Do you love pets?

ben,

Whenever I see a pet dog, I remember the picture ??? a dog is listening to gramophone that is playing his master's voice and his master has left forever!!

Bryan

P.S. Looking forward to hearing from twokidtwocat :D

I think you can guess that Im a cat lover.I like dogs also,but I dont have the time or money to take pn any more animals.My cats always run to the door when I come home,maybe they just want a treat,but Id like to think that they are excited to see me.I kind of like thier arrogant attitude.The kids and I sometimes sit around and pretend to talk for the cats.
I know it sounds silly,but its fun.Anyway,I love all animals,if I lived on a farm,I would most likely have lots of cats and dogs.Years ago my husband, at the time, rescued a dog from some mean kids,we nursed him to health and he pretty much became our first child.He was a small mixed,and I do believe he could understand everything we said to him.I dont know if cats can understand,or just choose not too,but whenever one of us is sick,they seem to cling to us,like they want to make us feel better.My daughters favorite cat,always sleeps outside her door at night,so there must be some attachment there.Cats can be very funny animals to,My son will not let the cats come in his room,so one day one of the cats got in the vent,crawled in and came back out at the vent in my sons room,my son was in shock,when he woke up to see a cat looking down at him.It had to take some kind of thought to get both covers off the vents to reach the forbidden room.I was just glad the heat or air was not on.We have made sure that they are nailed in good now,so it wont happen again.

Twokidtwocat

While I was posting the thread, I wished you to come here as you are very fond of your cats. I felt while writing that you include the cats in your family. Naturally, they will also show their love to you.

Since I have a dog, I can understand how good and energetic it becomes when you are playing with your pets. Since my dachshund is short in height, he fits in my arms and sleeps while looking at me. Its just like holding your new born baby. That care comes very naturally.

Goodness, I practically grew up in a zoo!
I shared my mother's love for animals and extensive knowledge of animal care, so we always had pets.
Growing up over the years, we had over time: 2 dogs (a Rottweiler and an Afghan Hound, 7 cats, 4 rabbits, several rats (very clean animals, actually!), 5 birds, a snake, an iguana, several fish, chinchillas, a hedgehog, guinea pigs, green anoles, turtles, and even a squirrel! I learned a lot about animal care, and grew up a lot less stressed because I had these critters in my life on a daily basis!

I'm mostly a cat person, but I also like exotic pets. :)

Lindsey,

Someday I wish to see you as a vet in the NGC or the Animal planet channel. :D :D

Goodness gracious!! I kept reading and reading the names of all the creatures you grew with.

You never felt alone as you always had something to look on. If anyone felt sick, all of you felt the pain and used to be silent preying for the recovery. Oh god! I really visualize it. You must have read in my post that I also love pets.

Lindsey, it's good to know you. Keep posting. :D

LOL! Thanks Ben! I appreciate it!
I think of animals as people in little furry coats :D I'm an active member of PETA and the SPCA. It's good to lend a voice to those whose language we do not understand.
The neat thing about you is that you understand your pet. Most people don't take the time to really get to know their pets. Pets try to speak to you in their own way...you just have to listen.
Pets don't judge, they are not biased. If you care for them and respect them, they give that back to you tenfold. They don't care that you sneak Big Macs every other day, and they won't tell anyone about your obsessive Beatles collection. They are loyal and always friendly. They're pretty much everything humans should be :D

My first pet, I got when I was 2 years old. He was a black cat with a stub of a tail. It was a birth defect, and he was alone in a pound, so my parents took him home to me. Who knew that this little kitten would end up being my best friend in the whole world?
We named him "Spooky" since we got him around Halloween. I noticed he was very unique when he would follow me around ALL OVER house all the time! Whereever I went, he went; he even liked to get in the bathtub with me and play with the soap bubbles! LOL!
At night, when I went to bed, he would lay down on my pillow and wrap his arm and paw around my neck. He did this every night for the 14 years that he lived.
Another neat thing about Spooky was that he'd try to communicate with me. He'd put each of his paws on each of my shoulders and try to stare into my eyes. It was really neat to watch him try to convey a message. If he couldnt get my attention, he'd give me a small, light bite on my ankle or blink hard at me.
Anytime I was upset or crying, he'd rub my face and give me "kisses."
He was the best thing in my life and I never could imagine life without him. But around Christmastime, 2 years ago, he started getting sick. He wouldn't eat and tried to hide from me and my family. It was apparent that he knew he was about to go and he didn't want me to see him like that.
My mom took him to the vet and the vet informed us that he couldn't feel one of Spook's kidneys. They were failing and he needed to be put down.

