HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lis@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu (Elisabeth Riba)
Subject: Re: Welcome to the First Cat (Socks)
Organization: Brandeis University
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 12:59:49 GMT

Regarding the photos of Socks that have appeared recently.  The
Clintons have kept Socks on the grounds and have tried to keep her out
of the spotlight (they did the same with Chelsea until before the
convention, when they discovered that most voters didn't even know
they had a kid)  Anyway, some reporters stood outside the gates with
catnip and lured the cat out to the sidewalk to be photographed.

"Hey little girl, sniff this and then we'll take some pictures..."

Incidentally, Dian White's column in the Boston Globe a few weeks ago
was hysterical, giving Socks some suggestion (be sure to sharpen your
claws on the furniture!) and giving some history of First Cats.  
The last cat in the White House was Amy Carter's (something about
Southern Democrats' daughters?)  There have been as many cats in the
White House as goats (the four-legged kind)  She told stories about
many of them, including a sad one that happened in the
Spanish-American war, and another president who led an entire
procession AROUND the cat sleeping in their path (Mohammed's coat,
anyone?)

Also, both Bill & Hillary are allergic to cats, and at home, Socks is
kept out of their bedroom.  No one knows howthings iwll be handled in
the White House.
-- 
--------------->Elisabeth Anne Riba * lis@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu<---------------
   Do not meddle in the affairs	    |  Usenet is like Tetris for people
   of cats, for they are subtle     |  who still remember how to read.
   and will piss on your computer.  |	  So many newsgroups, so little time...
From: jsmt@troi.cc.rochester.edu (Julia Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Cat bites (Was: help! how to get car oil
Date: 23 Nov 92 20:29:59 GMT
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

In article <722493021.F00002@tdkt.kksys.com> John.Seboldt@f31.n282.z1.tdkt.kksys.com (John Seboldt) writes:
>On 11-15-92, tom betz wrote to All:
>
>>------------------------------------
>Some folks have recommended wearing oven mitts to protect your hands from 
>the hazards of claws and teeth.
>>------------------------------------
>
>Hoo boy, wish I would have done that last time I gave Teager a bath.  Boy, 
>was I mad when she got out and got real dirty once... it was a 
>particularly shitty time in life, too, so I overdid it... I held this 
>kitty firmly under my arm as I drew the water, saying angry stuff to her, 
>chiding her for getting dirty, etc... and when I dunked her in, boy did I 
>get bit -- right in the thick at the base of the thumb, probably pinched a 
>nerve right to the bone!  I'm a keyboard player, and I lost sensation in a 
>part of my thumb for a while (minor, but scary).
 
I got bit hard in the arm when I tried to give my bundle of sweetness
and joy a tranquilizer prior to a long long car trip.  Upon the advice of a 
friend, I went to see a doctor, who told me that 
    >>>CAT BITES CAN BE VERY VERY TOXIC TO HUMANS<<<
 
I was *lucky* that I did not have to be hospitalized for this bite.
I was not so lucky that I did have to take expensive anti-biotics for
a week (7 pills = $150 and insurance didn't cover it).
  
    Moral 1:  Wear  several layers of long-sleeved shirts when
              doing horrendous things to cats like administering
              medication or water
    Moral 2:  If a cat bite breaks the skin, GO TO THE DOCTOR.  It
              could be serious.  If my friend was not a worry-wart
              type, I would have ignored it into a serious hospital
              stay (because I am an oblivious sort when it comes to
              my own health).
  
--j
 
>Moral:  1) Check your mental state first, and 2) wear gloves!
>
>John
>
>
>
> * Freddie 1.2 * "Mao..."  "Mousie dung..."  -- quoted in B. Kliban, "Cats"
>
> * Origin: Dark Knight's Table (1:282/31)
From: miarrobi@cvbnet.prime.com (Mike Iarrobino)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: my cat throws up too much...
Date: 18 Nov 92 16:40:36 GMT
Reply-To: miarrobi@cvbnet.prime.com


The amount of vomiting you describe does not sound normal so I would definately
take your cat to the vet to be checked.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: wd6cmu@netcom.com (Eric Williams)
Subject: Re: Help - Allergies to New Kitty
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 21:40:22 GMT

ltao@netcom.com (Lilly Tao) writes:
> Anyone have any experience with Allerpet?  
I tried it for a while, but it didn't seem very effective.  (I get
hay fever and asthma symptoms around most cats.)  I ended up just
bathing Murphy every couple of weeks.  A lot cheaper and you end up
with a nice, clean cat.
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Williams     wd6cmu@netcom.com  |  Never attribute to malice that which
WD6CMU@WD6CMU.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA       |  is adequately explained by stupidity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: rkn3u@kelvin.seas.Virginia.EDU (R. Keith Norwood)
Subject: Re: Neutering question
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 01:30:40 GMT

