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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

4285.0. "Name the Stray" by WILLEE::MERRITT () Fri Jan 04 1991 09:10

    Well let me introduce my latest stray which joined my family
    about a week before Christmas.  We have taken in many strays
    lately...but boy this one caused a lot of anxiety.
    
    I found a stray at work that was sitting in the pouring rain
    crying trying to get someones attention.  I work at the DLB
    building in Marlboro...and if you know the area...there are
    no houses around.  My guess is that she is one of the kittens
    from the wild cats I have seen around here this summer. They
    always find me....she kept following me to my car.
    
    Well after a day...I scooped her up and brought her home.  The
    next morning she was packed up and sent to the Vet for a
    check-up.  Well the good news is that she is very healthy...and
    because her belly was chunky/hard...I suspected worms...and 
    found out she was about 5 weeks pregnant.  (Gulp...)  No
    lectures please...this was not my choice...and I do not have
    the heart to abort these little ones.  I have six other cats
    at home and all of them are fixed and I have never intended
    on experience birth of kittens.   Believe me...she will be
    fixed as soon as possible after the birth.
    
    Well thank god for two of the feline breeders in this file who
    have answered all my questions so far (I'll have more I'm sure), 
    and have helped me prepare for this event.  I am reading all
    I can about kitten birth and hopefully will be prepared.
    
    Well for some reason...I am having a real hard time naming
    this new kitty.  I'm probably still in shock. She is 9 months 
    old, Black,grey,brown tabby, very friendly, lovey,  but very
    skittish at times. She has got a funny little pug nose...almost
    like a persians.  Her fur is very very thick and fluffy but 
    she is not long haired. Her goal in life right now...is to try
    and get back outside.  She tries to sneak by you anytime the
    door is opened....we are very careful when comming and going.
    Can someone think of some appropriate names to help me out???
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, Barkley, Chloe, Anges, Dewey, and ???????)
                                                      
    
    
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4285.1Name game......BOOVX2::MANDILEFri Jan 04 1991 09:448
    Sandy,
    
    Don't apologize, you took her in when no one else would,
    so your decision was the best for you.
    
    How about "Abby the Tabby"?  (Abigail)
    
    L-
4285.2SANDY::FRASERMonsters remonstrated...Fri Jan 04 1991 09:5210
	She sounds like a cutie!

	I've been really fond of 'Nikita' as a name lately - love the
	song by Elton John.

	Good luck with everything.  I don't think I'd have the heart
	to abort the babies either.

	Sandy, Smudge, Tas, Jenny, C.C. & Beau
4285.3SUBURB::THOMASHThe Devon DumplingFri Jan 04 1991 10:226
	Sneak...........she sneaked into your heart, now she's trying to
	                sneak around you to get outside


	Heather
4285.4Nice to see some people still care...HYEND::KTRAINQUEFri Jan 04 1991 10:3712
    How about Precious?  My sons could never pronounce it and always called
    the cat FRETCHIS (SP?).  My Precious was feral cat that I set free from
    a trap.  She was beautiful, dainty little tiger.  She also gave birth
    two weeks after I saved her.  She was 7 months old.  (boy they start
    young!!!!!!!).  I helped deliver the kittens, so if you have any 
    questions be glad to help.  I learned the hard way.
    
    Also when the kittens are born, if you don't have home already for them
    I'd be interested in a couple.  I just adopted Lucifer (Leon) from the
    file.  I usually have five or six cats.  So the house seems kind of
    empty with only three furballs doing the Indianapolis 500 across my bed
    at 2:00 a.m.
4285.5WILLEE::MERRITTFri Jan 04 1991 12:1115
    If anyone else is interested (please please), I am hoping to
    find all the kittens wonderful homes.  Our plan right now
    is to keep the Momma, get her fixed asap, and hopefully
    find the kittens good homes.  I know this might be hard....
    but I'm hoping it's off season for kittens...and I might
    have some luck.  
    
