Conference misery::feline_v1

    I think the kittens in the base note might just have a good chance
    of survival thanks to yet another mom cat.  She's taken them into
    her nest and "adopted" them. They nurse right along with her own
    3 kids.  Come to think of it, all the females take turns watching
    out for the kittens.
    
    (FWIW, this mom showed up in a "family" way also.  All the current
    barn cats are fixed)

    How awful - the things that people do.  I just couldn't imagine dumping
    a cat off because she's pregnant.  I wonder what she would do if her
    daughter got pregnant.   That was such a sad story!  Thanks to
    people like you - there is peace somewhere.  I would have told that 
    woman off big time!
    
    Sonia

    I agree with Sonia!  I hope you gave that "woman" a piece of your
    mind!!
    
    Thank heavens for people like you, Maureen.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    I know how you feel, Maureen.  What if you hadn't checked the mailbox?
    My heart wouldn't have been able to take a mailbox full of kittens
    that didn't make it through the night.  What a thoughtful woman
    to drop off her problems on you, too.  I hope you gave that jerk
    a piece of your mind (or a kick in the *!)  Many of my friends with
    barns get strays dropped off.  It happened to me back in Dec.  The
    bad part about it, is the cats/kittens are usually ill.  My cousin
    had 6 kittens dropped off, and they had distemper.  She lost all
    of them, plus the other barncats she already had.  Such kind,
    considerate folks who drop off their problems to farm owners with
    the attitude of" All farms need more cats", or there is always plenty
    of food at a farm.  Mainly because they are too cheap or can't be
    bothered to spay/neuter their pets, or the cute kitten or puppy
    grows up.  Grrrrrrrrrrrr!
                            
    You are one heck of a terrific person to take them in, god bless you
    and all your babies!
    
    
    L- & the gang
      

    I know about the ill cats.  One of last falls batch had ringworm!
    
    And yes I gave her a piece of mind - and the kids learned a few
    "new" cursewords.  Or at least combinations thereof.
    

    
    	you should have asked her for a `donation', since
    	kitten shots will cost you a couple hundred dollars,
    	thank_you_very_much_lady. if it were me, she would
    	have run for cover by the time I was done with her!
    	(sounds like you did a pretty good job, though...)
    	Or, I would slyly tell her, no I had too many cats
    	already, I just put them in a bag and threw them in
    	the river, you b****. (might give her ideas, tho...)
    	OOOOO!!!! People like this burn me up!
    
    	Sherry  

    re: .5 - Ah yes - Ringworm... I know all about that now  :-}
    
    I don't understand people either - must be ignorance, or
    cruelty or cheapness or a combination of all of the above.
    sigh...
      
    Thanks for caring.
       Nancy DC

    It's lucky the kittens in the mailbox didn't suffocate.  Grrrrrr.
    

    I think .4 said it all.  Glad you gave her a talkin' to, Maureen.
    I would have loved to have gotten her license plate # and reported her
    to the SPCA.  I know it is against the law in NH (according to NHSPCA)
    to abandon any animal.
    
    Only good thing is they were left with a kind person who cares and not
    with someone who'd do them harm.  Not everyone owning a farm or barn
    likes cats.
    
    Pat
    

    
    
    	Arrrgh! I'm gonna start having blood pressure problems soon
    	if people don't quit acting like that! I remember when I lived
    	in Connecticut and people would rent or whatever in the area
    	in the summertimes and go back to wherever they came from in
    	the fall. They would get kitties and puppies for themselves
    	and in the fall (I lived in a very rural area) they would just
    	drop them off somewhere and go blithely on their way figuring
    	we all would just absorb the 'summer family pet'!  Next summer
    	they would repeat the cycle. I found (on my front lawn one morning)
    	a beautiful young female german shepard who couldn't even stand
    	anymore cause she didn't have the strength in her hind legs to
    	support her own weight. She just kinda tried to get up on her
    	front paws and watched me as I came to her. We tried feeding her
    	a little (no kidding, I could COUNT her bones) and she just
    	couldn't keep it down. Major trip to the vet time. We found her
    	a nice home but...I hate to say this but I haven't found a way
    	to stop this and I have RACKED my brains in the effort. HOW???
    
    			kim_who_can_sure_get_on_her_soapbox_about_this_stuff
                        	and catnip_who_listens_patiently
    

    PEOPLE???  HUMANS????  PERSON?????  Nope, no way.  These *things* are
    definitely sub_human.  I wouldn't even put them in the mammal class. 
    More like in the reptillian family as in snakes.
    
