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Post by crosshair on Nov 21, 2010 18:58:18 GMT -7
Well this Saturday I went over to help my brother move into his house and I got to meet their new kittens he and his girlfriend got from the Humane Society. Sorry, no photos yet, but I'll be going over there to get my kitty fix and I should have some up over the long weekend. Their names are "Ender" and "Bean", right now they are two months old IIRC. Just so little and cute. They are penned up in the kitchen for now because it's not safe for them to be out with all the boxes and moving feet. The only thing I don't agree with is they are going to have the poor things declawed on the front when they take them in to get fixed. My mom doesn't agree with that either, but they are his/his GF's cats and at least it's better to be adopted than have to be put down. I just love how they try to climb all over me. Sorry, I just couldn't wait until next weekend when I go across town to get photos and kitty time. I'd go earlier, but I need to give him some time to unpack. One funny story already. Apparently the kitten food is giving them some digestive problems so my brother gave us a "heads up" to "check their butts" before we pick them up. This was found out when Ender apparently had some problems and was doing the butt drag along the floor, back legs straight out and dragging himself along at a good clip by his front paws. (ya know, I never asked if they were boy/girl?) My brother said it was so funny and cute he was laughing too hard to go stop Ender all the while his GF is telling him to go stop Ender. Sorry, no video of that.
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Post by cougarhearted on Nov 22, 2010 14:17:14 GMT -7
Congrats to your brother! I hope that you get to see them often. I'm with you, I HIGHLY don't recommend declawing cats, regardless of whether they are going to be indoors or outdoors. Here's my philosophy: What if an indoor cat that was declawed accidently got outside and became confused and/or scared and ran off somewhere? Furthermore, what if they were to bump into an animal that may threaten them like dog or a rogue cat? If that would be the case, then that feline would have no way of defending itself because it's natural weapons were taken away from it. (Alright, I am done preaching now. ) LOL!!! You know what? I've seen our newest family member do that to (yes, we now have four felines in our insane household). But I've only seen her do it twice. (PS, don't you just love it when you can smile and laugh all you want because you can TOTALLY relate to the story being told? ) Again, good luck to your bro and his girlfriend, and I'll be waiting to see those photos.
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Post by John Prengaman on Nov 22, 2010 16:07:10 GMT -7
I'm with you, I can't stand declawing. I'm actually surprised that there are vets who will still perform the procedure. It's like a person cutting their fingers off at the last knuckle. It will cause the cats pain and discomfort for the rest of their lives, no matter how "humanely" it's done. There are a couple of mountain lions up at the sanctuary where I volunteer whose original owners had them declawed. It's very sad to see what that declawing has done to their paws, and you can tell how painful every single step is for them.
Many people are still ignorant of what declawing actually does to cats, so I understand why your brother and his girlfriend have decided to go that route. But, honestly, if they don't want any claws on the furniture, they shouldn't get a cat.
To me, declawing a cat makes as much sense as removing the vocal chords from a baby to avoid having to put up with it crying all the time. I hope you are able to talk them out of it, because, if the cats were given a choice, they'd rather still be stuck at the Humane Society.
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Post by crosshair on Nov 22, 2010 18:11:41 GMT -7
Yea, I'm subtly trying to figure out if it's my brother or his girlfriend who is behind the desire to have that done to them. I suspect it's his girlfriend and my brother is going along with it. Her family appears to get all their cats declawed. My main concern is that my brother won't care either way and will just go along with it. When I was helping unload my brothers stuff the kitties were being discussed and several other people there were pro-declawing. So the odds are not in my favor. I know being loud and vocal about it isn't going to work so I have to find other methods. The thing is, your description of decalwing is quite accurate. It's something you don't ever need to exaggerate. I actually first came about it when I was looking up ammo to use against people who supported the actions of animal rights groups like the ALF years ago on discussion forums. "Real" research where you read the ALF stuff and then go search for the counterpoint. (Yea, most of their stuff can get shot down in 20 seconds of searching so it wasn't time consuming.) Came to find that the "animal rights" people didn't talk about the practice hardly, but many of the pro-pets people did make an issue of it. Got to love the internet. It's just like de-barking a dog, something to make up for the lack of time spent training/disciplining an animal. My mom wants a cat, but has said that she doesn't have the time to train it properly. That's how you take care of behavior problems. I remember there being some alternatives to declawing that I'll need to research. Perhaps someone here knows some good products. IIRC there is one that consists of "caps" that glue over the claws or nail trimmer or something? I could get him some for Christmas, *cough* "Since you said you were worried about them clawing your stuff. *cough* Since there is still 4 months before they go in that could give some time for them to try something out. *Some internet searching* Hmmmm. Seems like I have two main options available. I could just get them a cat nail trimmer and then go over to help out in case it is a two person job. I found this video on Youtube. That way we can get the "benefits" of declawing without having to declaw them. I can keep an eye on their claws when I go over for kitty time and make sure they get trimmed so that scratching doesn't become a problem. Their claws are already kinda sharp so if I can get him into just trimming their claws now, perhaps I can make declawing seem unnecessary. How much does declawing cost? Perhaps I can make a subtle economic argument in addition if the cost is high enough. They are taking them in to get fixed too, and I have no idea if the vet offers a "combo" deal? Another alternative seems to be these glue-on claw covers. Anyone ever tried those? www.softpaws.com/Thanks everyone for your support. It would be so nice if I could prevent those cuties from getting declawed. Felt kinda lonely when I seemed to be the only one there against declawing.
