posted on February 6, 2001 02:19:50 AM new This thread is so cuuuuute!!
ooohh I want a digital camera so bad sniff sniff I want to take new pics of my kids for all of you to see!
My kids are Sammy (tortoiseshell - 10 yrs old former stray), her son Moo (black and white - hence his name 9 years old, Sammy gave birth to him under my kitchen table) and the newest baby I just got, Betty - approximately 7 1/2 months old!! She is precious, white with greyish brown spots... she kinda looks like Exec Girl's Jasper!
You all would probably be interested to hear this, I have MANY jobs (Music is my main career and #1 passion, have been doing it since like age 8 - and I've JUST started doing auctions part time maybe 2 months ago) but for the last 2 1/2 years, I have been running my own PET SITTING SERVICE! I really love it, I take care of so many adorable lovable animules!! I walk Polly (a black lab/chow mix) every day while her people are at work, and mostly I do cat boarding while people go away on business, vacations, etc. It's really one of the BEST ways to make a living in my opinion. Where else do you go to work and just get cuddled and kissed and jumped on? I love this job. LOL Of all nights to be writing this, actually tonight I had a small injury, which - knock wood - I have been VERY lucky to avoid. In this 2 1/2 years I have never been injured or had a bad accident with any of the animals. But this was no biggie anyway. I got hit in the face by Tiffany - a pit bull/boxer mix. LOL! She's SO sweet, she just doesn't know her own strength. She got excited and wanted to play and just jumped up full strength as I went to reach for something, and I got hit in the face full on with her jaw (which is like a lethal weapon) - all 60 pounds of her - OUCH! I got a swollen bloody lip, but it's doing okay now, just a little sore.
I have been dying to put up a web site for my pet sitting business and include the pics of my "happy customers". I just KNOW people will love it. And this thread is further proof of that, see how we all love looking at these adorable pictures? I really really need a digital camera, they're just so expensive! I made the BIG mistake of buying a cheap one. UGGHH BAD IDEA. It's not even use-able in my opinion. Anyone have any suggestions for a good but not too expensive one?? I WILL get it one of these days. As soon as 1. Another good gig comes along, 2. I get some more things to auction or 3. The pet sitting picks up again. (Not many people go away in January and February!)
Thanks everyone for making this thread so much fun - and for motivating me again to get that camera!!!
posted on February 6, 2001 04:31:32 AM new
Welcome to the pet party nycrocker! About time you joined us Wow, I would love to do that kind of job! I've been dying to quit my ho-hum job forever. My hubby is starting up his own business (anyone who needs a new computer give me a yell! ) and it's looking like I might be able to scale back and do something part time soon. I will have to look into doing that. I'd appreciate any advice, hints, etc. you could give me!!! I hear ya on the digital camera too. Mine are all prints that I scanned. Of course my computer is still down so I can't do any new scanning
bunnicula & Kaffo: bunnicula, is the anesthesia you were thinking of called isoflorane and it's inhaled? I just saw something about it on this page: http://www.carecats.org/spayintheusa.htm#az Third paragraph down.
It's way past time for K.D. to be spayed and Pogo is ready for her first heat anytime. So I'm glad this subject on the anesthesia came up, gives me food for thought. I don't worry about babies because they don't go out and the boys are all neutered, but the very loud meowing while K.D. (who is normally very quiet and shy) is driving us nuts! Did anyone know that females sprayed too?!? I know that now She does it when she's in heat, yuck.
Here's hoping I have my scanner back up soon so I can dazzle you all with more pics!
Duh, fergot my ubb
~~Angels fly because they take themselves lightly~~
[ edited by mouseslayer on Feb 6, 2001 04:33 AM ]
[ edited by mouseslayer on Feb 7, 2001 12:25 AM ]
posted on February 6, 2001 10:01:52 AM newRocker: I envy you! You have the most awesome job spending all your time with these wonderful animals! I have often thought about starting something like that but don't know where to begin. Do you need a license? Where do you keep all these animals? How many do you watch at one time? I am a HUGE animal lover and this would be my dream job. I would even volunteer at a Humane Society if I lived near one but the nearest one is probably 30 miles away. (And starting a Humane Society in my area is another thing I thought about doing but I don't know where to begin). I have been told there are grants out there to help you get started with new businesses but I don't know how to even apply for one.
posted on February 6, 2001 10:50:09 AM newrocker don't ya have a scanner? LOL, you mean you can't get the cat to sit still on the scanner for a pic! Kiddin
I love animals too, I have a Brittany Spaniel- Brady, Punkin our cat, Rumour our ball python and Jack a cockatiel. We have enough room at our house to have a horse and we are looking into getting one, whoo hoo!
mouseslayer thanks for the article!
