Thread: Furry Family Members Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


To visit this thread, use this URL:
http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=027967

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
(I searched and did not find the old pet thread.)

Anyone have any experience with cats? I've had cats off and on for over 30 years and I now have a problem I've never encountered.

I have two cats, both male, both around 4 years old. Over the past week one or both having started using a spot on a rug for a toilet rather than the litter box. (Number 2 not number 1 - yet.) I've never had this problem with cats except for the occasional accident when the cat was obviously sick. Neither of these cats appears ill at all.

Any ideas on what the issue could be? Any thoughts on a solution?

Thanks.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Protest against your politics? Sorry, couldn't resist.

More seriously, maybe an accident at first, and once the smell was there they just kept using the same spot over again. Try cleaning it using something that will destroy the scent. There are enzymatic things you can get at pet supply stores.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A friend's cats did this once in protest that their litter tray wasn't clean enough! He started cleaning the tray more often and they went back to it - they can be very fussy creatures.
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Protest against your politics?

---

Thanks. I had the same thought but these two felines think I'm left of Mao, so there you go.

I'll try some enzymatic cleaners in hope that they will work.

And, thanks, Welease Woderwick, I've thought that as well and I've been changing the box daily for a few weeks but the problem presented itself again today. Maybe they're just stubborn cats.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
They probably won't stop doing it until the smell is out of the rug now. Cats are bloody persistant little beings, especially males in regard to their toiletting habits.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I was going to write of Dlet's new beard, but see this is only about cats. The thing to realise is that cat's can't be properly house trained. They may give every indication that they have, but then - bang goes another rug.
 

---

Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
Scrub carpet with biological washing liquid and place their food bowls on top of the area - they won't soil where they eat.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I had a cat which wouldn't use the litter tray, a cat flap was the only solution. She never pood or peed in the house again.

ETA - Ah, I have just noticed you live in NYC, maybe yours is a house cat?

[ 11. September 2012, 07:48: Message edited by: Boogie ]
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Boogie, yes mine are indoors. Can't have them running around NYC. Of course, if they'd get jobs I'd happily install a flap.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Cats will sometimes do this as a form of protest. Not uncommon when a child, boyfriend/girlfriend moves in, a perceived lessening of attention, etc.
If this is the issue, cleaning might not cure it.
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Good Lord! The memories of the Great Poop War of 1993 when my then two cats were suddenly confronted with a new member of the family: a very energetic Godlen Retriever. Nothing like that exists now. I'll get some cleaner this evening and give it a try.
 

---

Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Hmmm. Possible causes borne of long experience (glares down at current house feline) could be:

Cat attracted back to the spot as mentioned previously
Litter tray is too dirty (My current moggie is close to demanding a complete change of litter after every visit!)
Litter tray is too clean (try leaving a handful of the soiled litter in with the new when you change the tray)
Cat dislikes smell of litter tray cleaner
Cat dislikes smell of litter tray deodoriser spray or powder (So do I - the powder makes me wheeze)
Cat dislikes uncovered litter tray
Cat dislikes covered litter tray
Cat will only pee in the tray
Cat will only poo in the tray
You only have one tray and he/she likes a separate tray for Number Ones and Number Twos
You just rearranged the furniture in your apartment and cat is spooked
Tray is in the main public thoroughfare of the apartment and your cat is a shy, retiring little creature
Tray is situated near noisy domestic appliance like a washing machine
Tray is too full
Tray is not full enough
You just used a new type of litter - cat is spooked by this!
You have two cats - subtle psychological warfare is taking place under your very nose; ie. one moggie is blocking access to the tray. (Try providing one tray more than the number of cats and in a different area of the apartment)
You have visitors - cat is spooked
Cat (s) are bored!

Solutions? You tell me and I'll be a very happy Miffy.



 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Our very superior British shorthair will use the tray but will not use a cat flap. She likes going out, in fact, demandsto be let out. If she isn't let out into the garden, we quite often find some deposits and a puddle on the floor, just in front of the litter tray. Our Aby uses both trays without any problems.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Miffy , you have identified the problem, but not the solution. That is to buy that book and work out which use you prefer. Do the deed, then buy a dog. New dog learns new tricks, if necessary, and the problem is solved.
 

---

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
One of our gerbils died while we were away on holiday .
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Marvin, you have my sympathy.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
aw, sorry Marv!

NYer - clean it really good and them spray or rub with orange peel essential oil. pledge makes an orange peel furniture oil that works great if youre cheap and lazy like me. careful, though - if your carpet is light it could stain.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Sorry to hear about the gerbil Marvin , they are full of character. When I taught full time we kept them at school in a glass tank in peat and sand. They make great pets.
 

---

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
The worst part was, my parents (who were looking after them for us) texted us to let us know - and told us it was the other one who'd died. So we got to have the shock of loss twice (albeit with the shock of getting the first one back thrown into the bargain)!
 

---

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
RIP
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:
RIP

---

(I'm a former gerbil mom.)
 

---

Posted by harmony hope (# 4070) on :
 
Sorry to hear that Marvin - used to love my gerbils when I was a child .

Now we have one aged guinea pig left and 2 mad terriers...wouldn't be without our family pets for the world - however strange that may seem to some people I know!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy didn't come in this morning. Actually I last saw her in yesterday in the early evening. I think she may have been shut in someone's garage because she never strays far from home.

There was a wee shake in the night, but she has come back after all the others. I'm probably panicking unnecessarily but
 

---

Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
Huia - I panic when Zorro doesn't not come back when expected. I think it's natural when we love our furry family so much.

Zorro is in a bad mood with me as I've put flea stuff on his back. Does anyone have any easy way of doing it other than grabbing and holding down? I feel I'm being cruel when I do what has to be done
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry Marvin.

Huia, sure hope Georgy Porgy comes home soon.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Just after I had posted I got a text message from a friend to say a cat iliving in his block of flats had been hit by a car - so I went out and searched the road, just in case.

G-P came home just after the neighbours across the road drove out of their driveway. I'm not blaming them. I've managed to shut her in too.

[ 14. September 2012, 05:09: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My lovely dog Callum died in April and his brother Gavin is very lonely and howls at night - so I have allowed him in my bedroom and set up a bed for him on the floor.

He's such a good dog, never fusses and gets up when I get up - whatever time it is.


 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nanny Ogg:
Huia - I panic when Zorro doesn't not come back when expected. I think it's natural when we love our furry family so much.

Zorro is in a bad mood with me as I've put flea stuff on his back. Does anyone have any easy way of doing it other than grabbing and holding down? I feel I'm being cruel when I do what has to be done

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nanny Ogg:
Huia - I panic when Zorro doesn't not come back when expected. I think it's natural when we love our furry family so much.

Zorro is in a bad mood with me as I've put flea stuff on his back. Does anyone have any easy way of doing it other than grabbing and holding down? I feel I'm being cruel when I do what has to be done

---

What kind of flea stuff do you use? When my cats were indoor/outdoor I used Frontline or Advantix monthly.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
My lovely dog Callum died in April and his brother Gavin is very lonely and howls at night - so I have allowed him in my bedroom and set up a bed for him on the floor.

He's such a good dog, never fusses and gets up when I get up - whatever time it is.

---

Callum

You make Gavin sleep in a bed on the FLOOR? What a cruel doggy mommy!

My best friend has a queen-size bed which she generously allows me to share.

Dogs are wonderful -- I think they were God's best idea ever. I can't imagine life without one.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
(((Marvin))) Gerbils are such cute little critters. I miss mine, too.

My little Jasmine was put to sleep Thursday night. She was such a great cat, and a gentle,loving spirit, too.

She and her companion Belle have spun their tales on these boards over the past eleven years I've been here. Those were on the cat threads of long ago.

Belle is very sad and lonely. She gave me dozens of head butts today, where one would usually suffice. I am very sad and lonely, too. The huge, painful lump in my throat will probably be there for quite a long time.

Cats like Jasmine just don't come into our lives very often.


 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
Poo in the wrong place after previously-happy use of the litter tray can be an indicator of some illness (whether obvious or not, a trip to the V.E.T. might rule that out) or a stress reaction - has something changed recently?

Jasmine - may she run free and hunt heavenly mice for all eternity and meet you with a mountain of hugs.

[ 15. September 2012, 20:09: Message edited by: Jahlove ]
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Marvin's gerbil

Jasmine

and Belle who misses her

Callum

and his lonely brother Gavin

and the humans who miss their beloved companions
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
I was so sorry to hear about Jasmine at that other website... (what? there are other websites?) I feel like I knew her.

can I take a moment to bitch about dogs? I love my dogs. all combined 300+ lbs of dog flesh. they're three lovely giant creatures and normally very gentle souls. But it's pouring rain here (we're actually on flood watch at this point) and all three are stuck in the house and bored and getting pissy with each other. Duke and Kaila got into it an hour ago - all great roaring noise but it doesn't appear they did any actual harm to each other - but Duke bit a big old hole in his own lip. Now I'm just back from having my hand in his mouth (canine actually got lodged in the lip... nevermind. you don't want details) and trying to get antibiotics in a place that you don't really want to spend a lot of time with your hands and face in there. And he's locked in one room while she's locked in the bathroom and Frodo is trying to look very small in the kitchen and I have blood on my pajamas and all four of us are pouting.

I'm wishing I kept goldfish.
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
For all the pets who've made this vale of tears a little easier and now wait for us on another shore.

And, for big dogs with cabin fever. Been there (sort of).
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nanny Ogg:
Zorro is in a bad mood with me as I've put flea stuff on his back. Does anyone have any easy way of doing it other than grabbing and holding down? I feel I'm being cruel when I do what has to be done

---

I wait till my cats are sound asleep - they invariably wake up half way through but that's better than being awake all the way through! Incidentally, I've recently found that Frontline just doesn't cut it any more and the fleas were immune - moved to Advocate instead.

I once had a cat who was long haired and I used to have to trim her...um...bum fluff otherwise things got a bit messy. I used to wait till she was sound asleep then don the thick gardening gloves and have at it with a pair of scissors. When she woke up (and she always did) the gloves provided protection from what I call "bunny footing" - wrap both front paws around my arm, sink teeth in and rip at my arm with her back feet in a bunny-like motion. She used to howl like she was being murdered, but it wasn't even a full brazillian or anything!

Regarding urine on the carpet. I used to eliminate odours and stop the cat (same one as above) from returning using distilled vinegar. You soak up as much urine as you can from the carpet with paper towels or whatever, then pour a 50 / 50 mix of distilled vinegar and water onto the area, at least as much in volume as the amount of urine that was there. It eliminates the urine odour and stops the cats going back there because they don't like the vinegar smell. Ok, so that spot smells like vinegar for a little while but there are much worse things to smell of and cat pee is one of them!
 

---

Posted by numpty norah (# 17260) on :
 
nope grabbing and squirting is the way to go

litter tray-the ratio is one per cat plus one extra(to prevent guarding or something...yes i read the weirdo cat training books,more in hope than expectation) so if you only have one tray for 2 cats chances are 1 cat isn't letting the other in when it needs or 1 got spooked and just went where it was.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry to hear, Jedijudy.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. They really do help me and are a great comfort.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
for Jasmine, may she sleep on that hallowed hearth forever.

I'm remembering ol' Calico, a cat who came to us complete with tiny kittens from a rescue centre, and stayed with us for 16 years. A smart and almost silent feline. Who even forgave us (eventually) for bringing home a new dog...

I am in a land that isn't home, and there is a family of cats living in the garden. I am secretly offering scraps - it's a mum and 3 kittens I guess about 12 - 15 weeks old. I suspect there used to be a fourth kitten, and one of the 3 has only half a tail.

Within days of getting here there was a puppy who nearly broke me. My own dogs are safe and well at home... but I gave him food and water almost against my own better judgement, and some locals adopted him!!
 

---

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
for Jasmine, may she sleep on that hallowed hearth forever.

I'm remembering ol' Calico, a cat who came to us complete with tiny kittens from a rescue centre, and stayed with us for 16 years. A smart and almost silent feline. Who even forgave us (eventually) for bringing home a new dog...

I am in a land that isn't home, and there is a family of cats living in the garden. I am secretly offering scraps - it's a mum and 3 kittens I guess about 12 - 15 weeks old. I suspect there used to be a fourth kitten, and one of the 3 has only half a tail.

Within days of getting here there was a puppy who nearly broke me. My own dogs are safe and well at home... but I gave him food and water almost against my own better judgement, and some locals adopted him!!

---

If you phone your local branch of cats protection they will neuter them for a donation/free. PM me if you want more info, but I've just been taking the furry ones across the road to get their bits chopped off! My own furry babies are coping very well with having the odd cat in the house in a cat box.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
Our long-standing rescue cat - we've had her 9 years - has always been loud and 'needy' but recently has been driving The Retired Mr. S mad by yowling. She has developed the most blood-curdling caterwaul you can imagine, but if we rush off to find her she doesn't seem to be in any pain, may just be standing in the middle of a room, or lying down quite comfortably - we think she may be losing what feline marbles she used to have *sigh*.

And she will cry for food, even though her dish is still half-full in fact, she appears content only when asleep or lying on my lap getting in the way of the crossword

Mrs. S, resigned to being a cat-cushion
 

---

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:

I'm wishing I kept goldfish.

---

Yep, same here, but then I wouldn't get those sweet little eyes looking up at me and asking for love (or food, or treats or let me out) There are some days not having to get up and down to let them out yet again, goldfish would be preferable or a pet rock might be good.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Mrs S - our two elderly cats are exhibiting the same behaviour...the unearthly wailing at nothing and the clingy wanting to be Very Close to you all the time. I think its part of the ageing process, TBH, but it does get a bit wearing!
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
Hmmm, yowling at nothing visible, etc. -- perhaps you've got ghosts!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Jasmine used to vocalize at nothing. We called it 'talking to the wall'. Sometimes she would go in the shower and talk. Maybe it was resonant and pleasing to her ears?
 

---

Posted by Beethoven (# 114) on :
 
(hugs) jj. My Old Cat was put to sleep in January, and I miss her badly still. It doesn't help that our next door neighbour has a cat who looks very similar, and sits in their window most of the day... Mr B is holding out against adopting another cat, on the grounds that Young Cat is clearly very happy as an Only Cat, and would be most miffed to have an interloper on his patch. There is some truth in this, but I'm dearly missing having a little black & white fluff around...
 

---

Posted by Aravis (# 13824) on :
 
I could use some advice. We have a large, agile cat (Mick) who enjoys a good fight (though he doesn't always win any more now he's ten, and is no longer allowed out after about 10pm).
Our next door neighbour has just told me she's getting a cat for her daughter's next birthday. How do I prevent Mick from systematically shredding the new arrival? There's no possibility of keeping them separate; there's a high fence between us, but he can reach their garden easily via the garage roof or the back lane. Nor is there any chance that Elin will be satisfied with a different type of pet. Should we formally introduce the two cats or would that make it worse?
 

---

Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
Aravis I don't think there is anything you can do Cats are territorial creatures and they will fight over dominance.

The only thing you can hope for is that they get a female cat as toms tend to "allow" them on their patch.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
((Hugs back)) Beets. Those little balls of fluff sure grow into our hearts, don't they?
 

---

Posted by Lolly (# 13347) on :
 
The new Springer Spaniel puppy came home last Saturday...

Here’s the soft pad of tiny paw
The muzzle soft, the teeth that gnaw
The gentle nuzzle, the warm soft coat
The little head tucked next to throat.
Here’s floppy ear, and tail wag
The tummy round, the jowl’s that sag.
The kisses sweet and nuzzled cheek
The little body so smooth and sleek
Wandering off to seek a game
Then bounding back to any name
Up the hallway with carried stick
Then dropped to run, and faces lick.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lolly:
The new Springer Spaniel puppy came home last Saturday...

Here’s the soft pad of tiny paw
The muzzle soft, the teeth that gnaw
The gentle nuzzle, the warm soft coat
The little head tucked next to throat.
Here’s floppy ear, and tail wag
The tummy round, the jowl’s that sag.
The kisses sweet and nuzzled cheek
The little body so smooth and sleek
Wandering off to seek a game
Then bounding back to any name
Up the hallway with carried stick
Then dropped to run, and faces lick.

---

 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Aw! That's lovely, but does not satisfy my need for pictures of the puppy!
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Well, after a long interruption the pooping on the rug has returned and, this morning, there was also poop in another part of the apartment. I'll see the vet on Saturday. This is annoying especially since both cats are otherwise very healthy.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Good luck New Yorker - cats are persistant little buggers, but I wouldn't be without mine.
 

---

Posted by Grammatica (# 13248) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by New Yorker:
Well, after a long interruption the pooping on the rug has returned and, this morning, there was also poop in another part of the apartment. I'll see the vet on Saturday. This is annoying especially since both cats are otherwise very healthy.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by birdie:
.... I mean, I would imagine that a day comprised of a bit of a potter round the street, then 8 hours of whining alone, followed by a play with the kids, is not ideal for a dog. But what do I know? And if you were me, would you do/say anything?

Cheers
b

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by birdie:
And if you were me, would you do/say anything?

---

yes. if one of my menagerie were making upset noises while I'm away, I would like to know. there are things that can be done to ease their separation anxiety. Just say, hey - I wanted you to know that you dog whines a lot while you're gone. it doesn't bother me, but if it were me I'd want to know, so I'm telling you. they may already know, but it's better to let them know just in case. and he/she may be acting out in other ways, too, where the whining might help them put the pieces of the puzzle together. dogs can get really weird about separation, but there are a lot of strategies to try, such as what Bess says about leaving the radio on. I've also put a used blanket on the floor that smells like us for the dog to cuddle with - worked like a charm.

As for walking - if they are out with the dog and running around and generally having play time together, I wouldn't worry about the walkies time. what the dog needs is outdoor time, exercise, and interaction with his/her people. it doesn't have to be traditional walkies. Mine rarely get that - but we live on a lot of acres and schedule a regular (2x or more a day) time to go outside and run up and down the driveway with them. it's handy having boys...
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
We have just returned from the vet, having had to take the final decision for one of our catses.

RIP Rataekora Cleopatra Sapphira, born 18.10.94 died 22.10.12.

She had lived with failing kidneys for more than 2 years.

I met her when she was 6 weeks old, at her breeders, with her 2 sisters and her mother, and she came home to live with us (she and her sister Rataekora Minerva Susannah) when they were 14 weeks old. Her breeder wouldn't let them go before Christmas...

And, although Minou is on my lap and Jai is on MrStE's knee, and Bibi is crashing around upstairs and wailing, the house seems rather less full of life than before. Strange how one small frail furry creature can leave such a big aching void.
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
StE so sorry for the loss of your beloved kitty.

My Fuzzy Terrorist Kitten seems to be coping quite well with his new status as only cat; however, my hubby is convinced we need to get him a playmate. So he's off to the vet on thursday to get his nertz removed and next monday or thereabouts, I will be adopting one of his cousins who is allegedly a little female. Fromm where I sit, it's hubby, not Squeak, who is wanting another kitty, but he'll never admit it.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
St Everild
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
St Everild The final trip to the vet is so hard , but as the vet nurse said to me "It's the last loving thing you can do for her."

