Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Animal companions in our happy homes
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Well, she’s at the vet now, having the damaged teeth out.
The vet was very pleased with her blood tests and thinks (as we suspected) that she is actually much younger than 18.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
She's a lovely cat, Gill. I trust all will be well.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
She is home, they only took out about 6 teeth in the end. Currently high on painkillers I think - she's running round like a kitten, pupils so dilated she looks like Puss In Boots from Shrek. Eating more than I have ever seen her eat (the munchies?) But not meowing at all, which is odd considering she is extremely vocal.
As is the way of these things, they found something else to worry about, and it's ended up costing us twice as much. But hopefully the insurance will cover at least a sizeable chunk of the money, and we do have it put away (bye bye, this year's holiday!)
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
So glad to hear it went well, Gill.
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Absolutely - here's to a speedy recovery.
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
May she recover thoroughly and quickly.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
You are a good kitty mom, Gill!
My three grandkitties are with me for a few days while Daughter-Unit and her dear hubby spend a long weekend with friends up at Disney. Ember, a plush tortie, is helping me explore the Ship tonight!
-------------------- Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
Ember trying to be a Ship's Cat.
-------------------- Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
An amazing story, retold by permission from my friend -
This is why I break my heart every year letting a much loved puppy go and become a life changer -
...
I left work at 5.30 today and unusually the battery on my phone died earlier today. Got on the train and ten minutes in, even more unusually my hearing aid batteries died... 😱 I’m really really anal about being able to hear as much as I can when I’m out and about, the only time I don’t have them in is when I’m asleep or in the bath or shower, so it really felt like a pigging big deal!
But, I gave my head a virtual wobble, told myself I know how many more stops I have to go and I don’t even have to direct SamJam home from the station. So I chilled out and just stared out the window into the blackness.
Two stops before mine the train stopped for an age, a ridiculous amount of time and then everyone on the carriage got up en mass and got off! 😳 normally in that sort of situation I would have checked Twitter, but as said earlier, phone was dead... so I got off too, and asked someone before I thought about it what had happened... the platform was completely (to me!) dark and so I can’t lip read and I have no working ears.... the person clearly answered me cos I heard “muff muffle gurgle gulll”
“Thanks!!!” I shrilled at the person (note I’m saying person cos I have NO idea if it was a man or woman!), I felt stupid at this point that I’d asked someone something KNOWING I wouldn’t be able to work out what had been said. I told Samson to find the way and he took me off to the exit, where I could see a departures board but just couldn’t make out what was said on it. The platform was absolutely rammed at this point, and I genuinely couldn’t make out if there was a member of staff on the platform. And anyway, even if there was I wasn’t going to be able to make out what they might say to me! So I got SamJam to leave the station thinking I’ll hail a cab home!
Got out of the station and stood at the edge of the pavement thinking I’ll see a cab in a bit... it’s probably my dodgy eyes, but it seems like car headlights are massively brighter this year, so I’m stood there being completely nightblind and yet completely blinded by what felt like countless stadium floodlights rushing towards me and burning the backs of my eyes... so I couldn’t see if there was the tale tale little yellow light bobbing along with headlights, so I’ve no idea if there was cabs.
So I took myself away from the edge of the pavement to have a little think, while I was doing that someone tapped my shoulder and said something to me, I’ve no idea what, I just told them I was fine! I don’t really know why, I felt vulnerable and didn’t want to broadcast to the world that not only can I not see but I can’t bloody well hear either...!
I looked down at SamJam and said “you’re gonna have to get me home mate...!” And it wasn’t a completely ridiculous statement, he knows the way because we used to do it every evening in the summer at my last job. That was a year ago, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t remember or would do that thing where he gets over excited and speed walks me when we do a route we haven’t done in a while.
So I told him to “find home” and off he set... and do you know what?! He went on a go slow, he plodded, he went at a fraction of the speed he would normally go at! It’s like he knew, he knew I needed it to be a completely different vibe from how we usually go, he forcibly body blocked me from things and people, I know this cos when I put my hand out I felt branches in front of my face, and a couple of people took my hand, one even put my hand on their elbow to guide us across a road.
He took me through B.. village, for those that don’t know it, it’s actually quite frantic with very narrow and uneven pavements in parts, he took me across B.. which is completely black, he took me down side roads, he took me on main roads, he did off curbs, he found suitable places to cross roads, he ignored me a few times when I told him to cross the road cos he realised that today, today he knows better and he found me a bus stop to get the bus home the remainder of the way.
We got a bus and at out stop he took the lead again and took me home, and for once he decided he didn’t HAVE to stop at the tree he normally stops at for a wee and general sniff and got us to the front door.
