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
If you don’t talk to your cat about catnip, who will? Another cat went over to the dark side. I’m so happy Steeler is enjoying her nip so much!
😛
Another Tortie on a high. If the dark side makes her that happy, let there be more. She has had a time today. Still napping. Looks like Tortie’s servants are going to be looking for Steeler nip supplier. Should keep him out of trouble. 🙂
I understand a BIG drug deal went down between Eastern Pa and Pittsburgh.
The DEA is lookling into it. They just have to get out of the donut shop where white powder was spotted on the floor.
Well that deal went down with a definite delight to Steeler. A couple of photos up on FB. This is good after an earthquake. Sure calmed Steeler down. How about the rest of you guys. Think it could help you or your little ones. I know a supplier. 🙂
So Steeler scored a little ‘nip! Bernie, you’ll be wandering the mean streets soon enough as her habit grows unless her supplier can keep up with her demand. Well if Uncle Jay was willing to get some to Steeler he’s going to have a list of unhappy torties on hand who didn’t get their drop.
And your son with the DOJ!
I like it when she starts to roll on it!
b
The DOJ your right. That will get his adrenaline flowing. Steeler had a ball but she wore herself out. She even shared with her ducky. That poor ducky takes such a beating. This was a real picker upper for her. Never had real fresh catnip. She will be putting in orders for fresh catnip. I loved watching her.
I am already wandering the mean streets. I was in Pgh and Monroeville today. Washington Blvd. is really bad.
I have empty sticks all over the house from it. It’s a native wildflower and most of the conservation areas I work with have it growing, and of course we don’t spray there so it’s safe to bring some home. I can’t grow it here because the neighbor cats shred it.
Glad you weren’t anywhere near Washington Blvd. last week. I know you must go through there to get to the VA facility.
There are numerous ruined cars along Washington Blvd. The drive up to Highland was really washed out. So stay out of there, they are still working on the roads.
I’m actually really familiar with the issue and know the people in the commissions and public works through my work with conservation groups concerning stormwater management. I just hope they get real with it now that unfortunately people had to die to show them the area was flood prone, and it’s not the only one in Pittsburgh. Just like that huge landslide in Kilbuck Twp. that closed Rt. 65, we saw it coming and no one would listen, they just wanted their development for their “tax base”. Well, enough off-topic for me.
I hear you and you are not off topic. As I drove on the area of Washington, I felt like I couldn’t get off there fast enough. I was thinking of the mother and her 2 children that died there. It is an awful feeling to drive thru there. Mud is still everywhere. So I think because of the area, the city ignored what could happen in that basin.
Public works is still saying not their storm drains problem.
On Topic, Steeler is still napping.
My Casey-cat is a calico, and she definitely has “tortitude”! I think that’s one reason why I love her so fiercely.
We’re also still getting over being shaken up yesterday here (Williamsburg, VA). A student fell into the wall behind me a little while ago, and all I could think was, “Ack! It’s another earthquake!” I’m usually much calmer and more rational than this! The cats clearly got through it a lot better than I did: they all behaved entirely normally when I finally got home to check on them. Casey didn’t seem to notice the other 2 quakes we went through from that fault in 2003, either (we lived a lot closer to it then) – maybe cats just understand that it’s a natural phenomenon and nothing to be upset about!
I still jump at every loud noise, Amy. Allegra and Ruby, on the other hand, are completely calm. I, too, am usually a calm person, but this unsettled me.
Similar names, I have Kasey, the tortie 🙂
We didn’t feel the earthquake here in the Niagara Region of Ontario, at least I didn’t.
However, we are under storm watch and areas not too far north and west of here have tornado warnings up. not real common here but they can happen, one severely damaged the 160 year old town of Goderich on the shore of Lake Huron, last week end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A89SX02_gMw
Kasey is another great name! 🙂 Casey actually was originally K.C., for “Kitty Cat”…but everyone started spelling it Casey, so we just went with it. Of course, now when I call her Casey-cat, I’m being a little redundant!
I hope you were all safe up there and didn’t get much from Irene, either! We lost power here, and I just got mine back on Wed night. Lots in Virginia who still are without power now, though!
It was some earthquake! Michael was watching tv, I was talking to mom in the kitchen. all of a sudden the china cabinet began rattling and the house shook really hard. I was like oh my gosh is this an quake? Get in the door frame. Mom thought it was the washer, because sometimes it does shake the floor!
so we all ran with our cell phones outside. They wouldn’t send calls through or texts. Mom ran into the house to get the landline phone and her car keys to move her car out of the garage. All of our neighbors were outside and we talked to them and everyone couldn’t believe we had an earthquake. Came back inside and checked on all the cats. Everyone was pretty shook up and we didn’t find Pearl at first. They were all jumpy at anynoise.
What a weird day.
When it first started, I thought some critter was running across my roof. Strange where the mind goes. When the rumbling and knocking got worse, I rememeber thinking “that is one heck of a big critter.” Then I realized it was an earthquake. When the walls and the floor started moving, I realized what it was – but even then, there was a sense of disbelief. This is Virginia, for crying out loud!
I know, can’t believe something like this happened in Virginia. My mom thought it was the washer! But something clicked in my mind that the whole house was shaking and it must be an earthquake.
My aunt said she was lying on her bed relaxing and she thought she was having a heart attack – not an earthquake! My grandma said she thought it was trees falling on her roof, and some people thought it was a terrorist attack.
Definitely not something you expect on the East coast. Very glad to hear everyone is ok, if still a bit jumpy.
Buell make the same noises when he walks on the garage roof. Wrong critter though.
It moved a wrought-iron table on the porch about a foot. The cats seem to have recovered, after some initial fright – and Brooke even just came in for a Piper/Sabrina visit, which went well. I wonder now, though, if that’s why Piper was clawing at the bedroom door last night at 4 a.m.? Could she possibly have known that early?
I suppose it’s possible. Someone on my Facebook page commented that she didn’t see any squirrels out and about on her walk yesterday morning. Now that’s definitely unusual. Did they know?
Just one of life’s many mysteries. The cats are still jumpy today – I scraped my chair on the porch as I was getting up and Vickie and Pearl jumped about a foot.
I am asking Harry if Brooke and Sabrina had a falling out or is their was a meeting of 2 Torties.
Seems like it was felt all up and down the East Coast and centered near your place.
Hope the Shubin and King family are OK.
I was wondering the same thing. What the heck did you guys do down there. We felt it all the way to Pittsburgh. I was out shopping and for a minute I thought there must have been something in my water. Hope all our friends and little furry ones are ok.
Next time you want to pull that stunt give us fair warning. We Yanks are not used to surprises. 🙂
I did let Piper out of the bedroom this morning, and she and Brooke had some words before deciding to ignore each other…
That was quite an experience – I’m on the 14th floor and every thing moved and shook. There’s a lot of minor damage around down – and the points fell off of several spires at the National Cathedral. At home, just stuff off of shelves, a small box apparently landed on Henry (very small box) but everyone seems ok, just scared.
Great news Harry. Glad everyone is ok. I am still trying to reach Eric. He is in DC. He is supposed to come home tonight. So far no getting thru to his cell. But like you, I am sure he is ok.
How did the little ones react. Any reaction at all?
Forget the Eric part. The brat posted on FB. He is fine. He has some questions to answer to someone higher up than him.
Uh Uh you don’t mess with MOM. 🙂
Don’t be too harsh with him… cell phones have been jammed and not working well for hours. Even the landline was iffy – not damaged, just overloaded. Remarkably, the internet and Facebook remained viable.
My girls have been through a couple of earthquakes or small tremors in their short lives but it didn’t even phase them. They slept right through it.
I was born and raised in Northern CA right on the Hayward Fault line so earthquakes are a normal occurance to me. It was only in the 89 Loma Prieta quake that lasted awhile and did the most damage was I a tad bit nervous.
We’re fine here, but my nerves are still pretty rattled. I don’t ever want to have to experience anything like this again. I was outside and had just come inside a few seconds before it happened, so I don’t know whether the girls sensed it coming. I just stood under a door jamp and held on to the wall, trying not to hyperventilate. I’ve never been so scared in my life. Once it stopped, I looked for the girls. Allegra was coming out of her safe space in the downstairs shower, and Ruby seemed completely unphased. They recovered much quicker than I did!
Hi all!
Congrats on the new job Jay! Congrats Ingrid on 10,000
I’m still around lurking and reading. I have been really busy getting my son ready for the 1st day of 8th grade.
Back to school shopping just about broke the bank between the school suppliy list and school clothes. I can still hear my wallet wimpering.
Of course my tortie girls had to investigate, smell and poke every strange bag or box that came in the house. They were especially happy with all the new boxes that came in the mail for John’s 13th birthday!
Things with the girls are about the same except they hit the year mark on the 17th. They are big girls now.
