Saturday, February 28, 2009

Craigslist Post on lost cat

I know this cat. I got her fixed for those folks. She is gorgeous. Makes me sad to see she is now missing. Here is the post:

Our one year old cat ashes went missing about a month ago from our home on 18th ave. by memorial middle school. she is fixed, and a grey tabby. her top coat is black. med. hair length. She is very missed. we have searched all over for her. if you have seen her or have her we would love to have her back. She is my daughters cat. thank you...

And here's another sad craigslist post, about a three legged dog at Linn County Dog Control. Or was there. I did call the lady who posted because, my gosh, a three legged dog in a shelter, that's awful. I also called her up because of the name of the dogs' original owners. This woman who posted found the dog, and then handed her over to Senior Dog Rescue, only to be contacted by the owners, who took her back. The owners last name is Torres. She was again found as a stray apparently. What interested me is that is the same last name as the people over near Crabtree who didn't feed their cats and all that sorrowful horrible stuff. That is the last name of the people who had Rags, Peko and Miato, and the little starved calico I had to return. I'm sure it's a common name, but maybe it's the same people, since they do not care for their animals.

Here's the post on craigslist about the dog and the poster is the woman who found the dog after the owners lost or abandoned it the first time. They should never have gotten the dog back:

There is an amazing dog at Linn County Dog Control that I found a few months ago and returned to her owners. She was found stray again and it looks like her owners are not going to reclaim her. She is a senior 3 legged blind dog, but the most amazing little thing you will ever meet. She is housetrained, quiet, and friendly. She would be great for an older person, or anyone really. She loves to just hang out and gets along with all animals and children. She is a doxie/chi cross and is only 8 I believe, but looks older. She needs a loving home that will spoil her. I can help pay the adoption fee if someone can save her! I love this dog in only the 4 short days that I got to know her. Thanks and pass the word on Mimi the wonder dog! Also if anyone knows a Torres this is their dog and they need to reclaim her if they can!

Craigslist Post on lost cat

I know this cat. I got her fixed for those folks. She is gorgeous. Makes me sad to see she is now missing. Here is the post:

Our one year old cat ashes went missing about a month ago from our home on 18th ave. by memorial middle school. she is fixed, and a grey tabby. her top coat is black. med. hair length. She is very missed. we have searched all over for her. if you have seen her or have her we would love to have her back. She is my daughters cat. thank you...

And here's another sad craigslist post, about a three legged dog at Linn County Dog Control. Or was there. I did call the lady who posted because, my gosh, a three legged dog in a shelter, that's awful. I also called her up because of the name of the dogs' original owners. This woman who posted found the dog, and then handed her over to Senior Dog Rescue, only to be contacted by the owners, who took her back. The owners last name is Torres. She was again found as a stray apparently. What interested me is that is the same last name as the people over near Crabtree who didn't feed their cats and all that sorrowful horrible stuff. That is the last name of the people who had Rags, Peko and Miato, and the little starved calico I had to return. I'm sure it's a common name, but maybe it's the same people, since they do not care for their animals.

Here's the post on craigslist about the dog and the poster is the woman who found the dog after the owners lost or abandoned it the first time. They should never have gotten the dog back:

There is an amazing dog at Linn County Dog Control that I found a few months ago and returned to her owners. She was found stray again and it looks like her owners are not going to reclaim her. She is a senior 3 legged blind dog, but the most amazing little thing you will ever meet. She is housetrained, quiet, and friendly. She would be great for an older person, or anyone really. She loves to just hang out and gets along with all animals and children. She is a doxie/chi cross and is only 8 I believe, but looks older. She needs a loving home that will spoil her. I can help pay the adoption fee if someone can save her! I love this dog in only the 4 short days that I got to know her. Thanks and pass the word on Mimi the wonder dog! Also if anyone knows a Torres this is their dog and they need to reclaim her if they can!

Cats Fixed Wednesday and My Red Wall

My cats like to snooze atop the table I have by a window.

Doc, Mops and Mums on the table.
Shady and Buffy enjoy a nap.
Brambles, standing, Doc, Mums and and Shady on the table.
Brambles in the back standing, Doc up front, Mops tucked in behind, Mums and Shady lounge.
Is this bright or what? This wall just has one coat so far.
The blue around the edges is actually just tape. I hope my brother, who owns this house, doesn't kill me for painting the walls bright colors. I like bright colors and the white was getting too dirty and showed every little bit of dirt too well. Way too well.
This is the calico, very cute I think, fixed from near Lacomb last Wednesday.
This is the Albany calico fixed last Wednesday. The other three fixed last Wednesday were brought in by their owners, also from Lacomb. And the same people took in three again Friday. I didn't see any of those six, just arranged it, so, no photos, sadly.

I got a call from a potential adoptor which just makes me so excited I can hardly stand it. And nervous, too, hoping nothing happens to blow it. They'll probably come see the cats Monday. I'm just crossing my fingers here and jumping for joy!

Cats Fixed Wednesday and My Red Wall

My cats like to snooze atop the table I have by a window.

Doc, Mops and Mums on the table.
Shady and Buffy enjoy a nap.
Brambles, standing, Doc, Mums and and Shady on the table.
Brambles in the back standing, Doc up front, Mops tucked in behind, Mums and Shady lounge.
Is this bright or what? This wall just has one coat so far.
The blue around the edges is actually just tape. I hope my brother, who owns this house, doesn't kill me for painting the walls bright colors. I like bright colors and the white was getting too dirty and showed every little bit of dirt too well. Way too well.
This is the calico, very cute I think, fixed from near Lacomb last Wednesday.
This is the Albany calico fixed last Wednesday. The other three fixed last Wednesday were brought in by their owners, also from Lacomb. And the same people took in three again Friday. I didn't see any of those six, just arranged it, so, no photos, sadly.

I got a call from a potential adoptor which just makes me so excited I can hardly stand it. And nervous, too, hoping nothing happens to blow it. They'll probably come see the cats Monday. I'm just crossing my fingers here and jumping for joy!

Ideas for Cat Toys. 27 Cats Fixed Last Month

I took in 27 cats to be fixed last month. That isn't close to the 51 in January, but I couldn't get appointments one week and then took in only three on another week.

I am hoping Poppa will allow me to overflow some of last month's fixing allotment to March. I have been receiving a lot of calls. It is more effective to fix females before they are pregnant even before they are in heat, rather than after, because of cost increases. A lot of the females are already pregnant.

So, I made appointments to take ten cats Monday to one clinic and five to another. At the clinic I made ten appointments for, females, whether pregnant or not, cost $43, so if half are female, that's $215 right there and if the other half are males that would cost, at that clinic, $165. That would be $380 gone of my allotment right there. If you add in the five going to my usual clinic, if three are females, and not pregnant, which most have been there, that's $185 there, for the five, although they will pay $45 of that, bringing it down to $140. In one day, that could be $520 gone from my monthly allotment. Yikes. Almost a third of it. With 15 fixes. And that's just an estimate, since I don't know the sexes I will be trapping tomorrow. That's still a good price for 15 fixes, less $40 per cat.

The 15 for Monday include five more from the Scio group, bringing the number fixed there, by Monday evening, to 11, with nine or so to go. And ten from the Jefferson desperate woman colony. I will also be trapping the 8 or more on Columbus, just to end reproduction there, too. But they'll be going in on Tuesday, or a mix from both colonies. I don't like to wait around on colonies when I find them and the only reason I have to is due to money. That's why there's a cat problem, I guess. I need to find some money to use for fixing more cats.

I have an idea for a cat toy I think the cats would love. Here it is: I would take a length of PVC, maybe four inch diameter and cut an inch wide hole along its length, leaving maybe a couple inches intact on each end.

The length of the PVC pipe I would use would be approximately 12 feet. That's just an estimate, because its dependent on where I would put it. I would want it slanted rather severely. The cats are going to ride this down.

How? I'd use a ball socket inside the pipe, made maybe of a smooth material, maybe wood, if I could make a round ball of wood. I can probably find something in a junk store that would work.

A piece of something, wood or pipe, would extend out from the ball inside the PVC. To that, I would attach a platform, with edges. This is what the cats would ride down on.

On at the top of the slanted "ride down" PVC, I would attach a vertical piece of PVC. A piece of cable rope would attach to the ball inside the ride down slanted piece of PVC, go through an eye hook at the top. The other end of the cable rope would be attached to an eye hook attached to a piece of smaller diameter PVC, that would fit inside the larger vertical piece of PVC. I would screw in a bottom on that smaller diameter inside piece. I would add a proper amount of sand or other heavy material and it would be used as a counter weight, to not only slow the slide down but to pull the platform back up after the cat rides the platform down.

