Tortoiseshell cats are named for their distinctive coloring – a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate. The size of the patches varies from a fine speckled pattern to large areas of color. The term “tortoiseshell” is used for cats with brindled coats that have few or no white markings. Cats of this coloring with larger areas of white fur are called calicos. Sometimes, these colors present in lighter versions such as lilac or cream. Torties with this lighter coloring are called dilute torties. Occasionally, the typical tortoiseshell colors are also seen in a tabby (striped) pattern, and these cats are sometimes referred to as “torbies.”
Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Tortoiseshell and calico coats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. The occasional and very rare male tortoiseshell cat is the result of a genetic mutation.
In addition to their distinctive coloring, torties also have a reputation for unique personalities, sometimes referred to as “tortitude.” They tend to be strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human. Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable. They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr. These traits are stronger in tortoiseshell cats than in calicos – it seems as though these traits are somewhat diluted with the addition of more white to the color scheme.
As of the writing of this post, I share my life with Amber*, and those of you who’ve followed this blog for a while have gotten to know her in her Amber’s Mewsings posts. You will soon be able to read all about Buckley in Buckley’s Story – Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. The photo above shows Buckley in the front, Amber behind her.
Prior to Amber and Buckley, there was another tortie in my life. Virginia was the first office cat at the animal hospital I managed. She was my introduction to torties, and my love affair with this particular type of cat began with her. She, too, had the “tortitude” I so love about these particular cats.
Do you have a tortie or calico in your life? Does she have “tortitude?”
*Sadly, Amber passed away on May 13, 2010, after a sudden, brief illness. I now share my life with Allegra and Ruby, two tortoiseshell cats who have their own columns here on The Conscious Cat, titled Allegra’s World and Ruby’s Reflections.
Photo ©Ingrid King, all rights reserved
I wish I could take her but I won’t violate my lease. Jay you have seen Nikita & Luna and they look nothing alike lol
How about I get her and ship her to you Jay? You need another don’t you? 🙂
I wish I could have more cats. I have the two sisters but I saw the most beautiful long haired tortie named Suki that need rescuing. I am only allowed 2 cats in my apt. :o(
Do the sisters look alike?
If so the landlord might not notice and thnik it’s just 1.
I say ” Rescue the Tortie “!!!!!!!
Ingrid, I read about the anniversary of Amber today.
My prayers are with you.
Thanks, Jay, that means a lot.
Got a pleasant surprise at 5:45 this morning. As I went out to put the critters out I hear a series of loud meows.
Figured it was Stirfry at the window as she in the only one that talks. I looked down and B&W was on my deck. Gave her scratches and put food in the feeder. She wanted more scratches but then ate a few mouthful of Purina.
But a pleasant way to start the day. Knowing I had made an outside cat happy.
Well it sounds like Jay now has 4 cats. Think he could end up being the 3rd human with the heart like Harry and Bernadette. Maybe he will end up with a couple more. Now that he has 2 Torties, he only has to acquire 3 more. He can do that. But he may have to get a 2nd job for critter food.
Don’t add her to my group so fast. My neighbor said they feed her too along with the Grey and white. The big orange male he said had rushed at his windows to get to his inside cat. He said he was going to shoot him. I talked him out of it as even though he will run when the door is opened you don’t know his history. Stir was like that too. So he said he would not.
And as I think this might be someones inside/outside cat I could not take her. If someone took Pumpkin I would be heart broken. Better to enjoy her outside. For now. 🙂
Sound to me like she already added her to your family. You just don’t know it yet.
Sue I know you would like another Tortie, but if it means violating the landlords rules you can’t rish being evicted. Don’t always listen to Jay. If he had his way, there would be no humans in their homes, just all cats.
Well guys I am in the middle of another round of severe thunderstorms. We have it all lightning, thunder, heavy rain, hail, winds. Now Steeler thinks this is all normal and keeping the inside door open is ok. She still wants to look out at the heavy rain. Well I am sorry, but this time it was a no no. Door has to be closed. Right now Steeler is lying right inside the French Doors at the dining room. If this is her idea to get me to go back out into the sunroom and open the door for her to watch the storm, well it isn’t going to work.
Bernadette, you are going to or are getting these storms also. So be careful. They came quickly here.
Bernie, you’ve created a little monster with that door :-). Stay safe – hope the storms pass quickly.
We will be going thru them for a while yet. Someone explain to me why when the storms came before Steeler was upset. Now that she sees out the door and it’s running the gauntlet from light rain to heavy rain, lightning, thunder, hail and winds, she wants to watch. Your right, I keep watching her little head go back and forth like a tennis ball.
Before the storm was an unknown noise and Steeler was scared. But now she can put a vision to the storm and now it is exciting and nothing to fear.
But I think you might have opened Pandora’s Box. No closing it now.
It is going to take some getting used to for me. I am used to having her follow me everywhere around the house. Now she decides the door holds more interest. I have the door shut now and her language is not to be interrupted by me. Only another Tortie might understand what she is saying.
Storms are done here–Kelly is out from under my desk and rolling around with a catnip toy, Mimi is relaxing on the floor and all else are sleeping. I could feel them coming for hours and they actually stayed around for longer than I thought.
Steeler may not be upset anymore because she can actually see outside and therefore feels she can protect herself and you from what may come. She can sit at the door and see the lightning and anticipate the thunder at her own level, watch the rain and hail fall and know exactly what is happening. My Kublai was terrified of the train but I learned after I showed it to him and he identified the source and knew it couldn’t come after him, he barely noticed it. He never got accustomed to storms, though. I also noticed with my cats that when I have them in the car in a carrier, if they can see out a window, especially out the windshield from between the seats and see me too, they are much quieter.
Bernadette, I noticed that too. When Pumpkin was in the car he was a total wreck. But if I let him see out and my Bichon Samatha was next to him he did great. He would even sit on the seat with his paws on the dash and watch out the window.
And now after watching Animal Planet I can see how it safer in a carrier than loose so things have changed.
This time she could care less. She was looking all around, but not out of fear. There is a big difference in her behavior when she is frightened to when she is not. Tonight she is not. However, you folks are right, the door has been or box, as it may be, is opened. Now she is incessantly talking to herself, I think, or at me, who knows, because the inside door has been closed and she no longer can see out. Pandora’s box for sure.
But that pic of her for her first look outside that I posted told the whole story. There was true delight in my little girl. So now I will just have to live with the evenings when doors have to be closed up and locked up.
Kasey is coming up on her 3rd rescue anniversary, she came home on May 21, 2008..
This also means she is going for her annual vet visit, since she went there the day after she came here in 2008.
She is good at the vet, surprising for a tortie; I think part of this is because i am with her.
It goes something like this;
Token resistance to being crated.
Meowing (if that’s what you can call that sound) begins upon crating.
Meowing all the way to the vet, luckily only a 7 minute trip.
Meowing at the vet.
Upon examination, quiet, well behaved, likes to be petted.
Back in the crate, meowing.
Meowing during settling up and the trip home.
Get home, be let out, all is forgiven, everything is good.
Glen, why is it once at the vet’s our Torties become gentle and obliging. Once in the crate back to Tortie behavior.
When I have had to take Steeler to the Vet,she is an angel, I always ask the vet to make sure she is my Tortie, the one I brought in. They always behave for the vet. go figure
I’m so glad Kasey behaved so well at the vet’s.
With mine, I’ve had run the gammut from well-behaved to cat from hell. Amber was the most well-behaved of them all, Buckley was the worst. Allegra did fine at her check up late last year. Ruby did terrific at hers a week or two ago, but it was with a housecall vet (and I think I’m going to keep it that way for both of them from now on – I’ve always preferred that option for cats).
My worst vet visitor is Taz, my 20 pound orange guy.
He is a gentle giant, similar to a Maine Coon, even though he isn’t one; this big guy just wants to be with you and be petted………………………until it is time to crate.
I walk into the vets with a large “kitty carrier” with heavy, leather welders gloves on top of it, these are usually required. Other people in the waiting room give the gloves some curious looks.
Once he is back home, within minutes, he is back rubbing around my ankles like the whole episode didn’t happen.
Ingrid, I am reading your book and just got past the part about how Buckley did not like Vets or anything to do with them.
So far mine have only been to the Vet when young. Stir surprisingly was not bad
Kasey and the Rottweiler;
I have not been posting as much because for the past week and a half, we were “fostering” a female Rottweiler.
She was a throw-away, likely turned loose when she was a bit too old for breeding, because it looks like she was used for a “puppy factory”.
Had she gone to the local shelter, she would most likely been put down.
She is a gentle thing, actually afraid of the dark and good with cats and small dogs but much too big for us to keep.
My wife contacted a Rottie adoption agency who evaluated here; they gave her a glowing report.
Today, she went to the an adoption foster, will be spayed, then she is going to a home where they like and know Rottweilers and she will have another Rottweiler as a companion. This is a good fit because they had two and lost one recently.
Introductions were very controlled but we needn’t have worried, she liked the cats.
Kasey was not sure about the whole deal, though.
Kasey would not budge and would give her a hiss and growl and would back up 132 pounds of Rottweiler .
Even torties have there limits, though, and I would not leave her unsupervised with a large dog.
Like Kasey, this dog was very social in spite of a rough start, so I am glad to see her later years will be much better.
Nice to hear from you Glen.
I am not suprised to see you fostered a Rottie. We know you are an animal lover and Harry has a way of rubbing off on people to “always take in 1 more to save a life”.
As for Kasey “Even torties have there limits, though, and I would not leave her unsupervised with a large dog.”
You were right. Where would she bury the body. Glad you save the dog.
I wonder whether Kasey thought that the Rottie was a big tortie? After all, similar coloring! I can almost hear her sigh of relief when the dog left.
I did notice the similar coloring.
I think maybe the dog was happy to leave the fierce tortie. 😉
Kasey did not seem to be too bothered by the Rottie, she just wanted to stand her ground and the dog wanted no part of her.
We did have the dog contained in one area but it did block free access to and from the basement, everyone likes it now the route is wide open again.
