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Post by september on Jul 25, 2021 10:20:29 GMT -5
It's been about 1 1/2 years since Culpepper died, and though I thought now and then about going to our local animal shelter to see about adopting a cat or two, the covid restrictions and appointments for viewing and my own inertia caused me to not do anything. So it was a great surprise yesterday when my husband and my son's girlfriend arrived with two shelter kittens for me! I'm glad they picked them out and not me, because I would have felt obliged to take older animals had I been there. We have not had kittens in the house for over 20 years, they are so much fun even though I know things are going to be destroyed. They are from separate litters, and the girl is a couple weeks older, they did not know each other before they came to our house. A bit of hissing at first, but in two or three hours they were playing. Girl is the grey semi-long haired tabby, Maizie. Boy, black and white shorthair is Luke.
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Deleted
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Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2021 11:58:14 GMT -5
Lucky you and lucky them, too! Many wishes for much joy with the new babies. So cute.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 25, 2021 12:00:10 GMT -5
I've been looking at the local rescue groups lately since I'm now certain that my Shadow is not going to return. (We figure that she is now in someone else's home.) Problem with rescue animals here is all the hoops that one has to jump through to get one. And then not cheap at $125+tax to $160 for a kitten. With my driving restricted, not happy with multiple trips of 25-30 miles. Now watching Craigslist which has an active pets section.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by spike on Jul 25, 2021 12:58:00 GMT -5
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Jul 25, 2021 13:39:48 GMT -5
I’ve got about 20 of you want a few. Well, as usual I’m stretching the truth, but I’ve got 8 or so that come and go. I think they belong to my neighbor a half mile away. They are tame and a couple have collars. One of them that I’ve named puss n’ boots is like your bottom picture. Black with white feet.
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Post by octave1 on Jul 26, 2021 8:47:31 GMT -5
I think the black and white is what they call "Tuxedo Cat". My daughter has two of them and they are the best cats, friendly but discreet and very polite. Both your kittens look adorable, and I wish you many years of fun with them. Edited to add some trivia about Tuxedo Cats: www.thesprucepets.com/facts-about-tuxedo-cats-554704
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Post by september on Jul 26, 2021 9:40:47 GMT -5
octave1 , interesting facts, thanks for the link! Don't know if I agree about them being more intelligent, though I did have a long haired tuxedo, Sam, that was among the smartest of my cats. He had strict rules against being disrespected, any teasing or tail pulling was met by instant teeth and claws, no warning. Kids learned fast! He was a beautiful and very social and friendly cat. The lady in the summer trailer next door enjoyed having him visit and would let him in the trailer. One day I got a call at work wondering if Sam had his rabies shots! Of course he did. The story was the husband wanted to put Sam out, and got bitten in the leg. Hmm, do you suppose putting him out might have involved a swift kick of some kind? Knowing Sam, he would retaliate.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 26, 2021 10:12:06 GMT -5
There's at least one nice tuxedo cat available here: cchswi.org/available-cats/I'm considering either Chile or her sister Cairo. Need a white cat so my failing eyes can see her! Foolowup: I have been approved to adopt Chile. Due to my current no-driving condition, she will be held until Saturday rather than the 48-hour usual limit. Curbside only and I told the girl that that's a good thing or I might go for a full litter! Martin The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Jul 26, 2021 14:37:03 GMT -5
Congratulations, september! They are both beautiful cats. I am partial to the blue eyes on Maizie, but Luke is going to be a real looker in his fine tuxedo suit. May they give you many years of joy. (I must have an outlier, because my tuxedo cat, Luna, is not smart as cats go. She's also afraid of everyone outside the immediate family, and hides in terror when we have company. She is very snuggly and even demanding of attention with me and DH, though.) paquebot, I wish you good luck choosing a kitten, and I hope that the one you choose brings you great happiness - not to mention pest control in the garden!
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Post by september on Jul 26, 2021 16:07:13 GMT -5
paquebot , so glad you will have a cat again for love and companionship!
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Post by octave1 on Jul 26, 2021 16:18:04 GMT -5
paquebot , there is an adoptable Abyssinian mix on the website you link... You may want to consider getting that kitten as well, they are very companionable cats, and I am sure two cats are more likely to stay put.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 26, 2021 17:31:39 GMT -5
Yes, I saw the "cereal trio" calling them Abyssinian but description says "look like might". I had a kitten once that looked exactly like those and she indeed did look and act like an Abyssinian but was born feral. Not going to find many Abys in a shelter.
There's also an older cat which is listed as domestic shorthair but apparently nobody there can recognize a Russian Blue. Adoption pending on her so someone likes her even at 7 years.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 26, 2021 20:26:09 GMT -5
I'll tell a story about my Russian Blue, Silver, and the pseudo Abyssinian, Tuffy. Silver was neutered and declawed. When I brought the kitten home, expected some displeasure by the male but he adopted her at once just as if he were her mother. From then on, they always slept touching each other.