Nikita is getting more and more vocal but it seems to be only if we go in the kitchen, then she immediately jumps up on the counter and up to the top of the fridge, she’s fast! She then talks to us the whole time she is up there. If we don’t pay attention she will jump down and go to the next highest point, the top of the microwave. She seems to have taken over Luna’s spot on top of the fridge, she barely goes up there anymore, probably because Nikita is already there. 🙂
They are definitely filling out, but I think Nikita will always be think and sleek.
Hope everyone is well.
A quick comment (both as I am happy to announce it and we need to hit that 10,000 mark) 🙂 but tomorrow is my 1st day at my new job.
Both will be major milestones. Jay, your first day of your new future life. You will be very successful at this, and we all are here to watch you soar.
The 10,000 mark we will all work on. Might just go into orbit on the 26th at 6 PM. For Ingrid.
Happy first day! I hope it’s all you were expecting.
Very good news, Jay! Maybe that’s why Brooke was so peaceful on this evening’s visit to Sabrina and Piper (she nosed around, said “hi” to both cats, and left). She must have known it was a good tortie day and didn’t want to ruin it…
Every days a Tortie day. But so glad Brooke is taking a peaceful approach on meeting Sabrina again. Piper might be helping Henry as a go between cat.
Thanks all for the best wishes.
Going to be a good day.
Congratulations, Jay! Can’t wait to hear how it went.
Congrats Jay!! wishing you the best first day of many good days to come at your new job!!
Will be helping Ingrid hit that big 10k 🙂
Have a great 1st day – hope everything goes well!
We’re not quite at 10,000 yet, Sue 🙂 – maybe by the end of the year.
Glad to hear all is well with you. I’m not surprised at all to hear that Nikita decided she needed to be “top cat” when it comes to the top of the fridge!
I loved Bernadette’s comment about a Tortie caterpiller
http://portraitsofanimals.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/a-fuzzy-black-visitor/
will now look at them in a different way now.
That little caterpillar definitely had some tortitude standing up to two black cats and then to Cookie’s scrutiny.
The gold and black brings out the attitude, remember that caterpiller was only facing black cats at first and Cookie is a mellow Tortie.
Now Steeler or Kasey would have played throw the caterpiller. (I know Steeler tosses things with a backwards paw towards the kitchen table)
Cookie liked poking her nose on it when it was rolled in a ball. Actually Mewsette and Mr. Sunshine did start up a little hockey game with it and it would have gotten ugly has hockey does, which is why I put the little thing outside. And I hope it grows some more orange.
Definately want a LOT of orange.
No bad winters for us.
Now this one is just for fun. So you can all laugh. I won’t be insulted.
I am not know to be a good cook. Got that not great, but not good. So I have baked a cake for a friend. Poor friend, I hope a good sense of humor exists within my friend.
Steeler won’t eat any of my cooking either. Does that tell you guys something? Please don’t ever have a get together and ask me to bring something. We will all live to regret that. 🙂 🙂
I think my girls would be extremely worried about me if I started cooking all of a sudden…along the lines of “who are you and what have you done with our Mom???”
I love my time in the kitchen with the kids! That’s probably because I love my time in the kitchen and they love me when I love what I’m doing. They even like my vegetable soup. We just can’t figure out what you eat if you don’t cook. e know what Jay eats. And then there’s the time when I’m washing dishes and they several curl up in balls or stretch out around me on the rug in front of the sink–I have to reach everything from one spot.
According to Punky, mice are not to be eaten but played with. Stir says they are good with hot sauce. Don’t know where she got that idea from 🙂
I wish I enjoyed cooking, Bernadette. I’m actually pretty good at it, I just don’t enjoy it. I eat a lot of salads and sandwiches. I pick up soups at Whole Foods – as far as prepared foods go, they are, at least, mostly healthy with no unpronouncable ingredients. I eat out quite a bit and one meal usually results in enough leftovers for at least one more meal.
Ingrid, I can understand not enjoying cooking, and now there are actually healthy food choices at restaurants and grocery stores so I don’t worry so much for people who don’t cook their own food. Until recently I cooked primarily from what came out of my vegetable garden, the one I’m always writing about that I’ve shared with my cats for so many years. They’ve patroled the garden, supervised my growing practices, inspected the vegetables when I carry them inside then watch me cook or preserve them. And, of course, I have all those unique photos of Cookie interacting with kitchen items. It’s also one of the reasons I want to get back to cooking or preparing their raw meals, I feel incomplete without it.
No No No. I don’t enjoy cooking. Not to mention I am not very good at it. You ladies can make up for my lack of cooking knowledge. But the good part of this is, I really don’t want to cook. But I like invitations to dinners/lunches. I skip breakfast. My motto.
To all my friends I didn’t mention, just know I am reading each post and enjoying everything you are all talking about. If I am absent for a while, it is ok, I will be back.
By the way, just a friendly reminder before I sign off.
Friday, the 26th is when we will all see Ingrid win the Pettie awards. So get set for one huge rally on here. We all know she has the greatest blogs ever.
Aww, thanks, Bernie! The virtual ceremony will be broadcast live at 5pm Eastern. To watch, go to http://www.dogtime.com/petties (same site you went to for voting). I’ll make an “official” announcement on the blog Friday morning.
I see Jay says, he is burning bon fires. That is a little early for the ritualistic bon fire before a big game, but hey Jay, keep burning. Maybe it will light a fire under the teams to play well. 🙂
Ingrid, as far as Steeler getting a job. Well that is not about to happen anytime soon. She will be very busy with Steeler football season, with her mom. We will become hermits when the Steelers are playing. I am teaching her how to throw pillows during bad plays, but also not to throw them at the TV. I am trying to teach her to throw them at the floor.
We will talk about her working next spring when the football season ends. 🙂
Hi All. Betty I love the story of Columbia going after any new package or bag being brought into your home.
Steeler inspects every item that comes thru the door. If it is a large box, it is hers to keep. I currently have 2 large boxes still from her claiming them. One is still in my dining room and one is in the sunroom. I have basically just given her full claim to the sunroom. It is like an obstacle course in that room with all her things.
Torties’ curiosity is unprecedented from others I think. They don’t give up until they are satisfied that all has been inspected.
I wish our home were large enough to have a room that was just a playroom for my babies, maybe someday. As far as empty boxes go, if they are parcel sized boxes then Columbia and Janet take them over, however if it is a flat style box like the ones that cans of cat food come in then my Rocky takes them over. We have to keep one in the laundry room for him to sleep in. Thing is he is so big that he ends up crushing the sides of it and ruining the bottom as he also uses them as scratching pads. Yet he still sleeps in it until we retire it and give him a new one. If one of his brothers or sisters goes into the laundry room and he sees them, he rund in and sits in his box to make sure no one else tries to take it over.
i have a MALE tortoiseshell tabby is that wierd
Leah, male tortoiseshell cats are extremely rare, only 1 in 3000 torties is male, so your tortie is quite unique! We have one other person here on this site who also has a male tortie named Doodlebug, here’s his story: https://ingridking.com/2011/05/11/meet-doodlebug-a-rare-male-tortie/
I’d love to hear more about your boy!
Hi Leah,
That’s so great – let’s double the # of male torties on this board!!! What’s his name? Does he have ‘toritude’ or is he a totally mellow guy like Dood? And of course, photos please if you get a chance to post some!
Extreme tortiude example.
Kasey has a “spot” in the living room, this is where she lies in the morning sun, spends time on a Sat. aft., lays there in the evening, goes there after her 10:00 PM canned food feeding; some of her toys are usually there.
Last Friday after I left for work, my wife and one of her friends heard the unmistakable sound of growling when they we sitting at the kitchen table.
They quickly accounted for the usual victims, Taz was no where to be seen, Toby the silky terrier was hiding under her chair (Morgan is too quick and doesn’t hang around after the first sign of trouble).
They looked over at Kasey.
Someone had piled some of Toby’s toys right in ” The Spot” (He would not have done that).
Kasey was standing there growling at the toys.
Once the toys were removed, all was well and peace returned.
I haven’t heard of tortitude being focused on dog toys before.
Torties will not let anyone claim their “spot”.
Kasey saw this right away as a threat to her kingdom and would have none of it.
Both of the torties I have had in my life, Magenta in the past and currently Columbia, are very protective of their house. Whenever something new was brought in, whether a package from ups or a piece of furniture they look at it as some kind of foreign object that has come in without their permission. They would both slowly creep up to it, belly near the floor, sniffing the entire way, the take one paw and bat it. Once initial contact had been made they would walk all around it still sniffing with low bellies. Once it hadn’t slapped them back they would then relax a little but still investigate the intruder throughly before determining that it was ok to stay.
It also doesn’t have to be anything brought in from the outside. the other day we put down a bowl of ice water for the dog and when Columbia spotted it, the belly went down and she slowly creeped up to it, slapped it, and proceeded with her investigation.
It isa ritual that is quite funny to watch, however we dare not laugh as that would only embarass her and send her to another room to compose herself.
I love it when they do that, especially the big slap!
