Ray stands before airport security--tense, holding a cat carrier. There is a stirring in the cage. A thin line of sweat slides down his face.

He mutters to himself, "How did I get myself into this?'

How indeed?  He thinks back to the phone call he received over a month ago.

            "Hello"

            "Hi Ray, this is Maggie. I know this is a terrible imposition, but I need your help."

            "That's OK, fire away."

            "I'm packing to leave for Atlanta Georgia to set up a new business.  As you know with his disabilities my son Alex doesn't travel well. Would it be okay with you and Connie if he could stay with you for a month or two, while I get organized to set up an apartment?"

"I'm sure it will be alright Maggie, but I do need to ask Connie.  Can I call you right back?"

"Of course, I'm here at home packing books.  I look forward to your call back."

Ray hangs up the phone and wobbles up the stairs.  He hasn't been able to walk well since he has torn the membrane in the middle of his right knee and he is scheduled for surgery in a few days.

"Connie that was Maggie.  She's asking for our help with Alex."

"Connie asks,"How long?"

"Oh about, maybe three or four weeks."

 

"Ray, I know how badly you feel about Alex's accident, and how much you have always wanted to help that family, and now here's your chance.  But… you're about to have your knee surgery. Will you be able to look after Alex while I'm at work?  It is an enormous responsibility."

"Alex is twenty seven now, he's all right. And as long as he has his cell phone I can always get to him right away, especially now that I am going to be off of work for a few weeks recouping.  I'll cook for everyone while I'm at home, please?

"OK with me Mr. Ray Bear."

It's Tuesday night.  While Ray is at a meeting at the Elks, a moving van parks in front of Connie and Ray's house.  Their son, David, runs up the stairs and breathlessly says,

"Connie, Connie"

"Yes David, are you alright?"

While David catches his breath, Connie notices a little smirk on David's face.

"Connie, there a moving van in front of the house with two guys who say that Maggie has instructed them to leave some things."

"Honey, just tell them to leave it the living room."

"Oh, Maggie called to say Alex would be here tonight."

Later on her way to work, Connie passes her regularly manicured living room. She let's out a shriek. There piled high is a T.V., with a stand, a dresser and an exercise machine and many, many boxes. Duke the family dog is pawing at the box marked, ‘Cat toys.'

"How many weeks did you say Alex was staying?"

As Ray predicted the visit with Alex went well, until the last day.  That is the day the moving guys are coming to get all the "stuff" to ship to Maggie.  Ray is assigned to pick up Maggie's kitty to ship it via carrier with Alex.

 

Ray makes his way to "The Cat House Hotel" in Santa Barbara.  Alex is in the car with him as he drives up to see about the family's pet cat, Cinnamon.  "Cinnamon doesn't relate well with men," Alex says quietly as they go to fetch the cat.

"Good morning.  My Name is Ray Duarte.  I am a friend of the family of Cinnamon who's boarding with you."

"Oh yes, Mr. Duarte.  

The in keeper brings up Cinnamon's account on the computer screen.

"Yes, here we are.  Maggie called and said you would be here today. Little Cinnamon is ready to go. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

"Well, I was just wondering. I understand that "Little Cinnamon" had to get his shots before staying with you."

"That's right Mr. Duarte."

"Well, Cinnamon will be boarding a plane with young Alex later this evening at LAX, I'm wondering if he needs any special papers"

"Where is Cinnamon flying to?"

"Atlanta, Georgia."

"Oh dear, Mr. Duarte, I believe a health certificate may be required by the airlines.  Just a moment, I'll call the veterinarian of record and verify that for you.

The Vet is contacted and verifies that in fact a health certificate is required.  But, Ray is in luck; they can see Cinnamon right away, plus $55.00.

Ray lifts the carrier, "‘Little' Cinnamon, must have like the cuisine at Cat Camp, this guys is heavy." Ray wobbles a bit carrying the case with one hand while maneuvering a cane with the other.

On the way home Ray turns to Alex.  "Now remember, when we get home I am going to leave Cinnamon in his carrier, and place him in the shade in the back yard away from Duke.  Please what ever you do, do not try to pet Cinnamon.  If he gets loose we will never catch him."

"Roger Dodger, that's an affirmative Captain Ray."

The ride home takes only ten minutes and Ray places Cinnamon in the shade out in the back yard away from the dog. 

"Alex, I'm going to put your luggage in the trunk of the car and I'll make a nice cool spot for Cinnamon in the back seat with you.

Alex responds, "Oakie, dokie."

