Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty....

I never really thought I'd ever have a cat being that I love dogs and we always had a dog in the family growing up.  However, way back in college I started watching a comedy show that had various charcters in their troupe.  There was a character named "Hecubus" which I thought would be a cool name for a black cat.  Seemed really fitting.  

As I got older, I became fond of cats and funny enough, my college roommate who loved cats, found a yellow tabby and we named her after another character from the same comedy show.  I saw how cool cats could be and how easy they can be to take care of when you have such a busy schedule but still want a pet.  So...many moons after I left college my childhood best friend, whom I was living with at the time and knew of my 'perfect name for a black cat' came home one day with a tiny little black creature in a small black bag with that gold decorative fringe stuff all around it.  It was perfect.  I was hooked.  

So here I am 18 years later with the same black cat.  Yes, I said 18 years.  He's done that well.  It has not been without it's challenges though.  Six months after I got my Hecubus, a stray was brought into the house by my then live-in boyfriend and we appropriately named him after another character from the same show that Hecubus had been christened with.  I quickly became an owner of two cats.  Hecubus, a black shorthair and Gavin a gray tabby.  And both of their names fit quite too well with the characters they were named after.  The boyfriend was kicked out six months later and I kept the cat which was totally the better end of the stick.  Sadly, Gavin went on to leave this earth about four years ago.  And that was hard. 

And now, as my 'first born' is getting older his health issues are becoming more frequent.  As to be expected.  But what kills me the most is how much it stresses him out when I have to put him in his carrier just to transport him to the clinic.  Not to mention the stress it puts on him for the exam itself.  It's been many years now that we have had to start putting him under sedation just to examine him or get blood work.  Which I am fine with no matter the cost.  It's way more therapeutic for all parties involved.  However, it's the time period that leads up to the initial vet visit that I have more problems as I too, get older and realize how traumatizing the whole ordeal is for my aging kitty.  

I've had to take him in this evening, to which I had scheduled earlier in the day but I spent the majority of the day worrying about the whole trip itself, thinking of how horrible this experience will be for my elderly cat and how I can't take that stress away for him.  It just breaks my heart.  My stomach has been in knots for the majority of the day.  And hearing and seeing him grumble and hiss when we get to the clinic just breaks my heart even more.  There have been times when the attending veterinarian felt like they could 'handle a fiesty cat' without the sedation and all I heard coming from the back of the clinic was blood curdling screams from what sounded like a cat being tortured.  Those times just made me want to puke not to mention extremely angry since I have always voiced my concerns and have said repeatedly that he needs sedation plus it's on his damn chart.  Ugh.. why some professionals don't listen is beyond me...

However, I was listened to this evening when I had to take Hecubus into the clinic tonight.  And I felt very comfortable with the veterinarian that was on duty tonight.  My dear furry loved one is decompressing on the futon, resting quietly and at times, comes to me for comfort after a traumatizing evening.  He is fine for the most part but we need a follow up visit which means more trauma, sedation and a sonogram in the next week.  Looks like we have some gall bladder issues which could mean surgery which means more trauma and stress for my cuddle bug.  Breaks my heart.  I love being a cat owner.  I still want to have a dog or two in my future.  But when it comes to vet visits, it just kills me.  I don't really care about the financial part of it.  I always find a way to pay for it all.  It's just the stress and trauma that leaves a pit in my stomach because I can't take that away for my pet.  They just don't understand like a person does.  I don't know how other pet owners do it.  Maybe I need some group therapy.  Haha....Until next time....praying for some stress free kitty health visits.  I'm gonna need it.  Meow.  elizinashe