Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 4)

[BelwinMills 0]

Are any of you cat owners? Dwain and I are thinking about buying a cat. I have never owned an animal in my life. Should we buy one or two? What is the cost to take care of kittens? We saw some cute ones yesterday at Pet Smart. He wants one or two because he had three back home. I am just nervous. To all the animal owners.

I personally am not a cat person. I've always had a dog - since I was very little. I LOVE dogs! Cats are supposed to be more self-sufficient though. But I don't like the idea of a litter box!

I don't know how I could pick up dog poo with a plastic walmart bag taking them on a walk. I think poo duty is going to be Dwains job. This is such a big thing for me because I have never been an animal lover. Things we do for love ahah

[BelwinMills 0]

He called yesterday to one of his friends at the liquor store telling him how cheap it was here. This friend is coming up to visit in August and making plans to take alcohol down.

That's crazy!! I wish I could buy ALL my alcohol in Jamaica. It is sooooooo much cheaper down THERE! Especially the duty free shop at the airport - me and Tony each bring back 3 bottles every time we go!

Yes he calls every time he finds something cheap here. I guess its goose island vodka and smiroff vodka. He couldn't believe how many choices we have. He also said are we Americans so lazy we need a drive through for everything. He was like why would a liquor store have a drive through. The funny thing is when he swears in Jamaican patios I laugh so hard.

[luvtravlin 0]

Cool Kelly thanks. We are thinking about getting a cat and one kitten. I will be done with work by July 4th and Dwain is here every day just chillin until school starts.

Just gotta be careful with a "cat" and a kitten. Depending on the temperment of the older cat....if he/she is aggressive or not. My big cat is THE most mellow cat out there. He gets along with all cats, dogs any type of other animal. Kittens want to play ALL of the time and you would just have to watch for how the bigger one acts out.....unless they grew up together.

Craig was TOTALLY freaked out with the idea of 2 cats (saw pictures of them before he arrived) and when he got here........it took him about a month to actually get used to the idea of the bigger one sleeping in the same bed and being alllll lovey/dovey. My bigger cat is also a "licker" every time you pet him he has to lick. Craig can't believe that my cats come when you call them, sit for food and lay down when I tell them to. You should see them now. I'll load up a picture on yahoo..... the 2 cats and Craig, if only his friends and family could see him...

Litter box .....WAY easier than getting up at 6am take the dog out, pick up the dog stuff in a bag.....ugh. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love dogs, but ....it's soooo much easier to change a box once a week (or week 1/2).

Another great thing with cats (not so much kittens), but when you go away, you don't have to watch them. I got the bigger one a time released food dispenser (got it at Petco) called Petmate, it works great! My little one is SOOOO darn picky with food and **has** to have wet food plus the dry stuff.

Any other cat/kitten questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Gosh the weather is absolutely goooorgeous here this weekend, heading off to drop my son off at a pool party.

CONGRATS Sonshyne...

Kelly

[MyDestinyAwaits 0]

the only time i've never had a pet was during college when i lived in the dorms. i've always had both dogs and cats. cats are much easier and are a better choice if you live a busy life.

belwin i can imagine your intrepidation since you're not an animal person. i agree with luv about the cat & kitten combo. you'll want to make sure they'll get along because some cats can be real bullies. i have a 7 yr old cat that stayed outdoors for years, and then when the weather got sub-zero i felt sorry for her and let her inside. then a few months ago i took 2 littermates in. at first they were so little they had to climb into their food bowl just to eat. it goes without saying that the older cat was very resentful toward the new additions. she'd growl and hiss everytime they came near, but never lashed out at them. now they've learned to tolerate eachother. the older cat basically ignores them. the kittens are much bigger and VERY rambunctious. this is the stage that i hate! they are wild, yet comedic- climbing curtains, attacking your feet in the middle of the night, and knocking things over.

when you get kittens you have to prepare yourself for their wild phase. you have to set limits for them. the easiest way to do it is with a spray bottle. so if you don't want them climbing curtains, running across the table, or attempting to eat off your plate just give them a squirt.

