Household realization, sad about kitty

[flexagon]

I had a small epiphany about kitchens on Sunday. I had cooked a couple of things, and entered into the long punishing process of dishwashing that follows any such creative effort. I finally realized that what most enrages me about the kitchen is that it's so hard to get it to a "done" state. Even if I wash dishes, there'll still be something on the counter drying, or stuff in the dishwasher, or something new in the sink because the dishwasher is running or waiting to dry. It's endless. So my epiphany was that the kitchen can be less maddeningly viewed as a more biological process; my body doesn't tend to be "done" with food at any given point either, and that doesn't make me angry. If the kitchen is more like a body, then maybe my role is to be the peristalsis that moves things a little bit further along here, a little bit further along there... and maybe that's all right. Maybe.

Now for my sad story: on Monday I took Nala to the cat hospital for thyroid treatment, and I let them take her away. Simultaneously, I was giving away a blanket I've had nearly as long as I can remember; a quilt my grandmother made me when I was 3 or 4. It was wearing out and I had thought I might be able to part with it soon...more importantly, it is Nala's favorite blanket, and so I wanted her to have it while she's in an unfamiliar place. So after a brief exam, the nice doctor bundled her up in the blanket, hugged her and took her away through a door. The doctor was the warm, bosomy, maternal type, and I have to admit that helped a bit.

They showed me the kitty condos they use for keeping the kitties, like four cubes attached together with portholes between. I am imagining her there, in the condo with the blanket, and I miss her and I know she's probably not happy. (Although, to be fair, there's also a good chance she's asleep.) Today she should have been injected with radioactive stuff. I know I'm doing the right thing, but I miss her, damn it, and I know that she's bored and lonely in a strange place. Last night I dreamed about her at least twice. Sigh... this week can basically go screw itself.

Comments

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. It was horrible leaving Wally at the vet hospital. It doesn't matter how much you tell yourself you are doing what is best for them, because unfortunately our four-legged children don't speak English and we can't explain it to them. How long is she going to be there?

[flexagon]

Until... Caturday, appropriately enough!

I'm really looking forward to it -- I won't really be able to think about anything else 100% until she's home again.

Although it sounds trite, thanks for understanding.

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

I liked your realization about the kitchen. I have one that is in a similar state most times.

When does Nala come back home?

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

The only time I've not felt bad about leaving a critter somewhere was with leaving dogs at the kennel that we use because they generally seem thrilled to be going on an adventure.

Leaving cats for treatment is another story. So hard. Having the quilt that is imbedded with your essence is good. When Vinny was in cat hospital, I did a lot of this, too. One of the Vet Tech's (Jesse) was especially good. He would hiss about having a catheter, and she would hold him tenderly but firmly and say, "Oh,Vincent."

I tend not to make the child comparison, but we dearly love our cat friends (and our other critter friends.) I think that love is important. I think that love is a big reason that house cats live longer.

Charlie and Nina and Django are all sending happy healing cat vibes to Ms. Nala.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

And when she's back, and when you are both feeling up to this, I vote for celebration. Nina, Charlie, and Django like celebrating with tuna, but your mileage may vary.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

I concur! Wally likes chicken broth.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

It's not trite at all. People who have pets get it, people who don't, well, don't. I don't mean that to be dismissive, it's just a mindset.

That's a long stay. :( Because of the radiation?

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

When Wally was in for his surgery, he had to be re-catheterized twice, because he kept managing to pull his catheter out! The nurse kept saying, "Silly Wally!" and told me that he worked so hard to get it out that she almost felt like he'd earned it.

It makes such a difference when you know they are with people who love animals as much as you do and realize that this particular animal is someone's beloved pet.

[flexagon]

She comes back home Saturday. Less than 48 hours... just have to get through tomorrow.

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Awww. I know exactly how you feel. *hugs* She'll be home soon and feeling better. :)

[flexagon]

We will celebrate with anything she wants. Have you ever tried giving your cats baby food (the meat kinds... turkey, etc)? She loves that.

[flexagon]

Thanks!

[flexagon]

Yes, it's because of the radiation. They sort of do them in weekly batches... the cats get a full day to settle in and figure out that it's OK to eat and sleep, then they scan and inject them in Wednesdays, and then they have to keep them 3 days after that.

[nevers.livejournal.com]

i like this idea about the kitchen. and also this comic. i hope she's doing well there.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Interesting! I'd never even thought about feeding them baby food!