Kelly walks around talking about the new thing.
Cookie gets on top of it and has a bath.
I’m surprised the toys didn’t get up and run.
Hey all what have you been up to. My Wild Child you really are being the leader here on keeping this blog going strong for Ingrid. Now that not to say Glen, Sharon and Marty and all others haven’t been keeping this blog busy. I am here and I do read everything you write. Every so often I have to post something just to let you know I am still here and very active.
So here goes.
I went shopping this week. I taught Imeldo Marcos how to get shoes. Altho I had to pay for mine.
Well All I can say is Steeler made me do it. Yep, added to my collection. When I wear them, well that will be another matter. Steeler approved the colors, and since this is the end of the season for the nice sandals, well Steeler said go for it. Well I can’t disappoint Steeler so, like the rest of you I listen to my Tortie, and I went for it. Now I have to talk to her about her financial responsibilities. 🙂
Time for Steeler to get a job.
Full time Mascot for the Steelers is her job.
She needs a better agent to get more perks.
As I was going thru the records I saw that 1 year ago yesterday (Aug 19) I had first found this blog of Ingrids. Thank you all for a wonderful year. I have learned so much and made many great friends. And realized how special Torties are (as if Stir had not already told me).
Can it only have been a year? It seems as if I knew you all forever. I’m very glad I found this blog comment page, and all of you. Thanks, friends.
Happy anniversary! I can’t believe it’s only been a year, like Harry, I feel like I’ve known you forever. I’m so glad you all found this blog!
Congratulations: Stirfry and you have really made this an interesting year. Gee I feel like Harry and Ingrid. Only a year. Hey but what a year.
Congrats on your 1st anniversary – I’ve has so much fun reading your past posts and can’t wait to see what you and Stir and Punky and all the rest get up to over the coming year!
Thanks Igrid, Harry, Bernie and Sharon.
Does not seem like just 1 year but a whole lot longer.
Slowly I am reading all the post from the beginning.
Unfortunately a lot of the early people have dropped out or do not post a all.
Glen, Bernadette, Lianimal and Kitten are still with us and going strong. I know Harry and his crew where here but I have not gotten up to when he started.
But the Tortie stories are well worth reading.
I will post more stories of my furry ones later.
Right now I have a bon fire out back I am tending too.
A brush pile in the pasture that I was waiting to burn and with all the rains we’ve had it is safe to burn.
Sorry Ingrid – my spelling has not gotten any better and I forget to spell check before hitting submit. 🙂
Cookie revived an old habit this evening. She was on my drafting table, which is 36″ high but she has a stepstool to get up there, and she and Kelly eat there as well.
I leaned over to pull out the box of canned cat food for them, and Cookie lightly stepped onto my back and walked around a puuuurrrrred. I had to stand up, really I did, and when Giuseppe does that I can just flip him off my back and he loves it, but not Cookie! I had to tilt her toward the table and then stand up.
I had to reach down again, and she got up there again, this time immediately lying down with her paws in my hair, purr purr purr. She was so happy! Alas, I did have to stand up again and get her safely back onto the table.
Aww, that’s so sweet. I love that Cookie is back to her old habits.
Today she stood up on my lap, put her paws on my collarbone and leaned forward to give me a nose tap while purring vigorously, another old habit, though one that hasn’t ever stopped.
I have endured 19 years of this sort of treatment.
Got this off the Yahoo Tortie group
Tortitude on Urban Dictionary
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Tortitude&defid=6015732
Should have pasted this but I hit submit too soon
Tortitude
The attitude (I am special so no other cat should be allowed to even breath *hiss, slap*) indigenous to ALL tortioseshell/calico cats. Also applies to some torbies (tortoiseshell tabbies.)
Calli was so full of tortitude this morning, she ran off all the cats so she could eat breakfast alone!
LOL…awesome!
That describes Monkey perfectly. Even though Peaches is so ornery, I feel bad for her. She’s no match for Monkey, even though Monkey never seems vicious…..she pulls it off like she’s just being playful and Peaches is an old fuddy duddy, and I have no way of knowing which is true. Is Monkey harrassing Peaches? Or is she just trying to play and Peaches is’t having any?
ASnd then every so often I see Peaches chasing Monkey…wth is that?
SO who do I reprimand? I mostly think it’s best if I just stay out of it and let them sort it out. But it’s been a while, they should have figured it out by now, right?
Lianimal, sometimes I’ll try to distract them both without it looking intentional if it looks like it’s escalating–toss a toy in their direction, or use a laser toy on the floor, or wave something above your head, without looking at them. That way you’re not really paying attention or intervening so you don’t have to reprimand anyone, but it usually changes the tenor of the discussion. I’ve had cats who completely ignored this, but often enough it’s made a difference without me entering into the fray.
BTW, Ingrid, I didn’t tell Monkey you said that…You know she’s an escape artist, I didn’t want her to come hunting you…..I wouldn’t put it past her to walk across country lol
More likely Monkey would hijack a plane to get there.
No box cutters but 20 aharp claws.
Whew, I’m glad you didn’t tell her. I was getting worried 🙂 – I wouldn’t put anything past her!
I could try, I guess. I always feed them their wet food right before I leave for work…..If I fed them separately that would have to change, because I’d have to be here to let them out afterward. Actually, since the dry is what is in question, and it’s out all day and night,, I’d have to keep one of them locked in the bathroom all day and night. Hmmm, my girls are no shrinking violets, I think if either of them were locked in the bathroom, they would escape, point A….., and wait for me to come home so they could chew out my jugular, Point B
Yeah, I think I’ll just wait and monitor their weight. I pet both of them every day, I think I’ll be able to tell if Peaches starts losing too much. And I HOPE Monkey loses a pound…god she’s getting SO chunkey!
My girls are doing reasonably good (as far as I can tell…I see Monkey eating the mixed dry, and when I change it there are only a few kernals of Taste of the Wild (grain free) left….but I don’t know if Peaches is eating it. If I knew that I’d switch them to Taste Of The Wild right now, and give the Chicken Soup away. I see Peaches eating the Wellness canned, although she only eats a little bit. But she’s never been an eater. She’s so thin. It kind of concerns me. She’s not dangerously thin, but she could easily get there if she lost even 1/2 pound . I’m almost thinking Monkey is eating most of the dry, because she’s a greedy chubby girl who will eat just ANYTHING! lol
On the plus side I’ve noticed Monkey’s fur is already even softer and she seems to be shedding less
Good going, Lynn! Can you feed Peaches in a separate room (I know your place is small, maybe the bathroom?) for one meal just to see what she’s eating and that she’s eating? Or alternately, put Monkey in the separate room while Peaches is eating (don’t hate me, Monkey!)?
I didn’t tell Monkey you said that, BTW, I like you too much lol
Ack! Oops, didn’t realize I had already said that!
I may have missed this if it is already on the site but I wondered if there are any updates on this picture on the FB page;
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2077286985237&set=o.58092011935&type=1&theater
OMG Glen, I totally missed this…TOO FRIGGIN’ CUTE! I hope they come back and give us an update!
http://www.abc27.com/story/15258523/lake-tobias-employee-takes-blame-for-tiger-bite
Lake Tobias: Employee takes blame for tiger bite
I thought of Steeler right away.
YOU DON’T TOUCH THE CAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw one a while back where a guy was leading his Lion down a hallway, and all of a sudden it swatted and started chewing on his leg. As the guy was being hauled off he was begging them not to put it down and telling them to check it’s mouth, because it seemed like something was wrong there. They did and discovered it had a bad toothache, which would make anyone feel a little grumpy and homicidal, right?
I had a friend who isn’t a friend anymore because her cat viciously attacked her, and instead of taking it to the vet to find out why, like I kept advising her to, she called Animal Control to get it out of her house. They told her if they came and got it it would be euthanised, and she said she was fine with that. I used to like her a lot, and she still sits at our break table and is friends with my other friends, but we haven’t been the same since that happened. I almost never talk to her aymore unless I have to for work related purposes
Lianimal, I used to love my neighbors across the street, a nice young couple with a young son and we have a lot in common including our love of cats, and we even watched each others’ cats when either would go away. They even chased down and rescued cats. Their huge but gentle black house panther Harley had a habit of reaching up and digging his claws into wooden things to stretch and he had damaged a few things. They followed my advice and got several tall scratchers and wrapped sticky paws around things and used aluminum foil and all sorts of things, but he still preferred a table and the railing on the stairs. When the second child was on her way, they decided, on the advice of their veterinarian (who I had advised them not to use because he doesn’t care for cats), to declaw him, a 7-year-old cat.
When they told me he “was coming home from the vet” after this and they wanted to prepare me for what they had decided to do, I walked quickly across the street and have not spoken to them since July 2004. It’s not just that they declawed and destroyed a really wonderful cat, but they proved that they are selfish and I just wonder what other decisions they might make aside from that for their own convenience. No, he likely wasn’t going to stop, but it’s just a peice of furniture and he’s a living being, what’s more important?
