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Blizzard

February 9th, 2017 at 06:52 pm

We're in the middle of a major snow event. They've forecast 18 to 20 inches by the time it's done toward end of day.

It looks deep. Shovel time is coming.

Luther is bored, and slamming the kitchen cabinets. He's figured out how to pry open the doors (and drawers), but not all the way, so they slam shut again if his paw isn't there.

Ah, Luther, you're so clever, and handsome, too. The perfect catch for any feline except for the fact you're shooting blanks, if you know what I mean.

I got a response back on one of the freelance writing jobs I applied for yesterday. It's in NYC and she asked me for my rate, a question I REALLY hate, becus of course it puts you in an impossible situation, not wanting to lose the job by quoting too high a price, but not wanting to shortchange yourself, either. So I avoided answering and said in as friendly a way as possible that since I was relatively new to freelancing (not true), I found rates to be all over the place (true), and then flipped her question back by asking if she could tell me what they typically would pay for a story like such and such.

This is personal finance writing and includes interviews, so should pay higher. I'll keep the $1 per word rate in back of my mind, which someone here mentioned, but even tho it's NYC, I kind of doubt they'd pay $500-$750 for a 500- to 750-word story when they want 10 to 20 a month.

I spent all morning trying to get Waldo to eat his food, which contains his 2 meds. I finally succeeded by 12:30 pm. If I were working outside the home, doing this would not be possible.

He's on steroids for his asthma, 1 pill every other day. He does ok on the days he gets that pill, but on the alternate day he's usually completely stuffed up, can't breath and can't smell his food so he won't eat, which means he also isn't getting his thyroid medication.

I try using the pill pockets first, as this is easiest and ensures he's getting the whole pill, but about half the time he turns his nose up at the pill pockets and especially so when he's stuffed up cus they have no smell. So that's when I crush the pills and mix it in a small amount of food, maybe a teaspoon, but still, if you know cats, he will eat one or two tiny bites, and then walk away. I have to keep coaxing him.

The only other option my vet had offered for the asthma was an inhaler-like mask I'd have to put on him daily, and I ruled that out since Waldo would freak and probably hide from me after a few times of doing that.

I have an air purifier running in the bedroom, and I bought a new vacuum with HEPA filter, and changed to a no-dust cat litter, but none of those things seems to have helped at all.

So I have one remaining option which I'm going to call the vet about tomorrow: giving him the steroids once daily, instead of once every other day. He had told me that over time the steroids can cause him to develop diabetes, and this is why I resisted doing this since seeing the vet 2 months ago. Becus that would pretty much be the end of the road for Waldo. Injections on top of 2 meds neither one of us could handle.

I am hoping that with the daily steroids he will do better and continue eating. He is 16 now so am hoping he will live out his natural lifespan more comfortably, before he develops diabetes. The vet said he'd never had that happen to a cat but it would be very upsetting to know I brought that on if it happens.

9 Responses to “Blizzard”

  1. jokeabee Says:
    1486666885

    I've had success putting butter on pills I want my cat to take. Granted, she doesn't often have to take pills so she doesn't often get butter and that's why the trick works. But maybe it would work some for you?

  2. fern Says:
    1486667091

    i used to do that with cats that I could pill, but if i put a buttered pill on a plate, he would just lick the butter off. I have in desperation at times used tuna juice which i keep reminding myself i should keep on hand for emergencies.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1486667730

    Yes, getting a cat to eat is the hardest thing. We spent ten days trying before we had to relieve our kitty of her pain (she had cancer, so obviously different situation). Good luck getting that snow off your driveway!

    @jokabee, I never heard of butter as a trick for cats.

  4. ceejay74 Says:
    1486667909

    We've only had one good blizzard this year, and a few lesser snowfalls. A few melts and refreezes have meant most of the snow is gone, replaced with layers of dirty ice. Now having kids, I kind of hope for the really great snowfalls and not-too-cold temperatures to coincide for their sake so they can play outside in it, so this winter has been kind of disappointing. Well, it is Minnesota, so we still have two-three good months of potential snow weather left!

  5. My English Castle Says:
    1486675558

    Good luck with the snow! We haven't had much either,but I bet ceejay gets lots in March!

  6. rob62521 Says:
    1486676604

    Sorry about all that snow!

  7. CB in the City Says:
    1486689828

    Hope you don't get as much snow as predicted!

  8. livingalmostlarge Says:
    1486705147

    Stay soft. Good luck.

  9. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1486838880

    Getting a cat to take a pill can be such a nightmare. I feel for you.

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