Shelties are great dogs! And the therapy dogs and cats are wonderful. We have a great group here who goes to NH's, ALF's, hospitals (except cats can't go there) and the patients just love when they come. They seem to come alive. Don't know what I would do if we lost our Millie. Hubby would go totally balistic I'm afraid.
Of course I love my feline boys. If I were ever to lose my mind and get a dog it would be a Sheltie. At one time we had a silver tabby Persian and a Bassett Hound. From the sublime to the ridiculous. There was nothing that dog would not eat and our kids tried some really funny treats.
I love therapy animals. I had hopes for my cat, Nathan, and wanted to go through the certification with him, but when the classes began, he was going through that stage when he didn't want to socialize with others besides us and wasn't comfortable outside of our home. If we still have the kittens with us and get to adopt them, I hope I can use Bailey as a therapy cat. He is pretty inspiring as he doesn't let his missing foot stop him. He doesn't know any different. To him having four legs with only three paws is normal.
I'm an equal opportunity lover! I've enjoyed hearing about everyone's animals very much! I love cats, dogs, gerbils, goldfish, parakeets, cockateils, parrots, bunny rabbits (one of our favorite pets of the past). With four kids, we had them all - and funerals as well. I wrote the stories of them all in my journal that I put together for my husband of our lives. The kids wanted all of their pets in there too, so I did. It brought back a lot of memories for all of us!
Stephanie, your Bailey sounds like he would make an excellent therapy cat! My good friend has two therepy cats and they are so good! They also take them to the library where they have a special needs group (children) and they have the children read to the animals! It's wonderful to see the interaction.
That sounds wonderful. I work in Vocational Rehabilitation and Bailey (and his brother) were actually dropped off at my office...how ironic is that? I would love for Bailey to be able to interact with children and adults with disabilities, especially amputees or people with extremity birth defects.
what all do you havae to do to get you cat certified as a therapy animal? I wonder if Noche would make the grade. He's pretty friendly. Loves me like crazy but goes right to anyone who comes over and has a good time visiting.
I'm allergic and don't have a cat or dog but don't want to be left out of this conversation. Let me tell you about what happened to my neighbors.
Someone "dropped off" a very pregnant, not too pretty dull gray cat. She was heavy and hungry. They started feeding her but she was an outside cat. One day she came to the door and had obviously had her kittens. She was eating everything they gave her and kept wanting more. They looked and looked for the kittens. They even tried following the mother cat but she would divert them on purpose.
Finally, after about two weeks, she brought her kittens, one by one and left them on their back porch. There were four of them and they were beautiful. 3 were solid white snowballs and one was solid black. One of the while ones has blue eyes and is deaf. They have them in the house and they're running everywhere....so adorable. Then two days later, the mother cat shows up with another one...solid brown. This one seemed shy and hid in the house. It's been 3 days now and they've not found it. Their son took a flashlight and looked in every nook and cranny. It's going to starve if they can't find it.
Cats are smart, aren't they? Apparently the mother cat knew the brown one wasn't too active and kept it with her longer.
Mawzy & Stephanie: If you are interested in feline or canine therapy training contact your locale humane society and/or local kennel club. They would be able to refer you to the right place.
It varies between states, but the humane society, a local Vet or even a Rehab Center would have info. In my area, it is a series of classes that focus on socialization, teaching the animal to respond or come on demand when called and to ensure even temperment so that they don't get spooked to easily with sudden movements or noises. Current immunizations are a must. Usually they require the animal be spayed/neutered and cats must be declawed. When an animal can pass these requirements they are issued a certification.
We did all the animal stuff, including funerals, and I was also a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo. My daughter lived in France and last December she brought her 8 y.o. calico cat, Nueve, & college graduate son with her. Then she went back to Europe & left them both with me! I was always a dog person, a few stray cats hung around a bit, but I never took to them. Sophie is our yellow lab mix rescue dog I got as a focus for my DH and she's 14 now. In doggie life years we're buddies. Our eyes are going, we don't hear so well, our legs are iffy, she goes to the vet, I go to the doc, she has her pills, I have mine. But things were good and then Nueve entered our lives. Well, Sophie & Nueve got along like--shall we say--the proverbial cats & dogs! After a few days Sophie figured 'whatever,' ignored the cat & took a nap. Nueve kept hissing & fussing and--I did all the stuff I was told to do so they'd accept each other & then after a couple of week, I said "Look guys, this is it, get along because I have no interest in being a referee." And they did. Now, at night, Nueve uses me as her pillow in bed, Sophie sleeps on the floor next to us, and sometimes the three of us are caught napping together during the day in the den. G'son thinks it's all funny, keeps taking photos of the 'ladies of the house' almost always together to send to his Mom. Having a cat has opened a whole new pleasant chapter in my life. P.S. Daughter is coming back next month to stay in the US, g'son lives in my garage.
bluedaze, they found the little guy hiding behind the dresser. Thought it was a rolled up sock, then it moved. Those 5 little kittens are the most precious little things.
