Conference misery::feline

         ... I might as well introduce me.  Andrea Midtmoen Fease, software
    engineer working for the Artificial Intelligence Training and Education
    Group (we've just changed the name, but I can't remember it offhand ;-)
    ) in Marlboro MA.  I live in Shrewsbury MA with my husband, 3 cats and
    various avian and rabbit pals.

    My turn...
    
    I am Jo Ann Cordes Brown, Admin. Secretary for the Special Security
    Office in Santa Clara, CA.  I am also co-moderator of this file.
    
    I share a great love of cats with my husband, Ken and our dog, Annie. 
    We love them so much that about 7 years ago we embarked on breeding
    Birman cats under the cattery name of Mysinhs.  We exhibit our cats in
    CFA around the country.  So far we have done quite well in the breed. 
    We have had Regional Best of Breed several times, and National 2nd Best
    of Color one year.  Our goals are to some day breed a National Best of
    Color or a National Best of Breed (or both!!).
    
    Jo

    Now, for me...
    
    I'm Mary Tamir, and I'm a senior consultant in the DECforms group.
    Like Jo, I'm a co-moderator of this conference.  I'm mom to 7
    rotten brats whom I love 99% of the time....  I live in Nashua NH.
    
    Mary
    

    I'm Roberta Kagno, an Administrative Secretary for the Information
    Management and Technology Group in Shrewsbury, MA.  I live in Grafton,
    MA, with my husband, Dana, and our five felines soon to be introduced
    in this new version conference.
    
    I have always been a cat lover.  Dana would have preferred to live with
    only one, or maybe none, but I had other ideas.  He loves our "boys" a
    lot and spoils them rotten.
    
    An avid Feline reader and noter!
    
    -Roberta
    

    I'm Deb Skaltsis, and I'm an EIS Consultant in the Northeast Goverment
    District working in the Raytheon Unit.  Like Jo and Mary, I'm also 
    a co-moderator of FELINE. I am the property of 11 former strays and
    ferals that make up those legal eagles, THE FIRM. We all reside at FIRM
    headquarters in Walthamm, MA.
    
    Deb

	Sandy Fraser, Ultrix/VMS system manager in the Ultrix Engineering
	group at Spitbrook Road, Nashua, NH (ZKO).  Just learning Ultrix,
	and having a *tough* time with it! :^}

	My husband, Andy (who introduced me to Siamese) and I live in
	Manchester, NH with our 6 cats.  I also have a human son who's in
	the Navy now.

	Andy & I met through another notesfile, but that's a long story :^}

	Sandy

    Nancy Sohl at the Customer Support Center in Alpharetta, Georgia.
    I work with electronic tools such as STARS, DSIN, DSNlink, etc.
    I live in Cumming, Georgia with my husband who also works at CSC/AT,
    two cats, Wizard and Miss Marple, and a dog, Rusty.
    Love this conference!
    
    NancyS

    This is Barbara Ives, Administrative Secretary in the EIC/Custom
    Telecom Unit, Merrimack, New Hampshire.  I live in Nashua, NH with
    my husband Tim (a contract worker at  DEC,Dascombe Road in Andover, Mass)
    and our three blue eyed babies. Mocha a Ragoll,  Mr, Miyagi and
    Princess Char-Ming two sealpoint Himmies.
    
    Someday I would like to have a silver shaded persian but right now
    3 is enough. I enjoy this notes files a lot and do participate when
    I can.
    
    Barbara

    Lynne Mandile, Buyer II in the Boston Mfg Plant, Boston, MA.
    I live in Middleboro, MA with my husband, and our 5 cats,
    2 horses and 1 rabbit.  

    Denise Provencher with the gang of 11 (currently and always subject
    to change, preferably a higher number!)  I work in TWO along with my
    husband Bryon.  We both met here years ago, when he said he loved cats,
    I said this is the man for me!  He's an engineer and I work in
    security, 2nd shift.  We all live in Haverhill, Mass, in a 200 year old
    farmhouse with 10 rooms which are filled with kitties!  Of course, one
    can never have enough kitties!  I love this file, the people are the
    best and friendliest bunch anywhere.
    
    Denise

    I'm Sandy Merritt a Project Manager for the Southeast Atlantic 
    Financial Mgmt Center.  I worked in Shrewsbury and live in Fitchburg 
    with my loving husband, 8 cats and a 9 year old parakeet who thinks
    he's boss.    We own a two family and my sister lives upstairs with
    her two kids and 5 cats...so we have quite the variety of furfaces!
    
    I also volunteer at the Pat Brody Shelter and truly feel rewarded
    being part of this wonderful crew who kept Pat Brody's dream alive.
    I love this file and have gained so much knowledge and so many
    new friendships.
    
    Sandy (Poco, Barkley, Chloe, Angus, Dewey, Abby, Bogie, and Van Gogh)
                  and J.C. the outdoor stray

    I'm Jan A. Cordes and I'm the Administrative Secretary for the
    Western States IM&T group.  I support 110 people that are spread
    out in Southern California, Santa Clara/Cupertino, CA and Seattle, WA.
    
    I'm currently owned by 4 furfaces but I have an attachment to several
    strays that live near me.  I have a sign on my back patio that says
    "Soft Touch Lives Here".  I would love to have lots of kitties (maybe
    even a Birman someday) but the asthma becomes a little more noticable
    each time I add one to the fold and the finances get a little harder
    to juggle.
    
    Jo Ann Cordes Brown is my sister.  Sometimes people confuse our mail
    addresses.  Don't worry though, for a small fee I'll forward any mail
    for her over to her node. ;-)
    
    Jan

    
    Marlene Balzer, Sales, San Francisco.  I love San Francisco and can
    never imagine myself back in Fitchburg (much to Mama Cin's chagrin).
    I would like to take this opportunity to blame Ms. Jo Ann Cordes Brown
    for my total absorption in the Cat Fancy.  I "met" her in Feline, met
    her in person at a show, she connected me with Cin and "that's all she
    wrote...".  The friendships that have been made through this file are
    such an important part of life and certainly have gotten me through 
    some tough times with my babies...
    

    Ellen Germann - Training at ZKO (Nashua, NH).
    
    I live in Manchester, NH and am even starting to like it (It's only
    been 11 years).  With me lives my 12 year old son.  My 20 year old son
    is a junior at UNH and my 18 year old daughter is living in Colorado
    and attending Colorado Mountain College and working.  We have had cats
    for 14 years, dogs for many of those.  Currently we share our home with
    2 cats (gosh, that seems odd - it was 5 just this past summer - does
    that mean it's time to adopt some needy fur-face?)
    
    I love this file, although don't write much.  This gives me a nice
    break each day and has helped me alot when I needed it.
    
    Ellen

    Sandy LaCorti-sales support in Atlanta, GA.  Used to live in Nashua
    until about 1.5 years ago when I relocated.
    
    	Got my first cat last August after I convinced my husband I needed
    a companion since he is always working late.  He says that Chief is the
    best thing he ever bought for the house.  This file has been great in
    answering all my questions about new kitten/cat ownership.  I would
    like to get more, but the hubby says no.  I figure that the first stray
    /abandoned that comes along will be mine since he wont be able to say
    no by saving a cats life.  All cats should have a loving and caring
    home. 

    
    I'm Diana Douglas, Customer Account Rep (recently transitioned out of 
    management).  I work in Shrewsbury and live in Littleton, with my Fiance' 
    and our two loving furfaces, Domino and Tykey (Domino we adopted 7mos ago 
    from Pat Brody's shelter).
    Also recently feeding a cute black stray and two Opposums Oscar & Fred.
    I don't think Oscar & Fred will become future house pets, but the cute
    black cat may.
    
    I feel the compassion in this notesfile is really great and i've
    learned alot through all the shared information.
    
    Diana        

    Hi:
    
    My name is Giudi Fossat (sounds like Judy).  I'm an Admin Secretary,
    Sales Department in the San Francisco office and have been with DEC for
    almost 12 years.  I've had cats in my life for about 22 years and am
    presently owned by three:  Pippin and Gino who are both 7 1/2 years and
    Stitch who just turned 4.  My husband's name is Richard and I am lucky
    to say that he loves cats with the same passion as me.
    
    Giudi + 3

Hi,

My name is Jill Meier. I work in Marlboro, MA as a software engineer, and I
live in Carlisle, MA with my husband Bill (also a DECcie), our four furry
kids, and over 1000 glass insulators (our hobby).  So far we've only had one
casualty :-).

    Hello, 
    
    My name is Irene Hensley, and I am an Instructor in Customer Training,
    Santa Clara (currently located in Mtn. View (UCS-2) during remodeling).
    
    My mate and I share our home with three furry ones (a grown fluffy
    part Maine Coon female, a teenage male tabby, and a newly adopted
    brat).  Since they are Mountain Kitties, they spend time in and out of
    the the house, avoiding the racoons, and terrorizing the birds and
    rabbits that inhabit the area.  
    
    They are especially adept at transferring poisen oak to me in regular
    doses, but I love them anyway.  
    
    	Mumblefratz'Mum (and Mum to Penny and Pfeffernusse too)
    

    My turn, my turn! 
    
    Hi.  My name is Wendy Ames-Vazquez (Wendyl to most of the guys at work)
    and I work in the Customer Support Center in Colorado Springs, CO as a
    Call Screening Specialist ... My husband and I have 3 walking, fur covered
    destructions waiting to happen, as well as our 8 1/2 month old son (who
    hasn't quite got the hang of speed-crawling after the cats yet).  Our
    youngest cat is exactly 6 weeks older than our son. 
    
    Our walking destructions are 1-Dogger (2 1/2) Siamese/Tabby - 12 to 13
    lbs, 2-Pisces (1yr 9mo) Seal/Tortie point Siamese - 7 to 8 lbs, and son
    of the other 2 - 3-Killer (10mo) Flame point Siamese - 5 to 6 lbs.  
    
    -Wendy-
    

    I am K.C. Fahel.  I work out of Merrimack, currently in MKO1.
    
    I am a DEC TAG...February will mark my 5th year as such.
    
    I am 27 years old, married (no kids - yet) for 6 years, 5' tall, with
    long brown hair and brown eyes.
    
    The joke about me is that I love fur...as long as it is still breathing
    and alive!  I am not a "cat-person" or a "dog-person"...I am an amimal
    person!  I have 2 cats (noted in topic 14), and also feed the
    neighborhood wildlife - squirrels, mice, raccoons, etc.
    
    K.C.

    I am an Engineering Operations Analyst, working in the Workstations &
    Servers Group at the Mill.  We (husband Peter, Munchkin & Mutu) live in
    Ashland.  Peter & I will be married 17 years in February, and since the
    cats were his, I guess I had to keep him too! ;-)
    
    I am always amazed and gratified at the wonderful care and love people 
    who love animals give their four-footed friends.  Wouldn't it be
    wonderful if folks treated each other with the gentliness we give our
    animals!  
    
