Depression Forums
General => The Lounge => Topic started by: Michael Frankum on August 27, 2012, 05:05:12 PM
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Wedgie is still not eating, except for the flesh he tears from my thumb every time I try to get him to take his heart tablet. He seems to get really animated for a few seconds. He still responds to getting strokes on the top of his head.
I worry because each time I try to feed him a tablet, it seems to stress him out badly, which can’t be a good thing when it’s his heart that is the problem. He doesn't move more than a few feet, and there's no way that he can climb up on any surfaces now. I can't lift him, because this disturbs his lung problem, and distresses him. I really don't know whether I'm just trying to convince myself that he is happy, to keep him with me. At the same time, I'm worried that I'm trying to convince myself that he must be suffering, and should be taken back to the vet's for the final visit. There's no way that I could take him and stay with him, so I've already offered my friend everything in my bank account if she could stay with him. She had already offered to take him, but that's such a big task to ask of someone, so I think I should pay. I know that's not the way that friendship works.
This is so unimportant compared to the things that are torturing other people in these forums, but I have tried to cut myself off from contact with the world, so Wedgie is my only male friend, and has become very precious to me since I met him. I have ways of distorting reality so that I always get the answer which best suits me, but I'm unable to make any important decisions. Especially one which is so vital to a friend.
To anyone who doesn't know, Wedgie IS a cat, and not my boyfriend. -_)
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This is probably one of the most important things you'll ever do Michael, its horrible when our beloved pets are ill and we are faced with that final decision :'(
If he will eat the smallest choice morsel could you crush the tablet in it for him? Alternatively crush and mix in a little water and syringe it gently into his mouth, thats what we do when its difficult or distressing for them to eat. Our cat loved tuna or pilchards and would take a little bit even if very ill, we have used best steak in the past too ::)
I know exactly what you're going through and its awful %^%
Z xx
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I feel a bit like the little boy who came home from school one day, and found that his tortoise wasn't moving. He started crying, and said,"Mummy, I'm so sad. I don't know what to do." His mum tried to make him feel better by saying," It's OK. Look, we'll make him comfy in a nice little box and wrap him in a blanket. Then, we'll dig a hole and put him in. We'll Have a little ceremony. You can say what you loved about him, then we'll have some fireworks, and we'll finish it off by having some cream cake." The boy brightened up at this, and ran off to get a shoe box. He got the box, and picked up the tortoise, who promptly poked his head out of his shell. "Look darling, he's alive," said mum. To which the boy, thinking of fireworks and cream cake said, "Let's kill him."
This story has been told better by about 20 billion people at least! :D
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Omg, I hadnt heard it and it made me smile :D
If I can help in any way, even if its only a shoulder to cry on, please dont hesitate to mail or pm me
Z xxx
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My heart is truly broken for you right now, Michael. My two cats are 13 and I just dread the day you're in now. And yer, the little boy story cracked me a smile... two in the one week is worrying
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Thanks for all your kindness. For the first time in a couple of days, he came into the kitchen with me, and watched like a hawk as I opened the fridge. I took the opportunity to take out a few tiny pieces of chicken, and heated them in the microwave for a couple of seconds, just to warm them to body heat. When I put them down for him, he just put his head down, poked the scraps, and then wandered off again. On the plus side, walking to the kitchen was more than he's done for a while, but he was painfully unsteady, and obviously without eating anything, and drinking only tiny amounts of milk or water, there's no way that he can keep his strength up, let alone start to recover. From that aspect alone he might be better off at the vet's, where they can nourish him through an IV drip, and can also get him back on oxygen if his breathing deteriorates, but he doesn't seem distressed, so I might just be looking for an easy way out, just to save me again.
I could try mixing blood in with the tablets, as he seems to be getting a taste for it, but I'm concerned that he might become that most dread of creatures, a Vamcat, and then decide just to sup straight from the source.
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I dont think you are Michael, you are doing what you think is best for him. You could try a little glucose in his milk or water if he'll accept it xx
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((((Michael)))) ~ I'm not accepting this as less important than anything else going on. This is coming from someone who held my cat for the last hour of her life back in Dec 2008. She was 13 and had a good life without any illness so we had no warning. It absolutely broke our hearts and I still miss her at times. You do what you feel most comfortable with ~ it's not an easy decision to make %^% %^% %^% %^% %^%
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Oh Michael I do so feel for you. He looks a gorgeous cat, I love my 2 boys to bits also my 2 girls (dogs) when they are poorly its truely awful. You are doing all you can for him, I think you would know if he needed to go to the vets, I know when my old ginger tom cat Thomas was poorly and I was so worried about him, my mum said you will know when he needs the vet and I did. He was not distressed and was happier at home here with us.
