Diary of a Cat Whisperer

We are Friends!

2017-05-13T11:27:00.001-04:00

Well, it's taken a while, and a lot of work, but Kitty (nee' Pebbles) is finally a friend.

Miss Kitty allows petting and sits on my leg - as long as I'm not on the computer!

She may have an angry expression, but she is sitting on my lap and likes to be pet - gently!
She doesn't like the scratching that other cats like, but prefers a gentle stroking. She will allow me to lay my hand on her back while watching TV, but she doesn't like being held.

She's under the table here, looking at me for a treat or meal. She's very vocal about food.

She likes the window. She looks out and flirts with the firemen when they come with ambulances here to take folks for treatments.

She's on the foot of the chair. You can see I have only a little of the space for my feet, as she lays in the sun and near me at the same time.

She's a blessing, to be sure.
She is extremely motivated by food - still. I have her on 1/2 of a 3.5 ounce can of pate' a day. She likes fishy flavors better than beef or poultry. She still doesn't care much for crunchies, but she will eat them better if I mix in a premium food with them. She eats 3x a day - Breakfast and supper with a treat before bedtime. She also likes any treat food I'm eating. I've caught her in the bowl of potato chips or popcorn more than once! She has to approve it, you know...

She doesn't seem to care for catnip. She smells it, but isn't motivated by it. She hates the vacuum, and is curious about visitors. She's not above digging under the covers if she's cold - whether the bed is made or I'm in it!

She still wakes me up before I want to get up, but we've come to a truce of sorts... She wakes me, I pet her and she leaves. She's been acknowledged, and that's all she wanted - besides breakfast. And if I sleep too much longer, she will let me know and come back.

Her fur is silky and soft. Her claws have grown out. She likes her routine, and she loves that I'm home most of the time. She flirts by laying on her back and expecting you to cuddle her. But don't! She will bite. So, I gently stroke the top of her head and she likes it.

She loves to play. She discovered Beasley's mouse, and it's her favorite toy. She also likes Da-Bird, but tires easily. Only a few minutes at a time, although several times a day is fine.

She loves her nose rubbed.

That's an update on my Kitty. She's beautiful, friendly, set in her ways, and very delicate. She has an aloof sensibility, but she's caring. I think she would like another cat, but we can only have one, so she's on her own.

Pebbles

2016-12-11T12:16:00.002-05:00

It took longer than expected when I began my search for a cat. The "rescue" groups all wanted to keep the cats or by the time I got there, the cat was already adopted. It didn't help that Thanksgiving weekend, I was out of town. Many shelters held a large "adoption event" to empty out the shelters.

In particular, Knoxville Feral Friends, again decided I wasn't a fit "kitty mom" for their rescued cats. I've had run-ins with that group before, and it's never been friendly. I went to a reading by an author of a cat book where several members also attended, and they were snide and unfriendly to everyone in the audience except other members.

So, I ended up in shelters around the area. I tried the Washington County shelter and the Sullivan County shelter. I ended up getting Pebbles from Sullivan County.

The poor girl was covered in mats and her nails were almost grown around to her toes. I took her to Robinson's Vet Hospital immediately to have the mats removed and to get a mani-pedi. She also needed a rabies shot for my apartment manager. She ended up with a lion cut and a bad attitude.

So, Ms. Pebbles is a 10-year old spayed lady kitty. She has definite ideas about how things should be done, and she loves to eat. I feed her twice a day, and she always asks for more. She likes sitting right next to me no matter where I am or what I'm doing. But I can't pet her except on the top of her head. Of course, she gets more pets and scratches than that, but she complains. She's a biter, too. Since she has no hair, she's cold a lot, and crawls under covers at bedtime, and whenever I throw a cover over me on the couch.

She thinks the tub is fun and doesn't seem to respond to catnip at all. I don't have any mice, though she does like chasing the feathers on a stick. She isn't much for balls or soft toys. I haven't tried the red dot, yet.

This little girl won the lottery the day I showed up at the shelter. She likes me, though she hates being held. Maybe it's the way she was held down and manipulated during her haircut, and eventually, she will let me hold her.

Sullivan County (sbkanimals.org) is a no-kill shelter, and they are overwhelmed with pets needing homes. I've offered to re-do and update their website for free. So far, I haven't received any response from the people who decide such things. They have a facebook presence. They accept donations of pet food and supplies. Just drive over and drop it off. They also use community service workers as volunteers.

