Me & My Soap Box!

Irish · #1 04-02-2008, 09:29 AM

"So" ... anyone around this message board knows that the word "so" means I am going to post one of those long meaningless stories of mine.

"Soap Box" ... anyone around this message board knows that the words "soap box" means that I am about to post my version of the rules and regs for proper living.

You've been warned!

So, pulling out my soap box and setting it solidly in the center of the Court House square I climb on top of it to declare that everyone should SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS !!!!!

So, as I type here this morning this lovely little girl is nestled against my feet, barely moving a few inches from me as she and I are on the baby watch today. We have had kittens born in the house before but the last litter was about 18 years ago. Today we still have the momma of that litter, Miss Fuzzy Butt, and three of her offspring - Liger, Mouse and Bumble Bee - in our home. That litter was MY FAULT!

This one isn't!!!!!

During the late fall this little beauty showed up at our out door food bowl ... starving, just starving. She couldn't have been a year old and obviously she was nursing a litter. We feed her but she refused to move into the house or to bring her babies in so that we could care for them. She was people friendly so obviously she was someone's pet. After about two months she disappeared.

Well ... guess who showed up at the food bowl a couple of weeks ago ... this is not a trick question ... and guess what condition she was in ...

This time we were able to tempt her into the house where she has settled into our pride nicely. Today she is grumpy, irritable and a little clingy so I expect that within the next few days we will be treated to joys of her giving birth.

OK ... I know who 'owned' her, it's our neighbors. They love kittens, at least their kids do. But once that kitten gets past the cute little bundle of fuzz stage they let them run free as barn cats. I think that they do put out food bowls but that is usually table scraps. Over the years we have watched dozens of their unwanted cats show up at our food bowls. And we have watched as dozens have dissapeared - I expect because of early deaths due to the way they try and survive this world.

dly this little lady at my feet is the one that pays for their neglect. She's mine now and we have a home for her and her litter. My beloved hubby is so kind. His words were, "Well our pride is getting very old and I guess these will be a nice replacement for when we lose our own."

I am making a vet's appoint for 6 weeks from the day she drops these babies. And another for six months for the babies themselves.

So ... Please! ... Be kind and spay or neuter your pets. They will live longer, better and more joyfully!

OK ... Thank you for listening ... I am putting my soap box back in the closet now.

Susan

Irish · #2 04-02-2008, 09:30 AM

Ohhh! We have named her

because that's just what she is. A baby having babies ....

Susan

BobD · #3 04-02-2008, 09:41 AM

AHHHH! That is so cute!

I've got to weigh in too...I agree 100%! Get them spayed or neutered...
A few years ago, we had to decide whether or not to get our St. Bernard spayed...we were scared...would it change her personality, would she survive the surgery (large dogs don't always fair well under anesthesia). But we did, and she is happier now than ever!

I have one request...PLEASE don't send any photos of your kittens to my wife. We've got 4 adult cats in the house now (the youngest is coming up on 2) and she's getting that "I need a baby animal" look in her eyes!!!

Bob

Irish · #4 04-02-2008, 09:45 AM

(((hmmm!, she thinks to herself ... I can hit Bob and Steph up for at least one .... hmmm! .... only three or five more to find homes for ....))))

BobD · #5 04-02-2008, 09:52 AM

LOL...If you have a Siberian Husky puppy to give away, I wouldn't even have a choice....Stephanie would be waiting in the car with Mapquest directions to your house <GRIN>

Bob

AlArchie · #6 04-02-2008, 10:12 AM

Well, I'm not particularly fond of cats, althoug we have had one very loveable guy named Bozo, years back. We just rescued an adorable little shih-tzu, and he was at least already neutered. Our two neighbors liked him so much they each went out and got one......both these have also been neutered.

Meanwhile stray dogs and cats keep piling up at our local animal shelter, HOPE. Spaying and neutering should almost be mandatory except for breeders, etc.

I've actually forgotten what the percentage of the songbird decimation is due to ferral cats, but it was a grossly high number put out by the Audubon Society. And wild dogs are raising hod with the deer (although with the explosion of the deer population this may nt be seen as a problem) but being run down and killed by a pack of dogs, just for fun, is not a pleasant way to go. Wolves and coyotes take their share, but this is for survival, not for sport!

Anyway, here's my support to the spay and neuter side of the fence!

Here's Gizmo

And the sign I made for HOPE. 4'x8'

Al

Irish · #7 04-02-2008, 10:33 AM

Oh! AH! Oh! Please AL can I make a pattern to share here on the message board of that little beauty .... ? He would be a wonderful relief carve.

Susan

AlArchie · #8 04-02-2008, 11:02 AM

You sure can, Susan. And if you need further photos just let me know. Well, here's one anyway....

Al

kitaye · #9 04-02-2008, 11:10 AM

I agree with you all the way Susan.

I've got quite a few rescues right now. I just can't say no to hungry babies, or babies that are being left to fend for themselves. Mine always get the snip as soon as they reach the right age and they stay indoors once we get them tamed. But, every week the local shelter is getting litters of kittens dropped off and coworkers are almost always looking for homes for "a stray they adopted".

Just Carving · #10 04-02-2008, 12:18 PM

ACHHH---OOOOOO!!!! No wonder my nose started itching when I clicked on the WCI forum. Okay, so I'm allergic to the little furballs---and I'm not suppose to have 'em. (Don't even think about it Susan!) But I agree---spay and neuter. We've got a few of them running around the neighborhood. They earn their keep--they've kept the mice and squirrels in check for a few years now. Don't worry--the neighbors do a good job feeding them, too. And when the weather's bad, they--1, 2 , maybe 3--last time I counted hang out in nicely sheltered--and heated corner in my carport (there's a heat leaking hole in a wall into the carport that I just haven't gotten around to fixing for the last 10 or so years--just can't seem to find that hammer and nails when I want to, ya know?).

So, Susan, good luck with your B-aby and hers!

Bob L