Life at the Cat Hospital...

Jacob has not been eating or drinking normally, has gone off his dry food and because this seemed more than the mourning behavior attributed to him following Phoebe's death, he had his first ever ride in a taxi this afternoon as we went to see his vet. He will remain overnight for some hydration, medication and other things as we await the results of blood work.

The flat, now cat-free, is too quiet. For the first time in days, I am no longer checking water or food bowls or monitoring litter box usage. The stress I was feeling has dissipated as he is now in hands greater than mine and I know I've done everything possible to look after his health.

Notably calm during our ride, he became quite vocal and agitated when the vet and techs attended him earlier this afternoon and while he relaxed when alone with me in a small exam room, his growling, hissing and meowing soared to new height when I left, first to find a bathroom and eventually, to return home.

I cannot imagine how frightening it must be for an elderly cat to be in a place which is noisy, full of new smells and bright lights and features people in scrubs he views as his jailers. I hope he will have a peaceful evening, and forgive his lowly human for leaving him, if only temporarily.

Can you spell T-I=R=E=D???

I've been up since 5:30 courtesy of himself who prefers an early breakfast. Because I could not get back to sleep, the household trash was dispatched to the dumpster, sheets were laundered, tea was made and his box changed, all before 7 AM. The cleaner came shortly after ten and was out of here in a short hour and ten, having dusted, mopped and Hoovered.

The afternoon has been quiet and himself is now curled up on some towels in the closet,  a practice he has only started recently. I wonder what he is thinking, slinking away to a quiet, dark place. Does he wonder why humans have to be so noisy? Is he annoyed by the frequent barking of the upstairs dog after her owner leaves for work? Perhaps the new level of quiet in our household encourages a longing for spaces previously unclaimed. Prior to this respite, cheeky boy had his paws in my lunch only to be disappointed that my vegetarian sandwich lacked the aroma of tuna.

Maybe tuna holds a special place in his cat dreams...