- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 39
- Purraise
- 11
I'm sorry I didn't get to introduce myself earlier, but I was delayed getting back from San Antonio and wanted to get started answering your questions. You may want to know a little about this person you're talking with. I already know something about you. You are a truly special person to be interested in raising orphans. Most people just want to pawn them off on someone else. So the fact that you have cared for one, or would like to be prepared should the situation ever arise, tells me that you are an extraordinary individual.
Let me tell you a few things about myself. First of all, I'm not a guy. *g* People automatically see "Dusty" and assume I'm male. I'm the author of "Kittens For Dummies" and a humorous science fiction novel called, "All The Marbles." I am the product reviewer for "Catnip" and "Whole Cat Journal" and write cat care and behavior articles for numerous magazines. I'm working on two more novels and a cat behavior book.
And thank you for all your kind words about "Kittens For Dummies." I can't tell you how pleased I am that it's been helpful and entertaining. Writing it was certainly a labor of love. And all the photos of those adorable babies--they were taken by my husband. With the exception of the registered kittens (last page of the color insert), all the kittens were our little orphans.
My husband and I started rescuing orphans on our second date. Near my church a feral mother had moved her nest of three-week olds and left one kitten behind. Early in the day I moved the baby from the grass to the sidewalk so she wouldn't be threatened by ants. I hoped mom would come back. When we drove by, six hours later, she still sat there alone. Naturally, all the pet stores were closed. Kitten milk was not available any place but pet shops in the early 90s. PetsMart hadn't been built yet. We pulled up to a pet boutique just as the lady was locking the door. When she saw the kitten, she opened up and sold us formula and a bottle. There were no books and the Internet, as we know it, didn't exist. The only thing I knew was you had to make them go to the bathroom and about the formula. I was on my own. We didn't make it to the planetarium that night. But it was worth it. Shasta grew into a gorgeous and happy brown tabby and was adopted by a neighbor with four kids.
Soon I was getting calls from people I didn't know. I have no idea how they found out about me. I guess my name is scratched into the side of litter boxes across the county. Instead of saying, "For a good time call. . ." it must say, "Dusty's Home for Orphans. . ."
Fast forward to the new millennium. I now raise between 20 and 30 surviving babies a year. . . And there are many occasions when I still feel like a neophyte. I still use mentors. So don't you be embarrassed when you have questions.
I look forward to all your great questions and some lively conversation.
Let me tell you a few things about myself. First of all, I'm not a guy. *g* People automatically see "Dusty" and assume I'm male. I'm the author of "Kittens For Dummies" and a humorous science fiction novel called, "All The Marbles." I am the product reviewer for "Catnip" and "Whole Cat Journal" and write cat care and behavior articles for numerous magazines. I'm working on two more novels and a cat behavior book.
And thank you for all your kind words about "Kittens For Dummies." I can't tell you how pleased I am that it's been helpful and entertaining. Writing it was certainly a labor of love. And all the photos of those adorable babies--they were taken by my husband. With the exception of the registered kittens (last page of the color insert), all the kittens were our little orphans.
My husband and I started rescuing orphans on our second date. Near my church a feral mother had moved her nest of three-week olds and left one kitten behind. Early in the day I moved the baby from the grass to the sidewalk so she wouldn't be threatened by ants. I hoped mom would come back. When we drove by, six hours later, she still sat there alone. Naturally, all the pet stores were closed. Kitten milk was not available any place but pet shops in the early 90s. PetsMart hadn't been built yet. We pulled up to a pet boutique just as the lady was locking the door. When she saw the kitten, she opened up and sold us formula and a bottle. There were no books and the Internet, as we know it, didn't exist. The only thing I knew was you had to make them go to the bathroom and about the formula. I was on my own. We didn't make it to the planetarium that night. But it was worth it. Shasta grew into a gorgeous and happy brown tabby and was adopted by a neighbor with four kids.
Soon I was getting calls from people I didn't know. I have no idea how they found out about me. I guess my name is scratched into the side of litter boxes across the county. Instead of saying, "For a good time call. . ." it must say, "Dusty's Home for Orphans. . ."
Fast forward to the new millennium. I now raise between 20 and 30 surviving babies a year. . . And there are many occasions when I still feel like a neophyte. I still use mentors. So don't you be embarrassed when you have questions.
I look forward to all your great questions and some lively conversation.
