Thankful Thursday

Yesterday, Tanner and I spent the day at the vet school getting his annual Cardiology scans done.

Our appointment time was 9:30 and we were immediately taken into a room.  The technician came in to do a blood pressure check first thing.

Here is Tanner having his BP checked.  He did a great job and wasn't vocal in the least.  His pressure was a bit on the high side though.

Next, we had a 4th year student come in and talk with us, take vitals and do a quick exam.  He was very nice, but a bit too perky for my taste :)  Constantly called Tanner, "Love" or "sweetheart"...I'm thinking he's a boy cat.

Next, Perky student and a resident came it to tell me the game plan for the day and to see if I had questions.  No questions from me, so Tanner should be done in about an hour and a half.  Perfect...I'll be in the cafe.  I brough my laptop this time!

Get a call from them about noon, and they had had some emergencies come in, so Tanner was next on the list.  I grabbed a quick snack and kept working.

About 1:30 he was ready to go...

The doctors were all pleased to see him, and he did really well with his visit.  His original oncology doctor stopped by to see him as well and was happy with what she saw.  He really is a miracle boy!  They said that most cats with lymphoma do not make it as long as he has...I have to think he was all our purrs that have kept him going!

Now, on to the cardio report...

ASSESSMENT: We are thrilled that Tanner is doing well at home! On today’s examination Tanner looked happy and healthy. Based on today’s echocardiogram, Tanner’s heart disease has mildly progressed, characterized by slightly further enlargement of the left atrium. No medication adjustments are recommended currently, and refills of atenolol and clopidogrel were provided. Tanner’s blood pressure measured 220 mmHg upon arrival at the hospital and with repeated measurement was 180 mmHg. These blood pressure values are higher than we would like to see for Tanner; however, based on his temperament, these values may be artificially elevated by stress or excitement in the hospital. We recommend following up with Tanner’s primary care veterinarian to repeat a blood pressure measurement while he is calm and resting to determine whether Tanner should be treated for hypertension with oral medication (amlodipine)

All in all, everyone is pleased with him and we will keep doing what we are already doing.  I'll give his regular vet a call to see if he thinks he needs a BP recheck and go from there.

So today, I am thankful for a good report from the cardiologist.  I am also thankful for you, the faithful readers who have purred and supported my family through all of our challenges!  You have always been there for Tanner!

Happy Birthday Harrison

Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet Harrison, you and Flynn have made my family whole again.

Harrison is a talker.  He squeaks and chirps all the time!  His voice is still high and kittenish too.  

He loves to play.  His current favorite toy is the purr-peller.  He will drag his toy around the house and ask to play.  He also loves a couple of plastic springs.  He will carry them around and drop them in the water bowl in Aunties bathroom.  He will then proceed to dig them and the water out of the bowl!

He loves to snuggle in the bed.  He purrs and drools all over you.  He also enjoys nibbling on your fingers and toes.  He enjoys being held, and will sit close to you on the couch, but not in your lap.

Harrison is more cautious about new situations and will likely stay upstairs if we have company over.  It takes him longer to warm up to strangers.

Besides Flynn, Harrison loves Oliver the best.  He is Oliver's mini-me.  Always following him around and acting just like him at times!

Harrison and Flynn have been wonderful additions to my family.  They are funny, sweet and full of life.  We are once again, the Four Crazy Cats!

Mancat Monday

Tanner is being featured today for a few reasons.  One, he is the best at sitting still, so I can stack things on his paws!  Here he is with 13 rings.  Two, he is going tomorrow for his annual cardiology visit, so we would love good thoughts.  While he has HCM, his heart has been stable for the past 13 years, and he isn't showing any signs of having changes or trouble.  We are mainly going because they want to see him before they will refill his meds again :)

The Reveal

Monday, a mystery was posted.  There were some great guesses, but no one correctly identified all the owners of the cute paws below...here are the answers.

Today we have a bit of a mystery on our hands, or paws.  Can you tell which cat each foot belongs to?  Clue:  there is one paw for each cat.  Oliver, Harrison, Tanner, Flynn

Paw A - Harrison.

Harrison is the smallest of the boys, so his jelly bean toes are not as long.

Paw B - Flynn

Flynn has very long toes like Tanner...notice his jelly beans are very elongated.

Paw C - Oliver

Oliver has always slept with his back toes curled.  So precious!

Paw D - Tanner

Everyone guesses correctly on Tanner.  Wonder why he was so easy?  Notice though, he has really long toes just like Flynn.  Their back feet are at least an half inch longer than Harrison and Oliver's.

Mystery solved!

Happy Birthday Flynn

Wishing my sweet Flynn a Happy 1st Birthday!

Flynn is a laid back boy with the sweetest personality.  He loves to play and be included in what you are doing.  His favorite toy is a green stick and string.  He will push this stick all around the house.  

Flynn is very floppy and turns to mush when you try to pick him up!  He is a large boy weighing in at a whopping 14 pounds 6 ounces.  

