Jack : The Cleanest Stray Cat ever!

The time has arrived. Its time to find out if Jack can play with other cats. My co-workers and I have devised kitty play-dates to help with Jack's normal development. I don't have a pet carrier so poor Jack was to ride in my 90 degree Civic in a cardboard box. I came home from work eager to get this show on the road and to my joy find Jack has already provided an adequate stool sample. :-)  I place said sample in a trash bag and despite all of Jack's efforts to play managed to get him into the box or so I thought. The minute I try to close the cover, he jumps out and out of sight. I realize then that backup is needed. I phone a friend to come and help get Jack into his "carrier" We tag teamed and managed to secure him in the box. Next step was walking to the car and strapping him in. I felt compelled to treat Jack with care so I strapped him in the passenger seat. 

Once at the vet, I carefully opened the box to find a small hissing Jack staring at me. He does not like said box and I vowed to my self to but him a proper carrier. I signed him in at the front desk and finally gave the vet his name for their records no more "New Kitty" but Jack. Everyone remembered Jack from his first brief visit 3 weeks ago.  I waited. Jack hissed. The Vet tech (VT) came to me and I made her take Jack out of the box. I informed her he was mad at me. She was so calm and just took him out stroked his fur and he was fine. Whew! I felt a sigh of relief. I sat back down in the waiting room. " You need me?" I asked nervously. "Yes come on in" she replied. That was NOT the answer I was looking for.

The room was big with two entrances. There was a silver metal examination table in the middle with a diet scale near the wall. I was scared for Jack. The exam table looked cold. The VT placed Jack on the table and he balled up like a fist in the corner closest to me.  I smiled. He wasn't mad at me at all. I stroked his fur. We are both scared buddy. It will be okay. " He is 2.5 lbs" OMG! a fatty he gained the much needed weight, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. " The doctor will be right with you" Minutes later the other door opened and Jack's doctor arrived. A few tests later followed by positive results, Jack was all set with his first visit. A 3 step vaccine was given with strict instructions to return in 3 weeks was followed with advice on how to have structured play with Jack. His doctor also confirmed Jack's gender again with some feeling around his midsection with a confirmatory nod " I am certain he is a male, his testicles are dropping."  Since Jack was 5 weeks when I rescued him, his neuter date will be around the holidays. His doctor decided to to the FELV/FIV testing around that time so no play dates as of yet. :-(

Jack ( in the box) and I made our way to the receptionist area to make follow up appointments and to pay my first vet bill. Jack's next appointment is for Sept. 8 ( actually this blog post is VERY LATE) and my damage was 134.00. My spirits and my wallet left that office lighter. I was burdened by the fact that I would have to give up Jack if he had some crazy cat disease. I didn't even want him initially so I DEFINITELY did not sign up for some crazy cat disease. But in actuality he is the self proclaimed cleanest stray ever. Everything is normal and nothing out of the ordinary. 

** I had to find a cat that will live forever** Just my luck