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News Briefs 25-03-2009

Last week I was adopted by a one-eyed white cat from an animal shelter. I’ll never wear black again, but it’s good to be covered in cat fur. The cat thinks so too.

Thanks Greg, Kat, the cat, and the volunteers at Lort Smith.

Quote of the Day:

Thou art the Great Cat, the avenger of the Gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs and the governor of the holy Circle; thou art indeed…the Great Cat.

Inscription, Royal Tombs at Thebes

    1. Very lucky cat!
      Thanks! She’s a very lucky (and happy) cat. No one wanted her, not one single person expressed interest in her to the shelter vets and volunteers — she was facing euthanasia this week, so I got there just in time. It was funny, I went to see other cats, but they weren’t interested in me at all. There were people gawking at Neva’s eye, and she moved past them in her cage, made eye contact with me and meowed at me across the room. So I went over to see who she was. And she chirped and squinted at me, then almost fell asleep in my arms when I picked her up. Apparently she was very shy with everyone else and sat hunched in the corner of her cage.

      It’s hard to believe someone had beaten this little cat so hard, she lost an eye (hematoma). The person who brought her in said they found her like that in their yard, but the nurses said they suspect they knew who did it and were feeling guilty. I found a kink in her tail as well, which is a badly healed dislocation from months ago, so she’s been in the wars. She was very underweight too, still is, but she seems to have put on a bit since I took her home which is good. Poor cat, but she’s happy and safe now — and very appreciative, I didn’t know a cat could be so affectionate and loyal.

      I don’t know what her real name is, cats keep that secret. I might call her Neva (nee-vuh), which is spanish and old Latin for “snow”. Several people have suggested Willow, and that suits her as well. She’s chirping away at me now — “turn off the computer and play with me! And please pick a name.”

      Over 500 cats and dogs are put down in Australia every day. It’s deplorable the way we treat animals as dispensable things, both in the wild and domestic.

      Do you have any pets? I remember an old TDG regular had a parrot who swears.

      1. Pets …
        Thanks for your story of finding Neva – I think the name suits her perfectly. Obviously you were meant for each other!

        Yes, pets – what would life be without them? Sadly I have only one pet left now – my little Siamese seal-point lady who turned 19 last Tuesday. She sleeps most of the time, but still eats well, has a good coat and is living out her days in a very peaceful way. She has been a loving companion to me through some difficult times and I owe her a great deal.

        Best wishes to you and Neva. Kathrinn

        1. *Sigh*
          The only reason why I would like to have a better job with a good salary is so that I could afford to have a dog.

          I mean sure, I could go out and buy—or adopt—a dog right now; but a dog needs a proper house with a garden to play and rest in the sun (at least big dogs do, and I’m 6′ 4″ so no Chihuahuas for me!).

          Also, I work 10-12 hours a day. The dog would be alone most of the time 🙁

          —–
          It’s not the depth of the rabbit hole that bugs me…
          It’s all the rabbit SH*T you stumble over on your way down!!!

          Red Pill Junkie

          1. A Chihuaha named Red Pill
            Haha, a 6’4″ guy walking a chihuahua would be quite a sight! You’re right though, dogs deserve space, and they need attention. I see too many people in the city who own dogs that are locked up in tiny yards all day by themselves, it’s not right.

            Get a chihuahua, RPJ — you’ll have something in common to talk to Paris Hilton about. 😉

          2. I may be showing my own insecurity 🙂
            I mean, if a tough guy like Mickey Rourke has no problem with showing up with a tiny Chihuahua on his arms, then I shouldn’t fear any criticism!

            But still… I want a big dog! I’ve always dreamed of a dog that could tackle me down whenever I get home —Damn you, Fred Flintstone! 😛

            Truth be told, If I had the ‘dough’ and a really big house, I would be a veritable Doolitle! I would have dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, you name it.

            Sometimes I think my life would have been happier if I had chosen to study Veterinary.

            —–
            It’s not the depth of the rabbit hole that bugs me…
            It’s all the rabbit SH*T you stumble over on your way down!!!

