Service Cats: Just What Is Kitty Capable Of

Published on October 24, 2016 by Service Cats U.S.36 Comments

Meowllo and welcome to Service Cat Monday. One of da things mommy hears most offen when tellin’ peeps ‘bout us is, “Service Cats? I’ve never heard of a cat being a service animal?” And then da next biggest question is, “What do they do?” Once mommy tells a few of da things we do fur her peeps jaws drop a bit; some in disbelief and some in awe. We’ve covered a lot of topics in this series, includin’ trainin’ tips dat every kitty could benefit from. So, ifin you’ve missed any of our postys, purrlease click on da links at da end of this post. As with all our educational postys, da followin’ will be written in human English. Purrlease leave your questions, comments or topics you would like covered in da comment section below. We’ll be discussin’ da last of da questions we’ve received today. So without further adieu, let’s get on with it.

When people hear that mommy passes out and that we help her in the shower, it probably conjures all kinds of pictures in ones head. We guess that based on the question mommy is asked. And our friends Shoko, Kali and awnty Jean of the Canadian Cats made certain to ask, “Just what can an average cat do to help you in the shower? How do they Move you?” For all of you that are new to our blog, let us back up a minute and explain what they’re talking about. See, mommy passes out. This happens for many different reasons, none the less it happens daily and often while she’s taking a shower. And it was Shad, mommys’ first ever Service Cat that trained herself and showed mommy what a kitty is capable of. You can read Shad’s story here and here. Please be aware the Shad posts were not educational training posts and are therefore written in cat speak. Anyways, the question remains, just what is it that the average cat can do to help an unconscious human? After all, the average cat weighs in at about 8 to 10 pounds and hates water.

SHAD, Mommy's Original Service Cat — Shad, Mommy’s Original Service Cat

As most of you know mommy has rather large kitties. She always has. Even Shad, who weighed in at 15 pounds, was considered large. And yes, at 15 pounds she was healthy and not considered overweight. Shad was amazing, and without her there might not be a me or sis Raena. But mommy did learn that some of the things we are trained to do require 2 cats; otherwise it’s just too hard on kitty. Now let’s get back to the shower and just what it is we do.

Lexi lays in wheelchair — Healthy Lexi at around 30 pounds

You are right, even 2 healthy 30 pound kitties can not pull or push a wet, naked, over 100 pound human out of a bathtub. We aren’t concerned with getting all of mommy out of the tub. The only concern is that she doesn’t drown. So all that’s necessary is to make sure her head is out of the water flow. To accomplish this we push mommys head and torso up over the edge of the tub. Stop imagining things and let me explain. This is exactly why 2 cats are needed. Each kitty gets under an arm and positions in the armpit and pushes at the same time thus moving the torso and head. On occasion, some kitty does have to grab a mouth full of hair and reposition mommys head to lay on or over the edge of the tub. We then get out and roll around on our towels and wait for mommy to come too. We don’t mind water. We’re trained from the beginning to be in and around both standing water and flowing water like a shower.

We, like Shad, are devoted to mommy. There is a special bond that exists between a Service Cat and their human handler. This is NOT among the first tasks we are trained to do as it is asking a lot of a kitty and bonding takes time. And for that reason we will not be posting the how to’s to train this task to your kitty. It is something that the new kitty starts learning from the resident kitty at this point, as Raena is already trying to help me help mommy. We do hope this has helped you understand a bit more just what a kitty is capable of. But remember, NEVER expect more of an animal than size, breed and species would dictate. The love and devotion Shad and mommy shared caused Shad to go above and beyond. Mommy knowing the kind of love and devotion she gives and elicits has allowed her to have that continued help from the cats who came after. Anyone can have that relationship and any kitty can be trained. But you must start with a solid foundation.

I’s a good helper aren’t I sissy?

Yes Raena, you’re a good helper and are gonna be a fine Service Cat. Anyways, we do hope we’ve helped you to understand a bit more of what we do. Fur those of ya’ dat read Shads’ story we hope you enjoy it, she is very much a pawrt of who we are today. Mommy wants me to remind ya’ dat cuz she be naked and we live alone of course, there will never be any fotos of us purrfurmin’ these duties. Mommy says she’s no pb bunny. We need to know what you all wanna hear next, so leave your questions in da comments. We’re gonna see ‘bout goin’ fur a stroll while da weather’s nice, so have a great day.

Do you (your cat) like water?

Is there something you would like to know how to train?

Till da next time………………………………..Be Blest!!!

