Rainbow felines

Wuppie was my first feline love! The first time I saw him, he was just a little ball of fluff and so adorable! He grew up to be a large, rather dumb tom, but still adorable. I could never be angry with him for long. Even when he grabbed the steak off the table or the sausage from the fridge! When I had to leave him behind in the Netherlands, I cried for so long, my parents had to come down to console me!

Mathilda came along with Wuppie, because I didn't want him to be on his own. She had her own quirks: out of all the cats, she never miaowed, unless in trouble (like being locked in the airing cupboard). She was outgoing, friendly and always wanted to be petted. She would never sit still long enough to take a photo, because as soon as you moved, she thought she might get attention and was on the move as well. 

Sophie was a little farm cat that had definitely not been socialised enough. She was a bit of a scaredy cat and especially in later life, was very prone to being bullied by the others. Which in turn meant that she was allowed to spend her nights with me in the bedroom. The one time she tried to climb a tree was not a good experience though: I had to get her out and after that, she didn't go outside, unless I was out as well!

Julius came to live with us and was such a loving cat. He loved playing catch (actually bringing the little cloth ball back to me, sort of) and could play that for hours. Unfortunately he contracted some bladder problems, after which he stopped using the litterbox. In the end I had to take him to the shelter, because I just didn't have the time for him anymore. Never again though!

Linette was an outside cat that was hungry. And every day she got closer, until she was inside and I closed the door on her. Nobody seemed to own her and nobody wanted her, so in the end we kept her. She always was a very thin cat, especially in the summer, when she would stay outside for days on end without eating. She had a special relationship with Wuppie, needing a lick on her head every so often and being happy after that. 

These were the five cats I owned before Miss Oswin came into my life. They are still very much missed!

This post is for the Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, which actually took place yesterday. Blame it on the time zones!

Wuppie

One of the very early photos when he was still a tiny ginger ball of fur!

The very first time I saw him, I fell in love. Head over heels in love. A little ball of ginger fur getting stuck in my hair. I immediately knew he was going to be part of my new 'family'. He loved sleeping on the towels, loved boxes (like every single other cat I believe) and peed on my bed until I moved the bed to a different position when it finally stopped. 

He got stuck in a tree once. Trying to get hold of a bird. He caught frogs. Once brought a bird home (still alive, I managed to grab hold of the bird and set it free). He opened my parents' fridge and nearly absconded with a large sausage. He was overweight for the latter part of his life. Loved attention and if I didn't give him attention when I had just returned from a long trip, he would get grumpy! He loved sleeping on my bed and if it was cold in my bed. 

When I moved to Norway last year I had to leave him behind. I knew he was going to the best home he could ever want or dream of, but it was hard. I cried my eyes out and had a near break-down. Pepperfly and her family loved him as much as I loved him. He lost some weight, which was good. He loved trekking outdoors and was aided by his new friend Mickey. 

Then there was blood in his urine, tests and medication. It seemed to go better again. But his walking became worse, probably arthritis. More medication. It didn't work. Yesterday it became clear that he had tumors on one of his feet and probably more in his lungs. The decision was taken by Pepperfly (one with which I totally agree) to not prolong pain and humanely euthanise him. He died in her arms. 

He is missed in the Pepperfly household and also very much here. 

Letting go of Wuppie

 

26th May 1998 - 06th December 2013

Worries from far away

Staring at his treats (the orange container)

About two weeks ago I got an email from Pepperfly. Wuppie was not behaving normally. Now of course the question as to what is 'normal' in Wuppie's case, is a difficult one, but that's another matter. He was not behaving in his usual 'normal' way. He was running here and there and everywhere, finding paperwork, recycling paper, boxes and occasionally his litterbox. And everywhere he went, he would try to pee.

The meds

Pepperfly phoned the vet. Then took him to the vet. And the diagnosis for this 15 1/2 year old cat was: bladder infection! Which in boy cats and especially former boy cats is not good news. Fortunately however, Pepperfly was quick and observant and they caught it in time. He is now on medication and the treat after the medication makes Wuppie okay with it. 

