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
” come winter, you’ll have to be out there in the snowshoe version ”
Um, I think a condition of Bernie’s parole is that she can’t walk around in snowflakes…
I think the local cops when getting another call like that will be to pass it up as they were laughed at for the last call.
I hope to one day talk to you all about this when we are together and I can give some advice to all at the same time. Hope Ingrid can plan another book signing further north. I would get there and we could spend a little more joking around time.
I look forward to that also.
You are getting closer. I just nicely remarked on this in my previous post. I really would like to hear you sing.:)
Tortie family I don’t know about most of you but I have had it with all this rain. I wrap Steeler up in a thick towel to give meds to than to let her know not to associate towels as always for meds, I take her outside and walk around the land, holding onto her. She looks every which way to Sunday and looks backwards. She is truly enjoying it. She lets me know when she wants down then I head for the house. What’s all this have to do with rain, you ask, well I will tell you. We have has so much rain around here that everyday I walk her my shoes get soaking wet. um um So today I said no more, I am going to stop this rain. um um. I went out and bought a pair of those high rain/mud boots. Now mother nature will stop this rain, because she won’t be able to get my shoes and feet wet anymore. It is worth a try.
Hey if it works, go for it.
Remember to do something for next years snow storms.
We have had the most rain in May here since they started keeping records.
I am just across the border from Buffalo NY and I think there last report was 16 inches this May.
I is a similar situation all across Ontario. People who have never had water in the basement issues are having them this year.
There’s the days with torrential rain then the rest of the time, every other day has its rain for some part of the day, even if it starts off bright and sunny. If I recall correctly, for the past five Sunday afternoons, we have had rain which is not popular at our clay target shooting club. It is sunny right now, if it will only hold that for another 6 or 7 hours.
Still, it isn’t on the same level as those areas that keep getting hit with tornadoes in states like Missouri.
They keep saying we will get a warm, dry summer here; I’m about ready for that.
I carried Kasey down to the basement this morning, where I have my computer and various hobby stuff.
She was being a bit of a velcro kitty this morning. Due to past injuries she has difficulty with the stairs, going up the stairs is not a big problem but going down is. She can do it but is reluctant, so both the main floor and the basement have all food, water and litter.
She is happily resting in the heated bed behind me as I type this.
Glen I know how velcro can be. But it is the best feeling. As for the rain, the grounds are so saturated and just walking is like walking in quicksand. The prople in the midwest are going thru a horrific tragedy. Where is there any help from other countries for US. I really think this country could US some of that foreign aid we give away so freely, it called “can the US need us”. It would be nice.
Steps can be an issue, but so far Steeler is able to go up and down. Just not very fast.
Give hugs to Kasey.
Velcro kitties are the best!
It hasn’t been too bad with rain here, but not a whole lot of sunny days this spring. Like you, I’m ready for that warm, dry summer. You’ll never find me complaining about being too hot, or about getting too much sun!
I stay out of the sun. As for warm, well ac does just fine. Buying those boots looked like it may have worked on Mother Nature for the upcoming week. So maybe my yard will dry out and I won;t have to wear the boots.
Same here. Hot weather I can deal with.
Every winter you hear people saying they can’t wait till its warm, then they complain about the heat. I have never shoveled snow in July.
Me and the kits can’t wait.
Ugh, maybe if it was dry, sure, but I live in Michigan. It’s practically an island, but without the benefit of a nice sea breeze. When it’s hot it’s HOT!
I complain about the heat every day it’s over 80 degrees lol.
My theory is if it’s cold you can always put more on, when it’s hot there’s only so much you can take off without getting arrested!
Plus I didn’t have AC in my old apartment, and last summer was so miserably hot and humid for so many days….even with three fans turned on my rats 24-7, the heat killed them.
I was feeding them sherbet and putting frozen water bottles in their cage…it was still not enough.
Glen, I saw our weekly weather report for this week. Nice weather for every day except chance of storms on Wed. Bike weather for sure. Hope you have the same and can yours out to enjoy the feeling and save some gas.
Ride Safe.
Next best thing… it’s warm here south of Charlottesville where we’re visiting friends, one of whom let me drive her brand new 6-speed Mini Cooper. Very efficient on gas, and can pivot on itself in a circle. Obligatory cat reference – the friend has adopted two cats from LDCRF.
Harry good to hear you are having a great time. My boots worked, dry weather for the next week.
You do know Steeler and I have put you on a list, as of this time reading your post, just remember.
Steeler would love to drive you around in the Mini Cooper. I think there are a number of Tortie’s here that could do that.
What list, you ask, um. Read between the lines my good friend. Have a great time.
Harry, those mini coopers are nice but the back window are small. Maybe thats why they only have 2 cats. Not enough window space for more cat stickers.
What a great idea to give Steeler something happy to associate with taking her meds! As for buying the boots to ward off the rain, we all appreciate the sacrifice. And I’m with Jay – come winter, you’ll have to be out there in the snowshoe version to stop any snow from coming!
Harry and Ingrid my dear friends, I knew right after I posted that I was going to hear about the snow and the little flake and the big flake. Point received.
Already own snowshoes for walking on the snow. Also have high winter boots.
We never disappoint.
Especially when given an opening like that.
YUM! Just ordered Kung Pao Triple Delight, with a 6 piece Crab Rangoon…my chinese delivery resturant ROCKS!!!!
And the Chinese delivery guy always reaches over the gate to pet Monkey….an un-politically correct friend says they are checking the meat to fat ratio, but I found out that in chinese culture Calico cats are considered good luck, and if you see one you should rub itt
so you guys don’t get wierded out if Chinese people are petting your cats, they’re just hoping to get lucky!
Okay, that didn’t come out quite right lol
It that works Tabatha will have the furr rubbed off her tonight.
uh ??????:)
Hey Wild Child they also use cats and dogs as food. How do you think Jay’s Stirfry got her name.
They joked about giving her to a chinese restaurant and Jay said well it will be Stirfy or something to that effect. So watch that petting.
Tabatha tell me that all the time.
Stirfry says it’s bad luck not to pet a Tortie, as they will use you as a scratching post if you don’t give them all the attention they deserve.
Lynn still waiting to see your new gravatar pic on here. Just for the record wild child I am not clicking on the metal music any more. Can’t sleep at nights after that 🙂
LMAO…as long as Peaches co-signs it, it’s allright! Just never click on any Monkey music!
Lynn I am not a real fan of metal there a only a very few that I like. I like ballads, rock, pop, classical, jazz and country. So I don’t think I will be clicking onto metal. I would like to hear more about the comical duo you have than hear metal. You tell such expressive stories. Hope no offense is taken about the music, because none is meant. Talk on.
