Conference misery::feline_v1

    > only answers to the sound of the can opener.
    
    The electric cat caller!!!
    
    Edd

    Hi Mary,
    
    If you can find a home for Girl before I can find a home for Karissa,
    please let me in on your secret so I can practice the same technique!
    I have been advertising everywhere for a month, and no one wants
    her...poor thing.
    
    Good luck with the babies!  You shouldn't have a hard time finding
    homes for them.
    
    /Roberta
    

    I can't understand why people shy away from taking on a fully-grown
    cat...they do have their advantages...fully trained; don't scramble
    up curtains and pull furniture etc, etc. 
    
    Karen
    
    PS  I'm not having much luck thinking of names...but there's a
    character in Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale" called Mopsa...I think
    that would make a nice name for an animal...
    
    

    Why don't you call her "Hobo".  I mean it is more a male name but
    she sounds like at little hobo.  Good luck.  I wish my landlord
    would let me have one, I would take a kitty in a heartbeat.

    A tip on getting you cat adopted:  put a note on your vet's bulletin
    board.  That way anyone interested knows that the animal has been
    cared for.
    
    As for the name, why not wait a little and see how her personality
    develops.  That way one that's absolutely "purrfect" might come
    to you.
    
    A friend of mine said "damn it kitty" so often when her little one
    was climbing curtains, that she answers to that now.  D.K. will
    be a year old this month and we'll be attending her birthday party.
    
    A neighbor's cat tried so often to get into our house that my daugher
    named it "Guest Kitty."  The neighbor's liked it better than the
    one they'd given her and call her G.K. now.
    

    HEY.. how come we are not having a "kitty shower"!!!!!!!.... CONGRATS
    NANA..
    Regards
    kate

    Names are a funny thing - I always said that the next kitten would
    have the name: whoever the hell you are !! Because when one of the
    kids (15 now) was doing something naughty, and if it really made
    me angry that they were doing it, and if I couldn't see who was
    doing what, I would just yell, Who_ever_the_hell_you_are, stop it!
    I decided against it though, and the newest baby girl is
    Victoria Dolly - after consulting the bible (the book Dr. Zhivago)
    there weren't too many female names and a male name that I hadn't
    used yet was Victor - so Victoria seemed to work & fit.  We call
    her Miss Vikki.  She is already climbing the wicker wastebasket
    and on up to the stove (sigh). She will be 10 weeks old Sunday!
    This baby has more mothers and dads than she really wants - she
    also will be the cleanest baby in Candia, NH.  She get bathed
    so many times a day, that she will become lazy and not learn
    to clean herself! Katenka thinks Vikki is a wind-up toy, Malinka
    thinks Vikki is a stuffed mousie to tumble around with, Pashenka
    just wants to be daddy and wraps his arms around her and holds
    her tight and cleans her like crazy!  Lara watches the younger
    ones & waps the youngsters on the head when they are too rough
    with her.  I have to fight for time with her - the youngsters
    seem to have taken over!
    
    E.T.
    

    Mary & Roberta!  I just thought of an adoption tip!  Bring the
    kids to the lobby of a busy DEC facility and sort of sit in
    the middle of the floor with the kittens in a large box so
    folks walking out of work and see them.  It worked with me!
    I saw the travel crate and was just like a homing pigeon!
    Of course, I just had to see what they looked like - the rest
    is history. It's getting so that it's not safe to walk through
    the lobby any more!!
    
    Elaine_learing_how_to_say_no_but_not_quite_successful_YET !
    

    My vet's daughter suggested I call her "Ed", cause she liked the
    movie "Raising Arizona".  Well, actually her first choice was Heidi,
    cause that's her name and she's the resident cat cuddler at the
    hospital.  The boy next door, who adores her, calls her "Baby" 
    after "Dirty Dancing".
    
    When we were leaving the vet's yesterday, they said that they would
    add the visit to her boarding fee and I could pay when I pick her
    up.  She's not even mine and she's already running a tab at the
    vets!!  I'd better watch my American Express card...she'll be ordering
    a canopy bed and designer sheets for the babies!
    
    Granny

    I'm honored...(I think)
    
    Eddd

    Hi Granny,
    
    As for a name, you may want to use this one.  My sister just got
    a new calico cat with double paws.  She was originally calling her
    ANNIE (after Little orphan Annie).  Now, someone has suggested
    something else, E.T. (Extra toes, not Elaine Trachman)
    
    Anyway, Orphan annie is kind of cute for a stray.
    
    As for the canope bed for the kittens, don't laugh.  Mine have brass
    bunk beds. (really!)
    
    Holly
    

    I would call her Sadie The Painted Lady (sounds like she might be
    a bluecream).  The name would also go along with her wanton disposition.
    
    wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more!!
    
    
    Jo

    I forgot to mention that I have a brass kitten cradle for my babies.
    Just ask Steve Black, I just mailed him pictures of three little
    Birman babies cuddled up in the cradle.
    
