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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Controlling the Population

Domino

Most of my readers know that we had a mother feral cat leave her litter of four kittens on our back porch last April.  We hadn't had cats in several years and it was fun to feed them and watch them play in the yard.  Then in September, another mother cat brought her litter of five!  The same neighborhood tomcat was the dad and we could see similarities to all nine kittens.  I wasn't really sure who would stay and who would hang around but it seems all nine know they have a good thing going here. ha.

Well, kittens do grow up, don't they?  I saw Marmalade being "cozy" shall we say...with his lil' half sister in the photo.  Oh dear! Then later that day, he was doing the same pleasurable act with the little grey striped kitty!  Oh dear!  I didn't know the sex of either one of these kittens, as they won't let me near them, so I guess I can at least thank Marmy for that bit of information.  lol.

Anyway, it's time to have them spayed and neutered!  I'm afraid if left to their own ways, I could easily have 20 more cats by summer!  No thank you! ha.  I really didn't want to take them all to the vet and pay a couple $1000 for the work of spaying, neutering and all of that. Thanks to Jill's recommendation, I called the local Humane Society and talked to someone there. 
 I actually wasn't too happy with the person on the other end of the phone.  She was curt, impatient and really made it seem difficult for someone trying to do the right thing and stop the populating of feral cats in the neighborhood.  They only have a clinic once a month.  She expected me to have 9 carriers and bring all 9 cats in at once! The day before I have to come alone, bring a photo ID and have an 'interview' at which time I have to pay $38 per cat, in cash.

Well, I explained that they are wild.  I can't guarantee what cats would be available and able to be caught come appointment day.  Not to mention 9 carriers would be a little crazy.  I bought one.  I'm not buying nine nor could I borrow nine!  She didn't seem too sympathetic, but I knew $38 was a very good price and something needed to at least be done with Marmalade...and soon!
 
Well, today was my interview.  I went with my driver's license and $38 in hand.  The lady working today was extremely nice, very sympathetic and seemed to understand my predicament.  She had rescued many cats in her own neighborhood and even had a litter born in her garage.  She said even though the clinic was busy tomorrow, she would make appointments for as many as I wanted to bring.  She said she would charge $20 each and send as many carriers home with me that I wanted to borrow!  So, she let me run to the ATM to get more cash (although she said I could have written a check, which would have been nice to know before I came! Actually, knowing I could borrow carriers from them would have been nice to know! ha.) .  I decided I would try to bring four cats.  She said if I only could catch three, I would simply have a credit for next time and I could keep the extra carrier until I needed it!

She loaded me up with the carriers, a huge bag of cat food, and a bag of litter in case I wanted to keep them inside overnight in this cold weather while they recovered that first 24 hours.

So people...animal lovers out there....wish me luck!  I have to have four cats there before 9:30 on this Saturday morning.  And I get to pick them up by 5:00.

The only thing a little worrisome is that they test them for feline leukemia.  I had to sign a waiver allowing them to be put to sleep right then if they tested positive.  I know it's a fatal disease and extrememly contagious and that's the best thing to do, but I sure would be sad, especially if it was one of the original four that I've become so attached to!  Hopefully they will all be healthy. 

Update and more stories to follow Saturday night, I am sure. ha.




111 comments:

  1. Wow, what a story.....looking forward to hearing the end of it. :)

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    1. I hope it has a happy ending! ha. The whole neighborhood should thank me, though. lol. We could be over run with cats!

      Hope your company enjoys dinner tonight!

      Look...I can reply to your comment! :)

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  2. YOu so did the right thing! GOOD LUCK!!!!
    You are a good person!
    xo

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    1. Yeah, nine is fun. More would not be! hahaha!

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    2. yes, i can understand that! I wish I lived closer I would take one!

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  3. Replies
    1. Isn't she pretty? She's the most shy of all nine. She hides when I bring out food. ha.

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  4. Bless your heart for doing the right thing. I am sure glad to hear you got to meet with a nice representitive of the Humane Society today! Good luck, Betsy.

