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May. 26th, 2017 09:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. I posted this on FB..."how would I go about adopting a kitty?" And...for some reason people interpreted that as meaning, I want to adopt a cat right now. (Uh no. I wanted to know how to go about it, because I've been considering it and want to explore the idea. If I wanted to adopt one right now, I'd say -- I want to adopt a cat, can you help?)
One friend emailed an ad from a real estate friend of hers, who'd apparently rescued a cat from a chimney. Apparently the rescuer can't take care of said kitty. The kitty is two weeks old, had just gotten some stitches on her chin from falling down the chimney. "See," said friend, "an incredibly beautiful kitty just fell from the sky for you."
I wrote back..."uh, thanks, but I need to figure out a few things first, such as where to put the kitty litter, etc..."
Her response..."well, I know someone who put the kitty litter in the bathtub and took it out when she needed to take shower. Always thought that was a bit dirty and gross myself, but worked for her. And when the time comes remember to buy 'The World's Best Kitty Litter'. "
Sigh. I told this story to my Mom.
ME: "I posted on FB about how to go about adopting a cat. They interpreted that as meaning adopting a cat this minute or this weekend. So now, people are throwing cats at me."
Mother: They clearly don't know you very well.
Yes, I plan on doing it eventually. I just have to work my way up to it. Just as I have to work my way up to buying new furniture.
It's not that I don't necessarily like change...I just have to worry my into it.
2. Finally watched the televised version of Dirty Dancing all the way through, from beginning to end, instead of snippets.
Mother: Why did they feel the need to do a televised remake of the film?
Me: Well it's actually adapted more from the musical version of the film.
Mother: Except it's more like the film version -- I can't see how they could do the logs and lake bit in a stage musical.
We both agreed the original movie was better. Although we liked certain add-ons, such as Debra Messing and Bruce Greenwood's singing of "You Can't Take that Away from me", and who knew Bruce Greenwood could sing? And Baby's sister, Lisa and her romance with the black musician, singing "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" on the ukele and guitar. Katy Sagal is good in this, but her dance number to the song "Fever" with Johnny Castle doesn't quite work -- because there is no way a family establishment like Kellerman's would have allowed it. It jars you out of the film.
It's an odd musical -- more like the 1980s version of musicals, like Flashdance or Purple Rain, where people sing as part of a performance. They have a framing device
that explains why people are singing, but it's not needed. And I think they'd have been better without it. It also left the same bitter taste in my mouth that the ending of La La Land did. With the woman wandering off with her family, while her love looks on, somewhat pained, after accomplishing greatness in his career. I don't like that ending.
The original film's ending was better ....with everyone singing and dancing to "Time of My Life." And just leaving us wondering what happened next. I prefer open-ended endings.
Also, the televised version while succeeding in developing various characters more, and making others less relevant and far less annoying, sort of fell into cliche a lot and also lost some of the tension and friction of the original film version. There was more conflict in the film version, and more emphasis on class. Here the emphasis is a little more on race. But everyone in the television version is almost too civilized.
It also made me feel old, because the little girl in "Little Miss Sunshine" played Baby.
Damn. That couldn't have been that long ago. But apparently it was. Time tends to blur together more when I get older. The years are somehow less distinct from one another, not like when I was younger...when they felt longer somehow and more eventful. Not that this is a bad thing...it just is.
I felt like Abigail Breslin (the little girl in Little Miss Sunshine) didn't quite work. Also her lines...weakened the character a little. She smiled wistfully a lot. While Grey's version was a bit sharper, tougher, and looked more embarrased or shocked, and far more expressive. Breslin just didn't grab me. While the guy who played Johnny was rather good, and a fantastic dancer. No Swayze of course, but close.
3. Very happy it is Friday. Work has been making me crazy all week long. Overslept this morning. But there was an early quit due to the holiday weekend. So hurray.
Yay -- three day weekend.
One friend emailed an ad from a real estate friend of hers, who'd apparently rescued a cat from a chimney. Apparently the rescuer can't take care of said kitty. The kitty is two weeks old, had just gotten some stitches on her chin from falling down the chimney. "See," said friend, "an incredibly beautiful kitty just fell from the sky for you."
I wrote back..."uh, thanks, but I need to figure out a few things first, such as where to put the kitty litter, etc..."