My DD happened to have 2 pregnant cats one weekend when we went down. They also had an old tomcat--a big orange guy. One mother cat had 6 babies the evening we got there. The other PG cat kept stealing those babies. The following evening, the other cat had (get this) 8 babies. You do the math. That's 17 cats up fro 3 in less than 24 hours. Those poor mother cats couldn't remember which kitten was theirs. They kepet moving them and hiding them--under the beds, behind the sofa--you name it. Craziest thing you ever saw.
I've never had a cat allergy but that weekend I sure did. I think I had a hair ball as big as a baseball in my throat. I was also covered in flea bites. Took me a looooong time to venture into getting another cat and now we have Noche. I'd like to get another one, but I just know he'd have a fit about it. Sigh. Guess I'll stick with him. He's cat enough for us. Very funny guy. And his favorite toy is a wadded up aluminum foil ball.
I don't hold the kittens but gosh, you can get attached to them so quickly just watching the little bitty ones play and they are so beautiful.
I'm learning more than I want to know about kittens from a friend of mine who dearly loves them. I took her to the neighbors to see the kittens and she started training them!!! She took each one to the litter box, rubbed their little bottom with a warm paper towel and EVERY ONE of them peed in the littler box!!!
No! She didn't keep all 17. She started distributing them to her friends after they were about 8-10 weeks old, but really how many friends can one have that wants a kitten. She tried to give me one but at the time I was still working and traveling and DH just couldn't handle that AT ALL. So, I had to tell her know. I think she finally gave the rest to the shelter and had both mommies spayed. The big orange dude (I think he was the one who started the whole thing) was suppose to be neutered but he managed to talk himself out of it. Don't ask me how.I think her three sons had something to do with it when they were told what it entailed. I could be wrong. (smile). Sounds logical.
We've always had cats, as long as I can remember, and over the years I've had half a dozen or so white ones, mostly deaf. No problem for them - Cleveland Amory wrote a book about his Polar Bear, "the Cat who came for Christmas". They have distinctive personalities, though.
When the boys were little we had mice, and a pet white rat, turtles, lizards, etc. as well as 3-4 cats at a time. Then we acquired, out in California, a crow who got imprinted on us. Joe. He lived in a nice 4x8x3' cage. and THEN, in 1970, we had to move from California to Rhode Island. I talked to the guy at Universal Studios who had trained the birds in Hitchcock's The BIrds and he gave me some tips about travelling. We reserved the "one animal/cabin" place for Joe, and he went into the rat cage, with a cover over it to keep him quiet. The rat went into the mouse cage which was in a big raffia "handbag", the mouse into a small box, in there too; and they were smuggled on. The four cats went into a big box which went into the hold. We even spent the night at a motel by the LA airport before the flight! So we all get on (the sons were in Texas, only our 3 year old daughter with us) and make the flight uneventfully (pull up the cover, hi Joe, awk, cover down). But at the luggage carousels, for some unfathomable reason there was a tiny baby chick running across the floor. I started towards it and my husband yelled NO!!!!! ENOUGH!!!
All in all, we had Joe for about seven years. He would keep the cats in line: we'd let him out of his cage and they'd sit and watch him and he'd peck on the floor in front of them: DO NOT CROSS THIS LINE!! He'd sit on my arm at Halloween (me in a witch's costume) and caw at people as they came to the door. I was devastated when he died.
I love dogs, too; we've had one wild gentleman named Butch and two sweet, gentle Goldens in succession. No more. Cats are sufficient.
Mawzy, I've had really good luck introducing new kittens into our home (5 in the last 4 years). This is a home with (at different times 1-2 dogs and 2 or more cats all mature adults). I set up a nursery in my hubby's bedroom(he wanted the first one). A litter box, bed, food and water dishes. Put the kitten(s) in and close the door. Everyone can sniff each other under the door. Then several times daily go in and visit, then bring newby(ies) out to visit and explore with CLOSE supervision. At first dogs were pushy to smell all over, keep petting and cautioning, "be gentle., It's a baby." Kitten tries to go up to big cat(s), let them go close but intervene if big ones get hissy or growly. At first keep visits short, but lengthen regularly. With first 2 it took about 2 weeks to have them loose in the house, but part of that was because we were treating earmites and I didn't want the hassle of trying to catch them when it was time for a treatment. The second 2 only took a few days, and the last one arrived on a Sat. and was integrated by Mon. because my hubby kept leaving the door open. She still knew it was her safe haven, because the dogs and older cats weren't used to having access to that room. Even after the initial introduction time, the cats will still have to settle their pecking order. That will consist of an occasional effort by the new one to encroach on the Older one's perceived territory. There may be a hiss or growl and possibly a swat, but generally it won't amount to much. Distraction with toys or treats usually takes care of it.
