Month: August 2016
WTC (What The Cat) So mommy checked with da State lady and found out da other applicant had been approved too. So mommy called her to offer her da job. Her reply was no surprise to mommy, but it was aggravatin’. See, even tho’ da State is payin’ fur this, there’s a budget dat mommy has to follow. And outta dat budget, mommy has to pay da cost fur those background checks. So ifin a purrson doesn’t take da job, we’ve already spent money on them, and there’s only so many background checks mommy can have purr da budget. Anyways, she told mommy dat she really needed to be paid in cash, cuz she didn’t wanna lose her welfare. Yep, there’s somethin’ really wrong with our system, and peeps. But alas, we have no ‘round da house help…still. 
Service Cats: Accommodations and Common Sense
Meowllo everypawdy and welcome to another Miserable Monday. No it’s not really miserable, but it is gonna be busy. We’re gonna bring you another installment of our Service Cats posts today. As with all our educational postys da following will be written in human English. While you’re readin’ our posty and goin’ ‘bout your day, me will be havin’ a mommy and Dezi day out. It’s time fur mommy’s monthly doctors ‘pointment and since we have a/c in da car again, mommy’s takin’ me fur da day. WooHoo Ifin you’ve missed any of da posts in this series you can ketch up by clickin’ da links below.
Service Cats: What to Look For
Service Cats: Training Foundations
Service Cats: How to Train Kitty to Massage without Claws
Service Cats: Smelling Disease
Service Cats: Do You Need One
Service Cats: Who Bears the Cost
Service Cats: Housing Laws and Exceptions
Okay, Now that you’re all caught up, let’s get to today’s topic. As we discussed last week, certification isn’t required or regulated for Service Animals. Because of this, a lot of people claim their pet is a Service Animal so they can get around certain laws and rules. Unfortunately you may even know some one like that. Yes, there are some bloggers and others in social media right now that make such claims so that their animal can fly in the cabin with them for free. Others do it to avoid paying pet deposits and/or fees in housing, or to force a landlord to accept a breed or size of animal that they wouldn’t normally accept.
Our pawsum doggy brofur furiend Easy the Weimereiner asked last week, If a landlord doesn’t allow pets, would they have to allow a Service Animal in their property? Unfortunately Easy, YES. That’s right, the answer to that question is yes. Even if a landlord doesn’t want animals in their home or apartments, they have to make an exception for Service Animals. Now remember, they cannot ask for proof that said animal is in fact a Service Animal, they have to take your word for it. And because of the confusion about the definitions of Service Animal, Therapy Animal and Companion/Emotional Support Animals, they are often taken advantage of.
Just sitting in mommy’s lap with her petting me has a calming effect.
But this requires no training. This is what most Companion/Emotional
Support Animals do for their owners and is not classified as a Service Animal.
Now some of you really got riled last week when we posted that Companion/Emotional Support Animals are not considered Service Animals. For those who have emotional issues such as panic attacks, post traumatic syndrome and other emotional disabilities, know just how important their Companion/Emotional Support Animal is. We are all aware of the old saying, you can be alone/lonely even when you’re surrounded by people. These emotional issues can be very real, and may manifest physical trauma. None the less, Companion/Emotional Support Animals are not trained to perform an actual task. Instead, their very presence has a calming effect. But remember, a Service Animal is specifically trained to perform a task or tasks that enables their disabled handler to function daily.
More than the specific task training, Service Animals are also trained and expected to be calm and almost invisible in any situation, or setting they may be put in. You won’t find a Service Animal barking, growling, hissing or acting out in public. This is not the animal that jumps on, greets, or approaches others or other animals. Regardless of the situation or their surrroundings, a Service Animal will enter a room or setting quietly and stay quietly by their handler. They are not the animal causing a scene or piddling on the floor, etc.
We asked if you thought requiring certification would help. A lot of you said yes, absolutely. And we learned that at least Canada does require certification, and the program is run by the government. If you don’t live in the U.S., you need to check with your local laws about Service Animals. For obvious reasons, we aren’t familiar with those laws or rules outside of the U.S.. Our posts are based on laws and rules of the U.S. since that’s where we live. Altho’ we agree 100% that certification would help, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Who would run the program? What would it cost and who will pay for it? As we’ve said many times, those who need Service Animals are more often than not, living on a fixed income. What tasks should be tested for, and where would those tests be held? Indeed the laws need to be changed, but we do understand it would be a huge undertaking, and would be very costly.
