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Animal companions in our happy homes

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  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Any ideas for keeping a flat cat entertained?

    Hide her food so that she has to work for it. I have seen toys that force the cat to use paws and claws to hook food out.

    I think daisydaisy's suggestion of a tower of boxes could work too.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    The cat for whom we worked when we did the house-sit has a climbing-tower thingy; it's near a window and she seems quite contented to sit on the top bit watching the world go by and being mistress of all she surveys.
  • That's what windowsills are for, or certainly what our cat thought.
  • A big tomcat (albeit spayed) that ruled the neighbourhood, too big for a standard cat box, after the first time we used one for a small dog and the vet laughed that this wasn't a cat, until he opened the door and the cat marched out, tail up and explored the room. And that the vet could see why he wasn't in a standard cat box.
    A serious CAT. He reminds me of butter-won’t-melt-in-my-mouth Luther, whose vet notes “wear monkey gauntlets” (they were also the local zoo vets) the visiting vet didn’t believe. He (the vet) ended up in casualty needing stitches. Cat 1 Vet 0

  • daisydaisy wrote: »
    A big tomcat (albeit spayed) that ruled the neighbourhood, too big for a standard cat box, after the first time we used one for a small dog and the vet laughed that this wasn't a cat, until he opened the door and the cat marched out, tail up and explored the room. And that the vet could see why he wasn't in a standard cat box.
    A serious CAT. He reminds me of butter-won’t-melt-in-my-mouth Luther, whose vet notes “wear monkey gauntlets” (they were also the local zoo vets) the visiting vet didn’t believe. He (the vet) ended up in casualty needing stitches. Cat 1 Vet 0

    I’m starting to feel like I’ve got off very lightly! Yeouch! Are these domestic cats or wildcats?!?
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Georgie's latest trick is jumping on the stool and launching herself at me, purring madly. As it's summer here I need to put on an extra layer of clothing before I deal with her.

    Maybe armour would be more appropriate.
  • Our senior cat, Pomme, had a habit of jumping on shoulders - in fact, that was why I chose her at the refuge , as she appeared to choose me by leaping onto my shoulder - but as her heart has started failing, she became very lethargic and did nothing. The daily tablet that we now give her has made a tremendous difference, and she's back to her stealth-shoulder-jumping self. A mixed blessing, it should be said.
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    I'm glad Pomme's feeling better!
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    You would think a long haired cat that had reached the age of 14 would know better than to sleep amongst seed bearing forget-me-nots. :anguished:
  • MooMoo Kerygmania Host
    Huia wrote: »
    You would think a long haired cat that had reached the age of 14 would know better than to sleep amongst seed bearing forget-me-nots. :anguished:

    Why should she care? You're the one that has to do the work.

  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    True, but she doesn't enjoy the detangling process.
  • If you'd like to meet our Senior Cat, Pomme, thisblogpost introduces her. I plan a series of blog posts on all our cats, but Pomme deserved First Showing.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    :bawling: Tomorrow I am taking Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy (who is now neither) for her final vet visit. Her condition has deteriorated fairly rapidly and she no longer answers when she's called, even when freshly cooked steak is wafted around near where she's sleeping. She hates being kept inside, and is at risk when she is outside. She launches herself off stools at me and I have to catch her. Sometimes she misses whatever it is that she is trying to jump on, and falls down. This is funny when kittens do it, because it's part of their play, but heart breaking when an old cat does it. She is also not cleaning herself well, and smells.(I think it's an issue of flexibility as she is often wet).

    The medication for hyperthyroidism isn't working as well and she gets really hot. The Vet said increasing it will damage her kidneys.

    I really don't want to do this, but as a vet nurse said to me years ago about another cat - this is the last good thing I can do for her.

    A friend came today and dug a hole for her and I will plant catnip over her.

