The indignities of old age. Your bowels and bladder have a mind of their own, everything aches, you are unsteady on your feet and you can’t hear any more. I’m guessing this is what our cat, Troy was thinking when we had to resort to giving him a bath……grooming yourself becomes energy consuming and difficult at 21 – you sometimes have to stand on three legs and use/lick your front paw… and that’s a wobbly business. Jay and I steeled ourselves for a fight yesterday. Troy smelt pretty bad. Awful actually…bits of him, especially his tail, had been trailed in…stuff. Cat sitter Pam says perhaps we should let him see the summer through…and then do the right thing. Troy is so intelligent, I am confident he will tell us when, if he doesn’t make his own way. So, having prepared the bathroom and my study (as a warm drying room), Jay cuddled him for a bit, then we trimmed his claws, gave him a brush and then plopped him in some lukewarm water, fully expecting a lot of meowing and scrambling to get away. Not a peep. He stood still. He let us wet him and apply the cat shampoo, lather it into all his nooks and crannies, and tail…no struggle. He let go. Then he let us rinse and towel-dry him and because it took at least a few hours to dry him, we all spent the rest of the evening cuddled up by the fire (yes, even though it is pretty warm here right now) and watched the third series of our Gavin & Stacey box set, with lovely Husband drying and stroking all the while.
My luggage is always full of everything I might possibly need when we go on holiday. We have just come back from Greece and this what I used for the week: 1 denim skirt, 1 white t-shirt, 1 sleeveless t-shirt, 1 pair of knickers, 1 bra, a sarong, beach towel, bikini bottoms, a swimsuit and a pair of sandals. Six pairs of knickers, 2 pairs of shorts and about 5 other t-shirts, big white blouse, cardigan, waterproof jacket, 2 books and a stainless steel teapot remained unused along with all my exercise gear (heatwave of 38 degrees meant nothing other than swimming was possible). I prepare for everything and take no risks….and so literally carry the burden of that. Every eventuality is catered for. Sounds good doesn’t it? I’m the one who remembers to bring the dishwasher tablets when the family rents a holiday house. Everyone marvels at my thoroughness. It is seriously over the top. I’m longing for the relief of letting go of primitive brain. Go on J, be brave…take a risk… and just let the warm water wash over you…
jx
Ain't we got it made? 
Never gave our old cat a bath, I’m sure Troy enjoyed being clean and groomed, 21 is a grand old age, venerable in fact,he will let you know when he’s had enough,
Glad you had a good time in Greece,see you on Friday!
Hi..I just hope we don’t need to do it again!