Cat Scratch Fever
Amy’s officially been with us for a week now so we’re tentatively giving her the run of the house. (She’s been spending nights and workdays in our big guest bathroom.) Last night we left the door open so she could sleep wherever she wanted. She spent some time curled up beside me on the bed but in the morning she got antsy and started clawing the blankets, so I locked her out. She didn’t like that. She hasn’t gotten into any trouble though, and she hasn’t pulled any bookcases down on herself. We may try leaving her out tomorrow during the day.
Oh, and did I mention the scratches? Because I’m covered in them. I made the mistake of pulling on shorts yesterday morning and I regretted it the first time she tried to jump in my lap. Not good. Everyone in the gym’s going to think I’m a battered housewife or something. We headed to the pet store this morning for some nail clippers and a brush, so hopefully we’ll do some much needed grooming today. The Snook also has plans to make her another scratching post, hopefully an ultra-mega tall one that she can really stretch out on. We were going to buy one but they’re expensive! It’ll be cheaper to nail a piece of wood to a board and then buy a premade cover to slip over it.
amy
March 14, 2004 — 4:01 pm
hey, wait a minute, isn’t it your birthday?
Kris
March 14, 2004 — 5:45 pm
Beware the Ides of March! (Tomorrow.)
amy
March 14, 2004 — 6:15 pm
You are the only person I know who uses that saying in normal conversation besides me. crazy shit man. pre happy b-day.
robert
March 14, 2004 — 6:43 pm
scratches are always worse when they are littlies because of the razorsharp nature of the tiny claws. i had just started a teaching round when i first got mina and she swung off my face by accident and on my first day of teaching i had kids asking me if i had been in a car accident. it wasn’t pretty! but it will pass.
Kris
March 14, 2004 — 11:26 pm
I did manage to get her to let me trim a couple claws today. She doesn’t like the clippers much thogh, so I have to wait til she’s half asleep and her guard is down. It’s nervewracking, though, because I’m terrified I’m going to cut too much and hurt her. So I err on the side of caution and just snip the teensiest bit off the point. But I think it’s gonna help…
WeeB
March 15, 2004 — 12:53 am
*sniff*
Just found out one of our cats died back in Glasgow 🙁 She (Pippa) was an old girl anyway 17 years old and died in her sleep with no pain.
Kris
March 15, 2004 — 7:10 am
Awww, that’s sad, Ferret! I’m so sorry. At least it sounds like she went peacefully.
WeeB
March 15, 2004 — 7:37 am
She did. Weak heart I was told, so nothing sore. They just woke up in the morning and found her. Oh well…. shame life has to end someday for us all.
Anyway…enough of this babbling….it’s your birthday!!! WOOO HOOO!!!! PARTEEE!! PART_EEE!!!!
psorr
March 15, 2004 — 3:49 pm
Yep, taking even a bit off of those sharp claws helps. I’ve had some luck with the clip-while-groggy tactic; it also helps to have someone else hold her while you clip.
Kris
March 15, 2004 — 4:12 pm
We tried that tactic, psorr, but it always devolves into a “No, it’s YOUR turn to be the bad cop!” argument. Whichever one holds her is the one she’s going to resent for four hours. 🙂
amy
March 16, 2004 — 9:51 pm
seriously, just try for one paw at a time. and yeah, just trim the tip off. she’ll get used to it.