Dawn:

Good luck on Friday, and surviving the interim week. I know how it is to
have wait days that seem endless when something is wrong.  I'm sure
everything will turn out fine on Friday, and it's good your shelter will pay
for the FIV test too. It's the least they can do for messing things up!  I
hope they can find his old records for you too.

Just saw your post, and wanted to wish you well. All my 15 kids are doing
well, thankfully.

Mary M.
----------
>From: "Dawn Wayne-Gacy" <dawncat67@...>
>To: handicats@onelist.com
>Subject: [Handicats] Update on Petey
>Date: Sun, Jul 11, 1999, 4:43 PM
>

>From: "Dawn Wayne-Gacy" <dawncat67@...>
>
>
>Hi Everyone
>Thanks so much for the good wishes and advice!  it really helped me
>mentally.  I was such a basket case all weekend.  I just got ahold of the
>shelter.  They told me that another cat named "Petey" was an FIV cat at the
>shelter at the same time my cat was there.  My Petey's orginal name was
>"Peter".  So they say that the vet must have mixed up the records.  (even
>though I told them when I called his name was originally Peter).  The
>shelter also said they didn't know why Pete had that metal pole in his leg
>and they would try to find any medical records they may have in storage on
>him.  They told me they would pay for an FIV test when I take him back to
>the vet on Friday for his surgery to have the metal removed.  All the cats
>have been freaking out because they know somethings wrong, It's so hard to
>comfort them when you can't verbally explain that everything is all right.
>So I guess on Friday I will know everything.  Keep your fingers crossed for
>us that all goes well.  I am going to call the veterinarian again in the
>morning to go over with them what the shelter told me.  Taz has been just on
>my feet constantly since all this happened because Petey's his best friend
>and he is so upset that Petey's hiding from all of us.  I went out and
>bought them new toys and treats Friday nite hoping to cheer everyone up.
>Worked with Hannah, but everyone else is moping.
>Still, everything should be okay.
>
>Once again, thank you all so very much for the supportive emails.  You can't
>imagine how it has helped.
>I'll keep you updated.
>
>Dawn, Taz, Petey, Jemima, Hanah, and Grady.
>
>
>--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
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>

Dawn glad to hear it was a paper error, will keep my fingers crossed
that he is negative, I'm sure he is.

Melanie
burt@...

----- Original Message -----
From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
To: <handicats@onelist.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 1999 4:17 AM
Subject: [Handicats] Very bad news for me


> From: "Dawn Wayne-Gacy" <dawncat67@...>
>
>
> Hello everyone
> I just received a bad shock today, I'm a little upset so of course I have
to
> share.  What happened is this....My cat, Petey, whom I have had for a
year,
> started favoring his right back leg and crying.  Today I took him to the
> vet, which happens to be the vet of the Shelter I adopted Pete from.
> Anyway, I brought Pete and Jemima, and after the vet checked Jemima, she
> said, "And this must be Petey, the FIV+ cat" I said "NO, He doesn't have
> FIV, you must have the wrong med records" She checked again and told me
the
> shelter I adopted him from told the veterinarian that he was a FIV + cat.
> First of all, none of my other cats have FIV and when I adopted Petey I
was
> not told anything about FIV and neither did the medical records I was
given
> state that.  Now for my second shock, They xrayed Petey's leg and come to
> find out there is a piece of metal in his leg where he must have had a
> broken leg and they repaired it with the metal  Apparently the metal was
> something that should have been removed a long time ago.  They told me he
> has to have it operated on right away! This was something else that is not
> in the medical records I was given, nor was it ever mentioned.
> The vet is going to give Petey another FIV test next week when they do the
> surgery, I've tried to contact the shelter, but they haven't called me
back
> So right now the results of this will be either All my cats could have the
> FIV by now, Petey may have it and do I keep him or find him a new home to
> keep my other cats safe?  Or Please whatever gods are in the universe let
> Petey be negative and his surgery okay.
> okay, got to go leak out my eyes some more...'thanks for reading I needed
to
> vent somehow....
>
> Dawn
>
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> ONElist:  your connection to online communities.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

Hi Everyone
Thanks so much for the good wishes and advice!  it really helped me
mentally.  I was such a basket case all weekend.  I just got ahold of the
shelter.  They told me that another cat named "Petey" was an FIV cat at the
shelter at the same time my cat was there.  My Petey's orginal name was
"Peter".  So they say that the vet must have mixed up the records.  (even
though I told them when I called his name was originally Peter).  The
shelter also said they didn't know why Pete had that metal pole in his leg
and they would try to find any medical records they may have in storage on
him.  They told me they would pay for an FIV test when I take him back to
the vet on Friday for his surgery to have the metal removed.  All the cats
have been freaking out because they know somethings wrong, It's so hard to
comfort them when you can't verbally explain that everything is all right.
So I guess on Friday I will know everything.  Keep your fingers crossed for
us that all goes well.  I am going to call the veterinarian again in the
morning to go over with them what the shelter told me.  Taz has been just on
my feet constantly since all this happened because Petey's his best friend
and he is so upset that Petey's hiding from all of us.  I went out and
bought them new toys and treats Friday nite hoping to cheer everyone up.
Worked with Hannah, but everyone else is moping.
Still, everything should be okay.

Once again, thank you all so very much for the supportive emails.  You can't
imagine how it has helped.
I'll keep you updated.

Dawn, Taz, Petey, Jemima, Hanah, and Grady.

Hi Dawn.

