Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    Oh Nancy, GOOD LUCK!!!  You are such a good person to take care
    of Jesse.  I hope you have a good dupply of Natures Miracle on hand!
    
    He should settle down a few days after his surgery, (I'm assuming
    that you are going to have him neutered, as well as a general check
    up.)
    
    Are you going to be a furry fivesome???
    
    I will keep my eye pealed here for how well he made out on his visit.
    
    Feline glad that there are people like you in the world!!
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    I may end up with another outside cat.  This guy is out in all
    kinds of weather and used to being on his own.  I AM having
    him neutered and FLV tested as well.  If he turns out to be
    FLV + I probably will minimize contact between him and the
    other cats.  
      I expect that JJ won't want to come inside - and the furry foursome
    may not want him inside, if you know what I mean.  I have no intention
    of forcing anything on anykitty so we'll see what happens. Of course,
    who knows what will happen after he's neutered.  
      One step at a time.
       Thanks for the good luck wish.
        Nancy DC
    

    
    
    	But Nancy...I like your house!!  :-)
    
    	JJ
    

    re: .3  :-)  Unless you've taken up spraying, I think we're 
    talking about another JJ here.  

    Good luck, Nancy.
    
    Are you trying to catch up with Elaine and Paul.
    
    Sandi
    
    

Re: .5 

>    Are you trying to catch up with Elaine and Paul.

That will take some doing!

Paul


P.S.  It almost became 21 1/2 cats last weekend!  My brother reports
      to the Navy next Monday, and couldn't find anyone to care for
      his cat (until he finishes basic & school).  But his Mother-in-
      Law found someone at the last minute.  *Whew*

    Am I the Elaine of the Elaine and Paul that you all are
    referencing????   I just caught on to it now!  Are you
    all saying that 'I' have lots of cats???  It can't mean
    that -  18 isn't reallllly very many, now is it?????
    
    E.T.

I don't think 18 is too many.
I just talked to a lady last night that has 108. (yes 108, not a typo)
She takes in a lot of strays and tries to find them homes.  She said
her max is 100.  Apparently that isn't law, just a guideline.
(Not the same woman who took Mama's family 2853)

Becky

    Well, I'm fighting a real urge to take in more cats.  What helps
    me limit myself is memories of the terrible trio (Mao, Isis & Bumpy)
    when we had Tymothee.  One new cat at a time.....
      Nancy DC
    

    Holy mackerel!  108???  Whew.  I can see how it could happen, though
    ... I've been wanting to take in every cat advertised here.  This
    morning I just picked Tiffany up from the spay clinic ($18.00 for
    a female cat, by the way).  When she's had a couple of weeks to
    recover, I think she's going to have some kittens to take care of!
    
    							-- Ed

    Would that happen to be Linda Witheral?? From Chester, NH, by any
    chance???  She must be up over 100 or more by now.
    
    E.T.

    Where did you get your cat spayed for $18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    

    I don't think 18 is that many either...
    
    Jo (mom to 19+, and soon one Bernese Mt. Puppy)
    

    Nancy --
    
    Just thought I'd rub it in -- a clinic here in Colorado Springs
    that does only shots, spay/neutering, and euthanasia.  Every
    fourth animal you bring in for shots and neutering is free.

    The vet I took Tiffany to for a checkup charged $10 to clip her
    nails; this place charges $1 at the time of another appointment.
    
    Somebody's ripping off somebody, that's for sure ....
    
    					-- Ed

    Gee, and Dave thinks that 10 plus kittens is bad!!!
    
    cin
    

    Well, we haven't gotten to 10 yet.......
    
    Do any of you breeders know of a mild tranquilizer I could
    give to Jesse in his food that morning?  I think it would
    make his confinement a little easier on him - and us later
    when we have to handle him.
      Nancy DC
    

    Nancy,
    
    You  might want to try Acepromezine (sp).  It's a small pill, and you
    could crush it up and put it in his food...that's how I give it to
    Tricia.  
    
    When are you going to be doing this Nancy, I could give you 1.
    
    cin
    

Re: .15

>    Gee, and Dave thinks that 10 plus kittens is bad!!!
    
Funny.  That's roughly how I felt when we had 10.  Hilary and I kept
saying that we had "maxed out on cats...", "no more...", "we don't 
have room...", etc., but somehow it doesn't seem to matter when you 
are faced with a cat that needs help.

I guess "NO" means "MAYBE".