I had a great time at Harry’s adoption event and the dinner that followed. Is there anything better than hanging out with a group of cat people? If there is, I don’t know what it is. However, I don’t think I had anything to do with the kitten adoptions – their cuteness did the job just fine on its own 🙂 – but that’s not to say I won’t show up again at future events. Unfortunately, Petsmart won’t let me sell books in their stores, discounted or not.
Well that is Petsmart’s loss. However sounds as though you all had a great day yesterday. I am sure those little ones that were adopted, have a few of you trying hard. It sounded like a good day out.
Bernie’s right, Petsmart’s missing out, that’s a really good book, and I’m not saying that just because I like you. I read it cover to cover in one sitting (with bathroom and food breaks)
I have been told that it’s corporate policy – we occasionally sell our rescue t-shirts, and for a couple of years we produced a calendar (Henry, Pearl and Vickie all were in it!) and basically were told we had to do those sales under the table because we’re not allowed to compete with the store, which also sells clothes and calendars. Once the manager changes, it’s worth asking the question again.
As for singing – there’s no award potential, not even for being bad. Sorry.
Five hanging out on the porch this morning. Henry and Sabrina are asleep in the bedroom and declined to join the party.
Aww, thanks, Lynn – I’m so glad you enjoyed Buckley’s Story.
It made me cry, and I don’t usually do that. I’m NOT a girly girl! lol
I get that a lot. I still cry myself when I reread certain chapters.
It made me cry and I’m no a girly girl either 🙂
I would but I am not going to touch these remarks with a 10′ pole.
Thanks Bernie
Same as dealing with a Tortie
DON’T TOUCH.
aw! That reminds me, I saw the cuest thing the other night. I was sitting here on the computer and I saw Peaches out of the corner of my eye run across the wall in full attack mode (BTW, I know it must be hard to get a visual of a cat running across a wall inside an apartment, still working on getting a pic) but I was all “what the heck??” so I looked over and Monkey was sitting in the window, the neigbor cat was on the other side, and I swear to god I’m not making this up, Monkey and the neigbor cat high fived each other, then the neigbor cat hopped down and dissapeared
Another Tortie image shot to hell.
Stirfry is getting on the phone now
Gonna be a conference call with Kasey, Brooke, Steeler and Stir telling Monkey – “you do not get caught being friendly to other cats”
Too cute! Peaches better watch her back….
See, that’s what I’m thinking…is it REALLY Monkey being friendly with another cat? Or is it Monkey conspiring with another cat to make poor old Peaches crazy? lol
Just went out to throw out another Stink bug (8 so far tonite( and the Black and White cat jumped up onto the porch. Had to get new cat food and put the dish on the porch.
Tok Pumpkin out to the dor to see her. Was ok until he jumped up on the door for a better look. She hissed.
And this is PURE Monkey music……Bernie, don’t click! lol
http://youtu.be/KpY-_JhZNfk
I liked both
And on the way home I was thinking, Haven’t seen any music from Monkey and Peaches lately.
They came thru tonite.
lol…for the last couple days (since I got my camera) they’ve been busy trying to dodge the Papparazi (me) lol….we haven’t had much chance to hunt down new music, as I’ve been mainly hunting Peaches and Monkey lol
Peaches reccomends…..for some wierd reason she’s purring and head butting for this, although it’s a little harder than her normal taste……http://youtu.be/YN_RzwwW6H8
I’m glad I made the Monkey face my avatar on Facebook, it cheers me up every time I see her sweet little face, but how do I put it on here?
Lynn, go to gravatar.com to make Monkey your avatar here.
Well guy Steeler is still very laid back but not enough that she can’t do something for me. I wanted to go for gas this evening. No big deal, right, wrong, Steeler lives here. I carry a small cross body shoulder wallet (the women know what this is and maybe some guys. Well I looked everywhere. Not to be found. Checked the Jeep, No, not there. Looked in all my places. Did the trace your steps last time you seen it. I did, I remember hanging it on the shoulder of the dining chair. So I started thinking. Oh yea, you all know where this is going. I looked around the floor in the sunroom, but not there. Innocent little golden eyes looking at me and I am asking her where is mom’s wallet. For those of you to young to remember, there was a song called “Those Lying Eyes” years ago. Well that is a Tortie. Looked in the dinging room and just glanced down and HELLO, there it is, partly in the cardboard condo. So I don’t know if Steeler was on line with my credit card, or if she wanted to go on a shopping spree, or if she just wanted to keep me home. Whatever her intent was it worked. By the time I found the wallet, I decided tomorrow for gas. She may not be running around but she still somehow manages to be the little Clepto Kitty she has always been. Any orders placed to anyone on here today, void. It wasn’t me.:) Pic on FB Steeler gone.
Lol…you KNOW I feel your pain! Monkey’s a terrible thrief! Remember the stack of CDs that were rubber banded together? There is stuff she stole that I wasn’t even able to find when I moved!
Steeler likes to “borrow” anything that dangles or shines. Bracelets, watches, strings, ribbons, cords, and her leash (never to be worn). My shoulder wallet is a new one. Now I will have to remember to put it up on a counter or table where she can’t reach the strap.
I know how your Monkey behaves. She loves to borrow from you also. But at least I am able to find Steeler’s loot. (so far)
“So far” being the operative words…. Love this story. None of my cats have ever stoen stuff. A friend of mine (Layla Morgan Wilde – some of you may know her from the Cat Saturday posts I share on Facebook) has a cat who steals. She’s still looking for a very expensive watch that she knows Odin took weeks ago!
You can’t hiiiiiiiddeeeee your lyin’ eyyyyeeeesss… and your smiiiiiiillle can’t disguiiiiise…. I thought by nooowwwwww you’d reeahliiiiiiize…..
Ok, I’ll keep my day job.
Harry please don’t ever quit your day job. I beg you, even if you end up delivering newspapers. 🙂
How was you event today. How did it go.?
Harry on second thought sing that song and use video and send it to me. I will make good use of it for you. I would like to play it outside to see what all comes out of the shrubbery. 🙂
You really are trying to see if Steeler is afraid of something.
That just might do it.
Maybe you also. Steeler might like Harry’s singing. How do we know. But then again those eyes also comes to mind. Harry get to singing on a video. I will know exactly what to do with it. 🙂
I know too. Funniest Home Video’s and $10,000
Sorry Harry 🙂
Jay, now there goes our chance of getting Harry National and WWW exposure and money for the rescue groups. Of course U Tube for sure. Start Singing Harry for the kittens sake 🙂
Well no monetary reward Harry, but the laughter that could be given to so many would be such a great gift of humbleness on your part. I could be certain there are a number of places with large venues I could have that played. I’m thinking ………….. but aaaaawwwww he does say no.
