September 19, 2008
Meanderings Continued
In answer to Irina’s question, I will be at Oregon Flock & Fiber next weekend, an OFFF virgin. I’ll be there Saturday and Sunday but won’t be attending any classes so I’ll be casting about for, in no particular order, things to buy and people to annoy. If you see me, please say “How do,” because you may know my face but I most likely won’t know yours (except my homies who I know will be there, and I will be all over all a’ y’all!). Unlike when I went to Black Sheep, when I was still thisclose to wanting to off myself and was so depressed I made a horrendously bad decision about lying down in the sun, I hope to be slightly more engaged in the world around me this time. If you see me starting to lie down in the sunshine, like a horse going down with the colic, feel free to slap me. Or tempt me with some oats. Or, better yet, scratch me on the withers. If I’m at all like a horse, I’ll do funny things with my upper lip.
Still working away on my gansey design. I’m slogging through the whole swatching, blocking, measuring, calculating dance now, almost like a real knitter. My yarn of choice for this project is Cascade 220 Heathers, in a dark pine green. So far, the results are luscious.
Joon’s decimated dewclaw did get infected (the smell, oh, the smell!) so off to the doctor she went. The solution: Some antibiotics, which she takes like a champ, almost to the point of opening her mouth for the inevitable, and soaking her foot three times a day for ten minutes at a time in, from what I can tell, is a solution of water and antiseptic soap. Really, Doctor? A cat? In water? For ten minutes at a time? Three times a day? Really? Actually she did pretty well, especially since the vet recommended this trick: Make the water slightly warm to your touch. By the time the cat realizes her foot is soaking in the cat version of Kryptonite, some therapeutic soaking will already have occurred. Also, I discovered a magic point on what qualifies as a kitty elbow where, if you gripped it soundly and roundly, she couldn’t lift her paw up. We got up to a miraculous 3.5 minutes—at which point I got bored and quit. All looks good now, and I discovered a new, pretty, white, pointy claw hidden in her fur just yesterday.
Stupid cats don't know a good warm bath does wonders...
Posted by: Carrie on September 19, 2008 01:44 PMI used to have a cat that LOVED water. If she disappeared in the apartment we could always find her by turning on the water in the bathtub; it was never long before she'd come careening around the door and leap into the tub.
Posted by: Ruth on September 19, 2008 03:12 PMI give my cat anti-biotics disguised in the juice from a tuna can. Not the tuna-- the juice: the stuff you pour down the sink before you make tuna salad. I have all three cats convinced that I'm neglecting the other two to give the oldest one a "treat." She's "allergic" to her teeth and is on anti-biotics indefinitely, so I'm glad that it's easy.
Posted by: Saralyn on September 19, 2008 03:24 PMPoor kitty. Poor you. Those two sound lke a real handful!
Posted by: ellen on September 19, 2008 04:37 PMI'd much rather give a cat antibiotics (I mix it in a little yogurt and feed it to them out of a spoon) than try to soak their foot in water. Or soak any cat body-part. Good for you for making it 3.5 minutes!
Posted by: janna on September 19, 2008 06:37 PMI have never been able to disguise antibiotics in anything for either of my cats. They have that "adulturated food" sixth sense, so I just have to grab them and shove the pills or liquid on down. I'm glad Joon is taking everything well. (Relatively speaking, of course.)
Have fun at the fiber fest!!
Posted by: Kristen on September 19, 2008 06:46 PMYou've read this joke, right? :http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/cat-knits/47417/1-25
Posted by: Swapna on September 19, 2008 08:37 PMThe image of Ryan wiggling her upper lip whilst a friendly fellow knitter scratches her withers: priceless.
Posted by: kmkat on September 19, 2008 08:40 PMSo I guess warm, soapy water in a ziplock bag taped to Joon's paw wouldn't work huh?
Posted by: Tish on September 19, 2008 08:55 PMCat-dipping Horror stories--my favorite!
Someday when I have my own blog, I will record the details of what it is referred to by my husband as the "CAT FLEA DIPPING INCIDENT OF 1997"......Oh, the memories.... :)
Glad your kitty is on the mend!
Pat ( formerly from VA, now new and improved in western NY)
Posted by: pat in Virginia on September 21, 2008 08:43 AMSoaking a cat's foot in water for ten minutes is almost as funny as the vet telling you to brush their teeth daily. Sure, that's gonna happen...
You're lucky she's taking her pills so well. Many cats simply refuse to cooperate, and giving one a pill against its wishes requires great fortitude and determination.
Have fun at OFFF! I was thinking about going, especially since Lisa Souza is supposed to be there, but the combination of logistics (i.e. what to do with the dog if it's too warm to leave him in the car) and gas prices may keep me home. If I do make it I'll keep an eye out for you!
Posted by: Denise in Kent, WA on September 21, 2008 10:51 AM