My cats have never had a problem sharing a litter box. AlfaPet makes a box of 10 sifting liners. You put the whole pack in and just lift the top one-the clumps stay there and the clean litter sifts into the next one. No more scooping and always a clean pan. When all 10 have been used you're left with a solid liner with the clean sifted litter and you start all over again. Of course you add clean litter as needed as you go.
Technically, Bailey and Baxter are still up for adoption...I can deliver...I don't mind road trips! I would trust any of you to care for these precious babies.
Mawzy, the sifter systems available are really nice, but we can't afford the initial cost. We have 4 boxes(1 large, 3 medium) and use scoopable litter. I have a scoop by each box and use a plastic grocery bag or 2 to dispose into trash. One box is seldom used but because one of the cats might get shut in my DH's room, I keep it there. It only takes a few minutes to scoop and it's done for the day.
Stephanie K-G---I bet your DH is developing some bonds with the little guys and that could be a help when your older one leaves you. Also, you indicated interest in one (maybe both?) being a therapy animal. My vote is that you take them off the adoptable list and start training them. Good for your whole family. Just my 2 cents.
Carol-it was I (me) who mentioned the sifter liners. It's not a system. You (or the cats) use the regular litter box. It is the liners that make the difference. $3.00 for ten sifters. You can scoop the poop and only change the liners when you feel like. Don't have to scrub the pan-ever. Glad this topic is waaaaay off
bluedaze, I use those and they are great. Our cat it FINALLY going while outside. At least it seems that way. For over a year she would want back in the house to use her litter box and then go back outside again. Not my idea of ideal.
OMG--We had a little green parakeet and a big black tomcat. He would take out any wild bird he could catch. But our little bird would fly out of his cage, sit on the edge of kitty's dish and make him cry. Birdie didn't want that cat food and kitty wouldln't make a move toward the bird. Sigh---with 5 kids, it was ALMOST too much.
I'd shoo the bird away and the cat would eat. The bird would fly to my one son's head and pick one hair at a time out of his crew cut. I've got pictures of that.
But the keening and wailing the morning the salamander slipped down the backroom sink drain was the worst. All 5 kids and me trying to see down there. I straightened out a wire coat hanger and left sort of a hook on the end. I fish down there and got him. Everyone held their breaths. Slowly, slowly raising Mr. Salamander to the top of the drain....and whoosh--he wiggled off and down he went. We never saw him again. I told the kids he had gone out the sewer and into the waterways and was probably out in Puget Sound by now. They never bought that story. We had a memorial for him with a cross, flowers, prayers and songs. Very sad day.
What would we do without pets? God knew what he was doing, didn't He? :)
Mawzy, etc - the theory is that you should have a litter pan per cat plus one more so they never get caught. They can be like kids - if they see one using the pan suddenly they need to too...
I had cats for years. The most I had at a time was three except when one had 4 kittens, but I was fortunate to have found homes for them. Now we have a little havenese dog, Frankie, who I just adore. I'd love to get a cat to be company for him, but dogs are kind of stupid, and I'm afraid he'd eat the litter. how do you folks who have both manage that? Frankie gives me loads of love but I bought him for my DH, and he turned out to be MY DOG. i really didn't need something else that needs me, but here I am.
chris-my Bassett always considered the litter pan his hors d'oeuvre party tray. I put up a small gate that the cats didn't consider a problem and the dog was too dumb to realize he could easily knock it down.
Oh, oh, don't push my buttons! None of MY dogs have ever been 'kind of stupid.' Quite the opposite! Currently I have both a cat & a dog. We all get along very well. Had to put the cat on a diet, couldn't figure out why she kept gaining and never lost weight. Then I caught her eating the dog's leftovers. Obviously my cat is not stupid either.
Betty-you make me laugh. Our pets have taught us so well how to cater to their needs. And we love doing it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if people could give us so much unconditional love. The new companion lab at my husband's home just got there and is already making her rounds.
Well, it finally happened. Noche is 6 months old now and big enough and smart enough to figure out how to get to the top of a 6 foot fence. He was having the best time today--rain and all. He went all the way around the place on the fence. He would not come when I called. He wouldn't come when I shook his Temptations bag at him. He generally comes running for that but not this time. He was so busy out there. I finally caught up with him and brought him inside. He was really upset with me and just sat at the door and howelled.
