Raena poses with the Litter Genie

Blest Sunday: Chatting Cats and Abundance

Published on April 9, 2017 by Service Cats U.S.34 Comments

Well, we furinally made it to Blest Sunday, Raena.

We sure did, sissy. I’s gotta tell ya’, with all the crazies mommy’s been goin’ thru, I’s wasn’t so sure we’d make it. The management tried to sneak in a second inspection this month, and mommy just ‘bout passed out at the doctor’s office. Mommy’s been really tired this last week. Y, just the other day we was visitin’ one of our furiends and next thing I’s knew, mommy had done nodded off right in the middle of readin’ the posty to us.

Yep, me noticed that Raena. Me knows she’s feelin’ better now that the worst of the teethies are gone, but ‘pawrently, baked, smashed taters and Malt o Meal don’t give her any energy. We are so fankful to Uncle and Awnty Hauck, and Hermes, Chip and Chessie fur sendin’ mommy some Malt O Meal cuz the stores here in town still don’t have any in stock; and mommy’s ‘bout tired of taters. MOL

And one of our Anonymous Angels sent mommy some Malt O Meal, Chocolate Mini Muffins, and a big ole bag of M&M’s plain chocolate candies. Mommy says a meowsy big Fank You. She can’t wait to sink her gums into one of those muffins. And while we’re on the subject of mommy’s teethies, we wanna say that mommy has a ride to her follow up ‘pointment this week. We furgot to announce that and a couple of ya’ was askin’. We also would like to say, ya’ don’t need an excuse to come and visit. We luv meetin’ up with our furiends in the fur to face.

We sure do Raena. You’ve actually never met any of our furiends, but me has. They’re so pawsum. We are so very blest to have such amazin’ furiends. Maybe someday, we’ll get to go back to BlogPaws, and you’ll get to meet a lot of them like me did.

That would be so furtastic, sissy. I’s would luvs that. Hey, did you see mine’s furst birthday purresent?

Yeah Raena, me saw that.

I’s was so excited when mommy said awnty Vonda sent me a purresent fur mine’s birthday like she did fur you. I’s wanna say fanky fank you. It was so much fun watchin’ mommy try to put it together. She was all thumbs. Ya’ know we kitties envy those thumbs humans have, but I’s gotta tell ya’, sometimes they can’t do nuffin’ right. MOL Mommy says so far, she’s really luvvin’ the Litter Genie. And I’s luvvin’ usin’ it fur a springboard and a purrch fur checkin’ out everythin’ in the pawdee box room I’s can’t see from the floor.

Is there anythin’ you won’t climb on, Raena? Ya’ know, at some point you’re gonna be too big to jump on everythin’. And besides, mommy hates it when ya’ jump on the ledge of the kitchen trash can.

Yep, sissy, she’s constantly goin’ on ‘bout how we’re not heathens, or white trash. I’s not even know what those things mean. I’s just know that sometimes, there’s somethin’ in there that smells purretty good.

Maybe Raena, but you really should stay down. We get purrlenty to eat, and treats too. You know how blest we are. We’ve not had empty bellies since mommy found us and gave us a furever home. And we’ve never wanted fur luv or furiends. We have the most amazinly pawsum lives. And just think, it’s only 2 more weeks till your furst birthday.

You’re so right, sissy. And I’s can’t wait fur mine’s birthday. We wanna say a meowsy big fank you to all our furiends. We are so blest to have ya’ll in our lives. We hope you’ll take a minute today and every day to give fanks fur the many blessings in your lives.

Fanks Raena, you did good. We’re also joinin’ the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. And we hope everypawdy has a great week.

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

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Raena: Navy Blue

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Chatting Cats: Planning A Party & Give Away Winner

Published on April 7, 2017 by Service Cats U.S.31 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle.

What are you caterwaulin’ ‘bout now, Raena?

I’s not caterwaulin’ sissy. As a matter of fact, I’s asked mommy what caterwaulin’ is and she says, I’s never caterwaul.

Yeah, well, mommy luvs you. And she luvs it when we meow to her, so that’s why she said that. Trust me, you caterwaul.

Hey, sissy? Nellie asked me ifin I was gonna be a minx like her, when I’s grow up. What’s a minx?

Uh, well, Uh, You’re too young to be learnin’ ‘bout those things. You just keep havin’ fun on your little play dates and don’t worry ‘bout what you’ll be when ya’ grow up.

