Conference misery::feline_v1

    How about the ones who think eyeballs in the REM part of sleep are
    fair game. Rather startling, to say the least!
    
    M-L

    How about when the current owner (feline-style) decides to get her
    nose out of joint about the new arrival and use your bed in lieu
    of her litter box? (We didn't give the second kitten enough time
    for everybody to adjust, so we still have only one ;-(...)
    
    	/Harry

    AHHHHH yes.   There's the joy of getting the kitten out of whatever
    place it has managed to crawl into - like that space you didn't
    know you had between the floor and the bottom of the kitchen cupboard.
    Koshka found a hole right in the corner where two cupboards meet,
    investigated, and crawled right in.  (She still looks in the hole
    on occasion)  Then there's the game of Kittens in the Vents.  Fun,
    if you have forced hot air systems and didn't know that a few of
    the vents had loose grills.  You run quickly to turn the furnace
    off and PRAY that the kitten doesn't drop down into it, whilst
    attempting to bribe it back into safer environs....  And the
    investigations of the basement, complete with Koshka crawling
    into the space between the floor of the first floor and the
    ceiling of the finished section of the basement - the humans
    look into the crawl space (kitten size) and what's there?
    Nails pointing up at all sorts of locations, wiring, and one
    small cat stubbornly refusing to come out while she still has
    some neat wires to play with.
    
    Then there's the TP roll that's been unrolled over and around
    the entire house,  the plant that just bloomed that's now been
    shredded and removed from its pot,  the wallpaper that's ripped
    out from the kitten climbing to the window that it can't quite
    jump to.....
    
    And yet, they ARE awfully cute.
    
    --Louise

	...a tiny furry Tarzan taking a leap up my legs when I have just
    dressed  for work and am wearing a skirt and nylons for a change....
    (so that's what the 'ladders' are for!!!)

	...playing tag with their sibling in the middle of the night.

	...using mom's (my) face as a launching pad in the middle of the
    night  cuz  it's  part  of  the easiest way to get to the window cuz
    they're  too  small  to jump all the way from the floor. (and by the
    way,  the  claws  are out cuz it helps give better traction) and you
    have  to  go  fast cuz otherwise your sibling will get to the window
    first

	...climbing up the clothes in the closet and pulling them into a
    heap on the floor

	...peeing in the laundry cuz it's 'more comfortable' and closer
    than the litter pan

	...not making it to the litter box

	...one kitty getting chewed on by the other and not being able to
    bite  back  cuz  s/he  just  lost his/her baby fangs and has nothing
    substantial to bite with

	...no television cuz someone was chewing on the cord

	...toppled christmas trees

	...coming home  from  a  one  day  vacation and finding that you
    can't make a telephone call cuz sumeone got mad at you and chewed it
    (and  the  one in your bedroom, and the modem cord on your computer,
    and  3  of  the 6 strings of christmas tree lights, and the unopened
    presents that used to be in the living room and are now shredded and
    in the dining room........)

        ...watching rubber bands and string disappear down tiny throats.

	...holes in  your  padded  bike seat cuz someone was chasing her
    tail while balancing precariously on it.

	...shredded wicker baskets (and hampers and chairs)

	...replacing the  toilet  paper  roll  that you just put up this
    morning.

	...picking things  up  off  the  floor  that  landed  there when
    someone  got into the linen closed and tried to get to the top shelf
    where the new kitty toys are stashed

	...plants that  mysteriously  seem  to  have shorter leaves than
    they  did  when you left for work. (or have holey leaves where there
    once were solid ones, or have no dirt where there once was some...)

	...paperback books  that  look  like the covers have been worked
    over  by  one of those staple-removers (the kind that look amazingly
    like kitty jaws :-) )

	...teaching another one what the rules of the house are

	But......(I won't   say  anything  -  you  asked  for  just  the
    negatives!)


				kmr

    How about my friend's white kitty who got all the way down the furnace
    vent to the top of the furnace (luckily it was not during heating
    season) - she was a grey kitty for quite a while after that, Pamela
    being reluctant to further panic the cat (a half-grown kitten newly
    moved to Massachusetts from Minnesota) by giving her a bath?
    
