Elf

I'm out on bail (have been for a bit over 9 months) and there's a $30,000 lien on property that I jointly own to secure the bond. (I also paid $3,000 to the bondsman). If I commit suicide, does that violate the bond (and thus forfeit the property) or does the lien evaporate?

I applied for an internship a few weeks ago, and was not selected as one of the candidates they were interested in. That's fine.

As part of the application process, I needed to have a professor send a letter of recommendation. I asked Dr. M to send the letter directly to the company, and I didn't get a copy of the letter.

Is it gauche for me to ask for a copy of that letter from the company?

For future reference, how can I ask a professor for a copy of the letter they're sending, without looking like I'm checking their work or preening? (Or, does it even look like that?) Can I just say, "could you send XYZ Company a copy, and send me a copy for my files?"

I feel silly asking - I'm 30 - I should have worked all this out in school the first time through 10 years ago ... but honestly, now I actually CARE!

This afternoon, I put on just enough clothing to be decent to take my cat, KB, out for a walk. (He walks on a leash, and is the only one of our four cats who gets to go outside at all.) The second we got into the sunshine, I felt pretty PLEH, so we went back in right away.

I sat down at my computer and a few minutes later heard him meow. I looked over and saw something I've never EVER seen before....

He was awkwardly crouched, like he was trying to stand but just couldn't quite. His head was bobbling all around like a toy. His eyes were twitching back and forth (nystagmus) rapidly. He kept turning his head around, like he was trying to get the world to hold still.

I've seen animals have seizures, and that was my VERY first thought. I grabbed my camera and videoed about 30 seconds of what was happening, because in my experience seizures only last a couple minutes at MOST. I figured when he'd stopped seizing, I'd calmly take him (and the camera) directly to a vet.

Well, after about 3 minutes, it hadn't stopped, so I grabbed him in a panic, grabbed his leash and my keys, and got in the car straight away.

Would you believe the first TWO veterinary offices I stopped at didn't have doctors there?!?!? WTF!!!! (We've JUST moved to this town about 2 months ago, haven't needed a vet yet)....in the parking lot at the second office, KB tried to walk on his own but simply COULD NOT STAND. He kept falling over. He was upset that I carried him again, because he WANTED to walk. (It had been about 7 minutes of me driving around)

While the receptionist at the second office called other clinics to find someone who could see us right away, KB flopped on the floor and heaved a big sigh and I realized his eyes weren't twitching anymore. (another 3-5 minutes?). The receptionist confirmed I'd be right along to some *other* vet, gave me directions, and off we went.

The third vet was super-nice. On the way to the third vet I realized I didn't have my phone to tell my husband what was going on or give the third vet info over the phone so we could check in faster. But KB was pretty normal when we got there. He stood on the counter and looked around, not bobbling his head at all.

That was about the time I realized I didn't have my purse (or any money!) with me. I apologized as they showed me into a room. They said no problem, because they'd noticed I wasn't wearing shoes, either. (uh... wow, I hadn't noticed, actually.)

Anyway, I explained what happened, and said maybe he had some ear problem? (He had a gross polyp removed from his left ear when I found him about 18 months ago). They confirmed there's a little bit of an infection but nothing that would cause a seizure, in the vet's opinion. She confirmed the usual stuff: He'd eaten today, he hadn't eaten anything bad for him or got into any chemicals, his three kitty-siblings are all fine and well.... it was SO weird!

She said it could be a seizure, let them know if it happens again... but it was so strange that he'd be reactive. Could it be a seizure in just some smaller part of his brain? His pupils changed size between inside and outside (like they should have).... he was sniffing for treats and nuzzling me and purring a little, even though his eyes wouldn't hold still and his head was still bobbling around.

The "seizure" lasted, in total, about 12-15 minutes.... which is WAY longer than I've ever thought they could last.

This freaked me out beyond all compare. This is MY kitty! he's like, the best cat EVAR!! (I know, everyone will beg to differ... but he's the kitty I always wished for when I was little... a kitty who could go everywhere with me like a kitty dog.)

Thankfully the vet's office was REALLY nice about my lack of money, they sent me home with a receipt and my promise to come back and pay them (plus, they have my address)... they kind of chuckled about my being barely dressed and having no shoes on.

Ahhh! someone calm me down pleaseeeeee! KB is now curled up sleeping like nothing ever happened... and finally the headache I'd had all day started to let up. (I kind of wonder, since he and I are so close, if he was giving me his headache?)

I know the vet is my best resource for medical wellness of my cat, but ... can I hear from anyone else who has had kitties with seizures? Can you tell me good things, like, "yes, and he lived 10 more years!" .... I'm just still freaked out a bit.