The "What's on your mind?" Thread -2017

[segelkatt]

Panthera, the bird catcher
Panthera is my sleek haired all black house panther, he's about 10 years old now, very fast and an accomplished hunter. I live on the second floor with an underground garage so it's almost 3 floors up. The patio is enclosed with glass but at this time of year I keep some of the glass panels open. Panthera and some of the other cats like to hang out on the patio, snoozing in the sun. I have two bird feeders suspended outside the glass panels, one for hummingbirds, the other for birds that eat seeds. This morning there was quite a racket from the seed eating birds because a squirrel had come up the side of the building and was going to raid the bird feeder. No luck, as the feeder is suspended from a skinny round rod that the squirrel could not navigate so the birds were making a lot of noise about the squirrel being there. So far so good, I do not want to feed squirrels.
This afternoon, while I was sitting on the patio reading a book and enjoying a drink, one of the silly birds flew inside through the open panels and went "bam" against the ones that were closed trying to find its way back out. Panthera was going to get that bird although I had told him no. Stupid bird finally hit the glass so hard that it fell to the floor with Panthera right after it. I got Panthera off the bird which seemed to be stunned, dumped him inside with loud growling and chattering and I closed the patio door. The bird meanwhile had moved a bit but seemed to be ok. I picked it up and put it on the railing where it sat for a while before taking flight into the tree that is right outside. It did not seem to have any problem flying. That tree is full of birds of at least 3 different kinds and crows and a falcon of some sort also come around a lot. Panthera in the meantime sat inside the patio door, (I had also blocked the cat door) angrily swishing his tail and letting me know that he did not approve of my behavior. Lately he has brought at least 3 birds inside, eating them, leaving feathers on the carpet as evidence. None of them were hummingbirds, they are probably too fast for him and I have seen them inside also, perching on windchimes I have suspended from the ceiling of the patio. Panthera is well fed, he now weighs 15 lbs without any fat, so he does not need to hunt for his food, he just likes to hunt. He also catches flies and eats them. If he ever got out and was lost he would not starve, of course he would probably be coyote lunch before long so I am glad I live so far up and he has no interest of going out the front door and it's a long way down to the ground from the patio, even my most adventurous cat has never tried to jump down there.
So the question is, should I move the bird feeder for the seed eating birds? Management will probably frown on me having it on the breezeway next to my front door, they made me take my windchimes down that had been there. Or should I just say that Panthera hunting birds is nature, they invaded his territory and not worry about it? These appear to be ordinary yard birds, maybe some robins as some of them have reddish breast feathers. The larger birds never come inside, maybe they are smarter. (By the way, it was these smaller birds that two years in a row demolished the bottom of a window screen by picking it to pieces for bedding material for their nests that they had built inside the cover of the AC, I caught them in the act and on camera so that my landlord would have proof that I was not the one who wrecked the screen which is now stored as I never open that particular window anyway). The other cats enjoy watching the birds but make no move to try to catch them.
This is wide open for discussion, let's see what others have to say about this and if others' cats hunt birds and are successful.

 

[arouetta]

I think the idea of placing feral colonies in areas with rodent problems is GENIUS! Especially if it is done with vet support available for sick/injured colony memebers! Wonder if the ASPCA or AHS would be interested in sponsoring programs like this nationwide?

The original article I read, last year I think, said that the people who got the ferals had to sign a contract. They had to already have a sheltered area so the cats could get out of the rain/snow, they paid $600 for 3 cats, and they had to agree to feed the cats and to provide any needed veterinary care. $600 plus food plus veterinary care is a lot, but these were people who were getting property damage and lost food and (for the businesses) lost revenue, so that amount was cheaper than repeated exterminations plus cost of repair/replacement for damaged property. According to the article the rat problem was so bad that even if a successful extermination could be done, other rats just moved right on in after the exterminators left.

 

[arouetta]

Panthera, the bird catcher
Panthera is my sleek haired all black house panther, he's about 10 years old now, very fast and an accomplished hunter. I live on the second floor with an underground garage so it's almost 3 floors up. The patio is enclosed with glass but at this time of year I keep some of the glass panels open. Panthera and some of the other cats like to hang out on the patio, snoozing in the sun. I have two bird feeders suspended outside the glass panels, one for hummingbirds, the other for birds that eat seeds. This morning there was quite a racket from the seed eating birds because a squirrel had come up the side of the building and was going to raid the bird feeder. No luck, as the feeder is suspended from a skinny round rod that the squirrel could not navigate so the birds were making a lot of noise about the squirrel being there. So far so good, I do not want to feed squirrels.
This afternoon, while I was sitting on the patio reading a book and enjoying a drink, one of the silly birds flew inside through the open panels and went "bam" against the ones that were closed trying to find its way back out. Panthera was going to get that bird although I had told him no. Stupid bird finally hit the glass so hard that it fell to the floor with Panthera right after it. I got Panthera off the bird which seemed to be stunned, dumped him inside with loud growling and chattering and I closed the patio door. The bird meanwhile had moved a bit but seemed to be ok. I picked it up and put it on the railing where it sat for a while before taking flight into the tree that is right outside. It did not seem to have any problem flying. That tree is full of birds of at least 3 different kinds and crows and a falcon of some sort also come around a lot. Panthera in the meantime sat inside the patio door, (I had also blocked the cat door) angrily swishing his tail and letting me know that he did not approve of my behavior. Lately he has brought at least 3 birds inside, eating them, leaving feathers on the carpet as evidence. None of them were hummingbirds, they are probably too fast for him and I have seen them inside also, perching on windchimes I have suspended from the ceiling of the patio. Panthera is well fed, he now weighs 15 lbs without any fat, so he does not need to hunt for his food, he just likes to hunt. He also catches flies and eats them. If he ever got out and was lost he would not starve, of course he would probably be coyote lunch before long so I am glad I live so far up and he has no interest of going out the front door and it's a long way down to the ground from the patio, even my most adventurous cat has never tried to jump down there.
So the question is, should I move the bird feeder for the seed eating birds? Management will probably frown on me having it on the breezeway next to my front door, they made me take my windchimes down that had been there. Or should I just say that Panthera hunting birds is nature, they invaded his territory and not worry about it? These appear to be ordinary yard birds, maybe some robins as some of them have reddish breast feathers. The larger birds never come inside, maybe they are smarter. (By the way, it was these smaller birds that two years in a row demolished the bottom of a window screen by picking it to pieces for bedding material for their nests that they had built inside the cover of the AC, I caught them in the act and on camera so that my landlord would have proof that I was not the one who wrecked the screen which is now stored as I never open that particular window anyway). The other cats enjoy watching the birds but make no move to try to catch them.
This is wide open for discussion, let's see what others have to say about this and if others' cats hunt birds and are successful.

