This is Jeffrey Lebowski, aka Jeff, aka Jeffalump, aka The Dude. Yesterday we had a close call; I noticed him trying (and failing) to go to the bathroom in unusual non-litterbox places, like a giant pot that we have hibiscus tree in that’s inside for the winter and a pile of packing papers that is the Kitty Playground corner of the dining room. I called the vet, they had a cancellation, and before I could say shazam (but with enough time to get dressed and brush my teeth) we were at the vet.

When Jeff emerged from his carrier, it was clear that he had peed a little bit en route; his plush cat pad, fleece blanket, and back leg were all streaked with a bloody liquid (obviously urine). He gave the vet a fantastic much larger sample on the exam table, which he hoovered up with 3 small blunt-ended syringes for testing. The good news: Jeff wasn’t blocked. The bad news: he could have bladder stones or larger crystals. After a thorough physical exam, an x-ray was in order.

More good news: the x-ray didn’t show any stones in his bladder. The doctor gave Jeff an antibiotic shot, an anti-inflammatory shot, an oral liquid narcotic to start giving him at home for 3 days, an anti-inflammatory to start today for 3 days, and some sample prescription food that will help reduce the formation of crystals in his bladder.

Poor Jeff.

We came home, I gave him the narcotic, and then we sat for most of the day, Facebooking and watching old movies on TCM and talking on the phone with my sister/cousin in Chicago to plan a spur of the moment trip here Thursday. Jeff gobbled down his dinner and successfully used the litter box and after another dose of narcotics, slept snuggled up with me all night. Usually he gets up before I do, but it was kind of funny to see my alarm startle him awake this morning.

Anyway … he’s feeling better this morning. He’s used the litter box a few more times, gobbled down his breakfast, took all his medicine, and then got frisky with Eevee (our other cat) and Lily, one of our dogs (the other is Moose).

Lily very much wants to be accepted by the cats as one of their own and will let them “attack” her without retribution. Following the moment caught by this picture, she was startled and then just watched Jeff saunter away from her, perhaps a little mournfully because she would’ve loved to play.

So. Jeff took precedent over the reindeer gilding, which I promise I’ll finish and post about, right after I give the house a once-over & make the guest bed, go to my Wednesday knitting meet-up, grocery shop, and probably more. This week is suddenly as busy as Thanksgiving week was.