MEOWZ

Symptoms of Plant Poisoning

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:34:58 GMT

Symptoms of Plant Poisoning
Continual vomiting
Diarrhea
Refusal of food
Pale gums or tongue
Swollen tongue
Abdominal pain
Convulsions
Excessive Salivation~

All parts of these lilies are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can cause severe poisoning. If there is a lily in your home, there is always the chance that your cat could be accidentally exposed. For this reason, cat owners should avoid exposing their cats to plants of the Liliaceae and Hemerocallis family

Toxic Plant List

Protect them from plants. There are a number of common houseplants, like philodendron, dieffenbachia, Jerusalem cherry and yew, that can cause an upset stomach in pets or even poison them. Usually the leaves must be swallowed to cause injury, but in some cases just chewing the leaves can cause problems

Holiday and Seasonal Decorative Plants
Amaryllis spp.
Chrysanthemum spp.
American Mistletoe
Phoradendron spp.
Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Bittersweet
Celastrus spp.
Japanese Euonymus
Euonymus japonicus
Holly
Ilex spp.
Christmas Rose
Helleborus niger
Crown of Thorns
Euphorbia milii
Poinsettia
E. pulcherrima
Jerusalem Cherry
Solanum pseudocapsicum

Common House Plants
Azalea spp.
Caladiums
Alocasia spp.
Dumb Cane
Dieffenbachia spp.
Hydrangea spp.
Japonicum texanum
Ligustrum spp.
Many indoor Ivies
Hedera helix spp.
Ornamental Tobacco
Nicotiana spp.
Paperwhites and other winter forced bulbs
Narcissus spp.
Philodendron spp.
Rhododendron Ficus spp~
.
Common Outdoor Plants
Clematis viginiana
Cyclamen spp.
Hydrangea spp.
Lily spp.
Narcissus spp.
Wisteria spp.
Arrowgrass
Triglochin maritimun
Baneberry
Actea spp.
Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacaria
Bleeding Heart
D. spectabilis
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Boston Ivy
Ampelopsis quinquefolia
Boxwood
Buxus spp
Bulb Flowers: Star of Bethlehem, Tulip, Hyacinth, Iris
Buttercup
Ranunculus spp
Castor Bean
Ricinus communis
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach
Daphne
Daphne mezereum
Deadly Nightshades (including potato vines, green spots, and tubers)
Solanum spp
Dutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
Elderberry
Sambucus spp
False Hellebore
Veratum viride
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
Jimson Weed Thorn Apple
Datura spp
Horse Chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
Indian Tobacco
Lobelia spp
Ground Cherries
Physalis spp
Lantana
Lantana camara
Larkspur
Delphinium
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Locoweed
Laburnum spp
Lupine Bluebonnet
Lupinus spp
Monkshood
Aconitum spp
Morning Glory
Ipomoea purpurea
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Mushrooms (all outdoor varieties have potential of being toxic)
Night-blooming Jasmine
Cestrum nocturnum
Oleander
Nerium Oleander

Onions, Chives, other related plants
Allium spp
Poison Hemlock
Conium maculatum
Poison Oak Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron
Pokeberry
Phytolacca americana
Poppy
Papaver spp
Privet
Ligustrum vulgare
Rhubarb (only the leaves are toxic)
Rheum rhaponticium
Rosary Pea
Abrus precatorius
Stinging Nettle
Urtica spp
Sweetpea
Lathyrus spp
Tansy Mustard
Descurainia pinnata
Tomato (only the vine is toxic)
Lycopersicon esculentum
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Wild Cherry, Wild Peach, Wild Apricot, Chokeberry, Almond, Black Cherry
Prunus spp
Yews (especially the berries)
Taxus spp

Tags: Plant Poisoning, Toxic plants, Symptoms of Plant Poisoning

National Poison Prevention Week 16-22

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:29:10 GMT

National Poison Prevention Week is March 16 - 22

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are poisoned in the "safety" of their own homes. They don't read labels. Plus, things that would taste awful to us, like antifreeze, they find lip-smackingly good. If you discover your pet eating -- or rolling in -- something dangerous, consider it an emergency and get him to the vet right away. With poisoning, every minute counts.

If you can't get professional help right away, here are some things you should do to make sure that curiosity doesn't kill the cat (or dog).