When I was a child, my mom let the cats go out whenever they wanted. We had one cat, self-taught, she would go out and lie under the bird feeder and pretend to sleep. It took a bit, but the birds would slowly approach the bird feeder, thinking she was out cold. The jays were really aggressive so the little birds never fed from the bird feeder. The jays were also aggressive about eating and sprayed bird seed everywhere and the little birds ate from the ground. Getting closer and closer to the "snoozing" kitty. When one would get close enough, bam, she had a snack. When the rest scattered, if any slammed against the glass patio door, they'd stun themselves and she had an even bigger snack. She would lie like that, unmoving, for 3 hours if that's what was needed for the birds to get close enough. She also denuded the landscape of chipmunks, we were finding either bodies or internal organs on the porch 3 times a day. Yes, we fed her plenty, she just liked the hunt.

Another cat one time trotted by me as I was out sunbathing with a chipmunk in his mouth. He was one p---ed off cat when I grabbed him and pried his jaws open. Then the stupid chipmunk was so terrified it was frozen and didn't run off while I was fighting to keep the cat from grabbing him again. Finally the chipmunk had two brain cells talk to each other and ran off. His littermate had kittens and once they hit a certain age, just a few weeks, she started sneaking in dead prey. A couple of weeks later, she started sneaking in live prey. One day I turned the corner and it was a scene out of the Jurassic Park sequel that had the mommy T-Rex. There was a terrified chipmunk pressed against the wall, three kittens so young they were still stumbling a bit and not that much bigger than that poor chipmunk surrounding and advancing on that chipmunk, and momma cat sitting very close looking at her litter with pride. I swear to god when I saw that movie, the interplay between mommy T-Rex and baby and how mommy T-Rex looked when the baby pounced on the bad guy was identical to how the momma cat looked.

Cats hunt. It's what they do. It's an overriding instinct. Why else is the red dot a common enemy of all cat kind? Why did (I don't remember name or owner) the one cat tear a butterfly fishing rod in half and then get all ticked off until the butterfly was repaired? Why are a lot of cat toys constructed from real rabbit fur, real prey animal skin product? Why do cats love baths after eating? All of it is the prey drive simply being diverted into a human acceptable outcome.

I'm not sure though I'd want to see birds done to death on my balcony. If it were me, I'd find some kind of netting or fencing that would reinforce the screens to the point neither bird nor cat can pass through it. Especially cat, you never know when the cat will make a mistake and fall out while trying to nab a bird.

 

[Margret]

That's a good suggestion. If you want to up your iron, but still keep red meat out of your diet, eat things like chicken or turkey breast (duck breast is surprisingly low in iron), leafy green veggies (like spinach, collard greens, etc.), and most types of fish.

Another extremely effective way to increase iron in your diet is to cook in iron pots and pans. (Mostly that means skillets, though.) And apricots are high in iron.

The original post said, "except from religious people." I am religious, I am Christian, and I don't hide it--but I don't force it on anyone either.

Actually, the original post said:

My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family, as I know yours are, as well (and yes, good wishes DO count from those not of a religious bent).

The assumption was that people who believe in prayer would pray for them, and those of us who don't pray can at least well-wish them. I've never considered praying for someone to be forcing one's personal beliefs on them. I'm an atheist, but when I was in the hospital for brain surgery my brother had total strangers that he met in bars praying for me! When I found out I didn't feel as if someone was trying to push religion down my throat, I was touched that so many people I had never even met cared about my well-being.

Margret

 

[tallyollyopia]

I think unless you pet those kittens they will remain feral and afraid of people. Feeding them when they are not looking and far away from where customers come should be ok, that's what we do with a feral colony that we care for. Once the kittens are old enough you can trap-neuter-release them and their mom so that there won't be any more kittens. Our feral colony has stayed at the same number (5) for several years.

There's evidence that someone else has been TNR'ing the ferals around work--I don't know how this one momma cat escaped (she looks like an Egyptian Mau, so maybe purebred?).

You just sparked a memory.
Feral Cats (TNR) | PAWS Chicago
Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago decided to try to control their rat problem and their feral cat problem by placing small colonies (3-4 cats) of altered feral cats with people who have rodent problems. It's so successful that there's a waiting list for people to take in the cats. Maybe the organization can give ideas for placing a 6 cat feral colony? I remember the original article talked about both private homeowners and businesses like breweries getting the cats.

THAT IS BRILLIANT! I will submit it to city planners (who have been fighting both feral cats and rodent problems for years).

That's a marvelous idea, a win-win for all. That's what happened at CAL State Long Beach when they decided to get rid of the cats and then the rats took over, they had to bring the cats back. I'm sure that will happen in our community garden where the powers that be decided that having the cats "didn't work". Now that people are starting to harvest their summer crops there are already complaints that there are too many rats eating the produce. Go figure. Of course the people in charge belong to Landscaping which has no idea about gardening, they want everything to look as if Martha Steward (and her crew) was gardening here instead of a bunch of older and really old people who are doing it on their own (this is a retirement community) but they are not listening to us, they "know better".

All I can do is shake my head.

People kvetch about how cats kill birds ("Omg, they are going to bring those birds to the edge of extinction....and push them over!!! Won't someone think of the children???") but their ability to control vermin is such a major need of society. Black plague, 'nuff said. Yeah, technically they are an invasive species in the US, but they've been around so long that the ecosystem has re-stabilized with cats playing an important part of it. They do cull the numbers of small prey animals, but the small prey animals have adapted by pumping out more babies and without cats the small prey animals would run out of food and starve slowly.

That is how most small prey animals cope to predators.

I think the idea of placing feral colonies in areas with rodent problems is GENIUS! Especially if it is done with vet support available for sick/injured colony memebers! Wonder if the ASPCA or AHS would be interested in sponsoring programs like this nationwide?

In the complex i where i live there are strays. Some people feed them, but we have'nt seen a rat mouse or any unwanted critters in yrs.

When the cats vanished while I was working at the store, we had a problem with rodents (not surprising). The cats came back--the rodents went away.

OH OH OH!!! I just went out to feed Little Bit (I was running late...got into the forums and didn't watch the time). He was sitting right outside the back door. When I opened the door, instead of running 10-15 feet away, he just backed off to about 6 feet, and then he GAVE ME TWO SLOW BLINKS! I half-thought maybe the wind was just in his eyes, so I took off my glasses and gave him one, and HE BLINKED BACK! We progress!

OK, Hekitty says it is definitely time to get off of here for the night and pay attention to HER!

