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Post by the Scribe on Apr 20, 2012 22:08:54 GMT -5
You Love Cats, I Love Cats, We ALL Love Cats! You love your own cats, the neighbor's cats, the wild and stray cats in the neighborhood. If you are anything like me, you love all cats.
I found these great sites about the health and caring of cats:
www.for-the-love-of-cats.com/index.html
viim.org/index.php
Did you know that cats have taken the #1 American Pet title away from dogs?
In a late night radio program last night veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker talked about some of the unusual aspects of cats. Interestingly, one study found that if you have a cat, you are 40% less likely to have a cardiovascular incident (such as heart attack or stroke) than non-cat owners. This may be because they decrease stress, he said, adding that the vibration of a cat's purring has been shown to lower blood pressure. One health tip he shared is to get your cat a running water fountain, as they tend to be dehydrated, and are attracted to water features.
In Arizona we have the growing problem of "roof rats." Won't be finding any of them in my hood!
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Post by erik on Apr 20, 2012 22:21:23 GMT -5
All of my life, I have only ever had cats where I've lived. I'm good around dogs too, but the greatest experience has been around the felines. I've had six of them in my family, all but two of them female.
The cat that I currently have, a male, senses when there is something unusual or off, and, like the rest of us, knows fear. He was really rattled when we had that terrible and violent windstorm here in the L.A. area at the end of last November that blew for eight hours straight during the night and literally shook the house. He often ran around the house, running under couches during the height of the storm. My mother and I had a time trying to calm him down, but eventually we managed.
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Post by Dianna on Apr 21, 2012 17:55:03 GMT -5
Cats do funny things. I am more of a dog person than cat but if you study them, they do more interesting things than dogs do. I worry because next month we are making the big move out of state (God Willing) Mine are allowed to go outside in the backyard.. I understand when you move cats to another residence, they should remain inside for a few weeks to get used to the new surrounding. Anyone ever had an issue with this? I've never moved my current pets from one place to another.
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 23, 2012 21:26:55 GMT -5
I have heard that during the California earthquakes cats can sense them beforehand and often take off. One earthquake predictor is an increase of LOST PETS in the newspapers.
If you move you should keep them inside for at least 30 days and only if you know your new neighborhood is safe to let your pets out. Best to talk to your new neighbors before doing so. Not just one neighbor either as some people don't have a clue. Know the wildlife in the area. Coyotes, owls and hawks are cat killers.
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Post by Dianna on Apr 24, 2012 0:19:02 GMT -5
yep, that concerns me.. I do know there are bald eagles where we are moving. and deer/elk, which don't concern me but the eagles do, it's very rural with lots of forest around the house. I might keep them here, my mom offered . beautiful area tho , no traffic, which is another concern for outdoor cats . I can talk to my realtor, she lives in the same area and has pets too . Welcome back ROB., nice to see you!! Hey, what happened to that mystery dude? I kind of liked him:)
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Post by Dianna on Apr 24, 2012 1:27:28 GMT -5
Cats do funny things. I am more of a dog person than cat but if you study them, they do more interesting things than dogs do. I take that back what I said about dogs. I took Ruby out for a walk and look what she brought inside. eww!
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Post by mysteryguest on Apr 24, 2012 16:11:41 GMT -5
Looks like Ruby took her love to town. Just like a dog!
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 24, 2012 21:24:29 GMT -5
She looks so innocent.
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Post by rick on Apr 25, 2012 1:55:36 GMT -5
Cats do funny things. I am more of a dog person than cat but if you study them, they do more interesting things than dogs do. I take that back what I said about dogs. I took Ruby out for a walk and look what she brought inside. eww! Now, now, dianna, let's not cast aspersions on dogs. I know that people tend to say they are either cat people or dog people. Am a dog person here. Got my first dog at age 6. However, during periods in my life, such as when in grad school, the people i lived with had three cats. The people were a well-heeled couple in a nice area in the upper Northwest section of Washington, D.C. with a gorgeous view of the Potomac River. Again, they loved their cats. But they were having some high-powered D.C.-types over for dinner. And she and her husband were sitting on one side of the dining room table, and, all of a sudden, the dinner guests on the other side of the table had the most horrified looks on their faces. Tigger, the male cat, had caught a big river rat in his mouth, brought it in through the cat door and the rat was still alive and squirming in Tigger's mouth. Now, I took care of Tigger, and he also did this kind of thing with snakes. He was just doing what he thought he should be doing. Congratulations on your move, dianna. I hope that you will be happy in your new home and that you will still grace us with your presence. And, RonstadtFanAZ, it is good to see you posting more often.