He's got a good few years left I hope, but not if he starts doing weird things like that! Silly cat...

Photo on Sunday 2013-14

What with being back online I thought I would go back to posting for Photo on Sunday as well. This time not a photo that I took, but one that was taken by my good friend Pepperfly of my/their cat Wuppie. 

I just wonder what he has in his sight...

Photo on Sunday 2013-10

It was difficult. It was hard. It was the best decision I could have taken. Because I've decided he's not coming with me to Norway. Mr Pepperfly and Peppermaggot are overjoyed! They had already been plotting several things: like changing the locks, moving, bolting the door, hiding him. In the end there was no need. I made the decision on my own. 

There are several reasons for my decision. First of all is his age. He is 15, which is older than most outside cats ever see. Second (and related to his age): do I really want to uproot him again. And to a home with no other playmates and no other humans beside me. And third: did I want to get him because I wanted to give him a better life, or just because I wanted him with me? And the answer was I wanted him with me. 

He has a great life. He has a playmate called Mickey, another called Linette and three humans who love him to bits and were not pleased about loosing him (hence the plotting against me). He can go outside and watch the bunnies. He can come inside after only 10 minutes. He gets to sleep in a bed and basically: he's happy. 

So, I will be going home again cat-less and a little sorry. But in the knowledge I have done the best thing. 

Cats

Photo taken by Pepperfly at the back of her
house

Living without cats has a few pros and a lot of cons. Let me start with the pros.

*No cathairs. And if you have to wear a dark blue uniform, no cathairs is a definite plus.

*No costs. They can be really expensive what with vaccinations, treatments, food, litterbox stuff etc.

*No cathairs. Yes, I know I mentioned it already, but they do get everywhere. Even after three months without my cats I still find them!

So, what about the cons?

*A home is not a home without a cat. Every home needs one! It is just empty here now. Nobody to greet you when you get home. 

*The friendship you get from a cat. I know they say dogs are friends and not cats. Now, this is almost always said by a dog owner/lover. Any cat slave will know it to be different!

*The warmth. You don't need a hot water bottle when you have a cat. Just let them lie at your feet. They radiate enough heat, being little furballs!

Of course there are plenty of people who think differently. It doesn't matter. Wuppie agrees. Although not so much about the cathairs and the costs. He thinks those are fine and managable. At least that's what I read in his eyes in the photo above! And the unspoken question:

When are you going to get us a new home with you in Norway? HURRY!!!

Grounded

My friend Pepperfly is looking after my two monsters as you know. And just a few days ago she sent me some great photos of Wuppie sniffing and sniffing everything outside. Yes, he had been let out. He was back in ten minutes. No problemo!

This morning she let him out again. Around eleven. And after a very nerve-wracking day with lots of opening strange sheds, looking under hedges and wondering if and how to tell me (they did, through e-mail, early on). 

The clock moved on however and there was still no sign of the big Wupster. Until just before nine, he just sauntered in. As if there was nothing wrong with him or the world. The most normal thing to do!! My guess is that he probably was somewhere close by anyway, but loved the great and new outdoors so much, he wanted to spend more time in it. Ten hours long!!! 

For the foreseeable future however: he is grounded!

Melt down

At Pepperfly's

Pepperfly was here around 10.30am and she was willing to help me take some stuff to the second hand shop. Well, her own private second hand shop that is, since a friend of hers was involved in a church organised jumble sale! Well, giving it away to a shop that only fills its own pockets or to a church organisation that might do some good with it, I chose the latter. So, the books are all gone, the dvd's and some other stuff is gone as well, including a little cupboard (finally!). 

Then it was time to load everything up and first of course we needed to cage the two monsters, otherwise we would loose them! We caged them, and then started loading her car up. The last thing to go in were to be the cats. And I broke down and cried. Pepperfly cried along with me and we stood and hugged for a while. After I waved them off I went back in the house to get some work done. 

