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Expert: - 7/26/2009


Question
QUESTION: Well I was doing great with getting over Toby until yesterday. I had to put my hamster Peanut to sleep but that's not what I came to you about. I wanted to give you an update on me with losing Toby that's all. I watched a video and looked at photo's of Toby and laughed at all the happy times we shared together. That's what I came to say. I wil try to do the same with Peanut my hamster.
Danielle

ANSWER: Danielle,

I am so sorry to hear about Peanut!!!!!

It sounds to me as if you are taking a more constructive approach to the bad happenstances you have had to go through.

I am glad things are turning around for you.

Encouraged regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm taking a more constructive approach to the bad happenstances? What does that mean? Things are looking up but now I have to go therough the grief all over again with Peanut.
Danielle.

Answer
Danielle,

As hard as it has been to lose Peanut so soon after losing Toby, I do not get the same sense of desperation you had with Toby.  I belive you have found ways of channeling your grief into more useful activities than just moping around.  I like your idea of making a video of the happy times is a major step forward (i.e. constructive, rather than destructive behavior) in coping with yet another loss.

I think you will find that what you have learned in coping with Toby's loss will help you cope with Peanut's loss.  That is all I meant to say.  I am sorry it did not come across like that.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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