In article <1992Nov17.173132.17839@llyene.jpl.nasa.gov> julie@eddie.jpl.nasa.gov (Julie Kangas) writes:
>In article <1992Nov17.150648.24012@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> ren@Turing.ORG (Karen Prestemon) writes:
>>In article <1992Nov16.212236.26128@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> rkn3u@kelvin.seas.Virginia.EDU (R. Keith Norwood) writes:
>>>In article <1992Nov16.194804.3493@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> barlow@prodigal.psych.rochester.edu (Rebel) writes:
>>>>
>>>>the same? This just buggs me alot...in league with people who think
>>>>33 cents a can for food is WAY too expensive for a cat!! Please!
>>>>
>>>>Jen (proud mommy to Zeb
>>>
>>>Unless you have a fat wallet, there is a limit to how much you will spend
>>>on your cat.  This amount varies with the individual but there is no "correct"
>>>amount. 
>>>
>>Agreed.  We adopted a kitten from the animal shelter, and my husband
>>at the time said that if anything happened to her that would require
>>great medical expense, then we would put her to sleep and get another
>>one.  Its not that I don't love my kitten, and its not that I think
>>one cat is the same as another, but it is that we owe thousands
>>of dollars to credit card companies, in addition to owing the people
>>hospital $600 for ER visits.  If my cat broke her hip, we would have
>>to let it go or put her down as well.  
>
>Yes, but the trick is to know when *not* to put the cat to sleep.
>I mentioned in an earlier posting about my grandmother's cat who
>got hit by a car.  Both his hips were dislocated (much more common
>than breaking it I think).  The vet wanted $$$ and my grandmother
>was set to put him to sleep immediately.  Fortunately, I, my mother,
>and eventually my vet, convinced her that (1) immediate sugery
>was *BAD*, and (2) he'd probably recover just fine.  Well, that's
>what happened -- you'd never know that he had been hit by the car.
>

Your exactly right about knowing when to put the cat to sleep.  It seems
that Ziggy has recovered nicely from his injury.  I asked the vet the
about $$ for putting him down becasue I suspected that the vet was
pressuring me on the surgery.  

Peace,
Keith

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: afdenis@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (Stephen Dennison)
Subject: All this FUS over food ... cheaper alternative ...
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Ancient Souls Inc.
Distribution: rec
Date: 23 Nov 1992 15:12 EST  

In article <1992Nov23.170443.18286@news.mentorg.com>, kwilkman@roguecom (Kathleen Wilkman) writes...
>In article <SDY.92Nov20102007@bcstec.boeing.com>, sdy@bcstec.boeing.com (Ugly Bag of Mostly Water) writes:
>|> 
>|> Sob story first:
>|>   Well yesterday was my birthday and I had to take my (poor) Fila (7yr old,
>|>   fixed, male, orange domestic) to the vet with some form of blockage (FUS).

>|>   I read the FAQ about FUS and was wondering if I should really, really 
>|>   worry
>|>   about long term diet -- or will switching to the hills (c/d?) be good 
>|>   enough?
>|>   -- gee I hope they eat it, they didn't like the Science Diet stuff but 
>|>   really
>|>      took to IAMS. I'd still like to feed them a can (IAMS) every once in a
>|>      while and treats too.
>|> 
> 
>Just a note on IAMS and FUS:
> 
>Until 6 months ago, my Vet recommend either IAMS or Science Diet for cats.
>However, he has since withdrawn his recommendation of IAMS.  He told me that
>he has treated 7 cats in the last year for FUS that were fed an exclusive
>diet of IAMS. When I heard this, I immediately switched my 2 boys to
>Science Diet.  Naturally they prefer IAMS. :-)

Another note... Fiver, an 18 pound male tabby, after suffering a rather 
*severe* case of FUS a couple of years ago, has been *fine* on a straight 
diet of DADs Gourmet blend (recommended by our vet because of the low ash 
content). He had been on Alleycat prior to that and, while he liked it 
better, Alleycat has a very high ash content and very likely *caused* the 
FUS flare up. 

While I am *sure* there are advantages to the IAMS and Hills products, when 
you have up to 12 cats to feed at a time (and you *aren't* Ross Perot), 
cost *is* a consideration. 

Also the ferrets love it. :-)

-- Stephen

	Growing up is easier than you think ... one day, you just wake
	up an adult ... and mourn your loss. 

