So, that happened.

[cupcake_goth]

Last night, in the process of trimming Ruthven's back claws, one of them was cut to the quick. That was a LOT of blood, which freaked me and the Stroppy One out. Plus, y'know, feeling like THE WORST CAT MOM EVER. After much Googling, we put some cornstarch on the cut, and that helped stop the bleeding. But between the freaking out and the crying (see previous, WORST CAT MOM EVER), I figured working from home today was a good plan. Which, it was. I'm being productive, AND I can keep an eye on Ruthven. Who, it should be noted, is frisking and scampering around just like always, thank goodness.

So yeah, crying hangover. Ugh. Plus other cryptic, nebulous stuff that is going on. Which means I'm going to try and concentrate on good things now, in an attempt to reboot my mood.

- julzerator gave me a paperweight with a tiny brown bat encased in it! He is the cutest thing ever, and his name is George.

- My dress for the Vampire Ball is DONE! (Except for the buttons.) And it is AWESOME. The Infamous BlueJay outdid herself, once again.

- The Infamous BlueJay also brought over homemade chocolate-hazelnut shortbread cookies. So, so tasty!

- The Vampire Ball is on SATURDAY! Fancy event! People in pretty clothes! Seeing friends! Oh, I can't wait.

... okay, that's what I've got so far. What good things are going on with you peoples?

Comments

[tinkerbell86ca.livejournal.com]

You named a bat George! Yaaaaay!

Have fun at the ball!

[julzerator.livejournal.com]

George named himself...

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

I've done that to both boys on occasion, usually because they wriggled at just the wrong moment. Honestly, as long as things are cleaned up and the bleeding is stopped, it's not that big a deal. Yes, it feels horrible when you do it and you should do all you can to avoid doing it again, but it won't cause him any permanent harm. I do send sympathy to both of you, though--it's decidedly not any fun.

Good things? It's spring and I'm wearing green and pink eyeshadow. That's about it.

[noxenlux.livejournal.com]

Making hats and decorating more for VMB...

Finishing up repairs and adding new stuff to a friend's dress...

All good things :) keeping busy..

good things?

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

ummm the old cat is putting on weight (slowly, healthily) and has been frequently acting frisky and playful.

[dravvie.livejournal.com]

Hrm good things? I've been very writing productive, even if it means I don't get out of my PJs till, Oh..Now. Also I'm anxiously awaiting a sub of the Eden of the East movie which comes out on DvD on thursday (it came out in Japan's theaters months ago.)

Also, my roommate's cat has learned when I wake up, and waits for me in the bathroom like this...

(http://s382.photobucket.com/albums/oo269/ashleighaynscreenies/?action=view&current=Zues2.jpg)

Now if only he'd cuddle with my cats!

[girlgoth.livejournal.com]

I've done that before to the wee ones. It's scary at the time, but the only lasting effect IME is maybe a little extra drama from them the next time manicures happen. ;) I kept a little container of alum powder in the kitty care box just in case.

I forgot, are you attending NWC? I didn't know if you were going to get a chance to see the vampire portrait at the art show or not. :)

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

I did that to Melusine - even worse, the bleeding didn't stop at home w/cornstarch (which I'd heard about before the accident), so we had to take her to the emergency vet (it was at night) where they used s'thing a little stronger (can't remember what, but it was immediate). Mel was PISSED OFF at us for a whole day (tho' technically she was fine, accd. to the vet), & we felt awful. UGH.

Good things -- I am going to Jamaica for a week at the beach. You may proceed to make fun of me for being the world's token TropiGoth :-D

Please to be posting VampBall pix so I can enjoy when I return!

[a-papier-mache.livejournal.com]

Cutting the quick happens. It doesn't make you a bad kitty mama. It'll bleed a LOT, but usually stops pretty quickly. Just keep some styptic powder on hand. :)

Good things? My nearly 3 year old niece has been singing along to Emilie Autumn in the car. Her favorites are "Liar" and "Misery Loves Company". It's quite adorable. She also tried to get me to read Gothic Beauty magazine to her as a story. Babybat in the making?

[blackrosemortal.livejournal.com]

I <3 that a 3 year old is singing EA.

[pocketbearwa.livejournal.com]

Kitty is FINE. All cats are goths - ie drama children. I know this. So do you. (*hug*) you're not a bad kitty-mama.

Good things: remember the Question I asked you Friday night? There have been Discussions, and Things are Developing(TM). Which explains the sun being out; that's actually my smile.

And that's where I'll stop, and sit, and smile some more.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Oh, oh, oh? Things are Developing?! Yay!

(I will be quizzing you about this during the weekend. You Have Been Warned.)