Exactly. Like my former friend’s poor cat Destiny(RIP), She didn’t just suddenly lose her mind, something was obviously wrong. And, for your former friend….clawing is what cats do! If you can’t deal, don’t get a cat!
That’s what I told them–they asked what they’d do aside from declawing if he didn’t quit, I said to give him to me, or we’d just work on finding him another home where they didn’t care. Apparently that wasn’t the right answer.
And just to clarify a point in the whole situation–the AVMA had at that time clearly recommended against declawing any cat older than two years, and most veterinarians would not declaw after about three years of age. This guy really didn’t care.
Hello fellow tortie lovers!!! I just wanted to share with you all what happened to me this weekend.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to be able to foster a gorgeous Tortie-point shorthair Siamese this weekend. She was so beautiful, but a nervous little thing. She was very good with our dog, a 9 month old brindle pit-boxer who doesn’t realize that she’s 50 pounds and still plays like she’s 15. She didn’t so much mind our two tortie-babies, but our youngest, Tipper, wasn’t a big fan, so alas, we had to return her to the shelter prematurely.
I’m sorry things didn’t work out with your foster, Nan.
Thanks, me too. But at least now we know that she’s good with dogs, which will more likely get her adopted out faster.
Aww, that’s too bad, she sounds gorgeous….siamese AND tortie??? I can’t imagine anything more gorgeous…….OR more temperamental than that lol
I mean, think about it….Siamese are wierd and hot tempered, torties are wierd and hot-tempered, so what the heck would a mix of the two be? EXTRA WIERD and HOT TEMPERED! lol
I think Monkey might have some siamese blood though…the slightly crossed eyes, the points and the wierd attitude lead me to believe that
She was very wierd, not ver hot tempered though.
I think she might have gotten adopted, yay!
oh yeah my baby who is a year old has a tortitude alright but thats what makes the cats these beautiful cats ………………… well THEM i love my kittylicious kitty cat
We do love our torties for their tortitude, Jenna, that’s for sure!
In my previous post it took took 5 months to reach 1000 post for this blog. Look below; Amazing group we are::
Ingrid
August 3, 2011 at 4:14 pm
And for no other reason except that it’s my blog and because I can, this is our 6000th comment!
Wow! You guys are the best! Thank you for turning this post into so much more than just a blog post. This has become an amazing community, family, and gathering place for tortie lovers, and it’s all because of you!
So Ingrid has in less that 8 months hit the 6000 post. 5000 form January 2, 2011. Today we are at 6229 post. We will hit that 10, 000 mark before the end of the year. Is this the most amazing posting blog ever.
Well it will be dawn soon. I am done with the statistics. Just thought all of the Tortie land would like to see how really GABBY a lot we are (right HARRY)??????
It is pretty amazing, isn’t it? And I think you’re right, we will hit 10,000 comments by the end of the year. I have to believe that this is some kind of a record when it comes to comments on a single blog post. And it’s all because of you guys. I just wrote the post!
When you win the petties in 2 weeks it should get real exciting here.
Bernie – glad you found Steeler. It is so scary when you can’t find your kids and you think the worst. And Torties blend in so well with the dark.
I too have been doing so research on the blog and trying to find the anniversary of when we all got on here. Will post that when completed.
You guys are the best! That would be fun to find out when each of you commented here for the first time – thanks for doing this, Jay.
Gabby, yes 😉
Sorry I’ve been largely absent – as some of you know, Henry has been very ill, and his 9 x day medicine regime has occupied much of my free time the past couple of weeks. He is improving. As Bernie would say, I won’t weigh you down with the medical issues, instead, I’ll tell you a story about a certain evil tortie. (However, it’s going to be a reply to an August 14 thread… about the underside of a tortie. 😛
We know you are busy with your little one Harry. Even you are included in the GABBY reference, altho you are the one that first used it. I just borrowed it. We are all hoping to hear some good news soon about Henry. It is just an unspoken word that each of us is letting you take all the time you need to take very excellent care of him.
You can get back to GABBY after things are well within your home.
Ok I have not been able to sleep this AM so I decided to do some research on the blog. Ingrid started her blog on August 17, 2009. So from that August 17, 2009 to January 1, 2010, the post hit l000 post. Now remember this time frame.
Now bear with me folks because now I have to go back and get you some more tirivia. and post again. Hang in here with me.
Folks I have been reading the post this AM to get caught up on what is going one. I wish I could reply to each of you, but things are a little unsettled here. But I will address one area I seen on here about the Torties hiding. In a word YES they do. Even Steeler pulls that on me. Night before last, I was almost hysterical because I could not find her for over 3 hours. I checked then entire house and even on the chance she got out while I was bringing in groceries from the car I went outside. I got so scared I called my sons to come and help me look for her. I hung up the phone and it was after 9PM and then turned around and there she stood. She had just come up from the basement. I had spent a lot of time down there calling to her and looking in all the nooks and crannies and she never responded. When I saw her I was both relieved, I didn’t know to hug her or scold her. Of course I did not scold her. I hurriedly called my sons back and told them not to come because she had re-appeard. I do know how frightening it is when they hide and do not respond. Boy do I. Lots of luck with changing that one.
OMG, Bernie – that’s just the worst feeling in the world, and she put you through it for 3 hours! I can’t even imagine what you went through, for me, the fifteen minutes or so I couldn’t find Allegra that time just about made me have a nervous breakdown!
Do you have any idea where in the basement her hiding place was, so at least if this happens again, you’ll know to look there?
I have not idea where she was hiding in the basement. I can only tell you today I have my hairdresser coming to do my hair. That little girl will turn me gray before you know it. She was ok and rather indignant about the whole affair.
I aged another 10 years with her.
They do hide well, don’t they? I live in a small one bedroom apartment so there aren’t many places to hide. Last Sunday Cami was absent for over two hours and I assumed she was under the bed. When I finally looked there I didn’t see her! I started to get worried and when I walked into the kitchen I turned around and there she was. I do have a large box under my bed and she may have been laying between it and the wall and maybe that’s where she was. I think they have the magical power to become “shape-shifters” like on Star Trek! I think I’ve cured her of jumping on top of the washing machine…that’s where i put the ointment in her ear and she hates that! I haven’t see her jump up there since I started doing that.
Hi Marty and Cami. I have been catching up on the posts lately. As for hiding, my Steeler is a floor dweller only. No jumping on anything. So for her to hide so well was just so upsetting. She is like all Torties, blends into her environment. Their colors tend to blend with the darker shadows. So when they go missing, it is scary. 3 hours is really scary.
Glad you found this blog. Good to have you here.
I think you’re right about the “shape shifting,” Marty!
Not iKasey, she has one shape, like a football with legs 😉
She is still good at concealment, though.
Marty, I’m running out of reply options on the initial comment thread, so here’s my answer to your food questions. I feed twice a day. Free choice feeding is not a good idea, it’s the leading cause of obesity in cats. Whatever mine don’t eat within half an hour to an hour gets tossed out (this has never been an issue, they pretty much inhale their meals!). When you transition a cat from free choice feeding (leaving food out at all times) to meal feeding, it may take a couple of days for them to realize that this is the new rule, and you may be wasting some food, but I doubt it’ll be an issue for long.
There’s nothing better than a purring cat in your lap!
I have the pleasure of Cookie and Kelly in the rest of my house again!
We have just about vanquished the fleas here, and without too much use of chemicals except Frontline, two doses and maybe two more, a little spray on the floor and on throw rugs that would attract the fleas, but a lot of vaccuuming and diatomaceous earth in the corners.
This means the floors, which had been hopping with so many fleas that I sat at my desk with my feet in a basin of water and no cat touched the floor unless they absolutely had to, are finally walkable again, and we’re all relaxing. Cookie and Kelly have spent the past month in my studio, which had been completely cleaned and swept and painted and had much less stuff in it and so the fleas could be managed much better in there. Cookie had a very hard time with this, and now that even just the tiny baby fleas are about, the others ignore them, but she is still scratching.
I’ve been leaving their door open so they’re not completely isolated, and the other day Cookie decided she was done with being up there and came down and re-explored the house, walked all over my desk and looked out all the doors and windows. Yesterday, timid Kelly came down and pretty much hung out with me whenever I was inside, curled in a purring ball on my lap, and on my desk when I was outside.
I have to keep an eye on Cookie, though. She’s now hyperthyroid and the medication is only going so far to manage her heart rate, and we’ve been watching her kidney function for a while. The flea thing was very hard on her and I’ve still had to give her a dose of sub-q fluids now and then. Yesterday when we spent a little time out in the yard, it wasn’t even very hot and she was keeping to shady areas, she got overheated and I had to bring her inside. I gave her a dose of sub-q fluids in the kitchen and she fussed around but didn’t fight, and it reminded me of all the times I’ve worried about if one of the cats needed physical care like that, whether or not I’d be able to do it or if they’d fight so hard I wouldn’t, but so far they’ve all come through for me until the time they decided they were done with it. Well, I did have to sit on Stanley to get his fluids into him, but then he was okay.