Her response..."well, I know someone who put the kitty litter in the bathtub and took it out when she needed to take shower. Always thought that was a bit dirty and gross myself, but worked for her. And when the time comes remember to buy 'The World's Best Kitty Litter'. "
Sigh. I told this story to my Mom.
ME: "I posted on FB about how to go about adopting a cat. They interpreted that as meaning adopting a cat this minute or this weekend. So now, people are throwing cats at me."
Mother: They clearly don't know you very well.
Yes, I plan on doing it eventually. I just have to work my way up to it. Just as I have to work my way up to buying new furniture.
It's not that I don't necessarily like change...I just have to worry my into it.
2. Finally watched the televised version of Dirty Dancing all the way through, from beginning to end, instead of snippets.
Mother: Why did they feel the need to do a televised remake of the film?
Me: Well it's actually adapted more from the musical version of the film.
Mother: Except it's more like the film version -- I can't see how they could do the logs and lake bit in a stage musical.
We both agreed the original movie was better. Although we liked certain add-ons, such as Debra Messing and Bruce Greenwood's singing of "You Can't Take that Away from me", and who knew Bruce Greenwood could sing? And Baby's sister, Lisa and her romance with the black musician, singing "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" on the ukele and guitar. Katy Sagal is good in this, but her dance number to the song "Fever" with Johnny Castle doesn't quite work -- because there is no way a family establishment like Kellerman's would have allowed it. It jars you out of the film.
It's an odd musical -- more like the 1980s version of musicals, like Flashdance or Purple Rain, where people sing as part of a performance. They have a framing device
that explains why people are singing, but it's not needed. And I think they'd have been better without it. It also left the same bitter taste in my mouth that the ending of La La Land did. With the woman wandering off with her family, while her love looks on, somewhat pained, after accomplishing greatness in his career. I don't like that ending.
The original film's ending was better ....with everyone singing and dancing to "Time of My Life." And just leaving us wondering what happened next. I prefer open-ended endings.
Also, the televised version while succeeding in developing various characters more, and making others less relevant and far less annoying, sort of fell into cliche a lot and also lost some of the tension and friction of the original film version. There was more conflict in the film version, and more emphasis on class. Here the emphasis is a little more on race. But everyone in the television version is almost too civilized.
It also made me feel old, because the little girl in "Little Miss Sunshine" played Baby.
Damn. That couldn't have been that long ago. But apparently it was. Time tends to blur together more when I get older. The years are somehow less distinct from one another, not like when I was younger...when they felt longer somehow and more eventful. Not that this is a bad thing...it just is.
I felt like Abigail Breslin (the little girl in Little Miss Sunshine) didn't quite work. Also her lines...weakened the character a little. She smiled wistfully a lot. While Grey's version was a bit sharper, tougher, and looked more embarrased or shocked, and far more expressive. Breslin just didn't grab me. While the guy who played Johnny was rather good, and a fantastic dancer. No Swayze of course, but close.
3. Very happy it is Friday. Work has been making me crazy all week long. Overslept this morning. But there was an early quit due to the holiday weekend. So hurray.
Yay -- three day weekend.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 07:00 am (UTC)And once you've thought all of that over and want to go for it, then something like Petfinder is a good place to find a match for you. I would imagine there are shelters in NYC as well that have online profiles.
If you're a person who isn't home a lot you might want to consider two cats so they can keep each other company.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 01:46 pm (UTC)The logistics...I'm worrying over. But I've been told that I'm overthinking it.
I'm an anxious person, I overthink everything. Including buying an armchair.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 09:25 am (UTC)So the simple answer is - any animal shelter. For a longer answer, here is some assorted advice from a lifetime of keeping cats including getting them second hand from a shelter.
Start by deciding if you want a kitten or a cat. Kittens are great fun and you get a chance to mould their personality, but they are very destructive. An older cat will be calmer but may already have ingrained personality problems. If this is your first cat, older is probably better.
Research costs to check you can afford food and vet bills. You don't need any equipment beyond a carrier (for vet visits and the first journey home), litter tray and food bowls. Work out where the litter tray will go. Some cats can miss so it mustn't be on an expensive carpet or rug. Water must always be available in a place away from both the litter tray and the food bowl. If the cat has no access to the outdoors they need grass - you can buy small pots in petstores. Don't waste money on things like a scratching post, any normal cat will use your furniture as nature intended.
Go visit the shelter in person, don't waste time looking at pictures online. You won't choose the cat, the cat will choose you, and for that you need to be physically present. Don't waste time thinking of names, cats' names arise spontaneously over time.