The larger vertical piece of PVC would double as a cat climb. I would glue carpet around it.

Now what do you think of that idea? Would it work? How much counter weight would I need? Enough to keep the platform in the top position, for sure, when no cat was on it. Most of my cats weigh between five and 8 pounds. I suppose it depends on the slant and distance of the ride down piece? The travel length of the counter weight and ride platform will have to be the same. So, I need to make the size of the counter weight itself small (intensely dense mass, like lead maybe?), to not take up too much of the distance inside the vertical PVC. I'll have to experiment.

I had also thought of attaching the slant down inside piece to a strong spring, but that seems hard to calibrate and to brake, when the cat gets off at the bottom, and the platform zooms back up. I don't want a cat getting knocked in the teeth if isn't property braked and whips up too fast.

The third idea I had was to somehow make it a teeter totter type ride. Cat gets off at bottom. Platform with that end of the PVC then slowly swings up, to be ridden down from it's new position.

I plan on making a separate teeter tooter type toy also, rigged on bungees. It's fun to try to think up new ways to entertain the cats and me, too.

Ideas for Cat Toys. 27 Cats Fixed Last Month

I took in 27 cats to be fixed last month. That isn't close to the 51 in January, but I couldn't get appointments one week and then took in only three on another week.

I am hoping Poppa will allow me to overflow some of last month's fixing allotment to March. I have been receiving a lot of calls. It is more effective to fix females before they are pregnant even before they are in heat, rather than after, because of cost increases. A lot of the females are already pregnant.

So, I made appointments to take ten cats Monday to one clinic and five to another. At the clinic I made ten appointments for, females, whether pregnant or not, cost $43, so if half are female, that's $215 right there and if the other half are males that would cost, at that clinic, $165. That would be $380 gone of my allotment right there. If you add in the five going to my usual clinic, if three are females, and not pregnant, which most have been there, that's $185 there, for the five, although they will pay $45 of that, bringing it down to $140. In one day, that could be $520 gone from my monthly allotment. Yikes. Almost a third of it. With 15 fixes. And that's just an estimate, since I don't know the sexes I will be trapping tomorrow. That's still a good price for 15 fixes, less $40 per cat.

The 15 for Monday include five more from the Scio group, bringing the number fixed there, by Monday evening, to 11, with nine or so to go. And ten from the Jefferson desperate woman colony. I will also be trapping the 8 or more on Columbus, just to end reproduction there, too. But they'll be going in on Tuesday, or a mix from both colonies. I don't like to wait around on colonies when I find them and the only reason I have to is due to money. That's why there's a cat problem, I guess. I need to find some money to use for fixing more cats.

I have an idea for a cat toy I think the cats would love. Here it is: I would take a length of PVC, maybe four inch diameter and cut an inch wide hole along its length, leaving maybe a couple inches intact on each end.

The length of the PVC pipe I would use would be approximately 12 feet. That's just an estimate, because its dependent on where I would put it. I would want it slanted rather severely. The cats are going to ride this down.

How? I'd use a ball socket inside the pipe, made maybe of a smooth material, maybe wood, if I could make a round ball of wood. I can probably find something in a junk store that would work.

A piece of something, wood or pipe, would extend out from the ball inside the PVC. To that, I would attach a platform, with edges. This is what the cats would ride down on.

On at the top of the slanted "ride down" PVC, I would attach a vertical piece of PVC. A piece of cable rope would attach to the ball inside the ride down slanted piece of PVC, go through an eye hook at the top. The other end of the cable rope would be attached to an eye hook attached to a piece of smaller diameter PVC, that would fit inside the larger vertical piece of PVC. I would screw in a bottom on that smaller diameter inside piece. I would add a proper amount of sand or other heavy material and it would be used as a counter weight, to not only slow the slide down but to pull the platform back up after the cat rides the platform down.

The larger vertical piece of PVC would double as a cat climb. I would glue carpet around it.

Now what do you think of that idea? Would it work? How much counter weight would I need? Enough to keep the platform in the top position, for sure, when no cat was on it. Most of my cats weigh between five and 8 pounds. I suppose it depends on the slant and distance of the ride down piece? The travel length of the counter weight and ride platform will have to be the same. So, I need to make the size of the counter weight itself small (intensely dense mass, like lead maybe?), to not take up too much of the distance inside the vertical PVC. I'll have to experiment.

I had also thought of attaching the slant down inside piece to a strong spring, but that seems hard to calibrate and to brake, when the cat gets off at the bottom, and the platform zooms back up. I don't want a cat getting knocked in the teeth if isn't property braked and whips up too fast.

The third idea I had was to somehow make it a teeter totter type ride. Cat gets off at bottom. Platform with that end of the PVC then slowly swings up, to be ridden down from it's new position.

I plan on making a separate teeter tooter type toy also, rigged on bungees. It's fun to try to think up new ways to entertain the cats and me, too.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Home Depot Blues

I used to like going to Home Depot. But lately, I've been having trouble every time I go there. First, it was the dryer fiasco. I'd called them up when it broke down. It was only a little over a year old and they said to come in and talk to some guy who knew everything there was to know about dryers.

But when I asked for him there, he wasn't on that day. And instead, I got some guy who told me the dryer broke because I'd bought a cheap piece of crap and that's what I should expect and I needed to buy an $800 dryer. I said "But you're the one who sold me (actually my brother) that cheap piece of crap. Are you saying you don't care about your customers so you carry cheap crap that breaks down in a year?" He was very loud about it being such a cheap crap dryer and I gave up and left.

I hadn't ever intended to go back to Home Depot again. It's a store that could have the motto "The customer is always wrong!" lately. Didn't used to be so. But they have downgraded their customer service level drastically it seems.

I got paint there once. It was a woman at the desk of the paint department and boy did she go out of her way to help customers. I wish she was still there.

To avoid the Albany store employees, after the dryer incident, when I decided to paint my living room, I went to the Corvallis Home Depot. I'd found a color on Behr online, Cherry, and wanted to see the swatch. I had the number even. But the employee could not find the swatch and kept telling me the only way I could see it was if he mixed up a quart then painted a board. I could not figure that out. He said he'd do it, although it would cost the store money.

At that point, I went to the swatch display myself and easily found the color. He had said it was not in the swatch display. I showed it to him. He did not seem impressed. And I finally settled on a different color. I was very nervous at that point that he would not know how to mix it, if he could not do something as simple as locate a swatch.

I wanted a complimentary color but didn't want to get it with this guy at the helm of the paint department. Today I went to the Albany store, hoping that woman would be manning the paint department. Alas, it was a guy. And, it was the dryer guy no less. Inside I was wanting to scream, "Remember that piece of crap dryer you folks sold me that broke in a year and you said that's what I get for buying a cheap piece of crap? Remember that? I fixed the damn thing myself!" I felt like yelling that at the top of my lungs. I didn't.

I waited and waited as he helped other customers. When it was my turn, I gave him the paint color and number and told him I wanted the $16 interior enamel. I didn't know the sheen. It was Flat but I didn't remember to tell him that, just that it was $16 for a gallon. He was leaving his shift then, and gave me to another guy employee, who finally went to get the base. Then he went to help another customer. Finally, he said "We don't have that base. Sorry."

I'd been there about 40 minutes at this point and I wasn't happy. I"d spent a couple hours online choosing the right color and now they don't have it and I have to wait over half hour to find that out. But then he comes over with another swatch card. It's bright blue. He says, "Um, I'll be willing to upgrade you though, no extra charge," and he taps a bright blue color.

Inside, I was incredulous. I was shocked, angry but I also wanted to giggle uncontrollably. They're out of the Evergreen Bough, which is a deep gray green, but he'll upgrade me to a neon bright blue! No extra charge! And it'll have to be on different type of base.

I tried to leave but ran into former dryer man now paint man. I told him since he was right in my path, I was pissed to have to wait so long to find out they didn't have the color.

I really was pissed about the dryer incident. In the background, a female clerk was rolling her eyes while filing her nails. You could not ask for a more classic "clerk" scene. Of course, since the customer is always wrong, paint man said it took so long because I didn't know what sheen I wanted by name. I should have known. My fault.

I love going there in a way. I love taking abuse. I like practising trying to stand up for myself, although I failed miserably tonight. It was the shock factor I think, of the upgrade offered. From deep gray green, to bright neon blue. Threw me off my game plan. They are good with their curve balls. Boy.

I stalked out, talking to myself, cursing Home Depot's policy of blaming the customer for all ills, saying little revenge things like, "I hope the economy gets them." And, "If they go under, I'm having a party!"

I know dryer man. He wanted me once to clean up the street he lived on, of stray cats. He wanted me to take them and dump them somewhere. Instead I got them all fixed. Or most of them. I don't know if he remembers me from where he worked before, where he was never rude at all, and where he asked a favor of me, and I did it.