But sissy, It’s mine’s furst birthday month. Aren’t I’s grown up?

Trust me Raena, you ain’t no where near grown up. There’s purrlenty of time befur you have to make those kinds of decisions. As a matter of fact, me invited Alberto and Oliver of the Feline Opines over fur a play date next week when mommy has to go back to the dental surgeon fur her check up. Maybe we could just have a pawrty?

A pawrty? Like mine’s birthday pawrty?

Not your birthday pawrty, Raena. Mommy wants to be here fur that. But maybe like a purree birthday pawrty. We could invite Shoko and Kali, Snoops and Kommando Kitty, Kosmo, Phenny, and you could ask Simon, and maybe Teddy would like to come. And some of me’s cat scout furiends might wanna come too? And maybe…

We fur sure gotta invite Nellie, sissy. (Raena meows under her breath) I’s gotta find out ‘bout this minx thing.

Of course we’ll invite our dear furiend Nellie. Hmmmmm This is startin’ to look like a birthday pawrty. Maybe we just stick with Alberto and Oliver next week and well get invites out to everypawdy to come over fur your birthday pawrty on Furiday April 21st.

Oh sissy, that would be Pawsum!!! I’s can’t hardly wait. Ya’ reckon everypawdy will come?

Sure they will Raena. (Dezi crosses her paws behind her back and meows under her breath) And ifin they don’t, we’ll still have a good time.

Oh sissy, you’re the bestest sissy in the universe. (Raena tries to hug Dezi)

Yeah, yeah, okay kit, that’s enuff. Get off me now.

Fanky fank you sissy. I’s also wanted to announce the winner of our LumaSoothe give away. Ya’ know it was mine’s furst ever give away, and it was so much fun. I’s wanna do that again. Anyways, the winner is awnty Vicky Denison of the Eastside Cats. We see some happy, purrin’ cats in the very near future.

That’s great Raena. Me luvs give aways too. We should also tell everypawdy that the pawsum peeps over at LumaSoothe are still offurin’ $20.00 off the purchase of the LumaSoothe thru April 22, 2017. Just click the foto below and enter coupon code: dezizworld to save.

They were really great peeps to work with sissy. And we should tell everypawdy, to stay tuned. We have another pawsum give away comin’ very soon. (Raena looks around and sees mommy getting dressed) I’s gotta go get ready. Mommy has her regular monthly doctors ‘pointment today, so we’ll be ‘round to visit everypawdy just as soon as we can. We’re also linkin’ up with the Pet Parade.

What makes you think you’re goin’, Raena? Me just got a new harness too.

Race ya’ fur it sissy. Ready, (Raena takes off running and meows loudly behind her) SetGo!!! MOL

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

Raena: Navy Blue

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Deztinee

Raena chews on the wheelchair bag

Service Cats: Training the Pig Headed, Stallion Strong, Submissive Pup & Conniving Cat

Published on April 3, 2017 by Service Cats U.S.60 Comments

MeOW It’s Service Cat Monday…and we’re here. MOL We got a couple questions that have fairly short answers, so we’ll deal with those and then tell ya’ a story. How’s that sound? Me needs to get the business pawrt of this posty outta the way furst tho’. Trainin’ is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards. As with all our Trainin’ posts, the followin’ will be written in human English fur translation and reader ease. Ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can paw the links at the end of this or any Service Cat Monday post. As always, our Service Cat posts aren’t meant to be a step by step training manual but rather, tips, tricks and techniques mommy has successfully used in her many years of trainin’ 4 legged furries, purrticularly the feline species. Ifin ya’ have any questions or post suggestions, not limited to Service Cat training, purrlease feel furee to send us an e-mail, leave in the comment section, or paw on the contact us tab to send us a private message. WhMew That’s a lot of disclaimer stuffs. Anyways, let’s get to those questions.

Our sweet Persian furiend Valentine asked, “Which animal was the hardest to train?” This question was asked in response to last weeks’ post when we revealed that mommy has trained not only cats and dogs, but also pigs and horses. Mommy had to think long and hard on this one, as each animal is different, and the tasks she trained were different. When she got started in training, she was training dogs basic commands and tricks to make them more sociable and fit in with their humans better. You know, things like, stay, sit, down, roll over, high five, etc.. Mommy says every puppy/doggy can benefit from some basic training, and that dogs are generally the easiest to train, because they are so food motivated. Now, that doesn’t mean all dogs fit this category, but most do.

