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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

2041.0. "*BOO HOO, BOO HOO.*" by AIMHI::OFFEN () Wed Dec 07 1988 13:06

    Black Thunder left home this morning.   BOO HOO, BOO HOO.
    
    Actually, I took her to the Vet's at 8:00 A.M. this morning to
    be spayed, etc.
    
    I will be picking her up tomorrow night at 6:00 P.M.  Of course,
    I will be calling at 2:01 P.M. today to see how she is doing.
    
    I hated to bring her in but I also don't want to have any kittens
    that need homes.  
    
    When I brought her in, she came out of her carrier and just wrapped
    herself arounD my neck.  I think she wanted me to stay. 
    
    Two whole days without her !!!!!!!!  I MISS HER ALREADY !!!!!!!!!!
    
    Will let everyone know how she is doing later on today.
    
    Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder's mom)
    
    P.S.  Aunti Suz,  Think good thoughts today.
    
    
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2041.1Just when it was getting peaceful!!MEDUSA::BOURGEOISWed Dec 07 1988 15:2211
    I can relate to how you feel. We took Jezebel in MOnday night to
    have the felv test and to be check to see if she was spayed or not.
    Well she wasn't so she didn't get to come home last night. She will
    be home tonight but boy I missed her. My biggest problem is I haven't
    had her that long and my other cat Kitty and her were just starting
    to play together and Toto, our pekenese finally had stopped barking
    at her. Now we have go through the hissing and sniffing again becuase
    the hospital smell. Just when peace was settling in ARGGGGGGGGH.
    
    Jan
    
2041.2Beach towelFDCV16::JOHNSONWed Dec 07 1988 16:188
    When I brought Cocoa home I took the beach towel out of his
    carrier.  Whiskie wouldn't go near him but layed down on his
    towel and slept.
    
    Maybe something like that would work for you?
    
    BJ
    
2041.3VAXWRK::SKALTSISDebWed Dec 07 1988 16:2210
    RE: .1

    I've found that I can lessen the hissing by combing everyone with a
    comb sprayed with "grooming spray" (it smells like lanolin), and then
    combing the cat just back from the vet (also using a comb sprayed with
    grooming spray) right before bringing the cat in the house. This way
    everyone smells pretty much the same, and things are back to normal a
    lot sooner.

    Deb
2041.4AIMHI::OFFENWed Dec 07 1988 18:5431
    Well - - - - - - -
    
    I said I would keep you informed and I will.
    
    I called the Vet at 2:10 P.M. and asked how she was doing.  I was
    told to hold on. I held on (with my heart in my mouth).......
    
    The Vet got on the phone and said "Thunder came through the surgery
    and is just now starting to wake up.  There is still some bleeding
    which we didn't expect (THUMP, THUMP) but she is holding her own.
    We spayed her, clipped her nails, gave her a shot, and took a look
    at her mouth.  Well- - - - - - -
    It seems that what we thought was a burn caused by a wire or acid
    wasn't.  It is/was a TUMOR  (THUMP !! Heart just hit floor).  We
    don't know yet if it is benign or not and if we got it all.  Time
    will tell.  We will let you know what the test results are when
    they come in"
    
    MY POOR BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    I can't wait until tomorrow night to pick her up and cuddle her
    and love her and hold her and cuddle her and hold her and love
    her........
    
    As I said earlier,  I will definitely keep you wonderful people
    informed.  Tell all your furry felines to send kitty prayers our
    way.  And please keeping repeating *benign, benign, benign*.
    
    Sandi (Black Thunder's lonesome Mom)
    
    
2041.5I know how you feelCRUISE::NDCWed Dec 07 1988 18:5515
    I agree with reply 3.  Cats are smell-oriented animals.  When they
    rub you they are making you part of the group by making you smell
    right.  
      I can sympathize with your feelings.  We have four cats, one of
    which is a 7 month old male.  They usually neuter males at 9 months
    unless they get active early so I'm watching Dundee to see how he's
    doing.  He's so sweet I hate to have to put him through the procedure,
    but I know it'll be over soon and he'll be much better off for the
    rest of his life.   Our other three cats are all shelter cats and
    are all spayed females.   I hated to leave each and every one of
    them to have them spayed, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
      Congratulations to you for doing the right thing.  She'll be much
    happier.  Let us know how she's doing!
      Nancy DC
    
2041.6GOOD LUCK...SA1794::DOWSEYKThu Dec 08 1988 00:256
    Good Luck Black Thunder.....
    