    Purrs & licks,  

    
    
    	Judy Chaisson, but known in notes as JJ.  Work as an 
    	Admin. Secretary who dabbles a little in release 
    	engineering at ZKO in Nashua NH.  Live in Raymond (blecch!)
    	with hubby and our 4 kittymonsters.
    
    	JJ
    

    Kate McCurdy, I  work for Corp Customer Relations in OGO.  We live in
    Nashua ,N.H.
    Kate

    A little late, but Karen Kennedy, I work as a Project Specialist in the
    Seattle area.
    
    Karen

    
    Nancy Helen Diettrich-Cunniff  aka Nancy DC 
    Sr. Information specialist (glorified programmer ;^)
    I work in MR03 for the US Data Warehouse.
    USDEV::NDC   297-2313
    
    
    Current feline residents:
                             
    Bumpy-tail
    Xiao-mao
    Isis
    Bob
    Mar-dee's Marmalade of Putiput
    Putiput's Silver Shadow
    Putiput's Angel Eyes
    Putiput's CC Rider
    Putiput's Tiffany Purrmeadows
    Talegre's Bonnie Bairn of Putiput
    Talegre's Halie of Putiput
    Quista Bartman of Putiput (Batman)
    Putiput's Suki-san
    Bryric's Robileu of Albannach (visiting)
    
    5 new putiput babies who are just openning their eyes at 2 weeks old!
    

    Michele Peluso, officially soon to be Bigelow (okay, so I'm a little 
    excited  :^).  I work in the NRO5 labs at a Sr. Hardware Engineer.
    I have only one house cat, but a barn full of ferals.....as they say
    there's always room for one more!
    
    I'm 26, still at home in Westboro, but planning to move to Douglas, MA
    once the house is built (probably `94).  This has been an exciting year
    for me, many good things have happened despite the depressed climate
    we're in.                           

    Bonnie Lou Hussian. I live in Marlboro, MA, and I work at the MRO4 
    facility (also in Marlboro). I live w/ my boyfriend, Dave. He's as 
    much of a cat fancier as I am. We're owned by two purring furfaces,
    Tabitha & Callie. Someday we hope to adopt a dog, but right now our
    apartment has no room.
    
    Besides my cats, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, watching TV,
    reading, and being at home. 
    
    Bonnie

I'm Cheryl Coleman, and I'm a Senior Software Specialist
working in the Landover, MD office. (I'm an ALL-IN-1
person!) I've been married 4 years, and we live north
of Washington, DC in Gaithersburg, MD.

Anyhow, I've been with DEC 8 years, and owned
by cats for 6! Right now I have 7 cats -- 3 adults and
4 kittens. Charlie and Shanti were adopted from the SPCA,
and Gracie and her kittens are Korats (I've named the
kittens temporarily: Murphy, P.A., Legs and Baby).

    I'm Steffi Russell-Pencovic, and I'm the Student Services Rep for
    Customer Training in Santa Clara, CA.  I live in Los Gatos, which is
    Spanish for The Cats, and obviously the purrfect spot for an ardent cat
    lover.  I live with my husband, Bob and 4 cats, Misty, Lizette, Misha, and
    Marnie.  Luckily Bob is as crazy about the cats as I am, and he has
    become hooked on cat shows, so we'll probably be getting another Birman
    to show.  Bob is also hoping for one cat to be 'his' instead of 'mine'. 
    The cats do gravitate to me more even though he feeds them and changes
    their litter boxes.
    
    Thank you, Jo for getting me involved with Birmans and with this great
    notes file.  It's nice to know there are many others who dote on their
    furbabies the way we do.
    
    
    

    My name is Sandi Offen and I am the caretaker of the StormTroopers
    AKA White Lightning, DejaVu, Black Thunder, Patches, Black Beauty and
    Storm the Dog.
    
    I work in the TCC Center of DMO in the MK01 building.  I live and work
    in NH and have a 19 year-old daughter to help with the caretaking.
    
    My ultimate goal in life is to win Mega-Bucks and open up a shelter for
    all the stray cats and dogs with a child-care center for my daughter to
    handle.
    
    Sandi and the StormTroopers
    

I'm Bill Abrams and I'm the caregiver for the gang of 8 in 14.32.

I'm an EIS consultant for the former Discrete DCC (I don't have a clue
what the name of my organization is from week to week!)  I've been
with DEC 8 years in a variety of EIS and Sales Support jobs, both
as a manager and a consultant.  I work in the former Rochester, NY
ACT office.

Right now I'm a Concurrent Engineering Consultant but I'm doing
network consulting for Niagara Mohawk in Syracuse and Oswego, NY
at a Nuclear Power Plant.  I drive an hour and a half each way to
the customer site most days. 

Klaus says, "Keep still, and turn the keyclick off, I'm trying to sleep!"

Bill

    HI, I'm Tracy-Anne Wason (non-furry)mom to Murphy and Spookie.
    
    I work in Digital Ayr, Secretary for European Quality.  Been read only
    mostly for the last three years, although have been known to put the
    odd word or three in.
    
    This past week I've had to put up and redecorate my Xmas tree 3 times.
    
    Although my two wee purrycats think they did a better job.
    
    
    Tracy W

I'm Rob Adams and I'm owned outright by two of the most spoiled rotten little
brat tonks you'd ever want to see. 

I work in VMS development on VMS Security (no jeers please) in Spit Brook/Nashua.
And my wife (who is in VMS documentation) and I just moved into a much larger 
house in the middle of the woods in Brookline NH.  The brats love it because 
now they have ample room to tear around and ample carpet to tear up. 

I build houses as a side line and built this one for us.  This also makes the 
brats very happy as they have lots of different contractors to show off in 
front of.. "Look at me.. aren't I the most beautiful thing you've every laid 
eyes on?.. I'm very clever too.. Watch as I deftly topple your can of paint..." 
Of course this causes my wife and I great stress..  especially when they got 
into the air conditioning system.. Having heads pop out of random grills in the 
floor was rather disturbing. 

I am a former cat hater, and have only been owned for about a year.  But as a 
friend of mine once said, "They have you wrapped around their little claws." 

-Rob

    It's much more fun to talk about the furball, but here goes....
    
    Christine Drake, Leasing Manager in New York City (NYO).  I've been
    with Digital for five years and was a Sales Rep in Piscataway, NJ (KYO)
    up until July.  My husband, David (a lifelong feline fancier), and I
    live in Easton, PA with our Maine Coon kitten, MacBlue.  I've only been
    owned by one other cat before:  Patachou (Chou Chou), a beautiful black
    Angora look-alike who graced us with her presence for fourteen years
    before she died suddenly in July.  It will be a long while before I
    adjust to her absence.
    
    My near-term goals are to 1) acquire a kitty companion for MacBlue and
    2) find a job that doesn't require a 1 hour-and-forty-five-minute bus
    commute each way!
    
    MacBlue's half-birthday falls on Christmas Day.  He's a real joy, and
    we're looking forward to finding him a furry sibling soon.

    
    Well, I finally have gotten around to introducing myself.  Phew!
    So busy with cleaning out litter boxes, I just didn't have a moment
    to spare!  :-)
    
    Anyway, my name is Nancy Cross and I work in MRO1 (Marlboro, MA)
    in an engineering organization that is currently developing a Project
    Management tool.  But all that is boring, yes?
    
    What is interesting is that my household is now comprised of one
    long-haired fiance named Stephen who wears an earring and plays
    the drums, four short-haired 8 month old kittens who hide his
    earrings and make enough commotion to BEAT the drums, and two
    ball-pythons who hide under their rocks all day and don't give a
    darn about any of us.
    
    We did have a pet mouse, but he passed away a few weeks ago.
    May he rest in peace.
    
    Stephen complains that he is sure I will one day be an eccentric
    old woman who has a big long braid, lives either a) on a mountain,
    b) in the desert, or c) on a tropical island.  I will, he claims,
    have 300 cats, and will have goats and llamas and all sorts of
    crazy pets who will parade through my small house and will not be
    disciplined in the least.  I will smoke huge cigars, wear silly
    hats with fake fruit, and not care if I see another living soul 
    for the rest of my natural life...which will be very long.
    
    I can only say, "Stephen, my sweet, I certainly hope so."  Animals
    are a wonderful thing, and you can't have too many, or so I think.
    And a colorful character is a beautiful thing.
    
    Anyway, I do love my cats and my cats DO own me!  Suki, Bear, Zuzu,
    and Cyrano will all attest to that.  
    
    That's all!  Cheers!

I am Dian, or Dee to most, or just plain Wilde (the 'e' is silent)....
I am a Principle Software Specialist, serving as a consultant to various
firms in the Silicon Valley.  I am a trilingual programmer, working with
Fortran, Cobol, and C - I also now have really weird syntax in all
three languages as my brain is permanently confused.  Oh well, I always
suspected the third language was going to do me in....

The family cats are tolerant of my failings, unless, of course, the
problems interfere with daily brushing/grooming sessions, hugs, or
providing food for their comfort. 

	I'm Marleen Grant. I work at Parker Street (PKO2) in Maynard, MA. 
    	I live in Northboro with my husband and our five cats. Fortunately 
    	for our marriage, my husband is as much of a cat person as I am!

    I'm Nancy Jenkins.  I work as an Administrative Secretary for the U.S.
    Security Manager, and a group of many others in MKO2, Merrimack, NH.  I
    live in Sandown, NH with my husband, Kevin, my son Eric (4), my Kennel
    of shelties (7) (NAN-JEN SHELTIES), my cattery of birman babies
    (lost count) (CHATANGE), Patches (15 year old mixed furface), two
    Arabian mares (Mavouka and Electra), and our goat (Snowy).  I guess you
    could say that I love animals of all kinds.
    
    My greatest degree of concentration is on the breeding and showing of
    birman kitties and I have been quite proud of my accomplishments since
    I began 2 years ago.  I have already bred my first grandchampion in CFA
    from my first litter. (I showed 2 sealpoint males against each other
    last year and granded both in a very short time.)  I am currently
    showing two lovely babies that are doing quite well and have three
    other boys that are being shown from my cattery and are making finals
    as well.  This is a very exciting show year in CFA for me and for the
    birmans as we make our mark with lots of lovely babies for the judges
    to see.  If you are at a CFA show in the New England area please look
    us up if you wish.  
    
    
    in New England

    I'm Karen Kolling, a principal software engineer currently working in
    Workstation Systems Engineering (Ultrix/Risc systems) in Palo Alto, Ca.
    and about to transfer even as we speak to DEC's Western Software Lab a
    few blocks away.  I've been working on ease-of-use issues, esp.
    software, and in WSL I'll be working on X.
    
