The Forum Chit-Chat Thread

Graces7 · 29-10-2020 11:41am

Kattunge wrote: »

Great pic JCD.

Collected my kittens this morning from their overnight stay at the vets (after being neutered). They have recovered really well and are enjoying being back with their Mama. I didn't sleep a wink the last few nights thinking of them. Hope pets everywhere are safe and sound on this awful morning.

Ah good news! What they call a good job well done.

All my five are safe abed with me, all curled up fast asleep. Boycat was the last in; sopping wet long hair.. He is under the covers as he just pushed his way in! REALLY!

The weather is truly unspeakable! Just unbelievable aerial carnage out here. No ferry for the shopping trip is postponed; seems to be a lull tomorrow before the next battering.

wotzgoingon · 30-10-2020 3:33pm

Well I think the day or next couple of days has come where I will have to say good bye to my best friend. He is a little over 16 years and 6 months old. He spent last night walking around the house aimlessly banging into walls and doors. He only has one eye as he had to have the other removed a couple of months ago as it got infected and he doesn't have great eye sight in the other eye.

He can't stand up today he has been lying down on blankets in the kitchen since about 8 this morning.

I'm not sure if he is in pain but I will have to play it by the day and I may have to end up getting him put to sleep. I will leave him today and if no change later or tomorrow that day has come. I thought he would make it to my other dogs 15th birthday which is this day next week. You never know miracles can happen and he might come around but his future isn't looking too bright.

Justin Credible Darts · 30-10-2020 3:34pm

had to put my collie asleep last year, he was fine until he got a stroke, it breaks your heart.

madmaggie · 31-10-2020 1:04am

The two last posts have me in tears. I'm so sad for you both. You never forget your faithful friends.

Graces7 · 31-10-2020 6:19am

I heard rattling outside earlier. When I went to check? Stinkertom rummaging in a bag of empty cat food tins trying to scrape even a taste of food...

@ owner!

Needless to say there is food out for him now. What is one more! And the cat food delivery was perfect.

Cherry Blossom · 31-10-2020 7:36pm

There is a few fireworks going off somewhere nearby. It’s bucketing rain and the letterbox is rattling in the wind. There’s nothing as queer as folks. Thankfully nobody here is bothered by the fireworks, they are more interested in investigating the rattling letterbox.

em_cat · 31-10-2020 7:46pm

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

There is a few fireworks going off somewhere nearby. It’s bucketing rain and the letterbox is rattling in the wind. There’s nothing as queer as folks. Thankfully nobody here is bothered by the fireworks, they are more interested in investigating the rattling letterbox.

Oh your so lucky, it’s like a war zone here, we’ve wool filled mattress toppers over the all the glazing ( single aspect room with floor to ceiling glazing one end) , snuffle mats, frozen chicken legs for later, sileo... I’m exhausted already

Graces7 · 31-10-2020 7:49pm

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

There is a few fireworks going off somewhere nearby. It’s bucketing rain and the letterbox is rattling in the wind. There’s nothing as queer as folks. Thankfully nobody here is bothered by the fireworks, they are more interested in investigating the rattling letterbox.

I had a friend who was an old Yorkshire lass, blind. She used to say, " Nowt so queer as folks"

It is good all is well there.. what the call a " damp squib"!!

tk123 · 31-10-2020 8:03pm

Very bad here

Bailey decided he wanted to hide under the stairs the other evening when there was an explosion outside that even set my neighbour's alarm off :mad:.. so I cleared out a space made up a little den. He's happy to stay in there for now and getting lots of lick mats and chews to keep him busy. I have his pet remedy plugin there too and relaxing music playing on the laptop. I'm just glad he's not frantic and wanting to go upstairs - i don't trust him going up and down himself in case he slips(!)

em_cat · 31-10-2020 8:11pm

I’m lucky that Esmae is ok unless one goes off directly outside, when that happens I shower the floor with tiny bits of cheese, she spends ages licking the floor.

