HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Ann.Feeney@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Ann Feeney)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: How do I keep neighbors cat from killing birds?
Summary: PLEASE HELP!
Date: 25 Aug 92 19:33:02 GMT
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service

I hope that some of you have ideas.

We have a birdfeeder in our backyard, that we've put up ever
since the people next door, who fed the birds regularly, moved
away.  We put seed out only during the winter, when the birds
can't get anything else and/or are used to eating from a feeder.
Lately some people moved into the neighborhood, who have a very
athletic and bird-hunting cat.  See the scenario?

I asked them to bell the cat--they refused.
I offered to pay for the bell--they refused.

The physical setup is thus.

F
E  BU     FEE
N  SH     DER      
C
E  BU                  (Alternative spot, which didn't work)
F  SH                              FEE
                                  DER

This cat is FAST, and can jump and run like nothing else I've 
seen.  No matter where we relocate the feeder, he seems to be able to
get the birds.

So far, we've tried rubbing the fence with mothballs,
which worked for about fifteen minutes, putting wire along the fence so 
he can't jump through (he climbs over and hides in the yardnow), and a few
other futile things.

Needless to say, I will not consider anything that is likely to hurt the cat,
but by now t birds are so used to the feeder that we worry about depriving
them.  

I've soncidered kidnapping the cat and beling him, hoping that his owners
won't notice, or getting those Hallowe'en things that make spooky noises
when something moves near them, and setting them up at his favorite
hide-n-leap points.  (However, I'm afraid that moisture might ruin them.)

Any ideas, please?

Ann
--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
From: dawn@umiacs.umd.edu (Dawn Vance)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Update (I think my cat is ill)
Date: 4 Sep 92 14:40:38 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: UMIACS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742


On Monday I was forced to take her back to the hospital because she refused
to swallow the food and the medication over the week-end. Needless to say,
I was a basket case all week. After being poked, prodded, sedated, forced
and emptied, the vet believes that mimi may have a liver ailment called
hepatic lipidosis (sp?). She said that the only way to diagnose this
conclusively is by liver biopsy, but since mimi ate by herself for the first 
time last night, she is hopeful that some progress is being made. I can take 
her home today!!! :) :) :) 

Thanks to everyone for the advise and words of encouragement, especially
Rita.

Best Regards,
Dawn
From: aspasia@usability.Eng.Sun.COM (Lisa Louise Davis)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Go outside!!!
Date: 26 Aug 1992 23:44:29 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: usability

Despite the fact that Aspasia has full access to the great outdoors,
she insists on using the indoor litterbox.  Has anyone successfully
weaned a cat from using the litterbox?  I'm a little hesitant simply
to remove it, for obvious reasons.  At one time, she rarely used the
box, I guess because it was inconvenient.  (It was in the basement.)
We've moved since then, and there isn't really any comparable spot 
in the house for it.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Lisa & Aspasia

"My opinions don't amount to much anyway."
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Subject: Re: When are kittens too young?
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 14:25:34 GMT

In article <1992Sep1.043556.22940@samba.oit.unc.edu>, Michael.Gunderson@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Michael Gunderson) writes:
> 
>   My brother was recently subjected to emotional blackmail in order to get
> him to accept some kittens (i.e. either YOU take them or krrrrrrrk!). Anyway,
> these kittens are approximately 4 weeks old.  Not that he had much choice,
> but is this too soon for the kittens to be removed from their mother?  If so,
> what can be done to aleviate the problems they may have?
> 
> 
> --
>    The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
>      North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
>         Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
>            internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
> 
> 
That is much too early.  If reuniting them with their mother is not an option,
you must assume moms role.  They need a kitten supplement - ask a vet or visit
you local pet store.  You may need a nursing bottle depending on their age,
they may be not weaned and able to eat kitten food.  Try canned kitten food or
wet the dry stuff and mush it up.  We had a 4 week old and it had to be
dropper feed every 2 hours.  My husb and took it to work with him and we
took shifts caring for it during the night.  She almost died but with our
loving care, she is a fine, healthy 2 year old now.  You might have to teach
them how to bath and use a litter box.  Our kitten did not know how to bathe
so we had to wash her face after she ate and tend to her other personal
hygiene and teach her how to do it.  I suggest you buy a book on caring for
young or abandoned kittens.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: "angela allen" <angie@moose.cs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Peace Lilly -- poisonous?
Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 15:16:12 -0500