also, a general rule with litterboxes is to have one for each cat plus one additional. i've heard that some cats will refuse to use a litterbox if another cat is using it although i've never encountered that problem. i have three cats and a 1,000 sq ft house. 4 litter boxes is kinda pushing it. so i have 2 of them and i sift out the clumps every few days. the best thing i've ever done for a litterbox is get a rubbermaid storage container and cut a hole in the lid. this gives the cat pleny of privacy and having all 4 sides enclosed with a hole on top for entry/exit really cuts down on mess as well as odor. not to mention it's so much cheaper to buy a $4 tote from Big Lots instead of the fancy $20 litterboxes with a lid.

[luvtravlin 0]

the only time i've never had a pet was during college when i lived in the dorms. i've always had both dogs and cats. cats are much easier and are a better choice if you live a busy life.

belwin i can imagine your intrepidation since you're not an animal person. i agree with luv about the cat & kitten combo. you'll want to make sure they'll get along because some cats can be real bullies. i have a 7 yr old cat that stayed outdoors for years, and then when the weather got sub-zero i felt sorry for her and let her inside. then a few months ago i took 2 littermates in. at first they were so little they had to climb into their food bowl just to eat. it goes without saying that the older cat was very resentful toward the new additions. she'd growl and hiss everytime they came near, but never lashed out at them. now they've learned to tolerate eachother. the older cat basically ignores them. the kittens are much bigger and VERY rambunctious. this is the stage that i hate! they are wild, yet comedic- climbing curtains, attacking your feet in the middle of the night, and knocking things over.

when you get kittens you have to prepare yourself for their wild phase. you have to set limits for them. the easiest way to do it is with a spray bottle. so if you don't want them climbing curtains, running across the table, or attempting to eat off your plate just give them a squirt.

also, a general rule with litterboxes is to have one for each cat plus one additional. i've heard that some cats will refuse to use a litterbox if another cat is using it although i've never encountered that problem. i have three cats and a 1,000 sq ft house. 4 litter boxes is kinda pushing it. so i have 2 of them and i sift out the clumps every few days. the best thing i've ever done for a litterbox is get a rubbermaid storage container and cut a hole in the lid. this gives the cat pleny of privacy and having all 4 sides enclosed with a hole on top for entry/exit really cuts down on mess as well as odor. not to mention it's so much cheaper to buy a $4 tote from Big Lots instead of the fancy $20 litterboxes with a lid.

Oh, you should see my 2 cats now....I just got home and they were wrapped in each other....literally sleeping. They LICK each other to death....it's really so darn cute. Both (born) males....but fixed. I had only 1 litter box and they were both fine with it, but I was having to clean it every 5 days, so I got another one. They both share each others....it's funny it's like they are waiting in line for the bathroom sometimes, one will wait and when one comes out the other goes in. I would LOVE to train them to go on the toilet, but I know my big one could never ever jump up that far (too darn big).

Spray bottles never worked, my cats LOVE the water. The one knows (and goes by) my commands for "no"...the other one I used to use a water gun.

Kittens......just like small children (or puppies, etc).....they get into everything and are very curious, but absolutely HILARIOUS to watch, especially if you have 2 (or more)!!!

Also....if you are getting cats/kittens out of the paper, make sure they weren't outdoor kittens or barnyard, they are really hard to maintain. Adopting them from the petstore (like Petsmart)...there is an actual adoption "agency" right in the store. I adopted Boris (my likkle one) for $75.00. The older one (Pippen) was found in an engine of a car ....and was TOTALLY wild at first and mellowed out with age.

[DonnaJay 0]

jay: doesn't DHL have some tracking info on that? if i were you i'd be finding out who signed for it at the embassy.

Donna gave me the DHL tracking number last night. The Part 1 was delivered the same day to the embassy. I have the name of the person who signed for it. I do not think this information will help when I call Monday. May we both get early interview dates.