Shad laying on the bed with Cameron the pig — Shad with her pig brofur Cameron

Cats/Kittens can be challenging, at least until you find their motivator, and remember, you’re the one in charge of training. MOL Mommy trained pot bellied pigs things like, sit, stay, come, roll over, use the litterbox and leash walking to name a few. Pigs are intelligent creatures and highly food motivated. As for horses, mommy’s job was to break them, and train them for rodeo roping, ranch herding, and racing. Different horses for different jobs of course. Mommy says horses are by far the largest animal she’s trained and the only animal that has thrown her into more than one barbed wire fence or muddy patch of ground. And while mommy’s specific techniques are seen as bordering on the looney side, they work, at least for her. Mommy says all animals respond to love and affection. She liked to spend a day or two brushing, talking to and singing to a horse before mounting them for the first time. During that day or two she would apply pressure to their backs, put on saddle blankets, bridles and reins. In the end, mommy says, no species was harder than the other, because the tasks trained varied from basic commands to extraordinary tasks.

Our second question came from our furiends at Eastside Cats. They wanted to know if mommy could get any tax relief or other financial benefits/deductions since Raena and me are Service Cats. In a word, NO. Because the ADA doesn’t recognize Cats as Service Animals, there is no financial help or deductions allowed. However, each State, can offer some benefits if they choose. And there are exceptions that exist under the Fair Housing Act, and the Air Carrier Access Act. Most of you are familiar with the clause that keeps landlords from refusing rentals to anyone claiming to have and need a Service Animal of any reasonable species. Mommy says, please, don’t ask to move your emotional support pony into a second story one bedroom apartment. Use some common sense. Landlords also aren’t allowed to charge any fees or make any unreasonable requests or cause undue financial or other hardship to the handler relating to the Service Animal(s).

And Airlines and other Public Transportation service providers can’t refuse to let a Service Animal accompany their handler while using their services. HUD and Rural Development allow the disabled person to submit receipts for the care and upkeep of said Service Animal(s) as a medical cost to be used in the formula to determine the amount of rent the disabled person must pay in a subsidized home. Mommy is able to take advantage of the benefits allowed under the Fair Housing Act. For every $30.00 spent on the Service Animal, $1.00 is deducted from the base rent. (ie; base rent is $400.00, you spend about $1500.00 a year on Service Animal, Your rent is lowered by about $4.00 a month.) It’s not a lot, but mommy says every little bit helps. Especially when we are her largest bill every month. Mommy’s not complaining, she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

There are a few other benefits that handlers can sometimes take advantage of. Some VETs offer a small discount for Service Animals. This is not usually posted, so you should remember to ask if your VET offers such a discount. Some of the big Pet food companies will sponsor Service Animals by providing food and medical care for the Service life of a Service Animal. However, this is generally a benefit only available to those Service Animals recognized by the ADA, dogs; and the occasional “media darling”. We’ve heard about a few emotional support animals benefitting from this. Their handlers are ex-military. Please understand, we are grateful those Service men and women can benefit from this, we just wish it was an option for others as well.

Whmew!!! Me just thought these answers would be short and sweet. Me thinks we’ll skip the story fur now, and tell ya’ next week. We’re guessin’ most of ya’ are thinkin’ mommy and Raena haven’t been wheelchair training during mommy’s recovery. Well, ifin you’re thinkin’ that, you’d be wrong. Yep Wrong with a capital R…, or, a capital W…or, well whatever, you’d be wrong. ‘Member, trainin’ is all ‘bout Repetition, Repetition, Repetition. But trust me, you definitely wanna hear ‘bout Raena’s trainin’ over the last couple of days. MOL MOL MOL So, join us next week fur mommy’s loopy trainin’ sessions with Raena. And don’t furget to leave your questions, suggestions and comments fur us. And get caught up by pawin’ the links below or at the end of any Service Cat Monday posty.

