HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ccspjs@gdr.bath.ac.uk (Pete J Suters)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Mischievous Black Cat
Date: 10 Dec 92 15:20:43 GMT
Organization: Bath University Computing Services, UK

In the referenced article, mas5@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (MICHELLE A. M. SZENA) writes:
>I have a friend who knows someone else with two cats, one being black, and the
>black one is much more active than the other one.  Is this a trait with black
>cats?  Is that how they got a reputation of being Halloween cats?  He's
>definately a lot more active than other cats I've had.
>
>I sure hope this isn't something he will outgrow.  He may be bad but he sure
>is fun to be with.

  Weeeeelll, I'm not sure whether this is a trait of all black cats,
but we have a next door neighbour who has a black cat called Itsy.
He is definately mischevous, and really sweet when he's with people,
but a real horror with other cats.  
  Itsy's main hobby is burgling people's houses.  He's come into
our house on numerous occasions and stole our cat's food.  It 
doesn't matter what you do, throw water at him, shout at him,
chase him up the garden... he always comes back.  He's also a
very charming con artist - he always comes swaggering up to you,
tail up, looking as cute as possible, and if you try and ignore
him, he'll rub around your legs until he gets the attention he
wants.  
  I think he has to be the most mischevous cat I've come across.


pete j suters ---- bath university ---- email: p.j.suters@uk.ac.swurcc 
 ___  ___    /-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|___)   |   /   A Huge Ever Growing Brain That Rules The Centre 
|       |  /                  Of The Ultraworld 
     (_/  /=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca (Jack Webb)
Subject: Re: Just an idea
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 20:00:56 GMT

> Liv Toftner writes:
>
> Msg-ID: <1992Dec10.185534.8336@icd.teradyne.com>
> Posted: Thu, 10 Dec 1992 18:55:3
>
> Org.  : Teradyne, Inc. Boston MA
>
>
> >I have gotten holiday gifts for all my other friends and family, so I
> >decided to get something for Znoober too.  I will be giving $25 to my
> local
> >Humane Society in her name.
>
> >Not certain why I am posting this, just thought I might share my idea.
>
> >-Gary and Znoober the Goober
>
> You are posting this because it is a wonderful idea.
>
> Merry Christmas,
>
> Liv, Pounce and Lion


Last year, my husband gave me a Christmas gift of a 200$ donation to the
local SPCA here in Vancouver... it was the best present, ever... :)

*j*


--
WE SAIL TONIGHT FOR SINGAPORE - WE'RE ALL AS MAD AS HATTERS HERE!!

*******************Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca***********************
****VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA...HOME OF THE NEUROTIC****
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jessica@wrs.com (Jessica Hart)
Subject: Re: Tinkerbell has a muscle spasm!
Organization: Wind River Systems, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 01:40:48 GMT

In article <92350.141623F0O@psuvm.psu.edu> <F0O@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>   Tinkerbell fairly often has these bouts where one of the muscles in
>her back will start to twitch.
>
> she will race around the trailer.
>                                                [Tinkerbell and Tim]


My cats usually twitch their back muscles when they are about to
"take off" after something. When they are hunkered down getting
ready to pounce, you can see the black stripe down their spine (they
are tabbies) sort of rippling. It also seems to happen whenever
they are excited or annoyed. Or when I brush their backs with the
wire brush.

So i wouldn't worry about it.
From: mforget@elfhaven.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca (Michel Forget)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Fetch-aholic cat
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:47:12 MDT
Reply-To: mforget@elfhaven.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca
Organization: Electric Storm
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.00 Rev. Jan 16 1992

In <1992Dec18.135118.18254@schbbs.mot.com>, Marie Cannizzaro writes:

>My 5 month old Tonk Sam somehow taught herself fetch be bringing me the
>foam ball one day and since then I am hounded by her to throw the ball
>so she can get it and bring it back. She'll leap two feet in the air and
>catch it in her mouth like a dog! And she wants to play this game for
>hours! Every morning she wakes me at 4am by plopping her balls on my
>face and she won't leave until I toss one and then forget going back to
>sleep! She also brings me "gifts" at night. I wake to find all the balls,
>all my Xmas village paper mache people, my santa hat with pompon, barette
>s, watches--anything she can carry in her mouth, under the covers next to
>me. I have another cat that lives with my mom and he has never done this
>sort of thing. He doesn't play fetch either. Has anyone else had the same
>experience?? Marie

My cat likes to play fetch as well.  He will not jump for the ball, usually,
because he likes to run as far as the ball goes and then jump all over it.
Needless to say, being a cat, he has run into the wall straight-on a number
of times.  He likes the game though, and won't let me stop playing it.  Your
cat is young, though, so when he gets older he will probably want to play
less often.