And Then There Were None

2016-11-23T10:47:00.002-05:00

Princess left the planet sometime Sunday/Monday. I have no cats, now.

I've lost 4 cats in the past two years. I've also lost 3 people in my life, and a few other things that mattered to me. It's been 2 years of non-stop grief.

Back to Princess...
I'd taken her to a friend's house to spend my vacation with some noise and company, as she was the only cat left, and this is the first time I've gone out of town since she's been alone. And I'm gone for ten days. I didn't want her to be lonely. She seemed to be settling in OK and adjusting for the nonce. I'd included my favorite couch blanket that she and I shared, so she would have my smells. She had litter box, all her favorite foods, and two favorite toys.

Monday, just as I was packing the car to leave for my transport, I got a call from my friend that she'd passed. She appeared to have been looking out the window and either had a stroke or seizure. She was in the middle of the floor, spread out and gone.

I usually have a sense when a cat leaves. In this instance, I didn't have anything. No "goodbye," "I'm leaving" or anything. I didn't sleep well because I never do. All day, while traveling, I wanted to roll up into a little ball and cry.

I got here, at my destination, and shared on Facebook, with a couple friends and so on. It seemed to be the thing to do.

I'm so grateful my friend was able to care for Princess' remains. I couldn't. I didn't have time.

I know that when everything leaves, there is a reason. I don't know what the next stage will bring, but it hurts to move away from the familiar. It hurts to let go.

I've decided that I'll clean all the cat hair out of the apartment, and go through the cat toys. There are some I can toss, others I can pass on to some cat owners I know. I have an entire box of cat stuff - salmon oil and such, that I can toss. I need a good housecleaning there. So, now is a good time.

Come February, I will look for another cat. I'll be in a position to know if I'm staying where I'm living or if I'll be moving again.

I don't know if my next cat will be a grown cat, rescue, kitten, or even a dog. I have no idea. That's then and this is now. I hope for a cat because cats are my favorites, but a dog would be good for exercise. I had a cat and a dog once, and the cat would walk the dog with me. He was a hoot!

Goodbye, my Princess. You are already missed. It will sink in how much when I return home next week and you aren't there to greet me. I'll really cry at the loneliness, then....

And Then There Was One

2016-10-17T02:05:00.000-04:00

I lost Queenie this morning. She had liver cancer that was killing her. There was nothing the vets could do for her, so it was time to let her go.

She started to suffer last night. It was time.

This was Queenie....

I'm sad that she's gone. She was Beasley's favorite kitty and as prickley as she was, she was a lover, too. She always wanted to be the top cat in the house. She got to feel that way in her last few weeks.

I'm still owned by one cat, Princess....

Princess is 17 years old. Seems to be in good health, so I hope she will stay with me for a while, yet. She's looking for Queenie every time she comes into the living room.

My heart can't take any more loss right now. It's breaking.

Cat Urine Odor Solutions is now a book

2016-06-03T02:00:00.000-04:00

I published Cat Urine Odor Solutions. This is a book based on the pdf that folks used to get for signing up at the website. I figured the information should be available for those who need it. There's an e-book and a paperback. You can find them here....

amzn.to/1RntE9t

It's been updated a little bit.

I lost Beasley - And Bugsie!

2016-05-28T14:26:00.001-04:00

Beasley got run over by a car. It was about 15 months ago, now. I wasn't blogging at the time. But, below is "Ode to Beasley" which will show my pain at the time.

I had gotten a new sewing machine and a friend had come over to help me get it out of the car. We left the door open. He got out. By the time I realized, he'd been run over. I got him to the vet and he lived almost 15 hours. He wasn't in pain. I almost died. I got the sick for the first time in five years. Almost didn't get out of bed, but I did.

Bugsie got a big mass on her cheek, right at the jaw. She was starving to death because she couldn't open her mouth. There wasn't anything they could do. I tried to get to her eat canned food, but she was ever resistant to it. I had to let her go. That was December 2014.

I have Princess and Queenie left. Princess is very snuggly after the year we've had. Queenie is jealous all the time, but she's loving, too. They are both "cats" instead of "humans in cat suits," though.

Ode to Beasley....
Feb 7, 2015

The depth of my grief is the height of my love. The loss is so deep and hollow. The hole is piercing. The wind can't get there and light doesn't exist. The pain and emptiness echo in the darkness. The part that was filled with him.

I miss his snoring in the corner, on the bed, in my lap. I miss the fur and the softness, the warmth, the feel of him. I miss his yowl and chirp. His asking without sound for my attention and his acknowledgement of my eyes on his face.