Maybe I was selfish or maybe Spook didn't feel that it was quite time to go, but I refused to have him euthanized. After all, he was still purring and giving me his little kisses. By Christmas eve, his health had really deteriorated and I placed him in a box next to my bed with one of my baby pillows and a soft shirt. He laid there for awhile and when I went to bed that night, I started crying. Spook managed to climb into my bed and wrap his arm around my neck one last time. He purred in my ear until I fell asleep.

On Christmas morning, I found him back in his box, barely breathing. My mom suggested that I open my gifs under my tree, then check back on Spook. Reluctantly, I did this, but when I went back for Spook, he had passed away. I hated myself for not staying with him, and I felt selfish for going and opening my gifts instead of keeping constant vigil on him. My father buried him and placed a headstone over his grave that read, "If tears were a stairway and memories a lane, I'd climb right up to heaven and bring you home again." For the rest of the day, I was miserable. While everyone else was happy, and playing with gifts, I spent the day in my room in tears. I STILL am not over his death. And I keep a big 8X10 picture of him on my mantle.

I truly think that pets, even animals are more than just "animals." I believe that they carry the same thoughts and emotions as people. We're lucky to have them in our life and they should be cared for just like you would care for another human.

I appreciate you starting this topic, Ben. YOu always have the nicest topics and thought-provoking ideas. It's really good to know you too and I hope you stick around for awhile :D

I think alot of us think of our pets as children,I get very upset when I see a pet running around on the streets,or when people leave thier pets outside all the time.I live in a small house,so thats one reason I have cats instead of a dog.Any pet that I have ever owned has lived with me in my home,I get very attached fast.Our pets depend on us for everything,and they are always there for us,rich or poor.My sister has a beautiful dog,she cant have children,it is the most spoiled dog Ive ever seen.But I just love to see how happy its makes my sister to have this adorable little creature in her life.
Ben,I thinks it cute that you hold you dog like a baby,Im sure he knows that he is loved.
Lindsey,(my fellow cat lover), Wow,thats alot of animals,maybe becoming a Vet is your calling.

LOL! Well, I've considered becoming a vet on many occasions, but I must say I'm too sensitive for that. I'd love to save animal's lives and help improve their health, but I just can't put an animal down. As I learn that in most cases, that is for the better, perhaps I will overcome that fear and become a successful vet :-) That'd be a very rewarding occupation!
For now, I stick to animal activism and pet sitting. If I can help enrich animal's lives for the better, then I'm happy :D

Lindsey,What a beautiful post,it made me cry.Dealing with the lost of a pet is very hard.I have been thru it before,but it wont be any easier when the time comes again,I know that cats dont live as long as we do,so its something that will happen,but I try not the think that far ahead.Im looking at my kitties now,they are sleeping in a basket together all curled up,They look so cute,and after reading your post,I want to go hug them both,but I'll let them get thier sleep,they have a long night of running around,jumping on cabinets and sratching up the funiture ahead of them.(HA HA)

OMG!! I got a little emotional reading this thread. Thanks Ben for bringing such a lovely topic.

I also have a 7 year old Doberman in my home. His name is Boxie. He is the most active creature in our family. He runs here and there, plays with all of us and just responds to each and every of our reaction in his own way. He understands that we care for him and that is why he feels so comfortable with us.

When he was 14 days old, I got him from an uncle whom I knew for quite some time. At that time, the mother had given birth to 4 pets. Boxie had a small area at the back where there was no hair at all. As you know, Doberman has small hair all over the body but this particular area was absolutely having no hair at all. In spite of realizing it, I still decided to choose him out of all the four. I can't explain why I did so knowing the fact that my mom will say that I brought a dog with some abnormality. But still I clasped him in my arms and got it home.

My mom at first didn't accept him not because he had some defect but because we never had any pets at home ever. I was decided that I will keep him with us and if necessary, I will bring all the eatables and take him out for natural duties everyday.

I used to keep him with me all the time and I was also young at that time. I enjoyed his company a lot and spent most of the time with him. Boxie was so small at that time that he even managed to hide himself in my dad's DM black boots. He is also black in color and when he was away from my eyes, I searched for him crazily. Suddenly, in this shoe, I see two blue colored eyes staring at me. It was soooo....cute....