    Then there was my friend's young orange tomcat, who discovered that
    he could open and crawl inside the publing access panel in the closet
    that was back-to-back with my friend's bathtub in the trailer he
    was living in at the time.  We KNEW Rufus had not managed to get
    outside, and we could hear him, somewhere, meowing and scratching
    around.  It took a several hours to figure out just where he had
    gotten to!  There is just enough room inside a bathtub between the
    inner wall of the tub and the wall of the room for a kitty to get
    into but not get out of.  We ended up cutting a hole in the wall
    on the other end of the tub (away from the facets and the plumbing
    access) to extract the now hunry, thirsty, and terrified stuck kitten,
    who had gone as far as he could go, couldn't back up, and couldn't
    turn around!
    
    When Nebula was a kitten (stop me if I've told this one before),
    she lived mostly behind the refrigerator because it took The Fickle
    a while to realize that the tiny black creature was a fellow cat
    and not some kind of dangerous animal like a dog or something (JFCL
    had never not been an Only Cat).  It took a couple of weeks before
    I realized that Fickle was also not allowing the kitten to go
    downstairs to the litter box, so that except for after meals when
    I would carry her down there and put her in the box, Neb had found
    a "safe" place to do her business where JFCL was too large to go:
    she had discovered that the bottom cover of the box springs had
    a small tear in it, and was crawling up in there!  Boy, what a mess!
    
    Still, I love cats!

    
    
    
    
    
    Is there an end to it.........???
    
    
    
      .....jumping around shelves in the shed, and just happening to
    land in the can of paint thinner where you have the brush soaking
    
    
      .....walking into the kitchen just in time to see her jumping
    off from the table, (someone left the butter out!) urgggggg!
    
    djb

    Re .0: Gee, maybe we ought to introduce Honey and Chiun (my 10-year-old
    Balinese-or-Himalayan-we're-not-sure). For the last nine years Chiun
    has tried desperately to get Abigail, the black-and-white Manx-type, to
    play with him, but I think she's bigoted against Orientals; the most
    she'll do is box with him for a few minutes and then run away. I've
    even been thinking of a kitten for Chiun, but I'm afraid he'd hurt it,
    and that Abigail would be horribly jealous... 
    
    -b

    Re .0:  Honey prefers younger men, but since Chiun looks just like
    him, maybe he'll make an exception!  Right now, I think he'd play
    with anyone!  He's giving me the Himmy pout 'cause I took away the
    hand woven blanket he was chewing.  For some reason, he loves to
    chew wool...yarn, blankets, sweaters, whatever.  And he really chews
    on it and tries to pull it apart and swallow it.  He always throws
    it up, too.  On the white rug, of course...
    
    Re all the others...you're bringing back the old memories...like
    the time I was preparing dinner and found him asleep in the salad
    bowl I had just washed.  He was so little then.....  And the time
    I heard him screaming and arrived just in time to see him at the
    top of the draperies, just as the fabric was starting to rip as
    he held on for dear life (that must have been life #3 back then).
    
    I think a kitten's claws come out seconds after they are born, and
    they don't retract for years.  And those little tails, so skinny,
    sticking straight up in the air...maybe it's kitty radar...
    
    I'm weakening.................
    
    Mary

    With all the negative reaction to this note, have you decided yet
    to go get another one???
    