    I agree with the note and every reply.  To think that this *thing*
    wasn't even worried about the kittens freezing to death or falling out
    of the mailbox or worse, starving to death because you were away for a
    while.  
    
    That's why I love this notes file.  The people here are human and
    caring and wonderful.  By the by,  the Caniners are wonderful also.
    
    Sandi, mom to Thunder, Lightning, Storm (woof), DejaVu & Patches the
    Stray.
    
    

    Time for a kitten update...
    
    The two littlest kittens have died, in their sleep.  I'm going to
    assume that little kittens have trouble regulating their own
    temperature 'cause they just seemed to go to sleep and get cold
    (despite the heating pad and lamp). The second one was the hardest-
    "Brutus" died while I was holding him.
    
    But the other two seem to be great!
    
    -maureen_who's_back_yard_is_starting_to_look_like_a_cemetary.
    
    
    
    

    
    	=(  =( sniff.
    
    	I'm sorry to hear that.  Best of luck with the other two!
    
    	JJ
    

    so sorry.  hang in there with the others.  bless you...
    
    diane, stella and stanley
    
    

    
    I feel for you.  I live in Haverhill, you know the armpit of MA, and
    some guy dropped a box of 2-3 week old kittens off in front of a pet
    store in the winter!  These kittens had no mother and were covered head
    to toe in milk and moist cat food.  Luckily, I happened to be waiting
    outside of the pet store, (for them to open).  The pet store couldn't
    take them in because they might be sick.  I took them home, washed them
    and dried them.  About 6 hours later the MSPCA returned my call and
    came and got them.  I tried and tried to get a home for them but the
    pound couldn't release them because they wouldn't grow.  I'm not sure
    if they died or not.  I just couldn't stand to keep calling about them. 
    (I have 2 of my own cats from the same pound.)  I can imagine how you
    feel.  I was torn apart after only spending 6 hours with them!
    
    I hope they come out OK.
    Rachael 
    

    I've got a cuple questions...
    
    Is it "normal" for mom cats to adopt other kitten?  Well, as normal
    as cats get :>)
    
    And, has anybody got a good emergency formula for baby kittens?
    Or other critters also...
    
    BTW, the reamining kittens are doing well
    
    		-maureen
    

    It is normal for cats to adopt other kittens.  Especially if they
    have ever been mom's themselves.
    
    Emergency formula for cats:
    
    1 12oz can of evaporated milk
    1 pkg of knox unflavored gelatin
    1 cup of hot water
    1 egg yolk
    1 tblspn mayonnaise
    1 tblspn plain yogurt (with fat if you have it)
    1 tspn Karo syrup
    couple drops baby vitamins
    
    Disolve gelatin in hot water, set aside.  Pour milk into bowl, add
    mayo, yogurt, syrup and baby vitamins, and gelatin.  Mix well. 
    When slightly cooler, add egg yolk and mix well again.  Test for
    temp on wrist, like with babies.
    
    Store unused portion in fridge.  It will thicken like jello when
    completely cooled.  Spoon out needed amount, and warm in microwave.
    Be careful not to contaminate jellied part with cat spit, it will
    go bad. (I am serious about this part, once one of my cats liked
    the jellied portion, and the next time I tried to use it it was
    bad).  It will keep for a long time if you dont' contaminate it.
    
    Jo

    Thanks!
    

re: formula

I'm impressed that Jo makes her own!

You can buy kitten formula commercially.  We use a brand called KMR, and
have had good results. 

Ray

    I like my own better.  It is easy to make, and keeps longer than
    KMR.  I once paid alot of money for a cannister of powdered KMR.
    Then I discovered that the can had to be refridgerated after opening,
    and that it still expired before I could use it all.  My own is
    cheaper too.  I usually have all the ingredients on hand already.
    
