Casper discovers outside; Lucy stands guard
Stacey was intrigued by my cat fence-in system and a few weeks ago came out with Sweetie to see it first hand. They have a nice, big, level fenced-in back yard and wanted to see about doing a cat fence for their brood.
But instead of ordering one and paying fairly big bucks, Sweetie made his own fence after seeing how it worked. See Casper check out his new freedoms from the yard protected with the Sweetie Cat Barrier. Lucy was sent out to keep an eye out on Casper, to make sure there were no security lapses in the fence. However, after his first shift he got fired for falling asleep on the job!
I'll let Stacey tell you more about her cats and how they like being able to spend some time in the yard.
posted by Sandy at 6/04/2007 01:47:00 PM
Pet People
16 Comments:
Lucy looks real worried about Casper getting out! Looks as though Lucy is dreaming of milkbones instead.... Dang Stacey, Sweetie did a good job on the fence in system. Too cheap to order one so build your own. That is kind of me and the Saint's motto also... Good job Sweetie...
What's the point of having a "handy man" if you don't let him be handy????
The cats really seem to enjoy being in the yard. At least Casper and Sh**head do. Ranger is too timid to go out. You open the back door and call them, and here they come trotting down the hall, ready to go out. It's cute.
I'll post more about it tomorrow. Stanley Cup playoffs are on, and intermission is almost over. Gotta run!!
There was an interesting letter to the editor today, Tuesday. The writer is doing a fine job instilling compassion and charity in her child. I was taken aback, however, when the writer thanked the Animal Contol Officers for humanely euthanizing 80% of the animals in the pound. This is an awful burden to place on the officers. I am disturbed and concerned, and my heart aches for these poor creatures.
Alice
I know the person who wrote the letter and she has been dedicated and working in animal rescue for years. What she meant is that if it wasn't for people willing to do such a terrible job, what would our community be like? All those animals would be trying to survive as strays subject not to a quick death but to starvation, attack, cars, etc.
Yes, it is an awful burden to place on the officers, that's why Carmen (who is involved with the Humane Society) and others are working on spaying and neutering programs and trying to get better laws in our community so people take the problem seriously.
I think she thanks them because most of us couldn't do it, and where would that leave the unwanted? It's terrible and sad, but it is more humane than leaving them suffer in the wild, as irresponsible owners would never pay to put them to sleep--they'd dump them on a highway like so many do.
So if no one wants to adopt those animals and more and more come, what is a community to do with them? Until people around here get out of the backward 1040s country mentality and start spaying and neutering and enacting stricter laws, more will die. Millions are killed this way in teh US, because people don't spay and neuter and not enought adopt from shelters.
Thanks for clearing that up! Mu father worked for animal control in my childhood hometown. It is a thankless job. Kudos to our Officers! Thank you for all you do and having the guts to do what most of us couldn't. I, too, appreciate you!
I just got an email from Brett. I know lots of folks have been asking about him, so I'll copy from it here so you can have it in his own words:
"I am out of solitary confinement--got released last night. I had to come back to work today (long story). I'm still kindda weak and weary, but I'll live. I wanted to apologize for missing Saturday. I need to concentrate on my work (my head is still kindda floating) so I can't blog for a few days. Thank you all for worrying about me. Talk with you soon.
B"
I'm really relieved he's out and about, but I can't believe he had to go back to work when he just got out of the hospital!! GEEZ! Come back soon. We miss you, B!!!!
We have a no-kill shelter where I live, and also a county-run shelter which euthanizes. People love the sound of the "no kill" shelter, but sometimes their so-called lives in the over-crowded shelter aren't better than being humanely euthanized. And to top it off, they tend to "refuse" animals due to overcrowding.
The numbers are mind-boggling. So many good natured and loving pets are put to sleep, but even worse, many wonderful animals are strays, abused, and tortured.
Euthanization is very sad and heartbreaking, but necessary due to the blistering numbers of unwanted pets. The real crime are those who abuse animals and those who simply drop them off somewhere to fend for themselves.
My dog, Murphy, was burnt with cigarettes, had his throat slit, the side of his face sliced off and was thrown from a car. He sat shaking by the side of the road until someone picked him up and the shelters didn't have the staff to send anyone to get him. There just isn't enough money, volunteers, time, and resources to care for all these poor creatures.
I am happy to report that Casper and Sh**head are happy as pigs in slop with their new fence and big yard!! They have both spent 4 days outside while we were gone to work now, and they are fine. Sweetie gets home before I do in the afternoon, and he says they are fine and where they are supposed to be when he gets home. I'm still a little worried about the whole thing, so he's trying to reassure me that all is well.
