The Sheffield Cats Shelter

This month’s stories are not at all what I had planned to write about. The picture shows me in my special sheepskin bed that Sandra and Gill brought back from a visit down south. They said they found a wonderful pet shop and they did bring back a bumper bundle of goodies as well as the bed – mostly to eat! I think they thought I would just sniff at the bed and not use it but I’ve gradually been trying it out and I have to say it does fit me very well – curled up like this or stretched out when my legs just touch the far edge. I can also roll in and out of the soft edge rather than having to jump over. The idea was that I could have the bed upstairs by the radiator in Sandra’s office, keeping draughts out and snuggling up when the radiator was not on. This was beginning to work well until...

...I became really quite ill. Yes, having been proud of not going to the vet at all this year since my last booster in the middle of last month I started feeling, and looking, very floppy. My back legs were rather more rocky, my eye was oozing more and – horror of horrors – I was off my food! That’s when we all knew it was serious and we all set out for the vet. On the basis that everything is material for a writer, I hope you will allow me to share my experience with you. You may, of course, find echoes of your own here?

I’m quite well known at the vet as I had my ears amputated there, teeth out, chip in and general well woman treatment while I was at the Cat Shelter. It doesn’t make me feel any better about going but they were all nice – and worried. I thought I’d have a ‘magic’ jab and be back home, alright again, in about 15 minutes. I was very shocked to be told that I’d be staying in all day, having tests, blood samples taken and analysed and an x-ray taken! Sandra and Gill were pretty shocked too! They promised to come back later and collect me.

The rest of the day was rather blurry – having blood samples taken , lying on heat pads to get my temperature up , being sedated for the x-ray and then sleeping the rest of the afternoon. By the time that Sandra came to collect me, I had not really worked off the sedative. At home I could not make my back legs work at all and was slithering around like a seal pup. I was frightened; Ruari was frightened; Sandra and Gill were frightened. I knew where I wanted to get to – my litter tray and my food! They were both brought to me but would you want to sit on the toilet in the sitting room with your family gathered round? With help to hold up my back half (rather like a pantomime horse, I’m told), I reached the utility room , performed , ate a bit and keeled over – in my sheepskin bed , now by the Aga downstairs - to sleep the anaesthetic off properly. Poor Ruari was circling round not knowing what to do – and I smelled so of the vet – eugh!

By the morning I felt a bit stronger but we set off again for the vet to see what the tests, x-rays etc. had shown. The answer was nothing very obvious apart from some arthritis in my hips so some more blood was taken and I did come home this time after, yes, a magic anti-biotic jab and a very stingy pain killer jab plus pills and liquids to take. Was I pleased to be back home, this time with all legs working. Back to food, performance and bed. Apparently I have a virus that is deep inside that will mean that I’m not too good from time to time but I need to make the most of life – and sleep – while I can.

Here’s Ruari’s version.RUARI WRITES: Yes, it was all rather a shock. One minute Suzie was here, clearly not feeling very well, and the next she was away for the day. It was strange having her not by the Aga or on the settee (not bad necessarily if I’m honest but it was oddly quiet – no wailing for lunch for example. When she came back it was really scary – none of us knew what was happening. She was supposed to have the fire on to warm up – when the temperature outside was already pretty high. I tried to get a reaction from her by lying right across the rug in front of the fire but no-one was amused. I did get a lot of attention later in compensation but still felt a bit out of the limelight.

Suzie’s food took even longer than usual to prepare with extra liquid and ground –up pills to add. I have to wait so we have our plates put down together. She did seem to be getting better – but sadly her sense of humour has not improved!

I hear talk of the vet and boosters for both of us but I try to look unconcerned- as here!