    Jo

re: .20

We buy the small (6 oz.?) cans, just open and feed.  That amount is gone in 
a day or two, so we haven't run into the same problems as you.

Besides, I'd probably screw up the recipe with too much of my blood when I 
cut myself on the blender... 8^)

Ray

    Jo...
    
    Thanks for the recipe.  The kittens, adults cats, and assorted other
    critter LOVE it!
    
    -maureen
    

    Your are welcome.  My cats love it too.  It is hard to keep the
    adults out of it sometimes.  When I am feeling especially generous,
    I mix some in with their food.
    
    Jo

    We got another stray last night.  He's a neutered/declawed male
    somebody just dumped.  He's obviously never been taught to catch
    his own food, because tyou can feel every bone in his body (I'm
    scared to pick him up - it's got to hurt!)  And on top of that
    the poor thing sounds like he has asthma.
    
    We named him Chuck (as in upchuck - he bolts food and then, well
    you know.)
    
    

    
    Yes, cats can get asthma, only your vet knows for sure.  (Sorry about
    that.)
    
    Regarding the upchuking, if he severly emaciated, you should feed him   
    4 - 6 very small meals of canned food (prefferably a high quality
    growth formula,) with extra water added, each day until he starts
    putting on weight.  That will keep him from
    eating more than his poor shrunken tummy can handle and throwing it all
    back up.  (The food won't do the poor cat any good on the carpet.)
    
    Introduce dry food to him after he is a little healthier, (fatter) it
    might sound like a pain in the a*& but the results are worth it.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    Feline glad for people like you who help strays,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    He could have an upper respiratory infection, or even pnemonia.
    Best to get him to a vet if at all feasible.  I know it can get
    expensive to help every stray that comes your way, believe me, I
    can relate.  Geez, I could start on a soapbox now but we all feel
    the same about these types of "people."
    
    --Roberta
    

    Good thing one of my boarders is a small animal vet...
    
    Chuck's being given antibiotics, but we haven't found the right
    one yet.  So far they all seem to upset his breathing.  At least
    he doesn't have that yellow stuff coming out his nose anymore. (yech)
    
    -maureen
    

    Keep him well away from your own cats.  He doesn't need the
    stress anyway.  I learned the hard way to isolate x-strays
    for a while when you first bring them in.
      Good luck
      Nancy DC

    Here's another question...
    
    Can people carry cat diseases?
    
    My show cat are at home and this kid is about 10 miles away.  I'm
    not too worried about the other barn cats because they've obviously
    been associating with him for a while before he moved in (and they're
    quite healthy).  The barn herd kind of looks after him rather than
    harassing him.
    
    BTW - do you know how hard it is to teach riding lessons with a
    cat on your head?
    
    -maureen
    

    
    Re:  -.1
    
    Hmmmmmmm....I've never taught riding lessons, taken my fair share
    though.   The instructor never had a cat on his/her head, I might have
    paid extra for that!!!
    
    My instructors usually wore a boring old hard hat.  Now if you could
    teach me to *RIDE* with a cat on my head.........
    
    Feline reflective,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    Now let me get this straight...
    
    You want to ride with a cat on top of the hard hat - or instead
    of a hard hat? :>)
    
    The burmese cats go to shows with us all the time.  They think the
    winnebago is theirs. 'Course it might be because it's got "S.S.
    Cat's Meow" painted on the side... or maybe it's because Tasia Marie
    had to go to the dealer to pick out the interior color (she didn't
    care for the mauve). I'm not sure what the rest of the show crowd
    thinks since they all bring dogs.
    
    

    
    Just for the record...
    
    Cat on top of hard hat... Probably with her own hard hat on, after all
    she is a very classy cat, she only goes in for upper crust sports.
    
    I can see us riding to hounds (not real foxes, scent drag)  Tally
    hoo...
    
    I don't know why more cats don't go to horse shows Panther loves to
    watch the Three Day events on ESPN.
    
    Feline Silly,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    You will have to get Panther one of those ASTM helmets - for safety's
    sake.  Maybe matching helmet covers...   My cats want top hats -
    so they can do upper level dressage.
   