You can hope...:)

-- 
--
Regards,

<<  -----------------------------------------  >>
<<    mforget@elfhaven.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca    >>
<<  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  >>
<<               Michel Forget                 >>
<<   The Key:  Spirit over mind over matter.   >>
<<  -----------------------------------------  >>
From: ritz@ritz.mordor.com (Christopher Mauritz)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Catproof couches?
Date: 20 Dec 92 18:39:32 GMT
Organization: Ritz International, Inc. -- Import/Export Consultants
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]

Can anyone recommend a material for a couch which is catproof
(if that is even possible)?  I'm going to be buying a condo
in a few weeks and I'd like to replace my old ratty couch
when I move in.  However, my two cats are terrible about
scratching the couch.  No amount of watergun use seems to have
deterred this obnoxious habit.  A couple of coworkers think
I should just get them declawed, but I don't want to go
that far as I think it is rather cruel to the cats.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Chris

p.s.  My speaker grills are also subject to frequent attack.  Any
      suggestions?

--
Christopher Mauritz                 | My views reflect those of my
ritz@ritz.mordor.com                | company since I own the company.
{backbone}!rutgers!spcvxb!ritz!ritz | Ritz International, Inc.
OS/2 OS/2 OS/2 OS/2 OS/2 OS/2 OS/2  | Import/Export Consultants
From: dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: cats riding on shoulders
Date: 13 Dec 1992 20:49:42 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Distribution: rec
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

doug powless (doug.powless@canrem.com) wrote:
: In a previous message about "CATS RIDING ON SHOULDERS" the following was said 
:  
: .In article <1992Dec7.221848.16704#netcom.com>, wd6cmu@netcom.com (Eric Wil
: . writes:
: .|> My new Maine Coon kitten (still no name yet) has a penchant for climbin
: .|> up on my shoulders whenever I'm in an opportune position.  Does anybody
: .|> else's cat do this?  What am I supposed to do with him when he gets up
: .|> there?  It seems like too unstable a perch for him if I walk around,
: .|> should I discourage this behavior?
:  

I guess the question really should be, do you want to let him ride on your
shoulders?  If it is too unstable, he won't do it.  Two of my five ride on
shoulders.  Durin will only do it if he trusts you, while Spike thinks that
anyone is okay until proven otherwise.  Neither one puts their claws into 
skin.  I don't have a problem with it, and I encourage them.  Spike is
usually on my shoulders while I'm at the keyboard.  

Karen
(on Dan's account)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jessica@wrs.com (Jessica Hart)
Subject: Re: new cat owner needs HELP!
Organization: Wind River Systems, Inc.
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 02:04:46 GMT

In article <1992Dec8.153731.749@ab.wvnet.edu> kincaid_a@ab.wvnet.edu writes:
>
>well, we had family visit over the week of thanksgiving, and they took delight
>in tormenting my poor cat (who's name is scottie, by the way)--they encouraged
>his biting and scratching,
>
>my question:  is it too late to retrain him? 
>
>ariana
>
>thanks a bunch!!


I find that cats can tell people apart. That is, they can learn
that it is OK to bite one person, but not another. At least, I assume
that follows from all the other ways our cats treat me and my
husband differently.

So don't despair... your cats will probably readjust to you and
realize that those were just some strange, tough people who came
over. If they ever come over again, it might be interesting to see
if the cats start biting them right away. I kinda hope so... don't
appreciate other folks taking liberties with my cats, any more than
parents appreciate outsiders encouraging their children to do things
they're not allowed to!

Here's one way ours treat the two of us differently: they always
climb on me to wake me up REAL early, they want to be fed. They
are very persistent about this, just as other folks have posted
about their cats. But I NEVER feed the cats in the am... my husband
does! Yet they never try to wake HIM up! Why ?????




Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: petitc@vccsouth06.its.rpi.edu (Christopher Jon Petit)
Subject: Re: Home Alone: for how long?
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 02:45:03 GMT

mml@eng.umd.edu (Marios Leventopoulos) writes:


>Xmas is comming, and we are planning a trip to my family, a six hour drive.

>We are trying to decide what to do with our kitties. They are now 5
>months old, and we are not sure if we should take them with us, or leave them home. 
>We wont be back for 5 days at least, and it is not easy (this time of year) to find someone
>that will agree to take care of them.

>Can they stay alone for so long?  The FAQ saia that it's ok for up to four days, but it 
>sounds as an awfully long time.  I suppose that they will have to go on dry food only,
>but what about the water?

>I have been reading postings about travelling with cats, and it doesn't look great either.

>Any advice?  

 Isn't there some device (YET?) that can have rows of cans stacked in it (or
bags or whatever), and then feed the cat a fixed amount periodically?

-- 
Now on sale, in Aisle 5 of the Divine Supermarket---Lives, and Clues.  Buy
yours now and avoid the rush!  They make great Christmas gifts!
Cynicism is only realism projected into the future.
If your fondest wish is to fly, don't draw up plans for flippers.
Organization: Doctoral student, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 04:44:41 -0500 
From: Anne Marguerettaz <am2f+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Whiskers

One of my cats, Nero, has a similar problem. In his case, though there
is hardly any whiskers (or "brows") to speak of. They usually grow to
about 1/2 length and then suddenly "disappear" to grow back to that
length and "disappear" again. My cats are strictly indoor cats and there
are no children in the house so the obvious culprit is our other cat
Isis. We have observed her when she grooms Nero and we can sometime hear
some pulling sounds so we assume that she is the one to blame for Nero's
whiskerless face. He does not seem too bothered by it and since we can
never really catch Isis in the act, we have never been able to prevent
this from happening but I was wondering why she was doing it. Her
whiskers are intact and, as Nero is bigger and older than her, I would
think that he would stop her if that was causing him any pain... My
husband and I cannot understand this and if anyone out there has any
wisdom to offer, please feel free to do so.

Thanks

Anne, Chuck, Nero and Isis

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats,alt.drugs
From: mary@zmax.com (Mary Papp)
Subject: Re: UL: Monumental LSD overdose taken (was: Re: Brands of LSD)
Organization: Z/Max Computer Solutions, Inc.
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 18:22:30 GMT


This may seem like a very stupid question, but why was this posted to
rec.pets.cats?  Cats don't take LSD unless someone forces it upon them and
IMHO that seems very cruel and inhumane.

Mary and Slash

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Papp:  Z/Max Computer Solutions 8287 Loop Road Baldwinsville, NY 13027
                              mary@zmax.com                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: hcrain@convex.csd.uwm.edu (Helen C Crain)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: What's Your Favorite Kind of Cat?
Date: 16 Dec 1992 14:38:16 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Reply-To: hcrain@convex.csd.uwm.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.30
Originator: hcrain@convex.csd.uwm.edu

From article <1gl2fpq@rpi.edu>, by petitc@vccsouth02.its.rpi.edu (Christopher Jon Petit):
> I was wondering---what's your favorite kind of cat?  Siamese, Persian,
> Tomcat, Rex?
> 
> Personally, my favorite is a Siamese---they're so cute.

I liked the old applehead Siamese, but am not so
fond of the newer orientalized version.  Maine Coone
Cats forever!!!!
-- 
Helen C. Crain             hcrain@convex.csd.uwm.edu 
UWMilwaukee Nursing                   Wisconsin, USA
"There is more of good nature than good sense at the
bottom of most marriages"    HD Thoreau
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: hirschon@ast.saic.com (Donna Hirschon (x5177))
Subject: Re: soft paws
Reply-To: hirschon@ast.saic.com
Organization: SAIC
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 22:43:40 GMT

Re press-on nails for cats.  Now I've heard everything!

