I got up this morning, unable to really sleep much last night. Exhausted I managed to get myself ready to deal with this paw situation. Yuki was uncomfortable all night and shifted around not being able to get into a position that didn't make her foot ache. It was so sad.

It dawned on me after I had called the vet last night that I got rid of our cat carrier. We had it outside for a long time to give shelter to the hobo cat that was coming around all the time. It got rusty and pretty gross from the weather so I chucked it in the bin with the thought I would buy a nicer one some day. Well, day hasn't come so I had to figure out how get the cat to the vet with out struggling free and running out into traffic.

I remembered that I had a fold up box that we used to carry her in when we first brought her home from the breeder. Thank goodness I didn't throw that away. I figured she'd probably be able to bust out of it in .5 seconds, but it was better than nothing.

8:50am. Time to get the furball and get her into the box. I think she was in a lot of pain at this point because she let me carry her to the box, put her in and didn't put up any kind of fight. Arrived at the vet by 9:00. Anxious 15 minute wait and they called us in.

The nice man examined her paw and said that she looked like she'd been bitten or punctured it somehow and that it was very infected. He gave her a shot of antibiotics which was painful for me to watch but she needed it. I've got to keep an eye on it and try and keep it clean for the next week or so.

I brought her home, terrified and confused as she was. I opened the box and left it on the couch. I figured she loves boxes and might want to re-visit it later when she's feeling up to it. The rest of the day she slept. Groggy from the jab and the outside adventure I'm sure.

I had to leave and go pick up snow from the airport. I was so glad he was coming home and sure the kitten could use a good dose of the dad human to cheer her up. Lord knows the mom human needed some! Got him, he was in one piece as was the luggage... hooray!

We grilled some food, chilled out, equipped jammies. Life is good again. Even Yuki perked up and decided to play in her prison box since I think she knew it wasn't meant for evil, but rather good.

All is right in the world again almost. Paw will hopefully heal up nicely. Snow will destroy the house and give me dishes angst again. Work will be insane. Isle of Man will provide horizontal rain almost every day. Life... doesn't get any better than this *glee* So very happy.

And now I'm off for a long overdue snuggle!

I got home today and went about my usual routine. As I was checking emails, etc. Yuki brought her bunny to the desk for me to throw just like every other day. I tossed it out the door a few times and figured everything is fine.

Then after dinner I'm sitting here watching a show with Yuki curled up on my lap. Another normal part of the routine. So I figure her nails are probably due to be trimmed and I don't wanting her clawing up snow when he gets home tomorrow so I check them. And see it...

One of her toes is completely swollen and infected. I freaked out but tried to stay calm so I could see if she had something stuck in there or had a cut. I saw something in between her toes, but I think it was just litter or dirt. I removed it carefully with her struggling to get away. Doubtful the cause of the problem, but I had to try. It's all swollen where her nail comes out. It looks so painful ;_; I know how bad a goddamn hangnail hurts me... this I can't imagine.

I called my Mom and she said to try gently dipping her paw in warm water to try and soak it a bit to ease the swelling and pain and clean it out. I gingerly picked her up after testing the lukewarm water. I gently lowered her down as tenderly as I could and the millisecond her paw hit the water, she made me look like I fell asleep with Freddy Krueger on the loose. Bad idea.

I then tried gently trying to just wrap it in a warm wash cloth while holding her. Freddy entered the room once again. Bad idea number two.

So at this point, call the vet. I'm taking her tomorrow at 9:00am since they said since she's eating and trying to play even though her paw hurts she'll make it until tomorrow morning. She keeps holding it up when she's sitting and seems extremely uncomfortable.

Even bean her arch nemesis seems genuinely concerned for her well being.

I just feel so bad. I feel helpless like there is nothing I can do. Also, I was so excited and happy to finally have snow home tomorrow and now I'm just worried and getting wrinkles. Trying to get her to the vet tomorrow on my own is going to be a real experience as well. I'm sure we'll make it work. I REALLY hope snow's flights and travel stuff goes perfectly because I really can't handle any more stress at the moment.

I honestly don't know how parents do it. If I'm this upset and scared about a feline child... I can't even imagine a human one! I'm getting concerned that my future children are going to have to try and explain to their friends why Mommy makes them wear a hazmat suit with built in knee and elbow pads to school every day >_<

I'll post tomorrow on the boo boo paw developments. I'm sure taking this crazy furball on an outside adventure will make for some funny stories. I hope just funny stories -_-; So worried. I hate today so very much.

Everyone cross your fingers and paws that everything will be OK.

So I decided to give the girls the day off yesterday. It's part of their modeling contract and I didn't want to end up on Judge Judy. However, today they got the day off as well because I went with a pal from work to the Manx Cat Sanctuary.

I think it's the kind of place you just need to see to believe. They rescue cats from all over the island and bring them to this beautiful cat utopia. Definitely not your typical animal rescue facility. All the animals are free to roam where ever they please and are integrated with all sorts of other rescued animals such as parrots.

Even when you drive in and park, there are kitties standing on cars trying to get you to stay.

If you still want to leave, they hide under your car and probably set some kitty booty traps or remove your spark plugs.

snow and I visit here quite a bit and bring some food and donations for all the critters. It's so peaceful and he usually ends up laying on the floor and the cats surround him and eventually has cats piled over his entire body. He has one little girl cat that has adopted him though. We called her Orange Ears and when ever she gets in his lap, she chases away any other cat so she can have him all to herself.

My favorite kitty is this adorable black and white little boy with blue eyes. He's missing one of his back legs and has this really cute hop walk. He has no trouble getting around and always wants a snuggle. Every time I see him, I just want to take him home. Maybe when we buy a bigger house someday.

We named him Manannin after the Isle of Man legend of the Three Legs of Mann. "Some have it to say that Manannin still lives on Barrule, and when that mist comes down, blotting out everything, they will say 'Manannin is drawing his cloak.' You'll see the three mailed legs that he turned himself into, on the arms of the island, and the motto that runs round them, 'Whichever way you throw me, I stand,' in Latin."

Maybe he doesn't like his picture taken just like I don't. Another reason I love him!

The entire place is covered with cats. They have all sorts of nice things set up for them. Comfy chairs set around a fire place. Warm benches where they can get human snuggles. Gardens with little trees to climb.

On one of these benches I met a cat that resembled the internet famous slow loris!

And what Manx kitty paradise wouldn't be complete with out a Manx cat! There are several Manxies there. After living a while, you really get used to seeing cats with no tails everywhere.

Well, that's the Sanctuary. It's a magical place where all the animals get along. The cats don't eat the birds or bunnies, the dogs don't chase the cats. The cats don't fight each other. And they burn incense and play really pretty relaxing music for the cats. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

<3