    Gee...this headcount thing I do atleast 10 times a day
    is getting harder and harder now that I have seven.  It
    was easy hunting down 2 or 3 cats.  The other morning I
    did the headcount and came up with eight...boy was
    I puzzled.  Thank god one of them had moved and I
    counted him twice.
    
    Sandy
4285.6CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313Fri Jan 04 1991 13:3720
    Sandy - You shouldn't feel the least bit guilty about her kittens.
    You are in no way responsible and you're a wonderful person to take
    her in.  Its possible that someone dumped her when they found out
    she was pregnant.
    
    RE: Spaying - I didn't force Halie to wean the kittens - I didn't
    think it was necessary.  Halie took care of that.  So I don't think
    you need to jeapordize the cats health by rushing the spay.  By all
    means get it done as soon as reasonable but pregnancy and nursing are
    hard on a cat and you should give her a bit of time to recouperate 
    before subjecting her to surgery.  (I think)
    
    You can help her alot by feeding her kitten food or better yet, Hills
    P/D which is a prescription diet for pregnant/lactating cats.    This
    will help alot in decreasing the depletion of resources in her body
    and means that she'll be ready to spay sooner.  I would feed her that
    from now until the kittens are weaned.  
    
    Let me know how I can help.
      Nancy DC
4285.7CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313Fri Jan 04 1991 13:384
    
    Oh - and I love the name Abigail.  And I hear that ol' Agigail Adams
    was quite the lady in her time!
    
4285.8How bout'...CLT::KOBAL::CJOHNSONEat, drink and see Jerry!Fri Jan 04 1991 17:467
    
    How about "Runaround Sue"?  :))))
    
    Best of luck.  It takes a special kind of person to do what you
    did.  I'm sure that everything will work fine.
    
    Chris&Callie
4285.9SALSA::PARKSFri Jan 04 1991 18:074
How about little orphan Annie (Annie).  Wasn't she always trying to 
escape?   and she was an orphan.

Becky
4285.10I'll take oneTJT01::ARMITAGEMon Jan 07 1991 08:485
    I will take a kitten preferably female when the time comes.  My last
    day is Jan 18th but you can call me at home at 883-3739.  When will the
    litter be ready?  Just curious  8)
    
    Lisa and Flirtaysha(who will be an only kitten soon and very lonely)
4285.11exitWILLEE::MERRITTMon Jan 07 1991 09:0225
    Thanks for the name suggestions...I like them all.  Now I just
    need to go home and see if she looks like an Abby, Annie, Run-
    Around Sue, etc....We originally like Sheena...but all I can 
    picture is a sleek, delicate cat...and this little one is
    noway near sleek...she's quite round right now.
    
    It's not that I am apologizing to all the feliners..I just feel
    guilty allowing her to have her kittens.  I've always owned cats
    but it wasn't until a few years ago that I truly understood how
    big of a problem we really have with strays and unwanted kittens.
    It just breaks my heart....and I kind of feel I am adding to
    the population.  Thank you for those that offer to take a
    kitten....I REALLY appreciate it because I know all feliners
    will give my babies good homes.  (Then I can continue to read
    about them)  If you live close...you can have visitation rights
    at any time.
    
    Well if the Vet calculated correctly she will deliver around 
    January 23rd and I believe they will be ready to go after 8-9
    weeks after that.  Right???  that would make it around late March.
    Now that I'm over the shock...I am gettting real excited about
    this event.  I'm going to be a grandmother!!
    
    Sandy
         
4285.12Calcium should be added.AKOCOA::FALLONIsn't that a Mooncat?Mon Jan 07 1991 12:2717
    Sandy, this is what my vet told me to do.  In the last two weeks of
    pregnancy the female should have extra calcium.  This helps her ability
    to give birth (works on the muscles to help contractions) and also the
    milk supply without depleting her own.  The best way to get this is
    with calcium supplements you can get from them or any good pet store.
    
    You should not feed milk (canned, evaporated etc.) because they said it
    would give the cat extra fats, calories and other nutrients that are
    not necesarrily needed.  Also the reason you do not give the calcium
    before the last two weeks is because it effects the absorption into her
    system and she would not be able to make use of it.  Keep feeding her a
    high quality food, kitten food works well with the extra protein etc.
    
