“Hisssss! Growl! Mrowrowrow! MROWROWROWROW!” Hunter was furious and wanted everyone to know it.
Despite pre-visit medication, Hunter came home from the vet “loaded for bear.” And he believed Zoey, who had been to the vet too, was responsible. So he attacked her. And Zoey, no fool, ran away.
I’m no fool, either. I set up the baby gate, and sequestered Zoey in my room with food, water and her own litter box. That may have been a mistake. She seemed to see herself as privileged. And he saw himself as outcast.
That night he cried, at intervals, outside Jenna’s door and wouldn’t have anything to do with me.
The next day was more of the same until the evening, when I found ants in Zoey’s food bowl. I HATE ANTS! At that point food, water and litter box returned to the usual locations. My door remained open to give Zoey access to those necessities, but she stayed in my room and Hunter continued crying in the living room.
“Lord,” I prayed, as I tried to ignore my cat’s misery. “Can’t You stop him?”
“… you are masters of the fish and birds and all the animals.” Genesis 1:28b LB
Oh. That’s my job, not God’s. But I had no idea what to do. And I was so tired. I went to comfort Hunter. We cuddled a bit, but then Zoey started crying from my bedroom. I just can’t win.
Drowsily I prayed, “Lord, can You help me?”
I am the Lord your God. I take hold of your right hand.
I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’
Isaiah 41:13 New International Reader’s Version
Comforted, I fell asleep.
The next morning I decided to give Hunter the pre-visit medicine, even though I hated the way it affected him. As I went to get it, though, I found options I’d forgotten about: a plug-in stress reliever and drops to put in their water. I deployed both for the animals and the cats are finally able to stay in the same room. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but there is at least a modicum of détente.
Lord, those who know you will trust in you.
You have never deserted those who look to you.
Psalm 9:10 New International Reader’s Version
