Story on News Wire yesterday about a train crew which found a stray cat in sub freezing temps. Check it out.Happy ending for all involved. Great story byline. This goes to show we all have an obligation to show compassion to one in need. I wish the very best in the future for the cat and train crew who saved "Q''s life.
My cat (Miss Vera-Lynn Hudson IV) purrs at the good news.
No comment from our Lincoln cat yet, though.
ChuckCobleigh No comment from our Lincoln cat yet, though.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
we lost a nice cat to cancer today, pretty sad when vet said we should put her down. guess her 9 lives were done. goodbye nana
MookieYou have a Lincoln cat?
Called him Honest Abe!
rdettmer we lost a nice cat to cancer today, pretty sad when vet said we should put her down. guess her 9 lives were done. goodbye nana
ChuckCobleigh Mookie You have a Lincoln cat? Called him Honest Abe!
Mookie You have a Lincoln cat?
What a happy thread! As for the CN conductor, No one stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child...or rescue a small animal. Two years ago I found four kittens in the park left to die in the freezing weather. I took them home, fattened them up for a couple of weeks, and then found homes for each. A month or so later another lost and freezing-to-death kitten made it to my house and we eventually found a home for him, too. If there is a Last Judgement I want to be there when the animal dumpers and abusers and killers meet Him whose creatures they were.
My sympathy to rdettmer in the loss yesterday of your cat to cancer; I lost one this Spring to cancer and therefore I have an idea of what you're going through. Mookie is right: pets are not immortal and have life spans only a fraction of ours, thus making for those very sad times. But I've found the surest cure for the blues in saying goodbye to one beloved pet is to get another one before long; then the joy returns.
54light15: I laughed out loud! Gotta like a man who names his cat Vera Lynn!
For that matter, "Mookie" is a pretty good name for a cat!
E.M. Frimbo ("world's greatest train buff") was famous for taking his cats on trains, whether into his room or letting them run free around the parlor car! I'd like to have seen that!
My sincere condolences. We went through this with our beloved Downy on October 3. He was a beautiful 17 year old Nebelung. By early August we knew his time with us was approaching an end. He stopped moving much and had trouble eating and going to the bathroom. We took him to the vet who confirmed he had cancerous growths thoughout his body as well as advanced kidney disease.
On October 3 everything came to a head. Downy was having trouble walking at this point, and we decided that we'd have to put him down that day. The plan was for my son and I to first hammer together a small wooden casket, and then we'd go out and dig his grave. Finally, we would take him to the vet to have him put down. We decided on this order so that the actual burial wouldn't be as traumatic on the kids.. we bring him home and put in the ground.. end of story.
Well.. we got the box done.. and by mid morning my son and I were taking turns with pick and shovel in our back yard. The earth here is very rocky and heavy with clay, and both of us working together required almost three hours to dig a 4 ft. deep grave. As we got started we got quite a surprise: Downy had come out onto the deck to watch us work.. After awhile my son asked "daddy, do you think he knows we're digging his grave?" I replied that although we love him, he's a cat after all.. he doesn't understand. Away we worked, with Downy looking down upon us the whole time. During a few brief breaks we'd take turns petting him, and inspite of his condition he purred and bumped his head against us. Finally at long last the digging was done.. We put our tools down and I told my son that the time has come .. time to take Downy to the vet. With tears streaming down his face, my son said.."daddy look".. I looked up at the deck.. and Downy was gone..with his head on his front paws and eyes shut.. he was dead.
NKP is right.. get another cat or cats. We adopted three kittens from the animal shelter two weeks after Downy died. They'll never replace Downy, but they'll be very special in their own right.. Life goes on, and now back to regular railroad programming.
The Power of the Dog, by Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie-
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumours or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
then you will find-it's your own affair-
But...you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With it's whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone-wherever it goes-for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in-Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Thanks for that, NKP guy. I was at my parent's house in 2000 for Thanksgiving and they had a CD of World War Two music on. On my way home I hit a deer with my car, a 1962 Lincoln Continental. Towing, a rental car and I was on my way home and my car went to a garage in Connecticut for restoration.
I returned the rental at a place east of Yonge st. in Toronto and I was walking along just as depressed as I could be. At the Hudson's Bay store at Queen and Yonge, the humane society had a cat giveaway. There she was in the window romping around. I took her home and when she hopped out of the box they give you, she walked down the hallway like she owned the joint! So, Vera-Lynn Hudson. The IV is just because. She's 16 and going strong and cuter by the day if that's possible.
Mookie rdettmer we lost a nice cat to cancer today, pretty sad when vet said we should put her down. guess her 9 lives were done. goodbye nana Have had both cats and dogs - this is the reason I absolutely will not have another animal - none of them ever turned out to be immortal and their time with me was always never enough.
Have had both cats and dogs - this is the reason I absolutely will not have another animal - none of them ever turned out to be immortal and their time with me was always never enough.
I too know the pain you both feel. Unfortunately, that is the Dirty Little Secret about pet ownership(sometimes just who owns who is a real tough question). The adoption agencies never talk of the pain of losing a beloved pet.
I had Barney, my first Golden Retriever for a bit over 12 years, and his final trip to the vet was the hardest decision, I ever had to make, and carry out. I stayed with him, and held him until well after he was gone. Many asked how I could do it. I asked them, how could I not. It has been over twenty years now, half again as long as I had him, and I still miss that dog more than I care to admit.
I have type 2 Diabetes, and given the choice of having Barney back, or curing my Diabetes, I can Honestly say that my Life would be more enjoyable with my beloved pet back, than it would be without my Diabetes.
I have had many other Dogs and Cats in the years since, and Loved them all, but none ever lived up to, or could replace that one, anyone that has ever had pets, likely has that one that no other can ever compete with, for me that was Barney. I still get moist eyeswriting or talking about him.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Great to see we have many animal lovers on this group. I'm one of them to. It pains me to see cats & dogs suffer out in cold weather conditions to the point I almost cry at the thought.I'm 53 w/a lifelong love of pets. God expects us to treat all his creations w/respect, kindness, care and help when the need calls. Sometimes we may be tested by him in these circumstances to see how we react.Its either pass or fail. NKP guy is totally correct in abusers facing a future judgement.I also hope to be there to see those to receive punishment for abuse. Everyone have a great holiday season and that goes for all our four legged friends also!
I got my one cat when he was a little kitten from my railyard. He's a bit mental, but hey, he did come from a rail yard. So it's to be expected.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
challenger3980Unfortunately, that is the Dirty Little Secret about pet ownership(sometimes just who owns who is a real tough question).
Not a question with a cat. Dogs have masters; cats have staff. Many cats in our household over the first 44 years of our marriage; last one went down a little over two years ago at 14+, which was a real loss because he was quite the loverboy and gentleman. Now catless to ease the wife's allergies, unless we have another "walk on" show up, then all bets may be off.
ChuckCobleigh challenger3980 Unfortunately, that is the Dirty Little Secret about pet ownership(sometimes just who owns who is a real tough question). Not a question with a cat. Dogs have masters; cats have staff. Many cats in our household over the first 44 years of our marriage; last one went down a little over two years ago at 14+, which was a real loss because he was quite the loverboy and gentleman. Now catless to ease the wife's allergies, unless we have another "walk on" show up, then all bets may be off.
challenger3980 Unfortunately, that is the Dirty Little Secret about pet ownership(sometimes just who owns who is a real tough question).
There are times that I begin to feel like I work for the dogs and cats...Some days it is a constant, Dog out, Cat in, Cat out, Dog in.. Beside doorman, I am kept around to operate the can opener. We have a bird dog, she's pushing 14. A Lab-Chow, who is about 15 or so, an old female cat who is close to 16, and two kittens; that we are 'sitting', while the grandaughter is away at school. And my wife who is allergic to cats... All the livestock I need...at least I managed to get the horse a home.
We had cats (one was named Chessie, another "Traina"), but that string ended when we lost the daughter's cat. The ex was the mover on them. I'm not a cat person. Don't hate them - just don't go out of my way for them (aside from our resident forum feline).
I'm more a dog person. We almost always had a dog, even when I was a kid. The last two went to 16 and 12. The Sheltie mix was a 'gift' from my son. She was a good dog, but not a cuddler. The other was the daughter's Dalmatian. She rescued him from the pet shop where she worked when he turned out to be deaf. He, too, was a good dog - learned signs and had no problem being a lap dog. As with all Dalmatians, though, he was a walking snowstorm - shed all over the place.
I'm so busy and mobile these days that it makes no sense for me to get another pup. I did take a liking to the mini-doxies my son and his ex had. Now there's a cuddler! Maybe when I "settle down..."
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
By "doxie" I assume you mean Dachshund? Well, anyway my father told me when I was a kid that Dachshund meant "duck dog" as in Germany when you went duck hunting a dachshund would swim out to where the ducks were, go underwater and grab a duck by the feet and drown it and then bring it back to the owner. I believed him but hell, I was only six. They don't really do that, do they?
54light15By "doxie" I assume you mean Dachshund? Well, anyway my father told me when I was a kid that Dachshund meant "duck dog" as in Germany when you went duck hunting a dachshund would swim out to where the ducks were, go underwater and grab a duck by the feet and drown it and then bring it back to the owner. I believed him but hell, I was only six. They don't really do that, do they?
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
We have 3 cats and we dogsit a lot for others. Me- I could do without pets but I never get a vote. (I know- Hey! You kids! Get off my lawn!). When we get old I ecpect people to refer to us as the crazy cat lady and her cranky husband. This spring we had to have our old lap cat put down. My family immediately went to the animal shelter and got a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree of a cat. This cat- Pumpkin- is a long, long haired calico whose previous owner had died. Because her hair was all matted down, someone from the shelter had taken her home and shaved her, sort of. I'll swear that said person was intoxicated or blindfolded while shaving the cat. For reasons the cat won't reveal, the shelter also had all of her teeth pulled. So they bring home the cat and she's all freaked out all the time. Picture the cat that Pepe LePew is always chasing. Now picture that cat with no hair and no teeth. We've had Pumpkin about 6 months now and she has adjusted to us and the other 2 fur balls. She's still spooked easily but has regrown her long hair. She looks like one of those top-heavy, long-haired Scottish sheep, in shades of orange, black and white, with a Colonel Sanders goatee. And she demands attentions RIGHT NOW! It's hard to lose pets, especially with kids. We had a beta fish that died when the boys were little. In subzero weather, we had to go down to the falls and find an open spot of running water to give the fish a burial at sea.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
The photo of the daschunds in the snow is hilarious! It had better not be too deep, though!
"Doxie" or "Doxy" also has a standard, more common meaning, not related at all to this wonderful breed of dog; be careful how you use it!
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/doxie
It was in Bavaria that I first saw long-haired daschunds, a variety not too common in the USA (in my experience) but very beautiful.
Big advantage for daschund owners this time of year: short walks!
NKP guy The photo of the daschunds in the snow is hilarious! It had better not be too deep, though! "Doxie" or "Doxy" also has a standard, more common meaning, not related at all to this wonderful breed of dog; be careful how you use it! http://www.thefreedictionary.com/doxie It was in Bavaria that I first saw long-haired daschunds, a variety not too common in the USA (in my experience) but very beautiful. Big advantage for daschund owners this time of year: short walks!
