Hi everyone!
After having posted in the "behavior" forum and having received so much support and advice, I believe, I will most probably become a "regular" now. This site is just great.
First of all, I thought I'd take the time and tell you a little bit about my family and "Whiskers".
I am a 35 yr old married mother of 2 (actually, 4 if you count the husband & Whiskers!). We took Whiskers in quite a few years ago. She showed up in a friend's basement (who already had 2 cats). Our friends called us and we decided to see if we were good "pet parents".
We had previously owned a puppy 6 months before and the experience did not end well. We are very cautious people and do not really believe in animals running loose but one night, while my husband was outside with Snoopy, he decided he'd let him run loose in our own back yard for a few minutes. It was midnight and there was no harm in it plus....we live in a small town of maybe 250 people so the chances of anything happening are slim to none. Anyways, Snoopy, who was not used to roaming free just went crazy and took a run after a car that was passing. He was hit and died instantly and the driver continued on without stopping. All in all, it was devestating.
Having a chance to have another pet was not something I jumped at right away but, after I went to visit her and saw what a beutiful cat she was, I was hooked. She came home with me and has been a joy to have around. Funny thing is that I am allergic to cats and yet with her, I'm okay. Some days are worse but other times, not a thing. Whiskers has never been a problem. She seems to know that she can not cuddle as much with me as she'd like to because of my allergies so she'll meow and rub up against my legs and then jump on my husbands lap. As for the boys (3 & 7), she loves to hide and tackle the oldest one when he turns corners. She always succeeds in scaring him and getting him to scream at least once a day. My 3 year old, she's a little bit more cautius with him because he a little bit more devilish and may strike back at her if she attempts anything.
This latest scare was just that "a scare" (I'm hoping that's what the vet tells me monday) and it was wonderful to communicate it amongst you all. I had no idea what was going on and to be honest, this time last week, the only thought going through my mind was "have her put to sleep". Plus: I had decided to never own a pet ever again. Tonight, she is curled up at the foot of our bed sleeping peacefully and will never know how close she came to not being there. I am so thankful that I kept waiting "one more day" and that I was led to this forum somehow. This is one case when the "never give up" had a happy ending.
On another note, I am a little bit astounded at the location of everyone. Here I am, in this little town of Apple Hill in Ontario and most of you are from thousands of miles away (I think the closest I've noticed is Toronto). Technology just amazes me.
For all who are interested, my name is a very french name that even people around here have great difficulty with. I've been re-named by many friends who have settled on calling me "G." Much easier!!!
And for those who haven't noticed.....I love to write. Hopefully I will be able to contribute something back to this site. My knowledge on cat's is not huge but we just never know when we can be of some help.
Hoping to keep communicating. In the meantime, I have so much reading to do! I am reading one forum at a time.
G.
After having posted in the "behavior" forum and having received so much support and advice, I believe, I will most probably become a "regular" now. This site is just great.
First of all, I thought I'd take the time and tell you a little bit about my family and "Whiskers".
I am a 35 yr old married mother of 2 (actually, 4 if you count the husband & Whiskers!). We took Whiskers in quite a few years ago. She showed up in a friend's basement (who already had 2 cats). Our friends called us and we decided to see if we were good "pet parents".
We had previously owned a puppy 6 months before and the experience did not end well. We are very cautious people and do not really believe in animals running loose but one night, while my husband was outside with Snoopy, he decided he'd let him run loose in our own back yard for a few minutes. It was midnight and there was no harm in it plus....we live in a small town of maybe 250 people so the chances of anything happening are slim to none. Anyways, Snoopy, who was not used to roaming free just went crazy and took a run after a car that was passing. He was hit and died instantly and the driver continued on without stopping. All in all, it was devestating.
Having a chance to have another pet was not something I jumped at right away but, after I went to visit her and saw what a beutiful cat she was, I was hooked. She came home with me and has been a joy to have around. Funny thing is that I am allergic to cats and yet with her, I'm okay. Some days are worse but other times, not a thing. Whiskers has never been a problem. She seems to know that she can not cuddle as much with me as she'd like to because of my allergies so she'll meow and rub up against my legs and then jump on my husbands lap. As for the boys (3 & 7), she loves to hide and tackle the oldest one when he turns corners. She always succeeds in scaring him and getting him to scream at least once a day. My 3 year old, she's a little bit more cautius with him because he a little bit more devilish and may strike back at her if she attempts anything.
This latest scare was just that "a scare" (I'm hoping that's what the vet tells me monday) and it was wonderful to communicate it amongst you all. I had no idea what was going on and to be honest, this time last week, the only thought going through my mind was "have her put to sleep". Plus: I had decided to never own a pet ever again. Tonight, she is curled up at the foot of our bed sleeping peacefully and will never know how close she came to not being there. I am so thankful that I kept waiting "one more day" and that I was led to this forum somehow. This is one case when the "never give up" had a happy ending.
On another note, I am a little bit astounded at the location of everyone. Here I am, in this little town of Apple Hill in Ontario and most of you are from thousands of miles away (I think the closest I've noticed is Toronto). Technology just amazes me.
For all who are interested, my name is a very french name that even people around here have great difficulty with. I've been re-named by many friends who have settled on calling me "G." Much easier!!!
And for those who haven't noticed.....I love to write. Hopefully I will be able to contribute something back to this site. My knowledge on cat's is not huge but we just never know when we can be of some help.
Hoping to keep communicating. In the meantime, I have so much reading to do! I am reading one forum at a time.
G.
