Are They Actually Getting Along ??

The other day, I passed Trev's room & saw 2 cats.....in the same location.  Could my eyes be deceiving me?  (Note that Gracie is watching him from in her beloved cat tree.)

   Nope...I have it on film.....I should set up a video camera in Trev's room :)




Apparently, there is a unwritten cat law that states if 2 felines are residing in a single home & each have their own kitty litter box.....sharing is permitted.  Lately, Gracie's is for # 1 & Pate's box - in Kyle's room - is for # 2.   Somehow, during this necessary function of life.....few attacks are made.

I still can't figure out if they are trying to imitate each other or are they just  trying to " outdo " each other in the bodily function competition!?!
I am confident these 2 will end up being buddies.....as long as Gracie Grace has the upper hand / paw / tree / box :)

Case of Good Timing.....

The other day while I was minding my own business on the computer.....my son Trevor reported to me that 1 of our critters was committing an act of vandalism in the living room.

Sure enough, I looked down the hall & saw what appeared to be a mound of white diapers (?)  on Festus' cage.  It didn't take me long to ascertain the problem.

 Payton had decided to empty my (newly purchased & very full) box of Kleenex!!
 As you can see he was looking for help from above.....as I entered the room.

 Help came in the form of a nail trim,so further "snagging" could not take place.

   This was the scene shortly after the destruction took place - had Trevor not spotted this vandal in time.....who would I have blamed?  Yeah ....Pate is ALWAYS my first choice, too. 



               Gracie would NEVER think to do something like that :)

Cousin Play???

Recently, Pate & Gracie have been trying to establish a relationship of sorts.  It usually involves a toy OR a door.  Trevor's door goes back & forth frequently as Gracie grabs the bottom of it from inside the room & pulls & Pate rushes it from the hallway & pushes !!!

       The beginning - Payton is in the hall & Trevor sets the stage ....

               Then, a face to face occurs over the desired object

.         Gracie Grace claims the toy .....as well as Trev's flip flops !

                        What the ????  Where is it???

        Pate had made his move & carried the coveted toy ALL the way to the kitchen....where he delighted in his conquest :)

Dudley Returns Home.....

After receiving the test results over the phone yesterday, another appt. was scheduled @ the vet.  He walked past Cheddar's cage & did not even turn his head to look @ her.  He laid down in my front seat of my car while driving the 3 blocks to the animal hospital, never making a sound.  Simply stated.....this was not typical Dudley behavior.....which proved to me how much pain he was living with daily.

When we arrived, I asked for an x-ray to be taken b/c I had noticed his abdomen looked distended.  That is where the tumor was discovered. It showed that his liver was 2x the normal size & the rest of his organs were being pushed back to allow room for the mass to grow. The very low platelet count was b/c his body was trying to fight off this toxin until it depleted itself.  It was a no win situation for the Duds or myself. 

Sadness swept the room as the 2 vets compassionately explained everything to me.....and the really sad thing is....I already knew in my heart.  I called Bru who arrived quickly & Duds was happy to see him - covering his neck with those famous lil kisses.  I then held him & as he gave me my last kiss....he peacefully slept away.

I  miss the Doo Dah....he was a joy, a challenge, funny, respectful & so loving
to everyone - man or beast. Waking up this morning & not be greeted by him was hard & as my tears flow...I know time is the only answer. 

The last photo taken of Dudley in his favorite spot behind Bru's chair....resting.





The ONLY redeeming factor in all this is that he is once again with his Mom up in heaven.  I'm sure Pud met him with open arms & a handful of treats :)

Dudley Health Update......

I have been noticing lately that the Duds is less active & looks heavier.  We have not been walking as much - too hot & humid OR when it rains 5 out of 7 days. But when Bru took Fest & Dud to the infamous tennis courts on our first nice day in a while ( Sunday -  before the Bears game of course )...Dudley did NOT spring into action & run around like a maniac, nor would/could he walk back home.  Bru said the leash was way behind him & Duds was barely making any headway to keep up. Ergo he got a lift home in my husbands arms :)

When it reached the point of refusing breakfast ( altho his cousin was more than ready to " take another bowl full " for the team ) off to the vet we went.

Yesterday I allowed them to do blood work - he had tests before they did the dental a few months ago, so I knew they would have numbers to compare to & a thorough physical exam followed ( which he was wonderful during :)     The vet & I both noticed that when he was probing his back legs & hips w/ his fingers...the Duds reacted.  Not growling or biting - he just whimpered & gave the vet a kiss :)
Also discovered @ weigh in ....he had GAINED 1 pound - yikes!!

I will get the results today or tomorrow from the blood work & until then... he is taking a pain killer ( Rimadyl ).  He is already moving more BUT not eating with any real gusto.  Perhaps he would prefer something home made mixed in his kibble - like steak or chicken...I'm sure I'll come up w/ something yummy.

I'll post any findings / results that I receive....until then...please keep the Duds in your thoughts as he just isn't acting like the terrier we all know & love.