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"THEN"
May 18, 2002 (at 8 weeks)
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"NOW"
August 2002 (at 5 months old)
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Hello! My name is "Emily"
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EMILY (Early August)
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She is grey-and-white (or WILL be white after she has a bath!) and has
four white paws, a white spot on one ear, and a white nose with grey-black spots on the tip of her nose.
She seems frisky and playful and is eating and drinking on her own, but looks
as if she has been dragged through the dirt, which is ground into her fur. Her "eyebrows" and whiskers are bent and
some are snapped off. She has a discharge from her swollen eyes and nose and is coughing and sneezing.
It looks almost as if someone threw her from a car. It is difficult to
imagine someone being THAT cruel. Right now, she is pitiful-looking and in bad shape, but after some good food and
loving care, I expect that to improve.
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Kittens are cute, but they can be a real pain in the butt. I was dreading
the "First Night Horrors" -- you know the routine -- new kitten UP-ALL-NIGHT, crying and crying, and NOBODY gets
any rest. I needn't have worried. She immediately found a "sleep bud" in Richard. He fell asleep on the sofa, and
she quietly slept on him all night. Every time I would walk into the room, she would open one eye and take a look
at me, but otherwise didn't move. She doesn't cry unless left alone. I don't blame her!
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MY NEW SCARF (July 2002)
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We immediately brought her to the vet for a check-up, kitten shots, and to
make sure that she doesn't have fleas or anything else that could be transmitted to Minew and Cinnamon (who,
fortunately, are current with all of their immunizations).
After her first visit to "Dr. Pete," it was determined that "Emily" is
about eight weeks old and weighs 1 pound, 3 ounces.
She also has a possible viral infection with an underlying
bacterial infection, which is causing the conjunctivitis and discharge from her eyes and nose. She tested
Negative for feline leukemia and is now being treated with oral and topical antibiotics for the infections.
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After just two days of treatment, the eye-swelling and discharge was
noticeably reduced and her respiratory passages were clearer. AND she got a bath and looks MUCH better.
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EMILY (August 2002)
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Follow-up: After Emily's second visit to the vet, Dr. Pete said that she
doesn't even look like the same scraggly kitten that he first saw. Eyes are clear, no runny nose, no more
sneezing, and healthy and happy. Emily has gained 10 ounces in 10 days (because she eats like a HORSE).
When she isn't sleeping on us, I have been practicing handling her
several times a day, gently pressing her paws to extend the nails, opening her mouth, touching her ears, and
getting her used to being handled in general.
If anyone has any experience with, and suggestions for, raising a
properly-mannered cat, (how do I teach her not to bite and scratch?), please
LET ME KNOW
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Emily likes to hide
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Just like Minew, she also likes to
chase the mouse-cursor on the computer
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SHE'S EVERYWHERE!!!
And she's into everything!!!
I feel like I have a two-year-old child, and have to watch Emily
constantly! I'm always double-checking the washing machine and dryer every time I do a load of clothes.
I've had to "kitten-proof" the house. I don't leave cabinet doors open, always make sure that there
are no small-enough-to-swallow items on the floor, and have removed any chewable "questionable" plants.
She's learned that electrical cords are a "no-no" and that kitchen counters are off-limits. By now, Emily
probably thinks that her name is "NO!"
Emily in a Breadbox
Emily in a Microwave
Emily on a Platter
Emily in a Planter
Emily in a Sink
Emily in a Basket
Cat Adventures:
Emily & Cinnamon Hunt Birds
These stupid doves walk right up to the door
and don't even realize the cats are there! DUH!
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* MORE TO COME *
Back to Minew's Page
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