I kind of learned how to use my camera, at least enough to upload a couple of pics…they’re on Ingrid’s wall…can’t figure out yet how to put them in the album lol
Hey wild child those are great looking girls. Your Monkey has such a nice blend. Poor beauty has to hear Hard Metal. She needs TLC music. Peaches is also a very beautiful kit. I don’t see her liking the camera just yet. You better watch out, she is going to take it off you. Love them both.
Thanks! And yeah, Peaches is feeling a little harassed….lol…I’d better put the camera in a safe place and leave her alone for a while.
The thing I find hardest to believe is that they were both ignored, neglected, and unwanted. How could anyone with a heart look at those sweet faces and not want them?
You’d be surprised at people. The longer I do rescue, the less I like people. The intake requests, the reasons people “can’t” keep their cats, the number of times someone moves, turns out a cat and leaves her behind… fortunately, I get to deal also with the other end, and see happy adopters take kitties home. Otherwise, it would just be too depressing to continue.
Hopefully the good outweighs the bad.
We are all happy that you do this and are proud of you.
Don’t want to say how I feel about those other people.
Hard to believe, but fate was that they find you and you find them. Same with Steeler, Kasey and Stir. It just took a while but they have no worries now. Loved and spoiled.
Lianimal a little love goes a long long way with the little abandoned and abused cats. Harry, Jay, Glen and I know that. We have little ones that went thru a lot to find up. Just thanks for taking them in and caring for them. Harry works relentlessly trying to help strays find forever home. His worked takes a special person.
I get to watch Harry in action tonight! I’m meeting him and Julie toward the tail end of their adoption event and will go out to dinner with them afterwards. Here’s hoping that all the cats will have found new homes by the time I get there!
Lucky you Ingrid.
Hope to hear you had good luck on finding homes for them all. And thinking of a little sister for Ruby 😛
That sounds like a great idea. To bad the PA gangsters could not attend. Hope Harry has a very successful event today. You folks have a diet gingerale for me.
5 kittens adopted tonight – Ingrid must have been the charm. We haven’t done that many adoptions in a single Friday night in months. My favorite adoption of the evening was the couple with whom I’d been corresponding for several days. They came to see two of the kittens, and when they saw that there were just three in the litter… they took all three. Of course, I then tried to get them to take the mom, too, but my luck ran out 😉
We had a nice evening, a great dinner, and I don’t think that the Friday Night Cat Crew scared Ingrid away. I’m hoping she’ll even come back again at some point!
Harry sounds like you had a great event. Trying to get a couple to take Mom + 3, well that was really stretching it. You did well as it is. Maybe you need to bring Ingrid to the events more often. Maybe she can combine her book signings for adoptions, adopt a stray and received an autographed, discounted book from Ingrid. I think I just heard her screaming, WHAT.
Ingrid now has to come to all those events. Hundred of kittens are counting on her to help them get a forever home.
I’m sure Allegra and Ruby would understand.
And I will put up a few bucks for every book given away to each new cat owner. Best charity I can think of.
Hey gang an update on Steeler and her behavior. Today I was a little concerned, she was just laying around. Well she was up late. Then she was ticked because her mom ran out of her favorite cat food. Quick trip to the store, yes, of course. So while she was eating, the dairy queen commercial came on tv. It advertises a blizzard and has a gray striped kitten meowing on the commercial. Well, Steeler looked and around she goes. She is off and looking for that cat. It has been going on for about 10 minutes now. Great she is finally getting exercise. That tail is swishing and twitching like a flag on a windy day. To bad that commercial is so short.
Clearly, staff is not living up to Steeler’s expectations. Running out of her favorite food – unacceptable!
I’m glad to hear the commercial perked her up! Too funny.
Awww!
Is this the one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eibkUoRdOM
Not this one. The one we heard and saw was for the Dairy Queen Blizzard. One gray stripped gray meowing in the commercial.
You guys had a busy night here last night! I can honestly say that not even in my my wildest dreams would I have thought about a book signing with a football theme – but stranger things have happened. You just never know… 🙂
We knew that would intrigue you. What more could you want. The perfect combo.
Sure would help on placing Torties in forever homes. And out there they have a whole season to get them adopted. Could start something that would cover a whole state.
I see thelocal shelter is doing the same thing the shelter near Harry has. Cat adoptions using the Cats of the Caribbean theme
To all Tortie family, I am going to break my own rule about speaking of family on here, but tonight while we are enjoying ourselves with our relaxing banter, I went to my son’s FB page and —–
Well let me just ask for anyone who rides a motorcycle or wants to go to my FB page. I just posted what my son came upon today on his way home from DC. My heart is heavy for what he encountered, but proud of what he did. He is asking for people to stop and say or think good thoughts for the two people who had a deer run in front of their bike while they were enjoying a bike ride. I am asking the same, also a silent thought, when and if you read the post, for Eric also. He sees a lot in his job. But this is something that hurts to his core.
Thank you all and please watch for those deer.
I’m currently in a political arguement on FB…I’m such an outspoken beyoch….can’t help myself, wild child and all that, ya know lol
Are you winning ?
You don’t mean the one with me, my college roommate and Rand Paul, do you? There’s no argument there, other than me yanking his chain. No one’s winning that argument, we’re all on the losing end.
And isn’t that Sad.
Politicians fight while the people lose.
I will still take my innocent life over the politician any day. First one to laugh will answer to ME. Steeler’s trainer.
lol, no, but one of the comments I made on that thread prompted a republican friend to IM and try to educate me….lol
And when I say arguement, I don’t mean losing tempers and calling names. I rarely if ever lose my temper, I’m a pretty even keel person. More like a debate that ends when you give up, I give up, or we agree to disagree.
Detour through Michigan, anyone? I don’t have a car, and there’s not a bus or train from here to there lol
In the Summer. No way will that be a winter trip.
Jay Pittsburgh will cooperate with a book signing for the Black and gold Torties. Everyone wear Black and Gold. Ingrid could rest for a long time. It would be great if that could be pulled off. We need to wait for Ingrid to wake up. If she did it would have to be tied into football season. Hopefully they will play football and stop this lockout for a contract.
Hey wild child, with your energy, I think you could find your way to Pgh. No doubt about you. Jay would be there. The Biker guy who knows maybe he would have a spare friend.
Already have 2 friends in Pittsburgh now. 3 would be even better.
And always wanted to meet the famous Steeler Mascot. From a distance.
I think that’s why Bernie put in that glass panel in the door – so you and I could see Steeler with a safe barrier inbetween. We’ll just stay out in the yard.
But that’s only a single glass panel. Won’t stop a tortie. Hope I can run faster than you 🙂
(mental note – wear sneakers before book signing and Tortie visit)
Harry if you guys can pull off a pgh trip, I will talk to Steeler about how she should not behave to good friends. I think I better make that very very good friends for her. I think she would love to meet you all. Then they is the other cat scents on everyone. She just might take that into account. Wow that could be interesting, very interesting. Let’s get Ingrid to try to pull it off.
