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Animal companions in our happy homes

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  • Lily Pad wrote: »
    Tomorrow marks five years since the day I saw the ad for her in the wee hours of the morning and sent off an email to her first family and by 10 a.m. I had my first dog!
    Happy anniversary to both of you!
    :heart:


  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    Pigwidgeon wrote: »
    Lily Pad wrote: »
    Tomorrow marks five years since the day I saw the ad for her in the wee hours of the morning and sent off an email to her first family and by 10 a.m. I had my first dog!
    Happy anniversary to both of you!
    :heart:


    Yes - I hope you’ll be celebrating! 🎉

  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    Yay, Lily Pad!
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Lily Pad wrote: »
    ... Tomorrow marks five years since the day I saw the ad for her in the wee hours of the morning and sent off an email to her first family and by 10 a.m. I had my first dog!
    Happy doggy-versary! :smiley:
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    The breeder had said she would deliver the kitten last Friday, but realised it was a week early, so then said she would come next Friday.

    Meanwhile I realised I had stuffed up. I am not ready for a kitten. At church someone asked me about Georgie-Porgy and I burst into tears.

    The breeder is Ok with this, she gets to keep the deposit and can sell the kitten to someone else. I still feel a bit guilty, for mucking her about, but I think it is the best decision for now.

    I also think it would be better to get a cat from an organisation that neuters, microchips and gives first vaccinations. Certainly the cost is higher but the animal is checked by a vet, so any health issues can be flagged. In my grieving I totally ignored common sense. :confused:
  • Hugs Huia. Take your time and don’t rush things. The right time will come and the right kitten too
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Thanks Loth. It took me a while to realise how deeply I was grieving. It's the immediacy - I look down my yard and see a black shape - and it isn't her.

    The woman at Cats' Protection said, "Give it a while - with your history one will just move in."
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    {{{Huia}}}
  • Those echoes of our beloved pets stay in our hearts.
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    {{{{Huia}}}}

  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    edited February 2019
    Wow!

    This is the reason I raise puppies and have a broken heart once a year xx

    Keano - Guide Dog

    “My guide dog Keano always goes above and beyond, without me ever having to ask.
    I have an 11 year old son with autism. He has no awareness of danger so keeping him safe can be a challenge.

    Ever since I got Keano. My life has become a whole lot easier in so many ways. He guides me but he also does so much more without ever being trained or asked. My son has not had a meltdown since I got Keano. That’s because Keano has alerted me to the fact that my son is becoming stressed, so I can sooth my son before it ever turns into a meltdown.

    Keano has learned to follow my son. We were in an amusement arcade last summer and my son was playing one of the machines, Keano and I were standing behind him. Suddenly my son dashed off. I picked up the handle and Keano dashed off after him. Keano put his nose on my son’s tummy. He got huge praise and a treat for that. Keano guides me around the play park after my children too.

    On school runs, Keano does what can only be described as herding. He makes sure that he is between my son and the road while still guiding me perfectly. If my son drifts too close to the pavement edge for Keano’s liking, Keano blocks him and gently pushes him back. If my son speeds up or slows down. Keano adjusts his own pace accordingly, all the while guiding me faultlessly. We live in a village so the school runs are on mostly quiet pavements. I always make sure that my husband is in charge of my son in town etc so that Keano can give guiding me his full attention. My eldest son tells me that Keano is still checking to see where my autistic son is though. Either Keano has a real fondness for my autistic son, or he thinks I am not a very good parent and need his help. Either way, I very much appreciate what Keano has taken upon himself to do for us. He is an amazing dog x”

    He has his own blog.
  • LothlorienLothlorien Glory
    edited February 2019
    Oh Boogie, this brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful work you do with the dogs. Thank you for your part in their training and socialisation.

    I understand the talk about shepherding. We had a German Shepherd when my three sons were small. She looked after them carefuly and gently shepherded them away from danger.
  • I read all his blog, right through. Thaank you for it.
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    Hope you are doing okay Huia. The right time and cat will come along, but there will always be a place in your heart for Georgie.

