Divine Mercy Sunday

          Today is Divine Mercy Sunday and Boo is excited.   We have prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet once and I guess from his attitude, we'll pray it again at bedtime.  He has listened to a talk about the chaplet three times today.  (I think we downloaded it from EWTN, but I'm not sure.) 
         Boo is beginning to eat a little better.  Tonight we're having sauteed chicken strips, yellow rice, cabbage and carrot strips.  He drinks at least one protein shake daily and usually has a bowl of oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with a whole grain muffin.  Other than that, it takes some bribery.  For example, when you've eaten all you can, you can give Boudreaux a treat.  That seems to work quite well.  Boo is also using his exercycle daily for one ten minute and one five minute session.  The extra exercise may make a difference in his appetite. 

Visit to Doctor

We took an unexpected trip to Boo's doctor's office today.  Boo hasn't been eating well the last few days and has been rather confused in the evening.  His BP and glucose readings have been within normal parameters, but slightly higher than usual.  Of course, his family doctor is on vacation, so we saw someone different.  Boo was quite unimpressed and reacted as he often does when he's unsettled by change.  He refused to speak.  Finally a nurse he recognized came in and he responded to her questions.  He does have a slight infection which is being treated.  If Boo is still not eating well and confused on Tuesday, we'll go back.

Homemade Yogurt

Boo is happy today. I made homemade yogurt last night. We have four pints of sugar free cherry pineapple yogurt and three of plain. He has had yogurt twice today and really wants more. Maybe if he is restless during the night...

Lately Boo has had a major sweet tooth. I've had to really scramble to satisfy his appetite. I've served whole wheat pancakes with added protein powder, cranberry oat muffins, sugar free milkshakes and blueberry bran breakfast cookies. When this phase is over, I'll be glad. Ensuring that he has adequate vegetables and protein daily has been a challenge. Still I am grateful that he is interested in eating.

Spring

Spring has sprung.

Boo enjoying this beautiful day---and in desperate need of a shave.

     Boo enjoyed a quiet time outside this afternoon.  He took a short walk, seemed interested in the greening of the plants and then tolerated a chapter from A Wrinkle in Time before heading inside.  Inside, he rested while listening to classical music.  

Born Free Night

     Last night Boo and Boudreaux watched Born Free on TCM.  Both seemed fascinated by all the animals.  Boo repeatedly told Boudreaux to, "Look, you'll like this!"  Boudreaux would generally glance at the TV from his perch on Boo's lap.  Boudreaux disliked the scenes with Elsa riding on top of the jeep. (I guess no good could possibly come from being in or around a vehicle in a cat's mind.)  Boo continually assured Boudreaux that we'd never turn him out or make him ride on top of a car. 
     This morning we had thunderstorms and it was Boudreaux's turn to reassure Boo that he was safe.  When Boo heard thunder, he cried out and Boudreaux would come running and allow Boo to hold him, squeeze him and rub his fur the wrong way.  Even with all Boudreaux's help, Boo still needed medication to get through the storm.  I guess this means we won't be taking an afternoon walk.  Maybe tomorrow...
   

How to Take a Nap

Pat Boudreaux and listen to an audio book.

Finally sleep ...at least for one of the two.

I told Boo I wanted to take some photos of him doing some things he enjoys. I was thinking more along the lines of walking outside, sitting on the deck or talking with friends.  He wanted to take nap.  He called Boudreaux, told him it was time for a nap and Boudreaux jumped into his spot.  Boudreaux stayed with Boo in just this spot for an hour. Then, he curled up at Boo's feet.  Always the loyal feline!

An Unsettled Day and Then Success!

Yesterday was not one of Boo's best days. I left him for three hours to keep an appointment. During that time, a friend came to check on him. He was terrified. In his mind, someone was trying to break in. So, he hid his peanut butter sandwich and corn cakes under his pillow and refused to answer the door or the phone. I came home early to find him holding onto Boudreaux and huddled in bed. After a medication to help calm him and a lot of reassurance, he was OK, although still convinced he'd saved himself and his trusty cat. This is the most disoriented that he's been since we moved in November. Oh well...Next time, I suppose that I need to thoroughly prep him for all schedule changes.

Today has been easy. He's calm, cool and collected. I did leave him to accompany a friend to an urgent care with the clear understanding that another friend would be coming in immediately after work, about thirty minutes after we left. Boo did just fine and seemed quite proud of himself. His first words to me were, “I didn't panic or anything. I knew you'd come back and everything's OK.” I forget the importance of detailed explanations, repetition and large notes to reinforce his memory sometimes.

As soon as I figure out what I'm doing that I shouldn't be doing or not doing that I should be doing, I'll upload some current photos of Boo. Uploading photos should be easy.