I miss the soft rumble of his purr and the deep vibration of his heart. I miss his coming to sit next to me while I work and his knowing smile.

I miss his leaning into my arm or lap or shoulder. I miss his tail, his nuzzle to my hair and his paw on my shoulder. I miss his hugs.

He was my heart for eleven years. He held my soul in his eyes, as I held his. Our song will never be sung again. My heart will never feel that same love again. I will never know the understanding look in his eyes again. The chirps, nibbles, nuzzles, head butts, insistent paw wanting my lap and begging me to put the computer away so he could be with me instead. So he could distract me and calm me and be my heart. So he could be held in that way he loved so well.

His presence was soft and demanding at the same time. His needs were ever foremost in my mind. His comfort, his care... I never made a decision that did not include him. From the first, he was my partner. From the first, there was never a question of whether he would be there or not. There was never a question or doubt that he belonged here. From the very first meeting, we were one. I knew him and he knew me. He knew he could trust me and I knew I could trust him. We would never hurt each other.

And then he had to leave. He had to cross that bridge to the endless forever and leave me behind. The hole in my soul and my heart is bottomless. The pain is overwhelming. The loss... Oh the loss... The emptiness...

I take your favorite mouse and can't bear to do anything but put it out of my sight so I don't cry each time I pass it. I can't wash it, because you are on it. I can't throw it away or burn it because you are on it. It is you - a part of you. You held it in your mouth. It holds your yowls as you look for me in the night. As you beg for my call and attention. How can I do anything with that? I can't leave you behind. I can't go forward without you.

O Beasley, my heart, my love, my voice, my pride. How can I live without you???

You who witnessed my growth, my betrayal, my pain, my loss, my gain, my building, my tearing down. You who were my constant companion for so long. My tears are hot and wet. They flow and flow and flow. My glasses steam up any my nose runs. I cry out in the night and under the sun.

How could you leave me??? Why did you leave me??? What am I to do now??? How will I know when to get up, when to eat, bathe, take my pills?

Whom I can trust??? You were my barometer for everything in my life for so long. How can I go on? How will I know if someone is worthy of my love without you to tell me they are OK? You could always tell about people. You knew who I could trust and who I could not. You knew if it was good or bad. You always knew.

Now it is a darkness in front of me. A dark tunnel that I must walk alone. You won't be with me. You won't follow me. You won't lead me. You aren't here. I can't hold you or check with you.

I don't even have the comfort of your snoring in the corner....

I am alone....

I am so sad....

I miss you....

I will always miss you....

I will always love you....

Always....

Good night, my love. I can't say good-bye.
The words won't come. Good-bye is too final.

Somedays, You Understand...

2014-04-21T08:37:00.000-04:00

Some days I just want to give Beasley away. He just pisses me off so bad. Like today.

I'm in school, which is why it's been forever since my last post. I just don't have time. And on top of it, Beasley likes to yowl - I mean YOWL at the top of his lungs - at 3am. And 4am. And 5am. And...

I've tried everything - take away his toys, lock him out of the bedroom, put in earplugs. Earplugs actually almost work, if I also lock him out of the bedroom. But he just won't stop. Then in the morning, he complains because he was locked out of the bedroom and chirps at me all morning to be held or come up on my lap.

He does that chirping a lot too. He chirps for food, for cuddles, to be allowed on my lap, to complain that the girls are on the chair arms and he can't get up unless he comes straight off the floor to my lap, to tell me I need to get off the computer, to change his position from my lap to my chest and shoulder.... He chirps all the time!

I get it! Hes' a vocal cat. But today he's even worse.
I finally get up after he's trashed my sleep another night, and he eats all the food. I mean - ALL the food! He doesn't only go through his bowl, but the other two. I get him away from one and he runs to the other one. He's impossible! He chases the other cats away from the food. He's a pig!

Somedays....
I go to school on 3 to 4 hours sleep, fall asleep in my classes, fall asleep if I have anything to eat and my system is trashed! I really wonder why I have this cat. He's totally destructive of a normal lifestyle!

And I'm allergic to him. His fur will clog up my nose faster than a cold! And he loves to have his back to my face in bed. I sleep on my side and he snuggles right up there. Right to my face and I can't breathe within about 3 minutes. That messes with my sleep, too...

Yet, there are times when I find his talking endearing, loving and communicative. He gives me connection and peace. I find serenity when he's sleeping in my lap, snoring away. Oh yes, he snores, too. And I really love that he will walk up from my lap, and settles on my chest. Purring the whole time.