    I have three current furry babies, one late furry baby, a little
    house with a backyard that I'm trying to turn into a woods, and "night
    visitors" of racoons and an opposum, and my neighboring cat nephews,
    Jasper, Toulumne, Khalife, Sasha, and name-unknown little grey kitty.
    
    My email addresses should change to OXNARD::KOLLING and
    kolling@wsl.dec.com over the next couple of weeks, but if the system
    Gods do their thing, it says here that the old email addresses will
    forward correctly, at least for awhile.
    

Some of you ol' timers will remember me vaguely.  My wife, Molly, was a 
pretty active noter here a zillion years ago.  She's moved on to motherhood
(2 human babies - Nora and Nolan) and I don't note in here much.  But as
a Christmas gift to Mrs Beal (see 14.41) I'm sticking a quick note in here.

Molly & I (mostly Molly :^) have Beaudee cattery.  CFA registered Persians.
We used to do the show scene quite a bit, but we've cut way down on that
now that we have kids to deal with.  

I'm working in ZKO these days (when you last heard from us, we were in
California chitchatting with Jo Cordes Brown at cat shows).  We live in Nashua,
NH, really close to ZK, so if you're in the neighborhood, let us know.  I'm
doing whatever-it-is-that-principal-s/w-engineers-do for Business & Office
Products Group.  

I can't promise that I'll be as religious a noter as Molly used to be,
but I'll try to drop in now and again.  Molly still stays very on top of
the latest in cat products and she'll undoubtedly pass along "product reviews"
through me from time to time.

Cheers,

Karl B.

    Karl!!  Great to hear from you.  I think of you and Molly often and
    wonder what is up with you.  I am so glad you checked in.  Tell Molly
    to send me mail sometime!  I still remember the time she let me stay
    at your place in Costa Mesa for a show.  If you are ever in the area
    again, let me know.
    
    Jo 

Laura Dreyer, new product manufacturing in Maynard at the Mill.  Lover of cats,
and all animals but especially cats.  Unfortunately allergic, but I manage with
short hair varieties O.K.

Engaged to a guy who said he doesn't like cats, who now plays with mine as often
as I do when he's home, dreams about them and misses them when he's away (he's
an over the road trucker)!!

I'll be stopping in here now and then, but read more often than write, due
to time constraints.

Cheers,

Laura

    Paula Morris, ECO Administrator for the Systems and Support Engineering
    group in Tewksbury, MA.  I live in Manchester, NH with my husband and
    our three furfaces.  I recently started volunteering at the Pat Brody
    Shelter and am enjoying it very much!  My dream is to someday own and
    show a show-quality Birman, or two, or.....

Well, here I am finally.  Holly Taylor.  I'm an Administrative Secretary for
the Corporate IM&T group in MSO2, Maynard, MA.  

I'm presently owned by 9 furrfaces.  I guess the most famous of mine is Sweetie.
His name is Tu-Tone's Sweet Sixteen and he is CFF's Alter of the year.  Pretty
amazing for a kitty that's only two years old.

The rest of them are as follows.  We kind of put them in "groups".  The present
show kitties are Sweetie (just to be on exhibition), Raham's Kyra of Taliea (A
Turkish Angora.  Soon to be bred), and Starstruck's PIMA of Taliea (Brand new
Cornish Rex Kitten.  She's 6 months old.  Blue/cream).  The "old ladies" are
Honey, Marni and Lila.  These are three Korats that we adopted after their
mother passed away shortly after Christmas last year.

Finally, there's the three young girls.  Tabitha (Mixed breed, pure black.  
Likes to eat judges for lunch!), Sterling Silver (Korat.  My first Korat.)
and Jaltari's Lady Sings the Blues (also known as PITA.  She's a Korat, my
first Master Grand champion).  

well, there's my crew!  They're wonderful!

Holly

    My name is Cody Faile.  I'm a Principle Software Specialist working at
    OPA (Charlotte, N.C.).  I currently have Vince (A very large grey tabby
    who thinks he is human) and Brandy a 4 year old calico.  Love cats and
    would like to learn more about showing them (not necessarily my two)
    but others.  I've been thinking abou this as a hobby.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Cody

    I'm the proud slave of WUMPKIN and HARRY (Note 14), and I work around
    the corner from Roberta in Shrewsbury.
    
    I've always admired purebreds, but always had my heart stolen by waifs,
    so never had other than domestic short- and longhairs.
    
    I cannot imagine life without furpersons.  A brief chronology of my
    cats over 27 years:
    
             1. Mousemeat (I know, an awful name) ... but a great mother.
             2. Joseph (Sweet gray tiger)
             3. Charlie Cr*pcloset (black and white street-roamer)
             4. Mr. Jones (Orange tabby)
             5. Safeway (that's where I got her)
           ----------- all of the above in San Francisco, 1965-1973 ----
             6. Rocco (1st New England kitty, lost him to FUS 1967)
             7. Mr. Kitty (another wonderful orange tabby - are they all
    this mellow?)
             8. Ms. Kitty (totally black, with the most electric-blue
    reflecting eyes -- super uptight cat from birth -- lost her to jaw &
    throat cancer 1.5 years ago at venerable age of 14)
             9. Wumpkin (see note 14)
            10. Harry (The Rat)
    
        Cats make my life better.

Kathy Romberg

Software engineer, Stow, MA


I lost my last two pusses to Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy.  The current pair 
(Hannah and Simon) are definitely individuals in their own right.  Their condo, 
which I have the dubious honor of paying the expenses for, is in Leominster, MA.

It's a great deal - they guard the house, and I pay for it ;^)

    
    Hello (again) Everyone,
    
    I am Sue Spinger and I am BAAAAAaaak.  I am a outside contractor and I
    was away for 1 year and 2 months.  (Working at another high tech firm
    in southern New Hampshire.)  I want to say hello to all who will
    remember my from prior to 1991, Nancy and Mary, Kate, and just
    everyone!  
    
    It is very good to be back, I missed Feline file a lot.  Even though my
    hubby (Jerry - Pop cat) is a long time Digital employee, I had very
    little time to check into the computer on weekends.  (I think I am
    living in a black hole that sucks up my time!!!)
    
    I am owned by The Princess Panther Jane, an apparant Havana Brown,
    with that silky coat, black with reddish undertones, she looks like an
    old fashined apple headed Siamese. Wedge shaped head sleek and
    athletic and good deal of refinement, and lots of Purrrsonality. (She also 
    has me well trained, although I expect that she wondered why I was so 
    slow to catch on!)
    
    Jerry is owned by Spotted Cat Spingler (great hollering name when she
    is into something, again.) AKA Spots.  She is a part Maine Coon with a
    plush sleek black coat with a heart shaped white bib and a perfect
    white bikini.
    
    In my other life, (before DEC I was a Vet's Assistant. I am still
    licenced to "practice" in Mass.  I recieved my degree from University
    of Massachusetts in 1975 (Yikes I'm getting old!)
    
    It is so good to be back, I am working in MKO1 in the Direct Marketing
    Organization. (DMO) I hope I have a little time now and then to be an
    active participant again.
    
    Feline Happy to have my "noter" friends again!
                                                                    
    Sue Spingler

	Hi, I'm Kirk Dowsey, I work in the engineering support group
for small tapes manufacturing in Springfield, Mass. I have been here for 15 
years. I used to bounce in and out of the old Feline file.

	My seven furfaces spend their days in my 200 year old, 10 room 
farmhouse. While I'm at work they do an amazing job at undoing any attempts
I make at housekeeping. 8^) They specialize in removing curtains, shredding
window shades, and emptying shelves.

    
    Since I have entered a couple of notes, its time I sign in.
    
    I'm Valerie Miller, and I'm a software engineer at LKG.  I live in an
    apartment in Marlboro with my two cats, Rascal and Sasha.  I have lived
    with cats all my life.
    
    	My family's first cat was Tommy.  Huge cat with long black fur.  I
    	think us kids named him Tommy because he was a "tom cat".  He loved
    	to curl up on my pillow around my head, almost pushing me off!! 
    	Good thing I was small (we got him when I was 4).  One of his
    	endearing traits was that he never tried to scratch or bite any of
    	us.  If one of us was holding him, and he wanted down, he would bat
    	our cheek with his paw (claws in).  It was so cute!  Unfortunately,
    	Tommy was seriously injured by 3 dogs one day (my parents'
    	anniversary, as [bad] luck would have it), who broke his back, so
    	my parents had to put him to sleep.
    
    	Then we got Tiger and Princess -- Also huge with long fur.  Tiger
    	was orange and white and Princess was tortoishell and white
    	(brother and sister).  We had these cats most of my childhood. 
    	Tiger was my cat while Princess was my sister's.  They got their
    	names from how they acted as kittens: Tiger was always attacking
    	everything and Princess acted just like a little lady.  Tiger was
    	always getting his fur all matted, mostly along his back near his
    	tail.  Most of the time, I was able to cut the mats off with
    	scissors (he was very patient about this, even when I nipped his
    	skin a little). Poor Tiger got feline leukemia (the first I heard
    	of it) when he was 9, and had to be put to sleep.
    
    	Then my sister got Sundance (commonly called Kitty or Kitty-Kitty
    	or Gitty-Gitty) --  A short-haired gray mackerel tabby.  I
    	fostered Kitty for 2 years while my sister lived in a condo which
    	didn't allow pets.  I put a note or two in the old FELINE file
    	about this cat.  My sister has him now, and he's still going strong
    	at almost 10 years old.
    
    And now I have Rascal and Sasha.  I'll introduce them in Note 14.
    	

    My name is Shannon Miller.
    
    I have always loved cats and was quite happy to get my first cat from
    my mom. I now have two and can't imagine one without the other. They
    truly are my babies.  My fiance, Dave, wants us to have cats instead of
    babies because they're easier to take care of. We can go camping and
    leave them at home because they take good care of each other. :-)
    

    I know this isn't an introduction, but....
    
    Today may be my last day with DEC.  I just found out yesterday that my
    PO expires at the end of today (I'm a temp).  The woman I was covering
    for was out on maternity leave and will be back Monday.  I had
    understood that I would still be here for a week after she returned,
    but the only way that will happen is if my manager sends a memo to
    extend my contract.  I'm sure he will do that if we can get in touch
    with him, but I really don't know what's going to happen.  I may have
    something lined up at another DEC location, but, again, nothing is set
    in stone.
    
    Anyway, in case I don't get a chance later, I want to say:
    
    	It's been wonderful noting with you all!!!  Hopefully, I'll be
    seeing some of you at some cat shows.  I plan to keep attending, and
    possibly to some showing myself when I have a kitty again.
    
    Best regards,
     --Michelle
    

	For those who haven't read my introduction in note 88 I place
	it one more time here.