It was so nice seeing all of our tortie’s . Nikita made the page today and I hope Luna will tomorrow because she hates to be left out.
She got into it with Big Orange again last night as he dared to come up on our porch again but she set him straight.
I have also discovered that she is at her most affectionate when she is hungry. If I don’t go right away to the bowl and feed them in the morning she will jump up on the couch (never does this when I human is sitting there) and will stand on my lap and give me the evil eye. I guess that’s affection for her. She has now taken to racing into the bathroom the minute anyone opens the door and jumps into the tub/shower. She like it the best if we have just showered and it’s wet. Also she has learned how to get us NOT to ignore her. She plops down on the floor right in front of us so we almost trip over her and if we dare to step over her she will grab your foot.
Question: Do any of your kitties drink water from their paws? I was refilling the water bowl a lot for them and discovered there is water under the placemat it is on and couldn’t figure out how that was happening until one morning when it was quiet in the apt I heard a splashing noise in the kitchen. I walked in to find Luna splashing her paw in the bowl and then sticking it in her mouth. This morning Nikita was doing the same thing. Is this odd or normal(ish)?
I’ve never had a cat who scooped water out of the bowl with her paws, but I’ve heard of quite a few of them, so I think it’s not all that unusual. Sounds like both of your girls are water babies!
I’ve had them run the gamut from testing the water–gently tapping the surface, perhaps so they wouldn’t dip their whole face in the water–to drinking only from a dipped paw to literally splashing around and even dragging the dish around. When Cookie can’t get to what’s in the bottom of my glass she simply uses a paw. I always called this activity their “drinking games”.
After doing hours and hours of extensive research (really a few minutes of talking to Bernie and Harry) I have come to the conclusion that my Tabatha is a Tortie with White.
She did not take this very well as for the last 11 years she thought she was Calico. Now she finds she is related to Stirfry. Stir did not take it very well but tough to tell with her.
So I am going to add Tabby as a member of CC. She is happy to be related to Cookie, Kelly, Monkey, Emma Callie (and our special Doodlebug) and all the other mellow and well behaved Torties. When she learned of Steeler, Kasey and Brooke her language got into the gutter. (Who did she learn these words from I don’t know)?
It’s about time Tabby got her respect as a Tortie. Now I hope she shows her Tortitude to you for ignoring her great beauty and torte traits. May she bring you a live mouse to your bed in the middle of the night. Then she leaves it there.
So a big Welcome home Tabby, Steeler, Stir, Brooke, Sabring and Kasey have some instructions to give you on how to show Tortitude.
A lot of babies are shown on Romeothecat.com today. This is the site Ingrid suggested. Please visit it.
Here’s the link to the post:
http://www.romeothecat.com/2011/05/12/day-threefour-global-tortie-week/
I love that Caroline featured so many of our tortie friends in the same post!
Great photos today – all of the torties are so gorgeous! Though of course that does go without saying ….
Loved the cuteness of Ruby and the ferocity of Stirfry, and of course Steeler is just so precious! Can’t wait to see the next selection.
Sharon and Ingrid, I can’t wait to see more of our Torties on the Romeo site. We all did good. So I hope everyone puts their pics on there from here so we can show all the beauty of our little ones.
Torties are without a doubt a palette of beautiful colors with the eyes to accent their beauty.
Then again, everyone here knows I am really biased, and I admit it.
Bernie, I’m really impressed with your creativity and handywoman skills. I love the photo of Steeler on Facebook, enjoying the view through her new door, and I love hearing how much she enjoys it.
Ingrid she is as happy as a bug in a rug right now. Mom is getting real friendly with Ben Gay. I am giving her all the daylight time she wants in the sunroom. Have to admit, I already miss the little imp following me around and talking to me or giving me the devil for what I never know. But for now she is truly happy. Now if someone has a remedy for painful parts and all, it would be good to hear. Almost all the handywoman skills had to be done from the floor. Geez with Steeler everything has been from the floor. Getting up and down from the floor is really tough. But the picture you all seen is worth every pain. Except one or two.
Lianimal, you have to post a pic of Monkey trying to burrow under the 2′ baby gate. The mental image of that is so funny. 🙂
I want to see her on top of the bathroom wall.
Me to. I am with you Bernadette. We would like a pic of that.
lol, at my favorite pizza and Chinese delivery resturants, they now remind me to put up the baby gate. For some reason monkey can find her way onto a ten foot wall, but still thinks she has to burrow under the two foot baby gate! lol….anyway, the chinese and pizza guys love her.
My elderly girl Peaches is doing good also, she’s apparently found a safe way up to and down from the wall, she’s up there all the time, she’s gained a little weight (she was very thin) and she seems happier.
Both of them are happier since it’s now freah catnip seoson, just found some today. They don’t even like the dried stuff anymore since I spoil them with fresh all spring and summer
Glad to hear Monkey and Peaches are doing well now.
And how could those delivery people not like those kitties.
(Just make sure that no Stirfry is on the Chinese menu) 🙂
And fresh catnip is always the best. 4 out of 5 cats recommend it.
So glad to hear everyone is doing well, even our little escape artist!
There’s nothing like fresh catnip 🙂
Here are picture of my Tortie Stirfry.
I went out earlier to burn some trash.
But the cats wanted out too.
All 3 ran down the basement steps and to the door. As I opened the door Tabatha ran out and as she did Buell who was 10′ away started to Bray. Stirfry stopped and approached the door saw it was Buell and went out. When I looked around Pumpkin was GONE.
I got some pics and videos. Will try to upload on FB.
Pumpkin is just to gentle a little one to take on a braying mule. He just wants to stay where he is safe.
Hey my friends in the Tortie family, well today Steeler and I had another setback. I promised to have a full length glass storm door for the sunroom so Steeler could look outside, since she can’t get up to windows, well we received notice the door is now on backorder. Maybe 3rd week of August. Well that will not do. So I have a piece of 1/4″ plexi glass here and I am going to attempt to cut it and replace the bottom metal panel of the current door with that and give my little girl a view of the back yard. Now of course Steeler has been watching this process with great interest. Especially liked rolling the aluminum colored masking tape around the floor. So we are slowly going to try to cut this glass. Heaven help us, because even looking up on the net, this sounds like a rough job for amateurs. But we will try. If that doesn’t work, then off to the glass store to get a piece of heavy duty plexi glass cut for Steeler to be able to see outside. Now remember she is not spoiled. Just has me well trained.
Totally SPOILED Tortie (and that is coming from me who spoils Stir)
Careful cutting the plexiglass.
Let us know how things go.
Bernie, just take it to the nearest Lowe’s or Home Depot–I think I saw one not far from you–that’s too heavy to be cut with a utility knife, though you might be able to use a lightweight saber saw blade, but for all the trouble they could cut it in a minute.
Also, fifty pounds of black cat and one fierce tortie emitting the Tortie War Cry did not bust through my full-view back door with basic heavy-duty tempered glass. It’s served us well for about fifteen years, lots of cats and even a few unfriendly neighbor dogs. I screened the door with stell-belted nylon (especially after Namir used his claw as a box cutter). Perhaps that door is on backorder for a reason–check the prices at Lowe’s or HD and they’ll install, too. It will happen a lot quicker. Someone needs to enjoy the outdoors right now!
Bernadette sorry I took so long my system must be on overload, it is slow for CC. I have the door on order from Home Depot, because it is a commercial weight glass. I think the cause for the backorder must be the midwest weather. So I am going to go with this plexi glass, if it breaks then it will be off to Lowes or the glass store to get a piece cut. I am using 1/4″ plexi. So that should withstand some heavy blows. Will let you know how I make out. It is going to be a while. That is hard cutting.
Nope. Not spoiled at all :-).
aaww geez Ingrid. When did you say you were going to build that premier screened deck for the girls? 🙂
Well….there is that…..
Ok all my Tortie friends I can update you on the progress of Steeler getting a door to enable her to stand on the floor and see outside. Well last night I was going with Plexi glass, WoW my hands were really getting to hurt trying to cut that. Finally gave up on that. Thought, well I would take Bernadette’s advice and just go and have one of the box stores cut a plexi piece for the door. So, as I was just sitting here at the table, lightning struck. Hey, the door is in three sections, with the solid section on the bottom. Talking to myself, I said ok dummy just take the door apart and reverse the bottom section with the middle section which is glass and make the middle solid. Well it sounds easy. It may be a breeze for those that are good at this, but it was a real project for me, of course I had a Tortie sitting in my toolbar watching every move. To shorten the story, today, Steeler was able to look outside from the floor and see land and trees and shrubs, birds, and all others that moved. The grass cutter was here and she watched as much as she could on that. This evening, of course it became dark, and I had to close up the doors for the evening. The security systems are all set, one drawback is Steeler is still sitting in the sunroom waiting for the door to open. She has had a great day. Finally after almost 18 months she is looking out the window. I feel good, but honestly, I have pains where I never knew pain could hit. But, I have a happy Tortie. Cancelled the back ordered door.
Glad the inspiration of moving the glass and metal door panels hit before you had the Plexiglas cut.
With me I always see the easy way after hours of non-productive effort.
“I have pains where I never knew pain could hit. But, I have a happy Tortie.”
That says it all
Now you truly have a Guard Tortie at the door.
Bernie, she wasn’t just supervising your work, she was telepathically sending you instructions. When a tortie is near, don’t presume the idea was only yours! I’m glad Steeler can finally see ALL of her realm. Congratulations on your new-found construction abilities. Torties make us push our boundaries.
Bernadette,Well, Tortie telepathy is new. But you may have a point. She supervised every minute. Odd feeling when you reach back to get a tool and hold a solve silky Tortie. She is now full of herself. Enjoying looking out, coming in the main house a few minutes then back to her door. One thing she didn’t change is she goes back to her cardboard condo to nap. So I guess it will stay. Now if I only knew what she is talking about at the door.