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: cmo@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: soft paws
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 13:34:33 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.185046.17767@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>, ses3n@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Sharon Elizabeth Silverman) writes:
> 
> Given the recent turmoil over declawing, I thought I'd toss out 
> another option! A new product, called "Soft Paws" is kind of the 
> equivalent of Lee Press-On Nails for cats! These are little 
> 
> The cost is pretty reasonable. My vet offers a pack of 30 (three sets for
> the ten front claws) for $22. You can put them on yourself. When the nails
      ^^^

Can I get a discount? My cats have only four nails on each front paw.
From: dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: help! how to get car oil
Date: 14 Dec 92 05:46:28 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

Anneliese Kropf (akropf@mariner.amc.edu.au) wrote:
: After reading the various entertaining 'bathing of cats' stories I
: decided to give it a try on one of my lovable monsters to try and get on
: top of the moulting problem.  Worked well except that she hasn't talked
: to me since!  "Mummy, how could you, I'll never talk, look, walk near, or
: acknowledge you again" type situation.  As she has long thick hair she
: took ages to dry and I didn't dare use the hairdryer.  I blotted as much
: as I could with a towel.  Any ideas on drying a long haired cat?  Other
: cat is now very smug "it didn't happen to me".  Anyway, the various cat
: washing info was greatly appreciated.  Have to try the other one now.

You might pick up a handy little thing called a moisture magnet.  It is
made of a fabric that is super absorbant.  It won't dry them fully, but it
will shorten the drying time.  remember to blot the coat instead of
rubbing, and you'll ger fewer tangles and less coat breakage.

Karen (who's glad her cats have short coats!)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: kkv@inel.gov (Jamie J Ferguson)
Subject: Re: Do your cats know their names?
Organization: Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 22:19:05 GMT



I'm glad to see that my cats aren't the only ones who know their names.
Most people don't believe me when I tell them mine do!  Mine also
remember people they haven't seen for a long time, which I think is
probably pretty normal but also surprises people.  Maybe more people
should have cats.....  My youngest LOVES my mom & dad (whom I got
him from, so maybe he remembers kitten memories...).  Whenever they
come over he braves the dogs (who get very excited to see my parents --
maybe they can tell my parents aren't dog people?) and meows and meows
until my mom & dad pay LOTS of attention to him!  He completely
ignores me & my husband until my parents say hello!


Jamie

the pack:  Kenzie   -- 1 yr old black Lab X
           Meggin   -- 8 month old Australian Shepherd X
           Harrison -- 4 month old Border Collie X

the herd:  Kieri -- 5 1/2 yr old lilac point Siamese
           Zak   -- 5 1/2 yr old blue point Siamese
           Duke  -- 1 yr old seal point Siamese



========== long legal disclaimer follows, press n to skip ===========

Neither the United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory or any of their employees, makes any warranty, whatsoever,
implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility regarding any
information, disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe
privately owned rights.  No specific reference constitutes or implies
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States
Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.  The views and
opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory,
and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: dauphin@adobe.com (Kimberly Dauphin)
Subject: Is Christmas Tree Water Dangerous?
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 20:15:45 GMT

Our three cats are in the Christmas spirit.  They show it
by drinking the water from the tree stand.

I've tried to cover it with foil, which they usually hate,
but to no avail -- they claw right through it.  I haven't put 
in any "tree saver" medicine, so it's just plain water, with 
probably some Noble Fir sap in it. :-)

Is this dangerous to kitties?  Even if it's not, is there something
besides aluminum foil that will keep them out of it?

Thanks, and happy holidays,
=Kimberly= (and Fezzik, Hershey, and Binkley)

-- 
__________________________________________________________
Kimberly Dauphin	  	Adobe Systems Incorporated
dauphin@mv.us.adobe.com	  	Mountain View, CA
*********All these opinions are mine, not Adobe's.********
From: amanda@rana.usc.edu (Amanda Bischoff)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: MORE AIR TRAVEL ADVICE SOUGHT!
Date: 17 Dec 1992 15:47:14 -0800
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: rana.usc.edu

In article <40980002@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM> kevins@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM (Kevin G Smith) writes:
>Hi, I need further advice regarding air transport of pets.  Is it
>reasonable or advisable to transport a cat (10-11 pounds) in a "under
>the seat" carrier versus the larger check in style?  Baron Fluffmeister
....stuff deleted....
My housemate's cat weighs 16 pounds and has *always* gone under the seat.
He was also given tranquilizers, but that was more for the T ride to the
airport than for the actual flight.  My vet advised against tranks, but
did give me one in case it became necessary for the flight back.  He says
the plane's vibration will put the animal to sleep anyway, and the only thing
that upsets them is the change in air pressure during takeoff and landing,
as their ears are more sensitive than ours and they don't know to swallow
to relieve pressure.