I can't wait until the Lowe's in Albany is built and opens. Until then, I'll sit in the parking lot and keep a watch with my binocs to see who is manning the paint desk. If it's the woman, I'll get my paint. If it's the guys, I won't.

You know who belongs manning a paint department? Women or gay guys! Testosterone doesn't go well with helping someone choose color and sheen. I'm sorry if that sounds very stereotypical. I think it's true. I think from now on I'll just have to ask, if its a guy at the paint desk counter, if they're gay. Because if they aren't gay, I'm leaving!

Home Depot Blues

I used to like going to Home Depot. But lately, I've been having trouble every time I go there. First, it was the dryer fiasco. I'd called them up when it broke down. It was only a little over a year old and they said to come in and talk to some guy who knew everything there was to know about dryers.

But when I asked for him there, he wasn't on that day. And instead, I got some guy who told me the dryer broke because I'd bought a cheap piece of crap and that's what I should expect and I needed to buy an $800 dryer. I said "But you're the one who sold me (actually my brother) that cheap piece of crap. Are you saying you don't care about your customers so you carry cheap crap that breaks down in a year?" He was very loud about it being such a cheap crap dryer and I gave up and left.

I hadn't ever intended to go back to Home Depot again. It's a store that could have the motto "The customer is always wrong!" lately. Didn't used to be so. But they have downgraded their customer service level drastically it seems.

I got paint there once. It was a woman at the desk of the paint department and boy did she go out of her way to help customers. I wish she was still there.

To avoid the Albany store employees, after the dryer incident, when I decided to paint my living room, I went to the Corvallis Home Depot. I'd found a color on Behr online, Cherry, and wanted to see the swatch. I had the number even. But the employee could not find the swatch and kept telling me the only way I could see it was if he mixed up a quart then painted a board. I could not figure that out. He said he'd do it, although it would cost the store money.

At that point, I went to the swatch display myself and easily found the color. He had said it was not in the swatch display. I showed it to him. He did not seem impressed. And I finally settled on a different color. I was very nervous at that point that he would not know how to mix it, if he could not do something as simple as locate a swatch.

I wanted a complimentary color but didn't want to get it with this guy at the helm of the paint department. Today I went to the Albany store, hoping that woman would be manning the paint department. Alas, it was a guy. And, it was the dryer guy no less. Inside I was wanting to scream, "Remember that piece of crap dryer you folks sold me that broke in a year and you said that's what I get for buying a cheap piece of crap? Remember that? I fixed the damn thing myself!" I felt like yelling that at the top of my lungs. I didn't.

I waited and waited as he helped other customers. When it was my turn, I gave him the paint color and number and told him I wanted the $16 interior enamel. I didn't know the sheen. It was Flat but I didn't remember to tell him that, just that it was $16 for a gallon. He was leaving his shift then, and gave me to another guy employee, who finally went to get the base. Then he went to help another customer. Finally, he said "We don't have that base. Sorry."

I'd been there about 40 minutes at this point and I wasn't happy. I"d spent a couple hours online choosing the right color and now they don't have it and I have to wait over half hour to find that out. But then he comes over with another swatch card. It's bright blue. He says, "Um, I'll be willing to upgrade you though, no extra charge," and he taps a bright blue color.

Inside, I was incredulous. I was shocked, angry but I also wanted to giggle uncontrollably. They're out of the Evergreen Bough, which is a deep gray green, but he'll upgrade me to a neon bright blue! No extra charge! And it'll have to be on different type of base.

I tried to leave but ran into former dryer man now paint man. I told him since he was right in my path, I was pissed to have to wait so long to find out they didn't have the color.

I really was pissed about the dryer incident. In the background, a female clerk was rolling her eyes while filing her nails. You could not ask for a more classic "clerk" scene. Of course, since the customer is always wrong, paint man said it took so long because I didn't know what sheen I wanted by name. I should have known. My fault.

I love going there in a way. I love taking abuse. I like practising trying to stand up for myself, although I failed miserably tonight. It was the shock factor I think, of the upgrade offered. From deep gray green, to bright neon blue. Threw me off my game plan. They are good with their curve balls. Boy.

I stalked out, talking to myself, cursing Home Depot's policy of blaming the customer for all ills, saying little revenge things like, "I hope the economy gets them." And, "If they go under, I'm having a party!"

I know dryer man. He wanted me once to clean up the street he lived on, of stray cats. He wanted me to take them and dump them somewhere. Instead I got them all fixed. Or most of them. I don't know if he remembers me from where he worked before, where he was never rude at all, and where he asked a favor of me, and I did it.

I can't wait until the Lowe's in Albany is built and opens. Until then, I'll sit in the parking lot and keep a watch with my binocs to see who is manning the paint desk. If it's the woman, I'll get my paint. If it's the guys, I won't.

You know who belongs manning a paint department? Women or gay guys! Testosterone doesn't go well with helping someone choose color and sheen. I'm sorry if that sounds very stereotypical. I think it's true. I think from now on I'll just have to ask, if its a guy at the paint desk counter, if they're gay. Because if they aren't gay, I'm leaving!

Calls for Help Increasing Again

I got a call from a desperate Jefferson woman, feeding strays originally fed by a neighbor up the street, who also has a bunch of dogs, who now come try to eat anything they can find on her porch too. She's been laid off now and was crying. She doesn't want the cats killed or to starve. She said she'd try to donate what she could and I said to forget about that, since she's suffering so, to help these cats out, and even the neighbors' dogs.

I'm getting the cats in right away if I can. I know Poppa's funds are low but I am doing all I can to try to find ways to make fixing money. Even tiny donations from caregivers are very helpful too. Those Scio folks with 20 cats are donating $15 per cat which is pretty good, given they have so many.

So I've got those 20 being taken to the vet by their caretakers, three more today I think, five scheduled for Monday. But I want to get on top of this Jefferson situation immediately too, since the woman is so depressed and desperate over it, mainly to reassure her that I won't forget.

Then there's the Columbus situation Catman Roger asked for help with, 8 or so, some pregnant and a new Siamese showed at his place.

Then a woman called who lives near I5, just south of Highway 20 on the Albany side of the freeway, near 13th street, in that relatively newly developed area, who said there are cats all over the place there, but she thinks a lot of them might be owned. She is angry with negligant cat owners in the area. She said a stray female and an owned male were doing it atop the neighbors pitched roof a couple nights ago. I said "that would have made an interesting video." She agreed.

I suggested she go door to door, get lists of owned cats in the area, urge cat owners allowing unfixed cats to free roam, to get them fixed, identify known strays and I told her I'd help get those strays fixed immediately. So she thought that was a good plan of action and will call me back.

When cats start fighting, spray marking, and yowling when in heat, the calls start to come. That's fine. I also call this time of year "roadkill male" season, because unfixed male cats cross roads blindly, in pursuit of love and are often killed.

Calls for Help Increasing Again

I got a call from a desperate Jefferson woman, feeding strays originally fed by a neighbor up the street, who also has a bunch of dogs, who now come try to eat anything they can find on her porch too. She's been laid off now and was crying. She doesn't want the cats killed or to starve. She said she'd try to donate what she could and I said to forget about that, since she's suffering so, to help these cats out, and even the neighbors' dogs.

I'm getting the cats in right away if I can. I know Poppa's funds are low but I am doing all I can to try to find ways to make fixing money. Even tiny donations from caregivers are very helpful too. Those Scio folks with 20 cats are donating $15 per cat which is pretty good, given they have so many.

So I've got those 20 being taken to the vet by their caretakers, three more today I think, five scheduled for Monday. But I want to get on top of this Jefferson situation immediately too, since the woman is so depressed and desperate over it, mainly to reassure her that I won't forget.

Then there's the Columbus situation Catman Roger asked for help with, 8 or so, some pregnant and a new Siamese showed at his place.

Then a woman called who lives near I5, just south of Highway 20 on the Albany side of the freeway, near 13th street, in that relatively newly developed area, who said there are cats all over the place there, but she thinks a lot of them might be owned. She is angry with negligant cat owners in the area. She said a stray female and an owned male were doing it atop the neighbors pitched roof a couple nights ago. I said "that would have made an interesting video." She agreed.

I suggested she go door to door, get lists of owned cats in the area, urge cat owners allowing unfixed cats to free roam, to get them fixed, identify known strays and I told her I'd help get those strays fixed immediately. So she thought that was a good plan of action and will call me back.

When cats start fighting, spray marking, and yowling when in heat, the calls start to come. That's fine. I also call this time of year "roadkill male" season, because unfixed male cats cross roads blindly, in pursuit of love and are often killed.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Success!

