I usually run with a theme. Of course I went out with the camera to try and capture this week's full moon (the second of the month). And of course most of them were an abysmal failure. However I thought these shots as the moon rose behind a tree were interesting.
Coming inside again I saw some movement on the veranda, and fired off a couple of quick (and not good) shots. The visiting possum (a young one I think) is back. Fortunately he or she hasn't found a way into our roof cavity.
Batty went back to the vet again last week. They have now decided he probably has asthma and chronic bronchitis. So we have to give him shots from an inhaler twice a day. The gadget we used is called SpaceKitty. Batty is unimpressed. His nose and mouth have to be covered by the mask, the inhaler fired and then the mask has to be held in place for between five and seven breaths. We bleed. It does seem to help a little. Back to the vet in a fortnight to monitor progress. If this isn't the problem the next tests will be more invasive.
In other medical news, I have had my MRI and am waiting for an appointment with the neurologist. This week I have physio, a blood test and probably an appointment with my General Practioner. And Lifeline. And the Out of the Shadow's walk. A busy week by my standards.
I hope your week is productive. And fun.
Is that the recent Blue Moon?
ReplyDeleteMike: Yes it is.
DeleteInteresting Moon pictures!
ReplyDeleteWshing you Best medical results!
Hopefully, Batty does well both at home and at the Vet!
DUTA: Thank you - on all counts.
DeleteThat little possum is oh so cute and you got some grand moon shots.Thinking of you and wishing you and Batty good health.
ReplyDeleteHuge hug. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Thank you. I struggle to get good moon shots and my currently very shaky hands don't help. The possum is cute isn't it? The kittens are fascinated by it too.
DeleteI hope all your tests go well and Batty's health improves too. I like your moon shots and what a lovely visitor you had. Happy September to you.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. Isn't that possum a cutie? Happy September to you too.
DeleteI like the third moon photo from top best. Be good used in something Halloween themed. I've never heard of asthma med given that way to a cat. I would think a homemade nebulizer box (have seen them on youtube) with the stuff in there might work better. You are going to have to rob a big bank to keep him going sounds like. Your possums are cuter than ours here.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I will have to check out the home made nebuliser for cats. Batty has been a very expensive kitten. I am grateful we can meet his bills. Possums are cute - but NOT in the roof space. Years back a friend's ceiling collapsed under the weight of possum piddle.
DeleteOh gosh, you are killing me with that visual and associated smell of the possum piddle ceiling collapse.
DeleteStrayer: It was spectacularly awful.
DeleteBeautiful moons, a walking where a Possum was a animal, lovely. Poor Batty and you, sorry for EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I do love the moon and struggle to take photos I am happy with. I will be ok and I hope Batty will too.
DeleteBusy week isn’t a strong enough word for your frantic pace. I hope you are rested enough to enjoy the walk!
ReplyDeleteHolding Batty for a countdown has got to be tough… and painful for the humans.
You take such beautiful moon shots. I managed one between cloud cover and it fell far short of the image I was looking at. Oh well.
Take care of yourself through all the busyness!
River Fairchild
River Fairchild: I am hoping that (after this week) things calm down again. And that Batty adjusts to his new medication. So much. I hear you on photos NOT reflecting what we see. Sigh.
DeleteGlad to know there is something that helps Batty, although it does sound painful. And fingers crossed for your own doctor ordeals. Thanks for the update(s).
ReplyDeleteDJan: At least the new medical routine doesn't hurt Batty. He doesn't like it, but feels no pain. Except the indignity.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeletePoor Batty and poor you too. I hope both of you start to feel better. I like the possum photos too. Your moon photos are better than mine - my camera is rubbish in low light!
I do hope your week goes well and that you manage to have some time for you too.
Sending more virtual hugs to you
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Shortly I am going out into the garden for a bit - definitely me time. I wonder why it is so difficult to get photos of the moon. It seems that lots of us struggle. Thanks for the hugs which are reciprocated.
DeleteHappy September - the year is flying by.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your moon photographs.
I hope your tests went well and your other appointments too, a busy medical week plus everything else too!
Hoping poor Batty's health does improve ... neither of you are having a good time medically at the moment.
Sending lots and lots of healing, and good wishes, to you.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: The year is rushing past isn't it? We really, really hope that this IS the answer and the solution for poor Batty. He has had a really rough time of it. And thank you.
DeletePoor Batty - everything is wrong with him!