    I loved Keano's blog and the update from his handler/owner. I am going to send a link to a friend who helped raise/train a potential guide dog, a golden Labrador called Raffa. Unfortunately Raffa suffered from separation anxiety so did not have the right temperament to pass his training. There is a wait list of potential owners for dogs who don't make the grade, so my friend couldn't keep him, but he is a wonderful family pet now and she has visited a few times. She is doing mission work overseas now and has a pet dog or two of her own, but it is a hard place to keep a pet dog with limited vet services and being a place where dogs are sometimes become a source of food if they wander off :(
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    Lothlorien wrote: »
    I read all his blog, right through. Thaank you for it.

    You can tell she’s a writer by trade :)

  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    What a wonderful, clever, adorable dog - you should be as proud as Punch, Boogie! :smiley:
  • Today Truffles passed her six monthly checkup, clever cat. She even got a manicure (should that be pawdicure?) thrown in.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    YaY, well done Truffles. Your slave must be doing all the right things for you.
  • Huia wrote: »
    YaY, well done Truffles. Your slave must be doing all the right things for you.
    Truffles thanks you, and says she’d prefer more lap time than her slave provides.
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    The oldest of my three grandkitties is not feeling at all well today. He's hidden himself in one of the cat carriers. He usually sits and sleeps on my padded piano bench. Poor boy is on all kinds of meds for cancer and anemia and to top it all off, he has an ulcer.

    So, I have two sick kitty boys and Ember, the girl, is amazingly healthy.
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    Oh, dear. I hope he's feeling better and back on the piano bench quickly.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    {{{JJ and your grand-pussycats}}}
  • It was like something on a joke page. I took Molly to the vet for her annual visit. Molly does not like going to the vet and starts whining the minute we drive into the parking lot. I got out of the car and went to open the side door to let her out. She put her paw on the door and pushed down the button and locked all the doors. Import lesson, never ever get out of your car with the dog inside unless you have your keys in your hand. I did thankfully.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Today I took Georgie's dried cat food to the cat's Protection League. While I was there I visited all the cats and kittens waiting to be adopted. It was great to see some empty cages and a couple of notes that cats were awaiting pick up.

    I went into the kitten room and a small tabby launched herself at me, and hung onto my tee shirt. Then I went off to lunch. As I was eating I realised she was the kitten I was going to adopt (I'm bit slow -she had already decided). Apparently she was hand reared and is small for her age. I left her there so I have time to prepare her room, buy kitten food and generally kitten-proof the house.

    I will pick her up on Friday so we have some solid time together as we get to know each other.

    Her name will be Aroha.
  • How lovely, Huia and a lovely name. Am off to look it up. Ah, google suggests love affection and sympathy. Just lovely. Do you have more to add to the meanings?
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    What lovely news Huia! She chose you in no uncertain terms!

    :mrgreen:
  • Oh how lovely that Aroha realised you are The One for her. Happy kitten accessory shopping, @Huia .
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    My son is coming home from Heidelberg for the weekend.

    Tatze knows, she’s fussing about and looking out, when she’d normally be snoozing.

    How does she know? I’ve not done anything different 🤔
  • Boogie wrote: »
    My son is coming home from Heidelberg for the weekend.

    Tatze knows, she’s fussing about and looking out, when she’d normally be snoozing.

    How does she know? I’ve not done anything different 🤔

    They know, they really do. They pick up on something that humans just don't sense.

  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    Huia, I hope you and Aroha have many very happy and loving years together!

    Yesterday, our beloved Prince Charming (AKA Boneless) went over the Rainbow Bridge. I'm so glad he and his brother and sister were able to spend last week with me, and especially glad he was at home with D-U and her hubby for his last four days of life. We are so heartbroken and just plain devastated.

    Prince was born in my house, and my dear daughter has had him for half her life.

    He was a sweet and good cat and brought us all much joy. There's a huge cat-shaped hole in our hearts.
  • Hugs to you @jedijudy and D-U, it sounds like Prince Charming will leave a large cat-shaped hole, but filled with good memories I hope.
  • So sorry Jedijudy, it's such an awful thing when we lose one.

    But Huia, I'm so pleased to hear your news!
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    {{{JJ and Daughter Unit}}} So sorry to hear that: RIP Prince Charming. :cry:

    @Huia - wishing you many happy years as Aroha's slave human! :smiley:
  • Sorry Judy for your news. They work their way into our hearts.
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    Thank you, all. It's been a tough day. Turns out being very busy today
    helped, but I didn't sleep at all well last night. Going to turn in in just a few minutes.