~scampers off, elated~

Panthera, the bird catcher
Panthera is my sleek haired all black house panther, he's about 10 years old now, very fast and an accomplished hunter. I live on the second floor with an underground garage so it's almost 3 floors up. The patio is enclosed with glass but at this time of year I keep some of the glass panels open. Panthera and some of the other cats like to hang out on the patio, snoozing in the sun. I have two bird feeders suspended outside the glass panels, one for hummingbirds, the other for birds that eat seeds. This morning there was quite a racket from the seed eating birds because a squirrel had come up the side of the building and was going to raid the bird feeder. No luck, as the feeder is suspended from a skinny round rod that the squirrel could not navigate so the birds were making a lot of noise about the squirrel being there. So far so good, I do not want to feed squirrels.
This afternoon, while I was sitting on the patio reading a book and enjoying a drink, one of the silly birds flew inside through the open panels and went "bam" against the ones that were closed trying to find its way back out. Panthera was going to get that bird although I had told him no. Stupid bird finally hit the glass so hard that it fell to the floor with Panthera right after it. I got Panthera off the bird which seemed to be stunned, dumped him inside with loud growling and chattering and I closed the patio door. The bird meanwhile had moved a bit but seemed to be ok. I picked it up and put it on the railing where it sat for a while before taking flight into the tree that is right outside. It did not seem to have any problem flying. That tree is full of birds of at least 3 different kinds and crows and a falcon of some sort also come around a lot. Panthera in the meantime sat inside the patio door, (I had also blocked the cat door) angrily swishing his tail and letting me know that he did not approve of my behavior. Lately he has brought at least 3 birds inside, eating them, leaving feathers on the carpet as evidence. None of them were hummingbirds, they are probably too fast for him and I have seen them inside also, perching on windchimes I have suspended from the ceiling of the patio. Panthera is well fed, he now weighs 15 lbs without any fat, so he does not need to hunt for his food, he just likes to hunt. He also catches flies and eats them. If he ever got out and was lost he would not starve, of course he would probably be coyote lunch before long so I am glad I live so far up and he has no interest of going out the front door and it's a long way down to the ground from the patio, even my most adventurous cat has never tried to jump down there.
So the question is, should I move the bird feeder for the seed eating birds? Management will probably frown on me having it on the breezeway next to my front door, they made me take my windchimes down that had been there. Or should I just say that Panthera hunting birds is nature, they invaded his territory and not worry about it? These appear to be ordinary yard birds, maybe some robins as some of them have reddish breast feathers. The larger birds never come inside, maybe they are smarter. (By the way, it was these smaller birds that two years in a row demolished the bottom of a window screen by picking it to pieces for bedding material for their nests that they had built inside the cover of the AC, I caught them in the act and on camera so that my landlord would have proof that I was not the one who wrecked the screen which is now stored as I never open that particular window anyway). The other cats enjoy watching the birds but make no move to try to catch them.
This is wide open for discussion, let's see what others have to say about this and if others' cats hunt birds and are successful.

I like birds as much as the next person (I used to have lovebirds, until they escaped), but if a bird got into my house and stunned itself stupid right in front of a cat, I would to say that the bird failed the Darwin exam. That aside--if the cat watching the birds bothers you--move the feeder. If not--don't. It's all up to you.

The original article I read, last year I think, said that the people who got the ferals had to sign a contract. They had to already have a sheltered area so the cats could get out of the rain/snow, they paid $600 for 3 cats, and they had to agree to feed the cats and to provide any needed veterinary care. $600 plus food plus veterinary care is a lot, but these were people who were getting property damage and lost food and (for the businesses) lost revenue, so that amount was cheaper than repeated exterminations plus cost of repair/replacement for damaged property. According to the article the rat problem was so bad that even if a successful extermination could be done, other rats just moved right on in after the exterminators left.

I've seen rodent damage on crops (farming's a big industry around here). I think that even at that much money, it would be less than what the farmers were losing to the rodents.

When I was a child, my mom let the cats go out whenever they wanted. We had one cat, self-taught, she would go out and lie under the bird feeder and pretend to sleep. It took a bit, but the birds would slowly approach the bird feeder, thinking she was out cold. The jays were really aggressive so the little birds never fed from the bird feeder. The jays were also aggressive about eating and sprayed bird seed everywhere and the little birds ate from the ground. Getting closer and closer to the "snoozing" kitty. When one would get close enough, bam, she had a snack. When the rest scattered, if any slammed against the glass patio door, they'd stun themselves and she had an even bigger snack. She would lie like that, unmoving, for 3 hours if that's what was needed for the birds to get close enough. She also denuded the landscape of chipmunks, we were finding either bodies or internal organs on the porch 3 times a day. Yes, we fed her plenty, she just liked the hunt.

Another cat one time trotted by me as I was out sunbathing with a chipmunk in his mouth. He was one p---ed off cat when I grabbed him and pried his jaws open. Then the stupid chipmunk was so terrified it was frozen and didn't run off while I was fighting to keep the cat from grabbing him again. Finally the chipmunk had two brain cells talk to each other and ran off. His littermate had kittens and once they hit a certain age, just a few weeks, she started sneaking in dead prey. A couple of weeks later, she started sneaking in live prey. One day I turned the corner and it was a scene out of the Jurassic Park sequel that had the mommy T-Rex. There was a terrified chipmunk pressed against the wall, three kittens so young they were still stumbling a bit and not that much bigger than that poor chipmunk surrounding and advancing on that chipmunk, and momma cat sitting very close looking at her litter with pride. I swear to god when I saw that movie, the interplay between mommy T-Rex and baby and how mommy T-Rex looked when the baby pounced on the bad guy was identical to how the momma cat looked.

Cats hunt. It's what they do. It's an overriding instinct. Why else is the red dot a common enemy of all cat kind? Why did (I don't remember name or owner) the one cat tear a butterfly fishing rod in half and then get all ticked off until the butterfly was repaired? Why are a lot of cat toys constructed from real rabbit fur, real prey animal skin product? Why do cats love baths after eating? All of it is the prey drive simply being diverted into a human acceptable outcome.

I'm not sure though I'd want to see birds done to death on my balcony. If it were me, I'd find some kind of netting or fencing that would reinforce the screens to the point neither bird nor cat can pass through it. Especially cat, you never know when the cat will make a mistake and fall out while trying to nab a bird.

Okay, I read somewhere (no idea how true this is), that scene with the T-rex was designed after watching a mammallian predator feed its young while teaching it to hunt (and I believe it).

All right, the feral Momma moved her kittens (probably because I, a potential predator, saw where she was hiding them), and they're no longer around the store. I have no idea where they went, but they're out of my realm of intervention.

