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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1650.0. "BENEDICT A." by FDCV13::JOHNSON () Fri Aug 12 1988 11:38

    Ginger went back to Southboro shelter last night.  I hate myself
    for putting her back in there.  She cried ... I cried and I miss
    her.  My hubby says she was more than we bargained for and I have
    a tendency to agree.  Nancy Walton (who works there) agreed also.
    
    We started out looking for a young male to get fixed and have for
    a pet for Whiskie but the shelter appeared to be pushing grown females
    that night and I'm a pushover for a pretty face (and Ginger was
    certainly that).  Even with 2 kinds of worms; respiratory infection
    we were giving her 4 kinds of medicine.  To top off being away from
    her babies and letting her milk dry up to be spayed it was apparent
    that she was again coming into heat.  We had gone 2 nights we next
    to no sleep because of her howling and crying.
    
    Her being half wild made it difficult to handle for medications,
    etc.  Nevertheless,  I feel like a traitor.  Her eyes told me
    everything when they put her back into a cage.  
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1650.1TPVAX2::ROBBINSFri Aug 12 1988 12:3613
    
    
          Well you did get rid of my headache.  When tears well up in
    my eyes the pressure eases out of my head....  Oh I feel for you
    so so much your note said it all.  But you must remember that you
    tried and that's alot more then alot of other people would do.
    I don't feel the shelter was right in doing what they did and they
    did give you quite a heavy burden to try and make the best out of.
    If you fell in love with her when you saw her there is a chance
    that someone else will feel the same way.  I'll hope for it.  Don't
    take it on yourself too hard you did what you could do...........
    
                                                            kim
1650.2SSMP20::DALEYFri Aug 12 1988 14:5225
    I agree- you certainly did give it your all especially in a difficult
    situation. 
    
    I am surprised that the shelter let her get adopted - with worms and 
    an infection. They must have been really crowded but I feel that they 
    did not do justice to you or to Ginger. Also, they could have spayed 
    her prior to letting her go to a home. I hope they learned from this 
    situation.
    
    Be assured that Ginger will continue to get her medication - and
    it might work out well for her too in that she will have more time
    to become used to humans before going to a new home. The shelter
    workers try to give every cat/kitten there some TLC every day -
    maybe Ginger just needed more time to adjust to the world of "people".
    
    On a  positive note - at least she could be returned to the
    shelter. (Some places won't take a cat back especially if the place
    is crowded.) The Framingham Humane Society is good about accepting
    a cat back if the home environment isn't a match. They want everyone
    to be happy - the owners and the animals. 
    
    Hope you soon find a young neutered male.
    
    And don't feel bad - you tried; you gave her a chance. 
                                        
1650.3THANKSFDCV13::JOHNSONFri Aug 12 1988 15:512
    Thanks for your words, Kim.
    
1650.4Don't feel guiltyFSHQA1::RWAXMANFri Aug 12 1988 16:0422
    I agree with Pat in .2.
    
    Having done a little work with the shelter, I know that their main
    focus is to take in strays and ferels, clean them up, and socialize
    them in an effort to adopt them.  Taking in a cat, or any animal
    for that matter, that still has ferel or wild tendencies or requires
    medication, is a time-consuming and frustrating task.  Some people
    handle it better than others, and judging from your note, you did
    more than just your best.  I know exactly where you're coming from
    because my Nikki was adopted from the very same shelter and he was
    ferel.  To this day, he runs from *everyone* except my fiance and
    I.  This makes it especially difficult when we go away on vacation
    and Nikki hides from the cat sitter.  People always ask me, "are
    you SURE you have two cats!"  Ginger needs more time to be socialized,
    and she is in the best hands right now; those shelter volunteers
    are dedicated as sin and work very, very hard.
    
    My mind keeps wandering to tomorrow morning.  Nikki has a vet appt.
    and I am dreading putting him in the carrier...oh, those ferel cats!
    
    /Roberta
    
1650.5STILL LOOKING!FDCV13::JOHNSONFri Aug 12 1988 16:0528
    They had started her deworming but apparently didn't know she had
    2 kinds (needing separate medication).  She was scheduled for her
    spay 2 wks from when we had called her ours but she ended up being
    so anemic from worms, and having to wait for her milk to dry up
    that they moved her surgery date out further which, inadvertently,
    brought her closer to her season.  Dr. Nord said that Ginger still
    had some of her milk teeth so, for all intents and purposes, she
    was still a babe herself. 
    
