A Cold Weather Caution

So why would I want to warn the cat? That seems to defeat the purpose.



Sorry, Heather.

Couldn't help it.

We've already had a couple stories here about doggies being left out in the cold. In one case the fire department had to come and pour hot water on the doggie to unfreeze it from the cement.

Shadow_Ferret said:

We've already had a couple stories here about doggies being left out in the cold. In one case the fire department had to come and pour hot water on the doggie to unfreeze it from the cement.

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Is that the one that was in the papers, where the dog was too overweight for the owner to carry it in? If it is, she was charged.

And don't leave doggies in the car while you go shopping, please. At any time of year. It's less cruel to leave them at home, even if they beg to go with you.

Yes, that's the incident. Wow. I didn't realize that had made national news.

International. I'm in Canada. But it's a good thing, if it makes people realize that they can't treat animals that way and get away with it.

International! Daggummit! I hate when we make international news.

And sorry, I thought you were up a tree, not Canada.

Where do you think the trees are, SF? I hear you Americans cut all yours down...

Not true, Yeshanu. The Hoosier National Forest isn't far from Louisville.

Komnena said:

Not true, Yeshanu. The Hoosier National Forest isn't far from Louisville.

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And a beautiful forest it is. Many weekends of my youth were spent exploring the forest there.

I'll just have to come down and visit your American then, won't I?

And in return, y'all can visit me next August up here in Canada. Bring your skis.

(Oh, and did this train switch tracks, or is it now totally off them? )

Back to the googies in the cold...

Yeshanu said:

Where do you think the trees are, SF? I hear you Americans cut all yours down...

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But I thought lumberjacks were all Canadian.

Sorry. Monty Python invasion of the brain moment.

True story: Did that skit with another girl on a high school music retreat (which is NOT to be confused with a High School Musical retreat). I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...

regdog said:

I know this should probably be in the Animals and Nature Forum, but I thought many people who don't have pets might not visit that forum, and might not be aware of this.

Now that the cold weather is here, please remember to rap on the hood of your car/truck/SUV before starting it. Many small animals, especially cats will crawl up into the engine for warmth. They can be badly injured or killed if the car is started.

A cat a few cities over from where I live, was horribly injured this way during a recent cold spell, and is lucky to be alive.

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Over twenty years ago, one of my cats was killed because it had climbed up into the engine compartment to sleep.

Someone, more automotively knowledgeable than I, can correct me, but I believe that this isn't an issue for newer cars. I think that they changed the design of the undercarriage so cats and other small animals can't get up around the engine and the fan belt. But, that may just be for smaller cars, not those big mucking SUVs.

That incident with the dog freezing to the sidewalk wasn't too far from me. More on it here. The poor thing was too fat to move and is now in the care of the local humane society.

I have a thing for dogs with sad stories, but when I made noises about adopting it, Mr Rima came very close to speaking in tongues. The poor man probably thinks we have enough flora and fauna around here.

Shadow_Ferret said:

Yes, that's the incident. Wow. I didn't realize that had made national news.

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Yep, it was in the news in Florida too, Ed. Really sad.

That's a good caution for pet owners, Reg. You rawk!

Komnena said:

The Hoosier National Forest isn't far from Louisville.

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They named a national forest after that pop group?

Yeshanu said:

Sorry. Monty Python invasion of the brain moment.

...I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...

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Lumberjacks in stretchy pants. Not just for Canadians anymore.

Unique said:

Lumberjacks in stretchy pants. Not just for Canadians anymore.

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Well, since the situation seems to require a link...


As for cats under hoods, many years ago, my sister had that experience with her car and a cat. Since then, I've checked if there's a chance that a cat might be there.

Shadow_Ferret said:

I cut down trees, I skip and jump
I like to press wild flowers
I put on women's clothing
And hang around in bars

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Um, I've got my little weirdnesses too, SF, but I'm not gonna post them here.

I'm all about sharing.

It's still a problem for cats.

Actually, you need to check year round sicne some hide in engines to get away from dogs chasing them. (That's how my parents found their first kitten.)

My dog went on point at my car hood. I tapped on it no one came out.

I asked her to come inside, she refused and remained on point. I opened the hood and the neighbor's large cat came out. However she'd gone in she couldn't back out.

My first cat lost a sibling to a car engine.

The only safe cars are the ones that are sealed underneath. I think that means the only safe ones are the old VW bugs pre 1980 and one year's Volvo '98 I think, but I'm not sure.


Also keep an eye out for antifreeze pools and turkey bones thrown outside.

Stlight

Bmwhtly said:

They named a national forest after that pop group?

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Yep.Sure enough did.