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
Wow – I’m a first-time torti owner and this article describes her to a T! Gretchen is very vocal, feisty, but very loving and follows me around like a dog. She gets jealous when the bf comes over – and unfortunately she isn’t very friendly with my other cat. I bought her, hoping she’d be a companion to my 15 yr old cat Stinker, who is in very good health and still very playful. But she’s constantly harassing him, swatting at him for no reason. I got her from some people who had her and another cat and two dogs, but one of the dogs was allergic to her. She was very buddy, buddy with the other cat, but she grew up with him. I’ve had her three months and there are no signs that she and Stinker will ever be friends. Stinker is a VERY friendly cat and has befriended other cats I’ve had with no problem. Well, she’s a sweet cat to me. Anyone else had this issue and what did you do to resolve it? Do torties get along with other torties or some other type of cat? Stinker’s a tabby, loving, mellow, playful and sweet. He was the dominant cat before my other cat passed away, but now clearly Gretchen is taking over that role.
It sure sounds like Gretchen has tortitude and then some, Leslie! How old is she?
Torties do get along with other cats – I think it’s an individual thing, some cats are just easier to integrate than others.
Did you introduce her gradually to Stinker? If not, you may want to backtrack and start a gradual introduction. Jackson Galaxy recently wrote a guest post here on the site that may be helpful: https://ingridking.com/2011/08/15/cat-to-cat-introductions/
I’ve also had good luck with flower essences when it comes to behavioral issues with cats, so that may be another option.
Greetings Leslie, Ingrid, Bernadette and Harry are our go to people here on multiple cats and social intragration.
Both Bernie with Steeler and myself with Stirfry are the wrong ones to ask. Our Torties are not social cats. They would rather fight then get along.
Hi and welcome Leslie. I have a Tortie named Steeler. As Jay wrote she is not in favor of sharing with any other cat. I once planned and play date for her and another Tortie named Pumpkin. My Mom’s cat. Once Steeler seen Pumpkin and Pumpkin seen the look of Steeler, Pumpkin took off and that was the end of the playdate. Steeler owned the place. The good folks here, waited to hear of the outcome of that playdate,(they kind of knew what was to happen). I took a lot of kidding for that idea.
So the go to folks are the ones Jay mentioned Ingrid, Bernadette and Harry. There is also Glen who has multiples. Jay, Glen and I took in our from the rough outside world. So they rescued us, or we rescued them. We are still trying to figure that one out.
I am sure you will make a good transition with you Gretchen and Stinker. Ingrid and the others will have good advice on that one.
Sounds like totally normal Tortie diva-ishness….Go for what Ingrid says. My apartment was a war zone, but Ingrid gave me some suggestions, and now my place is so peaceful. Thrust me, I went through YEARS of hell and bad juju. It’s better now. Ingrid knows of what she speaks! lol…but seriously, she does! Ingrid is like Yoda
Just laughing that I wrote “bought” – OK – late at night. LOL I adopted her from a very nice couple. Well one issue I’m seeing is that Stinker has something on his tail that’s irritating him – I’m not sure if Gretchen bit him or if it was another cat. He’s an inside cat but two weeks ago when I was having my floors done, I told the idiot flooring guys not to let the cats out of the utility room – not only did they let them out, Stinker got outside, I came home and they didn’t even call me or leave me a note to tell me he was outside. Fortunately, he came to the door when I got home, but shortly after that I noticed an irritation on his tail. I can’t see it under the fur, but it seemed like it was getting better, now it seems worse. He’s going to the vet tomorrow, so maybe when that irritation is gone, he’ll be better able to deal with Gretchen. Poor Stinker. I did introduce them very gradually. Gretchen was in my bedroom for a long time, wouldn’t come out, when she did it was only for a short time. I think it’s just her personality. Darn kitty! Play nice!
Leslie, that’s very possible that the irritation on Stinker’s tail could be causing him to not want to have anything to do with Gretchen. If things don’t improve once he gets better, you may want to think about starting over with gradual introductions. It may be worth it in the long run.
Has anyone here ever seen a brown eyed cat? I never have until Shanks. I’ve seen yellow, green, blue……never brown. The pics I’ve posted don’t really show it, but his eyes are light brown. And for the record, he still has that wierd charcoal tint. His brother is black and short haired with white markings..(and green eyes, btw) SHanks’ fur is kind of wooly and still charcoal….I’ve never seen a cat exactly that color, and I have REALLY never seen a cat with brown eyes!
