Conference misery::feline_v1

    What about a kitten baby book. A friend got me one. I could paste
    in photos of my cat from a baby to an adult, chart their growth,
    and put in their baby teeth (yes...even they have baby teeth
    and I didn't even know that until I found two of them 
    embedded in my hand!) It has a section to record all their
    shots, and health certificates. I don't know where my friend
    got this at, but I figure that good pet stores would have
    them, and pet magazines also. Cat Fancy magazine has a section
    in the back that may help you find this.
    
    Also, you can't forget the toys -- catnip booties and punching
    bags, balls (nerf and wiffle balls are fun), and wind-up toys
    cause any kitten to have fits of delight!
    
    I think 2 kittens for a wedding present is such a GREAT IDEA!!!
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Lynn, Pounce, and Nutmeg
    
              
    
    

    How about some books or a subscription to one of the cat magizines?
    Also, a good steel comb, some samples of the various cat foods (lots of pet
    stores give them out free), and some safe toys?

    Also, a lot of the food and litter companies put out a lot of
    literature about nutrition and kitty health. You might want to go
    around and collect these fliers for your sister. It will start her off
    with a good understanding of feline needs (and the best part is it's
    free!).

    Deb

    how about a gift certificate to a vet to help with the cost of care. 
    i.e. spaying, nuetering, shots. we all know how that can get to be
    expensive.
    
        kn
    
    

    I love the idea of the kitty baby book.  Does anybody know offhand
    where I could get one - before I go out and start a search?

    Catnip mices.  And, does she need a good basic book on cat care?
    The stuff for fur balls (Laxo whatever).  Combs and brushes.
    If they were adult cats, I'd say a case of C/d;  since they are kittens,
    whatever the kitten equivalent is, to start them out right.
    A few cans of kitty heroin (Pounce).
    

    I think it would be great if a couple of you got together and
    bought an ARUBACAT tree for the kittens!  I suggest ARUBACAT
    because I've seen them, and I now own one.  I can't say enough
    good things about them-They are excellent quality, absolutely
    loved by all four cats and the prices are far more reasonable
    than anything else I've seen.  Also, Digital employees get
    a 10% discount!
      Call SHERI MITCHEL (603) 382-8418.  Their mailing address is
    PO BOX 695  PLAISTOW, NH 03865.
      What a wonderful shower idea.
    

    re: 3, I wish someone thought of gift certificates for me, after
    paying for nine spays it sure would of helped.
    
    C.
    

    
    
    A gift certificate to Breeders Pride?  Or other pet stores..
    
    Everytime I go in there, I buy something extra (toys, treats) for
    the kitties.
    
    The latest thing there is a long piece of plastic with string and
    a denim bow tie on the end (on the idea of a fishing pole).  My
    cats love it more than anything else I've ever bought for them!
    
    

    How about a sturdy carrier for trips to the vet or visiting??
    
    also how about kitty litter??
    
    Sandi (Lightning DejaVu & Thunder's mom
    
    

       A kitty shower.... I love it!
    
    
         One thing which is very, very handy and that I got as a gift
    is a sturdy plastic tray to place their dishes on.  It keeps the
    floor area so much neater.  The one I recieved had a pretty cat
    scene on it of a gray kitty surrounded by flowers in pastels, very
    pretty and oh so useful...
                                  Denise

    re: .8 - Its called a KITTY TEASE!  We have one and the cats are
    just nuts about it!

    What about the cat lover herself, a kitty mug (See if you can find
    a FAR SIDE mug, Gary Larson has done some hysterical comics about
    cats and put them on mugs.  Most card stores carry them).
    
    If she is an inexperienced kitty mom, maybe a book on cat care or
    a subscription to a magazine (I think this was already mentioned-
    sorry if it was).
    
    What about a calendar with pictures of kitties in it. Keychain,
    stickers.....most card stores carry a ton of cute 'cat stuff',
    stationary....
    
    For the cat, how about a catnip plant kit, or a nice scratching
    post/rug.  If the kitties will be living in a small apartment
    or have limited room, how about a decorative screen (can remember
    where I saw these) to hide the litter box and give the kids some
    privacy.   A bag of litter, and litter liners (not necessary, but
    make the job easier).  Nail clippers, flannel blankets, small
    stuffed animal....
    

