A New Love

Took Murphy to the vet yesterday. It was time for his annual visit, plus I wanted to ask about THE baldness problem. There is a new vet at our clinic, Lakeway Animal Clinic.

After I dumped Murphy out of his cat carrier (which requires me to turn the box on it’s end and shake) he strutted his stuff across the metal examination table. The new vet, Dr. K. rubbed his back, scratched his ears and then she leaned over and kissed him right on top of his head.

I was a little surprised and said, “Did you just kiss him on his head.” She said , “Yes. I really didn’t mean to be so obvious about it.” She was embarrassed, but she shouldn’t have been. I have also kissed Murphy on his head before. He’s a very kissable fellow. I would probably kiss him more often if he weren’t covered from head to toe in fine black hair … except for that one bald spot.

At any rate, she won me over. I figure anyone who loves animals so much she kisses them, …. Well, she’s got to be a pretty wonderful vet. Murphy agreed. He’s forgotten all about Jewels the Fishtale Cat (she had her chance) and he is now in love with Dr. K over at Lakeway Animal Clinic.

 Back to the baldness. As it turns out, no, he should not have a naked tummy. Dr. K says he could be a little OCD, and he’s just doing a little obsessive grooming, or something could be irritating his tummy causing him to nibble and pull out the hair, OR (and yes this is a big OR) he could be dragging it across something that is pulling the hair off. Like maybe his tummy drags over the edge of those really rough steps out in his bachelor pad.

We are supposed to keep a close eye on him and see if we can figure out the problem.

I just knew it had to be the steps. So far Murphy and I have had two Mexican standoffs. Both of us standing   in the back yard staring at the steps. I want to see him walk up them so I can tell if his tummy is dragging. He’s just standing there, probably wondering what I’m doing out there in his bachelor pad. I gave up first the first time. It was about 95 degrees and really hot. The second time, rather than walk up the steps as he always does, he went to the side of the steps and simply leapt onto the landing and then shot through the pet door.

Somehow, I knew this wouldn’t be easy.