It’s been a rough day. Not for me, but for Alice and Jack. I took them in for their routine vaccinations and they were NOT happy. They were upset with me first thing because I wouldn’t give them have any dry food, as I normally do each morning. Every time I walked toward their food area, they dashed ahead of me, thinking I was finally going to give them food. Shame on me.

Alice fought like the devil when it was time to get into the carrier and Jack didn’t like the idea but he’s been back and forth to the vet so many times since the week before Christmas that I think he knew there was no point putting up a fight.

Once in the carrier, Alice cried, scratched, and stuck her little legs out between the bars of the door, reaching…reaching. I felt so bad. I knew she was going to be ok but can you imagine the stress and anxiety a cat must feel when they’re shoved in a ‘cage’ and put into a car for transport? They have no clue what’s going on or what’s going to happen. I often wonder if my surviving kitties remember how Fuzzy, Korn, and Smokie one by one went for a ride and never returned. The others had a view of the burial in the garden from the catio but did they understand? Are they afraid every time they go for a ride? I shudder at the thoughts that must go through their minds. (Of course, I shudder at my own thoughts half the time.)

Alice cried all the way to the vet, which was about 30 miles away. Jack never made a sound. He’s used to this. For the entire drive, I hoped neither one of them would throw up or relieve themselves in the carriers. I brought extra bedding just in case. Thankfully, not feeding them before we left worked as I had hoped. Neither one threw up and unbelievably they didn’t have any other accidents either!

Dr. Missy, our very caring and gentle veterinarian, looked over both Alice and Jack. Jack still has some rattly sounds in his lungs, which is why he’s still on his steroids. Alice passed her ‘once over’ with flying colors. Dr. Missy even complimented her on her shiny and luxurious coat! I brush them all every day so I’m glad it’s showing.

They got their vaccinations and before Dr. Missy left, I asked for advice on how to get an elder cat with a tendency to rip people to shreds into a carrier. Poor Kitty needs her vaccinations, too but thanks to our previous vet, it’s next to impossible to get her into a carrier. Dr. Missy gave me some good suggestions. She said a little gabapentin might help to relieve some stress and anxiety. I happen to be on gabapentin and she told me I could give about 100mg in food an hour or so before getting her into the carrier. I don’t know if it will work, but I can sure give it a shot. The other tip was to set the carrier on its end, grab the cat by the scruff of the neck and back her into the carrier, butt first and quickly. That’s when Dad popped off a funny! He said, “That’ll be like sticking a wet noodle up a wild cat’s ass.” I thought I was going to wet myself!

On the way home, Alice never made a peep. She waited until we pulled up in front of the house and then she started to cry. I don’t know how she knew but she knew. I never saw Jack or Alice for about 3 hours after we got home. They came out to eat their dinner and then Jack went back into hiding. Alice is on my bed, sleeping so hard right now. She’s snoring and even had a nightmare. Poor baby!

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I have two more cats needing vaccinations. Kitty and Honey. Honey weighs a whopping 20 lbs. now – she won’t be easy to carry! And Kitty? Well, we’ll see. Hopefully, I can get her in the carrier. You know…. wet noodle, wild cat.