This...I can handle

I think that is what Gigilo is thinking. This is not so bad.

Warning...TMI about to happen. Mark and I have been a little worried about Giggy...he hadn't pooped or peed in nearly 2 days. Now I don't know about you, but there ain't no way I could go two days without visiting the library. I decided to give a hunch a chance. I made a makeshift litter box out of an old giftbox. I lowered one side so Giggy wouldn't have to step over the lip. Wouldn't you know it...he saw that litter and made a bee line (or is that pee line) for it.

Once inside he took care of business. PHEW!

We have an appt at the vet on Monday morning for a followup. I'll keep you posted. But for now, I think it's safe to say Giggy is enjoying his new found inside house cat life.

They all took a spin...

When Giggy was scheduled to come home, I was able to borrow a really nice cage to keep him safe while he recovered in our house. Now you know if we MADE these cats get in this cage, they would have clawed us to shreds. But because it was THEIR idea...well you get the picture.

Fire in the HOLE!...err...ummmm...new woodstove!

We are uber excited. Yup...UBER!

Hanging in there...

Giggy came home from the hospital on Friday. We've been tube feeding him 6-8 times a day...which has been a challenge, but we are managing. He is tolerating everything so well. Such the great little patient. He is on pain meds now and seems happier. His healing is going to be slow. He had alot of trauma to his legs. But we are patient people...okay...Mark is patient. We already know I am not, so stop shaking your head.

Part of Gigilo's recovery requires that we put warm compresses on his legs to help with debridement and to facilitate the removal of exudate (translation...anything icky). (yes icky is a medical term...go ahead and look it up). Giggy enjoys the warm compress part. I mean really...who wouldn't? (Mark wants to know when it will be his turn)

The next picture is very graphic. If you have a weak stomach...stop reading now. I mean it...don't go any further. But, if you are interested in seeing just how extensive Gigilo's injuries are...the photo below the next paragraph will address that.

I feel a need to document this as I want to be able to look back (once he is all healed, healthy and happily running around our house) and see the amazing recovery with my own eyes. He really is a trooper.

The road to recovery

Last night Gigilo spent his first night home since he was attacked last Monday. I stayed on the couch and am happy to report Gigilo slept pretty well. Me, not so great. His snoring kept me awake!

We were a little concerned last night when he threw up most of his dinner. We decided to back off and give him time. That was a good plan. This morning we fed him and he was able to keep it down. Gigilo is now drinking water from his bowl on his own and has shown interest in the cat milk I have for him. We are hopeful that the next successful milestone will be Giggy eating on his own.

I am amazed by this little guy's fighting spirit. It would have been so easy for him to turn over and surrender to his predator. To give up. But he didn't. He fought and is proof that some things are worth the fight. I don't think I'd ever had imagined that a little barn cat could teach me a life lesson. But he has. And I am so happy we fought right along with him. The rewards far outweigh the price.

I'll post pictures in the next few days...I'm still trying to convince Giggy that his shave job is sexy.

Priceless!

Emergency Vet visit/stay - $778
Medical supplies - $337
Surgeries - $187

Having Gigilo home - PRICELESS!

Gigilo is still fighting...

I just got home from my visit with Gigilo in the hospital. (Mark visited with him this morning) He looked way better than I expected, so I didn't even have to use ONE tissue. He was very happy to see me...did his rolling around, biting my hand, headbutting me, purring SO LOUD. He definitely has fight in him. He was very alert and seems to have assumed the position of supervisor over all the wonderful staff at the hospital.

Mark spoke to our mobile vet again and she is going to look at his blood work again, but really did not think anything was out of line considering the trauma he suffered.

Gigilo is still not eating on his own, so if that has not changed by tomorrow they will put a esophageal tube in. While this sounds horrible, it will actually allow us to get him home sooner. I do think he will do better here at the farm with us. But first we need to be able to get food in him so we can medicate him.

After seeing him tonight we are still in the fight...he wants to live. And we want him to live. Please keep him in your prayers and keep sending that positive energy. We'll keep posting updates.

Positive Energy for Gigilo

Sometime Sunday evening, early Monday morning, Gigilo was attacked by a fox. We found him in our upper barn (where he had climbed a stall wall to reach) badly beaten up. His injuries involved multiple puncture wounds, torn off nails and a knee cap that was moved out of position.

Gigilo fought for his life...and now Mark and I are fighting to get him healed. He has been at the vet since yesterday morning. We hope to bring him home today or tomorrow. Once Gigilo is healed more (his wounds) we will schedule the surgery to repair his knee.

Some will say we are crazy to put all this money into a barn cat, and to them I say...nobody asked you anyway. For an animal to have such a heart to fight for his life like he did...who are we to deny him the necessary care to get well? We are in the fight with him. I'll keep updates coming.

In the meantime...some fun Giggy (jiggy) images to help you think positive thoughts.

www.timbrerocks.com

Timbre has been studying diligently. I wonder when she plans to buy the above domain?

"Mr." Ethyl

These past few months have been tough on our barn cats. I have mentioned before that when we bought the farm 5 years ago, it came complete with many barn cats. Most of them are old...in their mid teens at least. And, as is to be expected, their time with us is limited.

Last night we again were forced with making the decision to mercifully end a life. Ethyl was not doing well. "She" was losing weight and experiencing other symptoms that something was not right. Our vet visited and confirmed out thoughts. Ethyl was very sick...and a BOY. Lord...all these years we've been referring to Ethyl (even with that ladylike name) as a girl. Dang.

So "Mr." Ethyl has left us...and we will miss "him". But we feel better for having had him in our lives. RIP Mr. Ethyl and we are sorry we thought you were a girl.

Doe a deer...a female deer

In our neck of the woods, hunting season is winding down. Thankfully. I know it's a sport that alot of folks participate in, I just don't care for it.

We have tons of deer on the farm...and every chance I get, I ask them to please be careful and stay INSIDE the blue painted trees. (we don't allow hunting on our property and have our boundary clearly marked).

So far, the six I see regularly are still around. Now if they can just make it a few more weeks.

Woodstove Pipe install is ON THE CALENDAR!

They arrive next Friday morning to install. The countdown begins...and we all know I am not the most patient person.

I've decided I'm going to pretend I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy or a root canal on that date so that time travels faster.

You think it will work?

Unlikely bunkmates

I'm really liking this blog...I hope my straying doesn't ruin my devotion to the 'other' blog. I'll just have to practice disciplined posting. New mantra..must update both blogs.

Anyway, the real reason I'm here is that I found this picture and it always makes me laugh.

No that is not manure in the corner on top of Buddy's hay. (see red arrow) THAT is Buddy's little buddy Frolic. That cat has no fear...or he's just plain naive.

Wood stove on the horizon - YAY!

Just spoke to Mark. We have found a local company to install the piping for our new wood stove. We are hoping to have it in working order in the next week or so. I'll keep you posted.

We ARE ready...dontcha think?

He likes it...hey Markie!

So I showed my new blog to Mark...and he likes it! Guess it's a keeper. Phew!

Experimenting with pictures

I am huge on including photos in my blog. So it's very important to me that pictures show up in a nice way. Let's give it a whirl...



hmmmm a little different than what I am used to, but definitely doable and sort of nice. Happy Dance!

Trying something new...

I love my website...and I think it's great to keep up with all of the Goings on and Such at the farm, but I think I need another outlet. I'm trying this on for size. We'll see how it goes.