[jamerican 2]

Donna gave me the DHL tracking number last night. The Part 1 was delivered the same day to the embassy. I have the name of the person who signed for it. I do not think this information will help when I call Monday. May we both get early interview dates.

DHL I have found is very good about knowing where the package is at all times....now the embassy...that is another issue..... Good luck!

Speaking of DHL..... With all of the varied experiences on this board...when sending a package which would you prefer? DHL, FedX or USPS? I know there are pro's and con's to each one... The last package I send went via DHL and the pro was that it was there in 2 days...but the duties accessed on it were more than the shipping costs. I was thinking this time of sending via USPS but I understand it is a ####### shoot as far as to when it will arrive and if. Am I correct? What is the odd thing is that prior DHL packages never had any duties accessed so I was totally caught off guard.

[BelwinMills 0]

Cool Kelly thanks. We are thinking about getting a cat and one kitten. I will be done with work by July 4th and Dwain is here every day just chillin until school starts.

Just gotta be careful with a "cat" and a kitten. Depending on the temperment of the older cat....if he/she is aggressive or not. My big cat is THE most mellow cat out there. He gets along with all cats, dogs any type of other animal. Kittens want to play ALL of the time and you would just have to watch for how the bigger one acts out.....unless they grew up together.

Craig was TOTALLY freaked out with the idea of 2 cats (saw pictures of them before he arrived) and when he got here........it took him about a month to actually get used to the idea of the bigger one sleeping in the same bed and being alllll lovey/dovey. My bigger cat is also a "licker" every time you pet him he has to lick. Craig can't believe that my cats come when you call them, sit for food and lay down when I tell them to. You should see them now. I'll load up a picture on yahoo..... the 2 cats and Craig, if only his friends and family could see him...

Litter box .....WAY easier than getting up at 6am take the dog out, pick up the dog stuff in a bag.....ugh. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love dogs, but ....it's soooo much easier to change a box once a week (or week 1/2).

Another great thing with cats (not so much kittens), but when you go away, you don't have to watch them. I got the bigger one a time released food dispenser (got it at Petco) called Petmate, it works great! My little one is SOOOO darn picky with food and **has** to have wet food plus the dry stuff.

Any other cat/kitten questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Gosh the weather is absolutely goooorgeous here this weekend, heading off to drop my son off at a pool party.

CONGRATS Sonshyne...

Kelly

the only time i've never had a pet was during college when i lived in the dorms. i've always had both dogs and cats. cats are much easier and are a better choice if you live a busy life.

belwin i can imagine your intrepidation since you're not an animal person. i agree with luv about the cat & kitten combo. you'll want to make sure they'll get along because some cats can be real bullies. i have a 7 yr old cat that stayed outdoors for years, and then when the weather got sub-zero i felt sorry for her and let her inside. then a few months ago i took 2 littermates in. at first they were so little they had to climb into their food bowl just to eat. it goes without saying that the older cat was very resentful toward the new additions. she'd growl and hiss everytime they came near, but never lashed out at them. now they've learned to tolerate eachother. the older cat basically ignores them. the kittens are much bigger and VERY rambunctious. this is the stage that i hate! they are wild, yet comedic- climbing curtains, attacking your feet in the middle of the night, and knocking things over.

when you get kittens you have to prepare yourself for their wild phase. you have to set limits for them. the easiest way to do it is with a spray bottle. so if you don't want them climbing curtains, running across the table, or attempting to eat off your plate just give them a squirt.

also, a general rule with litterboxes is to have one for each cat plus one additional. i've heard that some cats will refuse to use a litterbox if another cat is using it although i've never encountered that problem. i have three cats and a 1,000 sq ft house. 4 litter boxes is kinda pushing it. so i have 2 of them and i sift out the clumps every few days. the best thing i've ever done for a litterbox is get a rubbermaid storage container and cut a hole in the lid. this gives the cat pleny of privacy and having all 4 sides enclosed with a hole on top for entry/exit really cuts down on mess as well as odor. not to mention it's so much cheaper to buy a $4 tote from Big Lots instead of the fancy $20 litterboxes with a lid.

