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Chalk it up to being a first-time cat owner

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Annie the Cat wasn't acting right. 

Subdued. Hunched up and curled up. Withdrawn. Listless. Not eating right. No interest in lapping water from the bathroom sink faucet. Her usual gregarious "meows," suddenly faint, weak. Whiny. 

Her body language and behavior last week just seemed so different. She was just not the perky, interactive, happy cat I knew. 

I know a lot more about dogs than I do cats. I waited and watched for a couple days, she still seemed "off" her game. So I googled "when to take a cat to the vet." I sent emails to a couple cat-owning friends, including Dolly from the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals in Hermosa Beach who matched me up with Annie a year ago. Give it another day or two, she said.

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I waited as Dolly wisely advised. 

The uncharacteristic low-key behavior continued, and so  eventually, I just instinctively felt she should be seen, especially with the weekend coming up (pet ER bills are frightening, as I'm sure y'all know). 

So I made an appointment at the end of the week with my veterinarian office, Centinela Animal Hospital in Inglewood. 

Annie was none too happy about being put in her carrier and riding in the car. 

Funny how dogs LOVE to ride ANYWHERE. A ride in the car? Wheeeee! 

Cats? She yowled and whined the entire way and literally gave me the stink eye from behind the door of her carrier. 

Dr. Lara Orme agreed that Annie looked like she felt, well, "punky," or something. But it was  
annie vet 2 .jpgall quite non-specific; and how can you know with cats? But anything from a body trauma I didn't know about to systemic illness were possibilities. 

I went ahead and told them to do the X-rays and blood work since I'd managed to get her in to the office -- and I didn't want to go through that melodrama again. 

The next day we had the results -- she was just fine. Nothing was amiss on any of the tests (although she was dehydrated and in need of her monthly flea treatment). 

And now, a few days later, she's completely back to normal, acting like her happy, outgoing self. She's drinking from the bathroom faucet again, one of her favorite routines as I get ready for work. She's running and purring and rubbing against my face. 

Sigh. 

I'm relieved, of course, that she's fine. I've grown rather fond of her.

But my finances took a hit for a "She's OK" diagnosis. 

And Annie? Well, she is still kind of mad about the whole carrier thing, for sure -- on top of being forced to ride in the car. 

Horror of horrors for a cat, apparently.   

 

Annie the cat: Year 1

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It was a year ago today that I brought Annie the Cat home for the first time. 

A "dog person," I hadn't intended on adopting a cat. But we've had rodent issues in our neighborhood so I'd asked Dolly Rhamy of the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals -- when I ran into her at the Torrance First Lutheran Church's Blessing of the Animals last September -- about the possibility of finding a cat who was a good hunter and would be OK with dogs.

In a couple weeks, she called. They had just the cat. The so-called "Friendly Feral" who was among a feral cat colony hanging out around the Carson Animal Shelter. 

I remember going to the shelter after work on Oct. 5 and walking toward the back of the property, where Dolly said Annie was sure to appear. Sure enough, here comes this black and white cat, rubbing up against my purse which I'd laid down on the ground. 

A shelter worker smiled when he saw her coming out from the bushes. They clearly were familiar with her. I told him I'd like to adopt her, so he grabbed her by the scruff of the neck, put her in a cage & entered her into the county's official system.

The following Saturday, on Oct. 10, 2009, I came to pick her up, not knowing what we were in for.
annie first day.jpg
Annie didn't know what she was in for, either. (Above, Annie awaits in her carrier in the back of my Jeep, along with my new "cat supplies," as I prepared to bring her home.) 
The rest, as they say, is history.

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That's Annie above, tonight, resting and very much at home on the back of the sofa.

Thanks to Dolly & Peter Zippi. And to my childhood friend, Shirley, the "Cat Diva," who first introduced me to Dolly. 

It's pretty much worked out extremely well for all concerned. 

Except for the lizards and rodents, that is.

