thanks a lot for finding that thread for me CatDad, I've never really tried to do a search for something I did take some advice that was on there and tried out a Boomer burrito. I wrapped that little sucker up in a towel and had my husband hold him, worked like a charm He was so mad at me when it was all over though, that he even snuggled up against my husband for a little while and gave me dirty looks!! (he almost NEVER snuggles with my hunny!!) and PayItForward, I know that the opinions towards declawing vs. post training and such vary greatly. I also have not really taken the time to think it through. When we got Boomer, he had already had the surgery and had he not had it done already, we would have had to put him through it anyway. sadly 'tis not our choice over here, the powers that be decreed that all kitties have to be declawed or they're not adopted out. Before joining PT, I just assumed that if I ever got a cat, we would get him/her declawed, thatwas just the normal thing to do in my mind. Now that my eyes have been opened up a little by what I have read here, I must say that If/when we adopt our next kitten, I will make all efforts to train him/her to a scratching post and let the sweet thing keep its claws. Boomer can still stretch out his paws by somehow digging his front paws into the carpet, he seems to be especially adept at this when i'm trying to remove him from, say, under one of our chairs where he KNOWS he's not allowed to be I'm not arguing that he has full range of stretch or anything, just that he makes do with what he has quite effectively. I also must admit that if declawing is the only thing that is keeping a cat cooped up in a cage or on the road to being PTS, I would have it done in an only slightly guilty heartbeat. thanks for your input