I've been thinking about you all weekend--trying to come up with the right
words to say to try and comfort you.  I still don't know what to say though.
I'm so sorry for this terrible, terrible thing that has happened to you and
your cats.  Just know we're thinking about you and we're here to listen
anytime.  I know one thing--I'd be marching down to that shelter and
demanding some answers.  It seems as though they deserve an "a** chewing" to
me.  Keep positive thoughts.  It helps.  It really does.  No use thinking
about bad things until they actually happen.  I know it's hard, but try.
Poor Petey.  How is Taz handling this?  Is Petey staying at the vet until
his surgery next week? If not, is he still crying about his leg?  I know you
said he and Taz are really close--so I wondered how they were interacting
now.  Keep your chin up.  Things are bound to get better.

Thinking of you,

Debbi Strean

-----Original Message-----
From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
To: handicats@onelist.com <handicats@onelist.com>
Date: Friday, July 09, 1999 11:17 PM
Subject: [Handicats] Very bad news for me


From: "Dawn Wayne-Gacy" <dawncat67@...>


Hello everyone
I just received a bad shock today, I'm a little upset so of course I have to
share.  What happened is this....My cat, Petey, whom I have had for a year,
started favoring his right back leg and crying.  Today I took him to the
vet, which happens to be the vet of the Shelter I adopted Pete from.
Anyway, I brought Pete and Jemima, and after the vet checked Jemima, she
said, "And this must be Petey, the FIV+ cat" I said "NO, He doesn't have
FIV, you must have the wrong med records" She checked again and told me the
shelter I adopted him from told the veterinarian that he was a FIV + cat.
First of all, none of my other cats have FIV and when I adopted Petey I was
not told anything about FIV and neither did the medical records I was given
state that.  Now for my second shock, They xrayed Petey's leg and come to
find out there is a piece of metal in his leg where he must have had a
broken leg and they repaired it with the metal  Apparently the metal was
something that should have been removed a long time ago.  They told me he
has to have it operated on right away! This was something else that is not
in the medical records I was given, nor was it ever mentioned.
The vet is going to give Petey another FIV test next week when they do the
surgery, I've tried to contact the shelter, but they haven't called me back
So right now the results of this will be either All my cats could have the
FIV by now, Petey may have it and do I keep him or find him a new home to
keep my other cats safe?  Or Please whatever gods are in the universe let
Petey be negative and his surgery okay.
okay, got to go leak out my eyes some more...'thanks for reading I needed to
vent somehow....

Dawn


--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

ONElist:  your connection to online communities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn,

Thank=you for sharing this with us.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Brian, Sheba Junior and Cool Hand luke

Hello everyone
I just received a bad shock today, I'm a little upset so of course I have to
share.  What happened is this....My cat, Petey, whom I have had for a year,
started favoring his right back leg and crying.  Today I took him to the
vet, which happens to be the vet of the Shelter I adopted Pete from.
Anyway, I brought Pete and Jemima, and after the vet checked Jemima, she
said, "And this must be Petey, the FIV+ cat" I said "NO, He doesn't have
FIV, you must have the wrong med records" She checked again and told me the
shelter I adopted him from told the veterinarian that he was a FIV + cat.
First of all, none of my other cats have FIV and when I adopted Petey I was
not told anything about FIV and neither did the medical records I was given
state that.  Now for my second shock, They xrayed Petey's leg and come to
find out there is a piece of metal in his leg where he must have had a
broken leg and they repaired it with the metal  Apparently the metal was
something that should have been removed a long time ago.  They told me he
has to have it operated on right away! This was something else that is not
in the medical records I was given, nor was it ever mentioned.
The vet is going to give Petey another FIV test next week when they do the
surgery, I've tried to contact the shelter, but they haven't called me back
So right now the results of this will be either All my cats could have the
FIV by now, Petey may have it and do I keep him or find him a new home to
keep my other cats safe?  Or Please whatever gods are in the universe let
Petey be negative and his surgery okay.
okay, got to go leak out my eyes some more...'thanks for reading I needed to
vent somehow....

Dawn

Hi Dawn!

Your Jemima is adorable with those big, beautiful golden eyes!  That was a
great picture! What are you talking about?

You mentioned you thought my Sassy sounds like a real sweetheart--well, she
keeps an eye on me all the time.  Whenever I'm petting another of the cats,
she's just STARING at me--like she's mad!  If I try to pet her right after
petting another cat, she pulls away.  She's very jealous.  She's my girl
though.  I can't really say I have a favorite, because each time I'm petting
one, at that moment, they're my favorite.  Does that make sense?  I guess I
have special feelings for all of them, and they're DIFFERENT feelings, too.
Some are more tender, like for Gypsy and Lady, and some are more -- I don't
know. Kind of playful, more of a --I can't really explain it.  I just know I
have different feelings of love for each of them.  I love them all to death,
and I know you're the same.  It's just odd.  I wonder if you or anyone else
understands what I mean...  Have a good weekend!

Debbi Strean


-----Original Message-----
From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
To: handicats@onelist.com <handicats@onelist.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 06, 1999 11:28 AM
Subject: [Handicats] Happy after 4th of July


Debbi, congratulations on Lady's vet trip being a-okay!  I'm so in love with
"Gypsy"!  She looks exactly like my little baby girl Jemima, whose really
bad picture I've attached to show you.  I have to stop taking polariods of
my cats and use the real camera.  Jemima is my favorite cat but none of my
other cats know that (I hope).  You must scan a pic of all your cats.
Little Sassy seems like a sweetheart.  I like cats with an attitude. Thanks
for all the kind words in regards to the list.  I hope everyone enjoys being
on it.  I know I do.  One of the reasons I got involved with taking in
Handicapped cats is because when I got Taz, the woman who gave him to me
told me she couldn't find a single shelter that would take him! Basically, I
was her last resort!  I thought that was awful, but found that even my
friends whom I feel are pretty kind hearted all around would hesitate to
take in a cat with problems. So everyone on this list is an ANGEL! You are
all very, very special people.


