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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

815.0. "What a ride home..." by USPMLO::DESROCHERS (Mine's made outta unobtainium!) Thu Oct 13 1994 11:11

	Ok, here's my story...  I went to Kitty Angels last Wednesday to
	get a kitten.  We got Tish there 2 years ago but the other half
	of the "we" moved out a little while ago and took Tish.  But 
	I digress...

	So, I picked one out, put her in a cardboard carrier which went
	to the passender seat of my car.  I opened it up so she could
	hiss and spit at me all she wanted.  After 10 minutes, she 
	managed to get out and she sat quietly on the seat.  We had a
	lovely conversation.  "Whatchu doin'".  "Hisss".  "Well, hello
	there, little girl".  "Spit".   Pretty similar to my last
	relationship, actually, so I was comfortable with her right
	off the bat.

	Anyway, I had my coat blocking so she couldn't go to the back
	of the car but she managed to jump behind the box on the floor
	of the front seat.  Since I have 284 handiwipes from ScrubaDub 
	Car Wash stuffed under the passenger seat, I knew she was safe
	down there and couldn't go far.  She was meowin' away, obviously
	thrilled do be with me.  Then, nothing.  Hmmmm...

	By this time, I'm on Rt 495 near Rt 3 heading towards Marlboro.
	It's 7:30 so it's pretty dark.  So I reach over and pick up the
	little carry-box and...  no kitten.  Gone.

	I pull over, turn on all my interior lights, and search thru the
	car.  Nothing.  284 handiwipes all over the floor and my heart
	is pounding.  Two things could have happened.  One, she jumped out
	when I was leaning in the car and she's gone into the darkness of
	the woods.  Or two, she climbed up the heat duct that throws air
	on your feet.  I put my hand up there and can't feel anything.
	I'm calling and meowing and there's nothing.

	So, after 20 minutes of frantic searching, I pull out and drive
	home.  I'll tell you, I was very, very upset.  One minute, I have
	a brand new kitten and the next minute, I lose her on rt 495.

	I drive home to Marlboro, get off the exit, downshift from 5th
	to 4th and...  MEEE-OOWWW!!!!!  My God, she's in the car!!  She's
	in the console!!!

	I run upstairs for a screwdriver and unscrew everywhere and I just
	can't get the damn console off!!  So, I just grab the leather boot
	around my stick shift and yank it.  Off it pops and there she is,
	sitting in the stick shift area.  "Spit, hiss".  

	Was I thrilled!!  I just put her in the box, close it up and bring
	her upstairs.  Unreal, isn't it?

	So... it's a week later and I'm still stuck for a name.  She
	doesn't have a tail, she's a "Torby", according to Kitty Angels.
	What's a Torby??  And she had an eventful ride home.

	Any suggestions ??

	Tom

	ps - I also have Puggs (Tish was for Morticia... get it?)  Now
	Puggs has his companion and this SWM, 39, brown hair, - ooops,
	wrong conference.  Sorry ;^)
	
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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815.1GOOEY::JUDYThat's Ms. Bitch to you!Thu Oct 13 1994 11:468
    
    
    	Tom....  wow.  That's a new one on me!  I've
    	heard of kitties getting stuck under seats, inside
    	engine areas.....but never under the stick shift!
    
    	JJ
    
815.2I think a tortie is a dilute tortoise shellHELIX::SKALTSISDebThu Oct 13 1994 11:517
    A torbie describes her coat pattern; she is a "dilute" tortoise shell,
    i.e., the colors are "brindled" together; where a tortoise shell is Black
    and red, the torbie is smoke(or blue) and peach. 

    good luck, she sounds like a cutie!
    
    Deb
815.3Shift, rattle and meowMKOTS1::COOPERThu Oct 13 1994 12:0316
    Gee Tom when I offered you that kitten and if you took her you wouldn't
    have had such an eventful ride.  It isn't funny with that kind of
    fright and worry, but it sounds like me riding home from Worcester with
    Benny the Benidictine Monk's cat.  Actually all the way from
    Uxbridge,Ma to Nashua, NH he sucked on my ear.  The 495 ride was
    thrilling.
    
    As for a name how about Shifty??? It is kind of nifty for a cat who
    gave you such a interesting ride home.  If you are looking for a name
    to go with the Addams family there were flora and fauna, though somehow
    I cannot imagine how that would fit with this kind of cat.
    
    Usually I am good with names, but this one has me stumped.
    
    
    Elise
815.4Name suggestionsTURRIS::EASI::GEENENIllud cape et ei fibulam adfige!Thu Oct 13 1994 12:067
    How about:
    
       Stickshift
    or
       Manual (as opposed to automatic)
    
    Carl
815.5JULIET::CORDES_JAFour Tigers on my CouchThu Oct 13 1994 12:1414
    I believe "torbie" refers to the tortoishell coloring being mixed
    in with tabbie markings.  I have "Torbie Tyler".  She's one of my
    fosters.  She would be known as a patched tabby or a torbie.  She
    has brown tabby markings with red and black (tortoishell) intermingled
    in her coat.
    
    Maybe you should call the new one "Dickens".  Sounds like quite a 
    little dickens to me. :^)
    
    'Course coming up with some car related name would be cute too.
    
    Jan
    
    
815.6Try a foreign language?HOTLNE::CORMIERThu Oct 13 1994 13:415
    Maybe search some foreign languages for a word for "shift"?  Might come
    up with an interesting sounding name, and quite a topic of conversation
    when someone asks where you got the name?
    Quite a story!
    Sarah
815.7What a Riot!TPSYS::HAMPSONNurture NatureThu Oct 13 1994 14:3313
    
    
    Tom, I had a good laugh at the way you wrote about this event!
    Too funny!  
    
    The only car-type name I came up with is "Turbo", but what does
    she look like?  Maybe I can think of some others based on her "looks".
    
    Donna, who has two cats - Data & Domino, one dog - Valentine and two
    parakeets - Larry-Bird & Nefertiti! (Both cats and one bird I found
    at the local dump...)
    
    
815.8Disappearing kitty!JULIET::LANE_BEThu Oct 13 1994 15:424
    
        She sounds like Houdini to me!
    
    
815.9JULIET::CORDES_JAFour Tigers on my CouchThu Oct 13 1994 16:107
    Houdini!  I love it!  
    
    I once named a puppy this because he kept getting out of every 
    enclosure we put him in.
    
    Jan
    
815.10USPMLO::DESROCHERSMine's made outta unobtainium!Fri Oct 14 1994 05:1914
    
    	Hi everyone - thanks for your responses so far.  From the
    	Torby description, that's what she is.  Very little of 
    	that peach but it's there on her face.  My parents met her
    	last nite and suggested Peaches.  But like I said, there's
    	very little of that color.
    
    	I had thought of Shifty too but I just can't bring myself
    	to name an 8 week old, pretty little female Shifty.  I'm
    	sure it'll be something a bit more feminine.
    
    	Thanks!  We'll get her named yet!
    	Tom
    
815.11USCTR1::MERRITT_SKitty CityFri Oct 14 1994 06:0516
    Great story...thanks for sharing it with us!!  What I love is
    so many people would have been turned off by a small kitten that
    hisses/spits and appears NOT to like humans.  BUT just knowing
    your going to give her a chance to let her true personality and
    love shine through... is great!!!  We all know she'll soon by
    a cuddling loving kitten!!  
    
    There is also a good lesson learned for all...it is MUCH better and
    safer for all if kitty stays in the carrier while driving!!!!
    
    As far as a name...what type of car do you drive????   There are some
    pretty names for cars that would make great kitty names....such as 
    Topaz, Neon, Pacer, Opal, Honda, Geo, Saturn, Taurus, and so on!!!! 
    
    Sandy
    
815.12USPMLO::DESROCHERSMine's made outta unobtainium!Fri Oct 14 1994 06:1910
    
    	Right - she's hardly hissing at all.  And her motor purrrrs
    	quite nicely, there's even a chirp during the purring once
    	in a while.  She only spits when I find her in one of her
    	hiding places.  
    
    	My car is an Eagle Talon and it also crossed my mind.
    
    	Tom
    
815.13LUNER::DREYERLove me, love my cats!Fri Oct 14 1994 07:054
What a funny story Tom, I loved it! Looking forward to seeing what you decide
to name her!

Laura
815.14Torby TaloffLJSRV2::FEHSKENSlen - reformed architectFri Oct 14 1994 07:597
    
    This is really dumb, but it occured to me that if you drive a Talon,
    and she's tail-less, you could call her Taloff.  It even sounds
    foreign.
    
    len.
    
815.15TOOK::GASKELLFri Oct 14 1994 10:0511
    A friend and his girlfriend had major disagreements about what their
    new cat should be called.  While on their way to Springfield it was
    decided to call the cat by what ever name they saw on the next factory.
    