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 25, 2012 13:57:31 GMT -5
Speaking of rats, the Phoenix area has a huge problem with roof rats. They walk the telephone and electrical wires, get into attics and chew, chew, chew. They are also attracted to all the citrus trees. Big problem except in neighborhoods where feral cats are plentiful. They have been doing good work ever since the black plague.
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Post by Dianna on Apr 25, 2012 14:50:52 GMT -5
Oh yes, cats are great about cleaning up the rat population. Yes, prior to our cats, we had a huge problem, because of all the fruit trees in the backyard, then mama stray kitty had a bunch of litters, we kept some, adopted some out then finally caught mama to have her fixed. BUT, it got so bad, some of the rats got into the house, with the inside cats, I'd find a dead one here and there.. it was gross, the worst was outside. One night, I got up in the middle of the night and I was startled , I saw what appeared to be a dead rat on the floor, so I turn on the light and it was Coco's (my poodle's) stuffed animal mickey mouse. lol... Glad to say over the past 3 years the rats are long-gone.. inside and out!
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 25, 2012 21:00:52 GMT -5
Talk about rats, just rescued this little guy Friday night. Eyes crusted shut, respiratory problems, emaciated, dehydrated and covered with fleas. 5 days later he is doing well. I had just bathed him so he looks like a drowned rat, kinda, sorta... I named him SAGE! He looks like he belongs on South Park. (I actually have a cat named South Park too. Also emaciated and in bad shape he looked just like a little black triangle.)
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Post by Dianna on Apr 26, 2012 15:36:22 GMT -5
Awe, poor little guy. It's a great thing you are doing, Rob. It really is. Sage will do just fine. I'm with you about rescuing animals. I rescued an injured pigeon yesterday and the vet has her. I think I prefer animals over most people. lol
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 26, 2012 17:25:31 GMT -5
I think I prefer animals over most people. lol
Me too. And they certainly are tastier with mashed potatoes.
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 27, 2012 17:33:56 GMT -5
Spent most of last night rescuing this orange tabby kitten who fell down a 12 foot hole in a fencing column whose capstone was pushed aside by a sprawling mesquite tree. The police wouldn't help us, the fireman wouldn't help us and all of the "help" numbers either didn't work or didn't answer their 24 hour service. Not sure how long he was down there but thanks to his great lungs we were able to hear a kitten in distress. Ripped a towel into strips and knotted it (like you see in the movies) and lowered it down the hole hoping he would grab onto it or try to climb out on it. He is barely 4 weeks old. He kept latching on but fell off the first 4 times we tried to pull him up. Try number 5 was the charm. Not sure how long he was down there but he was hungry. Above is his photo about ten minutes after his rescue. I put him in with Sage, his brother sister. His name is FIVE HERO. One more sibling to catch.
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Post by the Scribe on May 2, 2012 22:03:49 GMT -5
Caught the rest of their siblings (3 more) 2 of which were in pretty bad shape but they are all doing quite well now. Still unable to catch mama. Poor thing needs a rest. Now I am up to 16 kittens, all under 5 weeks old. Had a feeling this was going to be a huge kitten season.
