A kitty update and warm wishes

Hi friends!

I have been MIA for awhile now, seems that crate training a kitty is a lot of work! We've set him up in our one bathroom, in a doggy kennel with his litter box and water. Each night, he is let out of the kennel but is confined to the bathroom. He can eat, stretch his legs and play with his toys. Sounds lovely, right? So why he meows for 30 mins before calming down each night is beyond me! LOL. I do have to say that he's taken to it so much easier than I thought he would. I am so impressed with him! Since he's been kenneled, I have steamed the carpet 4 times. Even though I dry vacuum before steam cleaning you'd be amazed at the fur this thing picks up! I am in love! (Despite the steam cleaning, there's still the slight sent of urine. Any ideas? I've used the urine enzyme eliminators, but they are staining the beige carpet yellow, and still the smell lingers..)

So after 3 weeks of antibiotics 2 times a day, crate training him, I really think this may work out! He will visit the area where he use to frequent, sniff around a bit but then head straight to his litter box. I have renowned hope! We have yet to leave him out when we're at work or go to bed, that'll be the real test. But in the 10 years I've had him, he is more calm and seems more sure of himself. I'm surprised this is the only vet to suggest crate training a cat to use his litter....Awe well, just wanted to give you an update :)

I do want to wish all you mother's out there a very loving, spoiled Mother's Day! You are women of strength, abundant love, forgiveness and a foundation for our society. Much happiness to you on your special day!

~ Marcia

One last chance

I was hoping to share a new post of something creative I have been working on, but alas, my life has been stalled by my loving furry babies. If you've read my blog before, you know that my baby Roscoe has had a pee problem since the day I've adopted him. He has a penance for peeing on carpet. I used to take it as, "this was life with Roscoe." But since Cinnamon started to develop serious urinary infections, that sent us to the emergency room at 3am, we finally put two and two together. Is it possible, that Cinnamon is getting these infections while lying on the carpet that Roscoe soiled, and that we doused in cat urine enzyme killer? We thought so, the vet said it could be a possibility. So the debate began, although I adore my baby Roscoe, I have lived 10 years of the competing smells of Lysol and cat pee. 10 years, of vet visits, special foods, behavioral visits, natural anti anxiety medications and closing the door to my bedroom (he prefers the bed if no carpet can be found).

After crying like a kid, (nose running, blubbering, eyes puffing, incoherent speech) we decided that Roscoe needed to be put down. I couldn't do it, so Hubby brought him to the vet. Then called me, and admitted he couldn't do it. The vet suggested a drug called Ketofen, which also helps humans with an overactive bladder. He says this has saved many a cat's life, so my sweet souled Hubby agreed to give it a try. One of the stipulations is that while on the medication we have to keep Roscoe kenneled for a month to break the carpet fascination. He's allowed out on supervised visits but not allowed in the area he previously soiled. It's a tad tough, as we live in a small space but we're dealing. It'll be a long month but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I am a tad leery to be honest, as I've had the "this will work" conversations before, but I am hoping, beyond hope that this truly will work. I don't want to give off the impression that I feel animals are disposable. In truth, it has been difficult to live within the restrictions of a cat who thinks outside his box. What is even most infuriating is there seems no rhythm or reason. Some days he uses his litter constantly, or he'll pee on the carpet, then walk into his room and use his box. :(

During his confinement we borrowed a friends' Bissel 2x Pro Heat carpet steamer. I am in loooove. It works like a charm. The carpet looks better than it did even when we moved in! So hopefully this is the change we all need and then we can live in peaceful harmony!

