Re: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

2007-07-26 Thread Belinda

 Wendy,
  KC has a complete extra toe in between his thumb and other toes, it 
is complete with retractable claw.  And yes he definitely thinks that 
makes him special, in fact the king around here!  The vet has checked it 
and said it looks like it works just like the rest of his claws and I 
keep an eye on it to make sure the claw doesn't start growing into his 
pad but so far it never has.



LuLu does not do much with her paws but walk around real cute like.  lol.  Do either of 
you have issues with an extra nail growing between the thumb and the other 
toes on the front paws.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties
http://bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candlelight Service
http://bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting  web design]
http://HostDesign4U.com



BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




RE: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

2007-07-26 Thread Melissa Lind
Ahh, Thanks Glenda. I'm much better today. I had to go home sick yesterday.
I think it was just one of those overwhelming days. Yes, I'm younger--same
as Caroline, I think--29. 

That's so true about generations! I was very influenced by my grandparents,
in fact, I think of my late grandpa as more of a father figure. But, I hope
my children will become animal lovers like me.

No, my family isn't mean, per se, to the pets. They are just indifferent to
them. The cats aren't allowed outside (thank goodness), but Steve escapes
every now and then, and he only lets me bring him back inside. They get all
their shots and medical care as needed--just not enough love. You're right
about Sunny (fat cats), she's not interested in playing, etc. And she eats
more than her share and even eats the dog's food at times.  But, I think the
fact that my family doesn't play with her exacerbates the problem.

Anyway, something good did happen to me last night. As I was filling up the
tea kettle to make more instant soup, I was watching the birds on the
feeder. Then I saw that one was caught by her head in-between the two
shepherd's hooks. This has happened before and we put corn cobs down in the
space, but they had fallen out, and we had forgotten to put them back. I
sprinted outside to help ease the little bird up and out. She flew off. I
hope she makes it. Her neck was all bloody from trying to scratch herself
free. I was nearly hysterical from being sick and the traumatic sight of
this poor little bird. Luckily my husband immediately found some wood blocks
to put in there when he got home. This way they won't rot and fall out like
the corn cobs. So, I felt good for rescuing the bird, but sad that it had to
happen in the first place.

Anyway, thanks for the reassuring words--Glenda and Wendy--by the way, I'm
due March 7 or so. We haven't told the family yet--waiting until the first
ultrasound on Tuesday to confirm that everything is okay. Good luck with
your endeavors of the same Wendy!! :)

Melissa

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of glenda Goodman
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 9:21 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

Melissa, 
Some days are harder than others. It cannot be easy
taking care of a bunch of  kitties, becoming a mother,
in this day and age, dealing with family that depend
on your support ,but seem not to be able to offer you
any support when you need it. 
Something tells me you are a lot younger than most of
us here...
Well, bless your heart! You are going to make a very
fine , responsible mother. You will be a wonderful
example for your own children...
My mom used to tell me generations skip ...She thought
children are never like their parents, but their
grandparents...I think if you are a good parent, a
real hands on parent, you will be a good influence on
your children...You will change those dynamics...
Somewhere, someone was a good influence on you...and
again bless your heart for trying to be a good
influence on your mom and sisters...
I'm sorry the kitties at your mom's house are having a
rough time...just as long as they are spayed/neutered,
vaccinated and kept off the streets, especially at
night. The good news is, at least Sunny and Steve have
each other for affection...and it looks like nobody is
mean to them?  
On the subject of overweight cats: 
I have one adult male cat named Velcro. He is a  four
year old, tuxedo cat. Velcro does not seem to have any
interests in life. He does love me and wants to sit on
me all the time. He is very jealous of Feeto, simply
cannot stand Feeto. Except for Feeto getting a rise
out of him,
I have never even seen him get excited about
anything... a grasshopper., mouse toys...nothing.  He
sleeps and eats and eats and eats. I do leave the dry
food out for everyone, but Velcro must eat more than
his share?( I do not  even give Velcro
treats...can't...
Everyone else is muscular and reasonably trim... I do
need to really try and put him on a diet...I have
tried keeping food away from him,but he is not getting
lighter...
I think one reason he is overweight is his lack of
interest in playing. Velcro not big on exercise...
I'll ask my vet if it could be a thyroid problem...If
it isn't, I think some cats, like people, are
overweight because of lifestyle choices. 
Sunny must have access to food all day at your mom's? 

