Raven’s RV
The ongoing education and adventures of two rank newbie RVers

This morning my task was to grab a urine sample from JR.

Now, for humans this is a relatively simple task, but cats get nervous when you start waving cups at them. All three cats knew that something was up this morning when I sat opposite my usual place in my office (the dinette), removed the litter box hood (it helps to keep spillage under control) and watched carefully for signs of litter box usage.

I made it easier on myself by shutting the girls in the bathroom, leaving JR free rein. He had water and canned food. Checking the human (who had deviated from standard routine and was therefore Scary With a Capital S) constantly, he eventually settled into the litter box and did what nature intended.

I ran over to get a sample. I had hoped for a little puddle, but no, not our JR. He sideswiped, meaning that there was no puddle, meaning that all I could get with the pipette was rapidly clumping litter.

Darn.

The next hour was a circus.

I had to let the girls out. They didn’t like JR any more, because he was getting special treatment and causing them to be shut in the bathroom. There was much swatting, and growling, and ridiculous little hisses.

I placed two plastic bags over the litter. Silver refused point blank to touch it at all and leaped over the entire thing to get to the other side of the rig and sulk. Gracie did something similar.

I “encouraged” JR to eat and drink. I brought him water, placed bits of it on his lips (he licks his lips and thus gets water in him) and put a little salt on his food. (This is okay, in moderation–it makes him thirsty.) I gave him his prescribed (liquid) vitamins. I placed him on the plastic bags to get used to the idea. He retreated. I don’t really blame him.

But still…eventually, he did his business, probably to get me to leave him alone, and I was able to get a sample that the vet darn well better be proud of.

And all three cats are now co-existing…in a corner as far away from the humans as they can manage.

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