It's always a good idea to be vigilant about what your pets are getting into. Many common household items, such as mothballs, potpourri oils and batteries can be dangerous to animals. Be aware of plants, such as azalea, oleander and castor bean, that you may have in your home and yard. The plant material can be fatal to an animal.

Most dogs, cats, birds and small animals are naturally curious, and will check out new things by tasting them. This means all cleaners, chemicals, houseplants, medications, vitamins, etc should be out of reach. For example, do you use drop in toliet cleaners to keep the water sparkling clean? Then keep the lids down - unless you want your pet to be drinking bleach and cleaner.

Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm, Easter lily (in cats only), or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.

Never allow your pets to have access to the areas in which cleaning agents are being used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties; some may only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.

Most baits contain ingredients that can attract your pets. When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals

Never give your companion animals medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Many medications that are safe for humans can be deadly for animals. For example, one extra strength (500mg) acetaminophen tablet could be fatal to a catKeep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pets' reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses

Food items that potentially could be dangerous include onions, onion powder, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk, dark), alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans), tea (caffeine), salt, macadamia nuts, hops (used in home beer brewing), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), rhubarb leaves, avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats), cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, moldy or spoiled foods.

Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog.

Before buying a flea product, consult your veterinarian, especially when treating sick, debilitated or pregnant pets.And never buy Hartz flea products

Contacts: Call does cost to make
For Consultation Services
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-4ANI-HELP

For Online Information
For online information about the ASPCA/NAPCC visit the web site at:
http://www.napcc.aspca.org

Tags: Poison Prevention, toxic substances

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:48:55 GMT

Happy March. I am back online after an almost 6 weeks of being computerless. Two weeks of trying to figure out what was wrong and fix it and 3 weeks to have one built and a week to get it here.

Wow I had no clue how truely addicted I am to this thing, LOL. Talk about withdrawls......... I have not been off line for more than 2 weeks since 1999. I am very happy my custom built computer showed up this past Thursday evening and yet some what sad sa I feel I have let down a lot of online people by not being able to do my cat chats. Sort of a mixed bag of emotions. Still tgrying to get all my files transfered and programs loaded and of course getting things to work in the new machine the way I want them too rather than letting them take over. Seems like every computer program wants to be in control, LOL.

Ever had over 900 emails to go through? Yuck I've gotten about 3/4s of the way so far.

New machine is really making me want a broadband connection, dial up is so slow and with a new dual core, I'd love it. Unfortunately I really can't afford it right now. Just i'm stuck with slow.... oh well just happy to be back!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Tags: I'm Back, no computer, new computer

PET CALENDAR For FEB 2008

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:29:05 GMT

FEBRUARY
Feb 2               Groundhog day
Feb. 14.            Pet Theft Awareness Day. Tattoo or microchip your pet, check ID tags, check your fences. Take new photos of your pets, from all sides and get good closeups of the face as well. Keep them on file in a safe place. Please keep watch over your pets.
Feb 20                Love Your Pet Day
February 26         Spay Day 2008 Great links at web site
Spay Day USA
National Prevent a Litter Month
National Bird feeding Month

National Pet Dental Month.... Thanks Jamie!
Tags: Spay Day, Animal Calendar

Cats out number dogs

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:35:07 GMT

Cats outnumber dogs by 5 million with owners reporting 73 million feline friends to 68 million canine companions.

Justice for a Dog

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:17:56 GMT

Hi All,

Ok I usually don't send out pleas to sign petitions urls and ask you to sign, but this ....... this needs every signature we can find and some prayers that it will help get some justice. I'm not a dog person to begin with . I've had them, they are ok but I love cats. So you know this had to hit my heart strings for me to post it.

Crimes against animals need to be punished. I don't think this one will be unless there is a lot of pressure applied. Hopefully enough signatures on a petition will be enough pressure. Sign the petition, forward the information to everyone you know that loves animals. Lets try to get some justice for this poor animal.Anyone who could do something like this needs to be in jail. I'd really prefer to see them set on fire, but that won't happen!

PLEASE READ AND SIGN THIS PETITION AND CROSSPOST FAR AND WIDE....................
http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=7770986

Subject: PLEASE Sign online Petition-Justice for Mimi the Pit Bull set on
fire while giving birth!! Please sign the petition + forward.

