I usually run with a theme. The week just gone has been difficult. Summer has finally arrived and my MS is thriving. Much more importantly both kittens are in trouble again and we have spent much of the week with the vet. Odie has yet another respiratory infection and diarrhea. Batty is in more serious trouble. We noticed he was limping badly and had trouble getting onto things. Multiple xrays and tests later the ugly truth was revealed. He has luxating patellas. Essentially his knees dislocate. His hips are not good either and he has a weak rear hock. We were given anti inflammatories and painkillers for him (combined in the one dose in liquid form). And of course the medication disagreed with him. More negotiations with the vet. We have a week to try and get the condition under control - after which it will mean a trip to a specialist vet. Poor Batty. Poor, poor Batty. He is mostly a happy chap though and demands pats and continues to purr loudly. He also still insists on climbing into laps, onto the chairs and onto the bed, despite it being more difficult. The vet thinks his problems are congenital, and has suggested the same is true of Odie's recurrent infections.
That chair is a favoured spot for both of them - they can look out the window at the birds and keep an eye on what is happening in the room.
Most of you are well aware that I am a beauty addict. Even on difficult days/weeks I find it.
I hope you find beauty, fun and health in your week.
It really is true. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate you sharing the beauty you behold with the rest of us.
Thoughts and prayers are still with you and the cats.
Wally Jones: Thank you. I appreciate (so much) the beauty you and Gini bring to us with every post.
DeleteThe pictures of the lads are so heart warming, EC, brought tears thinking of their ongoing troubles. So very sad and heartbreaking for you both. But they landed in such a good place, they are blessed indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove the murals, fascinating.
Yes, beauty is everywhere if only we open our eyes.
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Thank you. Beauty (in a range of guises) sustains me.
DeleteHi EC - so challenging for you all - it's lovely seeing the cats happy, though sad to know their story ... let alone yours ... and as you say beauty is everywhere ... and human beauty shines through in many cases. Take care and sent with thoughts from a not desperately happy UK - I'm switched off from things and just get on as best I can - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Switching off from things is sometimes and essential isn't it? Hugs and thanks to you.
DeleteWhat fun murals. So sorry your kitties are under the weather. It's so heartbreaking when our pets are ailing, and don't understand what's going on.
ReplyDeleteMarty: It is. And how I wish I could convince the cats that consuming their medication will help them, and that it is not poison.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Odie and Batty's struggles. My heart goes out to you. Such enormous troubles and tears.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll have a shorter than normal sweaty season as well. I wish I could send an ice shower your way.
It's wonderful to see that in the middle of all of this you can still find the beauty which surrounds you. Gigantic hugs sent your way, my wonderful friend.
River Fairchild: An ice shower would be MORE than welcome. Thank you dear friend. Lots.
DeleteThe Emus are cute, but I would get afraid of tese other ones goint into that alley in the dark. Poor kitties! And yes, we all need beauty!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I like all the murals. I suspect a mural with people on it would be more likely to frighten me - and hooray for beauty.
DeleteThat's terrible the kittens continue to have issues. Will medication fix Batty or is surgery in the possible future? Poor kitty.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: The jury is still out on whether Batty can be fixed and if so, what it will take.
DeletePoor kitties, I feel bad for them and for you and your wallet. They look very health and their fur are so shiny. I hope that they will grow out of this as they mature. They couldn't find a better home than at your place.
ReplyDeleteThe murals are breathtakingly beautiful. It takes a lot of talent to paint large objects on murals. Beauty is such a gift.
Be well all of you. Hugs.
Julia
Julia: You are right. Beauty IS a gift, and one I am endlessly thankful for.
DeleteI am so very sorry you are facing these problems! Nonetheless, this post and your photos radiate with love and warmth. I wish the best for you 💋
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you and Pixie.
DeleteI am really sorry to hear of the kitties' travails. But as many have already said, they couldn't have ended up in a better environment than they did, with you two. Sending many virtual hugs and hoping for better news at some point.
ReplyDeleteDJan: Fingers and toes crossed. Tightly.
DeleteLove these murals. They are so colourful and cute to look at. The skies are very pretty too
ReplyDeleteroentare: The murals are great aren't they?
DeleteI'm sorry that your kiddycat is ikn bad taste, send him my lkove.
ReplyDeleteI love your murals, EC.
Bob Bushell: Thank you.