ReplyDeleteMoon shots are amazing.
And your opossum are much cuter than ours.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: I think that possums are cute too. Batty has had a really rough ride hasn't he? I didn't even know that cats could get asthma.
DeleteLove the super moon pics you took. Hope Batty improve in a short time.
ReplyDeleteroentare: Thank you. Coming from a photographer of your calibre that is high praise.
DeleteGood morning, EC...dear little Batty....he sure deals with a lot...his name could be short for "Battler". So lucky he is to have you.
ReplyDeleteTake very good care....I know you are...but you know my best thoughts and wishes go out to you. May only good things come your way over the coming week.
Lee: Batty definitely is a battler. I hope (so much) that the vet has finally got to the bottom of his breathing difficulties. And thank you. This week will be difficult but hopefully the coming weeks will be calmer.
DeleteAt least you became the blue moon to see, Sue. Here she hid herself behind clouds. My good thoughts are with you and battling Batty.
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: I was very glad to see the moon. We often miss it due to cloud cover. Someday I will be able to take a photograph that I am happy with. And thank you for your thoughts for Batty and me.
DeleteI hope you get some relief with the medical issues soon, EC.
ReplyDeletePoor Batty. But poor you! It can’t be easy to help Batty!
Marie Smith: You are right. Batty doesn't make it easy to help him. He hates it all - including the trip(s) in the car to see the vet. Fingers tightly crossed for relief for us both.
DeleteI love your moon shots.
ReplyDeleteOh, a brushtail possum, the savage little beasts that tourists rightly fear.
I'm guessing as the days go on, getting Batty to inhale won't get easier.
And good luck with your various appointments.
DeleteAndrew: I hope giving Batty his meds DOES get easier. I really hope it. So many of our native beasties are scary. And thank you. I hope my appointments go well. Next week it is Batty's turn again.
DeleteCouldn't see the moon. The sky was very cloudy.
ReplyDeleteA very busy week indeed. Hope it goes smoothly for all.
Caterina: I am sorry you missed the moon. And thank you.
DeleteThe first moon photo looks like you are in a cave peering out through a small hole.
ReplyDeleteSandi: I can see that - thank you for a different perspective.
DeleteNice Blue Moon shots. I use an inhaler once a day, and it is faster than Batty's treatment, though I don't see how his can be much easier/better. Poor Batty. Best wishes to you and your upcoming battery.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: Poor Batty indeed. I do hope this is the answer for him though. And thank you too.
DeleteI love the tracery on the moon shots, well done. And now I see what you mean on Batty's equipment, a devil of a time getting it on to him. And of course the week ahead is far too busy.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Too busy indeed. Hopefully no more gets added to the mix. Batty is really being pretty good at the invasion of his personal space and fortunately doesn't hold a grudge.
DeleteI do like your moon shots. Mine never turn out, i'll try from behind branches some time and see if it works for me.
ReplyDeletePoor Batty, and poor you and your sweetheart. At the shelter, they've turned large, sealable tubs into "nebulizers" for the cats. They don't like it, but they're in there and they have to breathe the stuff for a few minutes and it does seem to help.
Your possum is much cuter than our opossum, although most people drop the "o" on ours. Marsupials they may be, but ours are often very ugly looking and quite viscious.
My selections will be over here.
messymimi: I can see how the tubs would work - except that Batty unlike most cats doesn't like enclosed spaces. We will persevere. Our possums have a vicious bite and scratch if they are cornered (as many a dog and cat an attest) but are not a threat to people. As always I look forward to your selections.
DeleteWhy? Yes, that is a busy week. Perhaps if you wrapped Batty in a towel you would not bleed. I hope that you are well and free of all the medical investigation for you and Batty very soon. I love you my friend. All the best, Aloha
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Being wrapped in a towel stresses Batty out. Being picked up doesn't. I heal. And he is trying to get away not to hurt me. Thanks for your support.
DeleteDear EC - I am very impressed by your moon pictures - I love the black/white contrast, and I think you did a great job of capturing them. We had 3 nights of a huge moon - not blue, of course, but brilliant with orange touches; I spent lots of time looking at it...
ReplyDeleteI do hope that Batty does well with his new medication, and that he will be happy and flourish - and those wishes are for you as well !!