[ 23. October 2012, 08:24: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
St Everild I hope happy memories of your precious kitty will help you through these sad times. You were blessed to have her for such a long time, and I know she must have been a happy and well cared for cat to live such a long life.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
St Everild may your good memories of your dear Rataekora Cleopatra Sapphira stay with you - every kitty fills the kitty shaped hole that only they can fill.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
It's been a difficult day...took her to the pet crematorium this morning. MrStE is away, so I had to do it by myself. And I haven't been able to do very much since...
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 

 

---

Posted by snowgoose (# 4394) on :
 
They always take a piece of our hearts with them when they go. So sorry, St. E,
 

---

Posted by wheelie racer (# 13854) on :
 
Request for prayer for the safe return of my cat who has been missing for over a week. He is a tremendous source of support and comfort to me when I am feeling very low or in unbearable physical pain. He has prevented me from ending my life on more occasions than I dare to admit by just been there. Missing him more than anything at the moment.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Wheelie Racer - hoping he comes back soon

[ 27. October 2012, 05:10: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
How is everyone's furry family member coping with the noise of Bonfire Night?

My 3 are all on my lap...there isn't much space so there is a fair bit of pushing and shoving going on....

Preview post is my friend...missed a crucial letter "m" from the word member...

[ 05. November 2012, 18:28: Message edited by: St Everild ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy curled up in the clean washing and went to sleep. The late, great Sam used to insist sitting on the back steps to watch them - he loved the sky rockets best.

There are fewer backyard fireworks here than there used to be. The range that can be sold has narrowed and they are now only allowed to be on sale for 3 days before the 5th. There is a Council organised commercial display at the beach that many people attend.

Huia
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
My new kitten is deaf. I've never had a deaf cat before and was wondering if any of y'all have any tips or suggestions. Other than not being able to hear, she's happy, healthy, and full of beans, but I'm wondering if there are things I can or should do to adjust or to help her adjust.

Thanks

Bess
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Bess is it usual to keeep cats inside in your neck of the woods? Just thinking it might be safer for her.

(and no, I'm not trying to start a war here, which almost happened before on the inside/outside/roaming free question.)

Georgie-Porgy went to the vet for a check up today and she has a lump in her intestine. It could be something passing through or it could be more serious. We go back to the vet on Friday.
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
Berg began life as a porch cat at a buddy's house. She was never inside a house until I brought her home with me. She also shows no interest in going outside, now that she's discovered Comfy Chairs, Heat Vents and Free-Flowing Kibble, aka porch cat heaven.
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Golden retriever had a back leg and a good piece of pelvis amputated Sept 2011 for cancer. He continued to come with me on hospital visits until 2 weeks ago, we're a certified therapy dog team. This morning, he can't walk by himself and couldn't bend his front end down to eat. He seems to be in pain, though he never complains about anything. Using a sling to support his back end this morning. We know that there was still cancer in there after the amputation. I guess any amount of time after is something we should be grateful for. He's been my daily companion for 11 years.
 

---

Posted by Timothy the Obscure (# 292) on :
 
Cinco, our cat of 19+ years, said goodbye last night. We got her from a winery in Michigan owned by friends of ours, in 1992. She got her name because her mother gave birth to four kittens on April 1 of that year. The fourth died soon after birth. Mom labored for several more hours, and shortly after midnight brought forth a white kitten, who was named Cinco. She was in very good shape until a couple of weeks ago--I was really looking forward to a 20th birthday party--but she seems to have decided it was time, and pretty much stopped eating. She went peacefully in her sleep.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Timothy

for all who have recently lost much loved pets and those making the difficult decision to say goodbye.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Amen. So sorry, Timothy.
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by BessHiggs:
Berg began life as a porch cat at a buddy's house. She was never inside a house until I brought her home with me. She also shows no interest in going outside, now that she's discovered Comfy Chairs, Heat Vents and Free-Flowing Kibble, aka porch cat heaven.

---

If she's inside most of the time, I think you'll be fine with her, especially as a kitten. I've known cats who get deaf with old age, and they can sometimes be very noisy trying to find humans in the house, but I think a kitten should be ok.

for Timothy and noprophet.
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
Timothy and no prophet
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Timothy Congratulations on your excellent care of Cinco. To live to such an advanced age is proof of that.

No prophet, prayers for you and your faithful dog.
 

---

Posted by snowgoose (# 4394) on :
 
So sad to hear that your beloved dog is not doing well, no prophet.

Timothy, it's so hard to lose someone we love. My sympathies.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Georgie-Porgy went to the vet for a check up today and she has a lump in her intestine. It could be something passing through or it could be more serious. We go back to the vet on Friday.

---

Yes, well we were meant to go back to the vet today, but Madam decided otherwise and absented herself for a couple of hours

We will go to the vet on Saturday.

Huia - still on tenterhooks.
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Update on our golden retriever, age 11, with a rear leg amputation just over a year ago for cancer. I posted about a week ago. He is on pain meds morning and night now and is in absolutely no pain. Doggie narcotics. He seems like himself, happy and interested. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the cancer has definitely invaded the spine, and made it impossible for him to control his 1 remaining back leg. He can walk only if someone holds up his back end. We had 18" of snow the past 3 days, and we've shovelled the usual path to back yard, but twice as wide so we can get him out to pee and poop. He did have one accident inside, but no bother.

The vet, very kind, is willing to come to the house. But the only reason for that now would be to put him to sleep. I don't know how long we can go like this, but not ready to say goodbye. He's in such good spirits. Dogs can really be the nicest people.

The hospital where we visit are all being very kind as well. He's a certified therapy dog. I dunno, this is very very hard.

Thinking of all of us who have such dear companions and friends in this thread.

(edits: I'm not posting so coherently it seems.)

[ 12. November 2012, 22:09: Message edited by: no prophet ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
No prophet, that's heartbreaking.

Georgie-Porgy's lump is still there, so I will take her for an ultrasound tomorrow. The vet nurse said they didn't usually knock cats out for this unless they were stressed - so I asked whether companion humans could be knocked out if they were stressed.
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
no prophet: prayers from another lover of Golden Retrievers.


 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
no prophet and dog.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Georgie-Porgy does not have some dread disease, just a thickened wall of her intestine Otherwise she is very healthy

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Georgie-Porgy does not have some dread disease, just a thickened wall of her intestine Otherwise she is very healthy

Huia

---

Good news Huia for you both.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
That is good to hear, Huia!
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
We have a vet appointment at the house tomorrow afternoon. That will be the end. We're sending the other dog and the cat to neighbours, and hoping for the best of the bad. He's getting weak, has some digestive troubles starting up (cancer? medication? both?).

I am glad to see on this thread of the love, affection and attention people devote to their animal companions. It helps to read of good outcomes. Prize all the time everyone, with your pets, and with each other!
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Oh no prophet, I'm so sorry to hear that. Its the last loving thing you can do for a beloved pet.
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
praying for a peaceful departure for your beloved golden retriever and for comfort and healing for you and yours, no prophet
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
All my love, np.
 

---

Posted by Adrienne (# 2334) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by malik3000:
praying for a peaceful departure for your beloved golden retriever and for comfort and healing for you and yours, no prophet

---

Exactly this
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
It is always hard to say goodbye to those furry friends who have a place in our hearts, even if you know you are doing the "right" thing for them.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Thinking of you no prophet.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry NP.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
HELP!!! My girlfriend accidentally gave one of our cats an entire Benadryl capsule! She was only supposed to give him half and for the last thirty minutes he has been howling piteously and threw up three times. At present he is hiding behind a chair in a bedroom, foam all over his chin. Oh my God, I am sooooo freaked out!

The really horrible thing is we have NO money in our bank account to take him to the veterinarian... dear God, please pray for us and tell me that he'll be okay???!

 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Google informs me that the correct dosage of Benadryl for cats is 1-2 mg per lb of cat, so do some math... what's the weight of the cat and the size of the dosage in the capsule?

That being said, since the cat's thrown up three times, how much of the dose could be left at this point?

I hope it was plain Benadryl without any Tylenol in it?

Edited to add, google also informs me that the foaming is normal for cats given benadryl.

[ 18. November 2012, 18:39: Message edited by: Nicolemr ]
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Also found this about benadryl overdoses in cats, including a phone number to call for advice:

quote:

---

Like humans, cats can experience fatigue and clumsiness while taking diphenhydramine. This side-effect can be more noticeable if the cat has experienced a mild overdose, but it should pass within a few hours. In more severe overdose cases, the cat will experience seizures and difficulty breathing. Without treatment, severe overdoses can lead to coma and death, so it is critical that owners seek prompt treatment for the cat's condition. The ASPCA also gives real-time consultations for pet owners through the Animal Poison Control Center, which can be reached at (888) 426-4435. Immediate medical attention can stop an overdose from becoming lethal.

---

 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
Thanks Nicolemr. I freaked the hell out and went around the apartment alternately crying and praying loudly. Then, after I calmed down slightly, and I do mean slightly, I texted a friend who has worked as a vet assistant for years and years and he told me that Tigger would probably be just fine. Tigger got kind of glassy-eyed and verrrrrrry mellow after he was finished throwing up several times.

The reason my g/f gave him Benadryl was that we wanted him to be in a deep sleep so we could try to attend to his horrific ear mites. No such luck. We'll just have to wait until my other g/f gets her yearly clothing allowance from the Veterans Administration which she plans on using for the cats. So... for now, all is well in our home. The cats are up to their usual mischief and my girlfriends have gone to sleep.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Wheew, glad to hear everything's OK.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Does anyone know where I can buy PitRPat cat treats in the UK...google is not my friend here. One of my cats has discovered that he really really likes them. I can find them on line in Australia and the USA, but not on line in the UK.

Thanks!
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
After losing our beloved golden retriever (is it 3 weeks or 2?), we got the licence renewal in the mail on Friday. That was hard.

The dog we adopted, Mugs, from a rescue society in March this year (abandoned by a highway at -35°C, some people are just evil), well, she tolerated the group of university students who came by on Thurs to carole and eat dainties, but more than that, she actually socialized and went to meet some of them. Had a request earlier this week to attend training for helping returning soldiers with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and was frightfully sad that I no longer have a therapy dog. That was also very hard. I am really wondering now if she was in Oskie's shadow these 8 months, and now has the chance to come out of herself. Might she be able to be a therapy dog like he was? I'm really hoping.

I was sent this youtube link this week, and it cheered up quite a bit, it is very silly (give it a minute) and oh so true (we also have a cat): Cat Friend vs Dog Friend
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
Well, Berg, the wee deaf kitten I adopted to keep Squeak the Terrorist company turned out to have far more special needs than I was able to cope with. She has gone to live with my ex, who has several other special needs kitties. He says she's fitting in well and seems quite happy. So that left Squeak an only kitty again, and massive destruction ensued. My friend's daughter claimed to have rescued a little orange kitten that she couldn't keep so I said I'd take him. Unfortunately, I think he might not have been a resuce after all. He's fixed and very familiar with the comcept of sleeping on the bed. Not something you would expect from a street kitty. I have decided to name him Ransom (since I may be an accessory after the fact to catnapping ) and he's an adorable beastie. A couple more days hissing and he and Squeak will be ganging up on me...
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
A question for you other slaves of felines. Charlie-cat is probably in the last months of his life, being at the latter end of a feline lifespan and having a tumour which is suspected to be on his spleen. He's doing well, on the whole, and is on steroids as palliative care - he's definitely slowing down but seems happy and comfortable. Trouble is, he's developed quite pungent wind.

At the moment finance deters me from going to visit the vet on that basis, seeing as we're already spending a fortune on tablets and monthly visits. So the question is, does anyone have any bright ideas for controlling/reducing the wind? He eats Felix usually (though thinking about it, I have given him Whiskas trout today as my friend's cat won't eat it) and Go-Kat biscuits. Is there anything I can give him that might help? Ours is a very small flat, and I'm now keeping him indoors a lot more to keep him safe from foxes, so it's rather important that we solve this problem
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Try a higher protein/lower vegtable food like Royal Canin? Here's a useful response, tho I spect you've googled alread.cat food

As my Calico got older we still gave her dry food as wet food upset her, but small amount of high quality was more economical as she used it more efficiently - small poos and no vomiting. Sorry if TMI. You have to buy it from a pet shop (pets at home is good) and james wellbeloved is rubbish, despite pet shelters recommending it a lot. Good luck.
 

---

Posted by redunderthebed (# 17480) on :
 
My condolences to all those that have lost furry members of the family.

I have two furry family members....

Ned the staffy x whippet x retarded x adorable
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548877_167992773344783_648315613_n.jpg


Lily the lady master and empress of world and psychopatic moggie

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/r90/539874_171461079664619_56292850_n.jpg

I love them both.

[ 02. January 2013, 11:01: Message edited by: redunderthebed ]
 

---

Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
redunderthebed, they are both adorable!
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Smudgie - in France there is a brand of dry cat food "Ultima" which is supposed to be for cats with "difficult appetites" (comes in a green bag). Ours love it and fight over it. I suspect the suggestion about good quality dry food, little and often, is a good one - it certainly worked with our 19 year old diabetic cat who preferred dry food- or that semi dry food that you used to be able to get but I don't know if it's still available
 

---

Posted by redunderthebed (# 17480) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by New Yorker:
redunderthebed, they are both adorable!

---

Thankyou we think so too....most of the time.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
spare prayers, please, for Duke - my gentle giant of a dog (Great Pyranees) whom I believe has sprained his ankle somehow. it's been very icy and he's a klutz at the best of times, so I suspect a fall or twist. He's obviously in a lot of pain, and since he already has a bad back leg (we adopted him after a bad injury took him permanently off protecting sheep) and now a pained front leg he's teetering more than usual. he's sitting here next to me and I just want to FIX IT and it's very hard to convince a 180 lb dog to rest and elevate his leg.

I hate to see him hurting!
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
You got 'em - poor (big) baby!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Duke and comet
 

---

Posted by Otter (# 12020) on :
 
If you have a friendly neighborhood vet or vet-tech who doesn't insist on visits for everything, call and find out if there's an OTC painkiller Duke can take.

Last year one of our huskies was had an issue, and doses of a particular formulation of baby aspirin helped with pain and stiffness. But you do have to get the right formulation so its absorbed into their system correctly, and the right dosage. IIRC too much and/or for too long can do damage.

My boy didn't need much, very frequently, or for very long; we'll keep our paddy-paws crossed that Duke is as lucky!
 

---

Posted by Mrs Shrew (# 8635) on :
 
Hope Duke feels better soon!

We have a not-so-furry baby addition to the family here at Chez Shrew.

His name is Spike and he is an albino African Pygmy Hedgehog. Hes utterly lovely and it is making me really happy to have a pet again
 

---

Posted by snowgoose (# 4394) on :
 
Comet, can you tape (or wrap) it? Poor critter---it's so hard when they hurt and we can't fix it.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
update - I did an ace bandage wrap that he really disliked so it lasted about 10 minutes the first time, less the second and third times. ice wasn't going to happen, either. I've kept him indoors and he's rested and the swelling is going down. curling up on the carpet in front of the fire seems to be his best medicine right now.

we have to carry him up and down the 6 steps to go out to pee, which is complicated and rather funny and requires all three of us. really need something like an engine hoist.

we have no vets here, It would be a 70 mile drive one way.

things are looking up. thanks everyone for your concern!
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
17 months or so ago, for some reason, I said yes to a couple of kitten foundlings offered to my wife by a work colleague.

We've now got two big boys (neutered), names of Sparrow (champagne with orangey gold eyes) and Koi (tabbie with green eyes).

I had no clue God wanted us to be with these two to keep us sane.
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mrs Shrew:
We have a not-so-furry baby addition to the family here at Chez Shrew.

His name is Spike and he is an albino African Pygmy Hedgehog. Hes utterly lovely and it is making me really happy to have a pet again

---

I am green with envy. Hedgies are just the lovliest little dudes!
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
spare prayers, please, for Duke - my gentle giant of a dog (Great Pyranees) whom I believe has sprained his ankle somehow. it's been very icy and he's a klutz at the best of times, so I suspect a fall or twist. He's obviously in a lot of pain, and since he already has a bad back leg (we adopted him after a bad injury took him permanently off protecting sheep) and now a pained front leg he's teetering more than usual. he's sitting here next to me and I just want to FIX IT and it's very hard to convince a 180 lb dog to rest and elevate his leg.

I hate to see him hurting!

---

it's been almost a month. I took him to the vet last week, and she suspects a tumor. We have him on anti-inflamitories which is helping his pain (a LOT - I have to keep him from frolicking too much) but no sign of change in the softball sized thing on his ankle/wrist.

the x-rays and cytology that would be the next step is likely over $500, which I just don't have. and if it is a tumor, there's not much that can be done - dogs his size can't handle amputation.

it's looking bleak for my big guy.

 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry Comet.
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Oh Comet - I really feel for you in that situation. Poor Duke and poor you and the family as I know how very loved and very special he is.
It stinks even more when finances contribute to decisions - it's the question you really hate having to ask, isn't it, "how much will it cost" because it really shouldn't cost anything!
Having had to say farewell to my lovely cat recently (and having had to have that same conversation), I can empathise. Prayers for all of you, and especially for Duke, the much loved.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
*bump*

Following the loss of my older cat earlier this week, I'm seeing some new behaviours in our remaining feline, Little Roo. Besides howling, she's also uninterested in her favourite catnip toys, is taking twice as long as usual to eat, and has started to poop outside her box. I am a little surprised as she and Elderkitty really didn't have much to do with one another. We aren't wanting to adopt another animal; does anyone have ideas on how to help a grieving pet?

(And continued prayers for Duke.)
 

---

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I have a cat question.

My cat, who's going on 13 this spring, was diagnosed as diabetic a few years ago. The main symptom was that she was getting itchy scales on her skin and mowing her fur off chewing at the itches. She was switched to a canned food that's 95% meat, and went on a very small dose of insulin, and the itchy skin cleared up. She lost about 5 pounds in just over a year, and was able to go off the insulin last fall. I went away on a 3-week trip right after she went off insulin, and had a sitter look in on her daily.

Now, it's typical that my cat doesn't eat much when I'm away, so in 3 weeks she lost a pound. I think that's too fast, but the vet wasn't concerned. However, her itchy scales were back. I hadn't seen any evidence of fleas, but the vet found some flea dirt. Apparently she'd picked up fleas somehow while I was away (she never leaves my studio apartment). This was last November. I started her on Advantage, and have given it to her faithfully every month since, on schedule.

But she still has itchy scales. Not as bad as they were, but enough that they bother her, and I feel them when I pet her, and small clumps of fur come out with the scabs when she scratches them off.

I'll take her to the vet soon, but I was wondering if anyone's experienced anything like this with a cat. I can't tell if she's gained back the pound she lost while I was away last fall, but she's definitely not back to where she was when she became diabetic.