Love to you all

Dawn and the Handicatz


_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Dawn:

Your Jemima is precious! Such a sweet-looking little girl. I don't think
your photo was bad at all, esp. being a Polaroid.

Hope everyone had a good 4th holiday. I think vet clinics are the only
employees who can manage a 1 day weekend in the midst of a 3-day holiday.
Ours did it, tho Monday was so slow it was almost a joke. Thank goodness ‹
that meant not many animals were injured over the holiday by fireworks!

All my Handicats are doing terrific, and thriving. Hope all yours are too.
I'm really thrilled this list was started. It's GREAT to be able to talk
about our "special" kitties to people who REALLY understand.

Purrs,

Mary
----------
>From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
>To: handicats@onelist.com
>Subject: [Handicats] Happy after 4th of July
>Date: Tue, Jul 6, 1999, 9:27 AM
>

>Debbi, congratulations on Lady's vet trip being a-okay!  I'm so in love with
>"Gypsy"!  She looks exactly like my little baby girl Jemima, whose really
>bad picture I've attached to show you.  I have to stop taking polariods of
>my cats and use the real camera.  Jemima is my favorite cat but none of my
>other cats know that (I hope).  You must scan a pic of all your cats.
>Little Sassy seems like a sweetheart.  I like cats with an attitude. Thanks
>for all the kind words in regards to the list.  I hope everyone enjoys being
>on it.  I know I do.  One of the reasons I got involved with taking in
>Handicapped cats is because when I got Taz, the woman who gave him to me
>told me she couldn't find a single shelter that would take him! Basically, I
>was her last resort!  I thought that was awful, but found that even my
>friends whom I feel are pretty kind hearted all around would hesitate to
>take in a cat with problems. So everyone on this list is an ANGEL! You are
>all very, very special people.
>
>
>Love to you all
>
>Dawn and the Handicatz
>
>
>_______________________________________________________________
>Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
>

Debbi, congratulations on Lady's vet trip being a-okay!  I'm so in love with
"Gypsy"!  She looks exactly like my little baby girl Jemima, whose really
bad picture I've attached to show you.  I have to stop taking polariods of
my cats and use the real camera.  Jemima is my favorite cat but none of my
other cats know that (I hope).  You must scan a pic of all your cats.
Little Sassy seems like a sweetheart.  I like cats with an attitude. Thanks
for all the kind words in regards to the list.  I hope everyone enjoys being
on it.  I know I do.  One of the reasons I got involved with taking in
Handicapped cats is because when I got Taz, the woman who gave him to me
told me she couldn't find a single shelter that would take him! Basically, I
was her last resort!  I thought that was awful, but found that even my
friends whom I feel are pretty kind hearted all around would hesitate to
take in a cat with problems. So everyone on this list is an ANGEL! You are
all very, very special people.


Love to you all

Dawn and the Handicatz


_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Deb, thanks for the encouraging words, but you are doing rescue, you are giving
4 babies  a wonderful home with tons of love.   Hurry and get your degree, cat
rescue
need people like you.  Let me know when you get that house, I'm sending you a
present >G
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Debbi Strean
   To: Handicats@onelist.com
   Sent: Saturday, July 03, 1999 10:41 PM
   Subject: Re: [Handicats] Welcome All


   Hi Everyone!

   Dawn:
   First, what a great idea on starting this list!  I'm so glad you thought of
it.  Thank you!  Also, thanks for the kind words about my cat Lady.  I think
she's beautiful, too.  You sound like a wonderful person.  It's so terriffic of
you to take in all those precious kitties.  It sounds like they enrich your life
as much as you enrich theirs.  Of course, that's usually the way. They all sound
so sweet; I wish I could pick each one of them up and cuddle with them.  I  just
can't help myself.
   The "Handicats" web site is another excellent idea!  You seem to be full of
them!!  I for one can't wait to see it and add my pics.  When you said that
normal cats are great, but Handicats are Special, you're so right.  My first cat
ever, Sweet Pea (now 4 years old) is a "normal" cat.  However, he is the reason
for my love of cats, and therefore I consider him just as special as all the
rest.  Because of him and his wonderful personality, I now have three other
babies.  Two are Handicats, and one isn't.  The one that isn't however was the
only surviving kitten of a litter of a feral cat.  She's a bit on the "wild"
side herself--and aptly named Sassy.
   Taz is a beautiful cat!  What a great picture!  My blind cat Lady is the
"queen" of the house, too.  Two of my cats are really intimidated by her, and
the other one, well, let's just say that Lady will take so much of her teasing,
and then she'll let her know she's not taking anymore.  So I'd say she's
definitely the boss! Funny, isn't it.


   Anna:
   Another saint!  Fourteen cats!  Thank you!  I want to thank everyone who helps
cats this way.  It's so wonderful!  Bashful is so lucky to have you.  He sounds
so sweet.  I think he might do all right if he were in a smaller "colony". 
Maybe with just one or two other cats, he'd do better.  If you haven't already
tried it, another way you might get his attention is by flicking the lights on
and off.  It is amazing he got along so well on his own without his hearing!  He
must be some special cat!

