Oooh, first!

Sorry to hear about your money woes, Laurie. Hugs to the cats...hopefully you'll finish the month of May in better shape. Maybe there's some sort of natural supplement you could use - like a homeopathic remedy or something - that might help boost the cats' health without costing so much?

But at least your vets sound FANTASTIC. LOL @ the Gucci collars and aromatherapy. I'm sure Bob is well and truly stoned, thankyouverymuch.

You're a good cat-mom, no doubt. :)

Damn, I'm sorry. Wine can get a bit pricey. Have you considered grain alchohol? At least you would get a big bang for your buck (blindness and death notwithstanding). I have a large (84#) dog and two cats. I truly understand your financial and emotional strain. Hang in there.

Aww, I'm so sorry about your sick kitties. Hope they get better really soon!

I hope everyone is feeling better soon, and that there is an upturn in your forcast (and a downturn at the gas pump!). Does your vet offer a "family" discount? Or barter meds for hats, scarves or cat beds? (Let me know, I'll send some.)

Hi Laurie
My friend Alicia guided me toward your site a couple of weeks ago. I, of course, got hooked and I've been spending my days catching up (time I should have been spending working, but whatever). Yes, I started at the beginning. I'm nosy I have to know all.
Anyway, just wanted to say I love your writing and I'm sorry about your kitty friends. I have three dogs and two cats and I've been down that vet road many-a-time. In fact, almost lost my old-lady kitty about 6 months ago, but she's now 19 and going strong. They'll get better. Im sure. You're a good mommy.

What kind (brand) of wine do you like best ;)

Oh. My. God. I'm glad your vets are fantastic. There is nothing I won't do for my dog when he's sick, but it does get expensive.

We're having money woes too, only in the form of sicks cars, not cats. I can not buy yarn and it makes me sad. That's it, we should be having a big internet booze-fest!

Oh, and I love me that Bob. That is all.

OH NO! So sorry about the kitties. No storage shed, but we have a whole unused upstairs floor if you need it. :)

Oh man. Because there apparently wasn't enough kitty-stress in your life, life is handing you more. Ugh.

So sorry. Wish I could send you some Pinot Grigio via email.

Now you have more motivation to publish that book we're wanting from you, to help supplement the kitty fund.

Oh, it's so frustrating when your animals are sick because they can't tell you what hurts and it makes it so much harder to help them. And on top of it all, they act all stoic and like you're the devil for trying to force their meds on them and you just want to cry because they look all pathetic and sad. I hope they're all better soon and are blocking your blocking in no time. hee hee

I'll be off work at 3:30..hope to see you then.
Cost Plus and Trader Joes are nearby for affordable wine (sans cardboard box)
My boyfriend and I have a guestroom and a housemate who is on her way to being an R.V.T (see free pet help).
We're only about 5 hours North, so you have just enough time... oh yeah, cost of gas....
Well, the offer stands. Hope your silver lining shows itself soon...

Ah yes ... the eleventeen hundred calls to the vet. I am VERY familiar with that. You KNOW it's bad when the veterinary receptionists recognize your voice ... even if you haven't had to call in a month or two.

Sigh.

Anyway, hang tough ... they're in good hands. I'll be sending out good kitty thoughts.

Oh you poor poor thing.

I hope the kitties get better way fast. And may I recommend that you look for good looking veterinarians in your area as possible long term boyfriends? I mean good lord woman. 4 cats. I hope they name that new wing at the Vet hospital after you.

In the meantime, I echo Cindy's suggestion on the grain alcohol. Just get yourself some Everclear and koolaid. You'll be surprised at how fast things start looking up.

Hope the furry friends feel better soon...

So sorry to hear about the kitties. I hate watching mine sneeze uncontrollably over and over again (okay, maybe I laugh at them first a little bit) Are you certain Soba hasn't gotten into their heads and this is some great acting job? Possibly you could buy some day old grapes and learn to make wine in the new clean bathtub.

Money has been a little tight for me as well lately but I could always do a little road trip to Sacramento so that I can raid my dad's wine collection for us. Of course, I'm thinking that you probably need the wine more than I do at this point. Hopefully this is the last kitty illness for a while.

Ouch! Yep those vet bills can hurt especially when it comes to communicable diseases. I hope everyone gets better soon and the vet breaks out the multi vet discount and a payment plan for you guys.

Oh my god, Laurie! I AM soooo sorry about your kitties (and you). This too shall pass and they will get well and you will get rich, find a fabulous guy who loves you and them and you will live happily ever after.

Wanting to DO something is not crazy at all. Since we don't know veterinary medicine, cleaning house is the next best step.

I just got over a super-nasty bug (hospitalization and other things), and have been making the family crazy with sanitizing the house since. Kind of like closing the barn door after the cow got out, but there you go.

Here's hoping your babies are better soon.

Have you considered bartering with the vet? Maybe knitting them a Kitty Pi or ten? or cute little knitted catnip toys? 'Cause the delux luxury wing should definitely come with hand-knitted beds and toys.

I used to think it was cute when my cat sneezed, until she was close to me one time and I got sprayed with kitty snot. ick! I guess the upside of all this is the sparkling clean house you have now. But I know all you really want are well kitties. I joining with everyone else in sending healthy and healing thoughts your way.

Laurie, we are sending out lots of healing kitty ju-ju to you.
One of mine was feeling puny this weekend. I spent most of sunday worried about him.

Soon they will all be better!

mmm...yes...a cute vet. maybe the forces of the universe are consipiring to make it happen.

I'm sending you 'get well kitty' vibes.

:-(

I like the bartering idea - don't you do graphic arts or something that could help them advertise in image-conscious LA?!

Poor kitties! I hope they come home soon nice & healthy!

Man. That's really bad. I wish you had our vet--good, cheap, and super helpful. *sigh* I had to get my cat in twice last week, once for allergies and once for teeth. It cost way less than I thought it would, but I'm still used to higher vet prices.

That's it--just move back here to Michigan. :)

I'm so sorry for you and the kitties. The specialist should pay for some of this, don't you think? I hope they don't get bad after they get home over taking their meds.

Don't you wish their no-good father had to pay kitty support? Any more thoughts on Cafe Press?

RB & Rhapsody are sending get well purrs! They hate the vet too, especially when she sends mom home with pills! Biy are they in for a rude awakening in a couple weeks = I only trust the vet to baby sit my kids... Now there is a big vet bill!

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry to hear about the whole crew having the sick!!!

Hey Laurie, I know where you're coming from. You do what you can when there's nothing you can do. At least you are "helping." I am the same way and at least your house will be super clean which can only be a good thing, right? Hang in there. Tristan and I have a spare bedroom if things get too bad and we love cats! Just make sure you are taking care of yourself too--I recommend Sangria instead of plain wine, cause, you know, it's got fruit in it and that, I think, is on that gov't pyramid chart or whatever!

Oh man, I can't imagine how you're feeling, but I'm sure the cleaning helped. I hope none of their conditions are kitty-life threatening. Hang in there, Laurie, I'm right there with you.

My kitties send your kitties their love (and furry mice to play with). I hope they are all much better very soon!

I like the cafe press idea, too! I have one-www.cafepress.com/rubyandjune. It was fairly easy to do-for someone with your computer skills it would be a breeze. You can have a shop for free or you can pay a little each month for extra features, which is what I do. Anyway, you might try it-I'd buy a CAP t-shirt in a heartbeat.

Okay, now I really would like to contribute. I mean, it's not like we don't all have vet bills from time to time. But we don't all share our lives for the entertainment of others the way you do. I would really like to give something back. Besides, what am I going to do, give money to Namibia? They already have Brangolina!