The dogs are OK with the cat, although Tess still will fixate her border collie herding 'eye' on Annie ("Border Kitty" I call her, since she is a perfect black-and-white match for Tess) when it's the dogs' dinner time. OUT of the kitchen, Tess says. 

Annie? Well, I'd say she's quite content with her new home.

We think we'll keep her.
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  annie lion 3.jpg

Peter Zippi sign stolen -- twice

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This really stinks.

The banner over at the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals in front of the VCA Coast Animal Hospital 1560, Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach,.was stolen -- twice -- over the past 30 days. The banners cost $300 each and it sounds like they replaced the first one but that the replacement also was stolen, too. 

So if you see one of these signs floating around somewhere, call them at (310) 379-1264.

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By the way, the group will sponsor an adoption from 1-3 p.m. Thursday (1/7) at the clinic if you're looking for a cute new kitten or an adult cat for 2010.  

Peter Zippi "Santa Paws" photo event Saturday

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Here it is, that time of year again. Already. 

santadog.jpg smaller.jpgThe first of several pets-with-santa photo sessions takes place this Saturday (Nov. 21) to benefit the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals.

It all happens at the VCA Coast Animal Hospital, 1560 Pacific Coast Highway, in Hermosa Beach. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring your pets to pose for a professional photo session with Santa. Photos can be loaded onto CDs or used to make unique, one-of-a-kind holiday greeting cards.

The $15 donation supports the Peter Zippi Fund's work with homeless animals.

 

I don't know who will be playing Santa. But good luck to you, sir.

 

santa and crazy shih-tzu.jpg(Photo from Dogster )

All God's creatures: Blessing ceremonies this weekend

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Blessing of the Animals ceremonies seem to be a growing trend in our pet-devoted culture. While the roots of the ceremonies are in Roman Catholicism, they are now increasingly being observed also by some Protestant churches and nondenominational faiths.

Many of the ceremonies occur this weekend because Oct. 4 is the traditional feast day for St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182- Oct. 3, 1226), the founder of the Franciscans who also became known as the patron saint of animals.

There are three local ceremonies I know about this weekend, two in Torrance and one in Long Beach:

  • First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance: "Blessing God's Creatures," 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 3); free festival includes exhibits, demonstrations door prizes, free samples, refreshments, photo opportunities and a special blessing for each pet; also pet adoptions, with the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals  among the groups participating; all pets must be under owner's control -- leashes, harness, crates, etc. INFORMATION: www.faith-first.org; 310-320-9920, Ext. 101.
  • Unity Church of South Bay, 2545 W. 237th St., Torrance; 10:30 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 4); non-denominational service devoted to the human-animal connection; each pet receives a certificate of blessing and a ribbon; pictures of pets can be brought as a substitute in cases where the animal is deceased or is not used to crowds; leashes and crates required for dogs and cats. INFORMATION and guidelines: 310-326-2760.
  • Marine Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach; 10 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 3); 8th annual Blessing of the Animals (ceremony begins at noon) sponsored by Haute Dogs; includes a moment of silence for dogs involved in dogfighting rings and other abused animals; all "well-behaved pets, including exotic species that are legal to possess in the state of California" are welcome; ceremony free, other related events including a Cutest & Ugliest Dog contests and chihuahua beauty pageant require $20 admission. INFORMATION: www.BlessThePets.com.

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Cats, cats, cats

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I posted last weekend about the ongoing need for adoptions at the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals.

My friend Shirley, who with her neighbor does work with some of the feral cat colonies in their neck of the woods here in the South Bay, sent me this photo last night of some kittens they trapped & rescued in April and are now with Peter Zippi awaiting homes.

Lots more where they came from, too.

Click the link above for information on the regular adoption events sponsored by the Peter Zippi Fund in Hermosa Beach along with thumbnail photos and descriptions of the some 50 kittens and cats they have available. The economy, presumably, has really impacted the number of people coming in to adopt in the past month. But meanwhile, the kittens keep coming.

You can call them for an appointment at:310-379-1264.