You did make me giggle with your story of the little boy and his tortoise $%$.
Thinking of you Michael
*)* for Wedgie from me Basil and Boris (my 2 little boys)
S x x x x
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Latest: I spoke to the vet, and she agreed that he must get some nourishment, so she has given me a tablet to stimulate his appetite. The worrying news is that this sometimes causes cats to get a bit grumpy. I was a little concerned about my thumb, but we COULD be looking at my left arm now. Still, if that's what he wants when he gets hungry...
Sadly for the rest of you, I'll still be able to type with my right hand. ;) =+-
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:) :) its good that the vet is helping with something to boost his appetite. Is it more tablets? Will we be seeing on the news cat eats owners arm? ;). Hope it works. ((((( big hugs ))))) for Wedgie. S x x x x
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Hope it works without you suffering too much damage Michael ;)
Z xx
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Same here =+- , unfortunately my lil Tasha has a wild streak in her. One minute she is cute, cuddly and adorable, the next she goes for the jugular ... well not literally but she will hang from our arms using her teeth and claws to grip. She's not adverse to keeping the dogs in their places either and will whack their noses, hang from Chyna's neck and sink her teeth into Bruno's tail yet they all sleep together "£$
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I think it will work, the appetite stimulant they give cats is mirtazapine. Which makes humans eat like there's no tomorrow. Your arm may not be safe.... ^-^
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Yes, mirtazapine, that's the one. It's good to know that it can work. He's been such a good friend to me. -_) Thank you all.
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It may not be that great for depression but I guarantee wedgie will sleep lots, and be constantly eating when he's awake %^%
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The appetite stimulant has started to work! He's eating a bit, so that's got to be a good thing. He actually sat on my lap for half an hour today, and he was purring like a steam engine. Now he is a little stronger, he is keener than ever to fight off my efforts to give him tablets. :vik: I am certain that he is not suffering unduly, so I feel a lot happier myself. =+- I can cherish him for as long as possible. Thank you all. m121
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Thats great to hear Michael =+-
Z xxx
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!+_
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That's so good to hear Michael. If he is purring he must be content :). S x x x x
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Aw bless. Enjoy him Michael.
I envy you having a pet/s - I'd love to get a dachshund or a cat!
They can be such a comfort and good company.
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I've always loved cats, and find them very sensitive and great companions. As long as you always remember that their stomach comes first! Wedgie has started watching me prepare my own food again. You know the look that says, "that's interesting. I wonder if it tastes better than what you've given me? I bet it does. Come on, let me try it." Or words to that affect. Maybe.
So anyway, before I started waffling on I was saying Cats - Good. There I could have saved 3 lines of nothing. It's a good job I don't get charged by the word! -_) Or by the smiley.
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!+_ Yes I know what you mean by 'the look'. I had a cat that was devious, he would watch while tuna sandwiches were made and if anybody took their eyes off the sandwiches he would get the tuna out with his paws.
This is my lil Tasha aka Twizel aka Psycho
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/XaniaOfKimalia/pics.jpg)
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Aw bless Tasha is so cute!
Yes, I know "the look" well, too! I think cats are trained in this, as I have seen it time and again.
Cats may act aloof, but they know 100% what's going on. Like when they seek out "non-cat people"!
My favourite saying about cats:
"Dogs have owners. Cats have staff."
_)(
Just found the smiley too! Awesome!
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Yes, Tasha is very beautiful. I don't think I've ever met an unattractive cat. Hmm. Maybe those furless cats, but I've never seen one in the flesh. I'm sure they've got their good points. I wonder if cats grade us on how attractive they find us. It's probably more to do with how willing we are to stop in the middle of something else and make a fuss of them. I feel very happy that Wedgie chose me to be his waiter and general dogsbody.
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Hahaha Michael, you make me laugh. You seem to take to the role of Wedgie's waiter/ butler with humility and gratitude!
The pic of Wedgie is gorgeous too.
