[nq:2](nothing)[/nq] [nq:1]what's with the empty, [nq:2]what's with the empty replies?[/nq], I will

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Lowly Dog Owner:

I will
[nq:1]miss her forever.[/nq]
I am sorry for the loss of your cat
Denise

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Shelly:

[nq:2](nothing)[/nq]
[nq:1]what's with the empty replies?[/nq]
Some folks seem to feel that their words are insufficient to express their condolences. I think a simple "I'm sorry" is always appropriate and appreciated, and it is unlikely to cause confusion of the sort that blank posts inevitably do.

Shelly (Warning: see label for details)
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

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Paul E. Schoen:

[nq:2]what's with the empty replies?[/nq]
[nq:1]Some folks seem to feel that their words are insufficient to express their condolences. I think a simple "I'm sorry" is always appropriate and appreciated, and it is unlikely to cause confusion of the sort that blank posts inevitably do.[/nq]
I first encountered this in reading a thread on someone's loss, and it was explained in early September.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I'm sorry that I have caused such a lot of argument in my other posts, and I'm especially sorry that Janet became the target of so much negativity. I also posted this on the AOL boards, and several people there saw fit to criticize me for having a cat outside. I do love animals and have always tried my best to make their lives as full and happy as possible.
Muttley came into bed with me last night and immediately snuggled next to me so I could hug him with his head close to mine. He is a comfort now.

Paul and Muttley

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Sandy in OK:

[nq:1]Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I'm sorry that I have caused such a lot of argument in my ... posted this on the AOL boards, and several people there saw fit to criticize me for having a cat outside.[/nq]
and many others posted simple condolences. Sandy in OK

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Janet B:

[nq:1]I also posted this on the AOL[/nq]
[nq:2]boards, and several people there saw fit to criticize me for having a cat outside.[/nq]
[nq:1]and many others posted simple condolences. Sandy in OK[/nq]
true, but it tends to be a hot topic, especially when someone loses a cat because it was free roaming. That said..
I keep my cats inside. I don't trust the world - neighbor's dog, other cats, cars, people. And I don't want my cats to be a nuisance any more than my dogs are (i.e. - I don't want them eliminating on people's property, digging or scratching or jumping on their personal property, etc). I sometimes wish I had a yard that was secure enough to keep my cats in and other things out, but that will probably never be the case, so they are better off inside - especially Carey with her various medical issues. I'll take her out with me once in awhile, but she's never out for long or on her own. Skip says no way jose!

Still, there are quality of life issues for indoor cats, and providing companionship and enrichment for them is important. A lot of indoor cats are fat because they don't get adequate exercise. We have a floor to ceiling cat tree, they play with each other as well as with the dogs, and I don't overfeed them. We provide bird and butterfly watching and we even have some mice during the winter, to keep them entertained ;-D
I think cats enjoy the outdoors and wish it was a safer thing to do. We all have to balance the risks vs the rewards. Photon, being an "only" cat and not being able to call the dog a friend, had her social life in the great outdoors. She undoubtedly enjoyed her life very much, and to many, that quality is worth the risk.

My sister lets "her" cat out. I have "her" in quotes, because the cat started out belonging to the next door neighbor. She invited herself in through the dog door one night, and decided it looked like a good place to stay. Her original owner didn't let her in, but fed her every evening. She is rather rotund, since she was getting multiple feedings from multiple people, but she has slimmed down once her original owner relinquished ownership. She comes and goes, but chooses in more than out, and is quite demanding - she'll slam you with her paw to be petted. My sister lives a bit more rurally than Paul does, but probably not a lot more. I don't necessarily agree with her cat going out, but again, it's a calculated risk.

Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

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Shelly:

[nq:1]Sometimes Blank Posts as a silent salute is much better tribute to an animal than criticism, or comments on perhaps ... or angry property owners who are sick of their wildlife being picked off.. Nothing else needs to be said imo.[/nq]
And yet you went ahead and said it, anyway.

Shelly (Warning: see label for details)
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

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Sandy in OK:

[nq:2]I also posted this on the AOL and many others posted simple condolences. Sandy in OK[/nq]
[nq:1]true, but it tends to be a hot topic, especially when someone loses a cat because it was free roaming. ... probably not a lot more. I don't necessarily agree with her cat going out, but again, it's a calculated risk.[/nq]My point being, not everybody on the CBB (in fact only a minority) was lecturing Paul about outdoor cats. Most, as with the people here, were simply expressing their sympathy.Somehow I felt the need to point that out, since Paul chose to only mention the ones who were being "mean." I also have opinions on it, but try not to second guess or beat people up when they've just lost an animal they care about (from personal experience, my guess is they are beating themselves up already).

The fact is, outdoor cats have a fairly short lifespan. Of 5 cats I had who lived an indoor/outdoor life, only one made it to a reasonably old age and died from reason other than accident (HBC, skinned by stray dogs, that sort of thing) Some individuals choose to allow their cats a shorter but more intense life, while others choose a less stimulating but longer life. I compromise now. They are indoor cats with a completely screened in outdoor area where they can enjoy the sun, catch bugs and watch - but not hunt - my songbirds.

The enclosure I made was sort of makeshift - rabbit fencing/xpens/zip ties/pvc, and they are currently being very pissy about waiting for the new professionally built screen room to be finished (hopefully in the next day or so) Sandy in OK

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pfoley:

[nq:2]true, but it tends to be a hot topic, especially ... her cat going out, but again, it's a calculated risk.[/nq]
[nq:1]My point being, not everybody on the CBB (in fact only a minority) was lecturing Paul about outdoor cats. Most, ... for the new professionally built screen room to be finished (hopefully in the next day or so) Sandy in OK==[/nq]
I think an enclosed area for cats is a great idea. I wonder why more people don't do something like that. I don't own cats, nor have I ever, but I always feel kind of sorry for the indoor cats; it just seems like such a boring life. I have often wondered why cat owners couldn't put a leash on the cat and just take them outside in the grass for a awhile. I don't know, I am not a cat person, never have been, but it seems that they should be able to have a little bit of both worlds; fresh air and a safe environment. Putting an indoor cat outside in a screened in protective environment once in awhile sounds good.

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TaraG:

[nq:1]My point being, not everybody on the CBB (in fact only a minority) was lecturing Paul about outdoor cats. Most, ... I felt the need to point that out, since Paul chose to only mention the ones who were being "mean."[/nq]
And now you might have a smidge of an idea of what's been going on with this particular person for several months now. And why this turned into such a big deal when people came over here to tell us just how "mean" we were all being..based on the opinions of two people. One with an agenda, and the other with a chip.
Tara

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RE: R.I.P. Photon, Nov 1999 - October 23, 2006 page 2

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