I’m sorry I haven’t been updating. Florida was anything but a vacation, for very obvious reasons. Between vet visits, medicine, litter box patrol, etc., I had little time to update, and little will. I felt like I was jinxing everything, because just when I would say he was doing better, he would take a turn for the worse.

Here’s the past couple of weeks, in a nutshell:
Boo had a severe urinary blockage and almost died – I thought he was dead when I picked him up. He made it through the first night, was feeling a lot better the second, and spiked a bad fever on the third. One vet thought he blocked again, but his regular vet said he did not, and that the surgery was unnecessary. Picked him up on the fourth day. Extended my Florida stay, to take care of Boo. Gave him five different medications, twice daily. Started him on a special diet. Woke up at least five or six times a night, to make sure he was breathing. Jumped up every time he used the litter box, to make sure everything was normal. He started eating again, and was getting back to being alert, playful and cuddly. I talked it over with the vet and he said everything was looking great, that his cultures were normal, etc., but that I should wait to travel with him for about a month, since he is recovering. I booked a flight back to New York, leaving him in the care of my lil sis and parents. He was doing great.

Around 1 AM, a few hours after my flight landed, Tessa called me and said his urine was red and he was straining again. I called the vet and he said to bring him in. I was ready to jump back on a plane. I was shaking and crying, thinking he blocked again, but it turned out to be another complication from the catheter and medications. They put him on an IV, gave him some pain medication and sent him back home. I can bring him back toward the end of September, as long as his checkup is good and Dr. Frankel gives the okay. Until then, Tessa is updating me at least three times a day, and taking special care of him.

About the animal hospital: I took Kitty Boos to Coral Springs Animal Hospital. My first impression was awful – the receptionist was kind of abrupt and wasn’t helpful at all. Before they even touched him, they typed up an estimate. Unfortunately, I literally ran out the door with Boo in my arms, leaving my purse behind. I had to send my mom to pick up my purse and bring it to me, because they wouldn’t do anything until I had all of the payment. Luckily, I was able to put about $1500 down and get things started, and paid the rest when I picked him up. This made me furious – it was an emergency, they told me he would die if we didn’t start right away, but wouldn’t even start until I had the $1500 down. I understand it is a business, and they need to get paid. But really, you can’t even start? I even asked if I could just give them my card number or something, while we waited for my mom to get there. Then, when my mom arrived with my purse, the receptionist was nowhere to be found. Turns out, she slipped out when her shift ended, not waiting for her replacement (who came twenty minutes later). So much time was wasted, and I was feeling a lot of ill will toward the hospital.

In the end, the animal hospital was actually a lot better than I expected. The hospital facility is pretty incredible, and it’s clear why their prices are higher. I felt comfortable leaving Boo with them, because the staff was really attentive and informative. His regular vet, Dr. Frankel, was amazing. He was super nice, considerate, and patient. He updated me every step of the way, and did a pretty good job at reassuring me. He has been calling to check on Boo, answering all of my annoying emails, and even waived the emergency visit fee the other night. I also called the vet office a million times, and they were always really patient with me. I appreciated that, because I know I am annoying. I can never have kids; I am neurotic.

After hearing stories from several friends who had similar experiences there, I came to the conclusion that the money thing is a hospital rule, not an individual one. It made me feel like they didn’t care about the animal, only the money, but that just seems to be a rule put in place for everyone. Like I said, I understand it, I just don’t like it. But I definitely realized that they are animal lovers – at least Dr. Frankel and the nurses I met.

Now, we just have to keep a close eye on Boobear. Once he is up here, it will be a breeze, because I am home all the time. Also, we can add him to the pet insurance, which will be great. I don’t want to jinx anything anymore, so I will just say that he is still recovering, and he is so grateful for all of your well wishes and support. So am I!