Ok, someplace in this string I have 2 stories to add. 3 1/2 years ago, my
23+ year old cat died. The next day, we took a friend's son to the humane society to see other cats b/c he didn't have a chance to say goodbye. I was playing with all the ones that looked like my Duke - one was a scrawny, orange tabby, with a slightly mean look, a BB under his skin where someone shot him, & a sad story about his family leaving him behind when they moved. Every time I tried to give him back to the workers or put him back in his kennel, he started howling. He ended up coming home with us.Here, when you adopt an animal, the humane society gives you a box of food to take home, the same stuff they feed them there. This was a Saturday, so he wasn't going to the vet until Monday. By Monday, we were wondering if we were going to be able to keep him. He was very gentle, got along with the dog, even though he had claws (still does), a little skittish, litter box trained. Sounds wonderful, right.....? But......... We figured out he stank. Not his fur - he had a couple of baths - not his teeth, although one was broken. No, he had GAS! And I don't mean polite, quiet, silent but deadly gas either. These were announced to the whole world & stank up the house from one end to the other! & FREQUENT! Well, long story short - the vet suggested we try a premium food, low residue, etc, for sensitive tummies & now, 3 years later, stink-free. At least from the cat! Last year I had major surgery on my gut & now I have only about 10% of the intestine of a normal person. As a result, I have had to change my diet majorly. I found I can still eat anything - almost. Actually, I CAN eat anything, just no one wants to be around when I do. I found out the day my best friend was having surgery that I shouldn't have cashews the day before going out in public. Whereas before surgery they didn't bother me, now, after I eat them, I smell like the cat used to! Of course, I learned this while sitting for hours in a crowded surgery waiting room. Oh well!
==cocoa