Paul (Dad to 20+, who deep down, just can't say NO to another cat)

    Yeah,, I can relate to that.. it happens everytime, I see a "furry
    face".....SIGH,,..I would  just love to give  Happy a real "
    playmate".. Her Royal Highness does not "play".. with Happy..
    she plays with her toys,I know that Happy  "enjoys playing with Mummy"
    but a kitty playmate would be better.. preferably One she could 
    BOSS around.. we all know that Pookie is TOPCAT..they have talked
    about this .. When we were on vacation Happy tired to convince
    Aunt Joyce that she was topcat.. Pookies response was 
    not in this lifetime.. Chubbos.. Happpys response.. Don't
    tempt me. you old crabby cat..SIGH!!
    regards
    Kate

    If you give Jesse some medication, be sure the vet knows in case
    s/he gives him something else that might interact with it.
    

    Good idea, Karen.
    
    

re: .20 - yes, tht thought had occurred to me.  I guess my old nursing
    school days come in good for something.  Thanks for the reinforcement.

    Well, Jesse is throwing us a curve.  He didn't show up this morning.
    Jack is still home waiting for him.  I hope he shows up.  I was
    looking forward to getting this behind us.  I had to keep chasing
    my crew away from Jesse's food, which was sitting in the hallway.
    I didn't want him to sneak in, eat and leave undetected. He'll
    wait for us if the food isn't out.  
      Hope I'll have better news later....
        Typical cat  :-)
          Nancy DC

    Well, we may have finally done it, but Jesse hasn't.  He
    didn't show up all day!  We have now rescheduled for next 
    Tuesday and starting Sunday I'm throwing him in the cage 
    first chance I get.  Now I wanna know who told him what
    was in store for him today ;-)
      Nancy DC

    
    
    Sound like the Kitty telegraph system works pretty well at your
    house!  Be sure not to tell your indoor cats what's up or they will
    spill the beans again! :-)
    
    Feline like they know somehow,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    I'm amazed.  Last night when Jesse showed up for his evening meal
    we let him eat in the entryway to the house and then Jack picked
    him up and took him downstairs and put him in the cage we had set
    up for him.  Thanks to Paula Margolis Scott for the loan.  Its a
    reasonable size cage and we've given him food, water, nip, catbox
    and toy.  
      Jesse is amazingly calm so far.  He's not thrilled about this
    new development, which he told me about at great lengths when I
    visited him this morning.  He's useing the same meow that he uses
    when he wants his food - so I guess its his "I want" meow.  
      He's such a pretty kitty - tho how I can think a beat up, bent
    earred Tomcat is pretty is beyond me.  Maybe its what's inside that's
    shining through.  
      I, of course, tried to explain it all to him - silly human.  I'll
    be very happy when this is all over and he's had his shots and been
    neutered and FLV tested.
      Thanks for the encouragement.  Even tho I know its the right thing
    to do, I was still hesitant for fear of his reaction.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    
    Hi Nancy,
    
    Don't worry, it's not you he's mad at, it's the cage.  Cats brains
    are not programmed for doors.  Somehow, no matter what goes on
    at the Vet's office they seem to know that it is for their own good.
    He will forgive you.
    
    I know what you mean about his being beat up looking, my first cat
    Mouchlick, was a stray tom that adopted me when I was in Junior
    High School, he had ratty ears and facial scars and the most wonderful
    purr you could imagine!  His favorite thing was to be 'worn' around
    my neck like a great big warm fur collar.  (His head and front feet
    on one side of my neck, and his back feet and tail on the other.)
     We both used to love that!  I can almost feel his whiskers tickle
    my ear as I type this.
                          
    
    Feline amazed at what cats will put up with from us!
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot & Mouchlick (in fond memory)
    
                        

    Thanks Sue.  Your story reminded me of something that happened
    last night.  Jack went down to check on Jesse and found him laying
    on his back in the catbox.  He probably doesn't know what a catbox
    is, tho I've seen plenty of showcats who sleep in their catboxes.
    Jack opened the door, climbed in and started scratching Jesse under
    the chin.  Jesse started purring!  In all the time I've know Jesse
    I've never heard him purr  :-)
      Nancy DC
    

    Nancy,
         It sounds like you've gone from 5.5 to 6.0...:-)
    
    					Mary

    Well...I don't know yet.  For the moment we're at 6.0 but
    whether or not we'll stay there depends alot on jesse and on
    his health.  He'll be FLV tested and if he comes back positive
    I'm not going to want him in contact with my cats even tho
    the furry foursome are vaccinated.  Flame is NOT.  Plus I'm
    not sure I want an indoor/outdoor cat who will be bringing
    fleas and tics into the house.  
      Of course, when the weather is horrible outside in the dead
    of winter, who knows what we'll do.  If he's FLV + I'll build
    him an area in the cellar where he can hang out when he wants to
    be inside.
      Nancy DC who is constantly amazed by the felines in her life.
    