   Mary M.:
   Thank you so much for your comments about Lady.  I appreciate it very much.  I
got Lady after her first eye had been removed and the vet estimated her age at 3
or 4 years old.  So she is now 7 or 8 (I prefer to think of her at the younger
age--so I'll say she's about 7 years old).  I am still astounded over her
adaptability!  You're right--too bad people can't be so adaptable, huh?  I'm so
sorry to hear about Snowball.  I'm glad she found a home with someone special
like you though, who, I'm certain, made her life wonderful and happy.
   And, since you asked, I'm attaching a few pictures of my "tripod" kitty named
Gypsy.  She's a doll baby.  She's very timid.  She gets around amazingly well
also.  Some of her favorite places are the highest places--and since she's one
of my smallest cats, she's also the most agile.  In fact, I had a mouse one time
(for a short time obviously), and guess who caught it?  Yep, Gypsy, my
three-legged little girl!  So she's really not handicapped at all.  I almost
feel like an imposter in this room.  Not that I want my cats to be more
handicapped, but theirs seem so small compared to some of the other precious
animals here.  You're all wonderful people for taking care of these special
animals.  I know I've said that before, but it bears repeating.

   Melanie:
   Thanks for your kind words about Lady as well.  Everyone here is so sweet. 
I'm so sorry to hear about your blind cat's passing away.  It made me very sad
to read that.  I hope you're doing all right.  Your work with cat rescue is
wonderful.  Thank God for people like you.  I wish I could do more. 
Unfortunately, at this stage in my life I have neither the time nor money to
devote to the cause.  I'm in school part time, work 1 full-time job and just
recently took another part-time job.  (These cats are expensive!)  But after I
get my degree and get a better job, I'll be
   looking to get a great big house so I can help many more special kitties--and
maybe even dogs, too.  Most people dream about a big house in the country for
themselves--I dream about it for my pets.  I'd love to have a special place
where my cats could go to spend time outside.  They seem happy inside, and
they've got TONS of cat toys and special furniture, but on their occasional
supervised bouts outside, I can tell they enjoy that as well.  Someday I'll have
a special place set up for them outside.  Someday soon I hope.

   Brian:
   I'm so glad you rescued precious Sheba.  Out of curiosity, how have she and
Luke bonded?  My "tripod" cat Gypsy (the 3rd of my 4) has a very, very special
bond with my first cat, Sweet Pea (my only male cat and not handicapped).  Gypsy
just loves him to death.  He loves her, too, but he just doesn't seem as smitten
as she is.  He does groom her and he lets her lay up next to him all the time. 
They're something else.  It's amazing how much she loves him.  I wonder what
draws them together....

   To All:
   Lady got her stitches out Friday.  She looks great!!  The scab came off and
she's healing wonderfully.  I'm really pleased!

   The attached pics are of Gypsy--who has no trouble getting around.  The other
cat in the pics is Sassy, who is by now almost twice as big as Gypsy.  She's the
"wild" cat.  Sometimes a real brat, but I love her nonetheless.  Sassy likes to
stand underneat the dripping bathtub faucet, letting the water drip on her head
and neck.  Then jump out of the tub, come find me, and and start suckling on the
side of my finger like she's nursing.  (Wonder if she was born the rain?  She
was found at a local reservoir.)  Aw, what the heck--here's some pictures of
Sweet Pea and Sassy, too.

   Talk to you all soon, I hope!

   Debbi

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   We've just added a "NO ATTACHMENTS" option.  See homepage for details.

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[This message contained attachments]

>From: Dtgptms@...
>Reply-To: tw_treehouse@egroups.com
>To: tw_treehouse@egroups.com
>Subject: [treehouse] Little, Tiny women in cheap fur
coats.
>Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1999 20:00:45 EDT
>
>
>WHAT, EXACTLY, ARE THOSE CURIOUS ANIMALS
>  CALLED CATS?
>
>
>  1. Cats do what they want, when they want.
>  2. They rarely listen to you.
>  3. They're totally unpredictable.
>  4. They whine when they are not happy.
>  5. When you want to play they want to be left alone.
>  6. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
>  7. They expect you to cater to their every whim.
>  8. They're moody.
>  9. They leave their hair everywhere.
>  10. They drive you nuts.
>
>  Conclusion: Cats are little, tiny women in cheap fur
coats.
>
>
>
>No offense intended to either women or cats. ;)
>
>As Always,
>Debra
>
>-------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
>~*~
>
>
>

Brian
Sheba sounds like a doll.  Thank goodness you rescued her just in time!  My
little Jemima kitty only weighs 5 pounds as well.  Though it sounds like
Jemima and Sheba share the same thing - a big heart! I can't believe that
people can abuse an animal.  It's amazing that a cat can go through so much
and still have the ability to trust.  Do you have any problems with her and
trust issues?  I know my previously abused cat, Petey, and I have a very
tenous relationship.  If I scare him by accident he lives under the bed for
a week or so.

From my cats to yours!

Dawn and the Handicatz

oh yes, sorry about the duplicate postings I did.  yikes.
>From: Sonogriff@...
>Reply-To: Handicats@onelist.com
>To: Handicats@onelist.com
>Subject: Re: [Handicats] Welcome All
>Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1999 00:06:27 EDT
>
>From: Sonogriff@...
>
>This list is awesome.  Although both of my beautiful six year old Black
>American Shorthair Kitties have no handicaps (Sheba Junior and Cool Hand
>Luke), I really enjoy this list, more than the other cat lists that I am
>on.
>I think that one of the rasons that I empathize so with this list is
>because
>of my Sheba (the ultimate kitty of my heart).  I adopeted her a year and a
>half or so ago.  She had been ready for the "euthanaia room" at the ASPCA
>because of extreme cruelty from her former owners.  She is a very petite
>little girl (all of about five pounds) and is missing some teeth.  She has
>a
>b-b pellet lodged behind one ear.  Thank God, some angels there took her
>under their wing and saved her from almost certain death.  I adopted her,
>and
>later adopted Luke to keep her company while I am at work.
>Your list is beautiful and I come away from it every time with a renewed
>faith in the human race!
>
>Love,
>
>Brian, Sheba and Cool Hand Luke
>
>--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
>Looking for a new hobby?  Want to make a new friend?
>http://www.onelist.com
>Come join one of 180,000 e-mail communities at ONElist!
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taz is beautiful,  Luke, Sheba and I send him a big big hug!!!!

