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Racquetball Rorschach
I can ace the Word Jumble. The New Yorker Caption Contest blows!! I've sent in some hilarious (at least in my humble opinion) captions, and these dumb ones get chosen. What's the conspiracy?— June 3, 2009 6:30 p.m.
I Played God
He is not being tested until tomorrow. I called today several times and finally got an update. Tomorrow he becomes the property of animal control, so they would not sedate him until then in case something happened. They will call me with his results. Anti, I meant "b*tch" in the nicest way possible. My sister and I always say that to each other when one of us calls the other out on something. Your comments are always intelligent, thoughtful and appreciated. Whatever I do, I intend to keep my decision private. And Feral: "See, this is what I mean by still playing God - a decision has been made that the life of that one particular cat is more important than the lives of dozens if not hundreds of wild animals that she may kill over the course of her life time. I not only object, I'd go as far as to say that knowingly allowing a cat to do that is a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act." That's the most dumb thing I have ever heard. The cat was already living there, and I hate to tell you this, but those animals are on a cat's food chain. My own well-fed beasts bring in a specimen on a regular basis, plucked from the back yard.— June 3, 2009 4:30 p.m.
I Played God
B*tch. Okay, I've got two days. I've read the stories, I have done my research, I have three cats at home that don't want another cat. Plus a husband who is on the fence. Regarding the bite - it was not a finger bite. She attacked my leg as I was walking by her on my way to the bathroom. Out of nowhere, she sunk all four fangs into my calf. One day later, my foot swelled up to the size of a football. I could put no weight on it. I went to the emergency room, and was diagnosed with cellulitis. First thing they asked - have you been bitten by an animal. It is life-threatening if not treated. I had to walk on crutches for a week. I am a very healthy and fit person. For me to contract this was ONLY the result of being bit. There are many other reasons to be diagnosed with cellulitis. Anyway, as I said, if it is all that easy, I offer you the option. Don't make this a character defect on my part.— June 2, 2009 8:31 p.m.
A Day in the Life
I second the motion!— June 2, 2009 7:46 p.m.
I Played God
Oops, I mean cat, not cap. Freudian slip?— June 2, 2009 7:08 p.m.
I Played God
Did you bring her in? Have you ever seen a trapped feral animal? It's not what you think, and I am getting the impression that you may not have much experience with true ferals. Anti, if you think that this animal can be tamed, by all means, I'll give you the opportunity, and when he is a lap cap, I will take him into my home.— June 2, 2009 7:02 p.m.
I Played God
"Taming adult ferals is traumatic for both parties, time-consuming and often unsuccessful. It is not usually possible to verify whether late-tamed cats were feral from birth or strays gone wild which were subsequently re-tamed, in most cases I suspect the latter. I do not promote the confinement and taming of adult ferals - these are not temperamental pets, these are wild animals which find close captivity and forced human contact stressful." This is from an expert on the subject. I honestly think I will do more harm than good by trying to tame this cat. He cannot be handled without sedation. He is not a stray, he is a true feral. I'm paying for him to be tested, and if he is negative, I'm going to have him vaccinated, pay his adoption fee, and release him back to his home. Every person I have spoken with thinks that this is the best option. I intend on checking on him daily, and making sure he has food and water. His habitat is safe, he is not near a wooded area, and I know he would be much happier back there than where he is now.— June 2, 2009 noon
I Played God
I'm thinkin', anti, I'm thinkin'..... My husband is considering us keeping him as a foster feral. If anyone can show him love and affection, it's me. Husband read the story and the blog comments, and I swear he choked up. I was worried he would be upset if I took on another cat. He loves cats. He came into my life with one. One of our cats was a semi-feral. She is the one who bit me so badly I had to go to the emergency room. This is the weird part. She was de-clawed. I'd love a general consensus on what you all think is best. And no PC crap. What would you all do in my situation? Please be honest.— June 1, 2009 7:36 p.m.
I Played God
Animal control called me today and the woman I spoke with was really nice. She acknowledged that it is an awful dilemma, and there is no clear choice. He is doing well, eating voraciously, using the "facilities" but will not come out of his feral cubby if people are around. They will not test him for feline luekemia, etc., unless I decide to take him. I cannot keep him. I don't have the ability to spend the time with him that he needs to be socialized, if that is even possible. And like I said before, it would be unfair to my cats that I have now and to him. My cats do not like other cats. Sometimes they barely stand each other. I'm thinking of bringing him back to his home. If I do that, they will make sure he is not sick first. I can check on him, feed him, and if I notice that construction is beginning on the area he lives, I will decide at that time what to do next. Funny thing. I've explained to my husband how much grief I am experiencing over this, and he said "you should bring him back. You've given him a better life already by getting that thing off his neck. If you decide to have him euthanized, you would be playing God". He hasn't read this story. I told him "that's what I named my story!". Mind you, we are not religious people. I've given him a name. Clyde.— June 1, 2009 5:49 p.m.
I Played God
Unfortunately, this cat would not sit quietly while I fed him. He would just as soon bite my finger off. It would be unfair to my other animals as well to try and domesticate him. He is truly wild and has no use for humans. Also, the area where he lives is going to be developed soon, so bringing him back would mean risking him getting trapped in his hole or him running off somewhere else where I cannot feed him. I'll call the feral cat people and see what they have to say.— June 1, 2009 7:10 a.m.