So, today I'm just complaining about Beasley. I love him dearly, I really do. I just needed to blow off some steam...

Facebook Updates Happening

2013-07-03T09:06:00.000-04:00

Hiya!

It's taken me forever, but I finally figured out how to post stuff to the page from my newsfeed. Whether I just never noticed it or wasn't paying attention or whatever.... I've got it working and now there are new posts at least once each time I log in - IF there is something worthy of being posted on FLOC-Facebook.

I consider myself tech-savvy, but I never could figure that out. Now that I have, I hope you will come, join in the discussions, and meet other cat lovers like yourself.

Morgen

Foods That Are Bad For Cats

2013-06-16T13:13:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I'm still around.

I found this article and thought I would share it...

http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/18/2/190/Dangerous-Foods-for-Cats.aspx

What About Declawing?

2013-05-09T10:51:00.001-04:00

I have a cat who came declawed and spayed, turned into the animal shelter as a stray. I don't think she was a stray, do you?

Anyway, this poor cat was timid, scared of feet, and hid under the bed for several months when she first came to live with us. I'm talking about Princess. It's hard to get a photo of her because she is still pretty timid.

Princess used to bite all the time. She would bite to kiss, bite to get my attention, and bite to let me know she was disturbed with me. It was a matter of figuring out what she was saying. She "patty-pats" my arm when she wants attention, too. She jumps up on my lap, but didn't start that till after a surgery in late 2009. I think I posted about that at the time.

Well, I figured out that she was afraid of feet because she used to get kicked a lot. I actually walked into her recently, and she stayed away from me for a whole day. It was unintentional, but she didn't want to be anywhere near me for a while. After she slept with me that night, she was OK with me again. I've been able to walk up to her now and stroke her back, but she still doesn't like being caught on the bed during the day. She will run away from me if I try to pet her.

What changed things was my realizing that her biting was probably why she was turned into the shelter. I figured it had something to do with that, and likely she was owned by a bed-ridden individual, too. I figured that out by her complete acceptance of me when I was in bed, compared to her agitation and fear during the day when I was upright. I was not threatening to her when I was in bed.

Since then, she has come to accept me when I am sitting down, and will come to my chair and jump on my lap. She has even come to accept me when I bring her food to her and allow me to stroke her back as she goes to the food bowl. She still insists on eating away from the others.

She no longer bites me, either. She loves to get under-the-chin scratches, and will let me stroke her.

A delawed cat is more likely to bite. It's a way for them to get your attention and let you know that they are displeased. And all cats bite to kiss. It's just their way. If you are contemplating declawing your cat, you need to know about this.

One other VERY IMPORTANT thing to consider when declawing a cat: The litter box. When you declaw a cat, the top-most joint is removed to remove the claw. This is amputation. There is no other way to say it. So, think about having all your fingers shortened by one knuckle. And a cat uses the litter box, scratching with that exposed joint. Use a rounded, self-clumping litter. Expect that your cat may have difficulty covering their deposits in the litter box. And you MUST keep the litter clean, or your cat may develop an infection in the paw. This can happen any time after the cat is declawed, since scar tissue can break, being less-elastic than normal skin tissue.

****

On the flip side, there is Bugs. She never quite learned to keep her claws in, so I'm always getting scratched by her. I try to turn her body so that her feet are pointing away from me, but she is pretty insistent on being nose-to-nose with me. She wants to bury herself in my side and curl up on my lap. And she "makes biscuits" all the while. I get real tired of her claws. She ruins every piece of clothing I put on!

Trimming her claws is quite difficult. She never got into the grooming habit with her claws. She allows brushing and combing, to remove mats, loose hair and fleas; but not claw-clipping. I can get one, maybe two claws at each sitting. The dew claws are the worst, and longest of her claws.She is a candidate for declawing if ever there was one! She ruins carpets and furniture daily.

So, having the experience of both types of cats, and having declawed a cat myself in the past, I know what to look for.

Make your decision carefully. Consider all other options, first. If you MUST declaw your cat, consider my information. Work with your cat to adjust. Don't hit or discipline your cat for biting. Instead, try to figure out what she or he is trying to tell you.

Talk to myself, or Jackson Galaxy, if you have questions.

How Do You Feel About This?

2013-01-30T07:42:00.000-05:00

According to a report by the BBC, cats are much more detrimental to wildlife than previously thought. What are your thoughts on this? Please comment.