Oh gosh, Laurie-we got a six week old kitten just last week and she's sneezing and now you have me worried! She's already been to the vet and has been given Amoxicillin for a "cold". Crossing my fingers that that works as life on the road makes it hard to find good veterinarians. Hope your fab four feel better soon.

Poor Babies! And Poor Laurie! I think my vet purposely doesn't answer phone calls from my work number because they know I'm crazy with worry and can't come over.

Vodka and grape koolaid.... it's like wine but you don't have to drink as much....

Hey, you're totally popular and loved, not just by us! See here: http://www.laist.com/archives/2006/05/06/crochet_me_a_river.php

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.

I also want to know what kind of wine you drink? Because if it has healing powers like it sounds like it does, I need some too.

Don't forget the Lysol to kill them nasty bugs!! Make sure your fur kids are stashed away before spraying. My mom accidentally killed our parakeet when I was a kid with the stuff. She was so careful and moved PrettyBoy out of harms way but then she got a bit over zealous and sprayed throughout!!

I too know that vet bills can really empty the wallet!! Last year we spent over $2,000 in four days bringing our dog back from the brink after Chem Lawn visited our neighbors and they never told us about it!! I truly believe that the a$$ that was doing the spraying sprayed her full on!! It was horrible. But she made it through and is still quite spry for a 13 year old large breed dog!!

p.s. I am also very sorry about the cats. Hope they get well soon! :)

Wow. You poor mama, and I do mean poor. Hope your kitties (or kiddies) are getting all the special treatment they need so they can get better and give you some special treatment.

Sending healthy kitty vibes.

I feel your pain, and I have really enjoyed reading your blog (I came to the party late). Thanks for sharing it all. Isn't there some sort of virtual wine bar where we can all go drown our sorrows?

I'm so sorry to hear about all the troubles going on! I hope that everything starts getting better really soon.

In the meantime, I think you may need something a little stronger than wine ;)

I used to work in an animal shelter. When we had chain reaction sicknesses we would add L-Lysine to the kitties wet food... it's a pill you can get in the vitamin section of any good CVS (Walgreens, er, whatever drug stores y'all have out there!). It usually crumbles easily and it just boosts their natural antibodies so that they can more efficiently fightoff bad germies... it worked in the shelter! about 1/4 pill per cat once or twice a day depending on the severity of thier illness.

|-{wine wine wine}-|

And lots of love to you and your kitties! Honey, I'd be crazy too, if all four of my kitties were sick. (I only have one kitty, so I'd go crazy just trying to figure out where the other three came from.) Ha! Clearly I am on my way to crazy already, and you and I can direct traffic in our nighties together. Anyway...much love. Much wine. Many, many head-skitchies for the kitties.

Come on up and bring the kitties, we have a nice little "shed" with a desk and amplifier and futon. Nice view, too. It is generally used by dh for writing without children and guitar playing really loud. We can spare it for someone with 4 kitties that are under the weather. I will even share my Vino ala Snowbank.

Oh no! It just keeps coming, doesn't it? Please set up the PayPal button for the Vet fund! You could always set it up to go on account at your vet's if you're not comfortable with the idea...Hope they feel better soon, no, immediately :(

PS Just followed Onadiet's link to laist.com...I Must. Crochet. An anemone. I will figure out how that was done if it's the last thing I ever do! Then we'll direct traffic. :) That anemone...is totally cool. And so are you. Rock on, Laurie!

I'm sorry the kitties are sick. I hope everyone gets well soon!

Oh man! 4 sick kitties? Could May get any worse? (That's a rhetorical question, Universe, please don't answer!) Hope they feel better soon!

So nice to know I'm not the only compulsive clean-do-laundry-scrub-everything-within-an-inch-of-its-life person out there. I do it when I feel out of control (which can be a lot of the time).

Sorry your kitties are sick, and for more reasons than one I'm hoping they feel better soon!

I third (fourth, whatever) the notion of a Paypal button for a vet fund. And get yourself out there and sign a book contract! Stat!

