Poor George

It is so hard when a beloved pet gets sick. They can't talk to tell you how they feel. A week or so ago I went out to the barn to feed and found George laying flat out unable to get up! Well, I called the vet immediately and they told me to bring him in. I rushed over there, just at closing time. He worked on him for quite a while (he was so sick they couldn't even get a temperature). He diagnosed a stone completely blocking his bladder. It was touch and go as to if he would even survive the night. But he did and stayed there several days. $$$$  Unfortunately things are  not going well. Poor George!!

My George!

Unfortunately the vet did not tell me he would have to be on special food the rest of his life. All of you who have cats understand that that is not as easy as it sounds. George would not touch the "special food". I tried everything, but he just turned his nose up. So today I traded it for some dried food-so far no luck. Maybe he will eat it in the morning.  I fear he is already getting more stones and is wasting away. Poor George!!! Any suggestions?

George is my favorite cat--I brought him out here as a 6 month old kitten. He has killed all the mice (who might bring snakes) and is quite a character. One of his favorite things to do is ride in the golf cart. When he was a kitten, he would climb a tree and get scared to come down. I would drive under it and he would jump on top of the golf cart. Now he just likes to ride.

George and his best buddy, Rufus

Before I had Rufus, George would sit in my lap and always come to me immediately. When I brought Rufus home, George pouted for 2 weeks and would not come near me. Then oddly enough, he fell in love with Rufus. Now he comes and sits on the doorstep waiting for Rufus--and Rufus always knows when he is there. They love on each other and like to lay down together.

All the cats relaxing

George and the others are supposed to be "barn cats". But it seems at times they are "porch cats". This is one of their favorite places to hang out.

Snoozing on the swing

As you can see, he also likes to snooze on the swing. What a relaxed cat!!

Just hanging out!

This does not look so comfortable, but he likes it!

Well, wish me luck with George. I fear the worst! He is just not eating and I believe he already has another stone. I am frustrated beyond belief. Any suggestions?????

Stay tuned!

All My Critters

Today I'll  introduce you to all my animals here at Salsipuedes. Of course you have already met Bochica, my first horse. Here is the latest photograph of him--awaiting his bath at the wash rack--he loves the attention and getting clean. Sometimes he doesn't even roll for a day after a bath! :)

My next addition was Moe. He is a sweetheart--a 20+ something year old quarter horse. Actually, I believe he may be part thoroughbred, but who knows. Supposedly he was raised on an Indian reservation in New Mexico or Arizona and for years was used as a hunting horse in Colorado. He certainly looks as if he were bred for that-strong legs, high withers, etc. I went out searching for a small paint horse that the grandchildren could ride and one that would serve as a companion for Bochica. What did I buy? A flea-bitten gray! And a 15.2 hand one at that!! I think it was because he reminded me of the mare I had as a child. And he had such a kind eye. The very next day after I bought him, he dropped and I discovered he had cancer. So that entailed a trip to A&M.  He was treated there, a few months later treated again by a local vet and finally had surgery. But it was all worth it. He has been a jewel. He was a great teaching horse for my two older grandchildren. They rode him at playday and took him to horse camp--he was the star of the group--fearless except when they needed to pour water from his back. For some reason he did not like water--he has finally learned to tolerate his occasional bath. Moe was retired this year due to arthritis. He leads a good life--all the pasture and hay he can eat, plus grain, plus loving. He nickers every time I go out and always comes to me--is a regular "treat hound".   I can still let the young grandchildren ride on him at a walk, leading him. He loves the attention.

My next addition to Salsipuedes came from the house in town where I lived while building this house. A feral cat living under my house had kittens--two of them survived. So I trapped them and brought them to the country. The mother was wild and wouldn't let me get near her, so I took her to my brother's house to live. I named the kittens  George and Lucky. Lucky because he was lucky a friend could catch him and give him medicine when he had a hurt leg. George because he was so curious. It took a few weeks, but the kittens decided I was their friend. They were meant to be barn cats, but instead have become front porch cats except in the dead of winter. They ride in my golf cart, jumping in and out while I'm doing my chores. They love Rufus and meet him at the door every morning. When he gets too rough, they just run out of reach, let him calm down and then come back to rub on him again. They keep my property clear of mice--I just wish they wouldn't torture them before they eat them!!

Lazy Boys!

                                                                            

George

                                                                                      

Lucky likes to swing!

                                                                    
The final feline addition was Mama Cat. She just appeared one day at the barn--extremely pregnant. I made her a little bed in the barn and fed her. She was friendly enough, would let me pet her, but never came up to me. She had the kittens in about a week. Sadly, something got into the barn at night and killed all but one of them. Nature is so cruel sometimes! The one kitten left was just so cute-I named her Snip. When she started eating food, she got sick--the food kept sticking. She developed pneumonia, recovered from that and then got worse again. The vet took  an x-ray and discovered that she did not develop correctly. Her esophagus was wrapped around her heart--so I had to "put her to sleep." I was just heartbroken--but there was a silver lining in that cloud--at the vet that day I saw Rufus. And you've read that story.  Well, after almost two years, Mama Cat has finally decided she loves me. She races to the porch every morning if she is not already sitting at the door and jumps in my lap. She still won't ride in the golf cart, but I expect that to happen any day.

Mama Cat playing with George

                                                            

Rufus guarding the golf cart

  So I'm surrounded by my loving critters when I'm outside. I go out to the porch in the early morning before dawn, Rufus at my side. The cats are waiting, glad to see us. The horses are dozing in the paddock, waiting for their breakfast. I sit in the rocking chair, drinking my coffee, and treasure the quiet. Slowly, one by one the sounds begin--the crows waking everyone up,  a few tree frogs saying goodbye to the night, the birds singing, cows mooing in the distance.  Another glorious day at  Salsipuedes!


A future blog will celebrate a success I had training Bochica! Here is a hint!