I went upstairs and wrote the post for yesterday, still with tears running down my cheeks. I then started one of those addictive games, but I couldn't play it. I went downstairs to find the phone and ring my parents. And I had a complete meltdown. I lost it, dropped the phone and cried like I haven't cried for years. My dad asked whether they should come over and I agreed.

A bit later as I was packing again, my phone rang: it was Pepperfly. They had enough cars, so why not have me use one for the week! They could take it over to me during the afternoon/evening and pick it up again next Saturday. Well, since my parents were coming, they could drop me off at my friends' place and then I could drive home. After having seen how the monsters were of course!!!

Mickey

Later that afternoon my parents did drop me off at Pepperfly's and I was able to see how they were doing: Linette cowering under the radiator (she did that at my place for a long time as well), Wuppie under a bed somewhere. He did come out though to see me. It will take some getting used to for them, since there is also another cat in the house: a young stud called Mickey. But no fighting yet, so that was good.

Coming home last night was awful though: the house was empty. No Linette sleeping on my shoulder, no Wuppie complaining about not being allowed to go outside. But I know where they are and have a key and a car to go visit them again sometime this week.

Leaving part 2

I always knew there was a chance I wouldn't be able to take my cats with me to Norway. If one of them had failed the rabies test for example. My friend Pepperfly then said that I needn't worry: there would always be a home for them at her place. Fortunately I found out that there was no need for a rabies test anymore and both of them could come. 

Fast forward a few months and I had a job offer. Starting on December 3rd, moving a week before that. So, I phoned to ask about the procedure and was told that 'unfortunately no animals are allowed to fly to that destination from November until March'. The reason is the small plane and the non-heated hold which might result in the freezing of two loved cats! So, Pepperfly it was!

Today she came to get them. We both cried (I still am) and now they are on their way to their new (hopefully temporary) home. I know they will have the best home they could possibly get apart from my own, but still! 

I miss them!

Fed up!

Dear food and cuddle giver!

I am not too difficult I think. I like my food on time. I like stale water. I looooove steak (you could get me more than you do now!). I enjoy a good bask in the sun, preferably outside. I like sleeping on your lap, in your bed, on your office chair, in your clean laundry. I hate the vet! See, easy!!

But what you are doing now is annoying me very much. When I sleep in your bed, that thing goes off and I have to leave the room. When I refuse you get the big noisy sucky thing and chase me out! When I sleep in your clean laundry you decide to get it all folded and stuff and I have to find another place. When I then find another place: your office chair, you need the little box and chase me off again....

Can you please make up your mind! 

Paws and cuddles,

Wuppie

PS: if you could stop putting stuff in all those boxes, so I can sleep in there, I don't mind either!

Autumn

He finds his comfort anywhwere: like the linen cupboard!

Well, it's official, it's autumn. Last week we had our first autumn storm of the year, today is a day of rain, rain and more rain. I managed to cycle between the raindrops more or less while going home from work this morning, but I doubt if I will be so lucky this afternoon. I think the Tweety suit is needed then!

But, for all its rain and strong winds, I don't mind the autumn. As a matter of fact, I think it is actually my favourite season. The unbearable heat of the summer has gone and Christmas is fast approaching. Now admittedly, this summer wasn't too hot or even too good, but still, putting on an extra pair of socks to lounge around in at home, makes me feel happy. I enjoy life's simple pleasures...

On the lookout!

 Watching the world go by from the safety of my garden.

An apple a day

It was time for the annual trek to the vet again. Even if I have seen the vet nearly every single month this year (and have the vet bills to prove it)! A friend of mine was supposed to come over to drive us there, but she phoned half an hour before we were due at the vet and she had a 45-50 minute drive to do first! I took my bike.

Of course the cats didn't like it when I got the cat carrier out and decided they would try and stay out of my way. As if that ever helps. Linette usually flees and if she doesn't flee, she will make herself as small as possible: that way I can't see her! Yeah. Wuppie is easily duped as well: just open the garden door and he will come down. By the time he realises that he is not going out, he is already in the carrier. 

Not a recent photo, that's why is ear still looks good.

