“We can “hear” through your post how you were getting more and more relaxed about her progress and more and more confident that she is a very happy, pain free kitty!”

Oh my goodness, ISN’T THAT THE TRUTH!!! 😂 Month 2 has taken a complete 180 from the first!! My world was shaking that first month!

So I do believe there would be more positives leaving the litterbox in the bedroom. For one, she sleeps in my bed and I get woken up in the middle of the night with it being known that Petunia needs to use the litterbox. How do I know? She will climb over me and lay at the edge of the bed (but won’t jump off, which I’m glad). Or I’ll find her at the bottom of the bed. So I’ll just put her down, she’ll walk the 5ft to the box and then come back to be picked up and put back into bed.

I’ve debated on taking my bed frame out and just laying my mattress down. It is a pretty thick mattress, so I would need to bring the ramp back to the room at night, which is fine. However, I HATE clay litter. I wonder if I’m ingesting it while I sleep. I clean it out multiple times a day. I’m actually thinking about going back to pine. I would feel better about having the litterbox in the bedroom with that. Plus A LOT cleaner! I want her to learn to freely get in and out of bed. There hasn’t been an evening that I haven’t woken up at 3:30am. It’s like clock work to be honest. 

She’s been hanging out on the couch for the better parts of the days cause that’s where I’ll work. She may have learned to come up the ramp/stairs to get on, but doesn’t know how to get off. So many times a day, I would pick her up and carry her to the bedroom to see if she needs to go. There are times I’ll leave her in the bedroom cause I want her to walk to the back of the house, to my family room. 

I might have to start working at my desk again (which is at the front of the house, next to my bedroom) and see what she does then. I have yet to do that. I want her to have her freedom back where she can come and go as she wants from the couch and the bed. I honestly don’t know how I can accomplish that to be honest. She wants to be near me for most of the day. 

I live in a 1000sq ft home, so not very big. The litterbox (in its normal place) is halfway between the front and back of the house. A part of me wants to put the box back to its normal spot (their original one is there, but I mean putting her new easy access one) so we can start working on going back to normal. 

Also, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how tired she is. Sometimes she walk to the back room and stop in the middle of the kitchen either cause she is tired, or she knows I will come get her. But there are those very few times, like in the video I shared, that she will do more walking. 

I did notice a gabapentin in her cat bed this morning. I must not have gotten it completely in her mouth. I don’t know if it was from this morning though. And if it was … could that explain all the walking she was willing to do?

It’s all SO CONFUSING! As always, I appreciate your inputs! 

Holly - Forgot to mention that was the first time she went off the mats and walked where those chairs were. It seemed like she was smelling something. What, I have no idea. 

I took this video Oct 22nd, so almost a month ago, which was 17 days after her surgery. Look how AMAZING she was walking. Her posture just looked so perfect here. I wonder if she went backwards because of me not giving her more opportunities and coddling her too much. 

“Now get some rest because you know 3 30 will be here before you k ow it!😜”

You had me CRACKING UP with this comment!!!! Thank you for that! And everything else you said. I needed to hear this. You are right … short video vs long video. I think my mind is still stuck on seeing videos of other kitties who walk just fine, days after recovery. I understand not all kitties are the same, but I wonder if not as many share those kitties who might struggle (with walking, that is). Cause I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen any. And I understand that because I don’t see any, it might not mean it doesn’t happen. But it would be a bit more comforting if I saw those videos. 

You are right about me not remembering that this was her behavior prior to her surgery. It’s so funny that you mentioned it.  In fact, a few days ago, I mentioned it to someone that I wish I *really* paid attention to her demeanor prior to surgery to have a good comparision. I know what it was … she slept a lot and cuddled. Perhaps I’m too focused on her walking to remember that. There is a post on this forum that asks people suggestions on how they can prepare for surgery, and this right here is one thing I would suggest … truly be aware how they are prior to surgery and WRITE IT DOWN (for a reminder when your mind is clouded).

There is actually a lot that I don’t film, that I wish I did. Just to show progression and big leaps, for myself. But I also think I’m prone not to do that cause this isn’t an Instagram account that only shows the good things. I like to try to be real, and I think I show that a lot in my text. And I want to show that cause it may help some who are going through having the same worries and thoughts. 

But let me say, I am SO GRATEFUL for you all to help bring me back down to earth. To remind me that I am doing a good job and that I should trust my instincts and that it will take time and to be patient. You are one of Petunia’s biggest cheerleaders and I am so grateful for that!!! Thanks Sally!!!