Long time no blog

Girl Kitty!

I just added it up, it has been about 8 months since my last post. I hope everyone is doing OK. As most of you are aware I had some difficulties and had to cut back on things, internet included. I just wanted you to know that we are doing all right now, I managed to get caught up with everything. I even got the internet back as you can see.

My favorite pic of her, the turkey pose.

I got back on line about a month ago. I wanted to get caught up with my emails, news, etc. I have tried to catch up with the blogs I am following, but it has been hit and miss. I did notice that some are not posting as often as they did, I also noticed the absence of one or two others. Makes me wonder if anything bad happened or if just due to life changes, loss of interest, and so on.

What am I suppose to do with this?

Which brings me to the subject of this post. A lot has happened while I was offline, yet not much has changed (or is that the other way around). I am not sure where I want to go with this blog, or what to do with it. I still want to brag about my kitties. My hart is not in it like it use to be. I have spent the last couple of weeks thinking I should start this up again, but could not think of much to say on a daily, or weekly basis. It does not seem like much happens each day. I go to work come home feed the cats and that is about it.

Such a sad look. Nov 2011

I don't know if maybe it is a bit of depression lingering. Seems like a lot of priorities have changed. A lot of other things just seem meaning less. It could also be that one of the main reasons I started this was to brag on one cat in particular. One who seemed that she had been through a lot, yet she still opened up and let me love her. She had changed, grown so much that I was very proud of her. I wanted to let people know that with a little time, effort and love how wonderful these magnificent creatures can be. Not to give up or pass them by because they may be old, scared, timid, or even aggressive. With a little care and love they can blossom to be a wonderful caring friend with much love to give.

Blackie

This is going to be the first, last, only time I will mention this, as I do not think about it doing my best to put it out of my mind. There is a lot of anger, hurt, frustration involved with this, the full details of which I will leave out, I just can't get into it. On Nov 14, 2011 just before midnight Girl took her trip over the bridge. I personally helped her cross over, here in her home where she felt safe and loved. God this is still hard to write. She was and will always be my baby girl, my sweetie pie being so quite and gentle. I will always miss her. She is the reason I have so many cats. She is the one that started it all. I suppose for her I will keep this blog going.

Thor (MIA)

Like I said a lot has happened, but not much has changed. About 6 or 7 weeks ago Thor disappeared. Sometimes he would not come around for a few days, but after not even seeing him in the back yard for a week I knew he was gone. I fear that the coyotes got him. I live in the middle of town, and yes I have seen them in the street out front. He was one of the five that “belong” to my neighbor. Being such I did not try very hard to make him an indoor kitty, having to let him wonder around so they can see him. They are the ones that put food out but will have little to no interaction with their cats. Three of their other cats (Pretty, Ugly, TJ) spend most of their time in my house I make no apologies. Only TJ bugs me to get out at night the other 2 are usually in bed with me.

Tom

That brings the count down to 10 my 5 and the neighbors 4 plus Tom (who is totally independent). None of my cats get to go out ever the neighbors 3 I keep in at night and usually most of the day. I have started to work on getting Blackie and Tom to want to stay around more. Tom may never become an indoor cat, unlike Thor who stayed near by, he wonders the whole neighborhood (too independent). Disappearing for a week at a time. I have seen him several blocks away, I do not know if he has a regular home or not. That leaves Blackie as my best bet to corral into being a house cat. Everyone is still on a mostly dry food diet. I give both Tom and Blackie canned food as a bribe to come around more often, the rest get left overs. At least for the time beaning.

Rare pic. Tom making himself at home. 

Well that kinda brings everyone up to date on whats happened over the past several months. Sorry it got a little depressing. I am still not sure how often I will update will have to wait and see.  

Disappointed Again

Ever have something that you just felted you need to share. Well here it goes. Last night I was watching a new episode of a TV series that recently started its second season here in the states. It is called “Rizzoli and Isles”, where Rizzoli is a police detective and Isles is the corner. Both good friends, and yes being male I think both are attractive (even if a bit too skinny and lacking in curves). While not surprised I am a bit disappointed at what happened in one of the side stories of last night's episode. I have 2 main bones of contention with what happened, and some minor ones.




Girl Kitty.



Part of the side story was that the detectives brother came home, just released from prison. In one scene it was brought up that her dog had been constantly licking its paws. She was not at all concerned with its behavior but her brother was (at least someone noticed). He wanted to take it to the vet to get checked, she could hardly be bothered. I felt that the pet owners lack of concern was bad.

Later in the show she received a call and had to run to intervene with what happened. Her brother had taken the dog to the vet. There being a bit of a hot head he was arguing with the vet, one issue was the price of the check up. After stopping the fight she offered to pay asking how much. When told $300 she started yelling at the vet.

There is several very good reasons why it costs so much. First being a litigious society here in the states, every one wants to sue. The new American dream get rich by suing some one, any idea of what malpractice rates are. Second school ain't cheap they have earned their degree like any other professional more so than some. Third pets are part of the family now, the care and equipment borders on what a human gets. When I took Girl in for her first visit she desperately needed to have several teeth removed. It cost me just over $600, they had to put her under. A charge for EKG (they have to pay for the machine somehow), anesthesiologist, and so on. Just the same as if I was put under for surgery. Disappointment # 1 no support for the fine veterinarians taking care of our loved ones.



Very rare moment. Girl at play.



The other part of the argument carried on through out the rest of the show. According to the brother the doctor called the dog crazy. He wanted to put it on Prozac for depression. They both thought it stupid that the dog might have emotional issues. Again a serious subject treated lightly. The only voice of reason, other than the vet was Isles the medical examiner. She brought up information and statistics on the issue.

 

Making a public appearance.

This is something I am very familiar with. Animals can have emotional issues, due to stress, neglect etc. Over grooming and other symptoms can be either physical or emotional and not to be taken lightly. Again I turn to Girl as my example. Girl is my special needs kitty. After listing to me describe the problem and a routine exam my vet agreed with me. We believe that Girl is having issues with stress. We both feel that is why she only uses the litter box to poo. I have found a way to deal with it, providing her with the help and support she needs.

This was disappointment # 2, that this common problem was taken so lightly. As I mentioned before the subject was mentioned a few more times through out the remainder of the show. Finally at the end, during a gathering of family and friends, another officer noticed that Rizzoli's mother was feeding the dog chicken. He asked if it was constantly licking its paws, then informed them that some smaller breeds have allergies to chicken.

Now while the dogs health issues were resolved, they missed out on the greater good that could have been achieved. A lot of animals are abused, abandoned and put down due to such issues. Many healthy pets that could be happy with the right care, treatment and love. Ones such as Girl who pees outside of the box, needs her own place to eat and who spends a lot of time hiding away from the others. Still she has lots of love to give. I just wish there was some way I could get this message to those involved with the show. At least I was able to get it off of my chest and share with you. Thank you for listening to me rant.



Room for me in the middle, sometimes.



On a different note something else I just have to share. During the night if I have to get up for any reason before I can get back into bed I have to turn on the light for a second. The reason for this is to make sure I do not lay down on top of a cat while I crawl back into bed. Sometimes they shift positions while I am gone. Last night when I did it this is what I saw. Normally I will have 3 maybe 4 in bed with me. What made this special is not only is Girl in bed but also Squirrel has joined us. With the usual 3 Pretty, Ugly, Martian already there TJ also joined in making 6 total. I just had to stumble out and find the camera. I know the bed is a mess etc, etc, what do ya want I am a bachelor after all.