I read a lovely book, "Cleo", by Helen Brown recently. It's the true story about her cat Cleo, who she bought as a kitten for her eldest son (aged 8), but the kitten was only going to arrive 2 weeks later - by which time her son was tragically killed in a car accident. But she took the kitten anyway, and it is a heart-rending, but inspiring and uplifting book. I'm making it sound so cheesy, but the book is fantastic as it chronicles her journey from after her son's death, to finding renewal in her own life and this cat plays such a major role in it. Highly recommend the book.
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Thanks PaulaJo, I'll certainly search for the book. $%$ Take it easy.
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So pleased to hear Wedgie is taking a good interest in your food ;). Your little girl is gorgeous Pip. I also have a plaque with 'Dogs have owners Cats have staff' its so true. I am afraid our pets rule our home & garden and we have loads of pets. But wouldn't be without any of them, they bring us so much joy. S x x x x
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I must try show you pics of my two almost 14yr olds. One's a Tortie with a huge attitude. Her name’s Missy Squeak (but don’t ask). She chases all the dogs in the neighbourhood and keeps my little jack in order (jack's a dog, by the way!). Her brother is a huge black and white Tomcat, called Oscar. His markings are perfect; identical to the Felix advert. He's bigger than my Jack (that's the dog again!) but He’s a big softie.... until he's out fighting his patch. He's such a softie, once I blew off (only once, mind you), poor Oscar got such a fright he almost jumped out the window! That's true.
I watched my two being born in this flat. Only two were born. The Mother was an undernourished stray, Elsie. She was a beautiful longhaired Tortie, with a mean attitude. But, admittedly, she was never a good mother and often abandoned me to look after 'the children'! I actually took a lot of time off work, which colleagues aptly named ‘Kitternity Leave!! Anyway, as soon as the kittens turned 6 weeks, Mummy Elsie moved downstairs to my neighbours. Left Daddy 'Cat' here (figuratively speaking, of course) to rock the cradle.... a single parent!! -_)
A short time after the kittens came along, I had my first breakdown. I truly believe God works in mysterious ways; if it wasn’t for the huge responsibility and love I had for these two little gremlins from hell, I could never have lifted my head from the pillow to fulfil my ‘cat duties’. Sometimes, I’d immediately go back to bed, I slept for hours, but slowly those little blighters nursed me back to health. It is my first experience of cats and, believe me, I learned very fast who’s in charge. _)(
Sorry, Michael, for hijacking your page… just felt compelled to share my gremlins story
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I think most Torties have an attitude ;. I also have a Felix cat he is Boris. S x x x x
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Hi Michael.... just wondering how you and Wedgie are? Hope things are improving..
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Hi Cat. Well, it was a good morning, because I managed to get Wedgie to swallow his tablets before he was awake. Yes, I betrayed him. :( I have been going back to bed several times today, and woke up about half an hour ago, to find him trying to poke my tablets down my throat. No THAT's not real. ::). As Wedgie thankfully gets stronger, due to the tablets, the more he fights back. He still doesn't fall for me crushing the tablets into anything else. He sits watching me eat, absolutely imploring me to share whatever I've got. He's absolutely wolfed down cream mashed potato before, so I crushed tablets into a bit. and added a little liver and tasty gravy. You'd have thought that I had defecated in his food bowl! Hmm, there doesn't seem to be a smiley for that.
Anyway, I'm beginning to feel a lot like Fred Flintstone. Soon, he'll be putting ME out for the night. And he might even post worse drivel here than me! Perhaps I should propose a poll. Anyway, Wedgie is still painfully slow, and the vet has explained that his problems won't go away. I'll just love him as much as I can, and make sure that he doesn't suffer unduly. I am becoming even more long winded and detatched from any semblance of reality. con0054
Best wishes. I bet you're sorry you asked now. If not, everybody else is! When are we going to see your photos?
(By the way, for you kids, Fred Flintstone was a fictional cartoon character from the mid 20th century.)
Best wishes everybody.