cgregory@suna7.cs.uiuc.edu (Christine Gregory) writes:

>Then a few weeks after that, we got a list (from a vet school, I believe --
>if anyone is interested, I'll dig it up and post the source) of poisonous
>and non-poisonous plants.  Easter lilies were listed as poisonous with
>"may cause renal failure" which is what Ollie died of.

I'm VERY interested in seeing this list. I think it's the perfect
thing to put in the FAQ, too, to update the list that (I think) is
already there. 

I just bought a fairly comprehensive houseplant book, to go with the
first-aid-for-pets book that I bought for the poison-plants list. Both
books list plants by their scientific names --- very important for
accuracy. If anyone needs help identifying their houseplants to check
against a list, I'll see what I can find for you in the book. Just
can't wait to get those ASCII representations of leaf shapes!

--angie			angie@cs.indiana.edu
& John (hubby)
& Cerebus (buddy)
& Jaka (sweetie)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: sbp@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (Sue Price)
Subject: Re: Cathandle Position was Naming cat behaviors
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 21:05:14 GMT

In article <1992Aug21.115253.5728@cs.nott.ac.uk> cczcole@unicorn.nott.ac.uk (Marlon Cole) writes:
>What about "tuning in" (to the radio) ?
> - this is what we call that priceless moment, inevitably when you're
>in polite company, when the cat decides to sit in the middle of the
>floor in order to clean its back end, with one back leg pointing
>skywards (a la radio aerial - hence "tuning in").

A friend calls it "playing the fiddle." :-)


-- 

Sue Price
sbp@hound.att.com

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: crystal@glia.biostr.washington.edu (Crystal)
Subject: A silly cat poem ;>
Organization: University of Washington
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 20:59:42 GMT

Just a whimsical poem about my Longhaired Seal Pointed and White 2 year old.
(She looked blue and cream as a kitten - with a "blueberry" on each white
ear. Now they are blackberries, but the old name stuck...and her seal tail
sticks out of a permanent white "diaper" *laugh* )

Blueberry Peach Parfait Fun
  
Don't eat the ants!
Leave the spiders alone!
While stalking the flies
You've turned into stone!
  
Stop licking the walls!
Pissing in the sink!
Rattling the shower doors!
Please! Let me think!
  
Use your scratching post, stupid,
Not the microscope! Please!
Put your collar back on!
Do you want to catch fleas??
   
Stay off the computer!
Yes, I know you can spell...
But that's not what I typed!
Though you did it quite well..
  
Climbing the wallpaper!
Attacking doorknobs!
Changing the thermostat -
*Geez* by the gobs!
  
That windowsill's mine!
And everything on it
Was perfectly fine
Til you broke it, doggone it!
  
Get out of my shower -
And take that mouse with you!
I've got soap in my eyes
If I grab it, I'll miss you.
  
Gimmee that tea-bag!
I'm not through with it yet!
It's NOT catnip tea!
But it *IS* soaking wet!
   
Stay out of that chili!
You'll regret every bite!
No! Not my pizza!
Jalapeno's aren't light!
   
Don't drink from the toilet,
Your water bowl's clean!
And that dish there is dirty!
You just make me scream!
  
Oh, SHIT! It's an earthquake!
Dive under the bed!
Where'd you find that remote
For the garage door and shed?
  
I've got time to play fetch
So "go get your toy"
Now "sit" "up" and "beg"
And "pose" with some joy.
  