Jay, I do have a guard Tortie at the door. She is a happy torte. But I can say this, I hope to never try to cut plexi glass ever again. If anyone here has cut that stuff, you know what I mean. I think I managed to cut about 5 to 8 inches thru one side when I said this is just tough.
While sitting at the table the lightbulb came on about the door being in sections.
Now for the Ben Gay.
Cookie talks at the door too–it’s about the only time she talks. I know what she’s talking about–unlike Steeler, Cookie wants to go outside and hang out. Not without me.
Bernadette, Cooke has been your little girl for 19 years. You know what she is thinking and vice versa. With Steeler her talking has been non stop at times and a lot of the time just talking to hear herself talk, I think. Now talking at the door is all new to us. So I don’t go out and interrupt her or disturb her to see what she is talking at or to. It may be a leaf or it may be to herself. But I do know the amount of talking she may need a throat lozenger. It is distinctive buy not loud. I am waiting to see how low it takes for her to claw the sun’s reflective film off the door. Right now no sun shines in her eyes. So she can be there a long time. I am hoping I won’t have to put the glass guard back on the door.
Hey everyone, it’s Global Tortie Week on Romeo the Cat’s blog! Of course, we know that every week is Global Tortie Week, but I thought I’d let you know about it anyway, in case you want to submit a photo of your tortie(s) to Caroline. Here’s the link: http://www.romeothecat.com/
Thanks Ingrid.
I put up a pic of Stir snd Bernie has one of Steeler. Hope all our other torties get on there.
Sure did, thanks Ingrid 🙂
Just saw over 4000 posts to this great blog.
Thank you Ingrid for bringing us all together.
Wow! I hadn’t even noticed that. It still blows my mind how one little post led to all of this – the friendship with all of you are not something I ever expected to come from this.
Good things happen to good people.
To all of you, and this includes the guys, Happy Mother’s day to those with ladies with children and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who have given your love to our little furry babies. This is a great group of folks her and even guys with little furry babies get a Happy Mother’s day wish from me.
Thank you Bernie.
To the whole Tortie Family
Happy Mothers Day ( I know there are a few Fathers out there) from our Torties to you.
I know of a few that are so grateful to have a new mommy to love ( Ruby and Piper ).
Got this from Joan’s FB page
Cats wish Happy Mothers Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMizhtpZPzg
To all my Tortie family I arrived back home today around 2 and those of you that know of Steeler know she is like all Torties, unpredictable. Well my living room and dining room looks like a cluster bomb hit it. While I was away, she showed her love by spreading her little toys and cords, ribbons from one end of the house to the other. This is new even for her. She usually keeps her favorites toys right beside her cardboard condo. So we will be picking up her scattering of her things or not. Maybe I will just let her start to carry them back where she got them.. Could be awhile. 🙂
Sounds like Steeler wanted Mom to herself today so she is making sure you spend time in the house.
She was just redecorating Tortie style.
Ruby seems to have that redecorating tortie style thing down pat, too. I think rather than having her toys in a basket, she likes to see them spread out all over. I guess I’ll just have to adjust my expectations of what my living space should look like…
Well I guess your living space like mine is getting smaller also. Wonder if Ruby sent a Tortie message to Steeler on how to redecorate your Mom’s home? She is writing these days. Sometimes I sweat Steeler is reading, so maybe there is something going on here. You think?
Congrats on the over 4000 posts. What a good lot of folks you have here on this great blog.
Well my friends, I just finished cleaning up Steeler’s redecorating ideas, and ran the sweeper. I of course had to put her in the sunroom so I could do this. She is not happy at all. When I was finished picking up all her things and putting them back into one room, I opened the sunroom door. She just sat there and looked in at the floors. I went for the camera and sure enough she was still sitting there looking at what I had done. Not very happy with me right not. Posted pic on my FB. She finally left the sunroom and is not upstairs in her apartment, doing who knows what, but I can hear thumping around.
Those were my thoughts too Glen. Both look guilty, but then those eyes can make you question your own decisions, just like those two just did.
What makes you love Steeler more than all of her antics? She is just celebrating Mother’s Day by strengthening your bond, even if you did displease her by dissembling her work.
Bernadette you have been here, if you would have seen the number she pulled here you could not believe one little girl could do all that. There was hardly a place in the living room, hall or dining room to step. There were all those little toys everywhere. Then to add her finishing touches he clawed the cardboard and there were little bits of cardboard all around. \
Loving her comes easy, laughing at her is uplifting, but cleaning after her today was not saying happy mother’s day. I would think your little ones have did this to you a time or two. It is funny. But she was really angry and went upstairs to as I call it “her apartment” what a racket up there. Haven’t gone up to see what is left standing.
Happy Mother’s Day to you from all your little kids. Lots of kitty hugs and purrs my friend.
Imagine if a different cat had come into your life. Steeler is so full of personality she must seem like another person in the house.
The funniest was when my Lucy unrolled a ball of purple yarn all over the house, second floor to basement, she just pushed it along, carried it up the steps, then rolled it back down. I laughed so hard at the yarn and her earnest look I had to sit down before I’d pass out.
On this subject, I have attached a link for a video showing a cat who is guilty of making a mess.
It isn’t a tortie and the language sounds like Russian or Polish to my untrained ears but the guilt is quite apparent.
http://my.video.yahoo.com/stupidvideos-24317891/animals-24039269/cat-feels-guilty-24899319.html
Bernadette I can just see you following the string from a ball of yarn. That would have been a funny video to have had. I probably would have laughed really hard at that too.
This little on I have is, well all I can say, is I don’t think I will ever really know what she is capable of next.
Glen, after the surprises Steeler gave me with the redecorating schemes today nothing would surprise. Now mind, she like Kasey, does this mischief from floor level only, no jumping or climbing. I can’t imagine what would pop into the cute little head if she could jump or climb.
Going to watch the video. But I think I have just lived a video and reading Bernadette’s post, I am sure she has lived the video also.
The funny thing about Kasey is, she doesn’t make messes or get into things, not sure why, but it is a good thing.
My 20 pound orange guy, Taz, is another matter……….
Glen I just watched the video. I am not sure which of the two did that. But I did get the eye eye eye. I think that’s the best way I can spell that from the fellow. I didn’t say that, but when I walked in those little golden eyes looked at me and all I could do was look at her and say “What in the name of heaven have you been doing?” All I got in return was a weak meow. So what can we do when they show those beautiful eyes at you, whether they are gold, green, brown or blue. They go straight to your heart and all you can do is laugh. The other thing you do, is wait then clean things up.
Glen maybe Kasey doesn’t surprise you with her antics, but sounds like Taz makes up for it. I had to put Steeler in the sunroom, and close the door so I could clean her mess up.
When I opened the door for her to come in, she just sat there staring at the floor all cleaned up.
I went for the camera and sure enough she was still in that pose and I took her pic. It is posted on CC and my FB. She was totally miffed at me.
I did wonder on that video if the social cat shown first was the one that knocked the planter down and the other one was scared by the noise and hid, making it look guilty.
Taz would do something like that and then come for attention, goes with the territory with big orange guys.
I will be at work but will someone place a bet on No. 9: Derby Kitten to win the Kentucky Derby
I hear a Tortie will be riding.
That probably explains why she came in 13th 😉 They were arguing.
Had a nice visit with Ingrid today at the Reston Pet Fiesta – wish you all could have been there. Right now, Brooke is locked away in Rachel’s room, and the door to ours is open – but Sabrina’s too afraid to come out, the poor kitty.
Sabrina did venture downstairs when she heard the dinner bowls, but was too stressed to eat, so I carried her bowl back upstairs (behind her, as she flew back up the stairs).
I had told Ingrid today that Piper and Brooke were doing really well together – so of course tonight they got into a spat and Piper ended up with a bloodied paw. I think Brooke must have pierced a paw pad with a claw. Not too very much blood, and both are pretending like nothing happened. I thought calicos weren’t supposed to have tortitude!
Your home is truly a one of a kind. I guess Piper and Brooke had to test each other out. Since Brooke is the senior to Piper, she had to keep her little sister in place. I would think that will happen off and on. It would be great if Sabrinia could accept her life with all of the little furry kids. Maybe someday. It is really hard to understand her wanting to stay away from all.
Who said Callies don’t have Tortitude. I think you just found out they may not have as much Tortitude as Torties, but they have enough attitude to hold their own.
Tabatha show Calico’s with stand up for themselves against a Tortie. Kinda useless as Torties have them outclassed. But they are related.
It was great to see you and Julie at the Pet Fiesta!
Sorry to hear Piper and Brooke got into it. I hate to tell you this, but I keep hearing that calicos can be far worse than torties when it comes to tortitude…
Harry, would have love to been there too with all the PA crew Bernie, Bernadette, myself and Sharon (she lived near me years ago so Pa is claiming her, Callie and Doodlebug – the rare male tortie). I see on FB that you had fun .Good for you to relax especially with the 7 at home keeping you busy.
So the Tortie threw the race for a can of Tuna huh.
I’ll always be a member of the PA crew, but I can’t deny that LA has some advantages, like the salad I’m having for lunch with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers just picked from my garden. And of course I’m sharing with the kitties – all 4 of mine LOVE thin-sliced cucumbers. Weird or what?
With a Tortie, nothing is weird. So we accept that as normal.
I think that’s the first time I ever heard of cats loving cucumbers. And I bet they have to be sliced just so!
Monkey’s driving me to distraction with her escape artist ways. She’s kind of camouflage-looking, you know? When it’s dark she’s hard to see and she’s so quick despite her chubbiness. She’s escaped twice past deliverymen. I have one window with no screen, I only opened it about 2 inches, I thought she was too chubby to get out, and figured she probably wouldn’t anyway as it’s almost a 2 story drop, but no, she pushed it open and bailed. She has severe flea allergies, plus I live just off a busy road. I really need to teach her to be an indoor cat only. I’ve had too many dogs and cats die on roads, and I will never again have a pet of mine run loose. Any ideas how to keep her from heeding the call of the wild? She’s spayed, so that’s not the problem.
