[Blindtlk] Quick introduction and a question for pet owners

[Ericka Short]

Blind people owning guide dogs do this stuff every day.  I have seen 
generally well cared for  and well disciplined  guide dogs go on a wild 
steak running away.   IF they are worried about these nitpicky things then 
nobody is qualified to have a child either.  You learn as you go.  What is 
their real problem?  Dead cat v. having to ask neighbor for initial 
assistance or the vet?  Cats are more emotional and understand a  person's 
needs better than  you'd expect.  I have two cats, Shelby is 13 and Hunter 
is 10.  They know when I am about to have a seizure and I don't.  They  also 
are beginning to know when my blood sugar is too low.  Who needs caregivers 
when you have felines?  We’ve had them forever.  My husband  didn't help 
much with their care so guess who did it?  ME.  Now he's gone and I’m still 
letting the cats raise me.  I should think the shelter's main question would 
be How do you  plan to get food and litter?  How do you plan to get the cat 
to the vet.  Everyone gave such great advice here and your ideas are very 
similar to what we did.  One little  stinker figured out how to take off her 
collar and then proceeded to take the other cats collar off for him.  That 
was the end of the collars.  Mine don't go outside  unless they are with me 
and they keep watch.  If I threaten to go indoors, they come running.  If I 
don't  see or feel two furry  things going past me then I keep calling. 
They never go far and yes, they  wack the door wanting in. If you play with 
your cat every day he/she will tire out and you will have no troubles.  I 
wouldn't worry  as much about an older cat as a kitten.  The only concern is 
if this was a outdoor cat most of its life.  That might give you troubles at 
first.  Just watch my cat from hell on  Animal planet.  The guy on there 
knows what to do.  Both are pretty vocal too so they can't get into too much 
trouble.

Medicating cats advice:  Depending on what the cat needs  it's pretty simple 
to medicate a cat.  You need 1. Patience, 2. strength, 3. lots of practice. 
Most medication is either a cream or a dropper form.  There are these treat 
looking things called pill pockets that  work great if they need pills.  If 
you have good repoire with the cat they'll let you do anything to them.  You 
can easily find their mouth, squeeze lips open and drop the alotted dosage 
of medication in.  You might have to have help with the plunger syringe to 
fill it, but once you see how it's done it's no big deal.  Sometimes you 
have to give them something in a tube like hairball stuff.  Just  dab some 
on your fingert, pat them with the other hand and when you start to pat 
their face slip the stuff on their nose.  They'll run and some will get on 
you, but they lick it off their nose and life is god. to


Sorry for such a long post.  I hope  the place gives you a cat sometime if 
not this one.  Hunter and Shelby came from no kill shelter in town.  They 
didn't ask any questions.  MIght be a better place to  look if you really 
want a cat.  Humane Society interviews people for a pet like you were 
looking for work.  Doesn't sound like you are being treated too humane.

Ericka J. Short