I found the product code. I even found the CD. It was, of course, the fault of the cats. Who else? They'd hidden it. I'd tried product codes from every CD I could find and nothing worked. Then, suddenly, I come of the exclusion room to find Mops pulling something out from under the dresser. He'd hooked a claw into the paper edge. What was it? The missing CD with product code. The cats! It had become their toy. My product code CD!

Then, I could not get the computer online. It was a comcast thing. I briefly considered calling them. They were demanding a password, long lost. I was about to throw up my hands, call it quits, and live without online access too, as I am now living without all but four of the TV channels I used to love. Who needs it, I thought, and I really don't.

I love being able to post videos of the cats, maintain a blog, keep up my petfinder site and check e-mail. But..actually, those are the only things I do online anymore. I'm not a websurfer. Sure, sometimes I spend time blog hopping. And I do like to read the blogs of other people, see how other people think, what they worry about, what they do in their daily lives.

See I do love people. I may not sound like it sometimes. But I love the idiosyncracies of people. I marvel at how some survive horrible beginnings, traumatic events, extreme poverty, even extreme wealth. Sometimes, when I'm sitting at a stoplight, staring across at other people on the other side, or watching people go through the intersection, I wonder about them. What prompted them to be in that particular vehicle, where they might be going, who they might be meeting or going home to.

The world of people is so interesting! Oh, I get fed up with people I deal with, nonetheless most are fasinating. So glimpses into people's lives and minds, as expressed in personal blogs, to me is addictive.

But, other than those things, I do not use the internet really at all. I've lived without it up until about three years ago and did not even know how to use a computer until about six years ago when someone took me to the library in Corvallis and showed me a new world and how to access it, in about ten minutes. I was instantly enthralled. You can only use a PC at the Corvallis library, however, for 15 minutes at a time. I then lusted after a PC of my own. I got one in parts, found in alleys and at thrift stores, and with a lot of frustration, finally got it to work. I signed up with the cheapest dial up I could find and I was accessed!

However, where I then lived, the phone lines routinely shrunk or expanded according to how wet the weather was. During the winter, I couldn't even open an e-mail the connection was sooooo slow. I would use the library computers then, or hook up with somebody with a fast connection. My older brother gave me broadband when I moved to Albany and another new world opened up to me.

I often was without a connection for weeks or months and I survived just fine. In fact, I had more free time and was more productive. Same with TV. I had antenna connection most of my life, and could barely see any shows on TV, through the snow, unless I was at somebody's house with a decent connection or cable. In the circles I was in, nobody had cable and even the word was spoken with a bit of awe "You have cable?" (eyes wide and skeptical). Nobody I knew could afford cable.

Then I moved into a building where your rent included basic cable and I began watching shows I never knew existed. When I moved again, however, gone was the cable again. I didn't miss it much.

My older brother used to tell me about Animal Planet and Steve Irwin. I wanted to see what he was all about. I never did, however, before he died, although I would see clips here and there, on the regular news stations.

So my brother tells me I was never supposed to be getting most of the channels I'd been getting up until yesterday. With the digital changeover by comcast, they must have figured out that whomever hooked things up here did something wrong. I never really knew, because my brother gave it to me as a birthday gift two years back. He got all the correspondance and I just never really knew what he'd ordered. So that's why I suddenly have just the three regular networks now, OPB and FOX. That's fine. He does not have time to even talk to comcast and says he can't cancel the limited basic because then the internet either has to be cancelled or goes up in price. So whatever. No problem.

I am having a birthday in a couple of days here once again. I'm not hinting, I just remembered.

So anyhow, I am back to using the newer computer. Yaywho!

Yesterday, five cats got fixed. An albany calico. A Lacomb calico and three cats also from Lacomb who I didn't see, because their owners dropped them off and picked them up. But two were females and one of them was pregnant and one was in heat. Tomorrow, they are taking up three more. They have about 20.

I got a call from catman Roger, too, who has had another feral Siamese show at his place and has neighbors who feed about 8 ferals, one of them pregnant. Got to get those in, too.

Success!

I found the product code. I even found the CD. It was, of course, the fault of the cats. Who else? They'd hidden it. I'd tried product codes from every CD I could find and nothing worked. Then, suddenly, I come of the exclusion room to find Mops pulling something out from under the dresser. He'd hooked a claw into the paper edge. What was it? The missing CD with product code. The cats! It had become their toy. My product code CD!

Then, I could not get the computer online. It was a comcast thing. I briefly considered calling them. They were demanding a password, long lost. I was about to throw up my hands, call it quits, and live without online access too, as I am now living without all but four of the TV channels I used to love. Who needs it, I thought, and I really don't.

I love being able to post videos of the cats, maintain a blog, keep up my petfinder site and check e-mail. But..actually, those are the only things I do online anymore. I'm not a websurfer. Sure, sometimes I spend time blog hopping. And I do like to read the blogs of other people, see how other people think, what they worry about, what they do in their daily lives.

See I do love people. I may not sound like it sometimes. But I love the idiosyncracies of people. I marvel at how some survive horrible beginnings, traumatic events, extreme poverty, even extreme wealth. Sometimes, when I'm sitting at a stoplight, staring across at other people on the other side, or watching people go through the intersection, I wonder about them. What prompted them to be in that particular vehicle, where they might be going, who they might be meeting or going home to.

The world of people is so interesting! Oh, I get fed up with people I deal with, nonetheless most are fasinating. So glimpses into people's lives and minds, as expressed in personal blogs, to me is addictive.

But, other than those things, I do not use the internet really at all. I've lived without it up until about three years ago and did not even know how to use a computer until about six years ago when someone took me to the library in Corvallis and showed me a new world and how to access it, in about ten minutes. I was instantly enthralled. You can only use a PC at the Corvallis library, however, for 15 minutes at a time. I then lusted after a PC of my own. I got one in parts, found in alleys and at thrift stores, and with a lot of frustration, finally got it to work. I signed up with the cheapest dial up I could find and I was accessed!

However, where I then lived, the phone lines routinely shrunk or expanded according to how wet the weather was. During the winter, I couldn't even open an e-mail the connection was sooooo slow. I would use the library computers then, or hook up with somebody with a fast connection. My older brother gave me broadband when I moved to Albany and another new world opened up to me.

I often was without a connection for weeks or months and I survived just fine. In fact, I had more free time and was more productive. Same with TV. I had antenna connection most of my life, and could barely see any shows on TV, through the snow, unless I was at somebody's house with a decent connection or cable. In the circles I was in, nobody had cable and even the word was spoken with a bit of awe "You have cable?" (eyes wide and skeptical). Nobody I knew could afford cable.

Then I moved into a building where your rent included basic cable and I began watching shows I never knew existed. When I moved again, however, gone was the cable again. I didn't miss it much.

My older brother used to tell me about Animal Planet and Steve Irwin. I wanted to see what he was all about. I never did, however, before he died, although I would see clips here and there, on the regular news stations.

So my brother tells me I was never supposed to be getting most of the channels I'd been getting up until yesterday. With the digital changeover by comcast, they must have figured out that whomever hooked things up here did something wrong. I never really knew, because my brother gave it to me as a birthday gift two years back. He got all the correspondance and I just never really knew what he'd ordered. So that's why I suddenly have just the three regular networks now, OPB and FOX. That's fine. He does not have time to even talk to comcast and says he can't cancel the limited basic because then the internet either has to be cancelled or goes up in price. So whatever. No problem.

I am having a birthday in a couple of days here once again. I'm not hinting, I just remembered.

So anyhow, I am back to using the newer computer. Yaywho!

Yesterday, five cats got fixed. An albany calico. A Lacomb calico and three cats also from Lacomb who I didn't see, because their owners dropped them off and picked them up. But two were females and one of them was pregnant and one was in heat. Tomorrow, they are taking up three more. They have about 20.

I got a call from catman Roger, too, who has had another feral Siamese show at his place and has neighbors who feed about 8 ferals, one of them pregnant. Got to get those in, too.

Vaccine Protocol for Cats

Vaccine protocol seems confusing at times. I've always given two modified live virus three-way vaccines to kittens, giving the second between three and four weeks after the first. I do not use four-ways, which include protection against chlamydia because several vets have recommended against it, citing reaction to the vaccine by many cats and the short lived nature of any protection offered.

I was unsure, however, if adult cats need boosters if given a three-way, which provides protection against distemper (panoleukemia), herpes and calici. All three viruses are extremely common and very dangerous to cats especially those living in a shelter environment. Distemper can be brought into one's house on shoes or clothes and is long lived in the environment. I am fastidious about vaccinating any cat coming into my house immediately, against distemper. So far, I have not had a distemper outbreak among cats in my little shelter. (cross my fingers).

I believe it is a duty to vaccinate against rabies. I know there are people who do not believe in vaccination, but rabies has been controlled in this country largely because of vaccination. There have been several recent incidences in the Corvallis area of cats and dogs catching rabid bats, on the ground. The dog, who had not been vaccinated, had to be euthanized as a result. Many horrendous diseases worldwide have been nearly eliminated through vaccination. While someone may not believe in vaccinations, sometimes one must put their own beliefs aside for the greater good.

Over vaccinating, however, is a different story. So getting down the protocol is important and it can be confusing, because I have been told different things by different vets. The risk of injection site sarcoma due to vaccination in cats is strong and supports limiting vaccinations to the latest protocol available. For now, I believe it is the protocol below, but I have heard rumorings of more recent research making fewer vaccinations the protocol. I have put out some requests for information on the latest protocol and when available, I will post it.




Feline Vaccination Guidelines

In general, guidelines for vaccination of cats have been strongly influenced by the appearance of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats, and in particular their epidemiologic association with feline leukemia virus vaccines and killed rabies virus vaccines. Thus, there is clear evidence for minimizing frequency of vaccination in cats. The recommendations below have been made in light of the AVMA/AAHA/AAFP/VCS task force recommendations on vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. Risk factors for sarcomas should be discussed with cat owners at the time of examination. If a cat develops a palpable granuloma at the site of previous vaccination, the benefits vs risks of future vaccinations should be carefully considered. All vaccine-associated sarcomas should be reported to the vaccine manufacturer, the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics, and the AVMA.

Feline Core Vaccines

The definitions of core and non-core vaccines described in the canine vaccination guidelines above also apply to the feline vaccines. The core feline vaccines are those for feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and rabies.

Feline Herpesvirus 1, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccines

For initial kitten vaccination (< 16 weeks), one dose of parenteral vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) FHV1, FCV, and FPV is recommended every 3-4 weeks from 6-8 weeks of age, with the final booster being given no sooner than 16 weeks of age. For cats older than 16 weeks of age, two doses of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) FHV1, FCV, and FPV given 3-4 weeks apart are recommended. After a booster at one year, revaccination is suggested every 3 years thereafter for cats at low risk of exposure. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, these vaccines are administered over the right shoulder. Note that recommendations for killed and intranasal FHV1 and FCV vaccines are different from the above. Killed and intranasal varieties of these vaccines are not routinely used at the VMTH. The use of FPV MLV vaccines should be avoided in pregnant queens and kittens less than one month of age.

Feline Rabies Virus Vaccines

Cats are important in the epidemiology of rabies in the US. In general we recommend that kittens receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine at 12-16 weeks of age. Adult cats with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine. For the recombinant vaccines, boosters are recommended at yearly intervals. We currently stock and suggest the use of the recombinant rabies vaccine, although there is no evidence as yet that it is associated with a decreased risk of sarcoma formation. For the killed rabies vaccines, a booster is required at one year, and thereafter, rabies vaccination should be performed every 3 years using a vaccine approved for 3-year administration. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, rabies vaccines are administered subcutaneously as distally as possible in the right rear limb.

Feline Non-Core Vaccines

Optional or non-core vaccines for cats consist of the vaccines for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus, virulent FCV, Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine

A number of FeLV vaccines are available on the market, and many have reasonable efficacy, although they do not produce sterilizing immunity. We suggest vaccination of FeLV-negative cats allowed to go outdoors or cats having direct contact with other cats of unknown FeLV status. Vaccination is most likely to be useful in kittens and young adult cats, because acquired resistance to infection develops beyond 16 weeks of age. As of 2006, the AAFP recommends primary vaccination of all kittens for FeLV, but the decision to administer booster vaccines is based on risk assessment. Vaccination is not recommended for FeLV-positive cats and indoor cats with no likelihood of exposure to FeLV. We currently stock and suggest the use of the recombinant transdermal FeLV vaccine, although there is no evidence as yet that it is associated with a decreased risk of sarcoma formation. Initially, two doses of vaccine are given at 2-4 week intervals, after which annual boosters are recommended depending on risk. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, parenteral FeLV vaccines are administered subcutaneously as distally as possible in the left rear limb.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine

The FIV vaccine is an inactivated, adjuvented dual subtype vaccine that was released in July 2002. Unfortunately, vaccination of FIV-negative cats renders currently available serologic tests (ELISA and Western blot) positive for at least a year following vaccination, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests do not reliably identify cats with natural infection. These PCR tests have yet to be standardized, and quality control may be problematic. Previous vaccination does not prevent infection, and the significance of a positive test result in a vaccinated cat cannot be assessed. Questions remain regarding the vaccine's ability to protect against all of the FIV subtypes and strains to which cats might be exposed. Therefore, the decision regarding whether to use this vaccine is not straightforward, and the risks and benefits of the use of this vaccine should be carefully discussed with owners prior to using the vaccine in cats at risk of exposure. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine, and its routine use in indoor cats is not recommended.

Feline Chlamydophila felis Vaccine

Chlamydophila felis causes conjunctivitis in cats that generally responds readily to antimicrobial treatment. Immunity induced by vaccination is probably of short duration and the vaccine provides only incomplete protection. The use of this vaccine could be considered for cats entering a population of cats where infection is known to be endemic. However, the vaccine has been associated with adverse reactions in 3% of vaccinated cats, and we do not recommend routine vaccination of low-risk cats with this vaccine. The Chlamydophila felis vaccine is therefore not stocked by the VMTH pharmacy.

Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccine

This is a modified live intranasal vaccine. Bordetella bronchiseptica is primarily a problem of very young kittens, where it can cause severe lower respiratory tract disease. It appears to be uncommon in adult cats and pet cats in general. For these reasons, the UC Davis VMTH does not recommend routine vaccination of pet cats for Bordetella bronchiseptica. The vaccine could be considered for young cats at high risk of exposure in large, multiple cat environments. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine.

Other Feline Vaccines

Feline Infectious Peritonitis Vaccine

The FIP vaccine is an intranasal modified live virus product. The efficacy of this vaccine is controversial, and duration of immunity may be short, although the vaccine appears to be safe. Although exposure to feline coronaviruses in cat populations is high, the incidence of FIP is very low, especially in single-cat households (where it is 1 in 5000). Most cats in cattery situations where FIP is a problem become infected with coronaviruses prior to 16 weeks of age, which is the age at which vaccination is first recommended. Vaccination could be considered for seronegative cats entering a cattery where FIP is common. We do not routinely recommend vaccinating household cats with the FIP vaccine, and the vaccine is not stocked by our pharmacy.

Feline Giardia Vaccine

A killed Giardia vaccine has been marketed for use in cats. This vaccine has the same limitations as those listed above for canine giardiasis, and has the additional potential to induce vaccine-associated sarcomas. We currently do not recommend routine use of this vaccine in pet cats. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine.

Vaccine Protocol for Cats

Vaccine protocol seems confusing at times. I've always given two modified live virus three-way vaccines to kittens, giving the second between three and four weeks after the first. I do not use four-ways, which include protection against chlamydia because several vets have recommended against it, citing reaction to the vaccine by many cats and the short lived nature of any protection offered.

I was unsure, however, if adult cats need boosters if given a three-way, which provides protection against distemper (panoleukemia), herpes and calici. All three viruses are extremely common and very dangerous to cats especially those living in a shelter environment. Distemper can be brought into one's house on shoes or clothes and is long lived in the environment. I am fastidious about vaccinating any cat coming into my house immediately, against distemper. So far, I have not had a distemper outbreak among cats in my little shelter. (cross my fingers).

I believe it is a duty to vaccinate against rabies. I know there are people who do not believe in vaccination, but rabies has been controlled in this country largely because of vaccination. There have been several recent incidences in the Corvallis area of cats and dogs catching rabid bats, on the ground. The dog, who had not been vaccinated, had to be euthanized as a result. Many horrendous diseases worldwide have been nearly eliminated through vaccination. While someone may not believe in vaccinations, sometimes one must put their own beliefs aside for the greater good.

Over vaccinating, however, is a different story. So getting down the protocol is important and it can be confusing, because I have been told different things by different vets. The risk of injection site sarcoma due to vaccination in cats is strong and supports limiting vaccinations to the latest protocol available. For now, I believe it is the protocol below, but I have heard rumorings of more recent research making fewer vaccinations the protocol. I have put out some requests for information on the latest protocol and when available, I will post it.