Keep the pics comin' guys...my son and I totally enjoy looking at them!
Kaffro
edited, cause I forgot UBB..derrr
[ edited by Kaffro on Feb 6, 2001 10:51 AM ]
These are the 2 strays I rescued from a shelter a couple of months back. At first they wouldn't come near each other, and now they're best friends.
The striped one (Male) is Pee-cho and the white one (female) is Zorri. I got those after a car killed my cat Nena, back last October. (some of you may remember this)
posted on February 6, 2001 04:13:40 PM new
Oh Preacher, I love your new babies. Yes I do remember about Nena. I'm glad you gave not just one, but 2 cats another chance. Good for you and even better for them
EG, you and I could be best friends we think so much alike
Kaffro, You're very welcome. It was fortuitous for me to find it just then. I hope the info helps someone!
~~Angels fly because they take themselves lightly~~
posted on February 6, 2001 05:26:15 PM new
This is Simon. He was a stray that was used for target practice along with his mother & brothers & sisters He lost an eye from a buckshot pellet. His mother had skin cancer on her ear & when the vet took xrays of her to see if the cancer had spread (it didn't) he found 52 buckshot pellets in her little body, he removed the ones he could. It was 9 years ago when I set traps & caught the entire family of nine. Four were tiny kittens & they were placed in good homes & I am still in touch with the people who took them. I kept the other five & Simon is one of them. What is so wonderful about this thread is that so many of the cats on here were strays & now have loving homes.
I took this, this afternoon of Simon out back in the snow. He spent a good half hour just having fun running around in the snow before coming in for a long nap.
posted on February 6, 2001 08:50:55 PM new
Oh mcjane, that is horrible! If I ever caught someone doing something like that I don't think I could control myself. My best friend's boyfriend used to throw their cat. I was about 14 and he was about 20 at the time. I stood up to him and told him not to do that again. He never did either, at least not in my presence To tell the truth, I was scared to death. But that poor cat needed someone to stand up for him.
Hubby took Buddy, our Maine Coon mix out in the yard today to eat some grass. I took the camera out too, but it's likely to be a few weeks before I can post them!
~~Angels fly because they take themselves lightly~~
posted on February 6, 2001 09:01:31 PM new
Preacher - cool pic! I just love how cats sleep...only wish I could curl up in a ball like that LOL!
mcjane - your "snowkitty" is so cute! Poor thing, my heart breaks for animals that are mistreated! Even if I don't like the particular type of animal, I don't like to see it mistreated! Kudos to you for rescuing them!
My punkin caught her first mouse tonight...I felt bad for the mouse, but I can't have him living in my kitchen...ewww! We live in the woods so's we get some in our house every once in a while...thank god for my kitty
Kaffro
posted on February 6, 2001 11:53:53 PM new mouseslayer & exec girl (and anyone else who is interested):
I would be more than happy to help you out with suggestions on how to get started in the pet biz. I love sharing it cos I think it's just SUCH a great job - and cos when I hear people unhappy in their jobs, I always want to say RUN AWAY FROM IT AND ONLY DO WHAT YOU LOVE! Hey isn't that why a lot of us are here doing auctions? Oh god, I had my share of horrible day jobs and mean bosses and stupid rules. I can never work for anyone else again. Anyway, a pet service is NOT that hard to start, AND costs so little to start. The money to be made is amazing. Right now is a very slow time, people don't go away much in Jan/Feb. But also consider if you are willing or not to work on holidays, as holidays are THE BUSIEST times for a pet sitter and the money is WOW $$$ Thanksgiving and Christmas #1 biggest. Memorial Day & Labor Day pretty decent too. But ya know, you can do it with or without working holidays, it's an individual choice kinda thing. I can compile some really good starter info for ya in email, so how about this: You two and whoever wants it - email me at NYC [email protected] so that I won't forget and I will have your email addresses all together. (I space out here on the message boards and never remember where I copy email addresses. Am I the only dysfunctional nutshop that does that??)
