Ninja Comforted by Timmy

This video was two weeks ago. I thought it odd that Timmy was paying such attention to Ninja the way he was and grabbed the camera. Ninja didn't growl and hiss at Timmy either. They were not the best of friends, but here it seemed there was a closeness. I didn't understand how sick Ninja was. But, apparently Timmy did.



               ...............Rest in Peace Beloved Ninja............

Ninja and the Vet

When Ninja came to live with me, he weighed 11 pounds, He was 8 years old. It wasn't long before he fattened up and weighed 13 pounds. That's when he got too heavy to jump to the top of the armoir where I fed the kittens full calorie food.

Ninja and chubby Bambi had a lower perch for their weight loss diet food. This worked out quite well. Though Bambi doesn't seem to have lost weight, Ninja began to turn into his old svelt self. It wasn't long before he could jump up on the armoir and that was the time I let him eat the same food the young cats ate. They were no longer kittens and just on regular diet by this time.


Lately, I've noticed Ninja not being able to hold down his meals.

At first I thought maybe hairballs, so I gave him Petromalt weekly. Still he continued to up-chuck a bit of his food. Then he began to up-chuck a watery foamy stuff. Now it's happening every day.

Suddenly, I've noticed when I pick him up he is lighter than any of the other cats. I became alarmed!

Diabetes? Kidney Disease? A tumor blocking his intestines? After reading up on all the possible symptoms, all the treatment options, and warnings to get him to a vet and not wait until he is too weak, I called the vet and made an immediate appointment.

Ninja really didn't complain too much about putting him in his carrier and he was quiet enough in the car, and such a GOOD BOY during the weigh in not complaining or struggling.

I felt horrified when I learned he only weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces.

With tears in my eyes I told the vet we had weighed him two weeks ago at home. He had weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces.

And that was what triggered my researching and making the decision to see the vet.

The vet thoroughly examined Ninja. I'm really worried now. Apparently he only has one functioning kidney, and it is huge. The other one has deteriorated down to a nub.

He has also lost muscle mass. Not a good sign at all.

I know he wasn't always this way. The vet would have noticed it on previous exams. At this point, he is not saying Ninja has kidney disease. He's saying that might be the most obvious possibility. But, he could also have diabetes. Or Thyroid disease. Or a combination.

I hope it's Thyroid disease! The vet says that is the easiest and least expensive to treat.

The vet has ordered blood tests which cost me nearly one quarter of my month's income.

If it is kidney disease or diabetes, I may have to make a very painful decision.

Royal Cat Decree from Queen Bambi

I hereby proclaime that whether the Queen is sick or not, she shall not be hunted down like a common criminal and be forced to have that nasty, disgusting medicine put down her delicate throat!!! (Cough! Cough!)

Those who endeavor to disobey this law, shall be terrorized, and threatened by this hissed off cat! And shall be avoided like the plague from which you should suffer! (Oh, where are those dead rats when I need them?)

Be prepared to face my wrath! (sneeze... cough... sniffle... mew?)

No, No No! You can't catch me! I wont have it. You understand me? I wont have it!!! I will hide and sneak away faster than you can imagine.

Hunt me down, will you? I'm smarter than any purrson. Do you think for one minute I cannot outsmart you? Puny hooman! (Ah-Choo!!!)

Even if I am coughing so loud I can't hear myself think, I know you are trying to sneak up on me so you can give me that putris.

Think you for an instant that I cannot read your mind?

This is no way to treat your Queen!!! Where is your respect and reverence for me?

No matter how high I am hiding, I will get away from you long before you get that ladder out and try to climb up to me! (Cough! Choke! Gag!)

No matter what low you crawl on your hands and knees to shimmy your hulk under the bed, I am laughing at you all the way up over your back, and down your legs leaving my scratch tracks behind me.

Don't you realize yet, that you wont win? Must I bite you to prove my point? (Growwwwl! Hissssss!!!)

If I felt better I would claw my way through that cat proof window screen and run away from home! 

And don't you think for one second that you are going to lure me into that cozy travel carrier again!