As for the photo below, what is it about cats being allowed onto tables and counters? I once came home to find my large Australian shepherd mix Mercy standing right in the middle of my dining room table and it totally freaked me out!

And my question about these 4 kitties is what exactly the photographer said or did to get those intent looks?? A mouse danging by its tail? A piece of hot dog?

 

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Peter Zippi cats need your help

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zippi cat chas.jpgThis is Chas. He's a brown tabby and is one of nearly 50 cats or kittens available for adoption through the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals.

The Hermosa Beach-based group has been inundated with cats that need new homes in the past couple weeks. They've experienced an influx of homeless animals along with a dearth of adoptions. 

Other cats available include Maya, a year-old cat, below. She was akin to a teen mom, according to

zippi maya.jpgvolunteers who took her in just before she delivered a litter of five kittens. Her kittens have all found homes, but mom still needs someone special to take her in. She's healthy, spayed, microchipped and is up to date on her vaccinations. She's also beautiful, as you can see.

 

 

And then there's Jerico, who was hit by a car when he was only four months old and wound up in

zippi jerico.jpga Los Angeles city shelter. The folks from Peter Zippi got him out of the shelter and provided the surgery needed to fix his injuries (he'll be left with a slight limp, but otherwise is OK). Donations are still needed to cover the full cost of the surgery, however, and eventually Jerico also needs a home. He's a trooper, been through a lot.

And there are many, many more. Check out the Zippi web page for available cats, and if you can help, give them a call at 310-379-1264. Open adotpions are held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays at the VCA Coast Animal Hospital at 1560 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach.

But you can also call them for an appointment at other times.

 

Westchester adoption event a success

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westchester animal event.jpgCheck out Sandy Mazza's Daily Breeze story today about the Best Friends Animal Society's adoption festival in Westchester on Sunday.

About 60 rescue groups displayed animals in cages and fenced areas.

Like the furry golden retrievers, howling beagles and small terriers at the event, thin-nosed, lanky greyhounds seemed more interested in other dogs than potential adopters.

The dogs tugged on their leashes and pressed against their enclosures to sniff or tempt one another with a chew toy.

It was a peaceful gathering, with most of the animals soaking up the attention.

The Peter Zippi Fund for Animals adopted out four kittens in the first hour of the afternoon event. The organization is located on the second floor of a Hermosa Beach veterinarian's office.

Leslie Neff, director of the fund, said cats are great companions.

"No matter how bad your day is, you come home and you've got a friend," Neff said. "But it's a 15- to 20-year commitment. Our most important thing (to allow an adoption) is that they understand cats. That they keep it indoors, and they're willing to make a commitment."

 

Pet Expo: Peter Zippi to the rescue of homeless cats

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This was one of the best moments of my visit Friday to America's Family Pet Expo, ongoing this weekend in Costa Mesa.  

The woman on the right, a Santa Ana resident, adopted Cheeto, a beautiful year-old cat that had been taken in by the folks at the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals in Hermosa Beach. Cheeto was found wandering around an apartment complex and has been with the rescue group since January (that's Peter Zippy volunteer Dolly Rhamy of Torrance on the left). The new owner said she and her husband have been wanting a cat and Cheeto seemed like a perfect fit.

The Peter Zippi Fund was established in memory of a young, aspiring veterinarian who began working as a veterinarian with Dr. Alice Villalobos in 1976. A year later, he and three friends were tragically killed in a small plane crash in Torrance. When Peter's family was presented with his final paycheck after he'd died, his family asked Dr. Villalobos to keep the money and "do something special for the animals he loved so much."

So 32 years later, thanks to all that, a cat named Cheeto found a new home this weekend. He joined some 11,000 other animals that have been placed in homes since the fund was begun, according to Leslie Neff, who has worked with the nonprofit organization for 20 years.

Cheeto may be gone, but there are several other great cats still available for adoption at the Peter Zippi booth, including a real cutie named Tamale (last shot below). 

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About the Bloggers

Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.

E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.

Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.

E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.

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