Can a cat have lingering skin issues after having fleas?
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
Duke update - we're back from the fancy vet hospital with mega drugs and a special diet. confirmed bone cancer, and the mass on his leg is the size of a small melon, I shit you not. his foot is also swollen to approximately 2x the size of the other foot. Vet says we have maybe a month. so we're spoiling him with fancy food and snacks and happy drugs and going to enjoy the little time we have left.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Oh, Comet!
Enjoy the time you have and spoil him like crazy.
and
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by churchgeek:
I have a cat question.
Can a cat have lingering skin issues after having fleas?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
Duke update - we're back from the fancy vet hospital with mega drugs and a special diet. confirmed bone cancer, and the mass on his leg is the size of a small melon, I shit you not. his foot is also swollen to approximately 2x the size of the other foot. Vet says we have maybe a month. so we're spoiling him with fancy food and snacks and happy drugs and going to enjoy the little time we have left.

---

I'm so sorry to hear this! Poor Duke.
 

---

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:

quote:

---

Originally posted by churchgeek:
I have a cat question.
Can a cat have lingering skin issues after having fleas?

---

My cat (two cats ago) had eczema and a flea allergy, both of which combined caused those scabby patches which took a bit of hair off with them when they fell off... a bit reminiscent of chicken pox scabs if I remember rightly. I just had to avoid letting her get fleas and, if they got infected, take her to the vet for antibiotics. I don't think there was anything I could do about them, we just both had to live with it. Possibly worth checking with your vet, though.

---

Thanks! She doesn't seem to be suffering from it much - not nearly as much as I do from the eczema I have thanks to that furry allergen who spends more time in my bed than I do! I was thinking today that maybe I should give her a good bath - not a water bath, but a good, thorough waterless foam bath, just to make sure her fur isn't harboring any irritants or allergens. I'll double check whether the foam I have is hypoallergenic, first. I wish there was some kind of lotion you could put on a cat's itchy dry skin. The lotions I use on myself don't help as much as I'd like them to, but they do help. (And patchouli oil, which I wear anyway for the scent, is good for eczema, at least in humans, but I wouldn't try putting it on my cat's itchy sores.) I'll bet it doesn't bother her as much as it bothers me to see her itch.

At first I thought the fleas didn't go away after one or even 2 treatments, but her fur's all grown back nicely and she's not chewing it off anymore. I hadn't been giving her flea prevention before because she stays in my apartment, and in 12 years she never had fleas. It seemed like an unnecessary expense. But now that she's been on insulin and is off it, I figure, well, I spent the money for the insulin, I can spend it for this.

I guess either her sitter brought fleas in or maybe fleas came in somehow. My apartment is hardwood floor, but there's a slight gap under the door, and the hallway has wool carpeting, and there are other cats in the building (at least one of which gets out of its apartment and wanders from time to time), and my cat is very obsessive. If any animal had been nosing around my door while I was gone, I'm sure Taffeta (my cat) kept her own nose glued to that gap under the door.

Who knows what our cats get up to when we're not home?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by churchgeek:
...Who knows what our cats get up to when we're not home?

---

She'll be on the internet plotting Feline World Domination!
 

---

Posted by Hedgehog (# 14125) on :
 
Over on the TICTH thread in Hell, Evensong and Comet were posting about those well-meaning-but-clueless people who, after you have lost a pet, immediately ask you when you are going to get a new one. TICTH is no place for discussion, but it started me wondering how other Shipmates handle that situation.

When my beloved cat Burnie died, I attempted to forestall such comments by e-mailing the news to family and friends and adding the comment: "To answer the obvious questions: (1) No, I am not okay. But I will be. (2) Yes, I expect I will get another cat at some point, but that doesn't change the fact that there will always be a part of my heart that forever belongs to my sweet Burnie." When having to deal with people in person, I did a verbal response with substantially the same comments modified to fit the conversation. I think it got the point across that suggesting a new pet does not stop the grief of losing an old one.

Does anybody else have an approach for dealing with the situation?
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
well, my response last week was a blank look and unbidden tears.

probably not the best response. I'd love to know what others say about this.

I'm hearing about it at work, as my dog was our temporary security system a few years back when there was a rash of burglaries. He was quite effective! and got to be known as the bar dog.

and for the record, since I hadn't told you lovely people here, Duke died Friday after a pretty bad turn for the worse. We all got to be with him and it was peaceful. We're still mourning. and Frodo, the other dog, is still looking for him, poor love.

[ 14. March 2013, 23:44: Message edited by: comet ]
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
comet and family, including Frodo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Comet, if I was closer, I'd cry with you.

Sunday after Jasmine died, I was with my friends at Red Lobster, talking and, well, not laughing, but having a nice time. All of a sudden, those unbidden tears came gushing out. And loud sobbing. Later, a lady from another table came to my seat, gave me a hug, and told me it would get better some day. She said that the kitty must have been very special. And not a word about a replacement cat.

I think she really got it.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I'm so sorry.
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
So sorry to hear of this. We lost out golden in the fall, so I'm kind of understanding the feelings. I still find myself calling the other dog his name, and then I think of all of visits to hospital we did together and how we went shopping and how I shovelled snow at him. There's no replacing. There's only tears and memories.

for you.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Oh comet, I'm so sorry for all of you, including Frodo.

It's been just over 2 weeks since we lost elderkitty, and Little Roo still occasionally searches for her sister. I can't believe the number of well-intentioned but essentially clueless people who have suggested we get a kitten to keep her company; do they not think introducing a new pet might be unfair to an already stressed animal?

Everybody, including our remaining pets, has a right to grieve their loss. And the opinions of those who suggest otherwise are, in the words of the immortal Marg Delahunty, "not worth the steam of your pee".
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by no prophet:
So sorry to hear of this. We lost out golden in the fall, so I'm kind of understanding the feelings. I still find myself calling the other dog his name,

---

NP, re my present cat, whom i got as a kitten, i have found myself occasionally calling her by the name of another beloved companion whom i had lost over 10 years ago.

[ 15. March 2013, 12:49: Message edited by: malik3000 ]
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
for comet, Meg the Red, and all who have lost beloved companions.

Mr Marten mentioned earlier that our youngest cat, Mandy, had been sleeping on the swivel chair that Louis used to sleep on at nights. Now Louis died in the winter of 2011, but I suddenly felt a welling up of grief for him.

I remember my lovely cats, going back to Prudence, who I had when I was 9, and who formed such a large part of my childhood. When she died (in her ripe old age) something of my childhood died.

I have never lived without pets, and I thank God for their love and companionship and affection. (Generic) You cannot replace those who have died, but in due time you can give a loving home to another needy little creature without forgetting and cherishing the memory of previous pets.

[ 15. March 2013, 13:46: Message edited by: Pine Marten ]
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
I firmly believe, after having watched and talked to pet owners for years, and experiencing this all now myself, that pets are one of the strongest examples of seeing God work inspite of us. God brings these animals into our lives. Usually we are not expecting or asking for them.

For those who feel the need to plan these things, they will plan when to have another pet. For most of us, it will happen when/if God wills it so.

For me to suggest otherwise would be akin to me suggesting somebody attempt to change the weather by wearing a sun hat.
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I came down here from TICTH to see what happened to Duke. Comet made me fall in love with him a few months ago with an hilarious description of the family carrying him up and down the steps while the expression on Duke's face said he thought it was the best fun ever.

The first Great Pyrenees I ever saw was at an obedience trial. It was at the part where all the owners line up on one side of the gym and the dogs on the other while they "Stay" as long as possible. About two minutes in, while all the Dobies and Labs were still perfectly still, the Pyrenees started creeping slowly across the floor, evidently thinking that if he crouched low and was real quiet we wouldn't see his gargantuan self. The audience tried to remain quiet but we all ended up laughing till tears ran down our face.

I'm just so sorry about Duke and all our lost pets.

 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Twilight:
I came down here from TICTH to see what happened to Duke. Comet made me fall in love with him a few months ago with an hilarious description of the family carrying him up and down the steps while the expression on Duke's face said he thought it was the best fun ever.

---

he really did enjoy that. I could swear he was laughing when I faceplanted in the snow. the boys certainly were!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Twilight:
The first Great Pyrenees I ever saw was at an obedience trial. It was at the part where all the owners line up on one side of the gym and the dogs on the other while they "Stay" as long as possible. About two minutes in, while all the Dobies and Labs were still perfectly still, the Pyrenees started creeping slowly across the floor, evidently thinking that if he crouched low and was real quiet we wouldn't see his gargantuan self. The audience tried to remain quiet but we all ended up laughing till tears ran down our face.

---

the very idea of a pyr at an "obedience trial" is hilarious to me. the best description I ever read is that when it comes to obedience, Great Pyranees are the perfect cat.

it's true. as a working dog, they are left alone with the sheep. So they make their own calls - they ARE the shepherd. So slavish obedience just doesn't fit into their minds.

When I'd call the boys in, Frodo (golden retriever/sled dog mix) would come running over happy as a clam. Duke would stop and look at me, as if to say, "yeah? whatcha got? treats? what's in it for me?"

for sled dogs (the majority of my experience) the human is the nominal alpha of the pack. for pyrs, the human is another member of the management team. an equal.

When I'd come home from work in the middle of the night, Duke used to push me to bed. he even stepped on my keyboard once and gave me a look - the look that says, "get the hell off the ship and go to bed, young lady!"

I think that's part of how they can get under your skin so much. they're more like a spouse than a kid.

Thanks for the description of the pyr at the show, Twilight, it really made me smile. Reminds me of Duke trying to slyly ooze onto the couch or bed with us RIGHT THERE, as if we wouldn't notice. my entire bed would dip under his weight, and he'd slowly creep up, "you don't see me!"
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Our dear cat Stan Lee will be 12 this year. Just recently he has been having periods of not eating, therefore losing weight, and being somewhat listless. This will last for a few days then he'll suddenly perk up and be his old self again. He has had blood tests etc, and the vet can't find anything wrong. I have googled this and found many other people having this trouble with their cats, for no apparent reason.

Good shipmates, any idea what is going on? Please??
 

---

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
I'm sorry to hear about Duke, Comet. It's heartbreaking to lose a pet. We miss them so much. And my condolences to others who've been through this, too.

Can I ask advice on a foster-dog I'm looking after at the moment? She's a fox-hound - big, gentle girl but very nervous (been with me over a month). Moves away at every approach I make. I have to get away from doorways and ignore her if I want her to come in from the garden or move to another room. Though she shares the bed and the sofa with me, lets me pet her a little and wants to be in the same room as me.

But if we had an emergency I'd never be able to get her into the car to go to the vet; I can't get her anywhere near the bathroom - let alone into a bath. And would need at least two other people to dog-handle her, when she digs her big paws in and refuses to move.

Is it just a matter of time? Or are there things I can do to make her more comfortable with human proximity and handling, such as following on a lead, bathing, etc.
 

---

Posted by Otter (# 12020) on :
 
I'd say that its a good sign that she wants to be in the same room with you, and willing to share the couch and bed (I'm guessing she snuggles up, even if she denies it). My boy is very snuggly, but only if he doesn't feel like he's being held.

A month really isn't that long, she probably needs more time. As for handling, walking on a lead, etc., bribery is a wonderful thing. When she's on the couch or bed with you, reach out and give her a pat, stroke (like you do a cat) or ear scritches every now and then. Call her to come outside, or come get some really good snack (even a step or two toward you is progress at first) - not so much to teach her to come when called, but to associate being called with good things.

She may always be a bit jumpy about being reached for, but she'll probably learn that you're a safe person.

[ 18. March 2013, 20:09: Message edited by: Otter ]
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pine Marten:
Our dear cat Stan Lee will be 12 this year. Just recently he has been having periods of not eating, therefore losing weight, and being somewhat listless. This will last for a few days then he'll suddenly perk up and be his old self again. He has had blood tests etc, and the vet can't find anything wrong. I have googled this and found many other people having this trouble with their cats, for no apparent reason.

Good shipmates, any idea what is going on? Please??

---

This isn't much help, but it sounds like the behaviour of an elderly cat. But 12 isn't ancient....

Prayers for you and Stan Lee.
 

---

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
Thanks, otter. Small steps, I guess, and lots of patience. She is a lovely old girl (about 9). Just so unused to being touched affectionately by humans.

(And yes I know how weird and suspect that sounds.... )
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Thanks, Earwig. We think he may be feeling a bit arthritic (as do I ) as his back legs obviously get a bit stiff at times, and as my aches and pains are worse in wet weather I'm keeping a note to see if he is the same. At least he is eating something (even if only a little) every day.

He does still like chicken very much, though it not very calorific, and he needs to keep his weight up. Hopefully it will pass again in a few days and he'll perk uo again - if the rain ever goes away!
 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 
When our elderly kitty became arthritic the vet gave us a glucosamine supplement which helped her a lot. Previously she would hesitate before jumping onto the sofa, afterwards she was back to her old self.
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Ah! good thinking - I take glucosamine myself. I'll check with our vet.... thanks, ElaineC.
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
I am in the process of adopting a 6yr old Collie/Samoyed cross from the dog shelter. They will give me advice but I'm open to as many tips as possible.

We will be on a diet together, learning to get fit together and a companion will be good therapy for my depression.

Friends who live near me are very positive about it but family see it as be taking on a burden rather than a positive thing. And I am finding that hard. But looking forward to her arrival and looking up how to help her settle and training etc.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Dogs are indeed great for exercise and wonderful for helping with depression - HAVING to feed and walk mine was a great blessing when I least felt like it.

Eta: I envy you this blessing - all best wishes for it.

[ 20. March 2013, 03:36: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
Avila--how lovely for you both! What's her name?
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Avila, sounds as if you could do with more uncritical affection in your life. Dogs are quite good at that.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
I am in the process of adopting a 6yr old Collie/Samoyed cross from the dog shelter. They will give me advice but I'm open to as many tips as possible.

---

Marvellous! I have had dogs all my life and can't imagine being without one. My old pooch, Gavin , is 14 now and still a wonderful (if a little creaky) companion.

I know he's controversial, but I find Ceasar Milan the best by far. He understands dogs and body language so well.

I started watching his programmes a few years ago after Gavin developed a lead fetish which was completely ruining all our walks. I watched many episodes before I cottoned on to Caesar's methods. When I worked it out and started using them, Gavin was completely cured within three days.



 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Her name is Gabi

And I have had a note from post to say they called with a parcel whilst I was out - should be the dog bed!!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Avila, she is gorgeous!
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
Her name is Gabi

And I have had a note from post to say they called with a parcel whilst I was out - should be the dog bed!!

---

 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
Aw, she's beautiful! congratulations!

brush regularly - take it from someone who recently had a fluffdog - they matt up quick. but regular brushing is not only good for the fur, it's bonding time. and works well with TV time or something similar.

I'm sure you and Gabi will be thick friends in no time. exciting!
 

---

Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
I've had to send Zorro on an extended holiday with my ex whilst I pack and try to find a home.

I'm hoping that I will be able to have him returned to me when everything is settled, but I do miss him.

I know he is being well looked after and that he was learning his place with the other cats and a dog when it comes to food and sot places to sleep on, but he is frustrated at not being able to go out and having to use a litter tray.

Whilst it's not an easy time for me, it must he difficult for him
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
Here we go again. About 18 months ago, I saw my 14 year old cat through months of chemo for lymphoma, until he suddenly crashed and had to go off for the green dream. Now my not-quite-five year old cat is at the hospital with acute kidney trouble, which the vet clearly thinks likely to be shown by today's biopsy to also be lymphoma.

Such sweet boys, both. And so hard to stay positive this time.
 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 
for you and the poorly kitty
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
for kittyville and her poorly kitty.
 

---

Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kittyville:
Here we go again. About 18 months ago, I saw my 14 year old cat through months of chemo for lymphoma, until he suddenly crashed and had to go off for the green dream. Now my not-quite-five year old cat is at the hospital with acute kidney trouble, which the vet clearly thinks likely to be shown by today's biopsy to also be lymphoma.

Such sweet boys, both. And so hard to stay positive this time.

---

I sympathise..

Our beloved Mia (feisty female cat, about 8 years old) is in the vets for removal of squamous cell carcinoma. Vet is very positive. But her present good looks will be affected.

Morladres is depressed, with 2/3 of the family having cancer: yes, hard to stay positive.

[ 22. March 2013, 09:36: Message edited by: Morlader ]
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
My sympathies, also, to you, Morlader - how awful. Fingers crossed for good outcomes all round.

Thanks to you, ElaineC and Dormouse for the thoughts and prayers.
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
My tiny Bib (well, not that tiny, but compared to the others she is) is having her reproductive organs removed as I type. I trust the vet implicitly (unlike the Killer Vet of the Village) but I still can't help being worried. She seems very small to have a major op like this! (She's about 9 months old...we don't know exactly...but she is old enough to be on heat, so it Must Be Done!)
 

---

Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
Re Mia and yesterday's message, for pray-ers and others interested.

Vet couldn't operate because the scab caused by the biopsy obscured the site. So we all wait for the scab to heal - perhaps two weeks.

Vet thinks the biopsy may have removed the carcinoma anyway .

Morlader
Relieved but apprehensive about what might develop in two weeks.
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
Her name is Gabi

---

She's got a lovely face.
How exciting

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
My old pooch, Gavin ...

---

I have no idea why, but the idea of a dog called Gavin makes me want to fall over laughing
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I do wonder about the life cat Truffles had as a kitten.... whenever I play my flute she comes running from her nice cosy nest, and has to get as close as she can to it, today she even jumped onto my shoulders. Sometimes she rolls around as if she's in a patch of cat-nip. She's usually friendly enough, but not a cat to be all over anyone. At first I wondered if it was because the sound hurts her ears (I'm still a beginner so that wouldn't surprise me) but I think it is more than that.
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by luvanddaisies:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
Her name is Gabi

---

She's got a lovely face.
How exciting

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
My old pooch, Gavin ...

---

I have no idea why, but the idea of a dog called Gavin makes me want to fall over laughing

---

I once knew a friend's dog called Dave...

Gabi comes home on Thursday
Then I'll have to be a grown up with responsibilities!
 

---

Posted by John D. Ward (# 1378) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by luvanddaisies:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
My old pooch, Gavin ...

---

I have no idea why, but the idea of a dog called Gavin makes me want to fall over laughing

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
I do wonder about the life cat Truffles had as a kitten.... whenever I play my flute she comes running from her nice cosy nest, and has to get as close as she can to it, today she even jumped onto my shoulders.

---

This is apparently quite common! I think idea is that the flute is in the same register as cats' miaows, and they get quite excited that you're talking in kitty.
 

---

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
Not sure dogs should have proper people names. One student at theological college had a big labrador called Peter. Which was also the first name of our college principal. He must've found it as disconcerting as we found it hilarious to hear her voice call out across the chapel lawn of a morning: 'Peter, bad boy. Don't go poo-poo on the lawn. Naughty boy!'

Or in general conversation to overhear such tit-bits as 'it's all right, Peter's quite safe. He's been done, you know!'
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Truffles didn't appear from her nest this evening when I practised, nor when I rattled her food bag... I found her in a sorry state nursing an injured leg (maybe more), I think from a fight with an intruder. I'll take her to the vet first thing tomorrow, but she has a long night ahead of her, poor thing.
 

