Hey, are ya’ll there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. I’s getting to write mines furst Service Cat Monday posty. Don’t worry, it’ll be in human English, like all our educational postys. And ifin you’ve missed any, you can check them out by clicking the links at the bottom of this post. Today is a continuation of Furidays’ post when I’s accompanied mommy to Ardmore to the dentist. And we also received a question from awnty Jeanne, Purrseidons’ mommy. The answer to her question will actually occur naturally in todays’ posty. So you’ll know, her question was, “What does mommy do when we alert her to the fact that she’s gonna pass out?” Basically, what are we expectin’ mommy to do?. So, let’s get to it.
We left off with mommy sitting at the business office desk getting told the cost of what needed to be done. You know the dentist had already told her what needed to be done, so now we were finding out how much all that was gonna cost. We’d been in the office for over an hour at this point and mommy was a little on the warm side. ‘Course she’s been running a fever now for a couple of weeks, so it could have been that, or that the temp outside was actually 72° and they had the heat on. Whatever it was, mommy says she almost passed out when the lady gave her the paper with the breakdown of the costs. I’s told mommy I didn’t sense that at all. She said it was okay, cuz it was a different kind of passing out that sometimes humans do when given really bad news. Mommy says similar actions could be a falling out of the chair, or pulling your hair out. Anyways, payment is due at the time of services, so mommy gathered those ugly photos of her and the estimate papers and we left.
Now you all know we live in a really small town that doesn’t have anything. Sis Dezi says they posted a video of our town a while back. So anytime mommy goes into Ardmore, she tries to make a day of it and stop off at Wally World and maybe the new Ulta store. Mommy loves beauty products. She used to be a licensed Cosmetologist. That means she did hair and makeup. She doesn’t wear makeup most days cuz she says she can’t afford it; but she’s got some for special occasions. The dentist wasn’t one of those occasions. Anyways, part of my training is learning to focus and be invisible when in public surrounded by the crazies. That means I can’t be singing the song of my peeps or clawing at the stroller trying to get out, or doing anything in general to draw attention to myself. Mommy says I was the perfect Service Cat while we were at the dentist. I laid quietly in the stroller and watched over mommy. Now came the real test.
The last time I had been with mommy in Walmart was after my spay day, and I was still a little groggy from having surgery. This time I was wide awake and alert as a hawk over a kill. We finally found a parking space and mommy got me unloaded and locked up the car. We headed for the doors and I could hear peeps saying, “Is that a…that’s a cat!!!” The wind was really whoopin’ around so I stood up and looked through the top opening at mommy. She said everything was okay, and I’s laid back down. Once inside, I could smell all kinds of things. And let me tell ya’, it was loud. There was a lot of peeps inside the store, and it seems all of them were talking at the same time. Mommy grabbed her a ride and bungeed me to her and off we went.
It seemed like we went down every aisle. Mommy says it was to expose me to every thing and every possible situation she could. There were some situations that’s for sure. We encountered a few older ladies that wanted to ooh and ahh over me and chat with mommy about what I’s do for her. We also ran into a mean man that purposely bumped into my stroller and mumbled on about how mommy shouldn’t be bringing a kitty to the store. I stood up and wanted to give him the hiss of disapproval, but mommy said calmly and quietly, “It’s okay Raena, lay back down.” I settled down just in time to be met with sticky little humans running up and down the aisles and squealing at the top of their lungs. And then it happened…they saw me. One of those sticky humans came over and put their hands on my stroller and another went running off hollering for its’ mommy.
Apparently this was a test. A test mommy says I passed with flying colors. I didn’t see any colors fly, but I did remain quiet and laying in my stroller; even when the sticky little human started slapping my stroller all I did was look up through the top of the stroller at mommy. Mommy quietly but sternly told that sticky little human to stop and go find his mother. And mommy drove us out of the toy department. I think it was more stressful for her than me. MOL We wandered around the store a bit longer, and then went to the front of the store to stand in a line with other humans. Everybody in front of us turned to look at me and started cooing and talking about how well behaved I was. Seeing that we only had a loaf of bread and some treats, one of the nice ladies let us “cut in line”. And then we were off again, heading for the car.
