Miss Ginger's Next Husband.....

Does anyone know where to find this man?

Loss

Humor us one more day and we promise to get back to our normal, FABULOUS selves.


This has been a tough day for Shelby and I.  Much as the doctor had warned,  she has been verrrrrry clingy, but otherwise relatively normal.  I have seen her feed and drink, which is great, but she doesn't seem to be using the litter box. That's something I will call about tomorrow if it doesn't resolve itself.  Maybe she's using the one upstairs that Jack rarely used. Surely, she's been today or she'd seem a lot more miserable!


I'm tormented by smells today. When they brought Jackson to me, he smelled horrible- like a dirty baby. That putrid milk smell that a baby gets by the end of the day.  Combined with wet cat. I never want to smell that smell again!  In addition, in a fit of poor judgement, I tied the crawfish shells from the weekend in a plastic bag and put them in the outdoor garbage bin.  That was a bad idea... it was 90 degrees today.  The yard reeks, and the garbage man doesn't come until Thursday.  And to top that off,  I think a possum has died under the house. I get a faint wiff of it here in the office, and the downstairs bathroom filled with fleas last night, which always happens when something croaks beneath the floorboards. At least they seem to confine themselves to the bathroom, which I think is because the floor there is white. I really wish I could just turn my nose off for a while. Instead, I've chosen to shove it into a glass of wine.


Believe it or not, this is the first time in my adult life that I have experience the loss of a pet, and the first time I have had to put one down.  We had an Irish Setter for most of my childhood, and she died the summer between high school and college. Natural causes. I wasn't home at the time. It was sad, but not terrible.


Today was terrible. After having lost 4 grandparents, 2 parents, a brother, numerous aunts and uncles, and many, many friends, I thought I was a grief warrior! Grieve, yes. Take your time, yes. Time will heal, yes.  Yet somehow, this was different.  My pain initially was much more intense- the tears were like acid running down my face.  I cried harder, longer, and much more intensely than I did when Momma or Daddy died. When they died, I felt blistered. It hurt. I wasn't going to die from it, but it hurt.  And it lingered, and different things would irritate it and make it worse again. It seemed like every time I walked, I rubbed against that blister and irritated it again.


This was more of an acute pain, like a stab, or a cut.  It hurt really bad when it happened, but now, it seems bandaged, and as long as I'm careful, I think it will heal quickly and leave one of those scars that reminds you how much fun you were having when you fell. He was my first cat. He came into my life with my first live in lover.  He stayed with me after I had my first real breakup.  And now he's gone.


I still have Shelby, thank god!  And my little Nog, the one I worry about the most, is healthy and happy and ruling the back yard.  And I'm sure there will be other cats in my future. Maybe I will find them; maybe they will find me.  But Jackson will always be my first kitty, and that means he will always be a special kitty.  And I thank ALL of my kitty loving friends for their love, support, understanding, and patience!


It would probably do me good to get out. But I don't want to leave Shelby alone. She's never been alone. As luck would have it, I had planned a few days "staycation" this week to try to get some things done. So much for that. But at least I have a couple of days to keep an eye on Shelby, and I am thrilled that I have my GingerSnaps to talk to.  You all mean the world to me!

Thanks For Your Words of Support.....

...just heard from Jackson's doctor that he is resting comfortably after a rigorous afternoon of poking and prodding! He apparently became a bit of his old self and was a little feisty when the naso tube was inserted, but now he is resting comfortably and being fed, hydrated, and medicated.  He's being given vitamin K to improve his blood clotting so that tomorrow the doctor can take a needle biopsy of his liver to give us more of an idea of exactly what we are dealing with.  Meanwhile, he's being fed the appropriate nutrients to treat his probable fatty liver condition, and he's being given insulin to manage his diabetes.  Hopefully, all of this will help reduce his bilirubin levels, which are elevated, and his gall bladder can return to normal function.


He's not out of the woods yet, but Shelby and I were encouraged by the doctors words and wisdom.  Oh, and there's no sepsis... a VERY good thing!  Please continue to keep him in your thoughts!  I'll get to go see him tomorrow!

A Prince is Fallen.....

....may he find strength and spirit to rise again!




Jackson Manuel Brown Latry Burch is a very, very sick kitty.  The doctors in the ICU at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists have his condition listed a "serious".  Currently, he is receiving IV fluids to combat dehydration, and will get a feeding tube this afternoon to provide nourishment while he convalesces.


His case is complicated by his diabetes and a heart murmur. He apparently has feline hepatic lipidosis, which is an accumulation of fats in the liver. In his case, it was probably caused by the relatively rapid weight loss he experienced when his diabetes was treated and his diet changed.

