Thank you for taking care of Bauble & Trinket while we are away!
We hope the following information makes your stay easier but also reach out anytime with any questions.
Please make yourself at home and enjoy your stay!
We hope the following information makes your stay easier but also reach out anytime with any questions.
Please make yourself at home and enjoy your stay!
Trip Information
We're leaving Tuesday, March 10 around 6am. We can take care of the morning routine (brushing, inhaler & feeding) before heading out so you can come anytime that suits your schedule for their 3rd feeding.
We'll be in Las Vegas for a boardgame convention until Monday, March 16 when we'll start the drive home.
We expect to be back in Toronto sometime on Monday, March 23 but won't have a good time estimate until we're back on this side of the border that day. Hopefully, you can complete the morning routine then we can handle the afternoon feeding and puffer when we get home if you want to head out before then.
To leave before we get home, leave the keys on a hook near the front door and message us so we can lock the door remotely (you'll need to pull and hold the door closed so it locks).
We'll be in Las Vegas for a boardgame convention until Monday, March 16 when we'll start the drive home.
We expect to be back in Toronto sometime on Monday, March 23 but won't have a good time estimate until we're back on this side of the border that day. Hopefully, you can complete the morning routine then we can handle the afternoon feeding and puffer when we get home if you want to head out before then.
To leave before we get home, leave the keys on a hook near the front door and message us so we can lock the door remotely (you'll need to pull and hold the door closed so it locks).
Any questions or issues, text me: 647.293.6564 (Sara VanderWal)
- If no response, you can try Duncan: 416.919.1517
- If there's an emergency and you need help, Melanie: 416-616-7530 (she has keys and know the cats)
Jump to info on:
Differences
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Routine
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Feeding
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Brushing & Inhaler
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Teeth
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Treats
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Play
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Cleaning
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Apartment
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Area
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Emergency
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Access
The larger key is for the front and side doors of the building. The smaller key is for our apartment door.
Both doors can be unlocked remotely if you buzz us from the front door (Sara: 4338 or Duncan: 4231).
Both doors can be unlocked remotely if you buzz us from the front door (Sara: 4338 or Duncan: 4231).
Can you Spot the Differences?
Bauble and Trinket look very similar but there are a number of ways you can tell them apart.
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Routine & Timing
The following is our entire routine with times for reference. The order and times can be adjusted to your convenience, as long as the feedings are at least an hour apart. The items in bold are required.
Our Time |
Acceptable Time |
Activity |
6:00am |
Whenever you wake up |
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7:30am |
Anytime, once a day |
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8:00am |
At least 1 hour after 1st feeding |
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4:30pm |
Anytime, depending on when home |
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6:30pm |
10-14 hours after morning inhaler |
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9:30pm |
At least 1 hour after 3rd feeding |
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Feeding
They eat 4 times per a day: twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon/evening. The times can be flexible as long as feedings are at least an hour apart. This information is printed and taped inside the cupboard for easy reference when you're here.
Components & Set up on the Counter
Process & Set up on the Floor
Water
We rinse the water dish and refill with fresh tap water once a day, or at least every other day. Since their diet is almost entirely wet food, they rarely drink water but we keep it available anyway.
Brushing & Inhaler
To reduce their shedding and help with allergens, we brush both cats daily first thing in the morning. Brushing is optional and dependent on them being willing to come and stay on the towel. Bauble is usually first because she'll often come and jump on the towel while you're laying it out (sometimes this makes laying the towel out a challenge).
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Bauble’s inhaler is required 1-2 times per day. If she does not come to the island, she can be given the inhaler when she's settled somewhere (e.g., hammock or bed).
Set up: the towel and brushes are in the top drawer of the pantry beside the fridge. Spread the towel out over the edge of the island with the brushes on or near it.