    I feel she would be better in a home with no other animals.  She
    desires so much attention and love.  Everytime you ask her a question
    she answers and everytime you answer her she replys again.  She's
    so very full of love to give.  She puts her front paws on your chest
    and sucks the tip of your ear and kneads your chest or face or neck.
    
    The worst part was keeping her isolated in another room and praying
    each time she coughed or sneezed that Whiskie wouldn't catch the
    virus.  Also she could not go into the yard and enjoy outside for
    at 2 months since (as they said) she might run away.  I think she
    loved us too much to ever run away although we did feel that she'd
    attach Whiskie if the screen door hadn't been there.
    
    Also .......... I'm not looking for a neutered male.  I'm willing
    to pay for what I get.  I just want a healthy young male that can
    be fixed and can be around us and Whiskie without isolation.
    
    When is kitten season and does anyone know of any young males?
    
1650.6Good Luck!INDEBT::TAUBENFELDFri Aug 12 1988 16:2629
    Just this week I got another kitten but had to do some calling around.
    I looked at the kitten adoption note, one mentioned a vet in Stow that
    had kittens.  They are all gone, but they have some different ones
    available.  The Lancaster Humane Society and Buddy Dog Human Society
    were named by the vet as another place to go to.  The former has *20*
    kittens for adoption, the latter has 9. 
    
    We decided to adopt from someplace completely different after all that
    searching.  The cost and requirements for adopting a kitten from one
    of the Humane Societies was too much for us.  I realize they want
    the best for the kitten, but a $25 dollar donation plus a $30 deposit
    for spay/neutering (which they stated would halve the cost of it,
    not cover), plus having a written letter from our landlord (who
    took 2 months to finally install a gas line for the dryer - asking
    for a letter from him could take a year)...  You also have to have
    an interview (before even seeing the kittens), wait at least
    one day to pick the kitten up so they can check your application
    for validity, agree to not declaw or let them outdoors... the list
    goes on.  No wonder they are overflowing.  Like I said, I realize
    their motives, but I went elsewhere.
    
    We ended up with a male kitten from Nashoba Valley Vet who nobody
    wanted to adopt because of a broken (but now fixed) leg... but that's
    another story. :-)
    
    Sharon
    
    
    
1650.7Details, Details, please!!EDUC8::TRACHMANFri Aug 12 1988 16:527
    Good Lord Sharon, sounds like Nashua - which place had all those
    rules?
    
    Gee, what's the leg story??  What's his name?  What does he look
    like?  
    
    E.T.
1650.8Have I got a deal for you!!!CLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitFri Aug 12 1988 16:5915
    re: .5...when is kitten season??  In my house, it's gonna be any
    day now!!  If you wanna wait till the end of October, I'll be finding
    homes for a few...  Actually, the prime kitten season is past, but
    I guess Girl didn't realize it.
    
    My vet, located in Nashua, has two little kittens that were found
    on the side of the road (obviously dumped).  He is trying to find
    homes for them.  Since they were raised by his loving hands, they
    are healthy, happy, and incredibly cute.  They are dark tabbies
    with white chins, tummies, and feet.  Hopefully, when I pick up
    Girl, he won't slide one in the carrier with her!!  If you think
    you might be interested, let me know!  I'd say they were about 10
    weeks old and ready to go to homes.
    
    Mary
1650.9INTERESTEDFDCV13::JOHNSONFri Aug 12 1988 17:124
    Mary - where are you located?  How could we see them?  Are there
    any males?
    
    
1650.10Guess I spoke a few minutes too soon!CLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitFri Aug 12 1988 17:2710
    Hi...the little boy just went to a home this morning (some innocent
    bystander came in with one cat, went home with two...was that you,
    Elaine??).  The little girl is still there and if you would consider
    a girl (or if anyone else out there is looking for a kitten!), she
    is in need of a home.
    
    She's at Ferry Road Animal Hospital in Nashua.  Give me a call if
    you'd like directions, etc.  I'm at DTN 381-2498.
    