BBC Article - Cats Killing Billions of Wild Animals

Then, in another report, the FDA says that farmed salmon is OK to eat. However, I've done my own research into this and find that feeding salmon a diet of "pellets" and antibiotics so that they don't get sick only gives humans more antibiotics. I have to eat chicken that is not fed antibiotics, because I have a sensitivity to antibiotics. What are your thoughts on this?

Farmed Salmon for Your Pet - by Dr. Becker

Weather!

2013-01-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

We're having an ice storm here. When I lived in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I didn't understand the difficulties of folks in East Tennessee, but now I do. There's no going anywhere today.

The parking lot is pretty much a sheet of ice, and if I can even get out, I've got a downhill trek to the road, then an uphill trek pretty much anywhere else. It doesn't matter if your car is 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive, you only have 4 little patches of rubber on the road. If they are in contact with ice, you aren't moving.

I really wanted to go back to my house today. I had plans. Oh well. My kitties will have to wait another day. The weather gurus are all saying that this will be gone tomorrow, so I'll get to see my babies then.

You noticed I didn't say "home," didn't you? Well, I'm moving up here, to the mountainous area, so I guess this is "home," now. Or at least it will be once the cats show up.

Missing My Cats and Moving

2013-01-20T18:39:00.002-05:00

I'm at school and I can't have the cats here. I currently live on campus, and they just won't allow it. So, I'd been planning on moving closer to school in June this year. However, things changed suddenly at home, and now I'm moving in the middle of February.

I have a LOT going on that week, and I may drop the ball on one of them. Be that as it may, the cats can't move here till Feb. 11, when I take possession of the apartment. I won't even have my bed here yet, so they will stay alone in the new place for a day or so, while the rest of the house is packed up and my friend with the trailer gets things hauled up here.

I'm really missing the cats. I feel Beasley every night snuggling up to me and sitting on my chest. It makes it hard to breathe with a 15 pound cat on your chest. I'm also missing the girls, but we all know that Beasley is my baby.

I'm concerned for how Queenie is going to be and how I'm going to get her into a carrier. The others, not so much. Queenie is a problem-child when it comes to the carrier, though. I'm thinking I may get an open cage for her. That may be her best bet. She gets claustrophobic, and maybe since she was raised in a cage, that will help her.

Cats Pouting...

2013-01-14T22:50:00.000-05:00

My cats are pouting right now. Beasley is so upset, he won't sit on my lap at all.

You see, I drove away for two weeks this morning, heading off for school. I have a new home for the cats (with me) beginning February 1st, but until then, the cat caretaker will have to do.

I began the heavy packing and Beasley just hid out in the bedroom. That gave Queenie license to take over. She is such a little devil-cat! She really wants to run the household.

Queenie sat on the arm of my chair, got in Beasley's face in the morning while I was setting the food out, and chased Princess around the house. She's really getting bold.

Bugsie wanted nothing more than cuddles, and insisted on them for a good three days before I left. She was on my lap, coming up to my pillow at night, and just being a real pain in the you-know-what. She clawed me several times, and the bunny kicks that I've been working with her about came back.

Princess got bold enough to jump on my lap about every hour. She stopped running away from me when I entered the room around her food bowl. Usually, I get my morning coffee after I feed the cats and go sit down in the room where I feed Princess. She has been pretty spooked, and had to be coaxed to return. Not this week - she insisted that she was going to eat her breakfast. I'm glad to see that.

I gave them a couple cans of Fancy Feast that my pet supply store gave me during a promotion. I don't give them fish very often, after Fluffy's reaction, deterioration and consequent death from it. I know it wasn't just the food being such high-quality protein, but knowing that fish can strain their systems, I limit fish-based foods to once a week at the most. Princess really likes this food, so she just chased Queenie and Beasley away from her bowl and then went on to empty theirs. That's a real first for her!

So, it will be a tough couple of weeks before I see them again. And then it will be another week before they get to move here with me. And our "stuff" will follow after that. They will actually have the apartment all to themselves during the crazy packing and moving party going on that I can't even supervise.

Have you ever moved and had to have everything done by others? That's my situation. It's very uncomfortable. I just hope that stuff doesn't grow legs and walk away or become shards instead of the items I'm used to. I trust my friends doing the packing, but it's still an uncomfortable situation.

BTW - the "Professionals" I talked to - they all rubbed me the wrong way. Red flags going off. So, I'm guessing this is what is supposed to happen....

Welcome to Everyone!

