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Post by aeromanda on Jan 11, 2012 23:39:14 GMT
DMC, your babies are adorable! Looks like they had lots of fun with that wrapping paper. Nat, we have talked about it and we do intend to get another kitten. But we have specific requirements. Has to be an orange boy and has to be under 8 weeks of age. I'm sure the right one will come along at the right time. Thanks again for all of the condolences everyone.  |
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Post by meimichan on Jan 11, 2012 23:52:08 GMT
Your kitties are so beautiful DMC. Hamish is definitely working it a bit there.  Mimi likes to bat at the puzzle pieces, and drop them off the table. I've got mine covered with a towel when I'm not working on it. No damage done if she wants to hop up there now. |
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Post by devil-may-care on Jan 12, 2012 0:32:06 GMT
Hamish is definitely my little clown. ;D A towel is a good idea. It will also help keep the fur off the puzzle pieces!  |
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Post by devil-may-care on Jan 16, 2012 0:09:11 GMT
A bit of an update: I had to take Thorin to the emergency vet clinic an hour away Thursday night. He was fine, playing with his brother, then we was huddled on the floor and favoring one of his hind legs. I discovered that he couldn't pee. He kept trying but nothing. He was blocked. Knowing that this can be fatal to cats, I got dressed at 10:30pm and we headed for the clinic. They took him right in and confirmed that he had a crystal blockage. He was sedated, the blockage removed and a catheter put in so they could completely flush out his bladder of any more crystals. A blood test was done to verify that no damage had been done to his kidneys. Test came back negative. They were impressed with how fast we noticed the problem and got him to them. Thank goodness we did, because renal failure is common with this problem. I had to pick him up the next morning at 7:30 and take him to our regular vet. When I picked him up, he was wearing a cone collar. Poor little guy could hardly move his head at all.  Our vet's office wanted to keep the catheter in as close to 24 hours as they could. So Thorin had to stay over Friday night there. They removed the catheter before the office officially closed and he was monitored over night. They wanted to be sure he could pee on his own. Of course all the night before and Friday he had an iv for fluids. Boy, did he pee Friday night! I picked him up at 8 Saturday morning. During all our driving, we listened to James reading Car Fever. I think I know the articles by heart now.  Thorin didn't make a peep all the way home. He didn't even move. But when we drove into the driveway, he immediately perked up. He knew he was home.  I brought him in and opened the carrier. He popped out like he was sitting on a coiled spring! ;D All he wanted to do was sniff absolutely everything and EAT! He wouldn't eat anything at the emergency clinic or at the vet's. Of course, now he is on a special diet. And in turn so is Hamish. So far, they both like the food, dry & wet. I am so grateful that the emergency clinic was able to save my baby! Like his new do?!!?  He's sporting the quarter poodle cut! ;D ;D Phew! Now I can get some sleep! About 2 hours Thursday night and a few extra on Friday night. I'm exhausted.  |
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Post by Wyvern on Jan 16, 2012 0:56:07 GMT
Oh, poor Thorin!
Our beloved Merlin had the same condition. He was on a special diet for the rest of his life, and he also took a Cystaid capsule every day (no problem at all, he never objected to medication but apparently you can just sprinkle the contents on food if pilling the cat is difficult), but he was a mature cat when we got him and he had nine more happy years once we got that problem stabilised. The diet makes a huge difference, and as long as you keep an eye on him - which you clearly already do - he'll be fine. He may get cystitis occasionally (easily resolved with a jab), so make sure you keep an eye on his litter box for blood in his water, but as he adjusts to his new diet, he should be OK.
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Post by eolise on Jan 16, 2012 4:33:10 GMT
Poor Thorin!! And poor you and your OH!! You must have been terrfied - I would. I once had to go to the emergency vet as well - in nearly got in a shock! But thankgod all is okay now with Thorin!!  And those pics of your guys are adorable - Id hoped before that you'd post a pic of them with the box with paper. ;D |
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SiljeMari
Smutty Mayhemer
"His head wobbles, look!!"
