Liberal Serving

Pointlessly Cute Animal Footage

Kitty nursing puppies is cute, though TV production values aren't. Why must television so endlessly rehash outmoded cultural stereotypes and trivialize real human conflict? Dog mother as slut is particularly odious. I expected better from you, Animal Planet. You might just turn off the volume. Thanks Sonja

Chickie Barf Egg Separator

It's cute, then it's gross, and I end up definitely thinking vegan. (and that doesn't even approach the food of a potential chick angle). via Robin

Non-Friday Cat Blogging: Christianity is Stupid

winston, originally uploaded by ryanmurphy.

Justin demonstrates at least two of the reasons we are such a (insert romantic cliche about compatibility here). Winston the kitten was very happy to be held by his nape, btw.

Learning the Hard Way

 

One of the things I've been doing in the past few weeks - instead of blogging, obviously - has been comsuming massive quantities of veterinary services. I'm no expert, but I've learned enough to say something about it - unfortunately it's not all good. Yup, I drew such a bum card with one vet in particular that in my angrier moments I consider putting together a veterinary malpractice suit. That's ridiculous, of course, and I think it would also be ridiculous to bash them by name (but if you click the "about" link you'll find my email address). So in the interest of positivity and possibly helping someone googling for a vet for their pet, I'm going to spread some love for the vets I think did right by me (and my cat).

First, if you happen to find yourself in New Haven and you need a vet, seek out Ann Davis at the New Haven Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine. She's the best. If her practice weren't hours away from home it would be my only choice. Dr. Davis was down-to-earth, caring and managed to provide excellent care with our limited budget (saving kitty's life was definitely worth a week at home with a catheter and no bag).

If you live in New York City, and you have a serious veterinary problem, then you're certainly aware of the Animal Medical Center on 62rd street. It's not a fun place given the gravity of the health problems that bring pet owners to such a facility (and the bills they pay), but I did find good excellent care in Dr. Ashley Zehnder. (we had a hiccup at our first visit, but I forgave it after meeting Dr. Zehnder the next time we went in). She was smart, really listened and had a great bedside manner. Kitty turned around in 24 hours and left the hospital as good as new.

Finally, if you're looking for a vet in Brooklyn - specifically North Brooklyn (Williamsburg or Greenpoint), I'll recommend Dr. Bill Farmer at Paws and Claws on North 9th Street. Things didn't go well for us this time around, but Dr. Farmer was too good to us and our cat. He was a model of respect as we went through the hardest part of taking care of a pet and I could tell he really cared and didn't want to give up either. We'll definitely go back to him.

Monday Cat Blogging: Because I Can

And kitty is hungry for blood (or sleepy. You know he's sleepy)

Photographic Argument For Vegetarianism

worn out, originally uploaded by Essjay in NZ.

This calf is just 12 hours old. For the next few months it will run, jump and play like a dog... but cuteness is a weak veggie argument. Doesn't work on many meat eaters, plus it trivializes the all-too-serious health and environmental issues that weight down a lot of consciences.

Friday Cat Blogging: Kitten Cap

Via the ever reliable Cute Overload.

Pet Advice From An Idiot

gratuitous cat macro, originally uploaded by ryanmurphy.

Perhaps you've never had a sick animal that you've then proceeded to poison while attempting to play caregiver. Bully for you. The advice from the idiot? Read all the fine print on any medication you administer - whether for you or an animal. After a very expensive vet bill (and moderately stressful urinary tract episode) our vet explained to us how to administer three different medications to the increasingly valuable cat above as we waited to pay our bill in her waiting room. At the same time a loud family filled the room with pleas for the kittens playing in the kennel and associated admonitions to shut the fuck up. Ok, I added the fuck.

10 days of many vile medications later, kitty is sicker than when treatment started. We puzzled. We googled. The vet volleyed patronizing advice at what she took to be hyper-concern. Then we read the medication boxes. Turns out the little guy wasn't gagging over the disgusting artificial banana flavoring of his antibiotics (what cat likes bananas?) - he was gagging because they were massively spoiled. No one told us to refrigerate (though we did get a run down on how to feed a cat and a lengthy speech about the benefits of premium cat food imported from the U.K. We learned that from the box. Therein lay the idiocy. That reading should have come much earlier in our process, which would have kept us from essentially poisoning our already sick cat with all the bad things that grew in the fertile petri dish of his meds.

After two days without twice-daily poisoning, the patient is showing signs of renewed vitality, so this should remain a low-stakes cautionary tale. Today's moral: read the fine print - especially the small italic "keep refrigerated." Life will be lived better this way.

Meow mix house!

Meow mix house!, originally uploaded by ryanmurphy.

Update for Heidi: Click here to learn more about Meow Mix House (I linked to it previously)

 

Wednesday Cat Blogging: Why not?

If you have cats, you may have noticed this box-squatting behavior. This is some extreme box-squatting... but at least they don't have to fight over them(!) btw - I don't believe this was a random sight after a recycling truck dropped some cargo - this is staged cuteness if ever there was(!) though it doesn't really detract from the cuteness. I actually prefer the idea that the cats would be complicit in the staging...

Via the ever-reliable Cute Overload.