Dear Gabby

It is Wednesday and Gabby , released from the overnight stay in her "apartment", is not herself . She seems slower and withdrawn . The nightly kibbles are untouched and she has been losing weight . A trip to the shelter's clinic yields the diagnosis of an infection of some sort and antibiotics are handed over (thankfully in liquid form - trying to administer a pill to a cat can be an exercise in futility !).
The kind vet also cleaned her ears and clipped her nails .
   When Gabby came to me  , it was with the understanding that she was around eleven years old and with a medical condition that  would keep her away from other cats and dogs . This condition is an unpredictable one that could deteriorate quickly or show absolutely no symptoms in a long and seemingly healthy life .
I'm hoping for the latter . In the mean time , the antibiotic is duly administered and she seems stable...and very cuddly . Once home from the vet , she was content to be stretched out at my side the rest of the day . As I write this , she's curled next to my Mom's needlepoint pillow in deep sleep ... a dear , sweet girl ...