Damn. I'm so sorry about the kitty epidemic (and the accompanying vet bills). Wish I lived close enough to take you out for margaritas or something.

Sending lots of good wishes to you and the kitties! I also have four little darlings, and I know it's hard when they're sick. I hope everyone is better soon!

Yes!! Do the Paypal thing, Miss Mitzi is extremely worried about Roy and the crew (she thinks he's HOT!) and wants to help out. Good thoughts to you and the gang.

Oh the poor chickens!!!! Me and my 4 are sending thoughts towards you and your 4. >^.^<

Sending you healthy kitty vibes! Had a quick trip to emergency myself last week when the wee 8 week old wasn't putting any weight on his front left paw. One set of inconclusive x-rays and $250 later, he slept all night and was fine in the morning with no medical interference which is NOT fair.

Guess you're buying the REALLY cheap cab now, eh?

Sorry Ms. Laurie. I hope that the kitties feel better soon. Milo, Purl and Pookie send kitty loves and want to know if your felines would like some cat nip, they just scored big and have mucho to share.

Oh Geez, Laurie....I am so sorry your kitties are sick. I had not idea that kitties had their own version of kennel cough!! (meaning dog's get sick when kenneled & not vaccincated.)
I hope they all heal soon & that your pocket book does not fall to the ground in complete emptiness. Maybe they have a barter system @ the hospital, knit a bunch of toys for a discount, mayber??? Thinking of you & your kitties.

I just read my post & it sounded like you did not vaccinate your kitties, I am sure you did. What a nut job I am. I am sorry...I meant no offense.

Hope the kitties get well very, very soon!

Also, I LOVE the pink and grey carriers. I'm such a fan of that color combination.

Still looking for more laundry to do?

Because you are welcomed to do all mine. :)

I don't know if you are truly *crazy*, but I think you may have given in to talking like Yoda (at least in my head).

Aaaw...Sorry to hear that your kitties are ill and you're going crazy 'cause of it! But the little furballs are worth every penny and every ounce of worry, right? :) I've been on a cleaning and laundry frenzy all day today, too. My husband took me to a sandy, deserted island yesterday to meet his kitesurfing friends and to try out his new kitesurfing toy. Well, I staked the island (without a flag but with an old terry towel) and proclaimed it to be Bird Poop Island. Guess why. And guess why I'm going nuts cleaning every inch of my now "sandy" apartment. Ugh.

Aarggh! Purl! Whadda we going to do? How can we help? Geez, this sure takes me back - to the year I (a) moved out of the house and the marriage (b)had my old cat die (c) had a 4,500 vet bill for my horse (d)had to get a second job (see (c) above). To quote Bill Clinton, I feel your pain. Get a PayPal button! We are your friends! Well, okay, virtual internet friends, but friends who want to help! I keep saying this: Hang in there, and remember we are indeed there for you...

As someone whose household has spent in the several thousands of dollars on just one cat this year, I am so sorry to hear of your continued sick-cat woes. Sending healthy thoughts your way.

Laurie, I've got a spare bedroom in a four-bedroom house as long as your four kitties don't mind sharing space with two other kitties and a pair of dogs! Also a pair of sometime's cranky grand-parents and a swinging 30-something who lives with her parents! Or...we have a very well built shed in the back that I've been threatening to turn into a house. It's 12x12 with real windows, a little porch, and a really pretty yard around it! Your choice. Also? You'd have to move to Pennsylvania.

Bring on the two buck Chuck from Trader Joe's! By the case, I'm thinkin'.