    Yes, there are many happy (and very funny!) memories of Prince! Eventually we will laugh together telling Prince stories!
  • So sorry, jedijudy. The bigger the personality, the bigger the hole they leave - but you wouldn't miss a minute.

    Brilliant news, Huia - she sounds like a delight!
  • Thinking of you, Huia, as you collect your new lttle kitten. May she bring you much love, laughter and joy over many years.
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    Oh, Judy, I am so very sorry. It's one of the hardest things in the world to lose a beloved pet. Please give D-U a hug for me.

    Huia, I am happy for you that you were chosen so decisively! Enjoy your new baby kitty!

  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Aroha is racing around madly and I am exhausted, I am so glad I found her at the Cats' Protection League as they give good advice and support, not only when the kitten is adopted, but on-going if necessary. I did the math and it's 28 years since I had a small kitten, and best practice has changed during that time. I don't think specialized food for kittens even existed then.

    She has been cared for, spayed, microchipped, given her vaccinations, wormed and de-fleaded, all for the sum of $150, whereas some backyard breeders are asking that with none of these services, no on-going support and no offer to return if the adoption doesn't work out.

    I am really impressed by how this voluntary organisation works.
  • A friend who is in the early stage of dementia is working out whether or not to have a cat. I believe it will be good both for her and any cat, but we’re taking it slowly although I’m itching for her to get one so I can enjoy it too.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Happy new pussycat, Huia! :smiley:
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    Sorry to hear about your loss Judy, but happy to hear Huia exciting news! The shelter you adopted from sounds similar to the Animal Aid my housemate adopted Chaya, and previously Arkie, from. They are great in that they make every effort to rehome pets and only euthanise as a last resort due to untreatable health issues and dangerous behaviours. They also desex and vaccinate all the animals and have healthy conditions for them to live in. Volunteers foster kittens, puppies and young strays or they are socialised at the shelter before adoption. They also have a really good boarding facility, vet and grooming services so pets can get ongoing care from somewhere they are familiar with and who is familiar with their health and needs.

    Chaya has really settled in and is a bit cheeky now. Sometimes she does things just like Arkie, like climbing in cupboards and the washing machine, which gives me mixed feelings of happy memories and sadness that we lost him so young along with a bit of guilt for adjusting so quickly to a new cat. But I don't regret that my housemate got another one so soon. She is just right for our household. So far we have had her for just over two months and she is still an indoor cat. She seems happy indoors and no risk of cars, but my housemate hasn't totally decided if she will let her outdoors later on.
  • EutychusEutychus Shipmate
    edited February 2019
    Not a regular on this thread but I would like to share the passing of Schlimblick, aged 15.

    She came into our lives at a terrible time, provided much solace, and leaves us on the very day some important new prospects open up for us.

    I have temporarily changed my profile picture in her honour - the photo is from just a few days ago. I'm glad she was able to enjoy our unseasonally early sun and crocuses in her final days.
  • Sorry to hear that Eutychus - she looks a venerable cat there.

    @jedijudy sorry to hear about Prince.

    @Huia - hope Aroha is settling in well
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    Eutychus, my deepest sympathy to you and Gracie in the passing of Schlimblick. She looks like a beautiful and loved kitty.

    Thank you all again for your thoughts and words of comfort. I found a picture of Prince from before his eyes had even opened. It's strange how that picture can bring a smile and tears at the same time. :heartbreak:
  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    Mili wrote: »
    ...So far we have had her for just over two months and she is still an indoor cat. She seems happy indoors and no risk of cars, but my housemate hasn't totally decided if she will let her outdoors later on.
    I hope you will keep her indoors. The risks of roaming, from cars to dogs to diseases to cruel people are just too great. Mine have always been indoor kitties, and it's better all around.
    Eutychus wrote: »
    Not a regular on this thread but I would like to share the passing of Schlimblick, aged 15. ...
    What a handsome cat! I am so sorry to hear your news, Eutychus.


  • She was a local farm cat briefly christened Google because my daughter got her by Googling "free long haired kittens" (I get really bad allergies with some short-haired cats).

    No pedigree to speak of, but she looked very much like a Manx Cymric and shared a lot of its characteristics.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    So sorry to hear that, Eutychus. RIP Schlimblick. :cry:
  • Sorry for your loss, Eutychus.
  • So sorry Eutychus, May her sweet memory stay with you forever.
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