I'm with you on this. Maybe Kevin is sensitive about the loss of Hopper and seeing her picture every day would trouble him, but if this is not the case I think Hopper should get a small but dignified place of honor somewhere on the home page, just like former presidents.
KawSunflower
Yes, I thought of the sad aspect of it, but since his place of honor for the "biography" photos, as opposed to the collections of all cat pics under the "Cats" heading, doesn't seem too prominent, I hope that it would be OK. I miss Hopper; she was so much like my Allegra, an abandoned cat rescued from a high-branching tree by a Humane Society volunteer after 3 days.
gyrfalcon
Agree with you guys 100 percent on this.
Traveller
I had dictated the below paragraphs when Hopper initially passed...then continually delayed post this, either because I was busy working, or, thought it best to leave this alone while you were in the process of, (successfully!) find a new cat to love and care for.
I did not want to poison the well, (of your opportunity).
Still, now you have a cat and several years later, I do not. Also, I do not wish to reignite the hot, sometimes frenzied, debate over outdoor cats vs birds.
What I'd like to know, if you can, how you accomplished the acquisition of a cat from a shelter whereas I could not. See following:
***************previously written but not posted
I presume that you will we looking for a new cat and I wanted to tell you a little bit about the trouble that I had with two animal shelters here in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley, both of which denied me even a very very mature cat that I would have been happy with after my previous cat passed away from feline leukemia.
The problem was that I would not give an absolute promise that the cat would remain at all times an indoor cat. This led to a moderately unhappy exchange in which I maintained the seven-year-old tabby that I had picked out was probably going to be put down within 48 hours anyhow and I'd be happy with an older cat. While they allowed this could even be likely, the rule about keeping the cat indoors was absolute, and I would not be allowed to adopt this cat without a firm commitment from me that I would not allow the cat to go outside to prevent the possible event he might kill a bird.
I replied unhappily, "OK you go ahead and kill this cat while I might have given him a happy life and home. I would imagine that the cat would largely remain indoors, but I can't give you the promise you ask of me." Her reply, " Then you cannot adopt this or any other cat."
The same conversation happened at a different shelter. I again said this cat would have a good home instead of what is going to happen to it shortly since this also was an older cat. In the end, actual angry words were exchanged...of course I could have just lied, but that was a place I couldn't go.
I don't know how it will be down in Orange County...but this proved to be a severe enough problem with me that I still don't have a cat. So, just a word to the wise and good luck in again becoming a two cat family.
Best Wishes, Traveller
*************
So there you have it...how did you accomplish what I could not...though of course I am happy for you!
You do understand that there is a circumstance under which Mr. Drum cannot answer your question, right?
KawSunflower
I have had three cats who went outside on a leash (with a harness, never a leash). The most recent one also walked by my side without one after discovering he could (I usually put the harness on before we went out, but not that day!). He never left my side to chase birds or squirrels, but greeted neighbors he knew to be friendly, & I was asked how I had trained him - I said he trained me. He had been abused in two states before I could rescue him. Please consider saving another older cat by not letting him/her roam alone; not knowing what has happened to your cat would be a likely outcome, too, as terrible as knowing that wildlife had been killed.
Salamander
My brother has two cats at present (he's had more) which stay, staked to the ground, on leashes anytime they go outside. They have caught birds while staked...
KawSunflower
I wouldn't leave either a cat or dog under those circumstances, not just to protect wildlife, but to protect an animal companion which could be attacked when staked outside - even with fencing.
Salamander
Well, they never left their cats alone and unattended ALL DAY. The little beasts were only staked outside when their "human companions" were home and able to observe and listen for trouble. Maybe I should have added this.
KawSunflower
I meant "never a collar."
dspcole
If I squint real hard I think that could be a monkey....
Salamander
No way. Too cute.
golack
When can I get up?
bebopman
No such thing as gratuitous kitten photo.
KawSunflower
👍
cld
Dreaming of his hero, Loki.
Heysus
This is really making my decision to not adopt another cat precarious. Three separate cats have adopted me, with in three days of the earlier cat's demise. No cat has shown up this time so I suspect there are no cats in my future. It's fun to l look at other cats and I can always go next door to be loved to death by one of her cats. That is one fine kitten.
Traveller
I am going to make the contrary argument...Cats also have lives...and studies indicate are even good for humans in preventing suicides, (see linked NZ Study).
I also don't really approve of cats on leashes....though I acknowledge that everyone has their justified opinions on this....and of course it is good that cats get some fresh air...but this is not my argument....Cats have lives....and deserve to have lives. See the wild rovings in this NPR article and in the NZ study, cat killings in an urban setting are not measured independently and country wide...they are far less than anticipated, and again did not specifically address birds.
Here is a fascinating study with actual maps of movements...and...."“Without the motivations of food and sex, most cats seem content to be homebodies,” zoologist Roland Kays, one of the US Project leaders, noted."
Kevin-
Just as a testimonial to Hopper and to NOT diminish Charlie's new found notoriety why not put a small pic of Hopper next to your name atop the home page? It will NOT detract from Charlie if its there.
So glad you got your kitten.
Hope that your entire household is as contented as Charlie obviously is.
Hope that Hilbert is receiving a little extra attention to help him through the adjustment.