Posts: 233
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Post by SiljeMari on Jan 16, 2012 13:44:00 GMT
I haven't been in here so much the past week so I'm maybe a bit late to say this, but I am so sorry for your loss Aeromanda, Hemmie was such a lovely kitty.. But I'm sure that he had the best three months of his life living with you! And I'm sure one day, when the time comes, the new perfect kitty will come into your life! How cute your kitties are, DMC! ;D And I am glad that everything turned out well with poor Thorin! |
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Post by devil-may-care on Jan 16, 2012 18:43:05 GMT
Thanks for the advice and well wishes everyone. Thorin seems to be adjusting back to his old routine nicely. Of course, he can't quite figure out why we keep checking his litter box so often. ;D And he now has some stubble on his bald patch. Fur returning soon! ;D |
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Post by aeromanda on Jan 16, 2012 21:51:57 GMT
Thank you so much Silje. The support that everyone has given me really helped me to get through the tough time and your wishes are much appreciated. Glad to hear that Thorin is OK DMC. He looks so cute in that picture. I have had male cats block before. Why is it that they always block late at night or on the weekends when the vet is closed?   It is probably the same reason that they always have an emergency or health crisis just when you are starting to get a little bit of extra money saved up. One male cat that we had blocked so often over the course of a short time that we finally had to have him undergo surgery to have his um...well... to have his gentleman bits essentially turned inside out so that he wouldn't block any more. We reassured him that he was still male on a genetic level. ;)But then we had other male cats that blocked once and never again. As Wy said, keep an eye on him, as you have been, and he'll be fine. |
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Post by jacqui on Jan 16, 2012 22:14:45 GMT
Glad Thorin is on the mend DMC ;D Loving the poodle cut, very fetching and so neatly done ;D
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Post by aeromanda on Jan 24, 2012 23:11:46 GMT
Those of you that read this thread will be familiar with my Hemmie story. As a result of losing Hemmie because of Valmont's reaction to losing Hemmie (he has been "down" and isolating himself in the kitchen since we lost Hemmie, and because of the fact that cats' personalities are color coded - those of you who own cats will agree I am sure, my husband and I decided that we need an orange cat in our lives. Because of the way Binky and Pi reacted to Valmont who was a little older than Hemmie, we decided we needed to get a young kitten about 8 weeks old. So I found a shelter that has orange kittens that were born on 24 Dec and I put in an application for adoption. I got a response that they were reviewing my application and that the kittens were still available to be adopted. I told my husband this news this morning and he was happy to hear it. I got a bit peckish and felt like breaking my diet and I asked my friend if she would care to break hers with me. She said yes so I picked up KFC and went over to where she works as a dog groomer. After lunch she finished her last dog for the day. She said "Hey, wanna go to the SPCA since you're over this way?" A little voice in my head said "don't do it" but I said sure; confident in my ability to resist any kitty charms. Well, I went and they had an adorable young rag doll. While I was playing with her my friend was looking a few feet ahead of me and she said in a loving high pitched voice "Well look at you you ugly big nosed giant." She petted a cat and kept walking. I left the rag doll and crutched my way down a few cages and there was this adorable Maine Coon looking back at me. Yes, it was the big nosed giant. He started rubbing his head up against the cage. I put my hand up and he started liking me. (Only later did it occur to me that he wasn't licking me because he wanted me to take him home but because I still had chicken on my fingers.) Well, I guess I have sucker written on my forehead because I left the shelter with a handsome brown and white tiger stripped Maine Coon whom I am calling Da Vinci. The only problem so far...I haven't exactly told my husband yet.  I figured I'll just let them meet each other as it happens and we'll see how it works out.  Not the best plan I know but we'll see...I'll keep you updated. I'll post better pictures when I get them but for now, here is a quick snap shot of me and DaVinci:  |
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Post by Vivienne on Jan 24, 2012 23:25:32 GMT
Definitely a Maine Coon. He's gorgeous. Bet he weighs about 15 pounds. I'm sure your husband will understand. What does Valmont think?