Always hold your hand out and let the cat sniff you before you try to stroke them. This allows the cat to check you out just as you are checking them out. Many cats, especially females, hate being rubbed along the spine so rubbing along the flank is safer and friendlier. Never try to rub a cat's stomach until you know it really well. Never try to tug it's tail. If the cat rubs it's face against your hand, you are getting along well, but let it make the first move.
Some cats are whores and will purr and rub for anybody. Others are reserved and take a while to come out of their shell for their one special person. Many young cats and kittens don't understand how humans communicate so they misinterpret human body language and you can literally have a communication misunderstanding - it takes time to get to know how to talk to one another.
Talk to the staff about the cat's background. Look out for if the staff are being evasive or keep changing their story - they may be covering up some health or socialisation problem.
Spend as much time as you can visiting and revisiting until you are ready to take the cat home. That way you will get to know one another well and it will be less traumatic.
The first few hours will be difficult. If possible, try for evening on a Friday so you have a quiet weekend to adjust to one another. Take the carrier to the room you intend to be the cat's base (your bedroom if you want the cat to sleep in with you). Make sure the lighting is dim. Open the carrier and then go and sit down on a chair and quietly read a book. Let the cat emerge in its own time and explore the room around you. It may come and say hello at some stage, but don't be upset if it doesn't - everything is strange and new and cats take time to adjust. If you have already got to know one another before adopting then there is some chance the cat will consider you the most familiar thing in the room.
Most cats are able to cope well with a new home and will settle well after a few days. Talk softly, don't make sudden movements and accept them on their own terms. Don't play music or have guests until the cat is established and feeling more secure. You will then have your own personal god.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 01:41 pm (UTC)What I've been thinking of doing is putting the food - water bowl and food against the wall facing the fridge. There's an island/cutting board, table thingy with wheels that I never move. I'll put the kitty litter next to the wall near the windows on the other side of it. The table is between the food and kitty litter. Or does the kitty litter have to be another room...because that could be problematic.
Cat's need grass? I never knew that. We had cats the whole time I was growing up, they were indoor cats, and we never had grass pots. Why do they need grass??
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Date: 2017-05-27 02:04 pm (UTC)My cat also never got grass and doesn't seem to miss it either.
She does have a scratching post that she uses regularly, and that has saved my couch from a hell of a lot of harm.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 02:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 04:03 pm (UTC)No. They hate this and will avoid drinking water next to their food if they have a choice. I guess it's a contamination thing - bits of food will end up in the water. A distance of a couple of feet apart is good enough. Or how about the food where you planned and water in your bedroom or bathroom? It will only be plain water and cats are neat drinkers so spills shouldn't be a problem.
Yes, that sounds fine. The cat certainly won't mind. You as a human have to allow that the litter will sometimes get kicked out, so don't have it anywhere you personally would find offensive.
I forgot to mention - different cats like different litter and might not recognise something unfamiliar as litter. So it is best to start with whatever they use in the shelter and then only later should you consider changing over gradually to whatever superb brand your friend insisted you absolutely must use.
Several reasons. It helps their digestion. It helps get rid of fur balls. It helps them vomit if they eat anything bad. It provides some enzymes they can't get from other food (although most good cat food brands do include some vegetables to provide this, which is why your childhood cats managed). If you don't provide grass a house cat will tend to chew any houseplants or veg you have, which could include very poisonous things. And lastly because it is natural for them and they enjoy it.
By the way - lilies are very poisonous indeed to cats, so if you ever have cut flowers in the house you will need to avoid lilies once you have a cat.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 07:35 pm (UTC)Odd on the water. We never had any problems with that. (I tend to kill plants, from neglect. I need something that reminds me to feed and water it. ) Although that may explain why they kept dropping the star wars action figure Princess Leia in their water dish.
Wouldn't it make sense to be closer to the food?
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Date: 2017-05-28 07:11 am (UTC)No, because animals don't eat at the same time as drinking. It is only our human minds that classify food and water together and assume they should be side by side. Cats see drinking as an entirely separate thing and they instinctively dislike eating by the water they are going to later drink from - it's a contamination issue.
I've seen this happen too, and in water dishes well away from the food area. I don't know the explanation. It may just be fun to see the splash.
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Date: 2017-05-27 07:39 pm (UTC)Kitchen is easiest to clean and the furtherest from bedroom...so the least offensive, also there are litter containers that are more enclosed apparently.
