Houston, We Have a Toof Problem

Sammy on 3/30

  Morning of 4/5, and there's a toof sticking out!

I noticed something odd about Sammy Saturday morning.  Well, Houston...we have a problem!  On the lower photo, you can just make out a white speck on Sammy's lower lip.  It's a tooth!  One of the lower canines is bent, or broken.  That is probably why he stopped eating kibble as I noted a few days ago.  DUH!  But, as you can see by the upper 3/30 photo, the snaggletooth is a new development.

Obviously, this situation cannot continue.

Now, I've attempted to trap Sammy at least three times in the last couple of years.  He would not go near the trap, pictured below.  He's no dummy!

He's not gonna like it, but that mouth has to be seen by a veterinarian, and sooner rather than later.  I've placed the drop trap box on the deck on Sunday, and let it just sit there.  This afternoon, I set the trap by placing the stick-with-string up under it, then I've been ignoring it.  I'll start moving the food bowls closer, then closer.  Once Sammy gets comfortable moving under the trap, then at the right moment, I'll pull the string and drop the trap around him.  I dislike all of the time that must pass, because I'm sure that mouth is sore.  But, I've got to go slow so I can succeed this time.  Once he's inside the trap, I will place a carrier up to the trap door on the side, and he'll walk into the smaller space, then voila!  Cat in a carrier, and off to the vet's office we go.  Am confident that they'll be able to fix him up, and he should be able to get back into the yard after a day or two recuperation.   

Of course, this is a busy week at the office, and my worry-about-cats-o-meter is spiking heavily.  No use making an appointment with the vet's office, since I do not know when I'll catch Sammy, or when I can get there.  So many unknowns...except one: Sammy needs some assistance, and I will do everything I possibly can to get him help.

Ten Words

Declawing

is

cruel,

inhumane,

and should be made illegal...

everywhere

Two Odd But Beautiful Cat Stories

One of the only flower photos that I have!
Crocus in Spring 2010

Story #1

I dreamt last night that I came upon a house, surrounded by a white picket fence.  Inside this fence, were many black and white, and orange and white cats and kittens.  There were at least three adults, and maybe two kittens.  Their fur colorings were extraordinary; sharp whites, deep blacks, and electric orange.  As I approached the picket fence, all of the cats walked toward me, and I bent over the fence to pet them.  But here's the odd but beautiful part: all of the cats appeared to have tiny flowers growing at the ends of their fur!  Kind of like babies-breath...small, dainty petals, but they didn't come off as I petted them.  At first, it was as if they all rolled in something, and I tried to brush it away.  But the flowers were a part of their fur!  Crazy, but delightful!

Sammy as the sun sets, 3/31/14

Story #2

Sammy has had me concerned for awhile.  As the winter dragged on...and on...and on...he became timid with me, and ran to hide in a shelter or under something instead of letting me pet him.  I noticed that his fur was looking a bit unkempt, and then he stopped eating kibble.  I was getting worried that he was in pain, or had bad teeth.  But as the temps have warmed a bit, Sammy has been more active, and actively engages with me for attention.  He continues to refuse kibble, and I always give out kibble as the last snack of the evening, before I pick up the food bowls and call it a night.  But here's the odd but beautiful part: today, when Sammy was all lovey-dovey but wouldn't eat kibble from the bowl, I tipped some out onto the wooden feeding platform...and Sammy went to town eating each kernel!  Wha?  He ate up everything, so I poured out some more.  Why kibble in a bowl bothers him now, but eating some from the floor is okay?  Crazy, but I am truly delighted that he seems to be coming out of his winter blues!