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  5. I'm glad someone is willing to do this without charging the usual 8 million dollars! It would be a tad different if they were all "yours." Technically, these aren't; they're just transients.

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    1. Yeah, the price is really great. maybe I can do the next half next month and be finished! :)

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  6. She i so pretty but you have to control birth (lol) and thanks good yoou have only one bunny (lol)a time I have two well imagine how many rabbits I had a time HA!

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    1. Oh Gloria...rabbits would be bad! We'd have a houseful! lol! That would be crazy. lol..

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  7. how you make this Betsy , the replay? Im so silly with blogger sometimes I dont have idea how make:)

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    1. Go to 'settings' Click on 'other' and make sure 'allow blog feed' is set on FULL.

      Then go to 'settings' Click on "post and comments' and make sure 'comment location' is set on EMBEDDED.

      :)

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    2. Thanks Betsy I will try I m silly for this!

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    3. You're welcome. I had to do a google search to figure it out! ha.

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    4. Gloria ~ did you figure it out? I think you have to first say you want to change over to the new blogger editor. Then follow the directions I gave you.

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  8. Wow, have you got a task ahead of you! I hope you get some help with it. I also hope they are all healthy. Also I'm glad for you that it was a different person on duty when you got there for your interview. Good luck for tomorrow.

    Oh, and that is one pretty kitty and a great photo too.

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    1. Kathleen...me, too! If it was the same person, it would have just been one cat at almost double the price.

      I really hope I can find homes for most of them!

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    2. I was thinking it was about time to get the kitties spayed or neutured, otherwise you'd have a hundred before summer was over :)
      The clinic I work at has a feral cat day once a month, you can bring as many cats in carriers as you want, they will be spayed or neutured and vaccinated for rabies all free of charge.
      Any other time, feral cats can come to the regular Fix for Life clinic, and will pay 20.00 for the same services.
      I'm so glad you have found a clinic that will help you with the ferals, remember they have to be in a cage, because the anesthesia is administered to them through the cage bars, even if they are semi-feral it's a dangerous situation to try handling them.
      Good Luck !
      ~Jo

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    3. Oh yes, I can see that! I have plenty of scratches and some won't let me touch them. They are wild for sure.

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  9. I'm so proud of you right at thismoment i can barely type, I have rescued a good many strays and lost people think i'm nuts, to hear this today makes me know there are others who care, you are a good person.,

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    1. aw, thanks laurie! Oh, don't worry. There are plenty of people that think I'm crazy. One blogger even kept bugging me that I'd post about these cats at all. But if someone local would love a pet, at least I can get the word out this way.
      Like I've said before, I'm doing it for them...but also for me...nine is fun but any more would not be at all! lol...

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  10. Be thankful your blog title doesn't read "My Nine Men" and it is only feral kitties. It always seems to be that way with country homes. On the family homestead there were always cats around. Feral cats don't live as long either and there'd be new one's showing up from time to time.

    I pity the grumpy lady's companion, they have to live with her! ha

    Hmm coffee. Yes please!

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    1. Please have coffee, Daniel! :)

      Nine men...oh dear. Five is enough, although I know there are at least 5 male cats out there! ha. And our rabbit is male. lol...I'm just destined to be surrounded! :)

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  11. Awesome! Good luck to you tomorrow. I have enough trouble putting my TWO cats in carriers when it's time to go to the vet

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    1. Maybe the first time will be easiest? They'll be naive. lol.

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  12. Hi Betsy,I was inspired reading this.You do have a huge enormous task ahead of you.Im with you on the testing for feline leukemia,its sad but if it comes back positive it would save alot of cats by detected it just on one.You know it must be very tasking to work at the humane society to say the least everytime I would call I would get a caller just like you got.Thank God on the higher up level they are nice.

    Im crossing my fingers that all goes well for you in the next few days.If I lived near you I would gladly help you out.But thats not the case so lol,its up to you.Im sure things will be ok.But wow 9 carriers ugh,I find it difficult to lift just one ha.