I may investigate this first.
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Date: 2017-05-28 07:12 am (UTC)Yes, that could be a very good idea for a small space.
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Date: 2017-05-28 07:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:25 pm (UTC)No, the only possibility is litter on the side next to the trash cans, and food in front of the fridge. I want to know if that's possible before I get the kitty, because once you get a kitty, you have the kitty in my opinion. It's like having a child. No give backs. It's a commitment for the life of your kitty.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:29 pm (UTC):)
The cat POV is down at floor level. From that angle, is it a solid wall between the food place and the litter place, or is it open space with just a few table legs? And what is the actual distance the cat would have to walk to get from one to the other?
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Date: 2017-05-28 03:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:46 pm (UTC)Were you planning to give always-available food or small meals that are finished in one sitting? If the later then if the litter box did turn out to be too close you could always get a mat and feed in another room, then tidy away once the cat had finished eating.
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Date: 2017-05-28 06:03 pm (UTC)The cats have to be indoor cats -- because 77 unit apartment building, third floor, never open windows.
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Date: 2017-05-27 01:34 pm (UTC)My cat followed my roommate and I back to her dad's house on farm when we were on a walk, so I doubt you'd be able to use that technique. :-)
Good luck and I hope it goes well whenever you decide. Enjoy your weekend.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 01:53 pm (UTC)The kitchen is perfect for it, but it poses an issue with food. I'm thinking if I can put it on opposite sides of an island that might work logistically. But will it work logistically for a cat -- who may not want the toilet that close to the food?
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Date: 2017-05-27 02:27 pm (UTC)And yeah, they don't like the food and toilet area to be the same. You also have to keep some separation between their food and the water bowl, it's a cat thing.
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Date: 2017-05-27 03:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:30 am (UTC)When I had cats growing up, we had the litter box and the food in two separate rooms. But we had a huge house.
The kitty litter placement is the sticking point right now.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 01:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 01:50 pm (UTC)My biggest stumbling block right now is the kitty litter dilemma. The best place is the kitchen, but not sure how to work that and the food. The bathroom is too small and I can't put it anywhere else.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 01:59 pm (UTC)At the very least you'd have to spend time what kind of cat you want, do you want a rescue, a specific breed, do you want a kitten or an older cat. Because they all come with different needs, and expectations.
It's not like you'd just take in a kid either, so why would you do so with a cat?
And like you say, how do you prepare your appartement for its new inhabitant. Once again, cats are living beings, they have needs, requirements, like as you say the litterbox.
I don't know if you have any hallways, or how broad they are. My cat's litterbox is placed in the small hallway between my kitchen and my bedroom. (I had the same problem with not enough space in my bathroom) It leaves enough space for me to get past, and she has constant access to it.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 10:23 pm (UTC)No, the only place it can go is the kitchen. It's a weirdly dimensioned apartment. There's no room in the halls, they are tiny. There one narrow hallway from the door to the apt. Another tiny one between living area, bathroom and bedroom that fits a rug.
I think I could do the kitchen if I moved stuff around. I need to reconfigure the place a bit and buy new furnishings.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 02:46 pm (UTC)Things you would need before you'd pick one out.
1. A carrier to bring it home and to take it to the vet
2. A litter box and litter, you don't know when the cat will need it so it should be in place when you get home.
3. Something for the cat to scratch its claws on. A scratching post or something similar. Understand that over time the cat will scratch lots of thing you don't want it to. But, you need something it will always be allowed to scratch or both you and the cat will go nuts.
4. Food, a suitable dish for the cat to eat out of and a water dish.
5. As Petzipellepingo, says you'll need to make sure the cat can't get out of the apartment, especially before it sees your place as home. If you normally open your windows, you'll need some way to keep the cat in and cats are both slippery and clever.
Things to think about
1. All pet cats should be neutered. It will make your life a lot simpler. Usually the substantial fee charged for shelter cats, includes a charge for neutering, but depending on the age of the cat you may have to take it back to the shelter to have it done.
2. Cats do things on their own schedule. You can choose when to feed them, but they will decide when you can pet them and when they will get lovey in turn with you. Unlike a dog you can't keep petting a cat over and over when you are feeling blue. They don't understand and will eventually scratch and bite. They will love you and you will know it, but it's a love that's always somewhat on their terms.
