sad day at Whiskers

Today was a sad day for those of us at Whiskers. Two of our feline brothers went today to the Rainbow Bridge.
Milkdud was one of our special FIV positive guys, who had been fighting a slow growing cancer for years, but today he lost the fight, the vet found a massive inoperable tumor in his abdomen.
Werner was an elderly guy, who was living in a foster home. He had been sick lately with chronic renal problems which rapidly escalated over the past couple of days, and yesterday, he became paralyzed in his hind quarters. We think that he realized that his quality of live wouldn't have been too great, with all the fluids (which he hated - it took two people to give Werner fluids, and they had to catch him first ---) and way too many vet visits (he also hated those). So Werner made his own decision. He is now at the Bridge with his twin sister, Louise, who passed from renal failure last year.
So the heavens are richer by the presence of Milkdud and Werner, and we at Whiskers are so much poorer.
Purrfectly, Precious

Well, today, our wonderful vet came to visit, as she does every Thursday morning. I, of course, supervised the entire visit (from behind a cabinet - that lady is right handy with a needle and pills).
The only problem was that every time I came out from behind the cabinet (to see what was going on, of course), she came back into the room where I live, and I had to scurry back behind the cabinet.
I should explain, probably, that I am limited to one room in the shelter, because I tested positive for the FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency) virus, a virus most often contacted by us manly type cats thru territorial chest-beating, etc. Its a pretty harmless virus, only passed along by severe biting, and all of us here are very nice cats indeed, so I hope nobody is frightened by this, if anyone has a wish to adopt one of us.
Anyhoo - the vet visit lasted about 2 hours, during which my room got a new resident called Batman, another black kitty (the very best kind, like myself). Batman has been with us a couple weeks, but had to stay caged until it was confirmed that he is a positive for FIV.
Altogether about 30 cats are seen on an average vet run, and during this time, it is decided whether or not a cat needs medication or shots.
Of course, we are taken to the vet if something serious shows up during the week.
The Whiskers cats, as a whole, are pretty healthy. We tend toward chronic type conditions, and Whiskers is the only shelter in our entire area that will take in cats that are positive for FIV, FeLv (feline Leukemia), or cats with diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease or kidney disease, as well as elder (sometimes crochety) cats.
We are all very proud indeed to belong to such a unique organization. We keep our hard-working volunteers hopping, I can tell you.
Wouldn't you like to come and volunteer with us, or adopt one of us? You'd like us, we promise.

Purrfectly, Precious

news from Whiskers - 6/3/08

We're all very excited about our upcoming Walk for the Animals. I wish I could be there myself, in all my glory, but there will be many d*gs there, and I don't think they'd like me. Our walk is on June 21, at the Crossings of Colonie. Registration starts at 11, the walk starts at noon. Music is by Sirsy, rated best band in the area. And we'll be the very first in the area to have our Olympicat Games. (no, this isn't for Olympic cats, its to demonstrate great shelter skills on the part of our volunteers). I really do think the cats should be allowed to judge though. I mean, who's better to judge litter-box cleaning skills, some human or a discerning cat? I ask you!!

We have several new residents at our shelter (Whiskers Animal Benevolent League - talk about best in the area!!). And they're available for adoption, as are most of the rest of us.
If you'd like to see some of us, please go to our web site at www.ewhiskers.com, where hopefully, soon, you'll be able to navigate to my blog, and see me in all my handsomeness. Well, that's all for now.
Purrfectly Precious