SO relieved to hear Rafa will be OK and also the story of his name! I have heard that males can get UTIs, especially from dry food. I love the thought of us all sharing stories while the Truman show carries on in the distance. Give Rafa an extra cuddle from me - I have an elderly rescue cat, Josie the Pussycat, now nearing 21 years old. She's all bones and the softest fur imaginable along with the personality of a grand dame. Every day we have with her is a gift. Here's to music and cats and continued health of all.
Yes I have a male cat and he gets mostly raw wet food with a small smattering of kibble during the day. When I ‘inherited’ him 2 years ago, he was totally on dry food. It was like crack coke for him! I have weaned him away from it. And I also give him Flower Essences from www.petessences.com. They have a lot of great ‘formulas’ for all manner of pet ailments (and can be used on the humans as well)!
This is a wonderful update! I am so happy to hear Rafa is on the mend. Love, humor, cats and other animals are necessary antidotes to the despair I feel if I dwell in the horrors too much. Thank you for sharing your cat stories. I am so glad there is good and affordable vet care where you live.
I agree with your assessment of Spain's veterinarians. I had 3 emergencies with my beloved dogs and cat when I lived in Madrid and at my mountain fruit farm in Madrigal de la Vera. Every time, absolute calm reigned (while I was almost hysterical) and every time the vets were absolutely brilliant, speedy and astonishingly cheap. I had the same experience when I consulted a doctor myself too.... Spanish people are so cool in a crisis. Even the motor mechanics were chilled out! It took me a while to adjust to the absolute confidence and efficiency that everyone exudes, even when the temperatures soar around them. "Que calor!" is all that they say as they get on with whatever needs doing.
I knew you would be happy in Spain and I am very pleased that Rafa is in your life.
I vote for leaving the bloody awful Truman's show chattering to itself somewhere in the background. We have lives to live and stories of joy to share - let's do that.
C.. I so agree with this statement. I look forward to this day…“I think over time, we all will slowly evolve to just a bunch of friends relaying tales to one another, while the Truman Show does whatever to wants off in the distance.”
And am so grateful that baby Kitty Rafa is on the road to recovery. My long time companion Roxy, an Australian Cattle Dog passed away in 2022, just shy of 16. She and I had been together since she was 6 weeks old. The day I brought her ashes home a Tuxedo cat showed up in my backyard. Never seen this cat before. The cat was being ‘babysat’ by my neighbor, as his owner was moving about staying with various family members while she found a place to live. Needless to say he has been with me for two years now. His name is Bubba, but I call him Bubby, and he’s about 4or 5 years old. I believe my dear sweet Roxy ‘sent him to me’ because she knew I missed the companionship of an animal but wasn’t ready to take on another dog yet. I am now a ‘cat’ person and I love my Bubby, Moo Moo, kitty.
I live in an Asian country and buy a cooked mackerel for my cat from a local stand and the Muslim girl selling them laughs and laughs. It’s endearing, and sometimes she even gives me a discount.
We have always had cats that go inside and out, bringing wonderful gifts, proudly announcing them. One cat, Flynt, an avid hunter, came home limping. I massaged his hips and legs to see if anything was broken. It wasn't. Of course my husband had just left for a backpacking trip, but I called him to tell him about this. He said wait a day. The next morning, a Saturday, I called the closest vet, who got me in about an hour later. He didn't ask me about my cat's vaccine history, just got right to it. (In my state, often vets will turn you away if you can't show proof of vaccines and we stopped vaxxing our cats years ago.)
Turns out Flynt had a puncture in his paw that had gotten infected and filled with maggots. The vet gave him some medicine, right there and then some meds to take home. He was back to fine the next day. I'm glad I took him in but I'm equally glad the vet didn't get press for vax details. Now that we are empty nesters (no grandchildren, yet!) our cats are everything to us.
So happy he is okay- cats are fragile yet so tenacious to life. Thank you for your writing today which brought to mind the judgement of purpose and our cultural pronouncement on value of lives.