Please forward and cross-post!! Signatures needed! Mimi the Pit Bull was set on fire while giving birth. She deserves justice!!!!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/37/justice-for-mimi

Reported by Blair Simmons
Owner of dog set on fire wants justice
Updated: Jan 24, 2008 04:03 PM
When Antoine Draper sent his two year old pit bull, MiMi, to live with his brother for a while, he said it was like parting with one of his kids.
"From a puppy I fed her with a bottle. From the time she was born," Draper said.
But just days before Christmas, he got a call that made him sick to his stomach.
"I was working, I got a phone call said somebody set my dog on fire. When I came down here my dog was on fire," Draper said.
Mimi was set on fire while she was giving birth to puppies. The dog was still burning when Draper got there and he said he knows who did it.
"I found out later on it was my brother's girlfriend who was mad and high. She sent her friend to get gasoline to kill my dog to hurt my brother. She thought it was my brother's dog. But it was actually my dog," Draper said.
In fact, the remains are still in the yard.
"It was sick! You gotta be real cruel. Messed up in the head...to set a dog on fire. Somebody who ain't did nothin' to you," Draper said.
But to make matters worse, nobody has been charged with the crime.
Draper filed a police report. He said he even brought witnesses down to the station with him. But a month later, his brother's ex-girlfriend still hasn't been arrested.
"There are people tellin' y'all she did it. Why y'all ain't did nothin' about it? Y'all hung Mike Vick for doing it. He just fought a dog! This is somebody who's out here, poured gasoline on a dog and watched it burn," Draper said.

Draper says justice won't bring MiMi back. But her killer should be punished.

Tags: Justice for a dog, Dog abuse

News & Mews

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:53:01 GMT

........................... Celebrate Adopt a Rescue Bird Month - Save a life............ I wonder if anyone's mentioned this to cats? LOL

Ferals Need Your Help! Campus of Rancho Los Amigos in Downey!

A situation has developed on the campus of Rancho Los Amigos in Downey. The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Department of Capital Projects and Debt Management, ordered December 3, the trapping and mass euthanasia of over 100 cats which have called the campus home for over 10 years. The mass extermination is to begin in two weeks, just days before the Christmas holiday.

The cat populations on the Rancho campus is comprised mainly of feral cats which have been born due to people's lack of spay/neutering their own pets. A smaller proportion are household cats, which have been dumped by non-caring owners who no longer want to care for their pets, or pets that have been abandoned by owners moving from nearby housing tracts. These cats live in well managed colonies throughout the large campus, but mainly in the old, abandoned buildings of the campus south of Imperial Highway in what was at one time a nationally recognized center for rehabilitation of war veterans. The cats are well fed, vaccinated, microchipped, and receive veterinary care when needed.

Hundreds of cats lived on the grounds in years past, but with a concerted trap/spay/neuter return (TNR) program in place by Failsafe-4-Felines, Inc, nearly 100% of the cats living there have now been rendered infertile and incapable of reproducing. The population of cats on the campus is now less than half it was just five years ago. Without the TNR program, the numbers of cats on the campus would be staggering to say the least. But through natural attrition and the TNR program, the colony will continue to significantly reduce over time. It is proven that trapping and euthanizing has done nothing but burn a hole in tax payers’ pockets and KILL innocent pets. TNR has proven itself to work and be effective and this colony deserves to be left intact and protected.

The mass extermination was ordered because of a complaint received by the Chief Executive Office regarding fleas in a nearby building. Many other wild animals also call the campus home, including opossums, skunks, and raccoons. There is no known rat problem in this section of the campus.

Your Voice Needed
Make a difference and take a stand! Please let Mr. Knabe know that humane solutions are not only humane, but are part of the long term solution!

Los Angeles Board Supervisor Don Knabe 4th District
822 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213 974-4444
Fax: 213 626-6941
E-mail: www.knabe.com
Phone: 562 803-7087
To Email Mr. Knabe, you must contact the office contact:
Staff Contact:
David Sommers
Press Secretary
(213) 974-1095
dsommers@lacbos.org

Fail Safe 4 Felines may be contacted at lubuggalu@yahoo.com

A reply to an email sent

I received your email regarding the cats on the campus of Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center . As I have made very clear in earlier responses to emails on this subject, the County of Los Angeles has not ordered the trapping and euthanization of the cats at Rancho. If any traps have been set on the Rancho campus, they have not been placed with the authorization of my Office or the County’s Chief Executive Office. The County is working to relocate the cats away from the Child Care Center and Public Health Lab, but only non-lethal methods are being used. I appreciate your concern for the cats at Rancho, and let me state again that the County has not ordered and will not order the killing of any cats. If you have any further questions please to not hesitate to contact my office.

