Who’s going to walk first? My cat or my kid?

Doodle’s nearly 13 months now. He’ll pull up to stand and occasionally cruise around the house. We don’t really have a cruise-friendly house and he’s got a big sister (Boo) who tends to get him whatever he’s screaming for, so he never really has a huge need to go bipedal.

Boo walked at nine and a half months. I know girls tend to walk earlier. I know second kids tend to be a little slower on this milestone. I’m in no huge rush for him to grow up. When he walks, it means he’s not my baby anymore.

On the other hand, I’m much more anxious to get my formerly quadripedal, and now tripedal, cat, back up and moving. You can check out the full veterinary play by play on Homer’s blog. We brought Spence home this afternoon from nearly four days at the vet.

Although I love this cat more than any other (I’ve had him longer than I’ve had Homer.), I can’t help thinking of what the $1700 vet bill could have bought us…a family vacation this year….a new soda/beer fridge and deep freeze…a new bedroom set…sigh. Oh well. He was worth it. I think. I hope.

I’m sure Homer will post all of the Frankenstein-esque pics on his site, so I’ll spare those who are recovering from the flu (like me) or who are otherwise not interested in the graphic stuff. But, if your morbid curiosity just can be quenched. Check it out.

So, how does a three-legged cat get around? I’ll let you know when I see it happen.

Per the vet’s instructions,we’ve got him shut in our master bathroom at the moment. It’s warm, quiet and one of his pre-op favorite places to sleep. I think it’s because he’s generally out of Boo and Doodle’s grasp. (Hmmmm…Can I grab a pillow and move in?)

I’ve checked on him every couple hours and every time he’s in a different spot. So he’s got to be shuffling his way around somehow. I’m too lazy to set up the camcorder, but I’m sure Homer’s got video in his long-range plans.

After I got Boo and Doodle to bed tonight, I thought I’d spring Spencer loose so we could have some quality mommy-and-kitty-cuddle time while I clear my reality TV cache off the TiVo.

I gingerly carried him down, Homer and I fed him through his esophageal tube, gave him his meds, and checked his wound. Then I set him up on my lap, wrapped in his towel and taking great care not to disturb is sutures. He tolerated me for about 45 minutes.

He wiggles, I adjust. Wiggle. Shift. Pet. Wiggle. Shift. Pet. And so on. Then CHOMP. Right on the inside flesh of my left arm. Ouch! Ungrateful Cur!

Don’t you know what we gave us so…(big green eyes)..we….(blink with big eyelashes)…gave….(mournful meow)…up so we could continue to live to serve you. Sigh. Let me get you back upstairs to where you want to be. I’ll leave you alone. Let me know if you need anything.

I forgot. You’re a cat. You’ll never let me think you love me half as much as I love you. Take your time, buddy. We’ll figure this walking thing out soon enough.