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Brush Bauble
- Bauble will often come and jump up on her own, so we usually brush her first. If not, try calling her while tapping the towel with an open hand. If she is sitting on the windowsill, table, or somewhere nearby, you can pick her up and bring her to the towel
- Use the brush (collar to tail, not belly). She often moves around alot, including scratching and digging at the towel, so just brush whatever fur is accessible
- Use the glove to remove the loose hairs from the same area
- Run your hands over her coat a few times to collect any extra fur and pile it on the brush
Bauble's Inhaler
- In the pantry, remove one treat from the container with the red lid and place it on the shelf
- Remove the cap from the inhaler and leave it on the shelf
- Insert the inhaler into the spacer so the regulator is on the top
- Shake it well (7-10 times)
- Stand with your left side against the island while holding the inhaler with your right hand
- Bauble will usually sit or lay facing the living room and rub her face against the sides of the inhaler. Use your left hand/arm to guide her to the inhaler and hold the back of her head while placing the mask over her muzzle. Be sure you can see the green regulator.
- Press the button on the top of the inhaler firmly to release the medication into the spacer
- The green regulator flap will be upright if Bauble isn’t breathing and will open during each breath. Keep a light grip on the back of her head until she takes 7 full breaths. We tend to count out loud.
- Give her the treat from the pantry shelf
- Remove the inhaler from the spacer, replace the cap and place both back on the shelf
Brush Trinket
Trinket is more sensitive to brushing and may swipe at the hand/brush. Stopping early is normal.
- If needed, call Trinket while tapping the towel with an open hand
- Brush her from collar to tail (not belly)
- Use the glove to remove loose hairs from the same area
- Run your hands over her coat a few times to collect any extra fur and pile it on the brush
- Give her one treat from the round container with the white lid. These are medicated treats (Flexadin)
Trinket is more sensitive to brushing and may swipe at the hand/brush. Stopping early is normal.
Clean up
- Remove as much of the fur from the brushes as possible and throw it in the trash under the sink
- Fold the towel, put the brushes on top and return to the top drawer of the pantry
PM: Inhaler Only
Items: the inhaler, spacer and treats are on the bottom shelf of the pantry beside the fridge. The towel that Bauble's allowed to play with is in the top drawer of this pantry, if you find it helpful for attracting her.
Bauble's Inhaler
- In the pantry, remove one treat from the container with the red lid and place it on the shelf
- Optionally, spread the towel out over the island to attract Bauble. Sometimes she'll come running when she hears you open the pantry. Sometimes you have to spread the towel out over the island and tap it while calling her and she'll jump up. Sometimes she doesn't and we administer the inhaler wherever she is (on the moose, on the bed, in the hammock, etc).
- Remove the cap from the inhaler and leave it on the shelf
- Insert the inhaler into the spacer so the regulator is on the top
- Shake it well (7-10 times)
- Stand with your left side against the island while holding the inhaler with your right hand
- Bauble will usually sit or lay facing the living room and rub her face against the sides of the inhaler. Use your left hand/arm to guide her to the inhaler and hold the back of her head while placing the mask over her muzzle. Be sure you can see the green regulator.
- Press the button on the top of the inhaler firmly to release the medication into the spacer
- The green regulator flap will be upright if Bauble isn’t breathing and will open during each breath. Keep a light grip on the back of her head until she takes 7 full breaths. We tend to count out loud.
- Give her the treat from the pantry shelf
- Remove the inhaler from the spacer, replace the cap and place both back on the shelf
Teeth
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Both cats have had problems with their teeth. Bauble's have been removed so she can only eat wet food and soft treats.
Trinket has had her teeth cleaned and, to avoid future problems, we give her dental dry food at every feeding, a food additive at every second feeding and brush her teeth daily. The dry food is needed to keep her calories at the proper level, but it's okay if the additive and brushing are skipped. |
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Trinket will usually come sit on the moose in the evening when she wants her teeth brushed. The toothbrush and toothpaste are in the pantry. Put a little toothpaste on the small end of the toothbrush, and try to brush her back teeth, top & bottom, on both sides. The main challenges are positioning yourself to get a good angle and trying to reach all her teeth before she licks away the toothpaste. Good luck!
Treats
Temptations are soft enough for both cats and are in the container with the red lid.
Play
Bauble loves daily (sometimes even hourly) play and will chase toys around herself, sit at the hall closet if she wants interactive play or the front door if she wants to run in the hall. Trinket will occasionally bat toys around or wrestle with her sister but doesn't need play in the same way.
They are allowed to play on the cat condo, couch, ikea rocking chair and bed. Please do not let them play or scratch on the leather chair or moose.