2013-01-07T12:56:00.000-05:00

Hello, Hello, Hello!!!

I know this is a little unconventional, but it has to work for now. I welcome all my readers from For-the-Love-of-Cats.com.

I post as much as I can, as often as I can. I'm around the internet as often as I can be right now. I'm also in school, so I have a lot of demands on my time. I'm still available for "cat whispering" if you need it.

Latest topics are FLEAS, FLEAS and more FLEAS! I've been doing everything I can, but even Beasley, with his overfed self is getting sensitive to the chemicals. I'm about ready to start bathing the babies (claws and all!) to deflea them. As soon as they go to their beds or cat tree, they get fleas again. It's so frustrating! I don't know how much more of this we can take.

So, we are moving soon, and I'll bomb the place when I get them in their carriers and into the car. Yes, I do change the litter box every time I do the flea stuff. Yes, I spray the house down and vacuum all the dead fleas and eggs up. It just doesn't seem to help.

I don't know where they are hiding, and I don't know if the cats can take much more of this. I know that Beasley and Princess, my larger cats, both had reactions this month. Bugs was fine, and Queenie was just a little more of a devil than usual (mostly because Beasley and Princess weren't able to keep her in her place).

Princess still attacks Bugsie in the middle of the night. I don't know what that's about. She just walks up to Bugs wherever she may be sleeping and smacks her about 5-7 times in the head. Bugsie is used to this by now, and I do try to stop it, but I almost wonder if Princess is sleepwalking.... Do cats sleepwalk???

Well, that's a quick update from the home front. I'll check in again in a few days. Request the Facebook page and I'll approve as fast as I can. It was supposed to be an open group, but somehow it got set up as a group that you have to be approved to join. I'll get that fixed next week when I have more leisurely internet access.

Love to all!!!

Happy Holidays!

2012-12-21T15:53:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays, folks!
I'm offline most of the time, but checking in periodically.

And Then There Were Four

2012-11-17T12:29:00.000-05:00

Fluffy lost her battle with Chronic Renal Failure a little after 11:30 this morning. She went peacefully. The last few minutes, she was out of pain.

When I got home from school yesterday afternoon, I saw how changed she was. Her face was different. Her eyes were different. She wasn't Fluffy anymore. She was a ghost.

The dreams I had over the last week were her saying good-bye and begging for release.

I do have a couple of photos of her from yesterday and today, but I prefer to remember her with us, with her spirit engaged.

She will be buried tomorrow, after her grave is dug. I don't believe in digging graves unless I have to. So, I wait until they are needed.

The other cats pretty much ignored her the last few weeks. When I sat down to talk to Fluffy yesterday and last night, they crowded around asking why I was spending time on a ghost. They had said good-bye to her, but I had not.

This morning, when we arrived at the vet's office, she mewed excitedly. It was like she knew she was going home, over the Rainbow Bridge. She wanted to go.

Her gentle spirit will be missed. I've done most of my grieving before this, over her illness. I will probably cry later, but right now, I just have business to attend to. The business of dying.

Sleep in peace, my Flufferdoodle. My Fluffy Bear.

Bad Dreams

2012-11-16T06:23:00.000-05:00

I've been having bad dreams all week. It's been hard to sleep. Several of the dreams are about Fluffy. I had another one a while ago, and I haven't been able to get back to sleep.

I was turned loose, running for cover, and Fluffy met me on the trail. I called for her to follow me. She was wearing some kind of square thing around her neck, hanging down. When I got to safety, she met me. The "harness" was hanging on by a thin thread, and I removed it.

I can't think of a more poignant dream about the harness of life. Fluffy is ready to go.

I'm at school right now. I've been running past her and doing so much for myself and everyone else, that I haven't had time to concern myself with her more than getting fluids into her every time I'm home. I've been "running past her" and expecting her to keep up or come to find me.

The other cats pile on me when I'm home. They miss me, too. They take my time, and she lays in her bed. I call to her, she looks my way, and then snuggles back into her bed. She comes up to my chair, and climbs into it using her claws, walks across the table beside it, and lays in the cat-tree by the window. She can't climb up into it anymore, to lay in the sun. She doesn't stop for cuddles. They hurt - unless it's her head or tail. She's spent one night on the bed with me in the last two months. Probably, that was her "good-bye" sleep with me, but I mis-read it.

I'll be home with her tonight. I'll take the time to sit with her and talk with her. I need to see that she's ready. I need to say good-bye to her. We have an appointment with her vet for Saturday morning for more fluids. It may just be her time to sleep the long sleep, instead.

