The Truffle Brulee Connection

The last 24 hours have been very interesting around our home. We believe everyone knows we are half sisters and we have the connection of having the same daddy cat, but it turns out, we have a lot more in common.

Brulee and Truffle hanging out in the guest bedroom

Last Friday, we found out that Truffle needed surgery to remove stones from her bladder. As any good cat mom (or dad) would feel - she was quite stressed - and the girls picked up on her tension.


Brulee definitely knew something was different and would basically stay away from Truffle the first two days. Truffle became quite vocal and clingy. By the time Tuesday night rolled around, both Brulee and Truffle were staying near Mom Paula in whichever room she was in, but Truffle insisted on being held or climbing into Mom Paula's lap. Tuesday night, Mom Paula decided to sleep in the chair in hopes that Truffle would stay nearby and not hide under the bed. Truffle climbed into her lap and stayed there until about 4:00 am when Mom Paula went to the bed for a couple of hours.

Truffle, Wednesday morning, before going to the vet

When Mom Paula woke up (like she really ever slept), she saw Brulee sleeping on the blue suitcase, but didn't see Truffle at first. She looked over to the side of the room and Truffle was sleeping on top of the other suitcase and came over to the bed and snuggled in with Mom Paula when she sat up. Mom Paula kept Truffle in her arms for several minutes because she knew the time was coming to put her in the Sleepypod® to head to the vet. As Mom Paula began carrying Truffle to the front of the house, Brulee took off to the office to hide again (she's never done this before when going to the vet, except for the last two visits when Truffle was going alone). Mom Paula left about 15 minutes earlier than usual because she didn't know what the traffic would be like, even though our vet is only a few miles away. She forgot it was Spring Break week and there was very little traffic. She parked in front of Cherokee Trail Veterinary Clinic, turned off the car, unzipped the top of the Sleepypod enough to put her hand inside to pet Truffle. They sat there for about 15 minutes until someone opened the door at 7:30 am. Mom Paula held back a few minutes because two people got out of vehicles with dogs and know all were being dropped off for surgery, Mom Paula didn't want to stress Truffle anymore than she was already. Mom Paula held it together pretty well until one of the vet assistants walked up to her and said, "we're going to take care of her and she'll be alright." Mom Paula began crying. They told her she'd be able to pick up Truffle the next day.

Brulee on her blue suitcase watching over Mom Paula

Mom Paula came back home, put on her pjs again, and got back in the bed. Brulee came into the bedroom and was looking around. She was hunting for Truffle. Mom Paula laid down and Brulee did her little ritual before settling into the crook of Mom Paula's arm and rested her head and one paw on her shoulder and began purring. They stayed in bed for a couple of hours and Mom Paula decided to get on the computer to keep busy. Brulee followed her in the office and jumped onto the top of her small cat tree behind the office chair and stayed there watching Mom Paula. Anytime Mom Paula got up, Brulee followed her, looking around. Brulee wouldn't eat any of her food, but wanted treats.

The Truffle Brulee Connection

Brulee getting restless in her cat tree

Around 3:10 pm, Brulee became very restless. She began going from one cat tree to the other. She tried to climb on the desk in front of Mom Paula. She meowed to be picked up. She wouldn't settle in like she usually does and wanted down again. She was staring at Mom Paula and meowing. She jumped down and went to the hallway and looked around and meowed. She was very restless and anxious for about 15-20 minutes. Mom Paula went to the front of the house to turn on the TV to take her mind off the fact it was time for Truffle's surgery. Brulee came into the living room and finally agreed to eat a little. She jumped on the back of the chair and settled in, got quiet, and took a nap. She was so quiet the next hour. Mom Paula received a phone call about 4:45 from the vet stating Truffle was out of surgery and was waking up. 

Dr. Boyette told Mom Paula he removed two stones: a large one and a small one. He said they took additional x-rays and there was no evidence of other stones. He is sending off the stones to determine what type they are. He said Truffle was awake, but still groggy, and she'd stay overnight at the vet and Mom Paula could pick her up sometime Thursday afternoon (our vet likes to watch them for 24 hours after surgery). They discussed other issues concerning the stones and we'll share that later. Mom Paula then asked Dr. Boyette what time he began Truffle's surgery and he said around 3:50. Mom Paula then asked him what time they began prepping her and he said about 20-30 minutes earlier. That was the time frame Brulee became so restless and vocal and the time of the surgery was when she became quiet. This information caused Mom Paula to realize how connected Truffle and Brulee really are. She knew Brulee understood Truffle wasn't well and wasn't at home, but the fact she became stressed at the exact same time Truffle was stressed because of the prep for surgery proved they also communicate telepathically. The vet said Truffle was on pain meds and would sleep most of the next 24 hours - Brulee has been calm since then!  Even though they aren't littermates, they definitely have that connection. 

Photo courtesy Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital
Truffle in recovery

Around 7:00 pm, Mom Paula received a text message with a photo of Truffle and the message "Hi Mom, I'm doing great after surgery. See you tomorrow.” We think Truffle looked great for just a couple hours after surgery and Mom Paula was a little jealous they were able to get such a clear photo of Truffle!

Thank you for all of your purrs, prayers, and good thoughts. You'll never know how much your friendship and caring means to us.