Cleo had her annual check up this week and wasn't very happy about it. She's not as afraid as she used to be as a very young cat but she frets and doesn't like the experience at all. She still has to go though, she's getting older and I need her to stay healthy because I need her.
I dote on Cleo, she's a beautiful little cat, loving, snuggly and cuddly, and no expense is spared in caring for her. She has specialised cat food and milk from the vet to support her health, plug-in cat pheromone diffusers around the house to help calm and soothe her, I create a safe space for her and, of course, she has regular veterinary visits. It adds up to a reasonable amount of money, but she means so much to me that I spend it happily.
Cleo is in good shape, so the vet said so after performing the tests and giving her a vaccination shot. Hannah, the vet, also said she's a little overweight but that's not unusual for a completely indoor cat.
Quick to come to Cleo's defence, I told the vet, it's all just dormant relaxed muscle, hoping I could fool her but she gave me a withering look and I relented; yes ok, she sleeps a lot and doesn't get much exercise.
There's not much to be done about it though; being an indoor cat and somewhat of a princess, she doesn't have to move much. I even carry her to her dinner area to eat and to bed each night. I know, it's not helping. Changing a cats diet can have negative effects and any weight loss has to be done very slowly. I've changed some of her eating habits over the last twelve months and her weight is stable against her last weighin twelve months ago...we're taking that as a win.
My little girl is growing up too fast. At twelve years old the vet considers her old-aged, something I never mention to Cleo of course, I'm a gentleman after all...she's my little baby-girl and always will be, not old!
When I first got her she fitted in the palm of one hand, fragile and dependent on me completely. She'd been terrorized by some asshole human kids and I saved her, miraculously without having to deliver a smack-down to those assholes. She'll always be my little girl but...yeah, I know she's getting older and will eventually leave me. The thought makes me very sad although I make the most of the time I have with her pushing the thought that she will leave me to the back of my mind. She is a huge part of my life.
After we get home from the vet she's always very sleepy. I think she frets so much that it saps her energy.
She sleeps on my lap and recuperates from her adventure and I stay there as long as it takes for her to feel better, usually a few hours. I watched one and a half movies on Netflix before she stirred...and then it was only to shift positions to the couch beside me where she arranged herself into a suitable sleeping position and fell asleep once again. So cute!
I'm not looking forward to being without her, I'll be devastated.
Losing my cat Merlin back in 2020, my best friend for twenty two years, was heart wrenching and I miss him every day, still...Losing Cleo will be the same. So, I make the most of every moment I have with her and look after her as well as possible despite the cost and pour a lot of love into her, which she returns. To me she's perfect purrfect and brings me an amazing amount of joy and happiness.
Do you have a much-loved pet that you would be devastated to lose?
Are you like me and care for your pet as best you can? I think most pet owners probably do and they're happy to pay the exorbitant and outrageous prices vets extort from their owners to keep them healthy. Losing a pet is a terrible experience, if you've ever lost one you'll understand. Feel free to tell me about your pet in the comments if you'd like. Vet stories, losing your pet, getting it in the first place, funny moments or any pet-related comment you'd like to share. Alternatively, just comment as you please on my post, I always respond.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Any images in this post are my own.
