Conference misery::feline_v1

    >  Sigh... what am I getting myself into  ;-)
    
    I don't know - but count me in.  I  will be fostering two cats from
    next week, until sometime in January, but after that might be able to
    handle one or two.  And I will certainly help with the catching, etc.
    
    Linda

    Spaying and neutering the cats would help with the one problem,
    overpopulation, but there is another problem too.  The apartment
    complexes are strictly no pets, and probably will get tired of having
    all these strays hanging out around the buildings.  At some point,
    the management may decide to round the whole lot up and cart them
    off to the pound, or worse.  This sounds like quite a job, but placing
    them in homes will be the ideal solution.  I wish you luck, I am
    afraid I am too far away to help out with this one.
    
    Jo

    Nancy,
    
    I'ld like to help as much as I can.  However, I do not feel comfortable
    fostering these cats because of the situation I'm in.  Having show cats
    and little kittens most of the time, it's just to much of a risk.  BUT,
    I would be willing to help you try to catch them, get them to the vet
    or do possible calling or legwork.  I would also be willing to try to
    help place these cats at some of the shows.  
    
    Let me know what I can do to help.
    
    cin
    

Being in California, all I can do is cheer you on and offer some
financial aid to help defray costs of spaying, etc.  I will need
an "outside DIGITAL" address to send the check.  I will have funds
available in the next week or so....

Personal thought:

Primary object is spaying and neutering...in many cases, management
will be tolerant of a certain number of cats, but will suddenly
decide the cats are a "health risk" IF they become too numerous.  I
know from experince - my roommate and her co-workers were feeding 
stray cats around her place of business, but refusing to really take 
responsibility for the cats and getting them spayed or neutered...in
spite of my repeated offers to help pay.  When the number of cats
grew to over 15 (in spite of my repeated forays to grab kittens
and get them homes), the general management decided they were a
health risk and had them hauled off - as a "health risk", of course,
they were all immediately killed.  Marge learned a painful lesson...
if you are not willing to REALLY help the cats (spaying/neutering/vet
care) you often don't do any favors by feeding them.  It keeps them
in one area to breed and become a nuisance - and they end up carted
off to the pound.  

    Nancy,
    
    I would be willing to help place them at shows.
    I don't know if my asthma will let another cat in the house,
    but if things get really tight, I might be able to foster a kitty.
    
    Let me know...
    
    Mary-Michael
    

    Also count me in for financial help.  I've been involved in a similar
    situation out here in San Francisco working with Pet's and Pals.
    We've gotten the feral population way down - now there are only
    3 spayed females left out of 15 that live in one garden and they
    are fed twice a day by members of P&P's. These remaining 3 are still
    wild but the others were all tamed and placed.  They are happy in
    the garden and well taken care of.
    
    We actually let the neighbors know what we were doing and asked
    for their cooperation.  So when they finally UNDERSTOOD that we
    were trying to help they cooperated when they saw cats being placed
    and the area being kept clean.  Now we only have one un-spayed female
    left (Stitch's mother) but at least now she is approachable and
    we hope to cage her after she's done with this last (sigh) litter
    & we've got to find the new guy in the neighborhood as all the other
    feral males have been TAKEN CARE OF!!!
    
    Good luck and count on Me for $
    
    
    Giudi in SF
                                      
    

    Thanks for the offers.  It sounds like the major obstacle will be
    fosterhomes.  Our house is on the market and 6 cats is problem
    enough.  I'll keep calling agencies and see if we can't hook in
    with another group.  I'll let folks know about financial help and
    working shows as I need it.  
    
    As for an outside address - use the SLM po box.  PO BOX 157
    maynard, ma 01754.  Please make it clear that this is to help
    the weymouth commons kitties so I don't think its for the Silver
    Lining.
    
    Speaking of Silver Lining - we're coming to the end of the 2nd quarter
    so if you want to contribute please try to get it in soon.  If you
    need me to wait til about 1/15 so you can take care of those holiday
    bills, that's fine.  Just let me know.
      Thanks for all the encouragement.  Guess its time to put my
    efforts where my mouth is.  Thats the problem with being so vocal.
    You have to either back up what you say, or shut up  :-)
      Nancy DC
    

    Before I get started with this story - I NEED CAGES!!  And preferably
    cages transported to someplace relatively convenient to MRO or
    MLO - or Braintree if anyone wants to come for a visit.  And we 
    need them soon!  We're going out to dinner in Marlboro on Wednesday
    evening so will be in this area later than usual.
                                                  NHDC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------    
        Well, we went down to Weymouth commons yesterday with food and
    carriers.  We fed 6 cats while we were there - about 1 hr or
    so and CAME HOME WITH ONE KITTY!
    
    Most of the cats will let you get within 5 feet of them, but
    they're too smart to go into a carrier to eat the food.  I got
    two chances to actually try and grab one of them, but my hands
    were too stiff and they got away.
    
    Jack was the "lucky" one who caught our little friend.  We both
    learned some lessons about catching cats and one is WEAR LEATHER
    GLOVES!  Poor Jack got his hand all clawed up.
    
    Well, "Dusty" as I've taken to calling him, is about 8-9 months
    old (Maybe younger) with medium length black hair and gold eyes.
    Actually, his hair is grey around the roots so I think he's a 
    black smoke.  And I haven't seen a tail like this since Tymothee.
    Last night he was snuggling in my arms purring up a storm and making
    "happy paws" on my arm.  He's timid but sweet and clearly is an
    abandoned baby.   He was hanging around with a little tabby and
    white girl but we were unable to catch her.  
    
    Having caught our little friend we stopped at the store to buy
    50 lbs of litter (sigh) and started trying to decide what to
    do with Dusty.  Since he had runny eyes and had shown a well-
    developed ability to spray, we didn't want him upstairs.  So
    he ended up in the cellar (yuck) in the humidifier box with 
    some holes cut into it.  The folly of this method of containment
    was obvious this morning when we spent 10 minutes chasing Dusty
    around the cellar :-)
    
    I'll be talking to The Boston Cat Hospital today about veterinary
    care and neutering for Dusty.

    

    
    It would probably be best to contact me via DTN: 297-2313 or
    mail CRUISE::NDC.  I most likely won't be back into this file today.
      THANKS Folks!  Your support means alot to me.  In some cases your
    support means the difference between acting and not acting.
      Nancy DC

    Ok, so I'm back in for the moment.
    
    Cindy has some show cages she can loan me but they're too big
    to fit in her car and we have to get them from Fitchburg to
    at least MRO or MLO, but at best all the way to Braintree.
      N
    

    So you found out about leather gloves - a most necessary piece of
    equipment.  Boy, sounds like your on your way.
    
    Just be patient and after a bit the kitties will become more trusting
    and you will be able to get close.  They will associate you with
    food and become trusting to the point that they will let you pet
    them.  This may take some time, but don't give up - it's well worth
    it to have that first kittie allow you to show affection.
    
    You might want to ask around for people to save some good tasty
    left overs to bring with you once a week.  Once you establish a
    feeding schedule you will also find them waiting for you.  One thing
    that we set up was a dry food despenser that is kept filled.  There
    are days when none of us can get down to the gardens to give wet
    food, but the dry food is there all the time.
    