    Nancy-
    
    Indoor/Outdoor cats are NOT the only source for bringing fleas 
    and ticks into the house, they can come in on you as well.
    
    I would only be concerned with Felv and rabies, which can be vaccinated
    for.   
    
    Michele & Nippa
    
    p.s.
    
    Isn't someone in this file looking for a barn cat?  He'd make a great
    one. ;^)
    

    re: .31  Having just had a discussion with the vet about fleas and
    tapeworms I stand corrected.  The vet even says he's seen outdoor
    cats that are totally clean.  So I guess I won't worry about that.
    
    We just left Jesse at the vets.  He was so good.  The only time
    he growled was when the vet checked his ears.  He has a TERRIBLE
    ear infection in both ears.  We're going to have to keep him in
    for a while after his neuter to treat his ears and we'll have to
    bring him back so the vet can monitor him.  I feel so bad for
    the poor guy.  The vet is going to clean his ears real good
    tomorrow while he's anesthetized.  Then its up to us.  Think
    we could use a little help here.  Good luck wishes and prayers
    gratefully accepted  :-) 
    
    I hope we don't destroy the trust we've built up in him.  I 
    suppose even if we do, it'll be worth it to get him healthy.
    
    I'm supposed to call the vet tomorrow around 1:00 so I'll let
    you know how Jesse made out.
      Thanks for the encouragement.  If not for that I might have
    waited even longer.
      Nancy DC  

    What exactly is wrong with his ears?
    

    I couldnt' see too much besides many scabs, lots of black
    junk (mites, most likely) and some blood on the "lopped over"
    ear.  Jesse wasn't about to give us a better look.  The vet said
    they'd have a good look and clean them out really well when he
    was under the anesthesia today for his neuter.  After that
    we'll have to continue to clean them and give him antibiotics
    until its cleared up.  From the tone of the vet's voice, I'd say
    it was a pretty serious problem.  He wanted to make sure we knew
    that we'd have to continue treatment after his neuter.  I know that
    tone of voice - its the "I want you to understand how serious this
    is and that you have to make a committment to treating it." tone.
    
    I should be able to get a better idea when I call later to find
    out if he can come home tonight.
      Nancy DC
    
    p.s. Maybe getting him all healed up will help his personality some.
    I know I'd be pretty cranky if my ears were infected.  Its a good
    thing it didn't effect his balance.

    Don't worry about his trust - he will be so glad to see you cause
    you are going to get him out of that 'bad place' (the vet's)   
    that he will love you forever !!

    Well, he may not be too happy with us when we wrap him up 
    in a blanket or towel and clean his ears.
      I just got off the phone with the vet.  He said that Jesse's
    ears are very very bad.  Alot worse than they expected.  Jesse
    also had a big laceration in his left ear that required suturing.
      The results of the FLV test won't be back for 10 days - 2 wks
    so Jesse will stay isolated from the furry foursome.  I hate to
    have to keep him in that dirty cellar.  Does anyone know how
    dangerous it would be to keep him in one of the upstairs rooms
    with the door shut to keep the other cats out?  After he's better
    and has left the room what disinfectant methods will be necessary
    to prevent my crew from picking anything up when they regain access?
      Nancy DC

    I would keep him upstairs and keep him warm.  As long as your
    other cats can't get nose-to-nose or in the same room, it should
    be ok.  Then, after the test comes back (I think 2 weeks is a 
    BIT MUCH - did he send it to China?) if it's positive, heaven
    forbid, keep that room closed for nNumber of weeks.  
    
    When Jesse figures out how much better he is feeling BECAUSE
    you are cleaning his ears, which will feel better, he may let
    you take care of him.  Try and keep a positive attitude and he
    will feel that flow of positive from you.
    
    Don't worry until you have something to worry over.  One thing
    at a time.
    
    E.T._who_went_to_worry_school_and_minored_in_WORRY!  It's my best
    thing!

