My Nook - Pets

Did Someone Say PETS?

In my work as a Veterinary Technician of 12 years, I have come across many unwanted animals, and have seen the fate of too many healthy young ones who just slip through the cracks. The sad truth is that there just are not enough responsible, dedicated homes to go around thanks to pet overpopulation. This is a topic that I along with all others in the field of animal care, and welfare feel strongly about. I have acquired all of my pets through dyer circumstances. Currently I have 6 cats and two dogs. Come on I will introduce you to the family... SCRUFFY is my oldest dog. He is a loyal and wonderful companion, with a big heart and a quick mind. For 13 he is still in great shape, even though age is slowing him down a bit. He used to fetch with the best of them, and will usually do anything for a cookie. These days he can usually be found snuggled up in a sunbeam or curled up in his bed. He is a Lhasa Apso mix, the result of an un-spayed family pet getting into a bad situation. He has been beside me through thick and thin. If Scruffy could talk, I think I would be in big trouble :)
Update: March 19, 1999 was a very very sad day for me. After 15 years of companionship, I discovered a tumor in Scruffy's jaw. Due to his age and other physical problems such as cataracts, weak hips and urinary and bowel incontinence, I decided the kindest thing would be to euthanize him. We went to the park, his favorite place on earth. I gave him a snack of turkey breast cold cuts and we sat for a long time by the water. Many many evenings did we spend here watching the sunset. This little buddy of mine was with me through so many life changes, so many relationships, relocations and lonely nights. We shared a lot over the years we were together. He was always there with those big brown eyes and a wagging tail. He came into my life when I was still in high school! This day, this decision was the hardest one I ever had to make....yes, even harder than filing for my divorce. I took him to the vet hospital where I used to work ( I left in 1997 to pursue a BS degree in Biology). Dr. Mello did the injection and Scruffy's gaze never left mine as I watched the light go out in his eyes. I was happy that his pain was over, but so very very sad. Scruffy still lives in my heart and always will. I still have his picture up in my bedroom and my living room right alongside pictures of my son and Dozer. You know how sometimes you come across a soul that you will never forget... well for me, that was my grandmother, Scruffy, and Salem.

DOZER born in 1994 is still just a puppy at heart. He came to me when as the last in a litter, the owners could not place him, and threatened to end his life. Again spaying his mother would have solved that problem! At 10 weeks when I got him he looked like a baby bear, all cute and fluffy. His intelligence, and good humor never cease to amaze me, not to mention his talents when it comes to swimming and retrieval. I never really knew what breed he was for sure, and assumed he was a mutt. Now after visiting the AKC page, I have a sneaking suspicion that he may be related to a Flatcoat Retriever or a Newfie. Let me know what you think :) UPDATE... It turns out Dozer is braver and more of a protector than I thought he was :) Comforting thought.

SALEM is the coolest cat I have ever met! He is big in stature, and so is his purr. in 1988 , he found himself homeless, and on death row. He moved in with me, and the rest is history. He sleeps on his own pillow by the headboard of my bed, and has since the day he moved in. He loves to snuggle. One cute quirk he has is circling and meowing at the sight of a gallon of milk . He is quite stoic, and the wisdom in his eyes makes you wonder sometimes... What is he thinking! I'm sure he would be embarrassed if he knew I was telling you this, but I do catch him batting the milk bottle top around the floor sometimes, and he absolutely gets loopy on cat nip :) UPDATE.. February 10, 1997 . This Monday evening was one like the others... Salem ate dinner, then we were snuggling on my bed as I set up the pot pourri, and turned on the TV. Just then Salem started breathing heavy, and reached his paw out forward. I thought he was just stretching and purring. Then I realized something was wrong. Three minutes later he died in my arms. He went peacefully , Purring even to his last breath. It was a very sad night. His purr, his "talking " when I get home from work, and his warm snuggles at bedtime are sorely missed. His spirit still lives here . KEYKO the calico, My my what a temper she had in the early years. She is 10 now, and has become the model housecat. She loves windowsills, and pretty much keeps to herself, unless it is one of the days she decides to come cuddle for a good scratch! She came to me back in 1988 on my birthday none the less. A 2 day old ball of fuzz, motherless. I hand raised her from that day. She grew into a beautiful, colorful feline! UPDATE...Keyko spent 6 days stuck up in a tree. The wonderful Animal Control officer climbed up and got her for me. She was dehydrated and weak, that was the first week of March 1997. She is doing much better now.
Update: Keyko started sneezing blood in the fall of 2000. It turned out she had a tumor in her nose. She was 12 years old when she joined Scruffy and Salem in a better place. MOUSE. She's not a mouse she is a cat! Found homeless at 6 months with just one sister. She got a good home too! Mouse is Salem's best friend. They can often be found intertwined in one grey/black and white ball of fur on the bed. She is mischievous, and somewhat reminds me of an elf, even as she matures. She is 5 years now, and still every bit of the kitten she was when I got her. UPDATE... Since Salem's death mouse has stayed in the bedroom venturing out just to eat and use the box. I think she misses him. Now she sleeps with me at night. SLATER is Fenways brother. Both of them were found wild, in a litter just 2 weeks old. Myself and a coworker hand raised them and the other three siblings. Thanks to a nice family the other 3 stayed together, and so did my brothers. Big, longhaired and black, Slater is growing into quite a fine fellow. He seems to just sit back and watch the action. He was very ill this summer with FUS ( Feline Urological Syndrome) . You can read more about this condition further in the page. He is another cool cat, though he thinks he is a dog. While hand raising him he bonded to Scruffy. They sleep together all the time and sometimes you can hear him grooming Scruffy!!!
Update: After Scruffy left us, Slater was heart broken. He started spraying and not getting along with the other animals here. My friends at the animal hospital found him another good home, where he can have more attention...and a new dog!

