Posted on 04/17/2016 1:00:21 PM PDT by EinNYC
All regular FReepers know of the tragedy which struck my household March 9, which was the unexpectedly fast death of my beloved kitty Kefira from bone marrow cancer. Everything suddenly turned to grey for me without that adorable little feline playing tricks on my other cat, snuggling up to me while I read, taking her place behind my pillow while I watched a DVD, etc. After a few days of giving myself over to grief, I started to search the online pet adoption websites as well as visit North Shore Animal League on Long Island. I wanted a kitten who had Kefira's very unique color and markings. I easily perused hundreds of cat photos in this month-long search, and there were only 4 kittens in the entire country who had the "look". They were mostly in California.
I am a patient hunter when there is something I want, and I won't settle. Finally, as I was scanning kitten pictures on, of all places, Overstock.com (they have a new tab on their website called "Pet Adoptions"), my antennae immediately sprang to full alert; there was a picture of a kitten with exactly the markings I wanted AND she was within commutable distance: New Joisey. I immediately called the rescue who had her. She had been taken off the street a week earlier. I made an appointment to come and see her, setting off from school like the proverbial bat outta you-know-where. Just to get across Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel took an hour and a half. No kidding. Then I had to navigate through the wilds of NJ, armed only with my trusty GPS. It was arduous, as it was difficult to read the highway signs fast enough to see where Ms. Garmin bade me to turn off. Finally, almost 3 hours later, I arrived at this little vet clinic in the sticks of central NJ. As I entered the clinic, I introduced myself and followed the direction a beckoning hand indicated. There was a large cage in the middle of the lobby. It held a kitten. As soon as my eyes registered on her, I knew she was coming home with me. I took her into a little room to get acquainted. She could not get enough petting, could not get held enough, and kept rolling over to have her tiny tummy rubbed.
This kitten had been described to me by this vet's staff as 8 months old. No way was she that old. I'd say 5-6 months at most. She was thin after life on the street and who-knows-where before that. She also had a slight conjunctivitis and probable ear mites, which is typical of a cat who's been on the street. Her FeLV and FIV lab test fortunately turned out negative.
She clearly had not been in receipt of the loving she so richly deserved. This poor little girl doesn't even know how to play with toys. She obviously had not had any prior to now. And then, how could anyone abandon a treasure like this little angel? Fool!
I had the vet there treat her ears and eyes. He also gave her the first 3-in-1 shot (2 more, 3 weeks apart, to go) and a rabies shot. Then I placed her in my Vari-Kennel and off we went, toward home.
She is currently under quarantine, as dictated by my vet. Then she will gradually be introduced to my Maine Coon, Bijou. I look forward to seeing them play together.
FReepers, meet Zizu (the name just "came" to me while playing with her):
John Cougar Meloncat? I love it! What a great name for a cat!
CC
Looks like serious cattitude.
You will need to use PVC pipe cement to cement the pieces together. Door comes out heavy, but sturdy. Tension rod needs to be very tight pushing "out". I mounted a 1 1/4" diameter PVC pipe about 9" long horizontally on top of the gate by drilling 2 holes in the bottom and drilling holes in the corresponding T-fittings. I dropped a small bolt through the horizontal pipe and inserted the threaded end through the drilled holes in the T-fittings. I screwed a nut on the bolt with needle nose pliers. THEN I inserted the vertical pipe into the T-fittings. I used 1/2" PVC pipe to make the handle of the straddle-piece at the bottom of the drawing, and it fit within the above-described sleeve. I drilled a hole in both the sleeve and the 1/2" pipe when the 1/2" pipe was in place straddling the wall. I found that I did not need the lengths of pipe on the straddling piece, just the central T-fitting and the two 90 degree fittings. So I slide the straddling piece over the wall and then drop an eye bolt through both the sleeve and the handle on the straddling piece and the gate is locked, without having to make holes in the wall.
You will need to use PVC pipe cement to cement the pieces together. Door comes out heavy, but sturdy. Tension rod needs to be very tight pushing "out". I mounted a 1 1/4" diameter PVC pipe about 9" long horizontally on top of the gate by drilling 2 holes in the bottom and drilling holes in the corresponding T-fittings. I dropped a small bolt through the horizontal pipe and inserted the threaded end through the drilled holes in the T-fittings. I screwed a nut on the bolt with needle nose pliers. THEN I inserted the vertical pipe into the T-fittings. I used 1/2" PVC pipe to make the handle of the straddle-piece at the bottom of the drawing, and it fit within the above-described sleeve. I drilled a hole in both the sleeve and the 1/2" pipe when the 1/2" pipe was in place straddling the wall. I found that I did not need the lengths of pipe on the straddling piece, just the central T-fitting and the two 90 degree fittings. So I slide the straddling piece over the wall and then drop an eye bolt through both the sleeve and the handle on the straddling piece and the gate is locked, without having to make holes in the wall.
Oh, that is exactly what I told the people at the vet clinic where they were keeping her. I told them if she were a true feral, she would not allow much in the way of human contact. Nope, Zizu cannot get enough petting, being held, having her tummy rubbed, etc. As far as toys, she obviously has had no experience with toys. However, I sprayed catnip oil on a trackball last night and she was actually playing with that. She has already given many indications that she is very smart. She catches on quick. I am trying to teach her that I cannot be petting her every second and that she can watch me from a very few feet away as I work on my computer--I ain't going anywhere. She will not be abandoned. I cannot for the life of me figure out what type of absolute IDIOT could throw away such a gorgeous, smart, affectionate baby. But, had they not, I would not have had the best birthday present EVER! I appreciate this little mite, trust me. She is absolutely adorable and a true love bug.
What a great face!
Congratulations. She is a beautiful girl. Maybe start your cats on the Spirit Essence and get a plugin for Feliway to help keep your transition calm.
I have those cutting sheers for PVC too...what a GREAT TOOL. I think I paid about $10. Saved me tons of time and work.
There was a vet where you picked her up? Real cutie, btw.
Oh now *that* is really cool, especially the use of the tension rod that makes it sturdy yet removable. Thank you.
I was thinking of making cutouts in the upper halves of the existing doors to allow airflow, or even making them into Dutch doors, but this is better. I was also considering plantation window shutters, but those are spendy & would require drilling holes.
I reckon by now your new little girl has put on some weight & is loaded with mischief. Must be keeping you quite amused!
Cute baby! I’m PARTIAL TO TORTIES MYSELF! Congrats!
That’s not my kitten: she belongs to the poster of the thread. However, I have a fine calico about 10 years old. She is extremely superior and despises most other animals (and humans).
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