The Cat Doctor CATERWAULER Volume 1, Number 1 187 Watson Rd., Dover, NH (603) 742-MEOW July 3, 2003 MR. MISTOFFELEES COMES BACK! He's Skinnier, but Purring and Healthy! Dr. Young and the Cat Doctor Staff are Rejoicing! Mr. Mistoffelees has returned to The Cat Doctor of Dover after having been missing for almost two weeks. If you that haven't had the pleasure of meeting him, Mistoffelees is a buff and white long hair domestic mixed breed (but Maureen Dupes of Shanooks is certain that he has a lot of Maine Coon in him). He was adopted by Dr. Young over a year and a half ago, after she and the staff fell in love with him when he was brought over by the Cocheco Valley Humane Society to be neutered as one of her weekly donated procedures. Dr. Young and the entire staff (and friends) were all very concerned about him, and sadly had thought that he might have been eaten by a fox (Dr. Young had just seen a fox within a half mile of the clinic while driving back from lunch on the day that he disappeared). The last time he was seen was on Monday, June 23 when Sara let him out in the morning. Sara said, "He was his usual self that morning- he watches me as I drive up and get out of my car, and then waits for me right by the door and bolts out of it after I have opened the door only just a crack." According to Dr. Young, he would usually come back in after an hour or so, when she would go outside to call him. "He would always pretend not to hear me, but then he would appear on the front porch within a few minutes and want to be let in," she stated. However, that Monday was different, and he didn't come back (until today!). That evening, the staff went out looking for him and calling him, with no Mistoffelees. When he wasn't there the next morning, everyone became even more concerned. The woods and the fields behind the clinic were searched, and Traci made up some posters and distributed them to the neighbors, and notified Cocheco Valley Humane Society in case he showed up there. Alas, it felt like it was to no avail. One of the staff had a Magic Crystal that foretold he was still out in the woods, and there was a very vivid dream when Mr. Mistoffelees showed her that he was alive and well about a week ago. Well, dreams are one thing, but the reality came true today! Please stop by, and help to celebrate the Prodigal Pussycat's return! Dr. Young & Sara to Appear on New Hampshire Chronicle Dr. Young and Sara were interviewed by WMUR-TV (Channel 9) at the NH Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' new facility in Stratham. The star of the show was Shoe, a 1‡ year old kitty that Sara takes to nursing homes to visit the residents there. Shoe was just a little nervous with all of the other cats at the facility, but he was no more nervous than Sara and Dr. Young! The show will be aired sometime within the next two or three weeks, please sign up with the Office Manager to be notified by email when we find out the exact date. People who have already "opted-in" for the CATERWAULER newsletter will be notified automagically. What's a Mistoffelees? Mr. Mistoffelees was interviewed for this article (after eating a lot of cat food, sleeping, eating, sleeping, and then resting from all that activity) all that he had to say was: "I hold all the patent monopolies For performing surprising illusions And creating eccentric confusions. At prestidigitation And at legerdemain I'll defy examination And deceive you again. The greatest magicians have something to learn From Mr. Mistoffelees' Conjuring Turn. Presto! Away we go!" (with apologies). The first description of his "singular magical powers" was written by the poet T. S. Eliot in 1939 (cats do have nine lives, you know) in the Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, but most of you may recognize him from his singing role in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical CATS. When off Broadway and in Dover, he certainly is famous for his disappearing act! Watch This Space for articles about Fuzzy the Feline. You'll be getting to know Fuzzy better in the next newsletter. I get into all kinds of trouble, I eat things that I shouldn't, and I get caught in places that I can't get out of. My owner likes to call me "Lucky," and Dr. Young thinks that I've used up eight of my nine lives! In the next issue, I think that I'm going to eat up some poisonous house plants, so you might want to check out the ASPCA's National Animal Poison Control Center to prepare for what I might get into. They are available 24/7/365 at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) for a $45 consultation fee. Dr. Young has used them, and thinks that they are well worth the money in an emergency situation! However, the best treatment for any illness is prevention, and a good list of toxic plants (and other household chemicals) is on their website.