Help! I've Got a Pregnant Cat!
by Larry Chamberlain
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.
Was it a stray that adopted you? You heard a plaintive meowing, opened your back door and there she was. You won her confidence, gave her some scraps and a drink of water, spent some time petting her and then left her to it. Next day she's back. And before too many days have passed you decide that as she has no collar, no address tag, that you have got yourself a cute new companion.
As well as not having an address tag, she also didn't have a sign reading "I am a pregnant cat".
Or perhaps you've had your cat since she was a little bundle of kitten fur. She was always going to be a strictly indoor cat, no need at all to have her spayed, she was never ever going outside, she would never be a pregnant cat. But...
...she did get out, and she is pregnant!
What do you do now? Take your pregnant cat along to your veterinarian, she will need to be examined, and your vet will confirm if she is indeed pregnant.
Do you let the pregnancy continue? Before you answer to yourself "Why yes of course!" there are some important considerations to think hard about. Your pregnant cat could produce a litter of maybe four or five kittens, are you going to keep them all? "No", you may say, "but I'm sure that I'll find good homes for them." Do not be so sure, every year tens of thousands of cats are put down, simply because there are not the good homes for them. If you ask one of your friends if they would like a kitten, they may agree if they have seen the cute little mites, but are they going to care for it long term? How long before the novelty wears off, and that kitten ends up another feral cat?
If your friend really does want a kitten they can adopt one from a shelter.
What is the age of your pregnant cat? If under a year, or older than eight years, your cat will not have an easy time with birthing, and the possibility of deformed kittens is increased. Your veterinarian may advise abortion for this reason alone.
Be aware of how much commitment caring for a house full of new kittens is, it will take much of your time and attention. How do other members of your family feel about it, you will need to take everyone's view into consideration. You will need a special safe place for your cat and her kittens where they will be safely separated from other cats, other pets and young children.
Okay, you have made the decision that your pregnant cat is to give birth. Or perhaps your veterinarian has advised that it is too late in the pregnancy to consider abortion.
During the later stages of pregnancy feed your cat small meals frequently, remember that her abdomen is full of little ones and she will not be able to handle a full meal in one go. She will need plenty of water.
Seek advice about kitten care and remember also that mother cats need a special diet, one that is high in nutrients.
Naturally, as soon as possible after birth you will have your cat spayed to prevent the same thing happening again. You will won't you.
Home For The Holidays: Start That Conversation
by Linda LaPointe
Annie waited too long to have that talk with her parents. It was too late to have it now as they were both beyond comprehending the seriousness of their situation. As a result, she had to break the bad news to a long lost brother, and deal with her resistant parents who had convinced themselves that they were independent in their own home, while she had to make some very difficult decisions for them.
It’s never too soon to begin the discussion of aging. But if you have put it off, ease into that conversation as soon as the first, what may seem minor event occurs which indicate a loved one’s independence may be in jeopardy. Since it is difficult to begin such a talk, here are some suggestions which may help:
use another family’s 
Home For The Holidays: Start That Conversation
Recipe
.............................................................................
Your Words Matter
by Ridgely Goldsborough
Amidst much groaning and moaning, we carried one of our two kayaks from the bayside of the key to the beach—two hundred yards of sweat and hand chafing. Loaded down with paddles and life preservers, we herded the kids to water’s edge.
Captain Linus on the bow, oarsman Dad behind him, first mate Camille next in line and oarswoman Mom at the stern—into the waves we surged.
After a few wobbly moments in the break, the crew settled. We began to scour the depths for the Gulf’s finest—cow rays, turtles, fish of assorted sizes and our family favorite—dolphin.
“Look, Momma,” squealed Camille.
Two hundred yards offshore we spotted the gently undulating fins, rising and falling like the waves they glided through.
“Let’s go pla Your Words Matter
Recipe
.............................................................................
The Thanksgiving Blessing
by LeAnn R. Ralph
“Wouldn’t you just know it,” muttered my husband, Randy.
We had already been driving for a couple of hours in a pickup truck that we had borrowed from a friend, and now it was completely dark.
“What’s wrong?” I asked sleepily. I had dozed off only a few minutes ago.
“It’s starting to rain,” Randy replied, as he reached over to turn on the windshield wipers.
Rain? In a few seconds, I came fully awake. If it was raining, that meant Mom and Dad’s furniture was getting wet.
So far, it had been my worst Thanksgiving ever. Dad had passed away a month ago. My mother had died seven years earlier. When I was a kid, we always celebrated Thanksgiving at home. All four of my grandparents had died before I was born, and to me, Thanksgivi The Thanksgiving Blessing
Recipe
.............................................................................
Help! I've Got a Pregnant Cat!
by Larry Chamberlain
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.
Was it a stray that adopted you? You heard a plaintive meowing, opened your back door and there she was. You won her confidence, gave her some scraps and a drink of water, spent some time petting her and then left her to it. Next day she's back. And before too many days have passed you decide that as she has no collar, no address tag, that you have got yourself a cute new companion.
As well as not having an address tag, she also didn't have a sign reading "I am a pregnant cat".
Or perhaps you've had your cat since she was a little bundle of kitten fur. She was always going to be a strictly indoor cat, no need at all to have her spayed, she was never ever going outside, she would never be a pr Help! I've Got a Pregnant Cat!
Recipe
.............................................................................
CookDojo.com
