We took Flo to the vet this morning, she said she wasn’t sure what was wrong, but she suspected it might be a viral infection that other cats in the area have been experiencing. She prescribed some antibiotics, first by needle, them by pills.

Good vets take their best shot, but barn cats are very hard to diagnose. They go everywhere and eat a lot of strange things.

I had a sinking feeling watching the examination, Flo just seems very sick to me, and she seems to be sinking ever since we got her home. She is disorienting, has a hard time standing up and the spark is completely gone from her eyes.

I think Dr. Fariello made a smart decision to try antibiotics, it can’t hurt and might help. But this seems deeper to me that that.

Flo won’t eat tonight, or sit upright, and has barely moved.

Flo got up once to come and lie in my lap when I sat down in my chair, and I sat and stroked her for awhile, that rattled my heart a bit. She loves to sit in my lap when I am in the farmhouse, and when she is.

Flo is the first cat I have truly connected with to this degree.

The antibiotics have had no impact on her so far, and you can never be absolutely certain about animals.  Contrary to popular belief, they cannot tell us when they wish to die. That’s the stewards job.

In the morning, she might well be herself. Whatever happens in the morning, we will not let her suffer, she is a proud and fiercely independent creature who has lived her cat life quite fully (and sometimes, murderously.)

She is a very special animal and a great presence on our farm.

In the morning, I would be very happy to tell you that  she is eating and recovering. She is a great barn cat, a wonderful free spirit. She has lived the life of a barn cat fully and contentedly.She has never gone near the road or endangered herself.

We’ll see in the morning.