Tiger by the Tail

I battled the tiger today..and I was victorious! It was not really a tiger and it was not a battle but close enough! It was time for the cat's annual visit to the Veterinarian. This would not ordinarily be such an ordeal since our Vet is a very nice person, his office is practically next door and I have a cat carrier. It is just that Ms Put is not one that does anything that strikes her as a nuisance action. She does not like to be picked up and surely does not like to ride in the truck. First off, when Ms Put wakes in the morning, she wants out of the house. She will go through the motions of making you feel needed by eating a few bites of breakfast if offered but then will sit at the door waiting for it to be opened. If her whims are not met, she starts to pace. Next, the pacing goes into window mode and she jumps to each window to see if there is any possible opening for her to squirm through to freedom. If all else fails, she throws a fit. By throwing a fit..I can fully compare it to a temper-tantrum thrown by a candy-deprived toddler. This usually starts with a low gurgling and tail twitching but soon escalates to a full-blown howling, claw-wielding hissy fit! At this point, any human within range should take extreme caution!

This morning, I could not let her out at Her Majesty's desired time for fear that we would not see her again until nightfall. Not good..Ms Put wanted out! By the time we needed to get her in the carrier, she was already in a foul mood. Then she noticed the cat crate..not good news. She steered clear of this thing..she knew that to be in the same room as the crate was as good as already being stuck with the Vet's needle. I had to do some careful maneuvering to pull this deed! I set the crate near the back door and walked away..ignoring Ms Put. In the kitchen, I offered her a tidbit of bacon..ahhh..I was back on her good side! A mere mention of going outside and she raced to the back door! Yes! Now came the sly moves...I pretended to unlock the door, reached down, scooped her up and into the crate before she knew what was happening! Quick moves! I avoided the claws but Ms Put was now a very, very unhappy camper! There were sad, mournful howls coming from the crate. I stared at her..she gave me the saddest look that she could muster, hoping to play on my sympathy. Poor Ms Put..she was in jail and for no other reason than being a cat. My heart was breaking at this point..and for a split second, I had second thoughts. But NO! It is far more important that she receives her vaccinations! I wanted to do all I could to keep her healthy and happy even if it meant being a cruel jailer! Off we went to the Vet's office.

There, contrary to what one might think, Ms Put was the perfect patient! All of the techs and Mr Vet complimented her on her behavior. They did all of the usual prodding and probing..taking temperatures, checking teeth and ears, feeling for lumps or protrusions and she was completely oblivious to it all. She never bared her teeth, extended her claws nor made any growling, hissing or gnashing. She was the sweetest little kitty in the world! They petted her! They held her! They even hugged her! Nothing! Not even a squirm to get away! If they only knew what I had to do to get her in that crate! Through the entire exam and shots, she was as calm and placid as any cat could ever want to be. Afterwards, she walked serenely back into the cat carrier. Wow! This could not be my cat! Once home, I thought surely she would bolt as soon as the crate door was opened. Not so, she leisurely strolled out of the box, rubbed against Son's legs and waited at the door..TO GO INSIDE! My, oh my! I think the shots might have made her a tad drowsy as she has been snoozing on the foot of the bed since she came home. Good Kitty! Now let me see if I can pick her up.....NOT!

I am happy to report that Ms Put is healthy as can be!