	My name is Erwin Moll, working as a subcontractor for Digital
	in Holland. I'm a sort of software specialist (systemdesign,
	programming) on VAX-products.
	My company is called BSO/Origin and has several companies in
	Europe and a few over the world.
	I am 30 years old and live in Nieuwegein (near Utrecht).
	

    I introduced my gang to you yesterday.  Today it is my turn.
    
    My name is Catherine Winslow, and I am the receptionist @ MWO
    (Milwaukee, WI).  I have been working in this office since early March
    of 1992.  I live in the country, on a small lake with my fiance (331
    days to our wedding!).  Besides the cats, I have 2 Zebra finches
    (George and Eep) and a black lab/cocker spaniel mix named Arthur. 
    Every other weekend, we also have a 7 year old boy living with us.  So
    the lake comes in handy when I need to excersize the boy and the dog.
    
    I could not live without animals in my life, they are so important.
    
    I have been reading these notes for a while and now I am looking
    forward to relating some of their antics with all of you fur face
    fanciers.
    
    Best Regards,
    
    Catherine
    

    I'd like to welcome a friend of ours, Doug, who is somewhat new to this
    notes file and just adopted 2 female kitties...  Peaches (8 months old
    blue/cream color) and Cuddles (10 weeks old medium hair tortie).  
    
    Since Doug works for the Imaging group in MKO, maybe he can scan in
    pictures of his kitties into the notes file!! ;)
    
    Mary
    

    I'm Paul Kriner, a consultant doing some part time work for the
    Software Development group of Marketing Information Systems, out of
    PKO.  Although PKO is in Massachusetts, I'm in South Carolina, on a
    dial-up line.  I used to work at MKO1 from mid 1989 to the end of 1990,
    and was an avid reader of FELINE.  (Hi everyone)  I don't know how long
    I'll be able to read notes,l buty while I'm here, you can bet I'll be
    reading FELINE.

    As for my cats (which I call PIGS, affectionately), I still have three,
    Phaedra, Ariadne, and Emer, and my ex has the other ten.  It finally
    feels like home now that I have my girls.

    Paul

    I finally feel that I can join all of you.  I have been reading this
    note file since its beginning but now I have a KITTY and feel like one
    of you all.  I am Julie Lawrence at CXO.  I started reading this file
    while I was in DCO and shared it with many of my friends there.  I
    moved back to Colorado, my home of some 40 years, in April and am
    delighted to be back home.  I work in the software support center as a
    CSS, Call Sreening Spec.  The inportant thing in my life now is my new
    fur buddy.  He is a mixed kitty but looks like a flame point Siamese
    with blue eyes and pointy face.  I have named him michu as in "miss
    you" when we are apart.  He is such a lover and purrs all the time,
    even when eating.  I have been without a kitty for several years now
    and it feels so wonderful to have my very own baby again.

    Hi Julie!! How's life in Colorado??  We miss you here!
    
    Shannon
   (formerly DCO now COP)   

Hello, I am Karen Fallon a new DECtag working at LKG1-2/B13.  Perhaps some of you 
will remember me from a year and a half ago.  The pertinent information is as 
follows:

My husband (Jim) and I have a cattery named MOONSTA and we raise Colorpoint Short
hairs and Orientals.  We primarily show CFA but do what we can in the area for
TICA. I am the secretary for the Black Tie and Tails Cat Club which holds two
CFA shows annualy in the Boxborough area.

At present we have 13 kitties, 4 of which were born this past Sunday.
We are showing Josette (some of you may remember her mom Ruby) trying to attain
her Grand Championship in CFA, and she has reached the title of Triple Grand in
TICA (hopefully to Supreme).  Also showing are a little white boy named Moonsta's
Thunderhead and a little chocolate lynx boy called Moonsta's Bringing Up Baby. 
Both have received their share of finals up to Best Kitten.  Ruby is still around
and doing well with her third litter.  Stinky, my chestnut Oriental is well, and
Wing, Jim's apple head is banished to the porch.  I also have a new addition
in the shape of a birthday present that is a Cornish Rex named C.J. aka Smeadge.
Tubba, Josette's brother, is as great as can be and still a tard head!  We also
have Tippy (who could use a home) who is a B/E white Oriental.  She has a great 
personality and a head tilt due to an inner ear infection as a small child.

We still have our four Cockatiels, but alas, Nat and Chet the goldfish, have gone
the way of the big flush!
See you all somewhere else!
Karen
dtn 226-5070 

    Hi!
    
    My name is Lauri Bachelder.  I'm currently working in MSO as a
    developer on DEC Data Warehouse.  I've been with DEC for almost 9
    years.
    
    I have two sweet kitties that I introduced in 14.86.  Aside from
    enjoying cats, I also enjoy: hiking, mountain biking, reading, sitting
    in the sun (with lots of sunscreen), and dancing.
    
    - Lauri
    

    Hi Laurie!
    
    Judging from your node, VMPIRE, you must work for the IM&T group??  I
    do too.  And I believe that you're probably in MSO2-2 south side??? 
    Next section over from me.
    
    I'll have to stop by with kitty pictures!
    
    Holly
    

    I just realized I've introduced my kitties but not myself.  
    
    I'm Nanci Van Fleet in Remote Sales Support at the Colorado CSC.  I've
    been with DEC for 5+ years (that's a record for me!).  I have a
    daughter, Emily, age 8.  We are owned by Muffin, Samantha and Beethoven
    who try their darndest to keep us in line!  :-)
    
    I have been a cat person as long as I can remember.  Unfortunately,
    close proximity to any animal or plant will eventually cause me to
    develop allergies to it.  I found homes for my last cats about 3 years
    ago and was really hesitant to get any new ones.  However, my daughter
    has been begging me for a pet for most of the last year.  I went in,
    got retested for allergies and found that I'm not as allergic to cats
    as I am to most of the grasses and weeds growing in my yard so I
    started on allergy shots and gave in and bought Muffin and Samantha for
    Emily's 8th birthday.  I have determined not to let my allergies
    prevent me from the joys of cats.  :-)
    
    Nanci
    
    

    
    Hi, my name is Kirsty and I work for DEC in Ayr, Scotland.  I have been
    a read only person for 2 years but feel I have to reply to note 405 so
    thought I would introduce myself first.
    
    My husband and I have an 18 mth old male.  He is a black shorthair with
    a white bib and is called Floyd.
    
    I know there aren't many feline noters from across the Atlantic but
    hope any information I can add will help.  I have learned so much from
    the file myself.
    
    Kirsty
                    

    See also 14.117
    
    My name is Bob Marquette.  I am a Customer Service Engineer in Dallas,
    TX.  I have been here for 13 years.  Before that I did 2 and 1/2 years
    in Salem, NH when NI0 was a FA&T facility.
    
    My wife, Sylvia, and I have been married for 10+ years and have been
    breeding cats for 8+ of those.  We have both been cat-people all of our
    lives.
    
    We are very involved with CFA, showing and breeding.  We are members of
    Lone Star Cat Club, Ozark Cat Club, Happy Alternative Cat Club (HACC is
    a group which promotes showing altered cats), and Fort Worth Cat Club.
    I am generally the show room supervisor for Ozark, Happy Alternative
    and Fort Worth shows which are all annual shows.
    
    As reported in 14.117, we breed Persians and Burmese.  We try primarily
    to breed bi-color persians (known in TICA as 'with white').  My Burmese
    are all sable, but I would like to get into the dilute colors.
    
    Hope to get more active in this conference, although I notice a lot of
    the topics are area specific.  But I will try to add my 2 cents worth
    (if it is worth that much?!?) when advice is asked for.  Later
    
    - Bob M
    
    

    Welcome Bob!  It sounds like you've got some beautiful babies!
    
    Advice from an experienced breeder is ALWAYS welcome in here!  Have
    fun!
    
    Holly
    

 After all the entries I've made regarding Merlin, it's high time to enter my 
 own introduction

 Hi, I'm Karren. I am an Admin Support in UNIX Product Management/Marketing,
 in Nashua, NH (ZKO). I began with DEC in Germany 7+ years ago and actually
 have three cats. Emily, almost 17, is a long-haired calico. Maggie is a short
 haired brown tabby and white mixed, born October '92 in Germany and still 
 meows with an accent :) . These two furrfaces stayed behind in my former home.

 Merlin, a short-haired chocolaty-black 21 week-old, adopted me on election 
 day and shares an apartment with me and my 13 year old son. I hope when the 
 time comes (5 yrs), I can let my son take Merlin. We got Merlin, with that 
 idea. 

 I'd *really* like to get another cat, for us and for Merlin since he DOES get 
 lonely all day by himself and loves to play. My current living situation is 
 temporary, and renting is the only option open to me at this time. I have to 
 find us a home that will allow Merlin, and I'm not sure how easy it's going to 
 be. After things are settled, I'll be looking for another kitty to adopt me. I 
 know I can count on this NOTESfile to help!

 -Karren

    
    
    	Hey Karren, we may be neighbors soon!  My group was transferred	
    	into the UNIX organization in December and we're moving our 
    	offices over to 3-3 on Feb. 15..... !!
    
    	JJ
    

      >>  Hey Karren, we may be neighbors soon!  My group was transferred	
      >>  into the UNIX organization in December and we're moving our 
      >>  offices over to 3-3 on Feb. 15..... !

 You may very well be moving into *my* office.  We're moving to ZK3-2 the same 
 week!  Stop by to say hi. I'm in 3Y14. I'll miss the sunshine I have here.  -K

    Welcome Karen!
    Karen :^)
    

    Hi! I'm an Admin. Secretary in Alpharetta, GA. and am mom to Shadow and
    Sammi. My husband thought he was a dog person, but has become a cat
    lover too. I grew up on 52 acres in Asheville, N.C., with dogs, horses
    and lots of cats. We always had one house cat, and at our biggest boom
    had between thirty and fifty barn cats. (It all started with Mama cat.)
    I spent much of my childhood in the barn loft taming kittens.  And I'll 
    never forget and will always admire my mom for the time she gave 
    mouth-to-mouth to one of our cats and saved its life. This is my first
    opportunity to raise and care for my own pets in my own way - and I
    love it!  I also think this notesfile is wonderful - I've learned so much 
    and I think you are a lovely group of people - it's rare to see such 
    compassion and love - thank you.
    
    Rebecca  

    REbecca,
    Gosh, do you have a recipe for "Barbecue"???
    I stayed for a couple of weeks near Ashville.  I visited the Biltmore 
    estate and even went on rides at Tweetsy Railroad (sp?)  It was very
    beautiful down there.  I will never forget the barbecue (red) and wish
    I could make it myself,  I'd give my kittens baby teeth for it! (I keep
    several in a jar just in case!;'))
    Karen

    Karen,
    
    What the heck are you talking about??!!  I must have read Rebecca's
    note 3 X over, and never once did she mention "Barbecue".
    
    Did I miss something?
    
