If you’re a regular reader of “Cat Tales” then you know my best friend, Spaghetti Betty, designs cat costumes. She especially loves designing holiday costumes. As you know by now, I don’t like dressing up except for work. I do wear an orange beret and bow tie when I write, but I put my paw down when my mom and Spaghetti Betty want me to wear “Cutsie” outfits for holidays, but I am outnumbered by two women. I must admit I get a little frustrated sometimes.
I had my monthly blood work the other day. It’s a good thing I go monthly, because my thyroid is out of control again. My doctor increased my thyroid medicine to a whole pill in the morning and evening, instead of just half a pill each time. I also lost the half pound of weight that I gained last time. But my kidney numbers were a tad better, and my doctor said that can happen, but it doesn’t change my diagnosis.
Here are some important reminders for parents of furry and non-furry pets. It’s really important when your beloved pet has thyroid issues that they get blood work done monthly. My thyroid was normal four weeks earlier and this time it is high. Having monthly blood tests helps so when there is a change, medicine can be adjusted. My mom already has my appointment made for next month.
I know I say this a lot but it bears repeating. Please be mindful that your pet isn’t a human. We may seem human, but we’re not. Don’t feed your furry family members people – food unless it is okayed by their doctor.
Be extremely careful of using cleaning products, especially in places like the tub or sink, where cats especially, like to jump into. One lick could severely injure or kill them. Also be mindful of toxic house plants and scented air fresheners.
Those are just a few things that I like to remind humans of every so often. Please keep your pets safe.
The other day, I was wiggling towards the end of getting my IV. My mom was just pulling out the needle in between my shoulder blades, when I excitedly knocked over a crystal coaster on the table next to us. I was just about to jump when she caught me and carried me into our bedroom and shut the door, so she could clean it all up. She didn’t want me to get glass in my paws. Crystal, like any other glass, can really fly when it is broken. She swept it up with a broom and pulled out a couple of pieces of furniture, then she took a swiffer mop and wet pad and went all over the floor. It’s a good thing she did, because the broom hadn’t got everything, whereas the wet mop picked up the tiny pieces. Later in the afternoon, she noticed two tiny shiny specks of glass across the living room, so she hurriedly cleaned it up, and went through again with the broom.
I felt bad because the coaster was old. It had been a wedding gift when she was married. She told me that I wasn’t to worry because I was more important to her than an old coaster. Besides, the others had broken a long time ago. Now she doesn’t have anything to put her drink on except a piece of paper towel. I think I need to buy her a new coaster; maybe one with a cat on it.
Yesterday was a real fiasco. My mom was getting everything ready to give me my fluids under the skin. She swaddled me in one of the throws we have, then she got the needle ready. When she took the top off of the needle somehow she poked herself in a knuckle on her finger. It was pretty deep and started bleeding, but she didn’t want to get up, unswaddle me, and take care of her finger and then start all over. She wrapped it in a tissue until my IV was done. She put the needle in me, and after just a little bit, I started wiggling. She tried to shut off the valve, but I was quicker and pulled it out. You should have seen the needle. It looked like a little boy peeing. It was going all over the place until she got the valve turned off. The fluid was running down her raincoat that was on the coat rack where the fluid bag was hung. It was on the floor and on the throw. I only got half the fluids I was supposed to get yesterday. Today was so much better. I didn’t wiggle at all. If anybody had been looking in our window they probably would have been laughing because it was pretty comical looking. Maybe we should do a sitcom.
You won’t believe what my mom said to me one morning, as she was getting me ready to give my daily fluids. She always talks to me as she’s doing it, and she said “Okay, Maverick, I’m getting ready to swallow you.” My eyes bugged out, and I turned quickly around. “What did you say?” She told me she was sorry that she scared me and that she meant to say swaddled. My heart was racing. I thought maybe those AI robot things that are all over the place now, got a hold of her and messed with her mind. She’d have one big hairball if she swallowed me. Life is an adventure with my mom.
My mom has to go to the dentist this week to get a tooth filled. A few months ago, she was eating a Dum Dum sucker when she lost part of her filling. I told her she was supposed to lick it and not eat it, but sometimes she doesn’t listen. I would like to make a joke of this, but she’s my mom, and I love her, so I’ll refrain. She needs to be put on antibiotics that day because of the surgery she had. I’m glad it’s her going to the dentist and not me.
She’s also been fighting a virus or something. She’s being lazy today and reading a book, as I write this, because she is still weak and tired out. She was hot and cold at times. When she was hot I’d leave the bed and sleep in the living room, but when she was chilled I came back in and snuggled her. She had to cancel all of the appointments she had for the week. I was happy that she was home with me. I get lonely.
On to pawlitics. Even though a cat can’t vote, I still have a voice and a column to give my opinions. Please don’t forget to vote. Don’t believe the lies you may hear on television. Check things out. Think long and hard about what you want for our country.
Two years ago, we were promised many things and those promises weren’t kept. We’re in a war, gas prices are way up, and food is extremely expensive. My mom was making out her online Walmart order last night, and the prices increased even more from the day before. It’s hard for people. Benefits are being cut and who knows what’s going to happen to social security. My mom is on social security, and she worries a lot.
Our president also doesn’t talk nice about others. He’s a bully, and I don’t like bullies. There’s a lot of hate in our country, and it makes my mom and I sick to think his cronies will get elected and our country will never be the same. ICE and security guards are being dispatched to polling places. All you history lovers out there, what does this remind you of? He’s also trying to buy your vote. Please don’t fall for it. Is that the kind of people you want in Washington? They’re supposed to be working for us, but it seems to this cat that all they want to do is line their pockets by cutting benefits and programs for the needy, elderly, and veterans. Think about that, please. I hope you will make this little cat happy. This will be my last election, so please consider voting for my favorite color – blue. I don’t have money to pay you to vote the way the Republicans do, but I give great hugs and snuggles. My mom says those are the kind of things that are priceless.
I will leave you with this quote: “Voting is your supurr power. Vote meow!” – I believe this quote comes from cats everywhere.
Take care, and have a safe and Happy Halloween.
Love Maverick
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