I’ve had a hard time wanting to write lately because I don’t want to do much of anything.
Maybe because I have been tending to a sick cat all summer. Brian is perpetually congested. He has lost weight and, before his newest antibiotic, his face was covered in snot of many colors. His incessant wheezing and sneezing and snorting and wheezing was relentless. It haunts me. Even though he’s not making as much noise as he was last month, I still hear him making noise.
The noise and the snot situation has improved greatly since I switched to a new antibiotic, but it makes him nauseous so he throws up after he eats.
I’ve been cooking up little chicken liver for him, and he loves it so, but it inevitably comes back up.
I feel like I am being a very neglectful pet owner. I mean, it’s downright embarrassing that he sounds and looks the way he does. So for the moment I just give him the pills and take him into the shower with me to “steam” and clean his airways.
I don’t know if anything is going to get better. Every once in a while I feel like that there’s a chance that it’s getting better; but if it’s not snot, it’s puke.
I’m just trying to make sure that things don’t get worse. I’m going to call the vet tonight.
Here’s Margot trying to make him feel better:
Which didn’t really help because it inevitably turned into fighting.
Anyhoo! Although I haven’t been writing, I have been cooking. So here’s a dish from 1971!
I bought lamb shanks on super-sale at some point, I don’t know when. They were in my little meat freezer for a while.
AND IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUDGET-CONSCIOUS!
I love lamb. It’s my favorite of the meats. So I was ready for something super-good. 
Gravy Master is the key to good gravy color!
This was close.
But it wasn’t all that “herbed.”
And it was lacking in the salt department. I had to add salt at the table. I also put mint jelly on the side. Because I love me some lamb and mint jelly.
Maybe I should’ve added mint as one of the herbs? I dunno.
Verdict: Successful but bland.
Awww, poor Brian. 🙁 Is he feeling any better yet?
I’m sorry Brian is not doing well! You’re doing your best, and he’s lucky to have a devoted friend. My cat is losing weight because of a thyroid problem that we’re trying to take care of, so I understand what it’s like….
Brian won the lottery of good home life-you’re doing everything possible for him, and he probably knows it too. I spent several years cleaning up poodle barf, and it ain’t easy.
The lamb probably would have benefitted from a lot more garlic and some rosemary. I like mace with game but with lamb? And such a small amount? *Shrug* people were afraid of spices in the 60s and 70s.
I hope Brian feels better soon. You (and Margot) are doing all you can for him and he knows that. Hugs for all of you. Maybe Brian would like some of that lamb?
You are so far from a neglectful pet owner. You are a wonderful kitty parent to both your kitties, and you are doing all you can for him. It’s frustrating not to be able to do more to make them feel better.
And you have loved lamb since childhood. We all know it.
My old boy has a similar issue as your Brian. It’s difficult. Many antibiotics, lots of yack to clean up, is often steamed. He also takes Claritin, it helps. So does durlactin (l-lysine). I hope your boy feels better. (And you are a phenomenal momma. He knows you love him.)
How can you say you’re a bad pet parent? You’re taking very good care of him, there’s only so much we can do even for humans. He knows you want him better & that’s important. Margot is helping too but you know how old married couples can be! Hope he’s snot free soon!
From your lips to god’s ears on the snot!
I really feel for you, Emily. Having a chronically ill loved one, whether it’s a pet, a partner or family member, is extremely stressful. I truly hope that Brian gets better or at least stabilizes and can eat and put some weight back on. I’m sending all the good vibes I can muster. Hugs…
On a lighter note, I LOVE lamb shank. I’m Persian and my favorite way of eating them is the traditional way my mom makes them, slowly braised with onions, garlic, saffron, in a tomato based broth, served over herbed rice (rice steamed with chopped garlic, chives, parsley, dill, cilantro)….so delish!
That dish sounds delicious! I’d love to cook Persian food. I don’t think that there are any recipes in the old cookbooks I have. LOL
Thanks for the good vibes 🙂
Brian knows you love him and are taking good care of him.
Thanks, Pat. XO