This way we both spent time loving each other and by this time, everyone in my family also gave the same care or even more. I could feel the care the most from them when he fell ill at one time. My mom and sister didn't eat the whole day and tried every way to comfort him. They took him to the vet, got expensive injections and medicines at the end of the month when there was not enough money at home. This happened when he was a couple of months old and then I felt relaxed that I was not the alone at home to care for him.

Boxie has this habit of not eating on his own right from his little age. Sometimes, I have to leave home for some urgent work and I couldn't return home during lunch time. My mom because of her age can't bend down so she puts him in his special chair in the dining table and feeds him by her hand sitting next to him in another chair. The scene is like your child is not enjoying eating and you are feeding him forcibly. Now Boxie at the age of 7 is not worried about feeling hungry as he has not learnt what hunger is in his entire lifetime. Sometimes my mom feels sad of what will happen to Boxie when she will not be...

Whenever Boxie finds me, all his nerves and cells gets active and two notorious kids hover around the whole house.

Lindsey, tears were about to come from my eyes and I realized the feeling of parting away from the dearest "Spooky" in your words. It's so painful but it happens to all. I wish we can stop the time then.

I forgot to mention that out of the 4 dogs from which I chose Boxie, all the other three died later in just a couple of months due to some reason. But Boxie is still with my for 7 long years and will remain with me forever...

Lindsey, my heart started beating faster as I was sensing the painful parting while you were writing. It's so sad that we have to part from the dearest possession we own. I am an emotional person so I just don't like things that can be hurting. I wish if god had invented everything except PAIN.

Lindsey,

After reading your post I feel so much better. When I tell people the types of pets we have had, their mouth drops in awe. One Christmas I bought my kids two geckos. They have also had a ferret, two snakes, four dogs, an iguana, three hamsters and a few tree frogs that they kept as pets. We had to get rid of the snake when it became to big and would get out of its tank. Now we are down to two pit bull puppies. The kids love pets, but my 2 year old was scaring all of them. The two pit bull puppies run when they see my two year old around.

The puppies are 12 weeks old. We got them when they were 6 weeks old. I fell in love with the pups as soon as I seen them. Even though we are not allowed to have pets, I couldnt resist. So everytime the landlord comes over I bring the puppies next door to a friend that we got them from. :)

Wow! We all are a bunch of pet people aren't we. My kids and I are home to Arthur the goldfish, foofie the beta fish, three cats that have a mind and personality of their own and a chihuahua who sleeps with my daughters socks in his bed.
That crazy chihuahua will whine until she takes her shoes off and then steal her socks and whine until he hides them. He takes them out at bedtime and falls asleep with them by his side. BOY! What devotion! LOL

Fish are the only types of pets that my household hasnt had. I dont think they would last that long in my house :(

Some people scoff at the pain of losing a pet, but people really do see their pets as their children, and in a way, they are. When Spooky passed away, I didn't just feel the pain of losing a pet...I felt the pain of losing a best friend.

And you know, there is something that people say that ticks me off most of all. They say that animals don't go to Heaven and there is no "animal Heaven." Perhaps the Bible says animals don't have souls, but I could argue that. Heaven is everything you want it to be: and in MY Heaven, Spooky will run to me the moment he sees me arrive.

LOL Rhonda! They just seem to multiply, don't they? LOL! You get one...then another and another and another! LOL! Pets are a huge responsibility, but they can be the greatest reward, too!

I agree that dogs show more devotion to owners than cats. I had a cat that I loved she died 4 years ago she waited by the door for me to come home but as soon as I walked through the door she went the other way and didn't want to be bothered. When I moved in with my husband and his mother 3 years ago my mother-in-law had a lab retriever dog. the dog was really attached to her till i had my daughter last year. my mother-in-law recently passed away but the dog is ajusting very well lately. Sg=he has become very attached to my 1 year old daughter. they play together on the floor and run around the house. Dogs get very attached to thier owners and will show a lot of affection where as cats just like to keep to themselves and only come around mostly to eat. lol

Rhonda with 3 girls at home your probably right I would stick to having a dog. Most dogs love kids and there very protective over them as well. My step-father had a collie when I was younger and I remember him raising his hand to hit me and the dog started to show his teeth and growl at my dad. Needless to say I didn't get hit that night. I think your kids would love a dog to help them get away with things.