Oh by the way, my first name is Jan - and my pet business name is Janimal Cute, huh? I can't take credit for it - one of the other musicians named me that on tour - and it had nothing to do with dogs or cats, but let's not go there. LOL!!!
posted on February 7, 2001 05:12:50 AM new
I am not usually a violent person, but cruelty to anything or anyone who is defenseless really sets me off. I saw a man kick a stray pup that had come up to him on the street in front of my business. I picked up the pup, walked over and kicked him. Then I told him what I thought of him. He called the Police, they arrested him for drunk in public. Drives my husband bonkers when I do stuff like that. One of my customers took the pup, he was doing quite well the last I heard.
posted on February 7, 2001 12:40:30 PM new
Hi All,
This thread is wonderful!! I've really been enjoying reading and seeing all of your feline friends and thought I'd share a pic or two of our big boy 'Flick'(named after the character in the movie 'A Christmas Story')
Here's a picture of when he was five months old - thinking he deserves a break today at Mc****
This picture is of him (all grown up)sitting on his favourite lookout rock at our cabin. He's a total indoor cat, trained to the leash, and loves going for long walks along the lakeshore and trails!
posted on February 7, 2001 12:50:35 PM new
mcjane, he's so pretty. Guess I should say handsome since he's a guy. My poor cat has never seen snow. She was born in Texas and now she lives in Florida. She does like to chase lizards in the screen house by the pool.
equestrian, pretty cat, mine just hops when I put her on a leash, like a rabbit.
[ edited by december3 on Feb 7, 2001 12:53 PM ]
[ edited by december3 on Feb 7, 2001 12:53 PM ]
posted on February 7, 2001 05:43:52 PM new
december3 GOOD FOR YOU for kicking that guy! - - Pattin ya on the back
One of my closest friends Julius told me when he was 9 years old he asked his dad for a b.b. gun. Dad said nothin doin. Julius begged and begged till his Dad finally gave in. When Jules finally got the b.b. gun he went outside with his pal and they were shooting at stuff. Jules' friend aimed at a chipmunk and Jules said "DON'T shoot the chipmunk or I will shoot YOU!" His friend didn't listen and shot the chipmunk. Jules took the gun and b.b.d his friend right in the chest. The kid went crying, and by the time Julius got home, his Dad was already on the porch standing with his arms crossed, tapping his foot. Jules: "uhoh" Dad: "GIMME THE GUN". Well...Julius wasn't allowed to have the gun anymore, but he said he doesn't regret what he did to this day. That's my pal Jules!!!
posted on February 8, 2001 12:26:06 PM new
Here's some current shots. Atticus is on top of the Grandfather clock, his newest favorite place to sit. Peanut is the striped one, Stormie is the one that looks pi**ed. She always looks that way.
posted on February 8, 2001 01:51:48 PM new
I love all your pics! What adorable cats!!
I took this one of Missy last night. I came in here and she was sound asleep, laying on my desk in front of my monitor just like this! On her back with all 4 paws up in the air! She can get comfortable anywhere!
[ edited by ExecutiveGirl on Feb 8, 2001 01:52 PM ]
posted on February 8, 2001 09:11:03 PM new
Thank you december3 & executivegirl Simon will love your compliments. He's a really nice guy too.
This thread is the best one ever on AW & I hope it never ends. All these cats are so beautiful.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:19:31 PM new
I am so pleased, finally got my computer fixed and after re setting everything my first stop was this thread...I have been wanting to see all the beautiful puddies. How wonderful all your pictures are. A true delight. Glad to be back.
posted on February 11, 2001 01:52:12 AM new
All you cat lovers out there how would you like to help a wonderful lady with severe lupus. I became aquainted with this dear lady on the ebay giving board site. Phyllis runs a no kill animal sanctuary in new albany ohio for the severe abused and neglected animals, she never recieves any federal help as she calls her shelter church of the angels and says prayers for all animals in need. Her son has severe crohns is now 21 and going to college on grants and loans etc. He is a very sick young man, never got to attend highschool due to the fact of being in the hospital, but did get his ged even as sick as he was.
Phyllis never asks for herself, but sometimes the animals need some food etc. so she posted the need on the gb and over a year ago I first sent her a box of kitty and bunny goodies.
Phyllis has recently lost quite a few cats due to illness or old age so she now has about 20 cats, 5 dogs, 3 bunnies and some birds, all animals are unadoptable. One little guy named trotter was literally used as a basketball. These stories these guys tell will break your heart.
