2 Things @ Once

Saturday 3 p.m. ~ Napping

Saturday 3 p.m. ~ Resting My Eyes

When It's This Cold, Scooter Can Usually Be Found Here

Take care before you sit on the couch.

Meet Simon's Cat

NaBloPoMo, Day 4

Thanks to Elaine over on Random Jottings for reminding me about Simon's Cat, which I wanted to share here. I've watched Simon Tofield's film shorts multiple times and I laugh every time like it was the first. The films are witty, they look great in simple black and white, and the cat is darned cute. Not to mention they really resonate with anyone who's spent any time around a cat.

Pop on over to the Simon's Cat website and check out the films for yourself. And for you dog lovers, the last clip called "Fed Up" should amuse you as well.

Isn't Maisy Radiant?

Maisy is home safe and sound from her spa treatment. She did just fine and recovered her appetite quickly, the surest way to know she's feeling okay. Other than a couple of shaved forearms, she looks fine and she's made the rounds of the house five times, checking to make sure everything is as she left it. In a month, we'll take her for back to the vet to check her T4 (thyroid) levels to determine if the radioactive iodine treatment was successful. 

In the meantime, don't sit to close. :)

For My Cat Pals

Funny cat videos are never high on my list of time wasters, but I found this one via a trusted source on Twitter and laughed over and over.

My Irradiated Maisy

Yesterday I let Maisy out in the backyard while I puttered around on the deck and she camped out in her very favorite spot under the purple cone flowers. Hopefully she can recall her blissful afternoon, rolling around in the catmint and lazing in the sun, while she spends this week in a veterinary specialty clinic being treated for hyperthyroidism. The treatment? An injection of radioactive iodine. Don't ask how much it's going to cost.

About a month ago, we noticed Maisy seemed to have lost weight and indeed the vet said she'd lost half a pound in six months, quite a lot when you're only twelve pounds to begin with. A blood test determined she had a hyper-active thyroid and the other symptoms fell into place: her rabid appetite, ratty coat, litter box issues and a new, uncharacteristic aggressiveness.

We opted for the one-time radioactive iodine treatment as opposed to the life-long daily medication and attentive blood draws that would have been more of a hassle and not nearly as effective. Of course it's a gamble, pay more up front or in the long run, but since Maisy is healthy and active otherwise and has more than a few good years left, the glow-in-the-dark treatment seemed the best option.

On Friday I'll pick her up and bring her home and then the real fun begins. For two weeks, close contact will be limited and her used litter can't be thrown in the trash. Apparently it will be too radioactive and would set the sensors off in the garbage truck. (Did you know there were radioactive sensors in trash trucks?!) Flushing it down the toilet is apparently okay. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Must Sleep Now

I'm absolutely dead tired and should be asleep now, but must post to the blog before the midnight hour to get this day's post in. Just a quick blast of randomness before I got to sleep:

• We new it was a risk when we bought Cubs' tickets back in May for games in late August and September. At least, I said to myself, even if they're out of contention (which they very much are right now) it's pleasant to be outside enjoying a game on a lovely summer night at Wrigley Field. That was before the Ice Age summer struck. This evening it was long sleeves and layers as I watched a losing game in 50-degree temps. I expect that in April, not August.
• Got a good news/bad news scenario from the vet today. The good news: my cat Maisy's thyroid condition is treatable with a one-time treatment, which has a high rate of success. The bad news: $$$.
• Kirsty, frequent commenter to this blog, will be in Trafalgar square in a few hours to cheer her husband on as he takes to the 4th Plinth. You can catch his hour on the plinth live (3-4p.m. London time, 9a.m. central time) or catch it in rerun at the One & Other site. Break a leg Mark!

My Landscaping Crew

My cats are strictly indoor felines but occasionally I'll let them roam the backyard under supervision. This afternoon, while tidying up the yard, I let Scooter and Maisy out for their first romp of the year.

 

Maisy practiced her special brand of gardening, completely smashing the catmint plant. She does this every time she goes outside, making a beeline for the catmint, sniffing, chewing, rolling around and generally obliterating the poor plant. And every time, it comes back strong.

Scooter practiced Zen gardening, staring at the grass, watching it grow.

I'm Tired Too