Introducing Betty White

[tarasgirl06]

Maybe she was just being forgivably fussy. But since the sitter is coming tomorrow for her first meet and greet and practice feed, and again on Sunday, I'd rather Betty fall in line. So when I couldn't get her to eat anything after taking her capsule tonight, I gave her a small (1/3 dose) wet willy. That should get her showing up for dinner tomorrow when the sitter comes over. And hopefully it still holds over the weekend. But if it doesn't. Whatever. I'll sort it out as it comes. Maybe she knew I was picking up more PR cans and decided she was over it already. Her dinner is more PR than I/D. It also has a small mound of A/D in case she has decided that PR ran its course. Even though I just opened a new can for her. Or maybe the mirtz kicks in and she'll eat it all.

This sitter is new to you both? Hoping that works out well. And since you won't be away for long, even if Betty decides to pitch a hissy about her food, you'll be back to save the day (or night) before long.

 

[daftcat75]

This sitter is new to you both? Hoping that works out well. And since you won't be away for long, even if Betty decides to pitch a hissy about her food, you'll be back to save the day (or night) before long.

She is not new to me. But she is new to Betty. I worked with her before with Krista.

Figures. Just when I bought more PR cans it looks like it may have run its course with her. For now, perhaps. She ate all of dinner and only about half of overnight. Her breakfast pass(es?) look woefully inadequate. It took some convincing to get her capsule into her this morning. We may be switching back to I/D - A/D mix for lunch.

Why is this so challenging with her? I should be able to put food down and pick up a clean plate. That's how cats are supposed to work.

 

[daftcat75]

Switched her back to an I/D A/D mix for lunch and she made that disappear quickly. She kinda does a snow plow right through the middle and leaves the sides. But she’s got plenty of time between now and sitter to come back and finish a side or two. I guess we’re just going to alternate between A/D, Kitten, and PR. As she tires of one we’ll switch to the other.

 

[daftcat75]

Well. So that was a bust. Sitter came over to meet Betty. Betty actually let sitter greet her in the cave. She might have got some scritches in. Then we went to prepare her dinner and meds and Betty pancaked herself as flat as she could in the fish she was in. She did not want to leave her safe fish. I picked her up and brought her to her meds spot where she promptly ran off to the office tree that she hides in when she doesn’t want to interact with company. I wish I had one of those for next weekend with the family. We tried treats and cake frosting. Betty wasn’t having it. Between me being at home in my road uniform and the stranger in the house, I think she’s at peak anxiety about a vet trip or… ? So, nice of you to come over but Betty won’t eat until you leave. Sitter and I talked for a moment but she knew the score. So she left. I left to go get my car from the market next store since we have zero guest parking at the apartment complex. Now I’m back (and changed into home uniform) and I’ve been sitting on the floor in the office posting this and Betty is still in her spot.

And she’s finally out again. Whew!

She still needs to take her meds though.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Well. So that was a bust. Sitter came over to meet Betty. Betty actually let sitter greet her in the cave. She might have got some scritches in. Then we went to prepare her dinner and meds and Betty pancaked herself as flat as she could in the fish she was in. She did not want to leave her safe fish. I picked her up and brought her to her meds spot where she promptly ran off to the office tree that she hides in when she doesn’t want to interact with company. I wish I had one of those for next weekend with the family. We tried treats and cake frosting. Betty wasn’t having it. Between me being at home in my road uniform and the stranger in the house, I think she’s at peak anxiety about a vet trip or… ? So, nice of you to come over but Betty won’t eat until you leave. Sitter and I talked for a moment but she knew the score. So she left. I left to go get my car from the market next store since we have zero guest parking at the apartment complex. Now I’m back (and changed into home uniform) and I’ve been sitting on the floor in the office posting this and Betty is still in her spot.

And she’s finally out again. Whew!

She still needs to take her meds though.

