Hello everyone. Maverick here with my last blog for 2025. Where did the year go? Time seems to speed up as we age. It’s as if time is doing a zoomie. My mom and I would like it to slow down.
I hope everyone has finished their Christmas shopping. My mom wants to make cookies, if she can find the energy. Today was the monthly luncheon at church, but she didn’t go because she is still recovering from her surgery, and she doesn’t feel well. She just had some lab work done, and she’s still waiting for one of the blood tests to come back. There are some things low concerning her blood, but the doctor didn’t seem too concerned. Overall, things didn’t look too bad, although her vitamin B6 is very low.
I had blood work too. There wasn’t as much blood in my urine as there was last time. So that has improved slightly. But the doctor had to increase my thyroid medicine, and I had lost a tiny bit more weight. And she’s watching my kidneys closely. I need to return in a month for more testing. She said she might switch my cat food, too. I don’t like anyone messing with my food. I take after my mom; I am very particular. Oh, and I need my teeth cleaned and a tooth pulled. My mom got an estimate, and boy, is it expensive. She hopes to get that done in January. She doesn’t want me to suffer. My mom says that we’re like two peas in a pod because we’re so similar in many ways, and in our health, too.
This weekend we are having friends over. Actually, my mom and friends are going out to eat, and then they will come back to our place to have dessert and to visit with me. I love company. They make such a fuss over me. I like that, and that will be our Christmas.
Here are some fun facts from PetMD.
Cats Use Dewclaws To Help Them Grip
“The dewclaw is the tiny claw found on the inner wrist of your cat. The one that is hard to clip and that overgrows very quickly. Technically, the dewclaw is very similar to the human thumb, although it isn’t opposable. But cats can use it very effectively to grip onto a tree when climbing or to hold onto prey when hunting. Dewclaws on cats rarely cause problems, but they will sometimes overgrow if they’re not trimmed regularly. In most cases, it isn’t necessary to surgically remove a cat’s dewclaws. And, like all other cat claws, it serves a function that your cat would miss if it weren’t there.”
That Adorable Paunch on a Cat’s Belly
“That swinging, dangling pouch on your cat’s belly is actually a normal structure found in all cats, wild and domestic. However, it’s important to tell the difference between a normal pouch and a big fat pad associated with obesity. But don’t worry, your veterinarian will tell you if your cat is overweight.
There are several thoughts as to why cats get these pouches. Some think this is a padded layer meant to protect the internal organs during a fight. The pouch may also simply provide some extra skin that lets them widely spread their legs when running. Or, because wild cats tend to eat a lot when they catch prey, it might just be room to expand after a large meal. Whatever the reason, it certainly is a cute part of your cat.”
My late brother Alex had one of those pouches. It was a different color from the rest of him, and my mom thought he looked adorable with it. Back in the olden days when we had a television, I saw a commercial for Pillsbury, and a cute little pudgy, wudgy, dough boy giggled when someone pushed their fingers into his tummy. One day, I did that to Alex, I pushed my paws right into the center of his pouch. He gave me a look like – Don’t do that again. I think he secretly liked it, though. I didn’t do it again, but it was really squishy.
If you want to do some reading this Christmas season, I recommend reading an oldie but a goody, “The Twelve Days of Christmas Cats” by Don Daily, and another oldie, “The Cat Who Came for Christmas” by Cleveland Amory.
As I finish writing this, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Please don’t forget the reason we celebrate the day. The birth of Jesus is more important than any gift you may open. The gift of eternal life is paw-some. Also, please be mindful of your pets while opening gifts. Ribbon is dangerous to both dogs and cats if swallowed. Don’t let a beautiful day turn into one of tragedy.
Today’s quote: “The best present a cat can give is a purr.” – anonymous
Take care, everyone, and Meowy Christmas.
Love Maverick
- New Year’s Doldrums - January 2, 2026
- Meowy Christmas - December 21, 2025
- Thanksgiving Nap - November 25, 2025
