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Home › Diaries › Koren › November 23, 2000

Koren's Diary Entries

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November 23, 2000

Shannon will be so upset. I’m glad her father decided to tell her instead of leaving the job to me. Yet, if she asks, I’m in complete agreement with his decision.

What is this horrendous situation, you may ask? The declawing of her cat.

You must understand that this cat is like Shannon’s child. And, being thousands of miles away from your "child" is hard enough without hearing that your "child" will be undergoing an operation -- one that you prefer she not have.

While Shannon was still at home, her cat "Peaches" had a little clawing problem. She destroyed Shannon’s comforter, tore holes in her bedroom carpet and refused to go near the scratching post that Shannon bought to prevent this clawing problem. Still, our 18-year-old daughter endured the damage rather than have her beloved pet declawed.

So, why would we arrange this operation for her cat while Shannon’s away on her mission trip to Japan? Not because we are terrible parents or evil cat-haters. No, we love all animals and think Peaches is the cutest little Persian mix you’ll ever encounter in your life. However, since Shannon’s departure, the little kitty has gone on a rampage.

Peaches -- whose destructive habits were once focused primarily in Shannon’s room -- has ventured out to the entire household. Our carpeted staircase stands in shreds. Our vinyl chair looks like a pincushion. And -- worst of all -- our waterbed has sprung a million leaks!

After our third -- and what my husband deemed final -- morning awakening in wet sheets, the decision was made. The cat would be declawed. "I’m tired of waking up feeling like I peed the bed," my husband said. "Especially when I know that I didn't."

Oh, we tried to correct the problem long before her feline rampage, but this cat is stubborn. She insists on clawing, refuses to use her scratching post, and seems to delight in tearing furniture to shreds. And, at 18, Shannon does not have the financial standing to compensate us for her pet's continued destruction.

The vet assures us that declawing is a simple procedure and certainly more responsible pet care than tossing her outside to fend with the coyotes! (Don’t worry, I’d never do that!) But Shannon will still be upset at us.

Oh well, it’s not like it will be the first time!

Koren



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