From the archive: Keenan and Alvin

While kitten Alvin hangs on, Keenan realizes he could have had a V-8.In this photo from Dec. 2007, Alvin was 6 months old, and Keenan about 2 years old. They were best friends for awhile, until Keenan started playing too rough and Gidget arrived to replace him as Alvin's best friend. Today Gidget and Alvin remain best playmates, though Alvin's the one who plays too rough now.

The Keen Panther

Something about Keenan's eyes and goofball personality evoke that cartoon cat.

Keenie passed the test

Keenan's FIP test result is negative. I knew it would be since he's getting well, but good news from the vet is always welcome!

Like Keenysville

Keenan felt special sporty today. He's still underweight, but his spine isn't bony anymore. A week ago he was so sick his third eyelids covered half his eye. But today he fought me over taking his pill, after which he cooled out on these old fence pickets. (Yes, I'm a slacker mom who allows her kids to play on boards with rusty nails.)

Keenan's getting better

Keenie the Weenie Queen is making a comeback. He's starting to regain weight, get his strength back, roll happily in the dirt, and express his superior snotty self again. I'm so proud of him.

He's been taking the antibiotic Doxycycline, and it must be doing the trick, even though we're not sure what's been wrong. Keenan wouldn't admit it, but he appreciates the concern and good thoughts y'all have sent him!

Get well, Keenie

Keenan is very sick. He's only 3 years old. The vet doesn't know what it is, but suspects FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). We won't know the FIP test results for over another week. It's not feline leukemia (my first guess) or FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).

Below is an older photo of Keenan and his sister Liesl. They're not related, but were rescued together as kittens and bonded like littermates -- meaning that Liesl regularly and exhaustively washed Keenan, and he allowed her to enjoy the privilege of servicing him.

It's been a couple of years since Liesl and Keenan did their washing-and-loving sessions, so it was wonderful to see them together again a few days ago. Liesl is concerned about him.

I'm crazy in love with Keenie. He has an insufferable ego but an aw-shucks Gary Cooper charisma and a lanky, lazy Pink Panther face. His nicknames are Queenie, Keenuckle, Bucky.