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I know I shouldn't laugh but my imagination is running riot here. Mind you being owned by pets I've had to learn a few tricks to give them meds when they have needed them ^%$
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Yes, Pip, I am laughing too... :D Michael, I think Wedgie might have already spiked your drink! =+-
I'm amazed you can administer any drugs in the first place. Disguising never works with my two. They both know when something's about to go down whenever they see me close the cat flap... then all hell breaks loose and it's usually a dash around the flat for a few minutes as I try to reason with them.... Poor sods, it's so traumatising, but the only way is by the scruff of the neck while those dreaded claws are almost trussed up with a towel. Butter on the pill helps with taste and lubrication as it's rammed down the throat. Sounds brutal but, trust me, it's not half as bad as what I get in return for my troubles.
I'm pleased Wedgie sounds like he's getting some strength back. I suppose you'll need to judge things as you go. I think you're doing the right thing. You will know yourself if he's not recovering properly.
Wishing ya claws of luck $%$
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Thank you Pip and Cat. I honestly think that it's only the support of these forums, and Wedgie that is keeping me going. I tried to explain to the Doctor last week, but my GP is off because she has broken her arm, for the second time this year. I asked whether she had a dangerous hobby such as rock climbing, but was told that she is just clumsy. Apparently she fell out of her front door this time. Perhaps she lives at the top of a cliff. Anyway, the other doctor is very nice, but he asked me to go back on Tuesday, to give him a chance to read up all the notes.
I don't function unless I lose myself, as I do on this site. My personal hygiene is non-existent, and the flat is developing sedimentary layers. I'm sure that if I excavated, I'd have a good chance of finding the missing link. Hey, perhaps I AM the missing link. If I ever venture out, like the visit to the doctor, I just spray myself with loads of Intu deodorant. (2 for £1 in Poundland.) Washing is a rarity now. My shower mat is dryer than the Gobi desert. I want to be here with Wedgie, but nothing else in my life seems important at all. When my benefits are stopped, and I'm told to get a job I can't imagine anybody will offer employment to a person like me.
When I do go out, I just feel hatred for most of the stupid morons walking along, not looking where they are going because it's more important to text incessantly. Even in the doctors waiting room, where there are clear instructions to turn off mobiles, the fools can't be out of touch with other cretins for even a few seconds. Of course, they've all got 25000 "friends" on Facebook. And they all think that reality TV is worthwhile. If reality ever came near any of them, they'd &$%+ themselves! And the worst thing is that they're all better human beings than me.
Sorry for going on. I should have posted this elsewhere, but my poison just spouted out.
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Hi Michael,
When you mentioned you were down in another post, just wanted to check you were ok here.
Wedgie sounds lovely. I think cats are one of lifes' natural anti-depressants. When you think all is worthless, there is nothing quite like a warm furry thing purring on your lap. And my girls are the only things getting me out of bed in the morning at the moment.
We lost our lovely boy last year after illness so I know what you must be going through - it's a difficult decision but you will make the right one if the time comes. But as long as he's eating and purring and interacting, it all sounds good at the moment, just enjoy him and love him.
xx
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Thanks hopeful, for helping me get real again. +-_
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Hi Michael,
Hope you and Wedgie are doing alright.
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I think I must really be odd when it comes to being depressed and personal hygiene. If I'm not it's my OCD coming out. When I'm at my lowest I don't feel like having a bath but I get so obsessed about whether I smell or not I have a bath once or twice a day simply because Rick keeps a check on me but I will keep going to the bathroom to wash my hands. Sometimes I'll go back within 5 minutes because my hands feel sticky or grubby. On top of that I have to do things in a certain routine which drives Rick crazy as I will yell at him for distracting me sometimes so I have to start over again. It's that silly that even when I put shoes or slippers on I always have to put the left one on first and take the left one off first. I don't even know why I started that as it started as a child.
Mobiles are the bane of my life and whoever invented them should have been hung, drawn and quartered sAng_soapbox . A phone is for ringing people up on. It drives me crazy texting and it took me a while to get used to 'shorthand texting' as I don't have any patience particularly if I'm out and don't have my reading glasses. There is a poster that reads B A M8 txt & W8 and to do with drugs. It took me ages to decipher it meant be a mate text and wait "!+
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Thanks to everyone who has helped me. Wedgie is eating well (except for disguised tablets.) He is now very slow, which is sad for someone so young. I'm taking him back to the vet on Wednesday, but I'm certain that he feels a lot better than when the problem first became obvious. I know that his heart condition won't amazingly disappear, but I'm savouring every second with him. Best wishes everybody. &(*
When I'm feeling bad I will post in the appropriate place, and not try to take attention from Wedgie! -_)
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So good to hear Wedgie is doing well. We have all come to love and worry about him :). Take care. S x x x x
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Thanks Shaz. Now be honest - everybody just wants more stories about how he bosses me around, don't you? =+-
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Yes please I love your Wedgie stories !£!
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I certainly do Michael $%$, it certainly brightens my day to hear about him =+-.
_)( %&^
S x x x x
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Of course I do $%$ xxx
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I've not had a lot of luck this evening. My washing machine seems to have given up the ghost. Before trying to give Wedgie his tablets, I decided to watch a film to help me chill out. OK so far. Near the end of the film, Wedgie noisily started to lick his bottom. He was really getting stuck in, so I thought that was good. Surely anything will taste good after that. I wrapped the tablet pieces into bits of cheddar cheese, Wedgie's absolute favourite snack, and I thought, this is going to be so easy. Wrong! Despite finally getting the cheese in to his mouth, and gently massaging his throat, he somehow managed to eat round the tablet pieces and spit them out. I was close to giving up, but eventually got the tablets down him. Next time, I may just wipe them on his bottom first, because that's obviously his new flavour of choice. He started licking again, but as he lifted his leg again, I'm pretty sure that he extended only his middle claw to signify the extreme displeasure that he felt. _-+ It's man vs cat, and I get the feeling that it's not going my way.
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!+! _)( Wedgie isn't silly
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Oh Michael :) :) this made me giggle this morning, just pictured Wedgie. My boys seem to wait till we have visitors before deciding to wash their bottoms ;). Hope you can get the washing machine sorted. S x x x x
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Our dogs do that too, or make unbelievably disgusting smells ::)
Our cat was a tiger in miniature where any medicine was concerned, one of the methods we used to get her to take pills was to wrap her in a towel to keep as many of the sharp dangerous bits out of the way.
Z xx
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Wedgie appears to have spot-on comic timing!
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"How to give a cat a pill"
Sit on sofa. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your elbow as though you were going to give a bottle to a baby. Talk softly to it.
With right hand, position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. (be patient) As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. Drop pill into mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.
Pick the pill up off the floor and go get the cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. Sit on floor in kitchen, wrap arm around cat as before, drop pill in mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.
Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Scoot across floor to pick up pill, and go find the cat. Bring it back into the kitchen. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten. Drop pill into mouth.
Pry claws from back legs out of your arm. Go get the cat, pick up half-dissolved pill from floor and drop it into garbage can.
Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of closet. Call spouse from backyard. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.
Retrieve cat from curtain rod, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
Get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.
Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take another pill from foil wrap.
Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour one cup of water down throat to wash pill down.
Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call at furniture shop on way home to order new table.
Get last pill from bottle. Go into bathroom and get a fluffy towel. Stay in the bathroom with the cat, and close the door.
Sit on bathroom floor, wrap towel around kitty, leaving only his head exposed. Cradle kitty in the crook of your arm, and pick up pill off of counter.
Retrieve cat from top of shower door (you didn't know that cats can jump 5 feet straight up in the air, did you?), and wrap towel around it a little tighter, making sure its paws can't come out this time. With fingers at either side of its jaw, pry it open and pop pill into mouth. Quickly close mouth (his, not yours).
Sit on floor with cat in your lap, stroking it under the chin and talking gently to it for at least a half hour, while the pill dissolves.
Unwrap towel, open bathroom door. Wash off scratches in warm soapy water, comb your hair, and go find something to occupy your time for 7-1/2 hours.
Arrange for RSPCA to get cat and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
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!+! %&^ I'm just watching Best in Show on BBC 2+1, and so far, dogs seem so much more reasonable than cats! As long as they have plenty of my blood type in A&E, I'll keep trying to feed the tablets to Wedgie.
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!+! .... and I thought my Tash was an evil little cat.
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Thankfully my cats are completely docile, the 2 Egyptian Maus love getting pushed around in dolls prams by the girls =+-
When it comes to tablet I just put it in their food & they eat them.
Xxxx
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I shouldn't be unkind about Tasha as I learned my lesson very early that she and tablets don't mix. I have had my share of of shredded arms, body, towels and furniture. If she ever needs tablets they get ground up and mixed with tuna or another treat.
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Very good ;). Mine will not eat food with tablets in. So its wrapping up in a towel for my boys and dropping down throat. Only way to not get shredded arms. S x x x x
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Good news today. I shall only need to give Wedgie half a tablet twice a day. It can't be given in food. But surely if I tell him this, he will stop trying to bite my fingers off? My washing machine has been fixed, so only the clothes I am wearing at present are actually blood soaked. And I'm sure that Wedgie was only playing. That's probably what Aliens and Predators tell each other. I think that, of the three races, Wedgie would be left sitting on a pile of bodies, calmly licking his bottom!
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My cats and dog don't mind me licking my bottom.
Once again, I cracked a smile, Michael. it's good to hear Wedgie is a lot better.
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Thats good to hear that Wedgie is doing well and that the washing machine is fixed %&^
S x x x x
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Definitely =+- xxx
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Just been watching a film.Wedgie interrupted with the short, sharp almost barking noise that he makes when he wants to tell me something. He's made his first (to my knowledge) kill! It was one of those giant garden spiders. I've always had a bit of a fear of spiders, so it was with some relief that I saw him eat the damned thing. Crunchy. Yum. Just 2 twitching legs left. The question is, if he'll eat a monster like that, why won't he eat the blooming tablets? (No, blooming wasn't my first choice of words.) ;) He is still doing well. Best wishes.
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Great to hear he's still doing well =+- perhaps the trick is to wrap the tablet in a big crunchy spider ::)
I hate spiders too :o
Z xx
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It's a good sign Wedgie's killer instinct is working =+- and my hubby doesn't like spiders either. Tasha can teach him a few tricks such as bringin in live birds and mice which I have to catch so that she doesn't kill them.
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Once again you made me giggle Michael. Can just picture Wedgie with the spiders legs hanging from his mouth :). Sounds like he is feeling better. Take care. S x x x x
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My wee gentle Missy-Squeak is a monster outdoors. The London rats can be huge and I've heard them squeal like pigs before lunging themselves at her... no joke... thankfully the rats have moved out this area and in come the mice. Yum yum, little adorable Missy likes nothing more than playing with them before the kill... then eating their heads and top half of their body!! Oh well, no more hugs and kisses with her
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Thanks for the tip Zaf. You let me know how you manage with wrapping spiders round pills first! I've always been scared of spiders, but it became worse when I first moved into a bedsit. I was woken one night by a gentle strumming on my guitar. I turned on the light to see what was happening, and it was a giant spider ooh at least 4 foot across. It went on to play a selection of Black Sabbath's greatest hits. I moved out shortly afterwards.
Wedgie has brought a bird in - once. He was so upset when it started fluttering about that he jumped onto the windowsill until I had confined the poor bird in a box, and moved it to a safe cupboard. I let it out later, and it seemed fine. Since then, Wedgie hasn't seemed to go for wildlife, although he does pat at flies and moths. That really can't do them any good.
The first night I stayed over with one of my ladyfriends, her cat Daisy bought in a mouse, and left it in her handbag - a little like the horses head scene from Godfather! She took the hint and dumped me shortly afterwards.
Cat, I had a rat called Nevin once. He was lovely, and so intelligent. He never bit me once, and I would trust him anytime. I've been bitten by dogs, cats, bats, hamsters, fleas. Sorry, I'm going a bit off message there.
Anyway, Wedgie seems fine. He's calm and collected except for when I try to give him a tablet. Somehow, he knows when it's time to totally disappear. Best wishes everyone. +-_
OK - one bit of this was actually stretching the truth a little. The spider wasn't four foot across, but it was wearing platform boots, which made its limbs seem longer.
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Did it have long hair?
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I really dont like spiders either Michael, our cat was a hunter killer type and loved catching and eating those huge spiders too, she also brought in live rats, rabbits and an assortment of other poor wee creatures :( the other joy she would present us with was entrails left exactly in the right place for someone to step in them when they got up early and didnt turn the hall light on :o
Z xx
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I don't mind spiders at all even guitar playing 4ft ones. My son has just got a Chilean rose tarantula and I can't wait to meet her ;). S x x x x
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Omg noooooooooooooo :o
Its snakes I like =+-
Z xx
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What an excellent skill of killing spiders! I could use a cat like that ;-)
I heard from a friend, that the reason cats bring you 'gifts' (eg dead mice, birds, etc) is because they think you are unwell/ not eating enough, and want to bring you something to eat. This made a lot of sense when a friend had a carpel's tunnel op on her foot, and was off work on sick leave for 2 months, stuck at home, and her cat brought her 2 mice and a bird!