The current rules were made because the ADA (Americans with Disabilities) realized too many people were taking advantage of the lax laws regarding Service Animals, and the general publics’ ignorance regarding Service Animals. Not everybody finds comfort in the traditional idea of a pet. What about reptiles, farm animals, and other species? We have nothing against reptiles, rodents, etc., but we’ll be honest and tell you that we don’t want to sit next to the person claiming their 8 foot anaconda is a Service Animal. Nor would we want to eat in a restaurant where a pig or horse (miniature or otherwise) is swishing their tails and relieving themselves on the floor. This brings us to our point for today: Common Sense. We think the disabled person should exercise some common sense when taking their Service Animal in public. It also takes us back to mommy and Raena’s day out Friday.
After leaving the VETs office Friday, they headed to Walmart to get some treats for Raena and me. As soon as they entered the store, a woman came over and commented and asked about Raena who was laying quietly in the stroller. Mommy explained that She was a Service Cat in training, and that she alerts before mommy passes out. The woman thought that was amazing and wonderful. She then went on to ask why Raena was confined to the stroller and not out walking on the leash that was attached to her harness. She remarked that earlier she had run across a “Service Chihuahua” in the store that tried to bite her as she walked passed. Well now, we’ve finally gotten to the common sense part. We are so grateful for our stroller, but before we had one, mommy used a soft sided carrier when taking us out in public.
You see, a lot of people are allergic to cats. And most people, including mommy doesn’t really want to eat cat hair. But mommy really does need at least one of us when she’s out of the house. So, how does mommy get the benefit of our training while not offending or causing problems for the rest of the store, restaurant, etc.? Our stroller. Yep, we are fully enclosed so that any shedding fur or dander won’t float thru the air, or get on everything around; but we are still able to see and smell everything including mommy. And we have sufficient room to stand, sit, or lay in order to alert mommy. Altho’ this particular lady was not allergic to cats, she proclaimed her appreciation for mommys’ attempt at being considerate of others.
As mommy and Raena continued on in the store, they encountered lots of children who were accompanying their parents for back to school shopping. With each encounter, Raena performed perfectly and showed people how a true Service Animal reacts to all that excitement…She did nothing but lay quietly in the stroller. One very uneducated woman asked, “Have you ever encountered a Service Dog that wanted to bark at or eat your Service Cat?” (she must have been thinking about that “Service Chihuahua”) Yeah, mommy’s blood was boiling, thinking about all those unruly dogs at BlogPaws in Nashville. But, she remained calm and took the opportunity to educate this person and all those who were now listening in. Mommy calmly replied. “A true Service dog would never do such a thing. Service Animals are trained to Not React”, just as Raena was doing that very moment. Altho’ the stroller had become surrounded by screaming pointing children, Raena remained quiet and non reactive. As a matter of fact, before they left the store, a manager came up and told mommy how much he appreciated Raenas’ behavior and mommys’ consideration of everybody else in the store. Which of course made mommy really happy. The atmosphere is changing.
Now we told you all of that, to tell you that we think disabled handlers should try to be considerate of others. Had that always been the case, Service Cats might still be accepted by the ADA. Unfortunately, people in general are selfish, and everybody thinks everybody else owes them something. Yes, as a disabled person, mommy wants a parking space close to the door, and yes, she needs a few special accommodations when she’s out in public. But, she’s not the whole public, and her needs aren’t any more important than everybody else’s. Just a few considerations, and we are welcome right alongside mommy anywhere she goes. No one has the right to force their lifestyle on another.