Hmmmmmm What’s that smell? Ooooooh mommy’s gonna pass out, I thought to myself. So I stood up and started meowing and patting at the stroller. “Mommy, you need to sit down, you’re gonna pass out,” I mewed. Mommys’ hobble sped up and we reached the car. Once there, mommy opened the door and sat down and put her head between her legs and started taking deep breaths. Well, as deep as she can. She’s been having some extra breathing problems since her teeth got infected. Anyways, we sat there for what seemed like forever, but mommy was able to push (breath through) the episode away and get me loaded into the car again. Mommy says she had wanted to go by Ulta, but decided it was best if we headed home. She didn’t actually have a reason to go to Ulta, she just likes to see what’s new. But we got all buckled in and headed down the highway to home. Mommy told me how proud of me she was and I chortled my joy.
Once we got home I’s couldn’t wait to tell sis Dezi about all my adventures. And tell her how lucky she was to have missed the ordeal with the mean man and sticky little humans. Mommys’ appointment had been early, so she went to do up the breakfast dishes so we’d have clean plates at dinner time. While sissy and me were meowing about my day, we both smelled that familiar scent and headed for the kitchen to alert mommy. We both danced around meowing till mommy sat down. This time mommy said she didn’t really care and in short order she passed out. Sis Dezi and me both jumped in her lap and purred till she came back around. Once she got reoriented she loved on me and Dezi and told us how proud of us she was and how much she loved us. The perfect ending to a perfect day.
So in answer to the question asked by awnty Jeanne, when we alert, we want mommy to sit down and be aware that there’s a problem. She can often keep from passing out by putting her head between her legs and breathing through it; but not always. And sometimes, she doesn’t worry about it and just lets it happen.
Well, that wraps up my mommy and me day out. Mommy says I performed purrfectly; she couldn’t have asked for more. ‘Member. ifin you’ve missed any of our posts, you can check them out by clicking the links below. And you can donate towards mommys dental by either giving to our paypal at: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com or the fundraiser here.
Well, here we are and it’s time fur another Blest Sunday. And let me just say, we are Blest!!! And of course, we’re gonna tell ya’ why. After our last posty, somepawdy wrote us an email that said, “Bet ya’ won’t be posting a Blest Sunday this week.” They said a few other things too, but doubtin’ our blessings was the one that stuck out to mommy. We learned shortly after joinin’ social media that we had opened ourselves up fur peeps to think they could say anything they wanted to us. Most peeps are really nice and suppurrtive, but there’s always that somepawdy, right?.
Anyways, it’s true our new year got off to a rocky start and things haven’t been goin’ great, but look’it all the pawsum things we do have. Raena and me have the most luvving mommy in the universe, and she has us. We have all of you, our furiends and family. We have a roof over our heads, a soft warm place to sleep, food in our bellies, toys and scratchers and cat trees oh my. We are so blest, we’re overflowin’.
Don’t furget the cheese sissy. Ya’ know, that big round of cheddar mommy got from our dear sweet and bootyful furiend LouLou?. Ifin mommy could’a danced she woulda. When mommy opened the box her eyes got as big as saucers and she made up a song ‘bout cheese. “Cheese, cheese, gotta love cheese. Protein, dairy, yummy nummy cheese.”
Yeah Raena, mommy does luv her some cheese. Fank you so much LouLou, and to your mommy and daddy too. We also wanna fank everypawdy fur your ideas and suggestions ‘bout mommys dental issues. As we posted a couple of weeks ago, there are no community programs to help mommy, especially now that we know fur certain she needs surgical removal of several teeth. And mommy had already checked with the University, which by the way is too far to get too, and doesn’t qualify there either.
Mommy had exhausted all options befur lookin’ fur a regular dentist. And after she learned exactly what needed to be done, she called around to check purrices fur the work. She didn’t look into the cleaning, but we did get several emails and comments from peeps who understood what mommy didn’t, and the cleaning purrice is pretty much on point as well. But the cleaning isn’t urgent, so mommy isn’t really concerned with it at the moment. Getting rid of the purroblems that are causing her much pain and infection are her focus. And to that end, we did start the fundraiser. Because of the fees credit card companies charge, we have also listed our paypal account fur direct donations, so that we would get the entire amount peeps give.