---

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 
How is she?
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
Truffles didn't appear from her nest this evening when I practised, nor when I rattled her food bag... I found her in a sorry state nursing an injured leg (maybe more), I think from a fight with an intruder. I'll take her to the vet first thing tomorrow, but she has a long night ahead of her, poor thing.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anselmina:
Not sure dogs should have proper people names. One student at theological college had a big labrador called Peter. Which was also the first name of our college principal. He must've found it as disconcerting as we found it hilarious to hear her voice call out across the chapel lawn of a morning: 'Peter, bad boy. Don't go poo-poo on the lawn. Naughty boy!'

Or in general conversation to overhear such tit-bits as 'it's all right, Peter's quite safe. He's been done, you know!'

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
Today was D-Day, Dog-Day ...

---

Have a great time getting to know each other
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dormouse:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anselmina:
Not sure dogs should have proper people names. One student had a big labrador called Peter.

---

A cat called Steve doesn't really sound right.

---

quote:

---

A cat called Steve doesn't really sound right.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
My previous two cats would come close, trying to scale my legs if I was wearing jeans, and meowing their heads off, when I played flute.
...... I have been catless since last July, but that will soon end!

I've never started with adult cats -- I started with a pair of kittens last time -- so any advice about helping these two guys feel at home would be gratefully appreciated.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
I have been catless since last July, but that will soon end! Today I went to the shelter and picked out two males, both about two years old, who were brought in together as strays. They were housed together, and when I was let into their room, they were cuddled up together in a corner (and the staff was later delighted to learn they'd be adopted together -- which also made me happy, because I really want two cats who already get along).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
My previous two cats would come close, trying to scale my legs if I was wearing jeans, and meowing their heads off, when I played flute.

I have been catless since last July, but that will soon end! Today I went to the shelter and picked out two males, both about two years old, who were brought in together as strays. They were housed together, and when I was let into their room, they were cuddled up together in a corner (and the staff was later delighted to learn they'd be adopted together -- which also made me happy, because I really want two cats who already get along). The Siamese mix came over to say hello after a minute, and then got very friendly. The orange tabby took a bit longer to decide I was okay, but he let me pet him and started to purr. They get neutered and chipped over the weekend and I get to take them home Monday. I can't wait!

I've never started with adult cats -- I started with a pair of kittens last time -- so any advice about helping these two guys feel at home would be gratefully appreciated.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
that mournful abandoned bored look.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
that mournful abandoned bored look.

---

I thought dogs looked like that all the time.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:
When I can't be playing with her she lies down, but has that mournful abandoned bored look - I need some ideas for her to entertain herself.

---

Dogs don't need to be entertained. They need good, long walks - then they'll happily snooze.


 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So it's not lymphoma, but knowing what it is could be weeks away - samples have been sent to the US for testing. Meanwhile, the boy is skinny and has great big shaved patches gradually growing back and a catheter sticking out of his back, so I can give him subcutaneous fluids at home. And he was so outraged at having to go to the vet on Friday that he sat out in the wet and cold on Saturday in a little huddle of misery, rather than come in and risk being bundled into the cat carrier again. If I didn't already love him to bits, I certainly would now. (He came in eventually - the fire being on was too strong a lure, I'm happy to say).
 

---

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
Poor thing! And also -- wow. I had no idea things got sent so far for testing.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
I know - extraordinary, isn't it? But this lab in Texas is apparently the world centre of excellence for feline renal disease (and who knew there even was one of those?), so that's where they've sent the stuff for testing.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
Rescuing this thread from the depths to say - he's getting better! The vet now thinks it was a "toxic insult" rather than disease, so fingers crossed, he might even be able to have the catheter out soon. Such a relief!
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Ok large dog small car situation.

I have been taking Gabi in the back seat of the car with a seatbelt harness. She sits hanging her head hating the car and if I need to break firmly she slides towards the back of the front seat and front paws slide into the footwell. Even padded out with cushions this is stressful.

Obviously this doesn't help her learn to like the car even though we are having short journeys to get long country walks. Being in a rural area with windy roads and single tracks where you may meet anything from a horse to a milk tanker around the next bend sudden firm breaking is a part of life.

The harness has too much movement and she is a large dog so her body weight momentum will be considerable.

Should I invest in a cage? Assuming one large enough would fit in my back seat, or would that just end up with the whole cage sliding with her inside? Can cages be belted in in some way?

Or if I remove the parcel shelf in my hatchback she can fit in the boot section, though with a tougher climb in. (just tried without going anywhere). But once the boot is shut the angle of the door seems to limit her space, although would mean no footwell to fall into.

She seems to move with the bends etc as if she has no skill of balancing her weight when not in control ie walking or running.

Anyone with experience of transporting a big dog in a small car? Please advice.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
What breed is she? temperament matters a lot.

I have never used seatbelts for dogs, and I can imagine my guys would have hated them. Can she lie down in the backseat with that thing on? because if she is forced to sit upright/forelegs forward she's going to slide forward every time - it's a center of gravity thing. plus, they generally hate having their range of movement restricted.

I have one 100+ lb dog, and up until a few months ago had two of them. they were both excellent in the car and loved to go for rides. They'd hop right into the back seat (we could only transport one at a time with my current tiny sedan) and lie down. The trick with both of them was getting used to it and treating it like a "treat" - talk it up like walkies. "Wanna go for a ride? woohoo car time! let's go!"

when both were puppies we also hauled them EVERYWHERE so they'd adjust to the vehicle and get some "us" time while we were at it. a treat once they laid down always helped, too.

Would you consider ditching the seatbelt idea, or is it law, there? Dogs just aren't built to be belted into human seats. they need to lie down, get their center of gravity low, so they don't get tossed around.

the hatchback works - when I had a car with one, one dog went in the back seat and the other under the hatchback. they liked it back there, it's contained, has a view, and has an even floor. often it's big enough for them to get comfortable, also.

I wouldn't use a kennel, as it makes the balance issue worse - then she has even less control as the car turns and accelerates/decelerates.
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
The seatbelt is not in the human way but provides an anchor point to a body harness like this which limits drastic movement in eg a crash. She can choose to sit or lie and and to turn (just not 360) She might be better off lying down re momentum theory, but she always stays sitting, side on to direction of travel with head down as if being punished

She is a 6 yr old cross between a collie and a Samoyed and only with me since Easter and about 27 kgs.

The boot may be the best plan - I had just assumed that it would be too restrictive, but todays test shows it could be possible (just need to find a new place for the traditional boot junk)
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Oops, forgot to go back and add a link re car harness.

This is a good image part down page as shows the link to the seltbelt

Link!!
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avila:

The boot may be the best plan - I had just assumed that it would be too restrictive, but todays test shows it could be possible (just need to find a new place for the traditional boot junk)

---

restricted space isn't always a bad thing for them, it can feel more secure.

I'd say find a new home for your boot stuff, and put a blankie back there - something that will make her feel comforted. either one she already uses at home or one that smells of you. hell, stick her dog bed back there if you can. then I'd load her up, cooing and using happy-dog-talk (see: high pitched and bubbly) the whole time. close the hatch, get in the car, no radio, chattering away to her the whole time, then drive maybe 20 feet. get out, open hatch, and POUR PRAISES and scrumptious treats on her. wait an hour, do it again, only maybe around the block. keep this up a few times a day or as you can until when you're heading for the car she's tap-dancing in front of the hatch waiting for a road trip and the resulting goodies and adoration. it will take time, but not too much. the trick is sticking to it until she's more comfortable.
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Thanks
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Agreeing with Comet, the boot with hatchback should work. Many years ago when my sons were young, we had a German Shepherd, biggish, and one of the first hatchbacks, Renault 16 TS. SHe loved being in the back as it meant she was out with us, not left moping at home.

The only problem was that she was tall when she sat and the boy in the middle seat would complain that she drooled on him.
 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Reporting back -

The test journeys and positive affirmation about the hatchback boot went by the way due to a sickness bug that left me bonding with the toilet bowl instead.

So first attempt was the 2 stage (hour each) journey on sunday. The first she was sitting up and anxious as usual before finally lying down, the second leg she lay down almost straight away (as she did today on the direct route home).

In the back seat on her harness she was always sitting and nervous never settling to lie down.

However the drooling is still copious and obviously not happy. Hoping to improve this, and any ideas to settle her stomach if that is the issue would be appreciated.
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
TICTH fleas!

We're struggling with little visitors. Serious battle has taken place in the flat - there are a few stragglers but I think that the majority have been nicely blitzed and we will continue with preemptive strikes in the hopes of stopping the remnant from multiplying again.

However -

I gave Millie (Our 1-year-old cat) a dose of Frontline last week but it doesn't seem to have helped. She is clearly very itchy indeed - and, of course, each bout of scratching sends more little visitors off into the carpet and furniture again. The pet shop recommended shammpooing her, but she's a very very nervous little thing, easily traumatised (we adopted her in February after a tough start in life) and we're shortly going away and leaving her in the care of a catsitter, so I am reluctant to subject her to a dunking. Anyone know whether we can use any other flea killer on her or do we have to wait the five weeks recommended on the Frontline packet? What products/approaches do you lot use to keep the uninvited at bay?
 

---

Posted by Rosa Gallica officinalis (# 3886) on :
 
I'm no expert Smudgie, but have vague memories of recommending treating the carpets/furnishings with flea spray, in addition to Frontline, when we sold it in the chemists shop.
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smudgie:
TICTH fleas!

We're struggling with little visitors. Serious battle has taken place in the flat - there are a few stragglers but I think that the majority have been nicely blitzed and we will continue with preemptive strikes in the hopes of stopping the remnant from multiplying again.

However -

I gave Millie (Our 1-year-old cat) a dose of Frontline last week but it doesn't seem to have helped.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I knew The Advocate was good but...


...or did you mean this one?

---

Whilst the first one has many positive attributes, I've had a good look over the site and have come to the conclusion that its flea fighting prowess is negligible at best, so i'm going to stick with my recommendation. For getting rid of Fleas, go for the Bayer version, for what seems (after a quick glace) to be a wry and witty commentary on LGBT life in North America, plump for the latter...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have always used Stronghold, from the vets. You can't buy it over the counter but my dogs have never had fleas.

I have 'tho! One of our children at school lives with five other children, a mother and eight dogs. The dogs sleep with the children and all are riddles with fleas.

I was bitten to pieces two weeks ago, along with all of our staff with siblings in their class. I had my dogs flead immediately and, fortunately, I didn't pass any on to them!

(The school has since been fumigated, but Social Services seem to be doing little about this neglected family )
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
My dog has a little lump, shaped like a big nipple ( but not) and not obviously a fatty cyst.

Is there any point in taking her to the vet, when there is not discoloration, redness, soreness or discharge? I suspect they will say, that's a lump. Don't know what without biopsy, that'll be 40 quid for the consultation, thank you.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
Taliesin - my Frodo has bumps and skin tabs and other odd things growing off of him fairly regularly. When Duke got his cancer I got all paranoid. the vet told me, "yeah, he's got a lumpy thing" and that it was no big deal. However, it IS hard to know.

Does your dog's lump sit under the skin or sort of on it - like a growth or like something going on internally? it sounds more like a skin tab sort. Frodo's are either little flappy things like skin tabs, or swollen grody outside things that look like ticks. (he has black skin) The vet told me to watch them, like you would a mole on yourself. if they're changing a lot and quickly, or are oddly shaped, or look red and angry, get the dog in. if they seep, get it checked. and even if benign, if they bother the dog a lot, go in because even if benign they could be painful or catching on things (ouch!)

Frodo's current tick-like jobby annoyed him for awhile and he licked it a lot, causing bleeding. but he chilled out and it just hangs there. looking kinda nasty, but it's harmless. the worst problem is my daughter's puppy keeps trying to bite it.

[ 28. July 2013, 22:25: Message edited by: comet ]
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Taliesin, I'd take him in. I know with people there's plenty of things a trained doctor can take a look at and say "nope, nothing serious", so I assume there are with dogs too. And at least you'd know it was OK.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Thank you, both of you. I will probably take her sometime this week. Did wrote more but machine the n ed it into gobberish
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Is he a youngster?

Lots of young dogs get dog acne!


 

---

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Gabi didn't want to open one eye this morning, worried that scratched or something when let loose to run around the woods last night.

Took her into vets this morning - it is an ulcer on cornea. Not too serious at moment but needs monitoring. We go back on Monday morning but in the meantime have to put in drops twice a day, and watch for any deteriation.

As a new Doggy mummy (4 months since adoption - but seems like she has always been here!) any advice for getting eye drops in on a 25kg dog with a sore eye that doesn't want to have anything near. I am home alone!

It must be really sore as she didn't even bother to complain about me putting on the lampshade collar to stop her rubbing it.
 

---

Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Can anybody here tell me what it's like living with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? We're pondering whether to get a companion for Miffdog (a 10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne) and the King Charles is first on our list of possibles; we're thinking a rescue animal rather than a pup. Our and Miffdog's experiences with a friend's dog have been very positive so far.

He/she would also have to be able to co-exist with our cat.

What think ye - and yes - we have and are continuing to consider all the cons as well as the pros of which there are many!
 

---

Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Miffy:
Can anybody here tell me what it's like living with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? We're pondering whether to get a companion for Miffdog (a 10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne) and the King Charles is first on our list of possibles; we're thinking a rescue animal rather than a pup. Our and Miffdog's experiences with a friend's dog have been very positive so far.

He/she would also have to be able to co-exist with our cat.

What think ye - and yes - we have and are continuing to consider all the cons as well as the pros of which there are many!

---

No takers? OK, let's open it up. Forget the Cavalier King Charles; with the bunch of health problems they're prone to, I can just see we'd be heading for heartbreak.

Pros and cons to multiple dog ownership: I suspect you need to expend way more energy and time with two dogs than one. Do they amuse themselves more? Bond more with themselves and less with you? Partners in crime? Do yours ever fight? What over - food, territory, attention? Whats the best combo - two males, male/bitch? Ages? Our current canine BFDB is ten years old. Do we go for a pup with all that that entails - or an older, rescue animal?

And living with cats: Our dog is fine with resident moggies - even if he is a hunting breed. What (smallish/medium sized) dogs have you experienced living peaceably with Tibbles in the house? Are there some breeds that have less prey drive than others?

Lastly - is there anybody on board who can tell me what it's like sharing house and home with one of the following breeds:

Lhasa Apso
Shih Tzu
Bichon Frise
Toy and miniature poodles
Miniature Schnauzer
Dandy Dinmont Terrier

Ta!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I certainly found two dogs easier than one - I had an ex-male and an ex-female and they were great friends and played happily together, slept together and kept me laughing for hours. I can't recall them ever fighting.

The female was a rescue [mostly sheltie] and the male was a collie/German shepherd cross who had been my nephews but needed rehoming. He turned into the best dog ever in the history of the universe. My ex's mum eventually took the female as it had been his dog.

I am a big rescue fan, and a mixed breed fan.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I strongly advise against getting two puppies. They will be very hard to train and so focussed on each other that they don't really bond with the humans.

I had two cavaliers but got them twelve months apart.

Both had heart problems all their lives, but that didn't stop them living happy, bouncy 15 years each

Having a pup is far, far more tiring than having a baby - simply because they don't wear nappies! But the hard work is over in 4 weks and after that it's fun fun fun!

My Tatze is now 19 weeks old and learning so FAST. I am loving having a big, clever dog. The Cavaliers were gorgeous but thsi one is so great to train.


 

---

Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Thanks, both of you, you're confirming what I'd thought: we'd certainly not go for two puppies at the same time, one was bad enough, though I must confess to a certain degree of amnesia about those early days with Miffdog - rather like the way you forget childbirth until the next time...

Miffdog does seem to enjoy meeting other dogs. He gets on well at the dogsitter's and in kennels. How he'd be with another one invading his territory, I'm not sure. His breed is bred for it's easy-going temperament - behind the big bark there beats a heart of gold.

WW I agree with you about rescues. They're very very rare with Miffdog's breed; though there are many many (sadly) in Europe, where the breed is more widely known, that end up dumped in rescues, basically at the end of their breeding life or when no longer needed for hunting.

Boogie Taze looks gorgeous. You must be having great fun atm.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have never had a large dog before so decided to train Tatze really well, go to classes, read up all I could etc.

Tatze found a stinky dead rat today, ran up to me gleefully shaking it and jumping round like a lamb. She then happily swapped it for treats.

Phew!!!!!!

I was sooooo pleased!

Whenever she 'finds' a sock, shoes or undies this is what we have done. Thanked her very much, praised her and swapped it for treats.
I was a bit worried that we may be encouraging her to go searching for and pinching our things.

It is what our trainer advised as the retriever instinct is so strong in labradors. She was 100% right!


 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
how brilliant.

I have two dogs. Comet and others advised me on here when I said, shall I get another dog? and they all said, frankly, only if you must, and remember that two dogs is a pack of dogs, and a pack of dogs is 3 times the work of 1.

oh very yes.

They are also 3 times the fun, but you have to have 3 times the energy to deal with it.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:

I have two dogs. Comet and others advised me on here when I said, shall I get another dog? and they all said, frankly, only if you must, and remember that two dogs is a pack of dogs, and a pack of dogs is 3 times the work of 1.

oh very yes.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
more specifically, I had a german shepherd x who was bored and miserable, (in my perception from a human perspective) but almost no work or hassle at all, so long as we kept her on a lead near other dogs/cats/small children/squirrels. And so we, in our wisdom, adopted an eighteen month old staffie x, and the two of them have a lot of fun. But they are hard work to walk on leads as they pull together, and have been known to tow me through hedges in the pursuit of a cat. On my tummy. shouting and swearing. ouch.


I do work on it. a halti, a harness, treats in the pocket, etc.

---

Sounds familiar. Miffdog is a high energy breed and still hard work at nearly 11 years old! Funnily enough, the other breed we're considering seems to be a miniature version of him, with many of the same traits. We must be gluttons for punishment.

I think I'll need to show this thread to Mr Miff.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Our grandma cat [feral] had yet another litter a few weeks ago and has started bringing a little one across at meal times - decidedly cute but very nervous.
 

---

Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 
We just picked up a one year old Boxer-Rhodesian Ridgeback mix from the shelter a week ago, to help us through the loss of our recently departed Chow Chow- Shar Pei mix. Quite a contrast. She is nothing but muscle and energy, although she is pretty good on the leash and calm enough to take into dog friendly businesses, so long as she gets a total of about 2 hours of exercise a day. The one thing that she does much better than her predecessor is get along with other dogs- not surprising, given the last one's bloodline. We introduced her to a friend's Yorkie last night, and they quickly became best friends. Amazing how she can pull punches and be submissive if it will make playing with a dog a tenth of her weight possible.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Our grandma cat [feral] had yet another litter a few weeks ago and has started bringing a little one across at meal times - decidedly cute but very nervous.

---

Is Campbellite expected chez Wodders anytime soon?
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
It's late winter here, but the weather is more spring-like. Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy is shedding fur as though it was an Olympic event, which means that despite my efforts at brushing her she has some matted fur. Sometimes I've resorted to cutting it out that's not ideal. The vet's nurse suggested a groomer, but the taxi fare there and back could wipe out the total budget deficit of a small nation, besides leaving me with very pissed off cat.