Hug your paws 'round my neck
And drool on my shoulder;
Purr loudly and warmly
And, please don't grow older.
   
For, dear little BabyCat
As weird as you are
I love you most dearly
My feline star.
  
(c) 6-4-92 by Crystal

  
It was a *VERY STRANGE* day...
  
(Actually, this poem is quite unfair...Parfait doesn't piss in the sink...
that's Joan BluShe's trick...and it's Hyperion who breaks things, but 
everything else is fairly accurate - and I love her for all of it...in spite
of all of it. She is never a dull moment.)
  
BTW, she can spell the words "bad" and "figure" and has corrected my spelling.
The "earthquake" was the rumbling of the garage door under my bedroom - seems
she stepped on the remote control... :>
From: 00mnkuhnke@bsu-ucs.uucp
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Naming Cat Behaviors
Date: 31 Aug 92 02:43:52 GMT

I have a black shaded long haired mut-cat.  This cat has problems with his
balance.  One morning I awoke just to see my cat colapse and convulse.  I
thaught that this was the day of the big one time only shot.  It turned out 
to be a *hit load of ear-mites.  They had managed to bore through his 
inner ear and totally skrew up his balance mechanism.  Well he got fixed
 but now he walks a little sideways and continualy has his head tipped
to the right.  In addition to his new found deafness he has problems 
standing on the edge of anything like a couch, starways,  and beds.  He 
falls frequently and occasionally bounces off the front of the couch because
he did not jump high enough.  It is funny yet still sad to watch him flop
onto the floor.  Poor cat hates the rain even more than falling, because
as I mentions before his head is tipped to the right allowing for rain
to fill up his left ear.  My poor cat is preety messed up. I have no name
for most of the behavior of my cat because most of his odd behavior is
normal.  
              00mnkuhnke    (*** CEO Crippled Cat House, Inc. ***)
  
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner)
Subject: Re: Playing with kitties face: was "naming behaviors"
Reply-To: rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner)
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro NM
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 92 23:33:41 GMT

In article <1343@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM> emolinar@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Elizabeth Molinaro) writes:
>
>        We take the face in our hands, and then push the ears
>        flat against the head: kind of striaght down.  This is
>        "Yoda"
[more good stuff deleted]

My husband says he used to do things like this with Buttons, the cat his family
had while he was growing up. He'd take one ear in each hand and wiggle them
around, all to the tune of "Do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro,
can you tie 'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow ..." etc. :-)

The two girls we have now won't sit still for this if they can help it. It's 
been a crushing blow for my husband. :-) :-)
-- 
Ruth Milner                          NRAO/VLA                  Socorro NM
Computing Division Head      rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: anne@cs.UAlberta.CA (Anne J.R. Nield)
Subject: Re: Diabetes in cats ???
Organization: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 21:39:52 GMT

piltch@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov (Nancy Piltch) writes:



>With a diabetic cat you do have an obligation to maintain a consistent
>schedule. I board him at the vet any time I go away so that he can
>get his insulin, even though I feel bad about having him cooped up for
>the duration.  

Or you can do like friends of mine did and train someone (me, in this
case!) to give the injections and look after the cat when they are away.
Needless to say, reliability is a must; skill with the needles can be
acquired!!  I really enjoyed getting to know Trapper -- who subsequently
died of cancer -- and found him to be quite "knowledgeable" about his
illness (i.e., he would come and get ME if I was even a little late
with his injection!!)

Good luck!

Anne



Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: gittel@nynexst.com (Kathleen Gittel)
Subject: Re: what to do with cats while on vacation
Organization: Nynex Science and Technology
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 92 16:57:05 GMT

Keep your cats in their own home.  But the 15 year
old is a questionabe solution.  How well do
you know his reliability I.Q.?  Are you paying him ?
Are you paying him enough to ensure 2 visits a day with at least
an hour a day of playing and petting?  Have you notified your vet
that a stranger may bring over one of your cats for an on-the-cuff
emergency care visit ?  Have you got your cat sitter prepared for
emergencies?