I'm glad I was here to listen...When is that human
baby due? 
Glenda
   
--- Melissa Lind [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Glenda,
 
 Too bad you're not taking any more kitties :) My mom
 has a poly named Sunny.
 She's probably four years old or so. I never knew
 that was the technical
 name for them--we've always called them mitten
 paws. We used to joke that
 this happened from all the pesticides/herbicides in
 the water. Sunny was a
 stray.
 
 Well, my mom and my sisters who live at home are a
 continual disappointment
 to me in the way they take care of (or don't take
 care

Re: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

2007-07-25 Thread glenda Goodman
My Feeto has perfectly formed toes and footpads,
6-toes on each foot...front back. Gracie my FeLV+ girl
has 6-toes front, 5-toes back. The front feet have
four toes then one tiny toe, then one big toe. The
tiny toe is just nestled down low between the first
four and last big toe. Her back toes are all even. My
two siblings, little girl and little boy, that I just
received  about 6-weeks ago out of   a shelter in
Arizona were said to have 6-toes on the front and 6on
the back. The little girl, 6 and the other 6 and 7 on
the back. Well, both the little boy and little girl
have perfect back feet. Their toes are all uniform and
match their toe foot pads...On their front feet,
however, they have six claws and five big toe pads on
each foot. When I get them spayed and neutered the vet
will be removing those extra claws, because all they
do is dangle off the side, they are on the side... and
catch on things. They seem to be attached to just a
thread of skin...The real test, is if you ever are
talking to someone about how many toes a cat has, they
need to look on the bottom of the cat's foot and count
the toe pads. Those dangling claws, do not count. With
Gracie there is a very small toe pad in the middle of
the four and last big toe pad.  
When I started reading up on Polydactyls I found a
page on the internet that showed patterns of the
different toe patterns. It is interesting looking up
the information. I was interested to find the info.
regarding Poly Main Coons...How 40% of Main Coons are
inclined to be Poly...but it is not accepted as a
standard...My perfect, dream cat would be a Poly Main
Coon...that had toes like my Feeto. After my dog
passed away , 5/01/07. I started checking
petfinders.com for Polys...That is where I got my
little Gracie out of Montana and after discovering she
was FeLV+ found my little boy and girl. 
My intention was to find Gracie an only cat home, with
the perfect person , but that has not been the
case...I do keep her seperated ,but it is very hard
and very stressful...Lots of handwashing and
paranoia...The quality of her life, so far, is still
better with me, than anyone who might have taken her.
Her best offer was from an older lady who would have
declawed her...She has enough trauma in her life...
I liked that saying I saw somewhere the other day:
SAVE A PAW ,DO NOT DECLAW
There was another saying I saw too, that said,
basically, something about, do not breed or buy , too
many need homes...Does anyone remember that little
rhyme? It is a good one...
As far as scooping water: I remember Feeto eating with
his feet a time or two and he definately can open the
screen door ,but can't push the door forward at the
same time...which is a good thing...He'd be in he
fridge too, if he could. I have always believed humans
and other primates have the edge ,because we have
hands with which to get into things. We are able to
test our theories out: CAUSE AND EFFECT
 Any animal with that advantage is going to be a
handful. Just a thought...Glenda
--- wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 LuLu does not do much with her paws but walk around
 real cute like.  lol.  Do either of you have issues
 with an extra nail growing between the thumb and
 the other toes on the front paws.
 
 :)
 Wendy
  
 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
 committed citizens can change the world - indeed it
 is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade
 ~~~
 
 
 - Original Message 
 From: Susan Dubose [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 10:33:46 AM
 Subject: Re: OT: Pet Burial Ceremony- for Monkee
 
 
 My Polly Go Lighty is a polydactyl tuxie
 girl...
 
 Does your poly drink w/ his / her fronts paws?
 
 Polly likes to scoop the water up from the bowls.
 
 She also likes it very clean.
 
 She will sit in front of the water bowl and mew @ me
 until I change it.
 
 I think she just drinks w/ her toes to show off to
 the other cats.
 
 Susan J. DuBose  ^..^
 www.PetGirlsPetsitting.com
 www.Tx.SiameseRescue.org
 www.shadowcats.net
   As Cleopatra lay
 in state,
Faithful Bast at
 her side did wait,
Purring welcomes
 of soft applause,
Ever guarding
 with sharpened claws.
  Trajan
 Tennent
 
 
 
 
 - Original Message - 
 From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:50 PM
 Subject: Re: OT: Pet Burial Ceremony- for Monkee
 
 
 Glenda, my Siamese mix LuLu is polydactyl.  She has
 an extra toe on all four 
 paws.  It's really cute.
 
 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
 committed citizens can change 
 the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever
 has! ~~~ Margaret Meade 
 ~~~
 
