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This thread is for people to vent about Winter.... Here's mine....


This has been the longest Winter I've ever experienced. Now, it has claimed a precious life. Everbody that reads my posts knows that I love cats. That is an understatement. I worship my cats. They are my everything. I have a husband, a job, and friends, but my cats are always first... they are above everything else period. This Winter has been particularly harsh. The past few days we've had wind chill factors of up to -35. With outside animals this can be a real problem. We thought we had eliminated that problem this year, because we have an insulated cat barn, and we installed a space heater. Sounds like the perfect solution right? Wrong!!! The past few days, we've had trouble keeping the pilot light lit. I was outside off and on all day yesterday, re lighting the damn pilot light. To my horror yesterday at one point it was only 15* in there. Last night, I went out at 1:00 am and checked it it was fine. Infact the last 3 times I checked it last night, it was lit,and it was nice, and toasty in there. The last time I checked it ,I noticed a bunch of the cats were huddled together, which isn't out of the ordinary for cats. I foolishly thought that since everything was fine at 1:00, and since the wind had pretty much quit, that they would be fine until morning. So, I didn't get my lazy ass out of bed, to go check them. I'm such a lazy pig.  :mad: So, this morning I go out,and much to my horror, the pilot light is out,and it's only 25* in there!!!! So, I re lit the heater,and started to feed, and water them, when I noticed, in the spot where they were all huddled together last night, that one of the kittens is dead.  :'( It was about 4 months old, and I think they may have suffocated him accidentally. I think he was on the bottom of the huddle. I was shocked to say the least. The other cats just stood there watching Mommy have a total meltdown. I'm soooo pissed at myself. I should've set the clock every 2 hours like I planned. I figured it would stay lit ,because it wasn't windy anymore,and it had stayed lit all evening, it would be OK. So, my laziness caused the death of an innocent precious little kitten.  :mad: I'm about to go stir crazy from this Winter weather. I've felt like crap for months,and now after all of the struggles a kitten is dead. Will it ever end!!!! My God, I wish this suffering would end.

Side note.... I just found the dead kitten about 10 minutes ago. If I sound totally irrational it is because of the shock.

BTW... This thread is for Winter venting..... let'er rip guys... misery loves company.

I am so sorry Dex.  I love my kitties too....and would be very sad to lose one.  How many kitties do you have?  I have 8 now.  Last month I took in 2 cats that a neighbor was having to get rid of because she got evicted from her home and couldn't take the cats with her to her Aunt's house.  So to keep them from going to the animal shelter...I took them.  My kitties are very precious to me.  My kids are all grown and so now they are my babies. 
Don't take it out on yourself.  It sounds to me like you went beyond what other people would do.  The kitties are lucky to have you and your hubby.

Quote from: smokeykat on February 11, 2008, 12:31:32 PM
I am so sorry Dex.  I love my kitties too....and would be very sad to lose one.  How many kitties do you have?  I have 8 now.  Last month I took in 2 cats that a neighbor was having to get rid of because she got evicted from her home and couldn't take the cats with her to her Aunt's house.  So to keep them from going to the animal shelter...I took them.  My kitties are very precious to me.  My kids are all grown and so now they are my babies. 
Don't take it out on yourself.  It sounds to me like you went beyond what other people would do.  The kitties are lucky to have you and your hubby.

I have a bunch outside, mostly strays, and 6 inside. I just came in from checking them, and that damn pilot light was out again. I've restarted it 3 times today ,and it's only 1:00pm. I'll have to check it every 2 hours. I don't know why it wont stay lit. The wind has pretty much stopped,and both of the lp tanks are full. I just hope to God, I don't lose anymore of them.  :no: Hubby is upset and frustrated like I'am, we thought for sure this was the solution. It's been an expensive venture,and now we have a fatality,so we're pretty discouraged at this point. We're planning for next Winter already. More Reconstruction and insulation for sure.  :yes:

Sorry bout the kitty, Dex  :'(

It's gonna be a long night. Thank God my work shift is only 3 hours tommorrow. The pilot light will not stay lit, so I've been going out every 2 hours,and relighting it. I'll be going out every 2 hours during the night. I might not sleep at all, because to add insult to injury, tonight I realized one of the other kittens has pneumonia. I brought it in the house, gave it some antibiotics,and a warm bottle, but I don't think the little fella is going to make it.  :no:

I am now officially done with winter. Bring on the flowers of spring. And tell that groundhog he is toast!  :rant:

no more snow dances from Palehorse?  WOW!!!!