It's really quite sweet when you consider how haughty some cats act (particularly this friend's feline) and deep inside they have a soft spot!
$%^
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I'm afraid that Wedgie appears to be on the way out. His back legs have stopped working, and he is breathing very badly with his tongue hanging out. I've been stroking him. I don't know what else to do. I used my last £500 for his treatment before. The night workers at the vets won't let me pay later. Sorry that's nothing to do with anything. Thank you for your kind thoughts in the past. I don't expect him to last the night, but hey, what do I know. I love him.
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For you and Wedgie %^% %^% %^%
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Oh Michael my thoughts are with you (((((( hugs )))))) for you both. S x x x x
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Oh Michael, thinking of you and wedgie %^% x
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You and Wedgie are in my thoughts.
Wish there was something I could do :-(
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It's 1.21 and Wedgie has gone. He got in 3 good bites, but my blood didn't do any good this time. I shall bury my little finger with him. Thank you all. -_) %&^
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I am so very sorry Michael :'(
You know we are here for you *)*
Z xxx
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Thanks Zaf, but it's peanuts compared to what you and many others have been going through. Best wishes to you, and everyone else. %^%. Michael
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Its not peanuts Michael, I know how heartbreaking it is :'(
You did your very best for him, loved him and gave him a good life, its really hard when they leave us, try to remember the good times, the funny times and even the times he shredded your fingers.
Z xxx
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I'm so sorry Michael %^% %^%
Xxxxxx %^%
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Oh Michael I'm so sorry.
%^%
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Michael I am so sorry. Wedgie is at peace now at Rainbow bridge. Love and hugs for you. S x x x x
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Michael, Wedgie was part of your life and it's heartbreaking when our furbabies die so yes this as important as anything else going on. Love and hugs Pip xx
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My heart goes out to you Michael. I always mourned the passing of a pet AS MUCH as the passing of a human family member.
I hope you are doing OK. Please let us know how you're doing.
%^%
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Hey Michael +-_
I'm so sorry to read about Wedgie. I can only imagine how you're feeling.
Hope you're okay, all things considering
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Thanks for your caring everyone. Wedgie was the constant in my life, and now he's not suffering any more, so that's got to be good. You have all helped me deal with it, and for that, I'm very grateful. Best wishes. Michael
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Hi Michael. I'm glad that our messages are helping you.
Do let us know how you're doing.
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Thinking of you Michael. S x x x x
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All my thoughts and sympathies are with you Michael, I really empathise with what you're going through. He was obviously a special boy and was lucky to be loved and cared for by you. Take care xx
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Once again, thank you all so much for your kind thoughts.
At the moment, I'm still being a bit of a drama queen about it. I open the fridge and turn round, and nobody is watching me. And so I start crying. He's better off, so who am I crying for? Me as usual. I know I've got to get on with things, but it seems so unimportant. He was the reason i got up in the morning. Fresh food and water, and later on, the tablets. I know that it's nothing compared to what others are suffering, but it's very real to me, and I haven't got anything else. The few people I still know are sympathetic, but what can they actually do, if I'm not prepared to do anything myself? Not even prepared to go out of the house. Not even prepared to open the door or the curtains.
Anyway, It's time to close the Wedgie forum. Maybe I could start a Michael topic, but then it's ALL about me really, isn't it.
Best wishes.
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Don't be too hard on yourself, Michael.
When we mourn the passing of anyone - be it a human friend or an animal friend - the question and answer is the same. If a human friend passes away, they too are in a better place.
We mourn because of the loss. You are allowed to mourn Wedgie. Please, don't be too hard on yourself.