What’s that old joke Jay – I don’t have to outrun the tortie, I only have to outrun you?
Oh shoot, am I going to have to put the kitty protector shield on that door also to protect the glass from Steeler. Better know how to run not just a jog.
However, knowing how very well behaved Harry’s babies were when we seen them, Steeler would probably do the same thing. Make herself behave in spite of herself. I just bet she would pull that off. It must be a ccc thing. (Cat communication center).
Oh boy Harry and Jay, if you two remember that old joke you are both in trouble. That makes you to old to run. You will be Tortie prey for sure.
Well, when Doug was up today he was ble to pet Stir and even took her from my arms. Pics are n my FB page. She didn’t look happy but did not bite. But she has seen him before.
And last week I saw a guy at Walmart with the shirt that said” I don’t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you”
With Steeler at my heals I bet I could fly.
Remember how we thought we were going to actually be the brunch at Harry’s. Well we were treated as honored guests. All were on their very best behavior. I think even Harry was in shock. So I imagine the same would happen to me.
Jay the friend that held Stir proves my point, she may have seen him before, and let him hold her, but she lives with you full time and goes from cold to searing hot at you in seconds. She just showed today, that she could do what Harry’s babies did. Be nice to everyone. Get you later.
I still remember expecting to see a battle at Harry’s and what I saw was very content family of little furry babies.
Jay, how could you fly even if your life depended on it.
I remember hearing about a road trip Harley took (advantageous for him) across the farm lands. You were worn out just walking him back home across the fields to home. Then you had to struggle to walk back to get your car. Seems you said you were really out of shape.
You folks remember that. I know you all do.
I remember that trip for Harley and th walk to and back. But then I didn’t have a killer cat coming at me. Fear can make you run much faster.
Jay it can also cause you to step into a grinny squirrel hole and fall. Quick
How big are those grinny squirrel ‘s out in Wester Pa ?
Here they are 6 – 8″ . If I trip and fall in one of their holes they must be the size of a dog.
And I would think Steeler wuld have scared them off.
Jay they are the same size here. But first the mole moves in under the dirt, that that other thing moved in, it looks like a mole but has a very short tail, then the grinnies move into that and then the construction begins underground. Next thing you know they condo entrances everywhere and yes then the groundhog has to go in to check the hotel out. So stepping into one make you easy bait.
But Harry would come back to help me , right?
HARRY HARRY COME BACK HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay. Told. One. Too. Many. Lawyer. Jokes.
uh uh Knew those lawyer jokes were not a wise move. Harry says, your on your own big guy.
You forget about my sister. I have a folder on my PC filled with Lawyer Jokes.
plus there are a lot of web sites
Wonder why ???
http://www.ahajokes.com/lawyer_jokes.html
Low hanging fruit.
I didn’t forget about your sister, though – she was the one who reminded me to grab your car keys before I started running from Steeler.
Darn Lawyers stick together.
Is that their Hypocritic Oath 🙂
I think that is called protecting thy own self first. 🙂
My friends I have asked Ingrid to take over Steeler medical questions and information while I handle Steeler and can talk to all of you about everything we do on here. So I thank you for accepting the request to ask Ingrid if you have questions about Steeler’s health. I want all of you to understand I know you are a great group of family here and will help me that way. In the meantime it is business as usual here. Jay and Lynn, so far I have a pill popper that is working rather well. If I need someone for Mad Tortie scratch takeover I’ll be sure to put you both on my list.
Jay a few more bites on your fingers would never be noticed. Lynn from your work with the kits you probably wouldn’t mind a few scratches. But I have to warn you guys, Steeler is A STEELER, BLACK and GOLD. She will attack. You seen what the BLACK AND GOLD DID ON DWTS LAST NIGHT. THEY ARE FERROUS. SHE WILL WIN.
Shoot Bernie, I worked in Pitbull rescue for years…99% of them were big friendly muscular clowns, and none of them were aggressive toward humans, but some of them were aggressive toward other dogs. Had to do the “Crate and Rotate” thing with those guys, and a few times I had one who had been fine before hit that magical two to three year old mark that certain pitbulls can occasionally hit and suddenly decide to try to eat another dog….scars I have, and I’m not scared to get another one. A tortie, however fierce, can’t do the damage a pittie can.
Except maybe Stirfry or her mom……
Well let me just say that Steeler has that sweet, loving innocent, good girl look. Stir has the reach and your mine. Well Stir warns you, Steeler just attacks when pretty kitty is said. No warning. She pulls you in with that look and then your dead meat. Brave men and women have found that out the hard way.
As an unknowing Vet found out. Innocent looking but don’t touch.
Steelers are on a roll !!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing holds them back.
Now if they would just get their selves back to playing football. Steeler can’t wait. Steeler’s take no prisoners. Black and gold rules, that’s is the Torties. Black and Gold rule on the field, that is the Steelers.
Never thought I’d be saying this but I am looking forward to the football season.
Hey we could throw a book signing party with Ingrid in the Pgh area as the Black and Gold Tortie event in downtown Pgh. Would that not be a great idea. Football season in Pgh and the Tortie book signing of the Black and Gold Torties.
Road Trip !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe Rachel can drive the family up there.
I could! I could legally drive everyone there!
I am all into that. See what we can do when we all start to think Black and Gold. We will all be Tortie + Steelers soon. It would be fantastic to pull a book signing in black and gold in Pgh during the football season. Advertise something like that and all of the Steeler fans show up.
Ingrid would not have enough books.
Love to have Rachel drive everyone up. Not that long a trip.
And you would have to have a poster of Steeler, as we all know – personal appearances are out. Liability insurance to protect all the fans would be expensive.
And, as far as my post last night about the digital camera and being able to finally share pics of Monkey and Peaches……it turns out the “friend of a friend” who built my computer ( I KNEW it was too good to be true) installed a bootleg version of windows 7 that isn’t compatible with my legitimate Kodak Camera. I guess I have to buy REAL windows and figure out how to install it and get rid of whatever it is I have now so it will work.
O…M….G!!!!!! American Idol is playing in the background….Stephen Tyler is playing Piano and singing “Dream On”!!!!!! SWEET!
I got lucky, Monkey will eat just anything. When I got her she was full of worms…I bought worm pills……I was so nervous, anticipating a fight. I was getting a piece of cheese out to try and see if she would take it like that, Monkey walked up, wanted to see what was in my hand, I showed her the pill and she just ate it! It was BEYOND frickin’ sweet! lol
Bernie….Monkey, Peaches and me are all sending our best hopes and wishes toward you and Steeler. She’ll be fine, higher powers permit…..she has you, and that’s probably all she would ever need or want. You’re the one I have sympathy for, because you have to give a tortie a pill every day…how awful will that be! lol….seriously through, if I lived closer I’d offer to come help hold her for you once a week or so (I’d need a week in-between for the scratches and bites to heal before I “helped” again.