    God Bless and keep us updating please!P.S. Actually the should of suggested to get the male thats hanging around and get him done.Hah and Besty they all act cozy together whether 2 female or 2 male as well hahaa.So dont go by cozy lol.

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    1. ok...cozy was a very mild way to put it. lol. :)

      yesh...I'm doing this with the nine kittens, but the two moms and dad are still out there! They will be very difficult to get. They come by, but rarely!

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  13. Oh wow! Thank you for doing this - it's really important to have these sweeties spayed and neutered!! Yay!! I have everything crossed for you and these sweethearts!! Hope the transport and all else goes well! Take care
    x

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    1. Everything crossed? All 10 fingers and toes? haha...you'll get a cramp before tomorrow is here! LOL! Thanks Kitty.

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  14. I hope you are able to catch all your friends and have them "fixed". They sure are sweet, especially that little black and white whiskered face. What's her name?

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    1. You mean Whiskers that comes in the window? ha. She fits her name. The one in the photo here I haven't named! But I love her pink nose!

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    2. She's beautiful. I think she looks like Oreo. Maybe that's why I think she's so pretty. :)

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    3. Oreo would be a cute name! I love her markings and the color of her eyes.

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  15. I wish you luck in the morning - and few scratches! And I wish there were more people like you in the world, Betsy. It would be a much lovelier place.

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  16. I was thinking....you are brave for attempting to catch all the kitties.
    Will be looking for your report tomorrow.8~)
    Nancy
    P.S. this is formerly "2 Moms of a Feather". The other Mom I was blogging now has 2 other blogs(we have separated on good terms).

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    1. Hi Nancy! How fun to see you with your own blog! I'll come visit soon! I only have to catch four tomorrow. Only. Ha. They prefer that they haven't eaten, too....but you lure them with food? Should be interesting to say the least. Might be a little too crazy to catch a photo, though.

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  17. Oh, Betsy!! I'm SO glad you got the second lady when you went for your interview! Totally different experience and situation! Yea! And, a great deal for the good deed you are doing!! Wishing you the best of luck catching everyone and that the surgeries all go well... and NO leukemia. blessings ~ Tanna

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    1. Thanks, Tanna ~ it made a huge difference! Hard to believe it was the same place! ha. The nice lady isn't working tomorrow, though! lol...

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  18. Good for you for trying - and I'm so glad that the second lady was so nice! Hoping everything goes well tomorrow!

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    1. Thanks, Mari! I was hoping The Mister could go with me but it isn't working out that way. So alone I go...with four crying cats. lol....

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  19. PS - your header shot is gorgeous!!!

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  20. Good luck with the kitties! You are a true pet lover, that's obvious. I, too, am adore cats and at one point -years ago- had 15. I adopted, spayed, and neutered them all. Each one of them just "arrived" at my home, which at that time (thank goodness!) was in the country. I must have had "sucker" written on my roadside mailbox. Over the years, I've gotten several dogs exactly the same way.

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    1. Aw, Janice ~ that's a cute story. Not 'sucker', but 'nice lady who will take you in', right? The lady at the humane society said that the cats spread the word through the town about me...and the same thing had happened to her. They just seem to be able to sense a safe, loving place to be!

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  21. Good luck, Becky! I admire what you are doing. One of my bloggy friends has done the same thing and has a colony of 8 cats that they feed and look after. Keep us posted!...hugs...Debbie

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    1. Colony. Is that what you call them? I've been trying to figure that out. 'Herd' just didn't sound right. lol....

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  22. I do wish you luck!! Hope you can catch four!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  23. You have your work cut out for you! I can't wait to read your stories.

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  24. nice...i am glad she hooked you up....Domino has his snip next week...bet he wont be happy...smiles.

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  25. Good luck, I hope you can catch them.

    I'm glad the lady you talked to in person was so much nicer than the woman on the phone. I wonder why people are like that?