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Post by crosshair on Nov 27, 2010 18:10:00 GMT -7
He He. I got my kitty time in, wore them both out. Got some photos too. My ISPs FTP server is acting up and I can't upload any more photos other than the first batch, so here they are. Both cats are female. This is Ender, black with an orange tinge except for the top of her left ear. This is Bean Here they are playing "King of the Hill" Bean is the "jumper" and can be really mean sometimes. This is what things looked like 1 second before it got interesting. Ender got back at her though. She pounced on Bean while she was using the litter box. Ender was climbing on me, saw the opportunity and jumped straight through the kitty door on the litter box and right on top of Bean. I'll post a few more when I can get the ftp working again. Here is a couple more. The cats took a break from King of the Hill when the furnace kicked on. Apparently Ender has a cold butt. Ender is exploring. They love using me as a climbing toy.
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Post by cougarhearted on Nov 27, 2010 21:09:04 GMT -7
Those little kitties are very adorable. It's impossible to keep your eyes off of both of them. The little black and white one kind of reminds me of our oldest cat that we have. By the way, how old are these kittens? They seem to be growing fast already.
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Post by crosshair on Nov 28, 2010 16:18:47 GMT -7
IIRC they are 9 weeks old, but I could be wrong.
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Post by crosshair on Dec 12, 2010 19:01:29 GMT -7
Not going to get the photos up tonight, but I did take some video to upload today.
Here is Bean playing with the drawstring to my coat. Ender finally comes back to hang out.
Not sure if they are fighting, playing, or bonding? Probably all three. You can hear that Ender doesn't seem to be enjoying it a whole lot. They both like trying to eat my pants for some reason.
Here they are finally asleep and purring at full throttle. What is it that makes cats able to suck heat out of whatever they are sleeping on because I was getting really cold.
They are just SOOOOO cute. Plus I might have convinced my brother not to declaw them. We're gonna try trimming their claws after they get their last round of shots.
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Post by cougarhearted on Dec 12, 2010 20:42:34 GMT -7
Those two girls are really close to eachother. Are they sisters are just the same age? And that naughty Bean seems like she'll be the little "instigator" of the two. That's normally how playtime commences with our cats too-- usually with our two youngest cats bothering our two oldest cats to get into a hustle with them. So that's how that big hole got in your jeans. ;D LOL!!! Just kidding! I'm just getting my smart alec fix on.
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Post by crosshair on Dec 12, 2010 21:33:11 GMT -7
Those two girls are really close to eachother. Are they sisters are just the same age? Yes, they are sisters. And that naughty Bean seems like she'll be the little "instigator" of the two. That's normally how playtime commences with our cats too-- usually with our two youngest cats bothering our two oldest cats to get into a hustle with them. Yup, Bean is the "Jumper" and the "Instigator". Ender does do a good job at getting back at her. So that's how that big hole got in your jeans. ;D LOL!!! Just kidding! I'm just getting my smart alec fix on. Nope, just lots of wear and tear. I'll have to get the photos I took of those two cuties uploaded.
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Post by crosshair on Dec 13, 2010 18:16:10 GMT -7
OK, I resized the photos. Bean is much more sure footed on the cat post. Another close pic of Bean looking all innocent. Bean is getting sleepy. aaaaand she's out. Ender snuggled up under my arm, she likes to tunnel. The light in this photo just happens to highlight the orange tinge she has in her fur. I reach over with my right arm to get a side shot of Ender snuggled up, but she keeps staring at the camera. Look at those "eyebrows". Bean's are nowhere near as long or thick. They really toss and turn when they are sleeping. "Bean, knock it off. No I don't care that you're at least not using claws on your sister." They are going to get lots of attention between me, my mom, and by brother and his girlfriend.
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Post by cougarhearted on Dec 13, 2010 18:59:39 GMT -7
I noticed that in the clips that you posted earlier too. I originally thought that she was a black and white, perhaps she's more of a calico? LOL!! That never fails when you bring home a new animal into your household. I'm sure those two pretty kitties will receive plenty of love and spoiling-- not like they have already.
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Post by crosshair on Dec 16, 2010 18:14:12 GMT -7
Grabbed these from my brother's Facebook page. Ender is trying to do the Dishes. While Bean is just slacking of and surfing the internet with my brother.
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Post by crosshair on Dec 20, 2010 17:47:54 GMT -7
From my brothers Facebook page.
So mean, but I'm laughing so hard. ;D
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Post by cougarhearted on Dec 23, 2010 16:58:02 GMT -7
Ender: '"'Oh, don't worry Ender! I'll do the dishes after I'm finished with the Meow Mix!", so says my sister Bean. But no! I'm left with EVERYTHING again. When is it my turn to watch videos on YouTube?" Bean: "Quit complaining out loud to yourself, Ender! Big Cat Diary is on!"
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