I’ll volunteer for the other week.
I am familiar with torties so I know how to bandage myself real fast. And what are a few more scratches (and bites, missing fingers, nerve damage etc)
That’s what friends are for.
LMAO…THAT’s the spirit!
Hey everyone, at Bernie’s request, I wanted to update you all on the latest on Steeler (not related to her recovery from her surgery, which, as you already know from Bernie’s update, is going well.).
The vet ran a repeat blood panel the day of the surgery, and unfortunately, it showed that Steeler is hyperthyroid. That explains the rapid weight loss, ravenous appetite, and increased heart rate. Hyperthyroidism is a very common diagnosis in cats, and if you have to get a diagnosis of something, this is actually one of the better ones to get, since it’s easily treated. For now, Steeler is on once a day methimazole, a medication that is designed to regulate the thyroid. She’ll go back to the vet’s in a month to be rechecked, and to see if she may be a candidate for the radioactive iodine treatment, which actually cures the disease. If she’s not a candidate, or if Bernie chooses not to go that route, Steeler will need to continue to take the medication.
Bernie would prefer to not be bombarded with a lot of questions, so let’s just let her know that we are, of course, concerned about Steeler, and that we’re here for her. I’ll keep you updated on Steeler’s medical status as needed, but rather than worrying about her (which I’m sure Bernie is doing plenty of, as we all would!), let’s focus on the fact that she’s a happy girl who’s just dealing with a few health challenges right now. We know it takes a lot more than that to keep a tortie down!
If you all have general questions about hyperthyroidism, I’ll be more than happy to answer them. There’s also an article here on the site with more information about it (you might as well get your information from a reputable source ;-)): https://ingridking.com/2010/08/23/hyperthyroidism-in-cats/
Like you said – Nothing keeps a Tortie down.
Sending prayers for a fast recovery.
We are there for you both.
Good to hear that Steeler is improving. Did she watch Dancing with the stars to see a Steeler MVP win? lol
Where did you think some of those votes came from. Bernie’s gonna have a high phone bill this month.
Steeler sent a message that if the Steeler Nation didn’t make a Steeler the winner on DWTS’s the Tortie’s would tear the town down. No doubt about who was going to win. You can’t ever rule out a Steeler. 🙂
This also explains the black and gold fur on my phone. STIRFRY !!!!!!!!!!!!
No allowance for you this week.
Good girl Stir. I will send you your allowance. The Black and Gold prevails again.
The only weird thing about Nikita and her tail is that she keeps it straight up in the air all the time she’s on her feet, like there is some imaginary string pulling it up. I have never seen another cat do that. Luna on the other hand flicks hers around constantly like she’s mad. They don’t move their tales in their sleep though. I swear they are studying us. Luna looks at me like I’m nuts half the time.
So Bernie is there a Steeler update? How is that pretty little girl doing? Is she eating and back to herself yet?
Sue, it is strange about the tail routines of Torties. Steeler’s is a tale tale sign. Bernadette taught me what it meant when she walks away after being told no and holds her tail straight and flips the tip as she walks away. But her tail is normally up, when she is walking around. Once in a while she seems to be prowling and takes the attack mode with her tail. Her tail flicks in her sleep all the time.
Our little girl is a little tired, but she is a trooper. She is eating, but her energy levels are still a bit on the low side. She is not a kitten and while she did well from the dental surgery, she is a little slow getting back. But each day I hope to see a new sign of improvement. Thanks so much for asking.
After having teeth pulled I did not feel like eating or doing much so I would think she is healing slow but sure. Will be at 100% soon. Torties bounce back fast. And wake up from Anesthesia even faster. Just ask that Vet.
Stirfry is always alert and ready for trouble. I madly love her.
Tail question
When Stirfry sleeps her tail is still moving. Pumpkin and Tabatha do not do this.
Is this just her or a Tortie thing?
It’s as if she is still on guard and ready to attack.
But if I touch her she wakes up as if it was a deep sleep. Dreams?
Kasey’s tail rarely stops, too.
Getting interesting. How about everyone else.
Does your torties tail sleep with the rest of her and move at all times?
Steeler’s is always moving her tail. I think it winds them up for when they decide what they are going to do.
Not Brooke. She does everything with enormous intensity – play, love, sleep. When she sleeps, she’s curled in a tight ball, tail tucked in, so deeply asleep that you can startle her. We call it her “power nap.”
In Brookes’s cas, yes, I could believe Power Napping. There are 6 others she has to keep in place plus her humans. That calls for power napping.
And Peaches is actually harrassing her lol
Peaches is harassing Monkey. Well that sounds familiar from a couple of our folks that post one here. Blamed the wrong cat. By the way, should or could we just use Lynn to post to you. It is easier to spell?
lol…Lynn’s good. The name Lianimal came from my favorite cousin Brad (RIP). He used to do an SNL skit (Lynn, the Lynninator, Lynn tin tin, lynnimal, liANIMAL!” lol
lol….Peaches always acts like she’s so abused, I just SAW her chasing Monkey down the hall…I SAW it! She is a devious thing, I think, who gets monkey in trouble on purpose! See, all this time we were assuming Monkey was the troublemaker because that’s how torties are, but right now at this moment Monkey is lying here bored as hell, waiting for me to play her some Monkey music
Sounds like Sabrina – Brooke antics. Get a fight going then blame the Tortie. No wonder they have a bad rap. Wonder if it’s Pumpkin that’s starting all these fights in my house 🙂
Jay, I have been quiet all day on her, but not on this one. You can’t blame Pumpkin for picking on anyone. He is a gentle baby who brings daddy a mouse for breakfast in bed. He would never start a fight. Can’t let you give him a bad rap. 🙂
Your so right. He is too innocent to start a fight (at least a claws out teeth bared fight)
He will chase Stir like a kitten chase and adult cat. He just wants to play. A 23 lb. kitten.
And there is no way Stir would be made out to be the bad one and she is innocent. Stir is a BAD ASS cat.
Ok now let’s now give Stirfry a bad rap here.
STIRFRY PERSONIFIES WHAT A TORTIE CAT REALLY IS. IT IS A DON’T MESS WITH ME. STIR IS AN ORIGINAL.
I heart Stirfry
Stir says thank you ( well a hiss that was either thank you or feed me – NOW)
I just got my Obituary CD! And A Static Lullaby
YAY! Just bought a digital camera!!! I found it on sale at Meijer (for those who don’t have a Meijer, it’s an all in one store, sort of like a Super Wal-Mart, groceries, pharmacy, clothing, etc, but privately owned, more localized and less cheap) for 99.99, originally priced at 199.99. It’s a Kodak EasyShareM590
Tomorrow I’ll figure out how to use it, and by this weekend I should have some pics of grumpy old Peaches and the goofy Monkey to share…YAY!