 

[segelkatt]

Thanks everybody for your input. Apart from the incident today I had never seen Panthera hunting (besides for flies), I would only find the evidence and once I found him when he had almost finished his meal with only a few feathers left on the living room rug. That's why I knew it was him.
So the bird feeder stays where it is, the birds will just have to learn not to go past the window panels and my cats will have their entertainment. In a few weeks the panels will be closed anyway to keep the heat out and vertical blinds will shut off the view until cooler weather. At that point they will have to make do with the DaBird or sit in a different window and watch whatever goes by which might be squirrels, ducks or the occasional lizard going up the wall.

The idea of cats reducing the number of particularly song birds has been debunked several times. I love birds as much as the next person or I would not put out feeders in the first place unless someone wants too make a point by saying that the birds are drawn to the feeder and thus are easy prey for my cat. As long as they stay on or near the feeder the cat will not attack them, he knows he would fall off. There are no screens on those windows. He does not even jump up on the bannister although I used to have a cat (now re-homed) who did and chittered at birds much too far away, that was before I had bird feeders.
Even feral cats who rely on birds for part of their diet don't eat that many of them, it's too difficult for them and there is easier prey available in the form of rats, mice, voles, lizards and other like critters.

 

[segelkatt]

Another extremely effective way to increase iron in your diet is to cook in iron pots and pans. (Mostly that means skillets, though.) And apricots are high in iron.
Regarding cooking in cast iron pans this is very true. However, these new cook tops with glass tops do not lend themselves to that, they get scratched by cast iron. When I got a new stove with a glass top I had to get rid of all my cat iron pans, I now have stainless steel with copper layers in the bottoms. The all glass pots I also had do not lend themselves to those tops either unless you are boiling something as they burn or scorch things very easily and that's a real mess to clean up.


Actually, the original post said:


The assumption was that people who believe in prayer would pray for them, and those of us who don't pray can at least well-wish them. I've never considered praying for someone to be forcing one's personal beliefs on them. I'm an atheist, but when I was in the hospital for brain surgery my brother had total strangers that he met in bars praying for me! When I found out I didn't feel as if someone was trying to push religion down my throat, I was touched that so many people I had never even met cared about my well-being.

Margret

Right, as a fellow atheist I applaud you. Prayer never hurt anyone, it makes others feel good. Just say thank you for your concern, what you think in private is your own concern.

 

[arouetta]

Now I'm

I had a cat health question so I went to the main forum page instead of the Cat Lounge. At the bottom of the page was an article about indoor cats and the rabies vaccine, and I read it.

I've had three different vets say that the adjuvant is the problem, not the vaccine itself. Three different vets. And according to that article, they all lied to me because it's not the problem. That it's the act of getting an injection that's triggering the cancer, not just vaccines, definitely not the adjuvant.

And apparently the hip is not the ideal vaccination site, which all three vets wanted to put it there. Apparently the tail is best, the lower leg second best, because the cancer is easier to treat in both locations. It's also a lot easier to lop off part of the tail or the lower leg if the cancer becomes aggressive, instead of trying to figure out how to take out a chunk of the hip.

Why the (bleep) are vets lying and saying it's the adjuvant when it's not? Why are they pushing the one year vaccine by saying the three year vaccine has the wrong adjuvant, when it's the act of sticking a needle in, so once a year is more risky than once every three years?

Why are they lying???

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Today, after looking at the bookcase sitting in its carton for the better part of a week, I decided to assemble it. I did not want to, I just felt like I had to. HA! NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF YOUR HEAD IS NOT IN THE GAME, oh, my Darlings! I have grudgingly assembled the dratted thing inside out. The holes for the shelf brackets are on the outside. I've already done three of them perfectly well, the issue was I didn't feel like doing it and didn't pay proper attention. NOW I have to take it all apart (dreading getting the back off, it's nailed in) and do it over again. SIGH...I think I shall go and pout. This is NOT happening today.

 

[arouetta]

If the back is held on by those teeny tack-like nails you might be better off using needle nose pliers instead of a claw hammer.

 

[segelkatt]

Now I'm

I had a cat health question so I went to the main forum page instead of the Cat Lounge. At the bottom of the page was an article about indoor cats and the rabies vaccine, and I read it.

I've had three different vets say that the adjuvant is the problem, not the vaccine itself. Three different vets. And according to that article, they all lied to me because it's not the problem. That it's the act of getting an injection that's triggering the cancer, not just vaccines, definitely not the adjuvant.

And apparently the hip is not the ideal vaccination site, which all three vets wanted to put it there. Apparently the tail is best, the lower leg second best, because the cancer is easier to treat in both locations. It's also a lot easier to lop off part of the tail or the lower leg if the cancer becomes aggressive, instead of trying to figure out how to take out a chunk of the hip.

Why the (bleep) are vets lying and saying it's the adjuvant when it's not? Why are they pushing the one year vaccine by saying the three year vaccine has the wrong adjuvant, when it's the act of sticking a needle in, so once a year is more risky than once every three years?

Why are they lying???

My indoor cats don't get any shots and they are all healthy. Why get expensive vaccinations that the cat does not need? My 18 year old Birman Capucchino has been to the vet twice in her whole life and is still going strong. When I got her at age 7 months she was spayed and received a microchip. No shots of any kind. Within the last year I had to take her to the vet because she had an ear infection, got antibiotics and an ointment and that was it. She is slowing down, has lost some weight and sleeps more than she used to but then so do I. No sign of arthritis as she still jumps just as high as always. She is the first at the food bowl and pushes everyone away including 19 lb Panthera who tries to get into her food. They all have to wait until she decides to let them. She also usurps his sleeping place in my bed at night and he very meekly seeks another place, usually by my feet instead of next to my shoulder if she has claimed it first.
Vaccinations are for children and travellers who come in contact with all kinds of people, indoor cats do not. Save yourself some money.

 

[tallyollyopia]

Another extremely effective way to increase iron in your diet is to cook in iron pots and pans. (Mostly that means skillets, though.) And apricots are high in iron.



Actually, the original post said:


The assumption was that people who believe in prayer would pray for them, and those of us who don't pray can at least well-wish them. I've never considered praying for someone to be forcing one's personal beliefs on them. I'm an atheist, but when I was in the hospital for brain surgery my brother had total strangers that he met in bars praying for me! When I found out I didn't feel as if someone was trying to push religion down my throat, I was touched that so many people I had never even met cared about my well-being.

Margret

Apricots are indeed high in iron--I can't believe I forgot to list them. I also feel slightly embarrassed at having misread the original post. Thank you for correcting me.

Thanks everybody for your input. Apart from the incident today I had never seen Panthera hunting (besides for flies), I would only find the evidence and once I found him when he had almost finished his meal with only a few feathers left on the living room rug. That's why I knew it was him.
So the bird feeder stays where it is, the birds will just have to learn not to go past the window panels and my cats will have their entertainment. In a few weeks the panels will be closed anyway to keep the heat out and vertical blinds will shut off the view until cooler weather. At that point they will have to make do with the DaBird or sit in a different window and watch whatever goes by which might be squirrels, ducks or the occasional lizard going up the wall.