DeleteThat wasp is amazing. Such beautiful art! Sorry about the kitty, Alaska, our husky, had a bought of a stomach bug this week. Thankfully she's on the mend now (I think) but I dreaded having to bring her to the vet as well.
ReplyDeleteJuli: The wasp is incredible isn't it? I hear you on dreading those trips to the vet.
DeletePoor little Odie and Batty. Learning this makes me so sad. I do hope something can be done to ease their pain and discomfort...not just briefly but permanently. My positive thoughts are with them. And cuddles from me and Shama to them. Hugs, hugs, hugs, Odie and Batty.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling better soon, too, EC. It's time for some good news, I believe! Take good care. May the coming week be much kinder to you all.
Lee: Thank you and Shama so very much. Fingers are tightly crossed.
DeleteI'm sorry the kitty's are having such a hard time of it.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Thank you. So are we.
DeleteThey are such great murals, especially the emus. That's is really not great news about your young ones. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: The emus were a great find. Fingers and toes are tightly crossed for the kittens.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about the troubles with the kittens - poor wee mites. Fingers crossed that the vet will be able to help them...
ReplyDeleteThe murals are excellent - great colours, and I love the eyes!
I hope that you can cope with the heat and that you are able to enjoy your lovely garden.
Alexia: In this heat I am looking at the garden from inside. And mourning the work that needs doing. I do hope (so much) that the vet (and/or the specialist) can help the kittens.
DeleteHang in there kitties!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised to one day see wasps that big. After all, we do have murder hornets now.
Mike: They are hanging. I hope not to see a wasp of that size. I suspect it could swat us rather than the other way round. And its sting would be a deadly weapon.
DeleteSometimes words do not come easy to me. Be sure my good thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: Thank you. Your good thoughts mean a lot.
DeleteThe seasonal discomfort must be a huge DRAG. I'm sorry that it's that time of year again for you.
ReplyDeletePoor kitties. And it's interesting to note that pets can, of course, display symptoms stemming from congenital issues just like us. Pats and purrs must surely help. xx
Bea: The seasonal discomfort IS a huge drag. Made worse because this year the neurologist has told me that the MS is active again and that there are new lesions on my brain. I hope will all of my heart that we find a way to cure/manage the kittens issues.
DeleteThe murals are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI hope the pets’ health improves, EC. As well as yours. Take care.
Marie Smith: Thank you. On both counts.
DeleteThe poor kitties, i hope you and your vet can come up with a treatment plan to give them a long, relatively healthy life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the beauty of your world with us.
My selections will be over here.
messymimi: I am really hoping that the vet can work magic too. Thank you - and I am looking forward to seeing your selections in a little while.
DeleteSo sorry about the kittens and the miserable MS. Love the murals. I am in awe of artists who can capture the essence of animals and also somehow make them humorous and relatable.
ReplyDeleteFrances: Thank you. I am also awed by artists, whatever their genre. I am also grateful. So very grateful.
DeletePoor Batty and Odie. Batty is very photogenic, though and neither cat seems to be afraid of the camera. Sorry to read your MS has flared again, too. Seems life can be a bit daunting at times.
ReplyDeleteYou have found some really lovely sky scenes and those murals are so unique and unusual. I was also quite impressed with the various animals and bugs the artist(s) created.
Please stay safe and try to keep stress free in yur time oof pain and suffering, dear friend.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: Thank you. My MS often does flare up at this time of year, but my heart aches for the kittens. I so hope that a solution can be found.
DeleteI love the murals. I'm so sad to hear Odie and Batty are unwell again. It seems their problems will be lifelong? That's going to be tough.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I had to rescue you from spam today. I hope that we can find a solution to both kittens issues. Batty's will be more challenging, poor baby. I hate to see him in pain and struggling to walk. The murals are good aren't they?
DeletePoor old pussies! I hope they get some level of relief from the medication. Those murals are particularly well done.
ReplyDeleteJohn "By Stargoose And Hanglands": Fingers crossed for the kittens. The murals are fun aren't they?
DeleteThought I'd mention that I usually have 4 or 5 comments from regulars which end up in spam. I check it 2 times a day, usually. I'm sorry that Batty is doing so poorly.
ReplyDeleteBill: I have found that the same people keep being classified as spam. Mostly. Thank you, we are sorry for the kittens too.