    Why should Girl have anything less?
    
    Jo

    Holly, do you remember the HHP at the West Springfield show named
    E.T. - the owner said it stood for eating judges and boy did it
    ever!  I think it was a brown tabby - very pretty kitty, but
    she sure showed a lota teeth!  Her entry number was one after
    Pashenka's so she was always beside him in the ring, much to
    his dismay - he was very vocal about his discomfort, poor baby!

    
    Re: .??
    
    
       Damn It Kitty????   I'm still laughing ... that's hysterical.
       At least I think it is. 8^)
    
       
    Donna (T.C. and Rocco's Mom)
    
       

    
    Regarding names for kitties:
    
    	The german word for pussy cat is Mieze (pronounced Meetser)
    which could be reserved for the kitten who always greets you
    first when you get home (ie "meets her" at the door 8^)} )
    
    Well I tried....
    
    Brian
    

    If she purrs a lot how about Evanrude (sp?) after the outboard 
    motor?  Another name that I like, especially for a climber, is 
    Hillary, after Sir Edmund Hillary.  Sounds like a female name 
    even if it's the last name of a man.  In fact we named our 
    Tenzing after Sir Hillary's Sherpa guide, Tenzing Nortgay.
    
    Good luck,
    Karen, Tristan and Tenzing.

    RE .8
    
    Elaine,  I thought I was the only one that got a kitten that way.
    
    DejaVu was brought into Dec before going to the Humane Society.
    
    Need I say more????
    
    
    
    RE .16
    
    Brian, that was cute.  I'll have to remember that one for future
    reference (next kitty???).
    
    
    Sandi (Lightning's, DejaVu's & Thunder's mom)
    
    

    We had good luck giving three of our four cats (full-grown) away by
    advertising in the Union Leader.  If you are giving anything away free
    they will run the ad for three days, free!!  We got loads of calls, and
    they all had new homes by the end of the weekend.  I still can't bring
    myself to give my Tubbs away, although with an alergic and non-cat
    lover husband, and no pets allowed apartments working against me I know
    I'll have to.  I think I'll try the bring_him_into_work_idea.
    
    Dianne (slave_to_Tubbs)

    Be careful about giving animals away for free.  Out here the paper
    won't accept such ads, they require that you ask for money, to prevent
    people who collect animals for reseach from using the ads as a source
    of free animals.
    

    As for names I can only suggest names I liked for past and present
    cats that I have owned, so here goes
    
    Figaro - a very vocal cat
    Mama Cass - another chubby vocal cat
    Rasputen - Positive it was a male - had kittens and mad as a meataxe
    Natasha - just liked the name
    Jake
    Terra - as in terra firma - a nice down to earth puss
    Sierra Leone (Sassy) - exotic looking brown burmese - WalksFar's
                           daughter
    WalksFar - after a movie Jane Fonda was in - liked the character -
               lilac burmese
    Stranger - consistently odd behaviour - WalksFar's son
    MaraMist - spotted mist - Mara means spotted or dappled in an African
               dialect
    Venom - silver abbysinian - has a heart shaped face (like a snakes)
    Sirocco - is a Saharan trade wind and shes a bit scatty - brown
              tortie burmese
    Nefertiti - (Effy) - cattery name - black devon rex
    Shai - blue moggy stray - think it has russian blue background - is an
           ancient Egyptian god/godess of Destiny
    
    If you don't lik'em it may give you some ideas. Good luck with the
    homes
    
    -alison-

    Any babies yet?
    
    Jo

    Hi...I just returned from a couple days in the Bay area.  No babies
    yet!!  I told the vet to bounce her up and down alot and to feed
    her spare ribs, and to do whatever!!  I'm taking her home tomorrow
    (I've got to build her a nursery tonight!), so she'll have them
    at my house.  Hopefully, by Monday, I'll be passing out cigars!!
    I'm going to London in 10 days, so if she doesn't "pop" by then,
    it's back to the vets (unless one of you nice folks wants to take
    her.....hee hee....).
    
    Mary

     Hmmmm.. are you hiring a kitty kat  interior designer ?... Pookie
    was curious about that.. she had always favored a laura ashley
    type of color scheme...!!!!! tee-hee.. do you plan to have a
    christening?..... do yuo need help with the invitations , food etc..
    I can see it all now liver pate, shrimp, lobster, catnip pasteries
    etc..
    regards
    kate.

    Pookie does have impeccable taste!!  The nursery is being decorated
    with a Little Lambs motif.  I bought a travel crib (cot) mattress,
    some waterproof sheets (with little lambs) and some cute little
    blankets as well.  Very chic....
    
    As for the christening, I do hope Pookie will give me the name of
    her caterer and butler.  And, of course, her very secret recipe
    for Bounce Souffle....
    
    Mary
    
    P.S. No babies yet!