the only time i've never had a pet was during college when i lived in the dorms. i've always had both dogs and cat

s. cats are much easier and are a better choice if you live a busy life.

belwin i can imagine your intrepidation since you're not an animal person. i agree with luv about the cat & kitten combo. you'll want to make sure they'll get along because some cats can be real bullies. i have a 7 yr old cat that stayed outdoors for years, and then when the weather got sub-zero i felt sorry for her and let her inside. then a few months ago i took 2 littermates in. at first they were so little they had to climb into their food bowl just to eat. it goes without saying that the older cat was very resentful toward the new additions. she'd growl and hiss everytime they came near, but never lashed out at them. now they've learned to tolerate eachother. the older cat basically ignores them. the kittens are much bigger and VERY rambunctious. this is the stage that i hate! they are wild, yet comedic- climbing curtains, attacking your feet in the middle of the night, and knocking things over.

when you get kittens you have to prepare yourself for their wild phase. you have to set limits for them. the easiest way to do it is with a spray bottle. so if you don't want them climbing curtains, running across the table, or attempting to eat off your plate just give them a squirt.

also, a general rule with litterboxes is to have one for each cat plus one additional. i've heard that some cats will refuse to use a litterbox if another cat is using it although i've never encountered that problem. i have three cats and a 1,000 sq ft house. 4 litter boxes is kinda pushing it. so i have 2 of them and i sift out the clumps every few days. the best thing i've ever done for a litterbox is get a rubbermaid storage container and cut a hole in the lid. this gives the cat pleny of privacy and having all 4 sides enclosed with a hole on top for entry/exit really cuts down on mess as well as odor. not to mention it's so much cheaper to buy a $4 tote from Big Lots instead of the fancy $20 litterboxes with a lid.

Oh, you should see my 2 cats now....I just got home and they were wrapped in each other....literally sleeping. They LICK each other to death....it's really so darn cute. Both (born) males....but fixed. I had only 1 litter box and they were both fine with it, but I was having to clean it every 5 days, so I got another one. They both share each others....it's funny it's like they are waiting in line for the bathroom sometimes, one will wait and when one comes out the other goes in. I would LOVE to train them to go on the toilet, but I know my big one could never ever jump up that far (too darn big).

Spray bottles never worked, my cats LOVE the water. The one knows (and goes by) my commands for "no"...the other one I used to use a water gun.

Kittens......just like small children (or puppies, etc).....they get into everything and are very curious, but absolutely HILARIOUS to watch, especially if you have 2 (or more)!!!

Also....if you are getting cats/kittens out of the paper, make sure they weren't outdoor kittens or barnyard, they are really hard to maintain. Adopting them from the petstore (like Petsmart)...there is an actual adoption "agency" right in the store. I adopted Boris (my likkle one) for $75.00. The older one (Pippen) was found in an engine of a car ....and was TOTALLY wild at first and mellowed out with age.

Thanks gals you have been a big help. Dwain really wants cats so I think we will get them when I get paid for summer school. I guess going from 3 to none is a adjustment for him. I told him about your gals advice. He is thinking now we should go with 2 kittens (they are 2 months old at Pet Smart). Thanks for the great ideas. I like the tote idea and dispenser for food. I think kittens will be fine for us because we will have a month and half until we go to work and school.

Jax

[Sonshyne 2]

Congrats Pam :dance: Do you have any pictures of your big day?

Thanks I have a couple, I'll post one in a couple days

Hurrayyy..Congrats..welcome to the "CLUB"..

Thanks I got quite a few club welcomings

[Sonshyne 2]

That's awesome Hope you had a GREAT day!!

Thanks Rhonda and the same goes for the rest of the yardie crew!!! The day was great.. I think I made a few hearts stop for a few seconds, when the minister asked me if I vowed to honor blah blah blah... I couldn't speak for what seemed like forever I was totally speechless Everyone was looking at me like WELL??? Neils eyes got as big as two grapefruits!!

