A visit to the vets

It was time for my 3 cats to have their annual jabs but going to the vets with 3 cats is not the easiest thing to do. It has to be planned very carefully. I decided to take Tabby and Nera (left and right on film) on the first day and Grögu alone on the second day (in the middle). I usually take them at 07.00 in the morning as I have to go to work afterwards. We took Nera by surprise and got her neatly into the carrying cage. Tabby saw what was going on and made a quick disappearance. Hubby cornered her in a room where she dived under the settee in a corner which was almost impossible to reach. After further action we managed to chase her out, shut all doors and corner her in a room. Hubby grabbed her, I had the cage open ready and she was in. Tabby's carry basket was not so new any more and one of the clips had broken off, but as she is only a light cat, I decided it would be ok for the 5 minutes in the car.

I then drove off with the two cats - Tabby next to me at the front of the car on the passenger seat and Nera on the back seat. On the way I dropped my son off to work, turned the car and was almost at the vets when the worse thing happened that could. Tabby broke open her cage and with one quick reflex I managed to put my hand on the lid that she couldn't jump out. The problem being that I was now driving with one hand (thank goodness for automatic cars). I had just reached the parking spot and managed to park, although I had one cat that was still trying to break out. This was all very well, but how to I get out of the car, lock it, and take the cage with me. I decided I would have to get help from a third person. There was a young man just walking past (he was younger than me which isn't very difficult) so I called him over and asked if he could help. At first he looked a bit strangely at me, but seeing my grey hair, he must have decided that I really did need help from him and nothing else, so he asked what the problem was. After explaining he was really very helpful, and took the cage with Tabby in it and carried it over to the vets for me. The nurse at the vets put Tabby in one of her cages, which she said I could use for the home transport, so that problem was solved. I then went back to the car, parked it properly (I had left it at a 45° angle to the kerb due to parking with one hand) and got Nera. I hadn't even been in the vets yet and felt like I had been on a safari.

Tabby is a quiet cat, sleeps most of the time and disappears now and again for a few hours. I took her out of her cage, she didn't look very happy, but the vet did the jab with no problem at all. Nera is not such an easy going cat - I would say she can be very agressive. The vet knew this so she organised one of the nurses as an assistant. They decided to keep Nera in the cage and just open the lid to give her the jab. Nera said hello to the vet by hissing and growling. The assistant got a thick towel and covered Nera's head with it to keep her down. This didn't work very well, so she had to get a bigger and thicker towel to half wrap her in it. This did not please Nera at all and I think she went through all the musical sounds she was capable of singing until she was finally pinned down in the cage and the vet could give her the injection. Unfortunately Nera did not like this at all and half way through attenpted a break out, which meant that only half the injection had been done and the other half was still in the syringe. After pinning her down once again the remainder of the injection was made. Getting this behind me I drove home and we were all glad that the ordeal was over.

The next day it was Grögu's turn. Grögu is blind, although he certainly knows what is going on. He was no trouble to put in the carrier and miaowed only once at the beginning. He even seemed to like going for a car ride. It was really a 5 minute job at the vets. No performance, no demonstrations of power. I got home ok and that was that. era: What's she talking about up there. I acted as any self-respecting cat would act. There I was minding my own business, waiting to go out and suddenly I am grabbed from behind, packed in a cage and locked in.

Tabby: Well, Nera, you were a bit slow you know. If they don't let you out, there is a reason for it. I smelt the trap before they came for me - I just ran off and hid behind the settee.
Nera: But they got you all the same
Tabby: Yes, I know, but not without a fight to show that I do what I want to do. And did you see how clever I was in the car?
Nera: I am not so sure that that was being clever. Just what did you think. Jump out of the cage in the car and cause an accident - don't forget I was at the back of the car and I have used up 4 of my 9 lives already, I don't want to miss any more.
Tabby: Ok, but it didn't work anyhow. Some strange person carried me over to the vets
Nera: Yes, and I was left on my own in the car. But did you see how I showed it to them at the vets.
Tabby: Well, I think you overdid it a bit. You didn't have to try to scratch that nice lady who was helping.
Nera: Helping! She pinned me down and wrapped a cloth round my head. I don't think that was a nice lady at all - she had absolutely no respect for such a feline beauty as I am. I didn't forgive them for cutting my fur and now they stick a needle in my sensitive parts.
Grögu: I thought it was fun going for a drive in a car and the vet is such a nice person.
Nera: Be quiet Grögu, you don't know what it's all about.
Grögu: Well I didn't even notice it when they used the needle, and you know it's for our own good.
Tabby: Grögu you are really just a bit naïve sometimes. As a cat you have to put these humans in their place now and again. I just disappear from time to time without letting them know where I am
Nera: And I make sure that they respect me - after all we black cats are something special.
Tabby: There she goes again, showing off. To think I have to have a sister like that.
Grögu: My mum always told me I was something special - she had some sort of paper where all the generations of our family are written down. She even knew who her grandmother was.
Nera: There he goes showing off again. These Selkirk Rex cats are just a wim of nature. Just because he has curls. Looks like he put his paw in the electric socket.
Tabby: Well Nera, don't forget why you had to have your hair cut.
Grögu: I think she looks very nice with her new haircut
Nera: Grögu, go and play with some cat nip - leave us older cats to have a serious discussion.
Tabby: I'm off to sleep, it's been an exhausting week. Going to the vets wasn't exactly my idea of a sightseeing trip.
Nera: I think I will join you - meet you on top of the wardrobe.
Grögu: I'm going to have a bite to eat and will take a sleep afterwards.