Tangently on topic: Wrapping paper. After I guess 50 yrs of despising wrapping gifts mostly due to thin paper ripping,waste due to trying to store rolls, etc… I bought printed kraft wrapping paper this year. Comes flat (easy to store), and it’s thicker. SO much easier to wrap with. I’ll never go back to the other stuff.
I think we need to add ‘Gift-Wrapping Expert’ to Hamilton’s vitae. In addition to…
Sous Chef – He sits on the counter whenever I cook anything, checking ingredients.
Writer – He insists that he has to check over anything I write (I am typing with one hand because I am supporting Hamilton with the other hand/arm).
Housekeeper – Every time I clean their pans, Hamilton is there to immediately jump in and ‘christen’ it with the Hamilton Paw of Approval.
Hamilton is now a Gift Wrap Expert. I had all the presents laid out on the table, with the goal to have them wrapped before Alexandria got home from college. I would choose a gift and then the wrapping paper, and as I rolled it out, Hamilton would pass judgment if that was the correct color/pattern for that gift by diving on the paper. If I didn’t understand his subtle opinion, he would bat with his paw at the scissors as I tried to cut the piece.
As the clock ticks down to Alex’s arrival, I valiantly press on to accomplish my goal with my Gift Wrap Expert’s advice. In the background, I see Mittens and Belle sitting on the desk, a look of pity/humor on their furry faces. Will I finish? Will Hamilton be pleased with my paper choices? Will my martini have to be a double tonight? Only time will tell.
I did my wrapping frenzy in late November, as my mother-in-law was hosting pre-Christmas last Sunday for those of us who couldn’t make it on the 25th. I still have a box and a big Santa bag to go to my daughter’s on Christmas day.
Georgia, i hope there was good news for Lupin yesterday. Whatever the news, please let us all know. The orb is here for you.
‘I think I wrapped my phone’ is not a phrase I could have ever heard for most of my life, or ever thought about until this strip. Still divided on how I think about it.
Love it Georgia! I have accidentally bagged my phone one really busy Christmas Eve. Thankfully I had the ringer on so I could figure out which bag before I gave them away. ;-)
All you need are several cans of a strong spray adhesive, several layers of newspaper – the more the better (reuse and then recycle!), and an Exacto knife and several blades to trim the edges.
Cats quickly become attached to this type of giftwrap. Hilarity ensues.
And then full blown panic for all involved.
Now you know why your parents liked rum or brandy (and/or?) in their eggnog. Or without the eggnog.
We brought Lupin down to Tacoma, WA yesterday to meet with a veterinary cardiologist. I wish I had the good news that it’s all been a mistake and he could not possibly be sick, but that is not the case. The emergency vet’s diagnosis was spot on; Lupin has heart disease. In November when he crashed, he was in heart failure. At the moment, he is still in heart failure. Fluid is back and it’s around his heart this time. They were going to tap the fluid again yesterday, but decided not to when it was determined it is very close to his heart.
However, there is some good news! With changes to his medication doses and the addition of a new pill, the cardiologist thinks she can lessen the fluid and bring Lupin out of heart failure. This would bump him back down to living with heart disease, which is his reality. It is hard to accept that Lupin will likely have less time with all of us. The prognosis for cats with heart disease after it has gone into failure is about a year; even if it can be rolled back. That part was hardest to have confirmed. (I hoped that was somehow a mistake the whole time; hope is unstoppable.) Right now he is eating like the tiny horse we all know he is. He is drinking, using the litter box, jumping over Elvis, chasing the little projected Christmas lights dancing in our window at 2am… He is content; just slowed down.
Lupin has the most common form of heart disease in cats, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is likely genetic in his case. (Burt would add, worth an Internet search. Medical sites explain it better than I could.)
There are stories of cats living longer, and there are sadder stories—I’m so grateful right now for every day with Lupin, whatever his timeframe could be. This is Lupin. He is a tiny daredevil. He could always still smash the Christmas tree through the window or chew through an electrical cord just because, lol. A year could actually be the best case scenario! Whatever is to come, he is happy and comfortable right now. Even overnight, I think the new meds are making a positive difference. Whatever time he has, he will make it count and we will take good care of him to keep him happy, comfortable, and safe.
