Copper
Posted: Monday 2 October, 2006
Copper, our tortoiseshell cat, has just been for her annual check to the vet. At eighteen, she's quite an old lady now but is good value. In fact, she's probably healthier that either Cassius or Felix.
We changed their diet a few months ago - they now get one tin of Whiskas between the three of them each day plus Hill's Science plan Senior Lite dried food. The good news is that Copper has lost 1.2kg since her check-up last year. When I took her last year, she was 6.95kg - I pointed out to the vet that she WAS a big cat to whcih he laughed and said she was a 5kg cat with add-ons. However, he felt, as I did, that dieting her at 17 was not the right thing to do. So it's good news that she's shed a bit of weight over the year.
And as a result, she's had a new lease of life. She's much more active, goes out most days for a wander, follows us around and has become much more sociable. This time last year, I thought she might not see the winter through - she didn't leave the guest room, slept all the time and seemed really lethargic.
I wonder now if she was missing Homer, who died last October. Although they hadn't been together long (two years), they did spend a lot of time in close proximity. Who knows, but she seems much better now.
She has no symptoms of thyroid or diabetes, her eyes are fine although the pupils seems quite dilated a lot of the time and her coat is really glossy (daily brushing helps, I suppose). She's a wee bit stiff so needs lifted on to the bed and so on - she does ask very politely!
I hope we have her for many years yet - she's such a nice wee cat!
- Previous « Seasons
- Next Tempting fate - Copper »
Comments
Sarah
Hello Rosemary and Dan..
Just wanted to say a big thank you for sharing your experiences. I sit at my desk most lunchtimes at work I tune into the accidental smallholder site and catch up with the days happenings..
We are in the middle of putting a website together at home along similar lines as yourself..
We would love to have a smallholding but cant afford one... so we are in the process of converting out large-ish back garden into our own wee townie smallholding (of sorts)
Like yourself Rosemary I have a love for my animals and we have 2 dogs (Naimh the Irish Setter & Mitsy the Springer Spaniel, 2 cats Hovis the Birman and Jerry a wee silver grey tabby and our new addition of 2 chickens (daisy the light sussex & Ruby the rhode island red they are both 20 weeks old this week and they are the best thing since sliced bread!
Anyway ... I'm prattling on now I best get back to work... Keep up the good work and i'll let you know where my website is once ive got it looking half decent
Take Care
Sarah xx
Rosemary
Thanks for your kind comments. Like most animal lovers, I can go on for hours and hours about ours. Someone once said scathingly that they "were just baby substitutes" and it's true - we're not insulted by that. Our animals add a lovely dimension to our lives - OK, they won't look after us in our old age but, hopefully, we'll be able to choose our own nursing home!!
Now what was I saying about my horse...
Comments are now closed for this post.
Alan
Monday 2 October, 2006 at 2:03pm
Hello Rosemary and Dan,
I thought it about time I sent a message to say how much I love your site. I found it a few weeks ago and devoured the diary in no time at all. Its such a fantastic read. You are both inspiring. I hope that one day not too far from now I might be able to emulate you guys.
I have to say in particular to Rosemary that I love how you write about your pets and animals (though I don't like to draw a distinction between the two). Your love for them is really heartwarming.
Thank you both for all the effort you have put into this site and for sharing you experience with us.