Mommy has never asked a landlord who doesn’t want pets on their property to rent to her. It’s called respect for others. There are plenty of places that do allow animals, that mommy can rent from. We realize that might not be the case everywhere, but we still think you should exhaust all other avenues before forcing someone to do something they don’t want to. If you are going to be with others in public that could assist you in the same or similar manner as your Service Animal, think about letting the animal have a few hours off. Especially if your Service Animal of choice isn’t the accepted norm (ie: dog or cat). Once every few years or so, someone will show up and offer to take mommy out fur a meal or something. While they obviously can’t alert before she passes out, they can assist her and stay with her if it does happen. So mommy almost always leaves us at home on those occasions. Again, it’s all about Common Sense and Respect for yourself and others.
Well me’s gonna wrap it up fur now. We think we’ve given ya’ a lot to mull over. Remember, if you have any questions, or specifics you would like us to cover, please leave your thoughts in the comments, or feel free to email us. Like me said earlier, we’s goin’ to mommy’s doctor today, so we’ll be by to visit with you as soon as we can.
Is there a particular animal you can’t see as a Service Animal?
How many “tasks” do you think should be required to make an animal a Service Animal?
Till da next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses
Deztinee and RaenaBelle
An Oversized Blest Sunday
Hey, are ya’ there? Sis Dezi told me to welcome ya’ to a new Blest Sunday befur I did anythin’ else, so welcome. It’s fur sure a Blest Sunday. I’s blest to be alive and meowin’ at ya’ at all after da Furiday I’s had. Let me tell ya’. Those peeps tried to KILL me!!! Sure nuff, they wanted your cute little fluffy girl d-e-a-d, DEAD!!! But befur I’s gets to dat, I’s do wanna fank God and Hims pawsum angels again fur makin’ sure we had air conditionin’ in da car. It was some kinda hot and I don’t think I’s woulda made it without dat nice cool air.
As ya’ may ‘member from some of our fotos, I’s been takin’ a few local strolls ‘round our ‘pawrtment complex since I’s gotten a little bigger. So this was mines furst time to really travel in style. Well mommy says travelin’ in style also has to be done safely, so dat meant harnessin’ up so I’s could be tethered in to da stroller. Well, I’s not gotten dat much bigger. Mommy found one of da smaller harnesses dat sissy got from dat rescue group one Christmas, and did her bestest to make it fit me. So, I’s went out sportin’ da new oversized look. Mommy insists I’s tell ya’ dat this was mines furst time ever bein’ in a harness much less with a leash attached. This is somethin’ mommy generally spends time trainin’. She says I’s a natural. So anyways, let’s get back to da killer peeps called VETs.
As ya’ll may ‘member, these vaccinations haven’t been very nice to me so far. I’s been really sick after every visit, and last time was da worstest. Mommy was really scared I’s was gonna die. I’s gotta tell ya’, I was purretty scared too. Not only was I sick from da shots but I’s also had dat heat exhaustion from bein’ in da hot car. Well fank God I’s didn’t have dat to worry ‘bout this time, so I’s figgered a quick trip in to be mauled and poked and mommy and me would be off to get me some special treats and have peeps swoon over me. After all, I’s was in mines new oversized fashion wear. I’s did look rather cute ifin I’s do say so mines self. When we arrived, fank catness there was none of those big whiney, nosy doggy’s in da waitin’ room. Matter of fact, there was no one there at all. Guess dat shoulda been mines furst clue dat it was gonna be a bad day. They had nuffin’ but time to torture me.
Furst up was da big scale, where I’s weighed in at just over 3 pounds. 3 pounds 1 ounce to be exact. I’s growin’ up. Anyways, we then headed to a room where mommy decided it was time fur an impurr-omptu foto shoot of me in minez oversized pink fashion dress. We were rudely innerupted by da lady in da white coat and her assistant. Seems Dr. C’s new VET is takin’ over more and more. Well da assistant purromptly grabbed me outta mommy’s hands and scruffed me. Looka’ here, just cuz I’s a Ragdoll with a docile nature doesn’t give ya’ da right to be mean. And it certainly doesn’t give ya’ da right to take me from mines mommy. She gotta hiss and a bitey fur her trouble. Hmmfft Guess she’ll know better next time. While I’s scurried back to mommy, things seemed to be takin’ a turn fur da better when da doctor started cooin’ over me in mines purretty pink oversized dress.
