I think I’ve made a decision about Big Mike: he should have the second surgery, but rather than staying in a hospital cage for the two weeks while I’m gone on my road trip, my wonderful petsitter, Kim, has offered to pick him up after a week and take care of him here. This seems a good alternative to him being there so long – I know I’ll feel less worried about him this way and can enjoy my vacation more. (And believe me, a week of solitude and writing time in a friend’s cabin on the Olympic Peninsula is fabulous, but gives me far too much time to obsess and worry. 😉
This decision also means I’ll have to jump-start a second funding campaign for his vet bills, which I’m not looking forward to. (I’m only going to send the link to NEW people this time, so as not to ask the same folks twice.)
Meanwhile, the new strategy for Big Mike’s bandage changes (giving him a pinch of calming Benadryl and moving him to the small bathroom) worked well on Friday. He complained with a low growl, but did NOT thrash about this time, which was a huge relief. (As all pet-lovers know, there’s nothing worse than seeing your beloved critter freaked out and seemingly fighting for its life.)
Especially when it’s a critter as big as Big Mike. When Carrie – finally home from Alaska – came over to meet him last week, she marveled at his size. “Oh my gosh, Jane – he’s like a bobcat!” It’s hard to get a sense, looking at the photos I’ve put up, just how really big he is. So I decided to do a photo montage of kitty paws – something I’m obsessed with anyway – to give you an idea. (It’s not like I have anything else to do, with the festival starting a week from Friday! Hahahahaha)
We have Lena’s dainty paw:
Claude’s medium-to-large duke:
And Big Mike’s meathook:
Isn’t that amazing? It really is like having a tiger under the bed. (And actually reminds me of the White Fang paw from the “Soupy Sales” show, if you can forgive the 60s reference.)
(Pokey and Iggy refused to cooperate in the photo essay – jerking their paws back every time I tried to click the iPhone shutter. They clearly don’t believe in art.)
Playing the waiting game, and keeping my spirits intact,
Jane