Topic: My proper introduction!!! (Read 8157 times)

Janeyk · « **Reply #55 on:** August 06, 2011, 10:23:16 AM »

Gorgeous

I only adopt oldies so I can totally understand (although we never have more than 2) the last cat we adopted is on my profile we only had her a week but it broke my heart and still does if I think of her. My sister can't understand why I put myself through it but I just think if some of us don't who will. We had 2 kittens to begin with but I used to see the oldies advertised whose owners had died etc and I swore that I'd only adopt oldies once our 2 had passed and that's what I did. I just love my oldies, I love yours

Jiji · « **Reply #54 on:** August 06, 2011, 09:05:02 AM »

Wonderful cats and it has been lovely to hear about them all and look forward to hearing more tales and more photo's of them in all their gorgeousness

maryas · « **Reply #53 on:** August 05, 2011, 22:30:42 PM »

It may be the end of a great introduction but please don't let it be the end of your photos - I'm sure you can start lots of threads with some lovely pics

Mary

Dawn F · « **Reply #52 on:** August 04, 2011, 15:59:46 PM »

maggie is

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #51 on:** August 04, 2011, 15:56:19 PM »

Two beautiful and very lucky girls to have found such a fab retirement home

RIP Aggie & Maggie, safe and sound at the Bridge xx

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #50 on:** August 04, 2011, 11:40:41 AM »

And, FINALLY! (Yes, really, this is the last one!) The feisty Maggie Moo!
Maggie was taken in as a stray to my friends practice, and kept there for as long as they could. She contacted me (as usual!) and told me about her time being up. So, I went and collected her. When I opened the kennel door, she came marching up, and after a few minutes of fuss would grab your finger and nip it gently! Maggie certainly had personality! She came back home, and marched around the house, give the other cats a little warning slap when the need arose! She would tolerate the other cats and sleep on our bed with them, but liked to remind them that she didn't get to her age by being soft!!
After a general MOT, Maggie's blood results were amazing! Kidney and liver were perfect, and she had no health problems at all! So, it was a massive shock when my partner woke me up saying Maggie was having a seizure. I ran into the office, where she liked to sleep, and she was fitting on the floor. It only lasted a few minutes, and she didn't seem too bad when she came round. Even so, I took her to work and we checked her and got her on I/V fluids, just to help her recover. But she didn't really recover, and began to head press.
I brought her home on her fluids and crated her. She'd either sleep or wake up and head press, making a horrible meowing sound of pain. I gave her 24 hours, but knew that unless she improved massively, I wasn't going to see her suffer.
She woke me on and off through the night, sometimes crying, and it broke my heart to hear her. The next day I was on my own, and by mid-afternoon I decided it was the kindest thing for her to go to sleep. So, thankfully with the I/V line in place, I sat her on my knee kissing and cuddling her, and put her to sleep. It is a horrible and extremely tough decision to make to not think about how you feel and know you have the power to press the injection and watch her go. But I had to for her sake, and she looked up only once and then went on her way to being young and happy and pain free again...
What a shock it was. I had Maggie just under 6 months, and she was so healthy the seizure was such a shock. The way she head presses suggested something was happening in her head - likely a tumor - but at least she had a lovely retirement.
It's with a little bit more of a broken heart that I introduce my adorably, feisty Maggie Moo...
And that's everyone! I can finally relax knowing I've introduced all my fab feline kids...

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #49 on:** August 04, 2011, 11:22:07 AM »

I know these are a late entry, but I cannot miss my other 2 lovely oldies (no longer with me

) Only just found a bit of time to post them...
First up is Agatha. Aggie was brought into the last vets I worked at, and had been found in a local village field. She was very thin and weak, and turned out to be hyperthyroid and hypertensive, and she had a little tilt to her head. She was a dream of a lady, and we bonded instantly. The RSPCA officer who brought her in had nowhere for her, and she was on the PTS list, so, on checking she had no nasties, I took her on.
From the off, Agatha was a dream old lady, and when I used to cuddle he and kiss her, she used to push her head up to my mouth for more kisses and close her eyes. She was very gentle and I adored her to bits! So sadly, her weak back-end gave in one morning, and she couldn't stand up. I could pop her in the litter tray and she'd relieve herself and come back for cuddles. But I wasn't going to watch her lose her dignity, so I sat with her all morning until my vet friend came and she went to sleep with me cuddling her and giving her the head bump kisses she loved. I only had Agatha 5 months, but it was 5 months I wouldn't have missed for the world.
Here is my beautiful Aggie...