The only thing is that the apartment is really warm & she’s laying out on the cool mat as she’s that warm. My OH might have to spend the evening in the loo with Mr C if this keeps up

zedhead · 31-10-2020 8:31pm

I spoke to soon. Up hiding in the corner of the bathroom, a room he usually avoids because it means its time for a shower. He won't take treats, chews or toys. Just leaving him be until he is ready to come out. Just feel so bad for him

Fakediamond · 31-10-2020 9:33pm

zedhead wrote: »

I spoke to soon. Up hiding in the corner of the bathroom, a room he usually avoids because it means its time for a shower. He won't take treats, chews or toys. Just leaving him be until he is ready to come out. Just feel so bad for him

Could you make a little den for him with a cardboard box, towels, or anything that could enclose him in a dark place that might make him feel safer?

zedhead · 31-10-2020 9:54pm

Fakediamond wrote: »

Could you make a little den for him with a cardboard box, towels, or anything that could enclose him in a dark place that might make him feel safer?

He has a crate with a blanket over it but only goes into it at bed time.

Currently in the corner of the sitting room beside the couch where we put one of his blankets. Seems a little calmer.

micah537 · 01-11-2020 1:41am

I was minding my brothers 3 GSDs along with my own one recently for a few days. Two of his are rescues who were locked up together for at least two years, male and female. His wife thinks they may have been used for breeding but the rescue didn't think so just neglected.

Anyway, when ever your are doing something the 4 of them would have to be involved. sniffing and generally being nosey. The female took an egg off me and basically kept it safe over the course of their stay. Slept with it, brought it outside when going to toilet, protecting it from the other three and hiding it under the cushion in her bed when going for a walk etc.

Anyone every come across a dog doing this? She also took in two abandoned kittens a while back and minded them.

Justin Credible Darts · 01-11-2020 3:16am

all my dogs have been like that, have to be involved in everything, even jumping on the bed to between my wife and I.

Wife came home once with a bird a rook, had a damaged wing and kids were chasing it. I had a cockatoo cage that was in the shed , so kept him in that in the house, and by god did he stink, and nearly take the finger of you when you tried to feed him

Would take him out the back to let him get air move around and the neighbours cats would be watching but my dogs were watching out for the bird. adter a few days he would come to me to be brought in. Dog would play with him
The bird would eventually sit on the dogs back, knowing he was safe with the dog as the cats would not dare come near the garden.

After a couple of weeks I found a bird sanctuary for him.

Sadly after my last collie died, the german shepherd suddenly got defensive and no longer took to cats or dogs that were near the house, and became bery protective, which he was not before when he has company.

Graces7 · 01-11-2020 4:38pm

I hope everyone is recovering from last night and that all will henceforth be peaceful.

Appalling weather and very sleepy-making! The cats are all zonked and I am not very far behind

Mollyb60 · 05-11-2020 11:22am

Poor cat has been in the vets since monday on an IV to flush out her kidneys again after she stopped eating last weekend.
She was supposed to come home last night but the nurse said she was still refusing to eat despite getting a few bags of fluids into her. They eventually had to syringe feed her to stimulate her appetite. Hopefully she'll be home today, we're just waiting on a call from the nurse.
The vet mentioned maybe teaching us how to inject fluids directly ourselves so we don't need to keep bringing her back in to be put on the drip. That's a bit daunting but I'm sure we'll manage it.

tk123 · 05-11-2020 12:07pm

Mollyb60 wrote: »

Poor cat has been in the vets since monday on an IV to flush out her kidneys again after she stopped eating last weekend.
She was supposed to come home last night but the nurse said she was still refusing to eat despite getting a few bags of fluids into her. They eventually had to syringe feed her to stimulate her appetite. Hopefully she'll be home today, we're just waiting on a call from the nurse.
The vet mentioned maybe teaching us how to inject fluids directly ourselves so we don't need to keep bringing her back in to be put on the drip. That's a bit daunting but I'm sure we'll manage it.

sorry to hear about your cat. I did fluids at home with Lucy for good while. When they showed me how to do it and first couple of times at home it was a bit daunting but was fine after that.