With his head inside the trunk yanking suitcases, Ray suddenly notices Alex out of the corner of his eye. The young man is making his way double time around the side of the house with a rather concerned look on his face.  Ray already knows what has happened.

"Alex?"

"Ah, Ray, I need your help to catch the cat."

Ray makes his way to the backyard. Cinnamon is out and under one of the trees.  He does a double fake and passes Ray and Alex bolting to the front yard.  Ray wobbles with cane in hand double time as he thinks to himself – what am I going to tell Maggie. He also sees 51 days of cat boarding and a health certificate going up in flames right in front of his eyes. Ray is able to shoo the kitty towards the backyard, and tells Alex to open the back door of the house.  Successfully they are able to scoot him into the house.  Alex closes the back door as Ray thinks to himself – I'm getting to old for these Reindeer games.

Ray immediately gets on the phone and calls his good friend and Elk Brother, Frank.

"I need your help man, Maggie's cat is loose in the house, my knees are killing me and we have to leave for the airport in less than hour."

Having heard what has happened, Frank starts laughing, "Smokey is here visiting, and you will have re-enforcements shortly."

It takes only a few minutes from the "Call of Distress" for the 7th Cavalry to arrive. As they are walking up to the house Frank and Smokey are both laughing quite hard over Ray's dilemma.  With the help of Alex, the Elks, and God, the clawing beast is caught and placed into his carrier just about the time Connie arrives home from work.

"Mums the word guys, or both my legs will be broken!"

The fraternity of the "cat nabbers" agrees.

At the airport Alex's luggage is checked in.  A boarding pass for Alex and security passes for Ray and Connie are issued.  Next comes the check-in for carry-on luggage.

There are six security officers at attention to process only a handful of the passengers.  One of the officers addresses Ray as he places Cinnamon's cat carrier on the X-Ray conveyer belt.

"Excuse me sir, you can't keep the cat in the carrier.  We have to X-Ray the carrier only."

"WHAT?"

"Oh no, no way!  You can just go ahead and run-em through that little tunnel of love together."

The officer, flatly says,

"We can't do that sir."

"Why not?" 

Ray responds incredulously his teeth flashing with an over expressive smile; lips stuck to his gums, he liltingly continues, "Just consider it to be a new type of CAT SCAN!"

The monotone one continues,

"You have to hold the cat, sir."

Ray changes his tone to one of desperation.

"You don't know this animal. He's practically wild, probably half Bobcat.  He already got loose once today; and if he gets loose again, I ain't chasin him.  My knees are bad.  I just had surgery!

Sir, I'll have to ask you to step over here!

Ray breaks down,

"I can't do this… if he gets loose, he's yours.  Just consider yourselves the owners of a new airport mascot."

All of the security personnel want to see what Cinnamon looks like, as they one by one lean with furrowed brows to peak into the carrier.

Rays voice inflections fail to achieve his goal as the monotones continue.

"Just hold the cat close to you, sir."

By now all of the security personnel have gathered around.  They push each other aside to peak into the deep recesses of the carrier.  They are waiting to see what the fiend-lion looks like.

 

"Go ahead, sir take him out. Hold the cat close, and walk through the scanner arch."

Ray unable to convince security of the perils ahead reaches in and firmly grabs the cat from the nape of his furry neck.  He thinks to himself…tightly, tighter, don't let him wiggle away. 

Slowly the cat emerges, motionless.

Oh my God, I've killed him."  But then there is purring and Cinnamon blinks his green eyes and bats his lashes.  He is as calm and docile as could be.

 

            Ray stands there tense, sure that the cat is about to explode into a violent frenzy. Cinnamon nuzzles Ray's chest as if to say… I'm a sweet kitty; I have no idea what this man is talking about.  Ray holds the cat at arms length as he passes through the detection arch way.

            "Hold the cat close to you sir."

            "This is close!"

            At last Alex and Cinnamon board the plane.

            "That wasn't so bad, honey."  Connie says smirking, "It's amazing what you can squeeze into four little weeks.

            "We squeezed 51 days, five hours, 23 minutes and 13 seconds into these four weeks," Ray says checking his watch!

            "I never did like that new math", Connie replied!

