BS: Cats

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 01:53 PM

Speaking of vet ripoffs, we took Cassie to the vet that the ex used to use. $18 for the shot but she would have to stay for three days at big $$$. I said, give her the shot and send me the bill but I can't afford the stay. The ex said something like, we should have her stay. I was standing next to the ex and prodded her in the back with a finger and said, "You know we can't afford that bill right now. She'll be all right. If not, we'll bring her back and whatever the bill ends up at, we'll pay when we can." She clued in and we left. I went straight to another vet... an old guy *I* knew but hadn't seen for quite a while. I told him the story. He said, "She'll be fine. Might need another shot next summer. I'd love to talk but it's busy today. No charge." and he walked out. Cassie's swollen pink lips just fine in two days. I got the bill from the first vet about a week later... threw it in the garbage.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:32 PM

I think what it is gnu, we so love our pets we daren't refuse treatment or try to reduce the fee, in case they die or suffer. It's an emotional thing. Vets obviously know this, and while it's only fair they be paid for their skills and long period of training and studies, sometimes they're having a laugh, in my opinion.

We're going to try a new little vet's surgery we saw in a slightly less 'posh' area, and ask what their charges are, for future reference. It'll be interesting to compare the two price-scales.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:40 PM

Senoufou... tis always best to "shop ahead". Smart move.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: mkebenn
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 09:28 AM

Rap, buy a rat snake, she'll feed her self, just add water. Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 02:36 PM

Rap keeps rattlers just fer petting.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Apr 17 - 02:24 PM

I am still haunted by the memory of a cat that adopted us.

We kids were in upper grades of grade school when this happened. Of course, it's hard to say who adopted whom.

My older sibling, with classmates, happened upon this kitten, lurking by itself around a filling station. Tiny kitten with a horribly bloated belly. Turned out to be female. The kitten was carried to our house to be fed.

She was mostly black, and never did get very big, although in time she matured to adulthood; since she was inclined to remain with us, we had her spayed and doctored.

The thing is, I never called her by name. Maybe the others in the house had named her, but I never did. It's just that this little black cat and I were so close. We had some kind of telepathic psychic thing going on. We would look at each other across the room and pay silent attention to what we saw in the other's eyes.

The silence is also critical here. This was a cat that made very little sound. Well, once she got underfoot, and my foot came down with my full weight on her flexible little person, and THEN, by God, she let out the heartiest miaow I could hope for. Otherwise, she never went around mewing, ever. She could make that funny little chirruping noise that reminds one of a birdcall. A very sensitive, alert, communicative animal she was, but she simply would not vocalize except as a last resort.

When I called the cats for feeding-time from the garage door, I always said "kitty kitty" anyway so names were not that big a deal.

Even the purring was different. More tactile vibration than sound, a very low-volume purring. With this cat one always had a sense of still waters running deep.

I was away at university, when a neighbor brought home a watchdog that I never got acquainted with; the watchdog wasn't there very long. No lead or fence, the dog was at large when outdoors. Before the watchdog was evicted in disgrace, it managed to slaughter both of our cats, stalking the garage door when the cats came out of the house.

That's the last pet cat I ever had.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Jul 19 - 01:42 PM

I just learned something new.

There are scent glands in the PAWS of cats.
When they do that kneading / nursing / "baking biscuits"
forepaw thing,
cats are leaving their scent on the object of their forepaws.

I knew about scent glands elsewhere,
but not on or in the paws.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jul 19 - 09:40 AM

The cat we got from a friend's litter was a great hunter, as was the only cat I ever got from a pet store. Current cat is a ragdoll, truly madly deeply affectionate, my only male. I like calicoes and torties who are generally female. But the affectionate bit usually comes from lots of affection when they were kittens.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Jul 19 - 12:08 PM

Cats vary in their expressions of affection, just as humans do, and I think it's anybody's guess what they learn from whom. I had a cat who came to me as a suckling kitten found alone in a flower bed; I have always assumed her feral mother had been killed on the street. Perdita received the same level of attention and affection as all our other cats (i.e., lots), but was always more restrained in her reactions than the others. No wild belly displays on the carpet, infrequent ankle-rubbing, almost no lap-sitting, very quiet purring. But she was definitely our cat, and we were most certainly her people; she rarely let us out of her sight for more than half an hour over a very long life.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 02:48 PM

Of course Senoufou / Eliza doesn't post like she used to,
but at last report,
only one of her
old Siamese tomcats was left,
the other two having succumbed to illness.
More for Spirit / 'Sam-the-Skull',
the neighbors' cat who has become
a two-household cat,
spending considerable amounts of time,
and eating considerable amounts of packets, at Senoufou's house.
Hope they are all well.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Jul 19 - 12:47 PM

and how are your
"stately, kindly, lordly friend[s]"?