    I had a cat with a tumor in his mouth. The Vet told me that in young
    cats tumors in the mouth are "almost always benign".
    
    Kirk
2041.7Sending good thoughtsNSG022::POIRIERHappy Holidays!Thu Dec 08 1988 10:577
    Oh Sandi!
    
    I am always thinking of Black Thunder and how lucky she is to have
    a caring mom like you!!!!  I'm sure she will be fine.  Let me know
    what happens with the tumor.  Lots of love to you and Thunder!
            
    Suzanne
2041.8A Prayer for Black ThunderMEDUSA::BOURGEOISThu Dec 08 1988 12:2416
    Sandi, I hope your Black Thunder will be fine. I said a little prayer
    when I read your message.Having pets is as bad as having kids.
    Jezebel came through her surgery okay. She is awful sore. She is
    a year and a half old so I imagine she won't bounce back as fast
    as a 6 month old kitten. Thank God her felv was negative. She slept
    on the end of our bed last night and needless to say I kept waking
    up to make sure she was away from my feet because I was afraid i
    might kick her and hurt her so needless to say her Mom is kinda
    tired today. She did eat a little bit of food before I left this
    morning so that is a good sign.
    Of course Kitty started growling at her when she saw her so I left
    her in my bedroom for the day. I figured she didn't need Kitty growling
    at her and Toto yapping at her.
    
    Jan
    
2041.9CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Thu Dec 08 1988 21:012
    Sweetie and Holly and I are thinking good thoughts for you both.
    
2041.10*THE INVALID IS HOME*AIMHI::OFFENFri Dec 09 1988 15:1445
    Black Thunder is home!!  YEAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!
    
    When I got to the Vet's last night, I couldn't wait to hold her.
    I opened the carrier expecting this poor, forlorn, hurting baby
    to *crawl* out of the carrier.  Lo and behold, this bouncy, noisy
    loving kitten came trotting out and climbed all over me.  It was
    very hard to hold the tears back.  Of course, I then had a hard
    time getting her back in the carrier for the ride home.
    
    I was given lots of instructions and a syringe to feed her until
    she could eat by herself.  I was to feed her 4 times a day with
    the syringe.  I was also to keep her quiet for about 5 to 7 days
    *HA!*.
    
    Well, got her home and brought her into my bedroom away from the
    other cats and let her out again.  It took at least a half hour
    of petting and cooing and hugging and holding before she would let
    me leave the room.  I went in about a half hour later *couldn't
    wait any longer* and she was crying to be let out.  I left the
    door open and she stayed right with me *wherever I went*.  I
    mixed some baby food with water to put in the syringe.  She begged
    me to put it in her dish so I did.  She ate the whole thing and
    wanted more.  So much for feeding her by hand.  She went over to
    Deja and said *I'M BACK* and then went over and laid on top of
    Lightning.  So much for the *fighting and hissing*.
    
    I kept her in the room with me overnight (well until 4:00 am when
    she woke me up for some more loving).  Around 5:30 am I went back
    to bed and left her roaming the halls.  When I got up (again) I
    fed her the special food, gave her her medicine and put her in the
    room.
    
    I had been planning not to go to the Xmas party this evening because
    I thought I would have to rush home and hand-feed this *invalid*.
    Well, it looks like the *invalid* will do just fine until I or my
    daughter gets home this evening.
    
    Boy, am I ever glad to have her home.  She is such a fiesty, loving,
    funny kitty that it just wasn't the same without her.  Now to think
    good thoughts about the results which I will get in about 10 days.
         