    We are safely delivered of three little kittens.  Two are orange
    tabbies, the other is grey and white.  The two tabbies confirm whom
    I had suspected of fathering the brood.  Girl is doing fine and
    the kittens are the ugliest things on Earth...
    
    My next door neighbor's son really wants Girl (whom he calls "Baby"
    or "MegaKitty").  He can't wait to take her home and is nuts about
    her.  So....anyone want a kitten around the middle to end of October???
    
    Bed...where's my bed....
    
    Granny

    Well....make that 3 orange tabbis and one grey and white.  Just
    when I thought it was safe to go back to bed................
    
    No more.....please.....
    
    Tired Granny

    congratulations. I'm glad to hear that kittens, mother and grandma
    are all doing fine.
    
    Deb

    Congrats to granny and welcome to the new little darlings.. well
    Elaine  this could be Miss Vikki's little sister.. heh-heh... you
    could name her PUMPKIN, CUZ SHE WILL BE READY IN OCTOBER.. HEH HEH..
     Mary ,Pookie sadi to tell you that she has the butler for
    the the welcome to the baby kitty paty on standby, and not only
    will we be having  pounce souffle, but we will also be having
    catnip soup ala pookie.. Liver pate, smoked salmon, and avery special
    "POOKIE PUNCH".. dessert will come from HAPPYS secret cookbook...
    regards
    Kate
     

    Kate, you crack me up!  Pookie Punch....really!
    
    As for Pumpkin, what else would you call a little orange kitten??
    Thanks for the great name for Red Tabby #1!!  I've got to stop calling
    the little grey one "Weasel"...
    
    BTW, they were much less ugly this morning (but NOT cute!!).
    
    A tired Mary (who turned out to be a good midwife, anyway)

    Notice my lack of participation in this note!  I'm hiding from
    Mary!  Because I'm hiding, and not really here in this note,
    I won't tell Mary that I have a baby named Weasel (his real
    name is Alexander) - when he was tiny, he used to squirm to
    be put down so he could run - so we called weasal, which
    got shortened to WeeZoo - hence, I now have 5-year old baby
    named WeeZoo - he will answer to Alexander, but he doen't hear
    it too often - he is very used to hearing WeeZoo!  Silly, huh?
    I gotta go , or Mary will find me!
    
    E.T.

    .. heh heh,, Mary, according to Pookie..  and Iquote "a special
    POOKIE PUNCH (patent pending) will be serve to complement the
    luncheon.... according to Pookie, her attorney is  proactively
    working this patent issue :^)
    Regards
    Kate who is curious to see her amex statement next month cuz Pookie's
    atty honors amex only....tee-hee

    Kate,
    
    Will Pookie use your AmEx Gold Card? 
    
    Or does she demand the Platinum card?
    
    	-Nancy who's kids are only allowed to use her Bradlee's credit
        card!

    .. Funny you should mention that....she has been showing me
    pictures of the platinum card.... saying what is wrong with
    this picture mummy.. I can tell you what  is wrong mummy..
    there is no POOKIE holding the card !!!!!!... hint .. hint...
    Besides, GREEN is not none of my beeter colors, platinum matches
    my  overall good looks better.. tee-hee...
    regards
    kate..

    Hi...I thought I'd post an update to this saga.  My next door neighbors
    came to see the babies when they were less than a day old, and needless
    to say, they fell in love.  Ruth's son, A.J., wants to take Girl,
    and Ruth finally gave in.  A.J. named her MegaKitty (I call her
    Meg...) and can't wait to take her home.  Feeling quite beaten,
    Ruth, who's not overly fond of cats, said to her daughter "And I
    suppose you want one of the kittens....".  Poor Ruth!!  So Meg has
    a home and a name!!
    
    While I'm away this week, my kitty-sitter has been taking good care
    of the brood.  Meg is very tolerant of Sherri handling the kittens
    and changing the sheets in the nursery.  Such a good girl!!
    
    Mary

    Another update....
    
    The little ones are now three weeks old and are the cutest things.
    Their eyes are all open and are the sweetest shade of blue (but
    will be changing to green, like Mom and Dad).  They all come to
    me now when I come into the nursery, although one of them (#4) hisses
    at me first (if you've never been hissed at by a 3-week-old, you
    haven't lived!!  It's so funny!!!).  Meg is being a good Mom and
    we're all going to the vet on Thursday to see who's a boy and who's
    a girl (except Meg...).  At that time, Meg will be tested for FeLv,
    so all prayers are welcomed.
    
    Mary

    YIPEE!!  YIPEE!!  The vet just called and said that MegaKitty's
    FeLv test was NEGATIVE!!  They ran a few other tests and she's as
    fit as a fiddle!  He said that the kittens were in such good health
    that he was positive she'd be negative, but we ran the tests just
    to be sure, especially since she spent a few weeks outside on her
    own.
    