    She has been a staunch and steadfast friend and while a lot of cats deserted their homes, even the thousands of earthquakes and aftershocks never daunted her. She has always been a cat who knows where her food bowl is. :heartbreak:
  • Aw, Huia, that's so sad. Best wishes for tomorrow.
  • Aw Huia. Heartbreaking but done with utmost kindness.
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    So sorry to hear this Huia. They break our hearts, don’t they? :cry:
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    (((Huia))) You have been a steadfast friend to Georgie-Porgy. Especially in this last, most difficult kindness. Bless you.
  • Jane RJane R Shipmate
    <hugs for Huia>
  • Hugs for you Huia. A sad time indeed.
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    Oh @Huia. I've enjoyed so much reading about Georgie-Porgy's antics over the years. It's a very brave thing you are doing.
  • Hugs for you, Huia. So sad that you have to be so brave.
  • Oh Huia, this is so sad to read. As another said, we have enjoyed hearing about her and how you have cared for her. Such a hard but brave thing to do for her.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    So sorry to hear that, Huia - sending virtual hugs to you and GP, f&f. :cry:
  • {{{Huia}}}
  • Heartbreaking, Huia - but you're absolutely right, it's the last, best and kindest thing you can do for her. Vale, GP,f&f.
  • Wish we could go with you.
  • bassobasso Shipmate
    So sorry, Huia. As others have said, I've enjoyed your stories about GP. There will be many of us with you in the spirit as you make that trip.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    We are going in about 20 minutes. I feel like we have half the Ship coming with us - thank you all for your support.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    So sad - thinking of you.
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    {{{{Huia}}}}, I am so very sorry. It's a terribly hard thing to do, but at least we don't have to let them suffer. Vale G-P.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Huia, what a horrible day. All our love and support for you.
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    :cry: :cry:
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    (((Huia and G-P)))
  • I'm so sorry, Huia.
  • So sorry Huia. May you remember her as well and happy. She was blessed to have you in her life.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    {{{Huia}}} She was lucky to have you as her human.

    RIP, G-P, f&f. :cry:
  • Huia, Thinking of you and G-P; you clearly were the most superior kind of staff, and she was a very fortunate feline to have you.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    I think it's like a lot of relationships, I felt lucky to have her. I have never before known a cat with a sense of humour - which I would swear she had.
  • (((Huia)))
  • (((Huia))) So sorry. I have enjoyed so much hearing about G-P over the years I feel as if I knew her. Thank you for sharing her with us.
  • Huia, I am thinking of you and know that G-P will leave a huge gap in your life, but that the memories will stay deep in your heart and there will be many smiles within the tears. As you say, we are all with you.
  • We had a scare with Molly last night. We had someone come work in our back lot, septic problem. I said to them please use gate A and not gate B, to back yard as we have wired gate B closed as our dog has figured out how to open the gate and escape. No problem they say and use gate A to go in and out of the yard. Molly is in the house while they are there. Comes evening and time to let her out before going to bed. It is dark and she is a black dog. She is out a long time so I call her and she does not come. I go looking for her with a flash light and see that gate A is wide open and she is gone. She finally came home to the front door about two hours later. Thankfully she is fine, but I am really upset that they went off and left the gate open, after I told them I had a dog. I called company this morning, and received a, "Sorry that happened." I do hope they remind their workers to close gates. I also know that I should now remind anyone going into our back lot to close the gate when they leave and check it myself to be sure.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Glad to hear she came back safely, but sorry that your tradesmen were so brainless!
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Twilight Zone music --- I woke up during the night and I was sure there was a cat on my bed. I took deep breaths and told myself that maybe I was just more upset than I thought I was. I slowly reached down to the end of my bed and there really was a cat. Spooky, from along the road had got in through a window I thought was closed.

    I escorted her to the front door as I know she has a family that loves her. I think she's missing being able to steal Georgie's food.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Aaaww, Huia! :cry:
  • Oh Huia, what a sweet visit. Thank you for sharing the story.
  • Maybe she just knew you needed a feline friend.
  • Only just read your news, Huia. So sorry for your loss. Also felt as though I knew Georgie. I'm firmly convinced that there's a cat heaven (and I intend to go there to empty litter trays) so I hope she's met some friends.
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    Well done, Spooky, going to offer comfort.
  • They know, don’t they. Nothing comforts better than a sensitive cat.
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