Sol3 - Cat Tails 7: Brief Encounter

Page Updated:

29-Apr-2002

For the last few months I have been feeling rather low and my coat has been dull, probably because I haven't felt too keen on washing it. After several visits to the vet it seems that I have ageing kidneys. After a brief course of antibiotics, I am now on a special diet of chicken & fish and daily vitamin supplements. As a result of all this I am feeling much improved, my coat is better and I am bouncing around the house again like a youngster!

Now, back to the plot. With the house containing four growing kittens it is beginning to feel rather crowded. Although Corbon is loving all the responsibility and kitten washing even he is starting to think 'enough is enough'. He has had to insist that the kittens queue for his attention to ensure each one is properly treated. We both end up thinking 'are all these kittens staying?'

Yours truly, contemplating old age and my missing bit of tail!

As you can see they are extremely cute, but before long they might attempt to beat me up. Such activity cannot be tolerated. So it was with some relief that several strangers arrived taking two kittens with them. Curiously though, it was the two really pretty ones with the white in their coat that found other homes. Obviously the two full tabbies had quickly learned how important it was to 'imprint' themselves on our two pets.

The smallest of the kittens was called Misty and is very happy in her new home in a nearby town. The other was named Boots and living on a farm she has recently had 4 kittens of her own, we are all very proud of her!

Newt (left) & Isaac

The remaining female kitten was named Newt, with her 'big' brother being called Isaac. Although briefly confused by the disappearance of their sisters, they soon settled down.

Meanwhile, Corbon's new-found love of ladders was about to cause him some problems.

Corbon 'nesting' in a ladder.

Isaac and Newt are squeezed in the box!

One morning, my pet Dave had spent a brief period in the loft connecting some new lights. It wasn't until the evening meal time that both of our pets became aware that Corbon was not around. An extensive search was made of the entire house and garden with much calling of his name. Eventually Dave heard some rather muffled and plaintive meowing. Knowing that he could climb onto the roof this area had already been checked, so it took a while before he realised where the noise was coming from. Of course it turned out that Corbon had been shut in the loft after Dave had finished working up there in the morning.

Another time, Corbon managed to trap himself in the handle of a plastic carrier bag whilst in the garden. He panicked, ran through the thick hedge and across the busy road. It took our pets all day to find him and get him back to safety. Sadly there was worse to come.

"I'm not in the way, am I?"

Corbon
(photo © M. A. Bunce)

In January 2000 my pet received a major shock when the doorbell rang, he found two complete strangers and one bedraggled and limping Corbon. One of the strangers had 'knocked' into Corbon in their car, the other having witnessed the incident. Dave was too concerned for Corbon to worry about details such as the speed they were travelling. His main concern was to get him to the vet. After what was the 'longest' journey ever (as it was dark and Corbon made no noises from the passenger seat) he was left at the vet for a full diagnosis.

He remained at the vet for several weeks. Newt, Isaac & myself were informed several times a day where Corbon was (as if we didn't understand). Eventually he returned, he had recovered from the concussion, but his front right leg had suffered severe nerve damage. He could not feel his leg, nor could he use it in any way. There was a slight chance of the nerves healing, so it was decided to bring him home and give him some time for any possible healing process to occur.

The rest of us thought he was a little odd as he hobbled around the house, dragging his front leg around. However, he soon managed to jump up onto chairs and even managed to swing his shoulder to move the unresponsive limb into position. Sadly though, there was no improvement. Also, there was great concern as he was soon getting through the cat door and exploring the garden again. Our pets realised that if he were to get his right leg trapped he might panic. With no feeling in that leg he could do himself some serious harm. So, it was with some reluctance that our pets took him back to the vet for the inevitable operation.

Find out how he coped with just three legs in the next instalment.

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