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

What to Look For Training Foundations Training Kitty to Massage

Smelling Disease Do You Need One Who Bears the Cost

Housing Laws and Exceptions Accommodations and Common Sense

What Happens When Handler Dies Proper Training Methods Pt. 1 & Pt. 2

The Easiest Task to Train Getting Kitty Ready for an Outing

Discipline Internal Disputes Calling for Emergency Help

Raena laying inside the small perch and looking out

Blest Sunday: Christmas Came Early for Mommy

Published on October 23, 2016 by Service Cats U.S.43 Comments

Meowllo everypawdy and welcome to a pawsum Blest Sunday. As most of ya’ know this is our favorite posty of da week. But we do have some new followers dat might be wonderin’ just what it’s all ‘bout. So we wanted to take a minute and ‘splain. Mommy says it’s good to give thanks each and every day fur da blessings in your life. And she says, no matter what, everypawdy is blest. Blessings come in all forms from da material to da unseen blessing of breath, luv and furiendship to name a few. So ifin you are alive and breathin’, you are blest. We know dat you might be havin’ purroblems or things might not look so good from your view. Trust us, we’re not without our own purroblems and issues. None da less, as long as we have breath in our bodies, things can change. Thus, we, and you are blest.

Raena and me are so very blest to have a furever home with a furever mommy who luvs us more than anythin’ else in da universe. And we are blest to have so many amazin’ and wonderfully luvvin’ furiends. Yep, dat’s all of you. We are blest to live in a Country where we are furee to worship God and speak our minds. We are blest!!! And this week da material blessings came knockin’ on our door too.

On Furiday, da mailman came walkin’ up to our door. He’s new, we usually have a mail lady. Me didn’t recognize this man at all. None da less there he was standin’ at da door with a big ole box in his hands. Mommy brought it in and da box monster, Raena, was all over it. Smellin’ it, whacky pawin’ it and tryin’ to figger out how to get into it. Mommy got da scissors out and told sissy to move out da way, and opened dat there box. You shoulda seen mommy’s eyes. Da contents of said box was fur her. Yep, 2 big ole cans of coffee. Mommy luvs her coffee. And with da weather coolin’ off, she drinks da stuff all day and night.

I’s still don’t get what da big deal is sissy, but mommy sure is happy. I wans’t sure at furst cuz of all those tears, but she said they were happy tears. And dat she couldn’t say fank ya’ enuff to da angel what sent her dat delishus coffee. I’s fankful fur da box.

Yeah Raena, you know dat cup o’ joe dat mommy’s always tellin’ ya’ not to swish your tail furs in? Well, dat’s her coffee. And she luvs da stuffs. Says she can’t get goin’ without it. Me agrees with you tho’, da box is great fun. Anyways, come Caturday while we was sittin’ here watchin’ fur da storm to roll in, da Fed ex truck drove up. S’no big deal, there’s 23 other ‘pawrtments here dat they deliver to so we see their truck almost everyday. Da driver stood out there goin’ thru things fur da longest time befur pullin’ out some boxes and shuttin’ up his van. And then he headed right fur our door. One of da boxes was from Chewy. Mommy had found enuff green papers to get us a small bag of da freeze dried food dat she hopes will last till payday. Since Raena started growin’ up, let me tell ya’ dat girl likes da groceries. Anyways, da other box was huge, and said amazon on it. Mommy hadn’t ordered anythin’ else so she figgered da Fed ex man would be takin’ dat one elsewhere. Mommy opened da door and da delivery purrson put both boxes down in our house and left. Yep, da box monster Raena was at it again.

Anyways, mommy looked at da label as bestest she could withour her seein’ glasses and said, “Yep, looks like my name.” And then she got da scissors and cut da box open. When she got a eyefull of what was inside, she stepped back and got her seein’ glasses and checked da label again. “Hmmmm that’s my name and that’s our address” she said. And then da tears started flowin’ as she emptied da box fankin’ God and askin’ His blessings on da angel what sent it. somethin’ mommy does over every box dat comes in da house. Y, There was even a can of chicken in there and me’s birthday’s comin’ up next week on da 1st. There was cleanin’ supplies fur da house messes and our messes and fur human messes; includin’ some kleenexes fur all those tears and snot comin’ from mommys eyes and nose. Some noodles and even a chicken and dressin’ microwave meal dat mommy says we can share fur da holidays. Mommy said Christmas done come early and blest her real good. So a meowsy big Fank you to whoever blest our mommy. We all purreciate it very much.

We sure do sissy. And fanky fanks fur da boxes too. Now, what’s a birthday? I think I’s gonna like those ifin we get chicken. And what’s these holidays and Christmas?

Oh Raena, you’re such a…a…baby. Me will ‘splain it all in due time. Right now we just want to tell everypawdy to ‘member to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur da blessings in their lives. Fank you all fur bein’ a pawrt of our lives and fur each of you, we purray God’s richest blessings on you and yours.

And we’re joinin’ da Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. I’s’ll race ya’ to da big box sissy.

