Old Cats/Dogs, Pets: Go to the Vet?

[August1991]

My father was a Newfoundlander. When there were too many kittens, they put them in a bag and threw them in the ocean.

My mother was a farm person. She spoke about barn cats, house cats and mousers.

My wife's brother lived beside a road. He named all the cats Grisou. I once asked whether it was Grisou XVIII or Grisou XIV.

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My cat is a ginger. And male. (About 70% of orange/ginger cats are male. Did you know that some species identify sex/gender by colour?)

Did you know that we judge the age of animals by their teeth?

The SPCA of Montreal removed my cat's incisors before I adopted him.

So I basically don't know how how old he is. The SPCA told me that he was 10 years old when I got him.

 

[herbie]

My friend named his dog Dodge because it never left the yard...

Had a pom named Colonel, he was the leader of the local pack. They'd circle the block hitting up everyone for pets and treats. He just geezed out and we let him pass in his own bed in his own house with his people around him. Forget the vet unless they're in pain.
Cats seem to just go out and not come back when they're really old.

[August1991]

10 minutes ago, herbie said:

....

Forget the vet unless they're in pain.
...

Agreed. A single visit to an urban vet is 500$.

He's deaf - makes alot of noise. He can smell and he can see things far away. But he can't see things close. 

[Michael Hardner]

6 hours ago, August1991 said:

Agreed. A single visit to an urban vet is 500$.

He's deaf - makes alot of noise. He can smell and he can see things far away. But he can't see things close. 

He must have a hard time working as a vet then.

[herbie]

Monte Pythons Killer joke

My dog has no nose.
Then how does he smell?
Awful!

My kid's kitten broke a leg 20 years ago. The vet said it would cost about $1000.
Had to tell her the cat would walk with a limp the rest of its life just like Grampa. She agreed and was only 10 at the time.

[August1991]

On 6/25/2025 at 6:12 AM, Michael Hardner said:

He must have a hard time working as a vet then.

Michael,

Still laughing.

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Sadly, my old ginger cat can't hear.

[Shady]

I always tell people that when you first get a new pet, get pet insurance.  If you get it when they're young, pretty much everything is 80% covered.

[August1991]

7 hours ago, Shady said:

I always tell people that when you first get a new pet, get pet insurance.  If you get it when they're young, pretty much everything is 80% covered.

Shady,

Great to hear from you. Like my loud, deaf cat.

 

[herbie]

When you hear of pets passing that you remember playing with as kittens and pups, it drives home how goddam old you are.
People you know, you see them often and are well aware they're geezing out.

[August1991]

On 8/16/2025 at 3:33 PM, herbie said:

When you hear of pets passing that you remember playing with as kittens and pups, it drives home how goddam old you are.
People you know, you see them often and are well aware they're geezing out.

Exactly.

Boomers? Old people have dogs/cats - because they can't deal with humans.

[herbie]

No. They have them because their spouses are gone or don't show them enough attention.
Your cat or dog is there to cuddle on your lap 24/7 and thankful for every minute of attention or treat no matter how small.

[August1991]

Greenland? Iran....

For those that care about a cat - my deaf, ginger, male cat. He's still alive. And noisy.