I did not expect to visit the veterinarian this year. Our cats have remained healthy and I’d decided to postpone any annual checkups until things settled down. As it turns out, I’ve visited our veterinarian five times in the last few months. Twice to pick up Lily’s prescription food, then Lily’s health began to fail. As some of you know our dear Lily passed away Sunday from kidney failure. I’ll write more about that when my raw pain subsides a little.
What’s it like to see a veterinarian now? You must wait
outside with your pet, wearing your face cover until someone comes out and acknowledges you. A tech or the veterinarian will question you, then swish your pet away into the clinic where he or she is examined. The veterinarian will 
return your pet and, at that time, discuss their findings and any recommended treatment. Yes, out in the parking lot. The receptionist/tech will bring you any meds, you hand over your credit card, and she will bring you a receipt.
We were invited into the clinic at one point during one visit with Lily to refresh our memory on how to give subcutaneous fluids—everyone wearing masks, of course.
Before you take your pet to your veterinarian, consider how important it is to move 
forward with regular visits. Postpone them if at all possible. If your pet becomes ill and absolutely needs treatment, you might find out how careful your veterinarian is being in handling animals and their owners. If you don’t feel comfortable that they’re doing enough, consider seeing a different veterinarian.
Some clinics and organizations offer live chats and video and phone consultations. 
This might be a good alternative for some people. Also, consider wiping your pet down after she’s been seen and handled by someone else. There are wipes made especially for pets. If you don’t have any, it might be worth your while and your peace of mind to simply run a washcloth over her fur. A full bath could even be more beneficial, but you won’t want to do that if your pet is quite ill.
You may be doing what we’re doing and sheltering in
place with your pets—oblivious to what’s going on outside except for what you see on TV. So going out to an office or other business that you haven’t been to in many months can be a shock. Be prepared. Stay safe. Keep your pets safe.
If you walk with your dog, for example, keep him away from other dogs and discourage anyone else from petting him. I don’t think it has been discussed much if at all, but it’s quite possible that the virus could be transferred to your pet’s fur by someone who has been infected and I’m not sure anyone knows how long it can live there. It’s good practice to keep your pets from being petted except by immediate family during these unprecedented times.
Cats are big news and it follows that there are big and small companies and even individuals coming up with innovative, unusual, fun, and useful products for cats.
guarantee that your cat will use the beds. I don’t know how many cat beds I’ve bought and how many have been given to me, yet Lily and Sophie are the only cats I’ve had that actually use their beds—and that’s only sometimes.
There are many new types of kitty litter. I bought an off brand online recently and was not happy with it. It is so full of clay that, especially when you have a cat with kidney disease, who pees HUGE amounts, the bucket I fill with the clumps can get HEAVY! I think the litter that diagnosis or hints at a medical problem based on the color the litter 
turns when the cat urinates is quite innovative.
I’m reading that some shelters are virtually empty because there are so many people wanting to give a pet a home even in these uncertain times—or maybe because of them. Other shelters have emptied out—the animals being taken in by foster parents. If you’ve ever thought of fostering one or a litter of animals, this might be a good time to start because there certainly is a need.
kittens and puppies this year because shelters aren’t doing business quite as usual.
It’s true, Book 43 is published now in print and Kindle form. Whiskerful Thinking is the third book we’ve published this year. Here’s my description:
Most of us have been home more in the last few months than at any other time we can recall. You’re not spending time at the mall, that’s for sure. In fact, all of your favorite stores have been closed and you are avoiding most of those that are open. You’re not getting your hair or nails done. You’re opting for delivery and you may even be postponing doctor, dentist and veterinarian appointments. And no one is traveling or going out for extended luncheons with friends. We aren’t attending quilting groups, business or self-help presentations, Bible study, even church services.
hour drive both ways. Helping Mama out was my main focus for many years. Then I became the trustee for her estate and was gone from home a lot meeting with attorneys, real estate agents and so forth. (And Edison sent me a letter asking why I’m using more electricity this year than last???)
haven’t noticed before. She’s needier—wants to be close to you all the time. She may get tired of being petting so often. Some cats show off for their humans and she might be exhibiting increased activity. Or she’s becoming lethargic because of so many treats. Admit it, you go to the kitchen more often these days, right? So does your cat. And you see them in unusual places doing unusual things.