Hurray to the flea nightmare being over for you, Bernadette!
I’m glad Cookie recovered quickly from her overheating episode – good thing you caught it right away.
Bernadette I have just read about Cookie. My heart about stopped when I read this post. Your little Cookie getting ill with the thyroid, heart rate and the overheating. I know how you feel. If anyone on her does it is me. I wish there was a magic want I could wave and make her better for you I would. I would do it for her, Steeler and all our little furry friends. I really don’t know what to say, you are always here for Steeler and I as others. The others know who they are so I don’t need to name them. I will say some really strong kitty prayers for Cookie and Steeler today. I am so sorry I had not read this earlier. If I can help you just let me know. I will try.
On Thursday I had all 3 kits outside to graze, roll in catnip and enjoy the sun.
I put Tabatha inside after Pumpkin got scared (of who knows what) and last Stirfry.
Went to work till 11.
Don’t remember if I saw her later that night but Pumpkin slept with me. Friday morning Stir was on the headboard of the bed and Punky after a morning breakfast was back with me. Did not see Tabatha. Ran errands that day and wrked outside and in. Called he and even did a quick look to make sure she was not stuck in the laundry room. Looked upstairs and downstairs. Did not see her but that was not unusual to not see one for a whole day. Came home last night at 11:30 and still did not see Tabatha. Looked all over and asked Stirfry and Pumpkin when she was. Now Lassie would have gone right to where she was but thosse 2 just told me the food bowl was empty. Looked upstairs and down, behind the bed and in all sorts of locations. Finallt looked behind my sectional couch and there was Tabby looking up at me. Tilted the one section forward and she walked out. Not sure if she walked behind or more than likely was was on the back and fell behind.
Now today I am getting ready for going to work at 7am and know where all 3 are now.
Now that’s truly a reason for me to run around the house with flashlights and treats yelling the missing cat’s name and getting angry at everyone else for not playing “Lassie”! I can usually sense the area they are in, but they’re not always really obvious. Glad you found her!
Taz, my 20 pound orange guy will den up in a spot where he is tough to see, not really secluded, just unusual, sort of hiding in plane sight.
I go looking for him and he will just watch me walk right by, calling him. This is somewhat irritating when I am trying to get away on a schedule and everyone needs to go in the basement so we can set the alarm.
If he is real comfortable, he won’t show himself, even for treats; he is strongly food motivated but even that gets over ridden by laziness and a comfortable location.
Mewsette goes off into her own little world and she loves the basement, and I often think she is playing make-believe, or she’s not in her body somehow. More than once I thought there was a secret portal to the outdoors that no cat in 20 years had ever found.
I also had a deaf cat who would curl up in a tiny white ball in comfortable spaces–one time she was down between the pillows on my bed, and the shams’ ruffles completely hid her while I looked for hours.
Then there are the older ones who have grown deaf and a little confused–that’s when I start blocking areas they can still get into!
But often, with those so inclined, I can count on the enthusiasm of those who are interested in the treats to pull out the one who is–I know this–playing games.
All threats to bodily harm are called off when I find them, even with their lack of contrition.
It’s the worst feeling when you can’t find them. I still shudder when I think of my fifteen minutes of sheer terror the first time Allegra decided that the kitchen cabinets made a great hiding place. Rationally, I knew there was no way she could have gotten outside, but I still panicked after searching for her everywhere, calling her name, shaking the treat bag, all with no reaction. I still don’t know what made me decide to look inside the cabinets after having a near nervous breakdown. There she was, with a look on her face that said “what’s the big deal, Mom!” I think it took about an hour for my heart rate to return to normal!
So glad the lost was found Jay!!
Reminds me of a day last year when we had exterminators in to do a roach spray. We had to gather all the babies and put them in this huge dog carrier we have that easily allows all to roam around freely in it. Well, 3 of them as I have to put Columbia in a seperate carrier, no surprise there!
Anyway, we found 3 of them but could not find Janet, one of my pure black babies. My friend looked everywhere in the house for her, behind everything, under everything, and she was no where to be found. So the exterminators had to stop and reschedule for the next day. A liittle while after they left she cam leisurely strolling out of the master bedroom looking very proud of herself.
The next day comes and about a half hour before the guys are due to come again we started collecting the “children”. This time it was Columbia hiding. My friend finally found her and we had sucessfully managed to grt all the babies outside under a shade tree in their carriers.
The exterminators decided they wanted to leave my front door open to help with circulation. Shortly after they had it open, our dog (Lucy the Lhasa) decided she wanted to go inside the house to see what was going on. Up my ramp and in the house she goes. My friend ran in and led her back out. About 5 minutes later I looked up and she was walking into the house again. This happened about 4 times and the exterminators were getting very frustrated. In she went a fifth time and shortly after we saw one of the exterminators carry her out of the house and slam the door shut.
Never a dull moment.
So glad you found Tabatha! My Callie has a habit of hiding – she gets herself into spaces so small I can hardly believe that she could possibly fit, but somehow she does. Fortunately she does usually answer me when I call her. She won’t actually come out, but she will meow back if I call her name. If for some reason I really do need to get her out I’ve found that running the electric can opener will bring her on the double. I guess that makes her priorties clear – not sure how I feel about taking second place to a small appliance, though!
Glen, I feel you, Monkey doesn’t do it but Peaches does! She shows me that big snowy white fluffy belly EVERY DAY! But I know she’s evil and I can’t touch it….
Brooke has been lurking a lot this week outside our bedroom door. (For those who came in late, for the last year and a half, we’ve had Sabrina, our black “stealth tortie” living in our bedroom – really two rooms and a bath – because our legitimate tortie kept attacking her.) When we had one of Henry’s antibiotics made into liquid at our local formulating pharmacy, we also got Brooke’s Prozac and Sabrina’s Buspar made into tasty chicken flavor, but with Henry so sick haven’t been ready to increase the tension by trying introductions yet again (for about the 200th time). Tonight, I noticed Brooke sitting in front of the door, with her favorite toy, a plastic spring, in front of her. She was looking at the door as if to say, “hey, I brought a great toy – don’t you want to let me in to play?”
Trojan spring. We ain’t buying it. I know my tortie…
Playing with a Tortie can be painful. They don’t play fair and teeth and claws are used. Don’t fall for it.
Kasey has a ritual every night.
At around 9:45 PM she gets her bit of canned food (I get reminded when it is time)
She finishes that off then goes to her spot on the living room rug where her old stuffed catnip toy is. The thing is so old, I don’t know if the catnip has much strength left.
She goes over on her side with the toy near her head.
She watches me with one eye, if I am not paying attention, she squirms and squeaks and tries to get me to reach for the toy.
She is basically saying, “Oh come on, just reach for the toy, honest, I won’t try to grab you like yesterday, that was just a fluke,…………………..and, it wasn’t the bad yesterday, anyway”.
And then she watches you fall for it, every single time, right Glen? 🙂 Ah, she has you well trained!
Well, yeah.
Gotta try to touch the “undercarriage” for a belly rub, too; usually doesn’t go that well, either 😉
Like Charlie Brown and the football, you fall for it every time.
But as long as Kasey is happy you will give in to her. After all, she might play nice. But then again – maybe not.
Even though Cookie would never dream of doing such a thing–she wraps herself around my hand or foot when I touch her undercarriage, but it’s all soft paws–that sort of activity was what inspired my block print, “The Goddess”. She lays on her back all the time, not so much in her geriatric years, but it seemed to be her favorite position for observation and especially harassing a catnip toy. She was younger when I did that design, and I was convinced she’d someday begin the attack activity, but I think she just liked to show offer belly.
She’s always had a little “fanny pack” that hangs down below her belly when she walks, and it’s mostly marked with the little bit of white that she has on her belly. I gently grab that little bag and ask her what she keeps in it. I know other torties would quickly dispatch a human who did that, but from Cookie I get a warning look. I’ve never disrespected this look.
So, maybe the offer of a spring to play is the start of a new era for Brooke… last weekend we had some guest over – non cat people, all of them. The cats were on the porch, and Brooke was on an ottoman. She rolled over to present her undercarriage to the person sitting on the chair associated with the ottoman, and before I could warn him, he started rubbing her belly. I shouldn’t say he was totally a non cat guy, he does feed a neutered feral he inherited when he bought his house, but he would never dream of trying to coax him into the house. Anyway, Brooke not only let him rub her belly, but she stretched out and encouraged him to continue. (All the while, I’m thinking, where is my tortie, and what did this alien cat do to her?) And then… last night, at some point, our bedroom door must have come unlatched. Early in the morning, we realized, and Piper was down in the kitchen, hanging out. Sabrina was in the bedroom, Henry on the bed, and we didn’t see anyone else. Closed the door. About two hours later, after I emerged from brushing my teeth… Brooke met me at the bathroom door. She’d been in the bedroom all that time, with Sabrina, with no problems. Who is this cat, again? (We’re going to ramp up the introductions again.)
