Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Pet Taxi...aSpring Rerun

It was this past Tuesday night and Sonny, the little Russian Blue kitten had an appointment for Wednesday morning with Dr. Lawhon, our beloved Vet. He was going to have a little, well shall we say procedure? We hadn't yet broached the subject with him, I just planned to pick his little highness up and place him in the taxi without much ado. Placing the Pet Taxi to the side of the bookshelf, I left it open so that the cats could explore it's innards and figure out that there was nothing inside to hurt them. Pyewackit and Hound being the most recent passengers avoided that open door like the plague. They tried to warn Sonny and Cher, but they're kittens and they don't listen to their elders any more than any other teenager. They romped around inside it, chasing each other in and out of it and all the while the two adults just sat back and watched. They were cringing. I remembered when I had taken Pyewackit for the same procedure twelve years ago. He talked to me all the way to Hartsville, we sang and laughed and he was Mama's boy and all was fine in his world.

On the trip home the next day, Pye presented me with his back. He did not speak. He did not sing. He was no longer Mama's boy...he was just angry. As I drove I talked to him, promised him shrimp when we got home, promised him it was going to be alright. He turned and hissed at me. He didn't speak to me for two weeks.

Hound, being a little lady, had a different procedure, but a procedure she did have. When we took her in, she was a sweet little baby who, having been raised by us before her eyes were even open, thought we were the biggest cats she had ever seen. She would curl up on my shoulder to sleep and purr like a proper princess. After her little op she changed gradually. She got bigger, not fat, just tall. She became very bossy and demanding. A few weeks ago Sonny got out by accident and spent all night under the porch. The next morning he showed up at the patio doors asking to be allowed back in. I opened the door and he ran to Hound who proceeded to beat him to within an inch of his life. She had not given him permission to stay out all night, and was asserting her authority over him.

So today we went to pick Sonny up and bring him home. He was so glad to see us, he purred and chattered all the way home. I was reading the post-op instructions about using paper litter etc. etc. I looked over at Mac and told him that I had just thought of something. "What?" he asked. "I hope Hound doesn't jump on him for having another overnighter." He laughed and said that when Hound saw him come out of the pet taxi, she would take pity on him. He was right.

When we got home, his sister Cher was all over him, asking where he had been and that she had been worried about him. She was giving him a good bath and Sonny was enjoying the attention. They were so glad to see each other. Cher pointed to Sonny and asked "what happened there?" Sonny, in mid bath stopped and stared at himself..."dunno, they were there when I left home." Since neither of them particularly cared that a change had indeed been accomplished, I felt good about Cher's little trip in two weeks time. I haven't told her about her appointment yet. It seems to work better when you keep it a secret.


39 comments:

ancient one said...

That is soo funny... You are a great story teller!

Unknown said...

ah kitties: what joy they bring to our lives...

Great story!

Terri Steffes said...

I love it when you write!

Jeff B said...

Dang when I had that similar procedure a few years back, no one gave me a bath when I got home. Nope, just got a bag of frozen peas.

Unknown said...

Oh, those neutering and spaying trips. My cat Sami did the same to me when I brought him, didn't speak to me for several days and gave me his back for at least two.

Lexi was in today just for her annual and we found she had lost another claw, this one on a back foot which is the first. God, I'm praying she won't loose more. It's so painful and sore, but I've got her some doggie pain pills so hope we'll both sleep tonite!

Great story Sandi, well told!
Jane

Maggie May said...

Best to keep secrets from cats.
I loved this post. You write a really good story.
I have been down that lane with my own cats (that I used to have) and the back turning and hissing happened to me too. Same after the cattery!

Anonymous said...

I never put the taxi in plain sight but set it somewhere else with the top open. Then before he knows what is happening, I've picked Smokey up and put him in. I have been putting off his annual check up. He was due in March and here it is May. I have to take him to a new vet. I know the one I'm going to use. Maybe in two weeks, after I finish moving, I'll quit procrastinating.
I really enjoyed this post.
Mama Bear

Vee said...

Definitely. Love the way you tell a story...

Carol Murdock said...

Great story telling Sandi !!
Poor babies!!
~ Carol ~

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Oh, you made me smile! My old guy will be 16 this year and has become affectionate late in life. He punished me over every indignity he ever suffered. It is so much fun to watch them interact.

Jeni said...

At some juncture in the near future, both my son's cat -the new Mama, Nina, and also, our little cat, Chino, both will have to have a visit like Cher's upcoming trip. I have enough grandchildren here of the two-legged variety to keep me company and busy so I really don't want, nor do I need, to have more four-legged grandkids. Much as I do enjoy watching the little kittens and such, just don't feel the need to try to hunt down homes for them when they are old enough to strike out on their own.
Loved the way you told this story though. I'll have to remember to show it to Mandy when she gets home from dropping Maya off for another "overnight" visit, this time with Mandy's best friend, Jen-Jen, and her family. I'll have the bed all to myself tonight with Maya away and you know, it'll be comfortable at first but then it will seem cold, lonely and a bit forlorn without my little Princess Maya there to share my sleep with me.

larkswing said...

lol, too cute!!!

Lee said...

