Hungover cats

One of us developed a small rash - that itched madly - along the upper arm, right where it can be easily scratched. Not good, because scratching is bad and almost autonomic.

Not being fond of fond of prescription ointments and unguents, the decision was made to try a simple, old-fashioned remedy. Oil of cloves. Soothing, cooling, cocaine for cats.

Our two bengals went berserk. Something to behold, though once is quite enough. Maybe we should have known. Some years ago we discovered that the scent of throat lozenges, the ones with eucalyptus oil, could cause them to go from sleepy cats to bottle-tailed crazies in seconds.

That was nothing compared to what the scent of oil of cloves accomplished. Instant mayhem. Instant fluffy tails. Instant battle of the nine lives (eighteen actually, they were both high as kites).

Rubbing alcohol removed the oil, no telling what it did for the rash, and the cats came down eventually.

Catnip is for wusses. Real pusses go for clove oil.

They were a lot quieter today.