So how do others sort out the tangles? Is there a grooming sequence that works best? Any suggestions welcome thar don't involve a recipe from Campbellite.

Huia
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Have you tried something like a Zoom Groom? My short haired cats love it, and I expect your fluffy one would, too.
 

---

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
I looked up Zoom Groom as I'd never heard of it.
This cat looks very happy with it,but if I'd tried it on my Lucy cat she would have fought back, especially if I'd used it on her tummy.
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
My Bethcat died today Not entirely unexpected, but still a shock to come home and find her - and not in the happy curled-up died-in-her-sleep attitude I'd been praying for.

Go and love your cats extremely much from me. I can see that there are great benefits to not being woken twice a night by a yowling monster walking on my face, but the house feels very odd without her.
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Theophania, and rest in peace Bethcat

and yes, i'm following your recommendation -- showing my chubby buddy much love -- she just turned 5 years old.
 

---

Posted by ExclamationMark (# 14715) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theophania:
My Bethcat died today Not entirely unexpected, but still a shock to come home and find her - and not in the happy curled-up died-in-her-sleep attitude I'd been praying for.

Go and love your cats extremely much from me. I can see that there are great benefits to not being woken twice a night by a yowling monster walking on my face, but the house feels very odd without her.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Theophania:
Go and love your cats extremely much from me.

---

Will do. So sorry for your loss.
 

---

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
Theophania, Millie is sitting here alongside me in her favourite position on the arm of my chair. We too lost a much loved cat earlier this year and Millie is not a replacement but, well, a delightful supplement I am so sorry for your loss - after all that time it must be such a significant absence in the household. Funny how these fluffy four-legged creatures weedle their way into our hearts.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry, Theophania - distributing hugs and tickles very liberally this evening.
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Thank you all! Bethy was a jolly good cat and I'm glad to have known her.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Sorry for your loss Theophania. Two of my four furries are curled next to me now and I'm so glad they are.
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Theophania.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Yes, peaceful prowling, Bethcat. My ol' Calico has been gone for more than 2 years now, which doesn't seem possible.

I dropped in to share my disgusting dog's behaviour... (they're so not cats) we decided on nature's bounty for today's dinner (pudding) and picked blackberries and apples from the garden.
So far, so froody. Picked endlessly thru blackberries, wondering why I bothered. Cut up apples with 13 year old son, found large maggot. Discussed maggot, what will it be, what was the process etc. Put it carefully, with its apple, at the bottom of the tree so it can continue its process... 10 minutes later my wretched dog has eaten it. Apple, maggot and all. Looks at me all puzzled, like I should have said it wasn't for him, or something. oh.... yuk.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
My 12 years old cat is behaving badly. The set up is each evening I give her a treat, and put her in a small room between house and garage, close the door and say good-night. During the day the door is kept open for her to come and go to her litter box. ( indoor cat) All was well until 2 weeks ago. She is urinating in her bed!!!!!!!!!! When I take bedding up during the day she uses her litter pan. Her bed is a padded mat with layers of soft toweling on the top. I clean her litter pan each morning and wash her bedding once a week. Of course now I am doing it each day. She seems healthy and happy during the day, vet gave her a clean bill of health. Any ideas? She lays in her bed after she has used it for her litter pan. I am at wits end.
 

---

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
If the clean bill of health from the vet is from before this started happening, I'd take her back.

If the vet says she's fine then I'd try a bunch of things:
-- Clean the litter pan twice a day, or make that one time just before closing her in at night.
-- Put down a second pan with a different kind of litter in it -- sometimes cats decide they don't like what they've been fine with for years. Look for the softest litter you can find for the second pan, as she might have decided her bed just feels better to stand on when she pees.
-- Move the litter pan closer to the bedding, if at all possible -- she might have decided the pan is just too far away at night.
-- Get new bedding. She's peed on the existing bed a bunch of times, and even if you can't smell the pee after cleaning it, she might smell it. Plus this has gone on long enough for her to have established a habit.

Basically, she's changed her behavior, and so you'll need to change the environment to get her to change back.
 

---

Posted by LutheranChik (# 9826) on :
 
We recently adopted two cats this summer. One of our friends, an old high school friend of DP's whom she's kept in contact with via Facebook and occasional visits, called us this summer and asked us if we would take them because her fiance' didn't like cats and other prospective in-law family members were allergic to them. She was very upset -- the kitties are 9 years old and very closely bonded, making their adoptability difficult, and she couldn't imagine just dropping them off at the local pound -- after our own beloved cat died this spring we'd vowed never to get another, but after talking about it we told her that of course we'd take in her cats.

Dash and Pumpkin are nice kitties; it took them a week to emerge from their hiding place under a spare-bedroom chair, but now they're fairly comfortable wandering around the house and being in the same room with us. (Dash is actually sitting next to me right now.) They despise our dog, and whack her (in an non-playful way) whenever she approaches them even in an obviously friendly/appeasing manner, but at least they can tolerate being in the same room with her for short periods of time.

Here's the problem: Because our dog tends to be DP's dog and monopolizes DP's time/space in the house, the cats associate DP with the dog -- even if the dog is asleep or in another room -- and are reluctant to approach DP or let her pet them. In the meantime, the cats have become very comfortable cuddling next to me, playing with me and treating me as their go-to human. DP is very sad that the kitties avoid her.

For those of you in multiple-pet households, any ideas for helping DP make friends with the cats, or vice versa? I know from our own past experience that pets tend to play favorites with human family members and vice versa, but these cats' total resistance to making friends with DP seems a little extreme.

[ 02. September 2013, 00:02: Message edited by: LutheranChik ]
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
LC, never underestimate cupboard love. Does DP feed the kitties? If not, or if you share the role, ask DP to be the sole source of food for a couple of months. They should start to think of her as the great provider, the uber-mommy-cat.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
I don;t know where to post this... hope this is okay... one of my ex-girlfriend's cats just died on our living room floor.The poor cat was only two years old but she was always in bad respiratory health--and my ex-gf's chain smoking certainly didn't help matters... anyway, my current wife and I prayed that God would take little Lucy because it was obvious she couldn't breathe anymore--her tongue was turning black... and God answered our prayers within thirty minutes, the little cat was breathing her last. I called my ex-girlfriend to tell her the news and she said she was going to kill herself, that she shouldn't have spent money on pot and pills and taken Lucy to the vet more often...

Oh, hell... our little cat is dead!
 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 
for Lucy, now chasing heavenly mice

for you and all those who grieve for her.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ElaineC:
for Lucy, now chasing heavenly mice

for you and all those who grieve for her.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:
LC, never underestimate cupboard love. Does DP feed the kitties? If not, or if you share the role, ask DP to be the sole source of food for a couple of months. They should start to think of her as the great provider, the uber-mommy-cat.

---

And maybe LC takes the dog for a good long walk every day for the first week or so of this while DP feeds the cats?
 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I know those of you who come onto this thread probably have all the cats you need, and if you want more you will go to a refuge near home, but I did promise to publicise Spanish Stray Cats who are in need of homes for their cats.
See this link to my blog: Cats Need You!
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Dormouse, I'm too far away to help but I'm sending up prayers
 

---

Posted by Kyzyl (# 374) on :
 
My 5 yo Goldie adoptee Tango encountered the Mississippi River this weekend. It was enlightening to me as well. His predecessor, Pyrite, would get out of the car and immediately start sniffing the vicinity and only then follow me to the water. Not the Tangmeister. I opened the car door, he took one look, and BAM, right into the river!! We came back home with sand in our shoes/paws, him smelling like the river (and getting to "play" in the hose at home, yea!!), and both of us tired and happy.
 

---

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I went away for just shy of 2 weeks, and since I returned ~2 weeks ago, my cat is begging for food but won't eat it. She'll nibble, but that's it. It doesn't matter if I give her the dry food or the canned.

While I was away, the woman who was looking in on her reported she was eating all the food that she left for her each time (she came every other day, and found the bowl empty), even when she filled the bowl.

I can't afford to take her to the vet - even if something's seriously wrong with her, I can't afford it right now. Other than the strange begging-but-not-eating thing, she seems normal, happy, and healthy. She's as active as ever, she cuddles and purrs, she's grooming, her coat looks good...

The only thing is she's also been vomiting a little. That's something she's always done from time to time all her life. Lately, it's been just liquid - no food in it. Maybe just because she's not eating enough?

She still does her typical licking anything and eating any fuzz she finds on the blanket or floor (no strings - I am very careful to keep strings out of her reach, knowing the dangers they pose).

Any ideas?

Oh, she does eat catnip when I give it to her, with all the enjoyment that goes along with it.

She's 13.

ETA: She was diabetic for just over a year, just over a year ago. But we reversed it through diet change (I feed her Wellness Core - normally the canned, but I bought dry for when I was away) and insulin. She's gained some of the weight back that she'd lost, but doesn't have the same diabetes symptom she had before: scaly, itchy skin and "mowing" her fur off.

[ 11. September 2013, 05:22: Message edited by: churchgeek ]
 

---

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
It's possible she has a fur ball waiting to come up. Can she go outside and eat grass to encourage vomiting?
Otherwise, I would try her on a different type of cat food.
Odd that she ate while you were away but not now. Is this some sort of power game?
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Sounds like a blockage. If she gets thinner, you'll know. Good luck.
 

---

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
OK, which one of you prayed for my cat? She seems to be eating today.

What was unusual about all of this is that in the past, she hardly ate anything at all whenever I was away. I was shocked to hear she was gulping down all her food!

Her litter box has been fairly normal, except less volume, shall we say.

I've decided to keep keeping an eye on her. It was probably just one of those things.
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
Our furry family member, our eleven year old cat (more like giant kitten, but hey), Billy, had an operation on Wednesday to take out some more lumps (likely cancerous, being as how they're in a similar site to the ones he had removed in February). He was fine and all himself and happy enough before the operation, but obviously rather disgrubtled for the rest of that day!

Anyway, we took him back to the vet for a followup this morning, and she thought he had a bit of an infection in the wound, so he's had it cleaned and has had a long-lasting antibiotic injection - all of which is fine... but he's also been given a lampshade collar to wear whenever he's not supervised. This is not a pleasing thing for him. He and I had a bit of a battle to get it onto him this morning, then he popped it off. I put it back on and he left it(ish) for a bit, then I took it off so he could get into his litter tray (it's the lidded type. We've taken the lid off now). I popped it back onto him so I could go and have lunch and less than ten minutes late he'd removed it again.

Aagh. Any suggestions? The vet when we called said that some cats are just able to escape from them whatever you do, but they said to try to persist. I don't want to hurt him by putting it on (while he hisses, spits, thrashes about, bites me, and shreds me) if he's going to carry on taking it off after a few minutes, that seems a bit pointless.

[ 21. September 2013, 13:29: Message edited by: luvanddaisies ]
 

---

Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 1000) on :
 
My cat Purdey injured her leg within a couple of months of getting her and had to wear the lampshade collar. The vet gave us a lampshade that was a bit too small so she managed to unpick her stitches! Back to the vet, where she was sutured up again and i got a stern lecture about being irresponsible! That night wearing a new larger cone, she used the edge of the cone by rubbing it up and down the wound to unpick her stitches! Back to the vet where I refused to see the patronising one and instead saw someone helpful band sympathetic who decided that with strong enough antibiotics she didn't need stitches. She kept the wound clean herself and we put some aloe Vera gel on it and it all healed up perfectly. She has a small bald patch but that is it.

Not helpful for your situation, but a bit of solidarity - lampshade collars suck for cats and humans and you have my sympathy.

I acquired a new cat, Milo, on Saturday to keep Purdey company following the death of my other cat Muffin very suddenly at the beginning of July. Hes very nice, affectionate and purry, but he's huge and incredibly strong. He got a bit wound up last night when I tried to put him back in "his" room for the night and bit me hard on the wrist. I have deep puncture wounds on both sides of my wrist and it is bruised and swollen. I'm now a bit wary of him, which is sad. I'm trying to remember that he is in a new environment and is scared too. I'm going to be very very careful about how to introduce him to Purdey because she is tiny and he could seriously hurt her if he repeats what he did to me last night!

I just want the both to get along nicely and for it to be easier than this!
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
Thanks.
Billy won in the affair of the lampshade - it wasn't worth the stress it was causing him for the amount of time he kept it on. We took him to the vet for a check today, as it's a week after his last appointment, and he's ok and healing nicely. The antibiotic injection they gave him last week is still working, and he'll go back to have another check next week.

Billy's not very huge, more long than broad, and he's not prone to serious biting, really - although that said, if he goes for it he can do (and has done) damage like it sounds like your new little furry guy did. If I'm going to be doing something that might provoke serious disgruntlement (like holding him at the vet, or putting him somewhere he's not got on his schedule to visit) I tend to wear a big squishy hoodie - it has the twofold benefit of being soft for him to burrow into if he get frightened, and also if I pop my hands inside the sleeve like a schoolkid it offers a surprising amount of protection from even sharp and angry teeth. Might be worth a try when you're putting Milo into his room?
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Cat bites need to be taken very seriously as they can cause a very nasty infection in a wound.
You really ought to go to the doctor and get some antibiotics for it.

I know from experience...
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Do I hate bonfire night? Oh yes. And this year there have been two additional nights allocated, apparently, so that's an awful lot of large frightened dog distributing large frightened poos in the house. Tonight I thought they had stopped, and sent her in the garden, only for them to start again And her come racing back in like I set her up on purpose...

Hellish firework rant... grrrrrr

Edit for predictive text gaff.

[ 08. November 2013, 22:03: Message edited by: Taliesin ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
Do I hate bonfire night? Oh yes..

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:

Would soaking it in salt water had a similar result, I wonder?

---

Probably - but you would have worried and what price peace of mind?
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I had an awful scare yesterday evening.

Tatze was eating her tea and started choking. She couldn't breathe. I was slapping her back, she was in a bad way.

I slapped harder and eventually the piece of kibble shot out. Then she retched.

I wondered what I would have done if she'd stopped breathing altogether - could you do the Heimlich maneuver on a dog?

Once all was normal again I gave Tatze some Manuka honey and an ice cube - then Googled.

Here is a good article.

She always hoovers her food up, I usually give her a few pieces then the rest in a Wobble Kong. ALL will be going in the kong in future!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
So glad Tatze is o.k. -- she's beautiful!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor Tatze - glad you were able to put her right.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Labs are famous for their rather, erm, rapid eating habits and their ability to eat and eat until they make themselves ill. My Collie/German Shepherd cross would be excited at getting his food then would eat half and wander off and then finish it later - and he got LOADS of exercise.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Mithoo, our very affectionate young male was found dead this morning, probably murdered overnight by local male bully cat - it's what cats do but we'll still miss him.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry to hear that. As much as you know "it's what cats do", that doesn't make it any less awful.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Mithoo, our very affectionate young male was found dead this morning, probably murdered overnight by local male bully cat - it's what cats do but we'll still miss him.

---

Poor puss
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Mithoo, our very affectionate young male was found dead this morning, probably murdered overnight by local male bully cat - it's what cats do but we'll still miss him.

---

How sad, even if it is what cat's do.

My fluffy feline is becoming more and more eccentric as he gets deeper into old age (he is at least 17 yrs old) - one of his quirks at the moment is that he forgets to come indoors but sits outside on the bench by the front door shouting even when I invite him in, and he's recently taken to falling/rolling off the bed into a corner that he finds tricky to get out of (or simply forgets to). He's been given some Eccentric Cat powders, which make him more perky but no less eccentric. If previous winters are anything to go by he'll probably live for a few more years, but his behaviour is disconcerting. He still appreciates a lap though, so some things haven't changed.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Poor Mithoo. I was so looking forward to meeting the only cat you ever named.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry to hear about Mithoo, WW. RIP.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Tatze is now in season - which is a great relief as we have holidays booked and no-one to look after her who doesn't have entire males.

She's being a very good girl, but I am missing our walks terribly! Roll on the 18th December. It seems a long time away.
 

---

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 
The kids on our road come over quite often, they don't get much positive interaction with adults and three in one house, who spend time with them and listen seems a bit of a novelty. They come from two homes, one who has cats and we helped get them neutered and the other has had two dogs in the two years we've been here and has now got a puppy. The previous dogs have been put down, apparently for biting, and the new puppy is apparently not eating solid food and is being bottle fed.

Apart from making them promise to get me if the puppy gets sick, is there anything else to do? They are a very low income family and I haven't had much interaction with their parents.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:

My fluffy feline is becoming more and more eccentric as he gets deeper into old age (he is at least 17 yrs old) - one of his quirks at the moment is that he forgets to come indoors but sits outside on the bench by the front door shouting even when I invite him in, and he's recently taken to falling/rolling off the bed into a corner that he finds tricky to get out of (or simply forgets to). He's been given some Eccentric Cat powders, which make him more perky but no less eccentric. If previous winters are anything to go by he'll probably live for a few more years, but his behaviour is disconcerting. He still appreciates a lap though, so some things haven't changed.

---

Our cat, who much resembles daisydaisy's in the inappropriate vocalisation/age/confusion stakes, has decided she can tell the difference between Sainsbury's own catfood from a box and the exact same mix from a bag. Reminds you of Alice Cooper, who could tell the difference between beer from a large or beer from a small can! (other than by the quantity, one assumes)

Anyway, since we had to buy a box, she is eating about twice as much per day and looks shinier/more rounded/better altogether. I used to keep the food in a sealed jar once opened, as well, so it shouldn't have gone (noticeably) (more) rancid...

Mrs S., marvelling at how awkward cats can be

[ 10. December 2013, 14:55: Message edited by: The Intrepid Mrs S ]
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Dog ate my kid's chocolate. not just chocolate he was given, but special, named chocolate he bought for others... luckily for dog it wasn't dark chocolate, but mostly white... still a bit worried he's going to be sick... most sad is that boy hates dog.

This is after the 'urinating on uniform' incident of last week, and 'pooing on bedroom carpet' incident of previously and general 'usurping position of preferred dog' that's been going on since we gave new dog a home 18 months ago.

I don't suppose anyone has bridge repair advice available, but I just thought I'd ask.

code:

---

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:

My fluffy feline is becoming more and more eccentric as he gets deeper into old age (he is at least 17 yrs old) - one of his quirks at the moment is that he forgets to come indoors but sits outside on the bench by the front door shouting even when I invite him in, and he's recently taken to falling/rolling off the bed into a corner that he finds tricky to get out of (or simply forgets to).

---

Looking at his symptoms as you describe them, is his sight failing?
 

---

Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
Our cat is slepping more and more now. She's getting on a bit now, on OldCats dried food, fresh meat if at All possible and now unwilling to jump in through windows.

This Christmas she soent most of the time curled up on chairs (in spite of three tinies in the house) and only ventured out Strictly when neccesary, returning immediatly.

She's taken to insisting on cuddles and occasionally taking herself off for half a day at a time to a dark quiet place.

Am concerned.
 

---

Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Goodbye and farewell, Safadin. You leave a large hole in our hearts.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

I'm so sorry for your loss,Darllenwr.

