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Post by judyreno on Dec 4, 2012 12:50:20 GMT -5
Daughter getting married!
My daughter, Linda, who lost her son to suicide last March, will marry on Dec 22. She had asked for the 15th off, but the request got lost and she could find no one to switch with her. Today, she had word that a colleague will work for her on the 22nd, so she is switching the day. Some won't be able to attend, but most of us will.
Linda was in her last term of nursing school when Jason died. She kept herself together enough to graduate at the top of her class and found work at the largest hospital here in Telemetry which is a step down from ICU. The work is busy and demanding, but she needs not to be bored and is doing well.
Linda's fiance is Scott, a very social fellow. He has lived in this area all his life, and like her, has grown children. We all like him.
The only trouble on our horizon is Rowan, Jason's sister. She had started Job Corps but was asked to leave when their treatment of a respiratory problem wasn't working. Although she has been cleared by pulmonologists, she has not been re-admitted. We are not being told why. Further, she is due to fly to Georgia for Christmas with her father and will miss her mother's wedding. She is 18 years old and lacks self-motivation in ways that puzzle us.
Yesterday, I applied to adopt a 2 year old cat named Wilma. She is residing at the local Pet Smart, but the SPCA will have to approve my application. I am healing from having lost my dog of 13 years, Ladybug, last Friday.
Playing these games, and interacting with the forum, is a big part of my life these days!
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Post by Raven on Dec 4, 2012 19:30:16 GMT -5
Judy you and your family are strong! Enjoy Wilma!  Licat also has a new kitten in her life! Lucy:) Our animals bring so much to our lives! |
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Post by yaneya on Dec 5, 2012 8:08:31 GMT -5
Judy, congratulations to your daughter. I am so sorry for her son. I cannot imagine loosing your children. I have this subcontinent constant fear that something could happen to one of them. May be it is just being mom.
About the Pet Smart - they got me mad, I wanted to adopt cat, but they refused because we want to declaw front paws. we keep our cats inside the house and they destroy furniture and scratch kids. You might not agree with me either, but I still think it is better v have them homeless. Oh well, we got a cat from the street.
Good luck.
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Post by leilani on Dec 5, 2012 9:25:46 GMT -5
Congrats on your daughter's wedding Judy. It's a shame that she had to change her date and now some can't attend. I've never understood why it's so hard to get someone to cover a shift especially for something important like that, but it's the same where my husband works. No one wants to help anyone out and then they're surprised when no one wants to help them. Sometimes I think it's because people know that if the person really needs the day off and calls in sick that someone will be forced to work the shift for over time pay. When I was a manager, I would cover for employees who had a really good reason for needing the day off if no one else would cover for them. That didn't go over well with my bosses since I was a higher pay grade than the people I was covering for, but my response to them was if they didn't run short staffed they wouldn't have this problem. Good luck with the adoption; hopefully, they don't make you jump through any hoops to get her.
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Post by judyreno on Dec 5, 2012 19:50:23 GMT -5
Cat report:
Wilma came home with me last night. The local SPCA places cats at Pet Smart and they were the ones who had to approve me. I got a call just before noon and learned more about her. Wilma was first found abandoned in Lovelock, NV, about 100 miles from here. The SPCA took her in and spayed her in August 2011. They knew she had had a large litter and cared for other kittens as well. She was adopted by a family who turned her back in this October due to life circumstances (possibly a job loss). She had been in Fallon, NV. I'm not sure when she got to Reno.
The web site said it was unknown whether she was housebroken. The interviewer said he had cleaned her cage every day and she always used her box.
I have a regular appointment on Tuesday afternoons at a local prison hospital, so I arranged to pick her up about 5:00 pm. Armed with a shopping list, I found the easy things and then asked for help with a carrier and feed. Once that was done, another employee brought Wilma out of her cage into the carrier and took me through the final paperwork--contracts with the SPCA and Pet Smart. Then, to the cash register which chewed up my receipt. An employee went to the office and printed me a copy.
Once at my apartment complex, I found I couldn't park in my spot very well. I decided to carry stuff up first and then come back for the cat and scratching post. I was struggling to get them both up the stairs, when a neighbor came along and helped. Whew!
