Charlie's Surgery Day

Today Charlie will be in my heart and thoughts all day for today is the day he has surgery on his tail.  His tail will be removed today due to an unhealing wound underneath his tail that would not close.  This was pretty much the last thing we could do after the vet tried antibiotics and other things to heal the wound.  At this time the vets haven't found the reason for the wound.  He's a 100% indoor cat so it wasn't something that happened outside and he didn't 'get in to anything'.  It wasn't a wound that we saw him do to himself and we doubt one of the dogs had anything to do with it as they are rarely ever that close to each other.  It wasn't infected and he doesn't have parasites.

Since Charlie  has been quite feral his entire life - I'm concerned after his recovery time.  This will certainly be a challenge and I will keep you updated on the process and (hopefully) progress!  I'm also concerned because of his age.  He's roughly 14 years old.

The vet said they were going to do the inside/dissolvable stitches so we shouldn't have to bring him in more than we already have to.  He will also be on pain meds but they are giving us mashable ones to add to wet food.  At this time it's undetermined whether or not Charlie will tolerate a "cone" so that will also be a 'wait and see' situation.

Positive thoughts/prayers/vibes are greatly appreciated for Charlie during this time!

I will update you on the situation as I am able.

Changed Cat Behavior

Since Gabby is no longer with us...Charlie is the sole cat in the Bliss Household.  When Dale and I first started dating we rescued him from extreme conditions and he's been with us ever since.  He's always been quite feral, tho.  When we adopted Gabby - he seemed to enjoy having her around.  They were polar opposites.  In the words of Paula Abdul "Opposites Attract".  In our house the cats followed suit as Dale and I are VERY different in MANY ways.  

I will say - Charlie has completely SURPRISED me in the last month.  He's been much more friendly, calmer, yet more active, social, and even sweet.  He's been greeting us when we go upstairs - which is where he pretty much 'lives'.  He has the run of the house - like the dogs - but the cats made their kingdom the 2nd floor long ago!  Our bathroom is on that floor as well as our Home Studio that Dale uses daily and my Craft Room.  He especially enjoys the Craft Room because of HIS Chair that's in there.

Earlier in his life I stopped giving him treats because he had "crystals" but it seems he's able to tolerate them YEARS after that battle...so...I started giving the cats treats again when we were trying to put weight on Gabby and have been giving him 1 a day since.  He LOVES them.  I think they make him feel 'special.'

I'm sad that he's the sole cat of the house.  But I'm happy that he seems to be coping ok.  I'm also happy that I am hearing more purring out of him lately.  He's become a bit more social and active - so that's good.  If he goes back to his feral-acting ways all I have to do is say "Treat" and he switches back to being sweet again!  I took this picture of him over the weekend.  He's looks so cute, doesn't he?