Critter Chatter

Feral Cat

oilpusher — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:12:19 GMT

So does anybody know why my cat likes to bite as part of his affection? My kitty moved in one day and we were ok with it. He was feral and slowly became a regular useless money pit. He's a good cat but he bites. Is this just normal for him?

Mojo: Tragedy and Triumph

KJRH Webmaster — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:26:49 GMT

I haven't posted for some time because we have had an incredibly difficult couple of weeks.

It began when we took Mojo in to get her fixed. Maggie called to say the vet had bad news -- when trying to sedate her for the procedure, she crashed and it took them 45 minutes to get her stabilized.

I went to get her that afternoon (Tuesday, July 8) and she was basically unconscious. The next day, she still hadn't come back around. Her front legs were curled up and becoming stiff, and she couldn't even sit up.

By Wednesday afternoon she had started opening her eyes a bit more and moving her head around but still couldn't sit, much less stand.

We would leave her at the vet during the day and bring her home at night, feeding her a mixture of cat food, electrolytes, and water with a syringe. We had to give her physical therapy every couple of hours, stretching out her front legs for her and trying to get her to stand.

After another day or so she began trying to stand, but she was weak and unsteady. She still couldn't walk, she'd fall over and we could tell she was getting very frustrated.

We also had to learn how to express her bladder, because she couldn't use the cat box at all.

Friday, the vet managed to help her have a bowel movement. However, through the entire weekend she never had another, nor would she eat or drink from a bowl, and Maggie and I became increasingly concerned.

While talking to one of the vets over the weekend, I confirmed my suspicion that Mojo had lost her sight. The vets think she might see a little light and shadow, but she's definitely blind.

Monday the 14th we took her back in again so they could work with her. To complicate matters, we had our annual show at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center that week, a massive undertaking for which we prepare for months. (You can see pictures of the show HERE.)

Knowing we couldn't be home Tue-Sat night, Maggie and I sat and did some hard thinking. We worried that our baby was suffering and that she wasn't going to have a good quality of life. We decided that we'd give it a couple more days then if we had to, we'd let her go.

Tuesday, Maggie called me from the car on the way to the vet. Mojo had used the cat box inside the carrier! At least, she tried -- although she kind of missed :) She had to have a bath when she got to the doctor's office, but it was a huge relief for us.

Meanwhile, she kept working on her walking. She'd bump into walls, furniture, other cats... but she didn't slow down. More and more, she'd get up and "map" her surroundings. Her balance improved, and soon she wasn't falling any more.

By Wednesday, she began somehow sensing when she was approaching a wall or other large object. Don't know how to explain it, but she'd get within a foot or two of a wall, stop, and turn away.

Then, I found that she had wandered over to one of the food bowls and was working hard at trying to eat the dry food. For some reason, she has a really hard time with it... she can get the kibble in her mouth, but then tends to drop it as she attempts to chew.

Seems that the more she tried, the angrier she got -- and the angrier she got, the more she tried! She had gotten the hang of eating wet food out of the bowl, and learned how to drink water without submerging her whole face in the dish.

Thursday, she began to play... and when I put her on my lap for a bit so she could take a nap, she purred -- one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard.

Mojo has begun discovering toys, and she likes to charge at sounds. I'll scratch on the carpet, and she'll get into "kitty charging mode" then suddenly pounce. She doesn't do anything when she finds my hand, but seems pretty proud that she located her "prey."

The other cats don't really know what to think about her, they surely know there's something "off" about her but they still don't quite trust that she won't launch another of her attacks, as she was wont to do before her crisis.

Now we're dealing with issues like keeping her from falling off the second floor landing, since she's bound and determined to go upstairs. That's interesting, because when she still had her sight she went up there maybe once or twice. She turned up there last night and again this morning, and as I left for work Maggie was stacking boxes around the base of the stairs and Mojo was busy knocking them over and trying to get past them.

I have taken a lot of photos and even some video during this lengthy process but with the show (and work, where I"m a week behind on several major projects) I haven't had time to do much with them yet. I will try to get some posted soon...

Mojo has taught me just how brightly burns the spark of life, and how patience and will can tackle incredible adversity. To say she's special is a gross understatement. That she has touched our lives goes without saying.

Mojo hits the 2 month mark

KJRH Webmaster — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:57:36 GMT

Well, we think so anyway... her true age is a mystery, as with all divas.