    Happy, Happy Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & the *infamous* Black Thunder)
    
    
    
2041.11good for Black-thunderCRUISE::NDCFri Dec 09 1988 16:455
    I'm so glad she's doing so well!  Sounds like you've got a good
    vet there too.  I'd say she was treated pretty good.
      Take care.
        Nancy DC (Bumpy-tail, Isis, Xiao-mao & Dundee)
    
2041.12I love a happy ending...HILLST::MASONExplaining is not understandingFri Dec 09 1988 17:121
    
2041.13questionsVAXWRK::DUDLEYFri Dec 09 1988 17:2713
    Sandi,
    
    Can you explain why you were instructed to feed her with a
    syringe?  Is it because they didn't think she could eat on
    her own?
    
    Also,  any information you can share on the tumor business
    would be greatly appreciated.  Perhaps you could start a
    new note and the moderators could add the keyword TUMOR.
    
    We're all waiting for the good news to arrive in 10 days.
    
    Donna
2041.14GOOD TO HEAR SHE IS HOME AGAIN!NSG022::POIRIERHappy Holidays!Fri Dec 09 1988 17:3415
    Sandi,
    
    I'm so glad Black Thunder is home - safe.  Aren't the little buggers
    a riot.  When I brought Koko home from the vets - I expected her
    to be a little weak and want pampering like Mandy did (boy did Mandy
    play it out to the fullest!!!).  But Koko just started jumping around
    like she had never been gone.  
    
    Well I'm glad Thunder is a normally weird kitten just like Koko.
    Take care of the baby,
    
    Love,
    
    Aunti Suz
    
2041.15AIMHI::OFFENMon Dec 12 1988 17:5358
    re .13
    
    DONNA,
    
    I was instructed to feed by syringe until she could eat by herself.
    The note from the vet says 7 - 10 days.  I was also supposed to
    water the food down so that she could swallow it.
    
    She started eating the minute she came through the door.  I hadn't
    been home yet so I hadn't been able to pick up the other cat's
    food (or the dog's).  I had been getting her *special* food ready
    when I heard her drinking water and then eating food.  I guess she
    wasn't listening when the vet said she couldn't eat by herself.
    
    The tumor had originally been diagnosed as *a caustic acid burn*
    from either chewing on wires or drinking something that she shouldn't
    have.  It was under her tongue so they really didn't have a good
    look at it.  They gave me some medicine at the time and it did seem
    to help.  They also explained that they would take a better look
    at it when she was spayed.  That way they would have her under the
    anesthesia only one time.
    
    Once they had her on the table, they found that it was a tumor,
    not an unhealed burn and removed as much as they could see.  They
    hope that there wasn't any left behind.  They are doing a biopsy
    to see what type of tumor and also if it is benign or malignant.
    All I can do at this time is wait until next Saturday when I have
    another appointment.  Hopefully the results will be in by then.
    
    
    
    Re Aunti Suz,
    
    My daughter has nick-named her Black Thunder the Wonder Cat.  She
    is bouncing around like there is nothing wrong with her and has
    already pulled out her stitches.  I checked to see if it did any
    damage and it didn't.  She was hoping that if she did that, she
    wouldn't have to go back to the doctor's.  I haven't the heart to
    tell her that she still has to go.  
    
    The first night she was home I found her under the Xmas tree.  She
    didn't realize that she was too sick to play.
    
    As to her medicine.  She *LOVES* it.  She wraps her paws around
    my hand so I can't take the eye dropper away and just continues
    to lick it.
    
    I can't wait to bring her into the vet's and tell them how she has
    been doing.  I guess they have alot to learn about Black Thunder
    the Wonder Cat.  Now if they will only give me *GOOD* news about
    the tumor and that I will have Black Thunder forever and ever and
    ever and........
    
    Will post another reply when I get the results.
    
    Sandi (lightning, dejavu and Thunder the Wonder cat's mom)
    
    
2041.16MERRY XMAS BLACK THUNDERAIMHI::OFFENWed Dec 21 1988 19:2450
    




    		YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    
    
    
    
    
               HOORRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    BLACK THUNDER'S GOING TO BE OK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    It's not cancer.  It is something that has to do with allergies
    or  something.  I will be reading the report on Friday so I will
    probably know more than.  She gave me such a long name for it
    but the bottom line is that it isn't cancer and it is treatable.
    