05-11-2020 9:48pm

I bought Newfie a buffalo horn from the petshop at his daycare today. He has a postman's leg but I heard they can be dangerous for dogs so I got a replacement chew. I brought him into the house with the horn in a paper bag, and made a big fuss of "Look at this! Look! For you!" and let him rip up the bag and grab the horn. He picked it up, suddenly dropped it and ran for his life. He approached it, ran backwards, and was trembling in the kitchen. I called him back and played with it, showing him it was all ok. He eventually came over and took it back, brought it into the garden and examined it carefully. Sorted. New favourite chew!

I hope he doesn't throw it around like he did with the postman's leg. Just as heavy and destructive. He especially likes to throw it at our shins when we're sitting down!

tk123 · 05-11-2020 10:07pm

I got a buffalo horn for Lucy one time and she went mad with it - I hate to take it off her as it was cutting her gums up!

05-11-2020 10:36pm

tk123 wrote: »

I got a buffalo horn for Lucy one time and she went mad with it - I hate to take it off her as it was cutting her gums up!

I'll be keeping an eye on Fras but he's like the Volvo of the dog world. Fairly indestructible but break down pretty soon....

madmaggie · 06-11-2020 1:13am

My collie managed to open the kitchen window and run off to the neighbours house. My neighbour phoned me while I was in the supermarket, I thought she was deranged. When I came home, there was the window, wide open. Today I fitted locks.

Fakediamond · 06-11-2020 7:54am

madmaggie wrote: »

My collie managed to open the kitchen window and run off to the neighbours house. My neighbour phoned me while I was in the supermarket, I thought she was deranged. When I came home, there was the window, wide open. Today I fitted locks.

That is one clever dog you have there!

Mollyb60 · 06-11-2020 11:16am

Cat has been home since yesterday evening and hasn't touched a bite of food since then. So back to the vets we go. Trying very hard not to panic.

tk123 · 06-11-2020 11:52am

Mollyb60 wrote: »

Cat has been home since yesterday evening and hasn't touched a bite of food since then. So back to the vets we go. Trying very hard not to panic.

My cat was like this too and we let him go. With Lucy she wasn’t showing any symptoms - no weight loss, no excess thirst/peeing and was in great form. So we tried fluids but once the disease progressed I knew it was time to stop as it wasn’t fair on her

Peixesapo · 06-11-2020 10:01pm

Not sure is this the right place to post this but I wasn't sure.

My partner and myself moved to Ireland 3 years ago. We came for a job that was not permanent and meant moving at some point. We made the decision that it wouldn't be responsible to own a dog.

We have now finally settled, gotten a permanent location and decided that at this point we can finally own the dog we have been wanting for the last 3 years. Currently looking to buy a house, we are renting a townhouse with no garden although we have a communal patio.

Every other shelter I have contacted require a fully enclosed garden. Back home I shared with different people who had dogs and I'm well used to looking after them. I was very close to a local shelter and my flat fostered a couple of dogs while waiting for a family, so I would like to adopt a dog instead of buying it but this rules leave me with two options, either buy a dog or don't own a dog at all.

Is there any shelter or association that would not require a garden? After level 5 I would love to start looking for one

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Fakediamond · 07-11-2020 10:03am

Peixesapo wrote: »

Not sure is this the right place to post this but I wasn't sure.

My partner and myself moved to Ireland 3 years ago. We came for a job that was not permanent and meant moving at some point. We made the decision that it wouldn't be responsible to own a dog.

We have now finally settled, gotten a permanent location and decided that at this point we can finally own the dog we have been wanting for the last 3 years. Currently looking to buy a house, we are renting a townhouse with no garden although we have a communal patio.

