Attack of ... Demon Cat?

this is a story written by Boudicca Rising about an incident that happened when her cat was determined to get in on the act.  Personal belief of anyone else is none of my business and I will delete any comments that are in anyway intolerant from any side.  

For years, after a plague of evangelical Christians on my doorstep, I have been left alone to pretty much get on with my Pagan life.
Until tonight. Tonight, there was a tentative knock at the door. I knew before I answered it that it might involve somebody selling something. My friends all rap on the door smartly as I am a bit hard of hearing. This was a soft-as-micies-sleeping knock so I just knew …
Answering the door, I recognised the lady from way back. Bless her, several years on and still gamely knocking on people’s doors so that others may knock on the pearly gates.
I stood through the usual schpiel and pro-offered pamphlet to join her at the Group Hug of the Holy Spirit Tabernacle Bigots Society or some such; said thanks but no thanks, I was Pagan … and then my troubles started


How long had I been a Pagan? How interesting. How did I found out about it? Wow. Did I not think that the bible really, truly held the truth? No, oh goodness. She was actually very sweet.
But at this point, a demon cat intervened. Poppet loves the front garden. He loves the front garden so much that he is not allowed outside when I am not home, as I (and my neighbours) have to keep on removing him from the front and putting him round the back. I am well aware of his fixation with the front door as he has, on many occasions, bested me and dived out of it.
Whilst chatting to her, I explained why I was holding the door closed. Poppet got tired of trying to push his nose through my legs (this lasted throughout the topic of whether or not the Romans were here before Christ). Right at the point where I mentioned Augustine, Poppet decided that jumping on my back was an option, so Religious Lady was suddenly confronted by a white grinning cat face looming at her from the dark. She shrieked (and may have peed a little).
But gamely on she went. I am not sure whether anyone has tried to remove a cat from their back whilst holding a door to with one hand – but it is not easy and rather painful, ultimately achievable by being flexible enough to grab hold of cat whilst sending “I’m going to deprive you of fresh fish for a week” thoughts through the human-animal subconscious divide.

Objective achieved and “Ah, so you worship many Gods?” she asked. “Yes” I replied. “Which ones?” she asked. So I explained. I have to admit being impressed by the homework she had done. Poppet tried the scratch down the leg trick but I felt it coming and finally, all went quiet.
We continued chatting back and forth – we had got onto the Koran (we had already covered Hinduism). I was starting to lose steam and interest.
Suddenly, there was a small, breathless squeak from the lady, who was looking down in horror. Poppet, having attempted every which way to escape out the front, had managed to squeeze his head under the door. And, teeth bared and eyes wide, was staring up at us like so much decapitated cat.
I paused for a second, checked that his body was truly behind the door, said “excuse me” and told him off for being brainless. Foiled again, he withdrew and stomped off on four paws into the front room to have a sulk.
“So”, I said, “where were we?”. However, Decap Cat had clearly wrong-footed her and she quickly made her excuses and left.
I bet I am now down as the nice Pagan lady who doesn’t mind a chat but has demonically possessed cats.

full version may be read on Boudicca's blog here

Guest Blog: Amanda speaks about Cerebellar Hypoplasia

I had never heard of Cerebellar Hypoplasia until I met Amanda through twitter.  I've signed up for her blog because I think the love these nominally disabled cats can offer is phenomenal - and I want to bring them to the notice of more people in the hopes that anyone dithering over adopting a CH cat will see that there's nothing to dither over, what are you waiting for!
Cerebellar Hypoplasia

By Amanda Maurer Woodhead

As I read a kitten’s profile on Petfinder.com a few years ago, I was enchanted. His photo was adorable, and he was described as a sweet boy who loved to play with the plastic strips that come off of frozen orange juice containers. He sounded perfect. And as I read on, I realized that he was even more special than I could have imagined.

The kitten had a condition called cerbellar hypoplasia that made him unsteady when he walked. In fact, the shelter said that he moved around like a “drunken sailor.” At that moment, I knew he was the one. If I was going to adopt and love any kitten, it was going to be one who needed love the most.

Since then, my cat’s condition has inspired me to become an advocate for these special “wobbly cats.” I began a blog about CH in 2009, and thanks to the many people I’ve met through the blog, my husband and I adopted a second CH cat in 2011. It’s my goal to educate folks about cerebellar hypoplasia so they don’t feel uneasy about these cats, and so that they understand that the only things these cats need are a few simple accommodations and lots of love. Unfortunately, it’s a rather unknown condition that leads to many euthanizations each year, simply because it’s not well known or understood.

Cerebellar hypoplasia occurs when a cat is born with an underdeveloped cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls fine motor skills and coordination. It results in jerky or wobbly movements and tremors. The degree of the condition can vary greatly from cat to cat -- even those in the same litter. Some may hardly show any signs of the condition, while others may have a difficult time walking, if they can walk at all.

