MeOW and welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline. What do ya’ think about our new name? Anyways, we’re getting some great questions, so keep ‘em comin’. ‘Member, there’s no dumb questions. Even the experts can still learn somethin’. Mommy says the day you think you can no longer learn anythin’ more is the day you become a fool. You can ketch up any time on any of the posts in this series by clickin’ the Training Tips and Everything Feline link in our menu board above. Please leave your questions or post suggestions in the comments below or send us an email via our Contact Page from the menu above. We’re glad ya’ll enjoyed last weeks post and hope we simplified the definitions somewhat and made it easier to understand the difference in the classifications of our Animal Helpers.
The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.
We were asked, “How long does it usually take to Train a kitty to perform a task?” Our general answer is going to be: Each kitty is different and there are a lot of factors that need to be considered when Training kitty; so the time it takes will vary. Any kitty can be Trained regardless of age, breed, “disabilities” or personality. Successful Training is always, always about Repetition and Rewards. Remember, when it comes to Training mommy says, “Learning doesn’t take a day off”. Mommy used to give piano lessons to humans of all ages. While most teachers give 30 minute a week lessons over the span of 10 years or more, mommy insisted on 1 hour a week lessons for 1 year without breaks or vacations. No summer’s off for mommy’s students. However, if they stuck it out, there’s nothing they wouldn’t be able to play, and in most cases could rewrite music into any key they wished in just minutes. Mommy is very serious about Training of any kind.
Shad (110 camera image)
That being said, let’s take a look back at some of the Service Cats mommy has Trained and how long it took to learn specific tasks. We’ll start with Shad, since she was mommy’s first Service Cat. If you missed Shad’s story, you can read it here. Shad actually Trained herself, but we can look at the sequence of events that occurred leading up to her first act of calling 911 for help. Mommy’s accident occurred in November. A lot of her problems were immediate including passing out. Shad’s first Service Cat act was to dial 911 on the telephone when mommy passed out and hit her head on an end table. She did this in March of the year following mommy’s accident. Mommy surmised that Shad had been observing her since November and realized that when mommy hit her head she was out longer and often more confused when she came too. The next task Shad taught herself was to move the shower curtain away from mommy’s face and push mommy’s head away from the water flow when she passed out in the shower. She first did this in April following the accident. Again, mommy surmised after receiving praise for her attempts to get mommy help, Shad stepped it up and wanted to do more to help. Shad was a small girl, weighing in at only 12 – 15 pounds on average, so she did the best she could considering mommy’s weight and size.
Now let’s move to a Service kitty most of you are familiar with and one that mommy did Train, Lexi. Mommy determined that if Shad could learn those things on her own, then surely mommy could teach other cats to perform those tasks as well as others. When Training, one must always keep in mind the size and natural instincts and abilities of the animal being Trained. For example, you can’t ask or expect a kitty of 6 pounds to pull a manual wheelchair. You must have realistic expectations to be successful in your Training attempts. Since all kitties have the ability and desire to “knead”/”make biscuits”, Massage is one of the first tasks mommy Trains a kitty to perform. Even the smallest of kitties has some power in those paws. After all, that’s how they work more milk into the mother cat’s teats. Lexi’s mother had been killed while she was giving birth, so mommy had raised her from the beginning. Even tho’ Lexi didn’t have to “work” for her milk, she still had great kneading capabilities. The trick here is teaching kitty when and where to knead/massage and how not to use their claws. You can read mommy A’s Training Tips here. A kitten’s eyes and ears are open by the age of 3 weeks, and that’s when mommy started Training Lexi. Lexi was successfully giving mommy massages on demand by the age of 5 weeks. Only occasionally would she get over excited and bring out her claws. Please Do Not Declaw Your Kitty, they can be trained not to use them on you but on appropriate surfaces!!!
Lexi at 6 months (110 camera image)
Mommy started teaching Lexi about the phone when she was about 7 weeks old. She learned the number pattern to dial in about a month but wasn’t big enough or heavy enough to actually push the buttons down until she was about 4 months old. We know it’s hard to believe, but sis Lexi was that small at one time. She had 2 brothers at the time who she watched help mommy in the shower every day. At about 4 months old, she jumped into the tub on her own and tried to help them. She was too small to make a difference, but she learned what to do by watching them and eagerly took her place beside them when she finally got big enough. Lexi was about 3 years old when mommy got her first wheelchair. At that time, Lexi and 1 brother, Lucky remained with mommy. They took turns learning about the wheelchair.