Lianimal: Whatever you do, please put screens on the windows. Always check before opening any door. They are extremely fast. It will take a while, because she is so determined to get out, you just have to be more determined to keep her in. It may take a while, but please don’t let her get out. It only takes a second to lose her. If you have to keep the cats, limited to one room with their food, water and litter boxes. I know this is tough and it is so hot in the south. A few well placed screens on windows to open are needed badly. Good luck
Lianimal, I agree with Bernie. Get those screens in the window.
Monkey is to secial to take chances with. Stir was Feral and will try to get out. But luckily she doesn’t go far but eats grass and smells the air. Gives me chance to gab her.
But once they have been out it is hard to keep that “wild streak” in check.
It can be challenging to keep a cat who really wants to be outside indoors, but I think it’s important to work at it. I’d definitely get a screen for the window, and I wouldn’t open it until you have it in place. You may need to lock her in a room before you open the front door for anyone. If she’s right at the door when you come in from being outside, have something with you that makes a loud noise. It depends on the cat as to what can serve as a deterrent – for some it may be something as simple as shaking a plastic bag (they don’t seem to like the crinkly sound), or a can with some coins in it.
I think Bernadette had some great suggestions about this in the past, maybe she’ll chime in later.
I actually did have some suggestions for this and I’ve finally gotten the time to reply!
First, don’t ever presume they can’t get out of something that’s apparently not big enough, or they will make it so, and, second, don’t trust anything that isn’t completely secured in place.
My first black cat, Kublai, used to watch me, then mimic me to turn doorknobs, lift screens and push them outside, slide windows aside and many other actions that I thought needed thumbs and greater strength than he had. With that particular crowd, I had to lock them into the basement in order to bring in the groceries.
They are smarter than you know. Casement windows can only be opened and shut by winding the mechanism, right? Takes thumbs and no small amount of strength open a double-pane casement that is 24″W x 48″H? I left the casement open an amount I couldn’t even get one finger through just for some fresh air, left the house and came home after dark to hear something thrashing around in my groundcovers. Namir wasn’t there to greet me and Kelly was looking out the casement with totally round eyes, and I could see that the window was open far enough for Namir’s slender figure. Apparently if you thump your shoulder against it, the window will jiggle just a tiny bit each time, turning the winder, and with patience will open far enough. Namir also used one of his claws, though trimmed, as a little box cutter by getting it into a tiny rip in a door screen and making two cuts into an L-shape big enough for him to get out.
And even by accident–the screen in the new bathroom window had a narrow frame and not enough of the screening material was lapped under the edge so that when Kelly relaxed while sleeping in the sun, she pressed her eight pounds against it and it just let loose. I came home to find Giuseppe desperately trying to jump back into the window and Kelly happily running around on the deck roof. I’ve replaced this screen and also have a second adjustable screen in place because for extra security.
So for the big windows I have new screens made with wide frames and heavier nylon or even aluminum screening that won’t pop out or fall out of the window if someone jumps on it, and it can’t be cut with a claw. Three big black cats can hang on the screens in the big casement window and they may enlarge a few holes, but there are no rips and the screen stays in place.
I also use packing tape, the good Scotch kind because it’s thicker and has better glue, to tape the screen in the middle of the top and bottom edge and sometimes the sides–I can remove this quickly if I need to get out in an emergency or when I wash the windows, but cats can’t cut around all four sides…
And on some full-view doors I add a piece of hardware cloth or lightweight aluminum fencing with openings too small to get through if they happen to push or cut the screen at the bottom, especially if we have outdoor visitors.
You’ve seen photos of my house–it may sound like a jail, but it doesn’t look like one!
If you have someone coming in or out the door other than yourself, especially if you’re not there, lock her in another room if possible, and if you live in one room, get the carrier or don’t allow people to enter and leave when you’re not there. No one will be as careful as you. Cats usually get outside because someone other than the owner just isn’t aware.
And keep treats and toys by the door or even in your purse. As you leave, either toss a treat or a toy way across the room or shine the laser pointer as far away as possible, then leave when she chases it. When you come in, do the same thing, but have the shin at the ready–open the door only far enough to block with your leg, do the treat or toy, then open when she’s away from the door. I used to use a dozen or so pieces of dry cat food when I came home because the food would scatter and everyone would run after it. They came to associate that with my homecoming and all but one quit trying to run out; that would have been Kublai.
I hope this helps! Sorry it’s so long, but it’s amazing what you need to do sometimes to prevent your cat from harming herself!
Lianimal, Bernadette is one who really knows of what she speaks. She has been thru this with her little ones for years. If she gives advice you can bet it’s from her experiences and not a book of how to. I would read this over and over to get it right. Protecting your little ones is tough enough, but when they can find a way out that is frightening.
I totally agree with Bernadette.
So true Bernadette. One day last year I left the house and when I came back I walked to the side door as I heard a cat meow. It was Pumpkin and he desperately wanted in. After I did I went to the bedroom and saw my screen was knocked out. Apparently I had not fully installed it after brushing out stinkbugs and a 23-lb. cat leaning against it knocked it out. Stirfry was sleeping on the kitchen chair. She would have been gone but Pumpkin wanted nothing to do with the outdoors.
Always recheck and doors or screens.
Lol…Your house doesn’t sound like a prison, but your cats definitely sound like escaping convicts!
Monkey hasn’t gone far so far, twice she was hiding in the same place about 10 feet away from the door, once she was at the door wanting back in by the time I realized she was gone, once the neigbor knocked and asked me if she was supposed to be out, I went outside and she was just sitting in the front yard in the pouring rain…..
I’ve told the landlady about the screen, I hate to push it right now because she only has 6 apartments, two tenants died recently, one moved out unexpectedly, One never pays on time, she just gave me an apartment that’s over $100 cheaper than my old one, and an on site maintenence guy moved into my old one, so you know he’s not paying much rent…she’s a little strapped for cash right now. At least I found out today the old beat up AC that came with the place works really well, so I can keep the window closed until she’s doing better.
I don’t really have a room I can lock her in except the bathroom…that and the actual outside door are the only two doors in the place! And when I’m coming in or going out, I’m always very careful to watch for her. It’s the delivery guys that are the problem, easy for her to slip out while I’m distracted, and only the Classic Pizza man has enough cat savvy to watch out for her, he has a few of his own.
The baby gate is still working for now, I have to be more attentive and use it every single time. I don’t get it, she can climb and hop her way to the top of the 8 foot bathroom wall, but she hasn’t figured out she can hop a two foot baby gate. She still tries to burrow out from underneath….It’s comical, I’ve had more than one deliveryman bent over laughing at her about it
Hey Tortie family, I know some of you have seen my Mother’s Day card from Steeler on my FB. Those who know me, and you all know who you are, know why I was so happy to get this particular card.
My family is primarily a dog family. So when I decided to keep Steeler, some of them said a “cat”. You need a dog. Well I won’t go back into the details of Steeler and I, but she has won them all over. Either by her Tortitude, which the boys love to see her in action. Some of you know what I mean. Or by her Attitude which as some well not some, all, in my family says, I have.
This card took me by total surprise and delight. They have accepted my little girl completely. They are learning to love her. But as you all know, a Tortie will decide who they let love them. \
So if any of you are would like to see Steeler’s mom’s day card to me just go to my FB. Gosh I have a great family. I even have a really great Tortie. I am so proud of all of them.
Steeler has special powers.
Made football fans out of people that don’t follow sports.
And got a Great write up from a Famous Author.
And scared the crap out of one of Eric’s co-workers (who was supposed to be tough).
And your Family can see how much she loves you.
One very Special Tortie !!!!!!!!!
I love the card – it’s so special. Happy Mother’s Day to you, Bernie!
Thank you Ingrid. Happy Mother’s day to you also from Ruby and Allegra.
Ingrid you are the greatest. I thank you for your kind words. (what do you mean my age, I’m still 29).
Well…..I guess Luna has the “handbag” thing developing. I reached down to touch her tummy when she was standing up and it was hanging down, no fat, just skin that makes her look full figured. She sure didn’t like me checking her out though, she looked thouroughly offended when I did that! Nikita is still as trim as ever. I think she’s built like a siamese.
Big Orange has been around lately but he comes no where near our door. Luna will sit and watch him from the window or the door if it’s open. She will sit there and give him the “stink eye” or little growls. It’s quite comical. She has been standing watch every night, while Nikita lays about on the floor or next to me on the couch.
Sue my Steeler has those saddle bags on her. It makes them look heavier. But then again a while back my vet said Steeler was 2 lbs. overweight. She weighed 9# and the vet said she should be around 7#. I now feed her wet food, but I keep a little bowl of dry just in case she wants some. Usually I just put that out for the other animals because it gets stale. By the way, Steeler will let me give her tummy rubs until her fur rubs off. She actually flips over and demands them.
Good News
This morning at 10am I looked outside and saw the Black and White cat at my feeder.
Got some purina dry food and went out and fed her. She atr a little but was more interested in scratches and belly rubs.
Go some pictures and maybe some with Pumpkin watching thru the door.
Harry, I talked to my friend Kathy, the one who had a friend was interested in the 2 Calico’s.
I found out it was a neighbor of her friend and she has lost 2 cats to cars when they got out of her house. She has 1 now but keeps it on a leash but even that one gets loose. Told her I DO NOT want to see these cats go to that person. Better to find a house where they will be treated special and be indoor only cats
Jay I am glad you found out about this before this person was able to bet the callies. I guess some people find it hard to understand, if you have lost two to cars already, that it is not a good idea to either have a car, or at least, keep the cat as an indoor cat only.
Agreed – thanks for watching out for the callies, Jay. Glad you’ve got our back.
So, do you have four, now?
Not a problem Harry. I told her how rare a Male Tortie or Calico is and they were a pair. Giving a careless person a male Calico would be like giving the Hope Diamond to a 13 year old. They would not appreciate what such a gift ths is and how lucky they are. Petter to go to the right family.
I would feel terrible if I heard something happened to him or her.