Darn, that Hound's a character isn't she, Sandi? I'm glad your boys and girls are getting their procedures but sort of sad that the other cats no longer like the taxi. Hyram likes it just fine. He'd rather stay in it than come out of it for the vet. Hooboo on the other hand would rather ignore his unless I put food inside. He's shy of people other than me, so no surprise that he won't get inside to go where there are strangers. :-)

Cuddle the kitties for me please.

Hugs!
Lee

Hilary said...

Awww and it's so not easy to keep secrets from cats. Sly devils. :)

BioniKat said...

We have a couple of dominant females and they too keep the males in check!

Sally said...

pssssst.....i think you're right....some things are best kept a secret. :)

Diva's Thoughts said...

What a fun post! Yeah, I agree, it's best to keep this a secret.

Mickle in NZ said...

Zeb's cat taxi lives under the table our living room. He is great in it until he gets put into a car. Then he yowls all the way and into the vet centre.

Luckily he had been through "that" procedure long before we adopted each other.

Wimpy me - he's off to the vet centre's cattery on the 27th for a couple of weeks. WHile I'm away they knock him out to clean his teeth, and he's in for a urine test too. after 2 weeks there I'm hoping Zeb will adore me once home!

Dear SAndi - I'm only dealing with one (super sized) kitty. Much love to all yours, Mindy doglet, and - most especially - you,

Michelle and Zebbycat xxxxxx and purrumbling puurs

Anonymous said...

Our kitties just seem to KNOW when a vet trip is at hand and become very scarce. They've always been really glad to see us afterwards and are glad to get back home. The fussing always happens on the way to the vet.

Akelamalu said...

Sonny & Cher - what great names!

We didn't dare mention V.E.T. in the hearing of our much missed dog Guinness. We couldn't even spell V.E.T. or B.A.T.H. he could spell! We used to keep it secret and he would jump in the car happily. It was only when we got out and he caught sight of the surgery that we had to either carry him (he was big) or drag him along the floor. :(

Jeanne said...

Oliver had his procedure recently and let me tell you it hasn't slowed him down a bit. The little monster is still rambunctious as ever and getting into everything. He was so dopey when we brought him home that he tried to sit down to lick his tender spot and fell over into his food dish. Yes, bad mama laughed at her poor little boy.

myonlyphoto said...

Oh Sandi I didn't know that cats can have such a personality, if you wouldn't mention they were cats, I would think you talking about people, lol. Thanks for sharing, that was nice well written story. Anna :)

Aunt Julie said...

Oh, poor little guy. I guess he was upset about sacrificing his "manhood"?

Sandy said...

I loved this post. I've been there, done that...

Tara said...

Sandi

When i open your blog and see a lengthy post, i think, "Oh, goody! It's a Sandi story" and I grab my cup of tea...or in this case wine since it is later at night and sit back and enjoy the read--you always make me smile!

tlchang said...

Heh - it can be such a life-altering event for a kitty. Our cat, who was a happy, chirpy, loving girl until her trip to the vet. She sulked about that for nearly a year. Gradually her mood and affection returned - much to my great relief!

SandyCarlson said...

I enjoyed this. Our pets know how to punish us. And get a shrimp dinner out of us!

San said...

Oh no! More plastic surgery for Cher. Never mind. You weren't talking about THAT Cher. Yes, keep it a secret.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I was so enchanted with this sory. You have a great talent for story telling. have a great weekend...m.

NeereAnDear said...

OH gosh what a hoooooot!!! I was laughing the whole time I was reading .... all the while picturing this little scenario as it played out....... my two girls having cats.. ( I am allergic to them myself) .... I can truly identify after seeing the antics theirs would grace us with....

GREAT STORY!!

LOTS OF HUGS
JO

Casdok said...

Lovely post. Not always easy to keep a secret!

jay said...

Aw...! I hate taking them in for any kind of procedure - dentals being my pet hate. It might be for their own good, but they have no way of knowing that, do they?

"Dunno, they were there when I left home"

LOL!

��Radio Mihalis Thalassis - Athens Greece said...

Good, good day Sunday
Sincerely, Michael

Eddie Bluelights said...

Glad you didn't "let the cat out of the bag". Reminds me of a joke. A lady was granted three wishes from her Fairy Godmother.
Her first wish was to have plenty of money for security - duly granted
Her second wish was to become a beautiful blonde - duly granted
Her third wish was for her cat to be changed to a man identical to George Clooney - duly granted.
She sauntered over to George who greeted her with, "Hello Baby! What a shame you took me to the vet last week!"

Poor girl! Poor George Clooney! Poor cat! What have you done?

You did a stirling job in my Grand National but the competition was rife! Best wishes ~ Eddie

Everything Stops for Tea said...

ahhh bless! My Dad refers to that particular operation as "two bricks and watch your thumbs" I remember when Dougal went for his... he still walks like John Wayne has lost his horse...

i beati said...

the procedure huh??

Pam said...

Great story!
My cats get the heck outta Dodge when they see or hear the carriers. Then you spend a good hour dragging them from out under the bed.

Beth P. said...

Dear Sandi--
What a great story--and I loved Eddie's joke!

So...Cher...me thinks you might-should-oughta tell her, for some reason.

Thanks for the sweet story!

Jamie Dawn said...

Ha, ha, ha... "What happened THERE?"
I love how you give voice and terrific animation to your pets. I can feel their pain, dread, joy...