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Hello again!  I't been a rough but productive month.  I'm sorry for having deprived you of your Maddie-fix.  I'll try to make amends.

Maddie continues to be a well traveled cat.  She took a summer trip up to the ranger-in-law's Winter Palace! LadyRanger's parents hit a spell of pretty serious ill-health and needed a bit of a hand.  After the in-laws were rescheduled and re-rescheduled (and re-re-re, etc) we packed the cat and zipped up to see if we could be any help.  All along the medical journey we received the best possible news in every circumstance.  Thanks to the Doctors!  

After a week spent along the banks of the Ohio, Maddie and I headed home, leaving LadyR to further assist her folks.  I'd have been happy to stay, but it was the week we teachers use for setting up rooms, prepping for the new school year and meeting parents.  Oh, and of course, everyone's favorite activity:  meetings. Oh, the joy.

Two Fridays ago, after school responsibilities were fulfilled, off I drove to fetch the Mrs.  Left Maddie at home.  Alone!  Overnight!  I really think that this has been the first time in the 13 years we've had her, that Maddie has spent a night alone in the house.  I'm sure it was more traumatic for me than for her.  In any event, after an overnight stay at the in-laws and a satisfactory report on their convalescence, I hastily packed LadyR and her things and (obeying all posted speed limits)(plus or minus a little) trundled off to home.

Following that I've had my first week with my students.  *Always* a full and exhausting week.  I'm actually rather optimistic about this particular group.

But it's been a rough, busy month here.  I hope you can understand the absence of blogging.

Maddie was a trooper.  She coped well with everything once she realized that we were not going to the vet.  Now that everyone is home safe we've plied her with treats and turkey.  We've also made sure to provide her with one of her favorite obsessions:  

 

PLASTIC BAGS!  And yes, if you look closely in this pic and the next you can see a wee pink kitty-tongue darting out to lick the bag.

LadyR and I had gone out to replace a couple of old t-shirts and dropped the bags of new ones on the bed. Instant Cat-Magnet.  I have no idea why she loves them so much.  After 30 minutes of licking them she settled in and napped on them for hours.

Well, I think you're weird for not liking them so much!!  So there!!

Maddie does seem to be soothed and back to her usual lovely self after a difficult August.

Thanks to Shaggy and Scout and the Tabbies O' Trout Towne for checking in on us!  It gave us a warm heart to know that some one missed us.  

We'll (okay...*I'll*) try to keep up with things better!  Promise.

 

Comments

[Elvira and Sneakers]

Hi Maddie!

WE MISSED YOU!

As for the bag licking and biting....

Supervised play may be OK, the medical opinion seems to be, but there is a name for this interest, and things to watch out for...

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-cat-like-to-chew-plastic

[John]

Hi E & S! Thanks for the note! It's really heart-warming to know we were missed.
Don't worry, Maddie's time with the plastic bags is always supervised. She never bites or chews them. She simply licks them. I've been told that plastic bags like this are coated in the factory with a very fine corn-starch spray that prevents them from clinging too tightly together and that's what cats like to lick. I didn't mention that in my post 'cause I have no confirmation but I guess I'll indulge in rampant speculation now.
Maddie doesn't do any other non-food chewing or licking, really (save for chewing on my hand when it's time to stop brushies), so I think she's not doing the pica thing.
I do appreciate your comment. It's good to know there's someone else out there willing to go to bat for a cat.
Thanks!
John

[da tabbies o trout towne]

ba jezuz maddie; we dont see ya for a month N ya ree tern onlee for uz ta heer ya went ta de dark side N we iz knot talkin darth vader...

BURD ???
turkee burd....TURKEE BURD ???

N de next time ya haz de houz ta yur self ....send up de green flag....itza signal that while de peepulz iz a way ...de catz will play !!

nice ta see ya bak, glad de in law is doin aye oh kay ♥

[Shaggy & Scout]

Well, goodness...! We missed your return! Glad to read all is well and you got all the problems licked!