The tally is out—here are the most popular cat names for 2020. And I have to say it hasn’t changed much over the years. I’ll also admit that I’ve used some of these names. Lily is a fave of many. Who knew? I thought I was being creative when I named our prissy, gentle tabby Lily. Other popular names for girl cats are Nala, Bella, Luna, Sophie, and Angel. (I have a Sophie, too.)
Max, Simba, Gus, and Smokey. Yup, I’ve had a Max and a Gus. How about you? What are some of the more creative names you’ve come up with for your cats? We named a white odd-eye cat Winfield. I doubt that’s on any list of popular cat names, but Winston is. We had a Dinah. She 
came to us with the same name as one of our other cats, Katy, so we wanted to rename her and we decided to let her name herself. We watched for clues for a name that would fit her. We’d throw names at her, but they wouldn’t stick. Finally we realized she spent a lot of time in the kitchen with us. One day I broke into song, “Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah…” And Dinah became her name.
https://www.kittycatter.com/popular-cat-names/
Have you read the one about the lucky saucer? Here it is—still containing the British terms and spellings: “In front of the local butcher’s, an art connoisseur noticed a mangy little kitten lapping up milk from a saucer. The saucer, he realised with a start, was a rare and precious piece of pottery. It was, in fact, a collector’s item.
that way. I’ll raise my offer to ten pounds.’
If you enjoy quips and jokes about cats, visit 
Every performer, speaker, and even blogger has a life behind the scenes and my life with our precious tabby, Lily, has been rocky these past few weeks. As many of you know, she’s a long-time survivor of kidney disease. Well, she’s survived with it for ten years since she was diagnosed, although we’ve had serious setbacks twice with her. I call them “crashes.” Well, she has crashed again and it’s been pretty awful for her and for those of us who adore her. 
bites. I want to be tripping over her stuffed toys which she scatters all over the house. I want to feel like I’m walking through Jello when I’m in the kitchen preparing a meal—especially her meal—as she winds herself around and around my ankles. I want to have to stay in one position in bed at night because I don’t want to bother her as she sleeps soundly against me. I’d even be happy to sweep a couple of times a day when she gleefully kicks sand out of the litter box while taking care of her business in there. And I welcome your antics to get my attention when you think it’s time for you to eat.
2020 is a year like no other. We’ve all had to change our way of doing just about everything. Our priorities have changed, our social life, the way we relate to our own pets and others, our daily activities, even our attitude and level of anxiety or peace is at issue. At a time when we need our faith connection more than ever, we may struggle
with fear and uncertainty and a sense of overwhelm. Along with this we’re also feeling financially insecure and virtually helpless at times.
across this nation and beyond and each of them has a story of a life interrupted. Like you, they were living, had family, friends, jobs, hobbies, and pets. Because of Covid-19 thousands of cats and dogs have become homeless. And many shelters are struggling to follow health guidelines while helping these animals. Add to that, kitten season.
Do you buy gifts for your cat at Christmas and maybe on her birthday? How about when you travel (or used to travel)? I typically buy Lily a tiny stuffed toy when I travel—a bald eagle and a moose from Alaska, a miniature cat from the wild cat preserve, a stuffed otter from the sea center, and a baby owl toy when I attended the raptor center open house.
cat trees, and new cozy blankets for your cat. I just ordered a new litter box for Lily—one with higher sides as she’s starting to pee over the edge of the old one. Sighhhhh!
Have you ever bought nail covers for your cat to keep him from clawing furniture? I don’t know how you’d put those things on an awake and wriggly cat. You might install of window perch so your cat can watch what’s going on outside or a fish tank full of interesting fish. Did you know they sell videos for cats and special music to calm them?
