Oh, He Is That Leo

This post is about the importance of having the correct gear.

And, it is about Leo, the cat I serve.

Leo at rest.

At the beginning of the year we received a notice from the Veterinarian informing us it was time for Leo to have his shots updated. Heather called to set up an appointment. Leo doesn't like to go to the Vet. He makes no effort to hide his displeasure. He has developed a reputation at the animal hospital we go to.

When reminded who Leo was, of his prior visits, and the previous discussions about even the possibility of the Doctor making a home visit the technician said, "Oh, he is that Leo." She added, "Let me talk with the Doctor and I'll call you back." She didn't call back

Leo, in one of his more regal moments.

Leo is a cat with a history. He was found next to road when he was a kitten. They estimate he was approximately seven months old. He had been hit by a car and had a broken pelvis. He was nursed back to health and put up for adoption. This is when Heather came into the picture. She adopted Leo. He still has some nerve damage which effects his gait. It was quite pronounced when Heather first got him. He came with the name Mr. Weebles. Heather thought that demeaning and changed his name to Leo. Because he has limitations with his rear legs and uses his front legs to pull himself up on things, declawing him has never been an option, which should classify him as a lethal weapon.

Leo is what one could call a cat with personality. To say Heather found herself with a spirited cat is like saying a hurricane is breezy. When I came onto the scene a few months after Leo things weren't going very well. Heather was afraid of Leo.

I grew up on a farm and was raised around barn cats; some tame, some nearly feral, and most somewhere in between. I've had cats most of my life, but I'd never met a cat like Leo. He'd hiss and swipe at me like those wilder cats I'd grew up with, but he wouldn't run. Maybe he didn't know he could. Anyway,  he would get this wild look in his eye and it was difficult to not feel like you were his prey. Looking back I suspect he too was afraid, but I must say at the time I thought Heather had a mentally ill kitty on her hands.

I don't know if it was the firm hand I brought into the household when I arrived or if it just took a long time for Leo to adjust to his new surroundings, but whatever the case he seems to have turned it around, at least with us. Heather has commented how she never expected him to be a lap cat, but  seldom is he not on one of ours.

But, going to the Vet is still a problem. I've never had an animal who liked going to the Vet, but Leo's aversion to it is epic. And, although we hadn't received a call back, we did continue to receive notices from the animal hospital in the mail. Heather has been ignoring them, but now with us moving into the "windows open" season it seemed a good idea to get Leo's shots taken care of.

In the past Heather has taken Leo to the Vet. This time I was brought into it.  And, I was ready.

Kevlar jacket? Check.

Insulated and reinforced FXR Racing gloves? Check.

When we got to the Vet Leo threw his normal hissy fit. He growled, hissed, bit, clawed and tore away at me, but no damage was done. As he was carrying on the Vet commented, "Those are some awesome gloves."

Those are teeth marks. That could have been my hand.

As is the case with these things, it was all over rather quickly. And, Leo was back home to continue his charmed life.

Leo, no worse for wear, having survived his visit to the Vet settled in on the bed to do some light reading.

It's all about having the right gear and wearing it.