Now, here's my question--He definitely is not an indoor cat. He's an indoor/outdoor cat. I'm afraid if he goes to the front, he will go in the street and get run over. But I don't know how to keep him just in the back yard.
Any suggestions? He thought he wa such a big guy with his travels today.
Mawzy, I'm afraid you have a indoor/outdoor cat. Once they have been outdoors they are preditars, their natural way. If you keep him inside you will constantly have to monitor the door whenever it is open and you are not going to be able to corral him in the backyard but he may mostly stay in the backyard vs the street. A dog can be fastened in the yard, but not a cat.
Good Luck. We live in a rural area and I worry about hawks, coyotes and fox's but she is going to have to face the world on her own because I can't do more than provide shelter on the porches and access to our house when she chooses to come in. I do make her stay in all night from 8 p.m. to when we get up mornings. I keep her penned in the laundry room nights otherwise she would be wanting outside before daylight.
I bring him in before dark and that's about 4:30 now. I don't open the back door until 10 or so in the a.m. Also, if we are going to be gone (church or shopping) we keep him inside. That may have to change after a while. I sure hate to see him grow up. He's visibly bigger almost every day and eats a lot. He'll go thru about 5 oz of canned cat food a day and about 3/4 cup of dry stuff. He weighs about 8 lbs already and not a bit fat. He's long and lean--like a Siamese. He's just gorgeous and knows it.
My one son said to me "Mom, are you turning into one of those crazy old ladies that talk about their cats all the time?" Bare in mind he is only kidding me, but perhaps I am talking a bit too much about him. (smile)
The only thing you can do to keep Noche in the back yard is to build a fence he can't climb over, or build an enclosure (roof and all) of chain link or something like that. Perhaps you can put an edging around the top of your current fence that juts inward a couple of feet, so he can't get on top of it.
when we lived in the country, I used to put the cat out on a leash. I would walk him to the mailbox, then I'd tie him out so he could enjoy the outdoors without my worrying. I did have to keep an eye out for other animals, especially neighbors dogs, but over all the cat enjoyed that little bit of freedom. My other cat used to just be on the deck, and he'd stay there. He'd get the outdoors without us worrying about it.
Mawzy, I would guess that Noche isn't "fixed" - I know that in the south and southwest that's not as common as in some other places. But pretty soon, if that's so, you're going to have a big jowly black cat on your hands. No way are you going to keep him in at night (he'll spray, among other things), and black cats aren't easily seen by drivers at night. Plus they get in fights. Real, biting fights, with the infection that comes with tooth puncture wounds. Is there any way you can sneak him out and get him fixed quietly, in case your husband's one of those macho types who doesn't believe in it?
Chris, we had a leash for a cat too, and she was very good with it. Another friend would tie hers out on a leash attached to a brick, so that she could move him from place to place with her. You have to use a HARNESS on the cat, though, not a collar. We used to make a harness of crocheted yarn, two loops secured at the back so one went over the head and the other around the body, fairly snugly, then on into the leash.
Chris, I used to do that with a little tiger cat of mine. That's how she became a mother ... you wouldn't believe how little time that takes. I saw the neighborhood lothario walking down the road out of the window, but by the time I got to the door (of a 10x20 trailer, no less), the deed was done. (I had adopted her when I found her, starving to death, in our trailer park. I didn't think she was strong enough yet to get her fixed.)
Briegull is right about needing a harness, though.
FYI,. Noche has been neutered. The shelter did that before we got him when he was 3 months old. The last couple of days he's just been circling the yard--sort of marking his own territory. He does NOT go out after 2-3 oclock in the afternoon. That's when he takes his 'cat nap.'
BTW, he weighed 3 lbs when we got him and 3 mos later, he's up to 8 lbs. This guy is getting big and he's not a bit fat. He never has anything but 2/3 c of kibble and about 1/2 - 1/3 cup of canned cat food. He cleans that plate up slick.
No night time jaunts for him. I thought maybe if we got a spayed female, he might be more eager to stay at home. I'll let you know. DH is getting used to that idea. He keeps telling me he thinks Noche might be lonesome.
Bettyhere--our other black cat was named (get this)--el gato negre. Is that cool? He was the lover of the neighborhood. My neighbor had a beautiful fluffy tuxedo female--seems like she was in the romantic way most of the time. She had kittens a lot. One day my neighbor came over and asked if there wasn't some kind of birth control for boy cats? That's when I suggested having him neutered and DH and 4 sons about went nuts. He lived out his life in peace (no pun intended) and quiet and died when he was almost 10 years old. I think he'd be alive today if he'd been neutered but it's too late now. He was a good cat. No mice or snakes around here when he was alive. But Noche is sweet and loving. Very affectionate.