Limpy…as Cary Grant?
Young people have no idea who Cary Grant is.
The actor, who died in 1986, was one one the most elegant and sophisticated of actors to grace the silver screen.
Today, I wondered if Limpy is the reincarnation of Grant.
Since his most recent…trauma…Limpy has been living in my office. He will likely live out his life in my office.
Each morning, after I feed him, I gently take him to a litter box two rooms away and watch over him as he does his morning business. I decided against leaving a litter box in the office because he previously exhibited two odd behaviors:
- After he goes, he lays down. Well, he collapses. Into…well…you know.
- While in the litter box, he eats the clay pellets. I have never known a cat to do this.
So, I decided against a litter box in the office. However, I am attentive to his needs, and can now tell that when he starts looking around the office a lot, and when he repeatedly tries to stand, this is a sign: I gotta go! Then he is wisked to the litter box. And this has worked fine.
Today though, after arriving home from a day at the Cross House, I fed Limply and then took a nap. After waking at 5:30PM, I walked into my office, realizing that I had left the door open. Yikes! I always close it since having Limpy in residence.
And…yikes!…Limpy was no longer IN the office.
Of course, I knew he liked to take road trips, his crippled rear legs notwithstanding, so I scurried from room to room, from corner to corner, looking for him.
And then found him. In the litter box. After…well, you know.
The poor dear was a mess. And clay pellets were glued to his wound and surrounding fur.
Fuck!
Yes, you are thinking: HOW is this a story about Cary Grant?
Tonight, Limpy made clear, his profound condition aside, that he thought it rude to simply go potty on the floor of my office. So, at a cost of great physical exertion, he did things the proper way, the correct way, the Cary Grant way.
The following awareness washed over me as I cleaned him, picking bits of clay out his fur, with my eyes tearing up:
Limpy was not just an old cat, an injured cat.
No, Limpy was a cat of refinement, trying his best under horrible circumstances.
Trying his best under horrible circumstances.
.
13 Comments
Leave a Comment
Your email address will NEVER be made public or shared, and you may use a screen name if you wish.
That is a life lesson for all of us.
When life sends a challenge, our actions and attitude define us.
Bless you, Ross, for being the comfort and care this little soul needs now.
Cary Grant was also a comedic actor with excellent timing. He was also a hoofer and could sing a bit too. He started in whatever vaudeville was in the UK, from humble beginnings. He learned to be the suave sophisticated leading man but he didn’t start that way. I love watching his old black and whites on TCM.
I suspect the clay eating will gradually go away as he consumes a steady healthy diet. Sounds like some compensation for a lack of something in his diet. The good quality cat food will take care of that.
Poor thing. I remember when my Ramses was terminal he wasn’t incontinent but sometimes couldn’t make it from the bedroom out the kitchen door before losing control. He was always so embarrassed about it. I always assured him it was okay and that I understood.
Limpy is far from the end if he is making such an effort to reach the litter box. What a gentleman he is. Perhaps a bandana loosely around his neck in case he sinks into the litter box again. Perhaps a soft collar like the birdsbesafe one to keep him from licking and protect the wound.
Sounds good, mlaiuppa.
Ross, Limpy is a cultured cat. He might be sick, but he still has class.
(Unsolicited care advice follows, feel free to ignore)
From experience, litter eating can be a sign of anemia. It may resolve with deworming, but it’s straightforward bloodwork to test. The common first line treatment (B vitamin subcutaneous injections) is low cost and low risk, your vet -may- be willing to dispense for home administration. It can make a big difference in comfort/energy levels!
Very good point Embees!
May make Limpy feel better!
I didn’t think I’d be crying over a cat going potty today but here we are. Thank you for the updates on the little charmer, I have a space saved in my heart to fret over him from a distance.
Susan – my thoughts exactly! And Cary Grant – so wonderful too. Limpy is a star. 🙂
I like that bandana idea. My heart just breaks for Limpy. Cats are so smart and finicky. What a good boy. ( you too Ross😉).
What a dear story!
Limpy may be in disarray, but he still manages a sense of class.
What a sweet cat and an even sweeter caregiver & lover of cats.
Sandra – well said! Prayers for Ross and Limpy and all fur babies. 🙂
How kind of you Laurie!
I’m saying a few prayers for you and Limpy. You are fortunate to have each other.
Okay…that made me cry. Thank you, Ross, for the inspiring life lesson!