I am convinced that Minx has psychic powers. Why, you ask?
Last night, when he was perched right by my head, I dreamed that I had forgotten to feed the cats, and I felt soooooo guilty that I gave them a can of tuna.
Each.
Minx spent some time as an indoor/outdoor cat, and has never really reconciled himself to being a wholly indoor cat. However, our neighborhood has enough traffic and bored middle-school-aged boys that neither Spouse nor I are entirely comfortable letting him roam on his own.
A while ago, I had suggested getting a collar and lead, so that we could at least take the cats out for some fresh air. (Besides, the idea of an animal that can’t go outside gives me cognitive dissonance.) Spouse told me that Minx would probably fight the collar, and had slipped out of them before, so I had given up on the idea.
Until yesterday.
It was so very nice out, and I had stopped for cat food anyway, so I picked up a couple of inexpensive belled collars and a four-foot lead. I got Magnus’s collar on without a fuss, although he was confused about where the bell noise was coming from. Minx fussed a bit, but let me put the collar on him. I immediately clipped the lead to it and we went out into the front yard.
He sniffed a full circle one direction, then the other. Then he took a couple of steps, and sniffed some more. He appeared to be in New Smell Heaven. We proceeded this way for about ten minutes, wandering perhaps a quarter of the way around the house. We were barked at by the next-door neighbor’s dog, and mocked by a squirrel. It was a Good Day.
Minx didn’t even protest when I decided it was time to go in.
Then it was Magnus’s turn. I took him outside and set him in the grass. He wailed piteously and made a mad dash back to the front door.
OK, then.
Later that evening, I took the collars off the cats, removed the bells (I remembered that the cats like to jump on the bed in the middle of the night—multiple times), and replaced the collars. No problem with either cat.
This morning, Magnus was collar-free. I found it, unbuckled, in the middle of the living-room floor. I have no idea how he managed it. Minx, interestingly enough, was still wearing his.
So, we shall see how it goes…but I think a bit of yard time for Minx on nice days will be a good thing for all of us.
Other Observers should feel free to add their field notes in the comments.
Magnus Carpetbane is native to Indianapolis, IN. Approximately 2.5 years old, neutered male; short-haired gray and cream tiger. Subject 5 is an indoor cat with a known residence, and a close associate of Subject 6. Surname was earned as a result of his vigilance and enthusiasm in protecting his owners from a wide variety of floor coverings; most notably area rugs, but also the occasional bathmat, yoga mat, or random piece of dirty laundry. Subject 5 is thought to be a bit dim, having failed remedial door-opening on at least once (complete records not available), been outwitted by chipmunks regularly, and mistaken a set of glass fireplace doors for a window for over a year.
Subject 6: Minx
Minx is native to Louisville, KY; currently resident in Indianapolis, IN. Approximately 14 years old, neutered male; long-haired tuxedo. Subject 6 is an indoor cat with a known residence, and a close associate of Subject 5. In contrast to his close associate, Minx appears to be very intelligent, and has indicated that he comprehends the use of telephones, car keys, doorknobs, lighters, power tools, ATMs, kitchen appliances, and the Electoral College, although he rarely bothers to make use of this knowledge.
Last weekend, one of our friends brought over some catnip that she assured us was particularly potent. Minx and Magnus each got a small sample, and I put it back in the gift bag and, I admit, forgot about it. (I do have one or two other things on my mind right now.)
The boys, however, did not forget about it. Normally, they’re not jumpers, but just because they choose not to doesn’t mean that they can’t.
Fiancé and I came home after a long evening of errand running and were greeted at the door by Magnus…who had small green flakes of something clinging to his fur. All of the green plants in the house are fake, so my first thought was to check the kitchen herb-and-spice rack. I’ve never caught him on the kitchen counter, but I’m not convinced that the leap is beyond him. Nothing was out of place, however.
Minx then came up to me, purring like a newly-repaired Italian sportscar. He also had small green flakes of something in his fur. I went into the living room and saw a four-foot diameter scatter of small green flakes, and a gift bag tipped on its side on the floor.
Sure enough, both cats’ pupils were blown open such that there was just a tiny ring of iris. They were so mellow that they didn’t even run from the vacuum cleaner. Fortunately, most of the ‘nip got into the carpet, rather than the cats, so there was no post-indulgence puking.
Minx did snore even more loudly than usual last night, though…and that’s saying something.
Minx went into the veterinary opthamologist yesterday and had his dignity greatly offended, both by the ride in the box and by being wrapped up in a towel for the exam.
His corneal infection is completely gone, and the blood vessels and edema will go away in 4-6 weeks. No need for surgery. No more oral meds, and we’re down to eyedrops twice a day instead of six times—a great relief to all involved, I assure you.
His Supreme Catness is expected to make a full recovery.
The good news is that it turns out that Minx’s eye is healing up exactly as it should; it’s just an ugly process. The eye is functional, and it doesn’t appear to be causing him any discomfort.
The bad news is that Minx does indeed have a corneal infection. He does not, however, have a corneal abscess, which means no need for surgery. Instead, he has two different kinds of eyedrops for a total of six doses a day, and oral antibiotics twice a day. He’s going to be cranky for the next 7-10 days on account of it, I’m sure. I would be, too. Fortunately, he’s reasonably compliant even when he’s cranky, so we should all come out of this just fine.
Massive sighs of relief, all around, and to all a good night.
About a month ago, Minx got his eye scratched. Initially, it seemed to be healing well, but not so much at this point. It’s pretty cloudy and bloodshot, although it doesn’t seem to be paining him and he is trying to use it. As of right now, he’s back on the antibiotic eye drops, and has an appointment with a specialist tomorrow. The regular vet says he may need surgery; she doesn’t feel qualified to make the call. We’re hoping that there’s no abscess, but worst case, he could lose the eye. Best case, of course, is that another round of antibiotics will take care of it.
I have my fingers crossed.
Sometime between 6:30 and 7:15 on Thursday night, Minx and Magnus got into one of their usual rough-and-tumble play sessions. Unfortunately, Magnus somehow managed to give Minx a scratch on a cornea. The eye in question was very watery and Minx kept holding it shut. We were pretty sure that he wasn’t ill, but we went to the vet on Friday, just in case.
The good news is that it’s already healing up nicely, and the vet gave us some antibiotic eyedrops in order to ensure that continues. The even better news is that the eyedrops apparenty don’t sting, because giving a fully-clawed, twelve-and-a-half-pound, slippery-quick cat eyedrops is not an easy proposition under the best circumstances.
The vet tells me that he’ll be fine, and the cloudiness will clear up on its own in a few weeks. Minx is still walking around all squinty, though. I feel as though I should teach him to say “aaaaaaaarrrrrrr!!!”
ETA: As of Sunday, Minx is starting to open the injured eye a bit, and it looks much less red and cloudy.
Quite by accident, Magnus has learned to open doors that are slightly ajar, by pushing on them. Pulling doors open is still beyond him, but even this accomplishment seems to have ratcheted up his curiousity by an order of magnitude (excuse the expression). For example, instead of just watching me load the dishwasher, he thoroughly inspected the detergent bottle and the detergent itself as I was pouring. Nearly got his nose soaped out in the process, too.
And I do mean anyone.
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