Thursday, December 21, 2017

Merry Christmas from Stray Cat & Stivali

So. Ma bought us a hat. 
I do NOT like it. 

Stivali avoided the hat completely. 

I get extremely jealous when ma takes my sister's photo. 

Whichever holiday you celebrate, whether Christmas like us or not - may you be surrounded by your loved ones... 

May you need not look for anything more than what you already have ... 

May those who need forgiveness receive it - those who need to give it, be encouraged to do so.

May all your days be bright and merry.
Filled with love, peace, and joy.

From our home to yours, we send you these wishes and many more... along with kitty kisses to all of you. 

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Snow Days and Sun Puddles

So. Me begging for mamma's food is becoming a fun trend - one week and going strong of nightly begging.
See? Told you I cannot be that sick

The weather outside is frightful, and I am really grateful to be an indoor cat. Safe and warm.


This is how my sister spends her days... relaxing in the sun porch - enjoying all of the sun puddles.

The cold stays out. We stay in.

We are happy. We are grateful. We are blessed.

Stay warm, Readers in Cold Places. 💞

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Happy December!

New month, new attitude, and soon, a new year. 

Check me out. 😸

I know that I cannot be as sick as everyone thinks, despite my labored breathing and all the medicines I take, because I still can eat. I still want to eat. All of the time.   

Whenever mamma is in the kitchen, I follow, whether it is time for me to eat or not, I want to eat. I want to know what mamma is making and if it tastes good enough for me.

So, it is a new month, and my new attitude is - I AM NOT THAT SICK - Look, I am still hungry all of the time, I am good. I am looking forward to the new year, I am gonna be okay.

My mamma will make an appointment soon to see how I am doing on my meds and if I have more fluid on my lungs, I guess they will drain it out again. Yuck.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the anniversary of the first arrival of Stivali into our home. Read her story here, if you are interested and missed my delightful post last December about my little sister. 😻 Happy You're-Ours Day, Stivali.

Happy December, Dear Readers - keep your spirits bright! 💗

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Much to be grateful for.

My ma always says to live a life of thanks and giving, and it is most appropriate on Thanksgiving to share with you her thoughts on living with an attitude of gratitude and to give give give give give (all while expecting nothing in return).

This year, my sister and I are very thankful for our new home. It is warm and has plenty of space for us to roam. We are thankful for the food mamma buys us, and for all the love she gives us. We are grateful for her and God most of all.

I am thankful for the doctors at the animal hospital where I go very often.  I am thankful that I am healthy enough to spend another Thanksgiving with my family.

We are all grateful to our readers, and send to the web-universe blessings of Thanksgiving to all of you, your families and friends, too.

Thank you!



We celebrate it, but this was too funny not to share. 


Sunday, November 12, 2017

I am tired all of the time.

So. I have been sleeping a lot.
"They" say cats sleep generally 12-16 hours - and I am pretty sure I am up to 20.

I have been coughing/dry heaving a lot, too.  Before my CHF diagnosis, ma always assumed my coughing was due to a hairball that would not come up... now we know the truth.

The new diuretic may or not be working, I do not know, I cannot tell.

My ma is sad and watches over me obsessively.

I do not know how to help her feel better about any of this.  Although, I have made it a habit to sit on her pillow, above her head every morning, and wake her up by pawing or licking her forehead. 

She may or may not like this, I do not know, I cannot tell.

As the holiday season quickly approaches, remember to focus on what is important. Don't get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season.  Hug your loved ones tight - tell them you love them.   Pet your pets, let them know you love them, too.


Tuesday, October 31, 2017

How we spend Halloween...

...until the door bell rings!

My ma said she read that Halloween started as a festival called Samhain. It was part of an ancient Celtic religion in parts of Europe. As you all know, when the end of harvest came, the darkest season started, but the Celtics believed the barrier between our world and the ghostly spirits' world got really thin during this time of year.  After the festival ended, November 01 marked a new year.  

Happy Halloween and Happy New Year, Readers! 


Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Spironolactone

I went to the doctor on Saturday.   I had blood drawn, my blood pressure taken (it's fine!), and an x-ray (fluid has once again accumulated in my chest cavity). 

I am now 16.03 pounds. I am losing weight and I don't wanto. 

Today, my doctor called with my blood test results and they came back free of concerns.

She shared the test results with my cardiologist to see if I can up my Lasix dosage, since Saturday's x-rays showed fluid build up (they were not expecting to see so much fluid build up in two weeks). 

Instead of upping Lasix, they prescribed 
a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) which will prevent my body from absorbing too much sodium and will keep my potassium levels from going lower than we want.  Spironolactone is the name of the new drug I am taking, and it is for people and cats like me with congestive heart failure.