When I was five or so my dad took me to watch president Kennedy in his motorcade in downtown Berkeley. Later that year I woke to see my parents standing holding each other and my mother crying- Kennedy had been slain. The next day at school I learned that the friendly custodian at my school had suddenly died- the first person I remembered knowing that died. I told my mom I thought the school flag was lowered for him as well as the President. She scoffed at me and told me he didn’t matter as much. I was enraged and knew she was wrong.
My kitties, my dogs and my precious husband command the bulk of my time and effort at present. This all reminds me to realize the fulfillment in a private and humble life.
This is the very best news!! So thankful it was so ‘simple’ - getting a correct diagnosis is sometimes not easy! I cannot wait to hear your American vet stories! I have lots I could share, also! I do everything possible to stay out of their offices!
My dear old best high school friend had a succession of cats. They would come in wild and feral from the woods and fields, decide that they liked it in his place, and would stay. He would smile, feed them, and let them sleep on his bed. Throughout his life, one cat after another, all with different personalities. He's between cats now. I hope another wanderer will come discover how kind he is.
I have had many cats, one dog, and am on no 2 dog, she is 14yrs. I am 78 and I have lots of music, so a resounding YES cats, YES music, and we must absolutely include DOGS AND BY THE WAY MY first dog lived 18yrs so DOGS are the bomb! That's my opinion and I'm sticking by it! PS humans not so much...
I feel your smoldering volcano and raise you a swelling tsunami. Most veterinarians aid and abet the demise of our most beloveds— through ignorance or intention. I met Pat McKay (from CA and now Las Vegas) years ago and learned so much from her I couldn’t possibly detail all of it here. My outdoor kitty eats raw meat, butter, and gets homeopathic pellets (cost next to nothing) when something is wrong, which is rare. Check out her E book, “It’s Reigning Cats and Dogs” and look her up online. Extraordinary woman sharing the best way to feed and treat cats and dogs. No vaccines ever. No microchips. She saved many of my cats.
SO relieved to hear Rafa will be OK and also the story of his name! I have heard that males can get UTIs, especially from dry food. I love the thought of us all sharing stories while the Truman show carries on in the distance. Give Rafa an extra cuddle from me - I have an elderly rescue cat, Josie the Pussycat, now nearing 21 years old. She's all bones and the softest fur imaginable along with the personality of a grand dame. Every day we have with her is a gift. Here's to music and cats and continued health of all.
Yes I have a male cat and he gets mostly raw wet food with a small smattering of kibble during the day. When I ‘inherited’ him 2 years ago, he was totally on dry food. It was like crack coke for him! I have weaned him away from it. And I also give him Flower Essences from www.petessences.com. They have a lot of great ‘formulas’ for all manner of pet ailments (and can be used on the humans as well)!
This is a wonderful update! I am so happy to hear Rafa is on the mend. Love, humor, cats and other animals are necessary antidotes to the despair I feel if I dwell in the horrors too much. Thank you for sharing your cat stories. I am so glad there is good and affordable vet care where you live.
I agree with your assessment of Spain's veterinarians. I had 3 emergencies with my beloved dogs and cat when I lived in Madrid and at my mountain fruit farm in Madrigal de la Vera. Every time, absolute calm reigned (while I was almost hysterical) and every time the vets were absolutely brilliant, speedy and astonishingly cheap. I had the same experience when I consulted a doctor myself too.... Spanish people are so cool in a crisis. Even the motor mechanics were chilled out! It took me a while to adjust to the absolute confidence and efficiency that everyone exudes, even when the temperatures soar around them. "Que calor!" is all that they say as they get on with whatever needs doing.
I knew you would be happy in Spain and I am very pleased that Rafa is in your life.
I vote for leaving the bloody awful Truman's show chattering to itself somewhere in the background. We have lives to live and stories of joy to share - let's do that.
C.. I so agree with this statement. I look forward to this day…“I think over time, we all will slowly evolve to just a bunch of friends relaying tales to one another, while the Truman Show does whatever to wants off in the distance.”