    
    I am so glad................................  We will have Black
    Thunder the Wonder Cat for ever and ever and ever and.......
    
    Boy what a really super Xmas gift.  Thanks to all you Feliners
    and Furry friends for all your support and prayers.  It really
    worked this time.
    
    Now on to Aunt Suz's dilemma which I haven't forgotten about.
    
    Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu and Thunder's mom)
    
                        
    
2041.17Great news Sandi - Merry Christmas!HILLST::MASONExplaining is not understandingWed Dec 21 1988 21:411
    
2041.18CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Thu Dec 22 1988 00:463
    Hurray for Black Thunder.
    
    
2041.19CRUISE::NDCThu Dec 22 1988 11:129
    OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
    
      I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
           HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS.
        
    
              Nancy DC
    
2041.20Hooray!!!!!!!!!1SWAT::COCHRANEScattering like light.Thu Dec 22 1988 12:466
    I was just thinking of Black Thunder yesterday because I hadn't
    heard anything.  What wonderful news!!!
    
    Congratulations!
    
    Mary-Michael, Niniane, Charm, Dream, and Boogie
2041.21*UPDATE TO .16*AIMHI::OFFENFri Jan 06 1989 13:4327
    addition to reply .16
    
    The `tumor' mentioned earlier is a `mass' with the erroneous name
    of `rat ulcer'.  Most of the time, they are on the outer lip or
    on the body of the animal.  It is not contagious and is curable
    or treatable.  According to what I read (2 hours at the Vet's),
    it is an allergy of some kind.  There are various forms of treatment
    for this and we will have to find the one that works for Thunder.
    So far, we have tried Ovaban and that didn't work.  We are now
    trying a low-dose steroid to see if that will help.  The first
    `mass' was removed surgically but a second one grew back in the
    exact same area.  When the surgery was performed, the vet wasn't
    sure if they had gotten the whole thing.  They didn't want to go
    too far before they knew what they were dealing with.  Now that
    we know it isn't cancer, we might have to do surgery again but more
    extensive.
    
    To watch Black Thunder the Wonder Cat, you wouldn't know she had
    a problem in the world.  She eats and plays and sleeps and eats
    and plays and sleeps, etc.  She is such a love that I don't mind
    taking her to the vet and spending all this money.  I just hope
    we can find the cure soon.  Will definitely keep you informed as
    to the various treatments and hopefully the cure to this.  
    
    Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder the Wonder Cat's mom)
    
    
2041.22re: 2041.5HAM03::RMUELLERFri Feb 10 1989 11:149
    don't talk rubbish, Nancy,
    how can you say, cats are much happier, being spayed? Did they speak
    to you. I live with cats since 20 years and after finding no more
    homes for young kittens they have been spayed of course, but not
    in order "to make them happier" but only for rational grounds!
    Or yould you be happy if one of the three best things in life yould
    be discontinue???????????????????
    Rosi from Hamburg
    
2041.23TPVAX1::ROBBINSFri Feb 10 1989 11:359
    re. 22
    
       Well gee I've seen a male and female cat have sex before and
    I sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end.  It does not look
    or sound like a pleasureable experience.  Getting our joys and their
    joys mixed up is one of our most common mistakes. They may not have
    "spoken" to Nancy but then again I really doubt they spoke to you.
    Remember actions are much louder then words. 
                                                   kim
2041.24Don't give me this crap!CLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitFri Feb 10 1989 14:4126
    re: .22
    
    Rosi, I spoke to my female cat who came to me as a young kitten, very
    pregnant and very hungry.  It seems the people who 'owned' her thought
    it would be very cute for her to have kittens.  Too bad they wouldn't
    give her a home.  Little Meg had a very difficult time giving birth and
    since I was with her, it was not a joyous occasion for either her or
    me.  You cannot place the feelings we humans have with sex and
    childbirth on animals.
    