Oh Kitty woes, I am there with one of my cat's attracting those pesky bladder crystals. Has anyone tried pet insurance?

what we do for love. a tale of lost dollars. last nov one of our 7 cats Tabitha (yes, it's insane having 7 cats, but nevermind...)Anywho our gorgeously huge Tabitha was acting lethargic and was not eating. I freaked. My husband said I am sure she will be ok. I said Oh I am sure she will not be ok through my tears. Long story short I bundled her up and took her to the emergency vet at 10 PM where they blood tested, xrayed and hydrated her highness...... to the tune of $1200. My husband almost had a stroke. I told him to hold off on the stroke since I would have a hard time paying for his stroke rehab and Tabitha's vet bill at the same time. The little booger came back home all perky and hydrated. Meanwhile I was dehydrated from crying and my husband was grumpier than hell. Several weeks ago one of our other cats Picco was crying and pawing at his face. long story short..$350 worth of dental surgeries.He's great now.So far my husbund has not had a stroke but it's a damn shame I live in Virginia cause I'd be bringing wine and cheese over in a heartbeat. You are a good momma to your kitties.I just love their sweet little photos. Nothing that a litle bacon and wine won't cure. Give us an update on the little sweethearts. We love you and we love your kitties too! You are like cyber family!

What the heck? All four felines are ill? I hope everyone is soon feeling better.

Life on this side of the pond isn't much better. I've got enormous job woes. The planets must be sulking or something.

Anonymous = me. I wiped out all my cookies and forgot to reset various pages.

I wish they'd done that kind of cleaning at the specialist's. Damnit.

Hon? Cafe Press items with cat photos on them.

I think we spend nearly a grand per year to deal with our cat and his horrendous abscesses. But we don't have to pay that all at once - so sorry!!!! you are doing the best you can and those cats will just be fine, I know it. And so will you. ;-)

I vote for the barter system.
#1-Plant scadsof catnip around the watermelon beds,
#2-Knit tonnes and tonnes of unbearably cute catnip-stuffable mice and other kitty toys
#3-Dry said catnip and stuff toys with it
#4-Ask nice vet people if you can leave them in a cute basket on their counter for people to say, "OOhhh! Ahhhhh! Hey, HERE's a good way to get my cat to stop being pissed at me about this trip! I'll buy one of these and they'll be too stoned to claw the sofa in retaliation!"
Then, viola! A little cash to offset the kitty meds, a little knitting outlet, and your future empire as a kitty Drug Lord awaits!
(I'm really really sorry about the sick kitties and low cash situation- been there myself.)

So, um Purl, I kinda took a proactive stance on the Kitty Crisis and I really hope you don't think I am TOO crazy. You wil find out what I am talking about later today. Its just that the Cat Goddess whispered in my ear, and when the Cat Goddess whispers, you have to pay attention...

Oh Laurie, you poor thing!! It's horrible when one of your babies is sick, but all four?? I offered to just set up a permanent monthly payment to my vet cause it was easier than $100 here, $200 there. He just laughed. But there was a speculative gleam in his eye that I just didn't like....

I'm in agreement about the Paypal button. You and your cats have given me so much laughter and enjoyment - I'd be tickled to donate to your vet fund.

And moving to Pennsylvania - there's an idea! I drove to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival yesterday...soooo much yarn. Rent's cheaper, everything's close to EVERYTHING, and you've got friends all over the place. Not to mention that we still have Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

Oh, Laurie. F&B look so sad. But they will get better; they are young, fierce little things! Especially that Bob. He's got too many meals to look forward to not to get better soon! Keeping them in my thoughts of course.

Luv to the kitties! Hope they are better soon! Reading most of the above comments I'm left wondering if you can get Pet Insurance in the States? I have both my kitts insured here in the UK at about £10 ($15) a month and it covers all emergency vet bills and operations.

oh dear : (
I feel your pain. Last year about this time my Mr. Riley Face Pussycat Head III,Esq. had a blocked urethra to the tune of $1200. He had to go to the pussycat ER and stay at the pussycat hospital all weekend and even had a little pussycat IV. Now he has to eat special prescription cat food for the rest of his life that costs about 4 times as much as Iams or Science Diet.

But he's so damn cute. Here's some good pussycat juju coming your way.

