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.

 Raena chillin'

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.

Raena looks at the camera from inside the stroller

Raena making headlines in the newspaper about her oversized fashion sense

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.

 Raena posing at the vets

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.

 Raena looking around the vets exam room

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.

 Raena sitting pretty

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.

Raena looking around at the vets

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.

Raena sleeping off the dat at the vet

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. 

 Dezi hanging in the Liberty cat tree

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!!!

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Dezi          

Brotherhood of the World

Meowllo everypawdy, we’re back. Did ya’ miss us?

 Raena, Ragdoll Kitten, rests

     Well sis Dezi, did they? Did they miss us? 

 Dezi on top of the Liberty tree

Me doesn’t know yet Raena. Now cool it and let me tell everypawdy what’s been goin’ on.

As ya’ know mommy’s been workin’ on getting’ da air conditioner in da car fixed. So Wednesday she had to be over at da mechanics at 8:30 dat meownin’. Well you all know mommy can’t move in da meownin, so she stayed up all night on Tuesday so she could be at da mechanic’s on time. Then she sat out in da hot garage till 3 dat afternoon when da mechanic furinally found da purroblem and fixed it. WooHoo   We’s got cold air comin’ from da vents now. ‘Course, by da time mommy got home, she and her brain were fried. Useless, dat’s da bestest way to describe mommy fur da last couple of days. And just when she furinally got ready to get back in da game, her and Raena be headin’ to da VET fur Raena’s last round of core vaccinations includin’ rabies.

 Raena looks at the camera from inside the stroller

     What you talkin’ ‘bout Dezi?

Oh, uh, never mind. Raena, go check with mommy, me thinks she has some treats fur ya’. 

     Treats? Really? See ya’ sissy. 

So, like me was sayin’, Raena be at da VETs this meownin’. These vaccinations have made her sick everytime, so we would fur sure purreciate your purrayers fur them today. Fankfully, they’ll have cool air, so Raena won’t get any heat exhaustion. Mommy was so scared fur her after da last shots.

In da meantime, we’ve gotten a couple of awards here lately, dat we haven’t posted ‘bout, and so me thought today would be a great day to start. These awards all have a few question/answers to them, so me thought we would feature one at a time, startin’ with da most recent. So let’s get on with it.

Our sweet gawjus furiend Little Binky from Angel Whisper nominated us fur da Brotherhood of the World award. We are so honored, thank you Binky and granny. We luv ya’ll too. Da rules are: Thank da purrson/kitty/doggy what nominated you, and answer their questions. Nominate and notify up to 10 bloggers. Purrsent those bloggers with your questions and display da badge. Well me’s thanked Binky, so let’s get on to da questions.

 Brotherhood of the World Award

1. What do you think when you wake up in the morning?

    Well, me’s furst thought is, “mommy, are you awake yet?”

2. Do you have a kind of ritual when you wake up?

    You betcha’ we do. We give mommy a massage to get her limbs to movin’ so she can get up and get ‘round. No brekky without mommy, ya’ know. 

3. What makes you happy?

    Oh Binky, dat’s a big ole question. Mommy, Raena and me all discussed this and came up with da same answer. Bein’ together and havin’ each other and all of you, makes us really happy.

4. Have you ever had a sign from the angels and how did you feel after that?

    Well we don’t know ‘zactly how to answer this one. We believe in God 100%, but we don’t believe in spirit visitations. Since angels are merely God’s messengers, we believe that all signs are from God. Mommy has had many, including da one dat brought Raena to join our furmily. Dat was a good sign, so we’re happy ‘bout it. Altho’ me does occasionally question mommy’s hearin’. MOL  

5. What is your hobby?

    Hobby? Me likes to luv on mommy and play with me’s Yeowww nip toys. Raena has made doin’ everythin’ me does her hobby, and jumpin’ on me outta nowhere. And besides us, mommy sings, writes and plays da piano. She’s workin’ on a song she’s writin’ fur me right now. 

 Dezi plays with the Yeowww nip toys

Raena bunny kicks awnty Ellen's made with love nip fishy

So there ya’ have it, our answers. Now, we’re gonna nominate a few blogs. Ifin ya’ don’t do awards, dat’s okay. We look at da nominatin’ time as a way to show our luv and purreciation to a few blogs dat we enjoy and think meet da qualifications of said award. But there are so many of you out there dat we luv and think are pawsum, dat there’s no way we could pawssibly list you all. So purrlease feel furee to take the award. Just ‘member, to follow da rules listed above. 

Nominees:

Da Tabbies of Trout Towne 

Purrseidon

Brian and the girls of Brians Home 

Momma Kat and Bear Cat

Easy Rider

Three Chatty Cats 

The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Our questions fur any who choose to purrticipate:

1. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?