 

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About the Author:
Ray Duarte, RN, a nephrology specialist and researcher, has published in medical journals and lectured at national medical conferences. One of his articles was referenced in the New England Journal of Medicine.  After publishing thirty abstracts and nine manuscripts in his field, he has changed his focus from technical to creative writing. His story "Forever Smile" was published in the New York Times best selling series, Chicken Soup for the Soul - Love Stories (February 2008). He is the research expert at  www.babyboomertalkradio.com.  Enjoy getting to know Ray better by listening to Radio Interview link at http://www.rayduarte.com/  And please consider reading Ray's contributing story to Arlene Uslander's and Brenda Warneka's newly published book "The Mystery of Fate: Common Coincidence or Divine Intervention?" There are 53 great true stories of real people who celebrate LIFE from all around the world! http://www.thefatesite.com/index.htm
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Cats can be largely self-sufficient animals to incorporate into family life, but caring for their feeding and toiletry needs still falls to their two-legged companions. When a cat is part of a family that includes children, the best cat litter boxes to consider for purchase are automatic models. These devices help to get rid of the cat's deposited treasures before other animals or children can create a mess, and they save time in scooping.

The best cat litter tray for families are available from LitterMaid or CatGenie because they simplify the process of taking care of the toiletry needs of cats. These devices sense when the cat is done relieving itself. The device either rakes through the litter to gather any droppings to take to a self-contained disposal area, or washes and flushes the soiled litter quickly and easily.

Scooping droppings from litter boxes can take hours over the course of a week and is a dirty and smelly task to complete. Using automatic litter boxes helps to reduce contact with the droppings. Houses can remain more sanitary through the use of these boxes as well, as no droppings are left behind for the cat, other animals, or kids to play with or track around later on.

LitterMaid produces several different models. As soon as the cat is done, an automated rake comes out and pushes any solids to the end of the box, where they are deposited in a covered container. This container can be changed out easily and without the need to come into direct contact with waste. The covered container at the end of LitterMaid cat litter trays is large enough to last for a week for one cat or several days for multiple cats.

The models available from CatGenie completely rinse the litter granules every time the cat uses the device. This ensures that droppings are washed away frequently and any possible contamination or germs are immediately eliminated, leaving behind a sanitary environment for both the cat and their family. Each cleaning cartridge produces enough washes to last for a month or longer, depending on how often the cat toilets.

Cat boxes that require scooping and disposing can be very cost efficient, but demand constant and dirty work. Although automated devices have a higher upfront cost, the return on investment includes a more sanitary environment, contained or automatically eliminated waste, and far less work and attention. The best cat litter boxes that are also family friendly are those that automate the process and make life simpler and cleaner for the entire house.

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About the Author:
If you are tired of cleaning up cat litter every day, try using automatic litter boxes instead. Instead of daily maintenance, you will only have to clean it once a month and will no longer have to deal with this dreadful task on a daily basis.
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An animal compounding pharmacy provides medicines and drugs that are formulated according to the individual needs of sick pets. These pharmacies have been operating for years and are an important part of veterinary treatment now. For many years, combining veterinary medicines were done due to the lack of proper medicines for animals. But today, compounding stores help the veterinarians to get medications according to the specific drug requirements of animals.

What is compounding medicine?

Compounding medicine is the act of altering a medication – it can be its dosage or composition – in situations when the original form of medication was unsuitable. This is mainly done in cases, when a pet does not respond to a particular medicine or when an animal is allergic to certain compositions. Compounding should only be done by a licensed practitioner. Veterinarians usually buy compounded medicines from a reputed and licensed animal compounding pharmacy.

The importance of compounding

While ordering clinically combined medication for pets, the vets should rely on a reputed animal compounding pharmacy. The medications formed by mixing and altering the compositions should be palatable (not too bitter in taste) as well as effective. Flavoring is often added to some medications too. A veterinarian should choose a reputed compounding store that mixes drugs in accordance to the guidelines set by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services).

While some medications are compounded in the form of a liquid, some are also available in powder form or sold as a paste. The form of medication that is required by an animal is well understood by a specialized vet and ordered accordingly. For example, in the case of certain anti-parasitic agents, the medication is administered through a trans-dermal patch. In some cases, human medications are also prescribed to animals. In those cases the dosage and compositions are compounded according to the requirements of the pets from a client-centric animal compounding pharmacy by a veterinarian.

Search online for a pharmacy

If a vet needs to buy any medication that is not manufactured any longer or requires different compositions than its generic variety, he can rely on an animal compounding pharmacy. You can find a reputed animal compounding pharmacy on the Internet. The major benefits that the veterinarians get on ordering medications online is that he can order medicines for his patients from the comforts of his home. The rates are also much cheaper than the usual market rate.

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About the Author:
If you are a veterinary professional in search of an animal compounding pharmacy veterinary to buy medications for your patients, you must visit Amatheon.com.
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A boarding cattery is the perfect solution if you are looking for someone to care for your elderly relative's cats or your own cats when you are away on holiday. You may choose to leave your cat with friends though they may have a dog or young children who may not be used to having cats around the house and may mistreat them.