    Thanks for all the ideas so far, and keep them coming.  I actually
    have 2 showers to go to (and get presents for) as well as the wedding.
    So, I'm debating about theming each set of gifts -- pooping, playing,
    and eating -- giving all the gifts for that purpose at the same
    time.  I still have plenty of time though.
    
    Does anybody have any good brochures that are AGAINST de-clawing?
    Since my sister just bought new furniture, she has already said
    that if these kitties ruin her furniture they are getting declawed.
    So, I am getting the scratching posts and the nail clippers for
    her, and I want to casually tuck in some anti-de-clawing literature.
    But, I guess declawing as a last resort is better than getting rid
    of the little kittes - she has to get my ok first that it has become
    a last resort situation.
    
    	-Nancy

    The best book on cats and cat care that I've seen is call the Book
    of the Cat, and has a handsome painting of a orange American Shorthair
    walking towards you at eye level, tail up like a flag, on the cover.
    It talks about all recognized breeds, cat behavior, getting a cat,
    declawing, neutering (both sides of each issue are covered), illnesses,
    euthanasia, burial, cat shows, and breeding.  I am not sure who
    the publisher or author is, (I just bought it, but don't have it
    with me), but you can find it at almost any book store.
    
    Just a suggestion.  ;)
    
                                                        ---kim

    Re: leaflet about declawing
    
    I will bet that the TreeHouse Animal Foundation in Chicago has one
    of these among the numerous leaflets they publish.  You might
    call Chicago telephone info for their phone number and then call
    TreeHouse and ask.  Some of their other leaflets might be a good
    "gift" too.
    
    

    The best anti-declawing literature I have ever come across is a
    sub-chapter in the book "The Natural Cat".  It is so good that I
    have added it to my own Kitten Care Manual (I wrote one myself that
    I give to all my kitten buyers that answers some of their questions
    about different things.  It also has diet, exercise, grooming, signs
    of illness and that type of thing in it).
    
    I will get the author of the book for you so that you can check
    it out yourself.  Or if you want, I can send you a copy of my Kitten
    Care Manual.
    
    Jo

I believe that they will have some information about declawing at the cat show
this weekend.  If you would like,  I can pick up some for you.

Holly

    Re: -2
    
    Thanks for the offer for the Kitten Care Manual Jo.  I'll send my
    address to you off-line in case the Manual can't go Interoffice.
    
    Re: -1
    
    Holly, I would appreciate it if you could pick up any declawing
    info at the Cat Show this weekend.  I'm at KNX1-2/G3.
    
    	
    
    Re:  A while back
    
    I also have that book, "The Complete Book of the Cat" and I absolutely
    love it.  However - and maybe I have missed those chapters - I found
    it helpful regarding general health and care, but not very good
    about diseases per se.
    
    	-Nancy

    I have a book called the "Pet Vet Guide" or something like that.
    It lists all the symptoms and then refers you to certain sections
    that tell what diseases have those symptoms.  It also has a tabbed
    index on the back of the book so that you can find treatments for
    emergencies in a hurry.  I have used it on many occasions.  I will
    check for the title and author when I get home tonight.
    
    Jo

    The chapter on illnesses were in the back section, with health and
    care.  No hugely indepth stuff, but they broke it down into respirtory,
    etc, illnesses.  It is good stuff for the layman, I think.  For
    more detail, I would get something like Jo (Hello there, didn't
    you used to be SCI's receptionist?) mentioned.
    
                                                            ---kim

    Re .20
    
    Hmm....
    
    I'll check the back of the book again about the ilnesses.
    
    I remember after I first got Ocsar and Portia - Portia was real
    sick and I was an inexperienced Kitty Mom.  So, my boss - I was
    working for a different company then - gave me her copy of this
    book call CATalogue, or something like that.  My boss was mad that
    I was taking so much time off to bring Portia to the vet.  This
    book, which I have since been unable to find, was great in terms
    of diagnosing illnesses.  It said things like if your cat pukes
    once or twice, don't worry about it, but call your vet if the cat
    pukes 3 times.  Or, If your cat stares at their water bowl but won't
    drink the water, rush the cat to the vet.  Of course there was more
    details written beyond what I wrote and other symptoms to look for.
    The funny thing was, that after I had this book, I started rushing
    off to the vet more than I had before I had the book.
    