As you all know I understand animals better than people. Will always look out for them.
Jay: The kevlar screens sound interesting. I was going to get one of those metal security doors but I don’t know how much air they will let through and my place has no a/c and gets hot.
This will be the girls first summer and they are already wilting. All they want to do is lie on the kitchen floor or hardwood floors because they are cooler than the furniture.
Is it true that female cats get chubby when they get fixed? Nikita is still skinny as a whip but Luna has a gut. They may be from the same litter but they are built differently. Maybe different dads?
Bernadette I love the pictures of your kitties on your blog.
“Is it true that female cats get chubby when they get fixed?”
Of our two old girls (past but not forgotten), Molly, a sliver tabby was pretty hefty, Mitzi, a tori-tabby stayed quite sleek.
Morgan, out tuxie girl is very sleek at age 12 and still very active.
Kasey my rescue torti is a “full figured girl” but she went through a time when she did not get enough food, pre-rescue, and has a eating issue.
Sue, my Steeler is like Glen’s Kasey. She has the same problem with wanting to keep full bowls of food, from being discarded and having to fend for herself. She too, is a full figured girl. I don’t know if the spaying actually has any cause or effect on the their body weight.
Hi Sue – from Spay USA:
Myth “Spaying/neutering my cat will make them fat and lazy.”
Truth Overfeeding will make cats fat and lazy, not spaying/neutering! If you have a male who used to roam a lot before the surgery and now is less active, adjust the amount of food accordingly. Also, some female cats who have been spayed develop a “handbag” – a flap on their abdomen that hangs down. This is often just loose skin, not fat. Keep age in mind as well – we all need to watch our diet as we age (unfortunately…).
Harry you didn’t just tell all of us to diet, surely you jest. Tell me you didn’t do that. I have 3/4 of Turtle pie in the fridge all for myself. 🙂
Bernie, you’re the last person on the planet who needs to go on a diet! I can only hope I look as great as you do when I get to be your age!
I’ll add this to what Harry said: dry food contributes to obesity in cats. They do much better, and maintain a normal weight, on an all canned or raw diet. If you must feed dry, I’d recommend at least going to a grain-free dry diet.
Luna kept watch last night……it was HOT in the apt and the door was open, screen shut again. Brian (my BF) said “uh oh here comes Marley” (big orange). Luna ran to the door and sat sentry. Marley didn’t even come near our door! Luna sat there until 10 pm last night when I closed the door. Occasionally she would sit up on her hind end like she is a meercat or prarie dog,( Nikita can’t master that yet.) and sniff the air. Brian thinks she has a “screw loose” because she will sit there looking at nothing but us cat owned people know that they see or hear something.
Nikita was a lazy bones and stretched out on the couch between us while Luna kept guard.
Ingrid, the funny thing is that Marley or Big Orange isn’t the neighborhood bully. He has always been super friendly and very vocal when a human walks by. Maybe he is a bully with cats though
Sue, my cats will have NONE of another cat even dropping fur on “their” property, and it’s funny how they know where the boundaries are–out in the street, in the neighbor’s yard, be on your guard, step over the line, ATTACK!! All of mine but Kelly–including 19-year-old Cookie, will let out war cries and puff up and dance and throw themselves at doors and windows then fight amongst themselves, running around the house to look out other windows as the offending cat passes. Even before these guys, my Stanley did the same thing, and even when I took one of our household outside–it was as if he didn’t recognize them. It could be worse–he peed on my doors to make sure all visitors knew who owned the house. It sounds to me like the boys have learned their lesson.
Sue, he appears to be a threat in Luna’s mind, that’s for sure!
Just heard 2 cats fighting and heard hissing. I yelled Hey – Stop that!!!!!!!!! and looked over thinking Stir and Tabby but Tabby was on the bed. Here Pumpkin had Stir cornered near the bathroom door. She will hiss at him but not swat where Tabatha get the full Tortie assault.
They stopped
Then a minute later I hear Stir and Pumpkin chases her into the bedroom and she jump onto the bed and then to the window.
Gonna be a fun day !!!!!!!!
Sounds like spring in the air and territorial rights. Also could be kids are just trying to choose who is really in charge. You don’t count at all in that equation.
Stock up on bandaids. The big patch type. You may be going to need them.
I think Jay was whining about my not posting today, but I can’t find it so I’ll just have to start a new thread. Very busy week, preparations in earnest for the three presentations I have to make, plus the afternoon I wll have to spend with three factions of inventors warring over exactly who will be named an inventor. This trip is 4 clients in three days, not exactly going to be fun. I hope, Glen, it goes as well as the broom and the pressure vessel 🙂 I’m sure Pearl, Henry and Sabrina will be glad I’m back, Brooke will pretend that she didn’t know I was gone. Ingrid – you’re right, it never occured to us to keep cats inside when I was growing up. I was an adult, and working, the first time I kept a cat indoors, and my mother still thinks that was unfair to him though he lived to be 16, far longer than any of the other cats had. I can recommend a great contractor for the screened in deck 😉
Me whining ????
So you have been talking to my critters have you. 🙂
Of course Brooke will act as if you had never left. Then when none of the others are looking give you purrs and rubs and say how much she missed you. And if you ever tell the others she did this the E.R. will be working overtime that night.
Well… we had an interesting weekend in the tortie house:
My kittens have never been outdoors and never will but Luna sure tried to have a fight with the resident stray neighborhood Tom cat. Luna is the muted tortie and she usually has no tortie behavior but she was mighty fierce! We had the front door open because it was warm but the screen door was closed. As usual Nikita and Luna were sitting in front of the screen door enjoying the air and whatever was going on outside. I saw Marley the big orange tomcat lurking around the driveway between the triplexes and thought nothing of it because he usually doesn’t come around my door. He did show an interest when the girls were in heat of course before they were fixed but lately no. So when he did peek his nose up over the base of the screen door it freaked Luna out and they started hissing and growling at eachother and then punching at eachother through the screen. I was so surprised! It kind of thru me for a loop because Luna is so timid. Before I knew it she had climbed the screen door causing the screen to fall and was trying to get outside to attack Marley! I guess I don’t need a watchdog when I have a “watch tortie” around! lol
Where was Nikita during all this? Watching and taking notes or so it looked. These two are only 9 mos old and they are still constantly surprising me with new behavior!
Welcome to the real world of Tortie Tortitude and Fortitude. Sounds like the big orange will be making his rounds much, much further away from now on. I loved how Luna going at up the door, to get him. Heaven could only have helped that orange tom if she could have got him He as encroaching on her territory and no self respecting Tortie muted or otherwise will stand for that.
Hope Nikita got a lot of notes on what to do the next time. Just know you won’t be able to get between them, unless you are wearing combat gear.
Way to go Luna. Mom can calm down now. She sure doesn’t need any other guard with you around.
Sue, sound like Luna is showing everyone that “This is a Tortie house- spread the word”.
Even at 9 months she knows she’s the baddest cat in the neighborhood. Stirfry would be proud.
We have found that the Kevlar screens and 1/2″ steel doors slow them down a little. Won’t stop them but gives the outside animal a head start to get away.
I think you’re in for a wild ride, Sue! Love the description of fierce little Luna trying to battle the neighborhood bully.
Normally my tortie girls are quiet, purring and polite, and they’ve even been stealing the limelight by greeting guests, sometimes both at the same time.
I give both Kelly and Cookie room service in the bathroom for the afternoon–a little can of food with their supplements in it, and they also have their little bed and the litterbox, it’s kind of a break for them.
Today, I heard a yowl from upstairs that woke up everyone from a sound afternoon sleep. Two of them came out of the cat cube with big eyes, and upstairs, Mewsette was standing on the bed, fully arched and fully puffed; when I came in the bedroom she ran under the bed.
Turns out it was Cookie giving out a war whoop. She and Kelly usually curl together, but sometimes Kelly gets carried away kneading the cat bed and she probably kneaded Cookie. Kelly was terrified when I looked in the bathroom, Cookie said she deserved it.
Sound like the girls decided to show who was still in charge. It would have scared my silly to. I can just see you and the other kits running up the stairs not knowing what to expect. Good to hear all was well.
I wish I could have gotten a photo of Mewsette. She’s big enough to begin with and very fuzzy, but completely arched and puffed she looked solid black and with her round eyes she truly looked like a wild creature. She has a vivid imagination, though, and I’m sure what she was thinking was much worse than what was.
Poor Kelly.
And you almost always have your camera at the ready. But when you hear a scream like that cameras are the last thing you are thinking of and making sure everyone is ok is the 1st priority.
Bad wake up for your kits. Funny now but scary then.
I just got up and ran! I don’t have a little digital now, only the big one and that’s not so portable, though I do frequently have it with me, but it’s not like having the little one in my pocket. I have to replace the one I killed off. Darn cameras, don’t like to end up in the washer or be dropped on the floor.
Got to learn not to get carried away with kneading the cat bed ang kneading a cat instead.
What a way to wake up.
Seems like we all had rough way ups this morning.
Mine involved a donkey braying at 5:18 and then Stir and Tabby fighting at the window abote the bed at 5:30
Got to reset the clocks on them
Lots of luck in resetting their clocks. You may not ever get the sleep you need again until fall.
Glad to hear Cookie is still sticking up for herself!
Just got home 10 minutes ago.
4 houses up from mine a cat ran in front of my car.
Locked up my brakes and slid to a stop
Missed her by inches.
It was the friendly Black and White cat I feed. Didn’t feel anything but backed up and looked,
Luckily I did not see her.
I hate seeing cats at night. Even if a barn cat seeing one dead along the road.
Now I am shaken up.
Not a way to end the night.
One of the very best reasons to keep pet cats as indoor cats. Barn and feral cats are going to be out and their destinies are always in peril. I know how you feel, I would be devastated to hit a cat or dog.
Glad you missed her.
Years ago my precious Kublai ran under a moving car on his way across the street to me on the porch. He came out the other side just fine but I was never the same again. That was the last day I ever let a cat outside. I’m glad I don’t see as many cats along the road as I used to.