    Keep him upstairs where it is warmer and cozier.  E.T. is right,
    if he can't come nose to nose with the others, he can't pass Felv.
    He could pass any airborne diseases, such as upper respiratory
    infections.  But, Felv is not transmitted through airborne particles
    like some other infections are.  Also, felv is not a hardy virus.
    It cannot live in a dry environment for more than a few seconds.
    A good spraying of Nolvasan (diluted in a spray bottle) in the room
    after he vacates, then allowing the surfaces to dry thoroughly,
    should be all that is needed to get the room back in shape for the
    others.
    
    I agree, two weeks is way too long.  My vet does her own lab work,
    so I get the results in about 15 minutes.  But, other vets that
    I have used quote about 24 hours turnaround from the vet.  Most
    vets have a printer hooked up to their lab's computer, and the lab
    just sends the report to the printer in the vet's office.  That
    saves mailing time.  
    
    Another thought, he may have done a full blood panel on Jesse, that
    would include tests for liver and kidney function, FIP titer, CBC,
    etc.  That would take longer, but still, not two weeks.  Plus, usually,
    if the cat is about to go under anesthesia, they will want those
    results back first, so they will know what to expect as far as how
    his body will metabolize the anesthesia.  Impared kidney and liver
    function could make it very difficult for the body to rid itself
    of the anesthesia.
    
    Good luck with him.  I had to do the same thing to my Jesse James,
    and you know what, it brought us closer than ever.  In addition
    to the neutering, we had to remove a thistle from his cornea, put
    drops in the eye for that, treat him for mites, flea allergy, and
    diarrhea.  I swear, I was giving him about 5 different medications
    each day, all on different schedules.  I had to write out a chart
    in order to keep track on when I was supposed to give what, and
    whether I had done it or not.
    
    Jo

    
    
    I agree with ET, keep him warm but isolated from the furry fivesome.
    (Including Flame)  Check with the Vet for how long the room should
    remain closed off to the other cats if (God forbid) he turns up
    positive.
    
    A couple of precautions, always wash your hands throughly after
    handling Jesse, especially if you are cleaning his ears, you don't
    want to carry any mites to the others either.  Keep the discarded
    Q-tips well wrapped up so that if the kids go into the trash they
    won't encounter anything that has been in the sick room.
    
    Try this when you do Jesse's ears:  Sit on the floor and make a
    V with your legs, fit the cat into the V butt first, then wrap a
    nice thick terrycloth towel around the cat under his chin (Over
    his paws) and tuck it firmly and hold him with arms and legs. 
    Second person gets on the floor to do ears.  Keep talking to him in a
    positive tone of voice and brook no nonsense.  The attitude, as ET
    pointed out is very important, Jesse will pick up on it.  He will
    behave if you expect him to.
    
    Also give plenty of treats, a few before and lots after.  If one
    ear is especially sore, give him a break before you do the other
    one.  And ALWAYS talk to him while you are treating his ear, tell
    him what a good brave boy he is and this won't take much longer,
    whatever, the human voice is a wonderful tool to soothe an animal
    with.
    
    You and Jack can do this, and what terrific folk you are to care
    about a poor furry waif.  Hang in there and please keep us posted,
    we all care abut how you ALL are doing.
    
    Feline glad for Kitty People,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
                              

    Thanks so much for all the advice.  I think I'll keep him upstairs
    and keep the room closed off from the others. I also think I'll
    place some sheets over the furniture so that when we're done I can
    remove the sheets and wash them. Hopefully I'll remove any disease
    etc with them.  Then I'll spray everything with disinfectant.
      This is gonna look great when they try to show the house ;-)
    
    Oh well - I know what my priorities are!  
      Nancy

    Looks like my nursing school training is going to come in handy
    again.
      N

    try a soft music station too.....Nippa always relaxes with that stuff
    playing (106.7 or similar).

    Please keep us up to date.  what heroes you guys are.  I also think
    that even though Jesse will no doubt protest like a demon when
    he's treated, cats do know that you're trying to help.  All
    my guys got closer after treatments required various loudly
    protested indignities.
    
    I think the reason ear infections are serious is the nearness of the
    brain.
    
    I'm another one whose vet gets felv results in less than 24 hours.  Maybe
    if your vet is waiting for other results that take longer, you could
    ask him to phone for just the felv results so you'd know about that.
       

    
    
    Good luck Nancy.
    
    I think this is just wonderful.
    
    F.