Their rod toys are hanging on the inside of the closet door between the bathroom and the bedroom.
Independent toys (including things like take-out forks) are in the bottom hammock of the beige cat condo. Bauble will go here and pull toys out when she wants them so you can return them here if they are in your way on the floor.
On the white shelves in the bedroom, there are a couple stationary toys and cardboard boxes for digging out treats that can be given to them if they are in a playful mood when you're not available (e.g. on a video call).
Trinket also enjoys scratching at the baseboard under the kitchen sink until it falls off and she can crawl under the cabinets, so don’t worry if that baseboard is removed. You can reattach it by snapping it onto the vertical posts.
Both cats also like going into the hallway to investigate smells, flirt with Winston the dog in Unit 201, run on the carpet, and explore the elevator cab while you hold that door open. You can prop the apartment door open by tucking a running shoe under the door. If anyone approaches or a door opens, they have always run back to the apartment but they still need to be watched while in the hall to ensure they don't pick up any garbage from the carpet.
They are not allowed to scratch at the leather chair or game/yoga mats if they're out. If they do, move Trinket to one of the scratching posts. We also prefer she doesn't scratch the couch or moose but have failed at getting her to stop so please stop/move her if you have the energy, but it's a never-ending battle.
They are allowed to play on the cat condo, couch, ikea rocking chair and bed. Please do not let them play or scratch on the leather chair or moose.
Their rod toys are hanging on the inside of the closet door between the bathroom and the bedroom.
Independent toys (including things like take-out forks) are in the bottom hammock of the beige cat condo. Bauble will go here and pull toys out when she wants them so you can return them here if they are in your way on the floor.
On the white shelves in the bedroom, there are a couple stationary toys and cardboard boxes for digging out treats that can be given to them if they are in a playful mood when you're not available (e.g. on a video call).
Trinket also enjoys scratching at the baseboard under the kitchen sink until it falls off and she can crawl under the cabinets, so don’t worry if that baseboard is removed. You can reattach it by snapping it onto the vertical posts.
Both cats also like going into the hallway to investigate smells, flirt with Winston the dog in Unit 201, run on the carpet, and explore the elevator cab while you hold that door open. You can prop the apartment door open by tucking a running shoe under the door. If anyone approaches or a door opens, they have always run back to the apartment but they still need to be watched while in the hall to ensure they don't pick up any garbage from the carpet.
They are not allowed to scratch at the leather chair or game/yoga mats if they're out. If they do, move Trinket to one of the scratching posts. We also prefer she doesn't scratch the couch or moose but have failed at getting her to stop so please stop/move her if you have the energy, but it's a never-ending battle.
Cleaning
We scoop their litter boxes and sweep the bathroom once a day. There are poop bags in the top right drawer under the bathroom sink. Once scooped, take the bag out to the green bin in the garbage area behind the building. The side door is closest, the large building key works on this door, and the code for the gate to access the back area is 1907A.
Top up the litter every few days to keep about 2 inches in each box. Extra litter is in the laundry closet.
Just in case it happens so you know it's not abnormal, Trinket doesn't always bury her poop and, because the bins aren't covered, they occassionally miss the bin and get pee or poop on the floor.
Cleaning: There are no cleaning expectations, but if you're looking for things:
Top up the litter every few days to keep about 2 inches in each box. Extra litter is in the laundry closet.
Just in case it happens so you know it's not abnormal, Trinket doesn't always bury her poop and, because the bins aren't covered, they occassionally miss the bin and get pee or poop on the floor.
Cleaning: There are no cleaning expectations, but if you're looking for things:
- Broom and dustpan are in the closet between the bathroom and the bedroom
- All-purpose cleaner is in the bathroom cabinet; rags are in the top right drawer of the same cabinet
- Handheld vacuum, and its attachments and charger, are above the fridge
General Apartment Info
Keys:
Wifi: Tower or Tower-5G and the password is ertyuiop[]\
The modem and router are behind the shelves, under the TV. The light switch on the wall near the front door controls the outlet that the modem is plugged into, so try not to hit it by accident.