I had previously ordered a litter box that goes in a corner and had it in my bathroom. I added the used litter I had requested to the clean and opened the crate, letting the cat come out in her time.
She was soon exploring the living room, kitchen, and hall. I had the bedroom doors closed and shades were drawn. She jumped up in my lap for a bit and then explored some more. Meanwhile, I was talking to family and friends on the phone.
A neighbor who loves cats came by to meet Wilma and sat down on the floor with her. They got along fine.
Wilma did not eat any of the chicken meat I set out for her. I think she had a little kibble. She did use her litter box.
When bedtime came, she was delighted to explore the new room. She is 2 years 3 months old and very agile. When I opened the window a crack, she was right there, going along behind the shade.
At various times during the night, she played and got on and off the bed. I was thinking of keeping her out tonight, but my daughter said she would likely scratch at the door. So, my next defense is ear plugs. I use a CPAP which did not seem to bother her.
I was awakened at 7:00 am by a call from my daughter Laura in Tennessee. She completed her 12 hour night shift at the hospital and then went to her assigned room where she took a shower and got into bed. She is on 24 hours of antibiotics and may have a drain inserted, as fluid keeps collecting in the breast where she had cancer. It was distressing to hear her sound discouraged again, but I don't think it's super serious.
This afternoon, it was back to Pet Smart to correct an overcharge made last night (3 bags of Kibble when I got only 1) and to return a pet bed she ignored. I bought more soft food, spray catnip and a new toy.
I left the apartment at noon for a card game and again at 2:00 pm for shopping. When I returned, she was on my bed but did not come running to the door. I sprayed her scratching post with catnip. This turned out to be a big hit when she sauntered out and smelled it. She played around the base for about 15 minutes. She is currently curled up on the love seat napping.
What an adjustment for both of us! Tomorrow, she meets our vets. I don't think she is due for any shots, but I will be taking a stool sample to be checked.
I expect that only pet lovers have read through this. I still miss Ladybug, but not as much.
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Post by judyreno on Dec 5, 2012 19:58:48 GMT -5
Yaneya,
I had a cat in Idaho/Washington that I had declawed. She was an indoor cat when I lived in Moscow, but was allowed out when I moved to Pullman. The surgery is serious, but of course, they are not conscious. I would consider doing it again with a very young cat.
The SPCA is dead set against declawing. They also push having cats indoors only. Makes not much sense to me. Why not declaw if they are not going outdoors?
Wilma does want to claw some of the furniture. I bought a couple of clickers which I use along with the word, "No". I also praise her when she uses her scratching post. I think I will be able to train her.
She is not considered safe around small children, so she will be isolated when I have my toddler granddaughter over.
I'm glad you found a cat you can have the way you want. Judy
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2012 20:02:51 GMT -5
Congrats on Wilma! Sounds like she has a wonderful home!!!  |
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Post by leilani on Dec 6, 2012 7:48:46 GMT -5
Judy, congrats on bringing Wilma home. A couple of things you can try to stop the clawing is a product called Bitter Apple or other deterrent spray or tape (see link below). Drsfostersmith.com has some great articles. One issue with the spray is there are cats that actually like it and one of my cats was drawn to it. The drawback to using clickers and/or spritzing water at the cat to deter clawing is that they learn not to do it when you're around but they'll still do it when you're out. If you can't or don't want to trim her claws regularly you can get a product called Soft Paws which are rubber caps for the nails that you or maybe your neighbor can put on. They do fall off after a while, so they need to be reapplied but they can be a good alternative to declawing. We have had 5 cats (up to 3 at a time) all indoor and none of them declawed. (I don't have a problem with people who do it, it just wasn't right for us.) Yes we've had some issues with scratching and damage, but it can be overcome. Despite our best efforts they still scratch in the wrong place from time to time, but overall it's not so bad. www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?d=156&articleid=666Also if she likes going behind the shade, you might want to keep it up a few inches if it won't affect your privacy too much or let in too much light especially if you have mini blinds. I've had to replace the few shades that we had with mini blinds and replace a couple of the blinds because even the skinniest of cats will eventually damage them from squeezing behind them. If you don't want her in your room at night, I'd start leaving her out now before she gets used to being in there. If you don't mind a few nights of interrupted sleep, she might settle down and sleep at night once she gets used to being with you. I've had cats that are allowed to sleep with us and others who aren't because they chew things or are true party animals once the sun goes down. |
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Post by Raven on Dec 6, 2012 11:13:28 GMT -5
Lol - I think we might need a Pet Thread!?!?!! My fingers are just twitching to add pages of thoughts!!!  |
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Post by Raven on Dec 6, 2012 12:27:07 GMT -5
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Post by judyreno on Dec 6, 2012 16:45:39 GMT -5
Good idea about a pet thread, Raven. Why not start one and move our stuff?