    M-L
    
    
    I'M GOING OUT TO GET A DOZEN OF THOSE CUTE LITTLE DEVILS!!!!!!!!!
    :^) ;^) (my husband will kill me!) :^)

    I think I had pretty much decided to get another kitten when I wrote
    this note; I just needed to be reminded of the reality of kittenhood.
    All the relies were so funny.  I think we're more concerned about
    their safety and well-being than their mischief.  I can relate to
    those plant stories.  Honey loves spider plants and ferns.  And
    I remember when the first time my orchid plant I paid $40.00 for
    bloomed.  Or almost bloomed.  He chewed all the little orchid buds
    off the stem.  When I asked my vet how do I get him to stop doing
    certain things, he laughed and said to me "You can't...you can only
    get him to stop doing certain things while your watching!"  How
    true!
    
    I'd love to have a house full of kittens and cats, but I'd also
    love to have draperies with no holes in them, a stereo with all
    the components still hooked up, a Christmas tree with all the ornaments
    and lights in place (gee, even a bare tree standing upright would
    be nice).  But all those things don't mean anything compared to
    having a little fluff ball asleep on your face, purring away, his
    whiskers stuck up your nose, his little toes (and their claws) in your
    ear.  And you wouldn't dare move no matter how uncomfortable you
    were cause you wouldn't want to wake him.  Ah, yes, I remember it
    well!

    I must add a kitten story a friend of my refuses to add to this
    note.  I'm sure you'll understand why...
    
    His little kitten, only a few months old, used to sleep on his chest
    or back (or face).  One morning, while he was lying in bed with
    the kitten on is back, he, ummm, how you say, passed air, or broke
    wind (I told you you'd understand).  The kitten, having proper hygiene
    habits got a whiff and walked down to the offending area and started
    trying to bury the "air" in the blankets.  True story...
    
    This same kitten also liked to bite fruit or whatever left out on
    the counter in the kitchen.  That was until the day hit bit into
    the jalapeno pepper left on the counter!!
     

    Well, I'm in exactly the same state of indecision as the author
    of the base note.  My next door neighbor's new kitten has completely
    won my heart and left me longing for a new fuzzball of my own. 
    I have really enjoyed reading this note and all the replies, and
    I hearby nominate it for "Best of Conference" award.
    
    Aren't they wonderful little critters?
    
    Susan

    RE .0
    
    You know, even having 7 (yes, you read it right!) of these wonderful,
    drive-you-crazy creatures doesn't stop me from missing having a
    little kitten around the house.  I found the last batch ("Mum" and
    four 2 day old boys) on the streets of Hudson, MA.  Now how could
    I just leave them there?  We have since adopted out 2 of the boys.
    Prior to that, the last real baby we had was Sammy - a black manx
    mix with a little stub tail and the biggest ears you ever saw.
    He would always come into bed with us and get under the covers and
    purr his little brains out and "make bread" like crazy!  And then
    in the morning suck on all our fingers!  What a great kitty he was! 
          
    I know we're supposed to be talking you out of this, and that they
    can be real pains in the you-know-what - 
    
    but you won't regret it.
    
    Carole
    

    Welllllll...I haven't made the final plunge yet, but I'm weakening
    every day.  This past weekend, I made the stupid mistake of taking
    out Honey's baby album and looking through it.  That was a real
    close call...till I got to the pictures of the Christmas tree (or
    what was left of the tree!).  It started out fully decorated, and
    then the ornaments on the bottom third were gone, and then the garland
    was gone, and then the lights were gone, and the presents with the
    shredded ribbons and paper were gone.  I learned one thing from
    that Christmas experience....never leave a package of catnip wrapped
    up under the tree for kitty's first Christmas!
    
    I need more horror stories, you guys!  I'm getting close to the
    edge!  I even called a Himmy breeder yesterday.  Thank God she wasn't
    home.  Maybe after DECUS....
    
    Mary

    Well, I'm back from DECUS.  Since my kittysitter has gone away for
    a few days herself, I have my little guy and his two aforementioned
    playmates, Ashley and Skyler Van Grayson, at my house.  It's so
    much fun to watch the 3 of them playing kitty tag and All Star Kitty
    Wrestling.  Honey told me last night how much he likes his buddies
    and how nice it would be to have a little brother to play with all
    the time.  Then I looked at the nice layer of fur all over the carpet
    and came to my senses!  Sigh....they're so cute, though.  Maybe
    in a couple weeks...
    