Thanks
DON KNABE
Chairman Pro-Tem
Supervisor, Fourth District
County of Los Angeles

DON'T BELIEVE MR.KNABE, SEND EMAILS !

BEST FRIENDS NETWORK ALWAYS A GOOD SITE TO CHECK OUT

BLOGGING FOR CATS

What's Wrong with Declawing? No More Homeless Pets
with Dr. Jennifer Conrad

http://network.bestfriends.org/Blogs/PostDetail.aspx?bp=325

WTG Dr. Conrad, you get a MEOWS Gold Star *******

Tags: Cat news, Feline, Ferals need help, Declaw Blog

Feline News

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:05:06 GMT

Ride atop a truck turns this feline into a scaredy-cat
Los Angeles Times, CA - Jan 12, 2008
Greg Kvenbo of Corona had driven his truck about 20 miles on the 91 Freeway when another motorist pulled up alongside, pointing at something, ...

Instead, he found a stowaway -- his cat Kinky -- atop the ladders. Kinky was also screaming and yelling, having found the role of freeway daredevil not to her liking.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-only13jan13,1,890985.column?coll=la-util-news-local

Most feline behaviorists agree that cats typically lead a healthier, happier life if they are able to share it with a feline companion.

The kitten they're calling Bottle Cap had been wandering about Raritan Township for at least a week with his head stuck in a glass jar.

Neighbors feared the kitten would starve. But they couldn't catch him until the jarheaded feral kitten was found wedged under a deck Thursday morning.

A veterinarian used cooking oil to free the feline.

The black domestic shorthair with a white face and paws was taken to a shelter and will be put up for adoption.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--kitteninjar0111jan11,0,2285882.story

Feline felony bill clears subcommittee
WAVY-TV, VA - Jan 16, 2008
AP - January 16, 2008 6:55 PM ET RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - If Delegate Jennifer McClellan's cat equality bill has nine lives, it might need them all to survive McClellan's bill would make stealing a cat a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Current law says catnapping is punishable by up to a year in jail. But stealing someone's dog gets you slapped with a Class 5 felony and up to 10 years in prison.

The bill is HB334

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=7690988&nav=menu45_2

Junior's Tale Part 7 Last chapter of story

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:02:24 GMT

Junior knew he had to remember how to get home and took his time finding the colony. When the kittens saw Junior they ran to him and jumped on and rubbed up against him. “Junior’s, your back, yippee!" they were shouting. Junior was licking heads and trying to walk through the maze of kittens to where the older cats were huddled together. Making his way over by the tree he had been tied to, he saw Furball, one of the older hunter cats. "Furball", Junior began. Furball stood up and faced Junior and said, "Junior, where is Roxie"? in a fierce and threatening matter. All the older cats were now forming a circle around Junior and Furball. "Roxie is ok and so is Tiger, they are at my house", Junior replied timidly. “What are they doing there and how did Tiger get loose", Furball demanded. "Furball it's a long story and it's getting dark and I'm not sure I can find my way home in the dark. They are alright and they will be back with you in a few days I promise", said Junior. "They had better be Junior, I know where you live and if they don't come back like to say, I'll be paying you a visit housecat and it wouldn't be a pleasant one either", said Furball as she raised her paw with claws out. "Now get your fluffy self out of here and make sure you tell the kittens not to follow you", she added. "I will Furball", Junior said obediently. He turned and went back to where the kittens had gathered. He told them to be good, to not follow him and that they would see Tiger and Roxie in a few days. He licked of fewof their heads as he left the colony and started for home.

It was dark as Junior came out of the forest and into his yard. He was very tired and hungry again, but knew he had to tell Roxie that he'd done as she had asked and that the kittens were all right. He went to the enclosure and tried to get the gate open but it was no good he couldn't. Just then, the light came on from inside the house and his lady came outside to greet him. "Junior, where have you been, why did you run off again? You bad kitty. I was so worried about you". Junior rubbed against her legs and purred, but as she bent down to get him, he ran to the enclosure and started to meow. The lady shook her head and went to enclosure. "Hmmm ", she said looking down at Junior.” I guess you must want back into to see your friends, ok then but you’re going to stay out here with them". With that said, she opened the gate and Junior ran inside to where Roxie was. The lady latched the gate closed and went back inside the house.