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

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Service Cats

What to Look For Training Foundations Train Kitty to Massage

Smelling Disease Do You Need One Who Bears the Cost

Housing Laws and Exceptions Accommodations and Common Sense

When the Handler Dies Proper Training Methods Pt. 1 & Pt. 2

Easiest Task to Train Getting Kitty Ready for an Outing

Discipline: Stop Countersurfing Kitty Internal Disputes

Calling Emergency Help Just What Is Kitty Capable Of

Shad: Original Service Cat Harness, Vest, Leash or Stroller

Dezi the Wheelchair & the Chest Round and Round We Go

Tumble and Fall Response Raena Calls for Help

The Rest of the Story Raena & the Wheelchair Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3

When to Train Explaining Rewards and Kitty’s Feelings

Stop Kitty’s Begging Calling Emergency Help Options Pt. 1

Medicating Kitty

Dezi gets her chin scratched while wearing her new tiger harness

Blest Sunday: Purrs, Prayers and Friends Make Things Better

Published on April 2, 2017 by Service Cats U.S.51 Comments

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. We’ve been gone fur like fur-eeeeever, right? And OMC You should see the skies and hear the rumblin’ goin’ on ‘round here. I’s thought Spring was s’posed to be here? Really, everypawdy’s been sayin’ it, and everypawdy can’t be wrong, right?

RaenaBelle, what are you meowin’ ‘bout now?

Everythin’ sissy. Ya’ know we’ve been away fur like…

Yeah, knock it off with that valley cat mew, you’re a Southern Belle. Besides, we told everypawdy we’d purrobably be gone till Blest Sunday. You know, mommy has such a high tolerance to meds, that they have to give her so much to knock her out, it stays with her fur a few days. They’re always in a hurry to wake her up and send her on her way, so that medicine’s just sittin’ there waitin’ to kick in the minute mommy stops. Mommy’s usually wiped out a couple days after a surgery, but right as rain the day of. We call that a blessing. All went well, and mommy can crash at home.

C’mon mommy, I’s all dressed and ready to go.

I’s fur sure didn’t like her leavin’ us here at home, but she was just as chatty when she got home as she was when she left. I’s could hear mommy and her ride in the pawrkin’ lot. They were laffin’ it up befur and after. You know all the nosy neighbors was peekin’ out their doors and windows wonderin’ what was goin’ on.

Yep, and mommy could hear you all the way in the pawrkin’ lot too. Fur those of ya’ that don’t follow us on Facebook, we’ll give you a mommy update now. Mommy pawrently has low sinuses and a couple of the teeth had roots embedded in the sinuses. So mommy isn’t allowed to spit, blow her nose or use a straw fur 2 weeks. One of the lower teeth (a wisdom tooth), was really close to the nerve that controls the feelin’s fur the jaw, lip and chin. So, again, no nose blowin’, spittin’, or straw usage. Don’t want mommy getting’ a dry socket or infection that could lead to paralysis. Mommy also found to her chagrin, No air smooches. Cuz of these complications (pawssible) the dental surgeon wants to see mommy again April 13th just to make sure all is well. Mommy’s lower lip is still a bit numb, but she’s got mouth and jaw exercises she’s doin’ and massages to purrvent swellin’. She’s takin’ an antibiotic and has a swish she uses 3 times a day.

Mommy’s not allowed to eat solid foods fur a whole 2 weeks, and then only soft foods like mac and cheese, waffles/pancakes, baked and smashed taters and pasta; we need to get some Hunts pasta sauce, since mommy ate up all those cans awnty Anonymous sent. Right now she’s eatin’ ice cream, and baked smashed taters. She was gonna get some Malt o Meal hot cereal, but there wasn’t any at da stores here. Mommy doesn’t eat “sick foods” like soups, puddin’s, jello, or fruit sauces/baby foods. Yes, she knows they would be good fur her, and ya’ll don’t unnerstand why she doesn’t like those kinds of things; but, she never has. She didn’t grow up eatin’ those kinds of things and never developed a taste fur them.

Yep Raena, we learned somethin’ really innerestin’ last night. Some peeps call those kinds of foods comfurt foods. But those of us from the South, think somethin’ totally different when ya’ say comfurt foods. Mommy says, she starts envisionin’ chicken fried steak, baked taters and dinner rolls, or chicken and dumplins and bis-kits or roast beef, roasted taters and bis-kits. And of course, baked 3 or 4 cheese mac and cheese is always considered a comfurt food. Anyways, mommy’s doin’ the bestest she can and we’re bein’ the bestest nurses ‘round and takin’ really good care of her.