Anarchy at the Shubins! Wow, that’s really encouraging! Maybe this is a case of having the humans get out of the way, and the cats will work things out? Although I think that after what you went through with Brooke and Sabrina, it’s more likely a result of all your hard work.
It is true what our behaviorist said – don’t hover, ignore them, don’t let them feed off of your tension. I guess us being asleep was the ticket.
Ok Harry, Brooke is playing possum. Don’t trust those Tortie women. They are always pulling a fast one on us. In the same room with Henry, Sabrina, and Brooke, that is just so strange to hear, since no blood (of yours) was shed and all went well. I guess those little ones are trying to, well maybe, just maybe, respecting the fact that Henry does not need and drama right now.
As for the non cat person and Brooke. Well I always wonder whose cat I take to the vet. Most of the time I don’t think it is mine. Then once in a while she will remind everyone she is a Tortie.
I can see Brooke making nice with the non cat person. I remember a gathering at you home, on the deck with all but 1 little one. They were on the very best kitty behavior ever. So maybe Brooke is saying be nice to guest, get even later.
We sorely miss you on here, but totally understand.
Torties are NEVER predictable.
Sounds like Brooke got you again. 😛
Hope Henry is getting better.
I created a ‘Baby Book’ for Navi and Midna!!! Tell me what you think! 😀
A lot of the pictures are of them sleeping, but I think they are in the middle of a growth spurt!
http://s1108.photobucket.com/albums/h417/ZeeDrake/
Very sweet! Unless you have a lot of light and a fast camera, the best way to photograph kittens is when they’re sleeping. I love the one where they’re looking out the window.
Oh my goodness, the cuteness! They’re so adorable!
Sarah, loved the pics. Kittens are so cute. And Tortie kittens even more so.
Sarah, your babies are absolutely beautiful. You should be a very proud mama indeed 🙂 Please let us know when you add more pics, never get tired of seeing furry babies.
TOO CUTE!
Absolutely adorable!
My friend who took Monkey for her shots and spay thought she was really crazy, and warned the vet ad nauseum, but the vet said she was a sweetie. I think she is too. I think my friend Lori was just a big Ol drama queen, because there’s nothing wrong with Monkey. Now, Peaches on the other hand……she’ll chew out your jugular…That’s just how Peaches rolls….
We have a new comment from JC, which apparently got eaten by the computer gremlins.
JC wrote:
Our tortie Lola is hyperthyroid as well, she had radioactive iodide treatment two days ago, and the vet expects a total cure so she won’t need thyroid meds anymore, however it wasn’t cheap. When we picked her up today, the vet staff commented that most torties are “fresh” and “sassy” but Lola was very polite for the procedures. At home however, she has a ton of tortitude, very independent, always getting into things (pushing glasses out of the kitchen cabinets onto the floor is her favorite, I had to put child locks on all the kitchen cabinets finally) and very fiesty. She’s also very attached to my spouse.
I’m glad to hear Lola “behaved” for her treatment. I guess the clinic was intimidating enough to inhibit some of her tortitude 🙂 Amber had the Radiocat treatment in 2006 and made a full and very quick recovery.
Welcome JC. Lola sounds like she is typical Tortie. Take them to the vet and wonder whose cat you take in. Bring them home and wonder what happened to the cat at the vet. The many characteristics of the Tortie. All mysterious and knowing. 🙂 It is good to hear she did well with the Radio Cat. Expensive is not a consideration for their care. :)I feel we all look for the best possible care, regardless of cost for our little ones. They are our little ones after all.
I’m so lucky, I’ve never had an animal with serious health problems….of all the ferals and rescues I’ve had. I’ve been CRAZY lucky! The worst problems I’ve ever had were a couple of Pitbulls (back when I was in Pitbull rescue) that couldn’t be let out at the same time because they would fight. I had to use a break stick once, but after that I had them on a crate and rotate program, and they were both perfectly fine to everyone and every cat and dog….they just hated each other for some wierd reason. *shrug* Pitteis can be that way
I sometimes feel bad because I don’t post that much or post many pics, but my cats basically do all the same things every day. There are only so many times I can post that Monkey chased Peaches or that Peaches chased her back, only so many pics I can post of the same two cats. I obviously think they’re both gorgeous, and the different things they do bring joy to my life every day, but they still do things that cats always do! lol. If they do something special, and I have my camera handy, I will post it! If they do something special and I DON’T have my camera handy, I will tell you guys first! But for normal day to day stuff that torties and/or other cats do every day…..I wish I had the time but I just don’t anymore
Lynn, don’t you know that it’s those silly everyday things that makes this blog special. We all have our little ones. Sometimes they are just being cats. Other times if we stop and look at one of the or the other they may be winking of trying to hide something. Those are all good things to hear. That may sound minimal to some, but not to us. Pics are great, but pics don’t tell the lives of the Torties and friends. So don’t feel that your girls aren’t special enough for you to just comment on whether or not they tore the wall down or pulled the papers around.
Once you are here, and you are, we accept the owners, as family and that means you too. Hey you have a very expressive way of putting things. But it you just feel Tortied out then relax. We will carry you along with us. Everyone on here helps each other in one way or another.
I feel the same too, Lianimal. However, hearing/reading about other’s kitten days has inspired me to create a little ‘baby book’ for my babies, which reminds me does anyone know a good picture sharing site so I can share this ‘baby book’ of sorts with all of you? Also, I think Navi has picked her ‘regular’ sleeping spot behind my head (I sleep on my side), I can see this being a problem if I ever get a significant other, 😀 and Midna has decided my feet and tummy are her areas lol.
Sarah, I hope when you find that significant, strength and patience will be a trait. A Tortie that decides where it sleeps, stays where it decides to sleep. No one gets to sleep there. I know that. Even Steeler won’t let me roll onto her side of the bed. So you are in for the ride of your life.
Hope that someone is strong, because little Midna will tear him up. 🙂
Aww, I’d love to see it! Photobucket is a good free site
Question: Does anyone have a recommendation for a particular company selling cat towers and condos? PetSmart is too expensive. I’d like one that is at least 54″ tall and not really needed for scratching as for lofty perches. If I’m going to spend over $100 for something I want to know it’s well made and useful. Thanks!
CNS sells some pretty inexpensive ones, and they’re decent quality. I’ve had one of the smaller ones for about a year now with two very active cats that use it all the time, and it’s held up well. Here’s the link: http://www.csnstores.com/Cat-Trees-and-Condos-C409565.html
Thanks, Ingrid. I bought one that is 74″ so hopefully that will be tall enough to satisfy Herself. I have another question. Yesterday and today, around 4:30 to 5:30 am, she sits on the window sill looking out and starts yowling really loud. She woke me up this morning and it startled me! I looked out and didn’t see anything but I’m guessing there was something out there that brought out the hunter in her. Yesterday it was raining so I don’t think it was another cat. I drew the blinds but she still wanted up on the sill. I’m just hoping she doesn’t tear up the blinds. Is this going to be a ritual?
That’s a good height and it should make Herself happy :-).
As for the episode by the window, yes, it sure sounds like there’s something out there that particular time of day that really intrigues her! Looking out the window is a favorite past time for most indoor cats, so if at all possible, I’d leave the blinds open for her. (And speaking of blinds, make sure you secure the chords, the way you would for a small child).
“As for the episode by the window, yes, it sure sounds like there’s something out there that particular time of day that really intrigues her!”
With Kasey, it is usually not intrigue 😉
I have told the story before about the 5:00 AM episode with her an the low level screen window, when some unidentified critter must have come up to the window.
Basically, when my “Warrior Queen” sees something on the list of things she doesn’t like (its a LONG list), she thinks she need to protect the house from it (I imagine whatever it was didn’t stick around long after the reception it got.)
Since she doesn’t seem to be afraid of much, her response is to attack it.
It is a funny paradox that she can be like that and yet be so friendly with people and dependant on attention, I’m glad she is.
Cami and I will be offline for awhile, I got a virus on my laptop and need to take it in to get fixed. I got her tree put up last night, and she seems to like it, although I may move it closed to the window.
Marty
Hey my good family, I am going to share a great story with you about Steeler for today. I know you are all respecting my wishes not to ask about her health. But I thought you would all know the feeling of being surprised and delighted by a move by your little ones. Even tho as you know Steeler is not up to par, she has not been down enough to not be “Steeler”. So here it is. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have today. Keep posting, I am reading everything you put on here.
I have to share this one. I laid down for a while this PM. for about an hour. Steeler had been just laying around so I didn’t think she would even miss me. So I am dosing off and then I feel these little feet do the body walk. So I just laid there with my eyes closed. Then she came to my shoulder and started to use her softest form of her meow at me. I still didn’t open my eyes. To my amazement he let me have two punches (claws in) right smack dab in the mouth. I started to laugh and she stepped off me and sat there looking at me. So I gave her her kitty kiss. She surprisingly raised her little face and rubbed her little nose on mine. What fun.
