Oh my goodness (((Corky)))!!!! You didn't start anything!

I also made the decision to have one of my cats declawed and she is just fine! Please don't feel you started anything, you didn't! Just some healthy comments on the subject. Please don't feel bad! (((Hugs)))

I went to see the little Chicago grand cats last weekend and my gosh how they've changed since I last saw them in the summer. The 6 yr old one has lost weight trying to keep up with the kitten. Last I saw the kitten was when he was 6 wks old and he's now 7 mo old. He's all black except for one white whisker which you just wanna grab ahold of cause it looks so outta place...LOL. His tail is so fluffy with the long hair that it almost looks like a squirrel's tail!! ha ha We DO have black squirrels around here...hmmm, wonder if he's part squirrel!! LOL I just finished the 2nd of 3 beds for them for Christmas, I'm beginning to think that buying them and paying that price might not have been such a bad idea AFTER all. I'm making them with the pillow part then a fabric pillow type cover with velcro closer so can remove it to launder it. Sure can tell they're homemade, let's put it that way!!!
Doody, did I ever tell you that Corky parrot says the word DOODY?? We tried to get him to say Daddy when he first started talking...it came out DOODY and we just left it that way. He's right now asking me "DOODY, whatcha doin' "
Happy holidays to all those fur kids and grand cats out there!!!!

LOLOL! Tell Corky that Doody is trying to rest today so not to squawk too much!

I can't believe your making those cat beds! What wonderful gifts for the furbabies. The kitten sounds adorable.

My youngest cat, Gracie, is just being a little shedevil with the christmas tree this year. I give up trying to put the ornaments back on the tree as fast as she takes them down! Can't tell you how many she's broken as well!
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Here is my opinion. I think it is cruel. My sister has done this and her cats look so unnatural as they "try" to grab and play with toys. It is in a way like amputating our fingers. If for some reason the cat got loose, it loses one of it's natural defenses against predators. If there is a storm or natural disaster or if someone accidentally lets the cat out and it gets lost it will have lost some of its protection. They make clear sticky tape that you can put on the corners of your furniture. The stickyness deters the cat from scratching. They also make spray on repellent. Consider not to de-claw, your cat will love you for it.

It wasn't even my own cat, I merely asked a question quite some time ago and have since been the victim of a lot of angry people voicing their dislike to taking away an animals natural ways. Last time I even so much as mention such a topic in here!!!!

am now catless, but I do try to keep up on things? I don't mean to add fuel to any fires but, this product does seem to be a sort of 'middle road' in dealing with the problems:
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OK that all said, I have only one piece of upholstered furniture that does not show, well, above average 'wear and tear' as a scratching post...that piece of furniture came after we lost our last dear friend. I look at the furniture that has been 'broken in' by my long gone friends and can almost see them there ....with me spritzing my water pistol at them-plus the 'reinforcing' NO! Which never made an impression at all - I mean, they ARE CATS!

But for me, now, with an autoimmune disease, the scratching of ME could become an issue, and maybe a big one? Should I find myself with a new cat and one inclined to well, USE his paws expressively? I do think I'd have a sit-down long talk with my vet about the options. My one big greatest fear about a new cat would be the odds of him/her getting out. There are lots of 'territorial' cats in the 'hood I live in. I know, as my last ones were the top of the heap until they got ill and old. Besides, a sit-down talk with a vet is far better than talking to some docs, isn't it? I do miss the 'vet talks'.

Actually for now? I truly miss a happy purr-box on my lap, or even a 'watch-cat' nearby! But I'm kind of looking forward to new furniture? [Not FURRniture, mind you] - j

((Corky))

All of my cats have been declawed (front only), and none of them were biters. I held out as long as I could with my last cat, but he destroyed our couch and stereo speakers - despite the numerous scratching posts we provided him.
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After he passed away, I got a Birman kitten and decided not to declaw - no longer cared about the appearance of my furniture. However, there was a mix-up with my son when he dropped her off to be spayed. He wasn't sure of our final decision, so he told them to go ahead with the front claws. I laughed when people told me I should sue my vet. Geesh, it wasn't THEIR fault - guess I should have sued my teenage son.
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It turned out to be a blessing because my skin is very fragile due to the amyloidosis. Even with her claws in, I could still feel her claws when she touched my face. She LOVES to play and particularly loves to pretend she's a mountain lion and I'm her prey. She was hiding behind a pillow one day - ears flat, eyes wide, and tail swishing - her invitation to play. I got up close and taunted her. She jumped out and wailed on me - slapping me in the face with all her strength. It was SO FUNNY to me, and those little cotton ball paws didn't hurt a bit. After she "destroys" me, she curls up and cuddles with me.
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Gee Whiz~~ the only time I have ever seen a cat put their ears down, like that is when they mean to fight--aggression! I even looked it up!
Our cats play all the time/jump each other... never put the ears down. Even when her majesty
the queen corrects the younger ones, the ears never are down. And they all have nails. I would guess Kathy that you "lost" and are no longer alpha in your home. Humans should always remain alpha with cats! (and dogs).

We play hide and seek, peek a boo too, and they never put their ears down!
I guess it is a good thing you got her declawed. Not a nice playmate otherwise!
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I don't think it is wise to have a pet of any kind in your face. They are animals after all, and can bite, or pass on some disease. I don't allow licking the face, earlobe play, hair licking, any of that. Laps are as far as I go, love wise.

I think this is pretty accurate:

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MrsD
Ahh, but your experts don't know MY cat or ME.
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I have no desire to dominate my pets or make them do tricks for me. I've had her for quite a few years, and she's never bitten me. She knows who owns her. Even in her feisty moods, I can pick her up at any time and put the game to a stop. She usually cuddles up right away. Sometimes when I put her back down she saunters off to another room and pouts. No big deal. Besides she's not really a mountain lion - she's just a small cat who looks like a mountain lion. The laid back ears are a nice touch, as far as I'm concerned. Heck, I like a good clean fight among friends once in a while too.
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Sometimes when I get in her face she'll lick the tip of my nose, but she's an indoor cat so I'm not worried about disease. Besides, I keep my nose clean
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Kathy, we have a Birman too! Our daughter got one first while she was still living at home. Then she moved and took our grandkitty, Mitzi, with her
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! So we adopted one of our own. Then my mother stayed with us following surgery, bonded with Yadi & threatened to take him home with her. So we called our friend again & asked if she had any adults looking for homes. She brought my mom the sweetest little kitty - best decision we could have made. They are inseparable.