Oxbow's World

What do you mean you want to make the bed now?

Hell no!

Since we moved to Connecticut last fall, my mamas have been nothing short of thrilled by the experience. They love the beauty and convenience of the new area. I’ll have to take their word on that, because I’m strictly an indoor cat, and the only time I go on road trips is my annual visit to the veterinarian.

They also have been amazed at how friendly people are here, particularly our new neighbors. Now this is something that I can attest to as well, because I’ve had frequent kitty visitors since we moved in.

Just the other day, the little orange tabby from across the street came calling.

 

Although I wasn’t allowed to go out and play with him, I sat in the window and the two of us communicated silently as only we cats know how to do. I learned that his name is Buddy.

I think I’ve met my doppelganger.

 

Nothing facilitates a good catnap like a comfortable pillow, and thanks to my Godmother Joyce, I am napping quite well these days. Once again she surprised me with a gift that didn’t coincide with any particular occasion. She’s very thoughtful that way. She apparently saw this pillow in a catalog and couldn’t resist. And who could resist, well, me?

That “My Pillow” guy on TV has nothing on me!

What? Easter’s over already? But I’m still looking for the eggs!

Wow, do I feel like a dumb bunny!

Finally, some fresh air around here. It’s about time! I mean it’s only mid-April and we’re still sleeping with blankets and the heat on. Give me a break!

I know that other orange guy would say our unusually cold winter and spring were proof that global warming is a hoax, but as usual, he doesn’t have his facts straight. The correct term is climate change, and there’s plenty of evidence that weird things are happening around the globe, if you just pay attention.

But I don’t want to digress into that strange human sport known as politics. I’m just happy the window is open and the sun is out now.

… to me! Yes, today is my birthday! I even got my first-ever birthday card, from the wonderful folks at Companion Veterinary Health Center in Dayville, Connecticut. They put the wrong guy on the card, but it was the thought that counts.

So, you’re probably wondering, just how old am I? The answer is 8. In human years, that would be about 50, and if I were human, I’d probably be having flings and driving around in a ridiculous sports car about now. Instead, I’m spending my afternoon at the front window watching cars go by.

Life travels pretty fast, doesn’t it?

 

Well I know I sure look guilty here, but all I was doing was cleaning myself. OK, I know it probably seems weird to you that I do that by licking myself, but is that really any stranger than jumping into a steaming-hot stream of water and lathering up with products that make you smell like a flower?

Can’t a guy get a little privacy while he grooms?

 

So a couple of nights ago Mama C came home, and something just didn’t smell right, if you know what I mean. I’m talking literally here.

Well, it turns out she’s been cheating on me, as evidenced by this photo she sent to Mama G! All right, I get it, she was doing a good deed and babysitting her niece’s children. And she adores them! But did she really have to get so cozy with their pets, too?

Yesterday I was thinking about what kind of work I would do if I had the misfortune of being a human, and it came to me immediately: I’d make a great job foreman, because I am really good at supervising the work of others! Don’t even start thinking about taking a break out there, Mama C!

I’m so glad I’m not human, especially on days like yesterday.

 

So there I was, just chilling in the sunshine on Saturday morning, when all of a sudden I was scooped into my carrier and whisked away … to a new veterinarian! It was time again for my annual physical, and because we had moved since the last one, my mamas had to find me a new doctor. This could have been a traumatic experience, because I loved my old doctor, but they found one just a five-minute drive from our house, and she turned out to be great, too!

First, I was just blown away when we entered the office and the first thing I saw was my name on a blackboard, along with all the other day’s patients. I was the first one of the day, yes, number one! I felt like I should have been waving a giant foam paw!

Then it was on to check-in, where I received a very loving greeting from veterinary assistant Lauren. I could tell I had charmed her at first sight, as I usually do with the rare stranger who manages to even catch sight of me.

I was quickly taken to an exam room, where it took a bit of coaxing to get me out of my carrier. Oh, no, not the dreaded scale!!

Oops, gained another half-pound! I’m sure it’s muscle. I like to think of myself as 14 pounds of athletic manliness!

I was impressed with all the cat toys that had been stocked in the room, although at the time I didn’t really feel much like playing. Still, it was a nice touch on their part.

Finally, it was time to meet Dr. Sarah Fischer. I was really nervous when I heard the door opening. Let’s face it, first meetings of any kind are usually anxiety-provoking, but none like when you know you’re about to get poked and prodded in the most intimate of places by a complete stranger! Mama C did her best to comfort me.

As it turned out, there was no need to worry, because Dr. Fischer was as nice and gentle as could be, and I really liked her. I think she liked me a lot, too!

Best of all, I got a clean bill of health and am good to go for another year. Yeah, I had them at meow.