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Post by devil-may-care on Jan 24, 2012 23:26:50 GMT
Aeromanda, he's adorable!!! ;D ;D ;D
Good luck with the 'meeting'. Perhaps DaVinci will meet your OH at the door when he comes home tonight. A little head rub on the leg and perhaps a throaty purr, your OH will be lost forever! ;D
"Honestly hun, he just followed me home!" ;D
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Post by aeromanda on Jan 24, 2012 23:36:31 GMT
For us this isn't as unbelievable as it sounds. I have posted before about our cat Epi. It is funny how we "acquired" her. The day before our wedding I was sitting with my neighbor on her porch and we heard a very faint meowing sound. She said "Is that one of your cats?" We have detached houses with yards between them so I didn't think it could be. I looked and there was this beautiful, tiny cat. She is a shaded silver Persian. She was gorgeous and super friendly. I told my husband about her and he said "NO! We can not keep her!" before I even posed the idea. At the time we had 9 cats. The next day there was much hustle and bustle and in and out of the house. We decided to stop home with some family and friends for a bit after the reception and before we went to our hotel. I was in the living room and my husband in our library when my husband yells in an angry voice "Amanda! How many cats do we have?!" I responded "9 why?" and He yelled "Well what is number 10 doing curled up on your chair in the library!?" Through the craziness of the day, the little Persian managed to sneak in and make herself at home. She has been with us ever since and we adore her. My mom always calls her our wedding present from the Gods. |
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Post by meimichan on Jan 24, 2012 23:41:44 GMT
Awwwww, my former kitty Cookie was part Maine Coon. Good luck, hope it all goes well with your husband. He's a gorgeous kitty. |
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Post by dit on Jan 26, 2012 0:26:54 GMT
Maine Coons are beautiful cats. There are very few in this country, I think.
I've just had to have a conversation with Junior Cat, Mollie (Junior - huh! She's 12 years old and built like a horse).
You have to understand that for their own reasons, cats in my house do not sit on knees. They obviously have these conversations as kittens and come to an understanding with each other that it's not approved form.
When I'm on the internet Mollie often distracts me by standing up with her paws on the side of the chair or jumping up in the gap between me and the back of the chair and just standing there. However, tonight she has just attempted to jump onto my unsuspecting lap from the side. Small gap. Large cat. Claws out for purchase. Blood.
We've just had a little chat about the cat/human interface in a sedentary position and how the most effective configuration is that when the human subject is relaxed in a comfy chair with legs together forming a lap, into which the cat is then invited. I think she understood the point where I went "Ow!!!"
I think there will have to be further training sessions. I don't know whether I will be training her, or she will be training me.
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Post by Vivienne on Jan 26, 2012 0:38:45 GMT
My cat jumps up on the table and wants to sit between the monitor and the keyboard. In other words I want your attention. All of it. Hope there wasn't too much blood and the conversation will prove to be beneficial for both.
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Post by Mayfayre on Jan 26, 2012 9:03:16 GMT
Dit, I feel you pain, my one does that as well. Normally he's happy to sit/stand/squirm beterrn me and the back of the chair but occasionally he'll leap onto the computer desk (which is not allowed) via my lap (which hurts!).