    
    

    
    Panther will insist on the best ASTM helmet with a silk cover in bright
    red or Royal (What else?) blue.  She is not ready for upper level
    dressage.  She wants me to win megabucks so she can have her own horse.
    
    BTW, does this mean that you will teach us?  (We are a package deal,
    Panther has agreed to pay half.)
    
    Feline businesslike,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    Sure I'll teach you.  As Panther doesn't pay for her half in mice.
    
   
    

    
    Thanks, We'll take you up on your offer.  But don't worry, Panther pays
    in real money.  Her favorite is  *MINE* ..."Just send the Bill to my
    Mummie and we will settle up later."  I wish she would spend her own.
    
    Feline Equestrian,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot (Who will stick to her motorcycle)
    

    I was going to start a new topic for this article but this looks
    like as good a place as any for it.  It's a pretty good article
    with the exception of a place near the end where they talk about
    not buying purebred cats (although I agree on the part about "puppy
    mills").  I'd like to make sure my new neighbors get a copy since 
    they own 2 unneutered males.
                                                
    
    UNWANTED KITTIES --SPRING'S DISTURBING LEGACY by Gina Spadafori
    (reprinted w/out permission from San Jose Mercury News 3-14-90)
    
    The sound of caterwauling drifts eerily through my neighborhood
    these days, carried on the same spring breezes that scatter golden
    pollen and pink flower petals on the sidewalks.
    
    In March, caterwauling means cats on the streets, heeding the call
    of an instinct they do not question.  The urge to mate is primal
    and overpowering, pulling tomcats from their homes, across busy
    roadways and into fights.
    
    In May, caterwauling gives way to gentle mewing as the kittens burst
    into the world, soft, blind and helpless.  Their arrival is witnessed
    by people who whisper reverently about the "miracle of life," and
    use the lovely sight of a mother cat with her babes to teach lessons
    to their own.
    
    In June, many kittens hit the shelters, and shortly after, the
    euthanasia rooms.  Far from the view of those responsible for the
    tragedy, out of the sight of the children who are protected from
    the sad part of the tale, the "miracle of life" ends, and the victims
    are stacked into barrels bound for the rendering plant.  Such is
    the true nature of even the loveliest spring.
    
    What's so confounding, so disturbing about this black drama played
    out in towns and cities throughout the land is that it is completely
    preventable.  Not one kitten or cat, or puppy or dog, needs to meet
    death in the euthanasia room for the crime of being "surplus." 
    Not one kitten or cat, or puppy or dog, needs to be shipped from
    county pounds to biomedical laboratories to spend the rest of its
    miserable life serving science.  Not one kitten or cat, or puppy
    or dog, needs to wander confused and hungry down a country lane
    until a motorist or a farmer protecting his stock ends the suffering
    once and for all.
    
    Not one.  Not one in your neighborhood, not one in your town, not
    one in your county, not one in your state.
    
    If you shudder when you think of animals being euthanized at the
    shelter, if you've ever signed a petition against the controversial
    practice of "pound-seizure," and especially if you've ever dumped
    an animal on a country lane, convincing yourself that a kind farmer
    will give it a good home, it's time for a little self-evaluation.
    
    Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?  Are your
    pets spayed and neutered?  By that, I mean all of them.  If you're
    the kindhearted type who puts out food for the neighborhood strays,
    take it a step further and spring for neutering.  If your pets see
    your vet so often that you're on a first-name basis with the office
    staff, chances are you could sweet-talk the vet into a discount
    rate to fix an extra pet or two a year.  Veterinarians love animals,
    too, after all, and although they can't give everything away, the
    ones I know--and I know a great many--are generous when it comes
    to pro bono work, especially if you're a regular customer, asking
    for help on others' behalf.
    
    When you choose your own pets, pick shelter animals or purebreds
    from a rescue network.  Buying purebred kittens or puppies--especially
    from a retail store that serves as a "puppy mill" outlet--encourages
    the continued production of animals for sale.  You can get almost
    anything second-hand and better than new, even animals.  In doing
    so, you're giving an innocent pet a second chance at a happy life.
    
    Let your feelings be known.  Politely suggest to a friend or neighbor
    that spaying and neutering not only helps all animals, but helps
    each individual animal.  Tell them spaying and neutering eliminates
    the possibility of some cancers, and will help keep pets close to
    home and off the roadways.  Some behavior problems are also lessened
    or eliminated by the procedures.
    