Safadin
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
What JJ said; although I've never been a pet-owner I always feel sad when I hear of someone losing a furry friend.


 

---

Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Thank you, JJ & Piglet.

He was only ever a scrap of a thing (half the size, quite literally, of our other Abyssinian) but the last three months reduced him to a walking skeleton. The Vet told us back in September that he had chronic renal failure and that he was on borrowed time. Problem is, you always imagine that you have borrowed more time than you have ...

At our last visit to the Vet (for our other cat, Amber) the Vet asked how Safadin was getting on and questioned whether hyper-thyroidism might be a factor. As we were scheduled to take Amber in for a return visit, we took Saf along as well.

One has to look on the bright side, I guess. If we hadn't taken him in yesterday, not knowing the prognosis, we would have had to take him in very soon anyway, knowing only too well that he wouldn't be coming home. Not too sure which is worse ...

Moves are afoot to find an Abyssinian kitten.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Darllenwr

It's so hard to lose a member of the family. A kitten won't ever replace her, but will keep you all busy for sure.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Darllenwr:
Thank you, JJ & Piglet.


Moves are afoot to find an Abyssinian kitten.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by John D. Ward:

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:

My fluffy feline is becoming more and more eccentric as he gets deeper into old age (he is at least 17 yrs old) - one of his quirks at the moment is that he forgets to come indoors but sits outside on the bench by the front door shouting even when I invite him in, and he's recently taken to falling/rolling off the bed into a corner that he finds tricky to get out of (or simply forgets to).

---

Looking at his symptoms as you describe them, is his sight failing?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ethne Alba:
Cat now fine for 90% of the time and falling off things (chairs, tables, radiators and now sofa) for the remaining 10% of her time. Isn't fitting, just falling

But is everso contented, seems to be in no pain whatsoever.

She's old by any measurement and I'm not inclined to take her for costly vet consultations and treatment.


Anyone got any idea what's going on?

---

I had the same with my old pooch Gavin. He didn't seem in the least bothered by it so I didn't take him to the vet, he was far to old for all those tests etc.

(He didn't fall off things, of course, he just fell over his own feet and laid down )
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Cat perked up enough to demand food & drink before I left for the emergency v.e.t. saving me having to send him on a paper round to pay for that. But as he has a visible wound I took him to the regular v.e.t. this morning where they cleaned him up to show he's been in a fight (again) and gave him antibiotics. He's now as if nothing happened.
 

---

Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
Thanks all
Given that 90% of the time she's ok, we'll keep an eye and wait.

Cats!
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I have a darling ferret, inherited from S1 when he moved abruptly from sweet boy to young man interested in girls...

Ferret started losing fur, subtly at first then dramatically. Took to vet, too old for surgery, implant might help, or see how it goes... we saw how it went for a bit, then her breathing got a bit wheezy so I took her back for the implant.

Money well spent, she now ricochets (sp?) Round the cage like a young un.

Wish I hadn't waited. She might never get her fur back, but she's clearly feeling better.

I do love her. The vet was a bit wary as she tried to shove the enormous syringe into her back, And indicated concern that I would get bitten. No worries says I, I've got her, she won't bite me. Vet said she's the best ferret she's ever had to do a procedure on.

[ 17. February 2014, 20:00: Message edited by: Taliesin ]
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Oh, you lucky thing, to have a ferret!
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Actually, I have two. the boy is much younger and equally a darling, but if someone told me to hold him for a medical procedure, I'd bring very thick gloves!

So you like a ferret, huh? Unusual person. Most people pull a face and say, don't they smell? And at my old vets, they were divided into those who don't know anything about them, and those who don't like them cos they bite. Hence being old vet.

I think they are available all over the western world...
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
Oh, you lucky thing, to have a ferret!

---

I agree - if I didn't have cats I'd seriously consider having a pair.
A neighbour has some which he takes rabbiting with his terrier/chihuahua cross.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I'd dearly love a pair, but from what I understand of their squirrelly ways, I'd only be providing Mr. Lamb with yet another excuse for why he can't find his glasses.
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
I found ferrets smelly when we were visited by two. Do they have a musk gland or something?
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I rather like the musky smell of the ferrets that I've encountered. It might keep visitors away though.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
My father had the unusual experience of having an apparently lost baby ferret run up to him in a parking lot and start pulling on his trouser leg. He tried to find it's owner in the area, to no avail, and brought it home so we had a ferret for about a week while he was looking for where it belonged. Never did find out, so they gave it to someone who kept ferrets. It was the cutest little thing.
 

---

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
I don't know whether I've just been extremely lucky, but this morning was the first time I'd had to take one of our cats to an emergency vet appointment, in about 20 years of owning a cat.

Chester (aka FatBoy, Lard-Arsed Animal, He's not Fat just Big-Boned) spent all yesterday evening hopping around on all threes, and wasn't able to put any weight on his front right paw. This morning was little better, so I hauled the beast around to the vet to check him over, where upon he was so utterly traumatised he refused to limp at all as he walked around the surgery.

Nothing broken, no visible damage, no pain, and apparently, I'd disturbed his morning sleep.


 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
We have two cats, one male, one female. Our girl cat, Ransom, is very very attached to my husband. She follows him around like a puppy, sleeps on his night stand, and waits by the door every evening for him to get home. He is her person and that's that. (I'm just around to feed her, fill her water and change the litter). Well, hubby belongs to a relief crew at work and this requires him to be out of town for up to 3 weeks at a time. He left for South Bend on Sunday and the poor thing is bereft. She's pitiful. She still eats, drinks, pees & poops, but other than that she's just moping around the house, or curled in a ball in his chair. This is the 5th trip he's taken since getting on the crew, and she's acted this way each time. Any suggestions on how to help Ransom out? She's breaking my heart.
 

---

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by BessHiggs:
We have two cats, one male, one female. Our girl cat, Ransom, is very very attached to my husband. She follows him around like a puppy, sleeps on his night stand, and waits by the door every evening for him to get home. He is her person and that's that. (I'm just around to feed her, fill her water and change the litter). Well, hubby belongs to a relief crew at work and this requires him to be out of town for up to 3 weeks at a time. He left for South Bend on Sunday and the poor thing is bereft. She's pitiful. She still eats, drinks, pees & poops, but other than that she's just moping around the house, or curled in a ball in his chair. This is the 5th trip he's taken since getting on the crew, and she's acted this way each time. Any suggestions on how to help Ransom out? She's breaking my heart.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Doc Tor:
.........
Chester (aka FatBoy, Lard-Arsed Animal, He's not Fat just Big-Boned) spent all yesterday evening hopping around on all threes, and wasn't able to put any weight on his front right paw. This morning was little better, so I hauled the beast around to the vet to check him over, where upon he was so utterly traumatised he refused to limp at all as he walked around the surgery.

Nothing broken, no visible damage, no pain, and apparently, I'd disturbed his morning sleep.

---

what a character
 

---

Posted by Beethoven (# 114) on :
 
That made me laugh, too.

Our Dog looks like his age has suddenly caught up with him. He's nearly 11, and this week has alternated between his normal self enjoying a short potter in the morning before I come to work, and clearly not enjoying it at all, looking very slow and achy. Yesterday he was walking about half my normal speed (whereas he's normally quicker than me). So appointment booked for the Dog-tor tomorrow. Hopefully they can suggest ways we can make him more comfortable and help him to enjoy his short walks...
 

---

Posted by Beethoven (# 114) on :
 
Well, that really didn't go to plan. It turned out he had a large mass in his abdomen, which had burst so he was bleeding internally. After an afternoon of crying, we said our goodbyes this afternoon. He's looked so ill today, and the risks of an operation were too great, so it's definitely the right decision, but I'm wishing that we still had his furry wag-ness, not heaven.
 

---

Posted by Otter (# 12020) on :
 
I'm so sorry, Beethoven.
 

---

Posted by Theophania (# 16647) on :
 
Oh Beethoven. I'm so sorry.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
So sorry. It's not fun to have to make a decision like that so quickly.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Oh, no. I saw saw your post in hell, and came here to say, so sorry.

It is the kindest thing we can do for our dear animal friends, but God, the responsibility.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 

 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
So sorry Beethoven - it's the fliip side of having loving pets, that we have to make hard decisions for them.

We're eagerly waiting for April 5th when Gwenllian comes to live with us - a sorrel Aby kitten.
Incidentally, we had a ferret - but not a particularly amenable one, unfortunately. It's very easy to get a ferret drunk, and if we were sharing a can of beer, he would insist on his share. I've still got a soft spot for ferrets..
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
So sorry, Beethoven. I feel sure you did the right thing and spared him a drawn out period of dying and feeling awful and not understanding why any of it was happening.


 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry Beethoven. ((hugs))
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
{{Beethoven}} RIP, wee dog.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I am sorry, Beethoven. It's never easy....
 

---

Posted by Beethoven (# 114) on :
 
Thanks all... Half the household hates being dog-less, so negotiations have already opened about when the next one will move in, and what it might be. I don't want it to be rushed, but am aware of the void I felt when one cat was run over a few years ago - the new kitten came 5 weeks later, so I can't exactly tell Mr B that he's rushing things, especially since at least one Opus is of the same mind as him and I don't think the other will have a strong opinion!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Beethoven. The new pup will never replace the loss, but it will cheer everyone up and keep Mr B busy!

If you decide on a labrador be warned. Lab pups are crazy crocodiles!!
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Yesterday had an interesting walk to the sea with my cousin and her family, including Gracie, a lurcher (we think). Gracie loves the beach that we went to because there is no sand, only rocks, which she has just recently decided is Her Thing.
So we were sitting on a steep concrete slope (it might have been over a sewage outlet, but it was more comfortable than the craggy rocks) when Gracie bounded up the slope and stopped behind us, before dropping a HUGE round rock above us and watched as it gathered momentum and bounced down, only just missing us. And we thought she loves us . We thought it was a one off so were caught out when she repeated this new trick.
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
I'm just back from a fairly long stint on a sailing ship, and missed the end of our much-adored cat, Billy - he was put down about a week before I got back - I'd've been crossing the Drake Passage back up to Ushuaia from Antarctica at the time. Is very strange coming home to him not being around, and I feel bad that my flatmate was here on her own to have him put down.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry for your loss luvanddaisies. ((Hugs))
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry to hear about your cat, Luvanddaisies.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Sorry to hear about Billy luvanddaisies
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
RIP Billy - run free
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
Thanks all.
 

---

Posted by Beethoven (# 114) on :
 
So sorry, luvanddaisies.

We're now fully into puppy finding. I'm off to see one later this week, with the hope she will be right for us. If so, the girls & Mr B will meet her in a couple of weeks, then a week or so after that she'll move in... Trying not to get our hopes up too high, and I need to find some way of working out if she's 'just right' or 'cute like all puppies are'. Hopefully it will be obvious!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy hunting, Beethoven! When you find The Puppy Of Your Dreams, don't forget to post some pictures!
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Earwig:

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
I do wonder about the life cat Truffles had as a kitten.... whenever I play my flute she comes running from her nice cosy nest, and has to get as close as she can to it, today she even jumped onto my shoulders.

---

This is apparently quite common! I think idea is that the flute is in the same register as cats' miaows, and they get quite excited that you're talking in kitty.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:

My sister's cat used to jump on my shoulder and rub my face if I whistled the ET theme. I was convinced then that I was speaking in cat and it was nice!

---

I think that animal is another ET in a cat's body. They're probably on a mission to take over the world.


Huia
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Tatze is one year old on Tuesday! Where did that time go?!

Here she is on her very first day with us - awwww!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
Tatze is one year old on Tuesday! Where did that time go?!

Here she is on her very first day with us - awwww!

---

What a beautiful pup!



Happy Birthday, Tatze!
 

---

Posted by JB (# 1776) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
I think that animal is another ET in a cat's body. They're probably on a mission to take over the world.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by no prophet:
... [the cat] will want to get inside my jacket and poke her head out. Like carrying a baby in a snuggly.

---

I should imagine that's quite nice and warming - like having a sort of live, furry hot-water-bottle.

Happy birthday Tatze - can you really be nearly a year old?
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I am sorry to report that my cat Tobey will cross the street and use the mulch under my neighbor's bushes for his personal toilet needs. (It is on the side away from their windows so I don't believe they know about it.) I have watched him cross the street to do this. He looks to the right, to the left, and then to the right again before crossing. The street is a dead end and not very busy, but he is one smart cat.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
I would like to report, boogie, that I read the book you recommended but my dogs are still naughty

I considered making a photocopy for them because of the opposable thumbs and page turning issue...
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Happy Birthday Tatze - one year old today!
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We are collecting our new Aby kitten tomorrow! We haven't had a kitten for about 20+ years, most of our cats have, for various reasons, been adults needing to be rehomed and so the youngest we've had over the last fifteen years was Jasper, who was about 6 months old when we had him - he wsa the last of the litter and whilst his breeder wanted to keep him there weren't enough laps in the family for her cats! I'bve been trying to Gwenny-roof ourliving room, so all the chair and table legs are covered with packing tape so that they're not inviting being cartched, all soft fornishings are covered with fleece throws - ditto, and there is a kitten sized cat tree/scratch post and a new cat bed. Thank goodness most of our friends know about Gwenny's arrival!
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Miss Highlight Gwenllian arrived yesterday, appears to feel the accomodation, cuisine, furnishings are up to her high standards and is rapidly training the resident staff to obey her every whim.
Many thanks to all who've sent good wishes!
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Congrats on the new family member!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy new cat, St. G.
 

---

Posted by Fredegund (# 17952) on :
 
All good wishes to Her Highness. The last Aby I met ate my briefcase. Hope it's not catching.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
A consequence of not having a household pet is that we get would-be pets from time to time.

Our latest wannabe house guest, a small, dark mouse, was caught last night and released a couple of miles away (we have a "humane" mouse trap). Sometimes I think a cat would be in order, but Mrs Sioni is allergic to them.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
I would like to report, boogie, that I read the book you recommended but my dogs are still naughty

I considered making a photocopy for them because of the opposable thumbs and page turning issue...

---

You could read it to them
 

---

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
It was my wife's birthday at the weekend, so she gave the gerbils a small bit of cake each to celebrate.

They went absolutely nuts .

Apparently, cake is like cocaine to gerbils. Who knew?
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
No surprise, Marvin; the late lamented Elderkitty used to go nuts for Timbits , especially the ones covered with powdered sugar (she was black, so it looked like she'd been snorting the Timbits rather than eating them). Mr. Red and I were awakened once by her chasing a box of them down the from hall in a futile attempt to get to the goodies inside.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
A cat with Taste.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
Yesterday I had to put my beloved ten year old tabby cat, "Fireball" to sleep. He had congestive heart failure and it came as a complete shock to my wife and I. My sweet cat was semi-feral but he let me tame him--he was pretty prickly and timid of most everyone but he loved my wife, my wife's daughter, one of my sisters (who was allergic to him but loved him!), and of course, me. I miss him so much that it's an ache in my chest. I cry, I laugh about his remembered antics and I pray that he is with God, playing and wrestling with all the other pets I have known...

Anyway, rest in peace, my beautiful baby, "Fireball".
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry for your loss, 5th Mary.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
How sad, 5th Mary. Sorry for your loss.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry to hear about your cat, 5th Mary.

RIP Fireball.
 

---

Posted by Fredegund (# 17952) on :
 
Just had it confirmed that our elderly Burmese is starting the downward path. Kidneys are going. Will move her onto the special food to see if it helps, maybe tablets. Not the injections at her age. Hoping for some sunny days for her to lie around in the garden. She's happy, that's the main thing.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry, Fredegund. My cat with kidney damage seems to find the Royal Canin renal food much more palatable than the Hills version, and I'm told that's not uncommon, if that helps.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
Each morning our cat is given a very tiny piece of toast and butter. Think the size of a pinky finger nail. Not sure how all of this started, as it is the only people food she is given. Yesterday I had to buy a different brand of whole wheat bread as they were sold out of our regular brand. While Mr Image and I noticed no big difference, Miss Kitty took one sniff of her toast and walked away. So now of course we feel a bit funny about eating this brand of bread.
 

---

Posted by Not (# 2166) on :
 
My lovely little cat, Anta, was put down this morning. She was only four but started vomiting Friday and turned out to be in acute kidney failure - probably antifreeze poisoning. I brought her home from the vet's yesterday evening so she could have a last night cuddled up on the bed with me. She lay all night watching me and dozing with her chin on my wrist. The vet came out this morning and injected her while she was still cuddled in my arms. Her brother is bereft - they've never been separated and one cat feels all wrong. I'm cried out and exhausted and still can't quite believe it's happened. She was such a feisty, determined, independent little cat but so affectionate with it. Somehow the perspective of dealing with dying people every day doesn't help. It doesnt make this less sad, less of a loss.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry for your loss, Not. RIP Anta.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
I'm so sorry, Not. And don't minimize your loss - it's incredible how thoroughly those fuzzy little beasties worm their way into your heart. Case in point: Elderkitty left us over a year ago, but when I saw her doppelgänger during my bike ride yesterday, I screeched to a halt and started calling the cat by my late kitty's name. (Which did not impress said cat, who hissed and jumped into the bushes.)
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry for your loss, Not.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry, Not - that's awful. Too young, too needless.
 

---

Posted by Not (# 2166) on :
 
Thanks for all your kind thoughts. The other cat and I are both a bit lost - the house just feels wrong with only one cat. It's going to take a while to stop expecting her to stroll in.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Not:
My lovely little cat, Anta, was put down this morning. She was only four but started vomiting Friday and turned out to be in acute kidney failure - probably antifreeze poisoning. I brought her home from the vet's yesterday evening so she could have a last night cuddled up on the bed with me. She lay all night watching me and dozing with her chin on my wrist. The vet came out this morning and injected her while she was still cuddled in my arms. Her brother is bereft - they've never been separated and one cat feels all wrong. I'm cried out and exhausted and still can't quite believe it's happened. She was such a feisty, determined, independent little cat but so affectionate with it. Somehow the perspective of dealing with dying people every day doesn't help. It doesnt make this less sad, less of a loss.

---

I am so very sorry for your loss, Not. God, I love my little cats and can completely sympathize with you, having lost my beloved kitty on April 15th.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
By the way, thanks everyone for your kind words when my beloved, "Fireball" died last week. Even typing the words makes me tear up all over again! I couldn't get back right away to post anything as I was in a pretty bad way... to all who have lost animals, I send you hugs. Thank God for those of us who love animals!
 

---

Posted by Mili (# 3254) on :
 
This is a tragic story so don't read on if you find it hard to read stories about tragic pet deaths. I'm feeling so sad today after the loss of an extended furry family member. My sister and her family have been away camping for the week and I house sat to care for her two older cats and goldfish while my mum looked after her 6 month old puppy Misty. She was a maltese x miniature poodle, ridiculously small and cute and beloved by almost everyone who set eyes on her.

This morning I got a phone call from my dad to let me know the puppy had died - I didn't want to hear how at first as I knew it must be tragic and my mum would feel absolutely terrible if she had had any accidental part in its death.

It sounds like it was very sad natural causes but Mum is blaming herself anyway. She has a jack russel x mini fox terrier, Jack and was also looking after my brother's border collie x kelpie, Oscar, who is at least 10 times Misty's size. Mum was feeding them all breakfast and as she fed Oscar she didn't see Misty make a dart for his bowl. Oscar barked loudly to warn her away, and Misty fell over and didn't get up. Mum picked her up and felt her heart flutter and stop and she was bleeding from the mouth, eyes and nose so my parents suspect it must have been a brain haemorrage.

Mum was home alone and distraught so she sent my dad and brother who owns Oscar a garbled text message saying Oscar had killed Misty. My brother was horrified and angry at his own dog, so came over and yelled at Oscar and took him to his parents in law's place - I think he knows now it wasn't poor Oscar's fault though.

My parents had to ring my sister who is coming back today and she is devastated and I know her husband and kids will be too. Misty must have had some sort of health issue that the vet hadn't picked up or a weak spot in her brain. Nobody expects a happy and apparently healthy puppy to die so suddenly and shockingly The only positive is my nephews and niece didn't witness her death as I think that would be even more upsetting for them.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
So sorry Mili - how sad and distressing for you all.

Sounds like the puppy didn't suffer at all - a crumb of comfort maybe?



 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry Mili.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Oh, Mili, I'm so sorry - what can I say except poor wee dog?

RIP Misty.
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Mili (# 3254) on :
 
Thanks for the kind words and prayers.
 

---

Posted by Fredegund (# 17952) on :
 
Poor dog.
On the slightly brighter side, Lottie is still with us, and likes the special food. Very thin, so we're making nests with hot water bottles everywhere. Feeling hideously guilty though - claws were terribly long and we hadn't noticed. No wonder she didn't want to walk.
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
Two mornings ago, we had a Kitty Jail Break. Tore through the screen window in the front of the house (bad idea, it's about a 6 foot drop to the ground). I saw girl cat outside as I was going to get my morning coffee. Poop!!! Tried to get them in before I left for work. Came home that afternoon, opened both doors and shook the food bag. Boy cat came running back, but girl cat is still missing. For far too long now...


 

---

Posted by Fredegund (# 17952) on :
 
Hope Girl cat has now turned up, BessHiggs. Lottie was put to sleep last night. Purred up til the last few hours. Doesn't make it any easier though. I hope I can get a brindle coloured plant with serious thorns for her grave. The other cats can't quite believe that the piano stool isn't going to box their ears any longer.
 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry, Fredegund.

BessHiggs - hope she's back now.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Fredegund. RIP Lottie.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
Kitty has been very sick. In pain throwing up. Liver is swollen. Vet has her on pain pills and steroids. She is clearing feeling much better. Cause unknown. I have been reading about dry cat food and I think that may be the problem. Switching to canned and thinking of making my own. Anyone on board doing the raw food and vitamin diet for their cat?
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
As well as our own cat we have two more to look after. Daughter 2 and her husband are in Wales a friends wedding and we are making two trips a day to feed their moggies. We left one stalking shoes, she's daft as a brush.

Technicaly our cat is the daughter's too, but when she moved out the cat chose us. Very territorial.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Graven Image:
Kitty has been very sick. In pain throwing up. Liver is swollen. Vet has her on pain pills and steroids. She is clearing feeling much better. Cause unknown. I have been reading about dry cat food and I think that may be the problem. Switching to canned and thinking of making my own. Anyone on board doing the raw food and vitamin diet for their cat?

---

yes.

sort of. a lady here makes raw pet food and we buy it from her. fantastic. no added vitamins, though. they've all lost weight and have sleek fur, and the long haired dude doesn't get matts anymore at all. The dog's arthritis is much eased as well.
 

---

Posted by RevMotherRaphael (# 18102) on :
 
I have three supposedly elegant Siamese cats but one in particular likes to make a show by going head first into the rubbish. Any one else have a kitty who doesn't think the food one offers is good enough?
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
I have a cat with kidney trouble,who is supposed to be on a low-protein diet. I found he went and sourced his own protein (mostly in the form of rats) if I didn't supply it.
 

---

Posted by RevMotherRaphael (# 18102) on :
 
Mine are not on diets but they also like to source meals from neighbours bins and even stalking into their kitchens to steal unguarded food. I can't blame it on other cats because everyone knows to whom the Siamese belong.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Has anyone read Paul Gallico's THE SILENT MIAOW? In which, among other secrets, we learn of Two Timing, the feline practice of setting up another family nearby. My orange cat is Two Timing us. If he doesn't approve of the menu on offer he will go over to the other family and dine. As you can imagine he is a big fat fellow, and dieting him is impossible.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Our cat did that! When we were out at work she went down the road to another family.

We only found out when she disappeared for two weeks - turned out she'd been put in kennels while they went on holiday!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I was on the back deck one day when my cat was off to his other family. I called to him, "I see you!" and he positively cringed. But his guilt didn't slow him down! He is not above sauntering back, silently informing me that over at the Fergusons they are having salmon...
 

---

Posted by RevMotherRaphael (# 18102) on :
 
A lady friend invites my 'babies' to tea and I really mean invites them! I'll be given tea and cake and they will be given pate, salmon and free run of the house and garden. They climb up the library curtains, jump on the pianos, terrorise the housekeeper all while my friend just coos at them telling them they are 'such clever pussies.' I fear they might actually give the butler a heart attack one of these days!
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
Well, I was so missing my beloved "Fireball" and his "friend", Tigger was really mourning him too so my wife and I answered an ad on Craigslist. A guy was moving from Atlanta to Boston and didn't feel right about taking his two year old Russian Blue male cat. So, we adopted "Flax" and he is so sweet, fast, funny, loving, etc. "Tigger" seems to like him and we love him. Our ex-roommate was supposed to move her three female cats out of our apartment several weeks ago, that's why we took "Flax" but then her apartment deal fell through and we are still stuck with her contentious/nasty/diva females! They hate "Tigger" even though he's of the same litter but they hate "Flax" even more. I can't wait until the females go off to live with ex-roommate!
 

---

Posted by RevMotherRaphael (# 18102) on :
 
My female is moody to say the least and can be very nasty when she wants to be, she even attacked a Great Dane dog who sniffed her air so can understand frustration of cat fights. Hope it works out soon.
 

---

Posted by Margaret (# 283) on :
 
We’ve got four cats, who until last autumn were impeccably housetrained – we’ve got a large garden and a cat flap so they can let themselves in and out whenever they want. Then for some reason Neurotic Kitty started showing stress symptoms, including leaving messes round the house. We took her to the vet to get checked out, and there were no physical reasons, so she prescribed a tranquilliser and now Neurotic Kitty is just normally neurotic again. But the other cats all seem to have decided that using carpet instead of earth is more comfortable (and I don’t think the constant rain of last winter helped either). We’ve tried various things, encouraging them to go out in the garden more, using motion-sensor automatic sprays to discourage them from using favourite areas, scrubbing and deodorising places they’ve used, and just generally keeping doors shut, and it only happens occasionally now –but occasionally is still too often. Has anyone else had this problem? I’d be grateful for any suggestions!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Margaret, my old kitty had a urinary tract infection last autumn, and afterwards decided that the top of the hot water tank was the appropriate place to do her business. I did everything her vet suggested: moving the litter box (which is always kept clean), putting an attractant into the litter, giving her herbs that are supposed to keep her from getting more UTIs.

The thing that finally worked was to prevent her from being able to get on the tank. It is too tall for her to jump onto from the floor, so she would step from the dryer onto the tank. I bought a piece of paneling and put it between the dryer and the tank. She immediately started using her box again.

So, all this to say, is there a way to keep your four kitties away from those places where they've been messing?
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Also, a lot of cleaning stuff smells sweet to us, but smells of wee to our pets. Either let down bio clothes washing stuff or Simple Solution will do the trick.


 

---

Posted by RevMotherRaphael (# 18102) on :
 
A pet friendly cleaning spray that doesn't smell of anything but removes odours is good for the cleaning or try a simple baking soda and water mixture. For stressed kitties or any who spray or sharpen claws on the best chair Feliway can help. You can buy it at the vet's and it comes in a spray. The liquid doesn't smell but is replicating the hormones a mother cat gives off when she has just had a litter of kittens. It helps calms the cats and stops them from naughty behaviour. It might be worth a try if nothing else has worked yet. Of course praying to St. Francis is probably wise too.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Taking my elderly cat Spyder to the vet today, just for a checkup, nothing serious. Hopefully all will be well.
 

---

Posted by Margaret (# 283) on :
 
Nicole, did Spyder get a clean bill of health?

Thank you very much for your replies – they’re all being put into practice. Stout Kitty is now banned from the dining room, where she has a favourite rug, we’re trying to get into the habit of keeping doors to rooms they’ve used firmly shut, I’m going to order Simple Solution as soon as I know I’m likely to be around when it’s delivered, we have baking soda to hand, and we’ve got three Feliway sprays dotted around the house for use in strategic places. And I shall apply to St Francis – and to St Clare; I’m sure the cat she’s sometimes depicted with never did anything it shouldn’t in the convent!
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Spyder has a heart murmur which he's had since the last time he had a checkup, and which I can't afford to investigate throughly by eckocardiogram. But aside from that he's fine. His bloods came back all negative which was very good since I was afraid he had a thyroid problem, but apparently not.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
This seems to be the right place to make a little announcement: my Belle kitty is now twenty years old!

She was an adolescent kitten when I got her from the animal shelter in September of 1994. We figured she was born in May of that year at the latest, but the folks who were caring for her didn't know her exact birth date. Daughter-Unit (who had just turned seven) and I decided to celebrate Belle's birthday on D-U's birthday.

She came home, stretched out on the living room floor, and took over as Queen of the Universe. Jasmine (who was a year and a third at that time) was not amused. However, the two became friends over the years, and when Jasmine died in 2012, Belle was very subdued for a few months.

For an old lady, she's remarkably agile, and jumps up on things (like the dryer, mentioned in my post above), and occasionally gets the notion to gallop through the house. She does sleep a lot, but then, she is a Cat!!

I'm grateful for my little tuxedo companion, and wanted to celebrate her longevity with you all.
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
God bless Belle!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
What an amazing age!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy birthday, Belle (and Daughter-Unit)!
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
That's great JJ!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Happy Birthday Belle!

Our young male has got us all well trained - he fusses around our ankles until we pay him some attention then immediately lies down ready to be smoothed or whatever then a after a few minutes he rolls on the other side so that can be done as well.

The daft thing is that we actually play along!
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Have you named him or is he just another Bilhi?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
He's another Mittoo, apparently.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
Goodness, jedijudy - what a venerable age! Many happy returns, to both Belle and your daughter!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
My cat has what we have named Collapsing Leg Syndrome. He will be walking along and suddenly flop over onto his side. "Oh noes! My leg has collapsed!" The only cure is immediate petting; some TLC and suddenly the syndrome passes and he's walking down the hall again.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Minou (cat, aged 19 years and 8 months) is deteriorating. Quite fast.
I think that tomorrow may have to be decision day.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have cats...then I wouldn't have to face this.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
(((St. E.)))
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
So sorry St E. Much sympathy.

Also my own concern: I just posted this on the prayer thread:

quote:

---

One of my cats, Bjorn, is sick. How sick I do not know. I am hoping it's just a catty tummy ache and he'll be better tomorrow, but I'm very afraid it's a recurrence of the urinary blockage he had some years ago. If it is it will be very expensive to treat, more than I can afford, and I'll have to ask my daughter to let me use her medical credit card and pay her back monthly. Please pray that he's only a little sick and gets better on his own. If he isn't better tomorrow he goes to the vet Tuesday.

---

 

---

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
St E and Minou.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dormouse:
St E and Minou.

---

Amen.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Thank you for your thoughts and wishes.

Minou was PTS on Monday morning. She was ready to go physically, but she had a strong heart and didn't want to say goodbye.

Miss her terribly.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
St Everild

Sleep well lovely girl
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry to hear that, St Everild.

Nicole - I hope Bjorn has recovered.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
St E, so sorry for your loss.

Kittyville, yes Bjorn is fine. My daughter insisted on us taking him to the emergency vet that night after I posted and although he had seemed quite ill they found nothing really wrong with him and he perked up that same night.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
So sorry, St E.

My sister-in-law had to have her 17 year-old cat, Lily, PTS this week. It's been a bad year for cats

Mrs. S, still morning the loss of Gumbo
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We had to have Saf pts in January, but had an Aby kitten in April. Gwenny was spayed today, and she is now one schizo kitten as she absolutely hates the Elizabethan collar put on to stop her scratching the stitches.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My first Guide dog puppy is arriving next week! She is 12 months old, a Golden Retriever/Labrador cross called Darcy.

She is only staying for a week while her puppy walker is on holiday. We are 'boarding' for a couple of times to get Tatze used to the comings and goings before the baby pupster arrives (and I am sure she is being 'tested' for temperament too before they let her loose on a tiny baby
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
We had to have Saf pts in January, but had an Aby kitten in April. Gwenny was spayed today, and she is now one schizo kitten as she absolutely hates the Elizabethan collar put on to stop her scratching the stitches.

---

You could try putting her in a baby's vest thingy that covers up the wound so she can't get to the stitches.

Our Cleo had managed to remove hers when we went back for the post op check up.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
So sorry to hear that, St. E. RIP, Minou.

Boogie, good luck with your temporary lodger!
 

---

Posted by JoannaP (# 4493) on :
 
Boogie,

Pictures!! We need to see pictures of Darcy and Tatze together. Pretty please.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by JoannaP:
Boogie,

Pictures!! We need to see pictures of Darcy and Tatze together. Pretty please.

---

Oooops - change of plan - Darcy has gone to Big School early. Now we are to have Fifi (!) also a GR/lab cross but only seven months old, she is coming on the 21st July for 10 days.

Photos will follow!
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
My girl cat just queened. She's orange tabby, the yard cat the covered her when she got out is orange tabby, and all the kits are beautiful orange tabby. 4 kits, born sometime during the night. Hubby has never been around fresh kits and he's just amazed.

My spoiled neutered boy cat is fascinated by the kits, but momma won't let him within a foot of the babies.

I really don't want to have to spend the next 8 weeks walking around the house watching where I'm stepping, but gosh dang it, they're soooo cute
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
One of my cats, Sybil, managed to get out a window yesterday and is missing. I'm desolated. She got out last summer too but came back on her own in a week and a half. I'm hoping she comes back again.
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
One week today we pick up two little girl kittens. They'll be eight weeks old then. We went to see them last week - tiny little fuzzy weightless things.

They won't replace our much-beloved former cat, Billy, but they'll be successors to him, and I'm looking forward to them taking up residence
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by luvanddaisies:
One week today we pick up two little girl kittens. They'll be eight weeks old then. We went to see them last week - tiny little fuzzy weightless things.

---

I am very jealous! My husband dislikes cats intensely but I came this "" close to getting a Norwegian Forest Kitten last week! I decided it wasn't fair on Tatze with Guide Dog puppies coming and going (Note DH would just have had to lump it!)

Speaking of Guide Dogs here is Fifi. She is seven months old and the most polite, well mannered, well trained dog I have ever met. She is staying with us while her Puppy Walker is on holiday.

Then, on August 2nd, we have a ten week old pupster coming to stay. I am having a ball! Tatze and Fifi are sleeping under the desk at my feet.


 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
And here and here they are together - ebony and ivory.


 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Sybil is home! She didn't come willingly, she was spotted around by a friend who alerted me and I cornered her and grabbed her, but she is home now. Thank heavens.
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Sybil is home!

---

Hooray
(Sybil's such a funny name for a cat - makes me think of Fawlty Towers)
 

---

Posted by JoannaP (# 4493) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Boogie:
And here and here they are together - ebony and ivory.

---

Thank you very much Boogie. You & they have brightened up a bad day!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by luvanddaisies:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Sybil is home!

---

Hooray
(Sybil's such a funny name for a cat - makes me think of Fawlty Towers)

---

Maybe she could get a gentleman-cat friend, called Basil ...
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Sybil was named by my mother after Lady Sybil in the Discworld novels "Guards" sequence by Terry Pratchett. I don't know why my mother thought the name was appropriate because the cat isn't much like the character, but she was reading the books at the time.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by luvanddaisies:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Sybil is home!

---

Hooray
(Sybil's such a funny name for a cat - makes me think of Fawlty Towers)

---

Maybe she could get a gentleman-cat friend, called Basil ...

---

My friend had a tom named Basil!
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Good to hear, Nicole!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
YaY for Sybil

Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy just emerged from a cupboard with a tiara of cobwebs.

Cleaning needed .

Her latest trick is to see how far around the room she can get without her paws touching the carpet. so far nothing has been broken.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy just emerged from a cupboard with a tiara of cobwebs.

---

Tesscat has diabetes, and once had a hypoglycemic attack. We tried to feed her honey, but one of the distressing features of the attack was that she mazed her head from side to side, while following the skirting board around the edges of the room she was in. The dusty, cobwebby bits. With a honey covered face.

When she was back to normal (after a VERY EXPENSIVE) trip to the out-of-hours vet, I spend some time picking honey-encrusted cobwebs off her face.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Daughter-Unit just found out today that her beloved Snickerdoodle has cancer and maybe a month of life left. He and his three brothers were born in my bathroom a little over nine years ago. D-U has held and loved Snicks since the day he was born, and is extremely attached to him.

I left my work and went to hers to give her Mama-type hugs.

He's a good and very sweet cat. It's just not fair.
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
Praying.
 

---

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
Kitten Day has arrived, and Jasmine & Daisy are now in residence. They're a bit wary of us and their new surroundings, but after a brief explore of the living-room, they've both conked out fast asleep together, hidden behind an armchair.
Jasmine seems a bit less worried, and keener on being handles and stroked than Daisy, but they've only been here an hour or so, so it's early days. So tiny, sweet, vulnerable and fragile!

If anyone's got a suggestion for where is a good place to post photos I can link to here, I can post some.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
That is so hard, Judy.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
{{JJ, Daughter-Unit and Snickerdoodle}}
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Gypsy has been with us for a week today - it's been great fun! I have loved every minute.

I have started a blog about her - in my sig.


 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Snickerdoodle is taking his journey to the Rainbow Bridge this evening. His very kind vet is opening his office after hours so both D-U and her hubby can be there. I will be, too.

 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 


For Snickerdoodle and all who will miss him.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
{{JJ, D-U and Mr. D-U}}

RIP Snickerdoodle.
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
Prayers and love xxx ooo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and love. D-U says to thank you, too.

Even though this was heartbreaking, it was the right thing to do. Snicks had to fight for each breath and had no strength. God bless his very kind vet.


 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
jedijudy
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
So sorry to hear, jedijudy. RIP Snickerdoodle.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I am so sorry to hear about Snickerdoodle, JJ.
Sometimes it is the kindest thing, but knowing that doesn't make it any easier...
 

---

Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :
 
Found a visitor this evening. I thought I heard the tap dripping so went to the kitchen to have a look and it turns out some plastic packaging that had fallen on the floor was being rustled by a murine guest. The little blighter ran through a small gap between a cupboard and and the washing machine before I could get near.