Oh noes! So what's the plan now, Stan?
Elvis does the snowplow thing, too, but it's more just in the middle. So I get the catfood knife and mound it back up into a mountain for him as many times as it takes to placate him. He's been doing really well on finishing almost every bit of his food and asking for more. So maybe Betty would like that special valet service as well?
Begging to disagree, sir, but that is NOT how cats work. Cats work on their own time, on their own schedule, and at their own whims. Keep the food. Rotate the food. Cats will snork madly one time and elevate their noses the next. In a lifetime of cattedness, one thing I know to be true is that variety is the spice of life for them, as it is for many of us. What she snubs today, she may well crave tomorrow. Just don't try to figure it out to get a formula. As much as we want, even need, to do that, it ain't possible.
My roomies fed their guy the same two things day in, day out (Science Diet weight reduction formula wet and dry--ugh!) and of course he snorked it all. He had no choice. He became grossly obese on that terrible diet, too, and it shortened his life considerably. I was heartbroken, and tried to give them some suggestions, but they trusted their terrible vet and not me. I was his cat-sitter and I had to watch the whole thing play out. I was also the one with him at the last. *Sorry for venting about that.*
The car thing? I used to get complete strangers parking in my spot at the last apartment.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Wishing Mme. Betty and her dad a good weekend.

 

[daftcat75]

9.6. We need to be mindful that I don’t send her back up to bad-for-her-joints overweightedness.

But for now, it feels good that we finally found the floor to her weight loss free fall. I did re-up her mirtz on Tuesday. But otherwise she’s been doing great. Getting meds in her is still a challenge lately. I have three frostings—A/D, GI Kitten, and PR—and three sprinkles—I/D kibble, freeze-dried raw Boss Cat chicken, and freeze-dried raw NW Naturals Rabbit—to choose from depending on how fussy she’s being.

She had a little re-gurg yesterday. Her initial snow plow was a little underpowered. So I’m guessing her second pass was too much or too fast. Didn’t hurt her for dinner though.

Trying to figure out tomorrow morning’s schedule. I’ll be up at five to feed Betty. Flight boards at 815 for an 845 departure. I am thinking arriving at 7 should be plenty to get through parking and TSA and maybe grab a nibble before boarding. So that means I probably have one hour I can lay down after feeding Betty before I’m back up again.

 

[tarasgirl06]

9.6. We need to be mindful that I don’t send her back up to bad-for-her-joints overweightedness.
View attachment 463796View attachment 463797
But for now, it feels good that we finally found the floor to her weight loss free fall. I did re-up her mirtz on Tuesday. But otherwise she’s been doing great. Getting meds in her is still a challenge lately. I have three frostings—A/D, GI Kitten, and PR—and three sprinkles—I/D kibble, freeze-dried raw Boss Cat chicken, and freeze-dried raw NW Naturals Rabbit—to choose from depending on how fussy she’s being.

She had a little re-gurg yesterday. Her initial snow plow was a little underpowered. So I’m guessing her second pass was too much or too fast. Didn’t hurt her for dinner though.

Trying to figure out tomorrow morning’s schedule. I’ll be up at five to feed Betty. Flight boards at 815 for an 845 departure. I am thinking arriving at 7 should be plenty to get through parking and TSA and maybe grab a nibble before boarding. So that means I probably have one hour I can lay down after feeding Betty before I’m back up again.

Betty looks great! Good to have so many options for her. Boss Cat has a great ring to it
Hoping it all goes very smoothly and well and that you enjoy your visit!

 

[daftcat75]

Betty is being far too fussy yesterday and this morning. I ran out of frostings and sprinkles without finding a combination that appealed to her. So she got the liquid dose. I caught up to her after cleaning up all the mess I made trying to get that tiny capsule into her. I gave her a Greenie to get that gabapentin taste out of her mouth. I wish I could compound her meds into Greenies. I plated her meal and packed her feeder. Then I crawled back in bed for 45 minutes of third sleep before I’d get up again and get ready for the airport. When I left, Betty was under the bookcase sensing something different. I gave her some reassuring scritches before heading out the door. I got to the airport too early. I didn’t need as much time as I gave myself. Wouldn’t have mattered though. I didn’t actually get any third sleep. I just laid there with nerves biting at me. I don’t want to travel. I didn’t want to leave Betty. I am looking forward to coming home and giving Betty another wet willy. I think the last dose ran its course. Alright. We’re boarding. Hurry up and wait!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Betty is being far too fussy yesterday and this morning. I ran out of frostings and sprinkles without finding a combination that appealed to her. So she got the liquid dose. I caught up to her after cleaning up all the mess I made trying to get that tiny capsule into her. I gave her a Greenie to get that gabapentin taste out of her mouth. I wish I could compound her meds into Greenies. I plated her meal and packed her feeder. Then I crawled back in bed for 45 minutes of third sleep before I’d get up again and get ready for the airport. When I left, Betty was under the bookcase sensing something different. I gave her some reassuring scritches before heading out the door. I got to the airport too early. I didn’t need as much time as I gave myself. Wouldn’t have mattered though. I didn’t actually get any third sleep. I just laid there with nerves biting at me. I don’t want to travel. I didn’t want to leave Betty. I am looking forward to coming home and giving Betty another wet willy. I think the last dose ran its course. Alright. We’re boarding. Hurry up and wait!