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Post by Snibull on Dec 6, 2012 18:54:48 GMT -5
Too cute Raven!
Sni
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Post by judy on Dec 6, 2012 19:34:01 GMT -5
Congrats on the new little one Judy-Reno. Waiting on the pic when you get the time. Really enjoyed your sharing her first day with you. We currently have "grandkitty" living with with us. Thinking when he leaves with his daddy, I will have to get a new little one myself.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2012 17:11:09 GMT -5
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Post by catintex on Dec 7, 2012 19:18:36 GMT -5
Judy, it sounds like Wilma has found a wonderful home with you! And I can tell that you are enjoying your time with her. I think that a pet can bring a great amount of comfort and entertainment to your life. I have only had a couple of cats, and the last lived to be 22 yrs old, and he had his front claws removed when he was young. It didn't seem to bother him much. Now I have just one small mutt, but she is a constant source of joy to this empty-nester.
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Post by Duke of DixonVille on Dec 8, 2012 15:41:01 GMT -5
I love Cats I am so glad you adopted one it make life and home so much fun. Here kitty kitty  Baby Duke |
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Post by Raven on Dec 8, 2012 15:50:47 GMT -5
Me too - am such a cat lover! I have had dogs over the years as well - my golden lab (Sadie) was a love! BUT dogs can be a lot more work! Had to weigh in on declawing subject - the vet assistant in town has three declawed cats (her hubby said no more destroyed furniture) She lets them out and she lives in forest area - they have hunted and .... Ahem killed birds etc with no problem and none of them have been hurt .... The cats that is! Lol also her furniture is still intact! My current mr. Puss was two when I rescued him and had been an outdoor cat so couldn't do it to him at that age - my couch which had survived 4 cats in its life has been pretty well ratched by my darling guy! was an old second hand thing so don't care! However! If I start again years Down the road! With a kitten! I think I would do it - all my cats are indoor cats as well - |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 16:01:47 GMT -5
I love Cats I am so glad you adopted one it make life and home so much fun. Here kitty kitty Baby Duke Awwww....how cute!!!! |
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Post by catintex on Dec 9, 2012 1:56:49 GMT -5
Me too - am such a cat lover! I have had dogs over the years as well - my golden lab (Sadie) was a love! BUT dogs can be a lot more work! Had to weigh in on declawing subject - the vet assistant in town has three declawed cats (her hubby said no more destroyed furniture) She lets them out and she lives in forest area - they have hunted and .... Ahem killed birds etc with no problem and none of them have been hurt .... The cats that is! Lol also her furniture is still intact! My current mr. Puss was two when I rescued him and had been an outdoor cat so couldn't do it to him at that age - my couch which had survived 4 cats in its life has been pretty well ratched by my darling guy! was an old second hand thing so don't care! However! If I start again years Down the road! With a kitten! I think I would do it - all my cats are indoor cats as well - Dogs most definitely are more work! And you spend more $$$ caring for a dog. But they are worth it, I guess. ;D |
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Post by fleetwood on Dec 9, 2012 6:48:34 GMT -5
This is one of my fave photos of my niece. With our family dog Peanut. We lost him about 18 months ago. She called him woof woof at the time  |
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Licat also has a new kitten in her life! Lucy:) Our animals bring so much to our lives! 
