May 24th 2012 2:20 pm
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Just wanted to update all our furriends on how things have been going since we've been away for a while.
Between my Daddy's "down-time" (for medical issues) and a new endeavor he is undertaking...I've really had to hustle to keep abreast of everything! Daddy belongs to a number of computer security forums on-line, and a few weeks back he was accepted into one site's Malware Removal Training Program.
The program is designed to train enrollees in the use of various malware removal/diagnostic tools. The ultimate goal is for each student to acquire sufficient expertise/knowledge/hands-on experience enabling he or she to become a member of the site's Malware Response Team. This team's members assist other forum members with various malware infection issues they have posted about in the forum.
It will take my Daddy quite a while to complete all his training, but he doesn't know just how proud I am of him! On a different note...I'm beginning to get excited, since my 6th birthday is almost here (June 16th). Daddy always gives me extra treats on special occasions like this one...YUM!!!
Well, guess we'd better sign off for now. I hope all my kitty furriends here will have a super Summer season...stay cool!!!
Munchkin
March 6th 2012 2:36 pm
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My daddy and I have noted the several comments we've received regarding my nail trimming issue, and need to clarify something.
It has been suggested that my daddy should trim my claws. The unfortunate fact is I will not allow anyone, including my daddy to touch my paws, touch my underside, or put anything in my mouth. I also won't allow him to administer a flea treatment either. Whenever he's tried any of the aforementioned, I will immediately get up and run away.
[SIDENOTE FROM MUNCHKIN'S DADDY]
Munchkin has always been a very cautious kitty from the time she first came to her furrever home with me at 13 weeks of age. If you read her very first diary entry, you'll notice that she was found orphaned in the Newport News Shipyard and initially foster-cared for by a gentleman who is involved with cat/kitten rescue.
Maine Coon cats do tend to be cautious, and cats in general are able to recall experiences from their early days. I believe Munchkin's earliest memories may involve some very unpleasant experiences which were no doubt traumatic. This would explain her very defensive behavior.
Make no mistake, Munchkin is a very loving, loyal and largely independent kitty. She may, at most, once a day want to climb up and lie on my lap for about 10 - 15 minutes, but generally entertains herself...when not engaged in a game with me. She is also fearful and doesn't like it when I leave the house for anything. Even when I go into the bathroom, she will remain outside the door waiting for me to emerge. If she doesn't hear any sounds after I enter, she will begin meowing and pawing at the door.
Someone had suggested I have Munchkin de-clawed. While that would take care of the FRONT claws, there are still the rear claws to consider and also the severe pain associated with a de-clawing procedure. De-clawing removes a cat's primary means of defense, though Munchkin does not have to worry about defending herself in the house here. It is also my belief de-clawing could very well result in irreparable psychological damage to her. As such, the risks far outweigh any possible benefit.
I appreciate all the comments we've received. Unfortunately, Munchkin's claws will still have to be trimmed by the vet along with her other regular care.
March 5th 2012 8:13 am
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My daddy took me to the vet last Friday, and it most certainly was NOT pleasant! I'm a very fast learner and unfortunately I knew what the vet doctor was going to do when he and his assistant came over with a bundle of towels. The dreaded wrap-up for a nail trimming!
This was what they did the last time prior to trimming my claws, so I got VERY defensive! So bad was I, that this time the vet had to administer a sedative in order to do the nail trim and administer a flea treatment.
When daddy got me home, I could not stand up, even though I tried very hard, I kept falling over on my side. Daddy stayed right beside me and tried to help keep me upright so I could use the litter box and then eat/drink a little. I stayed right beside my daddy for several hours.
[** Sidenote from daddy **] -
While Munchkin's extremely fast learning ability is one of her unique qualities, in this case, it was a real disadvantage. Munchkiin didn't utter a sound on the trip back home, but kept watching me intently with her big, green/gold eyes that looked like she had tears coming out.
Her vet visits are just about as traumatic for me as they are for her! I know she is confused, not understanding how it is that I provide her with a loving home where she doesn't want for anything, but yet take her to a place where she is always terrified of.
A friend had suggested having Munchkin de-clawed, but I am very opposed to that. While de-clawing would eliminate (in part) the need for trimming her front claws, there are still the rear claws to consider. (Her rear claws generally do not need to be trimmed as much as the front, because she does a lot of jumping up on the bed, up on top of her scratching post, etc).
Although I have provided Munchkin with two scratching posts (1 is the typical circular, wood post with a carpet-like exterior & the other is a taller, sisal-fabric type post), she rarely uses the sisal fabric post which would actually do a better job of helping keep her front claws worn down so they might not require trimming.
Another concern is de-clawing deprives Munchkin of her primary means of defense (even though she doesn't have a need for that here in her furrever home).
I feel such a procedure would also irreparably damage her, psychologically...to say nothing of the pain she would endure.
The idea of perhaps giving her some kind of oral sedative prior to going to the vet is not an option, unfortunately. The vet does not favor that idea, and besides that, Munchkin will not allow me to put something in her mouth.
Her next visit will be the annual wellness checkup in September, at which time she will have to again be sedated for a nail trimming, flea treatment and the vaccinations which will be due. NOT something I ever look forward to...and Munchkin most certainly does not!
----** END OF DADDY'S SIDENOTE - and back to Munchkin's **-----
Daddy finally managed to figure out what the computer problem was...quite by accident no less. Turns out the keyboard was malfunctioning. Once he replaced it with a spare one he had in the closet...everything now works like it did before, YIPPEE!!!
Until next time...lots of purrs to all our furriends!
Munchkin
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