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Post by aeromanda on Jan 30, 2012 22:11:54 GMT
Awwwww, my former kitty Cookie was part Maine Coon. Good luck, hope it all goes well with your husband. He's a gorgeous kitty. Thanks so much. I think he is quite handsome myself. So far, things are going well with my husband. He was a little upset at first but DaVinci has quickly won him over. The very first night Just a few hours after Russ got home he kept twining himself around Russ's legs. My husband said to me "Why do the little b**tards always make it so hard for you to not like them?" Of course, as he said this he was picking the kitty up and hugging and petting him. Since then, things have gone swimmingly. DaVinci follows my hubby around from room to room, cuddles with him on the couch, and sleeps with him at night. The little traitor! I mean, I'm the one who brought him home. Just kidding. He is sweet with me too. He just really loves Russ and I am happy about that. Moosey, who we lost last year, was really Russ's cat. So it is good that he finally has a cat that is his again. |
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Post by devil-may-care on Jan 31, 2012 0:53:55 GMT
Aawww... that's great, aeromanda! ;D ;D
Norwegian Forest cats tend to pick one individual as 'their' person. When we brought our guys home, I was worried that one of them wouldn't chose MOH. He'd never had a pet before and was really nervous with them. Thorin picked me as his own the first night. It took Hamish three days to make up his mind. MOH is definitely his! ;D
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Post by aeromanda on Feb 3, 2012 17:17:57 GMT
Well, it has been just over a week now, and it is official. DaVinci is definitely my husband's cat! Most of the time he is upstairs in our bedroom. He comes down periodically to use the box and eat and drink. And when he does he visits me in the living room for a short bit and then goes back upstairs. At first I thought mAybe I was paranoid and he was just adjusting to his new home. But then I noticed that he comes down stairs when Russ get homes from work. And this morning he came down when Russ did and stayed until we left to go out for coffee. I was really hoping when I adopted him that he would be a cuddle bug that would help me be a little less lonely having just lost Hemmie. And DaVinci is a cuddle bug. Just not with me. But it is ok. I went to our SPCA and asked what they do if they have kittens that need to be bottle fed. She said if they have a volunteer to do it they will. Otherwise they put them to sleep rather then let them starve. I volunteered to bottle feed and the girl was thrilled. Kitten season is quickly approaching and she said they never have enough people to bottle feed. A lot of the volunteers don't want to because it isan very two hour round the clock job. I've done it before and I loved it. I really miss it. So all I have to do now is fill out some paper work, show them my cats vaccination records and make an appointment for a home inspection (so they know the kitties will be safe at my place) and I can get some babies that need homes to foster and take care of. I can't wait!
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Post by eolise on Feb 3, 2012 17:44:21 GMT
oh how lovely, aeromanda!! |
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Post by devil-may-care on Feb 3, 2012 21:14:46 GMT
Fantastic, aeromanda! On the Russ & DaVinci front and for bottle feeding the wee ones! ;D
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SiljeMari
Smutty Mayhemer
"His head wobbles, look!!"
Posts: 233
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Post by SiljeMari on Feb 3, 2012 23:35:34 GMT
Aaaw, bottle feeding kittens sounds like a lovely job! ;D I would love doing that too, if I ever get the opportunity to do it! ;D And DaVinci is really a beautiful one. You look really happy in that photo! Congratulations on your new family member! I can't wait to see more photos of him! And I loved the story about Epi ;D ;D |
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Post by devil-may-care on Feb 4, 2012 14:55:57 GMT
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Post by dit on Feb 4, 2012 15:17:40 GMT
Fab pictures, dmc. I've already sent them on to my cat-loving friends!
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Post by Vivienne on Feb 6, 2012 22:21:51 GMT
I thought my Old Man had bit the bullet today. He's feeling very poorly. His glucose was 28 and a cat's is the same as a human. I gave him a unit more of insulin and some applesauce. I don't know if he will make the trip. Not to sound cold, when I thought he was gone I was hysterical but somewhat relieved. He was barely breathing.He seems better now but not eating or drinking. My son is going to come over and check his blood. I do shots fine but not checking the blood. Only a few more days til I go. Hopefully he will give me a sign.
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Post by dit on Feb 6, 2012 23:55:11 GMT
Good luck, Vivienne, whichever way it goes.
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Post by devil-may-care on Feb 7, 2012 0:41:03 GMT
I'm sorry to hear about your cat's condition, Vivienne. Good luck.
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Post by dit on Feb 7, 2012 1:36:14 GMT
I don't blame my cats for not wanting to go outside tonight to tend to their 'needs' (there's a very sharp frost) but Senior Cat has just done such an offensive-smelling poo in the litter tray that I'm seriously considering trying to find a peg for my nose.
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Thorin didn't make a peep all the way home. He didn't even move. But when we drove into the driveway, he immediately perked up. He knew he was home. 
It is probably the same reason that they always have an emergency or health crisis just when you are starting to get a little bit of extra money saved up. 
I love a man who can handle a gun 
I figured I'll just let them meet each other as it happens and we'll see how it works out. 
Not the best plan I know but we'll see...I'll keep you updated. I'll post better pictures when I get them but for now, here is a quick snap shot of me and DaVinci:
