A Place For Healing

On Pearl's first day at home after surgery, she begged to go outside. I had to be tough...heeding the vet's admonishments to keep her inside for a week if possible. Feeling a tiny bit desperate, I got out the old pink tunnel that she loved to play in back when her life was that of an indoor cat. At first I enticed her with a toy and the promise of play, but once inside she settled and stayed there. I could almost hear her sigh.

Pearl is definitely not herself - other than the urge to go out. She is a small cat and on the back of her neck are two inches of sutures that must stay in for ten days. It has to be sore. She leaps up onto her feeding table in the kitchen, but once there eats very little. And she rarely deigns to use her cat box, waiting for the great outdoors which isn't going to happen. She does enjoy the screen porch for brief stays where she can watch birds and squirrels, but the old pink tunnel is where she is most at ease.

As for me, having her back and receptive to some comforting strokes and scratches is a lovely thing. It is almost as though both of us are relieved and thankful for our regained connection. Music plays his part in providing the little cat with comfort during recovery. Standing patiently he allows Pearl to pass back and forth beneath his belly, and even to touch noses briefly.

It is nice to be home. My extra photo is of yesterday's drawing.