[stella-twilight.livejournal.com]

I had a kitten try and help me take pictures of hats. If that is not cute and a happy maker I don't know what is.
Cue the jaws music
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/Stella443/hats/100_0487.jpg

But I was helping!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/Stella443/hats/100_0486.jpg

[valdary.livejournal.com]

Our Mad Hatters twitter party was on Sunday, much fun and money raised for hospice http://bit.ly/8a6bG1 some photy's took by our favourite Shropshire radio DJ

[pathdancer.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*
You are NOT the worst cat mom ever (the worst mom wouldn't be upset by it). Cutting the nail to the quick is *MOST* impressive... but survivable.

Do keep an eye on it for infection, but likely, Ruthven won't have an issue with it (cats are good about that kind of thing). Clipping nails might be a little more difficult next time, if just because you'll probably be more tense about it (I would be), and Ruthven will probably feel it - but you'll both be okay.

[keonei.livejournal.com]

My outfit is pretty complete for the VMB, now to rent Jesse a tux...figure out what exactly to do with my hair and if we want to stay the night or come home afterwards.

[caleidescopeyes.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you're a *wonderful* kitty mum. Blood happens! I'm sure Ruthven has forgiven you. My kitties are so terrible about having their claws trimmed that we have to swaddle them in dishtowels before The Ordeal.

If you fancy a silly distraction, I made a new slide-show on my YouTube channel of pretty pictures I've taken in my neighbourhood cemetery. http://www.youtube.com/user/LadyMoonMelody

[blackrosemortal.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about the kitty, this doesn't make you a bad kitty mama though. I've been putting out food for the stray little kittens around our apartment and slowly looking for a place to rent that allows my little princess. Leaving the cat behind = bad kitty mom. =)

Good things...My fiance's birthday approaches and we'll be taking him out for fancy eating. I'm too giddy for the weekend

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Maybe that's some American thing Americans do, but Why do you clip the claws?! Imagine a very confused me.
If it is done to prevent them from scratching furniture to snippets - well, get a good n big scratching post like this (http://www.katzenzucht-oaxaca.de/Wirueberuns/Kratzbaum.jpg) (yes, it's a clicky link!) and they'll be fine. If they still have a go at the furniture, a very stern NO! (but you really have to mean it!!) will do the trick in 99% of all cases.

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if it is Jillian's cat's case, but I do it so that my cat's claws will not stab me when I pick her up (there are some occasions when she will claw me without meaning to, but it still hurts!).

I use a human nail clipper, because I have far more control with that than I do with those kittie clippers.

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Um, well okay, I never gave so much thought about being scratched by a cat that just doesn't want to be picked up right then, 'cause I usually anticipate scratches on these occasions (and mind you, my cat really struggles hard because I disgrace him in front of the other cat. Bad bad me.)
And these are scratches, not live-endangering, healing fast. *shrug* Sure, scratches hurt and some leave scars (okay, most do), but how else are they supposed to explain "Hey human, you're physically stronger than me allright, but I Really Don't Want This!"? I mean, they don't have many alternatives to signal us we're misbehaving in their opinion. At least, when I say OW! my cat usually stops what he's been doing and he doesn't fight me when I disengange my hand from his clawy grip. He's an animal, for heaven's sake, so I let him be one. And if I started clipping his claws he'd be more than pissed 'cause he'd probably fall off his tree as soon as he tried to climb it. ;)

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

True. Hey, all cat owners are different, and because I am an apartment dweller, I can't really have an outdoor cat. However, there are some cat owners who do take it that one step further and declaw the cat. I would never do it, because I am aware that the cat will sometimes bolt out the door because she is a curious one and I would like her to have some level of defense if I am unable to find her. And I know that the claws grow back pretty quickly(boy, do I know it).

And I am just talking about not liking to be picked up. There is also the "this human needs to be fluffed a little." I clip her when her claws make it through my jeans.

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Yes, I heard about declawing and in my eyes it's one of the most despicable things humans can do to a cat. (Comparable to people having their dog's vocal cords removed! *shudder*) I'm not only thinking about not being able to defend themselves, but more about not being able to scratch themselves when they're itching. o_O Did you ever wear a cast? Well, I did and it really starts to itch after a time. Now imagine that on your whole body. >_<

True, claws grow back, if they are only clipped. I didn't mean to go berserk on people clipping their cat's claws, I just never saw any sense in it because I grew up with cats in full claw glory. ;) Including real bad scratches on my skin and my mother's colonial style couch and arm chair. Oh how she got mad... Nevertheless, we love our home tigers and there are worse things than clipping claws. By the way, we did that on our guinea pig and rabbit, and we also missed the spot when to stop in some cases of wriggly rodents.