Phyllis is on disability and scrapes by, but it is never enough. Her hotwater tank is just bought dead, she boils water for dishes, takes a fast shower and with lupus I know a nice hot bath would sooth the muscles. Her fridge and stove holding on by thin lines, and her dryer is kapoot she hangs clothes around the house to dry. A funny story she told once was how she washed her son's diapers in the tub with a plunger.
Phyllis makes it and everytime I hear her tell a tale I thank god for the good health I have and the extra money I sometimes get as a single mom of a severly ill child with disabilities to send the critters or phyllis simple treats. Coffee to Phyllis i found out is a real treat so I send.
I would wonder if all you cat lovers wouldn't find it in your hearts to help a fellow cat lover out. Food so she can help the little old man who asks for tuna cat food, knowing his cat is sharing, or perhaps some cat nummies or other critter nummies to feed the strays she cares for or the many people in her community that fall between the cracks.
Just today phyllis was trying to raise some funds for a lady with diabetes and had had strokes to get money for insulin or meds seems bette was skipping doses.
So you see Phyllis runs a real church answering calls and praying for those in need, helping whenever she can often giving the little food she has to those with none.
As you curl up with your little fur balls, remember Phyllis and how her kitties warm her since the heaters are at 60 and the oil almost gone, extra sweaters to save warmth and 20 kitties on my feet is how she answered the question how she stays warm.
I am blessed to have much such a gentle spirit, hope you are touched by her gentle love too.
To help phyllis please email me at [email protected] and I will give you her addy or email.
posted on February 11, 2001 10:43:51 AM new ExecGirl - LMAO!! Those pictures of Missy on her back are HILARIOUS!!! Too damn cute. DON'T FORGET to email me [email protected] so I can send you the pet sitting info. (I know I had your email address before but lost it - sorry!)
Anyway, wanted to tell you guys the discussion (arguement) I had today with Carrie my roommate/slash/ex-girlfriend, regarding my cat Moo.
Carrie: Moo is a BAD BOY.
(I already start to laugh because I know this is true, and the bottom line is, I don't care.)
Carrie: He is mean spirited.
Me: Only towards YOU.
Carrie: He is CRANKY!
Me: That's because YOU are cranky towards him! Ya know, you have to EARN his respect, you can't just HAVE it.
She leaves the room, saying: If he doesn't respect me by now, he's never gonna respect me.
I'm thinking: Ya got that right, sister.
posted on February 20, 2001 09:51:47 PM new
Hi McjaneWhat happened to Peepers picture?
This is little "Adora" who finally
discovered her special shelf on the
first big snow of 2001...her dad bought
it for her over a year ago.
She was 20 years old and was born on
my Dad's farm, he and Mom called her
Adorable (she truly was) but the name
Adora is what stuck. She was a dear
little kitty who loved to play with
a peacock feather, and she would sneak
under the covers during the day so that
we would find a lump in the middle of
the bed when we turned in.
We had to put her to sleep on January
26, after years of medication her
kidneys were no longer functioning.
We miss her very much.
We have had as many as four kitties but
currently we only have our big boy Tigger
whose picture I showed earlier.
posted on February 20, 2001 11:33:14 PM new
Oh Zilvy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I think Adorable suited her very well How is Tigger handling it? How are you handling it?? My thoughts are with you dear!
Gang, I'm now trying to talk hubby into hooking the scanner up to this computer since mine is still toast. I will post my new batch of pics when I can. (And I can't wait to get the roll in the camera developed, those should be really good!) Until then I am completely enjoying seeing everyone else's fur-babies!
~~Angels fly because they take themselves lightly ~~
This thread is so cuuuuute!!
ooohh I want a digital camera so bad 
sniff sniff I want to take new pics of my kids for all of you to see!
9 years old, Sammy gave birth to him under my kitchen table) and the newest baby I just got, Betty - approximately 7 1/2 months old!! She is precious, white with greyish brown spots... she kinda looks like Exec Girl's Jasper!
I walk Polly (a black lab/chow mix) every day while her people are at work, and mostly I do cat boarding while people go away on business, vacations, etc. It's really one of the BEST ways to make a living in my opinion. Where else do you go to work and just get cuddled and kissed and jumped on? 
She does it when she's in heat, yuck.
Thanksgiving and Christmas #1 biggest. Memorial Day & Labor Day pretty decent too. But ya know, you can do it with or without working holidays, it's an individual choice kinda thing. I can compile some really good starter info for ya in email, so how about this: You two and whoever wants it - email me at NYC 
Rocker
Guess I'll try again.
~~