This week I’ve been at home; I’m healthy, just following recommendations. As long as I have WiFi, I’ll be fine. My thoughts are with everyone who is ill or going through stressful times. It will get better. Eventually.

“Cats are cool.”

Kitler is the alpha cat in the green space around my building. He’s been here for more than 10 years according to the neighbors, and when I first moved in, he was a grouchy cat who didn’t trust anyone or anything.

A year and a half later, he finally let me scratch his ears and now comes running to say hello when I open the door. He’s not exactly affectionate, but he lets me know he tolerates me and appreciates the Cat Condos.

A few days ago, I noticed that he had a big lump on his foreleg. He not my cat, but I didn’t imagine anyone else would take responsibility for him. My vet makes house calls (even now), but he was quite busy. We thought the lump might be an abscess.

Kitler wasn’t in pain, but he wasn’t quite himself. He invited himself into my house and laid down in one of the cat beds. At some point he moved to the foot of my bed – and my cats were completely fine with it. He also spent some time under my bed. I decided that in the morning, I should probably take him to a clinic. I wasn’t looking forward to trying to get him into a carrier.

(Side note: because of the social distancing restrictions, animal clinics are not allowing humans in, but pets can be left at the door and are retrieved by the staff.)

I went to bed, my cats snuggled with me, and Kitler moved himself into a cat bed for the night.

In the morning, I found that Kitler had left a small brown aromatic “gift” under my kitchen table (Thanks, Old Pal!) and he didn’t seem to have swelling on his leg anymore.

He. Had. Drained. The. Abscess. By. Himself. Using. His. Teeth.

Ewww. Gross!!!

I texted my vet to let him know in case this was now an emergency, and he wrote back: [thumbs up icon] Cats are cool.

Um. Well. Yeah, I guess they are. Kitler had a health crisis, found a safe space, and just got on with getting himself better. Whatever it takes.

(In case you’re wondering: he’s fine. I put Neosporin on the scratches on his leg.)

A lesson for humans

Let’s hope we don’t get to a point where we have to do minor surgeries on ourselves, although I hope I would be as strong and resilient as Kitler should the need arise.

Here are some takeaways for our coronavirus times:

1. Don’t Panic
2. Heath is the most important thing
3. Find a safe space
4. Stay away from clinics if possible
5. Do what needs to be done
6. Rest and recuperate
7. Show appreciation for the helpers (avoid brown log-shaped “gifts”)

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A good video to help you understand why drastic action needs to be taken early #StayHome