Karrin Murphy

I decided to change my new account username because... nyah that's why. Personal babble will be at @ObvObstreperous. Here there be Murphy.

I found my short hair again, I guess. #ghost

@seananmcguire Does she have a history of gout? It's usually the big toe but the little toe can get it too. Urgent care is $250 out of pocket for visit and xray if it gets really bad. I just got to learn that when I broke my foot. There's not much other than ice for just the break part.

My mother's pinky toe is inflamed/possibly broken, and the pain is incapacitating. Does anyone have a suggestion? I'm afraid she's going to take the bolt cutters to her foot.

@BnJ_BB_H @missmayn @clhubes I had that same reaction when I saw HA2 for the first time in over a decade as an adult. "WTF he's lucky he didn't kill them."

@seananmcguire I did the same exact thing because I misremembered flour instead of salt. I now keep a large thing of salt by the stove and the gunpowder in the pantry.

My mother started a massive kitchen fire and put it out by throwing flour on it. How am I alive?

@seananmcguire She's so BIG. I swear she was just a smol kitten last time I saw her.

Meg owns the bed.

@seananmcguire This really spoke to me, still feeling guilty years after I had to choose for my Aussie.

My mother held Hercules today until his heart stopped, and he didn't stop purring until it did, because he was so happy to be with his Person. He knew she would choose what was best for him...and she did.

My feed has been pretty traumatic this morning, but I want to take a moment to talk about the deal we make with our animal companions.

@rozlovesfood @seananmcguire I love that "and inside" is such a visceral frustration that pretty much all of us here share. Sure it's hot outside in most places, but the inability to escape it INSIDE ...gah.

Kelpie is crawling all over me. It's ninety degrees, in Seattle, and she's super snuggly. Send help.

@seananmcguire "Just a cat" is a good way to find out how much you like your teeth.

3. If you utter the words "just a cat," you deserve the wasps.

I know several people who have just lost beloved cats who are heading to conventions either this weekend or the next. A few tips for not being force-fed wasps through a funnel.

@seananmcguire My 18yo is struggling with his eyes and teeth and I'm so scared. They go in a minute. Alice, and you deserved more time. I'm so sorry.

"Why am I de-compensating so hard?" she asks. "There's no reason for it." Six years ago today, Alice started chemo, and for a few hours, I believed I was going to get a miracle. There's a reason I'm so sad.

@seananmcguire Do you prefer only pretend dramas, or do you like real ones? If you like real Emergency: NYC and Nightwatch have me in a hold.

Having a very "why bother" evening. I've cracked into one of my emergency medical dramas.

@seananmcguire Mine have all gone through that ... And I am weak.

Kelpie has reached the age where kittens develop a third brain cell. Sadly, said brain cell is 100% dedicated to Being On Desk. She wants Desk SO BADLY.

@seananmcguire That's precious! I'm glad to hear she's feeling good even if she's needing treatment. Your superpower rocks for helping you catch the issue right away.

(My vet calls her "Ears," and when I said she'd grow into them, replied with, "Do you honestly think she's going to be six feet tall?")

Update: No word yet from my vet on how Kelpie has responded to overnight antibiotics. My bizarre gangrene detecting skills mean we got her into treatment as soon as was really possible: I'm hoping for an update today.

@seananmcguire Somewhere I have a video of Folly trying to be cool while completely out of it. It was hilarious.

Elsie is thrilled to have her baby back. Kelpie is trying to wash the vet off of herself, and not falling off the table.

Kelpie is home. Kelpie is PROFOUNDLY stoned.

@michaeldthomas @lynnemthomas I'm so mad they didn't get that in place sooner.

@beardedcosplayr He was a very big boy. Has been ahead of the curve since he was a kitten. Could usually hear him coming from across the house.

Kincaid, my 30lb Maine Coon named for exactly who you assume, crossed the Rainbow Bridge at about 7am very suddenly after collapsing. He was in my arms and we did everything we could; CPR failed despite my best efforts. He was tremendously loved and I'm devastated.

@Phylok I agree. I would rather have broken my femur than experience this morning.

@Phylok I've taken hits to the throat that hurt less.

@Mikeazariah They are. He was such a joy. An hour before it happened he was stealing my heating pad and insulted that I might want to share some of it too given that it was on for my cramps and even some of the pillow like some sort of asshole.

@_tinyfierce I am very sorry for your loss. MCs are a very special breed.

@seananmcguire This brought actual tears to my eyes. Kelpie was meant to be, may you have many wonderful years together.

This is Kelpie. She is twelve weeks old, and mostly ear.

Tomorrow is February 13th. Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of Alice's death. I have spent the last five years feeling like I failed her, even though we did everything we could, and we didn't stop fighting until she told me she was done; she could no longer be a cat.