    So, we picked Jesse up last night from the vet - groggy but not in
    bad shape otherwise. His lopped-over ear has a suture or two on it
    to fix a rip (probably the last he'll get), the ears are clean, and
    he definitely got neutered.
    
    Any squeamish males should go to the next note now, I'm about to
    talk about castration...:-)
    
    Brave and hardy soul you are, eh?
    
    When we had Dundee done, it seems the vet just opened his scrotum and
    removed testicles. I remember the little sac getting all shriveled and
    sad looking. (I would be, too!)
    
    But, it looks like the vet we took Jesse to uses a different procedure.
    I didn't see anything where his scrotum used to be, just a red patch.
    
    So, I'm a little surprised, but having dealt with only one vet in
    9 years means I only see one way to do things. Has anyone else's
    cat been "broken" like this? (he sure wasn't fixed, he'll never work again!)
    
    He's had his ointment applied to the ear infections (joy - twice a day
    applications of ointment to a feral cat. (but ET's instructions were
    right on the money!) He was very hungry today, and seems to not mind using
    the catbox in his cage. (Nice instincts cats have, even feral ones!)
    
    I'm sure Nancy will want to say more, but I wanted to (for once) beat
    her to the punch. :-)
    
    Jack

    Jack,
    
    Having never had to "break" a cat, Becky and Velcro were both new
    experiences for us.  When I picked up Velcro, I specifically looked
    to see what they had done, there was only a pink spot.  Of course,
    now that the fur has grown out some, it looks more like a dark grey 
    spot.
    
    Bernice
    Mother_of_Trouble_Becky_&_Velcro

    Well, Jesse isn't too pleased with us right now, but, well, if
    there's food,  he's happy to eat it.  I think I'll take the advice
    about a nice music station for him.  We tried to set up his cage so 
    he could see out the window, but there isn't much to see.  At least
    he's upstairs and not down in the dirty old cellar. 
      He's very interested in getting out of the cage now. (don't
    blame him).  He growled heartily when we treated his ears this
    morning and I really thought Jesse wasn't the only who was going
    to be castrated in this deal - Watch it Jack!  Well, maybe now that
    all three of us know what to expect things will go easier.
      I still don't know what I'm going to do with him when we're done
    with him.  Of course, its much too soon to tell what kind of
    personality he's going to have now that he's neutered and once his
    ears stop hurting all the time.   Guess I'll worry about that when
    the time comes.
      In the meantime, I'm still praying that the FLV test comes back
    negative.  OH - the reason it takes so long - they send the tests
    in batches to New Jersey!  (Next time I'll use my other vet). So
    they have to wait for 8 tests to be done before they can send them
    out, then they go by mail to NJ where the tests are done.  The lab
    will call the results in.
      Live and learn.  
    
    So far the bills haven't been too bad - relatively speaking.  Lets
    just say that it came in $25 below what I expected.  But then again,
    if you can't do something positive with your money - what good is
    it!
      Nancy DC
    
      
    
    
    

    Nancy, there is something special about those New Jersey felv tests.
    I think there are two types of felv tests; Eliza and Hardy;
    Hardy is a more reliable test and the bloodwork has to go to a lab
    in New Jersey which takes awhile to do.  I vaguely recall this info
    when I adopted Nikki from Framingham Animal Humane Society.  His
    test went to New Jersey too but they said it was a better testing
    procedure.
    
    Something like that!  Maybe Lenora can help?
    

    
    
    Nancy, (and Jack too!) I like your attitude toward money, I've always
    figured it wasn't doing anybody any good just lying around in the
    Bank.
    
    Be sure that you ask Jesse what kind of music he likes before you
    commit him to just one station.  Panther likes Jazz, LOUD, she'll
    sit infront of Jerry's 2 foot tall speaker (and I'd swear you can
    see her fur blow back) and just bliss out!  Really it's the funniest
    thing, she doesn't like Pop or Blues, just pure Jazz.
    
    Spot doesn't anything but elevator music.  Soft and non descript,
    and please don't play it loudly for her, she'll make airplane ears
    and leave the room.
    
    Funny creatures,
    
    Feline musical,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    That reminds me, we have an "environmental CD"
    called "A Week in Hawaii" which is 60 minutes
    of a waterfall, punctuated by an occasional
    bird.  We occasionally play it on a Sunday
    afternoon to relax.  Whenever we do, all
    the cats come into the living room and
    fall asleep!!! ;-)
    
    Mary-Michael
    
    P.S.  Niniane has a decided preference
          for Gershwin!

