For those of you who know that I had cataract surgery on my left eye a few weeks ago, you'll be happy to know that all is well and I'm going in for the surgery on my right eye this week. Am I concerned? Well...
Seems I shouldn't be, but still a bit anxious. Am trying not to think about it. We just do what we have to do...
Speaking about *doing what we have to do*, I had to make another batch of home-made granola today - since I sent half of DH's batch last week to our daughter in the hill country. When she and I were talking on the phone last Sunday I mentioned that I was making granola and she had immediately put in her order. She and her comrades at work love it and hadn't had any in a while, so... we shared. Today I was given strict instructions not to mention my making another batch to anyone...
Also I got the book I won from Deb's drawing in the mail a few days ago. Thank you, Deb, from Just Cats! It's called "Think Like a Cat" by Pam Johnson-Bennett, a certified Animal Behavior Consultant. So far it is very interesting reading and has confirmed some of our suspicions concerning feral behavior we've witnessed. She mentions that in a free-roaming society, cats will often nurse and care for each other's kittens. We've seen this with the ferals in our backyard.
And she mentions the myth that *cats cannot be trained*. We knew this to definitely be a myth as one of our cats goes to the bed each night at 8. This is Ghost, who is the only one of our 4 that sleeps in our bedroom with us. When we're home, all DH has to do is get up and walk towards her, and Ghost gets up and heads for the bedroom. Occasionally if DH forgets and it's 8 o'clock, Ghost will come and sit in front of his chair and wait. And if we don't happen to be home for 8pm, she puts herself to bed... while all the other cats remain in the den or kitchen.
Of course I also believe that the cats train us too. It only takes a few meows and running back and forth for me to realize that Tux wants me to sit down and read so he can sit with me... or Julie to start her crazy jumping around on the counter top for me to realize that she wants me to play with her toys with her. She loves me to throw her a mouse or a ball so she can bat the thing across the room! And Ghost sits on the bed steps (we have a high bed) each night waiting for me to do her shadow show on the wall before she'll climb into bed to sleep. I probably should explain this... but I read every night at bedtime... and use a book light. It throws shadows on the wall and Ghost has become addicted to watching and jumping at these shadows each night. Yes, we are a weird bunch...
These next few pics are of Mini Pearl and her mom in the backyard. She was always such a tiny thing, but lately DH and I think she's starting to get a little size on her.
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| This one's a big foggy, but it was taken from my kitchen window... |
And lastly I have to post this pic of Julie going Berserk with the catnip toy that Deb put in with the book!
And they also loved the treats you included... Pure Bites? We had never heard of them. Thanks again!
Oh, that Ghost, I just love her.What a darling face. I can just picture her going after the shadows. :) You are so welcome. I'm glad Julie loved the toy and they enjoyed the treats. Mini Pearl...I'm in love.
ReplyDeleteGhost is definitely one of a kind... although they all are. But Ghost was not supposed to live (due to her genetic kidney problems and suspected neurological probs). But she does fine. I'm not sure she sees well, but she does see shadows!
Deletegood luck with your surgery, mini pearl is a bit of a thing but she seems happy, I have always trained my cats to come to the word crunchies (meaning tidbits or food) so in case I need them to come in I can find them quickly.
ReplyDeleteSurgery was done Monday and all is fine. Mini Pearl is the center of attention in our backyard and stands out among all the black ferals, but they all seem to care and play with her.
DeleteBest of luck with the cataract surgery. And congratulations on winning the book! Cats certainly are trainable -- lots of movie cats and therapy cats too (look at Summer from "Sparkle the Designer Cat"). Now as far as MY cats go...I'm the one who's been trained. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of Ghost and Mini Pearl and her mom, and Julie too. :-)
Thanks, Kim. 2nd cataract surgery was Monday and all is well. Cat book is very informative. But I agree that we are trained also... it's a 2 - way street.
DeleteGlad to hear your first cataract surgery has turned out well, and good luck on your second one. I'm sure you'll be fine, but I know what you mean about being nervous. Love that Mini Pearl kitty. And Ghost. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, if we could just stay calm and not let our nerves get the better of us, we'd do a lot better. Trying not to think about it helps. I tell myself that all I have to do is 'show up'... and concentrate on that.
DeleteThis week's the week! Hooray. You will match again.
ReplyDeleteYes! I do match! It's Tuesday and my 2nd cataract surgery was yesterday. Both eyes tested 20/20 this morning. Hurray!
DeleteEven when you have had one and all is well, I can see where it would still be disconcerting to have someone poking around your eye. Hoping your surgery goes perfectly and you are done.
ReplyDeleteMy pets--dogs and cats-- have always had me pretty well trained. Minnie gets on the bed in the morning when I am trying to work on the computer. At first she is fine but if I don't snap to, she starts to squall. She wants brushed and won't let up till I quit what I am doing and pick up the brush. Yes your highness.
"...poking around your eye" Yep! that's exactly what they do... and you watch them do it. But it's done, thank goodness.
DeleteAnd yes, our pets have us all well-trained. But it's like kids, you want them to be happy, so you do what you can to help make that happen.
Good luck on your surgery. Great cat pictures - I grew up with cats, we had a great cat, Toast, for years when the boys were growing up, but now no animals.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meryl. We have always had pets... a little of everything. But I didn't have cats till DH and I married. I love them all and can't imagine not having any in the house. It would be a lot less trouble (and maybe we'd travel more), but there would be a lot less laughter too.
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