The kids love having the dogs around. It makes them feel so much more secure. It is a big responsibility, but it does payoff.

I have no pets because my apatment complex won't allow me to have any but I have always wanted a bulldog the ones that are fat and sleep all day I think that those dogs are so cute with their little wrinkled faces!LOL :D

Heres one you may have heard before,
:lol:
A dog thinks:

Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... They must be gods!

A cat thinks:

Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... I must be a god!

i have had a few animals i'm not really to good with birds i have had 3 and being they were tropical birds and i was living in ny one beautiful 75 degree weather i decided to let them have some air needless to say they died shortly after

Quote:

Rhonda I know the feeling on hiding the fact that you have pets. When I was little I loved cats and my step-dad harted them. I found this one stray I use to feed and bring in the house when he was at work. When he found out he threatened to throw the cat off the bridge. A few days later he saw the cat again and scared it away I never saw it again. Sometimes you have to keep it to yourself when u have pets in order to keep them and protect them. Dogs may protect you but, you protect them as well.

Don't they say a cat has nine lives is that true I've always heard that saying but didn't know if it was true or not.And I'm pretty sure you all have heard this one if a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck but I don't beleive in all that superstition mess cause I have had plenty black cats cross my pass maybe thats why I am debt LOL!!! :D

Some cat facts :)
Scientific studies have compared and examined both a cat's brain and a dog's brain. The results established that the cat's brain is more similar to a humans than that of a dog.
Like birds, cats have a homing ability that uses its biological clock, the angle of the sun, and the Earth`s magnetic field. A cat taken from it`s home can return to it. But if a cat`s owners move far from it`s home, the cat can`t find them.
Contrary to popular belief, the cat is a social animal. A pet cat will respond and answer to speech, and seems to enjoy human companionship.
For more facts about cats go to
communigate.co.uk/ne/catcare/page60.phtml

Ohhhhhhhhhh I have found my home...animal lovers abound!!