This list is awesome.  Although both of my beautiful six year old Black
American Shorthair Kitties have no handicaps (Sheba Junior and Cool Hand
Luke), I really enjoy this list, more than the other cat lists that I am on.
I think that one of the rasons that I empathize so with this list is because
of my Sheba (the ultimate kitty of my heart).  I adopeted her a year and a
half or so ago.  She had been ready for the "euthanaia room" at the ASPCA
because of extreme cruelty from her former owners.  She is a very petite
little girl (all of about five pounds) and is missing some teeth.  She has a
b-b pellet lodged behind one ear.  Thank God, some angels there took her
under their wing and saved her from almost certain death.  I adopted her, and
later adopted Luke to keep her company while I am at work.
Your list is beautiful and I come away from it every time with a renewed
faith in the human race!

Love,

Brian, Sheba and Cool Hand Luke

Bashful sounds like such a beautiful kitty!  Please give him a big hug from
Lucas, Sheba and me!

Dawn, Taz is very handsome.

Well you guys are going to make me learn how to use that scanner.

Thank you Dawn for starting this list.

Melanie
burt@...

I
----- Original Message -----
From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
To: <handicats@onelist.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 1999 10:31 PM
Subject: [Handicats] Pic of Taz


> I'm hoping there is a pic of my blind/brain damaged cat, Taz attached.
You
> never know with my older than dirt computer if it worked or not.
>
> Melanie, When I read about the loss of your blind kitty, I cried.  I'm so
> sorry.  Your story reminded me so much of Taz and how much I love him and
> all the wierd things he does.  He gets through my house so well, unless I
> move something.  His biggest problem though is that for some reason he
> loves, loves, loves to run!  since he can't see, sometimes he runs right
> into your leg and knocks you over.  I've had to take him to the vet before
> because he lacerated his cornea by knocking into something.  You are so
> right about a special cat bonding to you more.  My cat Jemima, is with me
> EVERYWHERE I go.  If I lock her out of anywhere I am, she cries at the top
> of her lungs. she sleeps on me every night, sits in my lap while I watch
tv.
> Takes a shower with me (well, she tries).  She's like my shadow.
>
>
> Anna, I'm wondering if maybe when I get the Handicats site up (trying for
> the first week of August) If Bashfull still isn't comfortable in your
> household, maybe we can have him as the "adopt a Handi of the month"
When
> I first got Taz, My cats used to be really freaked out by him, and he was
> terrified of them, however, in time they all became friends and now Petey
is
> his best friend.  I may be lucky in that none of my cats really could beat
> up another cat!  But I think most cats recognize a handicat after those
> first days/weeks of hissing and trying to beat each other up.  I know of a
> shelter that has a blind cat as their spokesmodel and he considers himself
> king of the shelter.
>
> Dawn and the Handicatz
>
>
> _______________________________________________________________
> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

I'm hoping there is a pic of my blind/brain damaged cat, Taz attached.  You
never know with my older than dirt computer if it worked or not.

Melanie, When I read about the loss of your blind kitty, I cried.  I'm so
sorry.  Your story reminded me so much of Taz and how much I love him and
all the wierd things he does.  He gets through my house so well, unless I
move something.  His biggest problem though is that for some reason he
loves, loves, loves to run!  since he can't see, sometimes he runs right
into your leg and knocks you over.  I've had to take him to the vet before
because he lacerated his cornea by knocking into something.  You are so
right about a special cat bonding to you more.  My cat Jemima, is with me
EVERYWHERE I go.  If I lock her out of anywhere I am, she cries at the top
of her lungs. she sleeps on me every night, sits in my lap while I watch tv.
Takes a shower with me (well, she tries).  She's like my shadow.


Anna, I'm wondering if maybe when I get the Handicats site up (trying for
the first week of August) If Bashfull still isn't comfortable in your
household, maybe we can have him as the "adopt a Handi of the month"   When
I first got Taz, My cats used to be really freaked out by him, and he was
terrified of them, however, in time they all became friends and now Petey is
his best friend.  I may be lucky in that none of my cats really could beat
up another cat!  But I think most cats recognize a handicat after those
first days/weeks of hissing and trying to beat each other up.  I know of a
shelter that has a blind cat as their spokesmodel and he considers himself
king of the shelter.

Dawn and the Handicatz


_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

PurrfectDebbi, she is just beautiful........

Melanie
burt@...

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Debbi Strean
   To: Handicats@onelist.com
   Sent: Thursday, July 01, 1999 12:13 PM
   Subject: Re: [Handicats] Purrfect


   Hi, Mary.

   I just joined this list 2 days ago, and have been waiting to see what it's all
about.  I, too, have a cat who ha one of her legs amputated (though it's one of
her front legs, and not a back one) as well as a cat who had an eye removed due
to infection (Lady).  Her eye was removed 4 years ago, and unfortunately 2 weeks
ago, her remaining eye became infected as well and it had to be removed also. 
However, she was almost blind from the previous infection, and there is almost
NO CHANGE in her ability to get around!  She is AMAZING!  They are also with me
precisely because they are handicapped.  I have only four cats, because that's
all I can afford, but I've vowed if (when) I adopt another cat, it will be a
handicapped one.