    How many cats do you estimate are out there?
    
    
    
    Giudi in SF (Pippin, Gino & Stitch too)

    Giudi -
      The complex is too far away for me to go there every day.  Also,
    the tenants  have already established a feeding pattern - maybe
    we can find out what that is.  
      I had hoped for a phone call from the person who put up the little
    shelter but so far no call.  I guess we'll just go down there next
    weekend and try again.  
    
    I did get a fantastic suggestion from catfish's daddy, ?Rick?. 
    He suggested we purchase a fishing net (you know, the butterfly-net
    type) to use catching the cats. I think it'll work.
    
    In the meantime, Dusty is going to the Boston Cat Hospital this
    morning for all his medical needs.
      Nancy

    Nancy,
    
    
    Nancy,
    I talked with Toby Goldman from Mass Colony Cat Club last night.  They
    will be willing to allow us to borrow as many cages as we require. 
    Toby really felt for what you are trying to do, and was most agreeable
    to allowing us to borrow the cages.  Like she said...this is what Cat
    Clubs are suppose to be for...
    
    I know you and I have been conversing via mail, but I just thought I'ld
    plug the club, for their generosity.
    
    cin...whose glad she can do something to help, even something small
    
    

    >>    cin...whose glad she can do something to help, even something small
  
    If you'd been chasing this little furface around a dirty cellar
    for two days you wouldn't think that what you're doing is so
    small a thing!!  ;-)
    
    Thanks.  Think we'll go cat-catching this Sunday again.
      Nancy

    Nancy:
    
    Re: 12 - the Net
    
    We've had some success with a net but it wasn't the butterfly type.
    It's a throw net and requires a little practice (who am I kidding
    a little practice)  With a throw net you have to have more or less
    the proper vantage point to throw it on to the animal - then if
    you miss the cat - and other are observing - well, there they go
    - totally freaked.  I'd be real interested to find out how your
    net works (networks???) and I'll pass it on to my folks with Pets
    & Pals.  Maybe you could put some tuna in the net???
    
    Hang in there!
                                                        

    Nancy,
    
    Any chance of borrowing a hav-a-hart trap from your local animal
    control officers??  If you have a good enough bait to use and can
    convince the tenants not to feed them for a couple of days to get
    them real hungry then you could catch them much faster.  They do
    work well but the only problem is securing them so they don't get
    stolen.
    
    Nancy (who_wishes_she_lived_close_enough_to_go_and_help)

    .16
    
    
    Good point.  Not feeding them for a couple of days has worked very
    well - its getting people to cooperate.  Most of the time they don't
    understand the logic of it and will go ahead and feed them on the
    sly.
    
    
    Giudi

    re: traps - I'm still a little hesitant to put out traps as I
    haven't gotten permission from the management.  Anybody have
    any thoughts on what their reaction might be?
    
    Update on Dusty - I don't know what anesthesia they used but he
    showed no signs of grogginess whatsoever when he came home last
    night - he just keeps his tail tucked tightly around his body.
    Must be protecting those "little dangly bits" (that aren't there
    any more).  He's still very timid but purrs pretty regularly.
    We were given tresiderm for a minor mite infestation and some
    antiobiotic ointment for his eyes.  I'll find out the results
    of the FLV test today.  
    
    Dusty is officialy up for adoption.  He's around 6-8 months old,
    all black and obviously has some Maine Coon in his ancestery.
    I'm asking for a $25 donation to go to Animal Umbrella.  Dusty is
    neutered and has had his shots.  
    
    Animal Umbrella picked up the entire tab for his medical treatment.
    I'd like to nominate them as recipient of the Silver Lining Memorial
    for this quarter (or at least one of two recipients).
      Nancy DC
    

    P.S.  I'd prefer that Dusty go to an indoor only home.
      Thanks,.
    

>    I did get a fantastic suggestion from catfish's daddy, ?Rick?. 
>    He suggested we purchase a fishing net (you know, the butterfly-net
>    type) to use catching the cats. I think it'll work.
    
    Well, Nancy, time to change my name, eh? ;^)
    
    "Fred", owned by Diamond and "Catfish?"

    Oh Fred, I'm sorry.  Senility is setting in, I just know it!!
    
    BTW - Dusty is FLV NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Update - I stand corrected, Dusty does not have gold eyes, he
    has Green eyes.  Actually his irises are gold on the outer edge
    and emerald green around the pupil.
    
    When I named him Dusty it was because he was full of dust in
    his coat, but the name is turning out to be very appropriate.
    We had him downstairs with us last night (the rest of the crew,
    except Dundee, just sighed and rolled their eyes at the appearance
    of another new cat - Dundee revved his engine for a whil and gave
    me the same look he gives me when in the ring cage at the shows
    - commonly called the "FU look") and he promptly got stuck behind
    the entertainment unit.  Prior to that he spent some time behind
    the couch and this morning tried to get behind the stove :-)
    
    When he's not trying to get under or behind things he lays there
    and purrs up a storm, does happy paws in the air and alternately
    looks and Jack and I with an expression we call "Adoring Kitty eyes".
    
    I better place this guy fast or else I'll end up with 18 like
    E.T.  
      Nancy DC
    
    p.s. Mao seems a little upset because Dusty looks something like
    Tymothee.
    

    Nancy,
    
    If the management isn't upset about the shelter on the property
    then maybe they wouldn't get upset about having a trap there either.
    Would a small trap fit inside the shelter???  If you post a note
    to the shelter informing what you are trying to do then possibly
    the tenants will stop feeding them since there will be food inside
    the trap.  The other alternative would be to place the trap outside
    the bounds of the management's property lines but I would strongly
    encourage that you chain the cage to a tree so it doesn't get stolen.
    If it was warmer weather and you had more people to help you catch
    them then you could take your time trying to make friends with these
    cats to get your hands on them.  But with the trap there is no danger
    of them getting hurt or you getting hurt.
    
    Some humane societies, animal control, wildlife dept are all places
    that may have traps.  Since you would be looking for a small trap
    it won't be as hard to find as the bigger ones.  Dog size traps
    are almost nonexistent.
    
    Good luck and keep us informed.
    
    Nancy

    Your'e right Nancy,  Dusty does sound like Black Thunder.
    
    But I'm already over max  and with Storm's problems, and Thunder's
    problems, and Lightning's problems,   I can't **AFFORD** anymore
    
    
    			(yet)
    
    
    Sandi mom to 4 wonderful babies.
    
    

    re: I can't **AFFORD** anymore
    
    I hear you.  If it wasn't for the generosity of Animal Umbrella
    I wouldn't be able to do this either.  There are limits to finances
    however limitless your love is.
     
    Sad, but true.
    

    Good Luck, Nancy, in catching any this weekend.  I'm keeping my fingers
    crossed in hopes the snow storm does not come our way to hinder your
    rescues.
    