Till da next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Raena: Navy Blue

Mommy A: Black

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Raena pokes her head through the hole of the Kong incline scratcher

A Cat’s Gonna Scratch, Where Will It Be #ChewyInfluencer

Published on October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 by Service Cats U.S.29 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Guess what? I’s didn’t hijack anythin’ today. Sis Dezi’s gonna let me take da lead. She’s such a pawsum sisfur. She’s really pawsum fur a lot of reasons. Did you all know dat befur I was born sis Dezi was enterin’ contests and give aways tryin’ to win new toys and other stuffs to give me when I came to live with her and mommy? She did win one of them and I’s luvs dat toy. She’s really sumfin’, mines sisfur. She knew mommy couldn’t afford to buy new stuffs fur me and she wanted me to have somethin’ of mines very own dat wasn’t a hand me down. So, when we got da oppurrtunity to review a brand new kitty scratcher from Kong as pawrt of da Chewy Influencer purrogram this month, she jumped at it. Yes we have svratchers but they’re all scented up with sis Dezi and her sis Lexi’s (may she rest in peace) scents.

Disclaimer: As Chewy.com Influencers we received compensation for trying out and reviewing the Kong Incline Scratcher. All opinions unless otherwise stated are our own. As always we only review items we use or have tried and believe would be of interest to you our readers and friends. And will always tell the truth of our experience.

Be sure and let everypawdy know dat you’ll be sharin’ da new scratcher Raena.

Of course I’s gonna share sissy.

Me knows, but it’s good to make it clear. Anyways, let me say a few things ‘bout Kong. They are a pawsum company dat has been makin’ doggy toys fur years. They even make some dat can withstand almost any toture inflicted by da rowdiest of pups. So when they started makin’ cat toys mommy thought they would be no brainers. After all, we kitties aren’t nearly as destructive as da woofies. MOL

Can I’s tell ‘bout our new scratcher now sissy? (Dezi nods and continues to clean her furs) Fanky fanks. So we received da Kong Incline Cat Scratcher made of corrugated cardboard. Now this is da purrfect size scratcher fur this little kitty girl. It’s 19.25X7.5X1.5 in size and has a double sided surface. And it’s refillable. It also came with a small bag of Kong Purremium North American CatNip. Da scratcher has 3 small holes in da inclined end and a crinkle ball dangles there to entice kitty to play. Mommy says anypawdy who has had a kitten knows no enticement is needed. But dat might be a good feature fur an older less destructive cat. And we’ll ‘splain dat in a minute. Furst let me give ya’ da key benefits as listed on Chewy’s website.

Key Benefits

Available in three sizes to satisfy your cat’s natural scratching instincts by encouraging appropriate scratching behavior
Environmentally friendly cat scratchers are made with renewable resources and are recyclable
Double scratcher functions as a refill for the incline scratcher
Scratch pads are reversible for extended use, giving your cat’s paws double the use and double the fun
KONG Premium North American Catnip included to entice play

Sizes

Single Scratcher: 19.25 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches
Double Scratcher: 19.25 x 8.88 x 1.5 inches

And I’s already gave ya’ da measurements fur da incline scratcher which is size 3.

Da furst thing mommy did was take fotos. And then she carefully pulled da paper off da scratching pad. Hmmmm da spot where da glue held it on there is still there. Mommy’s tried everythin’ toget it off to no avail. Dat’s okay, let mines claws and teefies at it. I’s’ll make short work of it fur sure. (Chewing on and swallowing glue…Not a thought that makes mommy happy) Anyways, dat Kong nip must be purretty good cuz dat paper top was lots of fun. Furinally mommy headed to da livin’ room with da Kong Incline Scratcher itself. I was so excited I’s just couldn’t wait and jumped from da tree right at dat scratcher and mommy. Mommy dropped da scratcher and I’s started investigatin’. Dat’s why all our fotos are of me and da scratcher in front of da door. Mommy couldn’t even get it to da livin’ room. I began to scratch and chew. Yeah, I’s figger ifin it’s good fur sharpenin’ mines claws it must be good fur sharpenin’ mines teefies too. And then I’s found da hole and dat cutesy little danglin’ crinkle ball.

Less than 2 minutes later, dat ball was mines. Yep, I dismembered pulled dat ball from da scratcher all together. Mommy couldn’t see a string attached to da ball so she just took a few fotos. I’s then returned to da Incline scratcher and while mommys back was turned I went in fur dat danglin’ string dat once held da ball. Of course it was a piece of stretchy elasticized string and mommy heard it immediately. She took dat string away from me so fast mines head spun. I’s purrtested, “But mommy, dat looks like soooooooo much fun.” “it’s mine, after all it was attached to mines new cat scratcher.” All to no avail. Mommy wouldn’t give me dat cool string no matter what I’s meowed, chortled or chirped. She said somethin’ ‘bout dangerous and chokin’ hazard, and serious tummy issues and so on and threw dat ‘lastecized string in da trash. Even without da cool string, da Kong incline scratcher is amazin’. I’s give it all paws up. Let’s ask sissy what she thinks.

