What a long strange trip it’s been

As some of you are probably aware, I had dental surgery yesterday to remove some teeth. It was my third such surgery, because although I was born with good looks and personality, my teeth have always been a problem. I am now down to just one tooth, my left canine. My mamas thought that one was going to have to go, too, and were happy to hear it’s very healthy. They’ve always been fond of that particular tooth and like to call me “Snaggletooth,” or “Snaggy” for short — as if I don’t already have enough nicknames!

Anyway, I knew something was wrong yesterday morning when I didn’t get my breakfast. Feeding me is usually the first thing Those Two do when they get up. I sat patiently in the kitchen for an hour, looking as cute and pleading as can be, but to no avail. Then, without warning, I was scooped up and placed in my carrier.

“I got this!” I thought, as I rode in the back seat with Mama G. After all, I had been through this routine twice recently, and figured I’d soon be back home. But this time was different. Once we arrived at the doctor’s office, we just sat in the car for about five minutes. Then a woman wearing a mask and gloves came out to get me, and I was whisked away in my carrier.

“Aren’t you handsome?” the woman asked as she carried me toward the door. Well of course! I have that effect on all the ladies.

There was some more waiting around inside, and then the next thing I remember is sitting in the back seat of the car with Mama G again, only things were looking very, very strange, and I was feeling even stranger. Mama C was driving, and had the radio cranked up. Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut” was playing and Mama G was singing along — “She put the lime in the coconut, she drank ’em bot’ up” — right in my face! If you’ve ever heard Mama G sing, you understand just how misguided this apparent effort to cheer me up was. Now I know how some of those people at Woodstock must have felt as they crawled toward the medical tent!

After a mercifully short ride, we were back home, and I was freed from my carrier. Those Two immediately started Happy Hour, but I wasn’t feeling too happy. I sat with them for a little while, my one leg partly shaved. Just how did that happen? Then I did what cats do best when we don’t feel well: I disappeared.

I’ve been told I’ll feel much better soon, but I’m not so sure at the moment. I’m hungry and sore, and yesterday seems like a bad dream.