The idea of cats reducing the number of particularly song birds has been debunked several times. I love birds as much as the next person or I would not put out feeders in the first place unless someone wants too make a point by saying that the birds are drawn to the feeder and thus are easy prey for my cat. As long as they stay on or near the feeder the cat will not attack them, he knows he would fall off. There are no screens on those windows. He does not even jump up on the bannister although I used to have a cat (now re-homed) who did and chittered at birds much too far away, that was before I had bird feeders.
Even feral cats who rely on birds for part of their diet don't eat that many of them, it's too difficult for them and there is easier prey available in the form of rats, mice, voles, lizards and other like critters.

Moles--you can't forget moles. Or, maybe we just had an infestation (for a while that's what the cats were bringing in). Hard to say. (Is a vole like a mole? What's the difference?)

Right, as a fellow atheist I applaud you. Prayer never hurt anyone, it makes others feel good. Just say thank you for your concern, what you think in private is your own concern.

Back in high school psychology we studied an experiment where a blind test was done with patients--half the patients were prayed for and the other half weren't. The results, according to the examiners, were surprising--the half that were prayed for (even though they didn't know it) healed faster than the ones who weren't.

Now I'm

I had a cat health question so I went to the main forum page instead of the Cat Lounge. At the bottom of the page was an article about indoor cats and the rabies vaccine, and I read it.

I've had three different vets say that the adjuvant is the problem, not the vaccine itself. Three different vets. And according to that article, they all lied to me because it's not the problem. That it's the act of getting an injection that's triggering the cancer, not just vaccines, definitely not the adjuvant.

And apparently the hip is not the ideal vaccination site, which all three vets wanted to put it there. Apparently the tail is best, the lower leg second best, because the cancer is easier to treat in both locations. It's also a lot easier to lop off part of the tail or the lower leg if the cancer becomes aggressive, instead of trying to figure out how to take out a chunk of the hip.

Why the (bleep) are vets lying and saying it's the adjuvant when it's not? Why are they pushing the one year vaccine by saying the three year vaccine has the wrong adjuvant, when it's the act of sticking a needle in, so once a year is more risky than once every three years?

Why are they lying???

They get more money? I don't know--in our area the three-year vaccine isn't even an option.

Today, after looking at the bookcase sitting in its carton for the better part of a week, I decided to assemble it. I did not want to, I just felt like I had to. HA! NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF YOUR HEAD IS NOT IN THE GAME, oh, my Darlings! I have grudgingly assembled the dratted thing inside out. The holes for the shelf brackets are on the outside. I've already done three of them perfectly well, the issue was I didn't feel like doing it and didn't pay proper attention. NOW I have to take it all apart (dreading getting the back off, it's nailed in) and do it over again. SIGH...I think I shall go and pout. This is NOT happening today.

It will be all right.

My indoor cats don't get any shots and they are all healthy. Why get expensive vaccinations that the cat does not need? My 18 year old Birman Capucchino has been to the vet twice in her whole life and is still going strong. When I got her at age 7 months she was spayed and received a microchip. No shots of any kind. Within the last year I had to take her to the vet because she had an ear infection, got antibiotics and an ointment and that was it. She is slowing down, has lost some weight and sleeps more than she used to but then so do I. No sign of arthritis as she still jumps just as high as always. She is the first at the food bowl and pushes everyone away including 19 lb Panthera who tries to get into her food. They all have to wait until she decides to let them. She also usurps his sleeping place in my bed at night and he very meekly seeks another place, usually by my feet instead of next to my shoulder if she has claimed it first.
Vaccinations are for children and travellers who come in contact with all kinds of people, indoor cats do not. Save yourself some money.

I agree--there are several, locally "urged" vaccinations that I don't get for the cats (partly for the money involved, but mostly because they simply aren't needed for our area), but I do get them rabies shots every year. Of course, my cats are indoor/outdoor cats and while, for the most part, this is a very cat-safe and friendly area, rabies does run rampant through here, to the point where if someone goes to the hospital for a wild animal bite they are automatically given rabies shots. I wish there was some program that vaccinated all the animals that can be caught (not just feral dogs and cats)--I think it would help curb this thing.

 

[tallyollyopia]

Well, I haven't had time to really sink in and write a good chunk of Magic School and Egg lately, so here's an excerpt from another story. Once again, constructive criticism is always appreciated, and if you want more, please send me whatever the new site calls a PM now and let me know.

Asha watched Lais carefully. He was the head of the Decimation Cooperative and, in a way, her boss. When she wasn’t the Shadow Keystone, she worked for him. He had many uses for a Shadowdancer like her; lie detector, guide during the Shadow—enforcer.

There were some who had wondered (not that they had known she was listening) why she listened to him. He didn’t seem like much on the surface; he looked like every other older man who was reasonably prosperous and old enough to be expecting grandchildren. His brown hair was liberally salted with gray, almost to the point where nothing of the original color could be seen. Even his choice of clothing appeared to be average; he wore a modest suit of ancient cut in the same dark gray that was popular among those who seemed to be his peers.

Asha knew that looks were deceiving; who knew better than a Shadowdancer the shadows in a human soul? She knew that he was cold, calculating, and ruthless. When the far off king had withdrawn his protection from Hoshall city, Lais had been the one to take control before the city self-destructed. He now ruled Hoshall from the highest levels of society down to the slums—and he protected what he ruled. All residents of Hoshall were now equal in the eyes of Lais’s law—as they hadn’t been when the king ruled.

Asha idly wondered what he saw when he looked at her. The two of them had one thing in common; neither of them looked as dangerous as they were. Asha was slim, and petite. Her clothes could have come from the wardrobes of any of the Shadowdancers in Hoshall; she had the dark knit trousers, the dark knit shirt, thin brown belt, and a dark cloak that covered it all. To those who weren’t ‘dancers, the cloak was plain black. To those who were, it sported an intricate design that told the world she was the Shadowdancer keystone and an enforcer for Lais.

Like Lais, she felt no need to advertise how dangerous she really was. People either knew, and reacted according to their natures, or they didn’t. She didn’t care either way.

“Asha,” said Lais with warmth that only those powerful enough to kill him ever heard. “The men have a—complaint.”

Asha frowned. She didn’t know what “the men” (Lais’s term for the generals he employed to keep order in the city and the militia in good standing) would have to complain about regarding her. She didn’t bully civilians, she didn’t torment the soldiers or rookies in the militia, and she didn’t indulge herself into excess. Considering the damage she could do—why were they complaining?

“They don’t believe you’re human enough,” continued Lais.