Can’t wait to see pictures of Monkey and Peaches!
Take videos of them talking. We want to see how Steeler reacts to them.
Tortie talk.
This video by The Agonist breaks my heart. I’m not a PETA fan, in fact I got into an argument with Alyssa White Gluz (the singer/star of the video lol) about that on Facebook a while back, but some of the footage they gave for this video is very powerful.
Warning….Bernie, if you watch it turn the sound off first, it’s Monkey music!
http://youtu.be/pZo4bOZf3B4
Pretty Calico in the video too
Could not watch it. Never saw the calico.
Can’t stand to see animals treated like this.
I love the song, but yeah, the vid always makes me tear up. And I’m not girly at all….usually when I hear of or see anything having to do with animal cruelty I just get angry and prepare to fight. If it was just animal cruelty it would probably make me that way, but the whole thing put together like that….it’s really just about the wrongness of the world today….carelessness, thoughtlessness…the cruelty of mankind to those less fortunate…..just sad. Even the pretty Calico is being hugged by a lonely cat lady sitting by herself in the dark. Great song, though…You could start it and open another window quick so you don’t see the video. That’s what I usually do, or, since I have both of their CDs, just listen to it.
Ingrid what does it mean if a post has to “wait for moderation”?
If you post a link to something – like youtube song, it will go thru.
If you post 2 links it suspects spam so Ingrid has to approve it.
Good for all of us as none wants spam on this site.
Might be that.
Sue, the site is acting a little wonky right now – I had to actually approve my own comments! It should be back to normal shortly.
Normal is not what we are used to. Remember Torties want nothing to do with “normal” cats.
Drat I posted something and it disappeared!!
I think something and as I walk into another room it disappears also.
I suspect the doorway does it because as I walk thru it again I remember.
Wormhole maybe?
lol…I have one in my apartment too
Some mellow music
Earth Wind and Fire
first saw them on MTV back in 1980. Back when all MTV had was good video’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8uTnPsLl20
Jay—-I think Nikita may be quite interested in you, she likes men, I call her the hussy. I don’t think she’d scratch or bit you. She is a bit more people friendly than her sister Luna. Luna will watch you from a distance or come up and sniff your shoes but she is not likely to approach unless you are eating something she finds interesting.
Ingrid—- John has had Type 1 diabetes for almost 4 years now (he was diagnosed just after his 9th birthday) No Type 1 anywhere else in the family. We do okay, I belong to a couple of really wonderful online support groups and he goes to a diabetes camp every year in the Sequoia National Forest for a week. I am resigned to the fact that I will never have a full night’s sleep again but I have gotten used to only getting 5 hours a night. Keeps me on my toes if not flat on my face. lol
Nikita loves to get in the bathroom garbage and tear the toilet paper so we keep the bathroom door shut. Funny thing is she will run in there and try to hide behind the shower curtain with her rear end and tail sticking out thinking I can’t see her. Gives me a giggle every time! Luna just likes to sit in the tub.
I hate keeping the trash under the sink but I guess I will have to try it again.
Cats always forget that tail. Gives them away every time. 🙂
Bernie,
Good to hear that Steeler is getting better and wanting to sit in “her” sunroom.
I am trying to keep Nikita out of the trash can, seriously. It did have a lid but the girls broke it and last night after John took the trash out Nikita tried to get on the sill and knocked over the can and the broom and both cats took off running. I want to get one of those metal cans with the lid that lifts when you step on it but they are expensive.
Sue, it might be better to get a flat piece of wood and construct a safe top for the can you have. It can be done with a little imagination. Just cover the wood with a piece of carpeting or something non slip so Nikita doesn’t slip off and get hurt. A metal trash can lid might be a little slippery for her.
Bernie, I was thinking the same thing. A couple pieces of plywood with flat top. Some places like K-mart or maybe Walmart (I will look tonite) have these premade.
With a little imagination, that is something that can be constructed at home. It would be safe.
Check this out
http://www.curbly.com/senseless/posts/636-hide-the-trash-can
If there is a recycle place near you with 2nd hand furniture you could pick up a cabinet for a couple $ and make this
Hey this is a great idea, Jay. I actually have new wooden kitchen cabinets, in the basement. I just may decide to take my trash can down there and see if I can fit my can in one. I could cover the top with the ceramic tile to match the tile around my counter tops. Not that Steeler could get on the can, but it would hide the trash. What a smart idea, even for me.
I’ll be getting the tools back out.
And now that Steeler is familiar with the tools she can help you.
Not sure if they understand Flat head vs. Phillips screwdriver though.
I have a store near me where contractors and home owners donate good materials for resale.
Doors, cabinets, fridge, hardware etc. I got a wall cabinet for my barn for $15
Uh oh. Bernie and Steeler with powertools. Evacuate Pennsylvania, now.
Hey sure Steeler knows her tools. Remember she helped me reassemble the door for her. I asked for the screwdriver, and she gave me the boot. Oh well it takes time to learn.
Evacuate PA Well Harry, that might be a good idea. But this is to good an idea not to try. I already have everything I would need. Including but not limited to power tools.
Jay, I have one of those as well–that’s where I got that lovely green sink and toilet for my bathroom renovation, plus other things, several windows, and this past weekend a new floor, cabinets and bookshelves for my studio.
I ended up with my trash can under the sink for someone always rooting through it…
Long before we had kids, we had child-proof locks on the cabinet under the sink, where the trash can lived, to keep little paws out. When the kitchen was remodeled about 7 years ago, the contractor (a cat person himself – he has a tortie) suggested a cabinet that opens like a drawer, with the can inside. It’s great.
Sue, see there you get all kinds of good information here. A thought turns into a real practical way of doing things. Jay has thoughts filed away somewhere. He just goes and pulls them up.
I think he is one of the people that hoards away everything for when of if they think they will need it.
Duct Tape and Sledge Hammer is what I used mostly.
Sawsall was used over the weekend on my ATV.
Rusted bolts were not a problem (tire cut in half now IS a problem) 🙂
Bernadette, I never even knew about these stores until 3 years ago. Amazing what people get rid of. Between that and Craigs List I never have to buy new items.
Bernie, you are so right. Boxes of stuff in my garage. And when I finally get rid of things someone will ask for it a day later.
Jay that’s a fantastic idea but I’m not handy with tools, live in an apt, no garage to work in and have no talent with wood. Want to come out to CA and bulid it for me? lol I’m sure Nikita would be ever so thankful and she would let you pet her (maybe)
Sue, a road trip to Calif. sounds great. Have to wait till I get another engine in my Saturn (2 weeks from now). As to petting a dangerous Tortie – I do that every day. I am well skilled in this.