Could you leave this sweet kitty girl face behind?

Even ifin it’s fur just a few hours?

And even tho’ I’s not happy ‘bout mommy leavin’ us behind, I’s really glad that her ride is/was such a nice lady. Cuz mommy furgot to ask ifin we could use names, we’ll call her, Mrs. Navy. That’s right, she’s a Navy Vet and so is her husband. They also be Christians and attend one of the churches mommy used to play the piano fur. Mommy says they had great conversation goin’ and comin’ home. Yep, mommy was wide awake and totally alert fur the ride home (see sis Dezi’s paragraph above regardin’ medicines and mommy’s tolerances). Anyways, there’s still work to be done in mommy’s mouth when she heals from this purrcedure. So ifin you’d like to donate, you can do so by givin’ directly to our PayPal at: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com or the Fundraiser here.

Yep Raena, hopefully we’ll be able to get mommy’s mouth all fixed up soon. We’d like to say a meowsy big Fank you to The Swiss Cats fur their donation to the fundraiser. Mommy sounds so funny right now. It’s amazin’ how missin’ some teeth in key spots can make a difference in how some words and letters sound. MOL And guess what else? Mommy can’t hiss right now. And Raena’s takin’ full advantage of that. Fank the cats mommy harvested the last of her lettuce early last week.

Are you implyin’ I’s bein’ naughty sissy? Cuz that just ain’t true. (Raena giggles under her breath) Mommy said she had to exercise, and I’s just tryin’ to help her out.

Just her mouth, Raena. She’s not s’posed to be bendin’ over and cleanin’ up after you constantly. (Dezi shakes head)

Whatever, sissy. Anyways, we are so very blest, that everythin’ went well at mommy’s surgery, and that her ride was truly enjoyable and that she came home safe and sound to us. We’re blest that all those complications, haven’t been the purroblem they could have been. And we’re so blest to have the bestest, most suppurrtive furiends in the universe. Fank you all fur your luv, purrs and purrayers. Ifin ya’ don’t mind, keep ‘em comin’. Mommy’s still havin’ some pain and a mix of migraines and sinus headaches.

Me luvs me’s new harness, it’s da storms ragin’ outside

me’s not a fan of.

Hey Raena, me wants to fank awnty Vonda fur me’s new harness and leash. Mommy furinally felt good enuff to get me measured and get it ordered. And it got here yesfurday, just in time fur those really noisy storms. Bein’ in a harness kinda helps me a little durin’ storms. Anyways, me’s now stylin’ right alongside of you. Me can’t wait fur the weather to clear up so me can go out and show it off.

Me got a new leash to match too. But cuz it was stormin’

mommy didn’t put it on me. There was no way me

was goin’ outside in dat weather. MOL

You look great in your new harness sissy. I’s can’t wait fur this warmer weather either. We are so totally blest to have such great furiends, Angels and our luvvin furever mommy. We want to remind you all to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur the blessings in your life. We are slowly getting’ ‘round to visit everypawdy so we’ll be by to see you shortly.

Hey Raena, don’t furget, we need to link up to the Pet Parade, and Sunday Selfies. We also need to remind everypawdy there’s just a couple more days to enter our LumaSoothe give away. Just click on the Entry foto below.

Till the next time…………………………………………Be Blest!!!

Raena: Navy Blue

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

RaenaBelle and Deztinee

Service Cats U.S.

I Audra, am the human behind Service Cats U.S. aka DezizWorld. I am disabled and use cats as service animals instead of dogs. They are just as capable and can perform duties other animals cannot. We started our online journey to bring awareness to the ability of cats and to help others understand the relationship between a service animal and their handler/person. We offer training tips and tricks that I have learned through the years along with other information on all things feline. We began this journey in 2014 with Lexi and Dezi. They have since gone on to heaven, but our journey continues. This blog is about our daily life from the kitty's point of view. I want this blog to be interactive and get to know all of you, so comment and visit often. I will also offer advice, training tips and education when possible. Copyright © 2014 - 2021 {Audra High via Deztinee High and RaenaBelle High} All Rights Reserved All personal content (story's, poetry, etc., videos and music) are the property of the human behind Deziz World, and may not be used, copied or otherwise re-published without prior written permission/consent from the author (A. High-the human behind Deziz World). We have an amazon.com wish list and a PayPal account if you would like to help/donate to us.

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