"Roxie, I went to the colony and told them you and Tiger are alright and will be back with them in a few days. The kittens are all ok too and Furball sure doesn't like me, I thought she was going to scratch my eyes out", Junior told her. Tiger got up and moved closer to Junior and said, “Furball doesn't like anyone Junior. Were all the cats and kittens in the colony"? he asked. "Yes they were all there and I think they must have had mice for dinner, there were bones still there", Junior told Tiger. Tiger laughed and said, “That’s Furball a great hunter". Roxie said, “Thank you Junior and I'm glad you got back safe". Junior touched her nose with his and said, “That’s ok Roxie, I'd do anything for you". Junior slept next to both cats that night. He thought it was sort of fun to sleep outside as he had in the colony

Very early the next morning, the three cats were transported to the Vet's office. Junior was taken with to help Tiger and Roxie deal with the process. Junior had been to the Vets many times as a kitten. He had somehow broken his leg very badly and had to have micro -surgery to have the leg repaired.

Junior had been so cooperative with all the procedures the Vet had to do that the entire office had commented on what a good and sweet kitten he was. Each time Junior had to return to the office for rechecks all the staff came into see him and give him pets. They could hardly believe he was a feral kitten. Therefore, Junior's accompanying the two ferals didn't surprise the staff or the Vet. They were happy to have him roam around the office while the two cats were spayed, neutered, vaccinated, wormed, examined, given pain medication, treated for ear mites and fleas.

When Tiger and Roxie a woke from being at the Vets, they felt a little sore and found it was hard to really get a wake, but they were now free from the trap and the carrier. Junior was there to comfort them. He'd been licking their heads until they woke up. As soon as they started to stir Junior had jumped through the open window and into the house. He found his lady and rubbed her legs and kept meowing. She guessed that must mean the two visitors were now a wake. “Ok, Junior stop, I get it I'll get food and water for your friends", she told him.

Junior ran back to the window and jumped back into the enclosure. A few minutes later, the lady was opening the enclosure and bringing the still sleep eyed duo water and food for later. She quickly set the bowls down and went back outside the enclosure and latched the gate as not to frighten the newly freed cats.

Tiger made his way to the water and took a very long drink. Then looked at Junior and asked, "So when can we go back to the colony?" Junior replied, “A day or two Tiger, they just want to make sure your ok before they let you and Roxie go". Tiger didn't say another word. He just ate most of the food and then fell asleep. When Roxie felt, she could walk without stumbling she too went to get some water and ate the rest of the food that was left. Junior again went to get his lady to give the cats more food and water, which she did. Junior was in and out of the enclosure many times before the next morning checking to make sure his new friends were comfortable. He even took his favorite small blanket out for Roxie as he thought she might get cold.

The next morning was clear and sunny. The cats were given fresh water and two large bowls of food early that morning. Later that afternoon, the lady put a harness on Junior and leash, which Junior hated. He thought it made him look like a dog rather then the cat he was. She picked Junior up and went outside to the enclosure. She tied Junior's leash to the gate and opened it for the cats to leave and go back to their colony. She then went and sat some distance away to watch the cats.

For a few minutes, neither Roxie nor Tiger made a move for the gate. Tiger got up and went to eat the rest of the food that was left and went to where Junior was sitting and touched his nose to say thank you for saving him. Tiger looked at the leash that was holding Junior and said, “If you want to come with us I can chew through that in a few minutes". Junior smiled at the big cat shook his head no and said, “This is where I want to be, but thanks. Take care of Roxie". Tiger told Junior he would and he was welcome to come visit the colony anytime he wanted. With that said he strolled out of the enclosure and over to the edge of the forest, then sat down and waited for Roxie to join him.

Roxie had now eaten the remainder of the food she had left and went to Junior. She carefully licked the spot where her claws and hit Junior's face. "I'm sorry Junior, I was just really scared", she told him. Junior looked down at the ground with a blushed look on his face. He head butted her softly, and then rubbed gently all up against her. “You’re a very kind cat Junior and I hope you'll be my friend still", she asked. Junior replied, “Roxie I said I'd do anything I could for you. I meant that". "Junior", she spoke his name softly and with tenderness. "If you ever want to come live with us at the colony, there'll be a place for you, but you'll have to learn to like mouse", she added with a smile. "Well just remember if you or the other cats get hungry you can come here for free meals", Junior said. "I will and thank you", with that said she took off to where Tiger was waiting and they both vanished into the trees.