Feline Vaccination Guidelines

In general, guidelines for vaccination of cats have been strongly influenced by the appearance of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats, and in particular their epidemiologic association with feline leukemia virus vaccines and killed rabies virus vaccines. Thus, there is clear evidence for minimizing frequency of vaccination in cats. The recommendations below have been made in light of the AVMA/AAHA/AAFP/VCS task force recommendations on vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. Risk factors for sarcomas should be discussed with cat owners at the time of examination. If a cat develops a palpable granuloma at the site of previous vaccination, the benefits vs risks of future vaccinations should be carefully considered. All vaccine-associated sarcomas should be reported to the vaccine manufacturer, the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics, and the AVMA.

Feline Core Vaccines

The definitions of core and non-core vaccines described in the canine vaccination guidelines above also apply to the feline vaccines. The core feline vaccines are those for feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and rabies.

Feline Herpesvirus 1, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccines

For initial kitten vaccination (< 16 weeks), one dose of parenteral vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) FHV1, FCV, and FPV is recommended every 3-4 weeks from 6-8 weeks of age, with the final booster being given no sooner than 16 weeks of age. For cats older than 16 weeks of age, two doses of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) FHV1, FCV, and FPV given 3-4 weeks apart are recommended. After a booster at one year, revaccination is suggested every 3 years thereafter for cats at low risk of exposure. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, these vaccines are administered over the right shoulder. Note that recommendations for killed and intranasal FHV1 and FCV vaccines are different from the above. Killed and intranasal varieties of these vaccines are not routinely used at the VMTH. The use of FPV MLV vaccines should be avoided in pregnant queens and kittens less than one month of age.

Feline Rabies Virus Vaccines

Cats are important in the epidemiology of rabies in the US. In general we recommend that kittens receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine at 12-16 weeks of age. Adult cats with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed or recombinant rabies vaccine. For the recombinant vaccines, boosters are recommended at yearly intervals. We currently stock and suggest the use of the recombinant rabies vaccine, although there is no evidence as yet that it is associated with a decreased risk of sarcoma formation. For the killed rabies vaccines, a booster is required at one year, and thereafter, rabies vaccination should be performed every 3 years using a vaccine approved for 3-year administration. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, rabies vaccines are administered subcutaneously as distally as possible in the right rear limb.

Feline Non-Core Vaccines

Optional or non-core vaccines for cats consist of the vaccines for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus, virulent FCV, Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine

A number of FeLV vaccines are available on the market, and many have reasonable efficacy, although they do not produce sterilizing immunity. We suggest vaccination of FeLV-negative cats allowed to go outdoors or cats having direct contact with other cats of unknown FeLV status. Vaccination is most likely to be useful in kittens and young adult cats, because acquired resistance to infection develops beyond 16 weeks of age. As of 2006, the AAFP recommends primary vaccination of all kittens for FeLV, but the decision to administer booster vaccines is based on risk assessment. Vaccination is not recommended for FeLV-positive cats and indoor cats with no likelihood of exposure to FeLV. We currently stock and suggest the use of the recombinant transdermal FeLV vaccine, although there is no evidence as yet that it is associated with a decreased risk of sarcoma formation. Initially, two doses of vaccine are given at 2-4 week intervals, after which annual boosters are recommended depending on risk. According to recommendations of the vaccine-associated sarcoma task force, parenteral FeLV vaccines are administered subcutaneously as distally as possible in the left rear limb.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine

The FIV vaccine is an inactivated, adjuvented dual subtype vaccine that was released in July 2002. Unfortunately, vaccination of FIV-negative cats renders currently available serologic tests (ELISA and Western blot) positive for at least a year following vaccination, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests do not reliably identify cats with natural infection. These PCR tests have yet to be standardized, and quality control may be problematic. Previous vaccination does not prevent infection, and the significance of a positive test result in a vaccinated cat cannot be assessed. Questions remain regarding the vaccine's ability to protect against all of the FIV subtypes and strains to which cats might be exposed. Therefore, the decision regarding whether to use this vaccine is not straightforward, and the risks and benefits of the use of this vaccine should be carefully discussed with owners prior to using the vaccine in cats at risk of exposure. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine, and its routine use in indoor cats is not recommended.

Feline Chlamydophila felis Vaccine

Chlamydophila felis causes conjunctivitis in cats that generally responds readily to antimicrobial treatment. Immunity induced by vaccination is probably of short duration and the vaccine provides only incomplete protection. The use of this vaccine could be considered for cats entering a population of cats where infection is known to be endemic. However, the vaccine has been associated with adverse reactions in 3% of vaccinated cats, and we do not recommend routine vaccination of low-risk cats with this vaccine. The Chlamydophila felis vaccine is therefore not stocked by the VMTH pharmacy.

Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccine

This is a modified live intranasal vaccine. Bordetella bronchiseptica is primarily a problem of very young kittens, where it can cause severe lower respiratory tract disease. It appears to be uncommon in adult cats and pet cats in general. For these reasons, the UC Davis VMTH does not recommend routine vaccination of pet cats for Bordetella bronchiseptica. The vaccine could be considered for young cats at high risk of exposure in large, multiple cat environments. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine.

Other Feline Vaccines

Feline Infectious Peritonitis Vaccine

The FIP vaccine is an intranasal modified live virus product. The efficacy of this vaccine is controversial, and duration of immunity may be short, although the vaccine appears to be safe. Although exposure to feline coronaviruses in cat populations is high, the incidence of FIP is very low, especially in single-cat households (where it is 1 in 5000). Most cats in cattery situations where FIP is a problem become infected with coronaviruses prior to 16 weeks of age, which is the age at which vaccination is first recommended. Vaccination could be considered for seronegative cats entering a cattery where FIP is common. We do not routinely recommend vaccinating household cats with the FIP vaccine, and the vaccine is not stocked by our pharmacy.

Feline Giardia Vaccine

A killed Giardia vaccine has been marketed for use in cats. This vaccine has the same limitations as those listed above for canine giardiasis, and has the additional potential to induce vaccine-associated sarcomas. We currently do not recommend routine use of this vaccine in pet cats. The UC Davis VMTH pharmacy does not stock this vaccine.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Conversation with Jon

I got a call. I recognized the voice. The guy hung up on me before, after I merely asked "Who is This?" He starts out "Hi! Is the lady of the house home?" At that point, in the first call a few days ago, I responded "Who is this?" which prompted a hang up.

I did a look up on the number. It's a nonprofit "Kids First" or something like that that promotes Family Films, as opposed to non family films, that have nudity, violence and swearing.

Tonight, the phone rang again. "Hi! Is the lady of the house home?" I responded "You're those movie Kids First people who called before and hung up on me." He introduced himself as "Jon" and started in about a movie, about some rabbit. I interrupted and asked "Are you a computer generated voice?" Because Jon's spiel sounded like a computer. "Oh, do I sound like that? No, I"m not a computer, although a supervisor is standing by." I said "Jon, you could have fooled me." And on Jon went about the movie. I interrupted again, and said "Seriously Jon, you sound a bit like a computer." "Oh, do I sound like that? No, I'm not, but a supervisor is standing by." I said, "Jon, you said that before, in exactly the same tone. You're a computer, Jon."

I said, "Seriously, I bet you've heard of Hal, you being a computer and all. Do you know what happened with Hal? Read up on, it Jon."

At this point, a woman picks up and starts in. "Jon, transferred the call to me." I said "You mean Jon the computer? Why are you pretending Jon is living being? He's a computer generated voice trying to voice recognize words and respond, but he's not that good at it."

"Well, technically, yes. We're promoting a family oriented movie about a rabbit." At this point, I start giggling very loudly and I apologize, saying "I'm sorry, but this is a little bizarre, this whole thing, you promoting family films about some rabbit with a computer voice you're pretending is a real human. Are you offering me a free ticket to this movie?"

"No, of course not. We just want you to see it."

"Why? BEcause I like cats?"

"How would cats relate to a family oriented family movie?"

"I don't know. You're the ones who called me! Cats and rabbits are both animal species, unlike you know who=====Jon."

I continued, "Well, um, I'd just like to suggest that I think it'd be very family value oriented to use real humans in your calls."

"Ok then, thank you. I'll tell my boss."

"Is your boss a computer?" I try to ask. But she's hanging up. Or Jon is.

I wanted to say, "Is Jon your boss? Do you need help getting out of there right now? Are you enslaved by Jon? Are you safe? Pull his plug, lady, but you'll have to be smart about it or..." I thought better of such a response. I'm just not qualified to advise on how to escape a computer. They're so dangerous! I mean how would you?

Conversation with Jon

I got a call. I recognized the voice. The guy hung up on me before, after I merely asked "Who is This?" He starts out "Hi! Is the lady of the house home?" At that point, in the first call a few days ago, I responded "Who is this?" which prompted a hang up.

I did a look up on the number. It's a nonprofit "Kids First" or something like that that promotes Family Films, as opposed to non family films, that have nudity, violence and swearing.