    As for the babies, there are 3 girls (one cream tabby, one red tabby
    with a white tummy and white feet, and the blue and white (OK, to
    us non-breeders, she's grey!), which the vet suspects will be a
    long haired heartbreaker.  The boy is a classic red tabby, and he
    might be a fuzzball as well.  They are in the peak of health, and
    can start some kitty food next week (I thought I heard Meg applaud
    when he said that!).  They've begun teething (poor Meg!) and are
    already trying to get out of their crib!!  Too cute!!
    
    A VERY happy Grandma Mary

    OK, so here's a question for you experts that have had CatMoms and
    babies before.  The kittens are now a month old and they easily
    climb in and out of their crib.  Meg has started what I think is
    called "social skills training", but she's not exactly Miss Manners.
    When one of the kids is playing rough with her, she'll grab it by
    the neck or throat and rough it up a bit.  The kittens seem none
    the worse for wear, and she always follows this by a licking and
    snuggling moment or two.  Is this OK??  She'll usually do this when
    they walk all over her face and use her body as a trampoline.  Should
    I keep my nose out of this and let her do her child rearing??
    
    Also, any hints on getting them 'off the boobs' on onto kitten food?
    One of them will eat baby food; the others aren't remotely interested.
    I don't want to wean them entirely, especially since the 2 week
    old foster brother still needs to nurse from Meg.
    
    HELP!!
    Granny

    Hey Grandma Mary,
    
    Sounds like things are coming along nicely with the brood.  I think
    that mom will be fine and you don't have to worry about her hurting
    the babies.  She is just trying to teach them a little respect!
    8^).  
    
    Since the tiny baby still needs to nurse, you might want to just
    introduce them to soft foods but not take them off nursing altogether.
    I usually make a mush of baby food, science diet feline growth canned,
    and maybe some KMR or evaporated milk.  Don't make very much since
    they will have more on them than in them.  I put it on a plate in
    the kitchen with newspapers everywhere and then dip my finger in
    it and hold it up to their mouths.  Sometimes you have to help them
    by opening their mouths and putting some in.  Most kittens feel
    it is very important to to test the consistency of the meal by walking
    in it and then smearing it all over themselves and surrounding surfaces
    before eating.  Don't be alarmed.  Just be armed with damp rags
    for the cleanup.  Teaching kittens to eat is one of the funniest
    parts of raising cats.  I usually feed them this way four or five
    times a day.  The more that they eat, the less they will nurse.
    There is always one (or two) that can't seem to get the hang of
    eating... don't worry, they will figure it out eventually.
    
    I like to let the moms decide when it is time to wean the babies.
    Joui likes to let them nurse until they are as big as she is!  When
    she does start weaning, be warned... it is brutal.  Joui will plop
    down on her side (as if ready for them to nurse) call them all over,
    and then beat the s**t out of them when they try to nurse.  Definitely
    cures them of the urge to suckle!
    
    It is almost time for you to learn the "baby kitten shuffle".  This
    is wear you walk without lifting your feet off the ground lest you
    accidently step on a wayward baby.
    
    Jo

    Really, Jo.  All I have is one kitten (16 weeks old - a big baby)
    and every time I turn around in the kitchen, she is under my feet.
    It must be something else to have 5 or 6 of the little rug rat
    under foot!
    
    E.T.

    Jo, you are a riot!  I've already developed the baby kitty shuffle
    as they run around the nursery at will.  And there is ALWAYS one
    within 1 millimeter of my foot!!
    
    I tried a little feline growth on them tonite and the little monster
    that was the first one out of the box, the first one to open her
    eyes, was of course, the first one to eat.  She put her little face
    into the dish and chowed down.  I was amazed!  The others would
    eat a little from my finger, but seemed confused by the whole thing.
    I noticed that the little monster did exactly what Meg does when
    she's done eating--she tried to bury the dish!  It's so funny that
    she picked that up from Meg already.  But, later on when she finished
    nursing from Meg, she tried to bury her favourite spigot and Meg
    had a fit!!  She howled and swatted the poor little kitten!!  So
    much for manners.  It was funny watching her at her first attempt
    to wash her own face.  She hasn't figured out that you're supposed
    to sit down to do this, so she kept falling over.  Edd, you really
    need to get yourself a dozen baby kittens...you'd have lots of great
    stories to tell us!
    
    Thanks for all the advice...I'm gonna make an effort at getting
    all the older kittens to eat food this weekend.
    
    BTW, can I get KMR at a pet store, or do I have to get it from the
    vet?
    
    Granny

   < Note 1613.42 by CLUSTA::TAMIR "ACMS design while-u-wait" >
    
   > BTW, can I get KMR at a pet store, or do I have to get it from the
   > vet?

    I think yuo can get it at pet stores. I've seen it at Erickson's
  Grain Mill in Acton, Mass.
   

    Mary, are you in Nashua?  Blue Seal feeds have it and PETcetra in
    Hudson carry it also.  You are a GREAT Granny!  
    
    E.T.