I shall not permit you to take me to that so-called Better-inarian! He doesn't make me feel better one iota!!!

In fact, if you will remember correctly, he assaulted me with his thermometer and you stood right there holding me down and helped him!

You are a partner in the crimes against the Crown! You are nothing but a low down Traitor! (Meooooow!!!!)

Have you never heard of Patient's Rights? HOW DARE YOU!!! (Sigh! Cough! Cough!)

Please pet me?

Ninja and the Tasmanian Devil Kitten

Hi, Ninja here... We've had entirely too much going on around here. First Miss E brings home a kitten, then we find out the kitten is sick, then Spyder got sick, then our Queen, Bambi got sick. I don't believe I'll get sick. I will use my Ninja powers to keep well.

It's too bad I couldn't teach Spyder those methods, but he just doesn't pay attention. You know how it is when a cat is going through his teen age times. Right?

I was quite disgusted when Miss E brought that kitten home. I knew she was in that bathroom even though she never made a peep. I could hear her breathing, and of course, her kitten scent permeated my well trained ninja nose.

I decided to not be friends with the kit, but it has become unavoidable.

Even though I tell her in no uncertain terms, she totally ignores my growls, and insists on playing with my tail! I have to leave the room and everyone laughs at me, calling me a wuss, afraid of a kitten. Of course, it's not true. A ninja must maintain his honor!

Personally, I think I might be able to take her on as a willing apprentice. The only thing is, the kit is all thumbs! I kid you not. She's got thumbs!

Though her colors are not ninja colors. Her calico, tortie colors would give good camouflage. It might take a while to teach her how to control her Chi as she is all over the place. Good thing she has the three of us to chase and play with.

She is like a Tasmanian Devil! She never settles down!

And when she does, she thinks nothing of sleeping in our own personal spaces, even though she has her own special place. She sleeps there too. Plus, she evens sleeps on top of Miss E!

Sissy keeps referring to Miss E as Mommy. I guess the kit doesn't know any better. But, she gets confused when we say Miss E. So we have decided for all of us to call her Mommy.

I'm not going to be comfortable with it. After all, I'm too old for that! I think it would be more respectful if I call her Mama-san.

Once Spyder, and Bambi all get well, I think life around here is going to be quite a bit more interesting from now on!

A Royal Proclamation from Queen Bambi

It is I, Queen Bambi, here to announce the addition to our population the young Princess Angelica. I am permitting her to be a Princess because she can never become a Queen and dethrone me. I made sure she was worthy of the position by ignoring her totally when she arrived and watched her carefully from my closet boudoir. I must admit she has a privileged aura about her that will befit her royal station.

She is a pretty thing, I assure you, a calico-tortie I believe. Makes me think of the Dowager Queen, for whom this blog is named. (as already noted by our friends, Milo and Alfie) Our little miss was named Angelica by the shelter from whence she came, but we wont be addressing her thus. She is a cute young thing and I have cast my vote to re-name her Angel. But, Spyder insists on calling her "Sista", and now Miss E has picked up on calling her Sissy.

Now as long as we are changing names around here, we are acquiescing to little Sissy's name for Miss E which is Mommy. I'm a bit uncomfortable with it myself. So unbeffitting one of my rank. Don't you think? But, for the sake of our little girl, I will refer to Mommy so as not to confuse her.

Sissy isn't afraid of anything. She's a little Tasmanian Devil, and a whirlwind around the house. She's quick as a flash from one room to the other. The more her energy increased, the less Spyder's did. After he took ill, I came out to place with the little girl. After all she needed someone to play with.

All Ninja could do was growl at her. She took it like a trooper and shrugged her little shoulders at him. She keeps a respectful attitude, but I see she is bringing Ninja out of his shell and he actually was sleeping on the bed near to her this evening! I was greatly relieved. Now, Perhaps Ninja can take on some of the kitten sitting responsibility around here. I am certainly feeling under the weather and devoid of patience with Sissy right now. She has completely taken over my closet boudoir! Who knew one so tiny could leap up to the closet shelf like that. She watched me do it one time, only, and next thing you know she was in there playing with the ribbons. You see what I mean about her being a Tasmanian Devil? Feisty thing! Oh this is going to be interesting to see how she will liven up the boys!

