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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2018)
18 Wednesday, March 7, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon MOUNTAINEER: Mt. Eleanor climb hooked Sisters man Continued from page 17 answered. Now judging dis- tant at altitude is difficult because your depth percep- tion and brain don’t work well. Others, joining me, believed the summit was even further. Two of the guys, completely exhausted, turned around. The rest of us went for it and, within minutes, realized that the summit was only 15 min- utes away. Adrenaline pump- ing, we raced to the top, a place so magnificent that it is hard to put into words. “Using the CB radio to make our pre-planned, offi- cial call to President Ford, I reached the White House switchboard only to be put on hold as they cleared the call. Well, after 45 minutes of wait- ing in the cold, the guys said, ‘Tell him ‘Hi’ for us,’ and they headed back down. Finally, after more waiting, I heard, ‘Is this the mountain climber?’ “Yes, Mr. President.” “I am about to get on Marine One. My aide will take your statement.” Wa r r e n laughed, remembering. “At that moment, I doubted whether Ford even knew where Denali was. His aide gets on. ‘I am so and so. I am going to take your statement.’ As I begin my ‘One Small Step for Man” speech, I kid you not, I heard paper being crunched next to the earpiece. ‘We are getting static on the line,’ the aide said. ‘I am having a hard time hearing you. Write your statement down and mail it to the following address…’ It didn’t seem so funny at the time but it does now. “On our way down Denali, someone said, ‘So what’s next?’ ‘Everest,’ I shouted like Joe Montana on his way to Disneyland.” Paw Prints Jodi Schneider McNamee Columnist Taking in a stray or semi-feral cat That stray cat showing up in your neighborhood or on your doorstep may be a feral cat. There’s no way you’re going to lure that cat inside or touch her, and the best you think you can do is feed her, and — hopefully — implement Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR). Some free-roaming cats are semi-feral or stray cats. Some of these cats may seem feral at first, but given time, you might get close to them and even tempt them inside. With time, they might make a wonderful house cat, com- panion, or pet for you or for someone else. A semi-feral cat lives predominantly in a feral state but has had some con- tact and experience with humans: Essentially an orig- inal domesticated cat that has reverted to the wild and is no longer with its original pet parent. Feral cats are totally feral, no human contact, or only negative human contact. If a cat approaches you at all — even if she runs when you try to pet her — she’s likely a semi-feral or stray. Feral cats rarely approach humans. So, it seems that a semi- feral cat might be adopting you by showing up every day on your doorstep. And you feel compelled to take her in. How do you go about convincing the kitty you have her best interests at heart? Earning the trust of a semi-feral cat can be a dif- ficult but rewarding process. You must first learn to engage with her in a way that is non-threatening. Food is the most effective way to get a semi-feral cat to interact with you. The cat is most likely hungry and will respond positively to being fed. This will give you a chance to get closer to the cat and get her used to your presence. If you succeed in get- ting the kitty inside, don’t let her have any contact with your other pets (if any) until you’ve had her vac- PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE cinated and checked by a Elaine Gilbert’s cat Linus is ear-tipped. She trapped him as a kitten from veterinarian for any conta- a feral colony. gious diseases, such as feline every day to help the cat can also try putting a bit of leukemia. meat-flavored baby food on Setting up a sanctuary or acclimate to your presence. Cats are surprisingly your finger and she may lick a quiet room is extremely important. Even if there are routine-driven. And in order it off, this initiates contact no other pets in your home, to really start earning her and allows the kitty to have you should still use a sanc- trust, you want to show her a positive association with tuary space until she has that you are a reliable source you. The most important thing had time to adjust to being of sustenance. Their inter- indoors. Many semi-ferals nal clocks are amazingly when adopting a semi-feral are quite nervous about accurate, so feeding times cat is patience. It takes time, being indoors for the first are going to be the first and and cats are known to be time. Noises that you take most important tool used for guarded. You need to let her for granted, for example, the socializing her. Once she is have space and learn that she toilet flushing, or the sound comfortable enough to eat is safe in her new home. This of doors opening and clos- (it shouldn’t take too long), may take longer than you ing, can be cause for alarm begin sitting in the room would like, but your patience will be rewarded with love until the cat has had time to while she eats. Your cat will come to and affection and will prove learn that these noises are a natural part of the household you when she feels safe. You an effort worthwhile! and will not harm her. In her “safe” room have all your cat’s resources ready and waiting for her. It should have scratching posts, a few toys, food, water, and a lit- ter box. This space should also have some small hiding places, like a cat house, or a blanket draped over a chair. The room should be a quiet Serving those who’ve served. room and only you should spend time in this space 541-585-VETS (8387) | www.deschutes.org/vets Veterans’ Services
