The Beast has had a number of ailments going back to summer 2000, most recently overactive thyroid. We got the dosage finally straightened out this fall and this past week he's getting back some of his playfulness - starting to invite games of chase and even playing with the wand again. He gets his medication twice a day and I always pill right before he gets fed, probably a mixed emotional bag for him but at least he doesn't hide (as opposed to Willie who would go hide at dinnertime but mercifully he's OK now). Cracked me up yesterday - I realized I'd forgotten to take -my- meds and went in the bathroom and unscrewed the caps: Lo, The Beast turns up and starts crying to be fed. Guess that routine is down pat!

Friday was another new one - I was swimming laps and realized each time I turned there was Beastie so I started looking and, sure enough, he was pacing me outside the pool, back and forth, back and forth. Time to get him a stopwatch and megaphone I suppose - "Faster! Faster!". Silly cat! I'd like to have convinced myself I could swim faster than a walking cat though.

Willie still hasn't endorsed this human thing for water but he used to watch from a really safe distance - the roof. I had my own personal lifeguard there for awhile. Now he comes into the yard (this is my neighbors pool) and watches from ground level but still a safe 20 feet away. The other two won't endorse this behavior whatsoever - even if one follows me she leaves as soon as I get in the water, wants no part of such doltish behavior.

Copyright © Norm deCarteret
January 7, 2003