The pharmacist compounded it into liquid for me and asked ma if I wanted beef or chicken flavor. We selected chicken.

Here's hoping this works. 

We are happy the blood results came back positively, with no negative impact on my kidneys so that I can try another diuretic.  


I am tired a lot, breathing heavier than normal, but I still purr, and am happy being loved. 


Thank you for reading my update and for your continued prayers and thoughts.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Upcoming Status Check

In a couple of days, I am going back to the vet.

They will check my blood again to see how my kidneys and other organs are handling all of the medications. They will also take x-rays and my blood pressure.

I am feeling okay, relaxing, and getting as much meditation time in as well as all the affection from mamma as I can get!
 It is fall, the air is crisp, I long to be outside.  Mamma brings flowers in to taunt us.
Please keep your prayers coming. I appreciate them so.

Here is the latest video ma took of my little sister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2vJsHswnak

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Test Results & Weight Update


On Monday, my ma dropped me off at the animal hospital on her way to work.
She left me there all day while she was at her office.
At the animal hospital, they completed an ultrasound, and I was examined by a cardiologist.
The cardiologist drained 200 milliliters (0.0528344 US liquid gallon) of fluid out of my chest cavity.

They received my blood work & thyroid test results from Saturday.  My body is handling the medicines I am on and I do not have any issue with my kidneys.  The doctor increased my dosage of the diuretic I am on. 

I will be reexamined in three weeks: x-rays, blood pressure test, blood work.

My medicines are now: Morning = .625 mg Pimobendin (CHF medicine to strengthen muscular contractions of the heart & dilate blood vessels)

                                                         2.50 mg Enacard (CHF & blood pressure medicine)
                                                         20    mg Lasix (diuretic)
                                       Mid-day = 10    mg Lasix

                                       Evening = 10     mg Lasix
                                                         .625  mg Pimobendin

                                                         1.25  mg Enacard

My weight history since diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure: 

DATE:       WEIGHT:
March 19, 2016            21.70
April 08, 2016              20.50
Aug 01, 2016               19.11
Aug 16, 2016               19.04
 Jan 24, 2017                19.04
  March 27, 2017            19.06
 May 14, 2017               18.50
 Aug 10, 2017               17.90
 Aug 23, 2017               17.80
 Sept 30, 2017              16.80

I feel okay, tired mostly, trying not to be sad. 

My sister was mean to me until Thursday - hating my scent upon returning from the animal hospital.
Your continued prayers and good thoughts are a blessing to me. Thank you for them.


Sunday, October 1, 2017

Status on Living with Congestive Heart Failure

Yesterday, my ma took me for my bi-annual routine blood work to determine what impact all these medicines are having on my organs. Specifically, my kidneys, since I am on a diuretic, Lasix.
The doctor asked my ma if I always breathe so heavy.
I usually don't at home, she tells the doctor - and explains that my breathing heavy is due in part to all the dogs barking and being at the animal hospital which causes anxiety.
The doctor did not buy it and asked permission to do X-Rays.
Ma agreed.

To our sadness, there appears to be a lot more fluid on my lungs when the X-Rays are compared to the ones taken in January.

The doctor suggests draining it with a small needle, to help me feel more comfortable. She did not think that Lasix alone would help my heavy breathing.  And we can't up the dosage without first getting the blood test results.

Sadly, they could not do the drainage at that time and asked us to return to the animal hospital in four hours.

Interesting to note - that during the time spent at home relaxing, my breathing returned to completely normal and was no longer labored.

Regardless, we went back to the doctor's at the scheduled time. Ma waited for 30 minutes while two different doctors attempted to drain out the water.

First they shaved one side of me, stuck me with a needle - failed, and then shaved the other side of me, to stick me on that side with a needed - and that too failed.

They asked us to come back first thing Monday morning so I could be seen by a cardiologist and have an ultrasound done. The X-Rays show the fluid - assuming it is around the lungs and my heart - but there was too much blockage to get it out, so a cardiologist would be better able to tell how to drain it with an ultrasound completed.

I am very sad. I am tired of going to the doctors. My ma is sad, too, she doesn't want me being pricked and prodded at ... it sucks.

Please pray for me. Thank you.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Monday, September 4, 2017

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September.  It was created by the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. During this yearly national tribute, I honor the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country - especially those workers who create delicious cat treats, fun cat toys, and comfortable cat beds.While our mamma has a day off, I am relaxing in the laundry room, on the shelves on top of the comfy towels. 
My sweet sister is spending this holiday sunbathing on a chair overlooking the back of our home. Here she is, in all of her cuteness.



