Entry FeedWe have a beautiful, wonderful cat named Merlin.
Last week, Husband noticed a sort of lump on his shoulder. Merlin then licked it raw. Of course, with all of the birthday party preparation, I didn't make it to the vet (plus I didn't want to pay the weekend emergency rates.) Unfortunately, by Sunday night it had turned into a gaping, pus-leaking wound.
Monday morning I took him to the vet. Yes, I acknowledge, we are WAY overdue. No, we haven't visited another vet in the meantime. I really wanted to point out that my kids are also overdue for dentist and doctor's appointments, but I didn't think that admission would gain me any brownie points with the vet. (Yes, I know I can't take care of my cat very well, but look, I don't take much better care of my kids!)
The vet shaved Merlin's shoulder and cleaned the wound. Now, Merlin is walking around with a cone on his head so that he doesn't like the sore any more.
He is an adorable older cat (almost 12) who is really sweet and loving. And here we are, the kids and I, making him the butt of our jokes because he is a cone head! He keeps knocking into furniture as he figures out how to navigate the big plastic thing stuck to his neck. And Merlin is nothing if not determined, trying multiple times a day to get the cone off. The worst part seems to be when he has an itchy ear, and he just can't scratch it!
Only another week, and we are back at the vet. He has to stay inside the entire time, we have to keep chasing him away from the doors. But we love him, and are so happy that it is just something small.
I have to be honest. My cats were my babies before I had my real babies. But now, Merlin is just a pet. I swear that the demotion was completely unforeseen by me. While pregnant with Son One I even read article on how to introduce the new baby to the cat, bringing him a blanket from the hospital before actually bringing home the baby, leaving Son One in the infant carrier on the living room floor and letting the cats smell and go near him to get acquainted.
But now Merlin is low beast on the totem pole in our home. However, as a loving, sweet, and good-natured beast, he has adapted. He loves the kids, and they love him. It is great for them to have show affection and care for a pet. It is nice to see him cuddle up with them on their beds at night, and put up with their harasment. We are a better family for loving Merlin.