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Wow. For the first time in days I don't feel like a zombie. That must mean I'm finally shaking off the cold/virus/whatever that descended upon me this week. I can't remember the last time I slept so much! I was off work Thursday and Friday, although I'm sure I've gone into the office with worse cold symptoms before now. Nose was only a little bit stuffy, throat only a little bit sore, chest only a little bit tight...I just felt like a complete zombie, totally unable to function. So I stayed home and, well, slept. It was like someone had poured wet cement into my brain. So glad it's better now. I like possessing the ability to think.
Mind, my rest and recuperation was slightly interrupted on Thursday when a girl from the flats next door landed on my doorstep, having locked herself out with bare feet in pouring rain! Ended up having to entertain her - which meant trying to hold a sensible conversation despite being practically comatose - for two hours or more while we waited for the landlord's agency to send someone over to sort her out.
Thanks to everyone who replied to my last post with good wishes for my Big Sis. Her operation went well, although they ended up zapping six nerves instead of the two originally planned, so her recovery time will be longer. The nerves will grow back eventually, but this procedure should, with luck, afford her a year or so of increased comfort. The consultant has recommended that she take action against the doctor who originally treated her back injury, because he misread the x-ray and mistreated the injury. If she'd been given the correct treatment back then, she could have been saved years of pain and decreased mobility. Not to mention the fact that the back condition was a big part of the reason she was turned down for adoption. No idea if she'll follow up on it, though.
Had Small to sleep over on Thursday night, despite being off work sick at the time. The story begins a week ago, when the parents took Small to the local animal shelter in hopes of finding her that dog she's been hankering after. Turns out, the local place is useless, offering next to no guidance and no after-care at all. Still, they found a dog that seemed ideal. A bit bigger than they'd intended, but listed as being good with children, good with other animals, an ideal family pet. Her name was Poppy, same as my cat, five years old and in need of a new home after her owners moved and had decided not to move her with them. My parents even took the family cat, Chess, to the shelter to meet her, and she was fine - didn't bat an eyelid at the cat, although Chess was afraid of her.
Small with Poppy-the-dog
And in the house, Poppy-the-dog was an absolute joy to have around - obedient and affectionate. However, all it took was one hiss from the cat to reveal something of a spit personality. And out of the house she was soon revealed to be an absolute nightmare - she'd try to attack any other animal she passed, kept biting at the lead to try and get it out of your hand while out walking her, pulled constantly. Definitely not good with either children or other animals, despite the recommendation. It would never have been safe for Small to take her out on her own, which was the whole point of the exercise - the dog was meant to be for her. It would never have even been safe to let her off the lead in the park so she could run, not if she was going to attack other animals. Probably a lot of the trouble was that she didn't understand where her previous owners had gone. But the fact was that she was getting worse day by day, so on Thursday - after consulting with an animal therapist - the difficult decision was made to return her to the animal shelter. Hopefully she'll he rehoused with someone who doesn't have either children or other pets, and who lives more outside the city, where she'll be able to run freely.
But it was very upsetting for Small to lose her much-wanted dog, despite her being nervous of Poppy. So she came to me for the night as a special treat - I don't usually have her on a school night as it involves so much additional coordination. The family are now looking at animal shelters in other areas where they do actually vet the animals properly, to make sure they are well-matched to their new homes, and where trial periods and follow-up care is possible. Now, if you watch the news and animal rescue shows, you'd think all that was standard these days. Turns out it isn't. But should be.
So, my little kitten is back to being the only Poppy in the family. She's growing fast - or so it seems to me, anyway. But then when I see adult cats out and about, I realise how tiny she still is. She's 15 weeks old now.
'Go away, world. I'm sleeping!'
'I'm sure there was food in here...'
'What? I fit!'
Playing with Small
Plotting mischief
With me
Follow the finger...then kill!
A cat...or a parrot?
An arm makes a good bridge
Having a cwtch with Small. Oh yeah, should mention that some pics are blurry and whatever because Small pressed buttons and changed settings on the camera and now I can't fix it!
Wardobe, bed - what's the difference?
