Badger: then and now
The purring starts as soon as she is within sight of a person. She sleeps on her back with all paws skyward. She likes to lick tissue paper. And get into bags, cupboards, drawers. When we open the blinds in the morning she rushes up with purrs and mews as if we somehow turn on the world just for her, each day. She loves Rex so much that even when he steps outside for a few moments to take care of some important catty business, he gets Just Returned From The War level smooches. Badger is fearless.
And she is one of my favourite beings ever in the history of the universe.
After x-rays, blood tests an MRI and lumbar puncture, the vet says Badger has ataxic hind legs. Its a bit like cerebral palsy for cats. By all accounts she is likely to live a long and happy life, marred only by the weakness in her legs and her drunken-sailor walk. It takes her about 4 days to get down the stairs and she falls over quite a lot. He favourite game of Rex Chasing is sometimes slowed by tripping over herself and sliding along the wooden floors. She doesn’t seem that bothered.
We are trying not to call her Spasticat.
Comments
Oh she is gorgeous. I love the way she sleeps! My cat Toto likes the same pose when he is in the mood. Bless her, sending your little one healing vibes.
sas Replied:
toto sounds awesome :) what a great name for a cat – did you know it means ‘everything’ in Latin? I read that once. I like the idea that Dorothy had ‘everything’ right beside her the whole time :)
auntie lisa didn’t even notice. i keep looking in my suitcase for her.
sas Replied:
badger says l;kj’OPLNIJK:MJ xxx
Laughing so hard I’m crying.
She really is quite the furry ball of happy isn’t she.
And we love her, even if she is a little bit spastic and her back legs don’t talk to her front legs all that often.
sas Replied:
her brain isn’t talking to either :)
So no theories on when it came on when it did? I’m so glad it’s nothing more sinister. As long as she’s happy and doing ok with her limitations. I’m with Leonie on this one. I’m rather partial to torties (our little Tissy is a manic bundle of fluff), and I’m rather fond of badgers as well!
sas Replied:
it might have been a virus but we don’t really know. she is from a breeder and has all the paperwork and is up to date on all vacs so its a bit of a mystery…
We love our pets unconditionally, I nearly found a new home for my ‘Lady’ when I was in a bad place, my kids went mad and said NO..I am so glad now I have her, she often adopts the same pose as Badger, on her back! may she live a long and happy life, be it a ‘drunken one’. xxx
sas Replied:
I love how they both keep me company when i am sick or not feeling great. they seem to sense you need furry-therapy :)
Seeing as I am now catless, I want to join Badger’s crew of online ‘aunties’. She can come and stay in the country and everything. Also, tell her that it could be worse, she could be walking around with a bucket on her head like a certain canine I know.
sas Replied:
oh no! cone head dogs look WAY dumber than spasticats. thats like a science fact.
Quite possibly the best blog post I’ve read in a long time. Oh Badger, as much as I shouldn’t laugh at your expense, I just can’t help myself. Here’s hoping that Spasticat lives a full, if slightly drunken, life. xx
sas Replied:
i asked her for comment but she was chasing her own tail. *sigh*
What a trooper and cutie! And I love how he lies on his back without any shame, that’s exactly what our cat does when he feels completely relaxed. Not very elegant but makes us go aaw and want to rub his tummy every time :)
Aw, I miss you. And Badger sounds like even she could turn me into a catperson. You met Choccie – aka the devil incarnate – I need a lot of therapy to get over that cat. xxx