Every other shelter I have contacted require a fully enclosed garden. Back home I shared with different people who had dogs and I'm well used to looking after them. I was very close to a local shelter and my flat fostered a couple of dogs while waiting for a family, so I would like to adopt a dog instead of buying it but this rules leave me with two options, either buy a dog or don't own a dog at all.

Is there any shelter or association that would not require a garden? After level 5 I would love to start looking for one

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Hi there, it is the rescues that have strict rules about enclosed gardens and someone home during the day, which excludes many people. The municipal/county council dog pounds do not have such strict rules and you can adopt directly from them. A lot of them have Facebook pages, where they put up pics of the dogs looking for homes.

Good luck with your search.

madmaggie · 07-11-2020 2:30pm

I recently adopted a dog from the council shelter. They were very insistent on the enclosed area, and someone at home. I was asked a lot of questions over the phone, and when I went to view the dog. They said it is to avoid dogs being returned. They were very thorough, but everything was in the dog's best interest.

Fakediamond · 07-11-2020 3:48pm

madmaggie wrote: »

I recently adopted a dog from the council shelter. They were very insistent on the enclosed area, and someone at home. I was asked a lot of questions over the phone, and when I went to view the dog. They said it is to avoid dogs being returned. They were very thorough, but everything was in the dog's best interest.

Oh ok, they may have tightened up, but they do not do home checks, which can take months and still refuse you.

Another way is to rehome privately, which I did with my current dog, a very scared dog found dumped, the finders didn’t want her to go to a pound so I took her and notified the pound about her, in case anyone enquired. There’s lots of dogs needing a loving home and while I understand that the rescues have to be careful, there’s lots of good responsible people out there deprived of a dog because of their strict rules. Lots of dogs live happily in apartments in other countries and people manage it through dog walkers, enrichment activities etc.

SillyMangoX · 09-11-2020 5:12pm

Has anyone else noticed their pets become extra hungry when the colder weather starts? Moose is like a bottomless pit at the moment. They are left with dry food all day to graze on, plus more in a puzzle feeder which all three cats love. As well as that, they get wet food 3 times a day. The last two weeks, Moose has been finishing off his own bowl of food in the evenings, then cleaning up whatever peach and cream have left in theirs, then an hour or two later he’ll coming begging for his second dinner and I have to give him another half pouch of food. He’s always been such a fussy eater so this is definitely a welcome change to see him eat, but he’s going to eat me out of house and home soon!!
And with all the extra food he’s eating, he’s still such a skinny boy. He’s perfectly healthy and has super muscles but not a pick of fat on his body!

Stratvs · 09-11-2020 5:24pm

SillyMangoX wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed their pets become extra hungry when the colder weather starts? Moose is like a bottomless pit at the moment. They are left with dry food all day to graze on, plus more in a puzzle feeder which all three cats love. As well as that, they get wet food 3 times a day. The last two weeks, Moose has been finishing off his own bowl of food in the evenings, then cleaning up whatever peach and cream have left in theirs, then an hour or two later he’ll coming begging for his second dinner and I have to give him another half pouch of food. He’s always been such a fussy eater so this is definitely a welcome change to see him eat, but he’s going to eat me out of house and home soon!!
And with all the extra food he’s eating, he’s still such a skinny boy. He’s perfectly healthy and has super muscles but not a pick of fat on his body!

Yep our 5 are now like a pack of lions at meal times. They normally get 1/2 pouch wet each first thing then some nuts mid morning & mid-late afternoon then another 1/2 pouch each around 8pm. But it's becoming more difficult to get them to stretch 'til 8pm especially since the time changed and it became darker earlier. They're all on target weights at last check ups so don't want them to put on a winter kg but it's hard at times when you get those pleading eyes.

em_cat · 09-11-2020 5:59pm

Ha ours go mental this time of year too, I think it because of DST, the spring forward goes without notice, however, fall back and pure frenzy around 16:30 thinking it’s nearly 17:30....I’m trying to work & I've wheeking & tail wagging galore which makes zoom meetings eventful...

