Driving pets to vets

I stupidly forgot to take the roll of toilet paper off the holder – giving Lady Jane another moment of ecstasy when she ran off with not only the paper, but got the roll with still a lovely lot of paper to claw and chew and play with! Sigh.

When I went to bed, the Mip Mips were still in full play mode – so I played rat-race with them until they were all tired out. Sleep did not come easy – and I swear it gets warmer at night! I was hot and the room felt awfully humid. Fortunately I had taken the trouble to set up the fan in the bedroom, so I could switch it on for a while to cool down. I didn’t want to risk Mip Mips knocking it down while it’s running so I kept it switched off while I slept.

I woke up at a more reasonable hour – before eight. That’s only reasonable with Mip Mips – without, I would prefer to sleep so well, that I get up to watch the sun rise! At five! Yeah, life with Mip Mips – forget normal!

I took them to the vet for their booster shots plus a flea treatment. That cost me half a fortune! The vet said they’re all very healthy and definitely not skinny – if anything, they’re a bit chubby!

They’re due for another round in a month’s time, if I’m not completely broke by then. Sigh, they may be very cute, but they are also very expensive!

Back at home, Ziva comes in – doesn’t even give her brood a passing glance – and saunters through to the bedroom. Nibbles a few kibbles and saunters back out. Shadow came for a visit, licked Lizzy and Mewthos until the Mip Mips went to sleep, then sauntered out as well.

So I put the sleeping caboodle in the bedroom, shut the door and opened the front door – only, it’s a bit too windy today and much cooler, with the wind it’s almost cold, though it’s a good 24°C and horribly humid!

I went to get electricity and rolls. I detoured past the Crazy Store and picked up a couple of fun items. Amongst them a bright pink feather duster! Which Lady Jane claimed and ran off with – but once she got one of the feather loose, Lizzy took over. And boy did she take over! All growls and Spitfire until every last feather had come off. Now they’ve all got pink mouths and pink paws!

When I gave the code for my meter, the Body Corporate came up as the owner, with the address of one of the flats on the other road. I couldn’t be sure I had the right meter number, so I had to drive back home, get an old slip and make sure. Yeah, turns out the Body Corporate decided to register the meter in their name – only informing me was not in anyone’s interest. Question: shouldn't the owner register the meter? Like all the other flats?

I also stopped at Newton Spar – and had a good experience with staff, for a change! One of the items I’d bought had no bar code, so the packer went to get a bar code. After I had paid, she came back with a half-priced bar code – when she put the item back, she saw two sizes and brought back the smaller sized bar code which turned out to be the correct one. I thanked her very much for going the extra mile.

My bedroom looks like a pink and white … I can’t think of a fitting comparison now. It’s an absolute mess, that’s for sure. Ziva is spending a lot of time indoors today, wanting my attention, doing her barrel-roll again, like she used to when she was pregnant. Right now she’s nursing her Mip Mips – in the passage! It’s quarter to three, so when she’s done I’ll pack her up and take her for her booster shots.

Right, all done. I asked the vet whether there is any possibility Ziva could be pregnant and she said “absolutely not!” since they take out the ovaries and uterus when they sterilize. And yes, through that tiny, one-stitch cut – which I find absolutely amazing! So now I can put my paranoid mind to rest – there will not be anymore Mip Mips popping out. Ever.

Ziva is such an easy vet patient, though. I just pointed at the cat carrier and she walked right in. No problem. At the vet, on the table she walked right out and stayed put. Ok, so I had to hold her when she got her shots – that’s only natural, but when she was done, she went back into the cat carrier – just like that! No difficulty whatsoever! Ok, so she complained all the way in the car, both trips – but that, too, is just her nature.

All in all I’ve spent the equivalent of half a month’s rent on the cats today. For those of you who don’t live in South Africa: my rent is about a third of my salary, my biggest monthly expense. So, spending a sixth of my salary in one day on the cats – that’s a big chunk out of my income! Especially, as that does not include kibbles – it includes 5kg litter sand and 6 tins of mousse; which is one week’s supply of both.

The good news, however, is: I don’t need to go out again until Tuesday. At least not out shopping. On Tuesday I’ll need to get bread for my lunch – but until then, I’m stocked.

Ziva and the Mip Mips are taking another nap now, Ziva on the chair, three Mip Mips on the chest and Mewthos insisted on sleeping in my arms. After a while, I took him to the bedroom. But yeah, he is such a cutie!

Rose had the bright idea of bringing all the little balls with bells, I bought today, into the lounge. An exciting football game ensued! Since we don’t know where the goal is, we can’t tell who won, nor even who played on which team – but fun was had by all!

As she left, I remembered the bird – and called her back. Silly of me to leave the door open, Earl sneaked out! He is always the first at the door, even if all he hears is the jingle of keys!

The bird is doing quite well. He’s strong, wriggles out of the towel and bites quite hard. The vet also suggested to give him various thickness’ perches so he can practice / exercise his grip. His claws are cleaner today than they were yesterday, so the bird bath seems to help. He’s struggling to keep his balance, but that’s the lack of tail feathers.

We had to shut Ziva in with the Mip Mips – and she’s been sulking ever since. She hasn’t yet come out from under the vanity desk, two hours later! So I’ll use food to get her out – she can never resist food! The Mip Mips have been playing, so I should be able to sleep tonight. Sigh – that would really be good!