Don’t furget to give everypawdy our paypal email sissy. It’s lexi.dezi@yahoo.com that’s lexi (dot) dezi (at) yahoo (dot) com. And the fundraiser can be found by clicking here. Oh, and don’t furget to stop by tomorrow to read, the rest of the story from mines Wednesday trip with mommy.
Well Raena, looks like you just gave everypawdy the infurmation. We do wanna fank all those who have donated so far. Mommy got busy last night visitin’ with one of our awnties, and settin’ up appointments fur interviews, so we’ll plan a purropurr fank you fur next week. The DHS nurse who was here Furiday, said that it was clear mommy needs help, but cuz she can’t find anypawdy to actually work, she may lose her benefits. But she told mommy to keep tryin’ till the final decision was made. So we have several innerviews scheduled fur Monday. Purrlease send purrayers that we find someone and the State lets mommy keep her benefits. They take this and next they’ll be wantin’ her $10.00 in food stamps. Hmmmpht
Fank you all fur bein’ our furiends. In spite of it all, we are so blest to have so much. And don’t furget to take a moment today and everyday to give thanks fur the blessings in your life. And we’re joinin’ the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies.
Hey, are ya’ll out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. I’s sure wish I’s could see ya’ll. Do you wanna see me? What’s that mommy? Oh, okay, we’ll post fotos later so everypawdy will be able to see me. Well, okay then. Let me tell ya’ll ‘bout our crazy week. And furiends…it’s not over yet. While you all be readin’ this very posty, mommy will be chattin’ it up with the DHS nurse ‘bout qualifying to get some help around here. You know mommys doctor would like it ifin mommy quit drivin’. It’s cuz of those passin’ out spells she has. But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, mommy says. And till we can find somepawdy who’s willin’ to actually work fur a livin’, then…Well and now mommys gotta prove she still needs help. Anyways, I’s was gonna tell ya’ ‘bout our crazy week so far.
As ya’ know, I’s went with mommy to the doctor on Monday. And it was basically a good trip. Mommys’ back ain’t broke and she’s healin’ up slow and steady. Then came Wednesday and the dreaded dentist ‘pointment. Furst let me just tell ya’, mines harness still fit. And by still fit, I’s mean barely. It did pop open a time or two on Monday, but mommy made it work and said we’d look into getting me a new one. I’s hope she gets me a new Butterfly Cat Jacket. I’d be stylin’ then. Anyways, mommy decided she had the patience to deal with mines trainin’, so I’s got to go with mommy to the dentist.
But let me tell ya’, our house became grand central station ‘bout 10 minutes befur we needed to be walkin’ out the door. Furst the mail lady showed up with a package fur mommy. She had signed up fur some free “fight the wrinkles of old age” samples months ago and they arrived as we were getting all our things together to walk out the door. As soon as mommy laid the envelope down, the doorbell rang. Some neighbor we’ve never met was standin’ at the door askin’ ifin we had any boxes she could have. Somepawdy told her we got a chewy delivery and Christmas prezzies and might pawrt with a box or 2. Guess she don’t mind cat hair, cuz everypawdy knows any box that comes in our house is well luvved. Mommy was able to put the neighbor off and we ran out the door. Okay, maybe we didn’t run, but we were off as fast as mommy can hobble.
In the car, car started, and…OMC mommy furgot the camera. Mommy hobbled quickly back to the house while me meowed loudly after her. Don’t leave me, I’s meowed. Come back mommy, I’s chortled. Finally, mommy reappeared at the door and hobbled herself back to the car and we were off. And hey, we were only 15 minutes late. Mommy got out her old fashioned cell fone and tried to call and let them know we were runnin’ late. Hmmmpht They were closed fur lunch. Mommys ‘pointment was at 1 o’clock, right after lunch. So mommy put the fossil of a cell back in her bag and just drove…purrobably a little too fast. But, we made it and only 5 minutes past our ‘pointment time. Aspen Dental was the name of the place. Must have been all that wind blowin’ us all over the place. Least that’s what mommy says. We caught a tail wind to be exact. We settled into the seating area so mommy could fill out the new patient paperwork. When she turned it in, she reaffirmed there would be no charges fur this appointment.
