Mad Maine Vintage Shop

This little blog will chronicle my ventures into selling vintage items in a local antique market.
My booth is called Mad Maine Vintage Shop - it features items inspired by a certain popular TV show,
and I am located in lovely Maine. Viva Vintage!



Sunday, March 3, 2013

When it rains, it pours cats


You know how my last post was all poor-me-I-have-a-busted-knee-and-crutches-and-can't-thrift-or-play-in-my-antique-booth?

Yeah, that is nothing compared to the fact that I also have a cat that the whole family adores who has been in critical condition the entire last week due to a urethral blockage that was caught just before his bladder ruptured (which started in the kennel right before we returned from skiing).  First we thought he was fine, and the vet was amazed that he hadn't burst when we rushed him in on a Saturday morning.  Since then he has thrown us for several loops because he cannot seem to pee on his own, even though his kidneys are thankfully working.  And let me tell you, keeping a cat in the hospital over a week does not come cheap.  Anyway, our vet is great and doing all he can (including ignoring/writing off certain costs), but just this (Sunday) morning he called to say he needs surgery again (he is going to try to fix his bladder which seems to be leaking urine into his system).

Anyway, the reason this personal drama is quite relevant to this blog is the unexpected cost this has thrown into our lives in an already stressful time.  Since a month after I started my booth last fall, I have deposited all my profits into a separate account that I previously joked was travel rainy day fund.  And that amount has now grown into a comfortable 4 figures range.  I have still not touched that account for any non-booth expenditures, and now it will serve its intended purpose.  Because it is certainly raining!  I am so glad that I started this hobby that has now awarded me with more than personal entertainment.  No matter what happens to my cat (we are crossing fingers and toes here right now), my savings from my antique booth adventures will serve some sort of higher purpose. 

Yes, of course I would rather have used the money for a trip to Europe this summer, but I am even more grateful right now that I can spend it on what is really important in life - fighting for a loved one.   Thank you Mad Maine Vintage Shop for providing me with unexpected expense relief.

21 comments:

  1. Good luck to your sweet kitty. Poor guy...I hope that he's better soon. And yeah, kitties can get expensive really fast. My husband and I used to laugh at the idea of pet insurance but then we learned our lesson on that.

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    1. We briefly considered pet insurance last summer when the guy was still a kitten, but then never got around to it. Epic fail.

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  2. Dang, poor kitty! I hope for quick healing for all you guys!

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  3. Keeping fingers crossed he will be okay!

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    1. Thanks Cheryl! And also for rescuing him in the first place :-)

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  4. So sorry to hear about your kitty! :( He is really beautiful.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, and he is every bit as lovely in spirit as he is beautiful.

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  5. Smart of you to have saved all your earnings. I can't stop spending mine for more inventory. Hope your kitty gets well soon!

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    1. Thanks Jolene - yes, I am grateful now. I use the account to pay rent and pick up items for reselling, but the actual profits have grown steadily the last few months without me sneaking into it for devilish temptations such as Starbucks coffee and lunches out.

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  6. Oh no, poor kitty. I'm really hoping the vet can bring him back to health soon.

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  7. I hope your kitty gets well soon. Glad to hear that your hobby has helped you in times of need.

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    1. Thanks. Yes, and to think hubby was sceptical of my new hobby back then. He is relieved now ;-)

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  8. So glad to hear that your hobby/business has generated enough funds for you to take care of your cat. How fortunate that you kept your profits together and can actually see the benefits of your new career. Hmm, with 3 kitties of my own, perhaps I should think about pet insurance, too. Good luck, hope your fur baby's health improves.

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    1. Thanks suzieQ! Yes, pet insurance plans are getting better. Will definitely do that for my next cat. Sorta doubt they would take on my current feline with his "pre-existing condition" ;-) And yes, very glad I kept the profit stashed away separately - even though I pictured it going to a fabulous trip somewhere, lol.

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  9. So sorry to hear about your cat. Fingers crossed he gets better soon. It's always so hard when a pet gets sick. I hope you're knee is doing better too. All the best.

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    1. Thank you Francine! Hopefully my cat and I will chase eachother up and down stairs soon :-)

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  10. OH, goodness -- any update on the cat?

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    1. Yes, he came home this weekend! We are so relieved and happy. The vet bill was huuuge though...thank goodness I had a rainy-day-fund!

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