There are several other things that can cause some of the issues her is suffering, so the doctors are working on ruling those out as they continue to stabilize his condition and get water and food into him.    If he can be successfully rehydrated without complications, and the doctors can overcome his anorexia by force feeding him, he could pull through and live several more years.


The next 24 hours will be crucial for our little man.  If the doctors decide that he can be treated, and he seems to respond well to initial treatments, then he will be treated and we will get him through this. He's always been such a strong kitty, and even through this hid his misery until the end!  If what he has is not treatable, or if he doesn't seem to respond to the early courses of treatment, then Queen Ginger will be facing other difficult decisions.


Of course, Princess Shelby is a wreck!  After being hauled along to 2 veterinary clinics in one day, plus getting some poking and prodding of her own, all she wants to do is snuggle up in a sunbeam with her brother, and she can't seem to find him!  She seems to be acutely aware that something scary is amiss.


Please send positive thoughts Jackson's way.  If you are a prayerful person, perhaps that would help him.  I'm willing to try anything to keep my little man!

Brave Little Man!

So, if you follow Boy G on facebook, you know he and Nog took a trip to the emergency vet clinic last night! We are lucky to have a 24 hour clinic here, and it's right by the Galleria, not too far from the house!

Nog showed up around 9pm, still snotty and wheezy and sounding like a sleestack!

Miss Ginger promised to God that if he came back she would take him to the vet right then and there, so after a little bit of a kerfuffle she got him into a carrier (only the 2nd time in his life!) and off they went!

The folks at the clinic couldn't be nicer! The lady at the desk, Tootsie, was SOOOO sweet, and when she heard Nog's breathing she had a tech come out right past all those pukey dogs to take a look! For us cat people, puke is a way of life, but apparently dog people get all freaked out at the first little pile of vomit. Titty babies! Anyway, the lady heard his snotty breathing, and we went right back for more inspection.

She listened to his heart and lungs, and thankfully they both sounded clear, reducing the likelihood of pneumonia. Then she took his little temperature, butthole style, and he didn't even scream or flinch! That process makes my inside kitties howl like banshees! Maybe Nog is a "friend of Toto!"

Anyway, temp normal, so we waited a bit for the Dr., who looked not unlike Santa Claus in the off-season! The kind and gentle Doctor gave Nog a good look over, and said that he thought he would be okay, but I was smart to bring him in when I did. "No," thought Boy Ginger, "I would have been smart to have brought him in YESTERDAY when I first realized he was really sick! But that's not for here!" So I just averted my eyes like humans do when they are ashamed of themselves!

So we got home at 2am, and Miss Ginger sat up with him for about 1/2 an hour to make sure he got settled in. Then we all went to sleep for a few hours! Jackson and Shelby were up at 7am, and Nog showed up for his breakfast shortly after, so things are looking good.

He decidedly did NOT want a dose of Benadryl® when Boy G got home from work with it, and stormed off in a huff when Miss G tried to give it to him! I think he'll be back for breakfast in the am, though! Positive thoughts!

By the way, it's not exactly a "consumer" product, but Miss G MUST do a quick CPR® on Convenia® injectible antibiotic by Pfizer®! Anyone who has ever given a cat a pill knows that it's virtually impossible, and liquid drops are not much easier! Convenia® is a 14-day single injection! As long as he doesn't get worse, Nog is good to go for 14 days, and after that, if he's shown improvement but is not better, we can go to our regular vet for another! Whomever invented that must have been a cat lover, and it definitely gets 5 lipsticks from Miss G!

Thanks again to everybody for your prayers and good wishes! Your sweet comments here and on facebook definitely talked this old girl down off of a couple of ledges!

A Post From Nog!

Hi evwybody! Thank you fow aww the pwayews and weww wishes! I fewt tewwibow and aww I wanted to do was hide undow the house. Daddy took me to a pwace cawwed a "vetewanawians" and they gave me medicines and even gave me a littow steam faciaw to help cleaw up my snotty nose! Daddy wiww teww you aww about it tomowwow... I think he is vewy, vewy, tiwed! I wuv you aww vewy much!

...nog

Nog's Bobo!

A very observant Auntie Flame noted Nog's bobo in a comment she made! Nog told Miss Ginger he snagged his shoulder on a nail while he was making rounds under the house, but she's pretty sure he lost a turf battle! It's a nasty open wound, so Miss G has been keeping an eye on it, and sure enough, yesterday he showed up with nasty yellow pus oozing from it!

Now, Nog is a gentle sort, and LOVES his Momma Ginger, but he's an outdoorsy sort of fellow and just a step away from feral, so the thought of a trip to the vet is not happy for he or his Momma!

Ginger decided to attempt home treatment, figuring at this point there wouldn't be much the vet could do for the wound that she couldn't do at home. So, she got some peroxide and antiseptic, and some antibiotic ointment and cotton balls, and set up a little "clinic" for him right there on his back porch!

