Conference misery::feline_v1

    Well, to start with:
    
    Consider _seriously_ getting two kittens.  This is because they
    will keep each other occupied when you can't be with them.  Also,
    it enables them to burn up a lot of kittenish energy playing with
    each other.
    
    Shorthairs are fine; if you have a _real_ allergy, consider the
    possibility of the Sphinx breed, which is effectively hairless (they
    look a little odd, but are good for people with allergies).
    
    A few observations: every kitten is entitled to at least one "disaster"
    without prejudice (e.g., knocking over something or falling into
    something).  Every kitten is cute.
    
    Get them immumized, and see a good vet for health maintenance.
    
    There are several good cat books.  _How to Live With a Cat_," by
    Margaret Cooper Gay, is a sort of "Dr. Spock" for felines, and is
    quite readable. _The Complete Book of Cat Care_ by Dr. Leon Whitney
    is excellent (although I disagree with his rationalizations on
    euthanasia -- and I've had to have a cat euthanized).  These will
    help.
    
    My personal feelings are cats, especially in populated areas, should
    be kept indoors.  Therefore, cat litter pans are a necessity.  Food
    should be balanced, and make their main drink water, not milk.
    
    Avoid tuna and other fish.
    
    Good luck, and welcome to the wonderful world of felines.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

	My 3 comments would be:

	1. Yes, get 2 as company for each other, especially if you are 
	out all day and they would be alone.

	2. Play with them - it's fun for them and for you. My 2 love 
	it when I'm changing the duvet cover. I have to get inside to
	pull the duvet up to the corners and they love pouncing on me.
	Even dangling a bit of string or a pencil for them paw at
	can be lots of fun for them.

	3. Make the house rules clear to them from the start and don't
	waver - if you weaken once, you're liable to find them
	sleeping on the bed, or sitting on the bookcase (or whatever
	you particularly didn't want) for ever.

	4. One more for luck - don't be surprised at how much they
	seem to sleep. I was at first, until someone told me cats
	regularly sleep 18 hours a day. Don't know if it's true,
	but it certainly seems like it.

	And just enjoy the company of it/them.

	Helen

    I think it's great that you're going to get a kitten(s).
    I also think more than one is a good idea.
    If you have a cat allergy don't assume that it is the
    long hair that causes the problem.  I am allergic to
    some cats but in my case it's short hair in particular
    siamese.  I think that one of the most important things
    to think about is your kittens diet.  Make sure you start
    out feeding what it was getting at it's original home 
    and gradually move it over to the diet you plan on using
    yourself you'll help reduce the chance of diarrhea.
    If you have plants in the house please check out that
    the plants are not harmful to pets.  Then prepare yourself
    for some of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
    Have fun!
    
    					Debbie
    

    My personal opinions:
    
    1.  Two cats (kittens, or adults if they get along) is a good idea
    as it will give them companionship and give you a break, but no
    matter how many cats you have do NOT play with them roughly or with
    your fingers.  Use another object as something they can attack when 
    they are hiding around the corner or under a couch.  By doing this
    the cat(s) will not grow up thinking they can scratch or bite your
    hands.  Big teeth and claws on big cats can hurt.
    
    2.  Discipline is important.  With good discipline on most cats
    you should not have to worry about them tearing up the furniture
    or eating your Thanksgiving turkey which you left on the counter.
    Rolled up (thin) newspapers and squirt bottles work well.
    
    3.  Tag the cats if they ever go outside with something that gives
    your name, phone number, and address.  Feeding them right after
    putting on a color or new tag gets their mind off of it for a while.
    
    4.  Put kleenex in every room.  Spend the extra money for the extra
    soft kind.  You will also need it at work and in your car(s).
    Eventually you will build up a tolerance.  For me it took 2-3 weeks,
    for some it takes months.  I now have (I hate to admit this) 5 cats.
    Every cat is different.  Long hair or short hair does not always
    make the difference.  Hang in there.  It's worth it.
    
                       Carol

    THANK YOU!!!!
    
    Helen, Carol, Debbie and Steve for you advice. I shall buy the books
    and settle in for a catnap...argh....
    
    How about the funniest thing your cat ever did? I promise not to
    laugh too loud. And since I'm a writer, prizes will be awarded and
    you, yes you! may be included in my first book on cats.
    
    Had a chance to play with a Rex today!
    
    Think I'll name mine Tex Mex Rex.
    
    
    Smiles,
    Kasha

    All the previous suggestions have been good, I can't really add
    anything. But I can tell you some funny stories.
    
   I go home to my parents quite often, from Boston to Connecticut.
    And I always bring my cat. I've never insisted my cats ride in 
    carriers as long as they behaved, so they often find a favorite
    place and settle down for the ride. My one year old, Harli, found
    that her favorite place was near me. Specifically, around my neck.
    This isn't too much bother, except during the winter. I had on a
    sheepskin hat and the cat decided it smelled GOOD! So she started
    sniffing it. But this didn't get her close enough. So she climbed
    on top of my head (and my hat) and sat there sniffing and kneading.
    
    Luckily, she was still small enough. She rode like this for a few
    miles. My driving wasn't effected, but the drivers that went past
    musts have thought they were hallucinating.
    
    I think this winter I won't wear the hat when driving with Harli,
    she is full grown now and I get enough strange looks from passing
    cars just having her draped around my neck.
    kris

    My long haired cat, Sneakers, used to have fun in the tub with
    my husband.  He was fascinated by water, and would sit on the
    edge of the tub when my husband bathed, stick his paw in the water, 
    then lick the water off.
    
    Well, one day, he got a little TOO close to the water, and
    ***splash*** fell head first!  Needless to say, he doesn't go near
    a full tub of water anymore!
    
    He had a similar incident with the toilet (I was cleaning the 
    bathroom and had left the seat up).  That was hilarious to me
    at the time, but I don't think Sneakers thought it was very funny.
    
    Pam

    I could go on for _hours_ on funny experiences with cats:
    
    1) Morgan, as a kitten, would come up to me while I was working
    on (home) electronic projects and run off with resistors or capacitors
    (fortunately, he never swallowed any).
    
    2) Once I carved a pumpkin for Hallowe'en; as I was readying my
    canmera to take a picture of it, Morgan (full-grown by that time)
    hopped up and started gnawing its stem.  It was a _cute_ photo.
    
    3) Nianinne, my second cat, suddenly developed a strong liking for
    peas.
    
    4) Nianinne got me out of bed by stepping on the controller for
    the electric blanket, turning it off.
    
    5) Once I was reading on my bed, surrounded by cats, early one sunday
    morning.  The telephone rang; _very_ loud (I presume they thought
    on a Sunday people would be sleeping off Saturday night); by the
    time I'd picked up the phone, I was "alone."  After a minute, three
    little heads emerged cautiouslyfrom the _damndest_ places in the room.
    
    That's for starters.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.