On one of our trips west we overnighted at a friend's house in Iowa. They had a Boxer that was shy till I got in the play position with my elbows on the floor. Ah, now I've got a buddy. We tussled a bit and then, after getting whapped alongside the head, I discovered why the name Boxer. I got up, sat on the sofa, and promptly had a dog in my lap. So much for being shy.
Norm
Murphy -
So how and what do you feed Pumpkin ?
Our 1st cat ("Daisy") also had the long fur and 'knots' problem (hard to describe the undercoat other than like cotton candy). Somehow it fell to me to deal with it. One morning I held her down, took a comb and a pair of small sewing scissors, and combed and cut out the knots until all the big ones were gone. (I recall 47 of them ? I'm kind of a compulsive counter.) There was a lot of growling and some hissing, after about 10 mins. finally she snapped at me, and that was it - for that day. But then we could comb her without pulling on the knots and aggravating her that way. Next day was a rerun, but much shorter of course. After that it became a regular early morning routine - before she was fed, of course - that had pretty much the same script: grab her, comb, cut, growl, hiss/ spit, snap/ bite, let go, run away, come back, eat; repeat next day. Note that she never hid under a sofa or anyplace else where I couldn't get hold of her, and she definitely looked better - easier to comb, and I suspect for her to groom herself, too - I really think she knew it was for her own good. This went on for maybe 5 years until just before she died at age 19. She was a mix, but had a lot of Maine Coon in her - the "M" over her eyes, and especially the intelligence - except she was a real lightweight, only 7 to 8 lbs. (they can be 30 - 40 lbs.).
- Paul North.
Paul_D_North_Jr Murphy - So how and what do you feed Pumpkin ?
Yeah - I get the "expensive" part - seems like all cat food is that way ? Even our current guy (6-1/2 years) needs a special 'all meat' cat food.
That cat of ours was very picky - maybe why she was only 7 - 8 lbs. ?
All of ours could be / have been used as railway station clocks - 5:00 PM sharp and they're sitting in the kitchen, looking around for the food into their dish . . .
Then there's the Far Side "Cat Fud" cartoon:
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/24/58683008_2dc4c01d94_z.jpg?zz=1
http://pandawhale.com/post/36723/far-side-cat-fud-oh-please-oh-please (Note: I don't approve of the video - too many potentially bad ideas there.)
Gold fish are great pets too. My daughter got one last year, and the whole family has bonded with the little guy (named him Comet Gold.. or just "Com" to his friends). They don't tear up the furniture, and outfitting the aquarium is much like putting together a model railroad... same amount of attention in pride and workmanship. They're alot of fun to watch..
Our #2 son is into aquariums and fish. Some years back son #3 brought home a goldfish in a baggie from a birthday party. That's just about the worst party favor to give out at a birthday party. Your kid is excited and you get to deal with a dead goldfish in a week or two. Not at our house. The boys put "Glarton" in a big fish bowl with a bubbler and the necessary tank maintenance that an aquarium lower expert would provide. Ol' Glarton lasted about 3 years.
Murphy Siding Our #2 son is into aquariums and fish. Some years back son #3 brought home a goldfish in a baggie from a birthday party. That's just about the worst party favor to give out at a birthday party. Your kid is excited and you get to deal with a dead goldfish in a week or two. Not at our house. The boys put "Glarton" in a big fish bowl with a bubbler and the necessary tank maintenance that an aquarium lower expert would provide. Ol' Glarton lasted about 3 years.
I agree, my daughter won hers as a prize at school. I had a a word with the principal about this... that giving away living things like this is not a good idea. (they should put him in a plastic baggie and see how he likes it). Good for your son for realizing this and taking care of his fish..
Paul_D_North_JrAll of ours could be / have been used as railway station clocks - 5:00 PM sharp and they're sitting in the kitchen, looking around for the food into their dish . . .
I've long been convinced that cats have a little kitty Timex concealed under their fur. I say Timex because, well, "they take a licking and keep on ticking," would be a cat thing, wouldn't it?
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.