    I too would love to be able to help you in some way.  Financially I
    can't promise anything right now as I'm scraping the bottom of the
    barrel now for my brood.  There's the possibility of Midnight having to
    undergo an amputation in the near future (if I can save $200-300 for
    it) and Thai is still ill (got antibiotic shot last night as he was
    running a slight fever).  If shot doesn't work for Thai, he has to go
    in for blood work and possible chest x-ray; he has a raspy cough now
    and then which may be an asthmatic condition.  Vet was just giving me
    some possibilities if medication he gave doesn't help (sigh).  Won't
    know, he said, for at least 24 hrs.
    
    If I can help you in transporting (I have 2 medium sized pet taxis), or
    at a show to try to place any let me know.  As soon as I have any extra
    $ I can spare, I'll be glad to contribute toward spaying/neutering,
    shots, etc.  I really am at my max. with 5+dog in 3 rooms. Last night
    at Vet's I almost forgot that and when a woman brought her 17 yr. old
    cat in to be put down, I asked a member of the staff later if the cat
    was indeed that ill.  If not, I was ready to try to take it home, so
    you see I'll never learn what "max" means just like you.
     
    Unfortunately, their policy is if a person signs the paper to have
    their animal put away, they will comply - ill or not ill.  It did turn
    out that the cat was very ill with kidney disease complications; the
    Vet told me this when I asked him during Thai's exam.  Why weren't we
    born rich with gigantic homes and areas of land instead of with huge
    hearts, "making ends meet" bank accounts, limited space in home/land?
    
    :-(
    Pat, Buffy, Holly, D.P., Thai, Midnight (& Cookie)
     
    

    Thanks for the offer Pat.  So far Animal Umbrella has covered the
    vets bills.  That's why I want the Silver Lining Memorial to go
    to them this quarter.  It will contribute directly to these cats.
    
    Fred, the fishing net was a FANTASTIC idea.  We bagged two cats
    in about 20 minutes and I'm 2 for 3 (.667 ain't bad).  I caught
    the second one when she was at a dead run!  Just plopped the net
    in front of her and she ran right in.
    
    so the cat count is up to 9 now. (I'm really going to need those
    foster homes soon guys)   We captured the little black & White 
    male with double paws.  He turns out to be even more affectionate
    than Dusty and chatters alot.  
    
    We also captured the little female who was with Dusty last weekend.
    She's not as friendly as the males.  I'll let Jack tell you the
    whole story  :-)   I'm not going to try and get her in to the
    hospital too quickly.  I think she needs more time to calm down
    and adjust before putting her through that ordeal.  The male,
    however, hopefully will be going in this week.
    
      Thanks for all the support.  We saw at least 6 more this weekend
    so we'll need help.  One of the tennants said that they'd been
    there since they were little kittens.
      Nancy DC

    OH, Its very important that we catch them by the end of January.
    The females will start going into heat in January and we need to
    catch them before the males do.
      Nancy DC

    Nancy, this is so terrific, *you* are so terrific!  I only wish
    I had room in the house to help foster these guys.  I'll ask around
    and see if I can help to place them.  
    
    Jack -- you are a wonderful husband to support Nancy's endeavor
    and endless concern for animal welfare!!
    
    --Roberta
    

    So - telling the story from my end - 
    
    I decided to let Nancy handle the net, since I've got the thicker
    leather gloves. The first cat we caught was the little black and white
    guy, with double paws. He went over to the food, and Nancy just popped
    the net over him after he had eaten for 15 seconds or so. He struggled
    and yelled a little, I brought the carrier over next to him, and stood
    it on end, door end up and door opened. Then we just did a 1-2-3 and
    I picked up the cat through the net and we lifted him over and into the
    carrier. Piece of cake.
    
    The other cat, the little female, was harder to catch. She was huddled
    with three other cats against the sunny side of the brick building.
    When Nancy placed the food, the group scattered. The first net attempt
    failed, I think the net hit the building. Then when the cats were
    regrouping and running past Nancy, she caught a tree with the net.
    Since nobody said they'd foster the tree, she let it go. I followed one
    of the cats (the little female grey, black and white tabby) to the
    corner of the building, and herded it back toward Nancy. This one ran
    along the wall of the building, and Nancy just put the net in it's way.
    She ran right into the net, we put her into the second carrier, and headed
    home. I thought the fun was over, and I got out of it with no
    scratches, a nice change from last week's barehanded capture of Dusty.
    
    At home, in the "isolation room", we opened the big cage and put the
    black and white male into it. No problem. Then we tried to transfer the
    female from the carrier into her cage, but she wouldn't leave the
    carrier. So, I reached in, got a good grip, and lifted her from the
    carrier. She was still until she realized that she wasn't confined, and
    then cut loose with the teeth and claws. I popped her back into the
    carrier, got my leather gloves, and tried again. She bit me, through
    the darn glove!
    
    Needless to say, I headed for the kitchen and antiseptic, and left
    Nancy to handle the transfer.
    
    This morning, the male was let out of the cage to run loose in the
    room, and Nancy (who knows how she got this brave) lifted the female
    from her cage and carried her across the room into the larger cage.
    I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. The cat was scared,
    but she didn't attack. I think she realized that Nancy just wants to 
    help her. 

    CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!
    
    Sound like you've got the capture down to a science.  Any chance
    I could get you to come out to SF and catch some for us??  I'm going
    to mention the fish net idea to Gordon, the resident feeder/catcher.
    He's in his 70's and comes down to the gardens every am at 6 to
    feed the ferals that have been spayed.  Right now he's trying to
    get Stitch's mom and maybe the fish net will do the trick - every
    thing else has failed!!!! 
    
    
    Giudi in SF

    Well, it sure made things alot easier for us!  Its best if you have
    two people because the one with the net has to hold it down on the
    ground to the cat doesn't get under it.  Then the second person
    has to immobilize the cat - the quicker the better to prevent injury
    to the cat - and then both of you have to lift cat and net to the
    carrier - preferably placed up on end.  The cat is going to try
    to jump out so be prepared to stuff it back down into the carrier
    and slam the door shut.
      The poor things are so terrified.  The best phrase I can think
    of to describe them is to say "they go ballistic"!  They get 
    absolutely crazy.
    
    It amazes me to listen to Dusty and the other B&W boy purr and
    purr and snuggle and cuddle and to think that a few hours or
    days before this same ball of fluff was going absolutely nuts
    in terror of you capturing it.  Its like they are different
    cats when you get them indoors.
    
    I'm going to keep a photographic record of all the little guys
    we rescue.  We can call it "Cats that I have known"
      Nancy DC
    

    Nancy, you're right, they do go ballistic.  That is exactly how
    the feral kittens I caught last year reacted.  And we used the carrier
    on end trick so they couldn't cut loose.  One of them even managed
    to escape from the Hav-A-Hart Trap because he was acting so ballistic
    in it.  You can't help but feel badly for scaring them so... but
    it has to be done in order to help them.
    
    Nice work!!
    

    More good news.  The little female, as yet unnamed, sat in Jack's
    lap last night and PURRED!! Of course Bob (as Jack is calling the
    little B&W character) was climbing all over Jack at the same time
    and hissed at the little girl when he discovered he had to share
    Jack!  This little guy's going to need ALOT of attention.
      Nancy DC
    

    =34
    NO!! On second though I'm not going to say anything - but did you
    say you were moving to a larger house.
    