Paramedics say they’ve never seen a tourniquet done so well done.
Nope Harry’s goooone.
I’m sorry to hear about your son, Sue – that has to be so worrisome!
Ruby had her first encounter with a trash can the other day. The one in the kitchen has the kind of lid that released when you press down a button, and it would have to be the perfect storm (let alone more pressure than Ruby’s weight would ever be able to provide, even at a flying leap), but the other night, I was fixing a salad and left it open while I was cutting stuff up. All of a sudden I hear a crash, and there’s Ruby, precariously balancing on the rim, trying not to fall in!
Allegra used to tip over my open trash can in the bathroom, it has since been replaced with another covered, push/release model.
Good morning!
Hey Bernie
Luna and Nikita want to know how Steeler is today? Did you get any sleep? I didn’t but it didn’t have to do with Tortie’s, I was up because my son had low blood sugars most of the night and I had to keep checking him.
Hope your girl is doing well and my girls send a big “get well soon” howl to her.
Sue
Sue it is good to hear from you. I am sorry to hear about your son, that I know, is very hard to deal with. I hope you get it up and under control.
I don’t know if I slept or passed out. I didn’t even turn off the lamp. Woke up the AM and the lamp was still on (so was the TV). But I slept sound.
Steeler is doing good. She is staying in the sunroom where she can look out the door. She doesn’t want her Med but she has no choice, eating well and resting.
Thanks, I tell her you sent her a big howl. Keep Nikitia from dropping into the trash can. Never can tell where they may go. 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad Steeler’s better. Such a beautiful girl.
Agreed. 🙂
Wierdly enough, both Peaches AND Monkey seem to like this. It’s some really wierd stuff though, I’m not sure I like it lol
http://youtu.be/CWUmw2ITaFA
I’m with Peaches and Monkey. I like it – a lot. Will definately listen to their other songs.
And when I played it, Pumpkin who was in the room at my feet did not leave.
You’re right. I gave it another listen….I’m not usually into industrial, but they’re good, actually starting to grow on me.
Monkey metal of the day…..these guys are really good…to me…..worth a listen anyway…thry have a lot of hits, this isn’t one, it’s just my favorite on the album lol
http://youtu.be/35ozUTJI1rc
That was ok
Same group
EkoTren – Point Of View
I like this better – Still Monkey music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbdq3EAjMAA
Peaches metal moment of the day..The Who isn’t usually considered metal, but I consider them metal because they used instruments unfamiliar to other bands at the time, were very innovative……TELL me you don’t hear metal in this song..mellow metal, of course, or it wouldn”t be a Peaches choice……
lol
http://youtu.be/BfuWXRZe9yA
Very good. Brings back memories. 🙂
I have a new Tortie tale to tell:
Remember how Luna has claimed the top of the fridge as her own? Well, Nikita hasn’t been able to climb up there so she’s striking out for new territory. Yesterday was a nice breezy day so I had the window in the kitchen open since I can’t leave the door open because the kitties think it’s their own personal rock climbing wall. Anyway…..Nikita is usually content to sit on the kitchen table and look out the window but yesterday she decided she wanted to be up close and personal with the open window (screen covered). She jumped up on the open trash can balanced on the edge of the can and tried to get on the window sill. She didn’t quite make it the first time and landed squarely in the middle of the trash can and was NOT a happy tortie. When I got her out she tried it again…..same result…into the can. I guess the 3rd time is a charm because she ended up on the sill and sat there for almost an hour making chirping noises at the birds. So I guess my torties are tree dwellers as Mr. Galaxy would say. 🙂
Torties never give up.
Glad she didn’t shred that can trying to get out.
You dont want to laugh but it’s hard holding back.
The Tortie treats are at the ready. Thank you Sue.
Sounds like it may have taken Nikita a little time to figure out how to maneuver to get up there, but that no quit Tortitude came thru. I guess may you will now have to put a cover on the trash can. Would want her to just sit in there and sleep. Just kidding.
Hooray!
Sounds like Steeler is feeling just fine! Better keep those treats handy!
SHE’S BAAAAACCCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!!
STEELER’S IS HOME!!! THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT.
Steeler went thru the surgery and did well. Her heart is sound. Her blood work shows does not indicate and other problems. Another blood panel was drawn after surgery to confirm this, and the vet will call me in the morning to assure me.
Last night was a very long night. Steeler was so angry she couldn’t have her night time snack, that she kept smacking me with her paw, and then crawled up on my pillows and started trying to clear off my nightstand. Then I realized she had watched me put her treats in the drawer of the nightstand, no dummy here. Around 4 AM I knew I had to do something to get some sleep for a couple of hours. Well I did something I have never don’t, and turned off sunroom and interior back door security codes and opened the back door, turned on the porch light and she went out there and watched out the door. I guess I slept for a hour or so. It was extremely hard when I got up to have her following all around talking and snarling for food. She finally got so angry she got in the kitty carrier, Thank God, I thought, we were leaving in just about 10 minutes.
Well I got her to the vet, she does like to car ride, and took her in. I stayed with her while they started to check her out and weigh her again. When they were ready to draw blood and get ready for the ultrasound, the vet said, “We can handle it from here”, you go home and rest. oh yes, uh uh I drove to Pgh. so i would not be alone.
Well I did call the vet around 1:30 and was told the surgery was over and everything went well, but of course Steeler was still under and hadn’t awakened. Probably would sleep another couple of hours.
I went over about 4:15 to wait to get her. As soon as I entered the hosp. I heard her. She definitely was awake. I smiled at the receptionist and said “That’s my girl”. A client there wanted to know what is that. I smiled and very sweetly said that is my Tortie Cat, called Steeler.
That is her normal sound. The client said Oh my, my dog’s back there. I said nothing. I was then taken back and Steeler was in her kitty carrier all ready to come home. I looked in and she started raising the roof with me. I just laughed and said ok,we are going home.
There was only one minor casualty at the hosp, when the assistant reached in the carrier to check Steeler’s heart and chest sounds, she thought Steeler was still under because she was not moving. Wrong. One hand, two lightning fast paws with claws exposed, and Steeler drew some blood from her. One tetanus shot coming up.
Asked about when she could eat, the vet said well make is soft, but she probably won’t eat anything tonight she is pretty sore. Also she has to stay on Antibiotics for another 10 days, because the infections in her jaw was pretty bad and they did some scraping to help clean it up. No stitching, want it to drain. Also when she is ready to eat give her whatever she wants to get that weight back up to 7#. She weighed in today at 6.12#. Not a problem, Turtle pie here we come.
So, you ask, when will she eat. Well I am going to place to pics on CC FB page and my FB page. As soon as I opened her carrier, she made dash for her food bowl. Which was not there. I had it there really fast with soft food in it. She ate like she was starved. To cans of Friskies Fancy Feist pate’.