DeleteOh your poor sweet kitties. I hope they will be okay. My Manny has been roaming around the house crying. I have no idea what is wrong with him other than boredom. Once he settles, he's fine, but it seems to take forever until he does. I wish it was summer here. It's only 35 this morning in the deep south. Sorry your MS is thriving. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteWe are: Clamco: I wish I could send our summer to you. We are heading for 35 today too - Celcius not Farenheit. I hope you find out what is making Manny cry.
DeleteIt is very sad that you have to bring us such dire news of your beloved cats, Sue. No doubt it piles great stress on that you are already experiencing from your MS. Stay strong, difficult though it may be, and rejoice in the beauty all around you.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Thank you. Beauty is a saviour for me. Always. And how I wish I was strong.
DeleteI'm so sorry your MS is flaring up and that your cats are having such health problems. They are both sweet faced kitties. I hope a solution can be found for their problems and that your own condition improves soon.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Varadan: Thank you.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your MS and about the two kittens . None of you should be having to go through all this.
I always enjoy seeing your beautiful skies. The murals are great too.
I wish I could do something more practical to help, but I am sending you all virtual hugs and letting you know I am thinking of you.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Thank you. While thoughts and well wishes change nothing they mean a lot to me.
DeleteFeel sad for the kitties...
ReplyDeleteLove the murals.
ashok: I agree - on both counts.
DeleteSo sorry for all the health issues. It is upsetting having ill pets. You try to do the best you can, and that is all they want from us.
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
Jenn Jilks: Thank you. How I wish that the best I can was more effective.
DeleteI am sorry to hear about the illnesses. ☕️ Here is some dandelion tea to cheer your soul.
ReplyDeleteSandi: Thank you.
DeleteOh, your poor cats. But, they look so unbelievably calm and contented. Hard to believe there is a problem. Take care of your MS. Hope you find relief soon.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: I believe/think/hope they are happy cats. I wish they were healthy too.
DeleteDear EC: try this to read my latest post on my new blog: https://elizabethvaradan.wordpress.com/2023/01/15/welcome-and-a-new-post-about-braga/
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Varadan: Thank you. That link did allow me to access your new blog.
DeleteOh, no. The poor kitty-babies, and poor you. What a crappy start to summer. Sending good vibes for strength and healing to your household.
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Summer (known here as the sweaty season) is my least favourite time of year. I really, really hope we can find some healing for the cats, and that when the cooler weather returns my MS subsides again.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear of the kittens' issues ... and yours. It gets old, dealing with those things, and when they get taken up a notch or three, it gets even older. The stress is enormous. I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteLove the emus. The bugs are too big for me to like, though they are well executed :)
jenny_o: It does indeed get old. It gets old very fast. The emus made us both smile broadly - at a time when smiles were in short supply.
DeleteI'm so sorry that the kitties and you are troubled with health issues. Wishing all of you better soonest. Finding beauty on the ugly days keeps me sane too, and you've always contributed towards that. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNilanjana Bose: Thank you. My own health issues are pretty much a given in summer, but how I wish that the kittens were not challenged so much. Beauty is a panacea isn't it. I am grateful that there is a lot of it about.
DeleteI am so sorry to read about the kittens continued health problems, I did enjoy seeing their photographs.
ReplyDeleteSorry too about your MS, sending lots of healing wishes your way.
I thought the murals you've shared are so colourful and cute.
Nice skies too.
Thinking of you and hoping you have a better week this week.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. The kittens are photogenic little beasties aren't they? We bought a new bed for Batty so he doesn't have to climb and both of them love it. Fingers crossed we all have a better week.
DeleteGreat post on lifes beauty, sorry about your MS keep strong ♥
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you. I am much more worried about the kittens than I am myself.
DeleteLove those cat's eyes!
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: We do too. They are incredibly expressive.
DeleteI do love those emu's and wish to get a print for my wall! I feel so for you, with the vet bills that must be overwhelming for the boys. I feel for the boys too, and your vet is probably right about the congenital origin. I have not one but two neighbors who have Batty's issue with joints that dislocate easily. One is a man, in his early 40's and the other a young woman.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: The emus are great aren't they? Even looking at the photos I took makes me smile. The vet bills are high, but a part of sharing our lives with the cats. Hopefully we will find a solution, so that poor Batty's joints don't pop so often.
DeleteI'm sorry it's been so harsh for you, hon. Please find hope, however fragile. Love you.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Many, many thanks.
