The last thing on my list of fun hobbies is feeding 1/4 of this pill, 1/2 of that pill, 1/4 of another and 1/6 of the fourth to a cat twice a day. This just feels like a great way to give blood -- that is, give blood to the carpet and walls.

So, I purchased a mortar and pestle several years ago and finally made use of the skills I learned in Quantitative Analysis Lab, back in '72. Every week or so I measure out the proper ratio of pills and grind them together. Twice a day, Mark gets a measure of the powdered mix with a half-teaspoon or so of Treat-In-A-Tube.

This makes him happy. His brother just gets Treat-In-A-Tube, which makes him happier.

I was worried about adding more pills to the mix and needing to use a larger measuring spoon for the stuff. Mark was a little leary of the new flavor, but he ate it.

A few minutes later, he vomitted quite loudly.

This wasn't good. The vet had warned me that some cats experience negative side effects and I should watch for them.

I didn't expect them that quickly, and vomiting wasn't on the list.

When I tracked down where he'd had his upset, I found a hairball roughly the size of Manhattan.

Since then, he's taken the new med quite happily, and without any upset stomach.

When I relayed the story of his hairball to his vet, she agreed that this was just like a cat. They have a gross sense of humor.