    This file seems to get stranger by the day!  :^)
    
    -Roberta
    

    Ro,
    
     If you've ever been to Georgia, and had barbecue there, all you need
    to hear is the word 'Georgia', and your mouth starts to water! I always
    get it when I go down there. My favorite place years ago was Fincher's
    in Macon. I don't know if it's still there or not. YUMMY!
    
     So, one needs not actually see the "word" barbecue to think of it! ;-)
    
    Yonee

    Karen,
    
    I'm so ashamed - I don't have a recipe for Barbecue - I don't really
    know how to cook very well.  But - if you ever get back to Asheville,
    be sure to go the Barbecue Inn - they have the best! Yonee, North
    Carolina and Georgia barbecue are different - we're still getting
    aquainted with Georgia, and it is wonderful in it's own right, but 
    given that I'm from North Carolina, I'm kind of partial to that style - 
    you'll have to try it sometime!
    
    Rebecca  

    I'll take that as an invitation! I'd love to try your style! I love
    good barbecue!
    
    Welcome to the file! (I had to add this for the moderators) 8-)
    
    Yonee
    
    

    So, doesn't anybody want to explain what it is?!
    

If you do mean the difference in barbeques, I'll give it a shot, I used to
live in Atlanta and my ex grew up in North Carolina.

Georgia barbeque is my favorite (of course!).  It's usually pork, served up in
slices with a thick tomato based barbeque sauce.  Chicken is also a specialty,
served either on the bone or chopped up.  And you must certainly serve it with
white bread, brunswick stew and cole slaw.  I've got to stop this...;-)

NC barbeque seems to be generally chopped up pork with a watery type of sauce,
the sauce containing bits of red pepper (you know,the kind they have on the
tables in Italian restaurants). I didn't care for it too much.

-Patrick

    Well that's a bit biased Patrick! ;-)  Since I don't know a great deal
    about cooking, I can't explain very well, but I'd say the North
    Carolina barbecue's taste is more in the barbecue (chopped pork) itself 
    - the way it's cooked and seasoned, with a hot sauce added if you like 
    it hot, while the Georgia barbecue's taste relies more on the thicker 
    sauce.  They're both good - just different (IMHO).
    
    Rebecca

    Thanks for the descriptions, but.... I hate pork, so it sounds
    disgusting to me!  :^)
    
    -Roberta (a very fussy eater!!)
    

    Well, just to throw a momkey wrench into things, the barbecue and
    brunswick stew (YUMMY) I got in Macon was almost like shredded pork
    with a nice thick sauce on it. I had it in South Caroilina now that I
    think back, but they put crushed red pepper in it, and it was a bit too
    spicy for wimpy me. It was good though! ;-)
    
    Anyway, welcome to FELINE! (Geeze! I gotta go visit mt brother-in-law
    and get some of that stuff!) ;-)
    
    Yonee
    

    Hi, my name is Eduarda Coelho and I've worked as User Information
    Specialist for Digital Portugal, in the Lisbon office, for the past 6
    years and a half.  My husband Carlos is also a DECie; he started as
    Field and Support Engineer for Customer Services and is now Project
    Manager in Systems Integration.

    I'm not a cat "owner" but I've always been a cat lover, so I expect
    this allows me the participation in this file! ;-)  Actually, I love
    all kinds of animals, even tough cats are my firm favorites.  Either
    moggies, pure breeds, whatever, they all look beautiful to me (much to
    Carlos dismay...) 
    
    While I was a child / teenager still living with my parents we have
    always had cats around the house.  Then one day our last cat, Nico,
    disappeared and my parents were so distressed they refused to have
    another cat for years...
          
    That was until last October.  On my niece Rita 13th birthday she finally
    got the present she had been asking for ages: a Siamese kitten, one
    month old, that will be properly introduced in the appropriate note. 
    Ever since I've been reading the FELINE notesfile to serve as
    information repository for my mother and sister in what concerns the
    little devil that has taken all over the place...

    Sooooo, you'll be listening to me telling stories about my
    niece/ mother/ sister/ father cat.  She has actually changed the entire
    household!

    Eduarda  

    
      Hi, I'm Tony. I live and work in New York City. I work in the
    Digital Financial Services Trading Group providing Software Support
    for Digital Customers who use our Trading Systems. 
     I've been reading this conference for quite a while and found that
    there are some real nice folks here whom are quite knowledgable about
    our feline buddies. I've been hesitant to post an entry here because 
    some of my friends who work for Digital and read notes, would give me
    a real hard time about the whole cat thing. Let's say that I don't 
    appear to be a cat lover. Now most of my friends have moved on and
    it's safe to "come out of the cat closet".
     I got my first cat this past February as a kitten at a local animal
    shelter and I can honestly say that I'm real happy about things. My
    little buddy is awesome.  Thanks for the great notes here in the
    conference folks, it's been a major help with things.
    
    
    -Tony

    Welcome Tony! You need never feel ridicule for loving cats or any
    critter in this file! I love to see the guys get involved here. I know
    there are many male cat lovers, but I also understand the ribbing one
    can get.
    
    BTW, your personal name is one of my husband's favorite sayings! ;-)
    
    Again, welcome!
    
    Love,
    
     Yonee

    Welcome, Tony!  I have been in the Bohica file a few times (read only)
    and saw your notes where you spoke of your cat and thought it was cute.
    :^)  Guys who love cats are cool!!
    
    Glad you have finally decided to "come out"!  We need new members, so
    feel free to join in and brag with us.
    
    -Roberta
    

    Welcome Tony...if you feel a bit silly you need to meet my husband
    who is totally possessed with cats.  He's even worse then me....
    
    There is nothing nicer then meeting a man with a heart for animals!!!
    The world would be a better place if there were more men like yourself
    and the other males in this file!!!!!
    
    Please share all your stories about your kitty...
    
    Sandy

    
    Hi Tony.... The peer pressure is easy to shrug off. I have a few
    photo's of my two Abbysinians in my office and get an occasional
    comment here and there. These people are pretty much "get-a-lifers".
    (even though their friends we just value different thing) I tell them
    to bug off...
    
    Yes Roberta, guys that love cats are COOL !!   8-)
    
    George
    
    

    Hi, my name is Deb and I work in Nashua.
    
    I've been a read-only FELINEr for quite a while. I love reading all the
    stories and especially love this note because of the very useful
    information in it. I thought it was about time I introduced myself and
    my kitties. 
    
    We (my husband and I) have two cats: Sam, an orange tiger we took in last 
    year, and Simon, a blue point Himalayan. Tonight, I pick up number three. 
    We're so excited about the new baby. It's been almost three years since we
    had a kitten in the house. 
    
    
    
      

    
    Welcome Tony & Deb!
    
    Lynne

Tony,

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger.  I have two cat calendars in my cube, and a
couple of pictures of my guys, past and present, proudly on display.  When I
went to show a co-worker a particularly cute picture from my 365 Cats daily
calendar, she said, "Pat, I can see you in your old age as some crazy
eccentric who has a hundred cats!"  I'm not sure whether I was supposed to
believe that to be a good thing or a bad thing.  Oh well.  

Patrick and the boys (Chester, Farley, and Jeremiah)

     
    
      Thanks All. I have a picture of my buddy on my office wall as well.
    I challange anyone to make negative comments!!! Of course, I'm over
    6-2 and over 200 lbs, so I'm safe. ;^)
    
      This is a great conference and I get a lot of real helpful
    information from you good people. I'm also moved by some of very
    touching notes from cat owners who lost their beloved friends.
    I can relate to that because when I was about 12-13 my parents got
    us a cat that we all got very attatched to. Old Pumpkin lasted until
    I was about 27'ish. I remember my mother calling me and telling me that
    they had to put him to sleep because he was so full of cancer. Boy oh
    boy, I must admit that I didn't feel as bad when my grandfather died.
    What an awesome cat. I missed the old boy..still do.  After a few years
    and a move from Mass. to New York, I moved to an apartment that allowed
    pets and 2 weeks later I finally got my own cat. It's funny because it
    wasn't until later that I realized that the new kid is very similar
    to my old buddy. hmmmm
     
     -Tony

    Tony, love your personal name!!  Now, does your cat have a name, or is
    it Buddy?
    
    With your size I wouldn't mess either!!
    
    -Roberta
    

    Roberta;
    
      I posted an entry in note 14 about my pal's name.
    
    
    tony

    Yup, saw it after I wrote my note.  Should have hit next unseen!
    
    Again, I won't mess with you about her name either!  :^)
    
    -Roberta
    

    Here I sit -- my not too ample lap being shared with a 12 pound cat and
    a laptop computer.  A 14 week old kitten is sitting on the back of the
    sofa chasing a loose strand of hair on my shoulder.  Yes, I'm in the
    right notes file.  My two companions are Weederman and Tiki from note
    14.170.
    
    Presently I am in Nashua at ZKO.  So I'll be moving to either MKO, also
    in New Hampshire or SHR Shrewsbury in Ma.  I've been with Digital for
    18 years.
    
    This notes file has already been very helpful with my new kitten -- it 
    had been about 15 years since the last time I had this experience, and
    you do forget!
    
    I never really thought of cat lovers in the male/female sense -- all
    the men in my family, and my life, have always been massive cat lovers.
    Hmmm learn something new all the time.
    
    Carel

    Greetings from northern California!
    
    My name is Carl T. Geenen.  I work at EA Systems Inc., an 80% DEC owned
    subsidiary in Alameda, CA, where I am an applications engineer,
    whatever that means.  My wife, Marie, and I are avid cat fanciers and
    lovers for many years.  We have five cats currently and you'll meet
    them in note 14.
    
    We are charter members of the Havana Brown Fanciers, a breed club
    devoted to the Havana Brown (but you knew that, right?).
    
    I've seen this note for a few months ever since our company came on
    line, but have not had a lot of time to take part until now.  If the
    other introductions I've read are any indication, this conference
    promises to be very enjoyable.  I look forward to many hours (a few
    minutes at a time) of pleasure.
    
    Carl

    Seein' as I've been reading this file alot more lately (mostly to keep
    up on the exploits of Fehsken's Felines) and contributing a tad, I
    figure a formal intro is in order to those who didn't meet me in
    previous versions...
    
    Edd Cote. Feline friend is aja, a pure white domestic short-hair (or
    domestic $#!+head depending on her mood). Aja's lived with me for close
    to 9 years now. In "motor-head" terms, she's mostly stock. The only
    modifications were a slight re-route of some plumbing to keep her from
    over-"heat"ing, and the removal of the front traction supply system.
    The first modification I was glad to perform, the second was done
    begrudgingly after a small incident with a leather chair.
    
    I'm part of what was once called "The Fly Squad" doing trade-show
    support (with at least one FELINER, "Hi Pam!"). Many of you I've met
    at dinners and shows, the rest I look forward to...
    