Amanda and Ozzy


Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca (Jack Webb)
Subject: Re: Declawing surgery
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 18:02:59 GMT

> klier@iscsvax.uni.edu writes:
>
> Msg-ID: <1992Dec11.141610.9331@iscsvax.uni.edu>
> Posted: 11 Dec 92 20:16:10 GMT
>
> Org.  : University of Northern Iowa
>
> In article <1992Dec11.074136.14333@serval.net.wsu.edu>,
> jeffp@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu (Jeff Parke;S10000) writes:
> > I just got done today doing a practice run at declawing surgery on a
> > cat cadaver.  What a disgusting thing to do.  I hope I never work in a
> > practice where performing this awful thing is required.  If not, I will
> > certainly refer all such requests to some other vet.
>
> Jeff, I don't know if this will help you or not, but I'm missing a portion
> of my left index finger, due to chopping newspaper with a papercutter for
> animal bedding... (my fingers are skinny enough that I managed to get one
> stuck under the finger guard).  It hurt like ^&*!@ for a couple of months,
> but soon after that I was able to get back to full use of the finger,
> even playing guitar without pain.  (That's the finger that gets the
> most abuse on the frets...)
>
> Friends who are missing entire distal portions of fingers at various
> joints report similar non-painful recoveries.
>
> Kay

I don't want to turn this into a flame, but if you had a choice between
keeping your 1st finger joint and getting it amputated (and imagine that you
have no idea what the reasoning behind such a decision to amputate would be),
I imagine that you would keep your finger joint.  There are an awful lot of
ways to keep cats from scratching without declawing.

*j*
--
WE SAIL TONIGHT FOR SINGAPORE - WE'RE ALL AS MAD AS HATTERS HERE!!

*******************Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca***********************
****VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA...HOME OF THE NEUROTIC****
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca (Jack Webb)
Subject: Re: Declawed and Clawed cats together
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 00:33:11 GMT

> lhuffman@stsci.edu writes:
>
> Msg-ID: <1992Dec12.005923.1@stsci.edu>
> Posted: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 05:59:2
>
> Org.  : Space Telescope Science Institute
>
> In article <1992Dec12.004134.13306@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>,
> ren@Turing.ORG (Karen Prestemon) writes:
> > In article <1992Dec11.141610.9331@iscsvax.uni.edu> klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
> writes:
> >
> > I can't declaw my cats.  Well, one of the kittens is an SPCA animal,
> > and I signed an agreement not to declaw him.  And if he can't be
> > declawed, it doesn't seem fair to do the other one.  Does anyone
> > have a mutliple cat situation where one cat may be declawed, but
> > the others are not?
> >
> Yes, I have clawed and declawed cats. The de-clawed ones take on the clawed
> ones
> and dish out as much as they get.
>
> I've seen very little difference, except the overall peace in my house.
>
> >

I know of people with clawed and declawed cats living in the same house.  The
declawed cats get along alright, because they tend to bite instead of using
their claws.  Quite capable of looking after themselves in a "mixed"
household. :)
*j*
--
WE SAIL TONIGHT FOR SINGAPORE - WE'RE ALL AS MAD AS HATTERS HERE!!

*******************Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca***********************
****VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA...HOME OF THE NEUROTIC****
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 14:16:23 EST
From: <F0O@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Tinkerbell has a muscle spasm!

   Tinkerbell fairly often has these bouts where one of the muscles in
her back will start to twitch.  It's like when you're in bed and all of
a sudden your leg muscle will fire.  It seems to be the same sort of thing,
although this may last on Tinkerbell for about 5 seconds.  I don't think
she knows what is going on; she will lick at the spot and race around the
trailer. This will happen 2 or 3 times a day that I see.
   I talked to my vet, and he said not to worry about it.  Does anyone
else's cat do this, and is it a problem?
   Thanks from Tinkerbell and me!

                                                [Tinkerbell and Tim]