31
Jan
2006
Longsuffering Shadow
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Category: Critters + Creatures, Hugh
Shadow, putting up with Christmas Day shenanigans. What a gentle dog.
Maybe I’m getting all wistful about having a dog because Mister Hugh has been so NAUGHTY lately. He’s good for about four days at a time, followed by several days of messes on the carpet. I’ve been going through the laundry detergent like nobody’s business because Hugh’s had accidents on the bed three days in a row. If he wasn’t such a good footwarmer and affectionate purrbox, I’d trade him in for a younger (read: not incontinent) model.*
* Of course I’d never do that, but some days I’d like to trade in Hugh’s dignity for a box of Kitty Depends (is there such a thing?).
Technorati tags: digital photography, Canon A-80, dog, cat, pet
Wednesday, 1 February 2006
No guarantee that a kitty (or any cat) will be a dependable litter box user. Every once and awhile, they seem to like to surprise you. Keep you offguard. Show you who the boss really is.
Wednesday, 1 February 2006
Of course you wouldn’t trade Hugh in…
In the Netherlands we would say: ‘I would stick him behind the wallpaper’
I agree with Muckdog: you are the boss…
Wednesday, 1 February 2006
Cats are great foot warmers and that purring is just a very good way to help meditate.
Wednesday, 1 February 2006
They do make diapers for pets. I haven’t seen them specifically for cats, but I can’t see why the dog ones wouldn’t work; just get one that’s made for a small dog about the size of Hugh. You can get them at just about any store that carries pet supplies.
Thursday, 2 February 2006
Diapers will make him feel quite undignified but you can see one style here. Maybe just at night? Petco.com. Also, I assume you’ve talked to the vet. No recommendations for meds?
Thursday, 2 February 2006
Don’t forget Hugh is grieving too,perhaps that’s why he’s having mess.
Thursday, 2 February 2006
As a cat owner, I wholeheartedly endorse the use of OxiClean, specifically the “OxiClean Max Maximum Strength Laundry Stain Remover”. One of my cats peed on a quilt on the car trip here, despite being on cat valium for the six hour drive. I only had to wash the quilt once and the smell was gone… even the dog didn’t notice anything strange.
This is not a paid advertisement… heh.
Thursday, 2 February 2006
Hugh’s been to lots of vets to sort out his digestive problems (he even sent one to the ER and the guy threatened to sue!!), but the only vet who gave him any relief from his chronic vomiting was this old vet way out in the boondocks a few years ago. David says he took one look at Hugh and prescribed these pills called Liponal.
After we came home from the hospice, those pills went missing in the ensuing jumble, and Hugh started vomiting every day. I found them eventually, and then he got better. I’ve ordered a large supply, because there is only ONE pharmacy in the whole area where I can get them.
The only theory anyone (we or the vets) have for the messes is simply old age. Hugh is nearly 15 now, and when I took him to the local vet on November 30, she commented that he looked like a senior citizen cat now. He shows all the signs, although he’s pretty playful for an old fogey.
David and I discussed the incontinence on many occasions, and we both thought even though it was a colossal pain in the arse to clean up, we couldn’t bring ourselves to put anything on Hugh. We figured there might be stuff on the market for this, but I keep thinking if David were still around, he would keep cleaning it up, no matter what. Even when David was sick and I took care of Hugh by myself and between looking after the two of them I was descending into mild madness, I still couldn’t do it… I keep thinking of David’s infinite patience with Hugh, and that’s what stops me from going to the pet store and buying it!
Auntie Cris, Hugh had this behaviour when David was healthy, too, but it comes and goes. We’ve never really figured out a pattern with it; it seems very random. He was very good after David died — weeks without any mess. Sometimes I think it’s vindictive, when I don’t let him outside when he wants to go.
If it’s the upheaval with the boxes, I’m afraid there’s no avoiding that part. I still give him plenty of attention, probably even moreso now than ever, so he’s not lacking that.
Beth: I’ll look for OxiClean — I’m going to need that soon, I think.
Jen: maybe I’ll keep a pair on hand, for when my patience runs out, which could be any day now.
Friday, 3 February 2006
Found something perfect for you online. A sign for Hugh. I thought if you immediately when I saw it. In kind of bad taste but I thought it was quite funny.
Friday, 3 February 2006
That sign is funny — knowing Hugh, he’d probably find a way to upchuck right on it somehow. Or leave a turd on the Spanish side.