    Edd

  Another noter who hasn't formally introduced himself or his pets...
I'm Tracy Talcott, a software engineer living in Hudson, NH and working days
for Digital in Littleton, Ma., and evenings at the Animal Hospital of Nashua
in, surprise, Nashua.
  I worked at the Carlisle (Ma) Animal Hospital for a couple of years while
going to  high school, then spent two years pre-vet in college before switching
to computer science. I've been working at the vet's in Nashua for about 3 1/2
years now as an evening vet assistant/tech.
  The pets ruling the roost include:
  Well, include(d):
  Kip (a.k.a.Kip-the-dog). A Lab/Retriever cross acquired as a puppy 10 years
	ago, who we put to sleep last month because of cancer.
  Smokey (a.k.a. Smokey-babe!). A generic grey, very cuddly domestic shorthair
	we got 5 years ago from one of my wife's friends who daughter became
	extremely allergic to him. Smokey suffered from liver failure for the
	last two years and died last night :-(.

  Oliver (a.k.a. Big-O). A blocked cat who was abandoned at the vet's about
	two years ago. Age unknown/size too big. He spent about six weeks at
	the vet's and everybody loved him so he got fed alot. He started out
	large and got larger. He's slimmed down from 17+ pounds to about 13 on
	a steady diet of feline R/D. He came declawed and lives indoors.
  Sunny (a.k.a. The Sun-man). A hit-by-car who was abandoned at the vet's last
	year. Age also unknown. Very friendly, laid back and a long-hair. All
	traits shared by Big-O.

  Struggling over the possibility of two additions:
  Rusty (a.k.a. Rusty). A 60 pound rotti/golden(?) cross abandoned at the vet's
	quite a whole ago. Scheduled to go to the Humane Assoc. as soon as
	their quarrantine is lifted. Possibly as early as today. Since he barks
	at people he doesn't know he probably won't be adopted, so it may be us
	or the end-of-road for him. Sigh. Rather depressing. His biggest
	problem is he's not exactly housebroken and his poops are, well, large.
  Killian (a.k.a. Named by our staff, but if she comes home with us she'll get
	a new name). A 4-month old Brittainy Spaniel, brought to the vet's as
	an emergency by the Nashua Police Dept. and unclaimed. She came with a
	badly broken rear leg which we tried to repair but will most likely
	have to amputate. Also not housebroken.

  BTW: "Abandoned" is used in legal terms here - animals whose owners who ended
	up leaving their animals behind rather than pay their bills.

						Trace

    
    Tracy,
    
    	Welcome to the file "officially". Sounds like you've got quite  
        the crew at home ... and possibly growing!
    
    	I'm so sorry to hear about Smokey, I'm sure he knew how 
    	loved he was. His two year battle is now over.
    
    	With your training and experience hopefully you'll be able
    	to provide the rest of us with lots of tips and suggestions.
    
    	Heidi

    Some of us know (of) Tracy from his contributions to the Vogon News
    Service.  Welcome to the fold Tracy, we "cat-guys" need to get more
    respect...
    
    len.
     

    Since I've asked for help locating a kitten, I'll introduce myself
    too...
    
    I'm Kris Chiasson.  I'm an all-over animal person.  I've had horses (or
    riding someone else's horse) for 15 years.  I now have a Chesapeake Bay
    Retriever, Chessie, who we've had for a little over a year now.
    
    Up until I moved in with my husband, I've had cats.  When I moved out,
    the cats stayed with my mother, but they're still mine.  She now has 3
    - Gizmo (my favorite) she looked just like Gizmo when we got her as a
    kitten - boy was she ugly, but she has the best personality.....  Bandit 
    is Gizmo's sister (both are calicos).  She's only a people cat on her
    terms.  And then Sam - she's my dad's cat and thinks she's a dog.  The
    dog officer lives next door to my parents and he picked her up.  My
    mother felt bad for her and adopted her - she adopted my father.
    
    Mom's looking for a Maine Coon kitten so I'm on a hunt for one now.
    
    I'll be looking for a kitten as soon as we find out if we have to move
    or not....I miss my cats...even my husband who is definitely not a cat
    person likes my mothers cats.

    I'm Greg Sharrow, a software specialist located in Minneapolis. We just
    adopted a stray kitten (see 14.227) Magic. This is the first pet for my
    wife Deb and I. 
    
    I have already been reading the topics in here, and hope to learn much
    more from the wealth of information provided. Neither one of us has had
    a cat before, so it seems like everyday we are learning something new.
    
    Once we get Magic spayed we are going to adopt another cat (since we
    both work), to keep her company during the day. We haven't decided
    whether to get a small kitten, or an adult. 
    
    
    Greg 

    Hi, I'm Greta's adopted human, Cheryl.  Greta lives with my husband Greg &
    me in Merrimack, NH.  Greta & I met through the adoption note in this
    conference for which I am very grateful.  Greg has lived with dogs,
    cats, and rabbits, but Greta is my first & only cat.  I appreciate all
    the information & humor which this conference provides. 

    
    
    Hi to everyone - I'm Holly Butterman and I have been a read only
    member for quite a while - decided it was time to 'join'.  I am the
    very proud owner of Phoebe Butterman - a Maine Coon 'runt'.  I say that
    because she really was born one, and has grown to be a minature of her
    relatives.  She has the tufted ears, the mane, distinctive markings,
    long long wiskers, incredible pantaloons on her hind legs and great
    feathers between her toes.  A beauty queen in a small package!
    
    I live in New Mexico (transplanted from Maine in the fall of 1992) with
    my husband, Morgan horses (2), and Phoebe's German Shepherd - Shutz. 
    
    I have really enjoyed these notes - and hope to participate more often!
    
    smiles - holly

    Welcome to the latest newcomers!!  I look forward to all your tails!
    

    Guess I should have intro'd myself months back, but I'm still a fairly
    new "noter" and don't know all the rules.  Eloise Case - Executive 
    Administrator in Windows NT Mktg. in MKO.  I'm happy to be owned by
    Lady Di, a 6-month old Tonkinese.  I've received lots of advice from
    all you wonderful noters in the past 3 months since I've had Di and
    I appreciate it! 

    Hi,
    
    I'm Lois Black, and I've been a feline-fan all my life.  My cat, Rosie,
    is 16 and lives with my parents. (My husband is allergic to cats, and
    Rosie really wouldn't do well in an apartment - no cat door and no
    one home all day to boss around!)  So she presides with great dignity 
    over my parents household.   She has gotten over the fact that I deserted 
    her (It took about 4 visits home before she'd look me in the eye!).  Now 
    when I visit my folks, Rose still engages me in all the silly games we 
    used to play when we were both "kids".  
    
    Although we can't have a pet now, I hope to get one when I have a home
    of my own.  I look forward to learning tips on how to introduce a feline to
    a non-cat-fancying spouse - he just doesn't understand how great a pet
    a cat can be!  Also, if anyone has information on which breeds don't
    bother allergy-sufferers, or ways to reduces allergic reactions, I'd enjoy
    hearing from you. 
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Lois         
    
    

    Hi all,
    
    I'm Karen Marion, a software engineer in OpenVMS.  I used to note
    regularly in here as Karen Barth and have since been divorced.  I
    share my home with two awesome cats named Tenzing and Ryan.  Both
    tabbies, Ryan is a handsome golden boy about 4 years old and Tenzing 
    is a ticked black and tan with some tortie markings who's 12 years 
    old. 
    
    Karen.

    
    
    Greg Diercks, father of Domingo (aka Bubby-kitty and Stinky-kitty).
    
    When I'm not traveling for Digital I:
    	play with my kitty
    	spend time at the gym (I bench 'bout 215 these days)
    	sing (I'm a trained operatic baritone)
    	play with my kitty
    	look for a husband (gee, I think I just came out in the FELINES
    			    conference)
    	play with my kitty
    	read
    	play with my kitty
    	ride bike
    	play with my kitty
    	roller blade
    	play with my kitty

    Welcome Greg!! 
    Isn't there also someone called Nancy that has the same or similar
    last name?  Maybe Nancy Diettrich is what I am thinking.
    Only one cat?  If you travel, you need to have another one to keep
    Stinky company.  I also have a cat named Stinky, a 10 year old Chestnut
    Oriental Short hair!  Where do you travel to and from?  I have ulterior
    motives, beware!
    Karen

    Just so none of you are wondering what my ulterior motives are, for
    inquiring minds... 
    
    I may be looking for someone to escort a kitty on a plane.  It depends
    where it comes from and obviously I would like to pick it up somewhere
    in New England!
    Karen

    Hello again everyone. I relaize I have been remiss( ok I am more than
    remiss..) in my correspondence. Happy, Ms. Preschie and Kissykat
    and I are fine. I have been so busy at work, that noting is
     impossible. I now have a terminal at home( by necessity) and
     thought this would give me the opportunity to check in.
     Stay well everyone.. Pawpats aand Kitty Hugs....
      Kate, Happy Ms. Preschie, and KissyKat.

    Hi Kate!
    
    Glad to hear everyone is OK; it had been so long since the FIRM was
    able to dig up any "evidence" against you that they were afraid that
    they might have to go out of business.
    
    Deb

    Deb,
     Hmm.. I can assure you that from a "monetary compensation
      perspective, the balance sheet at the firm is healthy.
      I have been traveling  quite a bit as of late. The girls
      have spending a great deal of time at KittyKamp.( Dr Eric's)
      He tells me they are now on "preferred boarding status".
       The staff is currently battening down the hatches for
       their arrival on next Monday.. er um I mean ensuring
       the cat condo is made ready.. to accomodate all thier
        toys, binky's and of course their portable radio.
       It is my understanding that THE FIRM was not amused
       that the batteries I bought last time did not come
       from thier esteemed collegue "the energizer bunny".
       Then of course, I attempted to restrict the use of
       celluar phone. Not to mention the fact, I indicated
       that any attempt to hold the "staff hostage" was
       could be considered "inappropriate behavior".
      According to the "writ" I received.. it would appear
      that the FIRM may take this case to a higher kitty
      kourt. Of course, the advance p.r. team from
      the Spingler household was in total agreement.
      Rumor has it, they have notified Entertainment
      Tonight, Maury Povich, Oprah, Phil, Geraldo
      etc.. The staff at Dr Erics has been great,
      of course they are still giggling about
      the girls and their bibs, and how they eat
      thier babyfood off a spoon. Of course,
      that pales in comparision to the afternoon
      visits the girls get from thier "aunties",
      while I am away. 
      Ya know, I never realized that the Staff
      at DR Eric's was so "good at "express
      checkout".. they are faster than the
      some of the hotels I have stayed at.
      They have my sweet girls ready to go,,
      in nanoseconds.. Hmm.. Kissy and
       Preschie really like KittyKamp.. the staff
     tells me that they are ready for anything!!! Happy 
    just wants to make sure her itinerary is correct:
     I did not sign up for a bath,, I signed up for
     BINGO..And No, you may not brush my teeth... that will
     make me late for the card game.. Hey, let me see
     that itinerary. It should say that treats will be
     made available at all times.. Mummy packed  a gazillion jars
     of baby food and boxes of treats..and that is just for me..
     Tell the little ones to get their own. Not to mention whatever
     Aunt Lois brings us as a treat..And by the way, Human.. you
     put Preschie's bib on Kissy.. Now you are in trouble..
     A representative from the FIRM will have to be notified...
     Kate..
    