Lights: The ceiling lights in the front hall, bedroom and dining space are smart bulbs. They have two default settings (one dim and one bright) that can be cycled by turning the switch off and on again. If the switches are on, you can also adjust these lights through the Google Home. For example:
Thermostat: located near the work desk. It's a "smart" thermostat that trys to program itself but generally:
Windows: Feel free to open the windows if you want fresh air. The small windows beside the dining table and the balcony door should stay closed since the screens are loose. When the windows are open, please turn off the air purifiers since they won't be effective: one each in the living room and bedroom.
Balcony: You can lower the cover over the air conditioner and/or bring the Poang rocking chair onto the balcony if you want to spend some time out there. The cats will want to come out with you but they must be harnessed and leashed to be outside (though they hate their harnesses and we only have 1 right now).
Plant: We have one plant in the living room. You can give it some water if you notice the leaves drooping but it's pretty resilient. You may even catch the cats munching on it - it's safe (they also love spinach).
Google Home: Located near the TV, she can provide some entertainment by asking for a radio station ("hey Google, play 102.1 The Edge") or specific music ("hey Google, play a Pearl Jam station") or answer simple questions ("hey google, what time does the Eaton Center open" or "hey google, is it safe for cats to eat popcorn") but we don't pay for any subscriptions so usefulness definitely varies.
Kitchen: Help yourself to anything you can find.
Dishwasher: The wheels on the lower rack are broken, so it doesn't glide. Soap pods are under the sink, and are placed in the "Main Wash" compartment. Press the "Start/Resume" button on the top edge of the door, which should default to a Normal cycle with no options. Press "Start/Resume" again to initialize the cycle, then close the door firmly. You'll hear a click and whir right away, and it runs for about 3 hours.
Things we don't put in the dishwasher:
Laundry: Please ensure the washer is not filled more than halfway to keep it from leaking. The dryer vents into the bathroom (not outdoors) so be sure to run the bathroom fan anytime the dryer is on. Between loads, empty the filter in the dryer and vacuum the filter that's on the back wall.
Linens: We will put clean sheets on the bed before we leave. Hand towels, bath towels and wash cloths are in the tall white cabinet in the bathroom. Dish rags and towels are in the top drawer beside the sink in the kitchen. Anything in the cupboards is clean. Anything hanging has been used.
Garbage, compost and recycling bins are behind gates at the back of the building. The code for the gate to this area is 1907A. Be cautious if going out in the dark as there raccoons in the area. The bins are brought to the road for collection on Monday night and returned Tuesday morning by another resident.
TV: We don't have streaming services but there is a ChromeCast so you can cast to the TV from a laptop or phone if connected to wifi, or we have plenty of DVDs below the TV, on the shelves near the games, and on the bookshelf in the bedroom (please try to return them to the same shelf). If the ChromeCast isn't working, you can power cycle it by unplugging it (left side of tv), wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
Furniture: Feel free to move the furniture around however you want. For example, for the most floor space, the couch can be turned on end and slid into the bedroom (bonus: the cats love climbing on an upright couch!). For more table space, the grey console table can be expanded with the leaves in the bedroom closet (there are folding chairs in there too).
Games: Our game collection is tracked on BoardGameGeek (BGG) if you want to browse or look up specifics about any of our games. Our main dining table has a game/puzzle level underneath if you remove the tops but they're heavy so please only do this with 2 people.
- Large is for the front and side doors of the building
- Standard is for our apartment door
- Small is for the mailbox in the lobby which we check about monthly
Wifi: Tower or Tower-5G and the password is ertyuiop[]\
The modem and router are behind the shelves, under the TV. The light switch on the wall near the front door controls the outlet that the modem is plugged into, so try not to hit it by accident.
Lights: The ceiling lights in the front hall, bedroom and dining space are smart bulbs. They have two default settings (one dim and one bright) that can be cycled by turning the switch off and on again. If the switches are on, you can also adjust these lights through the Google Home. For example:
- "hey google, turn off entry lights"
- "hey google, change bedroom lights to red"
- "hey google, change living room lights to cool white" (daylight=white, cool=blue, warm=yellow)
- "hey google, set all lights to 60%"
Thermostat: located near the work desk. It's a "smart" thermostat that trys to program itself but generally:
- Winter: heats to 23 during the day and 18 overnight
- Summer: cools to 25 (make sure the wooden cover is lifted off the air conditioner on the balcony)
Windows: Feel free to open the windows if you want fresh air. The small windows beside the dining table and the balcony door should stay closed since the screens are loose. When the windows are open, please turn off the air purifiers since they won't be effective: one each in the living room and bedroom.