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  26. LOL good luck catching all four
    Should be easy if they come for food galore
    But then aren't they not allowed to eat
    Not even a treat
    As mine weren't able too
    A fact which they hated alot when it came due
    Sounds like the first one was a snob
    Or just some old blob
    Second was helpful indeed
    And better yet they aren't out for greed
    Like many a vet places
    With Cassie and the foot it was off to the races
    And not in a good way
    For the bank display..lol
    Good luck
    Catch them all before they ummm eat a duck..lol

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    1. yeah..no duck eating allowed
      or we'll really have a crowd. :)
      No eating in the morning
      takes away the best of the luring!
      They can't have a bite
      of anything in sight.
      So think of me and hope for the best
      hope I at least have some skin left.
      lol...

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    2. LOL wear good thick gloves
      Or tease them with some doves
      Hopefully they don't see a bird and climb a tree
      Or try to flee
      Should be fun to hear what comes due
      OCP will all hope they are easy to catch for you

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    3. Well, Marmy knew something was up
      and wouldn't even come near to drink from his cup.
      Took the other original three
      and Socks rounded out the catching spree.
      A little stressful but we made it
      didn't get a scratch or much of a fit.
      whew.

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    4. OCP ~ aw...you know I love things that come in threes :)

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  27. Betsy - your life is a puuurrrrrrfect adventure isn't it? Bless your sweet heart for wanting to do the right thing. I'm glad to know you got to deal with someone empathetic - finally! Will be thinking of you in the morning and trust things will go well...this time around! Sweet blessings on your weekend. XO

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    1. What a stressful morning Marsha!
      They are there, now. Hoping it's going well.
      All the workers there this morning were extremely nice, too. :)

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  28. Well Betsy, just when I was worried you'd be getting bored with so little to do ?!!!!! What a task! Good luck, hope it all goes well.

    LOVE your header photo, just beautiful
    Sharon

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    1. Sharon ~ dear, you never have to worry about me being bored. :)
      This life is more of an adventure than one girl can handle! lol.

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  29. oh my, Betsy! what a story! i had to giggle at the beginning though, it's funny the way you write :-)) but oh i'll be thinking of you and the cats today crossing my fingers it goes all well and that they are healthy too!
    just love that little girl in your picture, she is so beautiful :-) good luck, it looks like you gonna have an interesting w-e :-) ...

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    1. Didn't catch Marmy, though Birdie!
      I was so disappointed as he's the one who really needed to go!
      He could probably just sense that something was up.
      ha.

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    2. oh my, don't tell me! he is smart ... lol ... but seriously sorry to hear that hope maybe he can go some other day ... :-o ...

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    3. I know! I was SO ticked at that cat. ha.

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  30. My fingers are crossed that all is going well and you have caught some of them. The good thing about when they are fixed is that they will stick closer to home. And they are so lucky to have such a nice home to come home to. And I also hope they are healthy and have nothing wrong.

    God bless.

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    1. Caught four, Mrs. U
      But not Marmy...quite disappointing, actually.
      Four are there now. Get to pick them up in 6 hours.

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  31. Replies
    1. Hi! Well, I had to get up eary to catch 4 cats! ha. Woke up with a headache, too. I think it's allergies. Yuck. How are you doing? I want a pistachio cupcake for breakfast! ha.

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    2. Im going to bake (when Im sad I bake) and was mopping the kitchen and cause I eny you (lol) I have a headache, I dont have any pistachio cupcake, I sent to my Mom(lol

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    3. Gloria ~ you didn't have to go and get your own headache...I would have gladly given you mine, dear! ha.

      Don't be sad. I hope the day gets better! Big hugs to you! xo

      What are you baking? I have Rebecca's granola in the oven right now!

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  32. Im not sure I have two recipes! I can choose one (lol) have a nice day betsy!

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  33. Replies
    1. I got four, but not Marmy. Little sneak. He just knew something was up.

      I get to pick them up at 4:30. No calls from them so far, so I guess all is going well. :)

      Your granola is cooling. Smells wonderful! How was the mudslide cake?