Fanks Raena. Me likes it too. Altho’ you already had da ball torn off befur me’s got a chance to play, da scratcher is sturdy and does da job. Cuz of da crinkle ball attachment and da dangers associated with such features, me gives da Kong Incline Scratcher 3 paws up. Fur $5.65 it’s a great buy. Me knows mommy wants to say somethin’, so me will turn it over to her fur a minute. Mommy…

Thank you girls. The Kong Incline Scratcher is a great option for cats and kittens of all ages and size. However, the crinkle ball and the accompanying string should be removed immediately before given to any cat. This isn’t the first design flaw I’ve seen in Kongs’ cat toys and is a bit disappointing. But all in all, the scratcher is wonderful, sturdy and liked by both Dezi and Raena. That makes it hit in my books. So one thumb up for the scratcher. And remember, even declawed cats have the need to scratch. This would be a great option. (Please, Do Not declaw your cat)

This is the offending string and that’s a small piece of lightweight

cardboard it’s tied onto. This is threaded through a hole in the top

that isn’t secured so kitty can tear it out easily. And that small piece of

lightweight cardboard is already torn. Very Dangerous!!!

Fanky Fanks mommy and sissy. I know you all wanna get a Kong scratcher fur yourselves. So head on over and check it out. While you’re at Chewy take a look around. They carry lots of supplies and ship speedy and furee fur all orders over $49.00. There’s a low flat rate shipping fur all other orders. And you can even set up an auto ship so you never run out of noms, treats or litter again. And don’t worry, you can skip, cancel or delay at any time.

Did I do okay sissy?

You did great Raena. We’re joinin’ da Chewy blog hop and da weekly Pet Parade, so check them out. Me is gonna repeat what mommy said. All kitties need a scratcher, even those kitties who have been declawed. But, Purrlease Do Not declaw your kitty. Mommy has some business to take care of this afternoon, so we’ll be ‘round to visit soon. We hope you all have a pawsum weekend.

Till da next time……………………………………Be Blest!!!

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Raena: Navy Blue

Mommy A: Black

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Deztinee

Dezi and Raena eat breakfast next to each other

Chatting Sisters: Mommy’s Got A New Fave Photo

Published on October 19, 2016 by Service Cats U.S.29 Comments

Meowllo and welcome to a bootyful Wednesday. We’re gonna make it short and sweet today cuz mommy has lots of things she needs to do. Among those things. Raena and me are hopin’ fur a walk or stroll. Ya’ never know, mommy tries to take us out as offen as she can. Anyways, mommy says she has a brand new favorite foto.

I heard her say dat too sissy. What’s so special ‘bout us eatin’ our noms?

Well Raena, mommies get excited and happy over da smallest and strangest of things. Me knows she thinks you be way too skinny. And after all da trouble she had with sis Lexi eatin’, mommy gets so happy when we eat heartily. But da truth of da matter is dat me thinks she’s happy cuz we’re eatin’ together. You know, mommy’s all ‘bout us getting’ along and all.

I’s think you’re right sissy. And I gotta tell ya’ I’s purretty glad you’re not hissin’ at me all da time anymore too. I know mommy is as well. So I guess she has lots of things to be happy ‘bout.

Sure ‘nuff sis. Let’s get outta here and have a meownin’ nap so we’ll be all rested up when mommy gets ready to take us out. We hope you all have a wonderful day.

	www.pch.com sweepsta… on Blest Sunday: Merry Christmas:…
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I’s a good helper aren’t I sissy?

Do you (your cat) like water?

Is there something you would like to know how to train?

Till da next time………………………………..Be Blest!!!

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

What to Look For Training Foundations Training Kitty to Massage

Smelling Disease Do You Need One Who Bears the Cost

Housing Laws and Exceptions Accommodations and Common Sense

What Happens When Handler Dies Proper Training Methods Pt. 1 & Pt. 2

The Easiest Task to Train Getting Kitty Ready for an Outing

Discipline Internal Disputes Calling for Emergency Help

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I’s still don’t get what da big deal is sissy, but mommy sure is happy. I wans’t sure at furst cuz of all those tears, but she said they were happy tears. And dat she couldn’t say fank ya’ enuff to da angel what sent her dat delishus coffee. I’s fankful fur da box.

We sure do sissy. And fanky fanks fur da boxes too. Now, what’s a birthday? I think I’s gonna like those ifin we get chicken. And what’s these holidays and Christmas?

And we’re joinin’ da Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. I’s’ll race ya’ to da big box sissy.

Till da next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Raena: Navy Blue

Mommy A: Black