Thanks for the update on Lupin. He is a beautiful good boy and I hope he has more than a year of healthy life left in him. My thoughts and prayers for you, your family and cats. Long life to all your furry children and family.
I’m so sorry. He’s such a huge personality. Thanks to your artwork and story-telling skills he will always be our hearts. Hoping he beats all the previous records for longevity with this disease.
My cats always helped by lying on the wrapping paper as I unrolled it, hoping to measure and cut it. I’m sure they were just making sure it wouldn’t blow away should a sudden breeze arise in the living room.
I never accidentally wrapped my phone….but I did have it fall out of my pocket while I was packing brush into a 15 yard dumpster….yes, we retrieved it…but we had to unload about two thirds of the dumpster before we found it. Had it not had client information on it, I would have walked away, but I didn’t want to risk anyone else’s personal information besides my own so a hunting we did go!
Update has decided that the “No No” bottle is just another way to get a drink from clear across the room. Now we have the TV mounted on the wall so she can’t knock it over. When I got out my clear plastic medicine box to fill my weekly pill reminder case, she waited for me to get all those lovely rattly bottles out then she jumped in the box and was shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, when the lid fell closed and trapped her inside. I got her out and she immediately jumped right back in and the lid closed again. I was tempted to leave her in it until I finished sorting my pills (the lid wasn’t closed all the way and she had plenty of air circulation) but I got her out again.
Now if I can just break her of biting my chin while I’m asleep.
Puck seems the only one truely helping. Elvis is coming in second. Lupin and Goldie….. are we truely sure their not from the same litter seperated at rescue?
I am so sorry, but he is loved in a warm and beautiful home which is what all cats deserve so I am glad he is with you. I hope for as many years as possible for him and Bast’s blessings be with you.
RAGs about 3 years ago
The easiest way to wrap a cat is to get a small box and try to keep them out.
Le'letha Premium Member about 3 years ago
I see Goldie is “helping” to wrap Lupin. I wonder if she has a destination tag for him labeled simply “Elsewhere”.
alcorn about 3 years ago
Sunday Funday:
FreyjaRN Premium Member about 3 years ago
We put the phones away from the gift paper and bags so we don’t wrap the phones.
Robin Harwood about 3 years ago
The phone might be doomed.
Jungle Empress about 3 years ago
The holidays are just so chaotic! How fortunate we People are to have our feline overlords assisting us!
WelshRat Premium Member about 3 years ago
It’s the right spirit for Lupin. And I hate wrapping things.
Sue Ellen about 3 years ago
Puck is such a good emotional support kitty!
catmom1360 about 3 years ago
Elvis better take care. He might be wrapped as a gift.
cat19632001 about 3 years ago
Is the Woman officially in a wrapping frenzy?
cat19632001 about 3 years ago
Is there any word from yesterday about how Lupin’s cardiology vet visit went?
Tigrisan Premium Member about 3 years ago
I think Loaner Cat is the only cat in the world who hates boxes and bags. I wrapped most of my presents last week and she was nowhere to be seen.
Grace Premium Member about 3 years ago
Tangently on topic: Wrapping paper. After I guess 50 yrs of despising wrapping gifts mostly due to thin paper ripping,waste due to trying to store rolls, etc… I bought printed kraft wrapping paper this year. Comes flat (easy to store), and it’s thicker. SO much easier to wrap with. I’ll never go back to the other stuff.
One Serious Cat about 3 years ago
Cats like to help.
rs0204 Premium Member about 3 years ago
I think we need to add ‘Gift-Wrapping Expert’ to Hamilton’s vitae. In addition to…
Sous Chef – He sits on the counter whenever I cook anything, checking ingredients.
Writer – He insists that he has to check over anything I write (I am typing with one hand because I am supporting Hamilton with the other hand/arm).
Housekeeper – Every time I clean their pans, Hamilton is there to immediately jump in and ‘christen’ it with the Hamilton Paw of Approval.
