First, let me state that I am 100% against declawing - I do not under any circumstances condone such an action.

Now that I have made that clear - The professor in the article clearly states at the beginning of the article that his cat was declawed and neutered by previous owners. My sister and her new husband adopted a declawed/neutered cat when they moved into their new home. Oxford (the stray) is very tempremental and very viscious - he is able to and does beat up Miska (original cat in the household - not declawed) on a regular basis. He attacks my sister and her husband for no reason. He has been shown nothing but love and affection for the past six months but he still attacks on a whim. He CANNOT be kept inside if he wants out - he goes ballistic and will attack anyone/thing in his way. He has had all his shots, a collar and a microchip.

The reason I have told you all of this is because maybe the professor's is in the same boat with his cat as my sister is with her's and is doing all he can to help. Many declawed cats turn very vicious in an attempt to make up for the loss of a major defense mechanism so they are very difficult to train/teach.

Thanks for reading and I hope I haven't offended anyone.

[This message has been edited by Kitty Peon (edited June 07, 2001).]