Oh gosh! Sorry about the kitty illness going on!! I read your blog all the time, fist time I have ever posted! We are up in Portland OR for a few months (hubby has a 100% travel job). I will drink a bottle of yummy Oregon wine for you!!!! Or maybe I will just go visit all the vineyards and get jazzed up for ya!

Good things will come your way soon. I *know* this is true. Hogan, Fred and Max are sending you cat-nippy love.

Hey Marcia - if you're reading the comments... send me an email. I think you and I are up to the same thing!!!

What happened to the ads for the million dollar cat fund?

Dude, you're hired. Come on out to Vermont and you can Mr. Clean my house all day. I'm sure the cats would love my dog, Mr. Buttons. He's old and rickety, too. They can all nap together and be allergic to stuff!! :)

I'm sorry to hear about the kitties and the lack of funds. (Oh! The lack of funds!) I'm sure it will get better soon. I will be keeping you in my thoughts.

Hope it's not the Evian flu!
And that you don't catch it, too!

~~~~~~ Healing Kitty Vibes ~~~~~~

Thanks, ya'll! I'm hoping traffic isn't bad tonight so I can go visit them before the clinic closes. Dr. W says they've been real sweet, so that's good. Thanks for all the good kitty thoughts!

I am indeed switching to the two-buck chuck LOL. So excited to bleach the tub. I am insane.

Hellooo from fellow cancerian having a crap May...a revise of the Hor-O-Scope might be in order.

Hope your kitties get better soon.

Laurie,

Here's to hoping the kitties are doing better, but did someone above mention CAP t-shirts??? Do it - I want more than one!!

Cheers!

Poor babies!!! I am sending buckets of get-well thoughts to your wonderful kitties.

Okay Laurie, it sounds like a lot of us would like to help with costs of the cat crew at the spa for the kitty colds. Are you gonna do PayPal or should we just send money to the vet with your children's names on the donation line?

Laurie, ya know, my kitties passed around some weird sneezing thing as soon as spring hit here. It started with one and wasn't finished till all six of them had it. I consulted with a vet tech friend, who told me not to worry...her cats went through it every year.

I'm thinking good thoughts for you and your feline babies!

Email me your address and I'll send you wine. Red or white?

I so sorry to hear that you have sick kitties. Worrying about sick pets in combination with worrying about how much money their treatment is costing you is the worst part of pet ownership. I have a 16 1/2 year old dog and I'm just waiting for something gut-wrenching and expensive to happen to her. I truly sympathize.

So sorry to hear about your money troubles and the sick kitties. When it rains, it pours.

I have to say, I love the pet carriers though. Pink and grey? Always cool.

Are you interested in helping CRAZY AUNT PURL?

She needs some kindness sent her way. A couple people have mentioned that they’d like to do something. But we also wouldn’t want to offend our favorite crazy lady. I thought that it would be great to set up a Paypal account for her. Do you think we could do this without totally freaking her out? We could also go so far as to call her Vet and make payments for her, but I’m not sure she’d be OK with that. We could just send her gift certificates for yarn at online stores… or just send her yarn in the mail, but we don’t know how to reach her at home (which is really a good thing.) And we could find a way to get money to her friends or family so they can buy her wine!!

I imagine that by writing to everyone on this list I’ll have found someone who is a close friend or family member who might have an opinion and better advice on how we – her devoted fans – can help her out. After all, she provides us with a smile nearly every day, and that is priceless, indeed.

I’ve researched the PayPal option. It requires a bank account tied to the deposits, and while I’m happy to do that, I don’t want there to be any questions or issues about the money, so I am not comfortable using my account. I think there is a feasible way to do this; I just don’t know what it is, short of getting Laurie to set this up herself.

Please email me back and let me know if you have any ideas, suggestions, or thoughts on this. I would really like to help her out.

Carolyn
stickyfii@gmail.com
Atlanta

Your cats are messing with you. They want to see just how far they can push before your head pops off. There could be catnip flavored confetti in there for all they know.