    Also both Nashua Pet and Aquarium (or whatever they're called, in
    Lamplighter Square, opposite the Pheasant Lane Mall) and Pet Menagerie
    (in TJ Maxx Plaza, also opposite the Pheasant Lane Mall, but on
    the MA side of the border).
    
    It's about $15 at the first store, and about $13 at the second, for a
    can of powdered KMR.  So, even with the MA tax, it's cheaper at
    the MA store, if they have it in stock.  I bought a can there last
    week, so I think they're down to one.  I wonder what the prices
    are at the stores mentioned in .44?
    
    Read the directions carefully, especially with respect to storage
    and shelf life.
    
       Gary

    Mary, one more suggestion...If the little is going to continue to
    bury the spigot, then it is probably time for her first nail trimming.
    Meg will appreciate this immensely since the babies also knead while
    they nurse.  I usually just take off the points.  It is amazing
    how sharp their little claws can be at that age.
    
    They will probably not like for you to trim their nails.  I talk
    to them in a soft, calm voice ("come here you crazed little monster,
    mother has a suprise for you...") and do the nails as quickly as
    I can.  If the baby starts to squirm, hold part of its scruff in
    one hand (supporting the rest of its body with the other hand) and
    talk to it until it quiets down again.  When kittens are still that
    little, holding by the scruff has a very calming affect on them.
    They will usually just go limp in your hand.  After, the kitten
    calms down, start on the nails again.

    Babies are alot of work, but they are sooooo cute.
    
    If you can't find the KMR, you can use evaporated milk.  I usually
    use the evaporated milk since you can buy it in 4oz cans and it
    will keep in the cupboard for longer than KMR.  Even the powdered
    KMR doesn't last very long.
    
    Jo

    Mary,
    
    Forget the powdered KMR.  It's handy if you are bottle feeding 15
    kittens or so but not for a smaller number.  You can get KMR in
    small (5 oz) cans.  Keeps for 3 days in the fridge.  Not as much
    waste.  We just picked up a can at Dodge Feed and Grain in Salem,
    NH.  Its not too hard to find.
    
    Frank
    

    Well, the baby lessons continue!  This weekend, Meg conducted a
    seminar called "LitterBox Basics".  She pushed them over to the
    litter box, then she got in and proceeded to demonstrate the correct
    usage of the litter box.  It was a riot!  The babies watched every
    move and then the little monster (who's quickly becoming a graduate
    student) went into the box, squatted down, and Glory Be!  She pee'd.
    I was so proud!!  This morning, I saw some of the world's smallest
    poops in there, so I think they're getting the hint.
    
    Only 3 of the 4 are eating Jo's recipe.  The fourth has absolutely
    no interest in it at all.  I stuck some in her mouth and she spit
    it out.  Later, she licked some off my finger, but she just won't
    take it easily.  Should I be more patient???  I haven't had a problem
    with the big kittens wearing their dinner, but the 2 week old just
    won't stay out of it!  He walks thru the plate looking for attention
    from someone (Meg doesn't seem too pleased when she's gotta clean
    him up!).
    
    Mary

    Mary, you must be doing something right, mine queens always make
    *me* clean up the babies after feeding time!  One litter and now
    your a pro!
    
    Don't worry about the stubborn one.  Soon enough mom will cut him
    off and he will have to learn to eat.  In the meantime, just keep
    putting it in his mouth and sooner or later, he will swallow some.
    
    Jo

    Well, Meg is a terrific Mom 99% of the time.  I won't talk about
    the 1%...
    
    Another thing...they seem to have this thing for eating litter.
    I switched to the kind with no gunk in it, other than baking soda,
    cause I didn't want them chowing down on deodorizers.  Is this OK??
    They seem to love the stuff.  I seem to remember Honey doing this
    and my vet telling me to make sure I kept the box nice and clean.
    
    It's incredible that the little one who won't eat kitten food loves
    litter best!
    
    Mary

    Maybe you could mix a little litter in with his food and then gradually
    wean him off the litter by adding less and less......
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    I am only KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Jo

    Hey, I could try that!!  It's funny to see them eat the litter and
    then run to the water dish to wash it down!  Maybe now that they're
    using the box for 'their duty' they'll stop using it as a salad
    bar!
    
    Mary

    I can top that...
    
    Joui's first kitten was almost born in the litter box!  The
    contractions started coming and she jumped into the box (musta thought
    she was having one heck of a bowel movement!)
    
    Jo

    Oh, ya, well one of Ray Fusci's queens deposited a newborn kitten
    in the litter box, apparently because she felt like that's where
    it belonged!  And having seen Meg's newborns, I can kinda understand
    the feeling!!
    
    Mary

    You guys are really grossssss!  Yukkie!  When I was at the vet
    last week with the toothless wonder (AKA-chicken-lips), he
    (the vet) had just delivered by C section, a puppy - ugliest
    thing I had ever seen - but sort of cute - no hair, no eyes
    sort of, but boy could he yelp - 5 minutes old and barking!
    Dogs will be dogs - guess that's why God made cats!!!
    