I favor getting the name of a professional cat sitter--your vet or
local newspaper can provide you with names.  Then interview the
person and follow up on references and go from there.

I've done this many times and it worked beautifully..  I came
home to well cared for if somewhat huffy cats.

Kathy
From: kjt34420@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Kristin J. Thommes)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Diabetes in cats-blood and urine samples ???
Date: 3 Sep 92 15:48:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.Bu0EK5.47w
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

Another thing that you can do if you need to get a urine specimen from
a cat is to just use plain aquarium gravel rather than litter.  It won't
absorb any urine and so you can use more than just a few drops (which
is good if you ever need to catch a urine for a complete UA).  There is
also a product called No-Sorb that does the same thing, but aquarium gravel 
is much cheaper and easier to use.

Of course, it is advisable to replace the gravel with litter as soon as 
the sample is recieved.  Most cats prefer their regular litter over gravel.


-- 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: dmillard@encore.com (Debbie Millard)
Subject: Darting Darts (was: Terrified of Ceiling Fan!)
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 21:05:59 GMT
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

In article <1992Aug25.153644.909@galaxy.gov.bc.ca> gbrach@galaxy.gov.bc.ca writes:
>
>Well, I don't have a ceiling fan, but in my house I had a slight problem once
>I put up my dart board.  The cats would sit in the room watching us throw
>darts, yowling and just generally looking predatory.  I though it was
>hilarious, but some of my friends were a bit nervous with the boys in the room:
>darts do get jumpy, at times!  When one would rebound and hit the floor, the
>boys would be up at a shot to sniff it.  They were always disappointed (I
>thought) that the dart would not try to run away when they approached!
>
>Mrrrrow?
>Gabor.

Yup - mine always looked really confused when I yell at them
for chasing the darts..."But, Mo-om, we *always* chase what
you throw!"

I don't play much anymore.  I'm terrified of having to explain
a dart hole in a cat to the vet - makes my stomach turn just
thinking about it.

Debbie
Calli, Cissy, Timmy (Andrew survivors all)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: puter@no1home.nashvil.ingr.com (PuterDude)
Subject: Re: What do you think?
Organization: None, today. Thank you.
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 13:49:58 GMT

In article <lswan.29.0@ucsd.edu> lswan@ucsd.edu (Swan, Lyn) writes:

>Allie (Siamese X) - Allison, Big Al, Ali San, Fat Pants, Fuzz Bomb, Bad 
>Kitty. 
>
>Kate (Tuxedo) - Kitty Kate, Kuh-Kuh-Kuh Katie, Katherine, Katya, Good Kitty.
>
>Guess which one gets into the most trouble? :-)
>
>Lyn   <---
 ^^^      |
          ----    This one?   :)

-- 
Puter	puter@no1home.nashvil.ingr.com	.sig by Generic Labels
(Put irritating title here)		(Put phone # here.)
(Put obnoxious quote here. Please make it as long as possible.)
From: jereese@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (jean reese)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Kittens!
Date: 4 Sep 92 13:40:47 GMT
Organization: Indiana University



Lovely story!!

Jean
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: "Killing" Socks
Date: 3 Sep 92 16:05:48 -0500
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

peggys@orca.wv.tek.com writes:
> My boyfriends cat, Smokey, has this thing about dragging his socks, clean or
> dirty, out of his bedroom and into the living room...

My cats are often sock-draggers.  Sometimes underwear-draggers.  But the
most embarrasing thing I've seen was when my Springer Spaniel retrieved
my mother's girdle and hose (now that tells you it was awhile back!) and
dropped them into the lap of our parish priest, who was having dinner with
us...