3. Speaking of scratches, cat owners get scratched sometimes. It's a fact of life. (You can discuss declawing with a vet, but generally it not recommended.) The cat doesn't mean you any harm, but doesn't understand your skin won't protect you like its mama's fur. Sometimes it will pat you gently with just its paw and sometimes gently but not gently enough with its claws out and leave marks on you. Some cats will try to knead your nonexistent fur with their claws and cut the skin but good. (My current cat doesn't do this! But my sister had a one that did.)
4. I'm sure you've heard much about cats trying to get their owners attention. Get a cat and it will get between you and your lap top at bad times. Just understand, it does want your love, too.
5. Cats shed, especially in the spring and the shed fur is something you'll have to deal with along with claw sheaths (exactly like bits of clipped finger nail) that fall off and get everywhere.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 10:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:25 am (UTC)The FB people are trying to shove one at me, as in NOW. (I'm like, eh no.) "Come on, get a kitty. You know you want one. Don't think about it."
While the Dreamwidth folks seem to want to scare me out of it. "Now, are you certain you've thought this through...this is a major commitment."
It's actually quite amusing.
I miss having a cat. I haven't owned one for a long time, because I know what it is involved. They get sick, you have to feed them medication. There can be huge vet bills, etc. And what do you do when you go away? My brother carted his cat all over the place. He got one in college, and he carted that cat to a summer film internship in Dallas, to Nova Scotia, to Kansas City, to LA, to Ohio, and to NY. In a shoebox on the plane, half the time.
We made the mistake way back when of declawing our cats -- this was back in the 1970s and 80s, before people knew it was a bad idea. It disrupts the cat's balance. As a result one of our cat's had no balance. The other one did though...so maybe not for all cats.
I also learned not to try for specific breeds, I love Siamese. But they are wickedly hard to find. We had to hunt for them. And it was a mistake, because also inbreed, so one of them had epilespy, heart arrythmia, dandruff, cross-eyes, and no balance. She was adorable. The other was fine.
You're right about not getting a kitten that is too young. Two weeks, too young. They need to be weaned. Been there, done that. We got a cat from my Aunt who was too young, and we didn't know which sex the cat was until later, we thought it was female, actually male. (I was 7 at the time,). That cat sucked on everyone, because he hadn't been weaned yet. We called him Bella, because we thought he was a she. The only person who got along with him, was me. I bonded with him. Scratched my brother a lot though. But he ended up taking off and becoming a tom cat. Came back once, when we had a huge bunny rabbit and a new cat. We thought he'd been killed. We had outdoor cats, but kept losing them, so went the house cat route.
I miss my cats. Loved them to pieces. They made great companions. I'm more of a cat person than a dog person. I don't want to constantly stroke the pet, or play with it. Cats have always made sense to me. They are independent. And they like to take their time to get to know you. I've always gotten along very well with cats. Rarely gotten scratched or bitten. Mainly because we sort of understand each other. I don't really understand dogs.
I probably have enough room for one, considering the couple in the apartment below mine, with the same one bedroom floor plan and square footage, have two huskies (dogs) and a kid. (I told my mother who has seen my apt this and it shocked her.)
no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:28 pm (UTC)We also liked the babish cry, or "Yow-ran-an-ow" as opposed to "me-owww".
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 09:07 pm (UTC)Once we picked out Louie, they gave him a full exam and all his shots. It worked out very well.
Everybody else seems to have covered the basics, but let me give you one tip that's usually not covered in the manual:
Do NOT feed your cat Fancy Feast. That shit is poison.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 10:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-27 11:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-28 03:40 am (UTC)I've decided one of the reasons I've always loved cats is they are unique unto themselves. You really can't generalize about them. Well except for a few basic rules:
1. Never wash a cat -- it hurts them (discovered that when I was 8). They aren't dogs. And there's a very good reason why cats hate water.
2. Be careful with house plants
3. Cats like to hunt small rodents and bring them to you as gifts often in the middle of the night and play with them on your bed. (This happened to my mother a lot. They just slept with us.) - okay that may not be true of all cats
4. Keep litter separate from the food. (This is my sticking point, can I put it on the other side of a wooden island is that far enough?)
5. When carrying a cat -- find a soft carrier that is comfortable not a hard one that is scary, or the cat will not go in it. (I had a devil of a time getting a friend's cat into one of those.)
Cat food? IT depends on the cat. My brother preached science diet for the longest time. I don't know what he uses now for his two monster cats.