aonb · 09-11-2020 10:39pm

I now have 3 cats (all "arrived" here - uninvited

) - two are bottomless pits - voracious - all year round. One eats only the most expensive cat food. The cost of keeping this lot fed is breathtaking! I am also seriously into trying to cut down on rubbish - my kitchen bin is nearly exclusively full of empty cat pouchs

VonVix · 09-11-2020 10:51pm

Thursday can't come soon enough. Trying to come up with a plan with the vet to help my boy, it's just a process of elimination and different medications to try and figure out what will work for him, I'm beginning to wonder if something even more is going on and it hasn't been discovered yet. Immuno suppressants have helped half his problem, while his other issue is deteriorating. He has become so depressed since all this started.

Graces7 · 10-11-2020 9:21am

SillyMangoX wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed their pets become extra hungry when the colder weather starts? Moose is like a bottomless pit at the moment. They are left with dry food all day to graze on, plus more in a puzzle feeder which all three cats love. As well as that, they get wet food 3 times a day. The last two weeks, Moose has been finishing off his own bowl of food in the evenings, then cleaning up whatever peach and cream have left in theirs, then an hour or two later he’ll coming begging for his second dinner and I have to give him another half pouch of food. He’s always been such a fussy eater so this is definitely a welcome change to see him eat, but he’s going to eat me out of house and home soon!!
And with all the extra food he’s eating, he’s still such a skinny boy. He’s perfectly healthy and has super muscles but not a pick of fat on his body!

It is natural enough and we do the same! More is needed to burn off to keep warm. Mine are like ravening beasts these days. Raw chicken joints slow them down a little which does help. ie if they eat too fast they do not feel the fullness quickly enough to make them pause?

em_cat · 10-11-2020 3:36pm

VonVix wrote: »

Thursday can't come soon enough. Trying to come up with a plan with the vet to help my boy, it's just a process of elimination and different medications to try and figure out what will work for him, I'm beginning to wonder if something even more is going on and it hasn't been discovered yet. Immuno suppressants have helped half his problem, while his other issue is deteriorating. He has become so depressed since all this started.

I’m so sorry to hear that VonVix, it really stinks when it’s trial & error. I hope it starts getting better for you both soon 🤗

Graces7 · 10-11-2020 3:45pm

As Selkie was fast asleep on my bed I saw her wee pink tongue sticking out and just could not resist...

why has it come on sideways! Drives me s-catty!

Please can some kind person change it to upright and maybe even show it on the post1 Thank you

zerosugarbuzz · 11-11-2020 7:30am

Graces7 wrote: »

As Selkie was fast asleep on my bed I saw her wee pink tongue sticking out and just could not resist...

why has it come on sideways! Drives me s-catty!

Please can some kind person change it to upright and maybe even show it on the post1 Thank you

Ahhh she looks cute

Graces7 · 11-11-2020 1:42pm

aonb wrote: »

I now have 3 cats (all "arrived" here - uninvited ) - two are bottomless pits - voracious - all year round. One eats only the most expensive cat food. The cost of keeping this lot fed is breathtaking! I am also seriously into trying to cut down on rubbish - my kitchen bin is nearly exclusively full of empty cat pouchs

My "lot" eat what is offered or go hungry.... NB one of their meals is raw chicken so that is fine. The other is SV tinned and in winter I mix raw oats in with it. NB they DO eat it. lol.. And are fine and well fleshed.

The only exception is part-Oriental Selkie. She was bone thin when she came and refused to eat. I had seen the same SV food as we use in the rescue place and think that as the lady had nine cats, Selkie went hungry and it was not noticed .

She refuses the cheaper kibble so I upgraded that to Go Cat and she loves the raw chicken. Her pedigree ancestry shows through.

