Laura Seabrook's Ramblings

1. result of a cat fight; or
2. a burst abscess caused by bad teeth.

Am taking Gabby to the vets this morning. I cleaned up that area with salt water and confined her to teh spare bedroom last night. She seemed cross but otherwise OK this morning. Nonetheless it needs to be checked out.

I should be researching my Masters, but Gabby's health comes first. Even so I have until 5pm Wednesday to finish the documentation.

Still sad this morning.

When I was walking Bobby we came to the back gate and Xena was there. She had only come into the backyard twice while Sam had been here. Gabby had stayed mostly on the roof of teh garden shed, or or within running distance of it. Once or twice she'd come near the back door and meowed, but if I went out to check on her Sam was sure to follow, and she speed back to the garden shed roof. In any case, this time I fed them both near the garden shed. Xena finished her breakfast but was gone when I went out to clean up from the wake last night.

But then I also went out and brought Gabby in. She wasn't very keen, and ran off, but came back later me-owing. I gave her some dry food and she stuck around for a while. Of course it's 29°C today inside, so maybe it's cooler in the shade and in a breeze outside. I expect her to come in tonight, or at least come close to teh front door and meow early tomorrow morning. I won't force either cat to come in from now on though, but I will insist on feeding both near the garden shed.

I've moved Ebony's bed from the top of the wardrobe in the RecRoom and put it in the Studio for Bobby to use. If I left it where it was I'd still sort of expect her top be in it. She was safe there. But or the moment I'll leave the cat litter in the RecRoom. The other two cats used it from time to time though I don't know if that was because it was there or because Ebony used it. For the last 2 1/2 weeks no cat has used it, or the one in the spare room, because Sam was in the house. Even so I replaced the liner and fill in it on Monday because it stunk of cat piss!

And in any case since Ebs had been here I always had a bit of an issue with animal poo in that room off and on. I'd go away for a week and discover cat and dog poo in that room when I came back! I suspect that because Ebony was pooing there the other pets thought it a good idea. This changed after my boarders and their dogs left, but I also put a litter tray down because it was cleaner to have what poo was done in the tray. And of course since then I've only been away for a couple of weeks at most.

When I have been, next door's have fed my pets, but I suspected because Ebony got fed on the bookcase in the hallway just outside my bedroom that she may have been forgotten (she started eating there to avoid Hallie, my boarder's dog). In any case I left plenty of dry food, which was the only thing she'd eat. I may leave the spot as is with water and dry food for the surviving cats. Gabby used to raid it all the time.

I expect Gabby to look for Ebony as well. In addition to "stalking each other" they had a truce each morning while they sunned themselves outside on whatever chair/sofa I have near the front door. Bobby would often join them. Xena might came back into the house a bit later. Ebony used to sneak out side but always tried to hide when she did. It was charming more than anything else.

Last night Lisa gave me a lift to teh shops and back where I was able to do some food shopping. That was good, but I expect to hear from her soon. She's going to get me a replacement 20m LAN cable, and also she forgot Sam's bed. He seldom used it. Seems Sam preferred a corner or enclosed space, which might come from his using a dog house at home. I had the bed set up behind my coat rack until I found the rack tipped over one morning! But he also slept underneath a small table in the Studio near my computer desk; behind my bedroom door on some blankets; and on the other side of my bed on the lino floor. After Monday night, I let him sleep on my bed. But this time Bobby had stopped "warning him off" every time he tried to get up.

This morning Bobby seemed quite content to be the only dog walked, though I think maybe he missed having a second dog to follow down the bush tracks. I still have plans to get another dog in December (maybe) but it's have to be at most only twice as big as Bobby. Sam was a pup and though he was just "too friendly" rather than aggressive he was way too big for the cats. NMind you, even Bobby steals their food if I let him get away with it, and he's only  about 1 1/2 times their size.
 

Photo taken this morning after the dog walk:

Xena and Gabby in the shed hiding from Bentley.