Katie, perhaps if your neighbor comes over to your place and Squeak gets used to the idea, you could gradually shift to your being the one to give the injection.

One way to get more fluid into dogs and cats is to put a little chicken broth into the water. At least it seemed to make mine more interested.

Oy, the vet bill, even with the discounts, was terrifying. But I have my dog back.

Do they have anything to say that you understand beyond Feed Me, Let Me In/Out, etc.

I think so. Liefur has a pretty clear "what's going on/what's that/whatcha doing?" trill.

Bleh, sinus infection. But I have drugs and I *will* be fine by the time I leave for New Orleans on Sunday!

Yes. I so decree.

At my parents, finally all packed. Time for shower and bed.

I think so. Liefur has a pretty clear "what's going on/what's that/whatcha doing?" trill.

Where are you? I'm HEREHEREHEREHEREHERE. You moved. I'm here. Hi. BIRD! BUG! INVISIBLETHINGAMAJIG! Play with me! You're home! WHOA. Me. me. me. (that's Devi. She's all about her. She just talks to get attention.)

Harvey cat has a pronounced communication of "Dadddyyyy!" when I show up after he has not seen me for a while. then he gloms on to me and head bumps me and accepts some scritchins, and then settles over my shoulder or falls asleep upside down in the crook of my arm.

As far as pets and their life cycles go, after having pets with personalities I think I can understand how an immortal would feel, having those he loves grow up, get old and die while he/she lives on.

Oy, the vet bill

Yes, a number of my medical doctors have big envy for vets. Charge the huge bucks, don't argue with insurance companies, and their patients don't even lie to them.

My cat is either snuggling, or loudly declaring she is starving. I love how she comes running up the driveway when I come home, but then immediately she goes into this long loud story about how she didn't catch any vermin all day and she is starving.

Xusa has a Mom pick me up pick me up pick me up noooowwww.

DJ, do your cousins know how we know each other? I know some people are sensitive about that.

Jeeves makes this obnoxious blatting sound when he wants something.

As for hydration, he only eats dry kibble, and has refused any and all attempts to give him canned food. The only "people foods" he likes are: greens (the bitterer the better - he once ate an entire flat of arugula seedlings), Parmagiano Reggiano, and stinky blue cheese. All other cheese is of the devil as far as he is concerned, but he will come running if I pull the roquefort out of the fridge. I don't think cheese is an adequate medium for getting more moisture into his system, no matter how runny it might be.

Fortunately, he loves water, and is constantly begging me to turn the faucet on for him. I can also not leave water glasses unattended any more. I'm hoping, therefore, that adequate hydration won't be an issue with him. Having the Drinkwell fountain has gone a long way towards preventing UTIs with him.

I am supposed to administer subQ fluids for him, but I find I just can't do it - not to him. He's so fearful and sensitive that I just can't bear to do something that would harm the trust he has in me.

I get this. There are things I can't do to Sammie. I've been pilling cats for over twenty-five years, and I can't with her. That's without pulling the big guns of the blanket burrito. I can't bear the thought of making her struggle that much. If faced with having to administer subQ fluids, I would have to take her to the veterinarian every time. And while I am able to trap Harvey in the bathroom to collect a sample for a UA, not so much for Sammie. I can't. I can bring myself to drag her off to the vet, but I can't listen to her cry.

Oof, Barb. I'm glad Mooshu is better, scary vet bills or no.

Safe travels, Nora and smonster. May you have a delightful time in NO, hard work and all.