As queen, I must not let my subjects know I am tired and cold and sneezing. Except for my brief sojourn at the keyboard I have taken to hiding beneath the blankets pushed up to Miss E's warm plumply thigh. (correction: Mommy)

Baby Sister and Sick Kitty

My little baby sista has a name sombuddy gave her at the shelter. Miss E asked me what's her name, but I know her means da name us kitty's is gonna call her. Since her shelther name is Angelica, we might let her keep it, since her is a angel baby. But, I likes ta call her Sista! Maybe Sister Angelica? Or Sissy?

Speakin' of names. Sissy keeps calling Miss E, Mommy. We tol her it's Miss E, but she still calls her Mommy, so me and Ninja and Queen Bambi is tryin' not to confuse Sissy, so we let's her say Mommy, cause she so happy when Mommy pik her ups, her purrs like a machine. So she can calls her Mommy if'n she wants to!

My little Sista, we think she gots a cold. Her keeps on sneezing. Miss E, I mean Mommy called da Shelter and they sed take her to da Vet free. Mommy did that and her tooks me too, cuz I was coffin.

Da nex day, I was coffin more and I dint want ta play wif Sissy no more. She wore me out. I went to hide unnerneath da sofa. Mommy and da Monk couldn't find me until they tipped the sofa upside down. I was jus so tired I dint want ta come out. Good thing they gots me out. I got so sicky yechhy. I were not eatin nothin and den I dint want ta drink no water. I lost a whole pound of weight! I is skinny enuff already, so dat not good. No wonder I felt sicks!

Then I has ta go ta da Vet, too. And dis time it weren't free. Da vet said I has Ton-sill-it-is and enfection. Da medicine da Vet gave for Miss E (I mean Mommy) ta give me dint work, and I had ta go back to da Vet. I had xrays and a shot a anti-biotics. Then dey had ta put water in a tube and put it into my skin at da back of my neck. I really dint like dat at all! Dat costed a whole lot more money. But, I is worth it!

Now I is all better!

Ninja and Needle

Ninja went ta see da Vet today. He had ta get his booster shot. I ask him what dat mean. Ninja say da Vet, he put a loong sharp needul in his haunch da last time he went for shot. It don't sound very good to me.

Queen Bambi say dat I had shots before. How can  I come home from shelter widout them? No, I can't. So I musta had dem shots. But, I don't 'member, and I so glad. 

Now I wonders if I gots ta have booster shot. Bambi tell me not ta worry, cos it will be a long long time before I gets them 'cos I already protected. I no feels very protected when Ninja growls at me and wont let me sit by him.

Her Highness, Bambi, she say maybe dat also why Miss E take Ninja ta Vet, (she say Vet-rin-air-ee-en is right way say it, but I don'ts know how spell it). She say maybe he going ta Vetrin-air guy cos he growl way big like panther and grumpy.

Ninja say him just showing off he is panther in disguise because he gots his super fine teefs and want me ta respect them, cos it take long time ta grow such handsome teeth. And him no wants me to cuddle up to him, cos he a ninja and I jus a little kid. I almost big as him, but I not so fat. Queen Bambi, she agree. She say Ninja have very impressive panther teef. She say dat good cos then that mean he will always be her good guardian and protect her.

Then quietly Mistress Bambi, she say maybe him don't feels good. Ninja wont tell us that, cos he a brave ninja cat and never complain, even if he sick or hurting.
Ninja say he no like cage where he go to visit Vetrin guy. But he NOT afraid of  big needul da Vet is gonna shoot him with. He say he had shot plenny of times over the years and it never hurt him. And he say he not sick, either. But, we wonder about that. Just like Bambi say, he never complain. But, he sure gets growlchy!!

Nine Lives?

It's been a very trying time lately.