    Mary
1650.11hurry, someone take her, please!EDUC8::TRACHMANFri Aug 12 1988 17:389
    You are funny,  I just wrote your node & name down and was going
    to check for your DTN in ELF.  Wow, if I wait another few minutes,
    someone else will help me resist!  Please, some one , are you 
    out there???  The Inn is Full, The Inn is Full, The Inn is Full.
    How am I doing?
    
    Is she a classic??  Brown/Black with wonderful markings???
    
    E.T.
1650.12Hey, what's one more??CLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitFri Aug 12 1988 18:088
    Forget it, Elaine!!  Can't you help out our friend Dr. Kaas??  He's
    taken in these two knowing someone as wonderful as you would find
    room at the Inn and in her heart.....
    
    She's a classic, brown/black with a white chest and feet.  I'll
    see you there about 3:30 (and you can meet Girl!!).
    
    Mary
1650.13Mary, where are you?EDUC8::TRACHMANFri Aug 12 1988 18:223
    Mary, are you there?  I have been trying to call you!
    
    Elaine
1650.14The Inn will never be quite full!IAMOK::HTAYLORMe and my lil' pots o' purrsFri Aug 12 1988 19:026
    Uh oh!  Looks like there are going to be 16 Z.... cats soon! :-)
    
    Sorry Elaine, couldn't spell the name.
    
    Holly
    
1650.15The INN IS FULL!EDUC8::TRACHMANFri Aug 12 1988 20:4111
    no no no no no no no no........................etc.
    
    I can't I can't I can't.                              
    
                          Z h i v a g o C a t s
    
    Gee, 11-week old Victoria sure would like someone her size to play
    with instead of those big lugs all messin' with her!   Sorry Vikki,
    maybe next year.  See how strong I am????
    
    The Inn is full, The Inn is full, The Inn is full.....
1650.16Vacancy at the INNWITNES::MACONEFri Aug 12 1988 20:455
    But Elaine, by next year Victoria will be the same size as the rest
    of "the lugs".  She needs someone her own size NOW.
    
    NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW
    
1650.17Miss Vikki is really a little doll baby!EDUC8::TRACHMANFri Aug 12 1988 21:0731
    re: 16
    
    Give me one break! I mean really - the things I have to put up with: 
    
    1.  There is no more room in my bed for me to sleep.
    2.  Both couches in the livingroom are full every evening.
    3.  I can hardly get a forkful of food in to my mouth - it seems
        to find a detour on the way!
    4.  The only time I am catless in the house is in the shower because
        I lock them OUT of the bathroom!  Timothy think he owns the     
        sink, Misha & Lara think that when I sit to *(^%, my lap is
        their's at the same time (tricky).
    5.  Trimming nails for 15 - every other week, well need I say more???
    6.  I have already sent both my Vet's daughter's to college and
        graduate school!
    7.  The swimming pool only holds 40 lbs. of litter - that's just
        enough for 15.  Two lunch bags of lumps a day is also enough.
    8.  Having 9 cats under the age of 2 is insanity - having 6 cat
        between the ages of 9 and 2 is only nuts!
    9.  I don't even have my pillow to myself any more - Victoria
        shares it with me and Mister Miyagi sleeps between the pillow
        and the headboard. Geezeeeee
    10. Now, lets talk cat hair and vacuuming.....
    
    How am I doing, have I convinced myself yet? Did it work on you
    guys??
    
    
    no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no
    
    
1650.18HOGWASH!!!!CLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitMon Aug 15 1988 22:077
    HOGWASH!!
    
    Get a bigger bed, get another sofa, eat from a tube......
    
    Oh, and about medical school for daughter #2.....
    
    Mary
1650.19No I can't, No I can't!!SALEM::NOYCETue Aug 16 1988 01:054
    Hang in there E.T.  NO ROOM AT THE INN!!  Keep it going.  Day
    and night till you get over your sub consious desires.
                              Good Luck!!
                                  Ken
1650.20It's tough when a 14-pounder wraps his arms around your neck for a hug and tucks his head under your chin, melt-time!EDUC8::TRACHMANTue Aug 16 1988 13:414
    Ken, is that what my problem is - Gee, and I thought it was a lack
    of @^*^% !!  
    
    E.T. !!
1650.21Hard to resist!EDUC8::TRACHMANTue Aug 16 1988 13:433
    oops! That was suposed to read, wraps his arms around your neck
    for a hug, and tucks his head under your chin and sings his heart
    out because he is so happy, what's a human to do???