Fortunately, the condition is non-progressive, non-contagious and painless. There aren’t any health complications, and a cat with CH will live as long as any other cat. Nearly all CH cats learn to compensate with their limitations and challenges, and some owners even claim that their cat's CH has lessened in severity over time

One of the best things about CH cats is that most don’t seem to know that they’re any different from other cats. Consequently, it is natural to them to figure out how to overcome their limitations. For example, most CH cats can’t jump, so instead they become incredible climbers.

But they’re not alone in overcoming their challenges. There are many simple things CH cat parents can do to help their cat become more capable and independent. For example, some owners place area rugs in strategic spots so their cat has more traction and stability. Others place step-stools or pet stairs next to their beds so the cat can get up there easily.

There isn’t a treatment for this condition, but if you ask any CH cat parent, they’ll say that there doesn’t need to be one. They’ll claim their CH cat is one of the sweetest, most personable cats you’ve ever met. And if you don’t believe it, you can read some of their stories here.

If you’re interested in adopting a cerebellar hypoplasia cat, or would like to learn more, please visit my blog, Life with CH Cats

Guest Blog: Jessica speaks of the impact of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I do my best to highlight causes that need advocacy, and in my book keeping people aware of what can go wrong with their dear furbaby is one important cause.  This is about the ongoing struggle of darling Brady, whose medical fees chip-in button is on the right of this blog.  Thanks Jessica for a hard task in writing about something so close to you to help others be aware. 


Imagine your kitty full of love and gentleness.  Imagine this innocent kitty sunbathing in the window and gazing at you lovingly before he starts to stumble.  Imagine his body stiffening up and his breathing becoming labored.  He’s looking at you with his eyes wide with fear and crying out to you for help.  He’s frightened and falling over in a seizure type episode.  There’s nothing you can do but hold him and try to ease his pain.  You’re helpless.  HCM did not take him today, but it will be back.  You’ll never know when and you’ll never know how vicious, but it will come back.   There is no cure.  Sooner or later, HCM will win… it always wins.

What is HCM?  HCM stands for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  It is a deadly heart muscle disease that is claiming more and more lives each day.  HCM occurs when the left ventricular wall, papillary muscles and septum thicken, causing stiffness.  This stiffness prevents the heart from expanding correctly and makes it difficult to receive blood properly.  The thickening may also lead to problems of the mitral valve causing it to leak.  The leaking fluid can, and in most cases does, leak into the lungs and causes heart failure.

Are there symptoms?  Sometimes you’ll have symptoms such as a heart murmur, trouble breathing, weight loss, loss of use in back legs, lethargy and others.  Sometimes you’ll have no symptoms at all and your kitty may die suddenly and unexpectedly. 

How is HCM diagnosed and treated?  An ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) is the most recommended way to check for HCM. If HCM is present you may need other tests done to rule out other possible causes and to check the function of other organs.  Again, there is no cure for HCM but some medications may help to control the symptoms and hopefully prevent it from progressing rapidly. 

This is probably the hardest blog that I have ever written because it hits so close to home.  My Brady has HCM.  What I described to you in the first paragraph happened to my baby just a few short months ago.  HCM has also tortured him with congestive heart failure and pneumonia.   Brady is only two and a half years old.  He continues to fight everyday and is on several medications to keep his symptoms at bay.  He is the sweetest kitty you have ever met with a purr and head bonk that will melt your heart.  Every day I snuggle him knowing that it may be the last time I’ll ever hold his warm body in my arms, and every night I pray to God asking Him to give Brady the strength and comfort that he deserves. 

As animal lovers, we are some of the luckiest people in existence because we get to witness the love from some of the most amazing creatures on Earth.  They are not our pets, and calling them so will get you the stink eye and a correction with quickness!  They are our family.  They are our children.  I end with a request to you… Please remember my Brady and others suffering like him.  If you are a breeder; please scan your babies before breeding them, if you are buying a kitty from a breeder; make sure that they have scanned the parents for HCM.  HCM breaks more hearts than you may think.  Please help us spread the word.

You can follow Brady’s story and adventures on Facebook, Twitter or his website. 
https://www.facebook.com/ForBrady

https://twitter.com/#!/TheloveofBrady

http://fortheloveofbrady.weebly.com/index.html

More about HCM on wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_cardiomyopathy

Brittney - my life as a cat.

This is the story of a stray and his forever home with Carol Foster, his story and photos.
Carol is a wonderful caring lady and she's one of the troopers for Trooper, [who continues to do well and is now living with Delores Samms and is shared by Gwen Samms, his own special angels].
Brittney is diabetic and this lovely book has practical advice from Brittney's point of view. 

My Life as a Cat

www.amazon.com

 Autobiography of Brittney, "My life as a Cat" Brittney tells his life story as a Cat, he is courageous, and has adventures to share with everyone. Illustrations and Brittney’s photos shown as the narrator tell his life story as a Cats point of view. 

Brittney's home page
http://brittneythecat.wordpress.com/ 
 Brittney's facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Life-as-a-Cat/251393634894284?skip_nax_wizard=true 
 Brittney on twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/BrittneyTheCat