...She can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
After many warnings about being gentle, and careful, and soft, it was me walking out of the room that made George ski-daddle out of there, not the little people. Which translates in kid language to: CHASE HIM!
George found a safe place to hide, temporarily, but soon he was showered with more attention and love than he knew what to do with.
That safe place was right between my t-shirts hung up in our closet (and might I add some trashy t-shirts of mine). Back in the ole' severe allergy days of middle school, high school and college, the mere thought of a cat rubbing up against my clean shirts would have sent me into a Claritin-induced overdose. But just like my dad experienced (which I always thought he was just trying to get me to shut up because there was nothing they could do to relieve my suffering), I eventually outgrew them. The allergies that is.
He's one pretty-darn special cat. I checked to make sure his begging for attention wasn't out of starvation or dehydration, and it wasn't. I had a parakeet, named Freckles, that would do that. I got Freckles for my 12th birthday, or Christmas (can't remember), and that bird lived for 9 years. My parents were pretty sure I'd inadvertently kill the bird within a year or two, but noooooooo sirrreee. That bird was hardy as you know what. He was so hardy, there were times when I would forget to feed and water him and he would slip into a starvation-induced delirium that would make him do weird things, like be SUPER nice and let me put my hand in the cage for him to hop on my finger. He'd let me rub his neck and make him do gymnastics. So when George starts acting all nice and stuff, I always check his food and water and I've come to this conclusion: he's just a nice cat. Most cats aren't, but George is.
George, our precious kitty, received a not so good diagnosis last week. After many tests were performed, the veterinarians are 90% sure that he has lymphoma. He has a mass growing in his abdomen that is about the size of a golf ball. Sonograms show that he has two enlarged lymph nodes and the mass has spread to his intestines. Chemotherapy and radiation are very expensive and emotionally draining (for pet and owner) options, though not ones we have opted for. Although, one drug used in the chemotherapy cocktail is a type of steroid, similar to what Gracie is on already for her skin allergies. We are pursuing the steroid option which is supposed to shrink the mass and slow its progression.
George has been the surprisingly kid-friendly pet in our house. He would go out of his way to be in the same room as Katherine when she was younger and hasn't once hissed at, swatted at or scratched rough-playing children. Most of the time he doesn't even move after he's been rough-housed either; I end up making him leave to protect him.It was a lot of information to take in while at the vet's office by myself. It didn't help that after one of the first tests were performed, the costs and extent of testing were explained to me while the song "I can only imagine" was playing on the sound system. I quickly stalled in order to call Jim and the emotions overcame me. We got "Gigi" when she was about a year old. Yes, I'm still talking about George. Our neighbors found Gigi stranded in one of our city parks with a bowl of food and water and knew that at the time we only had a puppy. They asked us if we wanted a cat/kitten and we agreed. 'She' wasn't fond of our crazy, rambunctious puppy but was very friendly to us. I took Gigi to the vet to get her updated on all her shots and the vet tech. kept referring to our cat as a 'he'. After three firm suggestions to the vet, he reluctantly took a closer look through the spectacles perched on the end of his nose, glanced over the top of them and said, "Well, Mrs. Boyer, I believe you have yourself a neutered male." That was when Gigi became George. (He hates it when I tell that story)
George doesn't act like he's in pain or sick. We've heard anything from 4-6 months to who knows, it would only be a guess. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. This is new territory for me. ALL the animals we ever had were killed on the road. Not one of them ever died of old age or disease. Katherine has added George's tummy to her nightly prayers and Nathan still likes to chase him down and grab whatever he can.
And Nathan got to splash himself and anyone within 5 feet. Sometimes I really think he's out to try make-it or break-it swimming at 10 months old. Guess that's why God put these guys in charge of providing and watching over their families. Fearlessness at any cost.
Thanks Aunt F and Uncle G for the impromptu visit. It was good to talk to you and T and watch those kids grow up so fast. I have so many wonderful memories at that lake and hope to provide my children with a smidgen of the same. XOXOXO