    Mary

Hi Everyone...
    
    Guess who I got a call from....I think she's really weakening now.
     
    I gave her the name of a real nice man that I know from Merrimack
    who breeds Himalayans...he has kittens NOW!!!   She won't be able
    to get in touch with him till mid next week, he's out of town till
    then on business.  
    
    I think if she's going to be talked out of getting a kitten, someone
    is going to have to do some real fast typing!!!   But somehow, I
    really don't think it will matter.....I really think she had decided
    before she wrote this note in the beginning.
    
    Good Luck Mary
    
    Purrs
    cin
    

    Looks like the soul searching (and kitten searching!) is over!
    Chauncey Coleman Farnsworth joined the household Friday night and
    things will never be the same again!  He's a 5-month old cream point
    Himalayan, a birthday twin of his adoring "big brother", Hamilton
    Bates Farnsworth (aka Honey).  Any fears I might have had of the
    two not getting along went away in the first half hour they were
    together.  They played together right away (after a little mutual
    sniffing) and seem to be getting along just great.
    
    The only problem is that Chauncey had never heard the word "NO!"
    before.  He's heard it so many times now that he thinks his name
    is "No Chauncey!".  He also knows what the spray bottle is.  He
    also knows that when he does something wrong, he can run to Honey,
    who consoles him by washing his face and ears.
    
    I'm glad I got an older kitten...he has better claw handling techniques
    than a little one, and he stands up to Honey's rough play better.
    
    Thanks to all of you who added your kitten stories to this note.
    Even if you didn't talk me out of it, they all brought lots of smiles
    and chuckles, and even a few memories.  And it gives me something
    to look forward to!!  
    
    Mary

    I don't know if I can survive kittenhood right now.  I have a 5
    month old birman female who I thought was ill because she never
    seemed to misbehave at all!  She stays off the tables and countertops,
    she uses only her scratching post, uses the litter box not my carpets,
    doesn't try to dash out of open doors and is just a little bundle
    of joy.
    
    Last week I took in a kitten from a breeder/friend who had had surgery
    and needed help caring for her cats.  This birman kitten is a holy
    terror!!!!  She claws drapes, climbs furniture, walks all over the
    tables and counters, meows continuously, growls when I have to medicate
    her, growls when I remove her from my lap, (curiously her favorite
    place to be!) demands constant attention, defies me at any chance!
    She makes my little kitten look like a Godsend!
    
    The weird part is that she will rub against your ankles like she
    wants attention and if you pick her up she hisses and growls at
    you!  In the middle of the night she will get into bed with me and
    nuzzle and be sweet and then take a nip out of my neck!  We definetly
    have a love, hate relationship on both sides.
    
    Her real "mom" will be picking her up on friday... thank goodness!
    I don't know how much more I can take of this.  Funny thing is that
    she gets along great with the rest of my cats.  She is a cats cat
    not a people cat.
    JO

    Jo,
    
    This really makes you wonder about the way both kittens were raised.
    Sounds like your friends kitten maybe didn't get enough love and
    attention when she was real little???  What do you know about the
    way each kitten was brought up??
    
    Purrs
    cin
    

    The breeder that I bought my kitten from had 13 kittens in the house
    at once and managed to raise them all with love and affection. 
    She and I share the view that cats must behave and have to be taught
    the rules of the house from day one.  At first she had told me that
    she was real unhappy with the temperament of my kitten.  The kitten
    was the runt in a litter of males and very feisty.  I asked her
    to pay special attention to the kitten and try and socialize her
    for me.  It paid off, the little girl is as sweet and loving as
    can be!
    