Sending you (((hugs)))
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Dont forget we're here to support you if you need us Michael
%^% xxx
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You are not being a drama queen Michael. You are mourning your beloved friend. This is quite normal. I am always devastated when we have lost one of ours. Its only right that you need to talk about him. We all grew to love him and his antics. Have you thought of re-homing another cat needing a home. I know it could never replace Wedgie but there of many cats needing a loving home that I know you would give him/her. I know my boys and girls (cats and dogs) are a great comfort to me when I have my down days. They do not judge and are always there for cuddles. Luv. S x x x x
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Michael, you need to grieve and if it helps coming here to talk about Wedgie then please do as you're not a drama queen. When my cat Charlie died Dec 2008) it broke my heart and took me ages before I stopped crying myself to sleep. As my much as I joke that Tasha being a Jekyll and Hyde character she has started doing things Charlie used to do such as coming to us if we click our fingers, going to sleep on us, sleeping on my pillow and sleeping on back of our chairs and settee. Sometimes I wake up and her her purring thinking it's Charlie. It actually helps as she seems to have gradually taken on the things Charlie used to do to cheer me up. When our dog Bouncer died 3 months later it felt like a double blow as he had seen Charlie born and she was his cat. It's the little things we miss about him such as nudging our hands when we felt low. Bouncer was Rick's dog but I had to feed him and hold him at the vets. We had a very good vet who knew that Bouncer would only be calm if I held him. It was funny over food though as Rick would occasionally stay over with his mum to sort out problems or when she was quite ill. when he put food down Rick would have to ring me to talk to Bouncer otherwise he wouldn't eat. His mum used to laugh and say if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes she would have thought we were joking.
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You are not being a drama queen, when I lost my furry boy last year the grief was unbearable, he was my baby for 10 years and I will never forget him. Still shed a tear when I see his picture.
It may seem impossible to think of right now, but 6 months later we got our girls from a rescue shelter and they started to heal our hearts. We just had too much love left to not give it to some more abandoned cats.
I would like to think my that chubby tabby grumpy boy has welcomed Wedgie into cat heaven and they are chatting about how fun it is to bite fingers, how lucky they were to own such sappy subservient humans, and are chasing squirrels and flirting with the pretty girl cats...
xx
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Oh Michael, I'm so sorry %^%
My Molly cat is being put down tomorrow :( she is 17, very ill and senile too
And although i know it's the best thing for her, I am crying as I type this. I know I will see her out of the corner of my eye for a long time to come
Thinking of you xx
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*(). Dear Kate, bless you. Please give Molly a hug from me. Perhaps Wedgie will see her in Cat heaven. Thank you for everything. Best wishes, always. Michael. %^%
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Michael
Your sorrow is far worse than anything I feel right now. You must not think of being anything less than anyone else. It's so very important for you to grieve right now.
Your page SHOULD be all about you (and, I wasn't shouting there!!). In my thoughts, Michael.
Blessings, Cat
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I warned you that I was long-winded about things! Thank you all.
Last words to a dumb friend - Thomas Hardy 1904
Pet was never mourned as you,
Purrer of the spotless hue,
Plumy tail, and wistful gaze
While you humoured our queer ways,
Or outshrilled your morning call
Up the stairs and through the hall -
Foot suspended in its fall -
While, expectant, you would stand
Arched, to meet the stroking hand;
Till your way you chose to wend
Yonder, to your tragic end.
Never another pet for me!
Let your place all vacant be;
Better blankness day by day
Than companion torn away.
Better bid his memory fade,
Better blot each mark he made,
Selfishly escape distress
By contrived forgetfulness,
Than preserve his prints to make
Every morn and eve an ache.
From the chair whereon he sat
Sweep his fur, nor wince thereat;
Rake his little pathways out
Mid the bushes roundabout;
Smooth away his talons' mark
From the claw-worn pine-tree bark,
Where he climbed as dusk embrowned,
Waiting us who loitered round.
Strange it is this speechless thing,
Subject to our mastering,
Subject for his life and food
To our gift, and time, and mood;
Timid pensioner of us Powers,
His existence ruled by ours,
Should by crossing at a breath
Into safe and shielded death,
By the merely taking hence
Of his insignificance -
Loom as largened to the sense,
Shape as part, above man's will,
Of the Imperturbable.
As a prisoner, flight debarred,
Exercising in a yard,
Still retain I, troubled, shaken,
Mean estate, by him forsaken;
And this home, which scarcely took
Impress from his little look,
By his faring to the Dim
Grows all eloquent of him.
Housemate, I can think you still
Bounding to the window-sill,
Over which I vaguely see
Your small mound beneath the tree,
Showing in the autumn shade
That you moulder where you played.
GOODBYE WEDGIE -_) :'( Michael
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((((( huge big hugs ))))) Michael. That was lovely to read this morning. S x x x x
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