Friday critter blogging

This week we're taking a break from cat blogging and focusing on the critters I'm currently housesitting for. I'm not going to put up names or pictures because I don't have permission from the friend who owns these dogs, but I will describe them for you as best I can.

I'm housesitting this week for two dogs, a yellow lab and a black lab. The yellow lab has had some physical issues in the past; she had surgery on her hip quite a few years ago, about a year or two before I met my friend. So the yellow lab is on meds for her hip; even though she walks normally, she can't run great distances. She wants to jump on you when she sees you, but she can only hop, because of her hip.

In addition to her regular meds, the yellow lab is also on two different antibiotics for her ears; she has a blockage in her ears which is clearing up. She also gets a gel squirted down her ear canal twice a day, and another solution that gets massaged in her ears every other day.

The black lab is on one medication, but I'm not sure what it's for. She's also on another one for "biting issues." That's the best I can describe it. She tends to bite her left front paw quite a bit, and supposedly the pill is used to calm her down.

In addition to the two dogs, I'm also looking after my friend's cat, whom my friend believes is twelve or thirteen years old. The kitty has severe arthritis, so he gets a pill mixed in with his food every morning. Additionally, he has an anti-anxiety medication that he has to take every day as well.

All three critters also are on special diets. They can't have regular Purina that can be purchased at the grocery stores. I'm not exactly sure why.

I have to admire the care that my friend gives her pets. She never married or had kids, so her pets are her family. The critters all live happy, healthy lives, and they are fun to be around. They are playful and affectionate. I really enjoy them.

That having been said, I wonder how far I would go for my girls. I know that there are pet owners who spend $500 or more on meds for their pets. I had a friend who gave her cat insulin injections twice a day to keep its diabetes under control.

I love my girls. They are my family. They are my kids. They love me unconditionally, and I feel the same way about them. I would do anything for them.

That having been said, my budget is very tight right now and I don't have enough room for veterinary emergencies. Last week Gabby ate a ribbon and she puked it, but I admit that I was damn lucky that she was able to regurgitate it. If she didn't, she may have had to had surgery. I think about that and start having heart palpitations. What if I couldn't save my cats? That's like a mother not able to save her own child! Oh, the thought still sickens me...

My cats are young, six and seven years old, respectively, and I hope that I get a lotta living out of them. I can't believe I've had Maggie for almost seven years now. That's my entire adult life, Kittens. I've had cats my entire life, period, except for the first year I was in my apartment.

I've often heard parents say that if something needs to be done for one of their kids, they find a way to do it. They make what seems to be impossible, possible. That having been said, if my cats needed urgent care, I'd find a way somehow.

Now, Kittens, I must ask the question:

How far are we willing to go to save our pets?