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At the end of winter, around the middle of March, our fickle cat Geronimo’s long beautiful wig becomes a matty mess. It’s a horrible, miserable thing for him, and for anyone who pets him! All year long, until then, he has very nice, attractive feline fur, and then BOOM, it’s not! And let it be known, we DO brush him every now and then, when he needs it, but March just HAPPENS! SO, in mid-April, when it gets a bit warmer, his once a year hair care routine happens!
Let’s Start From the Beginning
First off, let’s remember who we’re talking about here. This is Geronimo……who is friendly ONLY on his terms. The problem is that no one KNOWS what his terms are! He can be purring and lovey-dovey one second, and rake his claws over your arm the next…
Now, about cat hair care….
Think buzz. Think hair clippers. Think claws. Think nasty attitude. Think of biting the hand that feeds you.
In my former life, I was a vet tech/groomer, so I have all the handling techniques and machinery–i.e., clippers–needed to subdue (almost) and groom a feisty cat. BUT I had seen those teeth and claws in action too many times, and I didn’t have any volunteers on the home front to help me, so I thought to myself, “Self, the vet clinic has remedies for that nasty cat kind of thing! THEY can sedate him and shave him, and all will be well!”
So, one day, mid April, a few years ago, we kept food and water from him overnight, then loaded him up in a crate and hauled him to the vet–aka beautician. When I came to retrieve him I was SHOCKED to learn that they hadn’t needed to sedate him!! Even though he was in a strange place, with strange people, strange noises, strange smells….and dogs barking in the background!! “WOW! That was just about all I could say, was WOW!”
(That little quote is from one of the books we read hundreds(?) of times while our kids were small, about a precocious little mouse called Lilly (paid link) It’s a good read for pre-K and elementary age kids!)
Well, when I heard that they didn’t need medication, I figured I could do it myself….and save $30….if I didn’t lose an arm in the process!! Maybe…..?
YUP! Indeed, it CAN be done almost single handedly! And no arms, or even fingers have been injured or lost! It is only possible because part of the time, he’s helpless to fight…because he can’t even move–it feels SOOOOO good! Hair care is kind of exhausting. It does take several sessions, because I only have two hands and patience isn’t one of Geronimo’s personality traits, but that is OK! The end result is what we’re after–relief.
Comfort Before Ego!
Purty, it ain’t, but sometimes comfort is more important that looks!
Here he is, taking a breather–not quite done, but feeling so much better!
Ta-da!! Not a perfect “do”, but a VERY comfortable one! It’s obvious, because he acts like a kitten–throwing sticks in the air, leaping and running around…he feels GOOD!
If you happen to be visiting, and you see Geronimo walk by with his new hair cut, try not to laugh! But even if you do, he won’t care….it feels that good! And he knows that in a few months, before he needs it again, he will have a brand new, long, beautiful warm coat!
Thanks for coming to the high plains circus! Happy to have you!
Good Thoughts
Real beauty is when one is comfortable in their own skin, no matter their “flaws”!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As in, when you click on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Julie of the High Plains.
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