20 September 2007. After T'Pol passed away I knew I had to and was planning on rescueing another baby. But I wanted to wait to make sure Trip didn't show signs of FIP and he got over his surgery. So 3 days ago the wait was over and I adopted this little sweetheart from Huntsville Animal Services (aka pound). I didn't know this but I just Googled and found there is a another link with pictures of the animals. It was difficult making the decision of which one to rescue. Lots went into my decision. For a while I was concerned that one of them a tortie was sick but turns out she was just tired. In the end they all appeared healthy to me so it was clear there wasn't one that needed rescued over the other. This left the choice to what would be the best match for Trip. Out of that there were three that were around the same age and size as Trip. One of those was shy and another was a tad smaller. Clearly this wasn't going to be the right choice. I finally settled on the one that was friendly and slightly older and larger by maybe a month. She reminded me a lot of the day I rescued Aeryn. When I walked into the room she had her paws sticking through the cage door crying to be let out and as soon as I opened the door jumped into my arms and put her hands around my neck and didn't want to be let go. Exactly what Aeryn had done. But of course I had to put her back as the pound won't release the pet to you directly, they have to go to the vet first. I think this may be only if they need spayed or neutered or need rabies vaccinations. Not sure of that but it would make sense. In any event they called my vet, the Animal Care Clinic on the south parkway and made an appointment for surgery and told me I could pick her up that afternoon at my vet. Which of course fell through as they didn't deliver Vala that day but waited until the next day. Go figure. So Yesterday the pound delivered her to the vet. She tested negative for FLV and FIV and her fecal was clear. She was determined to be old enough (16 weeks) and healthy enough for surgery. So yesterday she was spayed and declawed and had her rabies vaccination. They let me take her home today where she met Trip for the first time. Vala is named after Vala Mal Duran, the character in the last two seasons of Stargate SG1 played by Claudia Black. Vala is a female domestic shorthair and weighs 3 pounds. She is a few weeks older than Trip. Like Trip she is on Amoxi drops antibiotic and Torb & Tinic pain medicine.
21 September 2007. I am discontinuing the pain medication with Trip he simply doesn't need it but maintaining the antibiotic. I'm keeping Vala on both but this morning she wasn't in pain or anything so like Trip she is troopering through the surgery very well. Last night I kept the 2 separated. I spent some quiet time with Vala she is a lover, she likes to be held and hugged and kissed and itched. Trip slept with me in the bedroom and Vala had the rest of the house. This gave us all a break and allowed Vala a chance to explore her surroundings with immunity. This morning it was like xmas, they both woke me up at 4:00 am wanting to basically play. So I opened the door got them some food and they ate a little and immediately went to rough housing and playing tag. She will chase him then he will chase her. They aren't upset as their ears aren't laid back and when I pick one up and hold it they want to get down and go hunt the other one to play. They basically are just wanting to play full blower afterburner. but after an hour and a half when my alarm went off, lot of good that was, I had enough. They may not have but I certainly had. So I separated them again and Vala just wants to be held. Trip is in the bedroom and for the last half hour we have had peace and quiet. I think they will eventually settle down together and will get along great but for the near term I will keep their time together moderated. A few hours later and it's time to rejoin the family. After an hour of play its nappy time. With Vala on my chest and Trip on my foot we settle into a lil' snooze.
22 September 2007. Well looks like they are getting along marvelously. We all slept together last night. One at my feet and the other in the cusp of my arm.
23 September 2007. Last night they slept with me a little but mostly slept together. Both are doing well. They play rough house full blower afterburner then eat then sleep. Normal behavior.
Trip threw up this afternoon, a lot. I'm not sure but I think he ate too much too fast. He has had some bad habits I think introduced from his stay at the pound where he eats so fast he gets hiccups. And when there is another kitty present he feels like he has to eat everything. At least this is what I am hoping. It could be that he is suffering withdrawals from the tarb and tinic so I gave him a half dose. If he doesn't start eating by tomorrow we will have to make another trip to the vet. For now they are both sleeping.
24 September 2007. Both are doing great. Trip is back to normal eating like a horse. Another factor in that equation I think is addiction to the torb. I have noticed changes in their moods and behavior with the torb and I believe I saw Trip go through withdrawal.
8 October 2007. No doubt about the addiction, Vala went through it as well. The trick was to ease them down not go cold turkey. Spay was definitely more intrusive. Vala lost strength for jumping and anything that uses her stomach muscles. She has been slowly coming back regaining strength. They are both growing like weeds and getting along great. I notice their feces is pasty for both. I presume this is do to the type and amount of food I give them both. Trip is going to be a big kitty he is growing fastest by far. He eats like a horse. Vala eats daintily but she eats good. Took them to the vet last week and both checked out good, hopefully I won't see the vet again for a year.
13 October 2007. Both are doing fine as far as I can tell.
10 November 2007
