Got awakened this morning (after only three hours' sleep, mark you). It was the vet., conceding defeat and asking to talk with me.

About two months ago, the Inappropriate Cat pictured above started having a series of Unfortunate Gastrointestinal Events. Which wouldn't be so bad, apart from his preference for using the litter box only 2% of the time.

Tedious story, in brief:

After three weeks and over $1500 for diet change, anti-diarrheals, steroids, IV fluids, antibiotics, and room and board at the vet's clinic, the vet explained that there was nothing more to be done apart from taking Oscar to an internal medicine specialist to determine if he had Crohn's Disease. At about another $5000 expense - which I can't afford.

Since he's my Mom's cat, a phone call was made.

And a decision was reached.

Contingency plans are in place for the introduction of Replacement Cat (as soon as I finish cleaning the carpets).