I tried to post 2 days ago on Sunday night but my computer locked up so had to reboot. But on my way home Sunday I saw 3 cats withing 300 yards on th one backroad. A small kitten along the road on my left *saw the eyes first) another that ran across in front of me by about 4 car lengths and a third on my right along a barn fence. Scary with all these cats out there. Always have the high beams on and scan both side for the eyes.
But this was the closest in years. All my cats will be inside. Wish others felt the same.
Unfortunately, when it rains as it has, they have a difficult time in grass and brush because it soaks them and it’s stickly so they head for the roads, which are open and they can move more easily.
LDCRF’s adoption contract requires cats be kept indoors, except for what Jay and Bernadette do with supervised outings. But it seems fairly often I have an extended discussion with someone who feels that keeping a cat inside is cruel. I usually fall back on telling them about the indoor/outdoor cats of my youth:
Turvy: disappeared
Tinky: disappeared
Charcoal: killed by a car
Tiger: disappeared
Smokey: killed by a car
Chessie: killed by a car.
Chessie was 11, the rest were under 2. That doesn’t usually convince them, but it makes me feel better about the policy.
So sad Harry. You hope the ones that disappeared were taken in and found a good home but the not knowing is so hard. Keep up the good work. Tell those people that everytime they see a dead cat along the road how would they feel if they saw the face of their loved one.
What a sad history of your childhood cats, Harry. I think back then, though, we didn’t know any better – cats were usually indoor/outdoor. I’m a firm believer in keeping cats indoors, and I sometimes catch flak for it, too. In an ideal world, yes, of course all cats would have access to the great outdoors – but it’s not an ideal world. There are predators out there. Most of us don’t live in rural areas where cats can roam without having to worry about cars. And quite frankly, my own comfort level would never allow for a cat to be indoor/outdoor – I’d never get a moment of peace from worrying whether she’d come home at the end of the day. Nope – the only outdoors my cats will ever experience is sniffing the breeze through the screened windows and doors. And none of my cats have ever shown any desire to go outside.
Of course, some day, after seeing your screened in porch, I’m now dreaming of the same thing for my house!
Harry kits are spoiled now are they. A beautiful screened in deck with sitting rails and chairs with cushions. All for the safety of the family of 7 (maybe more 1 day). I think you should have a deck built like that Ingrid. Your little ones could be out with you and be safe.
Like you said Ingrid, when Stir ran off about 5 years ago and was gone for 2 days I did not get any sleep. Took her photo (the one on the sign) to the Humane League and posted signs in the neighborhood. I was a wreck and even knowing of my 3 she could survive outsiide it didn’t matter. Then on the morning of the 3rd day she was at the door. I cried with joy. Never want to go thru that again. Mine mostly see the outside thru the screen windows but I let them graze on really nice days when I can sit on the grass and watch them. Stir goes outside almost daily in my arms. She is content to sniff the air and look around when we walk to the barn.
But Indoor only is the way to go.
I’m back, Kasey is happy about that.
On this subject, Kasey beat the outdoor odds for 8 years in farm country with fields and bush, in all weather conditions; there would have been raccoons, coyotes, possums, farm dogs, less than kind people, vehicles on the gravel roads by the compressor plant, etc., etc.
She was fortunate to get through it and it is an exception, rather than an illustration that being out and around is a good idea.
She seems very happy to remain an indoor cat, now; who knows how many close calls she had in those 8 years.
Glen I bet she was happy you are back. She is probably staying very close to you and loving every minute of it. That little girl has your heart and vice versa. She has been thru a great deal in her short life. But she has found the safety and love she needed with you. Her path and Steeler’s are much alike. Steeler was just thrown away and came here trying to come in the house. At first no. But for months she would not give up. Now she is my pride and joy. But leaving her overnight, she pines and won’t eat or drink. I don’t know if we will get past that..
Hugs to Kasey.
Glen , I’m sure Kasey had many close calls and if only our Torties could talk we could write a ton of books. And also we would be hunting down a few people for major payback.
8 years is a long time but we are so happy your are giving her the happy home she deserves in her later life.
Kasey has stuck pretty close to me since I came back from being away for 3 days.
Fortunately, she doesn’t go into depression when I am gone, a good thing, because I still travel for work, a bit.
She reacts quite pleased when I am back, though.
“Fortunately, she doesn’t go into depression when I am gone, a good thing, because I still travel for work, a bit.”
Unfortunately, I go into depression when I travel Glen, so I guess that’s got Kasey covered…
Harry is bound to go into a depression when he leaves home. He has all seven he is leaving behind, most fostered, now family. I would go into depression without all that purring and hissing.
” Unfortunately, I go into depression when I travel Glen, so I guess that’s got Kasey covered…”
Yeah, I am not big on travel now, either.
When I was younger, I was on the road up to 200 days of the year, I was in my late 20’s, just getting into this career and at the time, I loved it.
Now I have come to the point that I really don’t like it. Fortunately, in the ensuing 30+ years, the operation and my job have changed enough that most trips are now day trips with over night stays down to a few a year.
Great weather today. Ran errands earlier and when I came home I let the cats out to graze. Even Pumpkin came out for a few minutes.
Brushed Tabatha and thought I had another cat. Does she ever shed !!!!!!!
Had to brush Pumpkin inside. Almost as bad.
Folks I am not tech savy, but I just posted a letter to the editor of a Monessen, PA newspaper concerning the policy to trap, and kill all cats. Even pets are being put down if they are trapped. If you can just go read the thinking of this small town. Yet the Council and Mayor won’t budge on their ordinance.
Tried to post that on here but it is a pdf. file
Will see if I can get the link too it.
Ok now folks the latest on Steeler. I seem to have a Tortie that never quits. They are truly unpredictable.
Well today my best friend Marty came to spend time with me. (Remember Bob’s story). Well Marty loves to talk to Steeler. They do this talking thing back and forth (usually). Well today, Steeler chose to stay upstairs in her (now apartment) most of the time. Finally she did come down and strutted down the center hall to where we were in the dining room. Marty spotted her and started talking to her. You got it. You all know where this is headed. Yep, Steeler ignored her, walked right past her with Marty talking nicely to her, and Marty said what’s up with her. I explained that she had just been flipped off by Steeler. She laughed and thought I was kidding. Well Steeler walked around the island in the kitchen and came back as if to go toward Marty, and looked at her with those innocent golden eyes. Marty started again to “Tortie talk” as I call it. Well, you guessed it, Steeler turned and walked back down the center hall with that tail twitching on the end. I looked at Marty and you have just been give the bird again. Marty said “My God I really have been given the bird by her). She said hey you little twit get back here. Same result. Steeler went back up to her “apartment”. Marty was laughing so hard she ran for the bathroom. So Steeler decides again, when to be nice and when to be a brat. Marty left her eyes were still a little red from laughing so hard, and said, Oh wait till I tell Bob I was given the bird by Steeler. So this is maybe not nice for a Sunday, but all of you know Torties don’t care what the day is. A Tortie will be a Torties as it suits. them Do you all thing it’s this weather bringing out the devilment in her.? End of today’s character of the day story. Heaven help us. Our Torties own us all.
Shows Steeler is more comfortable with her. Now she does not have to be on her best behavior.
No longer “Company” but family.
And now Steeler has an upstairs apartment but the Staff calls when Dinner is ready and the bathroom has been cleaned.
Torties have it good out in Western Pa 🙂
My friend, Torties have it good in all our homes. You are so right about the Staff calling for Dinner. In Steeler’s case when she is hungry she demands to be fed and right now or she won’t stop squawking at me until I feed her.
That’s tortitude alright. Go Steeler!
Musical cats.
Went to bed late last night with Tabatha by my side, Pumpkin on my chest and Stirfry on the filing cabinet next to the bed.
Woke up at 6:15 this morning with Pumpkin by my side and Stirfry where Tabby had been. Tabatha was out in the living room.
Not sure when (and how) Tabby and Stir changed places. No blood on the covers so maybe just a discussion as to who should move.
Strange things happen in the night with Torties. They have a don’t as and don’t tell motto, that last part would be “If you want a happy home, let it go now”.
Harry, so glad to hear you are not sleeping under the couch any longer, but it would be good training for that long squished up plane ride.
oh, right Piper did it” we have all used that one before. A trip to Germany would sound good, but only first class. That long ride all squished up and no sleep, was more than I would ever do again. From the on it was first class.
Good to hear Piper has just made her presence known and is strong enough to let Sabrina know, she may want to think twice before she brings it own.
So Julie and Rachel are in charge of the 7 babies and for 6 days. I know they can handle them.
Maybe soon Sabrina will be able to come out of her room more often.
Everyone OK there?
I have seen a lot of bad weather problems south of here on the news.
Glen, Bernie checking in. Survived the tornado. Missed me by a couple of blocks. But let mess on land. All cleaned up. 99 homes flattened, 145 damaged. The best thing is no one lost their lives. And yes, we were still getting tornado warning and bad storms, but I am fine. Steeler took all in stride. Jay is ok. Bernadette is ok. Ingrid is ok. Harry, I think is still sleeping under the couch. It looks like the worst is over for us for now.
How are you and Kasey getting along. She still in good health. No setbacks I hope. To bad you weren’t able to join us in VA for Ingrid’s book signing. Great folks to meet and we all had a really good time. Maybe some other time. We are all hoping that someday, maybe.
Its good everyone is OK, I was watching an TV news article on it and it looks very bad; makes our weather complaints, here, about it being cooler than normal and rainy look very insignificant.
We do get a few tornadoes here but there are very infrequent, few in number and smaller (still big enough to take down buildings but they don’t cover as much ground).
Kasey is fine. She looks good, she got a combing tonight.
This morning, at 6:00 AM, she sang the “eeps & squeaks” song; lets just say her voice is not going to land her that cat food commercial spot on TV.
She has an elevated food bowl now, one of the one’s on a little stand so she doesn’t have to get right down to the floor to eat, this appears to be very popular.