    I know others have told me to use milk as a supplement, but this is
    what the vet prescribed.  Looking forward to my own kittens in 25 days!
    Oh, I can also tell you how to make a good kittening box if you want.
    Karen, Ruby, Stinky, Wing
4285.13Ah, yes, I remember it well....TPMARY::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitMon Jan 07 1991 14:1510
Sandy,

My little stray Mom came to me nameless and was called Girl for the longest
time.  The boy next door called her Megakitty, which got shorted to Meggie,
especially since my vet called her Preggie!!  Meg, Meggie, Megan...

I remember those days so well and (stupid me) I'm JEALOUS!!!!!  Baby kittens...
sigh....

Grandma Mary
4285.14Wait until 12 weeks.CRUISE::NDCMon Jan 07 1991 14:5014
    One thing you CAN give as a good supplement is KMR.  Halie LOVED it.
    I still think Hill's PD is an excellent food for her right now.
    
    re: 8-9 weeks.  Don't be in such a rush ;-)  Don't send them off until
    they've had their kitten shots.  My recommendation is a series of
    3 - Felovac PCT at 6 weeks and Eclipse KP at 9 & 12 weeks.  They're
    still awfully small at 8 weeks old.  Also, my kittens weren't quite
    weaned at 9 weeks old and I didn't want to force it on them.  They
    were eating solid food but still nursing a bit.  Halie decided when
    they should be weaned.  Personally I think 12 weeks is a good time
    to send them to their new homes.  THey haven't had the best start
    in life so, give them a little extra time.  :-)
      Nancy DC
    
4285.15Babies, did someone say babies??CUPMK::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Mon Jan 07 1991 16:517
    Wellll, Grandma Mary, I just happen to have 4 baby kitties hopping
    around if you would like to stop by for a viewing!  I have 2 Lily
    look-a-likes, and 2 brand spanking new babies from Mardi Gras.  A
    5 once bouncing baby boy, and a 4 once bouncing baby girl !!  They
    came out carrying their own packed show bags, the little fat sows!!
    
    E.T.
4285.16TPMARY::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitTue Jan 08 1991 09:0510
Oh, Lordy!!  I've got 4 wheel drive, so I can make it up your driveway any time!
Those chubby little babies with pushed in faces are so cute!!  And the little
ears growing out of the sides of their heads.  And the little tails that stick
straight up like a kitty antenna...must be how they find Mom!!

I can't believe my new babies, Biff and Mikey, are all grown up.  Biff will
be a year old in March and Mikey is 'loosing his manhood' today!  I'm glad
I've got zillions of pictures!!

Granny
4285.17AIMHI::MCCURDYTue Jan 08 1991 12:324
    Mary, hmm you have the 4 wheel drive.. and lo and behold I am
    in the process of "making set of new pockets".. Er um my other
    set was consficated..
    Kate..
4285.18They are sweeter than sugar !! nofaces and all!CUPMK::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Tue Jan 08 1991 14:236
    oh Mary, my babies are Calllllinggggg you!!!!!!  My longhair looks
    like an Ewok (sp????) Luckily, their tails come down when they 
    mature - Exotics are suposed to carry their tails down, not upright !
    Come any time - just give me 20 minutes to vacuum !!
    
    e.t.
4285.19Mardi Gras is a great momCUPMK::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Tue Jan 08 1991 14:259
    Kate, you and Mary ought to gather at the same time and save gas -
    bring pizza !!!!!!!  You know how Lil is about pizza !!
    