Here's a photo from this week:

For more photos of Mojo, plus a couple shots of Aunty Gabrielle and "The Beasts That Lurk Outside" (AKA Butch and Sundance) check out the Critters photo gallery. Sorry but no time to link all the photos here after uploading them, I'm on major-league catch up mode today.

I think our Homeowners Association feels our animals (family) are disposable!

Pet Lover — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:32:47 GMT

I recently moved to Dutchers Crossing in the City of Jenks with my three dogs from Mid-town Tulsa. Before moving, we spoke to the realtor about the covenants and asked specifics about rules pertaining to our dogs. We were told that our three dogs shouldn't be a problem as long as they were contained in a fenced yard. Ok a no brainer. I then asked if I could get a copy of the covenants, in which the builder provided a reduced version which basically stated the dogs must be kept on a leash while outside of their yard. Ok again a no brainer. I went out to the website and found a list or "outline" of the covenants and yet again there was no mention of specifics regarding dogs.

We've been in our house about one month and one of my dogs is having a little bit of difficulty adjusting to the new environment, so admittedly he is barking more than usual. This last week, we were notified by the homeowner's association that we were only allowed to have two domestic animals.

I have attempted to negotiate with Chairman of

West River Partners LLC but basically I was told that I better get a good lawyer, that they would pursue legal means if we didn't comply. He also stated that he would bring it up to the board but he was the Chairman. While speaking to him I stated that they really hadn't given me any options and he informed me that "it was pretty clear" what needed to take place according to his letter. When I stated that he hadn't given me any other option, he stated, that "Lady it's not my job to provide options just to interpret the rules." Later in the conversation, I asked was he saying that I should dispose of my pet; his reply was "No, I'm not saying that."

Well dispose can mean a lot of things but he clearly missed it when I told him that our dogs were part of our family. I am very frustrated with this homeowner association. We have never lived in one before and I find that I am already at odds over rules that should have been explained or disclosed to us from the beginning. Suggestions. Thinking about a demonstration in front of the development during Parade of Homes…

I am absolutely horrified by the unwillingness of the homeowners association to negotiate with us. We tried to compromise by stating that we will only have two animals once one of our dogs dies but that wasn't good enough for them.

She's ready for her closeup, Mr. DeMille

KJRH Webmaster — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:10:54 GMT

Okay here are some scans of recent photos starring Mojo the Magic Karma Kit:

Below, Mojo hits the bottle, HARD. The rubber part did not survive. Happily, Mojo did...

And here's "Uncle Cairo," also known as "The Face of Evil." He's OVERJOYED to have a new mini-me...

Mo' Mojo

KJRH Webmaster — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:51:49 GMT

Well I feel bad because I don't have any more photos to post at the moment but here's the latest on the Magic Karma Kit.

Through last weekend she continued to gain a little more energy, and by Sunday night she was playing (as posted previously).

Yesterday afternoon, she wandered out of her "safety zone" (our bedroom) and into the "real world" where the Cat Pack hangs out.

She made her presence felt by taking a few swipes at Cairo's tale, which is a little like tickling a bull -- probably not the safest plan. Cairo, who is the terror of all other cats, bolted like a startled gazelle.

Later in the evening, he decided he'd had enough with her uppity ways (as she deigned to show interest in a toy near where he lay) so he jumped up and grabbed her, giving her a nip on the back. Then he ran for it, knowing the Hand of Justice was about to swat him on the flanks. He did not escape unscathed :)

Interestingly, I woke up about 3:30 this morning to find Cairo and Mojo curled up together by my feet. She had literally snuggled right up next to him. I'm sure he knew she was there, so he was either resigned to her presence or (more likely) just too lazy to move his fat butt.

Now Cairo was found literally in a dog's jaws about 4 or 5 years ago. The dog had apparently "adopted" him for a couple of days, and in her eagerness she'd managed to lick a big bald patch on his side. He was all skin and bones, and still very small.

We brought him home -- after a vet visit, of course -- and set him down, whereupon he looked around to find the largest cat around (Sam, since gone, who weighed about 27 pounds and wasn't all that fat, he was just HUGE). Cairo immediately attacked, and as mentioned above, has been the terror of all other cats since day one.

The irony is we now have this tiny girl who's markings are EERILY similar to his. She's the same color, chocolate brown, with white on her throat, chest and belly in patches, as well as white mittens, white whiskers, and little tufts of white in her ears.

I believe she's going to be his personal demon. Much deserved, may I add.