Balcony: You can lower the cover over the air conditioner and/or bring the Poang rocking chair onto the balcony if you want to spend some time out there. The cats will want to come out with you but they must be harnessed and leashed to be outside (though they hate their harnesses and we only have 1 right now).
Plant: We have one plant in the living room. You can give it some water if you notice the leaves drooping but it's pretty resilient. You may even catch the cats munching on it - it's safe (they also love spinach).
Google Home: Located near the TV, she can provide some entertainment by asking for a radio station ("hey Google, play 102.1 The Edge") or specific music ("hey Google, play a Pearl Jam station") or answer simple questions ("hey google, what time does the Eaton Center open" or "hey google, is it safe for cats to eat popcorn") but we don't pay for any subscriptions so usefulness definitely varies.
Kitchen: Help yourself to anything you can find.
- Sugar, flour, cooking oils, pastas are on the counter
- Spices are in the middle left drawer of the island
- A variety of teas are on the shelf above and to the left of the sink (list of flavours)
- Quinoa, lentils, mixed nuts, peanut butter are in the drawer by the fridge
- Alcohol is on the top shelf of the cupboard to the left of the sink and wines are beside the fridge
Dishwasher: The wheels on the lower rack are broken, so it doesn't glide. Soap pods are under the sink, and are placed in the "Main Wash" compartment. Press the "Start/Resume" button on the top edge of the door, which should default to a Normal cycle with no options. Press "Start/Resume" again to initialize the cycle, then close the door firmly. You'll hear a click and whir right away, and it runs for about 3 hours.
Things we don't put in the dishwasher:
- expensive knives: the ones that have individual cases
- cheap plastic: the colourful plates, bowls and measuring spoons
- hand painted things: the white mugs and bowls with butterflies
- pots & pans
Laundry: Please ensure the washer is not filled more than halfway to keep it from leaking. The dryer vents into the bathroom (not outdoors) so be sure to run the bathroom fan anytime the dryer is on. Between loads, empty the filter in the dryer and vacuum the filter that's on the back wall.
Linens: We will put clean sheets on the bed before we leave. Hand towels, bath towels and wash cloths are in the tall white cabinet in the bathroom. Dish rags and towels are in the top drawer beside the sink in the kitchen. Anything in the cupboards is clean. Anything hanging has been used.
- Before you leave, please put any used towels in the laundry hamper. Please do not strip the bed since we don't want the cats sleeping on the mattress due to allergies.
Garbage, compost and recycling bins are behind gates at the back of the building. The code for the gate to this area is 1907A. Be cautious if going out in the dark as there raccoons in the area. The bins are brought to the road for collection on Monday night and returned Tuesday morning by another resident.
TV: We don't have streaming services but there is a ChromeCast so you can cast to the TV from a laptop or phone if connected to wifi, or we have plenty of DVDs below the TV, on the shelves near the games, and on the bookshelf in the bedroom (please try to return them to the same shelf). If the ChromeCast isn't working, you can power cycle it by unplugging it (left side of tv), wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
Furniture: Feel free to move the furniture around however you want. For example, for the most floor space, the couch can be turned on end and slid into the bedroom (bonus: the cats love climbing on an upright couch!). For more table space, the grey console table can be expanded with the leaves in the bedroom closet (there are folding chairs in there too).
Games: Our game collection is tracked on BoardGameGeek (BGG) if you want to browse or look up specifics about any of our games. Our main dining table has a game/puzzle level underneath if you remove the tops but they're heavy so please only do this with 2 people.
The Neighbourhood
One of the main reasons we love this area is that our neighbours are all kind and everything is within walking distance so we hope you get a chance to explore!
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Supermarkets: Loblaws (7 min walk @ 50 Carlton St) is inside Maple Leaf Gardens where our NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, played from 1931 to 1999. Cheaper groceries are a little farther away at No Frills (15 min walk @ 345 Bloor St E, with access off Selby St).
