Categories
Disliked Reflected

Buttons Is A (DJ) Trooper

Buttons Is A (DJ) Trooper

Our poor cat has been through a lot in the last 48 hours.

Like all of these sorts of stories go, it was supposed to be a regular vet checkup. But after bringing him into the Astoria Veterinary Group, it appeared that his teeth and gums – something that had been pointed out as a potential problem in the past – were in bad shape. They recommended a “deep gum cleaning”. Katie had to leave him behind at the vet, turning a day that was to be spent relaxing with the cat into a day of worry.

The call came around 2:30: he was fine, but the “deep gum cleaning” had turned into a “double tooth extraction”. His trademark fang had apparently been loose and very exposed, as had the tooth directly below it. Both were removed, turning his usual expression – a little bit of exposed fang – into a lip curled sneer that would make Elvis proud.

Buttons returned home at 7PM last night, still drugged out of his skull from the procedure. This manifested itself in odd ways, particularly in his communication skills. Normally, he gets attention with a loud, cute “WOW!” – he doesn’t meow. Last night it was more of a “Wowwwwwweeeerrrrrrooooooooooooowweee.” He also walked around the apartment at least eight times as though he had no idea where he was – although he was very sure he still wanted to go under the kitchen sink.

We’ve had the catsujin for just over five years now (he’s five and a half); this is the first time he’s undergone a procedure of any sort. Being as attached as we are, Katie and I have both acknowledged an inability to deal with the idea of something happening to our cat. Taken as a test of how we would handle a small-scale event, it is easily argued both Katie and I failed brilliantly. We followed him around trying to cheer him up, lamenting to each other that we’d hope he’d be okay and back to his normal self soon.

To what may not be a surprise, he was back to normal not long after midnight, when he nuzzled up to Katie and watched an episode of *Buffy* on her computer. (They frequently share late-night TV watching. Apparently I’m not invited.) The morning brought the usual pillow-stealing, food-demanding, and lounging on the carpet that we’ve grown accustomed to with him. He greeted us home from work with proper-sounding “WOW!”s, and as I type he’s nomnomnoming away at a catnip plush duck.

Thanks to everyone who sent well-wishes over Twitter and concerned IMs; we do tend to joke that he has a fan club but it’s nice to realize it’s not such a joke after all.

Categories
Enjoyed

dj BTNS vs. The IIDX ASC

dj BTNS Ponders The Giantness Of The ASC

Is it just me, or does he look a little intimidated?

Thanks to Aaron Ramsey for selling me his ASC. Even though it was thought to be scientifically impossible, I am now somehow more of a nerd.

Categories
Happened

Whatever You Call Him, He Still Likes Making Biscuits With His Pawpads

Buttons: Still Kicking It

When we first got the much beloved cat [Buttons](http://www.flickr.com/photos/remydwd/sets/263906/), there was some confusion about whether his name was *Buttons* or *Button*. The tag they etched on his collar was missing the S, but we stuck with it regardless.

When our good friend [Thom](https://vjarmy.com/thom/) first met the cat, he couldn’t remember the cat’s name, so he started guessing B names – including *Brickhouse* and *Bubbles*.

Over the years, we’ve picked up other nicknames for him on our own. *Butt-Butt* is most frequently used, only because it’s very quick and easy to say. *Mr. Kitty* and *SeƱor Buttones* add a bit of regal charm, while *Baby Kitty* was reserved for serious baby talk. *dj BTNS* emerged after the IIDX thing.

A few months ago, when Suw was visiting, I was amused as she started calling him *Nubbin(s)*, as well as *Mr. Nubbin(s)*. But bizarrely, we had another British houseguest this week, and he – on his own, with no mention of the previous nickname – used the same two nicknames. Is there some secret Buttons-to-Brit connection I’m not aware of?

RELATED: [Cat News](http://www.channel102.net/show.php?show=17) – Smiley Muffin is awesome.