    The cat is now named Worchester Gear Works.   
    
    Our experience is that the cat will grow into what ever name is
    appropriate for it.  My sister rescued a little black and white cat and
    called her Emily -- WRONG NAME.  She is now called Ninja, much more
    appropriate as she jumps from behind chairs with both front legs
    extended in a classic Ninja stance.
815.16PSYCHE::AIKEYFri Oct 14 1994 10:3114
    
    
    Hi Tom,
    
    Loved your story..  It is nice to be able to read something funny this
    day and age..  I was just thinking.  You said you drive a Talon, why
    not name her Tara??  
    
    
    Best of luck to you and your new family member!!!
    
    
    *joyce
    
815.17"Shimmy"KAHALA::JOHNSON_LLeslie Ann JohnsonFri Oct 14 1994 11:5248
    This is kind of the result of a tangled thought process, but
    what about Shimmy for a name?  It's kind of soft and feminine
    sounding, and can be sort of traced back to the car experience.

    I'll try & explain.  I started with two words, shift & spits;
    shift for the gearstick and spits because of hissing and spitting.
    I thought about Spitz for a name, but felt it was not too flattering 
    sounding.  Then I looked up words starting with schi... thinking of 
    variant spellings for the sound of shift.  Didn't see anything really 
    suitable, so then I looked up shift.  Nothing in the definitions or 
    any list of synomyms gave me any good ideas, but then I noticed shim, 
    shimmer, and shimmy on the next page, and a couple of definitions caught 
    my eye:

    1) A shim is a little piece of something you can put under or 
       between things, like between a cabinet and a wall, to square or 
       level something.  I thought of the kitten in between the covering
       and gearstick mechanism.

    2) Shimmy sounds like shim, only more like a name, and also has 
       several definitions that apply somewhat indirectly.  

       It was a dance popular in the 1920s & was marked by rapid shaking 
       of the body, and the kitten sort of danced around the innards of your 
       car, and led you a on a not so merry chase (dance) of ripping things 
       off to find her.

       Its an abnormal vibration as in the "chassis of a motor vehicle",
       and she became sort of abnormal part of your car, probably vibrated
       around a bit in there too ;-).  

       Finally, its a 'regional' word for chemise - "a woman's loose, 
       shirtlike undergarment".  Which brings us back to shift because one 
       of the definitions for shift is:
       7a  "A loosely fitting dress that hangs straight from the 
            shoulders: chemise."
       7b  "A woman's undergarment, as a slip"
       So, shimmy can mean shift, though in a completely different context
       than gear shift, and a rather feminine context at that.

   3)  To shimmer is to glow or shine in the way that silver or gold, in
       other words, treasure, does.  Our pets are a kind of treasure to us,
       and Shimmy also sounds a bit like shimmer.

  Well okay, its all sort of very loose, but I thought I offer the idea any
  way.

  Leslie
815.18Name that CatMKOTS1::COOPERMon Oct 17 1994 07:3517
    Well I was thinking about this over the weekend and after reading all
    of these descriptions about the cat I was thinking that maybe Tatiana
    would be a good name for her.
    
    Since Tatiana is the queen of the fairies (sp) in Shakespeare's A
    Midsummer's Nights Dream, and fairies are rather impish creatures, who
    can come to love humans and perform magical things that this kitty
    would fit that.
    
    She did turn out to be happy and even though she shifted about through
    the ride it might fit her.  Sorry Peaches is such a cat name, and from
    the sounds of everyone in these notes, we don't have the normal 
    cat names......
    
    Glad to know you are having fun with your little one.
    
    Elise
815.19All's Faer in A's and I'sLJSRV2::FEHSKENSlen - reformed architectMon Oct 17 1994 07:5314
    
    Tatiana is a Russian name.  The Queen of the Faeries from Midsummer
    Night's Dream is Titania (Oberon is the King).  Puck is the faery who
    makes all the fun/trouble.  A "shifty" character, as it were.
    
    Faery is an affected spelling of fairy.  The Faeroes are some Danish
    Islands in the North Atlantic.  The Pharoah was the guy in charge of
    Egypt.  Where else can we take this... 
    
    Any famous mythological/legendary "shape shifters" come to mind?
    
    len (rambling on Monday morning).
    
    
815.20Trekkies know!!TURRIS::EASI::GEENENIllud cape et ei fibulam adfige!Mon Oct 17 1994 08:534
    On Star Trek Deep Space 9, the shape-shifter's name is Odo.  I
    think the spelling's correct.
    