A few minutes later we were called to the back. Yeah, everypawdy was ohhin’ and ahhin’ over me, but so far, I’s was the purrfect Service Cat. I’s chilled in the stroller keepin’ both eyes on mommy and mines nose in the air. I’s smelled lots of strange things, but no purroblems with mommy. They stuck mommys head in this funny machine that went round and round and took the funniest fotos. Oooooh (shudders) Mommys foto sure looked ugly. Then they moved us to another room and the lady kept stickin’ her fingers and some strange thing in mommys’ mouth. I’s don’t know why mommy didn’t bite that girl. I’s gotta tell ya’, stick your hands in mines mouth like that and watch out. Rrrrrrrroar Well, many more of those ugly fotos later, and we were off to yet another room.
The girl with the fingers left us alone and mommy finally reached into her bag to pull out the camera and take a purretty foto of me. “You’ve got to be kidding me!!!”, mommy exclaimed. The batteries were dead. She’d just charged ‘em the day befur, but they just don’t hold a charge like they used too. It didn’t really matter, cuz another girly came walkin’ in the room befur mommy could even get the camera put away. She started shovin’ her fingers in mommys mouth along with something that made mommy nearly jump outta the chair. Then she started ramblin’ on ‘bout cleanings, infection and periodontal disease. With tears streamin’ down her cheeks, and these weren’t the happy ones fur sure; she told girly that she’d never been told she had periodontal disease befur. To which girly replied, “Well that’s why your teeth are hurting. It’s really your gums.” To which mommy snarked, “No honey, it’s the gaping holes and exposed roots that’s makin’ my teeth hurt.” And girly looked at mommy kinda shocked and said, “Well yeah, that too.” And she purromptly left the room.
I’s chirped and mewed softly fur mommy to feel better and she cooed and told me how purroud of me she was. And then a little short man in a white coat came whooshin’ in and looked at those ugly fotos of mommy. Then he turned ‘round and innerduced himself to mommy. Dr. Luong he said and then he started puttin’ his fingers in mommys’ mouth. I’s gotta tell ya’, I’s so purroud of mommy, she didn’t bite any of those peeps. I’s couldn’t have done it. He poked and pushed mommys teethies and said things to the first girly who couldn’t keep her fingers to herself and took such bad fotos of mommy. Finally, everypawdy kept their hands and fingers to themselves and Dr. Luong talked to mommy. I’s gonna let her tell ya’ what he said.
Thanks baby. In order to get rid of the pain and infection I currently have, 8 teeth need to be removed on the first appointment (cost varies between $152.00 and $256.00 per tooth). Several of those are broken off so much they require surgery because there’s nothing to grab onto to pull. Of those teeth, 4 are the bottom front teeth. Basically, all I would have left on the bottom of my mouth is a crowned wisdom tooth and my canines. (The crowned wisdom tooth was done over 20 years ago, but is still holding well.) Also included at this appointment would be an immediate partial denture, for a total cost of $3598.00. Then there is 1 root canal and 3 additional teeth with smaller holes that need to be filled ASAP to avoid them becoming infected like the others (cost between $193.00 and $220.00 per tooth). These as well as the few remaining teeth have roots that are deeply implanted in the bone and so he refuses to entertain the idea of full dentures at this time. Also at that appointment would be placement of the permanent partial denture at a total cost of $1662.00. And lastly, they insist I need a cleaning that is done one side of the mouth at a time for a total of 3 appointments and a cost of $1535.00. I’ve never had my teeth cleaned, but of course these numbers sound outrageous to me, and I can’t find anywhere online where these numbers are valid for teeth cleaning. Unfortunately, the rest of the numbers do seem par for the course.