Hamilton is now a Gift Wrap Expert. I had all the presents laid out on the table, with the goal to have them wrapped before Alexandria got home from college. I would choose a gift and then the wrapping paper, and as I rolled it out, Hamilton would pass judgment if that was the correct color/pattern for that gift by diving on the paper. If I didn’t understand his subtle opinion, he would bat with his paw at the scissors as I tried to cut the piece.
As the clock ticks down to Alex’s arrival, I valiantly press on to accomplish my goal with my Gift Wrap Expert’s advice. In the background, I see Mittens and Belle sitting on the desk, a look of pity/humor on their furry faces. Will I finish? Will Hamilton be pleased with my paper choices? Will my martini have to be a double tonight? Only time will tell.
ladykat about 3 years ago
I did my wrapping frenzy in late November, as my mother-in-law was hosting pre-Christmas last Sunday for those of us who couldn’t make it on the 25th. I still have a box and a big Santa bag to go to my daughter’s on Christmas day.
Georgia, i hope there was good news for Lupin yesterday. Whatever the news, please let us all know. The orb is here for you.
Hooligan918 about 3 years ago
I saw some one who said,“If you get the TV remote, I’ll need it back.”
GSD Mom Premium Member about 3 years ago
♥ That last panel made me laugh out loud … I’m so glad I’ve finished my coffee!
Defective Premium Member about 3 years ago
‘I think I wrapped my phone’ is not a phrase I could have ever heard for most of my life, or ever thought about until this strip. Still divided on how I think about it.
scyphi26 about 3 years ago
Accidentally wrapped your phone? Okay, I admit, never managed to do that before…
rs0204 Premium Member about 3 years ago
I love Lupin as the Ghost of Christmas Presents. “Know me better Ma’am,” is classic Lupin.
mistercatworks about 3 years ago
LOL at last panel. I can hear it ringing.
cat19632001 about 3 years ago
Good thing Goldie noticed that tag was loose and swatted it off.
mpolo11 Premium Member about 3 years ago
Supportive bump.
misty about 3 years ago
I’ve been thinking about this torture
And I’ve decided that gift-giving is to blame
For stress that’s deep inside me now will still remain
And three cats and I together
Will finish wrapping while one presents a ghost surprise
It’s been weighing down upon me now, I realize
Listen to paper slowly unrolling
Tape all the corners to stay
Pucky’s big heart lets him do much consoling
And from his actions I will go on another day
When the final wrap is over
And it’s certain that I’m gonna get a call
My phone hides inside my yuletide chore forever more
- J Hayward – The Story in Your Eyes – Moody Blues
betsypoe about 3 years ago
Love it Georgia! I have accidentally bagged my phone one really busy Christmas Eve. Thankfully I had the ringer on so I could figure out which bag before I gave them away. ;-)
Display about 3 years ago
Amateurs.
All you need are several cans of a strong spray adhesive, several layers of newspaper – the more the better (reuse and then recycle!), and an Exacto knife and several blades to trim the edges.
Cats quickly become attached to this type of giftwrap. Hilarity ensues.
And then full blown panic for all involved.
Now you know why your parents liked rum or brandy (and/or?) in their eggnog. Or without the eggnog.
scaeva Premium Member about 3 years ago
OT:
BenBerlin about 3 years ago
Speaking of Scrooge, last year I did some art inspired by this classic story:
https://sta.sh/0mvbj9w2lst
https://sta.sh/01v44cxr1g0w
https://sta.sh/0ccj3zv0zr3
From our family to yours A Merry Christmas, A Happy Hearth’s Warming, And A Joyous New Year!
Georgia Dunn creator about 3 years ago
We brought Lupin down to Tacoma, WA yesterday to meet with a veterinary cardiologist. I wish I had the good news that it’s all been a mistake and he could not possibly be sick, but that is not the case. The emergency vet’s diagnosis was spot on; Lupin has heart disease. In November when he crashed, he was in heart failure. At the moment, he is still in heart failure. Fluid is back and it’s around his heart this time. They were going to tap the fluid again yesterday, but decided not to when it was determined it is very close to his heart.