    Carl
815.21You mean you haven't considered...USCTR1::WOOLNERYour dinner is in the supermarketMon Oct 17 1994 09:5111
    .0> ps - I also have Puggs (Tish was for Morticia... get it?)
                         
      > Ok, here's my story...  I went to Kitty Angels last Wednesday
      > to get a kitten.				    ^^^^^^^^^
    
    I can't believe nobody's picked up on this!!!  Of course you could 
    call her (Miss) Thing, but if I'd already established an Addams Family
    theme, I wouldn't *consider* any name for your torbie but Wednesday!
    
    *Great* trip-home story,
    Leslie
815.22Kitty NamesTPSYS::HAMPSONNurture NatureMon Oct 17 1994 15:1017
    
    
    These names are not car or event related, but here 
    are a few suggestions:
    
    		Sheena
    		Blaze
    		Sierra
    		Skye
    		Sienna
    		Daphne
    
    Be sure to let us all know what you decide on, Tom!
    
    Donna
    
    		
815.23Foreign language nameBPSOF::EGYEDPer aspera ad astraTue Oct 18 1994 02:046
    re .6, I suggest a forein-language-name: Zuggy.
    
    Zugi, pronounced zoogie, means in Hungarian someone, who has got stuck
    in a secret and small place.
    
    Nat
815.24WELL ......??????AIMHI::OFFENTue Oct 18 1994 10:106
    OK !!!!  I'M  DYING  !!!!!   What did you name her??  I loved some of
    the wonderful names people came up with and they really did put some
    thinking into it.
    
    Sandi (who currently owns - White Lightning, Black Thunder, DejaVu,
    Miss Patches, My Grey Shadow, and now Silver Lining)
815.25"Carly"TPSYS::HAMPSONNurture NatureTue Oct 18 1994 10:505
    
    Well, I came up with one more and it's car-related!  How about
    "Carly", like in Carly Simon?!
    
    Donna
815.26USPMLO::DESROCHERSMine's made outta unobtainium!Wed Oct 19 1994 08:3814
    
    	Hi everyone!  I was out the last few days so sorry about not
    	checking in.  I still haven't named her yet but there are a
    	bunch that sound like potentials.  Donna, I liked most of
    	yours and now I just see Carly...  Hmmmm... 
    
    	Yes, I thought of Wednesday but don't think so.  I'll tell
    	ya tho, either Fester and Gomez would have been my choice is
    	she were a he.  
    
    	Are there any favorites	so far?
    
    	Tom
    
815.27Can You Stand One More Pun?CSLALL::MHOLMESWed Oct 19 1994 10:484
    How about Carmen Gear, after the car of the same name, but spelled
    differently?
    
    	Marilyn
815.28Brilliant!USCTR1::WOOLNERYour dinner is in the supermarketWed Oct 19 1994 11:298
    <--- Oooooh yesyesyes!  (When I was a kid I thought it was "Common
    Gear", an easy enough mistake to make in New England where they're
    pronounced alike!)
    
    I'm still pouting over the rejection of Wednesday  >|-[   :-)  but
    Carmen Gear is WONDERFUL!
    
    Leslie
815.29Actually...TURRIS::EASI::GEENENIllud cape et ei fibulam adfige!Wed Oct 19 1994 14:025
    it's "Karman Ghia", but I like "Carmen Gear" better!!  Which reminds
    me, there's a street in San Francisco named "Geary".  Might be
    worth a thought.
    
    Carl
815.30nit upon nit :-)USCTR1::WOOLNERYour dinner is in the supermarketWed Oct 19 1994 14:415
    Actually I think it's Karmann Ghia, but we knew that (.27 *said* Carmen
                                ^
    Gear was a different spelling)...
    
    Leslie
815.31My Two FavoritesTPSYS::HAMPSONNurture NatureThu Oct 20 1994 15:118
    
    Tom, my favorites are Carly and Daphne.  Carly because it sounds nice
    and related to the car thing.... and Daphne because she did such
    a daffy thing by getting herself in that predicament!  I'd have to
    say I like them both the same, so would have a hard time deciding
    myself!
    
    Donna
815.32Only one 'n'BPSOF::EGYEDPer aspera ad astraFri Oct 21 1994 08:2610
re: .30

It is spelled with only one N, and actually with an 
acute accent on both A-s (K�rm�n). He was a Hungarian,
and wrote his name then later as Karman. There were 
also 'implementations' of his name like 'Karmann', and
also 'Kahrmann', as if it was a German name. His first
name was Theodor, originally T�dor.