 



 Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to 

RE: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

2007-07-25 Thread Melissa Lind
Glenda,

Too bad you're not taking any more kitties :) My mom has a poly named Sunny.
She's probably four years old or so. I never knew that was the technical
name for them--we've always called them mitten paws. We used to joke that
this happened from all the pesticides/herbicides in the water. Sunny was a
stray.

Well, my mom and my sisters who live at home are a continual disappointment
to me in the way they take care of (or don't take care of) their pets. Sunny
is grossly overweight, and their other cat, Steve, who I love dearly, just
wants love and attention, but I'm the only one who will give it to him, but
it just breaks my heart to spend much time over there. I get so frustrated
and angry with them that I have to leave.

Then there's the dog--a tiny thing they wanted so badly, and now they want
to give him back. I don't understand it. But, I think it boils down to the
fact that my mom has not been able to get her own life straight, that passes
down to the kids, and then the pets get neglected just like everything else.
It's hard for me because I can't understand not loving an animal. 

Mom always nags me to take her pets, especially since I love Steve so much
(named after my husband--same hair/eye color), but we already have 3 cats of
our own, and 2 fosters that need a home, and a human baby on the way. The
other day I started sobbing while cleaning up cat vomit. It's just so
overwhelming. Cat messes never make me upset, but our house is small, and
about to get smaller, and I know these babies need a home. I just can't find
anyone who would give them the care they deserve. (No--I'm not asking
you--just venting). Just like that lady who would declaw--how horrible. I
could never let that happen. 

Okay, I'm hormonal and blabbering on. Sorry, I'm sick and exhausted and
feeling a bit of a heavy load on my shoulders right now. Thanks for
listening!

Melissa

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of glenda Goodman
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 11:54 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

My Feeto has perfectly formed toes and footpads,
6-toes on each foot...front back. Gracie my FeLV+ girl
has 6-toes front, 5-toes back. The front feet have
four toes then one tiny toe, then one big toe. The
tiny toe is just nestled down low between the first
four and last big toe. Her back toes are all even. My
two siblings, little girl and little boy, that I just
received  about 6-weeks ago out of   a shelter in
Arizona were said to have 6-toes on the front and 6on
the back. The little girl, 6 and the other 6 and 7 on
the back. Well, both the little boy and little girl
have perfect back feet. Their toes are all uniform and
match their toe foot pads...On their front feet,
however, they have six claws and five big toe pads on
each foot. When I get them spayed and neutered the vet
will be removing those extra claws, because all they
do is dangle off the side, they are on the side... and
catch on things. They seem to be attached to just a
thread of skin...The real test, is if you ever are
talking to someone about how many toes a cat has, they
need to look on the bottom of the cat's foot and count
the toe pads. Those dangling claws, do not count. With
Gracie there is a very small toe pad in the middle of
the four and last big toe pad.  
When I started reading up on Polydactyls I found a
page on the internet that showed patterns of the
different toe patterns. It is interesting looking up
the information. I was interested to find the info.
regarding Poly Main Coons...How 40% of Main Coons are
inclined to be Poly...but it is not accepted as a
standard...My perfect, dream cat would be a Poly Main
Coon...that had toes like my Feeto. After my dog
passed away , 5/01/07. I started checking
petfinders.com for Polys...That is where I got my
little Gracie out of Montana and after discovering she
was FeLV+ found my little boy and girl. 
My intention was to find Gracie an only cat home, with
the perfect person , but that has not been the
case...I do keep her seperated ,but it is very hard
and very stressful...Lots of handwashing and
paranoia...The quality of her life, so far, is still
better with me, than anyone who might have taken her.
Her best offer was from an older lady who would have
declawed her...She has enough trauma in her life...
I liked that saying I saw somewhere the other day:
SAVE A PAW ,DO NOT DECLAW
There was another saying I saw too, that said,
basically, something about, do not breed or buy , too
many need homes...Does anyone remember that little
rhyme? It is a good one...
As far as scooping water: I remember Feeto eating with
his feet a time or two and he definately can open the
screen door ,but can't push the door forward at the
same time...which is a good thing...He'd be in he
fridge too, if he could. I have always believed humans
and other primates have the edge ,because we have
hands with which to get into things. We are able to
test