Asha stared at him with patent disbelief. Not human enough? She ate, drank, and even (a very little bit) socialized. Why would they possibly say that she wasn’t “human enough”?

“Men tend to—sympathize with someone who has a weakness. You don’t seem to have any.”

She continued to stare at him in patent disbelief. Weaknesses? Of course she had weaknesses, she was human! She had to breathe, eat, and if she was cut she bled. What kind of morons were his generals?

Lais held up both of his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I know, I know,” he said soothingly. “But all of the men purchase items at the auction, and they never see you do. They also know,” he added quickly,” that you get paid for all of your hard work helping us maintain peace—and you don’t seem to have any vices that you spend that money on.”

Asha glared at Lais. She found the concept of the auctions disgusting (and had told him so on multiple occasions) and saw no reason to take part in them. The auctions took people who did something that Lais termed unforgivable—who were then wiped into blank mental slates as their memories were fed to creatures that ate them. The people who were wiped were sold to the highest bidder—as were their properties and possessions. Lais’s rule was hard and cruel one—but at least it was one. She remembered only too well the anarchy that had prevailed after the king’s troops had withdrawn. Some rule, even a cold and hard one, was better than none, and she would do what was needed to protect it.

“I know you find the concept—brutal and archaic,” said Lais choosing his words carefully. “But the fact of the matter is that the auction is part of one of the few forms of entertainment left Hoshall. It would make the men feel better if you participated long enough to buy something. Could be a vase, or a book—or even a pet. Just something to make them feel you’re human.”

Asha sighed and rubbed the center of her forehead to stave off a headache. He had a point; she’d seen the damage that could be done when people were highly suspicious of a certain person. The ramifications were worse for those with power than those without it—she wasn’t sure why, but she’d seen it during the anarchy and chaos.

Lais nodded. “I’ll save you a seat at the auction,” he said with grim satisfaction. “Remember; it doesn’t matter what you buy, as long as you buy something.”

Asha nodded and turned to leave—and paused. She turned back to him. “Be careful,” she said firmly. “There are rumors about your health that are—unsettling for me.”

Lais looked surprised, then calculating. “Are there now?” he asked. “I’ll have to look into them.”

She nodded and left the room. As always, the others stared at her from their corners. Usually she ignored them. This time she slowly scanned the room, marking each man and the shadows on his soul.

Lais was right. They were frightened of her; more than her reputation could account for. They saw her as something alien, unknowable, with no weaknesses or vices. They were afraid of not what she was, but what they thought she didn’t have. She was going to have to do something: she well knew the power of the mindless, frightened mob.

Lais thought she’d be able to fix the problem with one purchase at the auction. She thought he was probably wrong. She could, in theory, take the time to explain exactly what she saw her job as—but she didn’t think they’d believe her. She’d have to do something more than a single, grandiose gesture to make them see her as a person. She would think on it.

She continued out into the Darkness. At the moment the only other people on the streets of Hoshall were Shadowdancers, as they were the only ones that could see outside. Some of the lower level Shadowdancers earned some extra money by guiding people between buildings and across town while the Darkness was out.

She pulled her hood up to cover her face and walked towards her home. The doors on the buildings on either side of the street were the only breaks in the smooth facades, and each wall was painted with a paint that was only visible to Shadowdancers and Lightdancers, to enable them to easily find their way around the city. She had always found the designs to be soothing.

The foot of one of the dark creatures drifted onto the ground in front of her. She stopped to look up at the creature: she’d always thought they were beautiful. To her Shadowsight they glowed in colors; this one was a deep purple-blue, but some were red, orange, pink—just about any conceivable color. Other Shadowdancers would make it a point to kill or drive away the ethereal creature—but not Asha. The creatures had no weight, no mass, and could not pass through the buildings to harm the people inside. She saw no reason to destroy or run them off. While the creatures were death to normal humans when they touched, to a Shadowdancer they were harmless.

She reached out and touched the glowing leg. As always, when she touched the creature she felt a warm, almost fizzing sensation in her hand that traveled up her arm and into her body. A proportionally small head (the head was still larger than she was) swung around to face her with wide, sightless eyes. Well, the eyes had nothing that a human eye would register as having sight; presumably the creatures had their own way of seeing the world.

She gently stroked the large leg. “You would probably feel better outside of the city,” she said softly to the creature, knowing that it wouldn't be able to respond. Only Tamers could hear the creatures, and she was no Tamer. She wondered what they sounded like; would they have deep, soothing voices or be astonishingly high pitched? She didn’t know. She would never know. A ‘dancer couldn’t become a tamer. Perhaps she could have asked a Tamer, but they left when the king repealed his protection of Hoshall. Since then, there had been no signs of a Tamer in the city, or in the fields surrounding it.

The creature shook all over and lumbered off. She wasn’t sure if it had understood her or not, but it was moving towards the outside of the city, instead of towards the center. She watched as the thing left with slow, deliberate movements.

She didn’t know why physical contact with a Shadow creature would kill a normal human. The only ones that seemed to have protection against that fate were the Shadowdancers (even Lightdancers would fall to Shadow creatures) and Shadow Tamers. Perhaps one day she’d be able to ask someone; since Lais had stabilized the city merchants had begun making the journey and perhaps, just perhaps, one day she’d meet a Shadow Tamer and be able to ask the questions she had.

She turned down the street and continued on to her building. One of the first things she’d purchased after beginning to work for Lais was a building of her own. It had once been an apartment building, but now she shared it with no one. A childhood among the Sanctuary had left her with a deep desire to have privacy—but sometimes, just sometimes, she felt lonely.

There weren’t many people she could talk to. None of the other Shadowdancers in Hoshall were anywhere near her level of power, and they couldn’t see the world the way she did. The only person who came close to being able to understand her power was the Lightdancer keystone—and they weren’t friends. They did not agree on even the most basic of things, and one of the things that prevented war from breaking out between the two of them was that they were almost never in the same place at the same time.

Of course, matters weren’t helped by the fact that most of the others, Lightdancers and Shadowdancers both, viewed Lais and his policies with suspicion and distrust while she worked for him. Despite several of them having been raised in the Sanctuary as she was they had little in common. Their reasons were—different from hers. They had very little in common.

Most of the normal humans, the ones who were neither Lightdancers nor Shadowdancers, viewed her powers with suspicion and fear. She would like to blame her association with Lais on that...but the facts were that people viewed her powers with with suspicion and fear long before the two of them had ever met. Of course, that was just the lot of a Shadowdancer. Shadowdancers could see the shadows in a person’s soul—no secret was safe from them. That tended to make people nervous, despite the fact that there had never been a Shadowdancer that gossiped about the shadows in a person’s soul. Oh, everyone agreed that Shadowdancers had to exist, but they were considered a necessary evil.