    Giudi in SF

    Giudi -
      We've had the house on the market since August and have decided
    to pull it off.  I can't keep the place in "showable" condition
    while we're running an animal shelter.  Besides, there's been NO
    interest in it anyway.
      Nancy who wishes she had a bigger house.
    

    How about building an addition?
    

    Well now, if folks want to take up a collection for the DC Animal
    Shelter.......  :-)
    
    Actually it looks like I have to clean out that back room.
    

    I kind of like the sound of that "DC Animal Shelter" -
    
    Lot's of people start out small and then eexxppaanndd.  One lady
    with Pets and Pals presently has 25 in her house........how big
    is your back room???????
    
    
    Giudi

    Well, now I'm making plans to clean out the other "storage" room,
    which is really a small bedroom.  
    
    We have run into a small snag.  Bob and Dusty both have some suspicious
    symptoms (BTW - "Tweeter Bob" has TWO CANINES on each side of his
    upper jaw!!) and until we get the results of some tests back, all
    three cats are now in isolation in the back bedroom.  Unless I can
    find more space I will not be able to bring in any more of the
    abandoned cats.  Its such a shame with this Bone chilling weather
    that we are supposed to have this weekend.  But I have to give the
    health of the cats we have first priority and it will be a bit of
    time before they can be placed.
    
    So if anyone has a spare room and would be willing to care for some
    of the Weymouth Commons cats - knowing that it is critical to keep
    your cats from contact with the abandoned ones - let me know.
    I know this is asking alot so I don't want anyone to feel pressured.
    We all have limits to what we are able to do.
    
      Nancy DC
    
    p.s. We could certainly use any prayers or other good "vibes" you
    can send this way.
    

    Nancy,
    
    I wish I could!  I thought about those poor kitties last night and to
    think tonight will be worse!  My heart (I am sure as well as yours)
    goes out to them.  PEOPLE - make me so furious!  To let beautiful
    little creatures out there to fend for themselves after they have been
    domesticated!
    
    Anyway, I will be saying prayers tonight in hopes that they will keep
    warm.  You and your husband surely are blessed!
    
    Anna/Zildjian/Spunks
    

    Nancy,
         What kind of complications have come up?  I hope the kitties
    are ok.
    
    					Mary

    Nancy,
    
    What are the symptoms?  God, you really didn't need this.  Is there
    any way that you could put some insolated boxes out at the Commens
    that the kitties might use as shelter.  You could put some old bedding
    /towels in the boxes - we did that last winter down at the gardens
    and it helped.
    
    I'll be thinking of you over the holiday - God Bless
    
    
    Giudi

    Hi - 
    
    Tweeter-Bob (Bob for short) has some gingivitis, and Dusty (the
    medium-hair male) has a swollen lymph node on his neck. We can't
    give them the run of the house at least until these have been
    diagnosed/treated.
    
    

    I went down one bitter cold night because I was feeling so
    bad for the kitties.  It was dark but I managed to find the
    spot where we caught Dusty.  There wasn't a cat to be seen.
    They aparently have someplace they go and I believe they all
    huddle together.  
    
    As I understand it, from talking with one of the tennants who 
    asked me if our actions meant someone was finally going to do
    something for those poor cats, they have been out there since
    they were kittens.  I don't know where they came from - perhaps
    two unneutered pets that were tossed out. Who knows.  
    
    re: symptoms - I might as well be honest about it.  The two
    symptoms described are sometimes indicitive of other underlying
    disease.  That's why the additional tests.  At least if they
    come back negative we'll know that the cats were well screened.
      Nancy DC

    Please let us know as soon as you get the test results.  On the upside,
    gingivitis is usually just that, and I recollect that humans, at least,
    can often have permanently swollen lymph nodes after a bout with
    an infection.
    

    re: gingivitis - Yes, we're praying that its just gingivitis and
    not the result of a much more serious disease weakening the immune
    system.
    
    re: Lymph nodes - That's what I thought too, but the vet said its
    unusual to see swollen lymph nodes in cats and that casts some
    suspicion on Dusty's FLV results.  She said that feral cats can
    test negative initially and then positive after three months.
    All our cats are immunized against FLV, thank God.  This is exactly
    why I did it even tho they are indoor cats.
    
    Twice a day Jack and/or I or both go into the back room and get
    totally lost in cat cuddles.  Bob is hysterical.  He just DEMANDS
    his lovins.  He butts and rubs and pushes and walks around on your
    lap - purring and tweeting the whole time.  About 30 seconds after
    we walk in the room we have a "purr chorus".  What an incredibly
    sweet bunch they are.
    
    Of course, if you push the limit you'll find out.  Talk about dumb,
    we took Jasmine in for FLV test and shots the other night and I
    thought - gee, wouldn't it be nice if I cuddle Jazz on the way to
    the vet!  WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!  She paniced, tried to jump through the
    car window and bit both Jack and I before we could get her back
    in the carrier.  NOw I have some battle scars too!
    
    When we got her to the vet she was the perfect little lady.  The
    vet said she behaved better than some of the cats that had always
    had a home.  
    
    I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!  sigh.....  Live and learn  ;-)

    You guys must feel like pin cushions by now!!  Hopefully, you aren't
    getting bit very badly, and will recover okay (tell us that this
    is so, :^}).  
    
    Interesting comment from your vet on the felv test and feral cats.
    Maybe what she means is that they may have been exposed to the virus
    but not yet become infected with it.  With the Elisa test, it has
    always been thought that there was no such thing as a false negative.
    If the cat is negative, it is negative.  If the cat tests negative,
    one thing is for sure, it isn't shedding the virus.  So, your cats
    aren't at any risk in that sense.  But, it is always best to play
    it safe.                              
    
    Good luck with them, and please, be careful out there!
    
    :^)
    
    Jo

    GREAT NEWS!
    
    BOB's FTLV (FIV) and FELV (Feline Leukemia) came back NEGATIVE!!!!!!
    Also, Jazmine's FELV test is Negative AND The Lymphnode on Dusty
    is significantly smaller!!  
    
    Talk about miracles!  I didn't know what I was going to do if Bob
    showed FIV.  I couldn't keep him around my cats and I couldn't
    adopt him out to a household with other cats so if I couldn't have
    found him a home as an only cat the only options would have been
    to return him to Weymouth Commons or put him down!  He has such
    a fabulous personality.  It would have been a real sin.
    
    I will certainly have a WONDERFUL Chistmas now.   :-)
    
      Nancy DC
    

    We decided to go back one more time this weekend.  We captured
    a real kitten!  She's got to be about 3.5 months old.  Brown
    mactabby and still hissing at us.  We also saw another tabby
    who had apparently broken her leg at one point and it had
    set wrong.  I wanted desperately to catch her but she can
    move pretty darned fast on three legs.
    
    Anyway, the new addition has been dubbed "Christie Kay" for
    Christmas Kitty and is a female.
    
    re: .-1 I should amend that title.  They still have ear mites
    and mild upper respiratory infections and Dusty's eye still
    runs a bit.  The vet is concerned about the lymphnode and that
    Dusty may show FLV later, but relatively speaking, they are
    quite healthy.  There certainly is no more danger adopting them
    than there would be adopting any shelter cat.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    Christie started purring for us last night!!!
    