Next week I am away overnight on Monday and Tuesday night on a a safety course for work, she will have to do without me, she has done it before and is OK with it.
The course a re-certification for confined space entry, held near the compressor facility I brought Kasey home from. I try to avoid going in pressure vessels and storage tanks during plant shutdowns and inspections, leaving that to younger people, but I do supervise the work sometimes and I did organize the course, so I had better go 😉
Well Glen, make sure you take some pics of Kasey. If anyone is still there that remembers you took her, they would probably like to see her. When I went to VA for 1 and 1/2 days, Steeler never ate or drank while I was away. When I got her she got a lot of attention. I know when you get back Kasey will get a lot of attention also. Safe trip.
“Well Glen, make sure you take some pics of Kasey. If anyone is still there that remembers you took her, they would probably like to see her”
That’s already taken care of 😉
Work keeps me in constant contact with her former “protectors” and they get updates and also pictures over the company email.
One guy who is now at one of our other facilities always asks “how’s ol’ kitty?”, when I call there.
Fortunately, while Kasey misses me, she is quite social with people and doesn’t pine away when I am gone; I am glad of that and that she isn’t a one person cat.
I think it is a paradox in that she is the fierce “warrior queen” that will fearlessly attack any critter, without any hesitation, that’s on her list of things she doesn’t like (its a pretty long list, too) and yet be so social and friendly with people.
Glen, nice to know that some of those workers stil have an interest in Kasey.
Shows there are good people there.
And out Torties are full of suprises. Attacking any potential nemy without hesitation and being social to others. I do not get many visitors but when my friend Dave came down last week Stirfry was nice (for her). I have seen that in Brooke – social cat for special occassions.
But I think Kasey is a “one person cat”
She has you.
Glen I have a one person cat and that is Steeler, unlike Kasey she pines when I leave. But her temperament is a lot like Jay’ Stirfry, you can look, but don’t you dare to touch. Blood has been drawn.
Out from under the couch. The tornados missed most of northern Virginia, but were bad in the southern part of the state, though nothing like Alabama. Spent today working on presentations for a trip to Germany in two weeks – two cities, four clients, three days. Well, six days counting travel. on78cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc7
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Piper typed that. I won’t tell you with what part of her anatomy. Despite what she says, I will not be on a 747. I think it’s a 767 going over, and a 777 coming back. And economy class. Should be miserable. I mean, a blast.
Piper spent several hours in Sabrina’s room today, with minimal hissiness.
Butt typing is a cat favorite. 🙂
Have a safe trip. Try to take in some sights.
Like Bernie said. Piper is showing that even you she is a cat to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately, there won’t be time for sights – mostly, I guess, because I don’t really want to be there that long. And because I can’t carry any bigger of a suitcase. I was trying out for size a new set of L.L. Bean luggage today – but the medium bag only holds two cats, and the extra large bag holds more than 7. I guess I should have gotten the one in between. Or more cats.
Bernie – I’d prefer to go somewhat less miserable in business class, but can’t justify $10,000 versus $2600. Yes, those are really the prices. I think the last time I flew to France it was $500.
I can see house you found the one med bag holds 2 (easy test) but I would have loves to see the testing of 7 cats in that extra large one. Sound like 1 shredded bag to me.
$10K is a lot to fly. Take your own kibbles and watch out for those pat downs.
Put Stir’s sign in the suitcase. Should cause some excitement.
Well Harry I guess I won’t be going to Europe for a while. Are you flying Lufthansa? I would not be looking forward to that trip. I will settle looking at all my photos I took when I went to Europe years ago. Not much changes in Europe. Safe trip
Where in Germany are you going? I grew up in Stuttgart. Have some of that yummy German food for me!
Looks like you’ll need to get Piper her own account for comments. She already has her own Facebook page. Clearly, she’s on a mission to take over online.
” Have some of that yummy German food for me!
The food is good there, at least to my taste.”, if I was going, I’d eat too much of it
I am not a big drinker but this would be something I would not miss, if I could help it;
http://www.zyn.ca/catalog/product/gallery/id/216/
Actually, I know these business trips are different a holiday; we used to get sent to Banff, Alberta on to a week long conference. Sounds good, and it was nice, but there wasn’t a lot of time to see Banff, it was almost like it might as well have been held here in a local venue. 😉
So nice that Harry has us to plan his itinerary for next week. 🙂
Eating and drinking 1st.
If any work gets done – good.
Have to keep your priorities in order.
Ingrid – Saturday (in two weeks) to Frankfurt to change from United to Lufthansa and then to Berlin by noon on Sunday. Sunday – Tuesday in Berlin, Tuesday night back to Frankfurt to see a client in Darmstadt, and then Thursday back to DC.
The last time I was there Glen, my German clients took me to an endless string of French restaurants. Quail eggs. Fish in cream sauce. More fish, in more cream sauce. All I wanted was a bratwurst and a beer. Finally, I broke away one evening and went into downtown Berlin for the best meal of the trip: Der Whopper and der fries. (I asked the kid at the counter for der kline fries, and he screwed up his nose at me and said, “you mean, a small?”)
Not sure which is worse, 9 hours in the metal tube, or having to climb into the pressure vessel with a broom.
Ingrid, I didn’t know that. I have many pics of Germany and other parts of Europe from my travels. Had I know I would have shared them with you. No they didn’t have digital cameras then so I have all from film. Germany was spotless. I went to some local pubs off the tourist path. Had a great time. Was amazed to go in the pubs and restaurants and find their dogs are allowed in with them. But I had a great time in Germany. (I was single at the time).
Harry, I would take going into the vessels with the broom, over the long squishy ride. To bad the Concorde got eliminated.
Get your clients to take you to dinner off the beaten high end restaurant area and into the working class pubs. The ale is extremely dangerous to a non drinker. But the food in where the local working folks go is delicious and no protocol. You can be yourself. Just remember don’t take a cat with you in there. All h— would break loose. They are a good bunch of folks, at least when I was there. I know they have become something of a melting pot, but they do have good food. So of it even lasts all the way home.
Folks I know this has nothing to do with Harry’s trip, but it fits in pretty good about looking around where the locals go to get good food.
While we, the PA contingent were in VA, I wanted to walk around after we closed the Stray Cat, because I like walking around in places I hadn’t’ been before. However, knowing how sick Jay was and knowing he would have gone with me and Bernadette if he had to crawl, I chose to be quiet. He was just to sick to go out. But I do regret we didn’t go around for a walk just to see some of Falls Church. Jay said he would have gone no matter how sick to protect us. So the next time if it ever comes to it, I will take my walk around and see what is there. Much like Harry, go off the beaten path and find the best of Germany.
Slept real good last night. Dreamed of cats. Woke up at 5am to the braying of a donkey. Back to sleep, woke up to a cat coughing up a hairball – above me on the headboard!!!!!
I yelled and saw it was Stirfry. Awake now I went out and put the critters out. As I looked back at the house I saw Pumpkin and Stirfry framed in the window. Having learned from Bernadette I had my camera with me. Took a few pics. Will post them on FB if they are any good. Hope everyone else has a good morning but a less drastic snooze alarm.
Apparently Stirfy knows that today is National Hairball Awareness Day – how thoughtful of her to remind you…
I see Harry will be giving gifts next Holiday. He did not make them but I know who did.
Those darn kids will do it every time.:)
Today was an interesting day. My friend Dave came up to visit. He is one of the guys I have gone camping with on Fathers day for the last 23 years. His lawnmower had broken and there is a Mennonite repair shop up near me that fixes or sells used mowers.
Well, when he came up the steps he saw Stir’s warning sign. He came in and I found out my cats do impersonations of other cats. Pumpkin became “Steeler – the Invisible cat” and disappeared. And Stirfry did her impersonation of Brooke by being the nicest cat. When Dave went to scratch her she did not take off his arm. Guess she knew he had seen her sign and knew what she was capable of.
Wow, you guys were busy here last night while I was trying to keep Allegra (and myself!) calm through one storm after another. Thankfully, all the horrible stuff stayed south and west of here. Ruby, on the other hand, is fearless, and slept through the whole thing.
Harry, love the picture!
Can you believe we’re at almost 4000 comments with this post?!
Good Morning Ingrid, glad your all OK. And you learned more about Ruby. A fearless Tortie – go figure. Hope this helps Allegra as she sees her sister shows her there is nothing to worry about.
Ingrid, glad you and the little ones are safe. Ruby sounds like she is going to be the Tortie, fearless and more so as she gets older. Allegra, may, let me correct that , Allegra and Ingrid may have to watch her and take lessons on how to handle severe storms. Sounds like she has a strong constitution.
Has anyone heard from Harry? Did the tornados miss him. The tornado was heading there last night. Hope all is safe.
So far, the only thing I’ve seen Ruby be afraid of is the vacuum cleaner. Oddly enough, it doesn’t bother Allegra at all.
I don’t think Harry’s area got any of the really bad stuff, so they should all be okay. This whole mess is finally out of here!
Good to hear all is ok. Sounds like you folks got some severe storms also. Hopefully this will stop soon. The south is really devastated. Getting ready to write a book on this blog like Rachel suggested? Goodness know you have plenty to use.
Love the pic Harry.
Ok Jay and Bernie – what did you do to replace the hyroglyph with a picture of your cat? I can’t figure out how.
Harry, check your e mail at hotmail. I just sent you the link to do that. It is extremely easy.
Thank you Bernie, I just spent the last 5 minutes looking for it. Ingrid told us and I must have forgotten to save it.
I got your back Jay. I knew after I waited a few minutes you were looking. So I just sent it. Now let’s see what Harry puts on his gravatar. He sure has a lot to pick from. 🙂
Thanks Bernie.
Harry will have 1 cat for every day of the week.
Rotation daily. Brooke choses the order.
I agree, but read what Harry is going to. We will just have to wait to see if he rotates or picks Henry. 🙂
Jay do you see what Harry did. huh huh Now he is under the couch with the 7 cats to protect him. Don’t feel bad Harry, I have my basement door open and ready to run if things start sparking here again. No one can be mean to a Tortie owner, for goodness sake, they can be mean without anyone being mean to them. They have backup you know. Stay safe.
