Dear Cat

[indysteel]

umbilical hernia? your cat is probably fine. I have had more than one cat like that. Just don't let him get too fat!

It likely happened when she was spayed. She was another stray who found us, Mimi. She was impossible to keep quiet post-op, and she probably didn't heal properly. The vet thinks it's now closed and she did a fine needle aspiration to verify that there were no intestinal cells. So, it appears that it's just fat tissue involved and short of her reopening it, she should be fine. There's no sign that it's bothering her.

Just a tiny bit of back story, Mimi, since you're a cat person. We spayed her in May with the idea we'd care for her outside until we could find a home. Then it got blazin' hot, and she wasn't doing well. So we brought her inside. Then we decided we'd try to integrate her into cat household. She went back to the vet for a more comprehensive check up. She had an ear infection, mites and a chipped tooth which soon abscessed and was extracted.

We eventually got her straightened out and began the integration process. It hasn't gone well. She's not overly aggressive, but our other female can't stand her. We've tried nearly every trick in the book. So, we're back to trying to find her a suitable home. It's not easy. Plus, I adore her. She's about the spunkiest, funniest cat I've ever met. When we realized last night that she might have a hernia, I could see my husband mentally packing his bags. He's nearing the end of his rope, but I'm the various avenues I've tried thus far haven't yielded a home.

[Biciclista]

indy, I wish i had some great words for you about your little cat. Maybe you could make her a shelter outside that is good for cold and hot? but honestly, sounds like she likes to be indoors and that isn't working well either. It has taken a few years but now my #2 cat and #3 cat have finally come to a truce. I make sure #3 cat does NOT trespass on the part of the bed #2 prefers, I really treat her like she is beneath the other cat, she accepts that (to me; unfair!) treatment, and they are actually getting along now. no love, but the screaming, carrying on and hissy fits are gone. So TIME? I'm sorry about your husband's short rope. My husband (who brought home #3) was amazingly oblivious to all the rancor caused by the new cat.

[Owlie]

Dear Isis,
Why did you have to wake me up this morning by trying to stick all four sets of claws into my scalp? What does that accomplish other than a pissed-off human and a scared kitty?

Also, stop eating cardboard. It's not good for your digestive system. You don't think wet cat food is actually food, and yet you think cardboard is food?
And for the record, I'm clipping your claws, not trying to cut off your toes. You don't need to wail like that. Besides, you get treats afterward! Aren't treats great?

Mom

[skhill]

Dear Mica,

Thanks for letting me sleep in an extra half-hour this morning. And thanks for quietly curling up with me while I was flopped out on the couch feeling miserable. You've been a good, understanding kitty for a human who seems to have gotten the flu very early.

[bmccasland]

Dear Chloe,
You have lots of lovely toys, some of them are even stuffed with catmint, therefore please refrain from picking out things from the compost bowl on the kitchen counter, such as broccoli ends or melon rinds, to play with. Yes, I know I should take the contents of the bowl out to the actual compost bin every day, but I don't. That doesn't make them your toys. Further, please quit picking off the flower buds from the plant in the kitchen window - they aren't your toys either. Tonight I'll look for the plastic easter eggs that you love to roll - did you push them to where you can't reach again?

[lph]

Dear Cat,
you are such a sweetheart sometimes. I wish you weren't such a hypochondriac and I wish you wouldn't think you were dying on a Sunday morning when a vet visit costs a fortune, but still - thanks for purring and smiling at us all the time while we're poking you to find out why you feel ill, and thanks for lapping up your antibiotics as if it actually tastes good. I've forgiven you the two dead birds last week and the rat under the couch.

[limewave]

Dear kitties,

I have been such a bad mama. All I've been seeing is the collecting cat fuzz on the furniture and floors, the puke and hair balls, the small scratches on the furniture and the $500 vet bill to take all 3 of you in for an appointment! And then I learned that one of you has cancer and kidney failure I have no words now, just an ache in my heart. I can't even imagine going through with the recommended step. But I have seen for awhile now how uncomfortable you've been and that saddens me as well.
Can we just snuzzle all afternoon? I'll gently brush your fur and I'll even let you snot all over me with your wet nose.

Love you all,
Mama