    In America, many millions of cats are put to death each year because
    they are unwanted.  That, alone, is reason enough to spay and neuter. 
    I know that in Europe, this is not the common practice, but here it is
    the only way to control the incredible explosion in pet population.
    
    The people in this notesfile love their cats very much, and it is
    because we love them that we do not want them out on the streets,
    getting into fights over mating.
    
    I was very fortunate to find 3 wonderful homes for my Meg's babies, but
    I still cannot find a home for her.  There are just too many cats and
    too few loving homes.  Also, I am keeping one of her kittens (and you
    can be sure she will be spayed) because I don't want to have more
    kittens put to death because they are unwanted.
    
    Mary
2041.25CRUISE::NDCMon Feb 13 1989 15:545
    The overpopulation issue aside - cats that are spayed/neutered
    live longer, healthier lives. I would think that would make them
    happier.  
      Nancy DC
     
2041.26SUBURB::TUDORKSKEADUGENGASun Feb 26 1989 11:2174
    .22                                            
                                                   
    Rosi, I spend a lot of my time trying to persuade people that their
    cats would be so much better off being spayed. 
                                                   
    A few of the reasons are as follows:-          
                                                   
    1.  Tom cats who are not neutered fight and maim each other over
        females in heat and over their right to territories..  When
        you consider that a tom cats territory extends over 2 square
    	miles an average cat population means a lot of fights with 
    	resultant loss of eyes, ears and even death.
                                                   
    	Also, an unneutered tom cat will wander over said territory.
    	Many strays/road casualties result.        
                                                   
    	Tom cats spray in their own and other people's houses.  I am
    	currently having problems with one which comes into my house
    	through my cats catflap, sprays in my house and beats up my
    	cats into the bargain.  I would like to personally castrate
    	its owners (without anasthetic) when I get home and find my 
    	house smelling like a toilet yet again.    
                                                   
    2.	Queens (female cats) suffer pain from intercourse.  It is a
        fact that nature has built in a method of causing them to ovulate
    	which seems to me cruel in the extreme.    
                                                   
    	Queens who are not spayed and whose matings are not controlled
    	tend to have litter after litter.  Without natural predators
    	we would have a cat population explosion.  I don't feel that
    	it is right to permit kittens to be born where you must hope
    	that at least 3/4 of the litter will not survive.
                                                   
    3.	As the people in this notesfile know, I'm involved in trying
    	to home many unwanted cats.  Many of the other noters in here
    	perform similar, sometimes heartbreaking, roles.
                                                   
    	I've just been involved in a particularly nasty case where a
    	woman was going to permit her cat to remain in a state of nature,
    	and have the litter which she had just conceived.  Since they're
    	not that well off they were then going to select one kitten
    	and drown the rest in a bucket.  Other options which people
    	select is to abandon both mother and babies or to have older
    	cats put down so that they can take another kitten into their
    	homes.  Another case was where 2 queens had been allowed to
    	breed unchecked for 1 year.  36 kittens later..  The woman
    	who owned them didn't feed them, they were allowed to run wild
    	round her home.  She finally came to realise her responsibilities
    	when a litter of 6 kittens were all born dead because the mother
    	couldn't find enough food for herself.  Her vet threatened her
    	with the RSPCA and we were left to find homes for the kittens
    	before they started to breed in their turn.  
                                                   
    	I've been in touch with so many cases of this type.
                                                   
    	BTW the bucket kittens are OK, they'll be kept with the mother
    	and then I'll try to find them homes.  I'm doing this on condition
    	that she has the mother spayed afterwards.
    
    Having said this I accept that people have a right not to have their
    cats spayed, providing they keep them indoors and make provision
    for resulting kittens.  However, people who are willing to take
    this on are rare.  (I'm talking about moggies here not breeding
    pedigrees).
    
    However, Rosi, you are entitled to your opinion, but please don't
    tell Nancy she is talking rubbish.  In my opinion she talks very
    good sense indeed.
    