Algernon C. Swinburne,
To A Cat

Stately, kindly, lordly friend,
Condescend
Here to sit by me, and turn
Glorious eyes that smile and burn,
Golden eyes, love's lustrous meed,
On the golden page I read.

All your wondrous wealth of hair,
Dark and fair,
Silken-shaggy, soft and bright
As the clouds and beams of night,
Pays my reverend hand's caress
Back with friendlier gentleness.

Dogs may fawn on all and some
As they come;
You, a friend of loftier mind,
Answer friends alone in kind.
Just your foot upon my hands
Softly bids it understand.

Morning round this silent-sweet
Garden seat
Sheds its wealth of gathering light,
Thrills the gradual clouds with might,
Changes woodland, orchard, heath
Lawn, and garden there beneath.

Fair and dim they gleamed below:
Now they glow
Deep as even your sunbright eyes,
Fair as even the wakening skies.
Can it not or can it be
Now that you give thanks to see?

May you not rejoice as I,
Seeing the sky
Change to heaven revealed, and bid
Earth reveal the heaven it hid
All night long from stars and moon,
Now the sun sets all in tune?

What within you wakes with day
Who can say?
All too little may we tell,
Friends who like each other well,
What might haply, if we might,
Bid us read our lives aright.

-- Littell's Living Age, Boston: Littell and Co., 1894, page 194

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: beardedbruce
Date: 11 Jul 19 - 04:14 PM

Sonnet 18/10/2001 To Jennifer’s Kitten            DCXV

So, playful kitten, shall I find a ball
Of yarn to help entice you closer? What
Bright bauble might attract your gaze, to call
You to my lap, that I might watch eyes shut?
Shall dancing feathers on a string be prey
To huntress in carpeted hall? Is toe
To be target? Do you with shadows play,
Or does your path through unseen jungles go?
Fierce fuzzy feline, proud puff tail held high,
What beasts do you pursue? Are monsters found
Behind the curtains, or do dragons fly
Invisible to those upon the ground?
You look at me, then march across the floor
On padded paws, and promenade out door.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Mrrzy
Date: 12 Jul 19 - 12:20 PM

Look up a book called I Could Pee On That if you like cat poems.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Jul 19 - 08:02 PM

ever see the photograph book by Walter Chandoha
of cats?

I grew up with it, big coffee-table sized thing,
and it's a delight.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 03:46 PM

New York Times obituary for Walter Chandoha, with photos

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Nov 19 - 01:04 PM

O! where, o where have our pussycats gone,
O! where, o where can they beeeee .......

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 25 Nov 19 - 01:52 PM

It's absolutely pouring with torrential rain, and at our back door sits the strange little cat I call Binky. And on our front doorstep sits Sam the Skull. Both are soaking wet to the skin, and I've given each of them a nice dish of best Purina cat food. Why are they still sitting there like two feline martyrs?
SmokeyPokey is still with us, albeit rather deaf and a bit senile.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Nov 19 - 08:37 AM

I believe deafness hastens senility in cats just as it does in people. Poor SmokeyPokey is probably putting in time until he can cross the Rainbow Bridge to hang out with his brothers again.

Has either Binky or Sam the Skull ever crossed your doorstep, Eliza? Do they poke their noses through the catflap? Inside your house is still Siamese territory, maybe?

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Nov 19 - 09:38 AM

Yes, Charmion, they have both come inside. Sam the Skull belts in and hoovers up any of SmokeyPokey's leavings. And little Binky has crept into the study through the conservatory and rolled about ecstatically on the carpet. She has an extremely loud purr.
But I hesitate to encourage this. Their owners might not like it, and also, I found a flea on Sam the Skull last week. I wonder if Binky has worms, as she eats constantly and cries for more. My husband calls her Oliver Twist!
Smokey seems physically in quite good shape, and rather likes the other two visitors. I saw Sam and Smokey eating together from the same dish last week. He lifts his tail and wiggles it (welcome gesture) to Binky. So no animosity.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Nov 19 - 07:38 PM

... ha!
Caught the Cats thread trying to sneak off the queue.
Not tonight, you won't, you wiley critter, you.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Nov 19 - 12:22 PM

I was unaware that the
Lloyd-Webber/Rice production "Cats"
has been filmed.