DeleteThose murals were done by some really talented artists! I am so sorry about your babies. Scuba lived until 14 years, and we visited the vet until he said that Scuba was in pain (he was) and we needed to make a decision. It was so hard.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: It IS a hard decision. At the moment we are looking at ways for the cats to live with disabilities. Fingers crossed. Yes, the murals are a joy.
DeleteThanks again for sharing the beauty.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: It is my pleasure.
DeleteI love, love, love the artwork!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame the kittens have health issues, I hope you can get them stabilised and not have to trade your metaphorical first born.
I hope you get a break from heat and the worst of the ms
kylie: Thank you. Fingers crossed that we can indeed stabilise the furry boys. And that the heat backs off.
DeleteI can feel the love you have for your kitties. Our furry ones are so special to us.
ReplyDeleteT. Powell Coltrin: You can comment using your identity? That is a huge plus. And yes, the furry ones are indeed special.
DeleteThanks for sharing the beauty you see and the beauty in you, my friend. Hope all the illnesses improve soon. Glenda
ReplyDeleteGlenda: Thank you.
DeleteI envy your warmer weather, as I love summer; but am sorry to hear about your MS flare. So sad to hear about the kitties and hope things improve all the way around. It sounds like a lot to deal with. The sky pictures are beautiful. I tried to get a picture last night, as the sunset was goregous, but the picture didn't show how pretty it really was.
ReplyDeleteSandy: It is very hard to capture the beauty of the sky in a photograph isn't it? I certainly find it so. Thank you for your hopeful wishes. Fingers crossed.
DeleteI hope you have an enjoyable summer. So sorry to hear about your cats particularly poor Batty. I will put both of them in my prayers. I always add a prayer for children and animals. I hope that they will be all right. My kittens Ringo and Michelle send their most sincerest meows. Many blessings to you,
ReplyDeleteRasma Sandra: Thank you. I am glad to hear that you have new kittens in your life too.
DeleteOh, EC. I'm so sorry you and the kitties are having to deal with serious health issues. Life can be so unfair. I laud the indomitable spirits in your household. The murals are adorable.
ReplyDeleteMuch love.
Sandra Cox: Thank you. Sometimes life isn't fair, but it has some wonderful moments just the same.
DeleteSo sorry that the MS is kicking in and that the cats are still sick. Ugh. Sending lots of well wishes.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: Thank you. MS and summer go together but my heart aches for the kittens.
DeleteAww to the kitties. Thy are lucky to have you. xoxo
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: We count ourselves lucky to have them and wish we could keep them healthy.
DeleteSorry to hear your week has not gone well, for you and the kitties. I hope next week will show improvement for you all. Their photos show how adorable they are. I admire you for finding beauty even on difficult days, it keeps us going as your photos of those stunning skies and those murals gave me the biggest smile. Thank you so much, even with the week you have had, you are making us smile :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. Beauty is a panacea and a solace to me and I will never stop looking for it. I am glad that the murals made you smile.
DeleteYour poor kitties, Sue! And now I see it must be MS that is behind your walking challenges. I'm sure I've read it before, but I have a memory like a sieve these days. I hope that you are all feeling better soon. I believe there is beauty everywhere, if you have eyes to see it. Right now I'm watching the Eddie surfing competition on tv. It takes place in Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii. Talk about beauty! It would be awesome to see these magnificent waves for real, but the traffic and the difficulty of snagging a spot to watch is more than I care to deal with right now. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: Yes it is the MS. Mind you it could be any number of worse things. MS wasn't on my wish list, but I mostly manage ok. You are so right about there being beauty everywhere. Isn't it wonderful?
DeleteMy NBN has been down so I missed your post. I hope the kittens are going okay, I feel for them and for you and hope solutions are soon found to help them. The emu artwork is definitely a smile-maker.
ReplyDeleteKim: I am sorry that your NBN was down. It is amazing how dependent we get on internet access isn't it? I am glad that the emus made you smile too. Batty continues to worry us - back to the vet tomorrow.
DeleteI hope the vet was able to help Batty
DeleteKim: Sadly no. We had another vet trip yesterday (we need to be on frequent flyer points). We are back to watch and wait. He is better but not right. Surgery may be the next step.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear that, the poor little kitten. It's so hard when our pets aren't going well. It makes me think how often I'd make very good use of a magic wand.
DeleteKim: I hear you. If I had one my magic wand would get a work out.
Delete