RE: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

2007-07-25 Thread glenda Goodman
Melissa, 
Some days are harder than others. It cannot be easy
taking care of a bunch of  kitties, becoming a mother,
in this day and age, dealing with family that depend
on your support ,but seem not to be able to offer you
any support when you need it. 
Something tells me you are a lot younger than most of
us here...
Well, bless your heart! You are going to make a very
fine , responsible mother. You will be a wonderful
example for your own children...
My mom used to tell me generations skip ...She thought
children are never like their parents, but their
grandparents...I think if you are a good parent, a
real hands on parent, you will be a good influence on
your children...You will change those dynamics...
Somewhere, someone was a good influence on you...and
again bless your heart for trying to be a good
influence on your mom and sisters...
I'm sorry the kitties at your mom's house are having a
rough time...just as long as they are spayed/neutered,
vaccinated and kept off the streets, especially at
night. The good news is, at least Sunny and Steve have
each other for affection...and it looks like nobody is
mean to them?  
On the subject of overweight cats: 
I have one adult male cat named Velcro. He is a  four
year old, tuxedo cat. Velcro does not seem to have any
interests in life. He does love me and wants to sit on
me all the time. He is very jealous of Feeto, simply
cannot stand Feeto. Except for Feeto getting a rise
out of him,
I have never even seen him get excited about
anything... a grasshopper., mouse toys...nothing.  He
sleeps and eats and eats and eats. I do leave the dry
food out for everyone, but Velcro must eat more than
his share?( I do not  even give Velcro
treats...can't...
Everyone else is muscular and reasonably trim... I do
need to really try and put him on a diet...I have
tried keeping food away from him,but he is not getting
lighter...
I think one reason he is overweight is his lack of
interest in playing. Velcro not big on exercise...
I'll ask my vet if it could be a thyroid problem...If
it isn't, I think some cats, like people, are
overweight because of lifestyle choices. 
Sunny must have access to food all day at your mom's? 

I'm glad I was here to listen...When is that human
baby due? 
Glenda
   
--- Melissa Lind [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Glenda,
 
 Too bad you're not taking any more kitties :) My mom
 has a poly named Sunny.
 She's probably four years old or so. I never knew
 that was the technical
 name for them--we've always called them mitten
 paws. We used to joke that
 this happened from all the pesticides/herbicides in
 the water. Sunny was a
 stray.
 
 Well, my mom and my sisters who live at home are a
 continual disappointment
 to me in the way they take care of (or don't take
 care of) their pets. Sunny
 is grossly overweight, and their other cat, Steve,
 who I love dearly, just
 wants love and attention, but I'm the only one who
 will give it to him, but
 it just breaks my heart to spend much time over
 there. I get so frustrated
 and angry with them that I have to leave.
 
 Then there's the dog--a tiny thing they wanted so
 badly, and now they want
 to give him back. I don't understand it. But, I
 think it boils down to the
 fact that my mom has not been able to get her own
 life straight, that passes
 down to the kids, and then the pets get neglected
 just like everything else.
 It's hard for me because I can't understand not
 loving an animal. 
 
 Mom always nags me to take her pets, especially
 since I love Steve so much
 (named after my husband--same hair/eye color), but
 we already have 3 cats of
 our own, and 2 fosters that need a home, and a human
 baby on the way. The
 other day I started sobbing while cleaning up cat
 vomit. It's just so
 overwhelming. Cat messes never make me upset, but
 our house is small, and
 about to get smaller, and I know these babies need a
 home. I just can't find
 anyone who would give them the care they deserve.
 (No--I'm not asking
 you--just venting). Just like that lady who would
 declaw--how horrible. I
 could never let that happen. 
 
 Okay, I'm hormonal and blabbering on. Sorry, I'm
 sick and exhausted and
 feeling a bit of a heavy load on my shoulders right
 now. Thanks for
 listening!
 