However, there is some good news! With changes to his medication doses and the addition of a new pill, the cardiologist thinks she can lessen the fluid and bring Lupin out of heart failure. This would bump him back down to living with heart disease, which is his reality. It is hard to accept that Lupin will likely have less time with all of us. The prognosis for cats with heart disease after it has gone into failure is about a year; even if it can be rolled back. That part was hardest to have confirmed. (I hoped that was somehow a mistake the whole time; hope is unstoppable.) Right now he is eating like the tiny horse we all know he is. He is drinking, using the litter box, jumping over Elvis, chasing the little projected Christmas lights dancing in our window at 2am… He is content; just slowed down.
(I’ll continue in a comment below!)
Georgia Dunn creator about 3 years ago
Lupin has the most common form of heart disease in cats, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is likely genetic in his case. (Burt would add, worth an Internet search. Medical sites explain it better than I could.)
There are stories of cats living longer, and there are sadder stories—I’m so grateful right now for every day with Lupin, whatever his timeframe could be. This is Lupin. He is a tiny daredevil. He could always still smash the Christmas tree through the window or chew through an electrical cord just because, lol. A year could actually be the best case scenario! Whatever is to come, he is happy and comfortable right now. Even overnight, I think the new meds are making a positive difference. Whatever time he has, he will make it count and we will take good care of him to keep him happy, comfortable, and safe.
metagalaxy1970 about 3 years ago
When I wrapped the present to send, Oopsie came around and watched. Not sure if he was fascinated or not. He watched, but didn’t come close.
wogears about 3 years ago
Give him extra pets and play with him as much as he likes.
Ann L Hodgson Premium Member about 3 years ago
Thanks for the update on Lupin. He is a beautiful good boy and I hope he has more than a year of healthy life left in him. My thoughts and prayers for you, your family and cats. Long life to all your furry children and family.
dencarl about 3 years ago
I’m so sorry. He’s such a huge personality. Thanks to your artwork and story-telling skills he will always be our hearts. Hoping he beats all the previous records for longevity with this disease.
daswaff about 3 years ago
“Know me better Ma’am” Dickens is chuckling in the beyond, looking for a spirit high five!
miscreant about 3 years ago
OT: KK is better
Daeder about 3 years ago
Elvis is a perfect example of a classic “Bags to Scritches” story!
about 3 years ago
We all need a Puck in our lives.
JLChi about 3 years ago
My cats always helped by lying on the wrapping paper as I unrolled it, hoping to measure and cut it. I’m sure they were just making sure it wouldn’t blow away should a sudden breeze arise in the living room.
cemunsey Premium Member about 3 years ago
I never accidentally wrapped my phone….but I did have it fall out of my pocket while I was packing brush into a 15 yard dumpster….yes, we retrieved it…but we had to unload about two thirds of the dumpster before we found it. Had it not had client information on it, I would have walked away, but I didn’t want to risk anyone else’s personal information besides my own so a hunting we did go!
Aspen_Bell about 3 years ago
OT: Steve update.
Font Lady Premium Member about 3 years ago
Update has decided that the “No No” bottle is just another way to get a drink from clear across the room. Now we have the TV mounted on the wall so she can’t knock it over. When I got out my clear plastic medicine box to fill my weekly pill reminder case, she waited for me to get all those lovely rattly bottles out then she jumped in the box and was shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, when the lid fell closed and trapped her inside. I got her out and she immediately jumped right back in and the lid closed again. I was tempted to leave her in it until I finished sorting my pills (the lid wasn’t closed all the way and she had plenty of air circulation) but I got her out again.
Now if I can just break her of biting my chin while I’m asleep.
knight1192a about 3 years ago
Puck seems the only one truely helping. Elvis is coming in second. Lupin and Goldie….. are we truely sure their not from the same litter seperated at rescue?
raptorempress about 3 years ago
I am so sorry, but he is loved in a warm and beautiful home which is what all cats deserve so I am glad he is with you. I hope for as many years as possible for him and Bast’s blessings be with you.
Aspen_Bell about 3 years ago
OT: Steve again, again
kittylover.truitt about 3 years ago
Awww! Kitties and wrapping paper:)
jennifer.usher about 3 years ago
Thank you for the update. I hope he hangs on.
jamesakronson2 about 3 years ago
Treasure each day, and when it is time, do not grieve. Celebrate the joy.