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #48 on:** June 27, 2011, 17:38:57 PM »

Well, I won't gloss over it... the pay won't make you rich (fab now I'm a locum!), the job is both physically and emotionally demanding, and the days are often long, especially if you doing on call!! I've worked in 6 practices in total (including my regular locum work). 2 I would highly recommend, 2 I wouldn't use, purely because they are all about the money, and two I wouldn't let any animal of mine go within an mile of.
But... I find the medical side fascinating, I love the animals and it is a really rewarding job. If you're the sort of person who can be compassionate and love the animals without getting too attached, great! I am a little the other way... I will try my hardest to help anything, and it affects me probably more than many emotionally.
BUT... I would not change anything for the world! It is a great job - career - and I love it! I actually don't need to locum now (with the business doing well and my writing) but I still do, because I love the job!
I started by going in on a work experience basis when I was 30, one day a week, to see how I really felt about getting into nursing... you could try that? You get real insight into how it all works (and all the cleaning!)
Just thought I'd give you my perspective... hope it helps...
Liz x

Dawn F · « **Reply #47 on:** June 26, 2011, 13:13:23 PM »

it was something I seriously considered a year or two ago myself, I even got a gcse in maths so I could join the course lol! my circumstances have changed a little and I'm not sure I will do it now but you never know

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #46 on:** June 25, 2011, 18:40:06 PM »

It is, Dawn! Hence us taking on so many

It can be utterly heart breaking, believe me... I just have to help any animal that needs help, and when you see some of the conditions some of them come in in... Some days are very emotionally draining... dealing with owned animals and the stray/unwanted ones... I get in the car and just cry

and wonder why on earth I'm doing this job... BUT, if I wasn't, I would not have the fab critters I have, so it negates the sad times.

Dawn F · « **Reply #45 on:** June 25, 2011, 17:34:49 PM »

all fantastic! must be very hard to work in vets and see so many in need

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #44 on:** June 25, 2011, 16:11:42 PM »

Phew... almost there!
The last youngster of the gang is Squirrel! He looks like a lion with his mane!! He is the SWEETEST boy, very gentle and flirty, you just have to look at him and he goes all silly and falls over flirting

literally!!
You'll have read he came in attached to Skunk, his brother, and their bond is still strong. He gets cuddled into Vic on a night and suckles on the fleece throw

He and Leon are the gentle pair, and Squirrel is just a babe in a black outfit!!
Here he is... also known as Squidge, and Squirrel Nutkin!!

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #43 on:** June 25, 2011, 10:45:10 AM »

I'm almost there... Introducing my lot (and this is just the cats!) is a big ole task!!

Next up, the shy little Twilight...
Twilight was brought into the practice with two other ferel cats for spays. You could not get near the other two, but little Twilight, although petrified, had something about her, and you could very gently touch and fuss her. They were due to be released after neutering onto a farm, and I though it a shame - especially for Twilight - that she wouldn't get a home life. So, I brought her home to socialise her, in the hope that she could be rehomed once she's overcome her fear of people.
As it turns out, Vic, again, fell a little for the black beauty, and she had settled so well and integrated with our other cats. When I said it was time to see if we could get a home for her, he said no! That she was settled and trusted us, so she was staying put (he's as bad as me!)
Twilight is particularly attached to Ned, and they cuddle and smooch together, and always sleep together on their furry bed on a night. They adore each other

You can fuss and stroke and touch Twilight, but if you try to pick her up, she goes rigid and looks for an escape route. To vaccinate (I do mine at home) I have to feed her and gently stroke her while giving the injection, and she doesn't bat an eyelid! The day anything more needs doing will be interesting... but she may prove me wrong, especially if she's in an environment such as a vets. But if you have a bowl of cereals on a night, she's down like a shot, trying to stick her paw into the dish! The fear seems to ebb when food's on the go!! She reminds me of a proper witches cat, with a little hooked nose, and short, fuzzy fur!
So, meet Twilight... (Also known as Twi'ster and Twiglet!)