Pharmacy: Shoppers Drug Mart is open 24 hours (10 min walk @ 465 Yonge St). Parks: Allan Gardens to the south east is a beautiful park with indoor botanical gardens, an enclosed dog park, and ongoing indigenous ceremonial fires. Shopping: Eaton Centre is a multi-storey mall with over 200 stores (25 min walk @ 220 Yonge St). |
Restaurants: There are so many nearby but a few of note...
The neighbourhoods surrounding us are very distinct:
- The Keg Mansion (515 Jarvis St) is a steakhouse in a historic building
- O.Noir (620 Church St) is a unique experience where you dine in complete darkness
- Soy Boys (471 Church St) is an amazing vegan burger joint
- Storm Crow Manor (580 Church St) is Toronto's geekiest bar with themed rooms and fun menu items
- FIrehouse Subs (513 Yonge St) is an American chain but we love it anyway
The neighbourhoods surrounding us are very distinct:
- Church-Wellesley to the west is also known as "the Village" with many bars, clubs, and businesses catering to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the best cookies at Craig's Cookies (483 Church St).
- Cabbagetown to the east has some lovely shops along Parliament Street and historical homes which makes it a great place to walk around and Riverdale Park / Riverdale Farm is worth visiting.
- St. James Town to the north east has a high population density (44,602 per square km in 2021). There is a community centre with gym and library on Sherbourne and the St James Cemetery is Toronto's oldest operating cemetery if you find old headstones interesting.
- Moss Park to the south east beyond Allan Gardens is a very low income area that you might want to avoid if you're not comfortable in urban settings, especially at night - though it is mostly still safe!
- Rosedale to the north (north of Bloor via Sherbourne St) is a lovely area to walk through with tree-lined streets and ridiculously expensive homes (average around $3.4 million).
Emergency: Home
Breaker Panel is behind the Manhattan (boardgame about skyscraper building) artwork in the kitchen
Fire Extinguisher is under the kitchen sink but we've never used or tested it
Smoke Alarm: Does not have announcement capabilities or a connection to the fire department like modern buildings. If it's going off because of something:
Fire Extinguisher is under the kitchen sink but we've never used or tested it
Smoke Alarm: Does not have announcement capabilities or a connection to the fire department like modern buildings. If it's going off because of something:
- burnt in the kitchen, open the kitchen window and fan the air under the smoke alarm with a towel until the smoke has dissipated
- outside our unit, use your discretion to stay or leave. Tenants will gather at the front of the building so you can get updates. We usually go out (mostly cause the alarm is annoying) but we don't take the cats. The board members will inspect the building and call the fire department.
Emergency: Cats
Bauble has mild asthma attacks occassionally where it looks like she's trying to cough up a hairball but has never been in distress. There is an emergency rescue inhaler in the pantry. We have never had to use it and it is expired but it's there if you think it's needed. It would be inserted into the spacer and administered the same way as the daily inhaler, then she would need to be brought to a vet or emergency clinic right away.
Our vet, Balmy Beach Pet Hospital, is at 1285 Queen St East near Leslie (15 min drive). Dr. Suhki Singh is a specialist for the work Bauble needed and we've stayed with them for both cats. Do not hesitate to contact them and we'll pay for any bills (including your Uber/Lyft ride).
In the event of an emergency after hours, there is also the VEC (Veterinary Emergency Clinic) which is open 24 hours a day at 920 Yonge Street (entrance off McMurrich St). It's a 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive.
Their carriers:
Our vet, Balmy Beach Pet Hospital, is at 1285 Queen St East near Leslie (15 min drive). Dr. Suhki Singh is a specialist for the work Bauble needed and we've stayed with them for both cats. Do not hesitate to contact them and we'll pay for any bills (including your Uber/Lyft ride).
In the event of an emergency after hours, there is also the VEC (Veterinary Emergency Clinic) which is open 24 hours a day at 920 Yonge Street (entrance off McMurrich St). It's a 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive.
Their carriers:
- brown soft carrier is the first choice for either cat (currently under the tv)
- grey backpack is more comfortable if you'll be walking (in the bedroom)
- white hard carrier can be used as a backup (in the bedroom closet)
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