Getting Back On The Horse
Dec. 20th, 2009 05:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jaunthieIt hasn't been very long since we lost my beloved J to cancer. Since he was my first cat, I have no frame of reference for this particular grieving process, or how long (if ever) it would be before I was ready to think about maybe bringing another cat into my life. And there's M, so it's not like we're catless. It would be entirely possible for us to go on quite happily with just M holding down the role of requisite feline on the property.
As it turns out, however, M himself is not happy with the idea of being the only cat. He's been extra anxious since we lost J, wanting all kinds of additional attention and serious amounts of pets and lap time and kitty games. None of this would be a problem. However, he's also got the habit of obsessively licking things - anything and everything - when he's nervous or unhappy, to the point of making himself sick. He starts throwing up hairballs, which is bad enough, but he also just throws up fluids (and anything else in his digestive tract). And once he starts throwing up (the inevitable consequence of licking everything in sight, including himself), he has trouble stopping. His esophagus gets irritated, and he stops wanting to eat.
Yes, that's right. M is the only cat I've ever heard of who is borderline bulemic/anorexic. But he is. We've had to take him into the vet, who could find nothing wrong in his bloodwork or otherwise, except that he was down a pound in about three weeks since his regular checkup. The vet suggested we change up his food to ultra bland, ultra easy-to-digest formulas, and reduce his stress levels. Which we have, and which has helped (he's eating again, and hasn't thrown up in the last few days). But he is clearly missing the company of another cat.
So, ready or not (and I'm not sure I am even close to ready, but at least M has given me plenty of warning), we're starting the process of looking at kitties, with the idea of bringing home a friend for M. We haven't brought one home yet, but we're looking. And I try to fight down the lump in the throat every time I see a black, medium-haired fuzzy face with big eyes looking back at me.
Whatever we decide, I don't think I'm ready to bring home a kitty who looks like my lost boy. But we'll need to bring someone home soon, if only for M's sake.
As it turns out, however, M himself is not happy with the idea of being the only cat. He's been extra anxious since we lost J, wanting all kinds of additional attention and serious amounts of pets and lap time and kitty games. None of this would be a problem. However, he's also got the habit of obsessively licking things - anything and everything - when he's nervous or unhappy, to the point of making himself sick. He starts throwing up hairballs, which is bad enough, but he also just throws up fluids (and anything else in his digestive tract). And once he starts throwing up (the inevitable consequence of licking everything in sight, including himself), he has trouble stopping. His esophagus gets irritated, and he stops wanting to eat.
Yes, that's right. M is the only cat I've ever heard of who is borderline bulemic/anorexic. But he is. We've had to take him into the vet, who could find nothing wrong in his bloodwork or otherwise, except that he was down a pound in about three weeks since his regular checkup. The vet suggested we change up his food to ultra bland, ultra easy-to-digest formulas, and reduce his stress levels. Which we have, and which has helped (he's eating again, and hasn't thrown up in the last few days). But he is clearly missing the company of another cat.
So, ready or not (and I'm not sure I am even close to ready, but at least M has given me plenty of warning), we're starting the process of looking at kitties, with the idea of bringing home a friend for M. We haven't brought one home yet, but we're looking. And I try to fight down the lump in the throat every time I see a black, medium-haired fuzzy face with big eyes looking back at me.
Whatever we decide, I don't think I'm ready to bring home a kitty who looks like my lost boy. But we'll need to bring someone home soon, if only for M's sake.
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Date: 2009-12-21 03:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-21 05:29 am (UTC)Amelia
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Date: 2009-12-22 09:20 pm (UTC)Now only if they made one for people....
And as tempting as it is to try to adopt an adult cat, might I suggest a kitten for M? It sounds like M needs a toy. A four legged, self propelled squeak toy and it is the rare adult cat that is willing to be a toy.
When we went to look for kittens I was immediately attracted to the black ones. I thought I'd always want black cats. The right kitten will find you no matter what color.
--J
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Date: 2009-12-24 02:39 am (UTC)Thank you so much for the Christmas toys, I love them very much.
Sincerely,
puppy er.. Milo