I strapped the single carrier to the bike and rode to the vet. After only a few moments (admiring a chihuahua puppy, so cute) I was called in. First of all it was Linette's turn. Now, she has always been a bit of a skinny Linny (see what I did here?), but she does stay more or less at the same weight. Her teeth were fine, her breathing was fine, no fleas, in with the vaccinations and back she went into the carrier.

Then it was Wuppie's turn. A bit bigger than Linette, but it turned out he had actually lost a bit of weight. About 4%, which doesn't seem a lot, but he is of course a cat and not an elephant (imagine having an elephant on your lap). His ear was clean and again the vet told me he was going to leave it as is. His age, his not being too bothered by it and the massive operation all going against it. As long as I keep his ear clean: not a bother.

So, I got them back home again, gave them some worm-medication and opened the garden door again. They are pronounced okay for another year!

PS: they don't like apples, perhaps a wriggly worm, but not apples!

What did you say?

Of late Wuppie has the tendency to sleep on his 'good' ear. Which means that when he is asleep, he doesn't hear as much. So, when I get up, he doesn't twitch his ears and doesn't look up at me to find out if there is a treat in store like the door to the garden opening. I daren't start stroking him either: I am afraid it will just startle him so much, he will end up clinging to the ceiling!

In the photo you can actually see the difference between his two ears quite well. The ear on the right (his left ear) is completely normal and the ear on the left (his right) is thick and feels very hard. He doesn't mind me touching it though, although too much is not good. Then again, touch his good ear too much isn't good either!

The chair he is sitting on while I took his picture, is actually the chair he prefers to sit on now. With only two cats in the house, they have their 'own' place now. Linette on her little couch and Wuppie the big chair. The only place they will occasionally share is the arms' bench in front of the window or me!

Decision

As you know Wuppie has been suffering from a blood-ear since the winter. When I went to the vet the first time I was told it was to pass on its own and I needn't worry too much, apart from a cauliflower ear he wouldn't suffer any other problems. Of course that's not how it went.

So, how did it go? Well, it didn't go away on its own. As a matter of fact, even though the blood seemed to disappear after a while (as did the pus), his ear stayed large and swollen. And even though it looked swollen, it wasn't really. In fact, what had been blood was now connective tissue and had become rock hard! He had had a bit of a droopy head ever since the problems started and that didn't abate at all.

I went back to the vet several times after that. The first time back the vet talked about a possible amputation of the ear, but she wanted me to give him some medication first of all. So, home I went with pills and eardrops. Nearly a month later I was back again. A different vet this time, but the same situation with Wuppie. He showed me a bit more about what was what and what to expect if I were to have his ear amputated (a massive vet bill being one of those!). He looked into his ear with one of those look-in-the-ear thingies and saw there was still an infection inside. He decided more medication was in order, but of a stronger variety than the first batch.

Today I went back again. Wuppie's ear was a lot cleaner, the infection was gone and even though his head is still tilted, he was quite happy with the result. And then talk once again got to amputation. In order to have the ear and connective tissue removed, they would need to remove part of the ear canal (basically the vertical bit of it) as well. Which was already better than the first option: all of the ear canal right up to his ear drum. But I still felt a bit dubious about it. After all, this is a 14-year old cat we're talking about. Besides, the cost of one or two courses of antibiotics a year will be considerably less than a massive operation that wouldn't necessarily end up with the result we want.

In the end the decision was made to see how it goes over the next few months. I still have some antibiotic eardrops I am to use three times a week, but if all goes well, his ear will stay on. Looking almost normal!

Rabies

Wuppie when he was small and cuddly
(he is now big and cuddly)

In January I had taken the monsters on a trip to see the vet. They had to be vaccinated against rabies ànd tested before being allowed into Norway. Since they could only be tested at least four months after the rabies shots, I had to wait until this week for the blood to be drawn. I had written it down and on Wednesday I made the appointment with the vet.

Today I stuck my two lovelies in the pet carrier, balanced it on the back of my bike and cycled off into the sunset to the vet. The vet who had given them the rabies shots in the first place was there and immediately said that she was sorry! Apparently they had tried to phone me on Wednesday to say I needn't come in, since Norway had lifted the bloodtest from their requirements for pets. Unfortunately by the time they had phoned, I had been at work and this morning I had been out in the garden.

