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Jasper has been surprisingly aggressive of late: first his pupils get very large, then he might growl, and then he bites. Hard. I was concerned that this might mean something serious, a problem in his brain or something. This just was not like Jasper, normally an affectionate and sweet cat.

I spoke about this new aggression with the vet this afternoon when I called to schedule an appointment for his vaccinations and she asked his age. I told her that he was 6 1/2 and she said that when cats get older (usually somewhere between 5 and 7) they become very rambunctious or aggressive. So it would seem Jasper has basically hit feline puberty. Oh yay.

The vet is coming by to give Jasper his vaccinations and to discuss weight loss options for him a week from tomorrow. She says we can discuss ways to nip his aggression in the bud so I do not have to simply endure it until his puberty has passed by. It will be nice to not fear for my flesh’s safety and to have my sweet Jasper back. :)

Oh and yes I did in fact find a vet who makes home visits. If you are in the St. Louis area and want her info, contact me.

Originally uploaded by parl

November is “Adopt A Senior Pet Month.”  Shelters often find it difficult to adopt out senior pets.  The pets may be in a shelter because their owners passed away, because the owners did not have time for them, because of any number of other reasons that are unrelated to the pets now in a shelter waiting for homes.

Some fear falling in love with the senior pet and then the pet dying in just a few years.  The truth is death is unpredictable and yet we still become involved with people in spite of the reality of death.  The senior pets up for adoption need love too and it is of no fault of their own that they are older now.

Other people fear the increased vet costs involved with a senior pet.  When looking at a specific senior pet at a shelter, you can ask about their current health issues and then decide if you can afford whatever costs might be involved with this pet.  Not all senior pets are sick, just as not all older people are sick.

Many benefits are associated with senior pets that go without notice:

• Senior pets require less patience and time for care and training.
• Senior pets are often housetrained.
• Often times, senior pets settle in quickly with their new families.
• They love naps as much as most of us do and make great nap companions.
• What you see is what you get – you know his or her personality up front.
• Senior pets demand less & are good matches for senior citizens or busy individuals.

Find a senior pet to adopt or foster here.

“Another Caturday picture, really?”