Dec 10 2009
Report
Holiday candlelight
Henrietta got an excellent report card, though she doesn’t play well with others.
Dr. Karen told me that Henrietta is at least 10 years old, but her test results were perfect. She excitedly showed me the results, pointing at things which of course meant nothing to my uneducated eye, and kept saying “I’m amazed!” She tested for low thyroid and anemia in particular, since Henrietta is such a lightweight, but there’s nothing wrong with her at all, other than a broken tooth and a bad ‘tude.
I have to admit that I was a little worried that she’d end up having something horribly wrong with her, or something complicated and expensive, so it was a huge relief. Also the final bill was actually less than the estimate, and when does that ever happen? Merry Christmas indeed!
Though heavily sedated, Henrietta was still pretty darn crabby during the proceedings, and expressed her displeasure. When we got home, she started clawing at the bars of her carrier until I let her out, whereupon she ran to her food bowl, meowing in her harsh, yet muted way. I couldn’t feed her until 5:00 that evening, and the vet said she probably wouldn’t be hungry, but she’s a tough little cookie from the mean streets of Oakland. She chowed down enthusiastically and showed no signs of sedation. I’m pretty sure she’s been through a lot worse than a trip to the vet.
When I first started feeding that little stray cat, I never thought the day would come that she’d sit on my lap and purr (or that she’d turn out to be a girl). We’ve come a long way together, and despite her age, I like to think our adventures are just beginning. It makes me so happy to see her sleeping beside me, safe, warm, and healthy. And she’ll stay that way for the rest of her life. The best really is yet to come.