Jiji · « **Reply #42 on:** June 24, 2011, 20:04:16 PM »

Well what can I say, Skunk, Nina and Nell are just a adorable as all the others we have been introduced to

cazzer · « **Reply #41 on:** June 24, 2011, 19:19:19 PM »

Forest, Pumpkin and Skunk are just

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #40 on:** June 24, 2011, 19:06:41 PM »

Another two beauties!

Particularly liked the pic of Nina's grumbly meow as it looks like you just woke her up in that pic! As for Nell's two tone paw - how cute!

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #39 on:** June 24, 2011, 16:39:35 PM »

Not many left now

Next up, the delightful Nell...
Nell's owners basically did a moonlight flit, and left her alone and pregnant outside their house. They'd put her carrier outside and two dishes, which were completely empty, and she was reported after a few days to the RSPCA. They found her with a dead baby rabbit, obviously trying to fend for herself, and brought her into the practice. Nell was the first cat I brought home from my practice, and was about 10-months old. I decided to get her neutered straight away, as she was not far into her pregnancy.
Nell is a real sweet girly

Very affectionate and fussy, but doesn't like being held. She's a real TV girl, and adores watching and trying to catch the bikes and cars when we watch the racing

She's pretty quiet, and keeps herself to herself, but now and then likes to play with Twilight and Gladys. She adores being out in the cat run, sat on the platform watching the birds in the trees. She's just over 3 now, and the prettiest girl.
Meet Nell! (Also known as Nellburt and Burt!)

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #38 on:** June 24, 2011, 14:36:00 PM »

Sorry... I'm torturing your eyes with all the gorgeousness

But there's more to come...
Next up, our first rescue girl, Nina.
We've had Nina about 5 years now. I opened the back door and heard some almighty meowing! When I peered over next door's fence, I saw this tiny, little cat. She just jumped over and came into the garden, even though we had 3 dogs

I left her, and came back inside.
A few hours later, we went out the front door, and for some strange reason (Fate, I guess) I looked across into the bushes, and saw the little cat curled in a ball asleep under the wet shrubs. She was tiny and thin, but had a huge belly, so I assumed she was a young, pregnant cat. It was just getting dark when I checked again, and she was wet and curled up in a ball in the bush. The next morning, there she was, in the back garden meowing so loud at me. Having dogs, we normally don't see cats around here, and I'd never seen this one, so, I gave her some food. I have never seen a cat eat so quickly.
I took her to the vets to check for a chip and registered her as found, then we put an ad in the local paper, but nobody came forward for her. Not knowing how our husky would be with her (huskies can be a bit small animal unfriendly) I wasn't sure we could keep her, so added her to the CP waiting list. Nina is the cause of me now being as much a cat person as a dog person!! Well, that and becoming a nurse

When our husky, Elliott, met her for the first time, he just wanted to sniff!!

She swiped his nose, and he never bothered again, never chased her, just plain old lost interest! Our 2 Lurchers (another usual cat-chasing breed) didn't give a hoot! (we have a rather disfunctional animal family!) They play with my rabbits, so don't care about a cat! When the CP rang, we told them she was staying with us!
Nina was about 7-8yrs old then, and is now about 13, give or take. We had to get her a dental, vacc etc and get on top of her worming, but she's been really healthy until last year, when the Herpes virus came out, and we spent months (and a fortune) on biopsies and lab tests and tablets, but she's a total sweetie pie, and worth every bit of effort and cost

Her eyes are always going to be a little problem, but she'll always gets whatever she needs!
So, meet out little Nina (also known as Pauline and Neen Neen!)

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #37 on:** June 24, 2011, 12:13:46 PM »

I'm loving this thread. Gorgeous cats and great stories. They are all gorgeous but Forest..