Flynn loves catnip.  He will talk louder than ever when he sees fresh nip coming in from the garden.  Otherwise, he is a pretty quiet boy.

Flynn enjoys a snuggle in the bed.  He will lay right on top of you and purr while he gets some love.  He doesn't like to sit on the couch and snuggle anymore, but I hope he will come around.

He likes to pick on Sophie and make her squeal.  Sometimes he lays really close to her, and stretches his front feet out and see how close he can get before she growls.  He isn't touching her, but he is annoying her!  He is the pesky little brother at times.

Even with all his quirks, Flynn is a great addition to my family.  I am so happy he and Harrison came to live with me last June.  Tanner and Oliver have fully accepted them as brothers.  Our family is complete once again.

Mancat Monday

Today we have a bit of a mystery on our hands, or paws.  Can you tell which cat each foot belongs to?  Clue:  there is one paw for each cat.  Oliver, Harrison, Tanner, Flynn

Paw A

Paw B

Paw C

Paw D

Good luck!

Mancat Monday

We continue to have above average temperatures here, which we are not complaining about!  I thought that I would share some photos of the first snow/ice storm from early in January.

Harrison was not impressed and ready to get back in the house!

We were supposed to get an all snow event, but it turned into a snow/ice storm like always.

Cousin Georgie is at the door waiting and Harrison is next in line...

Tanner never made it outside...he decided he liked his toes warm!  We had to put towels down to make a path to the trash can because it was basically a sheet of ice. 

Flynn was chill like always...he doesn't let anything phase him!

Checking it out...this is his and Harrison's first snow.

Venturing a bit further...he has never been in the yard before either... 

Just hanging out... 

There isn't a photo of Oliver because I tried to bring him out, but he refused to be put on the ground.  He climbed to my back when I bent over to sit him down, so I walked back towards the door and he jumped back in the house.

We live in a neighborhood and there are two entrances.  Each one has a hill to climb to get to the main road.  We were stuck at home from Friday until Tuesday unable to climb either hill to get out!  Lots of kids sledding though and having fun.

I hope we have another snow this winter, although I won't complain about temps in the 70's in February!

Mancat Monday

We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in North Carolina!  We set a record high on Sunday with temps in the low 80's.  We had all the windows open in the house and the boys loved it.

Tanner is the only one of my four that can be trusted outside.  Highly supervised, of course! 

He didn't like that his favorite bush didn't have any leaves on it yet...this confused him... 

Better keep walking and look for leaves elsewhere...the garden patch is bare.

 

Checking out the Toad House...we have never had a toad move in, but it is cute. 

Settling for a bit of sage...

Tanner finally found a very small catnip plant...Love how his nose is crinkled

Yum!

Another crinkle nose shot

He stayed with his plant for quite a while. 

When he decided to take a nap, I knew it was time to move back inside!  Tanner is well behaved and very calm when he is outside.  I gave him a little pat and told him it was time to go back in, and he got up and walked to the door.

The panthers are too wild and crazy to be outside.  Flynn went for a stroll on Sunday afternoon.  We walked for about a mile and a half through some different neighborhoods.  He loves to stroll!

We hope you all had a nice weekend...spring is coming!

Mancat Monday

The almost mancats have had a fun and full weekend.  There is never a dull moment in my house!

Harrison has inherited the crazy gene!  He loves to lie in the heated bed, but when he gets too warm, he just melts onto the floor!

Flynn discovered the washing machine this weekend!  He loved the vibrations as it ran...silly boy!

Another shot of Flynn...he now weighs over 13 pounds!  He is tall and long like Tanner, but his arms are much thicker.  He is my gentle giant! 

Harrison will not be outdone and was curious about what brother was doing.  He also enjoyed a full body massage on the washer!  Harrison weighs just over 10 pounds.  He is my petite baby.

Harrison is a thief and loves to steal bags of treats or small bags of food from the pantry or the counter.  This bag was in my trash can and is empty...it makes a great toy, though!  Check out the video below.

Here it is on YouTube

Flynn loves to be vacuumed and enjoyed a session this weekend.

Here it is on YouTube

Flynn also went for a stroll around the neighborhood.  He LOVES to ride in the stroller.  This weekend we had a job to do, though...I am on the HOA Board and so I walked around looking for homes missing shutters.   Flynn took his job seriously and sat up so proud in the stroller as we walked!

Well, that's our weekend!  We hope you all had a fun weekend and were able to spend quality time with your fur babies!

Fair Trade Friday - Compassion International

In light of the recent Executive Order by President Trump on immigration and refugees, I feel led to talk about something that is important to me.  This is not really a political post, as I am not going to share my thoughts on the EO or the President.  However, it seems people are struggling with the desire to help, but unsure of how to make a difference.

Many people feel that the only way to truly help those in need, refugees, in particular, is to bring them to the USA.  I am not entirely sold on this idea.  I feel it is better to help people where they are, so they, in turn, can help those around them.  Where did this idea come from?  My thinking was shifted after reading a book called, "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself " by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.  Now, I realize that refugees are not simply trying to escape poverty and therefore are a special situation, but do you still not think that they would prefer to stay in their own country if they could do so safely?  Could you imagine being told that you were going to be relocated to Zambia for instance?  A country where you do not understand the language or the culture and told to start over?