Thanks for discussing this topic with me! I really appreciate it. :)

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, and I don't think that you were going berserk, just that you were really passionate about your kitties. And yeah, there is no reason for de-clawing a cat. A clipping (or as you point out, a stern talking to) will do in all cases. There is no need to make a cat an invalid just so you can keep your couch pristine. They make tapes and sprays if you absolutely cannot have your cat chew or scratch an object (or, you know, if you have a cat, don't get expensive furniture. And vise-versa. Especially if you are going to freak out about it getting a scratch) . And anyone who removes a dog's vocal chords or "trim" the dog's ears should have the same thing done to them. Without anesthesia. Oh heck, let throw in the people who de-claw the cats, too.

The nails might not be as sharp, but I didn't think that she would be unable to scratch herself. I could be wrong on that though. I also tend not to clip the back ones as much (as they grow a lot slower and more dull). I just get the really sharp ones as those tend to do the most damage. I also refuse to use the pet clippers and go for the human clippers (I only had to use the cat clippers once to realize that it was a dull guillotine that crushes claws as opposed to clipping them. I felt horrible when her claw were crushed to ribbons and from then on I used my nail clippers, which gave me better control, and kept the claws looking like claws).

I am guessing that your cats are indoor outdoor cats, which is cool. I wish I could give my Ginny a house to play in, and a yard. However, we found her when I was living in an apartment (she was a kitten, and she followed my ex-roommate home). So she is an indoor cat, with the spirit of an outdoor cat.:)

Aren't fur children wonderful?

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

By the way, I never told you how much I love the icon.:)

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Um, the Joker? Thanks! :)

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Well, at first my mum planned not to let the cats into our living room where the expensive furniture is. But then she couldn't resist their charme (like in Shrek, Puss in Boots, oh yes we know that look...) any longer and they were allowed. And did what cats do to mark their territory. Yes she got mad, she literally threw them out and let them back in as soon as she calmed down a bit. Now they get a Very Stern Look as soon as they lift a paw. It works. :)
And yes, I absolutely agree on doing the same to humans they do to their animals. Wasn't ripping out fingernails a form of torture once?

With not being able to scratch themselves I meant to refer to declawing, not clipping (sorry if that didn't become clear enough, I'm no native speaker and sometimes struggle with the grammar). I cannot imagine how they could do that if declawed... "Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes"." (source: declawing.com) Considering this, I don't think they'd be able to scratch themselves properly. Even humans use their nails to scratch when itching, when I'd have to use my knuckles or finger joints I'd not have a satisfying experience.

Yes, you guessed right, our cats are indoor cats with access to a garden and a nearby forest, though the male one called Moritz actually stays near the house, lounging on the grass and watching the birds whilst sunbathing, whereas we have to call for hours at times for the female Maxi (I named Moritz and my mum named Maxi, so we have a Wilhelm Busch experience here ;D).
Cats adapt very well to living indoors only, and I'm sure you give your Ginny all the love and care she needs to be happy. :)

Fur childen are the most wonderful thing and irreplaceable!

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, in the declawing, I think that they would have to resort to rubbing themselves against objects with corners. Not very pleasant at all. And I think that your grammar is very good. I think it was the way I read it. I tend to read really fast. Usually, I am more accurate than that. ;)

[blutsauger.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, it could easily have been my fault. I always feel very insecure when speaking/writing English to native speakers. That's why I forgot most of French and Spanish, I lack practice. One problem is that once I get something right e.g. the Spanish start to babble so fast I don't understand anymore, which makes me feel kind of stupid and as if I tricked them into believing they could converse with me in their mother tongue...
But even my German isn't always comprehensible, I once got scolded by a teacher because I built a sentence that filled half a DIN A4 page... Well, I thought it to be fine and artful, my teacher didn't quite share that opinion! *lol*

[mimi-monsterr.livejournal.com]

aww I hope you are all ok now!
Good things-hmm I'm gonna get to meet Kelley Armstrong at a book signing tomorrow! She's the author of the Women of the Otherworld series of books- lots of vampires and werewolves and witches and things,kind of a bit True Blood style!

[morseren.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I have wanted to make it to the Vampire Ball every year, but being in the Midwest makes that...difficult. But someday I will make it. I had hoped to make a local goth night while in Seattle last October but was thwarted by actually attending the conference I was there for;)

Your posts are my vicarious indulgence in lovely gothic style:)

[rosecitychild13.livejournal.com]

We have a giant german shepherd, and sometimes he twitches while we're trimming his nails... And oh, the blood goes on for an hour! It is traumatizing, but I'm sure the kitty was hardly in any discomfort. =) She'll forgive you!