This is the end of Junior's Tale

I hope you have enjoyed reading it and pease let me know what you think of the story by leaving a comment. Also if you happen to know a publisher, LOL

Tags: Junior's Tale, Feral cat, Cat novel, Cats, Feline

Junior's Take Part 6

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:26:51 GMT

It was decided that the man who walk back to the house and get a truck to pick up the cats and the lady. The lady walked back into the barn and sat down closer to the trap than she had the first time. She let Junior go. He ran right to Roxie who was now hiding behind the trapped Tiger and nosed her to let her know it was ok. Then he nosed Tiger to calm him down. The lady started talking to the cats. Just then, she saw a mouse by a pile of hay. Roxie saw it to and was on it like lighting. She caught it with ease and brought it back over to Tiger. The lady got up and went out of the barn to find the farmer and tell him he had a mouse problem minus one mouse thanks to the cats

Roxie and Tiger shared the mouse. They offered some to Junior, who thanked them but declined. He knew he would have plenty of food in a little while. Mean while the lady had found the farmer out in the field. She walked up to him; he stopped work and looked at her. She said, “Well that little tabby cat just caught the biggest mouse I've seen in your barn, just wanted you to know", then turned and walked back to the barn.

The cats waited together for what seemed to be forever. Roxie stayed close to Tiger and Junior close to Roxie. They have been gone a long time, Junior thought. Just then, Junior heard a familiar sound. It was the sound of the truck his people drove. Junior hurried over to Tiger and Roxie to tell them not to be scared everything would be ok now.

Junior's people walked into the barn. "Junior, Junior", his lady called. Junior went to her and rubbed her legs affectionately. "Junior, I need you to get your little friend to go into the carrier so we can take you all home safely", she told Junior. Then the man put a large carrier on the ground with the door wide open. Junior went over and sniffed all around it. He remembered being in it before. Then he went inside and sat down and waited for Roxie to come join him, but Roxie wouldn't come. He got up and went to Roxie who was now hiding behind Tiger in the cage. "Roxie come on with me don't be scared. its how people take cats from one place to another", Junior said reassuringly. "I don't know about that thing, Junior and what about Tiger?" Roxie asked in a scared voice. "It's ok, really Roxie, you won't be hurt and neither will Tiger", Junior replied.

At this point Tiger was as far back in the trap as he could be in a crouching position. His ears were flatten out and drawn back tightly against his head. He was making a very low growling sound and shooting fierce glances at Junior.

Junior ran over and got inside the carrier once again and sat down hoping Roxie would follow. Junior was getting very hungry now and wanted very much to go home. Roxie still wasn't getting any closer to the carrier. "Junior, you are going to have to do better than that. You need to be more convincing", said the lady. "I got an idea", the lady said as she walked out of the barn.

Junior ran back to Roxie again trying to reassure her. He sat next to her nudging her with his nose in a pleading way. The lady reappeared in the barn with something in her hand. She walked over close to the other end of the trap and tossed something into Tiger's cage. Tiger was much to upset to consider food right now. Then the lady placed a few pieces of tuna near the front of the cage. She took a step back wards and placed another piece of tuna. Then a step back and more tuna until she had a trail of tuna from Tiger's cage into the carrier.

Junior smelled the tuna and made a dive for it. The lady quickly grabbed him up into her arms and said, "No, Junior that's for your friend. Here's a bite for you". She gently handed a piece of Junior, who gobbled it down as if it was the best thing he'd ever tasted. The Lady put Junior back down of the ground and told him to go over to his friend and let her sniff you. Junior marched right over to where Roxie was still trying to hide. Roxie's nose went into over drive as she started to sniff Junior's mouth. She got so excited she almost bite Junior's lip.

Junior led her to the first piece of tuna the lady had put down; Roxie ate the tuna and licked her kitty lips. She followed Junior to the next one and the next one, but halted at the door of the carrier. Junior got behind her and pushed her inside. The people shut the door to the carrier. Then they put a blanket over the carrier. Junior was licking Roxie's head as she ate the remainder of the tuna. The carrier was gently lifted off the ground and to the truck.

