Dear Fisher,

I had a most scary accident last week and my humans are still reeling from the experience. Now every time they look at me it is with worry and I can almost hear the tsk, tsk. I was racing around in the back yard and chasing a leaf because it was so much fun. I jumped up high to finally catch it and it was too close to the pool. I lost my balance and ended up slipping and hitting my head and falling in the pool. I was dazed enough that I couldn’t swim.

My boy saw this happen and laughed and then got scared because I looked like I was going to go down under. I was gasping and trying to get air with no water. It was awful. They were all so scared and now they just seem to be mad at me. How can I help them forget this terrible thing?

Curacao

Dear Curacao,

You have just disproved the great myth that cats always land on their feet! You have also exposed another truth – cats can really be clumsy at times. That is ok, I am just glad you did not drown and really destroy the lives of your people. Consider this a lesson well learned and your people will follow suit. Remember that sometimes your humans just love you so much and an upset like that can make it seem like they are mad at you, but they are not.

The biggest result of this event is most likely fear that you will pull a stunt like this again, and the best thing to do is have a plan of action. Pet first aid classes pops into my mind. Many animal shelters and the Red Cross have classes. Quick action is of utmost importance. Planning for the worst will ease the fear for both you and your people.

OK, you say, so what is the worst that could have happened? You could have gone down for count 1 and taken in a lot of water. By count 2, your breathing has gone awry, and you probably would not have even been aware of count 3. I have just described the 3 stages of drowning. No wonder your people are upset.

I strongly recommend you and your humans take a course in CPR. A good online description can be found at Rescue Critters!® brand pet CPR. Right off the bat, you need to know the first 3 rules — Look, Listen, and Feel for breathing. Rescue Breathing is used if there is a pulse, but no breathing:

• Give 4 to 5 breaths using Mouth-to-Snout method
• Check for pulse
• If there is a pulse, give 1 breath every 2 seconds for a cat

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is used if there is no pulse and no breathing. Please visit the site, or take a class. I cannot take the risk of missing a step. Practice sessions will probably annoy you, but remember it is for your own safety.

In the meantime, I suggest getting another hobby besides leaf chasing. I recommend napping.

Your friend,

Fisher

published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition

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