The cat who really seems to tolerate her the best (besides Gabrielle, who loves everyone) is Duchess. That's amazing, because Duchess HATES all other cats and fears all humans outside the family. Normally she won't let another cat within three feet of her unless everyone's sleeping on our bed (which is "base," no fighting allowed). I've seen Mojo walk right up to her and lick her on the head and Dutch doesn't even move. Her new name is "Granny Dutch."

The photo above is from a couple years ago, shortly after my wife broke her foot. Clockwise from left, Gabrielle, Delilah, Maggie, Duchess, Damien, Sam, and Cairo (he was still young and not so big yet). Sam was the largest yellow tabby I've ever seen. He and Delilah are no longer with us...

Maggie wrote me a few minutes ago to let me know Mojo had "laid an egg" in the living room and is now under house arrest. She's had some issues with finding cat boxes... and we have six of them :)

In the future I'll post some more about the Cat Pack. Each one's got quite a story...

Peace my friends...

Mojo update

KJRH Webmaster — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:28:07 GMT

Well so far Mojo's mojo appears to be holding out...

She's home, and while she's still not playful the vet tells us that her kidney function has "improved." She's been eating and drinking -- under her own steam, without any prodding -- and I now consider myself officially "hopeful" that she's turned the corner.

All of your prayers and good vibes can only have helped... 1,000 blessings upon each of you.

Sorry it took so long to post this that whole "work" thingie gets in the way some times...

Broken Arrow Man Hangs Dog

wanbr — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:01:24 GMT

I hope that KJRH will follow this story that was in the Tulsa World on 6/12/2008. Any person that would stoop to such lengths is capable of most anything. For those who don't know the story: George Roberts captured and hanged his neighbors black lab. He hung him from a tree in his yard after it wandered onto his property. The dog was apparently very friendly and was an easy catch. I know personally that he has done many cruel acts to other animals. This is the first time that he was caught in the act. I hope that he gets jail time for this latest of many crimes that he has committed!

We may lose mojo

KJRH Webmaster — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:39:23 GMT

It breaks my heart to tell you that Mojo is a very sick baby.

Since a day or two after we brought her home, she's become increasingly lethargic.

We've bottle fed her, fed her by hand, made sure she kept drinking water... but she's actually lost 2 oz. since we found her.

She's on her 3rd vet visit, and this time they did a full blood work up. Doc says her liver/kidney function is bad and he thinks she may have gotten into something toxic before we rescued her.

It's now Wednesday afternoon, if she doesn't improve by Friday we'll probably have to say goodbye.

I have to tell you I'm just so depressed... even though we've only had her less than two weeks we're so attached.

I will post again Friday, I hope that it's good news.

The Magic Kitten

KJRH Webmaster — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:02:22 GMT

So my wife and I are out eating dinner at Tulsa's busiest intersection, 71st and Memorial. Place is called "The Elephant Bar," and it's outstanding for any of you in the area who need a place to try.

Anyway, we come out and as we're heading to the car, she spots something moving...

I crouch down and sure enough, it's a kitten -- a tiny one, heading away as fast as its little legs can run.

I try to circle around when it gets to the last car in the row -- and the little twirp immediately heads straight up, into the engine block of the car.

Okay so now we're stuck. MEW! MEW! MEW! MEW! from inside someone's hood, meanwhile, it's 9:30 at night, no one else around, and again we're right next to an extremely busy road. And oh yeah, she's crouched in an engine. So many ways for this kitty to get killed...

After 15 minutes or so of coaxing and trying to fit under the car far enough to reach her, I went inside the restaurant to see if I could possibly find the owner of the car.

Amazingly, I did manage to find the owner, one of the waitresses. She grabbed her keys, and we headed outside... to find my wife standing there with the kitten in her arms

She had "meowed" at the kitten, and believe it or not the little rascal came out and walked right up to her.

So we took her home, and she went into quarantine (we have 5 other cats). First thing yesterday morning she went to the vet, and got a clean bill of health (she did have roundworms but they treated her). She's clear for Feline leukemia and HIV. And no fleas! (WHEW)

All of our pets (including 2 huge dogs) are foundlings. We call the cats our "karma kits." Well this one was definitely a karma kit...

For dinner, Maggie had the "Jamaican Mojo Salad," so the name was obvious... and here's a couple of photos of "Mojo." For a feral kitten she's unbelievably sweet and loves to cuddle, so we're tickled to death.