My deepest heartfelt thanks to all of you. Steeler is back and I will let her games begin again. But wait, she already started. 🙂
N
EXCELLENT NEWS!!!! 🙂
Today is a stat holiday here and I have been checking the forum regularly waiting for this message.
And I can relate to the odd noises at the vet, they aren’t normal cat sounds, for sure. 😉
I’m so happy! This is wonderful news! I’m so glad everything went so well (well, except for the assistant who experienced the wrath of a sleep and food deprived tortie!), and so relieved that her bloodwork and heart all look good.
I bet you and Steeler willl sleep well tonight!
As with Glen, I’ve been waiting all day for this message! Excellent news!
The noise? That’s my “Dwarf Leopard.” You should hear her when she’s angry.
You have been a good friend and help in getting me thru this also Harry. Thank you. I would have said that but I was just so happy I just wanted to get her home
Many thanks to you Ingrid. You have been a wonderful and supportive friend. We will sleep well, I hope.
Bernie, we have been waiting all week for this message. Torties everywhere will be proud that a vet who was only used to “normal” cats has be indoctrinated into the wrath of sleeping Tortie.
I had been more worried about you as I know you didn’t get any sleep and been stressed out with your little girl going in today.
Lots of treats and rubs for Steeler.
You got it Jay. Thanks
Guess she showed them! Cookie says “sdwcv vf”, I think that means “go sister!” It also meant she stretched her paw across my keyboard and gripped a bunch of keys. It’s dinner time. These torties let us know when it’s time for the next move!
I love that def Bernadette. Steeler thanks Cookie very much. 🙂
A song for Steeler
Lita Ford – Hungry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XmMlUg4MZo
Jay I think maybe this is to advanced for Steeler. She is not into the birds and the bees. Not going to go there.
Sorry, when I listened to this I heard the music and not the words. Too adult for Steeler I agree. But one of Lita Fords great songs.
Not a problem. I censor her TV and music. The computer is where the problem lies. I still think somehow the Torties are planning something. 🙂
I know they are planning something. Ruby is just learning but once her computer skills expand she will probably lead a Tortie Revolt. With Steeler, Kasey, Brooke (and Sabrina) and Stirfry as Special Forces they will probably take over the Country from Mexico to the North Pole.
The not just us but everyone will be their servants.
Up now and drinking coffee.
Hoping Steeler let Bernie get some sleep last night.
And did not keep the neighbors and Bernadette up. 🙂
To All of my Friends here. Just want you to know, Steeler is angry right now, I gave her the Med (last for the day) She is taking her Tortie hissy fit out on my wooden chair legs. It is going to be a long night. She may be down, but she sure is not out.
Better the chair leg than your leg.
I just got home and think I read all the posts.
I really want to wish you well during tomorrow’s stressful ordeal. I KNOW Steeler will be ok as I have read a lot how teeth in cats is very routine and Steeler is not a cat but a Tortie so she will be herself in no time. Will want to know why you withheld treats.
But you will be a wreck waiting till you have the go ahead to take her home.
All Moms are the same way.
But we will all be wating for the words “Steelers Home”
Jay I promise you all, when I get her home , I will definitely sent the message that “Steeler’s Home”. I don’t think she will be talking so I will talk for her. Hell I can’t talk like her forget it. Just remember she sounds like a cross between a lion and a tiger. Not happy cats either.
I know exactly how she sounds – like Stirfry but not as angry at the world.
So Steeler is a littlle Liger.
That is about as close as you can get in describing it. Will be good to hear it again.
Glen and I knew exactly how she sounds. As Bernadette said – That Tortie War Cry that paralyzes all that hear it
See I knew I would not mention someone/
Glen I meant to say that you just went thru this not to long ago and I know you know what I am going thru. I thank you also. I know you are out there for us.
We will be home tomorrow evening. I just know it.
I am sure you already know this or have been told this but she could be a bit wobbly when she comes home.
Kasey was but it went away by the next day. I just made sure she did not have the opportunity to fall down the stairs.
She bounced back quite well.
No matter what, I know it is always a concern until it is done.
Thanks Glen, I do now. I will protect her with my life if I have to. 🙂
I just re-read what I wrote and I could see another meaning taken from it.
As in falling down the stairs and bouncing back.
She was a bit wobbly and I made sure she didn’t have an opportunity for injuring herself by falling down the basement stairs or climbing on something, although she can’t jump and isn’t a real climber.
She got over the aesthetic “wobblies” the day after she came home and each day was better after that.
Glen I understood what you were saying. I know you are concerned. We hold these girls close to our hearts.
Ingrid, Harry, Bernadette, Harry, Jay, Sue and all others of our Tortie family. If there is one thing I know and that is you are all here for us.
Steeler will probably be starting her Tude before breakfast, remember she gets her treats around 2AM. I keep then under her pillow. Then no breakfast. I know you will all here one of us.
I will get back to post this after I bring my little buddy home, and she is safe where she belongs.
Thank all of you for your support. This as all of you know has been a very stressful week. I will be so happy when she can raise “Tortie Hell” while just roaming around the house.
Bernie, before I call it a night, I wanted to let you know that I’m keeping you and Steeler in my thoughts and prayers for tomorrow. I know it’s going to be a long day for you. We’re all here for you.
You bet we will. And I don’t want to be there when Steeler doesn’t get her breakfast. Let us know how it goes.
Bernadette, you’re only what, 50 miles away? You’ll HEAR it when Steeler doesn’t get her breakfast. Bernie, it goes without saying (but I’m saying it anyway) that we’ll be thinking of you and Steeler all day tomorrow. Keep us posted.
No breakfast was a real episode. I hope I don’t have to do that again. Thanks you for your help and guidance. 🙂
“I don’t want to be there when Steeler doesn’t get her breakfast.”
I forgot about that when Kasey went in for her surgery in late Dec. 2010. maybe because I am suppressing it 😉
Wishing all the best for tomorrow.
More good wishes – hope everything’s going well so far, and that Steeler makes a very rapid and complete recovery!
Steeler will be ok a recover fast.
I hope Bernie makes a rapid recovery.
Glen the Tortie Roared. All will be well. Thank you for your help and guidance. Kasey set the bar pretty high for Steeler. She almost met it. 🙂
Ingrid thanks for the info on the links and moderator question. I thought my computer was acting up and screwing up the message.
We certainly don’t want spam on here. Enuf trouble with just Torties.
I’m enjoying all the music links! Just to let you know, though, if you put more than one link in a comment, it gets held for moderation and you’ll have to wait for me to approve it manually. If I change that setting, it’ll let too many spam comments through, so if you don’t want to wait for me to pop in to approve the comments with multiple links, then post them one comment at a time.