Tonight, the phone rang again. "Hi! Is the lady of the house home?" I responded "You're those movie Kids First people who called before and hung up on me." He introduced himself as "Jon" and started in about a movie, about some rabbit. I interrupted and asked "Are you a computer generated voice?" Because Jon's spiel sounded like a computer. "Oh, do I sound like that? No, I"m not a computer, although a supervisor is standing by." I said "Jon, you could have fooled me." And on Jon went about the movie. I interrupted again, and said "Seriously Jon, you sound a bit like a computer." "Oh, do I sound like that? No, I'm not, but a supervisor is standing by." I said, "Jon, you said that before, in exactly the same tone. You're a computer, Jon."

I said, "Seriously, I bet you've heard of Hal, you being a computer and all. Do you know what happened with Hal? Read up on, it Jon."

At this point, a woman picks up and starts in. "Jon, transferred the call to me." I said "You mean Jon the computer? Why are you pretending Jon is living being? He's a computer generated voice trying to voice recognize words and respond, but he's not that good at it."

"Well, technically, yes. We're promoting a family oriented movie about a rabbit." At this point, I start giggling very loudly and I apologize, saying "I'm sorry, but this is a little bizarre, this whole thing, you promoting family films about some rabbit with a computer voice you're pretending is a real human. Are you offering me a free ticket to this movie?"

"No, of course not. We just want you to see it."

"Why? BEcause I like cats?"

"How would cats relate to a family oriented family movie?"

"I don't know. You're the ones who called me! Cats and rabbits are both animal species, unlike you know who=====Jon."

I continued, "Well, um, I'd just like to suggest that I think it'd be very family value oriented to use real humans in your calls."

"Ok then, thank you. I'll tell my boss."

"Is your boss a computer?" I try to ask. But she's hanging up. Or Jon is.

I wanted to say, "Is Jon your boss? Do you need help getting out of there right now? Are you enslaved by Jon? Are you safe? Pull his plug, lady, but you'll have to be smart about it or..." I thought better of such a response. I'm just not qualified to advise on how to escape a computer. They're so dangerous! I mean how would you?

The Whole TV Thing

I asked my brother to cancel Comcast TV cable, but he didn't. I don't know what he did. My channel situation went from having quite a few, not sure how many because it was always changing and channels here, then there, and I never really knew what channels they were. But I had a lot of channels up to maybe 31 before, but most were shit, I'll have to say.

There were two ABC channels, two NBC channels, and two CBS channels I got, one each from Eugene and Portland. Then I got Discovery and OPB, and FOX, then four shopping channels, which of course I never watched, two CSPAN channels which I never watched either, two or three Spanish speaking channels which I never watched and two sports channels which I never watched. Then, in the upper numbers, I got a sprinkling, which would mysteriously change occasionally. I have no idea why and I never really knew what those channels were. Except I got four national news stations, including CNN, CNBC, FOX and one other. I got the History channel, the Weather Station, the Food Channel, Spike, Arts and Entertainment, and that might be about it. Oh, TBS.

Suddenly about two weeks ago, the situation changed unexpectedly, and most channels I used to get showed only a screen about "as I've been notified prior, you will no longer get these stations unless you get a converter box". Only thing is, I'd been told and my brother had been told I wouldn't need one. I still however got CNN, CNBC, FOX and one other station in the upper number range.

Now, suddenly today out of the blue, I don't get anything but the major news networks, the three big ones and PBS. Oh, wait. I still get the shit channels---four shopping channels, two Spanish language speaking channels and two CSPAN channels. Like who in the world would want any of those channels?

My brother doesn't really communicate with me. I've e-mailed and tried to call him. I told him I can get the major networks, which is all that is now coming in on Comcast, with a government digital converter box and for now, using a regular antenna since most networks haven't switched.

Why pay comcast for nothing?

The Whole TV Thing

I asked my brother to cancel Comcast TV cable, but he didn't. I don't know what he did. My channel situation went from having quite a few, not sure how many because it was always changing and channels here, then there, and I never really knew what channels they were. But I had a lot of channels up to maybe 31 before, but most were shit, I'll have to say.

There were two ABC channels, two NBC channels, and two CBS channels I got, one each from Eugene and Portland. Then I got Discovery and OPB, and FOX, then four shopping channels, which of course I never watched, two CSPAN channels which I never watched either, two or three Spanish speaking channels which I never watched and two sports channels which I never watched. Then, in the upper numbers, I got a sprinkling, which would mysteriously change occasionally. I have no idea why and I never really knew what those channels were. Except I got four national news stations, including CNN, CNBC, FOX and one other. I got the History channel, the Weather Station, the Food Channel, Spike, Arts and Entertainment, and that might be about it. Oh, TBS.

Suddenly about two weeks ago, the situation changed unexpectedly, and most channels I used to get showed only a screen about "as I've been notified prior, you will no longer get these stations unless you get a converter box". Only thing is, I'd been told and my brother had been told I wouldn't need one. I still however got CNN, CNBC, FOX and one other station in the upper number range.

Now, suddenly today out of the blue, I don't get anything but the major news networks, the three big ones and PBS. Oh, wait. I still get the shit channels---four shopping channels, two Spanish language speaking channels and two CSPAN channels. Like who in the world would want any of those channels?

My brother doesn't really communicate with me. I've e-mailed and tried to call him. I told him I can get the major networks, which is all that is now coming in on Comcast, with a government digital converter box and for now, using a regular antenna since most networks haven't switched.

Why pay comcast for nothing?

Five Cats Being Fixed Today

Five cats are up being fixed today. One is a calico from Albany. A woman called Countryside searching for my number. She told them I would know her and that I'd helped her with cats before. So they gave me her number. Sure enough, I knew her. From last summer. She had an adult female with four kittens and an adult male and was being evicted. Nonetheless, all of the cats, including the kittens, got fixed.

I never heard frpm her again, other that she might be couching it in Salem, or near downtown Albany, and that the cats were all safe. I heard that from a friend of hers.

So she's been in rehab she tells me when I call her. She's been clean six months. The two cats needing fixed are the calico, owned by a friend, and a stray male she's feeding, she said. When I picked up the calico (male hadn't shown up) this a.m., my gosh she looks so much better, healthy, happy. Made me happy. And the two adult cats fixed last summer, they were right at her feet looking well cared for and happy, too. That woman has got a lot to be proud of, that's for sure.

The second calico comes from near Lacomb, cherished by the daughter of someone I helped once with strays a year or two back.

Then the other three are from Lacomb too and their owner took them to the clinic herself. They are loved and there are about twenty she owns, and the first three are being fixed today. Six more will be fixed Friday, and the other 11 or whatever number, next week. So this weeks cat round up has been very easy on me.

I also took five cats from here, due for rabies, up to the clinic. I took up Oci who has not had a rabies yet. I took up Brambles, from the HTN, who is due. I took up Shady, originally from the BS colony. I took up Stinod, from Tattoo Priarie originally. And, I took up Panda, from Lebanon. All five also got Profender, a back of neck treatment that kills round and tapeworms.

Still needing updated shots: Buffy, formerly of the BS colony; Solomon, originally from Lebanon; Gretal, trapped on the shoulder of HIghway 34, after being dumped at SafeHaven; Mooki, from Spcier Wayside; Electra, one of my own cats, Dex, also one of my own, and Spirit, abandoned in the Scravel Hill Cemetery. And that will do it for this year. EVeryone totally updated on worming, flea treatment, ear cleaning and shots.

Five Cats Being Fixed Today

Five cats are up being fixed today. One is a calico from Albany. A woman called Countryside searching for my number. She told them I would know her and that I'd helped her with cats before. So they gave me her number. Sure enough, I knew her. From last summer. She had an adult female with four kittens and an adult male and was being evicted. Nonetheless, all of the cats, including the kittens, got fixed.

I never heard frpm her again, other that she might be couching it in Salem, or near downtown Albany, and that the cats were all safe. I heard that from a friend of hers.

So she's been in rehab she tells me when I call her. She's been clean six months. The two cats needing fixed are the calico, owned by a friend, and a stray male she's feeding, she said. When I picked up the calico (male hadn't shown up) this a.m., my gosh she looks so much better, healthy, happy. Made me happy. And the two adult cats fixed last summer, they were right at her feet looking well cared for and happy, too. That woman has got a lot to be proud of, that's for sure.

The second calico comes from near Lacomb, cherished by the daughter of someone I helped once with strays a year or two back.

Then the other three are from Lacomb too and their owner took them to the clinic herself. They are loved and there are about twenty she owns, and the first three are being fixed today. Six more will be fixed Friday, and the other 11 or whatever number, next week. So this weeks cat round up has been very easy on me.