Lexi and Lucky laying on the bed. (110 camera image)
It took about 3 months before Lexi was comfortable enough around the chair to even ride in it. It was her brother Lucky that gave mommy the idea to train them to drive it. At the time, it was the only chair mommy had, so she sat in it most of the time. One night she and Lucky were relaxing in the chair watching television when he got up, pushed the power button, bit the joystick and propelled them forward. He seemed a bit shocked, but didn’t jump down. Lexi came running over and jumped up in mommy’s lap too. Mommy moved the chair back to where they had been and Lucky proceeded to repeat his actions. This happened over and over that night until mommy plugged the chair in and they went to bed. The next morning when mommy awoke, Lexi was sitting in the chair biting the joystick and trying to push it. A wheelchair will not operate when in charging mode.
Lucky laying in wheelchair (110 camera image)
We’re going to stop here for today. We’ll pick up where we left off next Friday, so be sure and stop by to see what’s next. And ‘member to leave your questions and post suggestions in the comments section below or send us an email via our Contact page. You can ketch up on any post you may have missed by clicking the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page from the menu above.
Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Welllllll, Hmmpht……..
Raena? Are you okay?
Yeah, fanky fanks sissy. I’s just have so much on mine’s mind, I’s didn’t know what to meow fur a minute.
MOL MOL MOL
Really? You? Not know what to meow? (Dezi heads for the phone) Hold on, let me call those world record peeps right quick. They’re gonna wanna put this one down in the history books me bets. Yep, the day Raena didn’t know what to meow. Me bets they’ll even wanna make a movie or somethin’.
Very funny, sissy. You’re quite the comedienne aren’t ya’?
Sometimes me does amaze me’s self. Why don’t ya’ start with why ya’ll came home so early yesfurday.
Oh sissy, was that weather skeery or what!!? Power flickers, hot one second then cold the next. And the rain and thunder and lightnin’, oh my!!! And mommy was so tired, she couldn’t even see to clean her teethies and put ‘em in. She didn’t think much ‘bout it tho’, after all, we were goin’ to get her purrmanent ones. Least that’s what we thought.
Yeah, she did seem kinda upset when ya’ll got home, what happened.
Well sissy, that was purrobably a mixture of everythin’ includin’ how tired she was. But, it started when the peeps at the dentist office said that those things she’s been wearin’ were gonna be her purrmanent teethies cuz she couldn’t affurd the new denture. Mommy calmly but furmly flew off the handle and told ‘em she’d been complainin’ ‘bout those things since the day they she furst saw ‘em. And that had she been told that then, she would’a never accepted ’em. And, that at every ‘pointment, she had been reassured that those were just “place holders” and that she would get a new denture that not only fit purropurrly but looked good, ya’ know like actual teeth. They had given her this gummy thing that was uneven, undersized and had teeth, ifin you could call ‘em that, that looked like they fit in a child’s mouth; one that had some sort of gum disease at that. When the girly went to meow at the office manager, me and mommy began to purray. Quietly of course, we didn’t wanna disturb anypawdy else. Anyways, after repeatin’ her story a few times they furinally agreed to make mommy a new one. So, they took new impurrsions and scheduled another ‘pointment fur next week. We didn’t get nuffin’, and as we walked out, they told mommy to be sure to bring that nasty thing next week so they could “see” it. Hmmmpht
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Oh Raena, sounds like we need to do lots of purrayin’ t’ween now and then. Well, did your ‘pointment go better at least?
Oh Yes, sissy. Mine’s ‘pointment went purrfectly ifin ya’ ask me. Seems they had told mommy to just pop in since she didn’t know how long we’d be at the dentist, so we didn’t have an actual ‘pointment time. so, when they closed cuz of the weather, they didn’t call us and cancel. I’s didn’t have to see the V E T at all!!! WooHoooooo (Raena does the happy dance) By that time, it must’ve been a hunnerd below zero out cuz that wasn’t rain hittin’ the car, it was ice!!! Mommy needed some bandages fur her leg and awnty Cindy had sent mommy some green papers to get ‘em so we rushed to Wallyworld to get some and then home. No treats, no bacon cheeseburger, no nuffin’…just home. Mommy did pawlogize tho’. She said next time, that she was so tired and didn’t wanna take any chances with mine’s life and that we needed to get home befur it got any worse. I’s guess I’s can furgive her. I’s much purrfur mommy’s luvvin’ arms to bacon cheeseburgers any day.
Yeah, me too Raena. Did you know yesfurday was show your pet some luv day, and we missed it?
Really sissy? Ya’ know what? I’s don’t think we missed it at all. Mommy luvs us so much and not only says it all the time, but she shows us too. I’s don’t think we need a day fur us. I’s would much rather get good luvvins all the time than to have to wait fur a special day.
Yep, me too Raena. Hey, did you hear that our sweet furiends Valentine and Princess Erin also have Blogoversaries this month?
I’s seem to ‘member you meowin’ somethin’ ‘bout that last night sissy.
Well, while you and mommy were out gallavantin’ in the storms and ice, me made plans with them to have a pawrty this Sunday. We hope everypawdy will stop by. It’s gonna be fun, fun, fun, and nopawdy’s gonna take the t-bird away. MOL Sometimes me’s so funny me cracks me’s self up.
That’s the ice fallin’ right now.
But sissy, we don’t have a t-bird…do we?
Xxxxxxx-zactly!!! Nopawdy can take what ya’ don’t have. It’s rainin’ ice again. Me’s gonna go take a nap.
I’s right behind ya’ sissy. What are we gonna do fur the pawrty? I’s gonna have to dream on it…
Hey…HEY IS ANYPAWDY OUT THERE??? It’s Me RaenaBelle!!! (Raena looks around for Dezi and then towards the window as a flash of lightning brightens up the room.) Sissy!!! I’s not sure ifin anypawdy can hear me over all these thunder boomers and storms. Sissy? Sissy, where are you?
Leave me alone Raena. Me’s checkin’ unner the bed fur intruders. Don’t you have somethin’ you’re s’posed to be gettin’ ready fur?
I’s do sissy. The day’s furinally here. we’re goin’ to town to get mommy’s purrmanent dentures. Somepawdy asked on facebook what we meant, so I’s purrobably oughtta x’plain a bit. By purrmanent, we mean the final denture plate that’ll take the place of these temps she’s been wearin’ fur 6 months. There’s no screws in mommy’s mouth and she’ll still take her teethies out to brush ‘em and all. So technically, they’re not purrmanent. ‘Course nuffin’ with a 6 month warranty is purrmanent, right? But, they’ll be purrmanent fur mommy cuz there’s no way we’d be able to affurd another pair, so they’re just gonna have to last.
(Meowing from UTB) Mommy’ll take good care of ‘em Raena. Don’t you worry ‘bout that. Are you ready fur your ‘pointment?
Mine’s ‘pointment? (Raena wipes at her eyes) I’s don’t have any ‘pointments. I’s just goin’ with mommy cuz she might need me.
Oh, yeah. Mmmhuh, sure. Nope, no ‘pointments fur RaenaBelle.
What ‘pointment did you think I’s had sissy?
(Mumbling under her breath from under the bed) Nuffin’ Raena. Me was just thinkin’ out loud is all. Ya’ know, ‘bout your eyes. Me knows mommy had wanted to have those looked at, she just needed to pay our balance at the V E T’s down a little so she could affurd to have you checked out.
Well, I’s don’t wanna go to the V E T’s office. I’s gonna hope we’re at mommy’s dental place all day so there’s no time to go to the V E T. Besides, don’t you think mommy’s gonna wanna hurry home knowin’ how scared you’ll be here by yourself with all these storms?
How many times does me have to tell ya’ Raena, me’s not scared. Me’s checkin’ fur intruders!!! Anyways, we’ll just ask all our furiends to keep all of us in their purrayers today. Ya’ know, that mommy gets purropurr fittin’ and aesthetically purrleasin’ teethies. And, that ya’ll will be safe out in the storms, ‘specially since mommy didn’t get any sleep last night; and that me will be safe here waitin’ on ya’ll to come home. And, that whatever’s wrong with your eyes will be easily fixed and not cost a lot. It’s gonna kill mommy to not clean your eyes all day. Ya’ know, CK once said your eyes looked pawsum, she didn’t know what we were meowin’ ‘bout. We had to tell her that mommy purrobably cleans those things elebenty billion times a day, and edits out the bad like a blemish.
Hmmmmpht I’s know. Mommy’s constantly wipin’ mine’s eyes. Altho’, it does help me see better when she does. I’s fanky fankful mommy cares enuff to take care of me like that. I’s not sure she’s gonna be noticin’ mine’s eyes much today tho’. She didn’t get much sleep the night befur either cuz of all the storms. So, two days without sleep at her age…we’ll be lucky ifin she doesn’t doze off while waitin’ on her teethies. She says they want her there early in case it takes a few tries to get her teethies right. I’s can’t wait fur when we take fotos and show off her new smile. Altho’ it purrobably won’t be tomorrow. I’s see a long nap and lots of cuddles in our near future.
(Dezi meows quietly from under the bed while a loud clap of thunder booms over head) Me sure hopes the storm passes soon so me can join the cuddles on the bed ‘stead of unner it.
(Raena jumps on the cat tree and waits for mommy to put her harness on and strap her into the stroller. She meowmbles) Guess we won’t be visitin’ our furiends again today. Hmmmmpht We’s better start visitin’ soon or they’ll furget all ‘bout us.
Meweek, Mew, Mew, (Dezi dances around and runs back and forth from the kitchen to her meal mat in the living room) hurry with that brekky mommy, we’ve gotta write our Blest Sunday posty. It’s our 4th Blogoversary!!! And what better day to celebrate it than Blest Sunday. Don’t put too much gravy in Raena’s, you know she’ll throw it all up ifin ya’ do.
(Raena jumps down from the wheelchair and runs right into Dezi re-entering the kitchen) Sissy…
Hisssssssss…Watch where you’re goin’, Raena!!!
I’s not the one runnin’, sissy, you are. Maybe, you should watch where you’re goin’. I’s want the exact same brekky as you. The more gravy the better. (Raena rubs against the wheelchair and one of mommy’s legs) Meowwwwww Mommy, I’s want the same brekky as sissy. I’s a big girly now. I’s even got to go the the Cat Scouts Valentine’s day dance. By the way sissy, what’s a Blogoversary?
Taggin’ along to a dance doesn’t make you all grown up, Raena. Now leave mommy alone so she can fix our brekky. Haven’t you figgered out by now the more we bug her the longer it takes to get fed? (Dezi meows as she runs back to her food mat. Then she hears the coffee pot beep and runs back to the kitchen, where she watches mommy get her cup of coffee and head for the living room to set it down. Dezi follows mommy back to the kitchen where she picks up the breakfast plates and heads back to the living room. Dezi runs ahead excitedly) Meweeeeeek, Mew, Mew. Here mommy, here. Put me’s brekky right here. (Turns to Raena and meows) We’ve been bloggin’ since February of 2014, Raena. Mommy had just got her furst real catputer and knew nuffin’ ‘bout the world of bloggin’ or the innernet. We actually created a blog totally by accident. But, it’s been one of the greatest things that ever happened to us. We’ve met so many amazin’ furiends, both human and anipal. We can’t ‘magine what our lives would be like without all of you in it. We’ve come so far from our furst posty and our second, both on the same day to innerduce ouselves. We didn’t have a clue ‘bout what bloggin’ was or how to edit fotos, or even what to write ‘bout.
(Raena runs to her food mat in the living room and looks back for mommy.) MeOWwww I’s so hungry. Put mine’s plate right here mommy, hurry. (Mommy parks the wheelchair and sits in the sitting chair and opens a bag of chocolate chip mini muffins. Raena looks up from her plate and walks over to sniff the bag in mommy’s hand. She goes back to “cover” her plate and then jumps in mommy’s lap.) I’s want some of that mommy…Why? Why can’t I’s have a bite? A little chocolate can’t pawssibly hurt me. (Looking down at Dezi, Raena meows) Well look at us now sissy. I’s can’t ‘magine you ever had a hard time comin’ up with somethin’ to meow ‘bout.
Ya’ never know Raena. Chocolate isn’t good fur us kitties or doggies. Besides, we’ve got great food, you wouldn’t like those muffins anyways. But, it sure was nice of awnty Cindy and angel Maggie Meme to send it to mommy. She luvs those little muffins and brownie bites. (Thinks about what Raena just meowed) Me’s not sure ifin you’re givin’ me a compliment or bein’ mean Raena, but me’s gonna choose to believe you’re bein’ nice. Back then the blog was mostly me’s meows; sis Lexi had facebook and me had the blog. It’s really nuffin’ like it used to be. But, mommy says that’s a good thing. We have to evolve and learn or we’ll fade away into the lost bytes and bits of the innernets.
I’s sure don’t wanna fade away sissy. I’s very fanky fankful you’re willin’ to share your bloggy with me; and all your furiends who accepted me and luvved me when I’s came here. Happy Blogoversary sissy, I’s hope we have lots more. By the way, did you see those Hawaiin rolls? Mommy can’t get enuff of those things. They are purretty tasty. I’s got to try a little bite once. I’s don’t know what a croissant is, but mommy seemed really happy to see those too. Fanky fank ya’ fur sendin’ mommy a Valentine’s day treat. We are so Blest.
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That we are Raena. Another blessin’ we got this week was help with mommy’s leg ouchie. Some of ya’ may ‘member that mommy fell right befur Christmas and hurt her leg purretty bad. It got to hurtin’ somethin’ fierce last week, so we asked ifin anypawdy had any suggestions on how to treat it. Mommy’s V E T had told her to keep puttin’ that triple antibiotic cream on it and keep it wrapped. But, it didn’t seem to be gettin’ any better. And cuz mommy had to use a few bandaid type bandages cuz she ran out of gauze pads, she had some new sores where the sticky had been. Mommy’s ‘lergic to bandage sticky, and we’re thinkin’ triple antibiotic cream. As always, our pawsum furiends purrayed and gave us some great ideas fur treatin’ her ouchie. Warning: Below are purrgressive fotos of mommy’s ouchie. Ifin ya’ have a weak tummy, scroll quick, there’s only 3 and we made them small.
Right after the fall
5 days ago
After 3 days of Manuka honey
Sure ‘nuff, sissy. Somepawdy suggested she put Manuka honey on it. She just happened to have some of that cuz she had bought it fur your sis Lexi. I’s thought she looked kind’a crazy slatherin’ honey on her leg, but it really seemed to help, a lot. That honey took the heat and the soreness outta mommy’s ouchie really quick.
It even looks better too, Raena. And fanks to awnty Cindy fur sendin’ some green papers, mommy got some more gauze pads and is lookin’ into somethin’ called colloidal silver.
And the blessings don’t stop there, sissy. Mommy’s gonna be gettin’ her new fake teethies on Tuesday. We can’t hardly wait. I’s hopin’ we get to pick up some extra treats while we’re in Ardmore. Maybe I’s can meow mommy into gettin’ us some bacon or somethin’. What a week of blessings we’ve had. Good furiends, good food and lots of luvs…What more could a kitty girl ask fur.
And, A Blogoversary!!! Absolutely Nuffin’ Raena, we’ve got everythin’ we need. What Blest lives we have. We’d like to remind everypawdy to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur the Blessings in your life. And fank you all fur visitin’ us, commentin’ on our postys and mostly fur just bein’ the bestest extended furmily in the universe. We luv you all very much.
Don’t furget the Sunday Selfies, sissy. There’s been a lot of distractions and things mommy’s had to deal with these past couple of weeks, so we’re purretty behind in our visits to all our furiends. We’re really sorry we’ve not been by to see ya’, but we hope to get caught up soon. Purrlease bear with us, (Raena and Dezi look over at mommy) we purromise to visit soon. And here’s to elbenty billion more Blogoversaries.
Service Cats U.S. 