    LEAVE YOUR POCKET HOME, Auntie Kate - pocket check on the way out the
    door !  Actually, MG will eat your arm if you touch these new kids -
    she is being quite the mom!!  Won't even let me too close !  She's 
    a hoot!
    
    e.t.
4285.20Pockets!!!!AIMHI::MCCURDYTue Jan 08 1991 15:018
    Gee..  "LEAVE YOUR POCKETS HOME"  is getting to be  quite a 
    familar phrase.. Cin says the same thing to me when I visit
    the Cattyshack Kids..She did however leave me all by myself
    in the cattery with those little darlings.... tee-hee..
    E.T. you would really like my "pocket collection".
    just big enough for one furface per pocket.. I can even
    give you a demo.. smirk, grin, giggle..
    Kate
4285.21I'm WATCHING you !!!CUPMK::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Tue Jan 08 1991 15:1012
    Ha, just try it, keedo!  Keep your demos at work!
    MG will eat your hands off if you snatch one of
    her kids - Lily thinks she is a policewoman - 
    watches her babies like a hawk - Dolly was a bit
    rough on the shorthair the other morning and Lil
    took REAL good care of Dolly - poor thing didn't
    know what hit her and Dolly is twice the size of
    Lil!
    
    Soooo, take care !
    
    e.t.
4285.22DEMOS, POCKETS,,AND LADDERSAIMHI::MCCURDYTue Jan 08 1991 15:289
    Now E.T... where is your sense of "adventure".. gee an alternate
    career path.. Demoing pockets of kitties.. or is that Kitty pockets..
    hmm.. boy I could even give you a feedback sheet to fill out
    ie quality of demo.. etc .. hmmm a very long feedback sheet..
    and while you are filling  it out I get keep the kitty in my pocket..
    Gee I am getting to like to the sound of this idea more and more..
    MamaCin are you out there,... whatta think.. Can I come
    Demo at Cattyshack.. anyone else want to see my pocket demo..
    Kate
4285.23partners in crimeTJT01::ARMITAGEWed Jan 09 1991 08:563
    Not especially,  but you could empty your pockets at my place and have
    pick of the goods!  How about a fifty/fifty split?  Hmmmmmm.....
    Lisa
4285.24hugs, and kisses , and cuddles = purrrrrs!CUPMK::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Wed Jan 09 1991 09:577
    
    You guys can come any time and visit, but don't push your luck
    with pockets, large bags, or sacks of any type!  Just a note,
    that my 3-day old babies are PURRRRRING already!  sigh - they 
    are sooo cute!
    
    e.t.
4285.25AIMHI::MCCURDYWed Jan 09 1991 12:487
    RE: 23..
    Sounds like a great idea..!!!!
    
    E.T.. But I have put lot of time and effort into  making my pockets..
    this is 1st class stuff.. hmm.. gee maybe  designer bags, and sacks
    what a novel idea..
    Kate
4285.26I'll be watching YOU!CUPMK::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Wed Jan 09 1991 13:0913
    re: 25
    
    
                    F O R G E T    I T
    
                    N O   C H A N C E
    
    
                    N O   W A Y
    
    fur detectors at each door!
    
    e.t.
4285.27No KittensWILLEE::MERRITTTue Jan 22 1991 08:3321
    Name the stray.......Abby!  
    
    Well to share some bad news....Abby (momma Kitty) lost her kittens
    and is no longer pregnant.  She was due this week and I am heart
    broken.
    
    The good news is...that Abby appears to be doing fine and within a few
    weeks she will be fixed.  As one feliner noted to me (which made me
    feel a little bit better) was that if Abby was still a stray and
    lost her kittens out in the cold...she might not have made it either.
    So...atleast we still have her.
    
    Thank you for those that offered to take a kitty. Is anyone out there
    still in contact with Lisa with the kitty Flirtasha or know her home
    phone number.  She originally said she might take a kitty...so I want
    to let her know.
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, Barkley, Chloe, Agnes, Dewey, and Abby)
    
    
    
4285.28CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313Tue Jan 22 1991 14:456
    Sandy -
      The next time I have fold kittens you'll have to come visit for
    a "kitten fix".
      Abby is so lucky to have found you.
      Nancy DC
    
4285.293 boys!USAMTS::MTS_METRICSHome is where the Cat isWed Jan 23 1991 12:515
    Or, Sandy, you could plan a visit to Cattyshack....I have a litter
    of 3 1/2 week olds that are too cute for words!
    
    cin