 Melissa
 
 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
 Behalf Of glenda Goodman
 Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 11:54 AM
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 Subject: Re: OT: Re: Polydactyl's
 
 My Feeto has perfectly formed toes and footpads,
 6-toes on each foot...front back. Gracie my FeLV+
 girl
 has 6-toes front, 5-toes back. The front feet have
 four toes then one tiny toe, then one big toe. The
 tiny toe is just nestled down low between the first
 four and last big toe. Her back toes are all even.
 My
 two siblings, little girl and little boy, that I
 just
 received  about 6-weeks ago out of   a shelter in
 Arizona were said to have 6-toes on the front and
 6on
 the back. The little girl, 6

Re: OT: Re: Polydactyl's and hormones

2007-07-25 Thread wendy
Hey Melissa,

I hope this post finds you enjoying your evening more than you were your day.  
My husband and I are trying to have a baby and I do not look forward to the 
hormone swings.  Let's just say I screw up enough without hormones adding to 
the chaos.  lol.  So even though I don't know how you feel, I can offer you 
encouragement and tell you to remember that no matter how bad it is, things 
always change.  That's what I think about when I am feeling horrible.  I know 
it won't last.  I agree with everything that Glenda said.  She is so well 
spoken and kind.  Your children will be lucky to have you for a mom.

:)
Wendy
 
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the 
world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~


- Original Message 
From: Melissa Lind [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 1:19:34 PM
Subject: RE: OT: Re: Polydactyl's


Glenda,

Too bad you're not taking any more kitties :) My mom has a poly named Sunny.
She's probably four years old or so. I never knew that was the technical
name for them--we've always called them mitten paws. We used to joke that
this happened from all the pesticides/herbicides in the water. Sunny was a
stray.

Well, my mom and my sisters who live at home are a continual disappointment
to me in the way they take care of (or don't take care of) their pets. Sunny
is grossly overweight, and their other cat, Steve, who I love dearly, just
wants love and attention, but I'm the only one who will give it to him, but
it just breaks my heart to spend much time over there. I get so frustrated
and angry with them that I have to leave.

Then there's the dog--a tiny thing they wanted so badly, and now they want
to give him back. I don't understand it. But, I think it boils down to the
fact that my mom has not been able to get her own life straight, that passes
down to the kids, and then the pets get neglected just like everything else.
It's hard for me because I can't understand not loving an animal. 

Mom always nags me to take her pets, especially since I love Steve so much
(named after my husband--same hair/eye color), but we already have 3 cats of
our own, and 2 fosters that need a home, and a human baby on the way. The
other day I started sobbing while cleaning up cat vomit. It's just so
overwhelming. Cat messes never make me upset, but our house is small, and
about to get smaller, and I know these babies need a home. I just can't find
anyone who would give them the care they deserve. (No--I'm not asking
you--just venting). Just like that lady who would declaw--how horrible. I
could never let that happen. 

Okay, I'm hormonal and blabbering on. Sorry, I'm sick and exhausted and
feeling a bit of a heavy load on my shoulders right now. Thanks for
listening!

Melissa

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of glenda Goodman
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 11:54 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: OT: Re: Polydactyl's

My Feeto has perfectly formed toes and footpads,
6-toes on each foot...front back. Gracie my FeLV+ girl
has 6-toes front, 5-toes back. The front feet have
four toes then one tiny toe, then one big toe. The
tiny toe is just nestled down low between the first
four and last big toe. Her back toes are all even. My
two siblings, little girl and little boy, that I just
received  about 6-weeks ago out of   a shelter in
Arizona were said to have 6-toes on the front and 6on
the back. The little girl, 6 and the other 6 and 7 on
the back. Well, both the little boy and little girl
have perfect back feet. Their toes are all uniform and
match their toe foot pads...On their front feet,
however, they have six claws and five big toe pads on
each foot. When I get them spayed and neutered the vet
will be removing those extra claws, because all they
do is dangle off the side, they are on the side... and
catch on things. They seem to be attached to just a
thread of skin...The real test, is if you ever are
talking to someone about how many toes a cat has, they
need to look on the bottom of the cat's foot and count
the toe pads. Those dangling claws, do not count. With
Gracie there is a very small toe pad in the middle of
the four and last big toe pad.  
When I started reading up on Polydactyls I found a
page on the internet that showed patterns of the
different toe patterns. It is interesting looking up
the information. I was interested to find the info.
regarding Poly Main Coons...How 40% of Main Coons are
inclined to be Poly...but it is not accepted as a
standard...My perfect, dream cat would be a Poly Main
Coon...that had toes like my Feeto. After my dog
passed away , 5/01/07. I started checking
petfinders.com for Polys...That is where I got my
little Gracie out of Montana and after discovering she
was FeLV+ found my little boy and girl. 
My intention was to find Gracie an only cat home, with
the perfect