Into the Archives VI: Pink Foam

Whiskers, Matron of Mischief II

by Whiskers, Matron of Mischief II

Friends, Hello!   Recently, while Sweetie was delving into the distant past I was sifting through a more current box of diaries, papers and photos and just have to share what I read with you.

You all know that PussPuss was Grammy's first cat.  Well, she was also the first Matron of Mischief, and I am her successor.   Grammy says she was a muted tabby but we aren't sure.  She looks more like a motley mess of colours all splattered on and then dabbed off.  BUT, she has a pretty little face. This is about PussPuss and the trauma of moving from a small city to the big city. 

There was a major downsizing required for this move.  As you might expect, it is more expensive to live in a major city so the cost of the footprint was higher thus a reduction in condo size would be mandatory. Finding one that was 'perfect': perfect location for work and amenities, older but well-maintained with elevators and close to transportation at a price point that worked had been a challenge BUT, she did it.   Problem was that as much as Grammy thought she had downsized it wasn't sufficient.  In fact, a further reduction of 50% would be needed before life became comfortable but that's for another time.  PussPuss didn't handle this change and the clutter well.

For the first three weeks Grammy, PussPuss and Malcolm were reduced to walking between piled up boxes of books, furniture, files and 'stuff' to go from kitchen, to bed, to bath, to sofa.  It wasn't very nice and it and the previous upheaval of the move took its toll on Puss and Grammy.  Malcolm, laid back beyond belief, was actually unperturbed by it all.   Grammy got sick with pneumonia  and Puss with an ear infection.  This story is mainly about Puss and her ear infection.

Puss became grumpy, didn't want to be touched, went off her food and looked just plain miserable.  New to the city, Grammy was concerned.  She had to find a new vet and quickly. With no car she had to choose one that would be convenient to the subway system or short taxi rides since there weren't any within walking distance.

Finally, with one clinic close to the subway and able to see them immediately, off they went.  The vet was very kind, took a look at Puss, who was uncooperative and with a little ingenuity managed to determine that her ears were infected and would need treatment.  BUT without her cooperation this was going to be a challenge. After almost losing a finger, the breast pocket on his uniform and a nasty growl and screech (by Puss, not the vet) the poor veterinarian decided the only way to examine her would be to anaesthetize her.  

Once under, they cleaned out the ears, treated them with a topical antibiotic but poor Puss had a liver condition and they almost lost her while she was 'under'.  They hadn't asked about previous conditions and even if they had Grammy didn't know that anesthetic was not advisable with her liver issues. What a shock!  

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Malcolm and PussPuss

Fortunately she survived and after further monitoring Grammy was allowed to take her home with a 10 day dose of pills.   Well, this cantankerous cat (Grammy's description in her diary) was having none of it. 

Grammy tried over 2 days to administer the pills. Pill in - pill ejected. Toss to back of throat, spewed back into Grammy's face. slip it in side of mouth and down throat with pointer finger, remove munched finger and watch pill hit the far wall. Slip it into piece of chicken, feed it to Puss, chicken went down the throat while the pill landed in Grammy's lap, try pill syringe, consign syringe to the trash.  That pill hit the ceiling before landing on Grammy's cheek. This wasn't working  so Grammy decided a lesson in pill administration was needed and both Puss and she went back to the animal clinic.

The vet thinking Grammy the ultimate incompetent said with confidence and a hint of smugness he would show her how to use it.  Puss spit the pill in his face.  After a second attempt and flustered he decided maybe a different method would be better and went for a liquid antibiotic, squirted it down her throat and said he'd be right back.

When he returned 10 minutes later he was aghast at the new look of the room. You know the term 'paint the town red'?  Well, Puss had transformed the room into a pink bubbly, gooey mess. 

Yes, thinking she'd been poisoned she did what cats do.  She started foaming at the mouth.  Pepto-Bismol Pink-coloured bubbles oozed out her mouth, off her chin, onto my coat, down the coat front onto the examination table.  Dripping onto the floor it formed a pool around us.  Who knew a teaspoon of pink liquid could spread that far and transform a room so completely?  The vet was amazed, taken aback, frustrated. Yet despite this he laughed before calling in a colleague for a second opinion.

There was no way to get around it, liquid medication wasn't going to work either.  That left only one other option: Injections.  Puss would have to be taken to the vet every day for 10 days and the on-duty vet would give her the injection.  They would waive their fee for the visits, charging only for the medication.

Now remember, Grammy is sick with pneumonia through all this and the thought of having to go back and forth every day was daunting but there was no choice.  Biting the proverbial bullet Grammy decided it would be best and easiest on all if she just taxied there and back... and that is what they did. 

Puss recovered with one glitch.  The needles had to be administered in different places on her shoulders and back because the strong meds could damage her skin cells.  Well, unfortunately, someone miscalculated and a second injection was administered one day over the previous day's.  That resulted in a plug of skin and fur dropping out leaving a hole in her back....GROSS!  Further treatment with a special topical powder healed that. Eventually the hole filled in but fur never grew back.  Well, we could live with that but what an experience!

By the time this adventure was over Christmas was only a few days away and with nowhere else to be Grammy felt the need to do something about Christmas in the condo.  BUT it was in disarray, boxes everywhere. Grammy had to get organized and quickly!  First she rented a locker from condo management and moved much of the clutter into the locker to sort later.  Then with the rooms decluttered and organized and with room to move she felt they were finally home.  Being home meant a celebration was in order so, bundling up warmly she toddled off to the grocers for all the fixings and a wee turkey.  She could rest and recuperate after Christmas!   

Christmas day was quiet but good.  Turkey was resting on a plate gravy was bubbling on the stove, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, turkey stuffing keeping warm in the oven.  Three place mats, 2  cat dishes and a place setting of cutlery, china plate, crystal tumbler for her milk and a bowl of cranberry sauce and all was ready for dinner.   The three of them sat down to a sumptuous meal, Grammy at her place and PussPuss and Malcolm allowed this once on the table had theirs.   Life was perfect and so was the turkey.  

Dear friends, We love to hear your comments and will respond to them. Let's keep them light and fun.  

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