    All you mean may not want to read this part:
    
    The reason it is pink is because they *pluck* all the hairs off
    them first!!!  They will grow back, don't worry (the hairs, not
    the "thems").
    
    ;^o
    
    Jo

    Well, Jesse is listening to soft rock today.  I know my own cats
    don't seem to like anything loud.  I tried classical for awhile,
    but when the opera came on, that was it. I know I can't stand
    opera and with Jesse's ears on the mend I'm sure he can live
    nicely without some Diva soprano breaking his eardrums.  He
    seems to like the music ok - at least he's not complaining.
    
    When we picked him up the vet made the comment that Jesse's
    not a "nice cat" - by which, I'm sure, he mean that Jesse isn't
    sweet and cuddly - very true.  He doesn't like to be handled,
    especially by people he doesn't know.  He lets us touch him because
    he trusts us.  
      I went upstairs several times yesterday - as I was working from
    home - to talk to Jesse and give him pats and scratches.  He'd
    make a happy-cat face and curl and uncurl one paw and when I
    scratched the side of his face he'd lean into it.  Maybe he had
    some people when he was a kitten and is remembering.  I hope so.
    His reactions give me hope that as the pain decreases and the
    hormones leave his system, he may mellow out considerably.  
      He's getting very good about the ears.  Fortunately we don't
    have to clean them out, just squirt ointment into them twice  
    a day.  Jack holds him with a towel wrapped around him loosely,
    and I do his ears.  He growls and hisses, but makes no move to
    bite or scratch either of us.  I let him sniff his food before
    we start, and then give it to him when we're done.  At this
    point he practically climbs back into the cage himself he's
    so excited about his food.  :-)  Good thing he likes
    to eat.
      Nancy DC
    

    Nancy, I'm glad to hear Jesse is doing better.  I just want to let
    you know that T.K. was the same way... mean, hissy, growly, and
    once the hormones left, he turned into a big, cuddly teddy bear.
    At night, when we are relaxing in the TV room, T.K. will stroll
    in, stand in front of one of us, and shriek to be petted.  If you
    ignore him, he goes to the other person and shrieks even louder.
    Then when one of us starts to pet him and stop, he shrieks again.
    He loves attention and isn't above being a pain in the neck to get
    some.
    
    The way you said Jesse curled up his paw while you stroked his head
    is a good sign.  Pretty soon, he will be begging for attention just
    like T.K.  I think the stray cats are always forever indebted to
    the humans that rescue them.
    
    Our original intentions were to find T.K. a home and we finally
    did..... with us!  I hope it is that way with Jesse too.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    Yes, Little Bit is turning into a love bug, too.  Plop on
    his back on the floor, with his head held back so I can rub
    under his chin....
    

    Well, Jesse's ears are definitely healing.  I'm looking forward
    to showing the vet on Friday.  I got the impression that he had
    his doubts about our ability to treat Jesse given his personality.
    
    Jesse seems perfectly content to stay in his cage all day and
    sleep.  Of course he could use some exercise - in fact, I've started
    to cut way down on his food because I think he's gaining weight.
    
    Jesse seems to enjoy some attention and pats and scratches.  I've
    noticed that he seems to get a bit confused.  He'll growl while
    at the same time leaning into my hand while I'm scratching him.
    I wonder if he is still scared of us a bit but is enjoying the 
    physical contact at the same time.  He's giving mixed signals.
    
    Jack had him purring this morning.  And this is after only 1 week!
    
    Oh - and he'll eat plain yogurt which cured his other problem.
      Nancy DC
    

    Nancy, Again, T.K. used to growl and purr at the same time while
    we were petting him.  This behavior completely stopped once the
    hormones had calmed down after neutering.  I don't really know if
    the hormones are what triggered the growling... it could have been
    because he was not used to the attention and didn't quite trust
    us but was enjoying it nonetheless.  From everything you have written
    so far, it sounds like T.K. and Jesse are related (you should see
    the battle scars on T.K's face... it's a face only a mother could
    love!!).
    
    Glad he's fitting right in!!
    
    

    Well, Jesse is turning into a lap cat!  We moved him out
    of his cage and into one of the other bedrooms.  He seems
    much happier.  Tonight he goes to the vet for a checkup on
    his ears and to have the sutures removed.  Still haven't
    gotten the results of his FLV test, but its only been 9
    days.  
    