On the other hand, Lightdancers were held in high esteem. They saw the light of people's souls, they brought light to the darkness, and people held that ability in much higher esteem than the ability to bring shadow. Asha found it interesting, especially since Lightdancers had a much higher tendency to gossip about human flaws than Shadowdancers did.

A light wind sprung up and she turned her face to the cool breeze. She didn’t know if she preferred the Dark to the Light because she was a powerful Shadowdancer, or if it was because she simply preferred the coolness of the Dark to the heat of the Light. Smiling at the delightful sensation, she made her way home.

Usually she ignored the other Shadowdancers and their charges (some Shadowdancers made their living by escorting people between buildings in the Darkness), but this time she paid attention. She noted how the other Shadowdancers quietly and smoothly moved their charges (and themselves) out of her way. She noted how even the other Shadowdancers, who should have known better, seemed to be tense around her.

She wasn’t sure what she was going to do to fix the issue before it became a problem, but it was clear to her that she was going to have to. She knew the power of a mob. She knew how dangerous humans who thought that they were protecting themselves from a monster could be. She should have been paying more attention to the people around her; this shouldn't have caught her off guard.

Somehow, in some way, she was going to fix the problem.

 

[foxxycat]

Still here-been a BUSY 3 weeks. back to work. The concensus is mixed. Still waiting on more bad news but they won't tell us until July. I suspect they don't want to produce parts here anymore- for various reasons. The best thing that happened is we got our severance pay back. That was a real kick in the butt. So there's a bit of cushion for those who may be laid off in the future. We also have been working to fix the rift between the staff and union. I know I treat everyone the same. Some people playing hardball but I can run with the big dogs. I was one of the only people who showed up every day waiting to get into work- rain, and cold or sunny and hot. I was there. To lend a hand to help keep the grounds cleaned up. I am glad to be back to work-got tired of playing mom to a bunch of bratty children. But hey I got to sleep in 14 days in a row. I can't remember the last time I did that. Been 7 or 8 years? That's how long I have been working 7 days a week...to not work at all was hard to deal with but we got through it.

Now to continue on with job networking. We lost 10 guys now since the lockout. They were very good people-very talented. One question was asked of the CEO how do we retain the talented folks? Without raises/bonuses and they said something about training is still available..didn't even answer the bloody question. It was an interesting discussion. They keep saying they are going to transformation the company. Yeah run all the talented people out until all you have left are the ones who can't find employment elsewhere.

One of our junior welders got a job at Raytheon. Good for him!! They PAY WELL!! If I was still in Beverly I would have jumped on that offer but it's way to far to drive and I have no desire to move anymore. Another guy is now at GE. He loves it. Says such a big change from here. They actually have a training team to actually show you how to do things. Here they throw you into the pool and yell swim! Then get mad when mistakes are made. I figured the company's arrogance will meet up with them eventually but their moto is "People are trainable" ok but they don't train the ones that are here!

Anyways glad to be back to work and moving on to the next projects in my work space. I felt like a fish out of water without a structured plan to keep myself busy. I didn't even like using my phone on the picket line-other than take pictures. It was a victory for the union-they proved that numbers matter. If people stick together-things happen. Sometimes bad things. Sometimes good things. The members felt there was more to be had but enough people realized that better luck next time around. So I am happy with the results-at first I was angry. But I understand why people said uncle. I only hope it helps our cause 3 years down the road when we meet at the table again.

The goal is to heal the rift it has caused and continue to solve the problems and get products out the door.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

From tallyollyopia (dunno how I lost the quote)
Moles--you can't forget moles. Or, maybe we just had an infestation (for a while that's what the cats were bringing in). Hard to say. (Is a vole like a mole? What's the difference?)


A mole is far more like a mouse, actually. It would, in most cases, take an expert to tell the difference.

vole

mole

Thanks for the new "Egg" posting!

foxxycat So glad you are back! And even a partial win is better than a total loss. As long as you are all trying, options remain open.

The bookcase is sitting in the corner snickering at me. I cannot deal with it today. Still a bit achy from crawling around on the floor putting it together wrong!

 

[tallyollyopia]

Still here-been a BUSY 3 weeks. back to work. The concensus is mixed. Still waiting on more bad news but they won't tell us until July. I suspect they don't want to produce parts here anymore- for various reasons. The best thing that happened is we got our severance pay back. That was a real kick in the butt. So there's a bit of cushion for those who may be laid off in the future. We also have been working to fix the rift between the staff and union. I know I treat everyone the same. Some people playing hardball but I can run with the big dogs. I was one of the only people who showed up every day waiting to get into work- rain, and cold or sunny and hot. I was there. To lend a hand to help keep the grounds cleaned up. I am glad to be back to work-got tired of playing mom to a bunch of bratty children. But hey I got to sleep in 14 days in a row. I can't remember the last time I did that. Been 7 or 8 years? That's how long I have been working 7 days a week...to not work at all was hard to deal with but we got through it.

Now to continue on with job networking. We lost 10 guys now since the lockout. They were very good people-very talented. One question was asked of the CEO how do we retain the talented folks? Without raises/bonuses and they said something about training is still available..didn't even answer the bloody question. It was an interesting discussion. They keep saying they are going to transformation the company. Yeah run all the talented people out until all you have left are the ones who can't find employment elsewhere.

One of our junior welders got a job at Raytheon. Good for him!! They PAY WELL!! If I was still in Beverly I would have jumped on that offer but it's way to far to drive and I have no desire to move anymore. Another guy is now at GE. He loves it. Says such a big change from here. They actually have a training team to actually show you how to do things. Here they throw you into the pool and yell swim! Then get mad when mistakes are made. I figured the company's arrogance will meet up with them eventually but their moto is "People are trainable" ok but they don't train the ones that are here!

Anyways glad to be back to work and moving on to the next projects in my work space. I felt like a fish out of water without a structured plan to keep myself busy. I didn't even like using my phone on the picket line-other than take pictures. It was a victory for the union-they proved that numbers matter. If people stick together-things happen. Sometimes bad things. Sometimes good things. The members felt there was more to be had but enough people realized that better luck next time around. So I am happy with the results-at first I was angry. But I understand why people said uncle. I only hope it helps our cause 3 years down the road when we meet at the table again.

The goal is to heal the rift it has caused and continue to solve the problems and get products out the door.

And

From tallyollyopia (dunno how I lost the quote)
Moles--you can't forget moles. Or, maybe we just had an infestation (for a while that's what the cats were bringing in). Hard to say. (Is a vole like a mole? What's the difference?)


