Friday, December 27, 2013

Vertical Napping

The vertical nap has become part of our evening routine.  When we're lounging, Wylla will come curl up on top of me, and once she starts getting really drowsy, I'll stand her up with her back feet on my stomach,  hold her upright and support her with her arms tucked under her chin.  Her body is completely stretched out so any food that's left in her esophagus can slip straight down into her belly.   She just stands and purrs and eventually she'll fall asleep.   I'll hold her as long as I can, but eventually my arms grow tired, and I have to stop.

She seems to struggle with the last meal of the day more than any other, so nighttime is the best time for a vertical nap.

24 comments:

  1. I love how hard you work to make this little girl comfy. Maybe you can make a "lap stand" for your wrists to rest on (perhaps covered with fleece or fake fur). It would require two people since you couldn't slip it into place AND hold her up simultaneously. Watching this video makes me happy, but it also makes my arms ache!

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    1. Excellent idea! How about making it a stand alone device that would work on the sofa, floor, etc? Oh, wait, it could be made like a knee brace or body cast, so it could surround her body and keep it straight. Some stiff interfacing, plastic boning, fleece, and buttons or snaps (velcro might cling to her fur). START KIDDING: put a loop on the upper back so you can hang her up on a hook or suspend from line! END KIDDING. Seriously, some sort of sandwich board object could straddle your middle, providing support for your hands and her midsection; consider foam core board and duct tape construction (prototype at least).

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  2. Wee Wylla is one smart lil girl. My guys won't stand for being held like that, but she knows it's doing her good.

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  3. Love the purring.. I want someone to make a CD of just purring cats, it'd be the best sleeping aid in the world. :)

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    1. If you go to Cute Overload and look at the posts from Christmas Eve, there is a great "hearth" video of a cat in front of a fire purring. It is over an hour in duration. Awesome!

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    2. Oh, I saw that.. Lil' Bub. :) Wonder how they got him to just sit there for so long... AND how they kept that fire roaring!

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  4. Oh Wee Wylla Bean-Stout, you are one smart cookie, and ever so sweet.

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  5. That is such total sweetness! It's wonderful that Wylla recognizes how much vertical napping helps her feel better. I second the idea of a stand, or some kind of pillow you can rest against to hold her as long as she's comfortable there. She looks so comfy and cozy!

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  6. Here's a weird idea: What about those baby holders that position the baby on the mother or father's chest looking outward? Wylla may be too little for one of those, unless they come in newborn size. I don't have kids myself, so I don't know about these things...

    Adorable video, and I too love how much you're willing to do for this special little girl!

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  7. Laurie- you are the definition of kindness. I am so proud to know you.

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  8. omg such sweetness! her face & that purr melt my heart. <3

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  9. She is a clever girl, and clearly trusts you completely to do this!

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  10. That's probably not the best video to watch when one is trying to wake up. I felt my eyelids drooping with hers. :)

    I've been dealing with acid reflux lately and similarly need to stay upright for a while after eating or I get very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, my cats are not interested in holding ME up. Rather the opposite, of course; they think that's the perfect time to nap on my chest. Still, Wylla sets a good example for me, at least.

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  11. There are patterns out there to make child sized doll carriers for Cabbage Patch Dolls; my DD had one for her babies; very simple to sew. She also used to pop a cat inside and take it out for an airing in the parkette outside our door; Mr Silver was TOO BIG so he had to go in a real baby carrier! Then when Tommie came to me as a foster; Congestive Heart Failure from birth, not expected to live very long, so I'd pop him into a baby carrier with the leg openings sewn up and do the housework; he loved the cuddle time and the warmth. He grew from under 5 lbs to just on 12 lbs over 3 1/2 years, sadly he dropped dead one day, but he'd had a fine life with me. Can't be sad,

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  12. As I looked at this again, I started wondering how long it will be before Wylla just starts walking on her back legs full time like a human...

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  13. That is, by far, the best video ever! She is so precious! And so smart too! You are the best mom, Laurie!

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  14. Listen to that purr! What a sweetie!

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  15. How freakin' adorable. I would've commented earlier, but I fell asleep watching sweet Wylla doze off.

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  16. I am so glad you decided to keep this wee one. I know there are many devoted cat-moms and dads out there but you just go so far to make sure everything is as good as it can be for Wylla. So sweet.

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  17. i love watching her eyes go out of focus and then try to stay awake. she is so very cute. thank you for sharing

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  18. What about something like this - propping her up in a boot??

    http://cuteoverload.com/2013/12/29/yeah-these-arent-quite-ugg-boots/

    <3

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    1. whoops - should have read this post before posting the same thing!

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  19. When I saw this on CO today, I thought about Wylla. If you could only find a fur-lined boot the right size…

    http://cuteoverload.com/2013/12/29/yeah-these-arent-quite-ugg-boots/

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