Visit to the Vet

I've been thinking that maybe "Tiny Tim", the name bestowed on Issey by his former Mom, was a good fit after all. He looks tall, but very thin...like a runway model, which, of course, is exactly like he is supposed to look. But, he and the rest of the kids all look like they have lost weight, I worried.

Well, Issey and I have just returned from the vet and my "tiny" kitty weighed in a a little over 10 pounds!!! Another lesson in perception! :-)

I've put off this vet visit. On the last visit, I was thoroughly scared by the dire diagnosis of stomatitis, and though after a round of antibiotics all symptoms disappeared, I was a bit leery of what other bad (though false) news I would get. But, Issey's eye seemed worse, maybe because the cat nanny had not cleaned it daily, and it was time to have it looked at.

First, I asked about Issey's gums......PERFECT, I was told. Soooo, no stomatitis?, I said gently. hoping to put him on notice about issuing a dire warning about the eye. Manipulative, aren't I?
Maybe.

The runny eye is either due to allergies or herpes.....but, he added, since herpes was highly contagious and the other cats showed no symptoms it could not be that. However, IF it were that, a steroid injection for allergies, would make herpes worse. He decided on a small dosage of steroids, saying that if there's a big improvement, it is definitely allergies and when the shot wears off, I can treat it with pediatric something-or-another. Yes, I forgot! I forgot because I think it's kind of neurotic to pill a cat who is feeling fine. I also forgot what we do if it's herpes, because...I've decided...it ISN'T. Mekuna metata.

Big Cats, Little Cats

One lion rests in the shade while her sister takes a long drink from a small stream. A few minutes later, they were nose to nose and then rolled over onto their tummies.

Having witnessed my tiny kitties do the same.....well, except the stream part....I thought of them and missed them terribly.

Meanwhile, at home:

Big Cats, Little Cats

I missed my kitties terribly on this trip......much, much more than I ever remember having missed them before. I virtually ached for them. But, no....that did not keep me from appreciating the kitties I was SEEING! Cheetahs, lions...even a leopard in a tree.....all were magnificent! I watched and marveled at the similarity of movement, of behavior, except, of course....my teeny, tiny kitties here don't know anything about killing to eat.
When I arrived home, Rudy was all over me, but tiny Santino and Issey played hard to get. It took a few hours before they forgave me for leaving......in spite of the fact that they had the best cat nanny there could be! She even left me an illustrated journal.....oh, but that was for ME, wasn't it? :-)

















































(to be continued)

Good Bye, Kitties!

Rudy, Sophie, Santino, and Issey shown
posing, sleeping, hanging out, milling about, on bird watch, and on bug patrol...

I am leaving the kids with an excellent nanny, and I am sure they will get lots of attention and love. I am leaving behind detailed instructions and mountains of food and litter.

These pictures come with me to Tanzania!

Rudy's Photoshoot

Rudy used to pose whenever he saw the camera come out, but it's been more than a year since this has happened. Therefore, I was delighted to see Rudy, the model, once again.

He always does the choosing of where to pose and I just have to make the best of it....at least when it comes to lighting. But, he patiently sits while I crawl around to find the best angle. I hope the others are paying attention!

Never Tire, Always Admire

I never tire of looking at my cats, but I do get a bit tired of the same photos. You, too?

Finally, though, you see Santino more fully in a rare pose, and though the flash caused shadows, it didn't hit his eyes directly.

Santino LOVES being brushed, but not his belly or his tail which are more sensitive. He, like my other cats, has a very distinctive tail, ending in a fuzzy "brush".
Sophie has a squirrel tail, Rudy's is severely kinked, and Issey's is very long and thin.:-)