    Regards
    
    Kate 
                                                   
    	                                           
2041.27FSHQA1::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendMon Feb 27 1989 00:286
    Kate, you certainly have a way with words.  I couldn't have said
    it better myself!
    
    
    /Roberta
    
2041.28CRUISE::NDCTue Feb 28 1989 10:4112
    There is NO excuse in this day with conditions the way they
    are for pet owners to allow their pets to breed unchecked!
    And in this particular case I DO NOT believe that people are
    entitled to their own opinion.  I'm usually very strict about
    respecting that right.  Its just plain unrealistic and irresponsible
    to fail to neuter a pet.
      I have booklets provided by some of the animal agencies that
    talk about the advantages of neutering pets.  I grabbed some
    extra copies at the last cat show I attended and will gladly
    provide the to anyone who asks.  
      Nancy DC
    
2041.29Bravo! Bravo!JULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeThu Mar 02 1989 19:1168
                                                              
    **note:  I have been advised that this is a bit of a flame--do keep
    in mind that this is my opinon on the spay/neuter issues and those
    who do not complete this responsibility--I will be more than happy
    to address people with opposing viewpoints as long as it does not
    turn into WWIII***                                         
    
    
    Re: .27  I am so glad to see your arguments for pet population
    control!  Being new (first time reading this notefile and having
    read CANINE for about two weeks now), I wondered, quite frankly,
    if DEC cat owners shared the same perspective as responsible DEC
    dog owners on the spay/neuter issue--and it is notes like .27 that
    makes me see that many of them do!  It's too bad that the people who need
    to read notes like .27 won't see it unless they dig a little--perhaps
    there's another topic that can be opened, or added to?  
    
    You have no idea how many times I winced everytime I saw a FREE 
    KITTEN/CAT topic here--the same as I do when I read the want ads
    in any given newspaper.  
    
    Cats, even more so than dogs are allowed to breed and reproduce
    UNNECCESSARILY to the point past shocking.   How many people do
    you know who buy a cat, especially a pet-quality (as opposed to
    show) purebred and then want to breed it ("I can't wait till so and
    so has kittens!").  I realize these people do it by far with the
    greatest of intentions, but can they not see that there is no reason
    to breed a purebred who is obviously not to breed standards--simply
    "to have kittens?"  Oh, yes, you CAN sell them for 250 a head--but
    what kind of motivation is that?  Can you assure a home for each
    kitten?  A good home?  Can you assure they will be spayed?  Neutered?
    To think that one queen produce 4 kittens, who then produce four
    more kittens, and so on...thats 80 kittens from ONE CAT in less
    than two years.  And that's conservative.  How many of those cats
    are going to die needlessly, because they weren't cute anymore after
    they grew up, or because there's just no home for them? 
    
    I have a friend who purchased a flame point Himilayan.  It turns
    out the cat is not up to standards and is your basic, Pet-quality
    purebred (the cat has a muzzle confirmation fault--otherwise, it's
    a magnificent cat).  The breeder we were talking to at the cat show
    said that pet-quality kittens are your pet-shop kittens--$250 each
    or so.  He said nothing about suggesting my friend spay her cat,
    and I remember distinctly my friend saying, "Oh, well, at least
    I can get $250 each out of her litter"--I know for a fact she hopes
    to breed her kitty.  She is not an irresponsible person--she just
    doesn't understand the implications behind what she is doing.  She
    is behaving like so many people who what their cats to have babies--not
    for the cat, for THEM.  The cat does not care whether it has
    kittens--it's the owners.  I do not know how to approach my friend
    and explain this to her without knocking her, but she has mentioned
    nothing else about breeding and the cat is still quite young.  
    
    At any rate, I just want to express my feelings of relief that there
    are other cat-owners out there who DO see in the clear and recognize
    the responsibilities they have.  No one can cure the overpopulation
    problem as of yet, but you can prevent contributing to it.  The
    worse thing I have EVER done to my cat (and I feel terribly guilty
    to this day--this is why I can see both sides--the naive and  the
    informed)
    was to not spay her in time to prevent her from coming into heat.
    She had one litter of four, and I wish to hell I had not been so
    stupid--I do not trust the hands I left the kittens in when I moved
    and I doubt if they were spayed or neutered.  
    
    Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.
    
                                                                ---kim
2041.30correctionJULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeThu Mar 02 1989 19:346
    Oops....yes, the fallible fingers strike again.  In the first paragraph
    of my previous note, I meant to put .26 where I put .27--NOT that
    .27 is any less concerned about our feline friend's welfare, I am
    sure!
    
                                                         ---kim
2041.32CRUISE::NDCFri Mar 03 1989 11:065
    re: .29 - not trusting the hands in which you left the kittens
    You know, experience is a great teacher - I've had a few lessons
    myself.  The real sin is when we can't learn from others' experiences.
      Nancy DC
    
2041.33Yeah, but...JULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeFri Mar 03 1989 18:4910
    Yes, I have learned from my lessons, but I still kick myself whenever
    I think of it.  I wouldn't have left a human baby in those conditions,
    and it was a call where I had to move (and couldn't take all the
    cats), but I HATE having let it happen in the first place.  I went
    to the pound to get my cat, and then I probably just contributed
    to that same place by letting her have kittens.  Talk about
    hypocritical actions.  :/
     
    
                                                             ---kim
2041.34Korat people took care of thatREFINE::TAYLOR"Hug me, I purr!..."Tue Mar 07 1989 17:3313
RE: .29

I agree with you definitely!!  I am actually surprised by this.  In the Korat
Association (the kind of cats that I breed), we have no problems with this at 
all.  Mainly because we have a contract that people must sign when they purchase
a kitten.  If the kitten is a pet quality, it must be spayed or neutered by the
time it is 8 months old.  The papers will not be given to the new owner until 
the cat is spayed or neutered.  That way, if they want to find a cat to breed 
it to, they won't be able to because the cat doesn't have any papers.  The 
contract also says you are not allowed to breed the cat with any other breed 
of cat.

Holly
2041.35I guess not all breeders are top notchJULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeTue Mar 07 1989 23:1019
    I don't think that a) the breeder told my friend that her cat was
    not show quality or b) gave her a spay/neuter contract.  Neither
    did the breeder at the show we went to (I'm surprised).  
    
    No, I just asked her (my friend), and she said that the breeder said "Oh no,
    defintely show kitty!".  Well, I guess if my friend entered her
    enough eventually she could get points.  And my friend seems to
    know that most breeders won't allow that, but she though the rationale
    for breeding a pet-quality cat was because people want a purebred,
    but not a $900 one.  I told her that you can breed two show quality
    cats and still end up with some pet-quality, but of course, that's
    not my decision to make.  
    
    So what it all boils down to is that the Persian breeder obviously
    isn't reputable enough to make things clear when she sells her cats,
    and doesn't care what happens when they are out of her hands (my
    opinion).  Tacky tacky.  
    
                                                     ----kim
2041.36Alot of breeders aren't even middle notchYOSMTE::CORDESBRO_JOWed Mar 08 1989 17:0133
    Re: .35
    
    I think you mentioned previously that your friend's cat was a Himilayan
    Persian.  Here in California, Himmies are the unlucky breed to be
    most often bred by what some cat fanciers refer to as "backyard
    breeders".  These breeders somehow get their hands on two Himmies
    and start making kittens.  They most often have never been to a
    show, let alone shown one of their cats or kittens.  Most couldn't
    even tell you what the  standard for their breed is (alot of them
    don't even know that therir breed, Himalayans, are no longer a breed
    unto themselves, but a color division of a Persian!)  These people
    usually do not use contracts to sell their kittens, they most often
    just put an ad in the paper and sell to whoever is interested.
    
    If your friends cat is not of show quality, I would suggest not
    showing her in the Championship category, but instead in the household
    pet category.  Judges will not hesitate to disqualify a cat that
    does not have sufficient merit to compete in the Championship class.
    Your friend would probably get more enjoyment out of seeing her
    cat do well in the household pet category than seeing it disqualified
    in the Championship category.  If she isn't sure of the quality,
    have her take some very good head shots, full front, side view,
    etc. and have her bring them to the next cat show along with a copy
    of the pedigree.  Other Persian breeders would be able to help her
    decide if she should show the cat in Championship.
    