    E.T.

    Funny thing about puppies...
     
    Kathie's next door neighbor had his golden retriever bred and she
    had six puppies.  After seeing newborn kittens, I don't think newborn
    puppies are that cute anymore.  I couldn't believe how big their
    noses are!!!  Their noses were as long as their bodies!  All tummy
    and nose and no legs to speak of.  Weird.
    
    Jo

re: 1613.54

>    Oh, ya, well one of Ray Fusci's queens deposited a newborn kitten
>    in the litter box, apparently because she felt like that's where
>    it belonged!

Well, it *was* her first litter, and it *was* the first kitten out...There 
was so much cat litter stuck to that kitten that I had to rinse it off in 
the bathroom sink!

Katy turned out to be a good mom, though.

Ray

    Ray, it sounds like the mom dipped the baby in bread crumbs!!
    
    You guys could probably write an hysterically funny book!
    
    E.T.

    I used to have 4 adorable kittens.  Then I had 5 adorable kittens.
    They were sweet little things with eyes that looked like sequins,
    had little button noses, and had soft, fluffy fur.  They stayed
    in their crib and only cried when they wanted their Mommy.  Some
    time, between then and now, my little Angles from Heaven became
    Demons from Hell.  This is incredible!  I think it happened when
    they got their first shots last week and became Official Kittens.
    They can climb straight up any wall, they know *exactly* what curtains
    are for, they stage All-Star Kitty Wrestling in the litter box,
    and when they run across the floor (sideways, of course), they sound
    like baby elephants.  My ankles are covered with scratch marks and
    I'm scarred for life.  They think the squirt bottle is a grooming
    aid.  The Navy could use their poops for chemical warfare.  The
    baby kitten knows how to eat kitten food, trouble is, he doesn't
    know how to wash his face.  He also knows what the litter box is
    for, trouble is, he doesn't know how far down to squat.  There isn't
    anywhere in the nursery that's safe from their assault.  I'm typing
    this message from inside the closet cause they keep crawling up
    my back.
    
    But, oh, look over on top of the sewing machine, three of them are
    cuddled up sleeping.  How sweet...They're so wonderful.  Wait, what's
    that??  OH, NO!  It's a kitten!  OOOUUUCCCHHH!!!  My ankles!!!!!!
    HHHEEELLPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    re: .59
    
    Thanks for entering that--it was great!!
    
    Jill

    Re .59
    
    Oh yes - I know what you mean.
    
    I'm in that situation at the moment, but I've only got 4.  I don't
    have a whole stocking left, my ankles look as though I fell in a
    bramble patch and I leave a gas mask by the door for when I go in.
    
    But, they're still lovely and I'll be sorry to see them go.
    
    kate

    Re: 59
    
    Great story!!!!  I could just see everything happening as I was
    reading!!!
    
    
    :-)
    
    Corine

    We went to see Katie last night, and met the whole crew (of course).
    
    There was Honey, Chauncey, Meg(akitty), Beastie Boy, Number 1, and
    the two other cuties who shall remain nameless.
    
    If anyone wants a cutie, see Mary - the available ones are great!
    I consider myself lucky to have escaped without at least one more
    than planned.
    
    Gary

    I've seen pictures of those wonders - they really are something
    else!  Grab one while they still are available!
    
    E.T.

    > Grab one while they are still available!
    
    Does this mean before E.T. adopts the rest?
    
    Deb

    Let's all take a reality pill now, folks!!!!!  The reality of
    cat Sh&*^%t for 15 plus two visting relatives is as much as
    I want to see for a while !!!
    
    I have to say, tho, they really are VERY PRETTY babes.  It must
    be their little eyes!!! and their furry little bodies!!  They
    look like snugglepusses!
    
    E.T._The_Inn_IS_FULL !

    Gee, they are pretty babies, aren't they??  Katie is as cute as
    a button and is looking forward to her adoption in a couple weeks.
    The red tabby boy is going to his new home tonight (earlier than
    I'd like, but I'm going away next week and his new Mom is going
    away the following week, so she wants him to get used to his new
    Dad and sister before she goes).  The short-haired cream tabby,
    who is an absolute scream to look at, had be at the emergency vet
    last Saturday evening with a hurt paw.  Seems she jumped down and
    twisted her ankle.  $75.00 later, she was fine...brat!!  The cream
    and white tabby girl learned how do give kisses this week and purrs
    like crazy when you rub her face.  The little adoptee is a roly
    poly little boy who *still* doesn't know how to wash his face! 
    Meg washes it for him, and it seems to really perturb her.  It's
    cute to watch.
    
    So, there are still two girls who will need homes at the end of
    the month.  I haven't posted an adoption notice because I'm on the
    road for the past week and the next two weeks.
    
    What a mess 6 cats can make of a litter box in one day!!  E.T.,
    I don't know how you do it!
    
