a Christmas gift
December 27, 2007 l 3 Comments
from my little sister:
Merry Christmas to all…
December 25, 2007 l 2 Comments
…and to all a good nap.
of cats and Christmas trees
December 24, 2007 l 1 Comment
Wait a minute…
Is this supposed to be here?
What is it?
I don’t know, but it smells pretty interesting.
Of course, now that the tree is up, the cats think it’s the greatest thing in the world. A real tree! Inside! We’ve always been fortunate that it has never occurred to the cats to actually climb the tree; they’re content just to sit underneath it or chase each other around the tree skirt.
now that school is over
December 20, 2007 l 5 Comments
I’m doing a different kind of homework.
A little over two years ago, Stephanie (then 16 months old) was diagnosed with a ‘luxating patella’ in her right hind leg. Basically, where the knee cap, or patella, should be sitting in the groove of the knee joint, her knee cap floats in and out of that groove. Her initial symptoms were limping and stiffness.
The prognosis from the vet was that her condition was likely congenital and, at some point, she might need surgery on her leg. Stephanie is blessed by the fact that she is barely bigger than a thimble, the tiniest of our cats, and less likely to have any weight-related complications with her joints. The vet’s advice was to watch and to wait.
Fastforward two years: Stephanie’s knee has been nearly perfect. After some disagreements with the vet regarding raw feeding (he thinks it’s “stupid” and “dangerous”) and vaccinations (his philosophy is “every vax, every year”, contradicting even current veterinary medical standards), we parted ways. Since switching to a raw diet, the cats have not had any health issues, and I admit I just haven’t taken the time to seek out a new veterinarian.
What does all of this have to do with little Stephanie? Her knee is bothering her again; or rather, her knees. Both legs this time, holding them stiffly and avoiding jumping or heights. If her kneecaps are regularly luxating, then her joints could suffer permanent damage. She’s only 3 years old, far too young to be hobbled for the rest of her life.
So now I am reading, and researching, and exploring every option before we start looking for a vet. My instinct is to avoid surgery at this point and see what can be done in a non-invasive manner. There’s a veterinary clinic twenty minutes away that specializes in ‘complementary’ medicine (both traditional and alternative), and I’m hoping to have Stephanie checked out shortly after the New Year.
In the meantime, enjoy her posing so ever-so-perfectly for the camera:
sorry, Miko
December 19, 2007 l Comments Off
But that present isn’t yours…
kitty love
December 17, 2007 l 4 Comments
On the last post, John shared a link to photos of his beautiful girl, Arianwen, and I just had to share a few of my favorites. I hope you don’t mind, John!
You can view the rest here.
according to Google Analytics
December 16, 2007 l 1 Comment
Someone stumbled onto The Domestic Zoo while searching for “how to clean cat pee out of fur boots”. Ouch. I don’t have the answer to that, but I do wish you the very best of luck (and a heaping helping of sympathy)
Lots and lots of people found this site by searching for variations upon “is cedar bedding bad” or “are pine shavings dangerous”. Well for small animals, the answer is Yes.
And someone made their way here by asking “what’s up from rabbits”. I’ll tell you what’s up around here: fluff. Sir Sheds-a-Lot is moulting, and that incredibly soft Rex fur that everyone loves so much is also lighter than air and coating every surface in my bedroom. I’ve been so wrapped up in finals that I actually paid my brother to pet Rex and then vacuum my room. Things are looking a little less fuzzy now.
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p.s. John, I just have to say that I think Arianwen is an absolutely gorgeous name for a cat 
Christmas shopping for kitties: the zookeeper recommends…
December 15, 2007 l 1 Comment
DuckyWorld’s Yeowww! Catnip toys
This is one of the few catnip toys that the cats have consistently played with over and over again, lasting for months without ever needing to be replaced or refilled. It’s a been a hit in our home and will definitely be stuffing their stockings this year. You can find a list of online retailers here.
cats in the kitchen
December 7, 2007 l 3 Comments
Waiting for dinner.
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Hiding in the pantry.
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Playing with shopping bags.
the zookeeper recommends…
December 2, 2007 l 1 Comment
In my many years of animal guardianship, I have never done any ‘real’ wildlife rehabilitation. One cold November several years ago, I did find a pencil-sized garter snake nearly frozen in the middle of our front lawn. He must have been looking for a good place to burrow while the dropping temperature made him increasingly sluggish. I brought him inside and he spent the rest of the winter hibernating in a terrarium on our enclosed porch. We named him Longfellow, and re-released him after the last frost of the spring.
So it’s just wonderful to read about someone who has been given the opportunity to share her life with a wild animal, Charlie the coyote. Her photos alone would the site a worthwhile visit.