~ Marcia

Nursing a sick pup

Some may find this strange or downright insane that my hubby and I rushed our pup to the emergency room at 1:00am Sunday morning after we found her having tremors. Doctor on call, was not, hmmm, how can I put this....pleasant. In fact, my hubby and I both felt that we had disturb his sleep by our visit. 2 and a half hours and many hundreds of dollars later, we took our very tired and very sick pup home to sleep. (We too were exhausted). Turns out, the pup and I would be awake only a few short hours later as her pain meds had worn off. She was given Metacam for pain, Tramadol, for pain and an antibiotic for the actual problem, she has a raging urinary infection. This is her 3rd one, and by far her worst. The other two didn't require pain medication, didn't result in her having tremors and didn't make her vomit, (the technician at the emergency room let out a deep sigh when my poor sick pup vomited a second time on their floor). Can you tell I am not impressed with our experience? Anyway, we have an appointment with our vet this afternoon. I have taken the day off to monitor her as the Tramadol, makes her whine and seem frightened.

What irks me is that yesterday morning she didn't want to eat, or drink and the meds they had given her and seemed to wear off. So we called the vet to ask if there was anything we can do. We had just seen them, they told us that the Tramadol's dosage could be modified while we were there, but when we called they refused to adjust her medication until we went back there and spent another $30 for a second visit. Only 4 hours after we spent hundreds on her meds/tests!! So hubby and I searched online and found she could be given an 3rd pill (this was later confirmed by them when I called yet again for help). Ugggh. So frustrating.

I asked if there was anything we can do to help prevent them, as I come home from work every day at lunch to let her potty, I give her Vitamin C tablets they suggested and she still gets sick. They suggested that we perhaps move to a less dog filled area since Cinnamon likes to mark her territory which is why they feel she is getting infections. So I'm looking for places to move.

Do you have a female dog that gets urinary infections? Can you suggest anything that has worked for you?

Any ideas or feedback would be greatly appreciated!

~Marcia

Dog Day

Last weekend, Furry Friends Rescue sponsored a Doggie Easter Egg Hunt. Of course, we had to go! It was unseasonably warm out so we met up with a furry friend and his human companion and off we went. Cinnamon was so excited to be outdoors with lots of doggies that I swear I worked out my arms by holding her back! She is a sweet soul but loves to pull! So I apologize for the photos as they were taken trying to hold her back.

A view of the pond and the horses that live there

Cinnamon after swimming in said pond



The grounds it was hosted on is a dog groomers and resort. The owners live in this gorgeous home on the property.

Cinnamon's best buddy Finley sniffing his doggie egg treats

If you'd like to see professional photos of the days events, please click here.
http://kandcphoto.zenfolio.com

It was a great day for all!

~ Marcia

Spriing, oh spriiing

After a wet and windy weekend I found myself yearning for sunshine. Just a touch of warmth on my skin, birds chirping, scents of lilac in the air. Ah, my second favorite season. So during another day of soggy, damp conditions, I prodded and begged and wore down my hubby to go shopping in the high winds and torrential like rain. Ok, ok, so I didn't really beg we headed out to lunch then went shopping. ;) I decided that I wanted to hit up Old Navy. I don't always find things there but this time was different.

Here is what I bought in my weak attempt to will Spring to life through color:

A cute little t-shirt sun dress in bright yellow.

A beautiful floral print sun dress


A black jersey dress that I have wanted for awhile.

And the best part, everything was on special! The black jersey was only $15 and the other two were $20!! Not bad!! Now I'm ready for spring when it finally decides to arrive!

~ Marcia

Happy LOVE day!

Wishing you all a day filled with LOVE, compassion, understanding, caring and kindness. May you take the time to appreciate those around you, those that love you, stand by you, laugh with you, cry with you. Those that are here in life and in spirit. May today remind you of who you are and those in your life that have helped shape who it is you are. Be it near or far, on earth or in Heaven.

Happy Happy St. Valentine's Day.

~ Marcia

Snowed in

We were given forewarning that snow was coming. We were supposed to get a storm, and storm it did! I don't know what the final tally was but in some areas it was up to my knees! We spent the day outside playing in it. The pup just loves snow! And I have to admit, it was beautiful. The snow on the trees, the buildings, covering cars, sidewalks. Just gorgeous. We didn't attempt to make it out today, but we did see some brave souls shoveling themselves out to hit the road. Not me. I just enjoyed being home, with a happy tired pup, snapping away pictures of natures beauty.

~ Marcia