Then mommy turned me ‘round so they could have a look at mines eye, cuz it isn’t really getting’ better and I’s been on dat medicine fur a while now. Da VET asked mommy a question, and she took her hands off me fur a second to look fur a foto in da camera and da tech grabbed me up again. Then I’s got stuck. Not once, but twice. And da second time had pink stuffs squirtin’ everywhere. Yep, they missed me again, and gave mines fur a shot. It’s no wonder they charge so much with all they waste on fur shots. Then she stuck me again!!! Dat one hurted. Mommy says it was da rabies one. But let me tell ya’, they was so mad ‘bout me hissin’ and bitin’, they decided to kill me right then and there. Yep, right in front of mommy.
They pulled mines skin up so high you could see mines bones and then stuck me with a torturous gigantor needle. I’s let out a scream dat fur sure was heard ‘round da world. Okay, maybe not da world, but fur sure da whole buildin’ complex where da VET office is located. I’s squirmed and bit every finger and hand and pawrently a purrivate pawrt or two dat came anywhere near me. Then I’s felt a way to break free and hurried to mines cryin’ and screamin’ but comfurtin’ mommy. She wrapped me in her arms and held me so tight dat I knew she was gonna purrtect me, and then I’s went limp from shock. Cuz of da shock I’s couldn’t see or hear anythin’, but I’s know mommy was givin’ them what fur. There’s no way she was gonna let them KILL her baby girly. Nope, mines mommy wouldn’t let anypawdy hurt me. But they wasn’t finished. They came at me with this big ole machine gun next, and mommy pulled me even tighter. I’s heard a beep, but they musta been outta bullets. Fank catness, cuz they woulda got mommy too. Well, I’s looked up at mommy’s tear stained face and she kissed me and told me everythin’ was gonna be alright and dat nopawdy would ever hurt me like dat again. Then she said we was gonna go get me a treat. Somethin’ special just fur me. I’s wasn’t even gonna have to share it.
Don’t none of you touch me again, ya’ hear? Me’s mommy’ll get ya’ ifin ya’ do.
We went out to da waitin’ area to pay, and I was gonna warn any anipals there to run fur their lives, but alas, da place was still empty. They gave mommy a piece of paper and told her to register it when she got home, and she told them she knew all ‘bout it, cuz sis Dezi was registered there too. They said somethin’ like mikey chips. I’s don’t know, I was just ready to go. Then mommy started cryin’ again. Seems somethin’ ‘bout da $116.08 charges meant they had to be paid in full. So fur some reason they wouldn’t let her charge mines visit and she had to use some of da monthly bills money so we could leave. We were furinally able to get outta dat death trap, but I’s gotta tell ya’… I’s never wanna go back there again. When we got out to da car, mommy opened a bag of treats we won from our furiends at Three Chatty Cats in a little cats helpin’ big cats give away. I’s munched down, and we was off.
This was me sleepin’ after we got home. those shots just do me in.
I couldn’t wait to tell sis Dezi all ‘bout how they had mistreated and tried to kill me. Fankfully she’s a great big sissy and told me not to worry, mommy would never let dat happen and dat I’s was gonna be okay. She even kissed mines head and patted mines sore hiney. I was a little sickly and lethargic fur a couple days, but no fever and I’s did eat. I’s feelin’ all better now. But, mommy’s gotta put these eye drops in mines eyes now. 3 times a day. Yep 3 times a day she’s droppin’ somethin’ in mines eye. They seem to be feelin’ better, but I’s not like it one bit. Mommy says we’s gonna save da rest of our trip fur tomorrows Service Cat posty cuz it addresses some issues we wanna talk about and some of da questions we were asked after last weeks posty.
I sure wanna fank all of ya’ fur bein’ our furiends and purrayin’ fur me. We are truly blest to have such pawsum furiends. And I’s blest to have such a pawsum mommy and sisfur. Mommy says God looks out fur His children, and I’s believe it. Take a minute today and everyday to give thanks fur da blessings in your lives. I know you’ll find ‘em. Oh and sissy also told me to tell ya’ dat even tho’ we didn’t take any selfies this week, we’s joinin’ da Kitties Blue fur da Sunday Selfies. Go by and check ‘em all out. And…
Till da next time…………………………………..Be Blest!!!
Service Cats U.S. 