feeling like a kitten again

The kitties are feeling better every day. There fur is starting to grow back, (though it's still very short,) and the incisions are healing nicely.


I had them out today in the laundry room to use the litter box, and I usually sit in there with them and give them some play and love time. They were feeling a lot more frisky than they have been. Applesauce found a little toy mouse and was trying to "kill" it. Onyx wanted in on the action, hunkered down, wiggled his hind end and (sort of) sprang towards Applesauce. Their hind legs are not quite as stable as they probably would like them to be, so the whole escapade was kitten-ish. It was very cute, and I couldn't help but giggle at them.


Don't worry, they did not play hard enough to jeopardize the healing legs. As soon as they laid down to rest, I took them back to their Kitty Condo and gave them some fresh water and food. They promptly took a nap.

hey roomie!

Applesauce had her staples removed and she had pain meds...once they took effect, she was in better spirits. It was time to move her into the Kitty Condo (a.k.a. the big dog cage) with Onyx.


Luckily, this brother and sister duo get along well together. They have enough room for each of them to sprawl out and not even touch. I have water and food set up inside the cage for them, and take them out a few times a day to use the litterbox.

They are doing well, on their way to recovering.

Applesauce encounters a decleater

The time had come to have Applesauce’s staples removed. Did you know that a staple remover is also called a staple decleater? Of course, I’m not sure if they use this term in veterinary offices, but none the less, I thought it was interesting. *smile*

She did not like the experience of having her staples removed…of course I think she was also in pain from the whole broken-leg-and-having-surgery experience. The doctor thought so to, Applesauce was sent home with pain killers.

Before she had her staples removed, I had explained to the doctor the Applesauce was walking “wrong” on her leg. She wasn’t putting much pressure down, which was to be expected. However, she was kind of dragging her leg (instead of just pulling it up in order to not use it,) and when she did put some pressure down, it would end up being on the top of her toes instead of the pads.

Imagine being on all fours and having your weight resting on the back side of your hands instead of your palms…sounds painful, right? I figured it had to be hurting Applesauce too…and the pain in her leg had to be bad to make putting pressure on the wrong side of her paw ok. That’s pain.


The doctor agreed that she was most likely in lots of pain…and possibly had some inflammation, hence the pain killers (turns out they are also an anti-inflammatory as well.) Of course, I get a bonus out of these pain killers…the medicine bottles will be great for letterboxing! *big grin* And I can get 1 refill…but at $45 a pop, I won’t be getting it just to have another bottle!

Applesauce has surgery

Well, one night I went outside to clean a "present" of the porch (a mole, if you must know,) and heard Applesauce's quiet mewing. I called for her and she did not come, she only lay there. My heart started to race. It was like the moment I found Onyx all over again. I went to pick her up, and sure enough, her hind leg just dangled. I started crying immediately. I knew it was broken. I also knew I would never be able to get the money needed for another surgery.

I took her inside with me, held her in my arms, and just cried for what seemed like hours. My mind raced thinking of what I could do to save her from being put down, and my best hope was to take her to the vet's and see if anyone there would want to keep her and take care of her injury. I was extremely sad to think that she would have to go to another home, but the alternative was worse.

I got online to express my feelings to my letterboxing friends, I just wanted some good thoughts sent my way, a few prayers that all would turn out well. In addition to the thoughts of warmth and caring I received, my friends also began to conspire to help me with the surgery costs. They were going to make sure I did not have to give up my kitty, and Coffee Mug, Pioneer Spirit, Rosmarinus, and keepin up with the Jones all made sure I knew that before I took my kitty in. They are such sweet people. The whole letterboxing community is so wonderful.

The next morning when I took Onyx in to get his staples removed, I took Applesauce with me, knowing I had the support of my friends to help. It was confirmed that her leg was broken, the fracture was right in the middle of her femur. She would need surgery. I knew I would not have the money by the time I had to pick her up in two days, and so the doctor set up a payment plan and I left Applesauce in their care.

A couple days later I was able to pick Applesauce up. The vet assistant brought her to me, and the first thing she did was lick my hand. She is such a sweet kitty. I brought her home and made her a comfortable, quiet place and let her rest.

meet Applesauce

Applesauce is one of the very sweetest cats I have ever known...always wanting to snuggle, and she has a huge tendency to lick. She likes to lick fingers and toes, and she will lick on my nose and my forehead. She was even licking on me when I first took her into the vet hospital for her broken leg.

Her eyes have this beautiful turquoise color in them, and her fur is the softest ever. She still has the cutest little kitten like face.

Like Onyx, Applesauce loves to run inside to hang out when she can. She will run to my bedroom, jump up on the bed, lay down and then look at me with her cute little face and give me a "I swear I'll behave if you let me stay right here" look---so I'll let her take a nap there.

She is a very quiet and friendly kitty, and a good mouser just like her brother Onyx.