Never mind though, since I was there, I could still get Wuppie's ear seen to. As you no doubt remember his ear had a hematoma in it and I was told it was to go away on its own accord, leaving a cauliflower ear. Well, the hematoma is gone, but his ear is now very hard and still quite thick. No blood in it anymore fortunately, but it still isn't good. So, instead of drawing blood from both cats, I took both of them home and several boxes of medication. Something against fleas and ticks, another one against worms and then the three boxes for Wuppie alone!

But the best news is of course: both cats are coming to Norway with me!! Yippie!!

Right!

We are going orange again!!

Work has been okay the last few days. Not much going on and definitely not those awful long days of old. It will probably really kick in sometime in the second week of May. And since half the staff went walkies, there is the same amount of work for less drivers! Should keep me in overtime at least...

Wuppie is almost back to normal. Not his ear though, his ear will never be normal again, but it least it stopped oozing and stinking. I just have to clean it out on a regular basis, because it's even harder to clean now than it was before (and he always had dirty ears before). He doesn't mind though, it stopped hurting as well.

Tomorrow is Queen's Day in the Netherlands. The day when we (officially) celebrate the Queen's birthday, but basically it's just one massive excuse to have the biggest open air market in the world: every city, town, village and hamlet will have stalls, carpets, cars and what have you with adults and children trying to sell you all the stuff you sold the year before.

In the mean time the Queen herself makes an appearance in two or three villages or towns in one region of the country. And masses of people show up for that. And where there's masses of people, there are buses. And I will be driving one of them. I will remember to take my camera to see what fun I can spot tomorrow (I doubt it will be the Queen) and of course I will put on my lovely orange hat. Got to stay in keeping of course!

Well, that's new!

Ever since two of my ladies passed away (Sophie and Mathilda), the remaining two monsters have been acting a bit different. Linette has become a bit more vocal now and will let me know that she doesn't want me to walk around at home: she wants me to sit on the couch and have her on my lap! If I am behind the computer she will every once in a while come up, miaow complainingly and then go downstairs again. She is a silly puss!

Wuppie of course has had to deal with his ear being all funny. After I came back from London it was still very thick and it had started to smell as well. And to ease the pain, he had started scratching his ear, which did not result in a nice look. When I came back from the visit to my sister, the ear was oozing: both blood and I guess some pus. I was able to squeeze it all out though, which was good. And now the fluid is mostly gone. There isn't room for it anymore, since his ear is really thick and hard and tough. He has stopped scratching and the ear looks a bit better again. Apart from it being thick and hard and tough of course!

The thing he does now if he doesn't get enough attention: he stands on his hind legs and puts his front legs on my legs: I want attention!!

Off to see the world

First of all I have to start with Wuppie of course. Well, his ear is now as big as it can get and filled with blood again. According to everything I read and what the vet said, it's a matter of letting it go its course, ie: the blood has to drain away naturally again. I think it is bothering him somewhat, since it's blocking his hearing a bit. But then again, he has never been one for listening attentively to me...

Linette deserves a mention of course as well. She is doing fine. She has found a new place to sleep: on my shoulder! That way, I can move about a bit and she will still be comfy. *Sigh*

War cemetery near Ypres (Belgium)

But of course talking about my monsters doesn't explain the title of this post. On Thursday I was told (not asked, told), that I will go to France on Monday morning. For five days. Normandy to be exact. So, I spent all day today (well, about three hours) looking at the routes and at where we're going. As long as I know the word for cemetery (cimétière) I will go a long way I think, because we will be visiting museums and cemeteries and Omaha beach. Most of it to do with WW2, some with WW1. Even though the destinations are pretty grim, I am looking forward to it, since I have never been to Normandy before and have wanted to for quite some time.

So, if my posts are a bit non-existent next week: it has all to do with my trip. I will be gone for five days and I will take my camera so I can show you all. Au revoir!