I'd be in a very similar state if I was doing what you're doing. Still, I wish you a good visit and safe journeys to and fro.
Not sure which varieties of Greenies you get, but there are several that are similar to Temptations in that they have soft, creamy centers. Wondering, if you haven't tried those, about the efficacy of those for sneaking meds into Betty
We had an almost 3 hour power outage to greet us this morning. No WiFi, no work. They gave us 3 different projected up times and were close to the third. VERY high gusty winds did it. *I know the leaves have to go somehow. But couldn't that be accomplished without knocking us down?* Getting over Big Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah and trying to decide how much work I can do as a result.
Hoping you find a happy Betty when you return. Happy to see you, that is.

 

[daftcat75]

So glad I hired the sitter. Return flight delayed. Betty was comfortably chilling in her cave when sitter showed up and did not leave the cave while she was there. Probably going to have to shoot her with liquid gabapentin and give her a mirtz wet willy when I get home.

 

[tarasgirl06]

So glad I hired the sitter. Return flight delayed. Betty was comfortably chilling in her cave when sitter showed up and did not leave the cave while she was there. Probably going to have to shoot her with liquid gabapentin and give her a mirtz wet willy when I get home.

Wasn't sure what you did about the sitter. Really relieved that she's there! Hoping for a pleasant Betty surprise when you get home.

 

[daftcat75]

Betty didn’t eat much of the sitter’s serving. Betty had an earful for me when I got home. Purr usual, she was being fussy about taking her capsule. Last night I learned I can stick greenies in the herb grinder and get Greenies powder. The creamy center is not so creamy; doesn’t gum up the grinder. So with Greenies powder in hand, I got her to take her meds almost four hours later than usual. Since I didn’t have to wrestle a liquid dose into her, I also gave her a wet willy. Seems to have worked as she finished last night’s second dinner in one go. But not before laying on me for hours and rubbing my face and letting me know how much she missed me. Breakfast meds with mirtz onboard and Greenies powder went much easier. She even mowed down some of the plated breakfast. Then we had a very productive third sleep. When I finally woke and stirred (usually beginning my wake up with a sitting forward fold), she took a healthy second pass and basically finished breakfast. There’s some remainder that I’m sure she’ll come back to. It will be a clean plate by lunch. I love mirtz. I just wish she didn’t need it. The 1/3 dose seems to give us good bang for our buck.

I’m so glad I’m done with Thanksgiving this year. I got the busy airport and the packed flights. And the delays. And the family time. And now I just work out the short week and enjoy the four day weekend without worrying about the travel and family stresses of this holiday. The taproom will be open for a few hours on Thursday. Purrfect!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Betty didn’t eat much of the sitter’s serving. Betty had an earful for me when I got home. Purr usual, she was being fussy about taking her capsule. Last night I learned I can stick greenies in the herb grinder and get Greenies powder. The creamy center is not so creamy; doesn’t gum up the grinder. So with Greenies powder in hand, I got her to take her meds almost four hours later than usual. Since I didn’t have to wrestle a liquid dose into her, I also gave her a wet willy. Seems to have worked as she finished last night’s second dinner in one go. But not before laying on me for hours and rubbing my face and letting me know how much she missed me. Breakfast meds with mirtz onboard and Greenies powder went much easier. She even mowed down some of the plated breakfast. Then we had a very productive third sleep. When I finally woke and stirred (usually beginning my wake up with a sitting forward fold), she took a healthy second pass and basically finished breakfast. There’s some remainder that I’m sure she’ll come back to. It will be a clean plate by lunch. I love mirtz. I just wish she didn’t need it. The 1/3 dose seems to give us good bang for our buck.