    The friend who's kitten I am "babysitting" had one litter of three
    female kittens born to one of her two females.  The kittens were
    born during a period of turmoil for the owner.  She has had alot
    of personal problems and then had to go into the hospital for surgery.
    I think these things combined to make it difficult for her to focus
    her full attention on the kittens.  All three kittens have had problems
    socializing.
    
    The kitten that I am taking care of for her is now ill.  This might
    explain some of her weird behavior.  She has a very bad case of
    diarrhea.  I have not heard back from the owner yet as to what she
    wants me to do.  Last night I decided that something had to be done
    since the kitten is underweight for her age.  I took her temperature
    (which much difficulty!) and since it was normal decided to administer
    some Kaopect-forte.  I wasn't sure on the dosage so only gave her
    one cc.  I took away food and water from her for a period of 24
    hours.  She is acting like she feels terrible now.  No playing this
    morning, just laying around on my lap as I put on my makeup for
    work.
    
    Does anyone know what should be done about a 4 month old 3lb kitten
    with severe diarrhea who's owner can't be located?
    Jo

    First of all, talk with your vet or, if after hours, with the Emergency
    Animal clinic near you.  Next, give her water!  I did the same thing
    with my new kitten until the vet impressed upon me that with diarrhea
    a cat needs *more* water to give back what she is losing.  Do *not*
    give her milk.  They may also advise not to give her fish products
    (I have heard pros and cons on this for diarrhea).  
    
    The way she is reacting may be because of the illness.  See if any
    parts of her are particularly sore (abdomen, legs, etc) or if she
    is just generally feeling bad.
    
    The vet should be able to fill in the rest.
    
                   Carol
    
    good luck!
    
    

    Thanks for the advice Carol but my vet told me to withold all food
    and water for a period of 24 hours as long as her temperature was
    normal.  This is not my kitten and permission has not been given
    to take her to the vet.  I called yesterday and asked for his advice
    in this situation.  The reason given for withholding water was to
    give the kaopect-forte a chance to work.
    
    She has not received any milk.  She did have a tablespoon of Kmr
    on her food on Sunday but we ran out on Monday.  I think the diarrhea
    was caused by a change in diet when she came to stay with me.
    Jo

    Jo,
    
    You might also want to ask your vet about Biosol.  This is a medication
    that works for intestinal viruses which are usually the problem
    associated with diarrhea.  I don't think it will cause any harm,
    in any case, but talk to your vet first.  I always keep this on
    hand for when kittens are first learning to eat and getting the
    runs.
    
    re: socializing kittens
    
    I'm glad to hear that the breeder of your kitten took the time to
    make her a sweetie.  I think that socializing the kittens is so
    important.  This is why I only have one litter of kittens at a time,
    and don't breed another female until the kittens are at least 12
    weeks.  This gives me plenty of time to spend with each litter since
    I'm not trying to divide my time.  It does make it harder to part
    with the little buggers though and I'm not able to produce as many
    kittens, but at least the ones I do have are sweet and affectionate.
    
    purrs
    cin
    

    cin, boy are you right about getting attached to them!  The breeder
    often calls me up to ask how Jouissance is doing and says that she
    misses her alot.  I send her pictures every time I get a roll developed
    and also write and let her know how the shows are going.  I am with
    you on the socializing of kittens.  Especially if they are going
    to be show cats.  They have to feel comfortable letting people handle
    them.  I would never want one of my cats to inflict wounds on a
    judge!  The cats should be relaxed and calm in the car and at the
    show.
    
    My husband called and said that the Kaopect-forte must be working
    because the kitten is doing much better now.  She is even eating
    now.  The 24 hour fast ended this morning.  
    
    On the Biosol, do you purchase it from your vet?  Is this the brand
    name or the generic name?
    Jo

    Yes, I purchase the Biosol from my vet, it's called Biosol, but
    I'm not sure which actual company puts it out.  It's in a Red and
    White box.  
    
    Great stuff to have around the house!!
    
    cin