Conference misery::feline_v1

440.0. "1987 - The year of the 'CAT'astrophe?" by USHS01::MCALLISTER (TARDIS Sales and Service Co.) Wed Jan 07 1987 09:50

    
    What a year this is going to be.
    
    Let me tell you, it's enough to drive a grown man to cat shows
    
    First, my HHP Rocky  (Rocky Ricocco) started dragging the lower
    part of his tail.  Rocky is very like to develop absesses, so when
    we found a knot we started antibiotics.  No problem...
    
    Week later, tail still dragging, hair starts falling out. Skin turns
    leathery.  Pain seems to be progressing up the tail towards the
    body. oh boy, it's vet time...
    
    Apparently, Rocky hurt his tail and disrupted his circulatory system.
    His tail began dying (pre-gangrene).
    
    So now we have a semi-tailed cat, and our first large vet bill of
    the year (we DID buy his last mercedes for him, you know). Fortunately,
    he is very reasonable and gives us a volume discount.
    
    Then, our one indoor/outdoor cat (reason why will follow) came in
    limping. He likes to climb trees and has sprained his leg before.
    No problem...
    
    Week later, he still isn't walking right. Still very tender, but
    no obvious wound.  oh boy, it's vet time ...
    
    set of xrays later, we find a broken metacarpal.  Treatment? scientific
    neglect.  A not so large vet bill ...
    
    One kitty escapes from the house and runs to the park (We live across
    from a 1500 acre park in Houston).  Seldom traffic on the road.
    Wife goes after cat. cat runs across road back to house... speeding
    car hits cat, doesn't stop. cat dies on way to vet. wife in hysterics.
    (I'm not doing too good myself). Vet keeps wife there until I get
    there and doesn't charge us for anything.
    
    Reason for outside cat?  We have a cat (Mcalli's Doctor Who) who
    has a ppsychogenic problem.  He drinks too much water and after
    several hundred in tests and consultations with specialist all across
    the count, he is diagnosed sick in the head (we'd be called
    psychosomatic).
    
    Since he is also rather indiscriminate about where he gets rid of
    his "water" (and he passes a LOT), we let him out. If I could find
    a nice farm to place him on, where he wouldn't need to go in the
    house, I'd place him there in a second. But Doc is to sweet to just
    kick out, and since he isn't really sick we can't cure him.
    
    Then my wife announces that she doesn't want to breed anymore cats
    (she is tired of the Fancy's constant political bickering). 
    
    Is it too soon to consider cancelling 1987?
    
    Dave

    
    Poor Dave!!
    
    I am so sorry to hear about Rocky's tail of woe and Doc's lame excuse
    for a story (no, I won't mak a pun about your poor dead kitty. That's
    not my idea of funny).  Look at it this way - you have just used
    up all your bad pet luck for at least this year and perhaps well
    into next!
    
    Your kitty Dock sounds like my only indoor/outdoor kitty Shawsheen
    (see note 348 - "HELP ... spraying").  If you ever do find that
    nice farm for Doc, ask them if they need a very sweet but slightly
    off in the noggen black kitty cat.
    
    As for your wife, I have found that the loss of a cat can put me
    off on new kitties for as long as six months.  I always come back,
    though, so give her some time.
    
    Look at it this way - your luck is bound to improve.  Chin up 'cause
    there are better days ahead!

    Dave,
    
    So sorry to hear about your cat(s).  1986 was my year for multiple
    'cat'astrophes so I can really relate.  Please don't give up on
    breeding.  The fancy needs good people like you and your wife. 
    The problems won't be solved unless enough people band together
    to help solve them.  I agree with the previous noter... your bad
    kitty luck is all used up for 1987 and things will improve soon.
    
    Please hang in there...
    
    Jo Ann

    Dave,
    
    Let me add to the sympathies.  I can't make it any easier, but our
    thoughts are with you.  I, too, have had quite a time with my new
    kitten.  One thing after another....but, things will improve!  After
    all, they can't get any worse.  Pass our sympathies and understandings
    on to your wife.  I'm sure she feels terrible about everything these
    days.  Again, our thoughts are with you guys.
    
    Mary (and Honey and Chauncey)