Characteristic: Sweet

MY DEAR SWEET BOY

FRIDAY...
Here today gone tomorrow. He was fine when I went to bed.

I kissed him, cuddled him and downright molested him with love.

Then when I got up he was taken away from me. Boom! Gone!

I could hear one of my kitties making strange blood-curdling

sounds from the basement. I went down to find Peter laying

on his side in convulsions in the large square hole next to the boiler,

covered in soot/dirt and frothing.

I couldn't seem to move fast enough to getting him help.

It all seemed to go in slow motion and I got lost trying to get to the

emergency clinic. We never made it. He was gone within moments.

I will always say that a higher power somewhere wanted him and

I wasn't meant to save him.

He was so healthy. I don't know what caused this but it was a

reaction like he was poisoned but couldn't find a thing in the house

that it could've been. After several thorough searches throughout the

house, nothing was found. I have always kept my house absolutely

"kitty proof". My mother had suggested that it may be

the substance that they've been using to spray for carpenter ants.

That maybe it came thru the basement window and he put his paws

on it and licked them. When I called the company whom went

into great detail about the substance and assured me it wasn't the spray.

The only other thought was that he had a serious underlying condition.

Perhaps an aneurism or a blood clot in the brain. Maybe even a stroke.

I don't know and it is very unnerving and a horrible, helpless,

excruciating ordeal. I just hope to God he didn't suffer.

I have to say, I think my mom is my best friend.

I was staying at the Humane Society with my brother when I first saw her.

The mission had been a female kitten. At that point one had not been found

but fell in love with me. I couldn't understand why I was left there until I

found out later that the shelter was giving my brother and I a chance to

find a home together. He had  long hair and was a lot more responsibility.

Well, I guess I'd been there long enough because, there she was again.

She came back to take me to home. I hear talk a lot about something

called "abuse". It's said that I may have had it. One of my back legs kind of

snaps when I walk, I have a couple lumps on my body, I'm lacking a voice

(my nickname is Squeaky), and I'm afraid of everything.

I wince away when someone reaches down to pet me. I can't help it.

When I'm reprimanded with a firm "NO" I run and hide behind the toilet in

the corner.

I become a bit confused because she'll come in, pick me up and (yech)...

hug and kiss me and stuff. It's kind of nice but I'm not use to it. I push away and

just want to get down, so then I'm put down. Such nice, safe landings.

On my quiet times I like to get in one of the window beds, for our relaxation,

and think a while.  I miss my brother and wonder where he is and what he's doing.

I hope he's safe and happy. I was told he got a very good home with people who

care a great deal for him, but still, I miss him very much.

Anyway, I really think she believes I'm cracked. She thinks I'm a "spaz".

I have spurts of the "pounce syndrome" where suddenly, without any

sign or any warning "BAM". I pounce, diving under the pillows or for better

results, in the middle of the floor with nothing around. Know what's really funny?

Scaring the hell out of my mother. I'll be comfy on her lap while she's at her

computer, in deep thought. She thinks I'm sound asleep, then...

all-of-a-sudden... BOOM! I'll punch her in the chest. I always do that.

The great part is, she thinks it's funny. What I'm actually doing is pouncing on

floating cat hair and static electricity, and my whiskers but I'll keep her wondering.

I have been provided with a wonderful home but is taking a lot of time getting

acquainted with the others. They're so different than I am.

They're use to playing and carrying on.

I would love to play with them but a bit scared. I'd rather be left alone.

I pretty much have roam of the house but I prefer to stay upstairs with Polly,

the older cat, safe from the hoodlums who stay downstairs.

Guess you could say I'm sort of a puppy.

I follow her everywhere and if I'm left on the wrong side of that door that

separates the house... I beat on it like a buffalo. Again, I'm called a "crazy cat,

always on the wrong side of the door. Always in and out, in and out.

Who's the crazy one for letting me...  in and out, in and out?

Dealing With An Overweight Cat

Trying to help a cat to lose weight can be quite a task.

Their diet needs to be monitored and given in the correct quantities.

I say "monitored" because I know that stealing from the bowls of others

should never be overlooked when your back is turned.

And in giving the correct quantities means not feeding too much but you don't

want to starve them either. Sometimes it is best to seek advice from your

veterinarian so your cat can be weighed and food amount can be determined

from there. If your cat keeps steady overweight habits, serious medical

conditions can occur. Liver & kidney disease and heart problems.

A liver disease is not curable. Also please get advice from your veterinarian

concerning another disease referred to as FUS (feline urinary syndrome).

It occurs in many male cats and is cause by too much ash and magnesium

in their diet. These contents create a crystallization in their urine and causes

blockage. It can be very painful. Tuna is one culprit in this case.

If this disease is not caught in time it can also become deadly.

Watch for things as constant cleaning of themselves, frequent stops to the litter

box and water intake. In most cases a simple diet can alleviate the problem...

if caught in time.