    Mary

    Sigh, I know - it's waiting for me when I go home tonight - 
    vacuum downstairs, vacuum upstairs, change the pool, bathe
    3 show kids for Braintree , get up at 5 for the show Saturday.
    I feel better!!!!!!  Complaining does make ya feel better.
    Actually, the more mess they make, then I know they are at least
    getting lots of excercise and not sleeping all day.  Good
    rationalization, huh???
    
    Mary, isn't the little red baby boy the one with the funny face??
    or is it the cream baby?  They are so sweet - 
    
    E.T.

    Well!!  If complaining helps, here goes....
    
    I just returned home and found that they had knocked over an open
    bag of litter.  Naturally, the litter spilled all over the carpet.
    Naturally, they used it....
    
    So, what's that stuff that neutralizes odors??  Nature's Miracle??
    
    The one with the great face (hee hee) is the cream girl.  She's
    gotten alot cuter these days.  A face that only her mother could
    love.  BTW, the emergency vet thought she was adorable (no taste!).
    
    Gotta go clean up the mess.....
    
    Mary

    Waddya mean no taste!  It was the ears that sold me!  She was
    really cute!  
    
    Then there is Timothy, who thinks he has to dig a hole to China
    before he makes his deposit - he weighs 14 lbs and when he dig,
    the sand that he excavates could cover a beach from end-to-end.
    When I yell at Timothy to stop, he shuts his hearing aid off!!
    If, by chance, I manage to get his attention, he gives me that
    innocent look, like, Well, what am I doing wrong?  I'm doing
    it in the box, aren't I?  Where else do you want me to do it?
    
    Then, of course, Katenka thinks that's wonderful that all that
    dirty gritty sand is on the floor - she proceeds to roll in it
    and use it to scratch her back (usually just after she has had
    her bath - the night before a show, ugh!).  So, that's why
    I vac before I bathe...sigh.
    
    Feel free to complain, Mary - you have earned the right!
    
    E.T.

    We brought Katy home from Grandma Mary's last night.  What a cutie.
    I had forgotten just how sharp their claws can be (Mary - next time,
    clip 'em first please).  I have a permanent scar on one finger from
    trying to ease the introduction between her and Lucy (the calmest
    one of the lot...usually).  Then there are the pinholes up and down
    both legs from where she practiced her tree climbing...
    
    Boy this is fun.
    
    Thanks again Mary...Gary

    Another update in the saga of Grandma Mary...
    
    We're down to Meg and two daughters; the red and white tabby long
    haired one and the red tabby shorthair are 10 weeks old and run
    the house with very sharp claws.  On Monday, my little Meggie went
    in to be spayed.  After a brief recovery, she was to move to her
    new home, giving me some peace and quiet.  The key word there is
    'was'.  Meg managed to have swollen glands and the vet thought it
    best not to operate.  Of course, during her pre-admission physical
    last week, she was fine.  But, wait, it gets better.  She's also
    in heat.  The little shorthair, named Julie, also has swollen glands
    so she won't be adoptable for at least 2 more weeks.  This is the
    same little one who had me rushing her to the emergency vet with
    a sprained foot.  This is incredible.  I'm not making this up!!
    Neither of them show any other signs of being sick; their temp is 
    normal and they have no congestion or 'discharges'.  I wish I could
    say the same about me.......sigh.......
    
    Gary, how is Katie doing??
    
    A tired, frustrated, and nearly broke Grandma Mary

    Sounds normal to me 8')
    
    Katy (I think that is our spelling) is just fine.  After one night
    being scared of her own shadow, she has taken over.  She is REALLY
    a cutie.  She has Max wrapped around her little dewclaw (but he's
    easy anyway).  Lucy was last to come completely around, but after
    a week, she was fine too.  She was giving Katy overhand rights to
    the top of the head, very measured, about twice a day.  Just letting
    her know who was boss, I guess.  It was funny (not to Katy, I imagine)
    to see her get close, v e r y slowly lift her paw above her head,
    and swat Katy right between the eyes.  Her claws were in, so she
    was just making the rules clear.
    
    The orange ones are cute too...where are the new parents???
    
    Gary

    Hi Gary,
    
    I'm glad Katie is doing so good!  Her big brother was adopted by
    a couple of DECies, Liz Field and Andy Bodge.  He's doing just great.
    The little boy is back with his 'natural' Mom and family, whom I
    have not heard from.  The two sisters are still with me and Meg,
    as we're still watching the lymph nodes.  They are very ready for
    new homes (or rather I'm really ready for them to have new homes!)
    so we'll see what the vet says on the 15th.  I'm getting very attached
    to them, though!!
    
    Granny

    Another chapter in my book...
    
    Meg has been spayed and is doing very well.  Meg needs a good home
    and one may be in the works with another FELINEr.  And as you've probably
    read by now, Sarah has been adopted by Jeanne and John DeFranco.
    I miss her already, but I know that she couldn't be in a better
    home, so that makes it easier.
    