   Attached are some pictures of Lady. (I'm like a proud Mom--just can't help
myself!  I'm sure you understand.)  ;o)  The first is just a few pics of her in
some of her favorite places.  In the second, she's resting peacefully on top of
my scanner after her recent surgery.  God love her.  She's so precious to me.  
Have a good day!

   Debbi

   ---Original Message-----
   From: Mary L. Millard <mlmcats@...>
   To: Handicats@onelist.com <Handicats@onelist.com>
   Date: Wednesday, June 30, 1999 11:04 PM
   Subject: [Handicats] Purrfect


     HandiCats is the Purrfect list for me, as 4 of our 15 felines are considered
"handicapped."

     3 are tripods: Lionel was born without a hind foot, while Lady & Adolph each
had one of their hind legs surgically amputated before they arrived in our home.
Toby had to have one eye removed due to an injury and resulting glaucoma, and
all are here precisely because they are handicapped.

     I can't wait to hear the stories of others about their handicapped furries. 
I'm an infrequent correspondent due to very long work hours in my veterinary
clinic, but I will participate as time perhaps.  Thanks for the invitation to
join!

     Mary M. in Portland OR

Dawn, you are an amazing woman, thank you for giving these wonderful
babies a home.

My name is Melanie Friedman and I have done cat rescue for 9 years.
I just lost my blind cat after 9 years, she had a heart attack.   It was
quite
devastating because she was doing so well.    If you met her you would
never in a million years know she was blind,  unless you left something
out that shouldn't be, like the vaccuum cleaner in the hallway  SMACK.
As long as everything remained the same she was fine.    She was a
very special little girl.

I find that the special needs seem to develope a bond with you.   I was
my blind cats whole world.     Mickie my three legged cat  does great,
she has to be the one sleeping on my shoulder at night, that is her spot.
LT has neurological problems, he tills his head and has weak rear legs, he
also had to have a toe amputated.   Its been 7 months and he still favors
that foot.     The list goes on of babies that have health problems, but
they are wonderful.

Dawn you are so right they are very special.    I would take a special needs
cat in a second, because there is always a special bond with them.

I'm glad to be aboard...............

Melanie
burt@...

----- Original Message -----
From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
To: <Handicats@onelist.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 1999 1:49 PM
Subject: [Handicats] Welcome All


> From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
>
> I suppose I should introduce myself!  My name is Dawn, and I started this
> list because I have 5 Handicats!  I am on other cat lists but no one
seemed
> to have the same sort of problems that I have with my cats. I mean, not
many
> people I know have to rescue their blind cat who gets stuck in the stereo
> wires and then cries till I come get him!  Only two of my cats can even
jump
> up into the windows.  I have Jemima who is two, when she was 5 months old
> she was hit by a car which fractured her jaw in 3 places and knocked all
her
> baby teeth out.  Now her jaw is crooked and she has problems eating. Then
I
> got Petey, who is a big stocky Tom cat who had been thrown out a car
window.
>   Now he has a damaged paw.  Then came Taz, He has brain damage and is
blind
> from a child smashing his head when he was a baby. Then there is Hannah,
> technically she isn't a Handi but she is a feral kitten and she has some
> emotional problems we are working through.  Finally I have Grady, He was
> found with a Giant tumour growing out of his head, after the operation he
> hasn't been able to hold his head up right.  they think he might have some
> brain damage as well.
> I am in the process of putting a "Handicats" web site up with space for
> people to put pictures of their wonderful handicats up for everyone to
see.
> Normal cats are great, but Handicats are Special!
>
> Debbi, Lady is an absolutely gorgeous cat!  There is another woman joining
> this list who has a one eyed cat named "Heidi"
>
> Mary, I'd love to see your "Tripods"  My friend actually had a dog named
> "Tripod"
>
> Dawn and the Handicatz
>
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> Attention ONElist list owners.
> http://www.onelist.com
> We've just added a "NO ATTACHMENTS" option.  See homepage for details.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

Anna,

I had a Maine Coon who never adjusted to our 14 other cats, but his problem
was that the others picked on him all the time.  He wasn't handicapped in
any way nor did he pick fights with any of the others ‹ they just never
stopped picking on him.  Sounds like your Bashful, probably due to his inner
terror from being deaf, will never adjust to the others too.

It's wonderful of you to care for him, and the other 13. We're equal in
numbers; I have 14 too, 4 of which are Handicats.  I just joined the list
yesterday, and think it's wonderful. I'm wondering what breed Bashful is
since you describe him as "muscular" and "gorgeous"; I'll bet he's a VERY
special boy.

Tell us all about your others sometime too.

Mary M.
----------
>From: HPBAPrnces@...
>Subject: Re: [Handicats] Welcome All
>Date: Thu, Jul 1, 1999, 9:24 AM
>