I'm a little somber this morning. I'm a little sad. I knew this was coming, but I kept hoping I'd have a little more time with her. Wait till Thanksgiving. Wait till the semester's over. Wait for me. Don't go, little one, don't go.

I'll miss her.

How to Choose the Best Food for Your Cat

2012-10-18T17:49:00.000-04:00

Cat's digestive systems aren't designed for carbohydrates or cereals. They just poop it all out and don't get any nutrition from it. It's just a filler. Protein is what they need, and they need it from animal sources. Fish needs to be used sparingly, but most cats love it. Once a week, a taste, that's fine. I found that out the hard way, when my Fluffy got sick. I had them on fish for about a month, and suddenly she dropped half her weight. Her kidneys about shut down, and now she's on life-support. If she makes it, it will be a miracle, but her vet says it's end-stage kidney disease. That's why I say to use beef or chicken, and duck, rabbit, lamb, or venison in a combination with beef or chicken.

Feeding our cats is so different than what we eat, and their dietary needs are so misunderstood by most cat owners. Even me. I've had to learn all this stuff, talking to vets and experimenting with my own cats. It may be cruel to experiment on my cats, but if I can keep someone else from losing their cat, then it's a good thing. Pet food makers are out for the most money off the cheapest ingredients they can use. That's just the story. I don't blame them, cause everybody is out to make a profit in business. But if it causes harm, then I advocate against it.

Most of the pet food producers don't know the harm they do. They look at calories, protein and vitamins, and get people to say that the food is good according to their organization. There is an organization that regulates pet foods specifically. They use research and tell us what is good or bad, but just like all other organizations, they can be influenced by money. The money that supports the organization, most of the time, comes from the producers of the foods. They don't get government money, or money from you and me. So, they are going to say that the foods are good for pets. Only by trial and error can a pet owner know what works for their pet.

I'm here to tell you what really works and what really doesn't. I get paid from you, not from the pet food makers.

Fluffy Got a Bath

2012-10-17T08:57:00.000-04:00

I gave Missy Fluffers a bath the other day. No, I didn't take photos. She did fairly well. I couldn't find the vaseline to put in her eyes, but the shampoo didn't get there, only the rinse water. She doesn't look too good because I used cream rinse to make sure she wouldn't have mats. It didn't work, and didn't rinse out very well. I guess it's a good thing she doesn't groom herself anymore. At least she doesn't have any more fleas!

Yep, she's really weak. She got on my lap once this past weekend. Only once. She is affectionate, but seems tired. She just wants to sleep and lol around in the sun. It was very warm yesterday and I opened the windows for a while. She got up in the windowsill, then laid in the cat tree - her favorite place - and sunned for a while.

She loves her wet food, and that's probably what's keeping her going. They each get 1/4 can of food a day, spread over 2 feedings. I have to spread it or Beasley gets sick. He still gets sick, but not so much as he does if I give him more at one time.

I don't know if Fluffy will make it this next two weeks until I get home again. I have several friends watching her and the others. There is a vet we can take her to, if we need more fluids.

Like "if" is possible at this point. Of course she needs more fluids... Poor baby.

I wonder if she was saying goodbye last night, when she got on my lap. She didn't stay very long, just long enough to be uncomfortable. One side is very tender, and the other you can pet without her flinching. She tends to lay on the tender side, possibly protecting it. But it hurts her, so she moves around and seems restless, without being restless, if that makes any sense. She gets comfortable, closes her eyes, and dozes. She still wants to be around all the action.

As long as she wants to stay, I'll help her stay.

Cats Dealing with Death

2012-10-01T14:19:00.000-04:00

Cats deal with cat death differently than we do. Dying cats tend to isolate and the other cats tend to "cut the ill one out" of things. Not meanly, but just as a matter of course. The sick one doesn't participate much, and the others fill the void. They just move into the empty space.

Right now, I'm losing one of my cats. Fluffy has CRF (chronic renal failure) and she is dying. We keep giving her fluids, but she isn't strong enough for dialysis. She won't be. She's too far gone. But she's alert, and interested in things going on around her for the most part.

She sleeps in the main room, opening her eyes and gathering comfort from the noises and activity around her. When she wants to be involved, she gets up and gets involved. She even plays a little bit when I bring out the toys.

I give her "baths" with a wash cloth, My vet taught me how to do it, with a corner of a wash cloth dipped in hot/warm water and wrung out so it's only damp. The heat is more important than the wet. I run my fingers with the cloth over an area and then stop. She seems to like it. She doesn't even wash behind me. And it does seem to keep her cleaner.