    Boy what an appetite she has!  She eats as much as the big cats
    and has the belly to prove it.  She's a sweet kitty.
    
    BTW - Jazzie is a spotted tabby I believe.  Its actually a close
    call between a broken Mactabby and a spotted tabby.  I think the
    bars are broken up enough to qualify as spotted.  She's a pretty
    little lady.
      N
    

    Three of the four (all except Jazzie) have been flea bathed.
    Everyone else - including our six have been flea sprayed and so
    has the entire house (YUCK!)  I think next time I"m going to pay
    an exterminator to do it.  
       Dusty is absolutely stunning now!  What a fabulous coat he has.
    It is so fine and soft - and hopefully flea-free now.
      The Nolvacide Shampoo kills fleas - we pulled about 6 dead ones
    off of Bob.
      N

    Nancy:
    
    I didn't think that fleas could survive in the kind of weather your
    having back there - East Coast fleas must be hard to kill off -
    - out here they seem to disappear when the cold sets in.  
    
    I'm so glad to hear the babies are doing well - you are doing a
    super job!!
    
    luv & hugs
    
    
    Giudi
               

    Well, Jazzie and Christie Kay are officially available for adoption.
    Dusty has already found a home with Julie Swant.
    
    So Here's the details:
    
    Jasmine - aka Jazzie - Brown spotted tabby and white female with 
              double paws, approx 6 months old.  She's spayed and has 
              received both distemper shots and a rabies shot.  Tested 
              FLV negative.  Should be retested around the beginning of 
              March.  She has slightly swollen lymph nodes under her 
              chin that should be monitored. The vet isn't concerned and 
              feels it is probably related to the URI she had when we 
              caught her.  
    
              Jazzie's earmites are all gone but her ears are still
              inflamed so we'll be continuing treatment with tresederm
              twice a day until the inflamation is gone.  She has been
              flea sprayed - and will be done twice a week until she
              goes to her new home - and has received the first of two
              doses of medication for roundworms.  
    
              Jazzie is a very sweet little kitty who seems to spend
              most of her day in the kitty condo we have for them.
              She purrs fairly readily for us.  She seems somewhat
              timid and if she's panicked has been know to bite.
              (This was three days after we caught her)  At the vets
              she is a VERY well-behaved little lady and has submitted
              to the many indignities we've visited upon her body, with
              very good grace.  She gets along fine with other cats.
    
    Christie Kay - short for Christmas Kitten because we caught her on
              Christmas eve day.  She's about 12 weeks old now and 
              weighs 2.5 lbs.  Brown macTabby with lovely reddish patches
              on her ears and face (not a patch tabby tho) and a beautiful
              creamy patch under her chin and on her throat.  She's 
              a feisty littly girl who thinks nothing of shoving Bob out
              of the food dish (Bob weights 9.5 lbs).  She's also still
              skittish but will purr loudly once you convince her you
              aren't the "Kitty axe murderer" :-)
    
              She's too young to spay.  Her ears were clean when we
              caught her and we've been giving her a little tresederm
              to keep her from picking up mites from the other cats.
              She got a flea bath last Monday and got worm medicine
              last night.  She also got her first distemper shot on
              12/29 and will be due for her second, along with a rabies
              shot on 1/12 or a bit later.  She' FLV negative and
              should be retested in March.  Her eyes are clear, so is
              her nose and she's "full of herself" getting up on the
              stereo and into other mischief that I never would have
              thought she was big enough to get into.
    
    Since both of these cats were feral they'll need a little TLC and 
    patience.  They're VERY responsive and I think will make wonderful
    companions. They both get along with other cats and I want them
    placed with other cats - or adopted together.  Both must be indoor
    only kittens.  I am requesting a $25 donation to Animal Umbrella which
    has paid for most of their vet care.
    
    The sooner we place these kitties the sooner we can go rescue more.
    If you're interested please contact me via Mail or at 297-2313 or
    617 849-9771 (before 8:30 please)
    
      Thanks again for all your support.
        Nancy and Jack
    

    In case you're wondering - It looks like Bob will not be available
    for adoption.  His gingivitis is not responding to anti-biotics and
    the vet suspects it may be an immunosystem condition that results
    in chronically inflamed gums.  Its nothing contagious but will have
    to be monitored constantly and while controllable with steroids
    usually ends up with the cat losing all its teeth.  For that
    reason we are not going to adopt Bob out.  We'll keep him ourselves.
    We're already VERY attached to this guy so we won't mind treating
    him.  
    
      Nancy DC

    Poor Bob.  Lucky Bob to have you guys.
    

    Well, the GOP (Gang of Purrs) now has full run of the house 24 hrs
    a day.  Last night was rather interesting.  I woke up several times
    to the sounds of "thundering herds" running up and down the stairs.
    The thundering continued after we got up this morning.  First Jazzie
    would run down the stairs, then Jazzie would run up the stairs
    and into their room.  Then Christie would run out with Bob hot on her
    heals, then they'd wrestle of the floor for a few seconds and run back
    into the room with Christie chasing Bob.  Dusty decided to chase Mao
    which was hysterical because Mao had a hissy fit all the way down the
    stairs and Dusty looked at me as if to say "She has the most satisfying
    reaction to being chased, doesn't she!" - I think he was smiling!
      Dusty is already quite comfortable in the house and goes where he
    pleases.  Bob will take full advantage of the upstairs and Jazzie
    occasionally ventures out of the room.  Christie still spends most
    of her time under the bureau or on top of the stereo and runs to hide
    when I come into the room unless I have food.  Then she starts yelling
    at me to hurry up and feed her :-)
      They really are a pleasure.  Wish I could keep them all.
      Nancy DC
    

    Well, how many does that make Nancy?  You are rapidly catching
    up!  Fun to have a bunch, huh?  

This seems to fit under the subject of this note.
    
What can one person do?  I'd like to take in some others and
kittens are so much fun, but I feel so much worse for the
rejected adults and then sometimes the real guilt trip gets laid
on like over New Years when I went to No. Carolina for a few
bike rides.  I got a neighbor to come over and play with Calvin
and Hobbes and feed them.  It's really good to find someone to
do that so the poor kitties don't have to live in cages.

But, here's the sad part, while I was in NC, we rode 220 miles.
I just had to write this to get it off my chest.

I saw 7, oh how can I say it, cats and kittens and 1 dog that
had been hit and left on the side of the road.  One was a beautiful
mature orange tiger.  Someone must have loved him because he wasn't
there the next morning.  Then there was one, I had just gone down that
road a half hour earlier and when I came back there was this little
black kittie about 5 months.  I stopped and picked his poor limp
body -- it's even hard to type this, if you know what I mean --
out of the road and found a place on the side for it.  I hoped so
much that someone had loved and cared for him.  I often stop for
a killed kitty to at least get it out of the road, but it just saddens
me so to realize how callous the drivers are especially when I find
some that actually aim for the critters.  The other five cats had
been on the side of the road through a storm or two and it looked
like noone else cared.  I hardly knew where I was so I couldn't
do anything about it.

