Gem Gets Real Toys

[Annie Benson-Lennaman]

Lenny and I were shopping for the necessities of life this
afternoon. After stocking up on pudding, cheese, spinach and vodka, we
found ourselves in the pet aisle. Standing in front of the cat toys.
Our three adult cats don't seem to care that much for toys... they'd
rather lounge on the cat furniture the have, or on my bed or on the
couch. But Gem, the 13 week old feral cat we took in, loves to play.
We decided maybe she's like something besides her lid to the 2 liter
soda bottle she plays soccer with. So we got her some small fluffy
balls, a couple of plastic hollow balls with bells inside (these are the
kind of balls that aren't solid, so she can pick them up with her
mouth), and a dangly for the door knob.

Well, it turned out to be a good call. We have hardwood floors, and
when she's attacking a fluffy ball she can really slide far. But she
seems smart enough not to slide into walls or the couch. The door
dangly puzzles her. It hangs a bit high for her to use it, really, but
she will grow into it. But she still likes her soda bottle lid best of
all, I think.

So, still doing ok. She's positively plump now. We can barely feel
her ribs at all. But she still has trouble breathing. The doctor says
he thinks that it might be a chest herpes infection, and one that she
might have for the rest of her life. I just hope that if so, she can
still have a good quality of life. I know it's not my fault, but I
still feel a bit guilty every time I hear her being wracked by
coughing. I feel like I'm dooming her to a life of painful breathing.
But I suppose it's better than the alternative.

She also seems to be pretty needy at times. She'll come one the
bed, and we'll pet her. She'll purr happily, but will often meow
plaintively like she wants something more. She has food and water, and
we are rubbing on her and playing with her at the time. I know we are
probably reading into this, but it seems like she's saying "You're not
going to leave me to starve like my other mom did, are you? Are you?"
I wish we could figure out a way to reassure her that we're not going
anywhere, and we're going to do our best to make sure that she doesn't
either.

I just wish I could convince myself that she's going to grow up to be
fine. In the meantime though, she does seem to like her new toys!
--
Annie

--
If you can't figure out my email address, you're not supposed to write
me.

[polonca12000]

Hugs! You are really trying hard with Gem.
Best wishes,
--
Polonca & Soncek

"Annie Benson-Lennaman" > wrote in
message ...
<snip>> So, still doing ok. She's positively plump now.

[Karen Chuplis]

in article , Annie Benson-Lennaman
at wrote on 8/27/03 2:24 AM:

> Lenny and I were shopping for the necessities of life this
> afternoon. After stocking up on pudding, cheese, spinach and vodka, we
> found ourselves in the pet aisle. Standing in front of the cat toys.
> Our three adult cats don't seem to care that much for toys... they'd
> rather lounge on the cat furniture the have, or on my bed or on the
> couch. But Gem, the 13 week old feral cat we took in, loves to play.
> We decided maybe she's like something besides her lid to the 2 liter
> soda bottle she plays soccer with. So we got her some small fluffy
> balls, a couple of plastic hollow balls with bells inside (these are the
> kind of balls that aren't solid, so she can pick them up with her
> mouth), and a dangly for the door knob.
>
> Well, it turned out to be a good call. We have hardwood floors, and
> when she's attacking a fluffy ball she can really slide far. But she
> seems smart enough not to slide into walls or the couch. The door
> dangly puzzles her. It hangs a bit high for her to use it, really, but
> she will grow into it. But she still likes her soda bottle lid best of
> all, I think.
>
> So, still doing ok. She's positively plump now. We can barely feel
> her ribs at all. But she still has trouble breathing. The doctor says
> he thinks that it might be a chest herpes infection, and one that she
> might have for the rest of her life. I just hope that if so, she can
> still have a good quality of life. I know it's not my fault, but I
> still feel a bit guilty every time I hear her being wracked by
> coughing. I feel like I'm dooming her to a life of painful breathing.
> But I suppose it's better than the alternative.
>
> She also seems to be pretty needy at times. She'll come one the
> bed, and we'll pet her. She'll purr happily, but will often meow
> plaintively like she wants something more. She has food and water, and
> we are rubbing on her and playing with her at the time. I know we are
> probably reading into this, but it seems like she's saying "You're not
> going to leave me to starve like my other mom did, are you? Are you?"
> I wish we could figure out a way to reassure her that we're not going
> anywhere, and we're going to do our best to make sure that she doesn't
> either.
>
> I just wish I could convince myself that she's going to grow up to be
> fine. In the meantime though, she does seem to like her new toys!
> --
> Annie
>
> --
> If you can't figure out my email address, you're not supposed to write
> me.

Aww. Please look into a l-lysine supplement for her. It is very helpful with
herpes in cats.