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: lhuffman@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: a friend gone
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 19:52:27 GMT

In article <1e1u0tINN3lq@natinst.com>, Thad_Engeling@quickmail.natinst.com (Thad Engeling) writes:
> My mother called me this afternoon at work.
> This morning around 10AM our calico cat Princess was put to sleep.
> She was suffering from kidney failure, and couldn't even move anymore.
> She only weighed 4 pounds because she had stopped eating.
> She was over 18 years old.
> I've known her longer than I've known most of my human friends.
> 
> I'm finally really feeling the loss as I write this.
> I don't cry very often, but now I can hardly see to write.
> 
> I remember the day we went to get her.
> A friend of ours had given her to our pastor's family,
> but his wife was exceedingly allergic to and fearful of cats,
> so he asked us if we wanted her.
> We were very happy to have her.
> She was about 8 weeks old if I remember correctly.
> Tiny.
> A curious and playful ball of multi-colored fur.
> She quickly became an integral part of our household.
> She went camping with us.
> She went on walks.
> She slept on my parents bed every night, and turned my dad into a cat lover.
> 
> So many memories flood my mind right now.
> She used to shred the toilet paper off the roller
> until it was just a big pile on the floor.
> She loved to pull ornaments off the christmas tree.
> She would wake my parents in the morning by
> running her paw along the mini-blinds.
> When she was hungry she would tip her food bowl so
> that it rocked back and forth until someone paid attention.
> She loved popcorn and ear-wax.
> 
> at Thanksgiving dinner, 1989, all our older relatives over,
> she brought her in her trophy, a still live rat, and laid
> it at the feet of my great aunt.
> 
> She touched my life as much as any person.
> I loved her, and I will miss her.
> 
> -Thad
> 

How very fortuneate she was to have lived her life with you; and how much 
richer yours is from having known her; your high praise will do her well 
in her life beyond. I am touched by your memories.
From: rasmussenc@vaxb.gbus.virginia.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: territorial games?
Date: 17 Nov 92 13:30:42 GMT
Organization: Darden Center, University of Virginia

Hey Cat people!  My 4.5 y.o. neutered cat has been on a nocturnal schedule
lately.  He goes outside about 8-9 pm, and wants back in as soon as we
wake up around 6am.  He has all his claws, and we live in a fairly remote
area.  Sunday night, he was sitting on a table in the mudroom looking 
outside.  I noticed that he was VERY interested in something out there, and
when I checked it out, I saw a black and white kitty out there.  I thought, 
oh great, now K.C. is going to drive me crazy to go outside. 

Surprisingly, he didn't ask to go out until 2 am, whereupon I got up out
of bed and let the little monster out.  Well, that was Sunday, and now its
Tuesday, and we have not seen hide nor hare of our K.C.  A friend of mine 
said that cat territorial things can go on for days and that I shouldn't 
neccessarily freak out yet.  I know he will find things to eat, and I've 
checked the road (ugh)....  Has anyone else had similar situations?  How 
long have they gone on?  He's been in a couple of cat fights before, but 
nothing ever very serious....He's a pretty vocal kitty, so I would think
that he would "talk" to me if he could hear me calling him...  I hate this!

-Chris Rasmussen
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: eldridge@tachyn.enet.dec.com (Kathi Eldridge)
Subject: Re: Help - Allergies to New Kitty
Reply-To: eldridge@tachyn.enet.dec.com (Kathi Eldridge)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Nashua, NH
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 16:02:32 GMT


In article <1992Nov18.020201.12365@netcom.com>, ltao@netcom.com (Lilly Tao) writes:
|>
|>Anyone have any experience with Allerpet?  It's this liquid substance
|>that you rub all over your cat.  It's supposed to cut down on cat dander
|>and saliva allergic reactions.  I found it in my local pet store; haven't
|>tested it out much since we're not sure if our current visitor is fully
|>allergic to cats or not (well, she's not sniffling yet!).  I haven't checked
|>the FAQ about this product, so sorry if it's already fully documented.
|>
|>Lilly Tao
|>ltao@netcom.com
|>

	I use Allerpet.  I have three cats that I am quite allergic to and
	also very attached to.  We have a weekly ritual which I call either
	cat-cleaning or cat-torture :-).  Once a week each kitty is rubbed
	down with a cloth dampened with allerpet.  I also take this opportunity
	to give them each a good brushing and trim their claws.  They love
	the brushing, impatiently tolerate the cleaning with allerpet, and
	hate the claw trimming!  Although one of my cats purrs throughout the
	entire process.