Fanky fanks mommy, that was too much fur me to ‘member. And I’s tryin’ to furget anyways. All those fingers in the mouth and all. Hmmmpht Just let ‘em put in ‘em mines mouth and see what happens. MOL Mommy says she nearly passed out when they told her the cost, but I’s didn’t sense it. Mommy says it’s okay, I’s wouldn’t have. Sounds kinda strange to me, but okay. Mommy says anytime you want more money than she makes in a year, she’s gonna pass out. MOL We did start a fundraiser fur mommy. You can see it here. Ifin you can spare anythin’ we fur sure would purreciate it, but unnerstand ifin ya’ don’t. Mommy really hates to ask since it’s not fur us, but she doesn’t know what else to do. There are fees associated with fundraisers that lessen your donation. But we know that some peeps only want to give thru a fundraiser. Fur all others, if you go to paypal and choose send money to friends or family, there are no fees charged and we will receive the entire donation. Our paypal email is: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com ( lexi (dot) dezi (at) yahoo (dot) com ) Fanky fank you.
I’s gonna wrap it up now cuz this is a really long posty and fanky fanks to dead camera batteries ya’ don’t even have cool new dentist office fotos to look at. You’ll have to tune in to Service Cat Monday fur the rest of the story. And we’ve got a great question to answer too. We’re joinin’ the weekly Pet Parade.
We won’t be writin’ a lot today cuz mommy has that free exam at the dental clinic. But we did wanna update you all a bit. We told ya’ that last bad fall mommy took really did a number on her. She had the doctor take a look see on Monday, and he said she hadn’t broken anything. that was the good mews. She does have a huge knot and some general swelling that he said should get better in about 6 weeks or so. And then he told her that the falls were only gonna get worse as she gets older. Like she didn’t already know that. MOL
Anyways, we were really happy that most of ya’ were interested in followin’ the progress of AeroGarden. Let me tell ya’, that Raena is keepin’ a real close eye on everything. Y, Last night she tried to run off with another one of those caps. Fankfully mommy saw it all unfoldin’ and was able to grab the cap and replace it befur any damage could be done. But, fanks to Raenas’ watchful eye and antics, mommy realized that we have some sprouts. Yep, sure ‘nuff, we have some baby leaves and stems growin’. Mommy had missed it cuz those little caps are full of humidity with little water drops obscurin’ her vision. Like she needs anything else messin’ with her eyes. MOL
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As to the who, that will go with mommy today, you’ll just have to wait and see. Me thinks me got more votes, but one of ya’ pointed out all the reasons you thought it should be me. Ya’ mentioned the chaos of Wally World, the uncertainty and length of the appointment, and mes superior calm demeanor in all situations. Unfurtunately, those are the exact reasons Raena should go. She needs to learn to be calm under pressure and in all situations while still purrfurming her duties. So it falls to mommy to decide who will get to go. How she’s feelin’ and what she thinks she can tolerate play a big part in her decision making.
A couple of you suggested we both go. So we thought we should explain why, that wasn’t a good idea. We would luv it and so would mommy. But, we both do the alert to a syncope incident, so mommy doesn’t need both of us in public. And the common sense and respect fur others comes into play. Mommy will be going to places that generally don’t allow pets/animals, but by law have to allow Service Animals. The actions of one purrson can affect all. So it’s better to take only one of us and remain low key, than to take both of us and insist they allow it. Ifin this was an overnight trip, that would be different, because it takes both of us to purrfurm the duties required. So, we’ll let ya’ know who and what happened in another posty.
This was the box with cheater mac and cheater taters mommy got back in December. Mommy says Fank you sooooooooooo much. She really enjoyed all da goodies in this box. She luvved dat cornbread and those brownies were outta this world. She ate it allllllll up. MOL
We also wanted to address our cheater mac and cheater taters comments. We received an email that said we sounded ungrateful, which couldn’t be further from the truth. It was mostly said to give you all a giggle. Mommy has always called boxed and pre-packaged foods as “cheater” food cuz they’re easy peasy to make. Instead of grating 4 cheeses and baking in the oven fur an hour, cheater mac is made on the stove top in ‘bout 10 minutes. Instead of bakin’, roastin’ or boilin’ and mashin’ up taters, the “cheater” taters can be made on the stove top in less than 5 minutes. Mommy enjoyed the cheater mac and ‘specially those butter flavor taters. We have no clue who sent them to mommy, but we wanted to make sure we pawlogized ifin you thought we were ungrateful cuz that just isn’t true.
Well, we gotta go now, so mommy can get ready. We’ll be by when we can. We hope you’re all stayin’ warm and toasty.
Service Cats U.S. 