The Trip There and Back

Note: The prior posts were when I was fostering from Sept. 04 to Dec. 06. Rather then try to fill in the gap between now and then, I'm just going to start with a more current time.

When Simson moved in on Feb. 08 he brought along a small bit of baggage with him. He was Hyper-Thyroid. Since he was the first cat that I had with this disease I checked to see what some of the symptoms were. Three that I could see were more vocalization, increased energy and friskiness, and/or irritability. So a very active and aggressive cat that meows... a lot. Yep, I see that. After all that's part of what brought him to my door. He was stressed by having a new baby (human) in the household. I'd find that stressful too. But Simson's journey into the house was not without stress of it's own. Remember that aggressiveness trait? While I tried to slowly introduce Simson into the herd of cats in the end Simson would rather stalk the cats then befriend them. On rare occasion this stalking would be complete with the chattering.

I ended up giving Simson a transtermal ointment for his hyper-thyroid. It worked out great and there wasn't the stress of trying to get a pill into him. Over the time frame of a year and some months with the ointment Simson seemed basically balanced health wise, but there were days were he was staving, others when he had no interest in food. Big appetite with no weigh gain is another sign of hyper-thyroidism. I may have wondered how well Simson was responding to his medicine but when it came time for a yearly check up, his blood test showed he needed to increase the dose of his medicine. Clearly Simson was not going to be adopted any time soon and since increasing the amount of his medicine meant twice a day applying the ointment on his ears, which was building up, I decided to have him treated with Radioiodine Therapy. The treatment of choice for hyper-thyroidism. My dad was concerned about the expense of this adventure. I figured that for one, this treatment would make Simson more adoptable, and two, who am I kidding... Simson wouldn't get adopted and since he'll end up as one of mine.. and being one of mine I'd get him treated. Simple logic, really.

The drive to the clinic that preforms the I 131 or Radioiodine therapy is about two and a half hours away. I tried to plan the trip out as best as I could and overall I succeeded. However while I used a good sized carrier for the ride, it didn't leave room for a litterbox. Poor Simson was a mess by the time we arrived at the clinic. His doctor took it all in stride and we had a warm welcome and I was insured Simson was in good hands. Poor Simson had to stay at the clinic for about a week. His waste was radioactive and could be harmful to others so he had to be isolated.

Simson is back and I am happy to say that after four months his thyroid is normal. Yay! I must admit that I was hoping that his aggression towards other cats would lessen with his being healed. It hasn't. He is still a feisty, verbal old boy, but then I wouldn't know him any other way.

The Last Update From Years Gone By

Well sadly for me but happily for the boys, I had to let three of the boys go on to Petco so they could be adored and adopted. They have a better chance to find a home there then while in my bedroom. Only the tuxedo stayed since he wasn't quite ready to be adopted. However I am pleased to say that he has come around and does indeed enjoy being petted.



But now, we couldn't let him be all by himself, could we now? So two brothers moved in. They are about a month younger and they all are getting along well. These two boys are also shy. They look alike with the exception that one has one white hair on his forehead. I call them Shi and Shier. Shi has discovered that being pet is a nice thing, but Shier wants nothing to do with it. Unfortunately for me there's too much room in my bedroom for him to scoot away from me and he can hide behind the tuxedo, Shadow and his brother.


Well, here's one way to reduce the space in my bedroom.... move three beautiful girls into the bathroom area. I was planning on moving the boys into the bathroom area at night so I could use my bed once all but two got adopted but... ah well, sleeping in a bed is for sissies! I seem to fall asleep on the couch better anyway.



I wonder.... since two out of three sisters are busy grooming themselves... will these ladies become little divas or princesses?


Here we are at the end of September... Shadow and Shi, having learnt that 'the pet' is a good thing have moved into their own homes. Which leaves Shier still with me. However much he'll deny it Shier is starting to like a few pets. A fondness of having his chin rubbed in particular is betraying his 'I want nothin' to do with people' stance.










Now here's a little guy that's the opposite. He loves attention from people. As fate would have it he only stayed a day and a half before he left to what will be his new home. He needed to go to Feline Medical for a problem he was having and one of the Doctors there fell in love with him and adopted him.







I seem to be a magnet for shy kittens this year. This handsome guy isn't at all sure about me. But he does watch the girls climb all over me. Hopefully they can convince him I'm okay.
















Here's a tiny but very feisty little girl. She was weaned too soon and needed just a bit more of those yummy milk meals. Her favorite pastime is climbing up to reach my neck and happily suckling away.








Again we at the end of the year and of the 'kitten' season. All the babies have left my nest for adventures of their own.

More Stop By Along Their Journey

Hey! Look who's out and about from her hiding spot. I was able to start petting her. She even came into my lap a few times... then she started to come into heat and got distracted. After being spayed she decided it's best not to let me too close to her so I need to start bonding with her all over again.


Three handsome boys moved in. All of them were distrustful of people. The tabby and seal-point have decided they like getting some pets but the tuxedo still isn't sure. Although he is just now starting to be more tolerant of letting my hand near him at dinner time.

The lovely Miss Uma moved in downstairs for a bit. Her person needs some time to find a place where she can keep Miss Ima.

I am so far behind in updating this page the these two boys moved in and were adopted by the time I got this going.

And here's why I was so busy.... This little guy just needs to be raised. His person lost his three other siblings and needed some help. This wee one is a perfect kitten. He is great with the bottle and box.

But he was lonely so the answer to a lonely kitten's prayers arrived the next day with the company of these four kittens.

I had a scary moment with the smaller one. They have had diarrhea since moving in and although they drink their milk replacer fairly well the smallest two just aren't gaining weight. So although it had been awhile since I have given sub-q fluids... and at that I only gave them for a short while, I decided the smallest baby needed some fluids. These babies are so tiny and fragile anyway ya often wonder if you are going to lose them.... and while I was holding the fur at the nap of his shoulder putting the needle in... he went limp. Ack! I'm so afraid what I do will kill them... and there he was limp! But alas, isn't that something that mama cat taught him when she grabbed his nap? So far the little one has survived my medical skills or the lack thereof.

An after bottle moment on Momma's lap

And this handsome guy moved in with the older kittens. Took a bit to play with them without feeling overwelmed but they are all friends now. Just waiting to find a home is all.