Peace of Mind

If you are a true cat lover you will want only the best for your cat whilst you are away and you will want to make sure they are cared for and fed on the same diet as they are accustomed to at home.

With a boarding cattery you get all these things plus more besides and your cat will probably feel as though it has been on a holiday its self after it received the care and pampering on offer at these establishments. You will have peace of mind that you are leaving your cat in good hands as the owners of catteries will have experience of dealing with cats of all breeds, shapes and sizes and be used to feeding them all kinds of specialised foods and medication if required.

Rural Setting

Most boarding catteries are located in a rural setting away from unwanted noise, smells and distractions so cats feel relaxed and refreshed for when their owners return from their holidays or business trips away. All cats are confined to their cattery units of course, but having a quiet environment with outdoor areas for fresh air is vital to sustain a healthy lifestyle for your cat.

House Sitters

One alternative solution available other than using a boarding cattery whilst you are away is the option to ask a friend or professional to house sit for you, ensuring your cat gets human contact and fed 2-3 times a day. The advantage of this is as they may well perform other tasks for you such as watering plants and giving the impression that someone is in your property making it is less of a target for break-ins. The main issue with employing a house sitter however is that you may not feel comfortable having someone you don't know having access to your home and its contents.

Cat Passports

Something that some people do is a little extreme, but because they feel that they would miss their cat too much, is they get a cat passport and send their cat through quarantine and go on holiday with their pet. Obviously this could be quite distressing for a cat being transported through the various stages of an airport quarantine so its not an ideal solution for a cat.

Boarding Cattery

So if you want to make sure your cat is cared for by professionals in a calm and relaxing environment whilst you are away from home, then a boarding cattery is the best option. Though they won't have the freedom to roam around your local neighbourhood you will be rest assured that they are in a safe place away from harms way and away from busy roads and other dangers.

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About the Author:
A boarding cattery is the ideal solution to ensure your cat has the best care and attention whilst you are away on holiday. Find out about the Hall Farm Cattery located in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham, West Midlands.
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If you have ever had a pet with arthritis, you will understand how difficult it is to see your friend in pain. Years ago, any pain relief for this condition was short term and often came with both a heavy price tag and many side effects. Now, however, cat arthritis treatment options include the use of both western medicine and/or traditional therapy and combine it with some natural and holistic remedies as well.

Generally speaking, an arthritic cat will be an elderly animal that has joint deterioration evident. There are not a lot of younger felines that are diagnosed; however, that certainly does not mean that they do not exist. Normally, you can diagnose an animal based on a few small observations and if needed, back up your opinion with some x-rays of the joints in question.

An arthritic cat will display obvious signs of pain when they are walking. They may have a different gait than they used to. Perhaps they are stiff when they stand after sitting or lying down. Many times these animals resist the opportunity to jump and will be reluctant to do so. They may even have a personality change and become aggressive or nervous and sometimes depressed. This is all due to the pain that the animal is in and it is important to know that it is treatable and there can be some relief found for these pets.

The advice that a veterinarian will give you is that you need to address your cat's diet. Ensure that your cat is not overweight, and this will mean that you will have to exercise it even if it is reluctant to do so itself. Take it outside and allow it to come in by itself, if it is particularly reluctant. Then, simply pick the cat up and take it out again. Hopefully, the added exercise will help your cat to lose some of the weight which is only adding stress on the joints. Increasing the omega-3 fatty acid content in your pet's meals is recommended. This can be found in good quality cat food, and can also be as a supplement in the form of green-lipped mussels. These can be purchased dry and ground up and added to your pet's meal.

Making sure that you seek out as many options for your cat arthritis treatment is imperative if you are going to keep your pet comfortable. Just as humans find the pain sometimes unbearable, so do animals. There are some very good veterinary-based medications that can be combined with some more natural holistic remedies that can have a positive effect on your cat's health.

The most important thing is that you do seek advice on the matter, as your cat will be experiencing some degree of pain. Because it is a disease that is progressive, as your cat ages the pain will also grow worse. Knowing there are effective cat arthritis treatment options available that are very successful in managing pain and treating the conditions, you should speak to your veterinarian as soon as you notice any signs.

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About the Author:
Work to help your cat's weight down and play with your cat a couple of times each day to keep him moving. Exercise keeps his joints lubricated. Finally, consider this natural option as a cat arthritis treatment. Find out how to qualify for product when you visit http://ArthritisCatsTreatment.com.
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