Still Here!

I have often said that in my next life I would like to come back as one of my cats.  Having spent the last 2 weeks being with them 24/7 I am revising that statement.  In my next life I want to be as at peace, happy, and comfortable as one of my cats.  Having the position and place to nap in and rather to have a snack now, or later as the biggest decisions in my day is not nearly as much fun as it might seem.  But each day I move a little better, and the pain is much different and far easier to manage than it used to be.  I am noticing changes in nerve sensation & muscle control that I didn't expect, but I'm hoping that as inflammation goes down in the offended tissue that some of those things come back.

I will meet with Doc Nathan next Friday & hopefully get a clear bill of heath to return to work.  I'm trying to condition myself to spend more time sitting rather than reclining.  Who'd'a thought that I would ever need to practice sitting up!

I learned this afternoon that I will not be returning to my secretary job at jordan campus but will be working at the main office at redwood.  I'm not exactly sure what to think abut that.  I've really enjoyed the people and unique environment of that office.  I have no idea if this change is permanent, I kind of hope it isn't.  It came as a complete surprise & has me a little off kilter.  I have an appointment to talk with my boss tomorrow afternoon & hopefully will have more facts then.

I went to tulip tree for a visit on Monday.  It was so great to see all of my friends there!  It was a predictable display of organized chaos.  The day before valentines is always crazy in a flower shop, no matter how organized or prepared you try to be.  And it's always fun, in and out of control panic stricken wonderful kind of way. 

Last Thursday night I ventured out to the truck to retrieve my stash of AAA batteries.  Outie (the cat we've been feeding since spring) was at the neighbors door meowing her heart out to get in out of the cold.  They've had all sorts of complications medically lately & I wasn't sure they weren't checked into a hospital and not coming home or staying with family while they recovered.  I just found out last week that they've been bringing her inside at night, they call her Lady.  I also found out that they were planning to take her to the humane society.  At the time I mentioned that she was not the kind of pet who would be quickly adopted and that I'd hate to find out she'd been euthanized.  Also she seemed to be quite comfy & little nuisance being the neighborhood cat & I was happy to continue feeding her & appreciated knowing that she was getting in out of the cold.

I know not all people look at the responsibility of caring for animals like I do, nor do I claim to be flawless in that respect.  I try not to pass judgment, but I have a very hard time watching/accepting when people treat animals as "things" disposable at the first inconvenience.  These are not wild animals, they have been domesticated, the core parts of their survival behaviors have been altered in order for them to be more astheticly pleasing, or better behaved.  Due to those changes I think we as the species that has pushed them to be domestic carry a responsibility to protect and care for them,  There is no such thing for me as a worthless animal.  Even snakes (which I HATE) if domesticated should not be forced to fend for themselves!

So rant over, & let me begin by stating that I love my neighbors and would hate to offend them.  I know that there are a few points on pet care/responsibility where our views/priorityies do no match.  Doesn't mean either of us is wrong, we just hold differing opinions.  I watched for an hour to see if they came home & at 10pm decided to bring her into our garage for the night.  Of course 10 minutes after I created a safe zone & brought her inside the neighbors came home.  Go figure.  I went over to let them know I had her so they didn't worry & was treated to a display of the stress bringing her in had caused in their family.  They've obviously got enough going on in their life and couldn't handle the added stress of an unwelcome pet.  Not that Scott & I were looking to adopt her either, but taking care of her won't take food out of our mouths.  Knowing now how much work, heartache, and frustration I had finding a new home for Royla I have been very reluctant to bond with Outie.  But over time I've caved.  Scott's been putting out kibble for her every morning & I've been feeding her a can of wet food every few days.  Her eye infection has not gotten any better & I was concerned that it might spread to my indoor kitties.  So Friday I made an appointment with the vet & took her in.  I have been meaning to audition this vet for a few years because they're so much closer to home.  After my experience I think we may switch over and take all of our fur children there for checkups instead of driving to the east side to see a vet who I dearly love & have trusted but who tends to overcharge.  Outie was a sweetheart to handle getting her into a cat carrier & to the vet wasn't nearly as much of a project as Yahzi would have made it.  The vet looked her over, ran some tests, checked out her ears & eyes & after asking some questions was able to comfortably ok her coming inside with my other babies.  The last hurtle was finding out if she had been spayed or not.  They took her into the back room to shave her tummy & look for a scar.  When they brought her back we were all a little surprised.  She is a neutered male, with a somewhat strange shaved belly.  So after paying the nice people I took HIM home & began introducing him to Yahz, Spazz, & Sider.  My goal is to get his eyes cleared up (they're doing much better in just the few days we've been applying ointment) and then begin the process of finding him a forever home.  He's been very affectionate, and even Spazz is getting around to liking him.  Oscar's not too psyched since he's lost some of the freedom he's used to.  Can't have him wandering at whim until new kitty realizes he's not food.

Outie needs a new masculine adoptable name.  I'm drawing a blank.  He can't be Outie now that he's in.


It's time for another dose of pain killers and another episode of Star Trek.  I hope all goes well in my world and yours.

Live long & prosper.
~m