I’m so glad I’m done with Thanksgiving this year. I got the busy airport and the packed flights. And the delays. And the family time. And now I just work out the short week and enjoy the four day weekend without worrying about the travel and family stresses of this holiday. The taproom will be open for a few hours on Thursday. Purrfect!

SO glad it all turned out good and that's a great Betty UPdate!

 

[daftcat75]

Let's see. She was mirtz'ed on Tuesday night before the sitter visit on Wednesday. I figured she might be a more willing participant in the practice feed if she was actually hungry. She was mirtz'ed again on Sunday. I mirtz'ed her yet again this afternoon after her last three meals were too remainder-ish and her last two meds were too fussy. I think I'm okay with twice a week mirtz'ing. Let's see if we can manage that. Otherwise she's been good. I heard her having a spirited "release party" (my term for poop zooms) last night. She's been glued to me in bed. It's been cold. I don't blame her. I hope when I'm caught up on her dental and her eventual upcoming IM that I can afford to run the radiators in both rooms all winter instead of the couple hours at a time that I have been doing just to take the chill off.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Let's see. She was mirtz'ed on Tuesday night before the sitter visit on Wednesday. I figured she might be a more willing participant in the practice feed if she was actually hungry. She was mirtz'ed again on Sunday. I mirtz'ed her yet again this afternoon after her last three meals were too remainder-ish and her last two meds were too fussy. I think I'm okay with twice a week mirtz'ing. Let's see if we can manage that. Otherwise she's been good. I heard her having a spirited "release party" (my term for poop zooms) last night. She's been glued to me in bed. It's been cold. I don't blame her. I hope when I'm caught up on her dental and her eventual upcoming IM that I can afford to run the radiators in both rooms all winter instead of the couple hours at a time that I have been doing just to take the chill off.

Twice a week mirtzing sounds very workable. What say you, Betty?
Layering. That's the secret. I've done that just about always. Sweet angel Tarifa, who had a very short coat, would crawl in under the thick fleecy throw I put on the bed in cooler weather. She loved that. I could always tell where she was by the tell-tail () small cat-sized lump. No one else has ever done this.

 

[daftcat75]

Twice a week mirtzing sounds very workable. What say you, Betty?
Layering. That's the secret. I've done that just about always. Sweet angel Tarifa, who had a very short coat, would crawl in under the thick fleecy throw I put on the bed in cooler weather. She loved that. I could always tell where she was by the tell-tail () small cat-sized lump. No one else has ever done this.

In more affordable times, I would leave the radiator on all winter long. I figured the savings on auto gas in the winter makes up for the increase in electricity while that balance gets inverted in the summer with higher gas prices but lower electricity bill. Now it seems like prices are remain g high all year long and I have to choose which hours to run the radiators. Krista would sleep against the radiator. Betty likes burrowing. But the radiator hasn’t been on long enough this winter for her to enjoy that as a sleeping spot. Perhaps when I’m caught up on her bills I can afford to run up my own.

 

[tarasgirl06]

In more affordable times, I would leave the radiator on all winter long. I figured the savings on auto gas in the winter makes up for the increase in electricity while that balance gets inverted in the summer with higher gas prices but lower electricity bill. Now it seems like prices are remain g high all year long and I have to choose which hours to run the radiators. Krista would sleep against the radiator. Betty likes burrowing. But the radiator hasn’t been on long enough this winter for her to enjoy that as a sleeping spot. Perhaps when I’m caught up on her bills I can afford to run up my own.

Ugh! I know. I used to live in an apartment that had utilities included and I ran the radiator a LOT. No more! Now, it's sweaters, jackets, throws, and blankets. Applying a cat to the lap helps a LOT when working. And applying one when sleeping does, too. *What is this cat doing with the tail, anyway? *

 

[daftcat75]

Betty is getting a corner of Rawz Turkey and Turkey Liver Pate with lunch. I fully expect the fuss bus to skip that stop. But it's there for her to try it today anyway.

I have found a new treat and "sprinkles" (with the help of the grinder) she really enjoys: freeze-dried chicken hearts. My little murder machine.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hey, Happy Thanksgiving to you, Betty White and anyone else you-all care about. I wanted to say thanks, --I tagged you a couple times about it, for mentioning the product that turns on a faucet when the cat approaches.