Happy Birthday, Catalina Kurilko!!

Three years ago, we brought home a sweet cat named Lina who's been a very welcome addition to the household.

She was two years old when we brought her home, so she's five now - I've read that a well-cared-for cat could likely live for 15 years or more. So she's stuck with us for another decade at least. She's been pretty healthy up to this point - when she first came home, she had three cracked teeth and needed oral surgery, which she promptly received - I think it ran about $500.

I'm the one in charge of feeding, and I give her very careful portions. Perhaps I very slightly underfeed her, but if she lives longer as a result, then it was worth it. She's not skinny by any means, and the vet is always very pleased during checkups that she's a svelte kitty.

I'm recognized by Lina as the litter-scooper, food provider, water freshner, and scratching-post maintenance engineer. I get my share of affection, but nothing like what Cindy gets.

Lina adores Cindy! This is the follows her from room to room, constantly in her lap, sleeps on Cindy's face kind of love. One of Lina's favorite pass times is to stalk Cindy near bedtime, when Cindy is walking to and fro in a repeating pattern of checking this and that before bed.

Cindy is a lot of fun to stalk (bwa ha ha!), as she always lets loose with a very satisfying squeal when attacked. Unfortunately, Lina doesn't just bat Cindy with her paws, but attacks the shins and ankles with her claws to bloody result.

I try to explain to Cindy that she's encouraging this behavior by behaving like prey, and also by allowing Lina to playfully bite whenever they're playing.

I should mention here that Lina does not stalk me - she tried once or twice, but I chased her around the house, barking and growling like a hunting pit bull for about 10 minutes and she got the idea 'Daddy is not prey'. I also do not allow biting of any kind, however playful.

Happy Birthday (month) Lina! Here's to another 25 years!

Love, Daddy

Welcome Home!

Recently we had to leave the cat overnight at the kitty dental surgeon, as she had two cracked teeth that needed extracting.

It was so weird to come home and not have her here, not have her greet us as the door with an inquisitive "pbpbbb?" The place seemed too empty.

I came to realize just how often I think about the cat - every time I go to get up from my desk chair, open or close a door, or dash through the house to get the phone - I'm constantly refreshing my Cat Status data. And if an hour goes by and she hasn't come to check on me, I go and check on her, and give her a little chin-scratch.

Even in bed - Cindy's toes are constantly in motion, dancing to to some rhythm of nervous energy, and it gets them pounced on by the cat - often at 3am. Cindy is off today and sleeping late, and when I went in to snuggle briefly, she stretched, her toes popping out from under the covers.

"Where's the cat?" She asked.
"On the dresser, she's sleeping."

"Good."

She came home with a little patch of the fur on her right front leg shaved (for the IV) and needed pain reliever (liquid) administered once a day for three days, and antibiotics (teeny pill) twice a day for a week. Cindy was able to get the cat to open right up for her pill, and all I got was hissing and some mournful meowing. It's been a few weeks, and she's all better now!

Welcome home kitty, we missed you!