Happy Labor Day, Readers.  Thank you for all you do to make America great.  


Have a wonderful day, and make it a wonderful day for someone else. 
 

Sunday, August 13, 2017

It's Mamma's Birthday Month!!

🎈❤🎈The greatest thing about August is that we celebrate mamma's birth all month long!🎈❤🎈

The best thing about celebrating all month long is that Mamma has incredible friends - and when they send her cool gifts, they usually remember to get us stuff, too.

Check out what arrived this week from our friend, Jules!!!!! ❤
We could not believe our noses! Jules sent us (I mean, "mamma") the most incredible catladybox ever.

When Ma brought the mail in we instinctively could smell the incredible aroma inside this beautiful cardboard box. We could not wait for her to open it so we could get at it.

Inside there wasn't just ONE toy for us - but TWO. Two toys!

It's Mamma's birthday month and WE get two toys. Talk about being blessed kitties!!
Since our mamma is a writer, one of the toys was really smartly considered.
Stivali especially likes the pencil catnip toy, she plays with it every day since we received these awesome presents.
Ma will hate me for posting this pic of her,
but the catladybox included this cute t-shirt for her.
I just had to share how great it is.

 
 Thank you, Jules, for thinking of us! We love you!

Sunday, August 6, 2017

We love our nonno!

Nonno Tony is the greatest.
He came today and cut our hedge.
We did not even ask him to.
It is a beautiful day to open all the windows and breathe in fresh air.  Nonno Tony uses loud cutting equipment, but me and Stivali don't mind at all - we watch him from the window and are happy he is here.

Today is a good day. 




We love our grandfather.  We are grateful.  We are happy. 😻😻

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

In memory of my older brother, Kismet.

 My older brother, Kismet, passed away eight years ago today.

I really looked up to him and liked him a lot.

I used to follow him around and want to be his friend. He wasn't interested.

My mamma wrote about him on her blog a lot, and wrote a tribute to him after he passed away.

Read about him here.

Eight years have passed, and I know my mamma still misses him a lot.  Sometimes I catch her calling me his name on accident, and I never mind.

Hold close your loved ones. Your time on earth is not guaranteed.

My ma had these great canvases made of us.  
Checking out Kismet's portrait. 
 

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Getting old isn't easy...

There is this door in our house.
If  I stand and stare at it long enough, my beautiful mamma opens it for me.
Inside is our laundry room, where mamma cleans all of our toys, blankets, and bed covers.  There are shelves behind the washer which hold all of her towels.

When I was younger, a year or two ago, once the door opened for me, I would jump up onto the washer and make my way to the back of one of the high shelves to sit and relax and meditate.

Now that I am aging, I cannot jump.
It makes me sad.

I wait at the door, as per usual, mamma comes and opens it for me. I stare longingly at the washer, turn my neck and I meow at my mamma.

She picks me up and places me on the washer so that I can nestle in and relax in my favorite spot.
Growing old isn't easy, but when you have a loving mamma to help you, it makes it a little less daunting.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

I could have been a big star!

My mamma had looked into certifying me as a therapy cat, because I am so lovable. Even though she thinks about still going through with the program, she hesitates because of my sister's anxiety.  The scents I would bring home may be incredible stressful to Stivali. 
The program helps so many people in need, I think therapy animals are very important and such a neat idea, I know I would excel as one.
If I was not meant to be a super therapy cat, I think I would have been a great cat-actor in my younger days.
My ma has a favorite movie called "Breakfast at Tiffany's"; in it, there is a cat named "Cat", and whenever she watches it, I nudge her, thinking she would understand that I want to be a cat-actor, too. However, my nudges just make her pet me more - and she assumes I am jealous of the cat on television. Humph! 
Main actress, Audrey, and "Cat" played by "Orangey".


I really like these photos from the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" shoot; I can picture ma and me doing a similar one, can't you? 



This is my favorite! My ma could definitely pull this off!

Isn't the cat-actor adorable, though? 😺 I find it interesting that my lack of a "real" name is reminiscent of the cat's name of "Cat" in the famous movie. Coincidence?  Hmmm...

I shall leave you with that to ponder.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

My little sister is in a movie!

So, my ma has a Google Photos account.

It is very cool, actually, her and her friends can share photos simply with it.

However, Google Photos made a slide show of her pictures, regardless if the photos were good or not, and set it to a classic song with a chorus of meows.  It is very cute, I am in it a little bit, but it is predominantly a movie about my little sister, Stivali.



Check it out here.

Normally, I would be very upset that it isn't a movie about me, but I do really love her so much, and I have faith that Google will create one for me, too.



My cute little sister, Stivali.