And then there was Lucy, who liked to use my ex's underwear for a kitty-
hammock when he was enthroned...

Kay Klier
From: judy@evolving.com (Judy Bettinger)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Go outside!!!
Date: 1 Sep 92 18:06:01 GMT
Organization: Evolving Systems, Inc.

Lisa Louise Davis writes:
>
>    Despite the fact that Aspasia has full access to the great outdoors,
>    she insists on using the indoor litterbox.  Has anyone successfully
>    weaned a cat from using the litterbox?  
...

>    I'd appreciate any suggestions.
>

Wendy Milner writes:
>Simply move the litter box outside.  Your kitty will find it out
>there.  Then move the box to the area where you want to the kitty
>to use the "natural" kitty box.  Do not clean the box.  Dump the
>box contents on the ground.  The kitty will find the right way
>to use the natural box of dirt.  Do all this over a period of
>a week to a month.

But are you _really_ sure you want to do this?  Once they pick a spot,
they become incredibly faithful to it, in my experience.  Which means
that the spot can become, well, a bit unpleasant.  In one house I
lived in, one of the neighbor's cats chose a spot in some loose dirt 
near our house and every time it rained, the basement smelled like
'eau de chat'.  And I mean _smelled_!  Nothing will grow in that much 
cat poop, either! Of course, if you're out in the country somewhere, 
maybe it's different.

Just my 0.02.
-- 
Judy Bettinger (judy@evolving.com)            < |/
Evolving Systems, Inc.                         :o<)
Denver, Colorado                              < |\
From: trimper@edsi.plexus.COM (Greg Trimper)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Garlic and Brewers Yeast
Date: 25 Aug 92 02:50:43 GMT
Article-I.D.: edsi.1992Aug25.025043.26829
Organization: Enterprise Data Systems Incorporated, Appleton WI

p00020@mail.psi.net (Jack Previdi) writes:

>	 The yeast is said to make the cats unpalatable to fleas.
>	 The garlic just plain tastes good to cats and especially dogs.

Is it the Yeast?  FOr people, if you don't want to get fleas or 
ticks when camping, Garlic does the trick.  Either eat some, or take
garlic oil pills.  Drawback is that you sweat garlic.  And some people,
as well as fleas and ticks, stay away.

Have to get my hands on some Brewer's yeast and see for myself AND the
cat.

Greg Trimper   trimper@edsi.plexus.com
From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: stained hardwood floors
Date: 28 Aug 92 13:18:36 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: The MITRE Corporation

In article <59930@mimsy.umd.edu>, costello@cs.umd.edu (Lisa A. Costello) writes:
> 
> 
> This is my first real post here, so I hope this comes out OK!
> 
> Does anyone know of products that will clean urine-stained hardwood
> floors?  The floor is very badly damaged -- stained black, but the
> wood is still firm.  I'm willing to do just about anything to fix
> the floors, up to and including replacing them, if need be. (I'm sure
> my landlord would be glad to hear that!!)
> 
> Any advice?
> 
> Lisa Costello
> mom-cat to Gibson and Roxanne
> 

If they are that bad you probably need to have them refinished.  They need to 
be sanded (I recommend hiring a professional) and polyurethened.  You can 
stain them before the poly if you like. Replacement of the hardwood is probably
not necessary unless its really bad and warped.
> 
> 
> 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: sauer@bluemoon.rn.com (John Tipshus)
Subject: Driving x-country w/ Cat.  Suggestions?
Organization: Blue Moon BBS ((614) 868-998[024])
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 92 16:29:33 EDT

My 1.5 year old Nemisis female tabby will be with me while I drive 1,500 
miles cross country.  During short travel she freaks out completely.  Are 
there any suggestions before and during this journey?  

Thank you.

     John

//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.//.
         John Blase Tipshus           osu-cis!n8emr!bluemoon!sauer
         Worthington, Ohio            sauer@bluemoon.rn.com
.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\.\\