The dog was an attractive beagle with a whole section of skin torn
away from a shoulder, he must have belonged to someone.

I ride about 10000 miles a year and see dozens of possums, skunks,
porcupines, raccoons, squirrels and other animals but this was a most
depressing weekend.  I don't think I ever want to live in that area.

I'll send a check for the next Silver Lining and to show that someone
cared, let's call them:

Midnight
Orange
The Five Unknowns from the Carolinas
and Snoopy (the Beagle)

ed
    

    Ed,
      Your kitties and dog have been added to the SLM for Q3.  I too
    have stopped to remove a cat from the road.  I once carried the body
    of a x-stray home that the superintendent in our building had adopted.
    Too bad the adoption didn't include neutering and keeping him
    indoors.
    
      There isn't much you can do except try to educate people about
    neutering (so cats don't wander) and keeping them indoors if you
    live in an area with a busy street.  
    
    *******
    On the good side.  Our little breeder will be coming to live at
    the "Put-i-put" Cattery tomorrow.  Don't ask me where she's going
    but if Elaine can fit 18 + Kittens in her place I can handle
    11.  Hopefully, two will be going to new homes soon.
    
    Jazzie and Christie are still waiting for homes.
      Nancy DC  

    Hey Nance, what breeder????
    
    E.

    My little scottie fold breeder!!!  
    
    We picked her up on Saturday.  What a gorgeous baby.  She's mostly
    white with patches of silver and red tabby on her head and little
    patches on her legs.  Her tail looks like it belonged to a tortie!!
    What a little sweetie.  She still doesn't have a name.  If anyone
    knows some good female scottish first names please send them along.
    Jack thinks we should name all our folds with the last name MacTavish
    so the first name has to fit in with:
    
    TALEGRE's ?????  MacTavish of Put-i-put.
    
    BTW - just to be a totally over-protective mommy, I'm not letting
    both the gang and the new girl have the run of the house at the
    same time.  I don't want direct contact with the gang because the
    new lady has only just gotten her first 3-in-1 on Saturday and  is
    too young to have built up much of an immunity.  Just being totally
    safe.
    
    BTW - we're still looking for homes for Jasmine and Christie.  We
    think Christie is a golden tabby rather than brown tabby.  She is
    so pretty.  There are still more kitties at Weymouth, but until I
    can place Jasmine and Christie, and until Dusty goes to his new home,
    I really have no place to isolate new ones.  Please, please help
    me place this two lovely kitties.  If anyone can offer a foster home
    that would be greatly appreciated as well.
      Nancy DC (Catcount=11 !!)
    

    I saw Nancy's new baby, boy, is she a gorgeous girl......so sweet and
    pretty too!!!!!  Beautiful green eye color already.  This baby is going
    to be a show stopper!!!!!!
    
    I also saw the Gang of Purrs...and they are really sweet and very
    pretty.  
    
    Thanks Nancy...
    cin
    

    
    
    Nancy -
    
    your gonna breed folds??!!!!  Excellent!!!!  Where did the Mactavish
    name come from (previous stud?)?
    
    	Michele

    Oh, No, Nancy, please don't tempt me with adorable Fold babies!!!!!!
    Good thing there's lots of time to pass before you actually breed
    her!!
    
    Congrats on the new addition!  I know you've been waiting since
    October to get her.
    
    See you on Sunday!!
    
    --Roberta
    

    
    name?
    
    since she has such beautiful green eyes, how about kelley (or is it
    spelled "kelly"?)???
    
    diane, stella & stanley
    

    re: .64 - Dundee's full name is Talegre Dundee MacTavish.  I don't
    know where the MacTavish came from, we just thought of it.  Jack
    thought it would be fun to continue the tradition and name the
    new little girl <something> MacTavish.  I kind of like it.
    
    Kelly's nice.  I kind of like Tinker, which is not Scottish.  Jack
    doesn't like it.  Talegre Tinker MacTavish of Put-i-put.  I think
    its cute  ;-)

    
    	Well, Nancy, I whipped out my European directory and
    	looked up Scotland - here's a few names for you;
    
    	Senga, Taiz, Hilary, Fiona, Lindsay, Ciaran (m/f?), 
    	Alexis, Myra, Philippa, Kerrie, Annika, and Rosaleen.
    
    
    	Sherry
    

    
    	Fiona is pretty..... :^)

    Hey Nancy, if it gets toooo long, it won't fit in the CFA computer -
    CFF has a character limit also.
    
    p.s.  I hear that she is just BEAUTIFUL !!  she really sounds yummy.
    He has such wonderful cats with faces and eyes you could easily
    go home with pockets fullll ..
    
    E.

    Hi Nancy,
    
    I got out my address book and looked up my relatives!!
    
    Agnes, Margaret (Maggae, Molly, Maeve), Nancy, Dorothy,
    Jean, oh, and Mary!
    
    Mary-Michael

    Yeah,
    
             Molly McTavish
    
             Maggae McTavish
    
    Those are GREAT !!!
    
    Love those name - boy, I'd better come up with some Lily flower names
    in the VERY NEAR FUTURE !!!  Probably only need a couple or 3 (I hope).
    
    All input welcome !!  Tiger Lily's offspring will named 
    
                                   Lily xxx
    
    E.

    
    This could be fun . . .
    
    	Lily Pad
    	Lily Liver
    	Lily Put
    	Lily White . . .
    
    :^} :^} :^}
    

    E.T., 
    
    How about Lily, get off the !@#$%^&*)(+ 
    
    But then again, maybe that should be "mom's" name!!!
    
    ;-)
    cin...who still likes the name Enchantment Lily (it's one of my
    favorite flowers!)
    
    

    Hmmm,
    
    Lilly of the Valley
    Lilly of the Field
    Orchid Lilly
    Trumpet Lilly  ;-) (for the talkative one) ;-)
    
    Mary-Micheal
    

    Lordy, those are GREAT - I'm still howling!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Keep 'em comin' - I'm really not very creative.  I do need one special
    one for the very first born - Lily xxx like Lily's First or something
    silly like that !
    
    Yeah Cin, like " Hey Lil, stop doing flips and charging around like
    a brown bullet - remember, you are PREGO !! 
    
    I gotta go print these - they really are wonderful !.
    
    tanx!

    How 'bout:
    
    Lily Langtree
    Lily's First Born (original, huh?!)
    Lily Livered (did someone already say this?  Means cowardly, good
                  for a skittish kitten)
    
    Can't think of anything else at the moment!
    

    Ok, how about
    Lily's Muguet Des Bois (Lily of the Field in French)
    Lily's First Blush (for the first born)
    
    Mary-Michael

    Hm... E.T.  perhaps we shouls ask "their kitty godmother".. tee-hee..
    Pookie is very excited about this.. she has had a "great month..
    tee-hee... I know what you are going thru..My friend Joyce
    came up with Precious Gem..(she is her godmother).. I must have tried a
    million combinations.. I started with Cattyshacks Kachina Owlette..
    cuz she is soooo owly.. Cattyshacks Sweet Jasmine, sweet rose,
    , finally Joyce  came up with Precious.. and it fits.. 
    Regards
    Kate
    
    

    You guys are GREAT!  I really can't think of much else except the
    actual 'delivery' - let's hope I make it through that, let alone
    thinking of names!  I guess I ought to see what they look like
    before deciding - Gee, methinks I see pretty much only 'girls'
    names here????  Hmm, you all must have heard me tell Lil that
    I put my order in for "Five Shorthaired Baby Girls" - every
    night I rub her tummy and ask her if she has shorthaired
    baby girls in there - she just looks at me like I'm a loon
    and bites my fingers - as if to say, keep your paws to yourself,
    these are MINE!  I'm not ready to share them YET - soon, but not
    just yet!    I think by Thursday I will be totally appoplexic -
    whatever that means... If you guys are into praying, maybe start
    early for Lil that all goes according to the way it should, what
    ever way that is... and that Lil stays healthy and however many
    kits she has are and stay healthy.  Boy, I'd really appreciate
    that!    Hey, BTW, she weighs almost 6 1/4 lbs!!  I'm hoping
    for 6.5 by the end of the week, but not really counting on it!
    I have this dream that I will wake up Saturday morning and go
    out the greatroom and find a litter nursing away and I will have
    slept right through the whole thing.    sigh, I almost wish it
    were next Tuesday or Wednesday !!
    
    E._sorry_for_rambling_the_anxiety_is_setting_in !!

    Gee, E.T., I had heard that Pookie was going to spring for a " midwife"
    and private nurse fro her Godkitties.. I suspect or I hope she is using
    her own money... then again knowing Pookie she will probably use
    my credit card or Happy's allowance.. try to be calm.. everything will
    be fine.. have some wine ready,..(that's right for you not  Lil..
    ;*)
    Kate
    

    Thanks, Pookie!  Boy, that wine sureeeeee sounds like a GREAT idea.
    If anyone is around this weekend, we can have a birthing party!!!!
    BYOB and I'll supply the birthing mother.  All are welcome, as long
    as one or two folks have previous experience in birthing kittens !!
    Bring your jamies and sleeping bags - I have lots of floor space!
    IN fact if anyone that lives near me is going to be off during
    the day on Friday, let me know - I have to work for the whole
    day in CTC.  sigh - I wonder if flat-face will wait until I
    get home or just to spite me do it before I get home.  I'll
    be a really loon (even worse than normal) by Monday morning !
    
    E.
    

    Re Scottish names, what about Morag McTavish?
    
    
    Lisa plus P&P.
    

    re: Fiona - I like it, but its Dundee's mommy's name (Fiona McFee)
    and I don't want to name this little girl after another of Tony's
    cats :-)
    
    RE: -1  How do you pronounce Morag?  
    
    We're thinking of Bonny Bairn MacTavish.  Obviously it won't all fit, 
    but maybe we could get:
    
    Talegre's Bonny Bairn of Putiput  to fit.
     
    We'll all know about the MacTavish anyway.
      Nancy DC

    re:82
    Humm. I  also suspect she wil use Happy's allowance money.. she is cur-
    rently collecting Precious's as well.. Now E.T. try to remain
    calm.. cool,collected, and I will send Pookie up with her
    book on babies, accompanied by her nurse, midwife, atty,
    hairdresser.. one must be prepared.. for all eventualities..
    I can see it all Pookie with her list of demands, and Lil
    delivering babies.. E.T, trying be calm..
    Kate
    

    re: .85
    
    and cin heading up Rt 3 North cuz she's been called from the show hall
    in Dorchester!!!  
    
    cin...who's given E.T. her itinerary for this weekend!
    

    Keep calm and enjoy yourself (Ha! I'd be a mess too!)
    
    	Good luck and we'll be waiting to hear the good mews ;^)
    
    

    
    Nancy...
    
    "Bonny Bairn" means "pretty baby" in Scottish, doesn't it?
    
    I also like Megan (also spelled Meghann and several other ways).  But
    I'm not sure if it is Irish or Scottish...?
    
    diane, stella and stanley  (names which will bring Tennessee Williams
    to mind...)
    

    Hey Cin, I think FLYING up route 3 or 93 North may be a more accurate
    description !!!!  About 85 MPH, I hope.
    
    BTW, does anyone have the emergency phone number for the show hall
    on Saturday?  
    
    A mess, you say!!  How kind you are - I don't think words could
    describe the way I'm feelin' today.   I'm doin' pretty good at
    blocking it out of my mind when I'm here at work cause I'm here
    and not there and know that I gotta be here and can't be there.
    BUT, on the drive home... that's another story.  Lordy, it's a
    LONNNNNNG 26 miles.  I slam the car into the garage - grab my
    stuff from the car, run into the cattery - don't ever stop to
    scoop the pool - whip up the stairs - knock off whoever is on
    their way down to greet me - get to the top of the stairs -
    turn on the light - throw my stuff on the bar - gradually
    get brave enough to peer into Lil's room praying that she
    hasn't done anything that she shouldn't have while I was not
    home - flip on the light in her room and get closer to her cage
    and get brave enough to take a REALLY GOOD look - then start
    breathing - Lil sits there looking at me like I'm really in
    deep sneakers!  Like, she says, Ya, so - what did you expect -
    I'll wait until you are here so I can really make you a crazy
    person - more crazy than you are now!!! ha ha ha ha 
    Listen Ma, there are only 4 things I expect when you get home:
    Fill my bowl, change my water, fix my blanket (pink receiving
    blanket with teddy bears), scoop my poops, and oh yeah, number
    5 scratch my head and pat me !!  Now ma, how about getting on
    with it  NOW !!!
    
    E.T._wondering_why_she_thought_she_needed_anything_more_than_alters !!

    Re : Naming the 'scottish' kitty.
    
    
    Morag is pronounced more 'ag.   'more' as in more food please and 'ag as
    in hag without the h.
    
    Megan is a welsh name I think.
    
    
    Lisa.
    
    

    On second thoughts , try more rag, that sounds closer!
    
    Lisa
    

    re: .86
     Yup, I can see that.. and Striprees in the car.. saying,, Mummy
    I want you to turn this car around right now. .. we need to go
    back there and get my ribbons..!!!!!! why  are we leaving?.. we are
    going where.. to Candia..  drop me off at Pookies..  what do you mean
    .. No..  I already have kitties at home.. .. I want my ribbons!!!!!!
    stop the car.. tee-hee..
    Kate.. 
    

    How about   Tiger Lily
    		Asiatic Lily
    		Lily Putt

    An idea (now that all of the seed and nursery catalogs are arriving)
    The lily section of a bulb catalogue might be a good book for baby
    names.

    Deb

    I think that Mom's name is Tiger Lily.  
    
    Jo

    To get this note back on track - I'll put in an update on the Gang.
    
    We still have all four of them.  Seems we just can't get them all
    100% healthy.  Its VERY frustrating.  The latest is what initially
    looked like ringworm.  Jazzie got it worst.  Christie shows NO
    symptoms at all, but since there's a chance its ringworm she's
    isolated.  Dusty has a couple of small bald spots.  Bob is out
    with the rest of the crew.  He's also asymptomatic.
    