FENWAY will never grow up. I am convinced of this. The eternal kitten. If anything is broken or misplaced around the house, you know Fenway had something to do with it. He lives life by his own rules: eat, sleep, play, scurry, sneak out the door. Open the cabinets. but remember always to come home at dinner time! He loves to sleep under the covers, but look out, he nibbles toes!
Update: When my son was born, I had to make more difficult decisions. He is allergic to cats! With the help of friends at the animal hospital Fenway too has found another good home. I am sure he is enjoying the attention! MERLIN A new addition to the family. A beautiful Silver Persian, Merlin became homeless when the family that had him could no longer deal with his special medical needs. He has FUS. There was an adjustment period, but he has gotten used to his new surroundings and is fitting in fine with the gang! His favorite friend is Slater.
Update: Merlin now lives with my parents. He is KING of their household and enjoys being an only cat. He has his favorite places to sleep, in the sun, on the screen porch overlooking the bird feeder. He is a happy kitty.

CIDER is the new baby! She is a cute calico tiger... full of energy. She doesn't stop!!! She is Jeff's baby and he spoils her rotten!!! She too was found in a garage at 1 week old. Jeff and I nursed her back to health and into kittenhood.

STOP LITTERING .....SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS There are many programs available to assist with the cost of this surgical procedure for the better health of your pet. Not only does neutering stop the growing number of unwanted animals, it has definite health benefits for your pet! Did you know? In males neutering can help them to calm down, be less aggressive, make them mark their territory less by urinating on things ( your shrubs will thank you) and they will also lose the desire to roam. Medically speaking neutering can also prevent certain types of cancer such as testicular tumors, and rectal tumors. Females benefit also by being less excitable, not having to go through the rigors of pregnancy, and running the risk of being attacked by strange males trying to mate them. The medical benefits are a decrease in the likelihood of mammary tumors and uterine infections that can be deadly to an older dog who may need at the age of 12 to be spayed to save her life! * For all the men in the audience who cringe at the thought of neutering, believe it or not, there is now a product on the market called Nuticles that will actually give the appearance that nothing was done at all. They are prosthetic implants which are installed directly into the scrotum, thus leaving the psychological ramifications of the surgery behind :) For more information on low cost neutering programs, contact one of the following:

Friends Of Animals 800*321*PETS Your local animal shelter Your state Veterinary Medical Association

Feline Urological Syndrome I am speaking of this problem here to hopefully make as many people aware of this condition as possible. This condition is typically seen in Male cats. It can cause urinary tract infections, and in its worst most progressed form urethral obstruction. This disease is of sudden onset and not as uncommon as we would like. It can be fatal if not caught in time. FUS has been found to be linked with diet. It is recommended that a low ash and magnesium diet be used to treat and prevent further episodes of blockage in cats who have had this happen, or frequently get urinary infections. Signs to be aware of...

Lethargy Decreased appetite Frequent trips to the litter box Accidents of small amounts around the house, sometimes with blood seen. yowling usually in the litter box breathing harder vomiting lifelessness, and glazed eyes Distended hard abdomen

If you notice any of these signs in your cat call your veterinarian. If vomiting is present, immediate hospitalization may be needed. If a cat does in fact become obstructed, the build up of toxins in the bloodstream can cause death within 24 hours!

Antifreeze...a year round problem. Every year many family pets die because they are fooled by the sweet taste of antifreeze. The signs of this type of poisoning are acute lethargy and within 24 hours or so, the kidneys will shut down. If you have any reason at all to suspect that your pet may have gotten into Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze), see a Veterinarian Immediately!

COLD WEATHER IS HERE !!! Never keep your pet out in the cold. Even sunny days in winter can be dangerous with the wind-chill and a frozen water dish. Don't be careless, save a life!!!

.. Remember to bring animals inside if the temperature goes below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for any length of time... and be sure they have access to clean fresh WATER, and SHELTER.