And am so grateful that baby Kitty Rafa is on the road to recovery. My long time companion Roxy, an Australian Cattle Dog passed away in 2022, just shy of 16. She and I had been together since she was 6 weeks old. The day I brought her ashes home a Tuxedo cat showed up in my backyard. Never seen this cat before. The cat was being ‘babysat’ by my neighbor, as his owner was moving about staying with various family members while she found a place to live. Needless to say he has been with me for two years now. His name is Bubba, but I call him Bubby, and he’s about 4or 5 years old. I believe my dear sweet Roxy ‘sent him to me’ because she knew I missed the companionship of an animal but wasn’t ready to take on another dog yet. I am now a ‘cat’ person and I love my Bubby, Moo Moo, kitty.
“Troubles overcome are good to tell” -- Yiddish saying
Prayer works! I am so happy for you and the baby Rafa!
They laugh because it's unusual to give pets a human name, which is cute and cute/funny are really close 😅
Seeing my country through your eyes makes me feel humbled, thank you and keep the cat stories coming!
I live in an Asian country and buy a cooked mackerel for my cat from a local stand and the Muslim girl selling them laughs and laughs. It’s endearing, and sometimes she even gives me a discount.
We have always had cats that go inside and out, bringing wonderful gifts, proudly announcing them. One cat, Flynt, an avid hunter, came home limping. I massaged his hips and legs to see if anything was broken. It wasn't. Of course my husband had just left for a backpacking trip, but I called him to tell him about this. He said wait a day. The next morning, a Saturday, I called the closest vet, who got me in about an hour later. He didn't ask me about my cat's vaccine history, just got right to it. (In my state, often vets will turn you away if you can't show proof of vaccines and we stopped vaxxing our cats years ago.)
Turns out Flynt had a puncture in his paw that had gotten infected and filled with maggots. The vet gave him some medicine, right there and then some meds to take home. He was back to fine the next day. I'm glad I took him in but I'm equally glad the vet didn't get press for vax details. Now that we are empty nesters (no grandchildren, yet!) our cats are everything to us.
So happy he is okay- cats are fragile yet so tenacious to life. Thank you for your writing today which brought to mind the judgement of purpose and our cultural pronouncement on value of lives.
When I was five or so my dad took me to watch president Kennedy in his motorcade in downtown Berkeley. Later that year I woke to see my parents standing holding each other and my mother crying- Kennedy had been slain. The next day at school I learned that the friendly custodian at my school had suddenly died- the first person I remembered knowing that died. I told my mom I thought the school flag was lowered for him as well as the President. She scoffed at me and told me he didn’t matter as much. I was enraged and knew she was wrong.
My kitties, my dogs and my precious husband command the bulk of my time and effort at present. This all reminds me to realize the fulfillment in a private and humble life.
Such good news!! Definitely an answer to prayer!! Thank you so much for caring for that sweet little kitty!
This is the very best news!! So thankful it was so ‘simple’ - getting a correct diagnosis is sometimes not easy! I cannot wait to hear your American vet stories! I have lots I could share, also! I do everything possible to stay out of their offices!
A wonderful result! Blessings on you (both).
My dear old best high school friend had a succession of cats. They would come in wild and feral from the woods and fields, decide that they liked it in his place, and would stay. He would smile, feed them, and let them sleep on his bed. Throughout his life, one cat after another, all with different personalities. He's between cats now. I hope another wanderer will come discover how kind he is.
Hallelujah! 🐈🧡
I have had many cats, one dog, and am on no 2 dog, she is 14yrs. I am 78 and I have lots of music, so a resounding YES cats, YES music, and we must absolutely include DOGS AND BY THE WAY MY first dog lived 18yrs so DOGS are the bomb! That's my opinion and I'm sticking by it! PS humans not so much...
I feel your smoldering volcano and raise you a swelling tsunami. Most veterinarians aid and abet the demise of our most beloveds— through ignorance or intention. I met Pat McKay (from CA and now Las Vegas) years ago and learned so much from her I couldn’t possibly detail all of it here. My outdoor kitty eats raw meat, butter, and gets homeopathic pellets (cost next to nothing) when something is wrong, which is rare. Check out her E book, “It’s Reigning Cats and Dogs” and look her up online. Extraordinary woman sharing the best way to feed and treat cats and dogs. No vaccines ever. No microchips. She saved many of my cats.
What is the problem with the microchips?
https://patmckay.com/%E2%80%8Bmicrochips
Please read the above link on microchipping!
https://patmckay.com/