Ramsey

I spent much of my childhood being allergic to cats. My aunt's lived with my grandmother for many years and I'd always leave after a weekend "sleep over" a mess. I've always loved cats, but knew having one probably wasn't in the cards. After having the ferrets for so many years, and being saddened day after day by their short life span and horrible health issues, I wanted to look into a pet that'd be around awhile longer.

A good friend of mine had a litter of kittens, and I ended up asking her to save a little orange boy for me. It was not something I'd put a whole lot of thought into, just kind of dove in head first. The good news? I'm no longer allergic to cats.

Ramsey came home at 8 weeks, and has been a great addition to the family. He's pretty much The Boss in his own mind, everyone else here is under his control. Or so he thinks. We humor him.

His life hasn't been easy, on either of us. 4 months before his 2nd birthday, he got sick. He developed the worlds worst (tm) bladder infection, and without going into details - ended up blocking as a result. Eleven days in the vet's office, more money than I care to admit to spending, and more stress than I'd ever dealt with, home he came. He was constantly sick off and on for the next 6+ months, leading me to have to consider what was in his best interest. His vet, thankfully, shares the approach I do in dealing with him. I have medication for when he needs it, as the stress of hauling him into the vet's office so often makes things worse.

Ramsey was diagnosed with FLUTD - Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. AKA Hell On Earth. He gets stressed? He pees blood. In random places. Preferably places that aren't easy to clean, or for maximum effect, all over the bathroom so it looks like a murder scene. He's mostly controlled now, he'll have a flare up on occasion but instead of being 2+ weeks of hell, it's a day. During his original illness, we discovered that he's allergic to many basic medications. Prednisone, Clavamox, Baytril, etc. I'm concerned for his future, if God forbid, any further health issues crop up.

Health aside, Ramsey is a great cat. Demanding, not terribly affectionate unless he wants something and is the designated Keeper of the Cats. When Chloe & Co. moved in, he automatically stepped up into the role of "Step Dad" - he helped her with those babies around the clock, as best he could with being as sick as he was. I ended up keeping Chloe & Aden strictly because they made him so happy. I worried when Mairi joined the family, but he's done the same for her - he spent 20 minutes this morning giving her a bath!

Ramsey's a great boy. Crazy as he is, and as crazy as he's made ME.