But please return Hopper's photo where it was for us to remember her.
@KawSunflower
I'm with you on this. Maybe Kevin is sensitive about the loss of Hopper and seeing her picture every day would trouble him, but if this is not the case I think Hopper should get a small but dignified place of honor somewhere on the home page, just like former presidents.
Yes, I thought of the sad aspect of it, but since his place of honor for the "biography" photos, as opposed to the collections of all cat pics under the "Cats" heading, doesn't seem too prominent, I hope that it would be OK. I miss Hopper; she was so much like my Allegra, an abandoned cat rescued from a high-branching tree by a Humane Society volunteer after 3 days.
Agree with you guys 100 percent on this.
I had dictated the below paragraphs when Hopper initially passed...then continually delayed post this, either because I was busy working, or, thought it best to leave this alone while you were in the process of, (successfully!) find a new cat to love and care for.
I did not want to poison the well, (of your opportunity).
Still, now you have a cat and several years later, I do not. Also, I do not wish to reignite the hot, sometimes frenzied, debate over outdoor cats vs birds.
What I'd like to know, if you can, how you accomplished the acquisition of a cat from a shelter whereas I could not. See following:
***************previously written but not posted
I presume that you will we looking for a new cat and I wanted to tell you a little bit about the trouble that I had with two animal shelters here in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley, both of which denied me even a very very mature cat that I would have been happy with after my previous cat passed away from feline leukemia.
The problem was that I would not give an absolute promise that the cat would remain at all times an indoor cat. This led to a moderately unhappy exchange in which I maintained the seven-year-old tabby that I had picked out was probably going to be put down within 48 hours anyhow and I'd be happy with an older cat. While they allowed this could even be likely, the rule about keeping the cat indoors was absolute, and I would not be allowed to adopt this cat without a firm commitment from me that I would not allow the cat to go outside to prevent the possible event he might kill a bird.
I replied unhappily, "OK you go ahead and kill this cat while I might have given him a happy life and home. I would imagine that the cat would largely remain indoors, but I can't give you the promise you ask of me." Her reply, " Then you cannot adopt this or any other cat."
The same conversation happened at a different shelter. I again said this cat would have a good home instead of what is going to happen to it shortly since this also was an older cat. In the end, actual angry words were exchanged...of course I could have just lied, but that was a place I couldn't go.
I don't know how it will be down in Orange County...but this proved to be a severe enough problem with me that I still don't have a cat. So, just a word to the wise and good luck in again becoming a two cat family.
Best Wishes, Traveller
*************
So there you have it...how did you accomplish what I could not...though of course I am happy for you!
You do understand that there is a circumstance under which Mr. Drum cannot answer your question, right?
I have had three cats who went outside on a leash (with a harness, never a leash). The most recent one also walked by my side without one after discovering he could (I usually put the harness on before we went out, but not that day!). He never left my side to chase birds or squirrels, but greeted neighbors he knew to be friendly, & I was asked how I had trained him - I said he trained me. He had been abused in two states before I could rescue him. Please consider saving another older cat by not letting him/her roam alone; not knowing what has happened to your cat would be a likely outcome, too, as terrible as knowing that wildlife had been killed.
My brother has two cats at present (he's had more) which stay, staked to the ground, on leashes anytime they go outside. They have caught birds while staked...
I wouldn't leave either a cat or dog under those circumstances, not just to protect wildlife, but to protect an animal companion which could be attacked when staked outside - even with fencing.
Well, they never left their cats alone and unattended ALL DAY. The little beasts were only staked outside when their "human companions" were home and able to observe and listen for trouble. Maybe I should have added this.
I meant "never a collar."
If I squint real hard I think that could be a monkey....
No way. Too cute.
When can I get up?
No such thing as gratuitous kitten photo.
👍
Dreaming of his hero, Loki.
This is really making my decision to not adopt another cat precarious. Three separate cats have adopted me, with in three days of the earlier cat's demise. No cat has shown up this time so I suspect there are no cats in my future. It's fun to l look at other cats and I can always go next door to be loved to death by one of her cats. That is one fine kitten.
I am going to make the contrary argument...Cats also have lives...and studies indicate are even good for humans in preventing suicides, (see linked NZ Study).
I also don't really approve of cats on leashes....though I acknowledge that everyone has their justified opinions on this....and of course it is good that cats get some fresh air...but this is not my argument....Cats have lives....and deserve to have lives. See the wild rovings in this NPR article and in the NZ study, cat killings in an urban setting are not measured independently and country wide...they are far less than anticipated, and again did not specifically address birds.
https://www.npr.org/2021/07/25/1020342850/the-secret-world-of-housecats-what-they-do-when-their-owners-are-away
https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-private-lives-of-cats/
Here is a fascinating study with actual maps of movements...and...."“Without the motivations of food and sex, most cats seem content to be homebodies,” zoologist Roland Kays, one of the US Project leaders, noted."
They simply roam less.
https://www.openculture.com/2020/10/gps-tracking-reveals-the-secret-lives-of-outdoor-cats.html
Traveller
Kevin-
Just as a testimonial to Hopper and to NOT diminish Charlie's new found notoriety why not put a small pic of Hopper next to your name atop the home page? It will NOT detract from Charlie if its there.
It's not blurred.