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    2. Betsy! Finally I can do in my Blog that you say me (lol) thanks a lot I thinks is more nice to answer and everybody can talk (lol) thanks dear

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    3. yay! :) Yes, I like it, too! Nice! I'm glad you figured it out!

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    4. You are the best dear:))))(I have a nice and good teacher) lol

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  34. Oh, it was yummy!!!!

    Marmy didn't want to lose his dignity quite yet. :) LOL

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    1. I go to the shower ha,ha, yes is late but I made a lot of things here:)))

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    2. Marmy is in trouble with me! ha.

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  35. Hee Hee! If I were him I would be afraid. :)

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    1. He should be afraid! Grrr. Now I have to wait another month to try again. And we all know what he's going to be doing between now and then. lol...

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    2. Well, uh, you could try talking to him. hahaha You know, about being a gentleman. snicker................I think someone who visits your blog a lot has had a bad influence on my mind. :)

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    3. My, whoever could you mean? Is he austere? :) I'll sit Marmy down and give him a talk about how to be an austere gentleman. I'll let you know how it goes. lol....

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    4. I'd be doing the same thing if I were Marmy! Uhhh... Feeling afraid, I mean! *ahem*

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    5. I'm not gonna hold my breath. After all this is a gentleman cat . :) LOL

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  36. Yeah, Rebecca, whoever could you mean?

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    1. See, I KNEW you were lurking in the shadows. :)

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    2. Are you afraid Betsy is going to catch you--stuff you in a cat carrier--not feed you any breakfast--then take you off to the vet?

      (See, you've corrupted my mind.) :)

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    3. I don't think Betsy would do any of that to me, Rebecca. And I know she'd feed me breakfast, and serve me coffee as well. She's sweet like that.

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    4. I don't know! I love these cats and look what I did to them! Everyone needs tough love once in a while. lol. You can have breakfast and coffee when the vet is done with you, though. ;)

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    5. So, you are ok calling other people sweet--you just prefer to not be called that yourself? :)

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    6. I'm picturing the look on the vets face when he peers inside the cat carrier. :)

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  37. Hm. I don't think I'm planning any trips to Ohio in the near future, doll. Better luck some other time!

    And Rebecca, anyone can be sweet... except me!

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    1. I was looking for synonyms of sweet, and they suggested angelic or cherubic. Either of those suit your fancy?

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    2. See, I didn't really think they fit you either, but I just wanted your input. :)

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    3. Well, you got it!

      Now, I'd better disappear for a while. I don't like that look in Betsy's gorgeous brown eyes!

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    4. Is there an ornery gleam there?

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    5. I'm gonna go take a nap. Keep an eye out for giant cat carriers!

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    6. "Ornery," as in "I wonder where I could find a black, extra-large cat carrier!"

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    7. You mean you'd even consider putting me in a cat carrier of another color? Gee, doll, maybe you're not quite as sweet as I thought you were! Ha.

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    8. Just the thought makes me feel claustrophobic.

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    9. I'm obsessively looking for a word--that's not sweet, but something................

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    10. Several hours later, and I take it you still haven't found one, Rebecca? Ha!

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  38. we have a no kill policy so the best thing to do is bring them to the pound or advertise to have them adopted with the agreement they be fixed.
    I would fix the males but females scream to no end when they are in heat so then it is more important for them to be spayed.
    I spayed my fem cat but I have this male which keeps coming over. I am not sure if he is neutered but she hates him with a passion and screams like her throat is being cut.
    So every one runs outside to see what happened.
    She was in love with my Tatty but Tatty died from old age so hats that. She is on her own. lol Now she likes Beau and my Tanya hates Beau. She was in love with Nugget and Nugget is gone now too from old age.
    See, in life, nothing is forever.Even for animals and they grieve too.

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  39. Hope you catch as many as possible..good luck!

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  40. ooo, what a tale:) i'm eager to read on. you are doing a good thing. it's a very hard life for a feral outdoor cat, made worse by overpopulation.

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