    Do what you can for animals, as often as you can, and maybe, someday,
    we animal lovers can spend the springtime sneezing, instead of grieving
    as the tragedy unfolds.
    
    For this spring, though, like all the others, I'm doing both.
                                            
    
    ----------------------------------------
    Spadafori writes for the Sacramento Bee.

    Ahem,  does this mean that " the Bridge Club " will no longer  be
    meeting,Sue?.. and if so , and  does the "kind instructor"
    realize that HRHand Panther not only want new riding habits etc,
    they also expect "high tea as well?.. heh-heh
    Kate..
    

    Hi Kate,
    
    No, Panther will not give up her "Bridge Club" she feels too much
    sporting activity and no intelluctual stimulation can led to boredom.
    
    After all half of the fun of riding is to meet the people who indulge
    in this "genteel" (Panthers' words) sport for the upper crust.
    
    Besides she wants to join the Hunt club, she understands that they have
    balls and Charity events, she wants to get on a committe I'm sure.  Tee
    hee, she is such a little organizer.   
    
    Feline Fine & Frisky,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    
    

    Poor Chuck died Saturday.  I guess I knew he wasn't going to make
    it from the beginning but didn't want to believe it.  Unfortunately
    he died in the middle of a horse show I was hosting.
    
    -maureen
    
    

     Re .40
    I am so sorry to hear that..!!!!!
    
     Re 39
      AHA.. I suspected something was up.. Pookie.. HRH. added a couple
    of " demands er um requests to her "birthday present directory..
    one was a membership for 2 to a "hunt club"..new ensembles,
    she wanted the "cash" and she would go shopping herself.. hmmm..
     Do you think that "they are going to include Preschie?.."
    or will they have  Nanny Checkers" on duty, just like at Bridge?
    Kate

    
    sorry to hear about poor chuck.  at leaast he had a few days of
    kindness in his life from you...
    
    diane + S & S
    

    Chuck's name has been added to the Silver LIning Memorial List.
      Nancy DC

    
    Maureen,
    
    I'm so sorry about Chuck.  He knew kindness because of you, please take
    some comfort in that.  It may have been the only kindness he knew in
    his short life.  I hope the show you were hosting took your mind off of
    poor Chuck for a while, after all, life goes on, and Chuck is up in
    heaven playing with his pals.
    
    Feline Sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    
    Re:  .41
    
    Kate, of course they will introduce Prechie to horsemanship, when she
    is old enough.  She must promise not to ride Happy's motorcycle to the
    Club, *EVER*.  Nanny Checkers is always willing to serve, but I suspect
    that she can't wait for this one to grow up.  (But she says that about
    Happy too!)
    Sue

    Riding a motorcycle to the Hunt club is oh-so-tacky!  One should
    arrive in either the mercedes or (for the more daring) the jaguar.
    Motrcycles are in the same category as (gasp) western saddles.
    
    Does this mean I should start looking for cat broke lesson horses?
    
    -maureen
    
    
    

    How come cat shows give out nicer ribbons than horse shows?
    
    -maureen
    

    re:45
     I suspect that  the need to have "ponies" for kitties will arise
    soon.. heh-heh..
    Kate

    .47
    
    ponies......no way.....the bigger the better......oh say around
    17 hh 
    
    Nippa
    
    

    HHM.. Thne I suspect Pookie is going to need a step ladder. . hehehehe

    
    Yessss...Panther too, I wonder how dignifed she will look climbing up
    on to her horse in boots carrying her riding crop with a tiny helmet
    on... HEheheheehee.....  Iwonder what they put in the water here, I
    can't seem to stop giggling......
    
    Feline Silly too,
    
    Sue
    

    that's what stable assistants are for..... ;^)
    
    Nippa (it can't be spring yet...it's too cold!)

    re: Ponies - Well, Linda Sobek has two mini-horses that are supposed
    to foal around May.  Maybe you should talk to her.  I think they'd be
    just the right size for the kitties.
    

    Hmmnnn. You may be right, Nancy. 27" to 34" in height sounds like
    it might be just about right for the proper young feline equestrian.
    