She came up on the bed last night and got some snuggles. Later, I woke, she was gone and another in her place. They all know she's dying. Even Fluffy knows it, I think. She is slowing down, and just not ready to say good night for the last time yet.

So, my sweet girl is leaving me. I knew they would all leave me eventually. They are all about the same age - about 10-12. It just happened that way. But to have the first one be Missy Flufferdoodle -- it's hard. She's always been so sweet and loving. Kind of stand-offish, but not, and always ready for snuggles and food. She masticates fingers with her kisses. She's always had problems with the mats and grooming herself, but she's always been patient when it was time to groom or cut off the mats, too. And she's always been ready to play. She's never had a problem with the others, and they never had a problem with her. She was just happy to be out of that cage and have a home.

CRF isn't contagious. It has to do with body chemistry and stuff. It's the kidneys having trouble with cleaning the blood. Sometimes it happens because of the breed of cat; sometimes because of weight issues, and Fluffy has been heavy; and it can happen because of heart issues and holding or losing fluids in the blood, like hypertension and heart disease.

Older cats are all at risk for CRF, so if you see any difference in your cat - drinking more or less, weight loss, or anything out of the ordinary, have it checked. The tests aren't expensive, and it could save your cat for years to come. If your cat develops CRF, you, too may have to go through this part - the end-stage of CRF, with your cat.

A soft place to sleep, and gentle handling. Love and comfort. Your cat will tell you when she's done. They always do.

.

Rescinding Website Sale

2012-09-13T00:04:00.000-04:00

I've rescinded the sale of the website. I've discovered more copying, and instead of adding more content, I'm pulling it off the internet come the end of the year.

I'll add all the content I've been preparing, and not posting, and make it into a book. I actually have enough content for 3 books, and that may be what I do. I was just getting ready to post about Chronic Renal Failure (Fluffy is affected) when I discovered that my last page was already copied on the internet under another URL.

Whoever this person is who is copying my content, they have succeeded in putting the website out of business. I won't post new content just to have it stolen and posted elsewhere. And my ezine is not any more secure than my pages, since I archive the issues for folks to read who subscribe.

There are measures in place to stop the copying, and I probably have legal recourse, but this is the only way to stop him/her for good. I've changed page names, changed links, and re-written content, but there is a mirror site someplace picking up every change I make as fast as I can make it.

It's hard to let this go. I love the website, and I love what I've been able to contribute. I love helping folks with their cats. But enough is enough.

In one way, it's flattering to be copied. But when it hurts my website, and my income, I can't continue to allow it to continue.

FLOC Website For Sale

2012-08-27T08:24:00.001-04:00

I've put the website up for sale. I'm about to close it down, so if somebody wants to buy it, I'm asking $5K with room for negotiation.
You have to stay with the host to get the content.
All related parked domains are also for sale.

I don't have time for it and it's needing attention.

Got the Page fixed...

2012-08-22T08:53:00.004-04:00

I got the Cat Tail Expressions page fixed. It's a little different, since I hadn't saved the original content. When I tried to, my computer was locked up and it wouldn't save. So, I re-created the page, and it's up.

I'm still getting the error on the computer, so maybe it's time to upgrade the OS on the MAC. I don't have the $$ for that, so maybe I'll have to retire the computer? I'd hate to do that!

I'll get the next page up in a few days. I'm working on a book at the same time, on another topic, so I've been pretty busy.

I'll be leaving for college dorm living at the end of the week. I'm older, but I'm still going for it. I've never done a lot of cool stuff, and this is one of them. My cats are going to be cared for while I'm away, and I'll be doing a weekly commute home for snuggles and cuddles.It's just going to be a bit strained for the next two years while I get my degree.

I've got the ezine scheduled to go out on the 30th. I want that next page put up before I finish the ezine. There are some cool things in the ezine this time. I hope you like them!

Fed up with Errors!

2012-08-20T06:26:00.000-04:00

Right now, I'm pretty fed up. I've been trying to put up a page for several hours. I've lost all my work, even though I saved it to my computer. I got some strange error and I can't even close my browser when I hit that error. It stopped my saving documents to the hard drive, to the flash drives, and everything.

I'm trying to have a good attitude, and I've reported it to support, but I'm pretty unhappy right now. The site has been on life-support for several months, and if this is what I have to deal with from now on, I'll just close it down. I don't need the aggravation.