Cat Smack

Throwback: I dare you to remove me from my chair.
Look into my eyes to determine the level of seriousness.

❤️, Frankie
I think I was 6 years old here.. Awww!

Throwback Thursday: Always helping because The Bipeds don't know how to do anything. 😺
❤️, Frankie aka
Snoopervisor Extraordinare
Advice: Stick your nose in all the business.

Update on Frankie:
Dearest CatSmack Family & Friends,

I'm writing this as Frankie's Biped Mom aka The Lady to share an update that has been really tough to put into words. Our sweet sassy girl is 16 now, and over the last few months, her age-related decline has become much more obvious.

Back in May, Frankie's labs actually looked good but the vet noticed her kidney numbers were on the higher side of normal and recommended a KD diet otherwise known as kidney disease diet.

Well, in true Frank fashion, she had very strong opinions about that. It was a total hit and miss game. Y'all know exactly how this works! One day she'd accept it, and the next day she would literally walk right past the bowl, look at it, and promptly let us know exactly what she thought. Her famous glare, followed by an upturned nose, along with a message, "THAT would be a big fat NOPE! Any questions?!"

After some googling AKA "research" and a follow-up meeting, our vet agreed with our philosophy that life is too short for food she hates. At her age, keeping her happy (spoiled) is the priority, so we switched mixing extra water into her favorite regular wet food along with water bowls placed throughout the apartment to keep her as hydrated and comfortable as possible.

Over the last couple of months, the decline has been rapid and Frankie is now showing clear signs of dementia. While her weight loss is very obvious to us in person, she still manages to look like her usual self in photos.

We took her back to the vet last month to explore every avenue because our Girl gives us so much love and deserves the absolute best. While there are more aggressive medical options available none of them would actually give her more time with a good quality of life.
They would only cause her unnecessary stress and make us all miserable.

Despite the hard days, Frankie is still very much herself and showing us all she isn't in pain. She still sleeps deeply and has the sweetest dreams (I suspect she is outside chasing squirrels and birds).

She's usually stretched out on her side in a totally relaxed position or curled up into her shrimp pose. She is still ruling over her favorite cardboard boxes which we keep a rotating stock of fresh paper packaging every few days. Y'all know her love of all things paper!

Although she doesn't play quite as much as she used to she is very interested in her cache of catnip bananas. Her daily routine like eating, drinking, and bathroom duties are mostly normal... though I never thought I'd say this, I actually miss her loud "announcement"
proclaiming she has p**ped and needs a Biped to come and cover it up immediately!

Best of all, she still gets so excited for treat time, freely giving me nose boops and holding out her paw to show me exactly what she wants, and she aggressively participates in "hide and treat" on the occasions that I set it up.

With the combination of her senior age of 16 years and the positive signs of her keeping up with her habits, we have made the decision to focus entirely on her comfort. We want her home to spend her days surrounded by love, extra attention, and all the pampering she wants.

Frankie is so deeply loved by this community, and we wanted to be open with all of you who adore her just as much as we do. It is important for us to focus on these normal, happy moments. celebrating Frankie's daily routines is our way to honor her endearing spirit and give everyone here, including my husband and myself, the ultimate comfort of knowing she is resting easy and enjoying life as best she is able.

Right now, Merle and I just wanted to share our story and ask this wonderful community to send Frankie all the good vibes, love, prayers, and warm thoughts you can spare.

Each and every one of you are such an important part of our lives. It has weighed heavily on us that we haven't been able to show up or post as consistently as we wanted to lately.

Please know that your comments are an absolute lifeline for us. You have provided us with endless entertainment, laughter, comforting stories of your own fur babies, shared tears, and a depth of compassion that means the world to our family. We are profoundly grateful for the space and for all of you. We will continue to keep you updated.

Love & Gratitude,
Merle & Kristina

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Looking forward to the weekend! The Bipeds are working so it's up to me to have ALL the fun they're missing out on!
Hooray for FriYaY!
❤️, Frankie

Something's always wrong with my order. The Lady tried to give me pens, what am I going to do with pens? Gimme the treats.
Just another Manic Monday, whoooAAAOH! ❤️, Frankie

Drama Queen Frankie started honing her natural skills at an early age.
Happy Throwback Thursday Y'all!