It isn't happening. OMG! Your good thoughts must've worked! I waited to see what was going to happen because I could get him to drink water and eat a bit if I held it up to his mouth. He finally went to the bathroom and he seemed happier. In the morning though, he quit purring, and quit moving. I really really really didn't want to traumatize him in the car (thinking at home peacefully slumbering (but never moving again)--or--tolerate dogs barking at him and he can't even see where he is), but finally came to terms with his rage towards me about the car ride and being able to say yes/no if the vet said he needed to be put down. He has low potassium, hence the head bobbing and weak legs. He has one working kidney, hence the weight loss. However, it's in decent shape and they're giving him an infusion right now. Even the vet was sure he needed to be put down when she saw him initially. Now she thinks he can live for quite awhile longer. I'm so tired, exhausted, extinguised, thrilled, and worn out. I've been the depths of he-l (yet again, you doggone cat! Just like 5 years ago) and to the rooftop of heaven, all in one day. This cat must have 18 lives.

Thanks, everybody! Sorry to put this in the wrong forum, I just couldn't figure out where to put it, and I thought some other people with inviting gardens may have also had trouble keeping people out of them. The garden that came with the house is really striking, and people who drive past often slow down to look at it or ask me about it. There's 70-something raised beds that are covered in patterns of tiles. It's a VERY conspicuous house. So I'm actually a little surprised that tweakers are targeting it, instead of somewhere less conspicuous. So, I just bought a gigantic "NO TRESPASSING - violators will be prosecuted" sign today. It's ugly, but I guess I need it. And a solar-powered motion light, which I'll install tomorrow. I also found a crack pipe in my backyard today. :( It was hidden underneath a pile of weeds I'd pulled a few days ago and left on one of my garden paths, so someone has definitely been in my yard in the last few days. RE: tweakers (yeah, I mean meth)...There's a big meth problem in this town, and there isn't a single neighborhood that's immune to it. When I bought the house there was no evidence of parties inside, though - in fact it was completely pristine inside every time I looked at it. And I never saw any trash around the house before I bought it, but now the sidewalk on one side has become a dump yard and shopping cart parking lot. :( RE: getting to know the neighbors...I'm on a corner, and my next door neighbors are a little sketchy, unfortunately. Very unapproachable. Come to think of it, so are the elderly couple across the street, and most of the neighbors in general. At least one person has been looking after my house while I'm at work, though, because someone yelled at my brother-in-law when he dropped off a compost bin in my yard, demanding to know what he was doing there. RE: surveillance cameras. I've thought about getting one but wouldn't know how to hard-wire it. Is this something the police might help with??? I'm not sure I'd want anyone to KNOW I had a surveillance camera, though, because I'm afraid my sketchy next door neighbors are either selling drugs or growing marijuana and I don't want them to think I'm trying to get them busted. Because if they were busted, they'd just end up right back in the house, with a grudge (the family has owned that house since the '50s, so they're not going anywhere). I don't want to start any sort of war with the neighbors. Does anyone know if you legally have to post a sign when you have a surveillance camera? Thanks!

Marie, thanks SO MUCH for that bit of info! I'll sleep much better now thinking about being invaded by them! Rhizo, thanks so much for all your support during my critter crisis! And just FYI, we are know as "Big Sky Country" around here, not Moose Plop, but they probably don't mention that in the "Redneck Press" now do they. "G"

If you think this is getting me "worked up" and all that, you're wrong. I pop on this site a couple times a day to break up my work day, it's not an important part of my life. But when I see one of your typical "anti-men" rants, I feel obliged to reply, as one of the few male regulars around here. Besides, how can I "hate" you when I don't know you? You're probably a very nice person, with a very different opinion on one subject than I have....not a big deal really. I don't hate the friends I have that have completely different political views than I have.... And I would hardly call my posts "inflammatory" or "attacks" on you. I am simply stating my strong opposition to the position you take in the majority of your posts. Please show me where I treated you with "hostility & venom toward me personally"....to my knowledge I haven't. I just think some of your advice and positions are way over the top....that's all. I've always welcomed further discussion when I reply to your postings, that's pretty much why all of us are here, right? To see what people have been thru, see how we can relate, and sometimes offer opinions that we think might be useful to others in some way. And I think I've generally kept the discussions on-topic and civil....but if I see someone offer an opinion on something that I consider to be either wrong, unfair, dangerous, etc....I am gonna say something. I have chimed in on many posts here, stating my opposition to what someone is doing, or thinking of doing, like living together when there are young kids in the picture, or a step-parent assuming a disciplinary role with a child, etc. Again, don't take it personally...my replies are more targeted at other people, not you...you have your opinions on men and nothing I will ever say will change that. I just feel like I need to represent "the other side" after I see some of your posts.... Have a great day, and I mean it! I have nothing personally against you. Just disagree with your opinions, that's all..... :)