Quote from: Palehorse on February 12, 2008, 11:17:52 AM
I am now officially done with winter. Bring on the flowers of spring. And tell that groundhog he is toast!  :rant:

I got a real nice recipe for groundhog.  Tastes just like 'possum.  I'd be happy to share it with you.  :razz:

Quote from: Dexter Morgan on February 11, 2008, 09:58:15 PM
It's gonna be a long night. Thank God my work shift is only 3 hours tommorrow. The pilot light will not stay lit, so I've been going out every 2 hours,and relighting it. I'll be going out every 2 hours during the night. I might not sleep at all, because to add insult to injury, tonight I realized one of the other kittens has pneumonia. I brought it in the house, gave it some antibiotics,and a warm bottle, but I don't think the little fella is going to make it.  :no:

Damn, what a bummer, Dex!  I'll pray for the little feller, sweetie  :yes:

Quote from: tallulahdahling on February 12, 2008, 02:21:38 PM
I got a real nice recipe for groundhog.  Tastes just like 'possum.  I'd be happy to share it with you.  :razz:

I wouldn't feed that greasy critter to my dog!   :biggrin:

Well, the kitten made it through the night. I took him to the vet this morning. He has pneumonia. The vet told me, not to get my hopes up, which is understandable at this point. He gave him 3 antibiotic shots, and fluids. So, it could be touch and go for him.

Last night, I got up every 3 hours ,to re light the space heater. Needless to say I'm quite tired. Luckily, I only had a 3 hour shift today at work. It was dead as all get out, and I'm glad.

I don't know if I mentioned this anywhere but.... this kitten is Maddie's twin brother. They look so much alike that at a distance,you can't tell them apart. Hubby thought Max was Maddie, when he came home from work this morning. If you're close to Maddie the difference is more noticeable, because she only has 1 eye. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.  :yes:

So are we, dahling!  Lotsa prayers   :yes:

Quote from: tallulahdahling on February 13, 2008, 04:52:03 PM
So are we, dahling!  Lotsa prayers   :yes:

The little kitten is still alive. It doesn't look good at all. I took him to the vets office this morning,and they worked on him all day. He is a little fighter. I never figured he'd make it through the day. They were trying to force feed him, and he bit the hell out of my friend. She hadn't updated her tetanus shot, so she has to get one. The vet didn't want me to bring him home, he told my friend' I've been through sooo much lately, he didn't want me to have to go through it tonight. So, I left him there.I've only slept about 4 hours the past couple of days, so I'm pretty much drained. I'm suppose to call the office in the morning,and we'll go from there. If he's well enough, I'll bring him home, but he may pass tonight, and then I'll go get his little body. I know a lot of people are against prayer, but maybe keep us in your thoughts tonight, because we need all the help we can get.  :yes:

Come on now, Dex--think positive!!!  You need some sleep, sweetie.   :yes:

Quote from: tallulahdahling on February 13, 2008, 05:26:00 PM
Come on now, Dex--think positive!!!  You need some sleep, sweetie.   :yes:

Amen to that!!! I had a hell of a time focusing at work today. I just don't have much hope that he'll make it. He was virtually breathing his dying breaths this morning, I was astounded when I found out he made it through the day. I was shocked!!! I really debated about bringing him home tonight. The vet was totally against it. The bad thing is that the kitten will be with 2 dogs,and a stray cat with a broken leg. No human contact.  :no: I probably should have brought him home. I'm soooo tired I can' even think straight.  :no: I hope I made the right choice.

 :catnutty: :catnutty: :catnutty:  The kitten is ALIVE!!!!!  :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: He PEED last night!!!!  :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

More tonight... gotta go to work.  :biggrin:

woo-hoo for the little kitten.  keep fighting little one!!

:love3: :yeah: :shots: :chacha: :slide: :duo: :hang: :sofa: :juggle: :wave::heart2:

See?  What did I tell you?  Think POSITIVE, dahling   :bouquet: :baloon3: :balloon2: :kitty:

He's home!!! I picked him up a couple of hours ago. We are guardedly optimistic. He has to be spoon fed every 3-4 hours. He is alert,and is eating like a madman !!! He's not outta the woods yet, but he has made a miraculous comeback. Yesterday, I sat and cried , because I knew the end was near. I truly believe he was gasping his last breaths.  :'( The girls at the vets office made a miracle happen, and I'm sooo lucky that they never gave up on him.  :wings:  It is truly an honor to have such gifted,and loving friends. Max and I are sooo blessed.  :yes:

 :yeah: :yeah: :sofa: :sofa: :duo: :duo: :chacha: :chacha: :catnutty: :catnutty: :wave: :wave:

Last night, Max took an accidental swim in the water dish. He looked like a drowned rat.  :biggrin: He's not out of the woods yet.  :no:

Max is doing great, and the snowstorm traveled North, so no snow for us tonight!!  :sofa: :sofa:

The wind keeps blowing the pilot light, out on the space heater in the cat barn AGAIN.  :mad: I'm going to have to keep going out and re lighting tonight.  :rolleyes: I wish Old Man Winter would put a cork in it already.  :rolleyes:

Quote from: Dexter Morgan on February 14, 2008, 09:33:19 AM
:catnutty: :catnutty: :catnutty:  The kitten is ALIVE!!!!!  :sofa: :sofa: :sofa: He PEED last night!!!!  :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

More tonight... gotta go to work.  :biggrin:

This reminded me of how awful male cat pee smells...after they mature before they're fixed. :biggrin: Here's a site that might be of help to you:

http://www.lovethatcat.com/stil.html#Illinois

When we got Benji we contacted P.A.W.S and received a discounted coupon to have him neutered. With all of the animals you rescue and help, this might be a way to save a couple $$. Hope it helps.

my 2 boys are going to the Neuter Scooter Tuesday.....off with their *****...well you know!!!!

Quote from: PIYA on February 17, 2008, 11:45:03 PM
This reminded me of how awful male cat pee smells...after they mature before they're fixed. :biggrin: Here's a site that might be of help to you:

http://www.lovethatcat.com/stil.html#Illinois

When we got Benji we contacted P.A.W.S and received a discounted coupon to have him neutered. With all of the animals you rescue and help, this might be a way to save a couple $$. Hope it helps.

I usually have my animals spayed/ neutered through the Guardian Angels. It's only $10 for the surgery, and all of their shots.  :yes:

Quote from: smokeykat on February 17, 2008, 11:57:54 PM
my 2 boys are going to the Neuter Scooter Tuesday.....off with their *****...well you know!!!!

LMAO!!! Neuter Scooter !!! You kill me Smokeykat !!!!  :rotfl:

Oh crap. . .another scooter!  :rant:

But that is actually what it is called.....

http://76.12.58.134/ns/index.cfm

Quote from: Palehorse on February 18, 2008, 01:13:06 PM
Oh crap. . .another scooter!  :rant:

:biggrin: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>  :bike:

Quote from: smokeykat on February 18, 2008, 03:18:47 PM
But that is actually what it is called.....

http://76.12.58.134/ns/index.cfm

Wow!!!! What an awesome idea !!!  :catnutty: :catnutty: :catnutty:

but I don't think you would want to go to this Scooter Palehorse.....

Well, Dex--are you still po'd 'bout the weather there?  Haven't seen you venting in a couple of days--hope it's warming up for ya!   :wink:

Quote from: tallulahdahling on February 21, 2008, 01:30:09 PM
Well, Dex--are you still po'd 'bout the weather there?  Haven't seen you venting in a couple of days--hope it's warming up for ya!   :wink:

We had a freak snow storm today. Out of the blue we got 4 inches. I'm gunning for the weather man. He's toast!!!   :dead:  :rifle:

 :eek:  Easy there, Dex--we all know the weathermen don't get paid a whole lot so they don't have to be accurate!   :wink:

Quote from: tallulahdahling on February 22, 2008, 04:58:46 PM
:eek:  Easy there, Dex--we all know the weathermen don't get paid a whole lot so they don't have to be accurate!   :wink:

They should go back to the days, when the weather man just looked out the window, and predicted the weather.  :yes: :biggrin:

It hasn't been cool enough this winter.  :mad:  It's almost over and we've only had 2 really cool spells.  It'll be back to the 90s during the day by the third week of March. 

Quote from: Locutus on February 22, 2008, 09:41:07 PM
It hasn't been cool enough this winter.  :mad:  It's almost over and we've only had 2 really cool spells.  It'll be back to the 90s during the day by the third week of March. 

Somehow, I don't think this crew will have any sympathy for you. ;D

Quote from: Locutus on February 22, 2008, 09:41:07 PM
It hasn't been cool enough this winter.  :mad:  It's almost over and we've only had 2 really cool spells.  It'll be back to the 90s during the day by the third week of March. 

Think of the oranges man!!!  :spooked: Cold weather= no oranges
no oranges= no orange juice/ extreme prices at the grocery store.  :spooked: I'd be lost without orange juice. I know you want cold weather, but take one for the team.  :biggrin:

  :rant: We've got another Winter storm coming in today.  :dam: Yesterday, was just a big teaser. We're looking at rain/freezing rain/ 2-4 inches of snow/ and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.  :mad: I HATE WINTER!!!!  :gha:

Well, we've had several days of awesome weather, but today it's cold and grey. We have a flood watch in effect, because we're suppose to have 2 inches of rain today. I think it's going to be too cold to rain,and I think we might get snow instead. I wish to God Spring would get here, and stop all of this Winter/Spring/Winter crap!!!!  :mad:

Ha ha.... Spring has sprung!!! No venting here until next Winter!!!  :razz: