Lost My Best Friend

[OldTrojan]

I had a surprise this morning.  About 5AM when I opened the door, Miss Kitty was on my stairs landing eating the food I put out last night.  Much thinner, but still pretty wide, almost as if she had some, but all, kittens.  I don’t know what normal is.  Gently petting her sides, they are very firm, not like empty stretched skin.

She came up the stairs, rubbing against my ankles as she does when she is in a gregarious mood.  She often follows me around the apartment (not a big place), so I walked downstairs and waited for her, thinking that she might lead me to the kittens, but she stayed up on the landing.  It’s 1000 now, and she is still up here in her spot by the door and walking around occasionally looking for her head rub, not taking care of her kittens, wherever they are.  She seems OK.  I just walked downstairs again hoping that she would follow and go to the kittens, but she didn’t come.  I have a big cardboard box ready for the kittens.

[KayC]

Do you think it possible she still has the kittens inside of her?  I'm so glad you got to see her!

22 hours ago, John9 said:

We will be at your house this morning to talk to you about this comment.

Wouldn't surprise me! 

 

[OldTrojan]

Hi Kay:

It seems to me that she still has kitten(s) inside, because she is still somewhat wide, but firm (not like empty stretched out skin).  But, I don’t know what normal is a few days after giving birth to at least some kittens.

Yesterday she was still here at noon, so she had been away from her kittens at least 5 hours, which I assume is not good for them.  I kicked her out at 12, and after lunch when I checked she was gone.  Today she was here at 5AM again, but left after I fed her at 7 when I did my “Bear walk”.  She is back now at 9.  She doesn’t seem to be spending enough time with kittens which were just born and certainly need her.

[KayC]

My guess from her supple body and behavior is she went off to find a place to have them but hasn't yet?  IDK, I've never had a cat give birth.  Anyone can chime in on this?  @foreverhis

[foreverhis]

1 hour ago, KayC said:

My guess from her supple body and behavior is she went off to find a place to have them but hasn't yet?  IDK, I've never had a cat give birth.  Anyone can chime in on this?  @foreverhis

I’m afraid I have no idea. If I had to guess I would say the thing to look for is whether her milk has come in. If she’s lactating, then she may have already given birth. If not, then maybe she’s just nesting in wherever she has chosen and is coming out for food while she waits.

 I have never had a pregnant pet, so that’s mostly a guess. 

[OldTrojan]

I don’t think that there is any question that she had some (maybe even all) kittens.  She was enormous, but for the past four days has been merely wider.  Her wide midsection is firm, as though there is something in there, but for all I know this is normal after delivering a litter.  I don’t know much about cats, and nothing about pregnant cats.

She was gone for a couple of days, and came back less wide.  She disappears occasionally, which may be to tend to her kittens, but I assume that they need more attention than this at only a few days old.  She also spends much time up here, wanting attention.  She was here for several hours this morning, but left after lunch, and is gone now (1430).

Maybe there are kittens but they won’t survive without adequate attention from her and I’ll never see them, as with MommaDog’s first two litters.

[KayC]

19 hours ago, foreverhis said:

the thing to look for is whether her milk has come in.

Good idea!  I hadn't thought of that!  See, I knew there was a reason I tagged you! 

I'm wondering if she's too young to have mothering instincts?  I had a dog that was five months old when she got pregnant, the vet had wanted us to wait until six months to get her fixed, never did figure out how she got pregnant but I think the neighbor dog must have made his way through the fence somehow.  We rehomed her with my grandparents-in-law, she had 11 puppies and rolled over on them and they all died but one or two (too long ago to remember), they kept her and the pup/s.  Never did learn if the remaining one/s made it.

I guess nothing but time will tell if nature prevails for their interest or not.   

[John9]

4 hours ago, KayC said:

guess nothing but time will tell if nature prevails for their interest or not.   

KayC,

I don't want to be that person, BUT if nobody will adopt them and the are going to suffer.....I hate hearing about bad situations with animals because they can't control their own life. This may not be coming out right, because I want them to be okay, but I don't want them to suffer now or later if the Landlord comes back and kills them.

[KayC]

Very hard position as no one gets a say in this issue, not knowing where they are or having access to vets or rescues...

[OldTrojan]

Her teats have been enlarged for some time as she got bigger.  But, she doesn’t seem to be lactating, although I am no expert on that.

We got some desperately needed rain yesterday, rare for dry season.  She was here all morning, but left at a break in the rain at noon, and the rain returned and I assume she stayed with the kittens rather than go out in the rain.  I hope that she has the kittens someplace dry.  She’s been spending at lot of time here after the first two days after giving birth, leaving periodically.  I’m sure that at this very young age that the kittens need a mom full time, not part time as she is doing.  I wish that I knew where they were, but, on the other hand, I don’t want to get attached to them

[KayC]

I hear you, very hard situation.  I can't imagine living where you do with no rescues, vets, animal lovers to help...

[OldTrojan]

Very sad today.  Three days ago the people downstairs house-sitting for my landlord got a puppy.  I haven’t seen Miss Kitty since, and she hasn’t been here to eat the food that I put out for her.  Today is four weeks since she had kittens.  I don’t know how many have survived, as I have not seen them.  I’m not at all a cat person, but I miss my little girl.  It angers me that they knew I had a cat and still brought a puppy here; they are just guests and should have asked (and I would have said no).

[KayC]

I am so sorry.  I have been wondering.  I wonder if she'll brave the puppy after a while.  My Kitty lived outside 1 2/3 years rather than deal with Arlie when I got him.  I put food out for her, she hung around on the back patio, finally she decided to take the dog on rather than deal with neighborhood bully cats.  She was fine after that, showed Arlie what was what, that cats ruled and everything was okay.  I know puppies are lively and must feel intimidating to a cat.  

Do these people ever bring their puppy inside?  I'm wondering if she could be watching from a distance.  Still keep putting the food out...

[John9]

OldTrojan,

I am sorry that Miss Kitty is not there because of the puppy, KayC is right maybe she will brave the puppy and set some boundaries. My loving wife and I had dogs and cats and the cats always put the puppies in their place really quickly. In it's own way it was always funny to see the smaller cats teach the larger puppies the rules. I hope things do work out for Miss kitty and the kittens too. As far as the people not asking, maybe they asked the landlord because it is his house (?) I don't claim to understand people anymore, just making a comment.

[OldTrojan]

Unfortunately. miss Kitty isn’t a domesticated cat, raised from a kitten in a safe home with her people.  Until about four months ago, she was a wild cat, eating whatever she could forage, and without a safe place to live.  She undoubtedly had many bad experiences with dogs, which are allowed to run free here.  I have seen so many heartbreaking acts of violence with bad dogs here, and cats are smart to be wary.

I do not know if the people downstairs let the puppy inside, which would anger my landlord.  I don’t see him all that often outside, so he is probably allowed inside.  My landlord wouldn’t even let sweet old MommaDog inside after her surgery when the vets were here before covid, despite the instructions from the vets.  I had to sleep in a sleeping bag next to her for several nights outside to be sure that she was OK..

[KayC]

9 hours ago, OldTrojan said:

Kitty isn’t a domesticated cat, raised from a kitten in a safe home with her people.

I don't know if you've read the story of my Kitty's life, but hers wasn't like that either...she'd been taken in my drug addicts and abandoned over and over and over, w/o a home in between, she had a really rough life the first ten years.  Then my ex abandoned her and me at the same time so all she had was me, neither of us expected this, it was really hard on her.  She finally did settle in with me and trusted me.  That last night she showed me she loved and appreciated me...that was 13 years after being solely in my care.  I understood her.  She'd had a very rough life.  I miss her so much.  I haven't been able to make the leap to get another cat since.  Maybe when Kodie is older and a bit more chill around them?  I don't know if that will ever happen.

 

22 hours ago, John9 said:

maybe they asked the landlord because it is his house

That's possible.  It would have been nice had they considered your situation but they either didn't think of it or care, one or the other.

9 hours ago, OldTrojan said:

I had to sleep in a sleeping bag next to her for several nights outside to be sure that she was OK..

Wow, you really are a remarkable person.  It's been single digits here this week, 16 today, no way I could sleep outside, but oh gosh, I'd do anything for my pets, even at my own peril, I'm sure.

[OldTrojan]

What a sad story about your Kitty.  What a nice life you were able to give her for all those years, as difficult as it was for her.  Trust is a work in process with Miss Kitty, too.  When she first was coming here she would not get near me. I’m too much of a softie when I hear animals crying, and she cried at night on her occasional first visits.  I put food out for her, but had to walk away from it so she would come eat it warily.  Slowly over time she would get closer to me with the food, and finally would let me pet her a little.  I don’t know if she had anyone to pet her before, but she liked it.  She especially likes having her head rubbed.  Recently she’s been flopping down to have her neck and chest rubbed between her front paws, and closes her eyes and soundlessly purrs.  It has taken over four months, but she also rubs against my legs to be petted.  Still not really close to being domesticated, though.

Last night some of the food I had out for her disappeared, so I think she may have figured out that the dog is inside at night.  I hope that she keeps coming so can get proper nutrition, even if late.

I’m sure that the idiots downstairs did not ask permission of my landlord; he would not have approved, and would have told me.  These people are dumb as rocks.  They are brain-dead relatives of my landlord’s brain-dead girlfriend.  Mom and dad speak very little English.  Sometimes they have one or more of their kids here.  There are girls about 18, 16 and 5, and a son about 15.

[John9]

OldTrojan,

Hopefully, the food is being eaten by Miss Kitty and she is eating enough for her and the kittens. I really didn't think they had asked permission, just making a comment about how people can be. It is "funny" how people will treat other peoples property and not worry about what happens. I wasn't raised that way and don't understand it but it seems to be how some people go through life.

[KayC]

14 hours ago, OldTrojan said:

Recently she’s been flopping down to have her neck and chest rubbed between her front paws, and closes her eyes and soundlessly purrs. 

That vulnerability shows she trusts you, that's a huge honor, esp. to a cat who has been through what our Kittys have been.

14 hours ago, OldTrojan said:

I’m sure that the idiots downstairs did not ask permission of my landlord; he would not have approved, and would have told me. 

Do you know when he's coming back?  They will be gone along with their dog when he does.  You already know how he feels.

This will make it easier for Kitty to come back around you again.  I'm glad some of the food disappeared, this is a good sign!  I wish you had a video cam so you could watch and see about what time this happens so you could see her again next time.

 

[OldTrojan]

I had a pleasant surprise last night.  Before I went to bed, I checked my stairs, and Miss Kitty was out there eating late after the puppy was inside.  She came in and got her head rub, finished her dinner and went back, presumably, to the kittens that I have not seen. 

The people downstairs were gone until 4PM today, and Miss Kitty came around like usual during the day, but the people and the dog are back, so she hopefully will visit late.

[foreverhis]

@OldTrojan  I'm so glad to hear that Miss Kitty is okay.  It must have been a relief for you to see her and for her to get a little head rub from you.  No doubt she's with her kittens much of the time; at least, I hope so.  It sounds like your instinct that she was avoiding the dog is correct.  It would certainly be nice if the neighbors spent more time away from home with the dog so that Miss Kitty can come visit you more often.  I hope her kittens are okay too.

[John9]

9 hours ago, OldTrojan said:

I had a pleasant surprise last night.  Before I went to bed, I checked my stairs, and Miss Kitty was out there eating late after the puppy was inside.  She came in and got her head rub, finished her dinner and went back, presumably, to the kittens that I have not seen. 

OldTrojan,

I am glad that you were finally able to see and pet Miss Kitty. I would hope that she will visit you more frequently.

[KayC]

I am so glad you got to see your Kitty!  This is great news!  She is okay, just taking care of herself and her kitties.  Hopefully you'll get to see more of her...

[OldTrojan]

Thanks, everyone, for the optimistic comments.  She was on my steps early this morning, too, so she seems to have figured out when she can have breakfast early and dinner late, without the puppy around.  I still have no idea about the kittens, which are almost 5 weeks old now.

I don’t know when these folks, and puppy, will be leaving, when my landlord returns.  Because of covid, there is strict protocol getting into the country.  First, he (and girlfriend) must get on the government approved repatriation list.  As a foreigner, although a resident, he’s not high priority.  Then, he has to quarantine in Honolulu for 7 days, and pass testing.  This was just reduced from 14 days.  Then he has to quarantine here for 14 days and pass testing.  This is also expensive, as he has to pay for hotels/meals in quarantine.  We are fortunate here, as there is no covid, and we have never had to bother with masks.  But there are still many people stuck outside of the country waiting to come back.

[KayC]

Where is your landlord, in the states?  Wow, I'm amazed you haven't gone through the masking thing.  It seems Trump's first mistake was not closing the borders on our country when this began because it spread like wildfire once it was here.  Very hard to stop in a country this big!  And with each state governing their own way, there's not uniformity.  Not sure it's made a lot of difference though, TX has been more lax but I don't see they've had it any worse than Or, which has been strict.  The masks people wear don't seem helpful, but then some people wear a piece of cloth that doesn't stop anything!  And some let them slip down below their nose, a lot of good that does!

I'm so glad your Kitty was there again!  It's a huge relief! 

[OldTrojan]

He’s in Palm Springs where his 96 year old father lives.  I’m sure that he is not telling the IRS.  I read that California is ending its mask mandate on 3/11.

Several small island countries such as this have been able to close borders and have no, or limited, covid.  The big downside here is that we have not been getting visiting medical specialists, as medical care here is very poor.  Also no visiting vets for our pets.  Tonga also was covid free, but after several humanitarian flights into Tonga after the volcano eruption, they now have covid, and a low vaccination rate.  Like here, they have high risk factors of obesity, hypertension and diabetes.  Palau opened up in a limited fashion for tourists, and they mow have covid, too.

[KayC]

It seems unfair to me that because someone helps their dad they'd be subject to taxes here!  I got stuck paying double taxes to AZ and OR one year, we stated six months each place and thus had to pay double!  Had I known we wouldn't have rounded it off to six months, it was my first year to file taxes.  I learned something!  Shouldn't have to claim AZ income in OR and vice-versa!  So wrong!

I hope those countries don't get hit like they have here.  They say my county was hard hit but shouldn't apply to my community as we're 50 miles away from anything else and kind of in our own little bubble.  But the rules apply unilaterally.  They say they're lifting the mask mandate a week from Friday but kind of a misnomer as it still won't apply most businesses/gov't/transportation/medical, and most people see their family and close friends w/o anyway.  I'd still avoid huge crowds like concerts, games, theatres, etc.  We'll still have to wear them to get groceries, go to the post office or bank, etc.

 

 

 

[KayC]

Haven't heard from you in over two weeks, you've been on my mind, how it's going...

[OldTrojan]

Hi Kay:

Thanks for following up.  I’m still bumbling though my days, with a huge hole in my heart where Bear used to be.  I’m not as overwhelmed with grief as I used to be, but there are times of day in which I am terribly saddened and depressed.  Getting better, though.  I’ve finally resumed cooking some dinner items that were favorites of Bear’s, which I stopped after losing him.  He’d sit on my kitchen floor and watch and smell, knowing that he would get a little as a treat.  For decades, I have eaten omelets on Sundays, but stopped after losing Bear, until last week when I finally resumed.  I used to add one more egg, and split the extra between MommaDog and Bear; they really loved it.  After Momma was killed, Bear still got his half-egg omelet.

I haven’t seen much of Miss Kitty as before the kittens.  I assume that she is spending time with the kittens, wherever they are.  I have seen nothing of them, although they would be almost eight weeks old and mobile.  Also, I think that she is avoiding the puppy downstairs.  She’s usually here for breakfast at 7, and sometimes for dinner at 5, but not much otherwise.  Pre-kittens, she spent much of her time here.

[John9]

OldTrojan,

Good to hear from you and trust me I understand the comment about bumbling through the days. Last Saturday was 52 weeks and Sunday was 1 year since my loving wife died and it really hurt more than usual because it was the last of the Firsts. Now I will experience it all over again, however I will experience the 1 year for our male Chihuahua when that comes around also. I understand the avoiding of cooking as a trigger for memories and I still don't really cook anything because my loving wife and I really enjoyed our food and nothing seems the same because it isn't. I am glad that you are seeing Miss Kitty still even if she is avoiding the puppy.

[KayC]

These routines we loved now are triggers it seems as we go through the grieving process...when something like death disrupts that routine, it's very hard for us to adjust to those changes.  They are just huge reminders that they're gone, like a stab in our heart.

I'm sorry you don't see Kitty much anymore, I'm sure she's fine.  Puppy is still there, then?  When the landlord comes back this may all change.  Esp. if he knew nothing of this arrangement.

[OldTrojan]

Anniversaries are tough.  I was unpleasantly surprised at the strength of emotion at the one year anniversary of sweet old MommaDog being killed.  John, you have so many anniversaries to deal with.  I’m sorry that you have to relive these depressing events.

The day has come that I have dreaded.  Each of the last two nights one of Miss Kitty’s food bowls has gone missing.  I found one this morning about 20 feet away from the foot of the stairs.  She wouldn’t have done this.  This morning I found the puppy up on my stairs’ landing eating her food, so he has gotten big enough finally to climb the stairs.  The landing has been her refuge, and home, where I put her food and water.  I don’t know how to preserve this for her, and keep the puppy away.  I already don’t’ see much of her anymore.

[KayC]

When my Kitty was going through this with bully neighborhood cats, I put a box out for her to eat in, I'd have to watch to make sure they didn't get into it.  I wonder if you could put it in a crate or something that the dog couldn't get into?  It'd have to be far enough back out of his reach.  I don't know how big this dog is, but something only she could fit into and far away enough from his prying head/tongue.
Have you talked to the owners about corralling him?  Here we have leash laws, people have to have their dogs on their own property and not roaming loose, eating chickens, harming pets, destroying gardens, etc.

[John9]

OldTrojan,

Is there anyway to put up a baby gate, or a pet gate. My loving wife and I had dogs and cats and the cats were always able to jump the gate, but the dogs could not. I don't know what kind of dog it is and how much effort it would be, but it might be worth at least checking into. And yes sadly it seems as if I am constantly having another Anniversary of another traumatic event. I just would like to be able to have some peace.

[KayC]

That's an idea, or a gate with enough room for Kitty to get through but not the dog?

[KayC]

Haven't been here since Monday, thought I'd let you know my sister Peggy passed Mond. morning, it's been a week from hell...thinking of you though and so hoping you get a visit from Kitty.  

Hope you enjoy this!

[John9]

KayC,

The comic is funny. And it reminds me that no matter how either my loving wife and I looked we LOVED each other. I know it is through the eyes of the dog, and that is unconditional love. But my LOVE was unconditional as was my loving wife's.

[foreverhis]

5 hours ago, John9 said:

KayC,

The comic is funny. And it reminds me that no matter how either my loving wife and I looked we LOVED each other. I know it is through the eyes of the dog, and that is unconditional love. But my LOVE was unconditional as was my loving wife's.

Indeed. It’s funny because sometimes I would wonder how John still found me attractive after 35 years of “wear and tear.” Then I would consider that I still found him attractive because, sure, I could see the grey hair, wrinkles, etc., but all I really saw was my John. To me, he would always be simply the man I love.

 I was reminded of how critical we are of ourselves while shopping for a family wedding that’s this weekend. I still have 27 lb to lose, so I thought I looked lousy in everything I tried on. I was hanging around with Raleigh’s dad Sunday evening before he took her home and I mentioned how I have never loved shopping, but didn’t mention my self-criticism. He said, “Could you wear what you wore to (a friend’s) play 2 weeks ago? You looked really pretty in that.” I wore black slacks and a simple top with a cardigan, so unfortunately not for a semi-formal wedding. But it hadn’t even occurred to me that my friends see simply me, while I see my flaws.

The unconditional love of our pets is one of their greatest gifts to us and, I believe, a hint of what we will have in the next life/world/heaven.

[John9]

1 hour ago, foreverhis said:

The unconditional love of our pets is one of their greatest gifts to us and, I believe, a hint of what we will have in the next life/world/heaven.

foreverhis,

I hope this is correct. my loving wife was very critical of how she looked. It was the main reason I didn't have any recent pictures of her, luckily there were pictures from her work. I always saw the "girl" I fell in love with at first sight, she saw the years catching up with her. I have pictures from day 1 and some from a few months before she died, she looks the same to me especially the smile. I miss her so much and always will.

[OldTrojan]

Thanks for the suggestions.  There would be no point in trying to talk to the people downstairs, as they are third-world idiots.  I don’t think that mom speaks English, and dad speaks very little.

They would be no place here to buy child or pet gate, but I have been thinking about how I might block the stairs.  The hand rail is supported by vertical supports that are far enough apart that a dog could fit though even if I blocked the front access to the stairs.  I tried this once before (and failed) to keep the dogs off the stairs while I sprayed poison to kill ticks.  I’ll need to block the sides, too, but not so far that Miss Kitty could not jump over.  She can really jump, but it may dissuade her from trying.  I’m still thinking of alternatives.  I was surprised last night standing at the stove cooking dinner, and standing next to me, like Bear, was the puppy.  I chased him back downstairs, and he tried to stop and eat cat food on the way, He’s getting bigger.

Kay, I am so sorry to hear of your sister’s passing.  Time robs us of so much.

I liked the cartoon, but it was bittersweet, also.  I miss the adoration in Bear’s green eyes. I wish I were the perfect person that he thought that I was.

[John9]

OldTrojan,

Obviously I don't know the layout but can you use cardboard on the sides. You won't want to make it so hard that you can't get over or through but make the puppy think twice. I was just thinking I realize things aren't quite like it is here in the States and just go to the local store and get whatever. As I said my loving wife and I had cats and dogs forever and when we moved into the house we are in now I cut a hole in the wall leading to the basement and installed a cat door. The cats never had a problem going through it and the basement door could always be closed. We had puppy gates to sometimes keep the smaller dogs and the larger one separated too or when a repair person was in the house it was just easier. I hope you are able to figure something out so Miss Kitty can visit you and get those head scratches she needs and the food too.

[KayC]

23 hours ago, John9 said:

KayC,

The comic is funny. And it reminds me that no matter how either my loving wife and I looked we LOVED each other. I know it is through the eyes of the dog, and that is unconditional love. But my LOVE was unconditional as was my loving wife's.

So was ours.

 

17 hours ago, foreverhis said:

He said, “Could you wear what you wore to (a friend’s) play 2 weeks ago? You looked really pretty in that.” I wore black slacks and a simple top with a cardigan, so unfortunately not for a semi-formal wedding. But it hadn’t even occurred to me that my friends see simply me, while I see my flaws.

This is true!

12 hours ago, OldTrojan said:

I miss the adoration in Bear’s green eyes.

I know.    I hope you can figure out a way to block the dog from getting to the food.  Of course he's getting bigger...on your Kitty's cat food!  

I just got the news that a friend I've had for 45 years passed during the night.  I can't believe this, 2-3 days after Peggy.  I need to notify some people.  This never ends.

[John9]

On 3/31/2022 at 10:24 AM, KayC said:

I just got the news that a friend I've had for 45 years passed during the night.  I can't believe this, 2-3 days after Peggy.  I need to notify some people.  This never ends.

KayC,

I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Sadly you are correct, it never seems to end and at the worst times too.

[OldTrojan]

Kay, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your sister and your friend, especially so close together.  A terrible week for you.  I’ve lost friends from college that I had known for over 50 years, and it brings long-term memories and such sadness.  I am no longer young as contemporaries pass away.

I’ll recommend a book, which I rarely do since people have such different tastes.  “A Widow, A Chihuahua and Harry Truman” by Mary Beth Crain.  It’s written in a sort of Dave Berry humor.  This lady lost her husband, suffered the grief that we all have, and adopted a dog that loves her.  The dog stories are heartwarming to those of us who have loved dogs, despite the sad grief of losing her husband.  We have all experienced both.  I hope that your local libraries have a copy.

This week for the first time in their 9 weeks, I saw kittens.  They were on the stairs eating solid cat food with Miss Kitty, although ran off scared when I opened the door.  One is like Kitty, an orange tabby, and the other is dark grey.  There are just two.  I have no idea where she keeps them.  I’ve seen them four times, but they won’t get near me, unfortunately..

[John9]

OldTrojan,

I am glad that the kittens are with Miss Kitty, it may be a good thing that they are somewhat afraid of people because I don't know how others would react to them. I think you said something about people not caring for cats(?) Hopefully Miss Kitty will teach them as much as Mother cats teach kittens. I hope you can figure out how to keep the puppy away from Miss Kitty and the kittens if they are going to come with her.

[OldTrojan]

Thanks, John

I was hoping that Miss Kitty would bring her kittens around early, rather than continue to raise them in seclusion as she has for so long.  I wanted them to get used to a human (me) and head scratches and socialization.  This, to make them more gregarious (or at least as much as cats can be) to make them more adoptable, as unlikely as that is here.  Now they are scared and stay away from me.  When my landlord gets back, they’ll be dead little kitties..

[John9]

OldTrojan,

That last line you wrote was my fear. I will say that 9 weeks there would still be a chance to teach them that some humans are okay. I can say that cats can be loving or aloof and can be both at the same time. But I also know that many people just don't like them, "wild" cats can serve a purpose but it isn't a good life like a house cat. I just hate seeing or hearing about the bad treatment animals receive and it really used to upset my loving wife. It was hurtful for her because she also saw the results at her work since she worked at the Veterinary clinic. She never could listen to anything about hurt animals on the news, even if it turned out happy. It was one of the many reasons I LOVE(D) her so much.

[KayC]

Thank you for the recommendation, I put it in my Amazon cart, I'm in the country so no library.  Ten years after I lost my husband (I've been on grief sites 17 years now) I wrote a "Tips" article, having read people's stories all these years of what helped...one of those tips is to consider getting a dog (for some people, a cat) as it truly does help.  Then I lost my dog too, that was hard, I still miss him.  They don't live nearly as long as we want them to!

On 4/1/2022 at 5:49 PM, OldTrojan said:

This week for the first time in their 9 weeks, I saw kittens.

Wow!  How neat!  She brought them with her! 

22 hours ago, John9 said:

I just hate seeing or hearing about the bad treatment animals receive and it really used to upset my loving wife.

Your wife working at the vet and caring so much about animals...that says a lot about her.

 

[OldTrojan]

More sadness here.  Marcus, Bear’s best friend, and my good pal, is dead.  Probably something that he ate.  Bear and I visited him three times a day on our walks so that they could play.  After Bear, I visited a couple of times a day.  We’d sit on the planter out in front of the store and he’d lick my face while I scratched his head.  I keep seeing flashbacks of Bear and Marcus playing.  Now, of all of Bear’s friends, only one remains alive, and all died young.  This is such a difficult place for dogs.  With the memories, losing Marcus was almost like losing Bear again.  I hope that they are playing together now.  I went to see his owner to offer condolences, and we both got pretty misty.

[John9]

12 minutes ago, OldTrojan said:

With the memories, losing Marcus was almost like losing Bear again.  I hope that they are playing together now.  I went to see his owner to offer condolences, and we both got pretty misty.

OldTrojan,

I am sorry that you lost another dog you were close to. Hopefully they are at the Rainbow Bridge waiting, that was my hope when my loving wife died that all of our pets were there to greet her. Typing this is making me tear up again. have you seen Miss Kitty, how is she doing.