A mole is far more like a mouse, actually. It would, in most cases, take an expert to tell the difference.

vole

mole

Thanks for the new "Egg" posting!

foxxycat So glad you are back! And even a partial win is better than a total loss. As long as you are all trying, options remain open.

The bookcase is sitting in the corner snickering at me. I cannot deal with it today. Still a bit achy from crawling around on the floor putting it together wrong!

Thanks for clarifying that for me. And, by the by, that wasn't from Magic School and Egg; it was from a story called Dancers (I just thought posting the title would confuse people.)

On another note, has anyone else been having trouble with the smileys? About half the time I can use them, and about half the time I can't.

 

[NewYork1303]

Now I'm

I had a cat health question so I went to the main forum page instead of the Cat Lounge. At the bottom of the page was an article about indoor cats and the rabies vaccine, and I read it.

I've had three different vets say that the adjuvant is the problem, not the vaccine itself. Three different vets. And according to that article, they all lied to me because it's not the problem. That it's the act of getting an injection that's triggering the cancer, not just vaccines, definitely not the adjuvant.

And apparently the hip is not the ideal vaccination site, which all three vets wanted to put it there. Apparently the tail is best, the lower leg second best, because the cancer is easier to treat in both locations. It's also a lot easier to lop off part of the tail or the lower leg if the cancer becomes aggressive, instead of trying to figure out how to take out a chunk of the hip.

Why the (bleep) are vets lying and saying it's the adjuvant when it's not? Why are they pushing the one year vaccine by saying the three year vaccine has the wrong adjuvant, when it's the act of sticking a needle in, so once a year is more risky than once every three years?

Why are they lying???

This reminds me of one point in time where scientists were seeing what caused cancer and were doing it by injecting rats. Unfortunately, they were discovering that everything caused cancer- eventually they discovered that injecting rats at all was what was causing cancer.

Our vet does Rabies and the combo vac for indoor cats every three years and doesn't do FeLV after the first one and booster.

Vets are all trained different things I think. Our old farm vet did talk about it being the adjuvant. The vet we have now says that if you vary injection sites you can make it better.

I don't know what to believe, but skipping rabies shots without the titer tests is a bad plan in my opinion. For one, if your cat bites someone they can be destroyed or quarantined for a long time without a valid rabies shot. Secondly, there are all kinds of rodents and other animals that can easily get inside of your home. These can carry rabies.

 

[Margret]

On another note, has anyone else been having trouble with the smileys? About half the time I can use them, and about half the time I can't.

They take a while to come up when you click on the little smiley icon. However, once they are up they'll stay there until you click on the icon again.

I don't know what to believe, but skipping rabies shots without the titer tests is a bad plan in my opinion. For one, if your cat bites someone they can be destroyed or quarantined for a long time without a valid rabies shot. Secondly, there are all kinds of rodents and other animals that can easily get inside of your home. These can carry rabies.

Also, if you ever need to take your cat to a groomer he or she will insist on a rabies vaccination certificate. The collar tag is not sufficient. And it's extra protection if your indoor only cat should happen to make it outside despite your best efforts.

Margret

 

[NewYork1303]

not[/B] sufficient. And it's extra protection if your indoor only cat should happen to make it outside despite your best efforts.

Margret

I know a lot of emergency vets require it as well. Boarding places typically do also. Many cat sitters do as well (for their own safety of course).

 

[tallyollyopia]

This reminds me of one point in time where scientists were seeing what caused cancer and were doing it by injecting rats. Unfortunately, they were discovering that everything caused cancer- eventually they discovered that injecting rats at all was what was causing cancer.

Our vet does Rabies and the combo vac for indoor cats every three years and doesn't do FeLV after the first one and booster.

Vets are all trained different things I think. Our old farm vet did talk about it being the adjuvant. The vet we have now says that if you vary injection sites you can make it better.

I don't know what to believe, but skipping rabies shots without the titer tests is a bad plan in my opinion. For one, if your cat bites someone they can be destroyed or quarantined for a long time without a valid rabies shot. Secondly, there are all kinds of rodents and other animals that can easily get inside of your home. These can carry rabies.

AWM has a theory that cancer is actually triggered by an undiscovered virus. Taking that into consideration, it makes sense that it's the act of puncturing the skin that makes it more likely for cancer to develop, since that means the integrity of the skin itself is being compromised.

They take a while to come up when you click on the little smiley icon. However, once they are up they'll stay there until you click on the icon again.



Also, if you ever need to take your cat to a groomer he or she will insist on a rabies vaccination certificate. The collar tag is not sufficient. And it's extra protection if your indoor only cat should happen to make it outside despite your best efforts.

Margret

I've been clicking on the smiley icon, and like I said: about half the time I'll get the bar of smileys at the bottom of the message (stays up, like you said) and about half the time they don't come up.

I know a lot of emergency vets require it as well. Boarding places typically do also. Many cat sitters do as well (for their own safety of course).

One of the things that happens around here is, in spring when it starts getting that time of year, is we get "moveable clinics" run by vet techs (instead of full blown veterinarians), that charge five, six bucks a shot (not only does my schedule not allow it, but I like getting the cats their shots at the same place every time).

Side note--I had to get shoes today, and AWM and I (since I'm working nights I don't function well in the daytime) went all around town running her errands as well, and we discovered that our town has a PetCo (which probably won't be in business for too long, because it's difficult to find). Out of curiosity, I went in (I'm boycotting Petsmart, not PetCo, after all), and was slightly impressed. Like Petsmart, they had red-eared sliders on sale, unlike Petsmart they had them in a proper environment (mostly aquatic, with landing area under warming light, for those who don't know), which impressed me. Actually, most of the store was like that. I was even (tentatively) impressed by their parakeet cages (which were wide rather than tall, which makes sense given how parakeets like to fly), had the truly, most humongous koi I have ever seen in a tank (it was the size of my forearm), and then I got to the cat section. Most if it was repeats of stuff from other stores, but I got to the scratching posts--and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head. These are sturdy, wood-cored, carpet and swisel (I have no idea how to spell that) rope posts for less money than Wal-Mart charges for their cardboard-cored posts that never screw on as tight as they should be! (We got one and marked another couple as potential buys later, next time I get paid.) The one we got has a carpeted basket on top of the scratching post itself, a toy hanging from the basket that looks kind of like a da bird (and is detatchable and replaceable), and the cats love it. So--cautiously optimistic there.

On another note, one of our stops was a thrift store (to check for more carriers, because I'm not comfortable having fewer carriers than I do cats), and there were two almost perfect carriers except for two things--one, the carriers were dirty with insects on them (but were plastic, and would have been easy to clean), and the price went up. To give perspective, the last time I got a carrier at this place it was ten dollars (and the carrier was clean) and this time it was twenty (and very dirty). Is it petty that I didn't get them? Should I get them tomorrow?