In the morning I took the prudent course of action and clipped their claws. I got their travel boxes ready, complete with “cat-nipped” towels. When the time came to put them in their boxes, I was pleasantly surprised – Poppy simply strolled into the smaller box, enabling me to put Mango in the other, bigger box. Knowing that Mango can be a bit panicky with new people, I had the “smart” idea of putting her harness on before putting her in her box.
The journey to the vets was interesting – a five minute car ride made infinitely longer by Mango “singing” and Poppy jabbing her paws through the grid on the front of her box!
I decided that Poppy would be seen first. Being the more controllable of the two, I thought (in my infinite wisdom) that it would be quicker. Once again, I was proved wrong. Imagine the scenario – open the door of the travel box, Poppy hunched at the back. OK, I put my hand in to get her out but she made herself heavy & awkward – no shifting her by that method. So I tipped the box almost on its end and to my utter amazement, no cat appeared! My anti-gravity cat had wedged herself in the box, paws jammed into the sides as hard as she could. There was only one way to get her out – dismantle the blasted box!! She was duly checked by the vet and then the final affront for Poppy – he stuck the vaccination medicine up her nose! Despite having clipped her claws, she still managed to shred my arm. At that point I pushed her rather unceremoniously back in her box.
Now it was Mango’s turn – aware that my arm was hurting, and in no mood for another battle of wills, I opened her box, ready to pull her out if necessary. To my complete amazement she strolled out of the box, submitted to the vet’s inspection and simply sneezed when the medicine was put up her nose! She happily went back in her box. Not a panic attack in sight. These cats of mine never cease to amaze me – they are cats of contradiction!
Poppy is only just beginning to acknowledge my presence again – she has ignored me for three days, punishment for taking her to the vet I presume. Oh well, she has 6 months to forget about it before the annual jabs are due.
- OH dear! poor Lesley do hope your arm is not to lacerated. Lucky never see the same vet but is normally very good forher yearly jab, I was going to say "takes it like a man" ..lol but of course she's a lady
