Carolyn Holm

Dear Winston,
I’m so glad to have you back home again. Three days without you seemed like such a long time. We missed you!
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
It was horrible! They hooked me up with tubes! And stuck me with needles! Look at my front leg – they shaved it!!!! Though actually, that looks kinda cool.
Winston

Dear Winston,
You had a serious condition. A urinary tract blockage left untreated will damage your kidneys. You can’t get very far without good kidneys!
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
I thought kidneys were something to eat.
Winston

Dear Winston,
They are, for a carnivore like you. But you have a pair inside of you and they are a very important part of your body. I’m so glad you woke me up with your crying so I could know that something was wrong. Though I have to say 3:00am was a bit early. 
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
I was glad when you and Dad came to the hospital on the second day to visit me.
Winston

Dear Winston,
We were so glad to be able to! Normally, because of Covid rules, we wouldn’t be allowed inside. But they called us and asked us to visit you because you were despondent and not eating. When we sat with you, we could see that you started to relax! But I was surprised you wouldn’t touch the Temptations treats we brought.
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
I’ll eat some now if you like!!!!!
Winston

Dear Winston,
I’m sure you would love to, but I don’t want you filling up on Temptations. You need to eat your dinners. You need to get healthy again. Sweetie, you are still having trouble with the peeing. That’s why we are keeping such a close eye on you. We don’t want any more emergency visits to the hospital! 
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
Dinner has been a new kind of food. I don’t like different food.
Winston

Dear Winston,
It’s special food for your condition. To make you well again. And keep you out of the hospital. They loved you there, they thought you were a handsome dude and really sweet, but they don’t want you showing up again as an emergency!
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
I like the salmon treats you’ve been giving me twice a day.
Winston

Dear Winston,
You do indeed! Those are “pill pockets” stuffed with some of your medications. I’m so glad you like them because they sure make it easier to get the pills into you. But you have made the liquid medication nearly impossible without a chase and a dramatic wrestling match. Not to mention there is blood involved. But we’re almost finished with that, and then we’ll just have the pills in the pill pockets to deal with.
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
Puffin is jealous. He likes salmon. He wants some of them too.
Winston

Dear Winston,
Puffin appears to be annoyed that you came back from the hospital. I think he thought it might be nice to be the only cat.
Love, Carolyn

Mom,
He’ll get over it.
Winston

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