Sir Ian McKellen as Gus the Theatre Cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 30 Nov 19 - 01:51 PM

Oh dear! Came home today from the shops and SmokeyPokey had managed to vomit copiously all over the back of the sofa. He'd eaten rather a lot of smoked salmon (which he'd nicked from the kitchen) and it hadn't agreed with him.
Spent ages sponging down the upholstery (sigh). Husband says we should have left out caviar and some champagne instead! He was so kind to the poor cat though, cradling him in his arms and stroking his tummy.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Dec 19 - 08:52 AM

I'm so very sad today. Poor SmokeyPokey had some sort of neurological 'event' yesterday, resulting in one rear leg dangling uselessly behind him. He had no pain, but was very confused and kept falling over.
I managed to get an appointment at the vets this morning, and she agreed that it was 'time'. So he was put to sleep, and went very peacefully. Husband has buried him under the pear tree in our back garden, next to Minty and Murphy. He said a Muslim prayer for him.
Both if us cried buckets, but we believe we have done the best thing.
The house is strange without him. He was always glued to my side on the sofa.
Oh dear.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Dec 19 - 10:15 AM

So sorry. It will be perfectly normal to see Pokey out of the corner of your eye for some time to come. I have a 'pokey' who will tap me around corners or perches.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Dec 19 - 11:39 AM

Oh, no! So, so sorry. Of course you will have a Siamese spirits about for quite a while.

But I wonder how much time will elapse before the word gets about that the gig is open chez vous?

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Dec 19 - 01:11 PM

Thank you so much Donuel and Charmion. Your posts comforted me a great deal.
I have to try and concentrate on the happy life Smokey had - 18 years of good food, nice 'friends' and always access to the open air and the garden, plus loads of care, love and affection from his two-legged servants.

Sam the Skull is still around at the front of our house, and little Binky peering through the conservatory windows at the back.

My sister (who also adores cats) told me to get another one immediately, but it's too soon and we need to grieve first.
Anyone who loses a much-loved pet has to go through this, and only time heals the sadness.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 02 Dec 19 - 08:39 PM

So passes the last of the Siamese trio.
It isn't any easier when you can see it coming.
I concur with Donuel --
an indoor pet like this, it takes time to transition
from not having that presence near you.

I can't think of anything else comforting to say but
my sympathies go out to your house.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 09:54 AM

When my dear Black Maria died -- she was mortally injured by a motorist who deliberately swerved to hit her -- I was left with two cats in the house and two "pensioners" (cats resident elsewhere who hung about my garden waiting for handouts of grub and attention). I had adjusted to a three-cat household, don't ask me how!, and the Universe had apparently established three as my carrying capacity, for a new Number Three appeared within a couple of months of Maria's death. That was Cecil, who popped into the kitchen one summer evening as I was putting out the garbage and never left.

Cecil died of pancreatic disease toward the end of October about six years later. We were down to two cats again, and the Universe allowed us to operate under strength throughout the winter. In early April, Old Bill arrived at the back door, sick and wounded and infested after a winter on the street, and demanded entry. Standing on his hind paws, he hammered on the door and yelled until we opened up. Bill, too, lived out his days with us.

The Universe seems to have re-assessed our carrying capacity, as we have now been a two-cat household for about ten years. It isn't that we are hostile to the idea of another cat, but that no other cat has appeared at the gangplank (as it were) and asked permission to come aboard. That may be because the current incumbents, Watson and Isobel, live entirely indoors, and so the outside territory is controlled by cats who live elsewhere. I imagine their people occasionally receive refugees ...

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 03 Dec 19 - 07:09 PM

By the way, Senoufou,
who IS Binky's owner
and why have they not de-wormed the poor kitten?