You know how bitchy I get. How much annoyed I was with my dear hooman. Biting her and all that. I really was cranky, but I was so lonely when she wasn't at home. I cried a lot when I was here by myself. And I missed my old buddies, Beau and BooBoo. I hadn't realized how much until lately. I think it was because Elizabeth has had to spend a lot more time away at doctor appointments and such.

Then she went away for that whole week and it nearly sent me off my rocker. After that, I didn't let her forget about it. I yowled at her day and night just to prove to her how much it hurt me to be left alone like that. It doesn't matter that Esther and Liz came to visit me everyday. They are nice enough people. But, just don't understand me. And I just didn't get enough loving.

So, Elizabeth really had to make it up to me, you know? And we had all those forest fires and I had to stay inside all the time and not get to my favorite plants, or in the sunshine or underneath the sprinkler. Sure, she gave me the dried catnip, but you know it's not the same.

Also, because of the fires, we heard about the pets that were found, some of them in serious condition, that the local animal shelters were rescuing. Some were able to be returned to their homes, but some were not. The young ones were placed up for adoption. The older ones.... well nobody wants an older cat!

It was about this time that Elizabeth figured out that part of my loneliness might be alleviated if I had a friend. I mean I do have a friend. Cinnamon comes over once in a while and hangs out in my yard. I always smell her scent when I go out. And sometimes we hang out together in the yard, too. But, like I said, I couldn't go outside because of the fires... well the toxicity of the smoke and ashes everywhere, that is.

Anyhow, so Elizabeth decided to find me a friend who could keep me company. She remembered how much more I liked having a male companion, so that was her first criteria. Then, of course, I ain't interested in having no kitten!!! They are too active and would drive me nuts!

So Good Old E went to the shelter and looked at a ton of cats. I could smell them on her when she came home. I didn't like any of them! I didn't realize it at that time, but she was intuitive enough to know that. So she put in a request to the shelter for an older male, not just a couple years old, but OLDER, like me.
I am going to have my 19th birthday on the 29th of this month.

The shelter said they didn't have any older cats, they had all been euthanized. I hope they never do that to me!

But, then one of the volunteers remembered one kitty way up there in Scotts Valley shelter, who might be the one. But, we had to wait a whole weekend before we heard from her if that kitty was not euthanised. What an ugly word!!!

So, a few more days went by and Elizabeth thought, well that was it. Too late for that poor boy. But, then the hooman, Tara was her name, called a few more days later. What took her so long? And the message was that he was alive and they would hold them if she was interested. That was another Friday later, and she asked if they would wait until Monday. But, no, he was scheduled to be E*^@^!% on that day. So, Miss EBlest got in the car and drove over there, even though she was sick and after an interminable wait. more waiting.... Why was that day like glue in January? it was in the nineties for heaven's sake!

She got to view "Charley" in his cage. He had to be there alone, not because he was mean or anything, but because he was such a big cat, there wasn't any room for any others. It's not that he is big, like in fat. It's just that he is very long! Alligator long.

Then, she had to meet him in the guest room, and get acquainted. He was not all that interested in her. He knew the shelter volunteer and was more familiar with her. But, eventually he paid her the honor of his manners and let her pet him on her lap.

Fortunately there are Benefactors who help out financially to adopt a pet from that shelter, and all of the expenses were covered including a free vet visit. Now, the trick to that was that the vet visit had to be done within 72 hours! But, Eblest is no dummy. She got on her cell phone as she was driving away with my new future companion, and called the one closest to our home, found out she had just enough time to get there before they closed and got squeezed in for the appointment. It was a disappointment appointment as all they did was squezze his belly and generally pet him. The vet did a surprising thing. He took a rag and jammed it into that poor cats ears and twisted out some of the dirt, when Ebest asked if they could be cleaned. Then, to add insult to injury, they gave her a bill of $85!!! She had to remind them of the papers she gave them that said it was a free check up. Well, she won't go there again!

So, she brings him in the house and hides him away in the other bedroom for a few days. I am no dummy! I knew there was a guy in there from the get go. We sniffed each other through the door. I could hear him crying at night. He's been through HELL, surviving the fires!