Next, a heavier blanket was tossed over the trap holding Tiger and he too was put next to the carrier in the truck. Another blanket was now placed over both the trap and the carrier and they were secured so as not to move on the ride home. The lady and man walked over to the farmer to tell him they were leaving and to assure him they'd return the trap Tiger was in.

On the ride back to Junior's home Tiger torn the blanket that was covering his trap and then the one covering the carrier so he could see Roxie and Junior. Roxie was in a panic. She tried head butting the door to the carrier in an attempt to get lose several times before Junior managed to get her to stop. "Roxie, its ok please don't you'll hurt yourself", he'd said. Then he had to get in between her and the door to get her to stop. She finally heard Tiger telling her to calm down he was right there with her. She sat against the wall of the carrier, which was next to Tiger cage and started to cry. "Junior, I never should have trusted you. You lied to me. Oh Tiger I'm so sorry Tiger please forgive me I should have listened to you and not believed Junior", she cried out in the mist of her tears. Junior went to her and tried to lick her head, but this time she swatted him in the face. Junior let out a cry and jumped back away from her. "Roxie, why did you hurt me?" Junior cried out. "I did not lie to you", he said in a hurt voice. "Yes, you did. You said they'd free Tiger and now we are all trapped. The colony cats and kittens are probably worried sick by now. The kitten have probably run off to try and find us and are lost in the forest alone and hungry", Roxie said as she choked back her tears. "Now Roxie, you listen to me right now", bellowed Tiger from the other side of the blanket wall. "The colony cats know enough to keep the kits together and feed them, you know that. They'll be ok sweetie, don't cry". Tiger hated it when any cat cried, especially Roxie.

Junior sat with his back towards Roxie for the rest of the ride home. She had hurt his face and his pride. The ride didn't take more than fifteen minutes and they were pulling into the yard of the house Junior live in. He was happy to be home and knew he'd be out of the carrier soon. Roxie was now huddled up into a tiny ball of fur in the very back of the carrier. The man took away the rope that had held them securely for the ride. He noticed Tiger had already torn the blanket covering his cage. He looked at Tiger, and smiled. Softly he said to the big tomcat, “Hey boy mellow out now. I promise you'll come through this and be a better healthier cat after this is over. Now don't you claw me while I'm moving you". Tiger looked at the man and thought he had a kind face, but still just wanted to be free of the trap in has in.

Tiger was taken into an enclosure, which had one side up against the house and an open window. The other sides were all some kind of tight knit fencing, as was the top. It sat firmly on the ground and had grass in most of it. The top you couldn't see through as it was roofed. They were also some beds that were off the ground setting on shelves. Some were round and some looked like boxes with holes in them on one side. There were large heavy dishes for fresh water and food and an area with sand in it. There were also some smaller areas within the larger one where a cat could be confined. Junior has taken out of the carrier but Roxie was left trapped inside. The carrier was placed with the door facing Tiger's cage in the enclosure.

An hour later, the Lady and Junior went into the enclosure with food and water for both cats. The lady sat on the ground and talked to the cat for a while. Then she left Junior with them. "Junior,” Roxie called out. Junior went to the carrier door and meowed at her. "Junior, why won't they let us out of these cages"? she asked. "They will tomorrow ", he answered.” First they want you to go to the Vet," he said. "What's a Vet"? asked Tiger. "He takes care of sick animals and helps them", Junior answered. "We aren't sick", Tiger said sternly. “He gets rid of fleas too Tiger", replied Junior. Tiger shot Junior an unbelieving glance and lay down with his back towards Junior. Roxie spoke then, "Junior, what about the colony cats? Can you find them and tell them what's happening so they don't worry about us? she asked. "I don't think my people will let me Roxie", Junior replied. Roxie began pleading with Junior to at least try. "OK, I'll try but I'll need you to get my people distracted when they come back to get me", said Junior.

A little while later Junior's people went to the enclosure to bring Junior back inside the house. The lady opened the enclosure and called for Junior. Just then, Roxie started meowing as loudly as she could. The lady left the enclosure's gate open and went to see what was wrong with her. Junior darted out the open gate and straight for the woods and made it before his lady noticed he was gone.

Tags: Junior's Tale, Feral, Feral cats, Cat story, Cat novel, Cats, Feline