Conference misery::feline_v1

    Re .0:
    
    A few points:
    
        >Well, Mom's grown soft in her old age and decided to give
	>them the desire of their hearts for a Christmas present.
        >
	>Now, like I said earlier, I'm not fond of cats.  However,
	>I love little kitties and I think I would probably grow 
	>fond of it as it becomes a cat. ...
    
    That may be; on the other hand, it may _not_ be.  How are you about
    other animals?  If you're not fond of them, it might be bringing
    a kitty into the house would work over the holidays, but during
    the February "dark ages," thegrowing little one might get on your
    nerves.  Having a kitty is like having a little child that never
    really grows up, and you should have that much dedication to it.
     You also have to assume that, with best intentions in the world,
    your children might not look after the kitty properly.
    
        >1.  This is a Christmas present, so someone would have to
        >    have a cat that is going to deliver a litter sometime
        >    later this month.
         
    Yes, but "giving" a pet at Christmas often doesn't work out too
    well; ask any Humand society.  Indeed, I'd talk with them anyway,
    telling them what you've told here, since they often have kittens
    to place.
    
        >2.  I would like to get away with not having to pay for the
	>    the kitten.  Things are rather tight financially and I'm
	>    going to have to spend an arm and a leg getting a litter
	>    box and all the other paraphernalia that goes with the
	>    furry critter.
         
    If you want the kitten to thrive, don't forget the shots and health
    checkups.  A litter box is pretty inexpensive, and so is the litter.
    You can "get started" for under $10, exclusive of food.
    
        >3.  It must be a female.
    
    Which means you'd either have to get her spayed (which costs) oe
    expect a lot of kitten dividends (she _will_ get pregnant).
        
    	>4.  She must be a long haired kitten (I can bend on this 
	>    one, though I would prefer a long haired).
         
    Shorthair cats are easier to take care of.  Normally, I wouldn't
    bother with this, but since you've indicated that you're not fond
    of cats, why ask for additional possible areas of irritation?
    
        >5.  She must be solid black.
    
    Not too difficult, if you don't mind a few white hairs scattered here and
    there; if you want one without a _single_ nonblack hair, it'd be
    more difficult.

	>6.  And finally, she must be the type that will have a very
	>    quiet and gentle temperment.  Like I said, I have 2 small
	>    children and the last thing I need is one that is hyper.
         
    Yes, but _all_ kittens, unless they are unhealthy, go through a
    bit of hyperactivity, just as human children do.  Don't expect a
    paragon beyond what you'd expect in a healthy child.  Kittens, like
    children, get into trouble, and usually have at least one Disaster
    in their young lives.  If you're not prepared to put up with that,
    perhaps you should recondider.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    I'm a little worried about this note.  A kitten is generally a real
    handful, a grown cat can be too.  The cost of a litter box is miniscule
    compared to shots, spaying, and so forth.
    

    I agree with Steve all the way.  Please think more about this. 
    
    If YOU really don't want a CAT (because it will become one) then
    don't adopt one.  They are just like children.  If you won't be
    able to give it all your love then DON'T DO IT.  What if your kids
    don't want it after it is home?  What then?  Get rid of it?  That's
    not very nice or FAIR.
    
    As far as costs go.  Boy, are they are expensive!  The vet bills
    are the main thing but food too.  I have already spoiled mine on
    "Fancy Feast" - nothing else will do.  But this is okay with me
    because paying top dollar for something she loves is worth it because
    I love her.  See what I am saying...  If you want a female, then
    she will get pregnant and even if she is strickly an indoor cat
    you STILL have to have her spaded.  If you don't this causes the
    kitty to go thru terrible pain while she is in heat.  This is a
    one time charge but it doesn't come cheap.
    
    What will happen if you pick a kitty that looks pretty much laid
    back and find that it is on the hyper side?  Get rid of it?  
    
    You said that your kids are very young.  All kids want a kitty when
    they are young.  But all kids don't treat animals right, not to
    be deliberately mean, they just don't know their own strenght against
    a small kitty.  
    
    Oh please think more about adopting a kitty.  Maybe when the kids
    get older and will be able to take care of it.
    
    

    
    I agree.  Perhaps you should spend some free time reading through this
    notesfile a bit to see all the things our kitties put us through. You
    will find that it is worth every bit to us, because of all the joy and
    friendship and love they give us in return (also evident in this notes
    file.)  Owning a pet is a BIG responsibility, and yes, definitely like
    having a small child around,  BUT, one that can get itself into MORE
    trouble, because a cat is more mobile and curious.  We all think they
    are wonderful, and there is a great chance that once you are "owned" by
    one you will wholeheartedly agree!!! I believe you must be willing to
    accept full responsibility yourself, and not expect your children to
    take care of it properly.  If they do, it will be a nice surprise! 
    
    I also want to expound a bit on what ( I think it was Steve?) said.
    Veterinarians and Humane Societies recommend AGAINST giving pets
    for Christmas.  The excitement of the holidays is often too much
    for them, and then when the holidays fade, they are often left sadly
    forgotten like the toys and games.  
    
