Hello friends!
I’ve had a doozy of a week trying to help the big fluff Tron through some fast onset and life threatening bladder troubles. It’s just the saddest thing picking up a floppy weak cat, throwing him (most gently) in the car and carefully, with minimal mayhem, speeding to the vet. I got fussed for not wearing a mask and they’re absolutely right but honestly I’m surprised I even had a shirt on with the panic I left the house in. Will Tron get better? Probably? I don’t know? I’m doing my best. He is too.
Here’s the thing, Glennon Doyle is right when she says “We can do hard things.” That fact doesn’t make hard things less hard, but the reminder is fortifying.
I hope you’re staying steady this week. Are you sleeping? Are you hydrating? Those are important. Is it all Taco Bell and Dr. Pepper? That’s fine too if that’s what you need.
The offering this week is below. Be kind to yourself and only take what you need.
• Stories and images from Beruit this week are so difficult. Here are a list of resources to donate to if you’re wanting to help. (The New York Times and LebannonCrisis)
• Our long read this week is from The Marshall Project: They Agreed To Meet Their Mother’s Killer Then Tragedy Stuck Again.
• I resisted listening to this, much like I often want to resist my own anger. I’m really glad I’m made myself listen On Female Rage (The Daily Podcast)
• Today’s absolute JOY TO READ is this: The Art of Running Late: A Love Letter (Vogue)
• My friend Anastasia recommended a podcast called California Love to me. She said it made her miss Los Angeles – which, these days, is a difficult feeling to muster. I’m through Episode 3 now and this podcast is so beautifully specific to the Los Angeles I grew up in in the 80’s and 90’s that it absolutely astounds me. Los Angeles is such an incredibly diverse and magical city. I think people move to Los Angeles with an idea of what the city is and that changes it. I’m not assigning a value to that change. It just is. But the core of that city is just various expressions of workin’ ass people and families. This podcast surprised me. It tells the real story of a city that people write off as vapid and shallow. Also, I recognize myself as a controversial-to-some bit of change in the city that I call home now. Here we are with it all. (YouTube) Find the podcast here. (NPR)
• Why We’re All Baking and Gardening So Much. I understand a point A, work, be rewarded by point B situation. (Outside)
• I just ordered this MUST READ book by pastry chef and warrior woman Lisa Donovan: Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger. (Parnassus)
• jtfirstman‘s impressions on Instagram are high-key BRILLIANT and I’m not wrong: Jordan Firstman’s “Impressions” Are a Glimpse at Hollywood’s Future. (W Magazine)
• Is Your Blood Sugar Undermining Your Workouts? …. I mean PROBABLY! (The New York Times)
• Ok so like… is champagne going on sale? Champagne loses its fizz as global pandemic clobbers sales. (AP)
• I’m absolutely making The Best Tomato Salad this week, adding either feta or goat cheese. (The Kitchn)
• I think I might cry and eat rice pudding at the same time later today. Don’t be alarmed. It’s therapeutic.
My love to you today.
xo Joy
Terry
Joy, I hope Tron makes a full recovery. Stay strong! Stay safe.
Hollie
So sorry that Tron is not feeling well and hoping that he’s all better soon. Hearts and hugs to both of you.
Cassie
Dr. Pepper and Taco Bell? It’s like you truly know me. I’m not quite at that level of panic this week, but I feel it coming. I’m sending my best healing vibes to Tron and my most comforting thoughts to you, Joy.
Courtney
Two male cats-three trips to the vet for urinary tract blockages. Dry cat food Science Diet c/d from now on and so far so good.
Lynne
Oh Joy, I went down the same hole this week with cats urinary tracts! Yes, they have special cat food for this. My cat lost 6 pounds in a month because she was sick and then she wouldn’t eat the special food. You can buy Methigel by Vetoquinol or Uri-Ease by Nutri-Vet (both on Amazon) which are both gels that you put on their paw and they lick off. These will make your cats urine more acidic which will help prevent urine crystals. They are supposed to be highly palatable, but my cat feels betrayed every time she I give it to her. It does seem to work though! I hope Tron is better soon. What a roller coaster these kitties keep us on!
Mary Ann
Please keep us updated on Tron. Not much is harder than feeling helpless when it comes to caring for those you love.
nancy k
I am so sorry to hear about Tron. The very first cat I adopted years ago had an episode of sudden and serious bladder issues when he was about 12 years old.Having never owned a cat prior, I had no clue what was going on. It was touch and go for a few days but after 6 days in the hospital, he did recover. I was told that male cats need preventive food from kittenhood, especially if the food is dry. Canned food and additional water was the mainstay for Hoosier once he had recovered.
Stay strong and be positive. I will be sending your furry guy very positive healing thoughts.
Wendy
All good wishes sent to Tron. Our pets are family, and I think never more so than in this time of distance from other loved ones. Your words today and recommendations were even more heart touching than usual. Thank you for your Sunday posts, They are an essential part of my week,
Kristen
I hope Tron gets better! My cat Bitsy is also 10 and we also spent the day at the emergency vet this week, so I know how you feel! You’re right- we do the best we can, and our animals know that.
Dee
I think you need to get your butt back to Los Angeles….it is your ground…
Tron is lucky to have you….
sarah
my boy jim had bladder issues his whole life, rushing us to the vet more often than i care to remember. i understand your panic (and props to you for remembering clothes!) BUT he lived until he was 17 years old, crotchety and beautiful. i hope you and tron have the same luck…
LAUREN FRIEDMAN
Oh muffin stealing Tron!! Get better fast!
Vicki
Sending healing withes to Tron. Takes nerves of steel to be a kitty mama sometimes.
Judy
Sending love to you and Tron. Everything scary is so magnified now, hoping you and your vet get this all sorted soon.
Tnt
I have to cats, male and female, who have experienced bladder issues. When you take care of the acute problems, I highly recommed special veterinarian diet (S/O) and adding additional water daily to his wet food (mine otherwise do not drink enough). It took some trial and error before I found the right solution for my cats, but these two combined really work. Sending love to you and your orange kitty?
Kat O
Joy, I’m so sorry to hear about Tron! I used to work at an emergency vet (as a veterinary social worker) and I know how scary bladder issues can be for older male cats. It can be so tricky to make treatment decisions, too. I hope he recovers well and this is just an anomaly for him! Sending love to you both.