Nat
815.33USPMLO::DESROCHERSMine&#039;s made outta unobtainium!Fri Oct 21 1994 11:1412
    
    	Well, I'm close...  several people liked Carly the best and I'm
    	pretty sure that'll be her name - thank you Donna!!  I brought
    	in some pictures and people thought she looked like a Carly.
    	It's a pretty, feminine name and references the now infamous
    	ride home.  So I'd say that's it - Carly.
    
    	Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!  If anyone is in MSO2,
    	stop by to see her picture.  Puggs too.
    
    	Tom
    
815.34The wait is over!TPSYS::HAMPSONNurture NatureFri Oct 21 1994 11:599
    
    
    	Tom, your very welcome!  I'm glad I came up with the 
    	name Carly to suggest!
    
    	Best wishes to both of you!
    
    	Donna 
    	
815.35PCBUOA::LPIERCETime to RideMon Oct 24 1994 12:217
    
    Great story!  I'm glad you new family member is doing good.  I like
    the name Carly best to (but they were all great)
    
    Louisa (Shammie, Carmel, Nephra, Sheba)
    
    
815.36USPMLO::DESROCHERSMine&#039;s made outta unobtainium!Mon Nov 21 1994 05:3531
	I've not been in here lately but I figure you folks should
	know.  I had to put Carly to sleep Saturday.  As I'm sure
	many of you know firsthand, it was an absolutely terrible
	day.

	To keep a very long story somewhat short, Carly's absence
	of a tail was the problem.  She was underdeveloped there and
	had constant problems controlling urination.  I changed my
	sheets many times in the last month.  Over the last 10 days,
	she couldn't pass stools and needed an enema.  Only once was
	that successful.

	I took her to Kitty Angel's vet in Amherst NH, Amherst Animal
	Hospital, and they took her in Saturday morning.  They told me
	the prognosis was very poor but would get back to me later in
	the day.  I left knowing I'd never see her again.

	X-rays showed what they suspected.  She was missing her lower
	vertebrae and had spinal problems.  She would continue to get
	worse and worse.  She was put to sleep that afternoon.

	I'll tell you, her hissing and spitting turned into constant 
	purring.  She loved to be held and slept on me all the time.
	Everyone who met her thought she was a sweetheart and she
	really was.

	Thanks to all who helped name her.  

	Tom

815.37so sorry ....SALEM::SHAWMon Nov 21 1994 06:018
    
    
     Tom. that's terrible. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Well 
          Carly is in kitty heaven now in good hands. 
    
     Take care, 
    
     Shaw
815.38USCTR1::MERRITT_SKitty CityMon Nov 21 1994 06:058
    My heart goes out to you...thank god Carly was adopted by
    you and even if her stay was short, she understood what
    love and humans were all about.   I'm sure she was so
    thankful for your loving heart......
    
    Sandy
    
    
815.39MROA::DJANCAITISAmericas MCS AdminMon Nov 21 1994 07:117
     Tom,

    My deepest sympathies - I know (for my own experiences) how hard it is
    to let one go, even when it is in their own best interests.  I'll add
    Carly to the SLM listing.

    SDebbi
815.40VLNVAX::PGLADDINGTue Nov 22 1994 12:165
    I'm so sorry to hear of your terrible loss.  You did the right thing
    by putting her out of her pain - she's in heaven now living painfree.
    Take heart in knowing that you'll see her again someday.
    
    Pam
815.41Goodbye Carly...DELNI::FALLONWed Nov 23 1994 06:265
    Tom,
    I am sorry for your loss of Carly.  No, it is never easy.
    I fully understand how you felt that day.
    pawpats,
    Karen
815.42USPMLO::DESROCHERSMine&#039;s made outta unobtainium!Wed Nov 23 1994 09:448
    
    	Thanks to all who replied here and sent mail.  
    	I just saved this whole notes string to look back on.
    
    	Have a great Turkey Day / long weekend!
    
    	Tom
    
815.43Rest in peace, CarlyEARRTH::DREYERI&#039;m dreaming of a green Xmas!Wed Nov 23 1994 10:3811
 	Tom,

	I'm so very sorry to hear about Carly.  She was lucky to have you
	make her very short life a happy time.  Take care of yourself, I know
	how hard it is.

	Hugs,
	Laura