2. What’s your favorite past time?

3. What one thing do you think would make this world a better place for animals? 

4. What is your favorite hobby? (Sorry to steal Binky, but dat was a good question) 

5. What is your favorite food or treat?  

 Pet Parade banner new

Again, fank ya’ Binky. Since it’s Furiday, we’s joinin’ Rascal and Rocco and their pawsum co hosts fur da Pet Parade. We’ll be ‘round to visit as soon as we can. We hope you all stay cool and have a great weekend.

 Dezi watches Raena bathe

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

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle         

Service Cats: Housing Laws and Exceptions

 

dw-Dezi n Raena look cameraDSCN7190edit (1024x690)

Meowllo and welcome to another miserable Monday. It’s time fur another educational Service Cat posty. As always, it will be written in human English. Our blog is not a training manual. Any training tips or stories are not meant to be complete, but rather a starting point; as propurr training takes time and is repetitive. Me wants to thank you all fur your questions and comments on our postys. We were asked ‘bout claw clippin’ a squirmy kitty last week. But it wasn’t da furst time we’s been asked dat, so we’re workin’ on a video tutorial fur dat. You know at da end of da day, we are still cats and have to have our claws clipped just like da rest of ya’; and we’re not so crazy ‘bout it. Mommy’s never hurt us, but still…So we decided a video would be da bestest way to ‘splain how to do it, so stay tuned fur dat. As ya’ know, there’s only one mommy, so these things take time. Ifin you have missed any of da postys in this series, you can get caught up by clickin’ da links below. Some of you have also asked about previous training posts. You can use the search feature on our sidebar to read previous posts. Keywords such as Dezi, wheelchair, phone, etc. will bring some of these up.  

Service Cats: What To Look For Pt. 1 

Service Cats: Training Foundations Pt. 2

Service Cats: How To Train Kitty Massage W/O Claws Pt. 3

Service Cats: Smelling Disease Pt. 4

Service Cats: Do You Need One Pt. 5

Service Cats: Who Bears The Cost Pt. 6 

Well let’s get started. After last weeks post, we were talking with our friends from Bad Cat Chris about some of the laws that pertain to Service Animals and housing and such. His wife works in the housing/apartment business and is often coming in contact with those “fakers” we’ve talked about. You know, those people who call their pets Service Animals to avoid paying pet deposits/fees or so they can take their pet somewhere pets aren’t normally allowed (ie: stores, restaurants, grocery’s, etc.). You might recall, that every week, we plead with the public to NOT call their pets Service Animals unless they fit the literal description the ADA puts forth; an animal that is individually trained to perform tasks for a disabled person. Fetch, shake, roll over, etc. are not considered Service Animal training.

 Dezi looks out from the house on the Liberty cat tree

Your question is probably, “how do these people get away with lying about their pets?” The answer is, Easy. Unfortunately, Certification, is not required by law but rather is voluntary. Because of this there are lots of places that certify animals for a price. Certification really means nothing under the current laws. Per the rules, no one is allowed to ask someone to prove their animal is indeed a Service Animal. The only question that can be posed to a disabled person about their Service Animal is: “What task(s) does this animal perform for you that makes it necessary?” You cannot ask what a person’s disability is or require proof of any kind.

In recent years Companion Animals (CA) have become extremely popular. Remember, a Companion Animal is merely a pet. These animals may also go by the title of Emotional Support Animals (ESA). This means that the very presence of the animal has a positive influence on a person suffering from depression, panic attacks, etc.. A Companion Animal has no specific training and IS NOT a Service Animal. There is no certification or training required for an animal to be considered a Companion/Emotional Support Animal. As a result of studies that prove animals have a positive influence on their owners health, Companion Animals/Emotional Support Animals have gained acceptance and some rights under housing laws. Unfortunately a lot of people take advantage of this, and often try to pass off their CA/ESA as a Service Animal.      

 Raena contorts on the brown cat tree

Landlords may require a note or letter from a medical professional stating that the animal in question is there to provide emotional support for a person. The animal must still meet the requirements a landlord sets forth in their pet policy. A typical apartment pet policy requires animals be 35 pounds or under, current on all vaccines required by law, well behaved and not a nuisance to neighbors. A landlord may ban pets/CA/ESA from certain areas of the property. Companion Animals/ ESA are not allowed in any public place that does not allow pets (ie: grocery stores, restaurants, etc.).

In an attempt to stop abuse of the Service Animal rights, the ADA refined and limited their definitions of said animals. In doing so, they punished those who truly have a need for a Service Animal of another species than dogs. Another way to go about this would be to require certification for Service Animals. However, that’s not as easy as it sounds. Me thinks this is a lot of information, so me’s going to wrap it up fur today. We’ll talk more about Certification and what effect that would have for the disabled in another post. We were also asked to speak a bit on good training techniques as opposed to bad ones (ie: punishment, force, etc.); so we’ll be covering that in a future post as well. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions or ideas you would like answered or addressed, leave them in da comments or send us an email.

