An uninvited holiday guest

This week marks the one-year anniversay of Henry's entrance into our lives.  I celebrated the occasion by having his nails professionally trimmed over the weekend (verdict: best $12 I've spent in a long time) and dropping off a ziploc baggie full of poop this morning (verdict: the worst $24 I've spent in an even longer time.)

Why, you ask, would I willingly tote a bag of poop (double bagged, and in a disposable tupperware) in my beloved Coach bag? 

BECAUSE OMFG I THINK THE WORMS ARE BACK.

I had been thinking about what sort of post I should write about Henry's anniversary; sentimental sappy with pictures of him sleeping on my chest and being the lap cat I'd been dreaming of?  Funny post about Henry's unparalleled weirdness, complete with stories about how he HATES one particular spot on the exposed brick wall and has contests with himself to see who can jump the highest and cling, suspended by his front paws from the door frame?  Chronilogical linkage about finding him, losing him, finding him again, the pain and suffering and woe, followed by the happiness and bliss of my own cuddle-happy kitten?  But now, now that's all moot because all I can think about is THE WORMS, and why does this keep happening to meeeee?

I am currently waiting for the vet to call with the preliminary verdict, and in 24 hours we'll have the lab analysis.  But I already know what it is, after the past year I certainly think that I can recognize a roundworm when I see one.  Never in my life did I think I'd be proud of my parasitic recognition skills, but by this point I am thinking of adding it to my business cards and resume. 

Hey, you know what's going to be fun? Treating these roundworms. If I remember correctly, the medicine is a nice yellow liquid that has to be squirted into the cat's mouth and swallowed.  This is no problem with Henry and  Max, but Madison?  Oh, Madison. I love Madison very much.  For the most part, Madison is a sweet, quiet, no-hassle cat.  He never gets sick, he doesn't care what kind of food or litter we use, he's never peed on the floor or jumped on my head at 3am.   However, there is a little devil that lives inside of Madison.  And when that devil comes out... well, it's not pretty.  This is an actual email exchange from earlier this week, after I emailed my mom pictures of Max and Henry in their holiday costumes:

From: OPH
To: Mom
Subject: Hohoho
Date: 12/10/2007 9:49 AM

Max wishes you a happy holiday!

From: Mom
To: OPH
Subject: Re: Hohoho
Date: 12/10/2007 10:15 AM

He certainly looks cute too ... wouldn't it be nice to have a picture of Max and Henry all dressed up... next to your CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!! 

From: OPH
To: Mom
Subject: Re: Hohoho
Date: 12/10/2007 10:22 AM

Yes, we have been trying, but I don't think that idyllic photo will happen. henry HATES the santa suit and flips out when we put it on max. I think he is just upset because max gets to be santa and henry just gets to be a reindeer. I did take some pictures of the tree... it looks very nice...

From: Mom
To: OPH
Subject: Re: Hohoho
Date: 12/10/2007 10:24 AM

where is Madison fitting into this xmas photo?

From: OPH
To: Mom
Subject: Re: Hohoho
Date: 12/10/2007 10:31 AM

Madison is a very nice cat as long as you dont' try to make him do anything he doesn't want to do... things he doesn't want to do include taking medicine and wearing outfits. It stops being fun when someone loses an eye trying to get the costume on the cat!  So Mads is exempt.... but don't feel bad for him, he has already claimed the tree as his own.

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If this were a novel, I believe that would be called "irony".   

Comments

[Laurel]

WORMS!!!! Ew. I hope all of your furry friends are okay!

[Jemima]

THE WORMS! OH....THE WORMS!!! (like an Apocalypse Now)

Duuuude. I am SO sorry. Are they all on Advantix? Don't they catch those from eating fleas? I always thought it was so. Advantix is expensive, but it's better than shuddering in horror every time you look at your cat. Blech.