    	-Nancy

    RE:  CATalogue.
    
    I just had lunch with a friend who had taken the very same book
    out of the library.  She was trying to convince me to take it home
    and read it.  Maybe you can find it in your local library.
    

    Yes Kim, I used to be the SCI receptionist.  I am still working
    in SCI but in the Special Security Office now.  I think you recently
    signed my up for a course over in Parkway Towers.
    
    Welcome to Feline!  What took you so long?
    
    Jo
    
    PS - I forgot to get the title and author of the book I mentioned
    yesterday.  To give more of an idea about it, it has a symptom index
    for each body part (eyes, mouth, stomach, etc) then under that heading
    lists all possible symptoms (eyes: swelling-see X, redness-see X,
    runny-see X, etc.).  I will get that for you.
    
    

    Roberta,
    
    Could you ask your friend for the ISBN # off of the book, as well
    as the author's name.  I would love to order it from a bookstore
    - kinda tough to do when you don't even know the books proper name.
    
    	-Nancy

    Special security eh?  What's that?  (I guess I'm supposed to know,
    huh?)  
    
    What took me so long is that I didn't know it was here....  ;) 
    Now I got dogs cats horses fish and birds to read about. (heh heh!)
    
    kim

    Re: .24
    
    There is a book ordering service that I have used a lot with good results.
    You reach them via 800-all-book.  It's name is book call.  If you call
    during business hours they can check and verify that the book you want is
    available.  After hours, an answering service takes orders and
    you have to be sure to insist on spelling names (I asked for the Reign
    of the Ayatollahs and got a note back:  we have no book called
    the Rain of the Toyotas.)
    

    Re: .25
    
    Well, we are glad that you finally found us!  I just found a new
    file myself... IOALOT::SOAPS, about, you guessed it, Soap Operas!
    Great way to keep up to date with the soaps while you work.
    
    Jo
    
    PS - I am in SCI on the first floor, across from CAS.  The door
    says Federal Systems Area on it, stop by and say hello next time
    you are in the building.

    Jo-
    
    Thanks for pointing out IOALOT::SOAPS......now they'll never get
    any work outa me....

    
    
    Nancy, you may want to give her this book: No Naughty Cats; First
    Complete Guide to Intelligent Cat Training.  It's by Debra Pirotin,
    DVM and Sherry Suib Cohen.  I found this book to very helpful with
    training problems (i.e. litterbox problems, furniture destruction,
    finicky eaters, etc.) plus it explained some of the causes/effects
    of behavior problems.  It also gave tips on care and teaching tricks,
    etc.  A very worthwhile book to have.  It does a lot to despell
    (sp?) the thoughts that cats can't be trained.  A friend loaned
    me her library copy when I was having trouble with Brandy and THE
    BOX and I ordered it from the Acton Bookstore.
    
    Gift certificates, toys, especially a kitty tease or peacock feathers
    (which the males shed after mating season), how about a window seat
    for the kitty? What do you think of announcement cards and a _baby_
    book to record kittys' growth, etc.
    
    Just a few suggestions.
    
    TTFN,
    
    Roslyn (Brandy and Escho)

I got the declawing info last week.  If anyone wants it, send me mail with your 
location and I'll mail it to you.

Holly

    Hi,
    
    I have two beautiful kittens (5 mos old) that I cannot keep, new
    management in my apartment building and they have to go.  One is
    a tiger grey/black and the other is multi-colered (brown, grey,
    black, orange) both are female and very loving.  I hate to give
    them away but I have to.  They are well trained in all areas, and
    are indoor cats.
    
    Are you interested?  Please let me know
    
    Susan

    Susan,
    
    I would love to be able to help you, however, a: I do not need the
    kittens until late May/early June, b: and my sister realy wants
    solid grey kittens.
    
    If I find somebody else that is looking for some kittens, I will
    keep these 2 in mind.
    
    	-Nancy