I never can resist a ginger

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #36 on:** June 24, 2011, 00:41:28 AM »

What's up doc

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #35 on:** June 24, 2011, 00:32:27 AM »

Pumpkin was just adorable

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #34 on:** June 23, 2011, 18:03:04 PM »

Amazing stories and cats/kittens...........I dont blame you for being weak

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #33 on:** June 23, 2011, 16:18:03 PM »

They are a handsome bunch... and we love them all to absolute bits

Considering I was never really a 'cat' person (always had cats growing up, but was more into dogs) I flippin' adore the felines now!! Will never be without them

Anyway, next up, it's... Skunk!
Skunk and his brother, Squirrel, were found in a lady's garden. She saw them loitering (about 6 months old) but left them out there. The next day, she opened the door, and they were still there! Stuck together like glue, bless em. So, they were brought into the practice for their 7-day wait. Nobody came forward, and we had nowhere for them to go, so I brought them home to foster short-term (ahem!!) as they were going crazy being cooped up in a kennel.
They both has the sweetest personalities, and so, so gentle! I tried to rehome them, but with no success, and my boyfriend suddenly said "Well, they're settled here, it's a shame to uproot them now" So, they stayed! Skunk is a really sweetie, and the two white teeth-shaped fur marks above his top lip make him look like Bugs Bunny!! He's a real climber, and loves darting up and around the cat run on the mesh! But he's very gentle and flirty, and thinks himself a bit of a Pepe Le Pew!!! He adores my older girl, Nina (who is tiny - about half the size of him!) and he has feet the size of an elephant!!!
So, without further ado, here's Skunk (Also know as Skunky Monkey)

Jiji · « **Reply #32 on:** June 23, 2011, 09:53:13 AM »

Yes Helen it's gorgeous cat overload on this thread

. Forest is

and I love reading the stories

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #31 on:** June 23, 2011, 00:20:10 AM »

please stop!!!

First of all I saw Ned and thought *phwoar* but it just kept continuing, then the beautiful Gladys

then the handsome Leon

then I almost passed out when I saw Forest

I love the 'electric shocked' pic of Gladys

maryas · « **Reply #30 on:** June 22, 2011, 23:24:29 PM »

So glad you are sharing with us - fab pics of your little darlings.

Mary

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #29 on:** June 22, 2011, 18:23:00 PM »

The stories all come from being a vet nurse... there's many more, not all about my animals, but they all have a story, and quite often, a sad one at that. Bringing critters home is a hazard of the job!! I AM WEAK!!

Dawn F · « **Reply #28 on:** June 22, 2011, 17:57:06 PM »

what amazing stories!!!

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2011, 17:47:24 PM »

And a few more now he's bigger!!!

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2011, 17:45:35 PM »

Now we have the very special Forest!
Some young kids were found poking three 2-day old kittens, and the mum had disappeared and left them. The RSPCA officer brought them into us and tried for days to find the mum. She never did, and we couldn't find a surrogate mum anywhere, so that's when I got the full-time job!! Up every 2-hours for feeds and toilets through the night, weaning, socialising and rehoming (well, 2 of them!) I called them Jasper and Bella, and the third one Forest (as in Gump!) Forest had a broken tail, and when they started to walk around, he just walked in circles. We though the kids poking them had done Forest some permanent brain damage, but, thankfully, he eventually stopped circling. He is not almost 2, and PERFECT!! I knew I'd keep him because of the suspected disability, but he is perfect in every way, and still an absolute mummy's boy!!
Sometimes he sits cuddling into me, and Vic tells us to 'get a room' because of the love when we look at each other!! I adore him! He used to suckle on my bottom lip (thankfully not any more one teeth broke out!)
So, here's Forest (Also known as Fozzy Bear and Farty Bum)

Jiji · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2011, 12:20:56 PM »

Leon is a handsome lad

love his fine set of white whiskers

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2011, 11:34:49 AM »

Next up... Leon!
Leon was brought into the vets as a stray. An old lady had been feeding several strays, but she died, and the ones they could round up were taken to rescue. Leon, however, had severe flu, so was brought into us for treatment. The poor lad was sneezing so bad, but was and still is the most loving and gentle boy. We'd go see him in isolation, and give him cuddles. He was on antibiotics forever, and Bisolvin to help him, but he really was so snotty. After the FeLV/FIV tests were negative, he came home with me, and we spent another month getting on top of his flu. I'd find snot on me, snot on the walls, snot on the carpet - such a delight! - but we eventually got him recovered. Once I was happy he was nice and healthy, he had his vaccinations, and, touch wood, he has never had a problem since

He's healthy as anything, and was named after one of my favourite bands, Kings of Leon! Plus, he also used to get all silly and flirty when he heard one of their tracks in particular, so the name was perfect!
Leon's now about 3 ears, and is a total soft teddy bear, but he is the pig of the feline family! If it were up to him he'd be about 10 kilos! So, we have to watch him, because he's a total thief!!
Meet Leon...

