My Cat has Emphysema

Moses Saga Part 17 I took Moses back to the vet today to get a shot because of his runny nose and weight loss. He wasn't breathing well to be frank. He was immobile and  plain mean when you moved him. I know he's just old and crotchity and smokes too much. The vet told me he needs to stop or a tumor will continue to develop in his nasal cavities. He also smokes in the house! I think. He's been sneezing and coughing for a couple months. As for the cigarettes, I know when I'm not looking he must always have one lingering in his mouth, with a plume of smoke engulfing his tabby, hairy face. It's a mockery of the rules in the house! The vet told him enough was enough—also, for him to stop drinking so much. We checked to see if he had diabetes. He's always drinking and smoking, and I'm certain of this.


As the appointment dragged on, we all sat down to talk to Moses about this but he just looked off in space like he had no interest. I could tell in his yellow eyes he was thinking about a cigarette. I've tried to get him to stop before, but he sneaks off when I'm busy doing something in the house. I don't know where he goes, but I know he is smoking. I'm not sure where he gets these packs of cigarettes. There must be a rogue animal supplying him. So at the vet, we discussed our options: to put him to sleep or get him to stop smoking.


Moses continued to look off into space, no matter how hard I pleaded with him to look at me and take me seriously. He nuzzled my hand, but I took it away. I thought psychologically it would be best for him if I didn't enable any kind of affection. What he is doing is wrong. He's breaking my heart and he needs to stop. I remember the days of long ago when I had to watch his every move (because we lived in a small apartment in Boston). He would sit on the stairwell playing with the pigeons, making friends, and staying sober. I began to tear up with these memories until finally I got him to pay attention when I gave him a heartfelt hug. He meowed when I squeezed him tight, and I know that was a sure sign that he would stop smoking. He's on a patch now and on the road to recovery.