Tag Archives: leo the cat

About two thirds of all American households have at least one pet.  We have had many and various pets over the years, often more than one at a time.  Dogs, cats, a bird, chickens, fish, frogs and toads,  snakes, tortoises, snails, crabs, and those are just those I can remember off hand.  Some only stay awhile but some have lived here for years, like our previous cat who lived to age twenty-two.  And she was an outdoor cat, too. Currently we have two pets, a lively border collie (high energy, very smart but also stubborn), and Leo the cat who has appeared in previous postings.

Leo was a gift from my son who had a litter of strays delivered in the window well of his house.  I wasn’t really interested in another pet at the time, but he’s definitely grown on us.  He’s an indoor/outdoor cat and has grown to be a pretty big boy from the tiny kitten we adopted.  He sleeps all day in his special spot and prowls around outdoors all night.  And he’s always ready to explore his food bowl but won’t touch any people food or live prey.  All food must come from a box or a can.  A teense spoiled but really, how much can one cat eat?

Earlier this week I noticed that he didn’t seem his usual self.  He was slinking around the house, hiding under the furniture.  Just acting different. Then he began yowling.  So I took him to the vet and they quickly diagnosed him with a UTI, in this case, crystals forming in the bladder.  That’s a little bit personal but I don’t think he’ll read this.  A little minor surgery and a few days at the vet’s for some care.  I picked him up yesterday with heavy rain and wind gusts heading our way.  He yowled all the way home. 

It’s funny how quiet and empty the house felt with one little fur boy absent.  Even my husband noticed the difference.  Those of you who have pets know what a hole they leave when they’re not around.

Anyway, everything seems to be on the mend.  Although Leo definitely does not like the new food that was prescribed. He’s been outside a few times but with the artic air rolling in, seems content to sleep in the warm cellar (or on my lap). 

So that’s what is happening on the home front here in the deep freeze.  Hug your pets for me.  We all could use a little TLC now and again.