I also took five cats from here, due for rabies, up to the clinic. I took up Oci who has not had a rabies yet. I took up Brambles, from the HTN, who is due. I took up Shady, originally from the BS colony. I took up Stinod, from Tattoo Priarie originally. And, I took up Panda, from Lebanon. All five also got Profender, a back of neck treatment that kills round and tapeworms.

Still needing updated shots: Buffy, formerly of the BS colony; Solomon, originally from Lebanon; Gretal, trapped on the shoulder of HIghway 34, after being dumped at SafeHaven; Mooki, from Spcier Wayside; Electra, one of my own cats, Dex, also one of my own, and Spirit, abandoned in the Scravel Hill Cemetery. And that will do it for this year. EVeryone totally updated on worming, flea treatment, ear cleaning and shots.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

That Darn Cat Toy!

A friend gave me a cat toy that the cats adore. It twitters and squeeks when pushed on. But, invariably, it is night when I am trying to sleep, that the cats, a bunch of them, carry that toy around, dropping it, pouncing on it and tossing it. Each time it is touched or hits the ground, the sound sequence is triggered. At night, that can drive me nuts!

That Darn Cat Toy!

A friend gave me a cat toy that the cats adore. It twitters and squeeks when pushed on. But, invariably, it is night when I am trying to sleep, that the cats, a bunch of them, carry that toy around, dropping it, pouncing on it and tossing it. Each time it is touched or hits the ground, the sound sequence is triggered. At night, that can drive me nuts!

Polenta

Polenta gives me gas. But I love polenta. I got a tube of it last time I went grocery shopping, at Winco in Salem. Yesterday, I ate a polenta burger for lunch. Last night, it was polenta and green onions, sauteed. Tonight for dinner, polenta sauteed briefly with broccoli and white onions. I really do love that stuff!

I'm grinding up almonds for almond butter tonight also. I can't eat peanut butter. It has always made me feel awful for days afterwards, even though I like it. So I switched to fresh almond butter, that I make, partially using the meat grinder I got at a thrift store for a few bucks. That was a very very useful purchase! I add dates to the almond butter which give it a great taste. Sometimes, I add pumpkin seeds, too. Because I love them.

Today, I heard on the news, that California is considering its options with its budget deficit. One option they are considering is to legalize and tax pot sales. After all, it is a huge industry in California, like everywhere, but no taxes are ever paid on the pot and the money goes to support violent Mexican drug cartels.

Some argue it would only increase drug use. Well, drug use is a person's choice. If someone wants to ruin their lives with drugs, why not make money off their personal choices, rather than that money going to drug lords? That's my reasoning anyhow. It would be almost comical, to take away the livlihood of those violent beasts.

I can see them, all paranoid, darkened eyes, milling around in day labor areas, waiting to be hired by a drug lord, only none ever come. Or, holding up signs on the street, "Unemployed Drug Cartel Enforcer, Please Help."

Nobody wants to see more drug use in America. We have plenty in every tiny town and big city. But that's going on anyhow. The long war on drugs has done nothing to stem the tide of drugs in. No social awareness campaigns or parenting has stemmed the tide of eager escapees from society, willing to smoke up or snort or shoot anything into their bodies. So why shouldn't the rest of society, who has done nothing but pay out for the massive costs associated with various addictions and wars against them, not make some bucks on it for a change?

Legalize pot. Regulate it's production. And tax it big time. Watch the cartels dealing pot crumble. Boy, that would be something. There'd still be black market undersold nontaxed pot trying to sneak through, I'm sure. You'd have to undersell the costs of black market production and transport I guess. You'd have to somehow work around the lawsuit freaks, who, if they got addicted or did something stupid on pot, would want to sue the government for legalizing it. There are always those types out there.

I saw on the news a story about a young black mother of two, who just bought her own home in Detroit, for.......$1100. Good for her. She looked so happy. What a good thing bad times for the housing market handed her. It was a beautiful story.

I'm going to have to slow down on the polenta consumption. It's cheap and I like it and it mixes well with almost anything, particularly vegees.

Polenta

Polenta gives me gas. But I love polenta. I got a tube of it last time I went grocery shopping, at Winco in Salem. Yesterday, I ate a polenta burger for lunch. Last night, it was polenta and green onions, sauteed. Tonight for dinner, polenta sauteed briefly with broccoli and white onions. I really do love that stuff!

I'm grinding up almonds for almond butter tonight also. I can't eat peanut butter. It has always made me feel awful for days afterwards, even though I like it. So I switched to fresh almond butter, that I make, partially using the meat grinder I got at a thrift store for a few bucks. That was a very very useful purchase! I add dates to the almond butter which give it a great taste. Sometimes, I add pumpkin seeds, too. Because I love them.

Today, I heard on the news, that California is considering its options with its budget deficit. One option they are considering is to legalize and tax pot sales. After all, it is a huge industry in California, like everywhere, but no taxes are ever paid on the pot and the money goes to support violent Mexican drug cartels.

Some argue it would only increase drug use. Well, drug use is a person's choice. If someone wants to ruin their lives with drugs, why not make money off their personal choices, rather than that money going to drug lords? That's my reasoning anyhow. It would be almost comical, to take away the livlihood of those violent beasts.

I can see them, all paranoid, darkened eyes, milling around in day labor areas, waiting to be hired by a drug lord, only none ever come. Or, holding up signs on the street, "Unemployed Drug Cartel Enforcer, Please Help."

Nobody wants to see more drug use in America. We have plenty in every tiny town and big city. But that's going on anyhow. The long war on drugs has done nothing to stem the tide of drugs in. No social awareness campaigns or parenting has stemmed the tide of eager escapees from society, willing to smoke up or snort or shoot anything into their bodies. So why shouldn't the rest of society, who has done nothing but pay out for the massive costs associated with various addictions and wars against them, not make some bucks on it for a change?

Legalize pot. Regulate it's production. And tax it big time. Watch the cartels dealing pot crumble. Boy, that would be something. There'd still be black market undersold nontaxed pot trying to sneak through, I'm sure. You'd have to undersell the costs of black market production and transport I guess. You'd have to somehow work around the lawsuit freaks, who, if they got addicted or did something stupid on pot, would want to sue the government for legalizing it. There are always those types out there.

I saw on the news a story about a young black mother of two, who just bought her own home in Detroit, for.......$1100. Good for her. She looked so happy. What a good thing bad times for the housing market handed her. It was a beautiful story.

I'm going to have to slow down on the polenta consumption. It's cheap and I like it and it mixes well with almost anything, particularly vegees.

Returned the Three Boys

I returned the three boys to the 88 year old woman. I called her first. She is sick. She asked if I could pick up some food for her puppy. Then she asked if I could get her some peanut butter, too. So I did. I stopped in at Freddies and got her these things on the way out.

My right knee is killing me. It's swollen. I can't walk easily right now.

She gave a $50 donation. Minus the $10 I spent on the groceries, that's a $40 donation. To help with four cats, that's adequate.

I got home and the mattress lady called. She'd called a couple days back, too, about maybe buying some discount flea treatment from me, for her flea ridden cats. I said I didn't have any to sell her and had no plans to buy more online and that the place I once bought it online, that was cheap, isn't cheap anymore.

But she called again today, hoping I'd change my mind. I told her all I'd been through lately, with people just kind of leeching off me, or trying to, like circling sharks, thinking after all the stories, she wouldn't ask, but she did. I said "no".

Then I have a knock on my door. I never get visitors so I couldn't figure out who that might be. It was the old couple I trapped six cats for last fall. I'd loaned them two cages also for several months. They didn't want the cats back, but I held out and wouldn't take them. They found a home for one. Now he's wanting them gone again, but he didn't come out and say it. He tried to feel me out and I tried to keep that question from ever coming out of his mouth, by telling him how I"ve had more and more cats end up here, and that I can't afford them and can't find them homes.

He talked about how they've called SafeHaven several times and get put off about taking any of them. He mentioned they send SafeHaven money every month. This made me angry, that they would show up here, wanting more help from me, but they donate to SafeHaven. It gave me the gumption for a definitive "no", however, on taking any in. I told them, if they have donated for so long to SafeHaven, then SafeHaven should help them find homes for these cats one by one. I said you could always donate to Poppa Inc., the nonprofit that did help you. He started to say he's told his wife that would be the right thing to do, but didn't want information on how to do it.

I said "goodbye" and hopefully have closed the door on that. They're nice, but for gosh sakes, I'm the one who helped them out, and they're donating to Safehaven. For gosh sakes. There is right and there is wrong. And that's wrong.

I think I am getting better at saying "no" when I need to.

Dog in the Road

 I went to get groceries yesterday morning fairly early. I was expecting visitors, brief ones, pop in and out, so I wanted to get done with ...