Hang on tight, this too shall pass. Along with a few hairballs, expensive medication and perhaps enough empty bottles that the recycling guys wonder about you a bit more than normal, but trust me, this will pass.

In the meantime get your hands on some knitting after you go through the cleaning phase. Pop Bridget Jones into the DVD and don’t forget to hit Trader Joes on the way home for wine you can afford that won’t leave your mouth feeling like loopy mohair in the morning. Knitting drunk if front of a chick flick is needed every now and then. Sweetie, I think this is your time.

*OtterHuggles*

The illusion of control. If it's a good illusion, and it causes no harm, indulge. Scrub away.

In fact, it's possible that the lack-o-operating-room-standard sanitary conditions in my apartment is also behind the viruses of the kitties. I have wine, and things to clean. And Vicodin, which is providing my with sufficient illusion to feel no pain, myself.

I hope your fuzzy friends get better soon.

Wishing you lots of purry cuddles, oodles of wine and a big win in the lottery!
Very funny post!
Mia

OK I'm totally bummed about the furrry babies BUT maybe this will cheer you just a tad.

http://www.shoefrenzy.net/

Love and Laughter,
Amy

Wine on way... You deserve it. You need it.

So sorry about the kitties. I too have spent literally thousands of $$$ on vet bills for my dog and the cat my beloved brought to our union. What else can you do? They're your buddies.

Hope they are all better very soon!

I always laughed at pet insurance but now, not so much. Your vet bills are making me feel better about mine though. Not much comfort I know. Hope they are all better soon.

The blog ads were missing on my computer at work but they are back on my computer at home. Dang firewalls. They probably want me to work.
...More healthy kitty vibes....

Yes, let's give to the kitties! I've always had a soft spot for Frankie, because that was the name of my beloved kitty when I was growing up. I'd be happy to pay for one of her massages or facials.

How can we do it?

OMG, I am so sorry! We all send our very very best get-well-kitty vibes. And big squeezy hugs for you. And virtual wine. (I myself was down with some weirdo thing yesterday, hence the late comment. I do sympathize.)

Oh Laurie--so sorry about the sick kitties!! I'm sending them hugs, kisses & catnip treats, and hoping they feel better soon.

Seriously, though, how can we help? Can we send money to the vet in your kitties' names? Let us know. . .

I was just checking out the stuff on your CafePress site! Woohoo! I'll be one of the first with CAP mugs to drink uh, stuff out of. While I pad around glamorously in a baseball jersey and sweats. Drinking stuff. Grape juice. Yeah. Flavenoids. They're good for you.

Jumping on the bandwagon late, but just catching up. So sorry to hear of the illnesses. Worry, worry, worry and $$$$. Of course, no price is too much to pay for the health of our loved kitties, but it can be discouraging. After your positive post on the wonderful specialist, whodve guessed that Roy would come home with a little sumpen extra. Shouldn't they have to pay for some of the bills since he caught the bug at their place?? I know, I'm dreaming.

How about a charity knitathon for Crazy Aunt Purl's babies? We could sponsor a knitter who makes and donates 5/10/20 cage cozies to a local shelter? You know, a yarn 5K of sorts. Anybody willing to run with this idea?

In lieu of the above, I'm sending you any surplus good karma I might have floating around and wish you good health to all. Love from a faithful reader (well, a reader).

Laurie! I am a lurker (actually I just discovered your blog recently and just got finished reading the archives. Not a stalker. :) ) And I wish you the best of luck with your furry family. I recently had a heck of a scare with my kitty (who happens to have blue eyes like Roy!) and I just know you and the little ones will be fine.

Maybe it's time to invest in plastic bubbles for the fur crew....

hey, this Cafe Press deal is great idea! I would love to buy a CAP t-shirt! Think about the paypal button too, I think you would be very pleasantly surprised at all the generous people in your world. Hope everyone is better today!

