On the other hand
Master Tobias, the Cat
Sits with fat cheeks
Whiskers intact

Under his nook
The coffee table he waits
For Madame Curie
To evacuate her place

Cherub is he with
An expression divine
Destined to be always
Second in line

Coming to you
For his tummy rub
His little heart swells
Big with his love

How can you not but
Respond to that look
So gentle and shy
Saying “I’m here in my nook”!

September 2009

P.S. Toby is my daughter’s cat. He came to live with us in January 2007 and took a while to adjust.. In January 2012, we noticed a significant drop in his weight, lethargy and listlessness. Subsequent tests and visits to the vet revealed high creatinine levels that are indicative of renal failure. His kidneys were effectively collapsing and shrinking and he required a drip (equivalent to human dialysis) everyday. The fluids enable the proteins and waste matter to be flushed from his body. After some research, we learned to administer the drip subcutaneously for 20 minutes everyday, at home. He is a happy cat, now, eating a special diet of low-protein renal food and goes about his cat activities quietly….