    This weekend in San Francisco there will be a huge show at the Cow
    Palace.  Entries filled at 450 cats so there will be plenty of people
    for your friend to talk to.  Stop by and see me, I will be there
    with Kalliste, Laci, and one of Kalliste's kittens, Lady Sings the
    Blues (it will be her first show!)
    
    Jo
2041.37Just a quick noteREFINE::TAYLOR"Hug me, I purr!..."Wed Mar 08 1989 18:098
Just a quick message RE: .36

In CFA, Himalayans may be considered a color division of the Persians, but in
CFF, they are their own separate breed.

Just a little FYI.

Holly
2041.38I guess not. They don't have to worry about the kittens.JULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeWed Mar 08 1989 18:1027
    Jo,
    
    I saw you at the show we went to...the person with the Himalyan
    is Sue Hannah...do you know her? She works with me.  We saw your
    Birmans (sp?) and watched some judging.  It was interesting for
    both of us because we had never been before--I feel in love with
    the Somali I saw.  THAT is the kind of cat I would want if I were
    to get into breeding/showing etc.  Right now, I have just two
    mutt-cats.
    
    I know what you mean about backyard breeders...I just don't want
    this big huge change of pet-quality kittens to start with Sue's
    kitty (because I know her, that's why I am concerned) and especially
    since through notesfiles I have been made aware of the unwanted
    pets problems.  The cat is gorgeous and to me (a sheer novice) looks
    exactly like a long-hair should, round body, round head, big eyes,
    short nose, but she doesn't have the extreme peke-face most of the
    show Persians had.  I agree that this breeder just got her hands
    on two Himmies and as you said, "started making kittens", but since
    I strongly disagree with the practice, I'd hate to see Sue go that
    route too....but it's not my decision to make. :(  And I also don't
    want to preach to her, so it puts me in a bind.  
    
    Well, it's not something that's come up yet (her kitty isn't old
    enough to go into first heat).
    
    kim
2041.39REFINE::TAYLOR"Hug me, I purr!..."Wed Mar 08 1989 18:116
Oh yeah, Jo.  Hope you Lady Sings the Blues does well at her show!

My Lady Sings the Blues became a Grand Champion two shows ago and is half
way to he Master Grand Champion!

Holly
2041.40YOSMTE::CORDESBRO_JOThu Mar 09 1989 17:2230
    Kim, I remember now... it was a mad house at that show!  I used
    to work with Sue in the facilities department and would be more
    than happy to offer assistance and advise on the topic of breeding
    her cat.  Maybe the next time she brings it up, you could suggest
    that she call and talk to me about it.
    
    Since most of the points of a persian are in the head (read that:
    the pushed in nose), if Sue's cat doesn't have that kind of nose,
    she wouldn't be able to compete.
    
    I am relieved to know that Sue's cat is healthy (you haven't mentioned
    any health problems) and that it belongs to Sue.  She is a responsible
    person and will do the right thing when the time comes.
    
    Holly - I have never been to a CFF show, and probably never will
    since that association is completely unknown in my area, but thanks
    for the info.  All show related comments that I make are coming
    from the perspective of CFA and its rules and guidelines, since
    that is the primary association that I show in.  About once or twice
    a year I will hit a TICA show just to see how things are coming
    along with them.
    
    Congratulations on Granding PITA!!  I can only hope that Lady does
    as well someday.  She is very typey, but doesn't have what the judges
    consider to be "ideal" gloving.  This is a problem that we run into
    with Birmans.  The judges don't seem to grasp the concept that gloving
    is a very small part of a Birman.  She doesn't have any penalizable
    faults, she is just a tad uneven on the front of her back feet.
    
    Jo
2041.41PENPAL::TRACHMANThu Mar 09 1989 19:363
    Holly, I thought that name sounded familiar!!!!! 
    
    E.T.