    Jazzie and Dusty saw Dr. Alpert at the Boston Cat Hospital on the
    24th.  At that time she took to samples for fungal cultures and
    put the cats on prednisone.  So far the cultures are negative (they
    have to wait 3 weeks to make the final judgement) and the cats'
    conditions are stable.  No real improvement, but no worsening either.
    
    I'll be talking to Dr. A later today.  In the meantime, of course, we
    can't take in any more cats and both of us are getting rather tired
    and discouraged.  This is NOT what I had envisioned when we started
    this - Tho I wouldn't undo it even if I could.  :-)  Hey, if it was
    easy, everyone would do it, right?
      Nancy DC

    Hang in there.  I'm a little puzzled about the prednisone -- what
    does that have to do with ringworm?  Prednisone is just a steroid,
    not an anti-fungal, isn't it?
    
    I remember when I first got S and H from their shelters;  it takes
    a long time and lots of love and stamina to undo the damage done
    to ferals;  sure is worth it though.  Think how great it will be when
    they're all healthy, glossy, happy babies.
    
    

    Yes, I'm puzzled about the prednisone too.  T.K. is on prednidsone
    for his eczema and it is doing wonders for his skin!  His fur is
    growing back and he feels great to the touch again.  We are weaning
    him off of it, and hoping that this will nip the problem in the
    bud.
    

    They probably gave them prednisone to stop the itching and inflamation
    of the skin while they wait for the fungal culture to grow.  We
    did the same thing with Joui when we were waiting for her culture
    to grow.  Like Nancy's cats, the culture never did grow, but the
    pred helped relieve some of the discomfort.
    
    Jo

    Jo is right.  Actually, Dr. Alpert does not think that Jazz has
    ringworm.  Hence the prednisone - an anti-inflamatory.  It seems
    to have helped decrease the irritation, but the bald spots have
    gotten bigger.  She's going back to the vet tomorrow night.
      Meanwhile there's no change in Dusty and Christie shows absolutely
    NO symptoms at all.
      Sigh...
      N

    update on Jazzie etc.
    
    Christie STILL shows no symptoms whatsoever.  Dusty is stable and
    Jazzie got worse. Dr. Alpert is now treating her with the ringworm
    medication even tho the fungal cultures haven't grown.  (They can't
    be considered negative for another week yet).  Needless to say,
    Jazzie is thrilled to death with the pill and ointment.  
    
    Bob, on the other hand, is having the time of his life.  I've noticed
    that these guys are pretty klutzy :-)  Bob tries to jump on things
    and misses, he regularly rolls off the couch etc.  Mind you the 
    entire time he's purring and tweeting up a storm.  Bob just seems to
    be estatic that he's got a home and people of his own and he
    expresses his feelings ALL THE TIME - much to the annoyance of
    the other cats sometimes  :-)

    Had an interesting chat with Joanne Bruno from Animal Umbrella
    yesterday about the care that the gang has been receiving.  Seems
    they got a bill for $600 from BCH!!!  for December.  Now that wasn't
    just my four, but it wasn't all that many cats either.  
      Just wanted you to know what kind of money these folks lay out
    to help feral cats.  She also said to pass along sincere thanks for
    the Silver Lining Memorial Gift.  It will certainly be put to good 
    use.
      Joanne encouraged me to get back to catching cats asap - especially
    now that its breeding season -
      Any of you who have had to listen to me about not letting your cat
    have a litter before spaying - this is why.....
      SO... anyone who wants to get involved, let me know.  We're still
    looking for foster homes.  My hands are tied until we get Jazzie etc
    cleared up.  No more isolation rooms at the inn.
    
      THE SOONER WE GET OUR HANDS ON THESE CATS AND THE SOONER WE GET THEM
    NEUTERED, THE FEWER NEW FERALS THERE WILL BE ADDED TO THE POPULATION.
      (sigh)
      Nancy DC

    Nancy---
    
    Dunno how much good this will do, since I seem to have moved to
    the wrong end of the state ;), but if you need foster homes in Western
    MA/CT, lemme know, okie?    I have a big house now, not a little
    apt.  :)
    
    
    ----kim

    Kim - 
      I'll take any offer I can get.  I'll even do the driving.  Let
    me see what's happening with Jazzie/Dusty/Christie  on the ringworm
    front and then I'll contact you.
      Send me your phone number.
      Thanks a million
      Nancy DC

    Well, I thought an update on our furry foursome from Weymouth Commons
    would be in order.  
    
    You folks probably thought that all was settled months ago but things
    only finally cleared up today.
    
    Jasmine and Christie Kay have found permanent homes with Kim Apodaca
    in Suffield Ct.  They share the house with Ashley, Bones and Freeway.
    You all remember Freeway, right?  Well Freeway has adopted Christie
    Kay.  Christie is now spayed and is a bit less timid than she used 
    to be.  Jasmine has been terrorizing Kim's poor bird but I think
    they've got that problem solved.
    
    Aside from peeing on TOP of the catbox rather than in it, Bob is doing
    very well himself.  He keeps trying to play with Hallie who will have
    none of it!!  We've decided that Bob was really supposed to come back
    as a dog but got in the wrong line in heaven.  That would be just
    like him.  Best news is that his gingivitis is gone.  It cleared up
    on its own!  He now weighs in at 12.5 lbs and is the biggest cat in
    the household.  He's a chatty guy who jumps up and begs me to pick
    him up and cuddle him.
    
    Dusty doodle cat turned out to be one sick kitty!  Even after I'd
    cleared up the fleas, mites, and other obvious things, Dusty managed
    to hang on to his worms and a nasty upper respiratory track infection.
    He also turned out to have infected ears from all the damage done by
    the earmites!  I thought his lymphnodes were doing pretty well
    considering that one was as big as a large marble when we got them
    and now they were about the size of raisins.  Well, that was still
    pretty bad I guess.  He'd been in isolation at Julie Swant's for
    the last 6 weeks and the fear was that he'd maintain a chronic
    viral infection that would reactivate every time he was under stress.
    Julie's in the same position I am - breeding purebreds - so neither
    of us could afford to maintain a sick cat.  Dusty's options didn't
    look so good.
      Well, the final word came from Dusty's vet yesterday.  He's
    been declared 100% healthy!!!
    
    So there's four happy endings to this story.  We may not have dealt
    with the entire colony, but I KNOW there are four happy, healthy
    kitties in the world who would have otherwise died.  That makes
    it all worth while.
    
    Thanks to all the FELINER's for their support, moral and financial,
    and special thanks to Julie and Kim for opening their hearts and
    homes (and pocketbooks!!) to these little furfaces.
    
    Nancy DC
    

    
    Nancy,
    
    Thanks so much for the update, I love happy endings...sniff.
    
    Feline Good,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    Only sad part is that I keep thinking of the other kitties that we
    didn't catch, sigh.  At this point I don't have an isolation room
    anymore - and after having ringworm in the house I hesitate to bring
    any more kitties in.
      Nancy