So of course I went out to the kitchen to feed her again.
Well I thought that was fun, and got her a little active. So I tried it again, and with 10 minutes she came back onto the bed and repeated her version of get out of bed. This has been a funny afternoon. I have plenty to do, but I can take a break just for her. She says No Afternoon Naps in this house, unless it’s her. Thought you would like to enjoy this.
Great news Bernie
The Boss is back.
Animals don’t lie around and moan about being ill. They take things into their own paws.
It takes a lot to take a good tortie down.
I love those moments.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful tale of Steeler, it brightened my day and put the first smile of the day on my face.
Isn’t it amazing how embarassed our furry babies get when you laugh at them. I’ve found that is not solely a tortie trait as all of mine will get out of sorts if they think the laughter is at their expense.
Thank you again Bernie, I needed that 🙂
Your so welcome Betty. I needed to have her do that also. Like Bernadette said,it takes a lot to keep a good Tortie down. I don’t laugh Steeler for the same reason as you. I know they understand and I don’t think they take to that very well.
I just enjoy Steeler each day. Some days she does nothing but lay around. This afternoon was just plain funny. So I thought my tortie friends more family than friends could get a good smile at her tactics. She of course is not been laying around ever since she accomplished her goal of getting me back up.
Jay, yes the BOSS is back. Although I think it will be a slower comeback. But she makes me happy when I see the even the smallest of signs of my Tortie behaving like a Tortie.
I will try to keep you folks in mind and an watching all you posts. I will try to respond to some as I can. Now if you don’t see me right away, all of you know I am reading your posts, each and every one of them.
By the way only 16 days until Ingrid wins both categories for the Conscious Cat. Can’t wait for the results.
Keep posting. Let’s see if we can hit the 10,000 mark before the holidays when most get busy.
Wild Child get your expressive voice going. Otherwise I will have to send Monkey some Monkees’ music. 🙂
Later my friends.
I love it! If Steeler doesn’t want to nap, nobody gets to nap. Of course, you realize you reinforced this behavior by rewarding her with food :-)!
I know, but that nose rub on mine sealed the deal. She could have had the entire estate for that.
What can I say. She owns me, hook, line and sinker. Altho she of course is still napping. Ever since she made me come out to the kitchen. 🙂
I taked to Bernie today and she will be on here soon. She has been busy with Steeler and some new meds. She is reading our mail but things are hectic so give her time. She does enjoy all your posts and new pics of the torties.
She wants to see 10,000 so GET BUSY !!!!!
I wonder if I could have another cat. My apartment is So tiny, but I think if Monkey had a kitten to play with, she might would leave Peaches alone. And all Peaches seems to want is to be left alone
Get a big ole Orange kitty
I’m seriously thinking about it. I can give them plenty of good food, water and litter, and there’s space to run on top of the walls, which makes my space bigger. If I see a little orange male I just might get it as a playmate for Monkey. Both Peaches and Monkey would probably be relieved
Now your talking my Wild Child. A Big O would almost complete your set or a solid black with green eyes. Or maybe both, if you can get it past the landlord. 🙂
I’m still debating. My landlady “claims” she’ll put me out if I get another pet, but she actually won’t. I know this because
A. I’m the only one here who is NEVER late with the rent
B. I’m the only one here she can come to any time of the month and ask for an advance on the rent, and I will actually give it to her because I’m the only one here who is responsible with my money, realises that my rent is almost $500 a month, and saves $200 of every paycheck to pay it, so I can afford to give her $200 early
She might yell and cuss at me, but she won’t put me out. I paractically have Carte Blanche here lol
I came across some of my furry childrens baby pictures this morning. Here are 2 of Columbia at 8 weeks old…..
http://genabithosting.net/8weeks1.jpg
http://genabithosting.net/8weeks2.jpg
She’s beautiful, Betty – and in typical tortie fashion, I can see that she’s about to take over the world!
You’re right about that Harry. It’s 9 years later and that little girl has definitely taken over my world and my heart.
OMG, how cute!!! I love the yellow triangle above her eye. And Harry is right – she’s got tortitue written all over her sweet little face, even at that young age!
Love the pics of little Columbia. Such a cutie. (and I’m not biased at all)
Betty, those little ones pics are absolutely precious. What beautiful little ones they were. Now they are grown up big ones. What fun in your hours. 🙂
Aww, she’s GORGEOUS!
Welcome Marty and Cami.
So glad you have a rescue cat. We know she will have a good home.
How did you find us ?
Where you looking up Cami’s colors or did you hear about their tortitude ?
Yes, I wanted to find out more about Tortoiseshell cats and their personalities and that’s how I found this blog. I have a picture of Cami to share, but not sure how to attach it to my name like othere here have done.
We went to the vets today for her initial checkup. She has a yeast infection (no mites thankfully) in her right ear so we have some ointment to treat that with. Otherwise she’s healthy. She got her rabies shot and her tag (although our City doesn’t require a permit for cats, which I found odd). She was good at the vets, but when we got home she hid under the bed for over an hour. I’m still amazed at how affectionate she is, more so than the dogs I used to own. And so far she is just sweet and inquisitive, no “bi-polar” type behavior so I’m glad about that. But she is definitely a “tree dweller” and I will have to get a kitty condo or something for her to jump up on. She has discovered the top of the fridge, and she also likes the washing machine. Not having a cat before, I’m glad you all are here to bounce questions off and share stories.
Welcome Marty! Congrats! It seems like you hit the tortie lotto and ended up with a sweet one! Ingrid has a coupleof sweet ones, and my Monkey is sweet (Only to humans, she harrasses poor Peaches (my 11 year old tuxi) relentlessly
That initial burst of sweetness and affection must have been “Oh, thank you for saving me from the pound!” Now i’m starting to get little nips if I don’t pet her just the right way. Cami is pretty smart but overly nosy. She knows how to open cabinet doors and folding closet doors! No dog I’ve ever had could do that! I put strong rubber bands on the cabinets with chemical cleaners in them. I don’t think she’d mess with anything, she just seems determined to find out what’s behind these closed doors! No yowling last night, but I kept the window blinds down so she couldn’t see out. Otherwise she usually sleeps at the foot of my bed…kinda nice having a warm vibrator on my calf!
There’s nothing better than sharing a bed with a sleeping kitty!
Sounds like Cami is quite the explorer. I’ve only had one cat that could open closet doors. Cabinet doors are no problem for Allegra – she actually sometimes hangs out inside the kitchen cabinets (I don’t use chemical cleaners, so I’m not worried about her getting into anything). It frustrates Ruby to no end, because she knows Allegra is in there, but Ruby hasn’t figured out how to open cabinet doors yet.
Ingrid, perhaps she’s in there getting some peace and quiet and a break from her pesky little sister.
I’ve always wondered why some cats figure it out with no problem and others never get it, even though they are curious.
Marty, for being a new cat owner I think you’re figuring out your tortie pretty quickly!
OMG, Monkey is SO nosy! She’s into EVERYTHING! Back a couple months ago when I switched them from Meow Mix to the Chicken Soup brand (not the best, but healthier than most store brands, and, my feed store guy tells me, a good “Transition food”)I just left the bag sitting there because it’s plastic…I knew Monkey would chew through the meow mix bag, but that’s paper, the “Chicken Soup” bag is actually plastic like Banquet chicken bag plastic, so I thought it was safe…so I was feeding them one morning, heard a wierd rustling noise, looked down and Monkey was chest deep in the bag just gorging herself like a horse with a feed bag….lol
You can post photos of Cami on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/consciouscat, or, if they’re hosted online, post a link to the photo in a comment.
It’s not surprising that she hid under the bed after her adventure at the vet’s – that’s a very stressful experience for most cats. Sounds like a kitty condo is a must for her – most cats like to be high up and survey their domain 🙂
I had a good laugh this morning. I was putting away groceries and of course Herself needed to be in the thick of it, checking everything out. I bought a new type of peanut butter and put a little on my finger to taste it when Cami gave me that “I want to inspect that!” look so I let her sniff it, and she actually gagged! So we know she definitely doesn’t like peanut butter! Don’t worry, I don’t feed her people food unless it’s salmon or tuna in the pouch. I also have a bag of Science Diet from the pound and a bag of cheaper cat foot, and she eats both.
I bet if you had bought cream cheese, she would have been much more interested, Marty! 🙂
I’d like to encourage you to consider changing Cami’s food to a better quality diet. You’ll find lots of information in the feline nutrition section on this site. The short version: cats do best on a diet as close to what they would eat in nature, and that’s either raw (I realize that’s not for everyone) or canned, grain-free diet food. Dry food is not good for them, but if you must feed dry, look for a grain-free brand. Unfortunately, most of the better known brands, including Science Diet and Purina, contain grains, corn, soy, by-products and a lot of other things cats should not eat.
