So many of you were very kind when I first posted about Fishpaste I thought I would bring you up to date. She was due another steroid jab on the Friday before Christmas but could we get a taxi to take us to the vet? Fortunately, a kind neighbour – dog- rather than cat-owner – kindly drove us there and waited until we were ready to come home again. As before, the stuff worked like magic and she was walking more easily and clearly feeling quite perky.
However, late on Christmas Eve, it became clear that she couldn't really stand up. She would struggle to her feet but then keel over. Could it have happened at a worse time? We nursed her with constant care and attention, keeping her wrapped in a blanket nestled in her doughnut on top of absorbent towels throughout Christmas and Boxing Day. She wasn't in pain, just unable to stand or walk about and very puzzled. She gradually lost interest in food and water but just hung on in there, tough old lady.
The Thursday after Boxing Day we rang our vet as soon as the clinic was open and went in immediately. As we expected, there was no cure and we stroked her goodbye as we gave her messages to Dylan, Max our lovely dog and all the other the pets we have loved and lost.
But this is not the end of our sad Christmas. About five o'clock on Saturday morning, I found Helvetica Semi-bold collapsed on the landing outside our bedroom. He had been getting very scruffy, not grooming himself much, and a bit inclined to poo in unlikely places, but I had no idea that he was that weak. I scooped him up and popped him in a doughnut with the towels and blanket and woke Mr absent. When the poor little chap started fitting we knew it was the end but had to wait until eight before we could telephone the vet. Once again, we stroked a lovely tabby goodbye and sent him off with messages for his mum and others.
So now our family of cats is down to three – Dingbat who was diagnosed with a dodgy ticker when he had his yearly check-up this month and the two girls, Bodoni and Frutiger. I am still plannning to take them to New Zealand when we emigrate but can't help feeling that not all of them – perhaps none – will make it. But I shall proceed as if they have years of happy healthy life ahead and keep my fingers crossed.
No serious guests this Christmas, so we can manage.
