little bitty girl

It's been a little bit insane in our household since the news of Mindy possibly having some sort of sickness. So it turned out that her pee had a higher than normal pH level. Sometimes this is an indication of stones in the bladder (bad) or a urinary tract infection (also bad). The vet decided that we needed to do X-rays just to make sure that she had no stones.

I had to drop her off at the vet and I confess that I was tearing up a little as they took her to the back and she gave me the most bewildered look. I hate the idea of her not feeling safe or happy. Truth be told, she's never had to be away from her home for any long periods of time. When we go away, we have her cat nanny come and hang with her the entire time we're gone. (God help us when we actually have children since we're so obsessive with Mindy now).

She was literally at the vet for only four hours and then Stefan had to pick her up. She had no stones (thank goodness) and they have no idea why she has an aggravated bladder so now she's on special bladder food and medication. I think Stef and I just have to be reconciled to the fact that she's just getting older, and will be bound to suffer some age related illnesses. I only want her to live the rest of her life healthy and happy (and when the time actually comes for her to go, I will go to pieces).

I know some people out there reading this must think this is the most ridiculous thing -- how much we love her. Even a girlfriend last night asked me whether Stefan and I have gone completely insane. But she's our child. We love her. I can't describe it, if you don't already know what it feels like to have a pet that you love.

After they got back, Stefan called to say that the vet had tried to steal her. I mean they're always raving at "what beautiful eyes" she has. He said he stood there for awhile with her food and medication and finally the receptionist noticed and asked him whether there was anything else they could help him with?

"Mindy?" he replied.

"Oh, didn't you get her back?"

"Errr....no. Do you see me holding a beautiful but fat cat in my arms?"

Anyway, now she's on this special diet that has meat by-product (a big no-no in my books) that she's turned her nose up to, medication which she refuses to eat and on top of it all, they returned my baby smelling like other animal's poo-poo. I swear, she absolutely reeks. And she knows it, as she's been not herself since she's been back. She keeps trying to rub herself against walls and is constantly licking herself.

So on top of my abandonment of her, the humility of having to be with other "animals" (I seriously think she doesn't realize that she's one herself), we now have to attempt to give her a bath.

I am just happy that she's got no stones in her insides. I'll let you know how happy she is after her first bath.

Update: Other than five really pathetic sad meows, Mindy was completely a gem during her bath. Twelve treats later and a new catnip toy and she was back to normal. What a suck!