01/23/2026
Monday was an adventure! Sir Kyle was gracious enough to allow me to bring Mable back in for another round of shots (antibiotic & steroid), to help calm her FIV flare-up symptoms of swollen and bleeding tonsils(!!😱!!) This, as you can imagine, makes swallowing extremely painful for her, so she has lost a lot of weight. Which, for an already diminutive frame, makes this 5 year old Tortie look heartbreakingly small and far too frail for her age.
When I arrived, there were already a few people ahead of me. One was a mother/daughter pair, who brought in a large stray they've been caring for. They brought him in a very small carrier, probably best used for a kitten.😅 I really don't know how they were able to stuff all that fluff into such a small amount of real estate, & it seems that Mr Kirkland was thinking something similar, because he asked Stephanie to bring out a large carrier better suited for his mass.
The transfer was almost comical to witness. I wanted so badly to jump in to help, but there were already three adults & one teen working to coordinate the birthing from those tight quarters to the spacious new digs. By the end of the struggle, both carriers were nearly vertical, and they had to pour him out like a bottle of stubborn ketchup!
When asked if he was neutered, the mother started to answer, paused and held up her hand, miming a pinching motion "I don't think so. He still has…trouble puffs."
"Trouble Puffs?! I've never heard THAT one before!” Kyle remarked, smirking.
“I haven't either!” I agreed. We all laughed, and Kyle repeated it, almost in disbelief, “Trouble Puffs...”
As they were heading for the door, Kyle asked what the cat's name was. They said that they had been calling him Gary. "You know, from Sponge Bob" the teen girl offered to Kyle. My inner monologue was something akin to “That's well after our cartoon-watching days, I think.” But, I did wonder if Kyle knew who “Gary” was…Is he the blue guy? I honestly don't know…🤷🏻
Then, the daughter hurried back over to the carrier, saying “He's actually really nice. See? She reached for the door of the carrier, poking her fingers inside. “I can even put my hand in like this, and he's very nice.”
Kyle looked at her, somewhat flabbergasted. “Are you kidding me right now?!” He stressed, chuckling. Then, utilizing his usual playful ‘goodbye’, waved her off, “Go on, get outta here!”
She thought she was helping by offering handling instructions to a bunch of pros. It was honestly adorable.
When it was my turn, things moved much faster, because this was essentially a recheck for Mable. I had to leave her until the 3pm pickup time—and, she HATES these trips—so she is extraordinarily happy to be home! And, I am extraordinarily happy to have her on the mend!🫶🏻
Trouble Puffs…
Since hearing that phrase, I’ve spent the last two days mentally cataloging every kitty I see who still has "Trouble Puffs". There is work to be done!
Unfortunately, with the Kirkland Foundation being out of the game until—or if—a new contract can be drawn up, I now have to wait for special events to line up with funding—never easy—but we keep moving forward for the cats, don't we?😸💕
IMAGE:
🖌️This is my interpretation of Trouble Puffs
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Please share any funny euphemisms you use to describe 🏀🏐🥎🎱🎳🏈⚾ for your cat/dog.
I always used the term “raisins”, & once they're fixed, “little raisins”. 🤭
But, I will never forget “Trouble Puffs”! 😂
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