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Post by philly on May 5, 2012 4:14:20 GMT -5
Linda has cats! "Inky Ronstadt"
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Post by the Scribe on May 7, 2012 14:52:04 GMT -5
If I die before Linda how I wish I could come back as her cat! Or if she prefer I could dress up like a cat and do it now. I could be "Fannie" Ronstadt. She could rub my furry belly before bed and I would curl up beside her pillow. Or I could lay on her face and lick her nose like my little Clementine (named after Linda's daughter) does to me! Inky would love me. All cats love me. Just leave the dogs downstairs. Here is Linda's Sally Mae: ronstadt-linda.com/v-web/bulletin/velco2/viewtopic.php?t=6919
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Post by the Scribe on May 10, 2012 14:56:02 GMT -5
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Post by the Scribe on May 11, 2012 20:34:07 GMT -5
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Post by Dianna on May 17, 2012 14:23:40 GMT -5
oh wow! That is a big cat. Poor guy. I can't see a cat or a dog getting that big. Rob, we decided to leave the cats back home in calif with my mother. It's a good thing because I spoke to the neighbors and the guy had a siamese cat which he loved, actually they had a few more cats and they dissappeared, never found them.. lot of wilderness out here, so it's a good thing, I suppose, although I do miss them. It's best for the animals' safety and I do believe in allowing a cat to be cat, this means, playing outside (where it's safe) just my opinion. Anyway, here is a photo of my dogs happy in their new backyard. The other is just outside our front door. Bambi! i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/DiannaRubycoco/001.jpgi1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/DiannaRubycoco/007.jpg
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Post by Dianna on Jun 26, 2012 11:22:34 GMT -5
I must be hearing things, because a few times now I have heard a cat or kitten meowing in the house. I have searched all over, even under the house and nada.. We don't even have any cats in our neighborhood.. Just odd. First time was last month then again yesterday.. My dog was in the room with me and didn't notice it, but she's used to cat sounds. how weird.. maybe a cat ghost? lol
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 26, 2012 15:33:37 GMT -5
I must be hearing things, because a few times now I have heard a cat or kitten meowing in the house. I have searched all over, even under the house and nada.. We don't even have any cats in our neighborhood.. Just odd. First time was last month then again yesterday.. My dog was in the room with me and didn't notice it, but she's used to cat sounds. how weird.. maybe a cat ghost? lol You may want to check the inside of your walls, attic, crawl space, basement, storage closets and any area around or in your air ducts.
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Post by Dianna on Aug 24, 2012 14:05:36 GMT -5
Haven't heard anymore cat noises. just odd. I do miss my cats tho. Too much wilderness out here to worry about a cat, otherwise I would get one . Even if it were an inside cat, I worry my larger dog wouldn't like it, since she's not used to cats. There have been mountain lion sightings around here too. I'd love to see one, of course, from a distance! OMG so cute!! Although, my beautiful new couches would be ripped to shreds!!! www.animalpictures1.com/data/media/18/baby_lions_in_mountain.jpg [/img]
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Post by erik on Aug 24, 2012 14:37:31 GMT -5
At my house, we have two cats who frequently come around; and while they look like they've been treated good, I'm not sure whether or not they have a home anywhere (they must, though, since they seem to be from around here). It's a shame we can't take them in, because the one cat we have is male and fiercely protective of his territory.
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Post by the Scribe on Aug 24, 2012 16:28:10 GMT -5
Is it safe for them to be outside in your area? Typically anywhere near mountains, foothills or running water there are lots of predators looking for a convenient meal. My particular Arizona neighborhood is safe (except from humans).
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Post by erik on Aug 24, 2012 16:53:51 GMT -5
Fortunately where I live is on a street that is totally residential, though situated between two heavily traveled thoroughfares. The real threat to these cats at night, provided they don't have a home they can go to, are possums and squirrels; we just don't know whether those animals carry any kind of diseases that can be fatal to them, or possibly transmute it to humans.
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Post by the Scribe on Aug 24, 2012 17:27:20 GMT -5
I think cats may be more of a problem for the squirrels. I hand raised some baby squirrels when a neighborhood cat killed mama. One baby died from injuries but the other lived to give me grandchildren. Possum could be a problem to a cat if it is a mama possum.
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Post by Dianna on Aug 24, 2012 17:35:22 GMT -5
well, I am sure they have owners Erik. or somebody is feeding them. cats like to wander, esp when give the freedom to do so. I hope they're fixed.
Rob, no, as far as I can see, it would not be safe for a cat here.. maybe downtown. It's very rural out here with lots of wildlife including harmless deer. In the suburbs, the only issue are people and cars. I should have brought my female, chula who stayed with my mom.. she didn't like going outside. oh well.
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Post by Dianna on Aug 24, 2012 17:41:59 GMT -5
rYou know what's funny back in so ca, we had some raccoons during the rainy season and they seemed to co exist pretty good with the outdoor cats, I'd leave food out and they would all share without incident. ha ha. possum too. raccoons can be mean.. ask any dog.
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