For most people, that journey is inconvenient,it would normally have been inconvenient for me too. But today, it was terrifying. It was terrifying, confusing, frustrating and painful (both emotionally and physically - in terms of my eyes being sore!)
All my technology I rely on, wasn’t there. I was completely deaf and I was completely blind. The sight I rely on to hear was defunct for so many reasons and the hearing I rely on to see was defunct due to my own stupidity. My stupidity also meant that I couldn’t take a picture of the departure board at the station to see what it said, had my phone had juice I could have hailed a cab, checked when the next train was or even have got people to have written what they needed to say to me... but instead I had to fully put my faith in this four legged, furry black beast, I do that anyway on a daily basis, but tonight I’m truly reminded of just how much he does...
I got home and I cried. It’s not something I often do, cry. But I think the combination of relief, frustration and disorientation was just a bit too much to cope with!
So here’s to Sammy boy, the dog that would be useless for anyone else, the dog that drives me up the wall sometimes, the dog who can be thick as two short planks, the dog who really is a bit of a princess, the dog I wouldn’t have any other way ❤️❤️❤️ [ 04. November 2017, 07:20: Message edited by: Boogie ]
-------------------- Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
Wonderful post, Boogie.
-------------------- “As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
That's a great story, Boogie. Raising a virtual tot of rum to you for all your great work.
We think the vet may have switched cats on us! Spikey is so alert and happy - and hungry! Some of it may be the painkiller of course, which she's had another shot of today just to make sure. But she seems very well indeed.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Bravo, Samson!
Glad to hear Spikey's feeling a bit better, Gill.
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Thank you, Boogie!
Yay for Spikey!
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
((SamJam The Great!))
I have to admit to not being a 'pet person', but when I hear stories like that, and of the many ways in which seemingly 'dumb' (hah!) animals can be of such support to people, I quietly thank God for the wonder of his creation, and for the human ingenuity that can employ and train his creatures.
IJ
-------------------- Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
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jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
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Posted
Hear hear.
-------------------- But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
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simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
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Posted
Brilliant story!
There have been lots of rabbits at our place. From about 4pm Minnie starts sitting at the window on bunny-watch. Usually she barks so much that I go outside and shoo the bunny away. Now, clever Minnie gives a bark when she sees the bunny, goes and finds me and barks wildly until I go and shoo the bunny.
It's a pain, but its a cute pain.
-------------------- Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Lamb Chopped: Meh. Our dog has devised a game of Fetch the Ball in which the humans fetch. Or so she hopes.
You mean that's not the way it's supposed to be played?
-------------------- "...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe." ~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
simontoad, could you perhaps persuade Minnie to go out, and catch the bunnies for you?
They make a nice casserole, with leeks, carrots, herbs, and a white wine sauce....
IJ
-------------------- Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
My dad once had two purebred Afghan hounds. One of them, Daisy for short, was a delightful dog but not well endowed at all in the matter of intelligence. They lived on several acres in the Hills district of Sydney.
One morning dad saw her looking very proud of herself but did not know what she had done. She had caught a rabbit and buried it. Sort of buried it and the mound was moving up and down. The rabbit was not dead, but badly wounded and dad had to finish it off.
-------------------- Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Poor bunny.
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Piglet: Poor bunny.
My thought too, although I realize that rabbits are a real problem in Australia.
-------------------- "...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe." ~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Unfortunately down here, rabbits can breed more quickly than die. So the population of bunnies increases. [ 10. November 2017, 20:56: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
-------------------- Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Spikey update - she's miraculously recovered from having 6 teeth out, and is frisking around like a kitten!
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Gill H: Eating more than I have ever seen her eat (the munchies?) But not meowing at all, which is odd considering she is extremely vocal.
I'm late to the thread, but my Lissa was diagnosed with a problem where (to cut to the chase) her teeth do not play well with her gums. She ended up having about a third of her teeth removed.
The point is, she was very vocal before. After, she is still somewhat vocal, but not as much as usual. Her pre-surgery vocalizing was because her mouth hurt. She also gained weight! She couldn't eat as well before because the mouth hurt. Once she had the teeth removed, she could eat better. She will never be a big cat, but she is much heavier now than she was.
The thing is, cats do not actually chew their food. The teeth are not for that. So an indoor cat getting dry food (and Lissa only eats dry) or canned wet food will never miss the teeth!
Love to Spikey from Lissa (who was a shelter cat, too, once upon a time)!
-------------------- "We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Gill H: Spikey update - she's miraculously recovered ...
Excellent news - happy pussycat!
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
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Posted
My Molly has turned into an escape artist. We had chicken wire fencing bent into an L shape attached to three sides of our property over an already existing wire fence that she would dig under. The 4th side is fenced by neighbor with wood. All was well until a few weeks ago when pup has figured out how to climb and squeeze through the aging wood fence. She knows we do not want her to do this so she never does so if we are looking, but I will call for her and discover her in neighbors yard. ( Thankfully he likes her and says no mind. ) I fear she will leave his yard through the back of his fence and then out into the world. I have tried blocking fence with bits of wood and flower pots for a week now. I have her trapped for the moment but know it is only until she discovers another hole. Neighbor does not plan to replace fence until next year, ( just paid for family wedding ) so looks like I will end up having to pay for another fence on my property. Not good as it is the long part of our property. Small free dog from pound is getting to be expensive. Fencing, vet bill from eating a rubber ball, tore up two sofa pillows the first time she was left alone. Good thing we adore her.
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Graven Image: Good thing we adore her.
-------------------- "...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe." ~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
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Posted
Ahh, we have a Molly too who comes up to stay when my MIL works nights. She's currently lying on the floor beside me.
-------------------- Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
My beloved Great Dane has been ill and the vet diagnosed a paralysed oesophagus, leading to an inability to regulate his temperature. She also thought there might be some intestinal blockage. He may be too old for surgery at seven years.
Surprisingly, he's doing well this week. He hoots rather than barks, but is eating well, no trouble swallowing, no constipation and no sudden rises in temperature. I wonder if he was over-stressed the day we took him in to the vet. He hates car journeys and had to be lifted into the back of the 4-wheel drive. So he was agitated, over-heated and in distress. The vet adores him and he usually cheers up to see her, but he didn't like the rectal thermometer at all.
When we got him home, he ran to greet his two small she-Pomeranian companions who ignored him, as usual. Then he drank some cold water, got onto his sofa and calmed down. I'm hoping he stays well for a while and we can see what other options are possible for a damaged oesophagus.
-------------------- “As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
{{{MaryLouise and the GD}}}
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Georgie-Porgy is crying in the bathroom - we have a vet visit and she hasn't been fed since 7pm last night. She's off to have her fur trimmed so summer is easier for her.
I hate trapping her, but at least we now have a reliable pet taxi.
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
It was a nightmare. I suddenly remembered her ear gel and while I was trying to administer it she got away and into a cupboard that was full of plastic containers. I had to bribe her out with the smell of food that I couldn't let her eat.
It was completely unnecessary because she didn't need to be sedated - when she finally got to the vets she co-operated completely.
My reward on returning home was a letter from a lawyer with a cheque for a small legacy I had been left by one of my mother's cousins. It was a total surprise because I didn't think she approved of me.
This will be enough to pay for thyroid treatment for Georgie-Porgy
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
Very often the authoritative vet will get compliance, whereas you, the pliable human parent, get rebellion. My cats are always terrified but resigned, and when the vet is done they hop straight back into the carrier. "Home, Jeeves, and don't spare the horses!"
-------------------- Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
I was told to tell my guest cat that I was a vet as he will do anything for them.....
And that does seem to be true. Though I've discovered that not being prepared to stand too much in the way of nonsense from him makes the medication go a lot easier.
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Kingsfold, I think you're right about not standing too much nonsense. The vet nurses manage cats well, calmly and gently but also firmly. I don't always manage this.
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
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Posted
Molly the pup and I were out for her walk this morning. It is trash pick up day and so everyone has their cans out at the curb. As we were walking down the street suddenly a very large dog behind a wire fence started jumping on the fence, barking and growling at us. Molly puffed up and then lifted her leg up high and relieved herself on the can in front of the dog"s house. Molly is a female and I have never before seen her lift her leg or pee on a trash can. I do think she was sending a dog message and I have to admit I thought it was funny.
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Way to go Molly
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Gill H: She is home, they only took out about 6 teeth in the end (snip)
As is the way of these things, they found something else to worry about, and it's ended up costing us twice as much. But hopefully the insurance will cover at least a sizeable chunk of the money, and we do have it put away (bye bye, this year's holiday!)
Spikey kitty is back at the vet today for up to 3 x-rays. Praying they come back clear, because the alternative could mean a lot of expensive tests.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
(((Spikey and her humans))) I hope the tests show the very best outcome.
-------------------- Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Absolutely.
{{{Spikey}}}
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Good luck to Spikey!
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
My best to Spikey and those who love her.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
(Spikey)
My Great Dane doing OK-ish, one of the small dog now has odd small growths on her back. How the vet loves to see me + a sick dog trudging into the surgery every other week!
-------------------- “As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Ugh. They have found ... something. Recommendation is more investigation, more tests, more money...
Hoping Petplan pay up for at least some of what we have already spent, because the credit card is groaning.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
{{{Gill H and Spikey}}}
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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