Tag Archives: Cats

Brooklyn Fit Chick Blog “The Problem with T”

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Blog

The Problem with T (& My Need for Self-Care)

Plus: Next “Book Vs Movie” Podcast “High Fidelity”

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Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

How are you all doing? Normally I reply back “Great!” and keep the conversation but I am going to be honest with all of you. I have had serious health & behavioral issues with my cat that has caused a tremendous amount of anxiety in my life. I know how silly that sounds. “Oh, you have a sick cat? Who cares? Get over it and show her who is boss!”

But it is not that easy. My home life has been taken over by an animal that I completely adore but I am not sure I can take care of much longer.

Tennessee (T) came into my life a little over 3 years ago. She was a lost kitten found by the side of the road by a friend and I fell in love with her after seeing her in just one photo. (Yes, that adorable one above.)

She is a handful as cats go—very excitable, energetic, pushy and domineering. It’s what people either love or hate about her.

I love that she is a brat and doesn’t apologize for it. The apartment was ten times more fun the instant she showed up (though I am sure my other cat differs on this!)

A few weeks ago T had a traumatic experience in my apartment. I had left a pile of recyclables pile up in my hallway and she was playing around in them. I barely noticed when she climbed into a paper bag that was much too small for her. All of a sudden I heard a banging sound as she raced down the hallways and started shrieking for hours. T burst out of the bag thinking she was being smothered and I could not get her to calm down for the life of me.

Days later she seemed okay when all of a sudden she took to sudden bursts of anger aimed towards me. She would stalk me and hiss and snarl loudly at me—her eyes would go black. This would continue for hours with threats to swipe at my feet and attack my legs.

There is no pattern to these outbursts. She will be sweet & snugly one minute and then she her mean temper would return. She has cornered me in my office several times and will stalk back and forth between the kitchen and living room for hours.

After several days of this I finally had the Vet look her over and it was decided she will take Prozac and Xanax to help with her anxiety and trust issues. It’s only been a week but I am starting to get her medicine schedule together into a routine she seems to enjoy. I really hope this works out.

Living with her is like living with an alcoholic. I never know what I am going to expect hour to hour and can never really feel safe or happy when I am home. My whole life I have sought to have my own space where I feel safe and accepted. This problem with T has made me ignore my workouts schedule, cancel plans with friends and in general, interfered with my sanity.

My plan is to take care of T the best I can and hopefully the Prozac will help her moodiness and anxiety. If it doesn’t—it means I am going to have to re-home her. Let me say this again—I love this cat to pieces. However, I need to practice serious “self-care” as I take on her health and mind issues. My “go to” is to take on someone else’s problems and internalize them to the point it makes me ill. This is no ways to live a full life.

I will let you all know how it goes. (Think all of your good thoughts for my T and Sweet Sarah who puts up with way too much in this apartment!)

T this past holiday

T this past holiday

Thank you for letting me vent! I just have one news item left today (below). The Vlog will return next week come hell or high water!

  • Book Vs Movie Podcast: We have started a new platform for the Margo & Margo podcast “Book Vs Movie” podcast and you can subscribe at this iTunes link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bookvsmovies-podcast/id954110320?mt=2. Our next episode will be High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (and the John Cusack film)—whoo hoo! We are also on Sticher radio (for all of your Android peeps) and the web site will be ready soon—promise!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog EP 45: Lights vs. No Lights, “Joe vs. The Volcano” and @NOWFoods Giveaway (Bonus Cat Video)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Episode 45

Featuring: “Lights Versus No Lights” in the Cycling Room, “Joe Versus the Volcano” and My NOW Foods Giveaway

Plus: Bonus Kitty Video (Tuxedo Cat Enchanted by iPad App)

 

You can win the orange backpack filled with NOW goodies. The kitty stays here with me.

You can win the orange backpack filled with NOW goodies. The kitty stays here with me.

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

This has been an emotional week for me with friends moving to hither and yond but I know that this is a part of life and that (thank goodness!) we live in the 21st Century so goodbyes never have to be final.

I also had a very interesting discussion with a friend of mine who is a fellow instructor and tough as nails as the saying goes. She is one of those “bright lights” people and I would rather live by candlelight if I could (far more forgiving to my Dark Irish looks!)

On top of all that—I have a big orange backpack filled with stuff from the goof folks at NOW Foods who have lots of freebie samples on their Facebook page.

So let’s just dive into today’s post, shall we?

First—I am sad to say the best neighbors in the world (they have lived upstairs from me for five years) have moved to a place called Raleigh, North Carolina and while I am sure it is a nice place—I will miss them terribly and selfishly hope they make it back to Brooklyn one day!

 

Second—I had lunch with a friend of mine (who is also an instructor) this week and she insists that she teach her indoor cycling classes with the lights on (they are fluorescent lights) so she can see everyone and all of her students can see her. I state that I can see fine if there is an ambient light source (which there is) and that it is more pleasing for the students who often ask for the lights to be turned off during the ride.

 

My whole life I have had a particular hatred for fluorescent lights and think I can sum up “why” perfectly by showing this scene from one of my favorite movies of all time—Joe Versus the Volcano. (If you are really impatient-just move it to the 3:53 mark and you will see what I am talking about.)

 

So where on you on this debate? Do you prefer lights off or on during your indoor cycling class? I want to hear from you!

Third—this week’s giveaway! It comes from the good folks at NOW Foods and it is a groovy backpack filled with tons of goodies. (Check out this week’s video post below to see what you can possibly win.)

I am not being paid to sponsor this giveaway. (Please consult your physician about what vitamins and supplements will work best for your lifestyle.)

 

Here is this week’s Vlog post:

 

Go that? So all you need to do (Continental U.S. residents only please!) is:

  • Post a comment below.
  • Tweet out your interest to me @BrooklynFitChik and NOW Foods @NOWFoods

I will randomly pick a winner next Monday, August 5th by Noon eastern time. Good luck! Enter as often as you like! 

Now for those of you who want to watch a Tuxedo kitty become fascinated by an iPad app that imitates the sound of cats—here you go! (Goodbye E—you were a great neighbor! We will all miss you!)

 

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

Friend me on Facebook: “Brooklyn FitChick

Instagram: “brooklynfitchick”

You Tube: BrooklynFitChick1