Sometime in August, the very fuzzy gray and black Maine Coon named Electra lost a perilous amount of weight and nearly died. Her ailment manifested quite suddenly and without warning. One day she was fine, the next she could barely stand. The evil culprit: Hyperthyroidism.

Fortunately the condition–which is quite common among her breed, unfortunately–often responds to treatment. Two Tapazole pills a day, keeps the hyperthyroidism in check. Which really means smelly blobs of Whiskas cat food wrapped around pill bits; otherwise Electra refuses the medication. And since the Cat Army won’t stand for one member of the ranks receiving special treatment, they all get a bit of Whiskas. Clever Cat Army.

Saturday she visited the vet and according to their records, she’s fifty percent heavier than in August. Thank you, Whiskas blobs. And Tapezole.

I also feel fifty percent heavier since August, but I’m not nearly as cute.