... and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

When we adopted our kitties last December from the shelter, every one of
them ended up with a URI.  Poor Ty got hit the worst.  That surprised us
a bit because she was the only one that didn't have to detour through
the vet's office to be spayed on her way home.  She was labeled as a
neutered male at the shelter.  She turned out to be female though. She
was turned into the shelter by her previous owners, but no information
was left.  We couldn't find a spay scar, but given that she is declawed,
the vet suggested we wait it out to see if she ever goes into heat.  So
far, so good.

Ty thought she had it pretty good her first day in her new home.  She
got lots of loving that she seemed to crave.  She liked being held in
our arms like a baby.  She started out lying on her tummy on our chests,
but within a minute she would flip over and show us her belly.  She
would lay there as long as we would have her.  We thought we had it
pretty good, too.  

Then on her 2nd day home, her world was turned upside down.  Two more
kitties moved in.  They smelled bad and had nasty dispositions given
that they had been spayed the previous day.  Ty still came around for
her love sessions for a couple more days, but then her URI set in. She
ran a horrendous fever, and ended up spending one night with TED.  Then
she didn't want to be held, but she did seem to like have someone sit
down on the couch with her.  We tried to keep the crusties off her nose
best we could, and would bring her food to her.  Brian especially spent
lots of time sitting beside her, petting her softly, and tending to her
needs.

It took about three weeks for her to get over the URI.  After that she
really seemed like a different cat.  She no longer jumped up on our
laps. She no longer liked to be held--like a baby, or otherwise.  Of
course, there was still a lot of turmoil in the household with the other
two cats.  Ty and Indie now get along well, but Lucy still does not play
well with others.  

Now this week, we're seeing another change.  Brian caught a bad cold
from one of the kids at my daughter's daycare.  (We must stop going over
there when the kids are there, but with the new granddaughter, it's hard
to stay away.)  He has been really miserable since it started 3-4 days
ago.  But guess who has been there to comfort him...  Yes, Ty now jumps
up on his lap again.  She stands for scritches and side rubs while
giving him constant headbutts to the chin for a couple of minutes and
then just flops over in his arms.  She's back to lying there for quite
some time spreading the love.  I walked in yesterday, and she was lying
there in his arms on her back, all four legs stretched out.  She looked
sound asleep, but of course, she woke up and moved before I got back
with the camera. When I came home yesterday, I found her asleep in bed
with Brian. She hadn't done that since the first few days home either.  

It's nice to have her back again, and just in time to take care of Brian
in his time of need.  It's funny how they know.

L.