>From: HPBAPrnces@...
>
>Thanks for the welcome!  I joined the list yesterday because of Bashful.
>He's one of 14 cats we took in, over time, and none of them were really ever
>meant to stay.  We've been looking for homes for all of them since the day
>they strolled in here.  For some of them, that's been a long time!  We'll
>keep them until we find homes and we'll take in others while we look.
>
>Bashful, however, is different from the others.  He sat outside our window
>one night crying his head off, checking out our womenfolk.  In the rain!
>When I tried to call him in, he ignored me, and I assumed his hormones were
>just too focused on the girls.  After weeks of this, I lured him in with food
>and he ate like he was starving.  He wasn't, actually- he's a very muscular
>guy.  We kept him, posted flyers and waited.  Someone had to be missing this
>beautiful cat.  In the meantime, he fought with everyone else in the house
>and again I put it down to the girls.
>
>When he injured his paw in a fight with one of the others, we got him checked
>out and locked him away from everyone to heal in private.  The first time I
>walked into the room where he was, I realized Bashful was deaf.  It's funny
>how I didn't notice, because he was always wound so tight and was so alert.
>In private, he was different.  He could relax because no one was sneaking up
>on him.  To get him to realize you're in the room, you have to stomp so he
>can feel the vibrations in the floor.  He's not vicious, or mean.  He's
>terrified by the others because he can't hear them coming.  One of the
>greatest defenses a cat has, and this cat lived on the street without it!
>
>On the negative side, he's not happy being around the others at all.  Until I
>find him a home, he's living in my office most of the time.  He's gorgeous
>and loving and I hate keeping him locked up, but he's happier alone.  Does
>anyone know if he'll ever adjust to being around other cats?  I'm trying to
>find him a no other pet household, but for now, he's here and I love him to
>death.  I want him to be happy, and have no idea how to achieve that!
>
>Thanks for letting me ramble!
>Anna
>
>--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
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>

Dawn,

You have my admiration! Your "handicats" have far more serious problems than
my tripods and one-eyed girl. It must be difficult dealing with a blind
kitty, tho I know it can be done. And your rescues of the others was really
something; I'm sure the brain damaged ones can be quite challenging at
times.

Wish I could post photos of all my kids, but I don't have a scanner, sad to
say. Debbi's Lady is positively gorgeous and SUCH a trooper, to survive her
blindness so bravely. It's amazing what animals can overcome.

All my tripods can jump up to windowsills, tho Adolph is rather overweight
and has to the use windows with "stepping stones" to get where he wants to
go.  My Lady is very lithe and agile, as is Lionel. Toby's lack of an eye
doesn't stop her from doing anything at all; she seemed to adjust to losing
her eye with no problem at all.

Thanks SO much for starting this list!  It's wonderful for those of us with
Handicats we're proud of and love so much. Maybe it will be a good list for
people who know of Handicats who NEED homes also but can't place them; that
happens a lot, at least here. I know I'll be a regular participant, and I
hope lots of others will be too.

Mary M.
----------
>From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
>To: Handicats@onelist.com
>Subject: [Handicats] Welcome All
>Date: Thu, Jul 1, 1999, 6:49 AM
>

>From: Dawn Wayne-Gacy <dawncat67@...>
>
>I suppose I should introduce myself!  My name is Dawn, and I started this
>list because I have 5 Handicats!  I am on other cat lists but no one seemed
>to have the same sort of problems that I have with my cats. I mean, not many
>people I know have to rescue their blind cat who gets stuck in the stereo
>wires and then cries till I come get him!  Only two of my cats can even jump
>up into the windows.  I have Jemima who is two, when she was 5 months old
>she was hit by a car which fractured her jaw in 3 places and knocked all her
>baby teeth out.  Now her jaw is crooked and she has problems eating. Then I
>got Petey, who is a big stocky Tom cat who had been thrown out a car window.
>  Now he has a damaged paw.  Then came Taz, He has brain damage and is blind
>from a child smashing his head when he was a baby. Then there is Hannah,
>technically she isn't a Handi but she is a feral kitten and she has some
>emotional problems we are working through.  Finally I have Grady, He was
>found with a Giant tumour growing out of his head, after the operation he
>hasn't been able to hold his head up right.  they think he might have some
>brain damage as well.
>I am in the process of putting a "Handicats" web site up with space for
>people to put pictures of their wonderful handicats up for everyone to see.
>Normal cats are great, but Handicats are Special!
>
>Debbi, Lady is an absolutely gorgeous cat!  There is another woman joining
>this list who has a one eyed cat named "Heidi"
>
>Mary, I'd love to see your "Tripods"  My friend actually had a dog named
>"Tripod"
>
>Dawn and the Handicatz
>
>
>--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
>Attention ONElist list owners.
>http://www.onelist.com
>We've just added a "NO ATTACHMENTS" option.  See homepage for details.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>

Dear Debbi:

Your Lady is GORGEOUS! Thanks so much for including her photos with your
post. If I had a scanner, I'd be enclosing pix of my kids too.  Any chance
we'll get to see  your tripod on a post one day?  I'm sure she's beautiful
too.  It's amazing how well they adapt to their handicaps, isn't it?  Lady
has my utmost admiration, tho.  I'm curious how old she is, to have lost
both eyes.  She looks young in the photos, and very much like our first cat,
Snowball, who left us over 3 years ago due to liver disease. He was 13, and
a beautiful fellow too.

I just joined the list last night when I was "invited." It's definitely the
right list for me!  Hope we can chat again, and that you'll have more photos
too.  I'd love to hear about your other 2 "normal" cats if you ever have
time too.

Have a Happy Day!

Mary M.
----------
From: "Debbi Strean" <debbistrean@...>
To: <Handicats@onelist.com>
Subject: Re: [Handicats] Purrfect
Date: Thu, Jul 1, 1999, 5:13 AM


Hi, Mary.

I just joined this list 2 days ago, and have been waiting to see what it's
all about.  I, too, have a cat who ha one of her legs amputated (though it's
one of her front legs, and not a back one) as well as a cat who had an eye
removed due to infection (Lady).  Her eye was removed 4 years ago, and
unfortunately 2 weeks ago, her remaining eye became infected as well and it
had to be removed also.  However, she was almost blind from the previous
infection, and there is almost NO CHANGE in her ability to get around!  She
is AMAZING!  They are also with me precisely because they are handicapped.
I have only four cats, because that's all I can afford, but I've vowed if
(when) I adopt another cat, it will be a handicapped one.