Tomorrow I have what I hope will be my last visit to the ophthalmologist - I am looking forward to having an eye that doesn't hurt all the time. I'm afraid possums are not on my list of pleasant creatures to have around; they cause a lot of damage to trees/plants and other critters, and most New Zealanders wish they would just disappear permanently.
I hope your week goes well for you all.
Alexia: Thank you. We spent a lot of time watching and delighting in the moon too.
DeleteBatty doesn't like having his medication applied but holds no grudges. I do hope it is the solution.
Good luck at the opthamologist. I cannot imagine dealing with an eye that hurts all the time. I do well understand your dislike of possums. Imported animals too often thrive.
Fascinated by that possum.
ReplyDeleteTomichan Matheikal: Welcome and thank you. Some people don't like them, but I do. This one is welcome - as long as it stays out of our roof.
DeleteHope you get on ok with your test.
ReplyDeleteThat cat must be costing a lot of money and I can understand how you bleed trying to put the mask on the cat, oh dear me.
Like your photos of the blue moon and the tree..
Take care.
Margaret D: It is not so much putting the mask on, but holding it there after we have fired the puffer. Hopefully he will get more used to it over time.
DeleteThank you re the photos.
Sorry I don't get around much anymore. One of the drawbacks of being a professional writer (not nearly as impressive as it sounds) is I spend a lot of time promoting and networking (blech) and not nearly enough time creating. I'm doing my ninth annual 30 Days of Haiga and I thought you might like today's creation. Hope the treatments are helpful to Batty.
ReplyDeletehttps://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2023/09/willow.html
Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost: It is nice to see you here, and I will head over to read your haiga shortly. Promoting and networking strike me as hard work and I do hope you are seeing positive results.
DeleteI like the moon shots with the tree branches across. Is it possible to wrap Batty in a large towel to hold him safely while administering the inhaler?
ReplyDeleteRiver: I have just rescued your comment from spam. Batty really hates being enclosed so we are trying to avoid wrapping him up tightly. It might yet come to that though. I mostly get scratched when he is getting down. I liked looking at the moon through the trees - and the photos of it there came out MUCH better than the ones when it was higher in the sky.
DeleteYour possums may not be welcome guests, but they're not nearly as homely as ours--- Our only marsupial! Ours do a lot of good and do not attack. They "play possum" when frightened. I join the others in hoping Batty gets better. But I also hope whatever your ailment is, that it is identified and dispatched soon!
ReplyDeleteBill: Thank you. Our possums are not homely at all. I think they are super cute and love the way they happily adapt to life in the city.
DeleteYou're welcome to come and get mine. All of them. Every last one. Please.
DeleteRiver: One is plenty.
DeleteThe moon is so tough to capture that I am always disappointed when i try.
ReplyDeleteCute little possum, they're delightful but not in ceilings.
I can only wish you and Batty well. I hope he gets used to the medication and just accepts it as part of his routine
kylie: I am so glad to learn that other people struggle to capture the moon. Thank you. We are hoping that Batty will adapt - while mourning that he needs to if that makes sense.
DeleteThe moon is a constant in the lives of all of us, and it distresses me that there is now discussion of setting up mining operations there. I guess we have screwed the Earth and now need to ruin somewhere else. We are such a sorry bunch.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: We are indeed a sorry bunch and I hope that plans to mine the moon fail to come to fruition.
DeleteMy God, you and your cat have so many health issues. I am amazed that you are still a faithful blogger. On the other hand, I find that blogging brings me so much joy and keeps my mind out of the muck of life. Take care.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: Blogging brings me joy too - and continuing education. I hope that our health issues settle down. And many other people also have issues (you included) but don't carry on about it.
DeleteHi EC – oh dear scratches and misery for poor Batty – I do hope it eases for him and you both. Not easy at all.
ReplyDeleteWith thoughts re the feedback from consulant, blood test, GP and a sense of relief with the physio. Enjoy the walk … and so pleased you're helping others with Lifeline – a busy week as you say.
We're having a late summer heatwave … so I'll be enjoying the great outdoors and other things. The blue moon here was gorgeous to see – I love that it's so creamy coloured – your pics are a delight to see.
Cheers and all the best - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Enjoy your time outside - as I am sure you will. The Out of the Shadows Walk is a personal commitment and I am looking forward to it. Poor Batty indeed.
DeleteI think those moon shots are very good, The moon is such a lousy model ;) And I cross all fingers for conclusive and hopefuly good results from all your testings.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): The moon is so beautiful that I am often very frustrated in trying to capture and share that beauty. Thank you for your crossed fingers.
DeleteYour moon pictures are better than mine.
ReplyDeleteWho knew that they had such a thing as an inhaler with mask and spacer for cats? Batty will feel so much better. My husband also uses a spacer with his inhaler.
I hope that your test and appointments all go well this week.
Take care, hugs.
Julia
Julia: So many of us struggle with moon shots don't we? I will keep trying. I didn't even know that cats got asthma, and hope that his suffering will soon be relieved.
DeleteThanks for your wishes for this week.
I hope you get good news from the neurologist. Poor Batty. I'm sure that's not easy to do with a cat.
ReplyDeleteLove the moon shots.
Mary Kirkland: Giving him is medication isn't easy - but he doesn't hold a grudge. And thank you too.
DeleteI think your "moon shots" turned out very interesting and attractive - wonderful little vignettes of bare branches.
ReplyDeletePoor Batty; and poor you for having to "donate blood" so regularly for his care. He's very lucky to have you for his human family.
Wishing you the best of luck with all your tests and appointments! :-)
Diane Henders: Some days (particularly when the vet is involved) Batty would disagree about his luck in joining our family. Thank you too - re the photos and the coming week.
DeleteAwesome moon photos. Keeping both you and Batty in my prayers and I hope Batty will improve. Have a good new week ahead.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you. You have a good week too.
DeleteBest wishes with your tests. I have my physical this week, so it's bloodwork for me and whatever else the doctor orders. That moon made me want to howl, but all I said to the dogs was que bella luna.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: Good luck with your tests. My mostly failed photographs of the moon made me want to howl.
DeleteA lua fotografada no seu melhor!
ReplyDeleteAs melhoras do Batty!
💗💋💗Megy Maia
Megy Maia: Thank you for your flattery and wishes for Batty.
DeleteI feel like with a name like space kitty it should come in the shape of a small astronaut helmet.
ReplyDeleteJuli: I take your point but shudder at the idea of fitting an astronaut helmet to any cat. Batty included.
DeleteGiving meds to cats is masochistic to the point of suicidal. I do hope Kitty gets well before you need blood transfusions.
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for an MRI. Our government is too cheap to pay for more than a few per day so though three to four times as many could be done in a day, the waiting list is months long. Also waiting on a colonoscopy and endoscopy as follow up to the surgery I had five years ago. Not looking forward to that.
The Blog Fodder: Today (for the first time) we gave him his medication without me bleeding. I hope a precedent has been set.
DeleteIf I went through the public health system for an MRI I would be waiting months too. Good luck with all of your tests. I hope they all have nothing of concern.
I have never heard of an inhaler like that for a cat, and cannot imagine how difficult it must be to administer. I hope it gets easier with time. That possum is seriously cute! I'm thinking of you as you wait for answers...
ReplyDeleteKim: I didn't even realise that cats could get asthma, much less that they would need an inhaler. It isn't easy, but is getting a little better. I am hoping that after a while Batty will consider it just part of his day.
DeleteI even like listening to the possum cough on the veranda in the early hours and agree that it is seriously cute. Thanks for your thoughts too.
Cuesta trabajo fotografiar la luna. Ha sido una buena idea , fotografiarla tras la rama de los árboles.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo
VENTANA DE FOTO: Thank you. My shots of the moon behind the tree were the only ones worth keeping or sharing. Have a great week.
DeleteBrilliant photos, good luck to kitty xx
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you.
DeleteIntriguing photos of the moon! Well done.
ReplyDeleteKeeping my fingers crossed for good reports on your health.
Love and light to you, EC.
Rawknrobyn: Many thanks. Love and light is a wonderful salutation.
DeleteFull moon, possum, cat. Sounds like the ingredients for a mystery novel.
ReplyDeleteGini and I hope all your testing and medical visits all have positive outcomes. We are all too familiar with a calendar filled with doctors.
Wally Jones: And a black cat at that. Some days our lives do feel that our lives are a novel. A badly written one. Sigh at a calendar filled with doctors - who I count as a regrettably necessary evil.
DeleteLIfe is never easy. Sounds like yours is a roll of dice. I am also waiting for results of a lumbar puncture biopsy. Maybe my neurologist will give me a ring? Those lunar photos are excellent!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: I hope your neurologist does ring - but don't hold your breath. Unless blue is your colour. And I hope the results when you get them are good.
Deletethecontemplativecat here Anonymous messes with me. Hope Batty does well with her treatments. Jazz and Jewel shown below? Have they passed? I love black cats; our son had one, Scuba. Lived to be 14.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Jazz and Jewel have indeed both left us - and are still mourned.
DeleteThat last moon shot looks like cobwebs on the moon, doesn't it? Hope today is a healthy day for you and Batty.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Thank you. I thought of cobwebs across the moon too. Batty hasn't wheezed so far today - which I am taking as a positive. He hasn't had his morning meds yet though.
DeleteYay for no wheezing. Hope you're having a decent one too.
DeleteHugs Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: The wheezing hasn't gone completely but is significantly reduced. I have had a v busy day and will have an early night.
DeleteLove the moon shots! I can never get good ones. Sending hugs and hopes your way!!
ReplyDeleteJemi Fraser: Thank you. Many of us seem to struggle with moon shots.
DeleteYou captured some great shots of the Blue Super Moon, Sue! I didn't get any, because my eyes were really bothering me then, but I did enjoy it, even after it was full. Your possums are much cuter than ours ~ nice quick draw with the camera. I'm glad that you are making progress on your medical mysteries! Poor Batty. I can believe you're bleeding. Poor you too! Good luck with your busy week! Take care!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: Your poor eyes. I hope you can find a solution and am glad you enjoyed watching it. It is my hands that are the problem. They shake - big time. Tomorrow I have an appointment with the neurologist - and I am hopeful.
DeleteI loved those moon images! So beautiful. You do have an eye.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Batty. It never occurred to me there was an inhalator that would fit a kitty. How great modern veterinarian medicine is.
Hope your doctor report is good, Sue. All my best.
cleemckenzie: I had never considered kitten inhalers either. Batty still says it is torture, but it does seem to be belping. And thank you.
DeleteI love moon pictures takes and sharing and viewing. So magical. One of these days I'll own a real camera that gets up close and personal. :) Love the trees through the moonlight too.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for good news this medical season!!!
Yolanda Renee: Just at the moment I will settle for any answers - though good ones would be lovely. The moon is magical isn't it?
DeleteHas The Out of The Shadows walk taken place yet?
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Not yet. Sunday morning. Early. It starts just before dawn.
DeleteLate to the party, as usual, it seems. I do love moon pictures and yours are so much better than mine. I have given up on them until the unlikely day I get a new camera :)
ReplyDeleteYour possum reminds me of my raccoon - nocturnal and too bold for its own good! It's fascinating to watch wildlife going about their business, though.
Poor Batty. And poor you and your other half. I remember vaguely seeing on YouTube a video of a young man who had to give his cat an inhaler. I couldn't believe how well they were doing. I think it must have taken a LOT of training. You haven't had the luxury of time to do that. Hopefully repetition will accomplish the same thing eventually.
I hope your week is going well. At least it's almost over, and that's an accomplishment in itself. Hugs, dear friend.
jenny_o: You are more than welcome whenever you find the time to stop by. Others (like River) don't agree but I am always happy to see and hear the possum. It intrigues the cats too.
DeleteThis week is indeed nearly over. So far, so good but I have two more hurdles to cross before I can tick it off (and three if you count giving Batty his meds). He doesn't like it at all, but he is (mostly) getting a little better about accepting it.
Huge hugs sister across the seas.
Not sure how I missed this post. I think your full moon is beautiful. It was SO close and large out my back door, I felt I could reach up and touch it.
ReplyDeleteYour possum is cute, but they can be so destructive, as I learned when one took up residence in my shed last year. I guess destructive is not the word I want, but messy is.
Batty is getting an entirely new regimen of meds, and it sounds like you are doing the best you can to deliver them. Sounds like twice a day for that is going to do something. HOPEFULLY, it will be helpful and get him better.
I look forward to reading you have a positive outcome on your latest tests, too, dear.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: Thank you. Batty loathes his meds (as my chest and arm will attest, but they do seem to be doing some good.
DeleteThe super moon was spectacular wasn't it? Some day I will be able to capture it in a way that satisfies me.
I have had a sort of answer. The doctor says he thinks my shakes and wobbles are physical stress. New medication for me too. Sigh.
I'm just checking in to see if there are any updates for you. Glad Batty is getting a little relief. xoxo
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Thank you for checking on me. See my answer to Bleubeard and Elizabeth above.
Delete