Are fires carcinogenic? ( and really for cat lovers)

[Alex]

Joce and Chris, I am so sorry to read your sad news. I was never a big fan of cats until my daughter had a kitten for Christmas and I began to realise what a character she was, she terrorised our 2 border collies and ended up ruling the house. When she disappeared one summer evening, I stayed up all night and organised a search party for her the next day, I even left the back door open for her every night for 2 weeks in the hope she would come back but she never did. That was 7 years ago and we still miss her. I hope you can think of all the good times and not blame yourself for anything you did or didn't do.

Alex

Sat typing this to you with my daughters 17 month old dog curled up next to me on the sofa.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Very sad Joce,but you mustn't blame yourself.

There are factors that increase our (and our pets') chance of developing cancer - but there is an idiopathic incidence that is just bad luck. Macavity had a lovely life and loved you very much.

If a cat is out hunting (and our two get through three or four mice/voles/shrews/rabbits and birds a day), then I doubt you need also to buy the raw chicken wings. The best advice with any livestock is to let them lead as natural/wild a life as possible and not to anthropomorphise them too much.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Agreed.

Oh Alex, such a sad story. They really are unforgettable. I'm sure I have it in me to love a dog, as well, very much, but Chris just won't even discuss, and often makes comments about how his colleague has a moan about his wife's dog and doesn't like it very much, and I simply couldn't bear to bring in a doggy friend that wasn't loved totally by both of us.

Phil - I love that rescue place in Sleaford and rehomed a stray through them successfully ( it was trying to kill Macavity).

But I couldn't be without a British Shorthair after Macavity, ( whose grandmother was one of the Whiskas cats) the most loyal gentle giant you could imagine and actually unable to catch birds because of their teddy-bear, cobby shape. They're good with mice ( though don't crunch them or eat them as Robin's seem to do), and they're super-intelligent, anticipating your home time and being there, and never wanting to leave your side, and usefully insulating you a lot of the time. So we went yesterday to a super breeder who has achieved Grand Champion with several of her cats and who is really meticulous with the blood-lines and health, and who registers all her cats and kittens with the General Council of Cat Fanciers. And came home with Lady Emma Hamilton, an 11 week old gold-tipped British Shorthair, and have reserved Horatio Nelson, who was just 5 weeks, a silver spotted British Shorthair, and they are absolutely stunning and as affectionate as anything.

Emma has cried all night missing her litter mates but I don't mind, sooner or later she's going to snuggle in.

We do support rescue operations donation-wise, and I'm having a good think about getting a pair of young ruffians to patrol the haha as my British Shorthairs may be a bit lap-based.

Apologies for the thread being so massively off topic, and thanks again for the lovely calm words of wisdom.

 

[Schoolmarm]

Awww so lovely. I saw her pics on Facebook and she is just beautiful. Xxx

 

[angrybird]

Joce thats just lovely news to hear, I can't wait to see some pics of the new additions
Cats make such good companions, nothing like a snuggle by the fire in the evening (who needs a hot waterbottle when you have a purring bundle of lovliness)
lots of love
Jacqueline x

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Oh no, not the cats versus dogs thread again!!

Let's just agree cats are better and have done with it, shall we? 8)

 

[angrybird]

I have both cats and a dog so i'm going to sit on the fence on this one

 

[Schoolmarm]

I have cats and a dog. Dogs are the best. :lol:

 

[FamilyWiggs]

You're not getting the hang of this, are you 'marm? :wink:

 

[tobydog]

Angrybird - the fact that you are going to sit on the fence on this one suggest that deep down you are actually a cat lady :wink: .

Sorry to hear the news Joce. We have always had dogs because I'm allergic to cats but years ago I did start looking after my neighbours kittens when they mistreated them. Big plus point was that they did think my house was their home and stopped pooing in my garden . Not so much fun was when I'd open the front door to leave to catch my train and they would run in and hide under the bed for a laugh and a game :evil: .

 

[angrybird]

haha tobydog my son says when I get older i'm going to be a crazy cat lady :?

 

[JoceAndChris]

I already am! :lol:

 

[Feltwell]

Don't forget - madness is directly proportional to number of cats owned, it's a well-proven relationship. Anything over 4, and, well................ :wink:

We need another dog. It still doesn't feel right going for a walk without one, and it's 7 years since our old collie died!

 

[Schoolmarm]

FW, I can't let the dog down.

Feltwell, how on earth have you managed for seven years? I can never ever be without a collie. 8)

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, get another collie Feltwell! They're amazing! And just think how your little ones would like it. Pets are so good for children.

Emma is settling at last, she seemed a lot happier once she saw me unwrapping armfuls of toys for her and devoting my entire life to cat fishing. She doesn't really like me posting on here though so if I go quiet you'll know why. Xxx

 

[Feltwell]

Feltwell, how on earth have you managed for seven years? I can never ever be without a collie. 8)

Our old dog ( I shall resist pictures) died when my eldest child was less than a year old. Although he was fantastic with kids - in his final year he always wanted to be next to my baby daughter - it wouldn't really have been fair to bring a new dog in with such a young child. My youngest is now 2, seeing as how he shall be the last mini-Feltwell we may well get another dog in a couple of years time.

Having said that, all 3 kids are well & truly used to dogs, my parents having 2 collies and Mrs F's mum now looking after a steady stream of dogs. Her old dog, an alsation, died a couple of years ago and like many older people she's hesitant to get another as she is not getting any younger herself. She took a neighbour's dog in whilst they went on holiday and charged the owners £15 a day for the privilege - all monies going to a cancer charity - word spread and now she nearly always has someone else's dog to look after! Much friendlier than a kennels, probably cheaper and all the money goes to charity.

 

[Alex]

Sorry for not replying sooner Joce, I havent been on here since my last message to you as I'm desperately trying to finish the plastering but I am so pleased to read your news about Emma, I know she will have a loving home.

Alex

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thank you so much Alex. We love our little princess and have had a wonderful first week with her.

Hope the plastering is going well too.

 

[vicky whitworth]

She's such a bonny babe. I reckon one day she'll hook up with some grand sea lord.
We love a tart
Vicky x

 

[DJH]

We have had two cats, brother and sister for a couple of years and it seems as though we have two more now, again brother and sister we think. They turned up as hungry kittens in the hay barn and adopted us while we were feeding the donkeys.