     

    Kate,
    
     I had forgotten how much I enjoyed your stories, and style of writing!
    I needed that little smile on this dreary morning.
    
    Thanks! (it's good to have you back in here!)
    
     Love,
    
     Yonee
    

    Ya, Kate, it's good to hear from you!!!  The Girls need a feline
    version of Club Med....I can see Preshie with her beads around
    her neck...of course, hers would be 14K gold (to match her pretty Brown
    Tabby With White Fur)...
    
    Mary

    Mary.. it is so good to hear from you as well. The last time we saw
    each other, you were completing your shopping at the mall, and
    I was just starting.. smirk grin giggle.
    I know,, I can see Preschie now,,surrounded by her jewelry....
    Gee,, I should tell Dr Eric that the girls have re named
    his practice to Kitty Klub Med:^)..
    Hugs to everyone..
    Kate

    Hi Chris here, Navajo's caretaker.....:')
    
    We adopted Navajo from the Hopkinton Animal Shelter (Bay Path) on April
    16th...I've been a read-only for about 3 or 4 months....I had cats
    around me all my life and the last one passed away @3 or 4 years ago
    and felt it was time to have another little furball again. Skitter, was
    17 or so when he passed on.....Navajo is black with white paws and a
    little bit on his chin and belly...he is very good about claws and
    bites....he likes to sleep with my wife Jen and I, between our heads
    :')
    
    he likes to watch birds out the window and love to watch himself on TV
    (got about 2 hours of video, so far)
    
    well I gotta go too, I feel a nap coming on :')
    
    Chris

    
    Chris, Navajo, and Jen - welcome to FELINERS! Glad you decided
    to "chat" instead of remaining RO ...... but then our furfaces
    have a way of making us brag!
    
    Heidi (proudly owned by Jebb and Whitney)
    

    
    Hi.
    
    I am Lale (that's a girls' name ;-)).
    I added this conference into my notebook yesterday and read all the
    notes since 1st of July (that's a lot of notes).
    
    I have 3 weeks to cat proof my house, buy all the necessities (and some
    of the luxuries), sew a big cushion for the basket I am going to buy,
    and read an encyclopedic cat book which a dear friend (who also happens
    to be a noter here) sent me.
    
    I spend my free time visiting homes which have kittens up for adoption.
    
    Lale
    (Ottawa, Canada)

 Hello..


 I'm Jim, subordinate of Tasha.  We live in Derry NH, I work in Andover
 Mass.


 Have been reading off and on for a while.  I've wanted a cat for quite a 
 while, but only recently have the owners of my apartment building relaxed
 their "no pet" rules.  I've always had cats, and have missed not being able
 to have one.




 Jim 

    Hi,
    
    I've introduced the cat "Whiskers" so I'll introduce myself now.  I
    work as a secretary in Reading, UK for the Marketing Comms group.  I've
    only been here 2 years so I suppose I'm pretty new compared to alot of
    people.  I have the one cat who lives with me (& mum!), we've only ever
    had one at a time, although I would like to get two the next time
    round.  Whiskers is 15 now so he's quite old although the vet seems to
    think he's perfectly okay.  I dread my mother going on holiday in case
    the cat decideds to go whilst she's away!!  I also have a horse which
    takes up alot of my time.  Whilst I'm at home I've been told no more
    pets!!  I've put my mother through rats, hamsters, snakes, fish,
    rabbits, guinea pigs, aquatic frogs etc. etc. etc.  My aim would be
    to breed goats for showing!!  Talking of animals - I've just sent off
    my application to become an RSPCA inspector (Royal Society of the
    Protction of Animals), a big change from working at Digital but
    something I have wanted to do for a long time now.
    
    Hello to Julia, the other noter who answered my entry in the previous
    note, I think we should be "talking" in here.
    
    Looking forward to reading/writing in this conference.
    
    Liz
     

    Hi my name is Elise and I don't know if I shall be reading or entering
    items in here after October 18, 1994.  That is the end of my job
    search, not TSFO, but another program.
    
    Regardless I am the proud owner of eight (8) cats, and one kitten who
    is looking to be adopted.  I know there is a note file for that.
    
    I have had up to twelve cats in the past two years, but it is hard for
    me to find them the right homes.
    
    I have introduced them in some of the notes, but I shall give the
    family history.
    
    Rocky Buttercup born on Tax day in the U.S.  she had two litters and
    from the two litters I kept the following.  I should mention that Rocky
    had a brother Stinky Samson, who was stolen this February, at least
    that is what I would like to think.
    
    I raised both from a week old, abandoned in Maryland and my customer
    gave them to me.
    
    Tatiana a siamese mutt, who is scared of her own shadow.
    Georgiana sister to Tatiana and named after our Grandfather who passed
    away shortly after she was born.  Georgie is her nick name and my
    eleven year old brother wants me to keep her until he is old enough to
    move out.  Georgie is a calico with intense markings.
    
    Litter number two
    
    Timothy William a beautiful buff/cream colored tabby with the most
    intense green eyes and a personality that would melt anyone's heart. 
    Has his father's build and personality.
    
    Christopher Robin a apricot siamese, at least that is what the vet said
    he favors in the breed category.  He also has the most remarkable blue
    eyes and does have a siamese attitude.
    
    Clarisse  another blue eyed siamese, but more like a pure bred than the
    others.  She is cross eyed and is a charmer when she feels like it.
    
    Thumbelina is the runt of this litter and should not even be alive,
    like Georgiana they survived, except that Thumbelina looks like she is
    under a year old.  Blue eyes and opposite marking of Tatiana.
    
    Anastacia adopted me along with her two brother Nicholas and Alexi,
    when I moved into this new place 1.5 years ago.  Then I had Benny the
    Brat cat and he is the one who saw them at the door step and meowed to
    let them in the house.  My sister was visiting and said that only I
    would have the good fortune of having three more come to stay with me.
    
    Anastacia just had six kittens 6.11.94 and this weekend two of the
    litter mates, both boys and one the runt, got adopted by a family who 
    just lost their cat.  One left to go and she is so cute.
    
    Anastacia is a calico and loves Timothy William.  They are the lovers
    and I love watching them.  Though when Ana had the kittens, on
    cashmere, it was Christopher who decided he and I were the ones to over
    see her welfare and that of the new babies in our family.
    
    Ana has black eyeliner around her eyes naturally and the prettiest
    green eyes.
    
    I just love cats and when I had to bring Nicky and Alexi to the Humane
    Society I almost walked out with the remainder of the cats and held
    them back.  But the landlord is cool, but would prefer that the number
    be reduced.  One day I will have a cat farm and find all these poor
    creatures home.  Guess I should marry a vet so he can make sure the
    population doesn't grow and the shots are up to date.
    
    I've been a cat lover since Potato Chips came to our home in Penna.
    many moons ago and we had a dog named Pretzel.   I took in the stray
    and now they find me.

    Hi Elise - welcome to the notesfile. 
    
    It was nice hearing about your feline family.  Are your cats
    purebred and are you breeding them professionally?  If not, being
    a cat shelter volunteer and seeing the effects of so many litters
    being born every year, I have to ask if you've considered getting
    your cats spayed and neutered?  It's much healthier for the cats,
    and will help (at least a little) to keep the overpopulation in
    check.  Right now, the shelters are bursting at the seams from
    the spring kitten season.  Not only that, but you'll have a healthier,
    more relaxed pet.  
    
    There are spay/neuter programs out that that can help reduce the
    cost of the procedure.  If you're interested, let me know.  Our
    shelter offers a reduced spay/neuter certificate for a vet in 
    Fitchburg.
    
    Pam

    Thanks for the welcome and yes all of them have been neutered and
    spayed.  It was just that the Rocky and Stinky Sam didn't get caught in
    time with the first litter.  They were house cats and never associated
    with any other cats, I got Stinky in time but Rocky had litter number
    two.  Of course the appointments were all set for everyone and that
    helped reduce the population.
    
    As for Anastacia, well she remained indoors, and her brothers lived
    outside most of the time, but I got caught again and was waiting for
    the help from the league that provides you with funding.  I let her
    have the litter and when the eight weeks came Ana found herself at the
    vets and then came home to continue feeding the kittens.
    
    Her brothers had to go to the Humane society, because one they weren't
    house cats and now only two go outside and even then not for any length
    of time.  Plus the landlord has only so much patience with my number of
    cats.  In addition to that the neighbors from H E double hockey sticks
    had their children trying to run over Nicky and Alexi.  I was going
    crazy trying to maintain all of this.
    
    So yes my cats, Rocky is three now and all her children are two.  Ana
    just turned a year old in May all have shots and are extremely healthy
    right now.  As I may have mentioned Georgiana is having a bit of a
    problem and I am brining her to the vets.
    
    
    I don't like to give the animal shelters anymore than they have to take
    in as it is.  Therefore my take is that I was responsible for having
    them spayed and neutered and if I couldn't find them homes when they
    were kittens then they became my responsability.  None of Rocky and
    Stinky Sams children had litters as a result of that fiasco.  Ana had
    her babies and now there is one left for adoption.  The humane society
    in Nashua was great about letting me give them a polaroid photo of the
    kittens and boy the results were great.  I also gave them a good
    donation when I brought the boys in.
    
    I thank you for your offer to help decrease this population, but I
    guess I didn't make myself clear about how old they were and when
    I made sure I had no more.  I tend to be a sucker for taking in strays
    and other homeless kittens and cats, because I hate to see them in the
    cages and until I can find them a good home they get real love and
    enjoy the cat parties mine throw when I am gone away.
    
    

    Glad to hear you've gotten them spayed and are taking responsibility
    for the litters that were "accidents".  And sorry if it sounded
    like we were jumping all over you - there are just so many people
    out there that aren't responsible pet owners and that's the reason
    there are so many shelters bursting at the seams!  (and the
    shelters that aren't bursting are usually the ones that euthanize -
    it's unfortunately a necessary evil, but I could never work there).
    
    Pam

    Ditto -- what Pam said!!
    
    -Roberta
    

    I didn't take this personally and do agree with all who feel the same
    way.  My family was quick to have them sent the shelters, but wouldn't
    take them there, and they were quick to be critics regarding the
    number of cats I have.
    