	Allerpet really does reduce my discomfort if I use it once a week.  
	When I let it slide my nose knows!  It is a pain in the neck but worth
	it, to me.

	- Kathi
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: oakes@rtsg.mot.com (Ronald Oakes)
Subject: Re: strange hairless circles on my cats
Reply-To: oakes@rtsg.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 15:03:32 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.171350.4279@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>, daj8m@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Deirdre A. Johnson) writes:
|> Hi Pablo, Twyla and cats!
|> 
|> My cat, Tuesday Molly, just developed a hairless patch like this.
|> I was a bit worried, so I took her to the Vet, who told me it might be
|> ringworm.  I'm supposed to watch her for a week to see if the
|> hair starts growing back.  If it doesn't, I'm supposed to go back
|> to the vet and get some medicine for her, which will get rid of 
|> the problem.  My vet told me it's liable to be ringworm if: 1. there
|> isn't any sign of redness or irritation, as there would be with
|> bugbites or skin disease. 2. the hair doesn't grow back.  Evidently,
|> cats can get ringworm from each other, and can even give it to people
|> (though I don't think this is common).  So it's good to treat it and
|> get rid of it if you can.  Good luck! and let me know how you do.
|> 
|>                                               -Deirdre (daj8m@viginia.edu)

Ringworm is a fungal infection, and can be spread to people, dogs and other cats.
My brother just adopted a new kitten, who had ringworm, and it spread to him, his
wife, 6 year old daughter and dog.  Fortunatly, his 7 month old daughter did not
get the ringworm.

Another way that vets check for ringworm is using a "black light."  Appearently,
ringworm floreses under ultraviolet light and can be spotted that way.  If you
suspect ringworm, I would suggust you ask the vet about checking with a black
light.

Ronald B. Oakes
From: sdy@bcstec.boeing.com (Ugly Bag of Mostly Water)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: My kitty's ill, and a question
Date: 20 Nov 92 18:20:07 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Ringworld


Sob story first:
  Well yesterday was my birthday and I had to take my (poor) Fila (7yr old,
  fixed, male, orange domestic) to the vet with some form of blockage (FUS).
  This after keeping me up till 3am the night before worrying about him.

  Today I find that I don't get him back cuz his bladder's nerves are sleeping,
  And, when I do, I have to change diets (from IAMS to Hills -- c/d?).
  Meanwhile, my other kid (Cameo, 7yrs, fixed, female, seapoint mix) had her
  shots and isn't too happy being alone. =(

  I WANT MY FILA !!! (there I feel better now).

Question time:
  I read the FAQ about FUS and was wondering if I should really, really worry
  about long term diet -- or will switching to the hills (c/d?) be good enough?
  -- gee I hope they eat it, they didn't like the Science Diet stuff but really
     took to IAMS. I'd still like to feed them a can (IAMS) every once in a
     while and treats too.

  Also the only thing that's changed drastically in the last 7 yrs is that I
  switched to Litter Purrfect clumping litter (ala Costco) about a year ago --
  and I kinda wonder if the crystals may have started forming cuz he was
  licking particles off himself.  The vet did mention that sometimes they just
  get ill and then you have to make a diet change.

  Boy is it a good thing I know my kids -- my housemate just thought Fila was
  being "mellow" and was fine (this being the day I took him in too).

steve.


--
Steven D. Yee                 >>>  my employer does not share my opinions   <<<
sdy@bcstec.boeing.com         >>>   that's because I'm always right! =P     <<<
       I supply creativity to another's mistake as a form of self hate,
            What about your friends? Will they stand their ground?
                   Will they let you down, again? -- T.L.C.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: ren@Turing.ORG (Karen Prestemon)
Subject: Re: rubber bands and milk rings
Organization: The Turing Project, Charlottesville Virginia.
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 04:27:46 GMT

In article <4240@unisql.UUCP> collene@unisql.UUCP (Collene Pearce) writes:
>
>Tamora is perfectly safe with them, because she doesn't try to eat them.  
>She just picks one up and shakes it and flips it somewhere and goes
>to get it, usually "dives" to get it and rolls over with it and flips
>it somewhere else....she's just a big kitty.  :-)
>Tamora will only play with blue rubberbands, which are 1/4" wide and at
>least 6-8" long (if they were cut, but they are not).  She will not touch
>one of those ordinary tan ones.  I gave her a green one once, but she
>didn't seem to like it as well as the blue. She is very pickey.  ;-)
>
Our apartment is a graveyard for those blue rubber bands--they are 
everywhere!!  Our kitty does basically the same thing as Tamora, 
only she jumps up on the couch with a rubber band in her mouth, and
then let it drop down into the cushions where she can't get to it
(rocket science is not exactly her forte).  

