Last week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” ARF cats mused about the current challenges facing everyone. 

Bear: You know it has been quiet here, but it seems even more quiet than usual.  

Lulu: Most likely this is because the kittens have all gone to their forever homes.

Whiskers: That is very good news, for them.

Flora: I feel a little sad. I was so used to the kitten antics. You know what I mean — their running around, climbing on things and general silliness was pretty entertaining.

Whiskers:  I don’t want to be a broken record, but it is really sad that we are still here. I would at least like a human visitor or two. 

Flora: I had lots of visitors in the last few weeks. Correction: I didn’t. The kittens did.

Pepper: Things will be a bit busier here on June 10.  Our veterinarian will be here for a modified Sadie’s Clinic.

Flora: What does that mean?

Pepper: The doc will have a limited “menu” of sorts. He will perform heart worm tests, administer vaccinations including rattlesnake and test cats for feline leukemia. 

Zeus: That sounds as though he is offering the essentials.

Pepper: And they truly are essential. Just one bite by an infected mosquito can give a dog the deadly heart worm disease, but a monthly dose of prevention will take care of any dog.

Zeus: Yikes! And what is this about rattlesnakes?  

Pepper: Rattlers are quite common up here on the Hill. The rattlesnake vaccination doesn’t guarantee a dog will survive a bite, but it will buy it time to get to a vet who can administer antivenom. 

Bear: At least the pup will have a fighting chance. Sadie’s Clinic offers these vaccinations?   

Pepper: It does! Pet guardians need to make appointments for this modified clinic.

Lulu: It has been a few months since the last clinic, so I bet many will be ready to show up on June 10.   

Be sure to keep up with the animal antics of “Days of Our Nine Lives” each week. Please stop in to say hello to the entire adoptable cast at the ARF House, 26890 Highway 243 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays, or by appointment Monday-Friday by calling 951-659-1122. 

Creature Corner is sponsored by Carole Herman & Sandi Mathers.