    It is much at times but let me tell you these cats have helped me
    through many a hard times and are my life.  Having no children these
    guys are my babies.  I helped with every litter and was able to handle
    all of them from the time they were delivered, so was Shakespeare the
    Golden retriever, when we lived at my Dad's home.  My nieces and
    nephews have had me to their schools with the kittens and we discussed
    how important it was to take care of the cats and reduce the amount of 
    litters they have.  My brother and sisters children cannot have pets
    so it is fun coming to Aunt Elise's house to visit them.  My office at
    home is decorated with all kinds of cat paraphenalia (sp) and is
    stenciled with cats.  My grandmother, in France, sent a set of
    wonderful french lace curtains with cats on them.  I only wish she 
    had found rabbit ones for my bathroom, but that is another subject.
    
    I am feel very strongly about being responsible and not only in the
    arena of felines.  The litters are adorable, but when Ana and her
    brothers were dropped at our fifteen unit complex and no one else
    wanted to bother with them I knew that my job was just starting.  Since
    we live along a river I think someone had the intention of seeing them
    sacked in there.
    
    I hope that in the future I can open my bed and breakfast with my cats
    so people can enjoy them when they sleep.  Of course I will have a
    warning Cat lovers only.....
    
    Again thank you for sharing your concerns and offering assistance.

    After seven years of reading this file I finally intro myself only now
    to say bye bye to all of you.  Yes I am leaving the company on  Monday
    or Tuesday, I can do either day.
    
    It is a good move and the kitties and I are going to remain in Southern
    NH and start something new.  Linda Nickerson and Laura Dreyer have
    info on what I am thinking of doing that would involve any feliner's
    who are in this file and who left.  If you have a crafty idea then
    get in touch.
    
    I thank all of you for your wonderful bit and pieces of humor,
    information, help and so on.  I will miss writing in here and hearing
    aobut your babies.
    
    I wish you all the best the future has to offer you....
    
    Elise and all the cats.....

    
    Best of luck to you and all your furr babies ;-) 
    
    Shaw

    
    Hi,
    
    I've been an occasional read-only for a while, so I thought it 
    was about time to introduce myself and my little family.
    
    I'm currently working in Ayr (SCO) as document control for the
    PC Business, but we're shortly to move to Irvine.
    
    My life-long friend and companion has been Tabby (orignal name I
    know!), and her two recently arrived kittens, Gizmo and Chico.
    (15 weeks old and both planned for those who may be concerned)
    
    We just moved to a farm, with lots of spare living space and
    fresh countryside for the kitties to enjoy. But it does have 
    its problems, like foxes etc.
    
    I love reading all your stories, and its good to know that 
    I'm not the only Cat-Crazy person in this world !
    
    See ya,
    
    Kirsten
              

    I've been pretty much of a read-only person, and never was that until I
    got my kids, Miss Sarah Vaughan, and Count Basie - described in 14.  My 
    desire to learn as much as I could about the little devils has prompted
    me to learn about notes.  Every once in awhile I want to add my 2
    cents, so I thought it would only be fair to do the personal intro over
    the net.  
    
    My name is Carol, and I am part of Human Resources- aka Personnel.  I
    currently reside at SHR 3, having recently moved over from SHR1,
    because of the Quantum sale.  Prior to July of this past year, I was an
    HR Consultant in Stow for 8 years.  Been with the Company over 14.
    
    I am also a relatively new cat lover.  I had always been a "dog
    person", but I knew that I would find it hard to get home at exactly
    the right time to let a dog out.  So I thought about a cat, and then
    hesitated some more, as I also have allergies.  After looking around
    and going to pet stores to size the expenses, I went to the Animal
    Rescue League in Worcester a couple of Saturdays in a row, until I
    found my "Sassy", who is a tiny little Calico.  Last September, I knew
    I had to have another, so I found the Count in the same place. He's a
    big longhaired grey and white.
    
    The Sass coverted me to being a cat person in about 3 days.  Because of my 
    allergies, I was
    afraid to let her into my bedroom at night when I first got her.  That
    lasted 2 nights, and on the third she moved in.  She still sleeps on my
    shoulder every night.  I am totally in love with these 2 kitties, and
    no one could have ever convinced me that this would happen.  They greet
    me at the door when I come home from work, and are always doing
    something to make me laugh.  Since I live alone (human wise), they have
    done a lot to divert my attention from myself and any problems I might
    be dwelling on after work.  They have even mellowed me out: last year I
    bought a coat with a fox fur collar.  One Sunday I was in and out all
    day, and I draped the coat over the railing.  Things were awfully
    quiet, so I went looking for the cats.  Count Basie, who was about 6
    months old at the time, had knocked the coat off the railing and had
    bitten a hole the size of my fist out of the collar.  When I found him
   smiling at me  with a mouth full of black fur, all I could do was laugh.
    As I told the story to other people, I realized that because of the
    cats I was a different person - one who could take things more in
    stride, and realize that when things go wrong, it's not personal.
    "Stuff" happens.
    
    Anyway, if you are ever in SHR3 come by floor 1, pole b14 to see the
    kids pictures.  And thanks to all of you for all that I've learned
    about cats and their care by reading this note.  It has really helped. 
     
                                                                  

    I just introduced K.C. in 14 so I thought I'd go for it.
    
    I'm Bruce Mol in Logistics British Columbia.  I was shown the NOTES
    conferances about a year ago and I enjoy this one very much.  Bicycling
    is a close 2nd though.
    
    When I was growing up my parents decided to accept we had been adopted
    by a grey Tab we called `the grey cat.'  Soon my mother named it, I
    forget the sex,  Pooka.
    
    Pooka didn't last long with us.  Within a year of adopting us we moved
    from central Canada out to the coast.  Pooka was lost in tranit.  My
    dad settled for $100 and bought a dog.  Within 2 years I brought 2
    kittens home from my work place.  They had been born in a storage shed.
    Romeo and Juliet.  aka `Those 2 little rascals' as in, when I came home
    from school, `Those 2 little rascals have: dug up my plants; eaten a
    sandwich on the counter; knocked over...;broken...' Sorry mom.
    I recall these two for you because it was my introduction to caring for
    cats.  This was early 70's and I suddenly had to `get real' as a cat
    owner when one got run over and the other became infected with some nerve
    disorder and I had to decide if and when the cat would be put down.
    
    It was a number of years before I got over the guilt of an innocent
    death and the responsibility of cat owner ship.
    
    I'm happy to say, with good care, a cat can live a darn long time.
    
    Talk to you later NOTERS!
    
    bruce

    
    Carl Geenen can now be reached at internet address:
    
       geenen@easi.com
    
    len.
    

    hi all
    
    as someone who can't keep a cat as i am allergic to them, but who
    thinks they are *awful* cute and graceful, i just wanted to say how
    enjoyable it is reading all the anecdotes in here
    
    brightens a dull Friday pm !
    
    ric

    Ric,
    Just "how" allergic are you?? ;')
    Karen

    I'm allergic, too, to both dogs and cats. I have a few of each. You'll
    have to come up with a better excuse than that to satisfy this bunch! 
    We probably spend millions of dollars, collectively, to enable us to
    breathe while still sharing our homes with kitties. Hm, quite a choice
    - breathe? cat? breathe? cat? Definitely cat! : ) : ) : )
    Just kidding, of course.  Glad our cats can put a smile on your face!
    Sarah

    .139, .140
    
    i am a very fit healthy adult until i enter the presence of a cat ! i
    then get runny and swollen eyes, runny nose, and erratic breathing.
    this lasts until i leave the presence of the cat. once i do that and
    wash my face and eyes i'm fine.
    
    ric 

    Ric,
    That sounds like it to me!!  I get that way on occasion, so I can live 
    with it.  We now have a person staying with us temporarily who is
    severly allergic.  His breathing gets very difficult and asthmatic.  
    I can hear him coughing during the nite.  I hope he doesn't have to
    stay with us for too long, I don't relish the though of a trip to the
    ER cause he can't breath!!!  We did put him on Seldane and he bought
    one of the Primatene Mist things for his breathing.
    
    My suggestion: as long as he has to stay with us, he should see his own
    Doc and get a real strong prescription!
    Karen

I'm an asthmatic myself and have been for over 30 years. Karen, if your guest
has any access to medical services (i.e. health plan) have him go use it and get
some of the more modern stuff for asthma. Primatene is basically the same stuff
I used as a kid and it gives VERY little relief. Also it can be somewhat
dangerous with certain other kinds of conditions (esp heart or Blood pressure).
Usually modern treatment will consist of something for long term relief and
something for short term relief. With such I haven't had a real attack for
almost 10 years (and the medications keep getting better with fewer side
effects). Its really worth it for the comfort and safety (asthma kills 1000's
of folks a year...) that it provides.

Keith
(not an M.D. nor do I play one on TV )

    Hi everyone! My name is Ruth. Presently I am working for DEC in
    Switzerland as part of my University course in Computing Science.
    I however, come from England and am just over for the year. Being away,
    I am missing my cats terribly. They are Minty and Candy who have just
    introduced themselves in the previous topic.
    
    Before I came over here I lived with my parents. I am twenty and this
    is my first time away from home. Reading this file makes me smile and
    think about my two all those miles away.  It helps me remember all the
    crazy antics they get up to.  
    
    				Ruth

    Heartly welcome, Ruth!
    Might we cheer you up as you are far from home!
    Meow!
    
    Nat

     ...just wanted to stop in and say "Hi" to the feliners.
    
    Although the NODE::NAME doesn't reflect so, I'm Edd Cote (formerly
    known as MANTHN::EDD) back on contract. Old-timers will probably
    remember my cat aja, if not me.
    
    Aja's doin' fine, still kittenish despite her getting on in years.
    She's pushing 13! I've almost stopped thinking of her as a cat, I
    now refer to her as a "friendly domestic spirit" due to her ability
    to appear and disappear at will.
    
    I'll be around for a few months...
    
    Edd Cote

    Hi Ed,
    
    were are you? MRO?
    
    Deb

    Yep, I'm "renting" an office at MRO2-3/A14 until the group moves to
    Nude Hampster...
    
    Edd

I'm Sandy Kramer, a contractor working with Sandy Merritt, who is responsible
for me being the slave of four cats, Beekman, Louie, Moe and Sam.

    Well, I'm back, and now I'm gone! My contract ends this Friday.
    However, it was GREAT to be able to read the entries again! I know
    there used to be a hard copy listing of feliners -- if anyone is
    keeping track, or if anyone ever needs information on Korats, please
    don't hesitate to contact me at korat@erols.com.
    
    Hope to be back again --- someday!
    Cheryl Coleman

    Cheryl, I was keeping an address list as part of the offline
    feliner newsletter (which has not had an issue in many a time unit,
    since I got swamped and it sort of moldered away.)  I still have
    the address list, tho, although I'm sure it's out of date for
    some people.