Immigration programs, on the other hand, take years of applications and interviews for a person to be considered.  Most of those accepted are the brightest or those with the most potential for success once they immigrate.  What if that potential could be applied in their own country?

I believe we need to empower people to take a stand for their rights and to equip them to make a difference.  In every corner of the world, there is poverty, oppression, and suffering.  How can we make a difference?

One way would be to shop Fair Trade.  Making sure that the items we purchase are made by people making a living wage in their respected countries.  Is the $5 t-shirt from Target a good deal if it means keeping a worker in bondage because of low wages?

Here is a link to a list of ethically made products.

Another way would be to sponsor a child through a reputable organization, such as Compassion International.  According to their website, "We partner with churches and denominations in Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America to help them provide children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be." They are making a global impact.

We have seen one success story of Compassion when we look at Maureen, Co-Founder of the Mercy House, Kenya.  Compassion gave Maureen the means to get an education and to rise above the extreme poverty and hopelessness she experienced growing up in a slum.  She has gone on to recognize a need and to meet that need in Kenya.  She is making Kenya a better place.

Thank you for listening today as I shared my heart with you.  Take a stand, make a difference, empower someone today and change the world!

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner is doing well.  His knees do not seem to be bothering him as much and he is moving around the house more.  He went to the vet yesterday and the vet didn't feel that he was in any pain, just stiff.  This is good news!  We will reduce his adequan injections to weekly and see if he can continue being pain-free on a lower dose.  We are also working to help him lose weight.

Tanner has found a nice sun spot.

My crew plus Cousin Georgie enjoying some fresh catnip over the weekend.  Clockwise from Tanner is Flynn, Cousin Georgie, Harrison, and Oliver.

Cousin Georgie is doing well from his surgery.  His fur is growing back from his crazy shave.  He had to wear a cone for three weeks.  This next picture isn't the best, but you can see his shave job a bit better.  

Cousin Georgie has no male parts in the back anymore.  He has a new urethra that is wider to help prevent blocking.  We are still trying to do fluids twice a week, so keep him peeing.  He is not a good patient and does not cooperate for this at all!

Well, that's our update...enjoying having a healthy household!  Thanks for the continued purrs.

Wordless Wednesday

Harrison (left) and Flynn (right)

Mancat Monday - A Celebration

Usually Tanner posts on Tuesday, but today is a celebration...Tanner has been in remission for TWO YEARS!!

Who knew when we started his cancer journey in July of 2014 that he would still be thriving today?  I am so thankful for every day with my orange boy!

Here are a few photos showing what he has been up to lately.  His knees and hips have been bothering him, so I have increased his arthritis/pain meds.  He will go for a recheck next week.

Tanner has discovered Aunties chair...they have to fight in the evenings to see who gets to sit in it!  MOL

Tanner usually wins :)  He especially loves this new throw.  It is by a company called Cuddldud and it is super soft!

Tanner was not too impressed with our snow/ice the other weekend...there will be a post about it later.

Resting comfortably...

You may have noticed he isn't bending his back legs in most of these photos...his knees are very stiff.  He has finally taken to climbing the stairs again since the medication increase.

He is also going back on the calorie control canned food to try and get some weight off again.  I admit I have let him have what he wants since his diagnosis, but now, the weight is affecting him in other ways.  At least he loves his calorie control food!  MOL

Well, that's our big news today!  Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.  Tanner is living proof of the power of the paw!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner is doing well.  His sniffles have not come back since going off the antibiotics a couple of weeks ago...knock on wood!  He continues to get his Proviable in his food to help boost his immune system.  He loves having fewer pills to take!

Cousin Georgie is going to take over this blog today and ask for purrs.  He will be going tomorrow for a Perineal Urethrostomy.

He was diagnosed with having crystals in his urine in the summer.  He started on SO food and the crystals went away.  However, now he seems to be producing more a sand texture grit, which has caused him to become obstructed once already.  Since he is still acting funny when he uses the litter box and the sand still causes bleeding, the vet thinks it is best to do the surgery before he blocks again.  Auntie and I agree and since we will both have quite a bit of time off for the holidays, this is the best time to do it.  Purrs for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery would be appreciated!

Do any of you have experience with this surgery?

Mancat Monday

The mancats have been busy helping me wrap the presents.  They don't realize these are for them!  MOL  Each boy is getting a paper box with goodies inside.  They can enjoy their treats and then shred their box!

Tanner and Oliver checking it out... 

Oliver getting under the paper making sure the piece it large enough. 

Flynn loves paper...thankfully no one will care if there are holes in the paper!

Oliver and Tanner

Oliver and Tanner again...I know Harrison came over, but I guess I didn't get a picture of him!

Everyone is doing well and getting ready for the holidays.