[Sonshyne 2]

Ok I have a rant I need to get off my chest. I was getting ready to go grocery shopping this morning so I decided to go online and check my bank account first. As I went thru all of the transactions I saw the the calling card that is set up for Neil to call Jamaica had been recharged several times .... I have two different calling cards that have auto recharge on them. I have custody of my nephew he uses one of thwm to call his friends in Atlanta... That card has recharged several times also The total for the month is almost $400 I went to talk to him about it ( of course I was pissed). He told me he would talk less but that he had to talk to Jamaica And for me to give him a limit I told him to let his friends from home buy a mega phone and call him, he told me that they aren't easy to get. Although most of his friends have them I had to politely remind him that I am NOT RICH

He tells me to relax my nerves and that he won't call as much. But I have a easier fix for the problem....

I'm going to take the auto recharge off and only charge it once a month. As for my nephew... I ran and I do mean FAST to the cell phone store and brought him a Damn phone!!

[rhondapayter 0]

the kittens are much bigger and VERY rambunctious. this is the stage that i hate! they are wild, yet comedic- climbing curtains, attacking your feet in the middle of the night, and knocking things over.

also, a general rule with litterboxes is to have one for each cat plus one additional.

I could never have a cat I can't stand the thought of the poop sitting there INSIDE my house stinky and gross I'd much rather have a dog who does his business OUTSIDE. Then Tony shovels it up once a week when he cuts the lawn

Do your cats tear up your furniture or do you get them de-clawed? I know they like to scratch everything.

[rhondapayter 0]

It's quiet in here today. I'm working all weekend Thank goodness I have 2 weeks off coming up soon

[MyDestinyAwaits 0]

I could never have a cat I can't stand the thought of the poop sitting there INSIDE my house stinky and gross I'd much rather have a dog who does his business OUTSIDE. Then Tony shovels it up once a week when he cuts the lawn

Do your cats tear up your furniture or do you get them de-clawed? I know they like to scratch everything.

i thought i'd be grossed out with a smelly litterbox too. it's really not bad at all if you buy good quality litter (tidy cats: multiple cat formula) and sift it regularly. my yard however is a different story. i am not the one to pick up dog poop from the yard, i usually let it bio-degrade but now that i have a kid i worry about him playing in the yard and stepping in it. believe it or not, i once used pooper-scooper duty as punishment for him and he actually enjoyed it! after he finished doing it i asked if he'd ever want to do it again (thinking he'd say no) and he said he'd want to do it one more time.

the jury is still out on the whole declaw issue. you usually do that only if they are going to be indoor cats for their whole lives. i declawed my older cat thinking she would be, and the desire to go outside was too strong. now my kittens (named Puss & Boots) haven't been outside yet but that's not to say they won't when they get older. i will definitely neuter them though.

[MyDestinyAwaits 0]

Ok I have a rant I need to get off my chest. I was getting ready to go grocery shopping this morning so I decided to go online and check my bank account first. As I went thru all of the transactions I saw the the calling card that is set up for Neil to call Jamaica had been recharged several times .... I have two different calling cards that have auto recharge on them. I have custody of my nephew he uses one of thwm to call his friends in Atlanta... That card has recharged several times also The total for the month is almost $400 I went to talk to him about it ( of course I was pissed). He told me he would talk less but that he had to talk to Jamaica And for me to give him a limit I told him to let his friends from home buy a mega phone and call him, he told me that they aren't easy to get. Although most of his friends have them I had to politely remind him that I am NOT RICH

He tells me to relax my nerves and that he won't call as much. But I have a easier fix for the problem....

I'm going to take the auto recharge off and only charge it once a month. As for my nephew... I ran and I do mean FAST to the cell phone store and brought him a Damn phone!!

can't wait to see the wedding pics. we plan on getting married on a friday too. i think you've come up with a great compromise for the long distance issue. i'll probably do the same thing too.