Fast forward to one day a stray cat showed up. I brought it into the kitchen and knelt down to let Silver and Tuffy have a look. Silver came close and no objection. Tuffy stayed in the background and expressed little interest. Then the stranger cat hissed. Silver let out the strangest yowl I had ever heard and Tuffy dashed ahead of him and went "bottle brush". Every hair was straight out and she virtually pushed Silver aside. She knew that if there was going to be a fight, Silver had no claws. I swear that that was what Silver said with his yowl. She was willing to go to battle for him. That is how close they were.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by paquebot on Jul 31, 2021 13:43:59 GMT -5
Picked up my rescue kitten, Chile, this morning, She wasn't happy with the 40-mile ride with a couple strangers. Took awhile to venture out of the pet carrier and has now found her first hiding place in this house. In short, no clue as to where she is! She will adjust on her own time and may take several days.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Deleted
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Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2021 15:11:13 GMT -5
She is probably feeling catnapped, strangers yet to her and strange surroundings and smells. You're right, it takes a bit for them to adjust sometimes. Enjoy her and thank you for rescuing her.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Aug 1, 2021 12:03:47 GMT -5
Congrats on the new kitten, Martin. I bet she will be loving on you in a matter of days, as soon as she gets used to her new surroundings.
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Post by paquebot on Aug 1, 2021 12:23:50 GMT -5
Chile is still shy but was introduced to the usual human fare today, venison. The very smell of it had her looking around for it when it was in my hand. Laid it on a piece of newspaper and one would have thought that she had not eaten in a week. That was on top of a normal helping of dry food. Nice round belly after that.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by paquebot on Aug 1, 2021 19:55:25 GMT -5
We decided that the name of a South American country was not suitable for this cat having no ties to that country. Thus Chile has become Shelly and Biscuit. Yes, two names. I will call her Shelly but my wife decided on Biscuit. I suspect that it will not take her long to answer to either names.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by september on Aug 1, 2021 23:44:24 GMT -5
The shelter names are really poor sometimes, but you can't blame them for having to think up names quickly without bonding time with the animals. Mazie's shelter name was Bear! And Luke was Yacko. I don't officially own them until they are neutered, the shelter has me bringing them back for updated shots and worming on their started schedule. I don't have to pay the adoption fee until after the neutering, right now I have fostering status, with intention to adopt. Luke goes back on Tuesday for some shots, and I hope it is an actual vet that is giving them, because I have some questions about his condition. He's had one slightly weepy eye that was mentioned on his status papers, it isn't cloudy or thick discharge, but needs to be looked at. Also, he is supposed to be almost a month older than Mazie, but he is much slighter, bonier, and younger looking. I hope to find out what kind of situation he came from, whether they were found in poor conditions, or maybe he is just an immature little runt. He eats, drinks, uses the litter box, and plays a little, sleeps a lot and is not nearly as active as Crazy Mazie. This morning while in bed I heard thumps from the kitchen, turns out she somehow managed to tip over the knife storage block, sending a few knives to the floor. She is supposed to go back to the shelter for spaying this Saturday. I would probably wait another month, if it were up to me, but after doing some research it appears that vets approve doing quite early before 5 months.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 2, 2021 8:02:40 GMT -5
september , Yes, they are doing it much earlier than in the past. When we took Punky Brewster for her first shots they scheduled her. I’ll have to check with my wife, but she was very young. The woman we got her from didn’t want her and we took her home at 5 weeks. We took her to our vet and got her shots and they scheduled her for I think 3 months. Like I said, I’ll have to verify that with the wife, but I’m pretty sure This is Punky as a baby And here’s my Baby!!!!! She is comical like me.
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Post by september on Aug 2, 2021 9:00:02 GMT -5
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 2, 2021 9:24:30 GMT -5
september, Why someone would not want either of these two is beyond me. My wife found my baby. She called me and asked if I wanted a puppy and I told her not really. She told me the situation. Poor thing was eat up with fleas and probably would have been dead within a week. She had two and my wife and niece brought them home, bathed them twice with dawn dishwashing detergent. That took care of the fleas. My niece took the boy, I took baby girl and the rest is history. She’s been mine for over 9 years now. She loves FOOD! I have to really watch her because as soon as she finishes her meal, she will run steal everyone else’s. She doesn’t like being separated from me. Before I retired, my wife said she used to sit by the door waiting for me to return. When I got hurt I had to sleep in a recliner for several months. She never left my side. She curled up in my lap and my wife would have to physically pick her up and take her for feedings and bathroom breaks. If you see me, most of the time she will be in my arms.
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Post by september on Aug 2, 2021 9:39:41 GMT -5
hairymooseknuckles , now that's devotion! We sometimes don't deserve the love of our pets, but you sure do, big guy!
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Post by paquebot on Aug 2, 2021 10:40:56 GMT -5
Shelly is supposed to be just under 3 months but was spayed. Incision still healing. Being a rescue cat, no idea what conditions she was born into. I've never had a cat as skinny as she is and she has a non-ending appetite. She's not too crazy about the small bag of food that the shelter sent along but she gobbles up anything else.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 2, 2021 11:22:15 GMT -5
paquebot, It won’t take long to take the skinny out of her. I don’t know too much about kittens as that is my Mom’s specialty. She has a real pretty cat that is one picky eater. Mom is constantly looking for different foods that she will eat. Although she does seem to like bacon. As a matter of fact, we have to go to town sometime today as Mom mentioned at breakfast her Kitty needed a few things from the store.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 2, 2021 11:25:50 GMT -5
This is Punky Brewster. Picture hot off the press. Just after breakfast today.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 2, 2021 11:34:52 GMT -5
This is my big boy and the oldest. He’s 10. The girls outnumber us. He and I just pay rent around here. The girls own the place.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Aug 3, 2021 12:33:21 GMT -5
paquebot, active and a hearty appetite are good signs. Sounds like she is getting used to her new environment now. I am not surprised that she had already been spayed so young; shelters spay kittens under three months of age regularly, to ensure that they get spayed. People are bad about adopting kittens and puppies and never getting them spayed or neutered, even if they paid for the spaying/neutering in the adoption fee. Still, my vet says she is amazed that the shelter vets can spay and neuter kittens that young - she said it's practically microsurgery because they are so tiny. She prefers to wait until kittens are five months old before spaying them. september, I hope that it is a vet that sees Luke for his follow-up. If not, I would probably take him to a vet myself to get him checked out. You said that he eats, but does he have a good appetite? Also, although kittens sleep A LOT (up to 20 hours a day) and tend to sleep more in daytime, they should have periods of intense activity, especially at night. They should be exploring, "hunting" small moving objects, wrestling and play fighting with each other, climbing, jumping, exploring, etc. If he seems disinterested in his surroundings or just sits quietly a lot, I would definitely talk to at vet about that as well. I don't want to worry you, but kittens his age are usually very cute little furry bundles of mischief and mayhem. He could just have a very quiet personality, but calm kittens are unusual. Reduced activity could be related to his weepy eye. Does his vision and depth perception seem okay? Kittens can be clumsy and make some mistakes, but by 3+ months old they should be able to pounce pretty accurately on small objects, judge most jumps correctly, not constantly walk into things, etc. If his vision is poor in the weepy eye, causing him to have poor/no depth perception, that could cause him to be afraid of running into things/falling/etc.
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Post by september on Aug 3, 2021 16:41:21 GMT -5
Laura_in_FL , no it turned out the shelter administrator was the one giving the shots and the worming for Luke. But I had a nice talk with him about my concerns, and he weighed Luke and said he had lost a little weight since the last check. Also, he was supposed to come in for neutering this weekend along with Mazie, but the appointment sheet they gave me had "Unknown" in the neuter line, so I had no idea. So since he will be seeing a vet in 4 days anyway, the admin said he would have the vet look at his eye and do blood work then. That's probably about how fast I could get an appointment on my own anyway. Once he is neutered and I pay the adoption fee and take official possession, I'll be free to pursue this on my own. He does eat, kitten kibble free choice, and canned food twice a day. But he never finishes the wet food, and I have to save it to heat up later. The admin gave me some gravy pouches, I opened one, but he could only lap up about 1/4 of it, which is ok since a full one is for a full grown cat. I also gave him some shredded chicken last night which he did like. Did not care for raw fish or raw venison like my old cat, but maybe he will eat it cooked. He does have occasional periods of intense play where he will chase a stick string toy for a few minutes. But only once or twice a day, not constantly like Mazie. Just a lot of napping and resting. When he is up and about, he is constantly milling at my feet wanting attention and acts normal, but then he goes back to the long sleep periods. I hope to know more when I pick him up after the surgery.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Aug 4, 2021 9:20:25 GMT -5
The weight loss is a bit concerning, but he could just be a very picky eater. Some cats are. I think that a high quality wet food is healthier for cats, because wet food usually has more protein and fewer carbs than kibble. But many cats prefer kibble, since it has extra flavoring agents added to make it more palatable to cats. (In case someone is eating when they read this, I won't go into detail about what those flavoring agents are. Let's leave it at cats have a different palate than people.) When you have a kitten that is not gaining weight, it's better to give them the foods they will eat and worry about changing their diet later on after they've grown. So I'm glad you're making such efforts to find foods that Luke will eat more of. I know you're anxious to hear what the vet says in a few days, september!
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