Should I go looking for a little nipper mousetrap do you think?
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheAlethiophile:
Found a visitor this evening. I thought I heard the tap dripping so went to the kitchen to have a look and it turns out some plastic packaging that had fallen on the floor was being rustled by a murine guest. The little blighter ran through a small gap between a cupboard and and the washing machine before I could get near.

Should I go looking for a little nipper mousetrap do you think?

---

A humane one that doesn't kill him, please.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Over a week ago a dog got into my garden and spooked my 2 cats, and then got into a neighbours garden and spooked their black cat Charlie even more, so much that he disappeared. Today, on my drive to the allotment, I saw a black cat that hissed at me when I went up to him (Charlie's usual greeting) and attacked me when I managed to get hold of him (I have old scars from this particular cat), and together with the tell-tale gash in his ear this all confirmed it was him. I got him into the car (onlookers must have thought I was cat-napping!) and got him home to a very relieved family who he greeted much more calmly than he did me. I'll be glad to see him tomorrow when he calls in for his 2nd breakfast.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
Over a week ago a dog got into my garden and spooked my 2 cats, and then got into a neighbours garden and spooked their black cat Charlie even more, so much that he disappeared. Today, on my drive to the allotment, I saw a black cat that hissed at me when I went up to him (Charlie's usual greeting) and attacked me when I managed to get hold of him (I have old scars from this particular cat), and together with the tell-tale gash in his ear this all confirmed it was him. I got him into the car (onlookers must have thought I was cat-napping!) and got him home to a very relieved family who he greeted much more calmly than he did me. I'll be glad to see him tomorrow when he calls in for his 2nd breakfast.

---

Like!

Mrs. S, who has known cats like this
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
*worries about the mouse*


 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good on you, Daisydaisy!

CM, I can understand your squeamishness/soft-heartedness regarding Little Visitors™, but we get them all the time* and much as we'd rather not harm them, we've found that they just jump over the humane traps (and sometimes the spring-loaded ones too).

* Our next-door neighbours have three fairly evil-looking cats, and there are several others in our road, so the mice look at our house and think, "Ooh - cat-free zone!" ...
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
Indeed, I wish there was a way to magically teleport them to a grassy field far away or something, where they could cavort appropriately.

I thought no-kill traps pretty much were one-way boxes that one could then use to safely release them elsewhere (or keep them as pets in their dedicated Habitrail, or raise them into one's own army of mice AND TAKE OVER THE WORLLLLD ahem sorry)... But I know little of the ways of controlling mice and of course you don't want to have then being pests and getting into cupboards and things, so I shall try to understand.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
If you have one, you have five (at least); and I'm told there's no mercy in taking them out into a field etc. because they are house mice and don't really know how to survive there. (Someone can tell me I'm wrong!) But I fear you'd just be getting them right back in the house again (no house so tight a mouse cannot get in), or else an owl would thank you for a free dinner.

and since the cute wee things are incontinent (like, everywhere and at all times), you really don't want them running over your countertops etc.
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
and since the cute wee things are incontinent

---

Adding new meaning to "cute wee things" (he said, abruptly snickering like a six-year-old you said wee ha ha ha etc.).

I wonder if there could be some sort of contraption that would give mice a nice home to live in contentedly and would keep them from infesting a house. Maybe this is one of those "not till the New Creation, alas" situations.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We once had one land in an open, unused tall spaghetti jar that was standing on the floor in our kitchen and couldn't get out.

In instances like that, and if we catch them in humane traps, D. takes them and releases them near the house of somebody we don't like ...
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChastMastr:
I wonder if there could be some sort of contraption that would give mice a nice home to live in contentedly and would keep them from infesting a house.

---

There would very quickly be a population explosion.

Moo
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Moo:
There would very quickly be a population explosion.

---

Poor babies. This may be something that won't be right until Heaven, then. (Where I trust they, too, will wind up.)
 

---

Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :
 
Update: I bought one of these on Saturday afternoon, baited it with a chocolate hobnob and left it by the gap next to the washing machine where the mouse disappeared to.

So far the only to spring the trap was me, forgetting it was there. Thankfully, I was wearing trainers at the time. Otherwise I might have lost a toe.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Years ago when I had field mice in my basement, I set spring traps, and the mice carefully removed the bait without getting caught. I then resorted to tying the bait to the trap with dental floss.

I caught quite a few mice that way.

Moo
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChastMastr:
... This may be something that won't be right until Heaven, then. (Where I trust they, too, will wind up.)

---

Really???

I'm rather hoping that there won't be any mice in Heaven - at least not in my bit of it.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Chastmastr, you're the C S Lewis fan, don't you know his bit about mice in That Hideous Strength? "People want crumbs removed, mice want to remove crumbs" The idea being in the perfect world we will work together like that.
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Chastmastr, you're the C S Lewis fan, don't you know his bit about mice in That Hideous Strength? "People want crumbs removed, mice want to remove crumbs" The idea being in the perfect world we will work together like that.

---

Absolutely, but I didn't want to derail the thread into "CM frets about mice," so I let it drop. And yes, I imagine something like that. <3 mousies <3
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Ok was just worried you'd missed out on it somehow.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Today Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fuffy is behaving as though she doesn't know me. Won't come in, even to eat, runs away when I come close and struggles if I pick her up.

She doesn't look sick, maybe she's just messing with my mind

Huia
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I'm sorry to say that Gwenny, our Aby kitten, was killed by a dog this afternoon.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Awful. So sorry, St. Gwladys.
 

---

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :
 
Oh St Gwladys, I am so sorry.
Love to you all.



[ 12. August 2014, 19:15: Message edited by: Chocoholic ]
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
piglet:

quote:

---

In instances like that, and if we catch them in humane traps, D. takes them and releases them near the house of somebody we don't like ... [Devil]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
I think there were actually only about two or three raccoons, who must have enjoyed the scenic drive every so often.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by daisydaisy:
homing snails

---

 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
St. G., so sorry to hear about Gwenny.

RIP
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
Me too, it's horrible to lose a kitten like that, we lost our cat to a dog when I was a child

So sad.

Today we pick up our dogs after our holiday... So looking forward to seeing them, they've been spoiled rotten by my sister's family. Then tomorrow fetching ferret.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taliesin:
.... Then tomorrow fetching ferret.

---

Oooh - I love ferrets and hope to have some soonish (not sure if cats and ferrets can co-exist). A neighbour uses his for rabbit hunting, but mine would have a much lazier life. I had a long chat with some ferret racers at the New Forest Show and realise it's a distinct possibility now, rather than a dream.
Any ferret tips, Taliesin?
 

---

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
So sorry to hear of your loss St G.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
(((St. Gwladys)))
I'm so sorry. That's so horrible.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
St Gwladys, so sorry to hear your awful news. Poor Gwenny. And poor you.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Oh St Gwladys - I am so very sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Thanks for all your concern. We've been in touch with Gwenny's breeder and have been told that Gwenny's big sister is expecting kittens in September, so we are expecting that we will be making a trip to the Forest of Dean again before Christmas.

On the subject of ferrets, we once had a semi-tame ferret - Sam would bite as soon as look at you, but was great fun, and left us with a great fondness for ferrets.
 

---

Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
As an additional snippet on Sam the ferret, he managed to co-exist with the two cats we then had, so it is possible. Mostly the cats kept out of his way.

And to be fair to Sam, I don't think he was malicious - just didn't know how much damage his bite could do!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Talking of ferrets, a very old clip featuring a very young Richard Whiteley and a ferret.
 

---

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :
 
regarding my ferret, does anyone want him?

He is so terribly lonely now, without his friend, the older ferret we got him to be a friend for.

He is only 3, lively, full of fun, litterbox trained and very people friendly. I would travel anywhere in the uk to bring him to the right home.
He needs either other ferrets, or other small furry animal - he'd be fine with a small dog I think - or a human who wants to take him out his cage most days. My son has turned 16 and discovered a world beyond his bedroom...
 

---

Posted by BessHiggs (# 15176) on :
 
When my big spoiled neutered male cat doesn't think I'm wathcing, he plays with the kittens....bless his fuzzy thumping little heart...
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy is having problems with too much fluff. She has matted fur behind her front legs despite my brushing her as much as she will let me. I have cut out a couple but am concerned she will start looking moth eaten. Also it's damn cold in the mornings and I'd hate it if she got too cold. I'm sure I found some spray fur conditioner a few years back, but can't find any now.

Does anyone have helpful hints?

Huia
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Currently getting the floor-based clutter up to a higher level ready for a new Furry Family Member to arrive on Saturday
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I have had great luck with the Furminator, which is a pet brush with a blade in it. It is a touch spendy, but boy! Can you brush a great deal of fur off with it! I have removed enough fluff from my 3 cats to upholster an entire extra feline. I do this outdoors, so that the fluff can blow away, and they enjoy it thoroughly, rolling over so that I can get at their armpits.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Brenda thanks, Robyn at the cattery (whom Georgie totally adores) mentioned that. I will go and investigate because getting her to the groomer's would cost well Huiaover $100, (taxis both ways as I don't have a car).

I have avoided using something like that as I've been worried I would make her look like a skinned rabbit, but it probably would help. If I take it gradually it will give her time to get used to it.
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
My daughter H rang in tears today to say that she had found one of her cats, Sam, who didn't come in last night, lying dead in an alley behind the gardens. Her little body was cold and wet from rain, and she was only about 10 months old. We don't know if she was run over, or what.

It's horrible when our beloved pets leave us.

RIP little Sammy.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I suppose if your cat is thinly furred it would be possible to Furminate her into baldness, but with mine it does not seem possible. The more I get off the more there seems to be. Their fur does feel softer and nicer after, however, and they beg for the treatment.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
So sorry to hear this Pine Marten
 

---

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pine Marten:
My daughter H rang in tears today to say that she had found one of her cats, Sam, who didn't come in last night, lying dead in an alley behind the gardens. Her little body was cold and wet from rain, and she was only about 10 months old. We don't know if she was run over, or what.

It's horrible when our beloved pets leave us.

RIP little Sammy.

---

Oh, Pine Marten, how dreadful! Poor baby! I mourn with you and your family. Sam is playing on the Rainbow Bridge now...
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
Sammy
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Thank you, kind shipmates. I am waiting to hear from my daughter what the plan is re Sam's burial - if there is enough earth in H's front garden then she would like to bury Sam there (the vets charge an arm and a leg for individual cremation... ).
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Pine Marten, H and all who loved Sammy
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Brenda thanks. for some reason I had though furminators had a blade in them to thin out the fur

I bought one today.

Huia
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
RIP Sammy, and for PM and H. Poor little pussy-cat.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I believe they do have a blade. But it works wonderfully, you will be amazed.
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
My dog got "furminated" this morning. I was going crazy when she blew out her winter coat a few months ago - bought a new brush and used it daily but she was still losing hair all the time. I was in at the pet store deliberating over the $60 Furminator products and the attendant said she the one for her cat just behind the counter. It took one four inch swipe of my dog's shoulder to prove to me that there is nothing like it. I was sold.

I don't think it is supposed to actually cut the hair. The way it was explained to me is that it tugs on the hairs that are pretty much ready to fall out anyway. It just gets them all now instead of dropping randomly.

My dog seems to really love it and, while I prefer the feel of her fur with more of an undercoat, I can't handle any more hair around the house.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I am tempted to try a furminator now that I have both black and yellow dogs in the house!

I thought my long haired Cavaliers were bad - labs are much worse!!
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Boogie, mine is a border collie/lab cross and in almost every way seems to favour her border collie side. But she sure is shedding lately so I'm going to claim it is the labrador side showing!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I furminate my cats out on the front porch. The fur blows across the yard in clouds. (I trust the local bird population uses it for nests.) If you furminate them, and then go back the following day with an ordinary brush, you will see how little the second brushing removes. The furminator got it all.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy and I are totally blown away by the furminator. She looked a bit suspicious at first, but after a while rolled over and presented her tummy. I took handfuls of fur from her and when I had finished couldn't see where it had come from, except that her bib looked neater. Apart from once when I got the angle wrong the purring was loud and steady.

When I finished I looked to be in need of a furminator myself.

[ 10. September 2014, 09:25: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :
 
I think I need to buy a furminatior. Anyone any ideas of stockists in the UK?
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Phone around to the larger pet supply stores in your area. Or Amazon never fails.
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Keep in mind, there are various sizes and different ones for smooth and rough coats. There are also some cheaper ones that are not the brand name.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
I got one from Pets At Home - it successfully unclogged my long-haired Persian.
 

---

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 
It sounds like a lot of you could use this book Crafting with Cat Hair

Actually with four cats I will be getting a furminator myself.
 

---

Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :
 
Excellent. Pets at home will be getting a visit this weekend!

Our little furry friend is a domestic short hair, but has longer hair than most, and she's a calico so the white hair is a killer on my mostly black wardrobe.

She loves being groomed, and even tolerates having her claws clipped reasonably well.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Grr. I looked out front today and saw a squirrel digging energetically in the flower bed. He pried out a tulip bulb and set off into the underbrush to eat it. I dashed out to the rescue and of course was too late. And the cat was sitting right there! I cried, "What am I giving you kibble for?" She gave me a blank stare. "Who, me? I toil not, neither do I spin."
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Vale little Sweetpea, eighteen years old. A small Abyssinian who looked like a tawny miniature lion. She belonged to one of my sons and his wife and was very much loved and well looked after. She survived three major traumas in her life, any of which would have killed a less determined and strong minded cat.

The last of these was when she was attacked by two Jack Russell terriers which had escaped their yard. They twisted her and broke her pelvis and ripped muscles but she pulled through that.

She had a distinct personality and well defined likes and dislikes. She will be much missed but it was the right decision.
 

---

Posted by Kittyville (# 16106) on :
 
Vale, Sweetpea. RIP. She sounds like a real character, Lothlorien.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
Farewell courageous Sweetpea
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
RIP Sweetpea.
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Sweetpea.

Speaking of cats, a bit further upthread I told how my daughter H found one of her cats, Sam, lying dead in the alley round the back of the gardens. Her housemate L was so sad at H's sadness that she brought home.....oh yes, a kitten for H, who was a bit gobsmacked at the sudden new arrival. Anyway, Sam has now been cremated , and little kitten, Millie, has been checked over by the vet and joined H and L's household .

Also, one of our church's elderly members has had to go into a nursing home, and his cat, Charlie, was threatened with homelessness. Nobody was able to take Charlie so Mr Marten and I said, oh go on then, we'll have him... We have 3 already so I hope Charlie will fit in. He's over 10 years old we think, and appears to snooze a lot. He should be joining us in the next couple of weeks or so.

Here's hoping for a smooth ride...

[ 22. September 2014, 14:49: Message edited by: Pine Marten ]
 

---

Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on :
 
Prayers for all wee (and large) beasts.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
My daughter arrived at her home yesterday, after being deployed in Afghanistan for nine months. Today, she and her husband have acquired a puppy. It is a Great Dane!
It is hard to believe this will go well. Her optimistic mom hopes it is practice, for a baby.
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
RIP Sweetpea.
 

---

Posted by The Intrepid Mrs S (# 17002) on :
 
In the interests of providing a happy 'thought for the day', I have permission to recount a story of a friend who 'owns' two rescue greyhounds. She brought them back from a walk and went indoors. After five minutes or so one of them was indoors with her, the second - who would normally have followed her straight in - was still outdoors.

She went out, to find him immobilised because he was standing on his own lead

Mrs. S, still chuckling at that one
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Poor dog - I have days like that too.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Intrepid Mrs S:
She went out, to find him immobilised because he was standing on his own lead

---

quote:

---

Barley update: We are rushing Barley to the Emergency & Specialty clinic right now. He's not doing well. Dr.s Register and LaVasser suspect it's his heart. We did x-rays and blood work. Now he needs an echocardiogram on his heart. We need all the prayers from all his friends. He has to pull out of this. We can't loose him. I'll do anything for God not to take him from me!

---

 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
My sweet dog, who just turned ten years old but thinks she's about ten months old, has a small swelling on her side. We're going to our favorite vet tomorrow (he's not in the office today), but please keep "A" in your thoughts, prayers, whatever. She's my best friend in the world, and my only family.

 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Pigwidgeon and A
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Pigwidgeon and A.


Georgie-Porgy continues to enjoy the furminator, but I may need to wear some kind of mask when I brush her as my asthma has returned. There are a lot of weird respiratory reactions occurring here with the combination of spring and the dust from the demolition and rebuilding going on.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for Pigwidgeon and A. - hope she's going to be all right.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Thanks, everyone! I feel pretty sure that it's something simple and harmless, but until our vet confirms that I'll worry.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 


It's just a lipoma -- a harmless fatty skin tumor. Thanks for all the prayers and concern!


 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Hurrah!! What a huge relief for you!

Gypsy has her date for her spay - 27th November. She is part of a research project into whether to spay early or after the first season.

There are pros and cons, but it's a much smaller op as her uterus will be small and undeveloped. There is no conclusive research to show which is best, so Guide Dogs are doing their own. They have the best researchers on the project and 1000s of dogs they can follow closely through their lives.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
My previous dog was spayed at about six months, before her first season. "A" was spayed before I adopted her, which was at nine weeks,so I assume she was only 7-8 weeks, which seems very young. Both did just fine, though.
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
A very quiet day here as it was time for vaccinations early this morning. I didn't realise my pup would be so sleepy though. It's also been pouring rain so, all things considered, good timing.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear A's going to be all right, Pigwidgeon.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Georgie-Porgy found some forget-me-nots and has the seeds embedded in her tummy fur

This is one of those "I love her but..." moments.

Huia
 

---

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 
The cat we got as a kitten 18 years ago is fading. I'm pleased I saw her last week, she came up and groomed Elaine, groomed me and sat on my lap purring.

Poor Rosie.
 

---

Posted by Sherwood (# 15702) on :
 
for Rosie.

We lost our Mikki cat back in June and it feels like it's time we visited the cat sanctuary here in Vaasa and adopted a new furry friend.
Mum's coming over for a visit in a couple of weeks and is bringing a little money for me that my Grandad left to me in his will. It seems right that some of it goes towards bringing more life into our little flat.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Sorry to hear about Rosie
 

---

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :
 
She has rallied slightly, but is very old. She was given weeks to live 18 months ago, so has had love, care and all the cake crumbs she can eat!

Last time I was there I spent more energy stopping her eat my cake than I did stopping her licking my baby. I did draw the line when Rosie tried to stand on Elaine's head!
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Gypsy is in for her spay today - she's part of a large research project to find out the best age to spay dogs.

She's six months old.

I will worry 'till she's home safe! Then, on Monday, she's going to a quieter home for two weeks to recover. I will miss her terribly

Gypsy - get well soon little girl xx
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Prayers for a quick recovery for Gypsy -- and prayers for Boogie's lonesomeness.

 

---

Posted by Sherwood (# 15702) on :
 
I hope the two weeks goes by quickly for you both, Boogie
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good luck Gypsy!
 

---

© Ship of Fools 2016


UBB.classic^TM 6.5.0