It's a hard life, being a baby cat
Mind, my rest and recuperation was slightly interrupted on Thursday when a girl from the flats next door landed on my doorstep, having locked herself out with bare feet in pouring rain! Ended up having to entertain her - which meant trying to hold a sensible conversation despite being practically comatose - for two hours or more while we waited for the landlord's agency to send someone over to sort her out.
Thanks to everyone who replied to my last post with good wishes for my Big Sis. Her operation went well, although they ended up zapping six nerves instead of the two originally planned, so her recovery time will be longer. The nerves will grow back eventually, but this procedure should, with luck, afford her a year or so of increased comfort. The consultant has recommended that she take action against the doctor who originally treated her back injury, because he misread the x-ray and mistreated the injury. If she'd been given the correct treatment back then, she could have been saved years of pain and decreased mobility. Not to mention the fact that the back condition was a big part of the reason she was turned down for adoption. No idea if she'll follow up on it, though.
Had Small to sleep over on Thursday night, despite being off work sick at the time. The story begins a week ago, when the parents took Small to the local animal shelter in hopes of finding her that dog she's been hankering after. Turns out, the local place is useless, offering next to no guidance and no after-care at all. Still, they found a dog that seemed ideal. A bit bigger than they'd intended, but listed as being good with children, good with other animals, an ideal family pet. Her name was Poppy, same as my cat, five years old and in need of a new home after her owners moved and had decided not to move her with them. My parents even took the family cat, Chess, to the shelter to meet her, and she was fine - didn't bat an eyelid at the cat, although Chess was afraid of her.
Small with Poppy-the-dog
And in the house, Poppy-the-dog was an absolute joy to have around - obedient and affectionate. However, all it took was one hiss from the cat to reveal something of a spit personality. And out of the house she was soon revealed to be an absolute nightmare - she'd try to attack any other animal she passed, kept biting at the lead to try and get it out of your hand while out walking her, pulled constantly. Definitely not good with either children or other animals, despite the recommendation. It would never have been safe for Small to take her out on her own, which was the whole point of the exercise - the dog was meant to be for her. It would never have even been safe to let her off the lead in the park so she could run, not if she was going to attack other animals. Probably a lot of the trouble was that she didn't understand where her previous owners had gone. But the fact was that she was getting worse day by day, so on Thursday - after consulting with an animal therapist - the difficult decision was made to return her to the animal shelter. Hopefully she'll he rehoused with someone who doesn't have either children or other pets, and who lives more outside the city, where she'll be able to run freely.
But it was very upsetting for Small to lose her much-wanted dog, despite her being nervous of Poppy. So she came to me for the night as a special treat - I don't usually have her on a school night as it involves so much additional coordination. The family are now looking at animal shelters in other areas where they do actually vet the animals properly, to make sure they are well-matched to their new homes, and where trial periods and follow-up care is possible. Now, if you watch the news and animal rescue shows, you'd think all that was standard these days. Turns out it isn't. But should be.
So, my little kitten is back to being the only Poppy in the family. She's growing fast - or so it seems to me, anyway. But then when I see adult cats out and about, I realise how tiny she still is. She's 15 weeks old now.
'Go away, world. I'm sleeping!'
'I'm sure there was food in here...'
'What? I fit!'
Playing with Small
Plotting mischief
With me
Follow the finger...then kill!
A cat...or a parrot?
An arm makes a good bridge
Having a cwtch with Small. Oh yeah, should mention that some pics are blurry and whatever because Small pressed buttons and changed settings on the camera and now I can't fix it!
Wardobe, bed - what's the difference?
It's a hard life, being a baby cat
no subject
Your Poppy the cat seems to be growing fast. :) She looks totally adorable! But I'm sorry about Small and the dog - I can only imagine what a disappointment it was. And poor dog as well. Hopefully there is a more suitable home for her somewhere! And a more suitable dog for your family. Have you thought about a puppy instead of a grown-up dog. Puppies are usually more adaptable, I think.
Anyway, have a good and relaxing weekend - or what's left of the weekend at least!
no subject
Puppies are under consideration for the dog situation, but it's really a question of what's available. Truthfully, I think that despite everything they'd said about chosing carefully, they then rushed into it with the first one they liked the look of. Hopefully they'll be more cautious next time!