Girlfriend, I hope you know all these comments about helping you are cause we LOVE you and the happy you bring into our lives. OK it's not you, it's the Insane Kitty Posse. But seriously, please please please let us know how we can give back to someone who gives us so much. The internets has made us friends and 'help each other' is what friends do. Dammit.

oh, I am so sorry about your sick cats. I hope they all get better soon.

Dearest Laurie... I cannot begin to tell you the outpouring of the support you are getting. Please go see my blog - just read the last entry, the other stuff is crap. But you'll see that there are people out there who want to send you more than just virtual hugs, kisses, purrs and wine.

http://stickyfiisblog.blogspot.com/

You are a very fortunate woman.

C.

Laurie, I would totally go for a PayPal button...but what I'd really like would be a tote bag with the Unakitten on it. Any chance of that?

Or, you know, the button. Which would pay off better for you.

You've given me such pleasure over the past year, I'd love to do a little to help.

Laurie, Do the PayPal button already!

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...a cat who is incarcerated at the vet cannot pee on your couch while you are at work.

Or on your child's bed.

Repeatedly.

Just sayin'.

Hang in there.

Ya Laurie has products for sale. I will be drinking coffee (ya right) out of one of your mugs soon. Love the bag and tank too.

Laurie,

I'm also a recent reader here, but I love your blog! I thought of you last night (not in a creepy way) when my cat, Java, blasted under the book I was trying to read so she could sit on my chest about an inch from my face. I had to pick about twenty cat hairs out of the Carmex on my lips. Hope your kitties get better soon!

Jill

I found the button! It took a LOT of looking, but I found it right under the Cafe Press ad, in teeny little letters - "Make a donation."

For heaven's sake, put up a cute cat picture with an endearing caption nearby. Preferably one featuring Roy. I would gladly share my bacon with him.

Laurie -

What Sarah R. said re: a Unakitten tote. Totes are easier than messenger bags to get the knitting in and out of, and what better way for Soba to get the recognition she so richly deserves?

Laurie,
Thank you for letting us help. You are very and well loved. Hope everyone is better today!

Ya'll are something else :) I am terrible at accepting "charity" being southern and all. But I do love you, thank you. As my dad would say, "It brings a tear to a glass eye!"

Also, sorry about the vulgarness of the cafepress thing. I was maybe in a mood? My folks will be horrified. I will have to make some unasoba bags, but don't ya'll think cafepress is so expensive? I was shocked. So much for a t-shirt! I could make one at home with transfer paper. Maybe I should try that, LOL. I am really quite terrible at menetizing. Can you tell? LOL

Don't forget that many of us are also southerners - I was Alabama born and raised before being transplanted in the northeast. Maybe we don't so much like to get "charity," but being "charitable" is a whole different ballgame.

And man oh man I do so love the baseball shirt from Cafe Press.

I have a nice cozy barn, here in Nova Scotia where the air is clean and gas prices are actually creeping down (knock on wood, quick!). I also have 5 cats of my own that would be happy to entertain yours with many tales of successful hunts. Just so you know.

Sorry about the kitties. I've been through the kitty respiratory infection thing too.

If you haven't, though, I hate to warn you... you may have to clean again soon. After mine got done with their colds, everything in my entire apartment that was less than a foot off the ground was completely coated with kitty, um, let's call it kitty sneezes because that doesn't sound as yucky. But it was yucky.

virtual treats for you and roy:
baconwinebaconwinebaconwine
(Bacon wine? Eew. But you know what I mean.)

Your wing at the SO Vet must be next to our canine wing! We also sent the vets on a lovely vacation last year and I'm sure we're putting at least a few kids through college. Best of luck with your kitties!

I was just searching for low riders and google threw me to this website.
i dont usually write or read blogs unless i feel so bored and sad but..

but today i have read all you previous blog entries i think i have read your 20 blog entries of last year 2005.

its the first time i liked to read and almost 17140000 time want to know more about this unknown auntpurl ;).