I've had a few opportunities to work from home which has given me the benefit of enjoying these moments...
fourwhitepaws
feline inspired reflections on life
and all things cat
Monday, February 22, 2021
bonus!
Friday, December 25, 2020
Christmas love
Merry Christmas!!
We all had a lovely day of visiting, playing, resting, and enjoying the blessings we have been given. The pictures speak for themselves.
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Theo, this year's Christmas Kitty!! |
Monday, December 14, 2020
festive days
Happy Holidays!!!
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Tree inspection |
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Interesting assortment of Christmas decor |
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This one might be a little large to hang on the tree! |
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hmmmm... what's going to happen here?!?!?! |
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Oliver!!! |
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coast is clear of humans for Rose to take a peak |
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recent sunrise |
Monday, November 30, 2020
Thankful Theo Tuesday
Happy belated Thanksgiving!
I've been super busy lately, so no wonder I'm a little late to the Thanksgiving party! It's a season of thanks, anyway, not a day - right?! So much to be grateful for this year,
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Theo time! |
I'm super, super grateful for a healthy Theo! He's doing fantastic!! He's much more of himself than I've experienced for some time. I could not be happier with how he is doing, it's truly a miracle. It's amazing what a little brain surgery will do!
For years, we had a nightly ritual of Theo time. A few minutes after I climb in bed each night, he would have to make a dramatic jump into the bed, where he would climb up on my chest and cuddle. Then he stopped and I feared we would never do Theo time again. But, now it's a nightly routine again!! My heart is overjoyed to have Theo healthy again! Yah!!!
Theo has been super agreeable with his isolation in the bedroom. He hasn't complained at all or tried to escape. That's made things easier for all of us. We started letting Nahum in at night for visits, tonight will be the first time Nahum stays overnight since Theo's been back home. We have his follow up appointment with the surgeon on Wednesday, I'm hoping we get approval to free him isolation so he can once again roam the house.
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Sweet Rose having a bold moment |
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Pierre getting bold, letting me share the bed with him! |
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Oliver, my Oliver |
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Packing paper euphoria |
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Nahum has been super cuddly lately |
Meanwhile, house projects continue. Working on getting living room painted and ready to go! Hoping to get our Christmas tree this weekend, so want living room ready for that.
We spent Thanksgiving with my dad, which was quite enjoyable. Later last weekend, we helped stack firewood for him. That makes for a good workout!
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Joy (more Theo)
Another day spent with my Theo.
Monday, November 23, 2020
resting (Theo update 5)
I decided to work from home on Monday so I could spend the day hanging out with the Theo. He's been doing really well, getting lots of good quality sleep. He spent most of the day asleep in my lap, which was lovely! It's really good to see him sleep so comfortably - such a big change from before. Theo seemed more steady on his feet today, that was awesome to see. I think the sleep is doing him a lot of good, he's looking better and better.
Sunshine asked about the cat insurance we use. Most of our cats are insured through Pet Plan. It's not cheap, especially as the cats get older, but it does give me peace of mind regarding situations like this with Theo. Coverage includes dental work and most stuff, so long as a vet recommends it. It doesn't cover annual wellness exams, vaccinations, or prescription food. Medications are covered and all of Nahum's diabetes supplies have been covered, including his expensive continuous glucose monitors and fancy readers. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Theo was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism before we started insurance coverage, so any treatment related to that condition is not covered.
Pet Plan allows you to select the coverage you desire, you get option to select the annual amount covered, the reimbursement rate, and the deductible (which is per condition). For example, Theo's coverage has a yearly maximum of $15,000 (which means total benefit for the policy year won't pay out more than this amount), a $200 deductible per condition, and his medical expenses are reimbursed at 90%. His annual premium is a little over $1,000. I believe the cat's age, medical history and of course the coverage options you select are factors that go into premium determination, so it increases every year. For example, Rose has comparable coverage as Theo, however, her annual premium is only $424, but we rarely have used her insurance coverage because she's never been sick.
We've had this insurance now for nearly as long as we've had our cats and overall I've been pretty happy with it. For me it provide peace of mind, that when it comes to diagnostics and treatment for big, scary conditions, cost doesn't have to be a consideration. People tend to prioritize getting insurance coverage for their human children, for me the cats are my children, my family, so this peace of mind is worth a lot to me. I view it like the insurance premiums act as payment plans spread out over years rather than be saddled with one huge bill at once. It makes it easier to budget for the expenses. Every so often I wonder if I should just be socking away the premium amounts into a savings account that I would use to cover treatment costs, but that wouldn't provide the peace of mind if several cats got ill at once, like we are experiencing right now with Theo and Nahum, thus depleting the savings. Some day, when I don't have much else to do (ha!), I will run the calculations to see how much we pay in insurance premiums versus how much we get reimbursed. Looking back, with Willow's brain tumor, Nahum's diabetes, Buddy's kidney failure and congestive heart failure, and now Theo's brain tumor, I'm guessing we come out ahead with the insurance. I certainly come out ahead with sleeping at night.
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Sunday, November 22, 2020
Theo's home! (update 4)
I'm thrilled to share that Theo is home!!!!!! I was so excited on the drive down, sooo looking forward to seeing my Theo again.
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Theo on his way home Nov 22, 2020 |
Theo did great in his last night at the vet. By the time we picked him up, his temperature was back to normal and no sign of any more seizures. He was relatively quiet on the drive home, as he rested and bathed.
The vet said it would be best to keep Theo in a room where he won't have the opportunity to jump or fall down and hurt himself. They want him to stay pretty quiet and calm so he can focus on healing, that's a tall order for a cat like Theo! We transformed our bedroom into such a place by removing the bed and placing the mattress on the floor. We took out the cat tree and the window perch for now - everything is low to the ground and cushions and blankets are all over. Of course, Theo's not keen about being behind a closed door.
Welcome home Theo!!
It sounded like everyone who came into contact with Theo at the veterinary hospital fell in love with him. That's no surprise, as he's a delightful being, full of love and purrs. I was reflecting the other day about his temperament and it occurred to me, I don't think I've ever heard Theo hiss or growl.
I'm grateful to all the amazing veterinary staff at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital. They were amazing at communicating what was going on, they were punctual to appointments - they were fantastic to work with. Dr. Silver and Dr. Bailey are very kind and skilled neurologists/neurosurgeons.
Thank you again to all of you who have emailed and left comments, your kind, loving support has been such a gift through out this emotionally overwhelming experience. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
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