    That leaves Julie...for those who have seen the pictures, she's
    the one that looks like a feline version of E.T., and I don't mean
    Elaine Trachman!!  She's the funniest looking cat ever but she's
    really turning into a cutie.  And since she's got a face only her
    mother can love, I'm keeping her!  Her ears are almost the right
    size now, and her eyes point in the same direction most of the time,
    so things are improving.  She's an absolute brat who has been helping
    me select new draperies and adopt new sleep habits, but I love
    her like crazy!
    
    All in all, it's been an experience.  After going through all the
    worry, sleepness nights, and expense, I don't know if I could ever
    recommend it to anyone.  I was very fortunate that Meg and her babies
    were, for the most part, healthy.  There are lots of you out there
    who have lost baby kittens or suffered with the Mom at stillborn
    kittens, and it's really not all fun and games.  I spent several
    nights without sleep so I could bottle feed the little foster kitten.
    And then there was the time Julie broke her paw and I had to rush
    her to the vet.  And all the shots....  It's a big responsibility,
    but given Meg's circumstances, it was the right thing to do.  If
    I had another unwed mother show up on my deck, I'd do it all over
    again.  But it's given me even more conviction about spaying and
    neutering.
    
    So, all the babies are in the best homes on Earth and I've got lots
    of memories of the sweetest kittens ever!
    
    Grandma Mary

    
    	Whoa Mary,
     	
    	Watch what you say or you could end up with tons of pregnant
    	cats on your doorstep!!
    
    	:-) Karen

    and, the last line of that Chapter reads, 
    
    "Grandma Mary is a VERY VERY VERY nice, nice person!"
    
    Someone at the party asked me how I ended up with 16 cats and
    why would I want 16 cats.  I had a hard time answering that
    question.  I guess Grandma Mary said it all !!
    
    E.T.

    .. indeed you will go to kitty heaven....!!!!!!!!
    regards
    kate

    As the saga draws to a close.....
    
    Meg went to a new home last night, where she will be the sole
    receipient of all the love and attention she needs.  She took her bed
    and scratching box, her favourite Senor Mouse, and (most importantly)
    her favourite food with her.  She's got a new house to explore and a
    huge yard to claim as her kingdom (queendom??).
    
    Little Julie cried last night, looking for her Mummy, but Honey must
    have sensed this and curled up with her and washed her ears.  I think
    he's discovered his little sister.  Chauncey spent the night upstairs,
    curled up in his favourite blankie for the first time since August. 
    His usual sleeping spot was taken over as the nursery and everytime he
    went near it, Meg beat him up.  When I went in to see him this morning,
    I swear he was smiling.
    
    All's well that ends well...
    
    Grandma Mary

    Dear Grandma Mary,,  according to Pookie (who also spent last nite
    in the boudoir.. they were chatting on the phone.. and they were
    discussing Megs departure..I  did ask Pookie what  if she  had a
    nice chat.. she just smiled..it is also my understanding that Meg
    will be continuing her Tuesday evening Bingo games.. her and Happy
    will be car pooling.. and you are not to worry grandma mary, all
    is well..
    Regards
    Kate

    Great, let us know how Meg gets on.
    
    BTW - Calico has settled in just great and is now queening it over
    her two devoted slaves.
    
    Its so nice to hear of happy endings :-)
    
    Kate

    Well, folks, it's time to re-open this saga.....
    
    Remember the little foster boy that Meg adopted??  Well, it appears
    that his is dire need of a new home.  Seems the house he is living in
    is a no-pets place and the landlord, after other tennants complained,
    has decided to enforce the policy.
    
    As for the details, he's about 11 months old, white with two patches of
    grey tiger stripes on this ears and a grey tiger striped tail.  He has
    white double paws in front.  He's FeLv negative, neutered, indoors
    only, and is up to date on his shots.
    
    I can attest to his nursery care as I bottle fed this little baby from
    the time he was 2 weeks old until he went to his original home.  And
    those who came to see the kittens can attest to his personality.
    
    He's being moved to Pat Murphy's house in the Greater Nashua area, and
    both Pat and I would like to find a new home for him before either she
    or I fall in love with him again.
    
    Contact me or Pat (STAR::MURPHY) for details.
    
    Granny
    

    Mary,
    
    There is an article in Dog Fancy this month about No pets clauses
    in rental agreements.  It says that if the landlord or manager knew
    about the kitten for an extended amount of time and didn't start
    eviction procedures, he cannot start them at a later date.  Since
    this kitten is old enough to be neutered, he has obviously been
    there awhile.  (can't remember his age)
    
    This is something to think about, but it would be a very difficult
    situation it the owning family wanted to pursue it.
    
    Jo

    Well, the family that has Spuds doesn't want to do battle with the
    landlord.  They've got kids to worry about, and would find it hard to
    rent another place they could afford.
    
    He's such a wonderful boy...if I could have seen the future, I never
    would have let him go.  The little guy is very special to me; I wish I
    could take him back...
    
    Mary