Before I start to get hate mail from animal lovers, let me explain...
Gumby was one of those kittens that scratched everywhere. You can just tell with some kittens that they are not going to change and they will shread everything in your home.
Believe me, I am hardly the kind who has a home that looks like it came out of a home and garden magazine, but, that said, I had lived with hand-me-down furniture forever. I knew in the near future I was going to be able to purchase something new. I love my cats but I wasn't willing to see a cat destroy the furniture that I worked so hard for.
I made many assumptions about declawing. I admit that I did not do my research. Gumby has paid for my ignorance. Gumby does not easily use the litter box anymore, this is why he is on a harness outside. He spends the day outside on and off. He actually loves the outdoors and this keeps him safe. I am posting this article to teach others what I learned too late about declawing.
Again, please no hate mail...I know declawing is wrong.
Only the black cat is declawed. The other two are not.