    He has the most confusing vocalizations.  He'll be doing
    "happy cat" body language while growling and hissing.
    I think he just growls and hisses when he's excited. I think
    I heard a trill or two last night and I DEFINITELY heard
    lots of purrs.  
    
    Jesse sat in Jack's lap for about 1/2 hr while Jack sat in
    the room reading and later he sat in my lap for 15 mins while
    I just petted him.  He was unhappy when I decided to go to bed.
    
    Amazing personality changes in just a bit over a week.
      Nancy DC

    
    
    Thats wonderful...  
    
    He probably feels soooo much better because his ears are okay now!!
    That must be an awful feeling..
    
    F.

    Today was the tenth day since Jesse's FeLv test. When I got
    home today,  I noticed that BOTH windows to our second
    floor deck (which we built just for the cats!) were opened.
    That can mean only one thing. Ok, two things. One - Nancy
    is more senile than I thought, or, two - the test came
    back negative... the answer is - drumroll, if you please...
    
    Both! My wife is a nut, and the cat's test is negative.
    
    So now we have six furfaces running underfoot (well,almost.)
    Jesse has decided to stay in his room despite the fact that we've
    opened the door for him, and the window to the deck. I'm sure it's
    only a matter of time before the eight of us start competing
    for space on the waterbed at night. (Gawd, maybe I can buy a
    twin-sized waterbed for the cats! or me!)
    
    I'm sure Nancy will want to tell more of the latest goings-on,
    so I'll let her get the last word.
    
    jack
    who_knows_better_than_to_get_the_last_word_in_with_either_a_cat_or_woman

    Yes, the battle of the sexes is finally in balance - 4 females
    and 4 males.  Jesse did go exploring later.  I tried to get him
    to eat in the kitchen with the rest, but he was too nervous for
    that, especially when I started banging pots and pans.  Later
    he joined us for a "crouch" in the livingroom.  At one point
    all 8 of us were together watching ALF.  (Maybe that explains
    the growling) - seriously tho, there has been VERY little growling
    or hissing.  It all been rather "Ho-HUM".  Guess they've been
    smelling each other for weeks - especially Jesse when he uses 
    the cat box (OH GAWD JESSE!!! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN EATING!!)
    
    Anyway, Jesse did eventually locate the kitchen door and kept
    looking at me wistfully.  Of course, I told him "no way". We
    till have to finish treating his ears, give him and everyone
    else a flea bath AND he has an appt on NOv 7th for the rest
    of his kitten-shots - Yes, KITTEN  - a big 15 lb, broken toothed,
    bent earred KITTEN!  He will also be getting his first FLV shot
    on that date.
    
    BTW - FLV shots are now only 2 shots instead of 3 which drops
    the cost about $25.  Since the shots are stronger than the old
    ones, tho, our vet will not give them in combination with any
    other vaccinations - except  for Jesse's kitten shot, I guess.
      Nancy DC

Nancy,
     How is Jesse doing?  Did you actually give him a bath this past
     weekend?  How are his ears?  I love happy ending feral stories.
    
     Keep us posted....
    
    				Mary

    Jesse is doing just fine, except for huffing at us because we refuse
    to let him out.  Which is not to say he hasn't gotten out - thanks
    to my space-cadet husband.  I keep telling Jack - "Don't underestimate
    a cat" but it don't do any good.
      He and his dad started installing the stairs up to the 2nd story
    deck.  They got the stringers hung and a few of the lower stairs.
    Jack let the cats out on the deck and of course, Jesse climbed
    down the stringers and took off.  That was Wednesday evening.
    He came back to eat on Friday afternoon and I brought him in.
      That was fine until Jack was saying bye to a friend of his in
    the back door.  He stood there talking with the door open and, 
    ZOOM, Jesse was out the door.  He came back yesterday morning.
    
    Yes, Jesse got a bath.  My girlfriend, who is a professional groomer,
    showed us a trick with adhesive tape - you tape the paws so that
    the cat can't extend its claws.  The tape fell off by the time the
    bath was over, but we didn't need it anyway.  Jesse was quite
    good.
    
    And - his ears are all healed.  He's going to the vet tomorrow night
    along with everyone else but Dundee for shots. (Dundee isn't due
    until next June).  
    
    I'm going to miss the big guy, but I think he'll be happier as a
    barncat (with heated tack room and full hay loft) than as an indoor
    cat at our place.  Initially he didn't seem to care about going
    out, but now he's asking alot.
      Nancy DC
    

    Update on Jesse - His ears still aren't quite healed - partially
    my fault for not cleaning them as often as I should :-(.  He was
    back to Dr Syad on Tuesday (along with everyone else but Dundee)
    for his second kitten shot.  He and Flame have an appt on the
    14th for their first FLV shots.
    