Brooke, of COURSE, at 8 months, along with her best bud Parker.
Huh Huh you picked different than Jay and I thought and you did it when we weren’t looking. How did you do that from under the couch? 🙂
Thanks 🙂 Tomorrow. Too tired to make a decision tonight…
AH Harry, here we are watching our screens to see what you picked and you say tomorrow. What a bummer. But ok, I forgive you, at your age you need to get your rest. 🙂
Bernie, Harry has to talk it over with the family. 7 votes as to who is 1st. I can see a Brooke Sabrina fight brewing.
We will know the winner tomorrow.
Jay, I guess we may as well give it up for tonight. Knowing Harry, he will probably get up in the middle of the night and change it overnight. Wouldn’t put it past him. 🙂 Well we are getting another severe storm warning. The weather shows it almost on top of me. It is not going to the Pgh area. So I guess it is going to be a long night. These storms are coming up from the south. I think this one may have put Harry under his desk tonight.
So your saying you don’t trust a lawyer 😛
Ok Jay, um don’t trust a lawyer. There is no easy answer to that. Let me ask you that question. I can answer it this way, legally I would trust Harry. Now as a 2 Tortie owner + 5 others, that is not a lawyer, that is a collector, and some collectors have been know to pull a fast one.
Now the question is, do you trust a lawyer. Don’t use my answer either.(:)
It’s not nice to be mean to someone who is trying to sleep through a thunderstorm and tornado watch.
Bernie, you forget my sister is a lawyer. I have seen their motto “Never tell the Truth” and their belief is “Don’t get caught”.
Harry, how can you sleep when your under the couch with 7 cats waiting for the storm to end?
Will Rachel be putting up a pic of Piper?
Ingrid, you need to write a book about this tortitude blog post and all the fame it’s gotten!
I can see the book signing to that one. What a party !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachel you are so right. You keep encouraging her. We sure have given her plenty to compose and roll around her brain. But then she could explode from all this behavior.
Bernie, at least she’s getting a varied menu. She’s had fish and pork, now you’ll need to try her with beef, chicken, turkey and maybe a few others.
On the rare occasion meat comes into my house everyone’s noses follow it wafting around: “Hmmm, I know that smell…”.
Kelly has to taste everything I eat, even if she doesn’t like it and she knows it. But it’s a sorry life being an obligate carnivore living with a nearly complete vegetarian. It’s a good thing she likes cooked pasta. She’ll leave the salad greens to Mewsette.
Bernadette, after not feeling the loving from my tortie friends, I may never cook again. But I still love you all.
All of you watch those storms. Be Safe
You do remember that Steeler expects fish this Friday don’t you ?
And we love you too 🙂
As would be said in Charley Brown, “Good Grief Charley Brown”, I had no idea that my cooking could cause so much amusement.
But it’s ok. Maybe after I taste them I will laugh also. Steeler may not even want them after she does her taste testing. The fish is in the freezer. Already cooked, will only thaw and heat for her. 🙂
What a good Mom. Steeler might not have a menu but her meal is already planned. What wine goes with Pork ?
Ok all you Tortie folks. Just gave Steeler small bits of pork. She turned her nose up at it and started to eat her own food. Took a pic of the paper plate with bits of pork and Steeler eating her own food. Don’t say much for my cooking. I will say it before you guys grab onto that one. 🙂
Did Steeler send it back to the Chef ?
But like Bernadette said with Kelly, our Torties get to try everything first.
And I will not question your cooking. However I might listen to Steeler. 😛
Just for the record Steeler just sniffed it and turned to her own food and started to eat. If you call that sending back to the Chef, I guess. More like she said toss this stuff.
Bright side, I will have leftovers for tomorrow.
Always have to look at the bright side.
And Steeler goes to her chart and scratches Pork off her list.
Beef, Chicken,Turkey and Pasta are still there.
Rejected by a tortie.
Hmm. That could actually make a great book title…
I think it’s a good thing she didn’t want the pork. Don’t plan on cooking it again. No more in the freezer.
As for the others meats, and fish, those I don’t have to cook, you buy them cooked. So much for my cooking skills.
So if we ever get together again, you all are forewarned, don’t as Bernie to cook anything. Not a good idea.
I can see the wheels turning Ingrid. You will have a new book soon.
Got the title already and we are all characters in the book.
Bernie, you made very good pulled pork sandwiches if I remember right.
Ingrid, I agree with Jay, Heaven forgive me, you have all the 5w’s here to write a real great book based on all the Torties and others, and goodness knows the characters we are collectively, could never be imagined.
Jay, I really hate to disappoint you, but that pulled pork, was precooked by a company and all I did was that the packages and put on the roll.
I say no more. Except I am glad you like the precooked pulled pork. 🙂
Bernie, ALL my cooking is microwave or store bought (Walmart Chicken) so the pulled pork was great.
Jay the pulled pork was precooked from the frozen section at, you got it, ””WAL MART”’ 🙂
Maybe Steeler’s kosher. Naw, probably not. Maybe you ruined it by removing it from the raw state.
Harry, I thought the same thing. Maybe my Tortie is “kosher”. That’s fine by me. No more pork chops anyway.
This one is for Harry. When we joked about Steeler being Kosher, we all laughed. Hey you may have a real point there. I allocated the ham bone from my daughter-in-law from Easter. She had it in the freezer and thought she would use it for soup.
Told her I would take it, if she didn’t want to cook with it. Faster than lightning I had the hambone. So I let it thaw in the fridge. Then I put it on a paper plate for Steeler. Well, she went to it quickly, took a few sniffs, turned it with her paw, and that ham bone is of no interest to her.
It will go out with the trash tomorrow.
I am believing she is Kosher. Strange taste, this Tortie has. Are there any Kosher Tortie’s out there or is mine just being full of herself because it requires her to pick the meat off herself. She just so spoiled, maybe she thinks picking off a hambone is beneath her, of she is actually Kosher.
Well gang, here’s a newsflash for you. I don’t do much cooking (none if I can help it), so a little bit ago, I decided to make stuffed pork chops. Well no big deal to me, however, Steeler is going bananas over the smell. She has not smelled real food being cooked in a long time. So for the next couple of hours, she is going to be stalking the kitchen and me. Every time I get up to move she goes with me. She knows something smells good. I guess I will allow Steeler to share a little of my dinner tonight. Problem is, she might start that habit of expecting that kind of food more often. 🙂
Hope you made 3 or 4 cause Steeler is getting at least 1 and if you want leftovers she will want more tomorrow.
Nope – that Tortie’s not spoiled at all.
Only two. All that I had in the freezer. Decided to use them up. Your right. I will share with her.
but only in small bits. I don’t know about leftovers. Depends how much she tortures me. If you look at the word torture, what is the first thing you see?? 🙂
First thing I see is every other animal in the house looking at me and saying “Why did you bring a Tortie in here”
And only 2 porkchops ?
What are you having? PB&J sandwich ?
Oh I am not getting that loving feeling here tonight guys. My cooking for Steeler. But you are probably right. I might have to eat PB&J.
Oh – we can see that loving feeling. You love Steeler so much and before you eat you wil be breaking pieces off and blowing on them so Steeler can eat first. Then when she is done you will reheat your in the microwave (that is if there is any left)
Well, you’ve gone and done it now, Bernie. Steeler will now expect a homecooked meal every night. Can’t wait to hear how she liked the pork chops.
Steeler will want a menu at dinner ever night.
No drinks to the Tortie though. I tried the Neuter Shooter and can’t imagine what she would be like after one of those. (I should have listened to Harry and Julie).
No one ever does, Jay – no reason you should be different. Since there are only two pork chops, I guess I will cancel the road trip. I just crawled out from under my desk – the tornado warning was downgraded to a watch, but extended to 2 a.m. I’m headed home.
Frive safe Harry.
There should be 2 pork chop bones. One is for Bernie but she will share the other.
But we know Steeler gets the good stuff.
Harry I think you should cancel that all road trips for this week. Bad weather to break out each day. Get home and keep your family safe. Some very bad tornados have hit today and are still going.
Ingrid, you be careful also, there are what are called break away cells that pop up really quickly, so watch out for you and the babies.
Scary weather down here. I can’t wait for this mess to be out of here. Stay safe, everyone!
There will definitely be no menus in the house. Cooking is not a habit here anymore. This could be the last time for real food, except eggs.
I should have known better. I don’t know what I was thinking. Steeler is laying right in front of the oven.. I am letting the chops cool down, because I know this is going to be a give me mine first night.
So, did you at least get a bite? lol I know how monkey is when I cook anything good
I see storms are hitting Pittsburgh right now. Bernie and Bernadette batten down the hatches and keep the kitties safe.
This is getting to be the norm. Safe here. They are heading your way. A cell broke away is closing in on your area according to the weather report here.
Cat and dolphin
Animals know better than people
http://www.wimp.com/catdolphins/
Sorry to have missed the book signing, but I will soon be able to enjoy the book! It’s the time of year when I start not-so-subtly hinting to my sons what to get me for Mother’s Day, and top of my wishlist is a certain book with a gorgeous tortie on the cover….
Now your talking. But you would have had a great time at this book signing. Ingrid did her signing and the rest of us had a great time chatting it up and enjoying everyone’s company. It was more of a party than a book signing. Many good folks and many good friends were made.
Meeting people in real life and finding they are just as down to earth and so much fun was a blast. Meeting Ingrid that brought us all together was my highlite of the nite.
I have her to thank for giving me all these friends on here. (Stirfry helped but don’t tell her – she gets a swelled head)
I hope you’ll enjoy Buckley’s Story, Sharon!
Ingrid’s book just got here in today’s mail – can’t wait to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying it tomorrow!!! It’s going to be a great Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day, Sharon – I hope you enjoy the book!
It’s a really good book. I’m sorry I missed the signing too