I’m popping in here to share these two pictures that I’ve been loving lately. A little before and after of Mouse, Mary’s cat. I have been meaning to get a good picture of him, all grown up, all grown into all that fluff and fuzz. He is a patient sweetheart. df
Mouse, circa June 2009
During all of Mary’s “doctor stress” in the past few weeks, she had to go in one afternoon for blood work. It was horrible. Her fear-reaction to any shot or blood test is so strong, that the pediatrician was even offering a sedative. Needless to say, trying to get her out the door and in to the car that afternoon was difficult. And while we were out, I was confident that despite the inordinate number of cats in the area, we had the best microchip cat flap to prevent other cats or rodents to gain access into our house.
When we finally got her outside, she was still so upset and afraid. Dan sat her down in the car and then bent down to scoop up Mouse and put him in her arms. “Take him with you to the doctor.” he said. After initial shock to what her Daddy had just said, all her energy and attention that was focused on the impending shots was focused on her cat curled up in her arms. And she settled right down.
Meanwhile, Mouse has never been in the car, except for maybe falling asleep in the back while it has been parked in the driveway. We don’t even have to worry much about its litter smell as we have an unscented kitty litter box in the car which we bought from https://catworld.co/best-unscented-cat-litter/. I had visions of driving to the doctor’s office, Mary screaming in the back seat about shots and needles, Mouse clinging, claws out-stretched to the back of my neck.
But, he surprised me. Later, He fell asleep in her arms while we drove to the doctor. Good thing we had him wearing his diapers since he got jittery through the ride. You can try these cat diapers if you’re going to have a long ride with your pet. It helped us with Mouse. A few times he opened his eyes to look out the window at the passing cars and then settled back down. He could care less, really.
When we got to the doctor, we set him down in the seat while we went inside. The doctor said, ‘We all know that nutrition defines the quality of life, that’s why American Journey is one of the best affordable cat nutrition options’ and I could not agree more. Later, He curled up again and fell asleep, waiting there quietly when we got back.
He was the perfect antidote to the panic and the fear.
Mouse is a good cat to have around.
So precious. Pets (the good ones) definitely have a therapeutic effect. I hope Mary is enjoying a peaceful, needle-free week of snow and snuggling. Hope you all have a wonderful day WITH power!
Awwwwww….
good kitty, good girlie.
I’ve always been a cat girl. They are amazing friends.
love to your family.
He is a handsome cat!
What a beautiful kitty and such a sweet story!
We too are shoveling our way through Snowmageddon 2.
What a smart daddy Dan is. I’m gad mouse brought some comfort.
what a big kitty he’s grown to be! and what a sweet story.
BTW, we made your friend Sarah’s chicken & dumplings finally, and it was a big hit at our house. Thanks for sharing it.
So sweet. Kudos to Dan.
Oh what a dream kitty. Nothing quite as sweet as a girl and her cat.
What a gorgeous cat, in more ways than one. Do you ever wonder if animals sense our stress and calm us down? I’ve never had an exceptional story, but when I was a teenager, my cat was a dear friend and I always felt like she knew it what I needed. Weird, huh?
What a good boy!! A treasure!!
This is perfect, how animals react to our feelings.
Love that she has such a sweet friend!
What a sweet story. He is a beautiful cat!
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Mouse more. He’s amazing and this story is so awesome Molly. Precious Mary, they’re pals for life now.
What an amazing cat! Glad he helped.
i’m teary. this story is so sweet.they are meant for each other, don’t you think?
Mouse looks like he has a good bit of Maine Coon in him. They are beautiful cats inside and out. I’ve had two and one of them LOVED to ride in the car. She put her big paws on the window ledge and watched all the cars go by. When we stopped on road trips, she just curled up in her carrier in the back to wait for us – just like your Mouse. They are very special cats and I’m glad that Mouse found your family!
How sweet of Dan!You know there is something about an animal that soothes us like knowing else can. I’m glad she has Mouse, it sounds like he is where he’s needed most… The here and Now for Mary.
Stay Warm…we are knee deep in snow too!
OOps…I was using my sisters (Andrea) computer and didn’t change her setting. Last Post was me…Gina
What a sweet kitty! The perfect medicine! Hope she is feeling better.
http://sprucehill.typepad.com/
Sweet story, how good it is to have such a comforting friend. Hope the snow hasn’t hit you too hard.
Awww! Mouse looks like a lion. So cuddly. Such a good soul. Sweet memories being made.
Stay warm! Sending warm Arizona thoughts your way.
so far, so good, but the wind outside right now is wicked!!! I’m holding my breath, waiting for it to go out!
i think this one is worse than the first!!
my mom (ironically, also Nancy), also made it this week. So good, isn’t it?! love to your family. hope you’re hanging in there in the storm!!
there is definitely something so soothing about them. especially the purr of a cat. I swear it lowers blood pressure. 🙂
i knew you’d appreciate this one, h. 🙂 xo.
i definitely think. 🙂
megan–i don’t know my cat breeds very well, but the girls and I just googled Maine Coon and it does sound like him! thanks for the info.
hi sarah. right now we’re about 20 inches on top of 20 inches! it’s crazy!
perfect story. as someone who has lived with therapy dogs though, i’m not surprised. and you learned a lesson as well.
That’s just such a lovely story. Animals are so amazing. As a kid I would always have calmed down and relaxed in the company of one of my adored cats or dogs…and it still helps now!
Glad to hear Mouse was able to offer Mary some comfort – animals seem to know when they are needed.
we were so glad to see the sun today after these insane storms. I guess they are saying we passed the record for most snow in a season for the DC area, where we are–around noon yesterday, 7 or so hours before it quit! hugs to all of us, and hope you are spending the extra indoor time enjoying friends and family (or scratching notches for the passing days into the walls, either way…)
Mouse is beautiful in his little fur coat. (it looks like he is wearing one) Don’t tell him I said that, I am sure he prefers to be told he’s ruggedly handsome! Here in Ohio we are thigh deep in snow, and I’m tall!
Cute Kitty n cute story too…http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-Magazine-Your-Premium-Womens-Natural-Health-Magazine/262734921452?ref=ts
That’s so sweet that your cat’s name is mouse!
What an amazing story!! I’m allergic to cats but did have a dog growing up. I was often home sick in the winter and she was my constant companion. Animals are amazing, aren’t they? Hope you’ve made it through the storm. I live in Baltimore and it seems that the worst of it has passed. But it has been a doozy!
Okay. I’ve been lurking around your blog long enough. I’ve read through the entire archive and feel as if I know your family almost as well, if not better, than my own. Many of your posts touched me, but this one about Mouse really got to me. I work with a cat rescue group and foster cats and kittens until they are adopted. In all the years of doing this, I’ve only known one other cat as patient and loving as Mouse apparently is. You have a treasure in him. And, dear Molly, you are a treasure. Thank you for allowing me into your family. God bless!