    I hope I can speak for all of us when I say we don't mean to be
    negative about cats!  I think my life is enhanced considerably by my
    two cats, but that is because to me they are more than just "pets."
    Just please think long and hard about the responsibility, and the cons that
    come with the pros before you make your decision!! 
                
    There is no such thing as a "free" cat. ;-)
                       
    
    Good luck!!!   :-)
    
    Amy.

    >.5   You've said it all, Amy.  I'm afraid that the first time the
    	  kitten did something wrong to child or property, out it would
    	  go.  Too many out there now that were misunderstood.
    
    Pat
    

    I agree!  Please think about it - giving a pet for Christmas is
    NOT a good idea. Things are so busy at Holiday season, that the
    pet usually suffers from the excitment & hustle and will take
    longer to adjust to your family.  If you really don't want a
    cat, you may tire of the expense, to say nothing of the time
    it takes to care for a long hair, cleaing the box, trips to
    the Vet, etc (and there are many etc.'s - my 11 cats will
    confirm this).  What will you do with this cat when you
    don't want it any more?  Take it to a shelter where it
    may or may not get adopted?  I guess you know what happens
    to those that don't get adopted - if you don't know send
    me mail and I will describe the process to you.  Please,
    please spend more time considering your decision.
    
    Thank You

    I wouldn't give up my pusses for anything, but here's what you can
    expect if you get a cat:
    
    1.  A wake up call every morning at 6 a.m. or so, ntil you get up
    and feed him.
    2.  Occasional romps across the bed after imaginary dragons at 4
    a.m.
    3.  If he gets a urinary tract infection or you neglect him,
    "accidents" in various places in the house.
    4.  Pussycat fur all over.
    5.   Behaviour problems if he isn't loved.
    6.  Some litter box smell from time to time,. unless you have a
    large enough house so you can put the litter box really out of the
    way.
    7.  He'll have to be trained to use a scratching post, otherwise
    he will scratch your furniture.
    
    Having said this, I'll repeat that of course each pussycat is worth
    all this, no question, if you love them.
    

    In reading through this note it seems that most of the replies are
    rather of the disuading side.  This bothered me enough to want to
    add some comments of my own.
    
    First, I agree with the comments that a great deal of thought should
    go into the final decision.  I don't, however, think that the
    kitten/cat would necessarily be neglected because .0 does not have
    really strong feelings towards cats in general.
    
    When I was 12 my grandfather gave me 2 kittens for my birthday.
    My mom was not thrilled in the least bit...she did NOT like cats.
    But, she grew to love them almost as much as I did.  We had cats
    (notice the  "s") in our home ever since that day.
    
    My daughter was only 1 1/2 years old when I got her a kitten.  She
    learned quickly how to treat and feed it.  She is now 4 and my son
    is 1 1/2 years old.  He also learned how to treat the cat kindly.
    
    I think that .0's children are old enough to learn to take care
    of a kitten and treat it with love.
    
    As for giving the kitten as a holiday gift...I know how much my
    children love to play with a gift that they REALLY wanted as opposed
    to one that wasn't cared for as much.  Last Christmas we gave our
    daughter a puppy.  She hasn't tired of it yet.
    
    So,  I guess what it all boils down to is this... if .0 thinks she
    and her children could welcome a kitten into their home and provide
    love and care for it... then that sure would be a lucky critter.
    
    As for the comment on not spending much money... I think .0 was
    referring to obtaining a kitten for free as opposed to a purebred
    that she'd have to pay mucho $$$ for.
    
    That's it in a nutshell.
    
    Best luck to .0 with her decision.
    
    Lois

    Re .9 (Lois):
    
    >...........................I don't, however, think that the
    >kitten/cat would necessarily be neglected because .0 does not have
    >really strong feelings towards cats in general.
     
    Then let me tell you about my next-door neighbors.  The parents
    are not animal-oriented, but "for the sake of the children," they
    have had pets.  Their first cat was let out as a young kitten and
    disappeared.  Their first dog was neglected and became a nervous
    wreck.  Their second dog never was allowed in the house.  Their
    current cat spends a lot of time outdoors; the wife has no use for
    him; the older child (a girl, aged 13) "loves" the cat, but occasionally
    forgets to feed him; the younger child (a boy, 11) pets the cat,
    but doesn't help care for him.  The cat got into some sort of fight,
    and _days_ later, the girl noticed one of his legs had swelled and
    was causing him pain.  They took him to the vet's, where the abcess
    was discovered, drained; and a wick was inserted to continue the
    drainage process.  Antibiotics were given to be adfministered daily
    to help mend the cat.  Less than a week later, the cat had to be
    returned to the vet and the renewed abcess redrained because _nobody
    in the family administered one dose of the medicine to the poor
    little kitty from the time he was brought home_!
    
    So in fairness to the potential adoptee, unless "mom" is willing
    to look out after the cat, I'd say that there's a potential disaster
    in the making.   
    
    Sop think it over.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.