    Dr Syad was VERY reasonable about price!  I was delighted.  For
    the following I paid $136.00
    4 four-in-one shots
    4 Rabies shots
    2 tapeworm shots
    1 distemper shot
    5 general checkups
    1 FLV test
                      
    Also - Jesse asks to go out far less than he used to ask and has
    started bumping and rubbing my legs when its feeding time. He also
    played with the "Kit bag" toy by himself last night.  He hardly
    ever growls any more and rarely hisses.  The other night I caught
    him sleeping behind the waterbed, on his back with his legs sprawled
    out.  It was the funniest sight.
    
    I have pictures of both Jesse & Flame to bring to the cat show on
    Saturday.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    
    I would love to see a picture of Jesse!!
    
    He sounds like he's really coming along now..
    
    Those vet prices are excellent though.. maybe he gave you a group
    discount!  8*)
    
    F.

    re: group discount - That's exactly what he did and boy do I 
    appreciate it.  The other vet - the one I've gone to for 9.5
    years charged me $120 for 2 4-in-1
                              2 Rabies
                              1 FLV booster
                              1 stool sample
                              2 checkups
    
    Quite a difference!  And whenever I found out that his wife, who
    was writing up the bills, was charging me TWO office visits even
    when the secretary pointed out to her that they usually only charge
    for one,  I was livid and decided that if we were going to continue
    helping out feral and foster cats we'd have to find a more reasonable
    vet.  
    
    I'm going to pack up my pictures now so I don't forget to bring
    them home this weekend.
    
      Nancy DC
    

    What a story!! There aren't any feral cats in my village - I feel quie
    whoops - quite deprived!!
    
    The vets in the USA sound far more modern than ours - it sounds like
    you have pet hospitals not vets!! My vet inherited 2 MILLION pounds
    from a grateful client a few months ago. He is very nice and the
    prices are reasonable too! Perhaps he can afford to drop the prices
    even more now! I hope so,I take Percy there at LEAST once a month!
    
    Lisa.
    

    Further update -  Jesse & Flame both got their first FLV shot
    last night.  Jesse is getting very mellow!!
    
    He sleeps on his back on the bedroom floor (no rug) with his
    feet splayed.  What a sight!!!!!!!
    
    Jesse has also gone from 13.5 lbs to 14.75 lbs in the time we've
    had him.  Time for a diet!
      Nancy DC

    Guess who was on the bed this morning.....on Jack's side no less.
    This cat is turning into a real mush!

	RE: 4871.3

	Its been over a year and a half since Jesse came to live with me.
In that time little by little he has "told" me much about his past life.

	By the way Nancy, Jesse says to tell you that his full name is
Jess-meister-pussycat-esquire!. 8^) ( a big cat needs a big name ).

	Jesse is writing his biography, and every now and then I get to 
sneak a look at his notes. 8^) So far he has written the following:

	They call me Jesse, a long time ago in another place they called
me something else, I haven't heard that old name for a long time. At the
other place I had my very own little boy person. We were always with each
other. I still remember him, I still love him, I miss him.

	I almost forgot my little boy person, then one day some people
came to visit my new home. I was in the other end of the house when I heard
the voice of a little boy. I jumped up and ran like I never did before, I
even ran faster than I ever ran across a road to avoid a speeding car (when
I was an outside cat). I ran so fast the people said I looked like a flying
cat. That voice sounded just like my little boy! Well when I got to the 
sound of the voice there was a little boy, he was the right size, but he 
was not my little boy. I was so sad that I went and hid under a bed, I 
stayed there all day, I didn't even come out to eat supper. Since then the
same thing happened one other time. I won't make that mistake again, I
don't like other kids, only mine.

	I wonder if my little boy still remembers me, I wonder if he still
loves me. My person that I have now told me that he thinks that my boy will
think of me every time he sees a cat that looks lost, he will always
wonder what happened to me. My person says that's true because he remembers
a kitty from 40 years ago.

	
	-------------------------------------------------------------

	The story of how Jesse came to be out in the world on his
	will be here soon.

	Kirk

    
       oh, please do reserve a personally autograghed copy for me!
                                             

	
	You mean purrsonally pawtographed?

  ;-)


  Tanya