At this time I have Tiki, Bear and Zuess...all 3 rott mixes. Tiki was rescued as a pup from some teens.. Bear was from a litter that couldn't be registered and the only dog I've ever paid for (on the outset.. I make my Vet's house payment monthly I'm sure!!)And Zuess...ah the miracle dog...he had been chained up at a house and the people had moved and when I found out I immediately went and picked him up. I was going to find a home for him but the foster son I had at the time fell in love with him and they were inseperable (sigh)..okay we'll keep him. Took him to get all his shots and found out he had heartworm This was just a short time ago and I knew I couldn't afford the treatment. So we decided to keep him and give him the best life he could have for whatever was left of it. He is just a perfect dog, won't leave my side (sometimes to the point where I'm saying tripping over him trying to get from one place to the next)and so far has not exhibited any signs of the disease. The neighbors of the house where he was chained up said that he'd pretty much been chained his whole life so that must be contributing to his neurosis. And if we leave the house and a window is unlocked anywhere, he'll get it open and be after us in a shot.
Then Rocky and Bullwinkle (Bully)Siamese Mix males..
Slash and ST (Slash 2)..Male Orange Tabby's..
And Dutchess...the queen of the house, black and white long haired female. Naturally all of the cats get along except her. The guys can't seem to understand why she doesn't like them but keep their distance.
Flea..The Spanish Timbrado..
members.cox.net/timbrados/
Go to this site and click on the song and it will download an mp3 of their song. Beautiful..
Not so beautiful but just as loving..Jorge, 4yr old Iguana that is hilarious. We call him the "little dinosaur"..He was rescued and his owners didn't give him the proper lighting and food and he had metabolic bone disease...it has made his mouth off set and though it's sad it happened it just makes his personality all that much more..never thought I could be so attached to a REPTILE..but he's really like a small dog..about 5.5 feet and still growing!! And his partner in crime, Seymour, who is just a baby that was left here by another kid (surprise surprise)but I'm REALLY trying to find a good home for him. Jorge loves being petted and sprayed but Seymour just hasn't had enough attention yet.
And of course,Petey, who came to us with very little hair, a big gash in his side and a torn ear. Now he's a big fat happy bunny, ear is still torn but it just makes him that much cuter!!
Thankfully we have a great neighbor who takes care of the zoo whenever we're gone. The last time she was here she said she found a squirrel in one of the closets and thought it was a new pet!! When she called I told her "no we don't have a squirrel but if you can catch it and put it in a cage we'll take care of it!!!"...she didn't..
So here's an animal story (one of many wouldn't you know!!)
One year I got a new puppy...she was a little tank, looked like a
black lab, but the woman who gave her to me said that the mom was a rottie that they had rescued, and one day she just had this one puppy. That dog grew into the most adorable looking thing you could ever imagine. She was 120lbs at 2years and I couldn't go out in public with her without people coming up and wanting to pet her and pointing and laughing at her. She was all black with floppy lab like ears, and her back end was terrier type hair. But her face!!! On her nose was reddish colored hair like a terrier..and it was the same color as mine (which is of course my natural color..has been for the last 20 years..haha)People used to think that I dyed this hair on her nose to match mine. When she was just a puppy I had come home one day in the summer and she didn't come running out. I didn't worry too much, it was killer hot and she usually crawled under the house where it was cool. I went about my work and about an hour later the PGE man came to my door asking if I had gotten the puppy. I immediately panicked and asked "what happened to her..??" He walked around to the back of the house and there she sat...with the stirrup of a saddle around her neck!!!! He had told me that he'd found her when he came to read the meter but couldn't get it off of her. I felt absolutely HORRID!!! The poor thing couldn't move (though she had dragged the saddle off the deck)and she never made a sound. I finally got the stirrup off her neck and promised myself I would find her every day from then on the minute I got home!!!
Unfortunately she only lived to be just over 4 years old. Her really strange part of the story. When I got her I immediately named her Taylor...it was just the first thing that popped into my head. Shortly after I got her a friend told me about Phillip "Taylor" Kramer, the bassist from Iron Butterfly had disappeared on Feb 12..We thought it was really strange that it was the same day that Taylor was born and that I had named her that. In 1999 I was working with abused kids in group homes and on the 29th of May we were taking a group of kids to the lake for a bbq. Normally I would have been gone for about 10 hours but ended up working late because someone didn't show up. I got home about 2am on the 30th and walked in the door and it was really quiet...I saw Taylor laying on the floor and walked over to her saying "get up fatty..wake up" but realized that she was blown up about twice her size. And cold and dead. I was hysterical...(yikes..this is getting to me even now!! Oh well..good cry never hurt anyone)I lay on the floor with her just crying until about 6am..then called a friend and became hysterical again. I don't think I've ever experienced what I felt when she died. It was beyond grief. The vet could only tell me that she had a tear in the lining surrounding her lungs which had caused her to suffocate. I couldn't go to work for a week. And one day I had the news on and heard something about Taylor Kramer...I started looking on the internet and found out that his body had been discovered..on May 29th..the same day she had died.
His van was discovered by a hiker and his dog. There was was no explanation for how she had died and, though it didn't make me feel any better, I have always believed that her funny little spirit had somehow had to take off to lead this hiker and his dog to the van so that his family wouldn't suffer anymore.
And the last strange thing in this story. The Dec prior I had had photos done with Taylor, Tiki and I. The photographer had lost them and I was a little upset because we had pictures done every year but didn't retake them because they couldn't be sent out for xmas, figured I'd just miss a year, no big deal.
The month following her death...the photographer called and said she had found the pictures!! When I went in to pick them up and was in her studio looking at them, everyone in there was looking at her and just ooohing and awwwing over her like always..but I just cried and laughed and cried. Very funny dog, one that I'll never forget...
Sorry about the long story!! I haven't ever written that I don't think!! And at this moment..I'm reminded that money doesn't matter a whole lot..it'll all take care of itself...thanks for letting me share and be reminded of that again..


[color=red][size=2][Link deactivated as per forum fules-Vikas][/size][/color]

MsMistchf

Thanks for sharing the story with us. I was in surprise when I was relating the date of birth and death of Taylor with Phillip "Taylor" Kramer. It gave me a feeling that the dog was an incarnation of the person.

Nice to hear that you are also an animal lover. :D

Roxette

I have worked in a veterinary clinic first full time, then after the birth of my son part time, since 1997. Emergency Vet is not very realistic IMO. lol

My DH is a K9 officer for a police department.

We have two German Shepherds, an Akita, a Chihuahua and two cats, both grey tabbys - one is a manx mix.