Karen

[Tanada]

Annie Benson-Lennaman wrote:
>
>
> She also seems to be pretty needy at times. She'll come one the
> bed, and we'll pet her. She'll purr happily, but will often meow
> plaintively like she wants something more. She has food and water, and
> we are rubbing on her and playing with her at the time. I know we are
> probably reading into this, but it seems like she's saying "You're not
> going to leave me to starve like my other mom did, are you? Are you?"
> I wish we could figure out a way to reassure her that we're not going
> anywhere, and we're going to do our best to make sure that she doesn't
> either.
>
> I just wish I could convince myself that she's going to grow up to be
> fine. In the meantime though, she does seem to like her new toys!
> --
>


You're doing fine with Gem. The neediness may never go away, though it
usually does given time. Just keep doing what you've been doing, loving
the kitty, and she should come around. I'd definitely do what Karen
suggests and check into treatments for the herpes. Gem has come into a
good thing, and you're good people to take care of her.

Pam S.

[Hopitus2]

You are good kittyparents....just keep her out of Denver with that breathing
problem (not funny but true). Many hoomins suffer with worse than Gem's
coughing....from polluting their lungs with the decision to smoke! Be
comforted that in general bad stuff rises in the atmosphere we breathe and
Gem is "as close to the grove (oops, ground) as you can get".



"Tanada" > wrote in message
...
: Annie Benson-Lennaman wrote:
: >
: >
: > She also seems to be pretty needy at times. She'll come one the
: > bed, and we'll pet her. She'll purr happily, but will often meow
: > plaintively like she wants something more. She has food and water, and
: > we are rubbing on her and playing with her at the time. I know we are
: > probably reading into this, but it seems like she's saying "You're not
: > going to leave me to starve like my other mom did, are you? Are you?"
: > I wish we could figure out a way to reassure her that we're not going
: > anywhere, and we're going to do our best to make sure that she doesn't
: > either.
: >
: > I just wish I could convince myself that she's going to grow up to be
: > fine. In the meantime though, she does seem to like her new toys!
: > --
: >
:
:
: You're doing fine with Gem. The neediness may never go away, though it
: usually does given time. Just keep doing what you've been doing, loving
: the kitty, and she should come around. I'd definitely do what Karen
: suggests and check into treatments for the herpes. Gem has come into a
: good thing, and you're good people to take care of her.
:
: Pam S.

[SUQKRT]

In article >, Annie Benson-Lennaman
> wrote:

>
>
>I just wish I could convince myself that she's going to grow up to be
>fine. In the meantime though, she does seem to like her new toys!
>--
>Annie
>

Hang in there Annie, You obviously love her and that's the best thing you can
do for her.
Suz
Iron Chef Macmoosette
Thank Heavens There's Only One
=^..^= =^..^= =^..^= =^..^= =^..^= =^..^=

Chocolate heals all wounds.

[Christine Burel]

Annie, you're doing all you can for the little one and her life is
definitely better than it was and she is loved.
Purrs for her breathing problems to pass over time.
Christine
"Annie Benson-Lennaman" > wrote in
message ...
> Lenny and I were shopping for the necessities of life this
> afternoon. After stocking up on pudding, cheese, spinach and vodka, we
> found ourselves in the pet aisle. Standing in front of the cat toys.
> Our three adult cats don't seem to care that much for toys... they'd
> rather lounge on the cat furniture the have, or on my bed or on the
> couch. But Gem, the 13 week old feral cat we took in, loves to play.
> We decided maybe she's like something besides her lid to the 2 liter
> soda bottle she plays soccer with. So we got her some small fluffy
> balls, a couple of plastic hollow balls with bells inside (these are the
> kind of balls that aren't solid, so she can pick them up with her
> mouth), and a dangly for the door knob.
>
> Well, it turned out to be a good call. We have hardwood floors, and
> when she's attacking a fluffy ball she can really slide far. But she
> seems smart enough not to slide into walls or the couch. The door
> dangly puzzles her. It hangs a bit high for her to use it, really, but
> she will grow into it. But she still likes her soda bottle lid best of
> all, I think.
>
> So, still doing ok. She's positively plump now. We can barely feel
> her ribs at all. But she still has trouble breathing. The doctor says
> he thinks that it might be a chest herpes infection, and one that she
> might have for the rest of her life. I just hope that if so, she can
> still have a good quality of life. I know it's not my fault, but I
> still feel a bit guilty every time I hear her being wracked by
> coughing. I feel like I'm dooming her to a life of painful breathing.
> But I suppose it's better than the alternative.
>
> She also seems to be pretty needy at times. She'll come one the
> bed, and we'll pet her. She'll purr happily, but will often meow
> plaintively like she wants something more. She has food and water, and
> we are rubbing on her and playing with her at the time. I know we are
> probably reading into this, but it seems like she's saying "You're not
> going to leave me to starve like my other mom did, are you? Are you?"
> I wish we could figure out a way to reassure her that we're not going
> anywhere, and we're going to do our best to make sure that she doesn't
> either.
>
> I just wish I could convince myself that she's going to grow up to be
> fine. In the meantime though, she does seem to like her new toys!
> --
> Annie
>
> --
> If you can't figure out my email address, you're not supposed to write
> me.