            Red Pill Junkie

          3. dogs and cats
            I am not sure what the concept is with these really small dogs. If I want a pet of that size, I want a cat. They are more independent, will get their own food outside if you let them. Keep away the rodents too.

            If I want a dog, it is for home protection, group thinking, and licking my face in the morning (yuck). But then I want a regulation size dog, like a shepard or collie or something of that size.

            In either case, dog or cat, expect to spend more money on vacuum cleaning.

            —-
            It is not how fast you go
            it is when you get there.

          4. Yes, but
            [quote]In either case, dog or cat, expect to spend more money on vacuum cleaning.[/quote]

            But less money on Prozac 😉

            —–
            It’s not the depth of the rabbit hole that bugs me…
            It’s all the rabbit SH*T you stumble over on your way down!!!

            Red Pill Junkie

  1. Immortal cats
    I love the idea that several ancient religions believed that cats are exalted souls, companions or guides for humans, that they ar all-knowing but are mute so they cannot influence decisions made by humans.. makes sense to me

    1. Feline deities
      It must be their secretive, aloof natures. The Korat of Thailand is rich in folklore (look at those eyes!). South American cats, from ocelots to their bigger cousins the jaguar, have supernatural powers. Cats have definitely captured the imaginations of cultures througout the world.

    2. Mute cats!
      I know what you mean here, and I’m not disputing it.

      However, when asking for something for herself my cat is far from mute (ever heard a determined Siamese?!). It would certainly not be my choice to get out of bed at 3.30 a.m., but if Madam decides she wants to go outside I am ‘told’ in no uncertain terms which cannot be ignored! Same with food, a lap for sitting on (warm-blooded furniture), or an accompanied walk in the garden (in case there are lurking monsters waiting to pounce on her).

      My other Siamese, who went to the great cattery in the sky several years ago, had a completely different ‘voice’, so I always knew which of them was demanding my attention.

      Bless them, though – I wouldn’t have it any other way so I’m not complaining.

      Regards, Kathrinn

  2. Japan UFOs
    Original article (with photos) can be seen here.

    —–
    It’s not the depth of the rabbit hole that bugs me…
    It’s all the rabbit SH*T you stumble over on your way down!!!

    Red Pill Junkie

  3. She’s Beautiful!
    You’re story about adopting Miss Neva made me cry (in a good way, of course, like Hallmark commercials)! I’m sure she will be a good friend, I think rescued pets know that you’ve done something special for them. Someday, when I have a house with a yard, I want to go to the shelter and ask for whatever dog is going to be put down that day.

    1. Shelters
      I’m glad you like Neva! I hope she inspires people, to be honest. She’s a gorgeous little cat, and she definitely appreciates me rescuing her, she won’t leave me alone, curls up asleep in my arms, chats to me nonstop with chirps and trills and funny little meows. And to think someone beat her to her ninth life, no one wanted to adopt her, and she was a week away from euthanasia.

      I definitely recommend shelters to people looking for a pet. Particularly because many pet stores that sell puppies and kittens are in it for profit, and the puppy/kitten farms they get their “stock” from are irresponsible and plain wrong in my opinion. There’s a chain franchise store in Australia, Pets Paradise, that sells kittens and puppies from very questionable sources, in very questionable ways. A few ex-employees turned whistleblowers have described horrendous practices in stocking and selling animals. In a perfect world, pet owners would act responsibly, but most don’t. So pet stores should be banned from selling puppies and kittens, breeders should be strictly licensed and monitored, and all pets sold should be desexed. But people treat them as dispensable, dump them when they get too big or they lose interest, the cats and dogs breed, go feral, enormous damage to native wildlife, and it results in vets having to put down over 500 dogs and cats a day. It’s not right, we really aren’t civilised at all. Our technology advances, but our hearts and minds don’t.

  4. one eye
    I love cats, and most cats like me.

    Also I am having some trouble with one of my eyes (the relatively good one).

    So I think that once I figure this eye thing out, I will adopt a cat. They are thankful for the company.

    Also, if I have a pet, Murphy’s law will make sure that I will move away from my present location. Which I don’t really like.

    But really, I like cats.

    —-
    It is not how fast you go
    it is when you get there.

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