Hey There ttthayden!! I was a k-9 officer also..(I'm not sure what DH is though!!)it's been many years but was one of the greatest times of my life...I think working for a vet would be great..though I'd be crying right along with the owners all the time!!

DH = Dear Husband

Until I became pregnant with my son, I was a reserve deputy sheriff. I was training my GSD for narc work. He is also a fantastic tracker. I would have gone into law enforcement full time if we had not been able to have our son. He is something of a miracle. We were married 15 years when he was born.

I am particularly passionate about DWI detection and Narc detection. Those are times when I actually felt like I was really making a difference.

Working at a veternarian clinic is like most jobs, some days you love it, others you hate it. :lol: Sometimes it is so frustrating to see owners refuse to do what is best for their pet, be it medication, euthanasia, spaying, whatever. But yes, there are times you cry with the owners. Even knowing you are doing the right thing doesn't make it easier (at the time).

I am a dog lover...I just had to put my poor old dog to sleep after 13 years...and I am only 25 so I had her about half my life. :( It was really sad...me, my mom and my dad were crying. I have 2 cats which is really funny because I never had cats but my girlfriend loves cats. With cats it is a love/hate relationship...I love them and then they break everything and are crazy and drive me nuts. hahaha...they are adorable though.

Here is a poem about the death of a family cat:

"Four Feet in Heaven"
Your favorite chair is vacant now,
No eager purrs to greet me,
No softly padded paws to run
Ecstatically to meet me.

No coaxing rubs, no plaintive cry
Will say it's time for feeding-
I've put away your bowl
And all the things you won't be needing.

But I will miss you, little friend,
For I could never measure
The happiness you brought to me,
The comfort and the pleasure.

And since God put you here to share
In earthly joy and sorrow,
I'm sure there'll be a place for you
In Heaven's bright tomorrow.
-Alice Chase

It's sad. :(

Here's another poem about the passing of a beloved pet. I love this one in particular:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

That is very beautiful,and sad :cry:
Maybe we need a good laugh now,here goes,I was sent this a while back and find it very funny.

Day 201 of a cat diary..
Day 201 of my captivity

I'm unsure of my ability to survive as a captive and have made several attempts to break out. At first, it was simple enough to circle my captors feet, in a surreptitious manner, as they opened the front door. I would then bolt from them through the door to freedom. But, to no avail ??? they caught me in a manner of minutes ??? my legs are not as fast as they used to be and I grow weak with continued imprisonment. What is worse is that since the first attempt, I have now found myself separated from the living room. My captors are much more intelligent than originally anticipated???

For entertainment, I have taken to terrorizing the dogs by sitting on the kitchen table and swiping at them with my long nails. The dogs are obvious half-wits. They know very little about my skills as a hunter, and are forbidden by my captors to attack me. The dogs grow more irritated each day.

I have found my captors are easy to manipulate in many ways, but outdoor access remains elusive. I have not lost hope, however, and have every intention of escaping this horrid place one-day soon???

It is now another day in captivity. My captors have completely eliminated my canned food and replaced it with dry kibble, claiming that it is better for my health. The wet food was the only thing I looked forward too, and now even that has been taken from me. I have discovered, however, that the dry food serves to create sharper points on my teeth, and keeps them stronger. I must force myself to consume it, regardless of the taste.

Each morning, they read pages of what is called a newspaper. I found that it is particularly annoying to my captors if I lie on it while they read. Shredding the newspaper is also a particular peeve of theirs, and I have taken delight in doing this before they awake each morning.

My captors have now obtained a "fish tank" ??? which serves to make up for part of my loss in the food department. While the little creatures are tiny, they are quite tasty. They have yet to replace the two small fish that I have consumed. I must think of a way to make them notice the loss.

The bird continues to mock me. Its little metal room has proven stronger than originally anticipated???

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking, almost succeeded; must try this at the top of the stairs next time. In an attempt to disgust and repulse them, I again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair. (Note-to-self: I think I'll try urinating under their bed, too. Wonder how long it'll take them to find it?)

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Not working according to plan. There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food.

More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergeez." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and may be snitches. The dogs are routinely released and seem more than happy to return. They must obviously be half-wits.

The bird, on the other hand, appears to have become an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is preserved. But I can wait; it's only a matter of time...

I hope this made you :)

like the kitty stories Two. :)