Thursday, April 21, 2011

Overeaters, not so anonymously

 

 

2011 04 20_4156-1

Good morning Bootsie:

He twines around my feet as I open the closet door, as if he is a morning glory vine, and I am the sun.

His meows are pitiful, sad, with “woe is me” twinges echoing through the hall. It’s a good thing that cats are no longer illegal in this condo, or we would be in trouble.  His meows are loud, and lush, full throated warbling's better suited to a bird calling it’s mate.

2011 04 20_4146-1

But no birds are involved it’s just that someone opened the “magic door,” the door to the closet, that the Boo wishes he had the ability to open himself.

It’s where we keep the canned cat food, and his all time favourite, the reducing [all you can eat] diet dried food.

It’s not really all you can eat, he just thinks it is.

2011 04 20_4157-1

It is what it is:

How to resist?  I know it’s not good, we portion, we reduce, we water down, he still begs, demands even more food.  And at a can a day, plus a little bit of dried, we go through the 24 can case quickly. 

So quickly that when I arrived at the vet’s office, and guiltily asked for another case, it was a case of raised eyebrows.  Although nothing was said, I am sure they are thinking, hmmmm, going through that pretty fast aren’t you?

Well, [blushing], yes we are. But that’s OK, because now I have another source, a new supplier, one that will only see me every second time around.

Like you will from now on.

So ha on you!

2011 04 20_4162-1

Figuring it out":

Overeaters not so anonymously has figured out how to wiggle out of the inevitable questions on why we are going through so many cans of cat food a month.  In fact, if I can find a third supplier, I might just include them.

Of course the judgement will come when he goes in for his Annual Exam.

And if the perplexed vet wonders why Bootsie isn’t loosing any weight on the reducing diet that he prescribed.  Or if he figures it out, I will just say, “it’s all my husband’s fault, he over feeds him still.”

Names of the innocent have been changed to protect their identity.   No animals were overfed, or harmed in the making of this blog post.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

17 comments:

  1. It is such a pleasure for them to have their meals that it is hard to put them on a diet and not feel guilty. I never put my cats on a diet, I just feed more soft food and less dry and it seems to work well and they stay the same weight. If you can find a toy that will have Bootsie jumping that will help with weight too. Try the cat dancer...found in most pet stores. Hugs

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  2. I hear ya!
    and totally would pass the blame on to my hubby too!
    He's beautiful Jen and so does not look over weight! Just purrfect!

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  3. Sweet Bootie just has you trained the way he wants you. Ours did too!

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  4. Are you sure a neighbour isn't feeding him too? You may have an enabler in the building who contributed to his girth.
    Of course that doesn't explain why he is super hungry does it? Maybe they moved out of the building.

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  5. this is the most beautiful blog,, just like eye candy,, thank you for sharing,,

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  6. I had to laugh at what Lori said...are you sure he isn't getting fed at the neighbors? That's what happened with our dog;)

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  7. We were the neighbors in the beginning....LOL.

    And then he decided to live with us, after they left him outside in too many snowstorms.

    And yes, I felt guilty for feeding him, but they never did look after him properly.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  8. It's hard to say no to a pathetic, starving feline. I know. Luna is someone who we're sure had to do without, a lot. As a result, and understandably, she loves her food.

    I confess, I feel like a hypocrite when I sparingly dole out her food and gently admonish her for overeating and then reach for the bag of potato chips or slice of cake.

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  9. What a pretty kitty. My Bad Dog is on a diet... he walks around with his empty bowl in his mouth, sets it on my lap to get my attention. Honestly, I think I'd rather have plump dogs and cats than deal with those guilt trips. :))

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  10. Very cute post! My male cat is too active to be overweight. And the female, who is a bit chubby, would be much worse off if her brother didn't chase her around. Your kitties are beautiful!

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  11. Haha - this made me chuckle out loud!
    Poor old Ceefer cat only gets fed dried biscuits (plus what he can catch in the garden!)but I suspect he's conned the neighbours into feeding him as he's suddenly started making a fuss when I'm preparing meat or fish!
    I found him nose deep in an empty tuna can yesterday when I turned my back to answer the phone for a minute!

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  12. Jen, I wonder, you say he got left outside by previous owners, perhaps without food? My feral cats eat like this, gulping every bowl full and constantly begging for more. I used to feel so guilty until one time I fed Bug so many times he threw up and then begged for more food. I think that missing many meals in their lifetimes has led them to eat like they will never see food again. I'm more careful now and try not to give in to their cries as I think it's more of a mental thing than really being hungry.

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  13. Cats on canned food are the worst whiners..all four of my daughters cats are on canned..what a ruckus it is at feeding time twice a day.
    Some cats are just plump..like some people..some people are lucky cause they are so tall..if Bootsie were taller he would be just perfect for his weight.
    Have you tried some fresh catnip in a paper bag..give it a whirl:)

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  14. Happy Easter..I meant to wish you a Happy Easter!!! Bootsie too:)

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  15. Oh, Kitty! My cat has dry food before him and eats the same amount every day. He is fat because he supplements his diet with squirrels and mouses.

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  16. Cats on a diet ~ oh yes ~ I know this well. Not an easy task to be sure. But I got my 30lb cat down to a svelte 18lbs.

    Too bad they don't make a treadmill for pets... ;)

    Good luck on getting your kitty slimmed down!
    xo Catherine

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  17. OMG ! Jen that is the same line I have to use at the vet's office and husband says "just tell the truth !" .. so I do ! haha
    Boo .. just know that Emma and Sophie are in your club too .. you are NOT alone !!
    Joy : )

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Your comments are the flowers that bloom in my virtual blogging garden.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

PS: No word verification here, sorry I cannot reply to blogs that use word verification.