This is my constant companion. He sits on the sofa in my office and watches me write. He climbs on the to back of my office chair and hangs on tight as I swirl around. (I do that when I'm thinking.) He jumps up on the desk and blocks the computer screen when I'm not giving him enough attention. If I'm sick he curls up with me. If I sleep through the alarm clock, he pulls my hair until I wake up. At night, he cuddles around my arm or curls up on a pillow beside me. He has one of those purrs that rumbles.
Last week something awful happened. He got in the dryer. He's never done it before. I was cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, watching TV and reading blogs. I rushed to our neighbor's house (our vet) while my husband doused his head with cool water. Our vet said meet him at the clinic. I was panic stricken, my constant companion looked awful. He was panting heavily. He had blood on his face and ears. His heart was racing. His whiskers were shorter on one side than the other. I was horrified. I had done this to my dear cat.
When we arrived at the vet's office, his temperature was one hundred five degrees. The vet gave him IV fluids and some medicine to keep him from going into shock. He took him home for the night so he could monitor Stripes. Leaving Stripes was dreadfully hard. I cried and shook. It was an accident...accidents happen...all words that should have relieved my guilt. All I could think was that if I hadn't accidentally killed him, he would probably hate me forever.
The next morning, the vet called. "Stripes appears to have no broken bones or internal bleeding....and....don't get mad...but he's really soft and fluffy." It wasn't funny at the time. I was guilt ridden. But in all honesty, he was really soft and fluffy...
I am so grateful that he is okay. He was lethargic for about a week, but never stopped loving me. He is my constant companion and I am so blessed that he is doing well.
It is already November. So I'd like to say I'm thankful for my vet John, my husband's calmness under stress, my daughter's hugs and my cat's life.
What are you thankful for?
What a nightmare!
ReplyDeleteI would be distraught if that happened to my cat, so I guess I'm thankful that it never has!
I have 3 cats (4 dogs) and a front load washer
ReplyDeleteand dryer...many times I have wondered if one might find their way inside.
So glad your companion is okay!
Hi! I'm PJ,host of the Amazon giveaway. You're one of my new followers and I like to meet and greet those I haven't met and gret yet! :) Welcome!
I'm following along on your blog now too!
I couldn't even read this! lol--I can't imagine. I had to skip down to the end to find out that this gorgeous cat is alright. Cats really do have nine lives..but they try to KILL us by getting into horrible situations. I am grateful to your vet too. (I managed to read that). Phew.
ReplyDeleteSherrie- I was so upset. I can't imagine my life without him.
ReplyDeletePJ- Thanks for stopping by and becoming a follower. I hope everyone stops by your blog and gets a chance at that $75 Amazon gift certificate. (Very Nice!)
Celeste- Stripes only has 7 left...he had another mishap several years ago. I'm still struggling with doing the laundry. I'll probably be paranoid about it for the rest of my life. Stripes however, is still going in the laundry room to get a drink from the dog's bowl.
I'm very glad to hear that your cat is all right! How terrible! Just think though, it may make a wonderful short story some day :-) Good writing material.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbors seem to think it's funny and would be a good story, but I can only see my poor old guy flopping around in the dryer. I think if my Mum had read a story as such this to me, I would have been terrified! I already feel sooooooooo guilty, I sure wouldn't want to be the reason for nightmares for some little kids.
ReplyDelete