Attached are some pictures of Lady. (I'm like a proud Mom--just can't help
myself!  I'm sure you understand.)  ;o)  The first is just a few pics of her
in some of her favorite places.  In the second, she's resting peacefully on
top of my scanner after her recent surgery.  God love her.  She's so
precious to me.   Have a good day!

Debbi

Thanks for the welcome!  I joined the list yesterday because of Bashful.
He's one of 14 cats we took in, over time, and none of them were really ever
meant to stay.  We've been looking for homes for all of them since the day
they strolled in here.  For some of them, that's been a long time!  We'll
keep them until we find homes and we'll take in others while we look.

Bashful, however, is different from the others.  He sat outside our window
one night crying his head off, checking out our womenfolk.  In the rain!
When I tried to call him in, he ignored me, and I assumed his hormones were
just too focused on the girls.  After weeks of this, I lured him in with food
and he ate like he was starving.  He wasn't, actually- he's a very muscular
guy.  We kept him, posted flyers and waited.  Someone had to be missing this
beautiful cat.  In the meantime, he fought with everyone else in the house
and again I put it down to the girls.

When he injured his paw in a fight with one of the others, we got him checked
out and locked him away from everyone to heal in private.  The first time I
walked into the room where he was, I realized Bashful was deaf.  It's funny
how I didn't notice, because he was always wound so tight and was so alert.
In private, he was different.  He could relax because no one was sneaking up
on him.  To get him to realize you're in the room, you have to stomp so he
can feel the vibrations in the floor.  He's not vicious, or mean.  He's
terrified by the others because he can't hear them coming.  One of the
greatest defenses a cat has, and this cat lived on the street without it!

On the negative side, he's not happy being around the others at all.  Until I
find him a home, he's living in my office most of the time.  He's gorgeous
and loving and I hate keeping him locked up, but he's happier alone.  Does
anyone know if he'll ever adjust to being around other cats?  I'm trying to
find him a no other pet household, but for now, he's here and I love him to
death.  I want him to be happy, and have no idea how to achieve that!

Thanks for letting me ramble!
Anna

I suppose I should introduce myself!  My name is Dawn, and I started this
list because I have 5 Handicats!  I am on other cat lists but no one seemed
to have the same sort of problems that I have with my cats. I mean, not many
people I know have to rescue their blind cat who gets stuck in the stereo
wires and then cries till I come get him!  Only two of my cats can even jump
up into the windows.  I have Jemima who is two, when she was 5 months old
she was hit by a car which fractured her jaw in 3 places and knocked all her
baby teeth out.  Now her jaw is crooked and she has problems eating. Then I
got Petey, who is a big stocky Tom cat who had been thrown out a car window.
   Now he has a damaged paw.  Then came Taz, He has brain damage and is blind
from a child smashing his head when he was a baby. Then there is Hannah,
technically she isn't a Handi but she is a feral kitten and she has some
emotional problems we are working through.  Finally I have Grady, He was
found with a Giant tumour growing out of his head, after the operation he
hasn't been able to hold his head up right.  they think he might have some
brain damage as well.
I am in the process of putting a "Handicats" web site up with space for
people to put pictures of their wonderful handicats up for everyone to see.
Normal cats are great, but Handicats are Special!

Debbi, Lady is an absolutely gorgeous cat!  There is another woman joining
this list who has a one eyed cat named "Heidi"

Mary, I'd love to see your "Tripods"  My friend actually had a dog named
"Tripod"

Dawn and the Handicatz

[This message contained attachments]

HandiCats is the Purrfect list for me, as 4 of our 15 felines are considered
"handicapped."

3 are tripods: Lionel was born without a hind foot, while Lady & Adolph each
had one of their hind legs surgically amputated before they arrived in our
home.  Toby had to have one eye removed due to an injury and resulting
glaucoma, and all are here precisely because they are handicapped.

I can't wait to hear the stories of others about their handicapped furries.
I'm an infrequent correspondent due to very long work hours in my veterinary
clinic, but I will participate as time perhaps.  Thanks for the invitation
to join!

Mary M. in Portland OR

Hello,

There is a new survey for the Handicats community.

What are the difficulties in your home for your handicapped companion animals?


----

Possible answers are:

o Stairs
o Other Animals
o Children
o Other: please explain


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://www.onelist.com/surveycenter/Handicats

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Survey votes are not collected
via email. To vote, you must go to the ONElist website.


Thanks!

Handicats Owner

In regards to the shelter in New Jersey closing email that we received.  In
an attempt to help, I contacted PETA.  I spoke with a person in their
research and investigations department.  Apparently they have been trying to
contact the shelter and no one has answered them, but as far as they know,
there were only 20 or so animals left in the shelter all the others were
adopted.   Then she told me to adopt from my local shelter, though I tried
to tell her that wasn't my point!

Dawn and the Handicatz

This situation is really bothering me, but I can't think of anything to do
to help out!!!  AHHHHHHH


>From: Debbie Burg <debbieb1@...>
>Reply-To: adopt-cats@onelist.com
>To: "adopt-cats@onelist.com" <adopt-cats@onelist.com>,
>adopt-a-cat@onelist.com
>Subject: [adopt-cats] URGENT-Animal Shelter Closing 6/30-Remaining Animals
>Will be Euthanized
>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 22:45:18 -0600
>
>From: Debbie Burg <debbieb1@...>
>
>I have just learned that a shelter in New Jersey will be closing
>tomorrow (Wednesday, June 30th) and that any animals left will be
>euthanized. I hope there is someone near there that can help! It is the
>East Orange Pond Shelter and their phone number is 973 266 5224.
>
>
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