POT PURRY
First thing, I would like to say thanks to all those members who have been unknowingly adding to my collection of cat pictures with their cat stationery. I have received some that are cute, adorable, clever, and hilarious. Being treasurer of MCBFA does have its rewards1
A couple of recent incidents gave me my topic for this month’s column. How many of you folks have a «fire plan» for your fur-footed friends? This applies particularly to those of us who breed and must of necessity keep our males and females confined to restricted areas of the house – not cages I hope. How many of us think to ask about this when we have to board our cats and dogs? I confess I never have but I will from now on.
One of our pers just lost her two young Maine Coon Cats (Heidi-Ho kittens incidently) while she was on vacation. The cattery (a good one) had a fire and Teddy and Toff died, not from flames, but from smoke inhalation because no one could reach their cages to release them.
At almost the same time, I came very close to losing my entire crew- would have if Someone Up There didn’t like me well enough to get me to the right place at the right time. The electric water pump on my travel trailer shorted and caught fire. I was home on vacation and had eleven of my thirteen in the trailer at the time. Fortunately, I arrived on the scene just as smoke was starting to come out from under the rear seat. If it hadn’t been so serious, it would have been funny. To get to the pump, I had to remove a window air conditioner, two long sofa cushions, and eleven cats who wanted to see what I had hidden under the seat! While I was struggling with this, I was debating which would be worse, to turn them all loose first or take a chance and go after the fire! Luckily my nose told me it was an electrical fire so the first thing I did was to disconnect all current to the trailer. By the time I finally got under the seat all I had was a hot water pump which is now being replaced by an air pressure system! No harm done but it could have been a real CATastrophe!
SO-stop and ask yourself a few questions.
1. Do I keep an operable fire extinguisher in the cattery (or house)?
2. Are there at least two entrances to the cat’s area?
3. Have I checked the area for fire hazards?
4. What action will I take if I do have a fire? This is the most important–even a mental rehearsal will help!
Please keep in mind that The Scratch Sheet is not sent by first class mail and therefore will probably not be forwarded should you move to a new address. If you do move please notify me of your change of address.
Speaking of hanging addresses, Heidi-Ho is moving again, this time to Fort Benning, Georgia.
Connie