Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Sun Came Out for Mrs. W.

I wasn’t sure I would be able to write a post today. Our cat Mrs. Wilberforce has been quite ill this week, and I was very much afraid we would have to make that hard decision this afternoon to let her go.

But we didn’t!

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She didn’t eat all last weekend, so we were off to the vet on Tuesday. Her bloodwork indicated she was in kidney failure, and she was born with only one working kidney, so this is serious stuff. She is a very private and shy cat, and any trip to the vet is torture for her. We decided not to do dialysis (which would mean leaving her there several days) but to bring her home and administer fluids under the skin, plus some other meds. Doesn’t take long for a cat to decide to have nothing to do with you when you’re going through this, and it’s been a rough week.

But they checked her again today, and the vet said the change in her blood levels is “remarkable.” He acted like he could hardly believe it himself – all the readings are now at the high end of normal, instead of off the chart. We’ll still be dripping fluids into her, but only every other day, and don’t have to take her back for a recheck for two weeks. So Mrs. Wilberforce looks like she will be with us a while yet.

Whew!

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It was a damp, gray, chilly morning, and the trip to the vet that I so dreaded was about all I could think about. Garaging is about as good a distraction as you can find though. I wasn’t a very sparkling conversationalist, but did get some really good smooches from Lucy the Lab

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and very much enjoyed the guitar performance by this young lady.

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Aren’t the fuzzy slippers just the icing on the cake?

A couple of sales I stopped at had really, really nice stuff – and really, really high prices. Oddly enough I found a fifty cent item at the first one that I really like. I thought it was a necklace

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but after I got it home I decided it’s probably a headband.

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Not something I need with my hair so short, but I rather like it!

I’ve been watching for some light colored fabric to make a new half slip, since my beloved silk slip has literally been worn to shreds. (Sigh.) Picked up some light cotton curtains to upcycle; didn’t get a picture of them before they went in the laundry, but just think white, cotton, bit of a ruffle at the hem. Should be fine until I get my hands on some white silk one of these days.

Found another silicone spatula for my colorful collection of cooking utensils

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a dvd to replace one of our VHS tapes

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a whole bunch o’ clip art

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and a cute winter pin. Those silver dangles are little bells that actually ring.

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And then I found some mid-century fun. Dug these out of a box at one sale.

IMG_1066 IMG_1064 IMG_1065 Then down the road a piece I noticed some vintage knitting books in a box of stuff. Turned out the whole box was a buck, which netted me a handy dandy sewing machine threader

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a baggie of embroidery supplies, and needle threaders so I can actually use them!

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And some really cool knitting magazines from the 40s and 50s.

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This one is full of Manly Men doing Manly Things.

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Many manly things, that include manly props like hammers, ski poles, paint brushes, a globe, ice skates, and (for the sweater with a couple of deer running across the chest) a rifle and a Weimaraner. I tell ya, they just don’t make knitting magazines like they used to. Or chins either. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a chin before that’s as big as the forehead. But it is Manly!

So my Saturday turned out to have vintage goodness, fabulous driveway deals, and Mrs. Wilberforce will be staying with us a while longer. Guess this clip from the Muppet Show is as good a way as any to express what I feel.

9 comments:

  1. I love having pets but having to let them go is just as awful as when any family members leave. Wishing you the best and I hope she passes easily.

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  2. So glad Mrs. W is feeling better!

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  3. Happy to hear that Mrs. Wilberforce will be staying longer! :) Love all your finds today! I absolutely love the way you write... I always read your posts with my 13 year old daughter, she loves seeing your finds & reading you too! :)

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  4. Glad your kitty is doing well . And of the finds the cute little snowman is my favorite. Have a blessed Sunday!

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  5. I understand your concern over Mrs. W. And I'm glad she is okay...hope she continues to improve.
    We do love our pets don't we? I can't imagine life without my puppies...

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  6. I'm glad to hear your kitteh pulled though! Good scores on the sales too. Nice vintage haul this time :-)

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  7. I'm so glad that Mrs. Wilberforce seems to be rallying!

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  8. I'm glad to hear the good news about your cat... but was very surprised to hear that it would have been possible for her to have dialysis (Our Siamese will be 20 next week and is in ESRF - awful last few days but he has rallied a bit today.)

    I have been on dialysis - and had a transplant - and wouldn't wish dialysis on anyone!

    I wonder if your vet would have just used it for a few days to rest her kidneys? It must be terribly expensive (Not sure if it's an option for pets in the UK) We all love our animals though... they are part of the family, we know they don't live forever, but it's still hard when the time comes for them to leave us.

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I really love your comments. Thanks for coming along on my thrifty adventures!

 
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