So, then finally one day, about a week later we were introduced. It went well. I was outside hanging out and came back to the screen door and there he was. We nosed each other through the screen and that was it.

We are not the best of friends but we do get along. We changed his name to Jeffery, but now it seems he likes to be called Jet Lee much better.

The problem is that there must have been a virulent bug that he picked up on the way here, because in a couple of days I got very very sick. I lost a lot of weight right away. My behind was so swollen, it hurt soooo bad, and I couldn't even clean myself. Ebest was very worried. I got to the point where I didn't worry about anything. I just felt so sick, I could barely walk at all, I kept stepping on my pouch. I had to be lifted from the bed to the floor.

Jeffery didn't feel very good either. As I mentioned before he is not at all fat. Being a long fellow, 37 inches from nose tip to tail tip, he is skinny as a rail. Like he was Abe Lincoln or something. His fur didn't look all that good, and I know his hind legs and lumbar spine hurt him a LOT. Whenever Miss E would pet him there he would whimper, or flinch.

So, as sick as I was, E put me in the guest room, set up litter box and food for me. She put boxes next to the bed all piled up to make a staircase. That's much better, My Dear! And I got to rest inside my little blue tent with a heating pad over the whole bed. I do admit I made a mess from my not being able to wash myself. I had some discharge. So E got out the scissors and cut off all the fur from back there and washed me clean to make it easier on me. It sure helped and I didn't stink so bad. But, like I said, I couldn't bath myself, and my fur got so ratty. I have never looked worse in my life.

Miss E came into see me quite often to pet me and love me, and encouraged me to eat a bite at a time. I never knew she could be so patient with me. But, she tells me there was a time when I was a kitten when I had pneumonia or something and she nursed me then, too. Can you imagine me in a bathroom with a vaporizer going, she and I curled up in a blanket? Those were the days, huh? I don't remember! Good thing too. Being this sick I don't want to remember, either.

Then, the day came when I all but gave up the ghost. I thought, "I'll never make it to my 19th birthday." But, really, I was so sick I didn't care. I guess I scared the hell out of my Eblesst, because she tells me she took look in my eyes and I wasn't in there. She held me close and looked again.... Nobody Home. She just cried and cried like I haven't heard her cry in years. I could do nothing. I couldn't console her. I couldn't do anything but stay how I was. And truly, I'm not sure I was inside myself or not.

After she had called around to all the vets to find out how much it would cost to treat me.... about 450 to 800 dollars she despaired. That's her whole months income. How would she afford it? She could put it on her credit card and then pay double as the interest climbs. She called her son and he helped her to make some decisions. Even putting me to sleep and disposing of my body costs quite a bit of money. Can you believe it?

So, the decision was to dig a hole in the backyard. A deep one... just in case... only just in case, you see. That way I could still be here in my own yard, and not at some gas chamber to be "You than I zd" Okay so they give you a shot. Same thing to me. In strangers hands, in a strange place, stressed out. Let me die in peace please. Leave me alone!

So, that was the first decision.

Second decision was for her to treat me with all the herbal and nutritional know how she has (pllus one little hooman prescription that is good for cats, too, that has been prescribed for one of her conditions)

The next day, I was shining out of my eyes. Not well, of course, but at least "somebody's home".

It has taken me a couple weeks of treatment to get to the point now where I might be back up to my normal weight. I am no longer huddling in the hospital room, and most definitely feeling fine enough to give E a well deserved bite. Well, okay, I mean a threat of a bite. I am nibbling fiercely now, to get her to do what I want. And I do have to say she obeys much quicker now. Being sick has it's advantages. Eh?

Well, anyways, Jet Lee is doing much better too. Putting a little meat on his bones, which don't hurt him so much anymore. She can pet him without his cringing, and he fully has taken over on getting attention. But, now he knows I am well enough and I am in charge, so even though he likes to curl up on the bed with Miss E, all I got to do is look at him and he will leave. But, we do enjoy dining together.

Oh my... I just felt a little earthquake. I think I will go investigate and see what's going on.

Later, Alligator...