I will look into that. Do you feed your cats once a day at the same time each day? With canned food you probahbly can’t let it set out. Cami eats when shes hungry but I don’t see a pattern of times when she usually eats. She’s fairly nocturnal but I can’t get up at midnight just to feed her. I would hate to buy the canned food and have her waste iit. Although I suppose she can be conditioned to eat once a day, just like a dog. I will continue to give her the fresh salmon and tuna, she seems to love those. I tried giving her some shredded chicken breast but she didn’t care for that at alll. I am learning the joys and frustrations of being a cat owner. I’ve had to “barricade” my closets since she learned how to open them. I don’t want her pulling the clothes off the hangers and having cat hair all over them. But last night (twice) she gifted me with almost 30 minutes of sitting in my lap purring while I petted her. We both enjoyed that.
Marty, when I worked outside the home, I fed my cats when I got up, which was always about the same time (or else) and when I got home, which with my job could be anywhere between 5 and midnight. If I had ones that were ill or older I would confine them while I was gone with a little extra food, which I didn’t like to leave out but it worked out okay.
Now that I’m at home they still get fed when I wake up and when I decide to take a break between day and evening, usually about twelve hours apart. Now and then I have an event where I’m away later and unless I think I won’t be back until after midnight (I’ll ask someone to stop by and feed them) I still feed them when I get home.
There’s no problem with them eating everything in less than a half hour, but one of the things I’ve always done is put out the amount they usually eat, let them finish that, then give them some more if they are still hungry, that way nothing is left out or wasted, but you may find with the adjustment period you are packing food up and putting it in the refrigerator, or even tossing some of it. I usually feed the same brands and same flavors, switching when they seem to tire of the one they’re getting. If someone decides not to eat I actually check for signs of illness! No finicky eaters here. If the whole household refuses something, I’ll go along with the majority opinion and not serve it again. They are usually unanimous in these decisions.
Hi, I am a new cat owner, never before having a cat. Her name is Cami (short for camiflage). She’s a tortoiseshell, with a white bib and white socks. I just brought her home from the Humane Society, and she’s a dream! I can’t decide if she’s more curious than she is affectionate. So far she has been a very good kitty. I will say I’m not crazy about all the cat hair but I will have to get a hand vac to clean my furniture. But I don’t regret getting her at all.
Marty & Cami
Congratulations on your new baby, Marty! Cami sounds beautiful. I hope you’ll take a look around here on the site, there’s lots of information that might be helpful to you as a new cat owner. You’ll get used to the hair, it will just become part of your decor 🙂 Frequent brushing also helps, as does a diet high in protein and free of grains.
Welcome Marty and Cami!!
You were very wise in your choice of a kitty, torties are wonderful and will raise you right..lol
At my house there is DQs littler box and alitttle ways over there is her food bowl and water but lately ants have gotten to her food b4 she could. I want to spray that area but I am worried what if DQ eats it or something? Its poisionus for cats. What should I do?
Don’t use any chemicals near DQ’s food or water dish (or anywhere else in the house, for that matter). Even the fumes can be toxic for cats. You can try sprinkling some cinnamon, or diatemaceous earth.
Hey everyone, Bernie asked me to give you an update about Steeler. She went to the vet today, and got a full cardiac workup. She has VT (ventricular tachycardia), her heart is significantly enlarged and she’s still having a hard time breathing. Her thyroid is considerably enlarged as well, and unfortunately, the thyroid condition is aggravating the heart issue. Steeler was allergic to her original thyroid medication, so they’re going to try the same medication at a lower dose and in a coated tablet to see if perhaps she’ll tolerate it. She was given a long-acting steroid injection while at the vet’s to help her with her breathing. Once the steroids wear off (by the end of the week), Bernie will start her on Lasix to reduce fluid build up in her lungs and help her with her breathing.
Bernie would prefer not to answer questions about Steeler’s medical condition. If you have questions, e-mail me and I’ll try to answer them as best as I can.
I know we all send our love and best wishes to Steeler and Bernie.
And to end this update on a happier note: even as sick as our little Steeler is (and yes, she has become “our” Steeler, hasn’t she?), her toritude was alive and well at the vet’s. A woman admired her in the waiting room and stuck her head right in front of Steeler’s carrier, telling her what a pretty girl she was. And yup – you know what’s coming. The tortie roar! Good thing there was a metal gate between Steeler and the woman’s face!
I’m glad to hear Steeler is in good hands, and she can still boss Bernie around and get what she wants.
Steeler is going to be bossing me for a long time to come. Thanks Bernadette 🙂
I am glad to hear that she is getting all that good care.
All the best for Steeler.
I am so glad to hear that Steeler is on the mend and getting good care. I’m sure by football season Steeler will be helping Bernie cheer on the Steelers 🙂
Take care Bernie and remember we are all here for you and Steeler.
Our tortie Lola is hyperthyroid as well, she had radioactive iodide treatment two days ago, and the vet expects a total cure so she won’t need thyroid meds anymore, however it wasn’t cheap. When we picked her up today, the vet staff commented that most torties are “fresh” and “sassy” but Lola was very polite for the procedures. At home however, she has a ton of tortitude, very independent, always getting into things (pushing glasses out of the kitchen cabinets onto the floor is her favorite, I had to put child locks on all the kitchen cabinets finally) and very fiesty. She’s also very attached to my spouse .
I would possiby take in a Big Orange if one wandered up. God knows I don’t really need another cat, and I’d probably not take anything EXCEPT a big male Orange. But I think that their inherent mellow, easy-goingness would maybe bridge the gap between Peaches and Monkey. Maybe a shot of testosterone (although he’d be fixed immediately) would calm these crazy women down! lol
Punky can come visit
🙂
earlier tonight I heard hissing and snarling. Turns out Stir walked into the bedroom and Pumpkin came up and attacked her. She gave him hell then jumped up onto the bed to the window. Punky walked into the kitchen and licked his front paw.
Playing with dynamite he is.
Poor old Punky….I’d send him a ticket, but it seems like he goes through
enough with Stir and the rest without having to deal with three crazy broads like me, Monkey and Peaches! lol
But, alas, poor deprived Monkey would have to get used to either a big black or a big Brindle shelter dog, probably of the Pitbull variety, because I know they are the hardest to adopt out. My neigbor’s Pittie is the sweetest thing ever, and she sleeps with their cat. Every pittie I’ve ever had has been a big love monkey when it came to people, at least 98% of them have been okay with cats, and at least 75% have been okay with other dogs. See, other dogs are the main issue. They can’t help it, it’s in their breeding and sometimes it comes out. When I was in Pittie rescue I would never okay a home that already had a pittie less than three years old, because if they haven’t turned dog aggresive by then, they probably never will. But, just to be safe, a Pittie less than three generally had to go to a one dog home.
Lianimal, those brindles are tortie dogs! I like to tease the greyhound owners too and tell them their brindles are tortoiseshell. Many of them are cat owners as well and have a good laugh.
lol…..good point! Pitties are the torties of the dog world! lol
I hav 2 questions:
Does anyone have advise on how to integrate my 1 1/2 year old male Bengal with my nearly 2 year old Tortie? She will not have anything to do with him and he is over zealousw about wanting to know her. Should I put them each in a facing cat carrier?
Second question has to do with my mothers stry do which is part pit bull. This is a long story and needs to be discussed via email if possible.
Thank you!
Tammy, it’s usually not as simple as just having them face each other in their carriers. I posted an article by a leading cat behaviorist about cat to cat introductions yesterday, here’s the link: https://ingridking.com/2011/08/15/cat-to-cat-introductions/ Patience and going slow are usually crucial.It depends on the cats, some cats will get along right away without going through all the steps, but the slow process is really the best way to do it.
I probably won’t be able to help you with the pitbull – my expertise is with cats, not dogs. Feel free to post here (if there’s a cat involved, too), I’ll try to answer and others may chime in, too. Unfortunately, other commitments prohibit me from addressing more challenging problems via e-mail. I’d have to charge you a consultation fee.
Thank you, Ingrid! I did email, but it was before I saw this post. Many thanks for your response!!!
If you put them in 2 facing carriers make sure the bars are real thick. It will take that Tortie girl a few minutes to get thru hers and then thru his. That will give you time to get out of the room before WWIII.
Tammy, since you haven’t been here long, I want to make sure that you know that Jay is kidding 🙂
Oh Tammy I think you need to introduce yourself to Jay’s Stirfry. That is all the explanation you would need so you would know why he says that. We all steer clear of Stir. She is a beauty. But she is also WOW. If you check her out on CC FB you will see what I mean. 🙂
No stepping over you BOSS but Stirfry is Jay indicator for what he says. Maybe what he does also.
Tammy, I was kidding about most Torties. But read on and you will learn that Steeler, Kasey,Brooke and Stirfry are not to be messed with. These cats mean business and do not play well with others. Check out Steeler and her play date.