Pushkin, 'my' semi feral

Columbine

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Just wanted to post some pics of the semi feral yard cat I care for. Her weight is due to some kind of metabolic disorder we think (most likely caused by supplementing her mouse diet with horse feed for years because no one fed her). She also has a huge tumor in her abdomen. We're taking the view that she's an old lady now (no idea how old, but at least in her teens), and we'd rather give her quality of life than subject her to a battery of tests and vet visits. When the time comes, a local vet will come to her and do the deed where she's comfortable.
 

feralvr

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AWWWW - PUSHKIN!!!!!!! What a darling, and LUCKY kitty to have found solace in life under your love and care. :hugs: :hugs: Quality of life for these kitties is always my first choice too and putting them through a battery of tests, medical procedures and medications can make their life so miserable and unbearable filled with great mental stress thus making them even sicker. As long as she is eating (and I see she is :lol3:) and in no pain (you will know :nod:) then you take one day at a time. It is always a blessing, I think, to have a vet willing to come to us and set our little furfriends free. So much better for them too - a truly dignified and peaceful way to go. She is precious. :love: :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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Columbine

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We'd have cared for her anyway, but we got so friendly because she fell in love with my pony. She'd sit on the stable door and groom Collie's face, they shared the stable (Pushkin had her own big straw pile in the corner, and Collie would lie down almost touching her, and Pushkin took to using Collie's bedding as cat litter) and Pushkin would always keep Collie company if she was in by herself :heart3: Things only changed because we were asked to switch stables (long story), and Pushkin couldn't easily access the new stable. That's when she moved into her room. We used to have yard meetings in there, and Pushkin would always come and sit in the front row, all but taking notes :lol3:

I think she hurts a bit, but seems happy - eating, sunbathing, generally inspecting the yard, asking for cuddles and purring loudly. When she stops seeming like herself we'll know it's time.
 
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feralvr

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AWWW - special friends - Pushkin and Collie. Barn kitties are so endearing and I have known many kitties befriend horses and ponies. We had a barn kitty named Smokey who developed a very strong connection with my friend's horse, Sparky. When Sparky would lay down in his stall, Smokey would sometimes lay right on top of Sparky's side. My horse, Andante, was in the stall next to Sparky and was not too fond of Smokey climbing all around the stall walls to be near Sparky. :lol3:

Hope that Pushkin has many more good days and she sounds like such a sweetheart. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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Columbine

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:lol3: I used to have a TB named Bonnie as well...she hated cats (or any other animals around her legs...She'd literally try to kill them if they got under her. Not her fault, she'd been beaten around her legs (and elsewhere) often and had major issues as a result). Pushkin used to use Bon's stable as a litter box and Collie's to sleep in...but she was always careful to use it when Bonnie was out! She's no fool.
 
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feralvr

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Pushkin used to use Bon's stable as a litter box and Collie's to sleep in...but she was always careful to use it when Bonnie was out! She's no fool.
Well, no wonder Bonnie disliked Pushkin so much. :lol3: Poor Bonnie had to sleep in kitty mess...... :lol:. Our barn cats always used the stalls as their litter box. Quite convenient for them and they had many to choose from while the horses were on turn-out.
 
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Columbine

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:lol: Kitty mess wasn't an issue for Bon. Firstly, she had a big stable and Pushkin always used the far corner. Secondly, we're talking about a horse who loved using her own poop as a pillow! We had to give up on stable rugs with her - she was the only horse I've ever known who could soak poop through the thickest, warmest stable rugs on the market in just one night :rolleyes: I remember taking a light cooler for cleaning once - the cleaner wash it an extra 3 times free of charge because he couldn't get the stains out :crackup:

After Bon was pts, Pushkin used Collie's box for everything - litter box included. She never minded at all. Pushkin now has a box of Collie's bedding as a litter box and she took to it straight away :D
 

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:lol3: OH boy, do I know all about those yellow poop soaked/stained horse blankets! I used to have a grey horse too. He was yellow too. :rolleyes:
 
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Columbine

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Feeling sorry for Leah - yesterday Asha beat her up for no reason and today Pushkin did the same thing at the yard...She'll be getting a cat complex soon :lol3:

Pushkin was more herself today, thank god. Yesterday she didn't want to get up to eat and I was worried. Glad it was just an off day. [emoji]128568[/emoji]

(We're now at the point where every female cat I've owned beats up on dogs! Maybe it's me...)
 
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