Hi all!!!  I am a first-time writer to the FML and am thrilled that my friend
(who's is the member by the way) has introduced me to.
     I am the proud "mom" of "Chooch" who is a six-year old silver-siamese
male.  He has been through everything with me, both good and bad, and is
recently recovering from a stroke.
     A few months ago, during the end of the cold weather, he dragged himself
out from underneath the couch and rested his head on my foot (which was
usually his way of saying hello).  When I went to give him "pets", I noticed
that he was very limp and heavy on his right side.  I very carefully lifted
him and noticed that he was paralized on the right.  He looked at me so
trustingly that I nearly lost it.  I immediately called his vet (a wonderful
woman here in New Jersey who has been his pediatrician since he was six weeks
old) and she dropped everything to take him immediately in.
I was in tears,  had "Chooch" all bundled up and was given the news about the
stroke and that if he didn't respond within 24 hours, he would have to be put
down.  I really lost it then.  I left him in her care and went home.
     Well, I am a professional musician and was very hesitant but had to go
to work that evening.  My girlfriend was visiting me when I was getting ready
for work and answered my telephone when the doctor called.  She too, enjoys
Chooch and admitted to me later that she did not quite believe me when I told
her about his diagnosis.  So she asked the doctor questions.  The doctor
called me specifically because I was so concerned and upset about my little
best friend that she was happy to report that he was responding to treatment.
 I felt so much better!  I even brought him home the next day with lots of
medication and nursing for many long months afterwards.
     Well, I am happy to report that he is now walking around the apartment,
and today, my roommate reported to me he even climbed on the bed!  He even
intimidates my Yorkshire Terrier every once and a while again!
 
I really enjoy the FML and will continue to read, learn and enjoy!
 
A note to balloon games:  I have for years, found that those cheap "bouncing"
12 inch balls that you can buy in the dime stores, grocery stores, variety
stores, etc., instead of balloons.  I have had three of my fuzzies (along
with Chooch, G.B. and Elizabeth, who now live with two little human girls who
lost their mom to an accident) go ape-nuts over the ball.  They play with it
for hours and make quite a racket and spectical of themselves.  Try it out,
as  the lap rats cannot "pop" this big ball because it is hard, so you don't
have to worry!
 
Thanks for reading--would enjoy any imput about Chooch and his condition.
 
Franny and "The Chooch"
 
[Posted in FML issue 0872]