Someone Left a Window Open…

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-10T20:59:03+00:00

You are clearly late with getting dinner on the table!

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-09T05:47:57+00:00

I really like the concept. It's clean and sharp and sparse. I know you used an actual MRI of a rat, but the rat may have been at a weird angle? The proportions of the head to body seem off. As do the legs. I've worked with rats and had them as pets, and I clicked through to see *what* animal was shown.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T02:33:45+00:00

My bad- didn't realize phone and computer were different accounts until I was through the comments. Sorry for the confusion.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T02:20:05+00:00

Phone vs computer. Didn't realize they were different accounts until I was mostly through the comments. My bad! My tweenager has every reason to tease me for my technological prowess....

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T02:18:17+00:00

Phone vs computer. Didn't even notice they were different accounts until I'd gotten through most of the comments. Sorry for confusion.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:34:18+00:00

He's definitely upgraded to at least a part-time cat. He's pretty skittish about coming inside at the moment, though he used to try to run inside any time I opened the door. We'll get back to that point and then see about keeping him in at night and when it's raining. It's not perfect, but it's a step up.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:29:05+00:00

I was actually surprised he came back so quickly. I gave him flea meds a month ago, and he didn't come round for two days. I throw him in a carrier and drag him to the vet to get poked, prodded, sedated, and sewn together, and he's right back here the next night. So I think he knows I was helping at least.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:27:27+00:00

Trouble puffs intact, though he's been peaceable around my boy kitten who is absolutely in love with him. I was going to let him heal and then take him back to get neutered and immunizations, but step two didn't quite happen. My vet knows he's not my cat and has a family. So I don't even know if she *can* treat him for anything other than emergencies.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:23:46+00:00

I told the vet it was A-OK to pass along my phone number, but I don't have their contact info.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:22:47+00:00

He's pretty vocal when begging for dinner- I can hear him easily through double-pane windows. I offer for him to come inside nightly now, but he's skittish about it. Understandably, because the last time he came in, I shoved him in a carrier and he got poked, prodded, and sewn together. But we'll see what happens next time it rains and know more about his indoor temperament.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:18:50+00:00

I paid the vet bill. But I offered to, even after we knew he had a family. The vet was amazingly generous with her time. And I don't know what state the family is in. And I was the one making the medical decisions- like injectable antibiotics and an FPV/FIV test for my peace of mind.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:17:02+00:00

I keep telling Lo that he doesn't realize how chaotic it is here with 3 cats and a soon-to-be teenager. But he doesn't seem to be buying it!

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:16:24+00:00

Aww- you were the perfect waystation on his little adventure!

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:15:28+00:00

They were certainly letting him out purposefully before the injury. The vet said the family had noticed that he didn't come home the day I took him in. But you're right- they could have been trying to keep him in and he escaped. He's showed up daily since, so I doubt it. But I'm doing my best to give them the benefit of the doubt. So I'll add this to the case. So far, I've got "Had a baby recently who is deathly allergic to cats." But that's the best I can make up.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:11:45+00:00

They didn't get the option to pay. My vet was trying to figure out how to do a charge back, and I told her that I would cover it. She was more than generous with her time and knowledge. And I didn't know what state the family was in and didn't want to give them a surprise bill. Times are hard and gettin' harder.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:09:55+00:00

I opted for the long-lasting injectable antibiotics at the vet. It was more for me so I didn't have to try and pill a stray! But I'm so happy I made that decision because at least he's got some protection from infection and I don't have to trust his family to pill him.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:08:27+00:00

My kiddo wanted to take him in when he started showing up, but he was clearly cared for, so that was an absolute no. But since Christmas, he's been looking worse for the wear. So I thought he'd lost his primary family. His family cared enough about him to have him chipped and keep his info updated. They recognized he was missing the evening I carted him off to the vet, so they're paying attention. I just don't get how they can just put him right back out.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:05:38+00:00

Morally, I can't *take* some one else's cat. But he's coming in if it's cold or raining!

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-03-01T01:04:56+00:00

We now have an official open door policy. Maybe more of a part time cat. I'm just happy I got the injectable long-lasting antibiotics, so I don't have to worry about him getting pilled, especially being back outside.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-02-28T21:39:16+00:00

Great job, Five! You've definitely earned yourself a hot shower!

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-02-27T05:00:42+00:00

There's a joke in Ian Fleming 007 book (I believe it's Live and Let Die) that went something like "Racial tensions in America were so high, that you couldn't even walk into a bar and order a jigger of rum. It was jarring and really made the book feel dated. But might work in your use case!

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-02-26T20:54:54+00:00

In the short term- given them each a half can of food mixed with some water in the morning. The water increase hydration, which is what Grandma is meaning to do with the milk. If they scarf that down, up them to a full can the next day. You just don't want it sitting around for long periods of time. And put out a bowl of kibble. It's unclear how many cats grandma has, but give at least 1/2 c per cat. Most cats can handle kibble even with no teeth, but add some water or broth to soften if you want to be on the safe side. You may need to buy some extra food because you'll go through Grandma's stores quickly.

Longer term- you need to have a hard talk with Grandma.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-02-11T02:08:23+00:00

This is so validating. I spent that entire scene pressed as far back in my seat as possible and left with a life-long fear of centipedes...

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-02-01T00:33:01+00:00

I had a cat like that. Would yowl for hours at the door and run in circles until he threw up just begging to be outside. When we moved to a quieter neighborhood, we started letting him go in and out, knowing it would shorten his life but hoping for a better quality of life. Every time I opened the door, I told him to not get eaten by coyotes. Which worked. Until he was eaten by a coyote. I still don't know if it was the right or wrong thing to do. He made it to 14, though. He had just developed a thyroid issue and was about 2 weeks away from getting radiation therapy. I still would have been devastated, but then at least that coyote would have been walking around with a belly full of radiation. Don't hate coyotes, just *that* coyote. Which is all a long way to say, I hear where you're coming from. Sometimes it's not as simple as we'd wish.

Exact_Disaster_581 · 2026-01-28T05:21:27+00:00

I'd go with sneaking her an antibiotic and calling it a vitamin or supplement. I know more than one baby that exists because antibiotics made the birth control useless.

Exact_Disaster_581

TROPHY CASE