 

 Dezi and Raena look at each other from the Liberty cat tree

Do you think Certification should be required for all Service Animals?

If you’re for Certification, do you think there should be a charge, and if so, how much?  

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

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Blest Sunday Strolls

Dezi looks at the camera from the Liberty cat tree

Meowllo and welcome to a pawsumly Blest Sunday. It’s been a long hot week, but a lot has happened. It ain’t all good, but you know us, we always try to make d bestest of any situation. Guess me should start with Raena. You know Raena be “in training” right now and pawrt of dat trainin’ is to get used to different peeps and situations. To get us used to those kinds of things, mommy takes us out and ‘bout our little town. Da folks here know to ask befur touchin’ us, and always wanna make over us. So it gives us experience with noisy strangers peekin’ at us, pointin’ at us, and furinally pettin’ us.

 Raena looks at the camera from inside the stroller

Well mommy had kinda let down on takin’ Raena out early on cuz of da heat. With no a/c or workin’ windows in da car, it meant dat Raena got overheated really fast, like what happened after her last VET ‘pointment; not to mention what da heat does to mommy. And quite frankly, mommy was really scared we were gonna lose Raena after dat last VET ‘pointment. Anyways, you all know mommy’s been tryin’ to find somepawdy to help ‘round da house, right?. Well when a somepawdy came by fur an innerview and Raena got scared and started to run, mommy knew, heat or know heat, a/c or no a/c, Raena was gonna have to go out into da public. So mostly late in da day, Raena and mommy have been takin’ trips to town. Raena’s furinally big enuff to sit in da stroller, so she’s been getting’ to go fur strolls. And guess what? She’s luvvin’ it. Sure ‘nuff, she can’t get enuff of da stroller. Fanks again awnty Jennifer and grand awnty Peggy. Mommy can’t take her too far in it, cuz we don’t have a harness small enuff fur her yet, so we can’t secure her in; but short strolls and trips are okay. Mommy just watches her like a hawk. And mommy even gets a little treat outta their trips. She’s been havin’ a sweet tooth lately, and most of da places they go have a take one free candy dish. MOL

 Raena looks out of the stroller

Anyways, God’s always lookin’ out fur us, and sent angels to help us with dat a/c purroblem. So mommy trekked over drove to da garage to see ‘bout getting’ us some cool air. Da mechanic decided to double check his furst opinion and fank catness he did, cuz it wasn’t what he furst thought. Altho’ it appeared much worse. Da cost of da pawrt was gonna be waaaaaaay to high. Like in da $600.00 – $700.00 range. And dat was just fur da pawrt. They hadn’t even started talkin’ labor. Mommy felt so defeated and sad when she left da garage dat day. But hey, this is da catputer age. It’s harder fur peeps to take advantage of ya’ ifin ya’ just do a little research. So after dryin’ her tears and coolin’ off a bit, mommy got on da catputer and found dat altho’ dat pawrt was ‘spensive, it wasn’t no $600.00 – $700.00. So we have a ‘pointment on Wednesday to get us some cool air, and a much cheaper pawrt waitin’ to be installed in da car. WooHoo!!!  Fank you God and purrlease bless those angels.

 Raena looks outside the front door from the Liberty cat tree

And ya’ know what else? Dat somepawdy who came by fur an innerview to help ‘round da house? Well, mommy was able to hire her. She passed da OSBI background check and da state approved her application. When mommy called her, she said she’d been waitin’ on our call and she starts this week. We sure do hope it works out. We’ll keep ya’ posted on dat one. She’s young and has kids and a husband. She’s just lookin’ to get outta da house fur a few hours, so this job is purrfect fur her ifin she doesn’t mind workin’. Dat’s somethin’ we’ll find out soon enuff.

 Dezi looks outside the front door from the Liberty cat tree

And our biggest blessin’ as always is dat we have each other and all of you. ‘Member to take a minute today and everyday to give thanks fur da blessings in your life. Even in da bad times, da blessings are there. This is da last call fur Pawlympic Fly Fishin’ fotos, so send ‘em in now to be a pawrt of our posty. (lexi.dezi@yahoo.com {lexi[dot]dezi[@]yahoo[dot]com} And we’s joinin’ da Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies, go by and check ‘em all out. 

 Blogville Pawlympics Fly Fishin' badge

Well, me’s gonna go now and see ’bout gettin’ some treats befur we start visitin’ you all. We’ll be ‘tound as soon as we can.

Dezi leaves the top of the Liberty cat tree

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

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle