Saturday 28 December 2019

Those Niggly Jobs - Bertie's new bed



Well, Bertie’s coaster has been rolling a little more than normal lately - and that boy sure knows how to roll a coaster at pretty much any time.  But this has been a weird couple of months, even for him.  Let’s keep it simple.  He’s going to be 20 in a month or two and for a cat that’s pretty old.  For a Persian cat thats even older.  And for a cat who’s been plagued with health problems that’s older still. 



So at the beginning of November things weren’t looking good for him and the vet and I put together  a plan to manage his remaining days.  It included special diet food to which we needed to add five different medications daily.  He detested the food and detected the medication and stopped eating, so lost weight and the vet and I agreed to stop both the diet and the meds and get him eating again.


Family members popped in to say their goodbyes.


 I was treasuring my every day with him. 


I bought him a new support bed to ease the pressure on his old arthritic bones.  I’d meant to get him one for simply ages.  He’d had a furry cushion some years ago but on reflection it was quite thin and didn’t look like it was up to any job at all.  I knew that I should get him a better replacement but I just hadn’t got round to it.  So wanting to make his remaining days as comfortable as possible I finally got round to gerting him a new cushion. And what a beaut it is!

And if any designers are reading this, I’d like one for me too because I find myself looking at it and longing to sink my own arthritic bones into something this furry and supportive!



Pampering my patient meant “breakfast in bed”, pushing little bowls under his nose wherever he was lounging.  The things we do for our pets eh?!


I pimped up his new cushion with a cat throw.


But my pink throw became what I called his “day bed” for it’s the place where he spends most of his days.


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He was looking like he felt.  Old and ragged.  Pretty much how I feel most days, come to think of it 


This pic was taken shortly before the vet came up with the idea of giving him his first steroid shot mid November. 

Then it all changed.  He became lively. He strutted around the place instead of having his legs give way. . He started talking to us once more.  He started managing the stairs again, sleeping with us and demanding breakfast ... at 5 am!
And he regained his appetite and put back all the weight he’d lost.
So now he’s on a monthly steroid shot and is allowed to eat whatever he fancies.  Our focus is on his quality of life for the time he has left with us. 

So my Christmas present this year is to have spent it with my boy, Bertie. I really didn’t think he’d make it this far.  He’s had a bit of a relapse immediately after Christmas, so we’ll see how that works out.  But he’s got his snuggly pink day bed and a lux fur night bed to keep as cosy as can be.



A la perchoine,
Mary x. 


14 comments:

  1. Bertie is absolutely gorgeous! Twenty is a brilliant age for a cat especially a Persian, what a fantastic cat parent you are. I'm glad he rallied after the steroid treatment and his cosy new bed. Fingers crossed Bertie picks up again after his relapse.
    Happy New Year to you. x

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    1. Aww thanks, Vix, I'm off to the vets today for another shot but he's not well.
      Happy New Year to you, x.

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  2. Ah, bless him. I hope he will sail into 2020 without a hiccup, to celebrate his 20th birthday; I have a feeling that it is meant to be and what an achievement that would be; he's such a tough cookie. He's so lucky to have your amazing love and care!! On on, Bertie!! xx

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    1. Well you know what he's like, Dutchie, he's so resilient but this latest bout has knocked him for six.
      Thanks for your kind thoughts, x.

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  3. So glad to hear he's has a new lease of life. 20 is indeed old for a cat. My Molly is around 15 - 16 now (we're not entirely sure how old she is, as a rescue cat). She's in good health and a lot happier since she had most of her teeth out! I love Bertie's bed - where did you get it?

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    1. Aww bless, Gail, it sounds like she's well taken care of now she's found you and John. I'll try to put a link to Bertie's bed, it's lush.
      Hugs, x.

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  4. Oh my, what a beauty! And 20?wow! Our Mainecoon is almost 13 and also has arthritis. But he is still a happy cat. I'm so glad that Bertie is still with you. Enjoy and pamper him!

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    1. Thanks Nancy, so sorry that your beauty has arthritis so early on, but it's sounds like he's coping.
      Hugs, x.

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  5. Oh yay for steroid shots for Bertie. I know they work wonders for my mom, so why not a cat. Happy New Year sweet Mary!!! XOXO

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    1. I'm pleased your mum's health has improved with the shots, Lisa, happy New year to you and Kent, x.

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  6. Oh, I was so pleased to read about Bertie's miracle recovery then sad to read about his relapse. I do hope his time left is pain free. You have certainly provided everything possible for him and he must love you to bits.

    He is a gorgeous old boy!

    Happy New year, Mary!
    xxx

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    1. Thanks for your sweetness, Vronni, he's still hanging on in there but he's not well.
      Hugs, x.

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  7. he looks... well taken care of, keep my fingers crossed, love <3

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