Musings on a Small Life

Our regular vet is off this week; Derry saw a new vet, probably fresh out of veterinary college. She said she could see something at the edge of the cornea, but it wasn't picking up the stain and wasn't presenting as a corneal ulcer typically would. I asked if there was a chance it was cancer and she didn't think so. She really didn't know what it was. Possibly caused by the virus, possibly a scratch, possibly something else. She sent me home with antibiotic drops and instructions to put one or two drops in Derry's eye three to four times a day, for seven days. Hahaha. (She also had offered Metacam, presumably for any discomfort, but I declined at this time, not liking its use in cats.) Anyway, I watched a number of YouTube videos, with apparently very passive cats, then I wrestled with Derry for about 10 minutes mid-afternoon, to sort of maybe get one drop in and that was that. Gave him a treat and a brushing session afterward, to end on a pleasant note. Of cours...

It's a strange time of year, these days between Christmas and New Year's, when some (or many) of us lose track of time and can't recall what day of the week it is without the aid of a calendar. Or as in my case, without the hosts of CTV's "Your Morning" with their daily announcement of the week day, accompanied by the "swoosh" graphic.  :-) Derry and I curled up on Christmas Eve, below: me with the side-effects of the third vaccine the day before and Derry on nursing duty. The week has been quiet in more ways than one! I was house-bound on the 24th (as already mentioned, the side-effects of the Moderna booster I'd had the day before) and then still housebound on the 25th and 26th due to freezing rain. As usual, there was no salting or sanding in our townhouse complex, so too dangerous to venture out. So Christmas Day was spent on Skype and on the phone, with all the Hallmark TV Christmas movies playing in the background, and was a day of quiet co...

Merry Christmas; we hope your holiday is a lovely one, however you celebrate. I had my booster shot yesterday (half-dose of Moderna, because Pfizer is in limited supply here) and in the middle of the night I started having mild chills, along with moderate flu-like body pain. I had no reaction to either Pfizer dose, so I'm actually pleased to know my body is busy making antibodies! Anyway, my Christmas Eve will be a bit more low key than usual, which is fine. Derry and I will snuggle together and eat treats...though not the same treats.  :-D We're wishing you Peace and Blessings at this season and always. Kim and Derry *Comments are off.*

Derry's been on a short course of Prednisolone for the recurring, intermittent diarrhea, and even though the vet assured me, twice, that it was an anti-inflammatory dose, not an immune-suppressing one, by day 12 Derry was well and truly into a viral flare-up: profusely runny left eye, sniffling and sneezing. Knock on wood, he has continued to eat, perhaps because of the hunger-inducing Prednisolone side-effect. In any case, I thought it wise to start decreasing the Pred two days early (full dose was supposed to be 14 days, then a half-dose for 14 days, then a half-dose every other day to finish off). BTW, he still had an episode of diarrhea on day 8, for all the good this has done. Anyway, today's dose was #5 at the reduced amount and it's the first day I haven't (yet) seen his eye run, the first day that he seems to really be feeling better. Of course his appetite is waning too, but that's another matter. I'm not sure how we'll proceed after this, whether ...

We had an incredible wind storm in our region last night, and it took out the tree behind my fence. The tree hadn't been doing well for several years now, not since we had a terrible drought during a recent spring and summer. A lot of trees were very stressed after that and it was only a matter of time before this one went. Derry and I were very, very lucky that the wind was blowing in just the right direction to take it down without damage to my fence or unit or even to the cars below. I do feel very blessed and thankful for that. I "slept" in the front bedroom last night (the old master bedroom), and turned off power to the two back bedrooms, just in case the tree ended up through the roof or a window. There wasn't much sleep for me, listening to the wind howl, though Derry fared better. We both will miss the bird-watching, and I will miss the sense of privacy the tree afforded. However, on the positive side, since my unit faces north I now will get more daylight i...

I was going to wait till Christmas Day to give Derry his gift from "Santa," but when this arrived last week I decided to "assemble" it right away. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, so better he should enjoy it as soon as possible, for as long as possible! I'm  happy to say he likes it. I got it from Wayfair Canada, by the way. PetValu has a very similar item, but not in the colour I had wanted (boring beige), so I went with Wayfair, for about the same price, if I recall. "Santa" still has a few little things for him, but as he's no longer showing any interest in catnip or toys, I suspect this will be what he most appreciates.  :-) Peace.

I admit I'm lacking in any holiday spirit this year, with all the sadness and tragedy in the cat blogging world lately, never mind the state of the world. (And if you haven't already, please stop by with condolences on dear Tucker's passing, from " I Have Three Cats ." He was a kitty warrior indeed, and so deeply loved.) Nonetheless, Ann at Zoolatry had designed a beautiful e-card for us, and I would like to offer it, with my/our best wishes for a far, far better 2022. There are three sizes: e-card, post and sidebar, and they can be found on our Holiday 2021 page (tab next to "Home" in the top menu). I honestly don't know if Derry will be with me this time next year, given his age and the health changes I see in him, but that's all the more reason to appreciate every day we do have--all of us. I hope, though, if I'm typing an update at this time next year, that unlike 2021, there will have been more smiles and more laughter than tears. I wis...