She thought cleaning the wound and getting the antibiotic on would be a right kerfuffle, but as it turns out, he was very trusting and patient as Nurse Ginger dabbed away the nastiness with peroxide, cleaned it up with antiseptic, and patted on the the antibiotic. He was such a brave little boy and he didn't cry or struggle at all!

He seems to be doing much better today, so Miss G will keep an eye on it and keep treating it. Hopefully it will heal nicely and his shiny black fur can grow back over!

"Hard Freeze" Forecasted for South Texas!

In South Texas, when the temp drops below 32 degrees for more than 12 hours, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declares a "hard freeze" and warns us to hunker down and prepare for the wrath of God!

According to the Houston Chronicle, we are advised that "those with agricultural interests in the warned area are advised to protect tender vegetation. Pets should be kept inside. Outside pipes or sprinklers should be adequately insulated." Well, as Miss Ginger has said many times before, if the son of a bitch freezes, she didn't want it in her garden anyway!!!

But, she does worry about her darling outside boy, Nog!

Nog's outdoor heating source has served him well for the past few years, but it has distinct limitations. First, it can't go on the deck. Secondly, it has to be constantly "stoked" or it will burn out rather rapidly. And, finally, the smoke makes Miss Ginger's frocks stink to high heaven!

So, this leads us to the 2nd of Miss Ginger's promised Consumer Product Reviews, hereforeto dubbed Miss G's CPR's!®

THE PROBLEM:

Cold Kitties

THE PRODUCT:
Mr. Heater Tough Buddy Portable Propane Heater

Miss Ginger has had her eye on the "Mr. Heater" product since she first saw it at Lowes last year. But, at over $200, she couldn't really justify it's cost, especially considering last years particularly mild winter. But this year, after it was marked down to 139.99, and then to 104.99. she decided the time is right.

It's really a pretty remarkable product. According to the manual, it is appropriate for heating enclosed shelters, such as barns, outbuildings, and garages, and for temporary emergency heating of residential structures. Perfect for South Texas, because if a "hard freeze" turns into an "ice storm" we could be without power for weeks!

The Mr. Buddy uses (2 ) 1-pound propane tanks, available at any home improvement center, and even Sam's Club! The unit is self lighting, and has 3 heat settings. On the lowest heat setting, the manual claims 220 hours of warmth. Miss G hasn't had the product for 220 hours, but she can tell you that on "high" the yield was probably more like 8 hours. It has an oxygen sensor and self-monitored pilot, along with a gravity sensor, so the unit shuts itself off if the pilot goes out, the oxygen level drops in the vicinity, or the unit is tipped or moved.

At first Nog didn't feel particularly safe around his new heater,

but once he became confortable with it's features and benefits, he told Miss Ginger he gives it "4 kibbles"!

That equates in GingerSpeak to 4 lipsticks! This product is worth it's price for the flexibility and safety it offers, while keeping her little boy warm and toasty!

De they have "hard freezes" where you live?

Christmas Wishes from Miss Ginger, Shelby, Jackson, and Nog!

Hope you all have a warm and fuzzy Christmas , and a ball this New Year!

It's Done...Finally!

Okay, decking the halls was a 2 day project! Oye, vey, glad to be done! It was a hassle but totally worth the kafuffle! And, it's worth the time since it can stay up until the end of February! Yasee, clever Miss Ginger chose a Mardi Gras theme for her tree this year! So, the tree can stay up, the garland on the mantel can switch from pine to magnolia, and voila! Happy Mardi Gras! She is SUCH a clever gurl and is very proud of herself right now!

The tree itself a a sight to behold! It features the Frog Princess and Frog Princess as King and Queen of their own Froggi Gras Krewe!

And on the mantel, the Frog King is being entertained by a line of Flying Monkey Chorus Boys! Hey, Christmas is all about fantasy, so it works! And it's all embellished with lots of peackock plumes and glitter, glitter, glitter! Glitter fruit, glitter morning glories ( Miss G's favorite flower, BTW!) and glitter balls!

Miss Shelby is pretty proud of herself, too! Being the outdoorsey gurl that she is (?!) she just LOVES trees and branches! Of course, she thinks trees and branches come out of the attic in green Rubbermaid® totes, so her viewpoint is a tad skewed! Still, as soon as the boxes came down (maybe she's on to something?!) she pulled a loose branch of garland out and made it her own! God love her, she has not let that thing out of her sight all day! She sleeps on it, chews on it, and plays with it! If I had known a piece of green plastic tinsel could make a cat so happy I would have thrown her bone a long time ago! Jackson, of course, is WAAAAAAY too cool to be caught playing with a fake tree! Besides, he's busy hunting empty toilet paper rolls, his favorite prey!

Did I mention how much the kitties and I love the holidays?!