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 04 Dec 19 - 05:46 PM

We're not sure keberoxu. She seems to come from somewhere behind our house, as she scrambles over the high fence at the bottom of our garden when she hears the conservatory door opening.
I'd like to know who her owners are, and why the poor little soul is so hungry, but one has to be very careful in a village. I wouldn't want to upset people or come across as a nosy, grumpy old biddy.
It's bitterly cold in Norfolk now and I just hope Binky has a warm home in which to sleep at night.

Still having a few tears about the loss of SmokeyPokey. I miss him so much, and husband wept this evening coming in from work, as he used to stroke him and say some loving words in Malinke as he came through the door.
Only time will help us to feel less sad.
Trying to concentrate on the lovely life he had and how happy he always was living with us.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Dec 19 - 10:12 AM

10 years from now you may unwittingly call another cat Smokey...and 1% of the emotions and all the appreciation will flood back.

Our pokey is female, small and has a super purr.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 07 Dec 19 - 04:16 AM

My kind sister rang yesterday evening to ask how we were feeling. She suggested that we foster cats for Cats Protection. Apparently they seek experienced cat-owners to take in a cat temporarily while a permanent home is found.
I don't think that would suit us, as we'd get too fond of the 'lodger' and be upset all over again when it left.

Sam the Skull has just demolished a plate of Purina best cat-food on our front doorstep. But then he had a massive poo and wee in our prize border where Ruth-across-the-road has planted some wallflowers for us.
Blooming thing!

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 11:43 AM

Do cats fear tangerines??

(the decorated Christmas tree story --
everybody see that?)

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 12:31 PM

I don't think it's fear so much as an aversion to the smell of citrus fruits. Our cats have always hated the smell of oranges.

Went to the supermarket yesterday and a choir of dear little primary school children grouped near the checkouts sang Christmas carols. Although they weren't deaf,they had been taught Makaton (a basic deaf sign language for children) and were signing as they sang.
It was too much for me and I felt overwhelmed with sadness for SmokeyPokey. Husband trundled on with the trolley and I sat in the car mopping up the tears. Oh dear.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: rich-joy
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 06:43 PM

Cats and Numerology?

My beloved feline, Hector Lysander, passed on yesterday - a Prince amongst Catz! And he chose the 68th month anniversary of the death of my late beloved human (he was 68 years old), to move on. Also, I am now 68 years old........

The house, which is so cluttered with "stuff", now feels sooooo Empty.
As do I.
My Living Legend (both of them) now gone from this space that we three happily shared.

Can't yet imagine another companion (feline or human), contrary mary that I am, I only want the two I had!!!

(the not so joyful)
Rich-Joy
Down Under

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Dec 19 - 08:15 PM

Neither the cat or the human deliberately chose to be ultimate party poopers. It just happpened like any surprise the world can dream up.
May your new surprises come with caring smiles and newly discovered miles.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Dec 19 - 03:47 AM

So very sorry rich-joy. I know exactly what you mean about the emptiness, and the sadness is very hard to bear. At one time we had five cats and now the house feels like a tomb.
I'm trying to concentrate on the happy lives they led, and the love they gave and received.
Sleep peacefully Hector Lysander.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: rich-joy
Date: 13 Dec 19 - 04:46 AM

Thank you both, Sen and Don, for your kind words.

I thought I was all cried out after 5+ years post-Paul, but I am discovering a whole other full-to-the-brim reservoir :(

I like to imagine them together "waiting for me" - but it still is just soooo lonely back here ......

R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Dec 19 - 02:57 PM

Condolences, rich-joy, we're here to listen and empathise.

I'm not going to see the Andrew Lloyd Webber film.
Someone else can report on the film if they wish.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Dec 19 - 03:17 PM

I'd like to see a review of the movie, but not in this thread. If you have seen the movie and want to talk about it, please start a new thread.
Joe

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 05 Feb 20 - 12:45 PM

refresh ...
after all, Valentine's Day is coming.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Feb 20 - 01:37 PM

There's an event on in Paris, at Disneyland, called 'The Lion King and Jungle Festival'. They've been putting adverts on TV every evening, using that gorgeous song 'Circle of Life' and showing the cartoon of the little lion cub being held out for all the African animals to see. The singing is in Zulu, a 'click' language. I can't really explain why, but a massive wave of grief just crucifies me and I keep sobbing my heart out. I suppose it combines my love of Africa, cats/SmokeyPokey and my dear husband, and the emotions were too hard to bear.
I'm on the watch for it now, and quickly hit the mute button on the TV remote.
Should I keep playing it on Youtube to desensitise myself, or just avoid the song when possible?