Just we all cope as best we can in our caring for these cats....I know I spend more on the catfood than I do on mine1 And am happy with that.

madmaggie · 12-11-2020 12:37am

Ye must be all broke with the mad hungry cats! My 20 year old eats half a tin of the cat pate a day, or one of the little trays. It sounds a tiny amount of food, but all she does is sleep, and has the shiniest coat ever.

em_cat · 12-11-2020 12:51am

Ugg, such a headache, my poor doggies are sick with worry for me, I’ve not to been too well all the stress with our build is beyond anything I’ve ever endured! Normally it’s me dragging them to the vet, but they went with me to the GP today as I’ve not slept in a week....hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow so I can get some well needed exercise with Esmae.

Graces7 · 12-11-2020 6:01am

em_cat wrote: »

Ugg, such a headache, my poor doggies are sick with worry for me, I’ve not to been too well all the stress with our build is beyond anything I’ve ever endured! Normally it’s me dragging them to the vet, but they went with me to the GP today as I’ve not slept in a week....hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow so I can get some well needed exercise with Esmae.

(((HUGS)))

Living with pain I know how that drags down.

Graces7 · 13-11-2020 4:09am

Life out here in stormy weather consists of checking who is in and who is out... And sure as eggs is eggs, as soon as I get warm and snug abed, the tapping at the door will start.... "LET ME IN .. NOW!"

So headcounting is the order of the day...

Just now, there are four in and one out; one under the bedclothes...Tonto is out as well in spite of many successful incursions.. Like a bullet from a gun he is! Homing in on any food there is....

Love them all! My furry mates! Earlier today ( I mean yesterday) there was not a cat in the house and it felt.... dreadful! How do folk manage without critters..

Graces7 · 13-11-2020 4:49pm

em_cat wrote: »

Ugg, such a headache, my poor doggies are sick with worry for me, I’ve not to been too well all the stress with our build is beyond anything I’ve ever endured! Normally it’s me dragging them to the vet, but they went with me to the GP today as I’ve not slept in a week....hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow so I can get some well needed exercise with Esmae.

Hoping you are bettering...

VonVix · 13-11-2020 8:48pm

em_cat wrote: »

I’m so sorry to hear that VonVix, it really stinks when it’s trial & error. I hope it starts getting better for you both soon 🤗

He's in for surgery next week. Symptoms aren't lining up with the original diagnosis again.

em_cat · 13-11-2020 8:58pm

Graces7 wrote: »

Hoping you are bettering...

Ahh, thanks working on it, just frustrating neighbors...I think you’ve the right idea...I wanted to move out of the city, thought dun laoghaire would be far enough, turns out not far enough.

em_cat · 13-11-2020 9:00pm

VonVix wrote: »

He's in for surgery next week. Symptoms aren't lining up with the original diagnosis again.

Oh my, I’m so sorry it’s so severe and hope he gets some relief soon...

Knine · 13-11-2020 9:04pm

We lost our little cross breed this week. Relatively young at 11 but it was his time. He had cancer. We got an extra 6 months after diagnosis so grateful for that.

em_cat · 13-11-2020 9:45pm

Knine wrote: »

We lost our little cross breed this week. Relatively young at 11 but it was his time. He had cancer. We got an extra 6 months after diagnosis so grateful for that.

Sorry to hear that Knine, sounds as if he had the best life ever with you and your family.

Graces7 · 13-11-2020 10:53pm

em_cat wrote: »

Ahh, thanks working on it, just frustrating neighbors...I think you’ve the right idea...I wanted to move out of the city, thought dun laoghaire would be far enough, turns out not far enough.

Many many years ago I started specifying " no neighbours" on any search for a home so I understand ….

When I started looking islandwise ? Folk were starting mentioning " sheltered accommodation" because of my age. So I keep very apart now. I love looking at houses on daft and rent ie; and stray to rightmove…. lol....

Winter will surely be easier? We are all hunkered down out here. Cat food arrived yesterday, so snugged in for the duration. Just me and the cats. Perfection. ( My food arrived too of course. )

The Forum Chit-Chat Thread

Comments