    I wonder if HRH would prefer a sorrel (red) filly with flaxen (blonde)
    mane and tail or nice sleek black hunter to 'ride to the hounds'. I'll
    have to speak to the groom (me in different attire) about getting their
    manes and tails braided and fancied up for the occassion. Now where
    is that camera? I don't want to miss this!
    
    Only problem we might have is the last time I tried to get Shadow
    (potential sleek black hunter) to do some work she wasn't very
    cooperative. The idea was for her to pull the sled. She climbed
    inside and stood there waiting for me to pull her around...
    
    
    Linda :^)

   " The idea was for her to pull the sled. She climbed
    inside and stood there waiting for me to pull her around..."
    
    Sounds like some cats I know........
    

    
    Well, I think Panther being the sleek black aristocrat that she is
    would prefer the sorrell, Pookie would look elegant on the black.
    
    I wouldn't worry about the pony working for Pookie.  I've never known
    anyone or anything (Except Happy) that wouldn't obey HRH Pookie,
    especially after one of "those" looks.
    
    Won't they look sweet on those little horses in their riding habits
    with matching helmets?  Now for a mini pony for Prechie....
    
    Feline Equestrian,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot  
    

   
    We seem to have 1 each spare horse (mini).  Tasia Marie couldn't
    possibly imagine getting dirty by actually *touching* on of the
    critters.  Turns out she just likes to wear the clothes.
    
    So if anycat needs a horse to match their outfit, Indy is available.
    He's kinda cream colored.  Or manure colored depending on the day.
    

    Well, for Prechie we have a nice bay (red brown with black mane
    and tail) mare named Darlene. She's really quite elegant if you
    overlook the rather round belly that fortells the anticipated event
    in May.
    
    ...or there is Better Mousetrap ..the sorrel gelding who is quite
    handsome and very tiny.  ...Not sure what Prechie would think about
    a horse being called a "Better Mousetrap" though....
                                
    Linda :^)

    As an aside ..... is there a notesfile for horses? Is so, where?
    
    
    Thanks!
    
    
    Lisa.
    
    
    PS While you're there - where is the d*g notesfile
    ????????? 
    
    

    
    Here you go:
    
    	DELNI::EQUITATION
    	CVG::CANINE
    
    Hit Select to add Equitation to your notebook.
    
    Sandy
    

    
    What could be better for a cat than to ride a horse named Better
    Mousetrap!!!
    
    I think that is an excellent choice for our youngest pupil.  Perhaps
    mom Kate will verify?
    
    Feline Name game,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    
         

    Re .59
    
    Thanks!
    
    
    
    Lisa.
    

    Bonnie says she'd like to join in too.  Dundee says he'll come and
    watch to make sure nothing happens to his Godchild.  I suspect that
    Bonnie will sit up on the horse, pattypaw and purr in the horse's
    ear...like she does to me at night.
      Nancy DC

    
    Wow!  Four of them all taking lessons, Maureen, do we have enough cats
    to qualify for group rates?  
    
    Feline discount?
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot (Who would love to see Panther fall off!)
    

    I think we have enough to qualify for herd rates.  Maybe we can
    get them matching bareback pads - with the CFA logo.
    
    Tasia Marie has decided she's not going to ride any %*&^^%(*&)(&!
    pony.  She wants a horse.  Specifially, she wants my nice calm 
    (HA  HA!) event horse.
    
    -maureen
    

    I think some of us have enough on our own to qualify for herd rates!
    
    How many cats does it take to qualify as a "herd of cats"
    
    (Sure, I've heard of cats.....   ACK!!)

    Yes ,HRH has given "the Pookie seal of approval" for Preschie
    to be introduced to that special pony..
    tee-hee..
    Kate

    
    re:  .65
    
    nancy...booooooo! hisssssssss!
    
    diane & the not-quite-a-herd stella & stanley
    

    I'm a grandma (again).  Digger had her kittens (2 gray tigers &
    2 orange tigers).  They are cute!  Mom is doing fine.
    
    But why do they insist on having kittens on MY bed?  While I'm
    sleeping in it, no less!
    
    -maureen