mark (04/07/83)
from a recent article "My cat is ... fixed, ..., declawed, defanged ..." why not have his larynx and legs removed too? that way he would be very quiet and you would always know where to find him. you could also have him depilated, which would make him much less attractive to fleas. and then there is taxidermy... not afraid of whole animals mARK bLOORE univ of toronto ps. has this cat ever been outside? was he ever chased by a large dog? did he try to climb a tree? was there anything left of him?
willy (04/07/83)
In response to Mark's posting slandering my cat... 1) my article said my cat is "... fixed, ... declawed, DERANGED...", not defanged. 2) no, Siegfried's never been chased by a dog, but he has managed to nicely terrorize the neighbors' cats the few times he has gotten out. He knows how to use his teeth! And likes to. 3) we could start a whole discussion about "fixing" pets. I'll just give you my opinion: unless you are willing to bear the responsibility for your pet's sex life (or your own sex life, for that matter), get them neutered. There are enough strays... 4) and while I'm pissed off, how can you justify liking "whole" animals (I'll assume as pets), and berate me for doing what I please to mine? The whole idea of keeping animals in one's home is actually a little bizarre when you think about it. But that's a discussion I don't want to start. Mark, just be glad Siegfried hasn't read what you wrote. Bill Banze (...!bunker!willy) P.S. Thanks to all who responded to my question on bathing cats. Rest assured I only do when he has fleas (infrequently, and I also do not like "whole" fleas), and keep him plenty warm while he's drying.
mmr (04/10/83)
RE: not afraid of whole animals Having a cat declawed is not as life threatening as you make it out to be. I have had two Siamese cat that were completely declawed, they would have been furniture and people shredders of the first order if they weren't, and they were both outdoor cats. Our house had lots of trees, which they could climb (with a running start), and also a cat hole into the garage. If a dog threatened the cats would make a bee line to the cat hole, at which point the dog would stick its nose in (the cat hole was only 4 or 5 inches in diameter) and get bitten. So long dog. The one cat died from falling out of a tree, the other of old age. Also, many people elect to have only the front claws taken out. We tried this with the second Siamese, but it still went up the wall paper. This way the cats are more agile in trees, and can fight better when put up to it. This seems a reasonable alternative to shredded furniture or no claws at all. Regarding neutering, I can see no purpose in NOT having a pet neutered unless you originally bought it to breed it. I live out in the country, and there are lots of cats out here that just get dumped. These cats are the sorriest looking things and they don't live too long, unless they are taken in. If you let your pet get pregnant, then you must be responsible for the offspring, and their welfare. Margaret Reek Rochester Institute of Technology.