
My son came tearing down the stairs, almost in tears and shouting "Shut up, shut up, shut up! For the love of God, do you EVER shut up? What will it take to get you To Just SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Cat just looked at him and said MrrrrrrrrrrOWWWWWWWWWWW!

[Jaguar]

Welts your son is not fluent in Catenese ?

[weltschmerz]

Jul 31, 2012 15:55:08 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Welts your son is not fluent in Catenese ?

Unfortunately, no. Just English, French and some Russian.
He was so angry. However, before there are any misunderstandings, he would NEVER hurt an animal....not in a million years. He brings injured squirrels to the vet and has them fixed up out of his own pocket.

[mmhmm]

I'm ROFL, welts. Your Sushi sounds like he's just as bad as my Choo Chi. We ought to lock the two of them up somewhere and let them howl themselves into a shared coma! ;D

[Jaguar]

Jul 31, 2012 22:00:12 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm ROFL, welts. Your Sushi sounds like he's just as bad as my Choo Chi. We ought to lock the two of them up somewhere and let them howl themselves into a shared coma! ;D

This sounds like a win win for everyone. BTW I do know what your talking about my Elmo was a screecher as well.

[weltschmerz]

Well. I took Sushi to the vet for the first time, to get his shots. Forcing him into the cat carrier was a nightmare....hissing and spitting and rage and fury and pointy teeth and sharp claws. I had to change my shorts, as the ones I had on were covered with blood from his ripping out chunks of my ass, hanging on for dear life.
At the vet's he was a perfect angel; making friends with the dogs and purring while the vet was examining him...until it was time to jam him back in the carrier again. The vet and I both tried together. Sushi went completely insane. Don't forget he's 18 pounds of rock-solid muscle.She decided it was too dangerous without cutting his nails. After his mani-pedi it still took THREE of us to get him in there.
I don't think I'll be taking him up to the cottage anytime soon. I'm not going through that again.

[mmhmm]

LOL! Sorry for your pain, welts! I finally figured out how to get Arnie into the carrier. It's a big carrier, and I set it on end with the door upward. I do this way ahead of time to go ... like the day before. About an hour before we're to hit the road, I get a big, thick towel (which is also what I put on my lap when I brush him. He likes brushing.), grab Arnie in it and wrap him tightly. The whole package goes into the carrier. It's worked twice. I don't know what he's plotting for the next try, though.

[weltschmerz]

Hmmm...I might try that. It may work. Once. Next time he sees the towel, he'll take off like the proverbial bat out of hell.

[mmhmm]

You might start out by using the towel for something he really likes. That's what I do. It gives them pause ... for a little while.

[Deleted]

Does anyone else here live in a bad drought area? My area has just been changed to D-4 (the worst rate) and the rural area I live in is getting quite scary in how dry everything is. The grasshoppers have eaten all the dead grass in the yard around the house and only dirt is showing. Now they're working on the small trees and bushes. It's kind of like a sci/fi movie here.

[mmhmm]

Oh, dear. I'm sorry, jma. We're not suffering here, but I keep reading about those areas, like yours, where the drought is wreaking havoc.

[Jaguar]

All the best to everyone in these drought regions.

[weltschmerz]

I think Sushi may be sick. He's lethargic and not eating. I checked with the vet. It may be the heat. It may be he has an upset stomach from getting in the garbage. Vet said it doesn't warrant expensive tests, not yet. I should keep on eye on him.
He may just be yanking my chain. "Mom, I don't feel well. However, I could probably choke down some smoked salmon." That, he'll eat.

[mmhmm]

Mine go "off their food" occasionally, welts. When they do, they're usually less active, as well. I'd give it a day, or two as long as he doesn't develop other symptoms. Cats really enjoy worrying you.

[weltschmerz]

Mmhmm, it started on Wednesday. He's eating, but not much. He's usually bouncing off the walls, but now sleeps a lot. It's hot, but not THAT hot. It's been hotter. I did mention it to the vet on Thursday. She did a cursory exam, but could find nothing overtly wrong and he had no fever. I'm wondering if he could be having side-effects to his Rhinovirus shot on top of whatever precipitated this. She didn't think he needs a rabies booster because he's an indoor cat. (First vet I ever encountered that didn't want me to spend, spend, spend)
I'm kind of worried. Worried enough to not go to the country but opting to stay here and keep an eye on him.

[mmhmm]

Aww, poor guy, welts. He may be having a reaction to the vaccination. Meezers and their ilk have a tendency to be reactive to medications. As long as he's eating a bit, and taking fluids, he should snap out of it. If he isn't better by Monday, and getting back to his normal self, I'd take him in and insist on a full workup.

Is he using "the facilities" normally? No diarrhoea, and urinating as usual? I've got to figure the vet checked his teeth to be sure there wasn't a problem there.

[weltschmerz]

Gums have a touch of gingivitis, but nothing to worry about. Output is decreased because intake is decreased, but everything seems to be functioning. To the casual observer, he would seem fine. But, as "parents" we know when something is wrong. He's definitely not himself. He's not even trying to escape, which is his raison d'etre.
Poor little guy. I know I complain about him, but I adore that beast.

[weltschmerz]

I guess there's nothing to do at this point besides hurry up and wait.