And, they both spent last night out as well!!!! I was shocked. They have been coming in to have their dinner, and usually Sh**head goes back out after dinner for a while, and sometimes Casper does. Last night, I got home late as I had a meeting at the VA in Nashville after work. As I was getting coffee stuff ready for this morning, Sh**head went to the door, so I opened it and he trotted out. Casper moseyed down the hall, so I just left the door open for a couple of minutes to see if he wanted to go out. He did. As I was getting ready for bed, I heard scratching on the back door, so I assumed Casper was scratching wanting to come inside. I went to open the door, and they are chasing flying bugs under the back porch light! Somebody had been trying to reach one high up on the door. I called to them both to get them to come inside, and they just ignored me and kept chasing bugs. So, I went to bed. They came in when I let the dogs out at 5:00 this morning, all wet with dew! They had breakfast, and Sh**head went back out to enjoy his day in his yard. Casper disappeared, and didn't come when I opened the door and called him. I figure he had his share with spending the night outside. He stayed in today.
Sh**head had spent the night outside before (he wasn't supposed to, but that was when he slipped out BEFORE the Sweetie Cat Barrier). But, to my knowledge, Casper had NEVER been outside all night. Well, maybe as a kitten before he was rescued, but that was over 10 years ago!! So, you know he was probably tripping out last night. He RAN in that door this morning.
Overall, so far, I have to say I am very happy with this cat fence thing. It really seems to make the cats happier, and we are really hoping this will stop the spraying issue we have had. It has cut way back, but we still get at least one spot every day. I'm pretty sure it is Ranger, who is too timid to go out with the door closed. He actually went out the other day, but I looked out five minutes later and he was on the step looking up at the door waiting for it to open. I don't think he'll ever be comfortable enough to stay out there. Of course, Sweetie would just throw him out there and not care whether he wanted to be out there or not. But, that is my baby, and he is 14 years old, so he is not going to be tossed outside! I draw the line. Sweetie knows he can't tread there. Ranger is protected territory. He is mama's boy.
So, if we have a July 4th party at Sandy's house, you all can check out the real cat fence and see how you like it. Our version seems to work just fine, and it was MUCH cheaper. You just have to be handy, which Sweetie is, and go from there.
Oh Daisylouu, I was so overwhelmed with grief hearing about waht happened to poor little Murphy! That was horendous! What kind of monster was taht who did that to him? Why oh why are these kinds of creatures, and I say creatures becasue how can you call them humans allowed to live? I get ao filled with anger ans saddness over these kinds of things that it actually makes me physically ill! Thank GOd Murphy was found by a forever angel Mommy who made up for his pityful life the way it was. Bless you Daisylouu! I pray that whoever did those things to Murphy along with every other animal abuser gets thier punishment sometime.
Stacey, when I first got Catfish, who used to live outside at the river in a drain piple before going to Cats Are Us, he hadn't been oustide in a couple of years. When he finally stopped hiding all day long for three weeks and I first saw him out in the yard in daylight, it was so wonderful! He looked AMAZED at the things he saw and was leaping around after moths and just looked like he was in heaven! I am so glad your cats are liking it, but don't forget to move the yard furniture from too close to the fence!
Now, the only difference in my type of fence is that it will keep strays out. Your fence is like another they sell which just keeps cats in. It has to do with the lenghth of the netting and the angle it's at. Also, it covers the gates, which is another thing you want to watch at your place.
The Boss is very handy too, but you need to SEE it before you can recreate it! But even though I paid more for mine, it's worth it! Maybe Sweetie can start making more and installing them for others!
I wish I could have one of those for our girls but our yard is way too big plus we plan to move some day too. Think that would be a big expense for something which may have to be dismantled when selling the house. And Sheba would turn going in and out into a game of open the door, close the door, open the door, and close the door! Think my babies will remain happy house cats for now. Maybe at our next house….
Yes, Mother!!!! I told Sweetie we need to move the furniture, and he is going to finish that stretch over the gate.
And isn't my Lucy so sweet?? That doesn't look very comfortable to me, but she loves to sit in that chair. She is either there or stretched out on top of the glass table next to the chair. She never lays on the concrete! If she's not on the furniture, she's out in the warm grass somewhere. I guess that is why we have tables outside, for her to sleep on. We never use them.
We all know that ladies rest on chairs.
stacey! I love you r Lucy pic. She is gorgeous. Bless her little heart, she probably needed a cat nap after being so nervous that something might happen to her kitty pal.
Stacey,
you are such a good Mommy!I know Ranger appreciates yu for it. Tell Sweetie he better be good to Ranger or I might have to come and kick his butt!
You better come on Pam. He's feeling cocky here lately.....
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