She also LOVES bottle caps.  The white ones that twist on top of the
16 oz. coke bottles.  Those are now all over the $%#@ apartment!  She
has learned to identify a bottle cap that is still attached to the
bottle, and dives on top of our cokes when we set them down.  We
picked up the couch cushions yesterday and discovered several bottle
caps.  We've been trying to figure out a way to create a Stupid Pet
Trick out of this!

--Karen
From: jwilson@ncratl.AtlantaGA.NCR.COM (Jeff Wilson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Cats that JUMP (was fetch)
Date: 16 Nov 92 20:28:16 GMT
Organization: NCR Engineering and Manufacturing Atlanta -- Atlanta, GA

<1du1b0INN2di@FUNCTOR.SYSTEMSZ.CS.YALE.EDU>
<1992Nov13.235246.24011@rsg1.er.usgs.gov>

In <1992Nov13.235246.24011@rsg1.er.usgs.gov> ssnyder@sunai.er.usgs.gov (Steve
Snyder) writes:

I once saw a cat who, from a sitting position and with a perfectly relaxed
expression, jumped on top of a refrigerator from the floor. An almost 6 foot
jump, with no pre-jump run. He never did it again that I know of, and I've
never seen any other cat come close. Amazing.
-- 
jwilson@ncratl.atlantaga.ncr.com (Jeff Wilson)
"Turkey Fact Number 12: Turkeys are filled with enough L-Tryptophan to knock
you on your sorry Thanksgiving ass." Tom Servo, MST3K
From: judy@valinor.mythical.com (Judy Labovitz)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help with pads of cat's feet
Keywords: dry pads
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 10:23:10 CST
Distribution: world
Organization: (What? Organized??) - Mythical Computer Systems

ren@Turing.ORG (Karen Prestemon) writes:

> The pads of my kitten's paws are very dry and have begun to crack!  Poor
> kitty!  Anyone have some advice of what I can do for her?

Provided the kitten isn't in pain or the pads aren't so cracked they're
bleeding, my vet suggested rubbing a little Vaseline into the paws to help
re-moisturize them.  The problem comes from the pads getting too dry.  I
also found that the cat's pads were a good indicator (along with the
static in my hairbrush) for when it was time to get out the humidifier for
the winter.

Judy


   Judith A Labovitz               judy@valinor.mythical.com
                                   uunet!valinor!judy
            I bark, therefore I am.    ---- Rene Descarte's dog.
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Cat Fight Over Socks, Clintons' Pet
Date: 20 Nov 92 21:22:25 -0600
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <1992Nov19.105520.1@stsci.edu>, lhuffman@stsci.edu writes:
>> A source close to Clinton said grimly that there may be retribution for 
>> tampering with the cat.
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> So, cat lovers, what would be an adequate retribution for those pest
>> photographers???  >:)
>> 
> 
> Well, what easily comes to mind, since they are SOOOOO interested in things 
> feline... what could be more quintessential cat than some poopie-doopers? 
> straight from the box, strategically placed (ala Roller Poopies), 
> magnificently odiferous.

Hm, I had in mind a nice _Pasteurella multocida_ cellulitis-- or one of
the other "cat bite infection" bacteria.  Nicely painful, rarely amounts
to much...  ;-)

Kay
From: mverman@msus1.msus.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help - Allergies to New Kitty
Date: 22 Nov 92 18:11:53 -0600
Organization: Minnesota State University System

In article <1992Nov18.020201.12365@netcom.com>, ltao@netcom.com (Lilly Tao) writes:
> Anyone have any experience with Allerpet?  It's this liquid substance
> that you rub all over your cat.  It's supposed to cut down on cat dander
> and saliva allergic reactions.  I found it in my local pet store; haven't
> tested it out much since we're not sure if our current visitor is fully
> allergic to cats or not (well, she's not sniffling yet!).  I haven't checked
> the FAQ about this product, so sorry if it's already fully documented.
> 
> Lilly Tao
> ltao@netcom.com

Hullo.  Regularly washing a cat in clear water washes rinses off saliva and 
allergens. Furthermore it has been proven to _reduce allergen production_ by the
cat.  If you're going to soak the cat anyway, why not try water before spending
the money on Allerpet?

Combing the cat(s), vacuuming, handwashing and keeping cats off bedding can go 
a long way toward reducing allergy symptoms in household members or guests.

... Shu