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Feb 20 - 03:25 PM

There is a sweetness and self indulgent side to grief from my pov.
We do it for ourselves with a degree of pleasure.
I'm not being callous here while I may be chronisticly annoying.
We grive because it feels good, concentrating many missed emotions in one moment.

The circle of life theme is basic and exploitable.
The Lion King out with the old and in with the new poignancy
is now being used by legumes.
In TV commercials Mr. Peanut died to make way for baby peanut.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Feb 20 - 04:04 PM

We love Senafou because of her deep feelings, not for an absense of feeling. Competative Alpha qualities sought by some men require the burden of having to staunchley squash feelings. For a few there is no empathy to begin with.
To me a strong purr is empathy made loud.

What if people purred reflexively just like cats? :^/

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Feb 20 - 04:27 PM

Oh Donuel, wouldn't that be good? People purring! hee hee.
That's one of the things I love about little Binky. She has a very loud purr, and does it nearly all the time. Poor old Sam the Skull is a bit crotchety now (he's very old) and just gives a sort of 'mler' noise when he wants some food. But he has started miaowing outside our bedroom window very early in the morning.
I reckon these two little cats have been sent to comfort us. It's certainly lovely to have them come and go now and then.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Feb 20 - 08:57 AM

Oh, Eliza, just let the sobs come and go.

When my father died, I was too stunned by grief and overwhelmed by unavoidable duty to weep. A few weeks later, the death of Alexander the Great, a large, biscuit-coloured tomcat with blocked kidneys, reduced me to howls and screaming that went on for hours, with recurring bouts for weeks whenever I saw a ginger cat.

There’s something about cats that pulls the deepest feelings out of cat-loving people, into the world of awareness where those feelings need to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 06 Feb 20 - 09:48 AM

I think you may be right Charmion. My sister says the same thing. When her young husband dropped dead suddenly at 36, and left her with two little babies, she found that letting out her grief, not holding it back, helped her somewhat to cope. Obviously, loss of a cat isn't in the same league as losing an adored family member, but the mechanism of grief is probably the same.
It's strange how a trigger can set it off - particularly music or a certain song. I can only hope time will heal.
I'm very sorry about the loss of your dear father and your lovely ginger cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 11:27 AM

we need to check in on the cats who have claimed us, again.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 01:15 PM

The people who live behind our back garden, the owners of Binky, had a tremendous 'wake' a few nights ago. They are Travellers (although they live in a house) and their traditions are like my mother's (Irish)
A horse-drawn float decorated with flowers was parked outside and everyone was wearing black. Irish wakes are a huge affair, and the noise went on all night, with a massive bonfire too. Rather a nice send-off for the deceased, but nobody got much sleep!
Little Binky thundered on our back door and I went to see what it was. She was in a very nervous, upset state, so I let her in, much to her utter delight. I gave her chopped, cooked chicken, a sachet of Purina gourmet food in gravy and a small bowl of milk. (Milk isn't really all that good for cats, but as a treat it's all right.)
She purred and purred, and I let her curl up on an armchair in our study.
A few hours later, in the early morning, I let her out and she trundled off back to the Travellers' house.
Peace to the village, peace to Binky and peace to the departed person!

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 08:48 PM

It’s cold and snowing in Stratford, and we have a nice fire roaring in the grate. Isobel is firmly parked on Himself’s lap, and Watson is in the cat basket that sits in top of the heat vent under the sitting room window.

For the last month, I have been copy-editing a big, fat book about the Canadian Army in Afghanistan. The study is not quite warm enough — it’s the windward corner of the house — and Watson thinks I should not spend so much time in there. Yesterday, he nearly wrecked an hour’s worth of work trampling the the computer keyboard.

For sheer destructiveness, Watson has nothing on one of his predecessors, Cecil by name, who liked to shred paper with his fangs. When I had a great heap of academic papers at home for a last check before sending them to the client, I left them on the dining-room table and Cecil found them. He settled himself on top the pile of marked-up copy, all bristling with Post-it notes, and started gnawing all around the edges of the pages. By the time I caught him in the act, nearly 100 pages were fringed on three sides.

I had a hell of a time explaining that to the client!