REPLY TO ORPHEE'S POST

Orphée had his say Thursday about all the TLC Annie received during her illnesses and the little guy is right. Posting in Orphée's voice was a fun way to point out one very important rule, never lavish too much attention, praise, treats or toys on one pet over the other (or others).

We try our best to feed both Annie and Orphée at the same time although I must admit Orph's bowl goes down first just to get him out from under my feet. They get treats together, hugs together and massages together. When it's time for grooming Annie is taken care of first immediately followed by Orphée.

If it's time for Annie to play one of us will do that while the other keeps Orphée occupied by holding and petting him. When he plays Annie gets cuddled. About the only thing we do with just Annie is go for walks because Orphée has decided inside is the place to be. He positions himself by the front window where he has a great view of the steps to greet the returning walkers.

Remember, pets can get jealous or depressed if they feel neglected. Always be mindful of this; it will go a long way to keeping your furry family members happy!

I think I'll take a snooze on Mom's bed after writing such a great post!

A BONE TO PICK

Before Mom settles down to write her new post, I wanted to let everyone know how I feel about all the attention my sister Annie gets because she's got all these medical problems.

Don't get me wrong, Mom and Artie treat me very well. When Louie and his family moved away I made the rounds of the neighborhood to scope out new food opportunities. When I saw Mom or Artie serving dinner every day, their front porch became the go to place for a good solid meal. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they'd take me in or give me a permanent home.

I knew about the dog; heard her barking all the time; could see her from the window. Boy was I scared of her! All that racket and bouncing around; I'd had my full of that just navigating the streets every day. My number one priority was to make her the lowest member of this new clowder I was picked to join. It didn't work. Mom doesn't put up with my jockeying for position; she defends Annie every time.

Right after my rescue from a life on the streets, Annie had cancer surgery. Mom and Artie ran around cooking, feeding, changing dressings, checking the incision and dispensing medicines. Yours truly got breakfast and dinner and not much else.

No sooner did that drama end when the next one started. The house was in an uproar because everyone thought I hit Annie in her eye injuring her. She was blinking, holding her eye shut and the white of her eye was red and tearing. I told them it wasn't me but I guess they don't understand cat talk. Off they all went to emergency leaving me alone for hours. That was OK; for once the house was quiet. They found out I didn't touch her but she had eye problems so now it was eye surgery, eye drops, medicines along with six months' regular doctor visits.

Right on the heels of that drama winding down (either my heels or Annie's - take your pick) Annie became fussy about eating finally stopping almost completely. Mom would chase me away from her dish; she didn't realize I was just interested in smelling it. I'd never eat that stuff Mom cooks in a million years!

Back to the doctor to find out what was wrong now. The new diagnosis? Tooth problems and yet another surgery entailing two extractions, cutting off excess gum and repairing the gum over a tooth. Mom spent more time dispensing pills, feeding by hand or spoon. Things are quieting down again but who knows what will happen next.

I don't like being number four in my family's hierarchy but I'm learning to live with it; it's not such a bad deal after all. I've learned to share the bed and chairs with Annie but the ladder-back chair by the window is mine exclusively - so is Mom's lap when she sits in the recliner and Artie's lap at bed time.

Thanks for listening to me gripe!

Resting with my blankets on Mom's bed.

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR...

Richard and Robert Sherman's delightful lyric, 'a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down', from the movie Mary Poppins doesn't exactly describe the experience of getting Annie to take her medicine. It does describe the subterfuge used to get her to take her pills.

Pill Pockets generally work unless the smell factor of the medication in question is high. If Annie can sniff it out she won't eat the treat. This happens all the time with antibiotics. I can only conclude the antibiotic stinkiness factor is high. Peanut butter worked until the industry lowered the hardness factor. When peanut butter was so thick it ripped bread during the spreading process that was the perfect consistency for hiding pills. The more spreadable peanut butter on the market today works with pieces of pills so small that a lick of the treat will be sufficient for Annie to consume it at once. If the pill is too large you need more peanut butter around it; the dog licks and viola, the peanut butter is gone but the pill is still on the plate!  Enter cream cheese; guaranteed to entice Annie every time.

Whatever you use, the best way to dispense pills is by following the steps outlined here:

Step 1:  Assemble your tools (plate, butter knife, pill cutter), cream cheese and medications.

What you will need.

Step 2:  If the pills are large cut them with the pill cutter.

Step 3:  Cut cream cheese into bite size pieces (one piece for each pill).

Step 4:  Place one pill piece in the center of each piece of cream cheese without touching the edges of the cream cheese with your fingers or the pill.

*** VERY IMPORTANT***

Step 5: Wash your hands thoroughly before continuing. This will prevent the transfer of the medicine smell to the outside of the cream cheese wrapping. Cut additional pieces of cream cheese to cover each pill then press the edges down firmly to seal.

Step 6: Serve to one very happy patient!

Thanks Mom for the great treats!

THE TOOTH, THE WHOLE TOOTH (CONT'D) DAY 3

Day three and Annie is improving steadily. The swelling has receded noticeably and Annie is resting comfortably but her interest in food was a bit off so I had a hard time getting her to eat her two meals. Not so with her pills because they were buried deep within her all-time favorite - cream cheese.

Dr. Young called to discuss the issue with Annie's spleen. We will do a needle biopsy when Annie goes in for her post-surgery visit. No mass is visible which I guess is a good sign and the changed appearance of the spleen might be age-related.

Right now I cannot obsess about this development. Annie's recovery and happiness are my main focus until the next crises whenever and whatever it will be.