Written by Jay (The Phoenix Real Estate Guy)

Meet Buzz. One of two furry felines in the Thompson household. Early this morning, we were woken by a horrific crashing sound in the family room. I knew immediately that one of three things had happened — either we were in the midst of a home invasion, a meteor had crashed through the roof, or most likely, one of the cats was up to no good. And the odds were overwhelming that in the case of the latter, it would be Buzz wrecking havoc.

Immediately upon entering the family room, it was difficult to miss one of my Bose 10.2 floor standing tower speakers lying horizontal on the floor. (Incidentally, these are great speakers. Long discontinued, they were the last solid wood speakers made by Bose. I bought them 20 years ago and they still sound great.)

Buzz was nowhere to be seen.

I figured he was cowering behind the TV, knowing he'd screwed up.

We went back to bed and woke up at a more normal time a couple of hours later. There was Buzz, sprawled out in typical fashion across the floor. Normally he bolts straight for the food bowl in the morning, crying like he hasn't eaten in a week. Today though he comes hobbling in, barely able to walk…

Apparently the numbskull cat couldn't get away from the falling speaker.

So off we go to see our friend and vet, Dr. Greg Cromer, DVM at Tri-City East Veterinary Hospital in Mesa.

Greg does his thing and determines our floundering feline has broken 3 of 4 long bones in his back foot. (#19 on this skeletal model if you're really curious.)

Cost of this little misadventure? X-rays, sedation to set the fractures, casting and pain meds - $400. Plan on a couple of follow up visits, new x-rays and cast changes, another $200.

I'm sitting there looking at the little bastard with his green cast (complete with little paw prints) and thinking, "600 bucks… 600 bucks…"

And I'd have spent twice that if that's what it would have taken. In few weeks, the cast will come off and Buzz will be back to his old self, eating, chasing Fluffy, tormenting the dogs and fetching — yep, the cat will play fetch all day long with foam balls and little stuffed animals. He likes to climb ladders too.

If you happen to live in the East Valley and need a great vet, you can't go wrong with Dr's Cromer and/or Clack at Tri-City East Vet Hospital. They and their staff are *top notch*. Tri-City is located at 4331 East Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85206. Phone (480) 830-2873.