Ring Around Miss Rosie

Zoe and I had about three other things to write about today.

Then, life took a different turn, and since I'm somewhat single-minded about this subject and since I am thankful for the outcome, we thought we'd share that instead.

Do you recall last week, when we mentioned that Miss Emmie and Miss Rosie seemed to have colds? Just like little kids, they were coughing and sneezing and had little runny noses. (I even found myself at one point with a tissue pressed to Miss Emmie's nose yelling, "Blow!" like I used to do to my niece when she was little. You know-- in that awkward stage before kids learn to blow out, but their nose is so obviously running!)

Miss Emmie got better. They both seemed to get better. But then, Miss Rosie seemed to not be getting better. She went up and down, like she couldn't decide.

Rosie is 18 years old. According to a cat age calculator, this makes Rosie about the equivalent of a 90 year old human. She has been exhibiting subtle changes in her activity level and in her eating over the last couple of years. But frankly, we thought she was just "slowing down."

Our sweet Jobie, who left for Sparkle Pond two years ago this month was Rosie's best friend. We thought she missed him and was maybe getting ready to make her own trip to Sparkle Pond.

We were trying to be OK with that. We even talked to her about it.

Back and forth we went about taking her to the vet. She hates going to the vet. As a kitten, she used to foam at the mouth and growl like a crazy possessed thing when taken to the doctor. We didn't want to stress her with a trip for what we thought was "normal aging."

But then, yesterday, the Chick called me at work and explained to me some of Rosie's new symptoms. None of them seemed to match up with anything specific. We had thought maybe she had heart problems, but that wasn't quite right. If she had a respiratory infection, that would have other symptoms, too, and should have gotten all the cats sick.

Anyhow, we ended up taking her to the vet last night. They understood our low stress wish and only took blood for two tests: one to check her kidneys, and one to check her thyroid. Right away, they told us her heart sounded perfect and her lungs sounded clear. (Whew!) About an hour after we got home, they called to say her kidneys are also perfect!! (WHEW!!)

We are still waiting on the thyroid test, but it could be that whatever is wrong with Miss Rosie is easily fixed by some medication. She could have years left!!

Now, of course, we now why she was giving us that look when we would talk about Sparkle Pond!! She was like, "Hello??? I'm RIGHT HERE!!!"

Poor Rosie. Humans aren't very smart, as Zoe can attest to.

Anyhow, we'll keep you posted. But for now, it looks like Rosie's not interested in Sparkle Pond at all.

"She might be interested in kicking your butts, though."

Thanks, Zoe. We'll keep that in mind.