Jiji · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2011, 14:32:25 PM »

Gorgeous Gladys obviously has an eye for the finer things in life strolling into a posh hotel as bold as brass

and now she has well and truly landed on her paws having a wonderful home with you

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2011, 14:03:20 PM »

And now, the youngster of the feline family! Gladys...
She was about 10 weeks old when she went walking into a posh hotel in Grantham, right through the door into reception! She was brought into the practice, and, thankfully, ear mites were her only problem. Such a shame and no idea why such a young kitten was out alone. She's about ten-months-old now, and is a mixture between being a completely naughty kitten who'll take any of the other cats on for a spa, and the sweetest, lovable girl! She still suckles on a toggle on my jumper, and has the loudest purr (she sounds like a tractor!). I thought she was going to grow to be a feisty and not easy-to-handle girl, but she is turning into a little angel (well, sometimes!) and is my office buddy, always coming in on an afternoon to snooze on the fleece I have leaid out for her on my desk!
So, meet Gladys (Also known as Gladders, Glad Rags and The Great Gladsby!)

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2011, 13:07:32 PM »

OMG - what a babe is Pumpkin! I love that pic of him in the santa hat

You must miss him so much but how great that he had such a lovely last few months in a safe and loving home.

Jiji · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2011, 11:05:29 AM »

Another wonderful story and another wonderful cat

it took my breath away when I saw his pictures as he is the image of my late cat Pickle infact it made be blub as I still miss my cheeky chap.

MarleyMoo · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2011, 10:52:59 AM »

Isn't it amazing seeing Pumpkin in the after pics... He really was a a star boy, and fought with me to get well and gain weight so he could enjoy his retirement!! I do miss him

But, it's time to introduce Ned. New was about 6 months old when he was brought into the vets, as a suspected RTA. He had some scuffing to his nails (not as much as you normally see with RTA's), a bust lip and cut pads. The worst thing to witness was his walk. When we placed him on the floor in cat ward, he would walk flinging his front paws forward, as if he had no strength, and then drop them to the floor, and his back legs circled outwards when he moved forwards, as if he had hip problems. The more we assessed him, we were sure he wasn't an RTA, but had been dropped from a height, therefore causing trauma/damage to his limbs (he wasn't found in the nicest of places). At that time, we were not sure of the extent of his damage, we just knew he was eating, drinking and going to the toilet fine, but his legs we terrible.
Into the Lizzie carrier he went, and he came home to be our third cat (we already had Nina and Nell). Within days he attached himself to Nell, and he watched her a lot. She was great for him, and he followed and tried to chase her (so sorrowful to watch) but he didn't seem to be in pain, was loving it and it was great physio! Amazingly, with Nell, and the games/play/different movement I encouraged to get his limbs working better, he improved - drastically - and within 6 weeks was walking completely normally, with no long-term damage.

Nowadays (he's about 3 now) he is boss cat! Without doubt. When he's feeling wild and going nuts, he just has to look at the other cats, and they know, without arguing, that he is the boss!! His look is all it takes, he has kind of a bush-baby wide-eyed stare!!
Ned also features in my novel, Endlessly.
So, here's Ned (also known as Neddy Pikey and Nedlet!)

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2011, 10:06:01 AM »

Those pics show such a wonderful improvement in condition of Pumpkins coat and getting his weight up from 1.7 to 2.5kgs at his time of life

. Soooo difficult to get a cat's weight up at that age.

He truly reflected the love and care you heaped on him Liz. Well done you and RIP sweet Pumpkin

JackSpratt · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2011, 09:28:48 AM »

Pumpkin was utterly gorgeous.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2011, 16:57:26 PM »

Pumpkin was gorgeous and so pleased he was loved and cared for in his last month

Author Topic: My proper introduction!!! (Read 8157 times)