Can’t say I have seen a brown eyed cat or kitten. But then I haven’t been around to many. Maybe Shanks is still going thru the little kitty stage. Maybe his eyes will change to a different color as he ages. 🙂
Lynn, I’ve seen hazel tending toward dark gold or orange, but kittens’ eyes in particular often got through many stages. He sounds like Fromage, the kitten I fostered two years ago. Her fur was like gray woolly fleece and I could swear she’d grow up to be what’s called a “smoke tabby” where they look black but you can see hints of stripes on their points. But she’s actually quite solid black, with a very thick coat. Here are some photos of her in an article I wrote and it’s not entirely clear but you can see her grayish fur and brownish eyes in a few: http://portraitsofanimals.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/a-little-life-saved/
The fur color is the same, but he’s going to be long-haired, I’m pretty sure. His eyes are a lot darker though
I didn’t get clear enough photos when her eyes were more brown because she moved to fast! I swore she’d be long-haired too, and the gray fuzz was just her undercoat and the longer topcoat would grow in, but she just has plushy fur.
Here’s a tabby kitty on a blog post I read today whose eyes are quite hazel–scroll down to where she’s a kitten: http://compassandquill.com/2011/10/06/isabel/. You can see by the first photo they are warm yellow green now.
Those kitten eyes are the closest I’ve seen. I think this morning I saw a little more of a greenish tinge, so maybe they’re changing as we speak. Still a little wooly bully though. In a way I hope he does end up shorter-haired. Monkey and Peach already drop enough long hair around here, it does a number on the vaccuum
I think what you’re seeing is just a kitten’s normal eye color chnage. I believe that when they change from blue to whatever their final color is going to be (usually green, cold or copper), there may be a phase where they appear brownish.
Thanks! I’ve never seen brown eyes in a cat…it’s really wierd. Like I said, I haven’t been around kittens in about 20 years, I don’t think any of Hatchets kids ever had brown eyes, or maybe I gave them all away before they turned that color.
Hey guys I have been quiet or missing in action so to speak. Not because I didn’t want to post. But I am a single only Child called Steeler. We don’t have any comments to match or compare to all the feeding and differences in having multiple babies. In the words of Steeler, no other living 4 legged animal will survive in this house. So I am reading everything and just laughing. The only area I can really relate to is the body walks and the lefts to the jaws. I have that every Am. Sometimes she pulls this stunt 4 or 5 times a night. Yes I give in and she gets her way. She does sleep on a pillow beside me, but ends up at the foot of the bed not as the early morning hours start.
That is because I have an electric blanket on the bed and it has zone warming. The bottom gets warmer that the top. She is no dummy. She goes where she stretches out full length on her tummy with all four legs stretched out so she gets the full effect of the warmth. She is not spoiled by much.
Steeler bosses you around! ha ha! You’re lucky she lets you stay there.
your right 🙂
Hey Greg, hi. Good to hear about a laid back Tortie. I personally don’t know how that would be. My Steeler is not laid back She is vocal, bossy and intimidating. But she has the look of an angel. But she is very deceptive. Yes, I to have an interest in Ford Mustangs. I have one of the first ones made. I don’t name my little one after that. I call her Steeler. With her colors and my being a Steeler football fan, during good and bad times, I just automatically named her Steeler. The name suits her. She is one tough Tortie.
Please post pic of Shelby on Ingrid’s FB site so we can all get to see how pretty she is.
I guess my Shelby (AKA Shelby Cobra, Shelby Monster, Shelbarino) is at odds with the typical tortoiseshell personality. She is, for the most part, quiet and calm. If she meows once a week it’s a lot.
Greg, my Amber (in the center of this blog header) wasn’t a typical tortie, either. She was very laid back, a little shy, and not very vocal. She did purr up a storm, though – she would purr if you so much as looked at her.
The nicknames you gave your Shelby (cobra and monster) are much more descriptive of the typical tortie personality 🙂
Welcome Greg,
sounds like you are a Ford fan.
I was too, 70 Mach 1, 78 Cobra II and a few early 65 & 66 Coupes.
Bernie has a 64 1/2 Coupe.
Put up pics of Shelby on Ingrid’s site
Love to see her
Greg, my torties aren’t typical torties either, and it’s not because they are up in that “geriatric” life stage at 19 and 17, they’ve always been that way. Cookie is friendly and curious but overall calm and collected, in part because she feels the need to keep me together with my bizarre schedule. Kelly is active and talkative but friendly with me, though shy around other people. Neither one has ever lifted a paw in conflict!
LMAO….
This week’s trauma was, I went into the basement to get some plastic gloves out of a box to restock my cat-event supplies. I picked up the box, on a high shelf of a set of steel shelves, and in the box were acorns. More than a few. Some of them eaten. Now, the cats have access to that part of the basement – not easy, there’s a hole in the drywall in the adjacent room, but they ALL know about it, and if I’m back there with the door closed, Brooke and Pearl will usually show up. That hole in the wall is where Vickie spent the first few days of her life with us. So, it’s not a big secret. However, no one has been going into the room and no one is sitting outside the door paying special attention. Clearly, however, some small mammal, probably chipmunks because we’re surrounded by them, got into the basement and is burying nuts there. I really expected at least a memo from the cats: “We’re not going to do anything about it, but you should know that there are chipmunks burying nuts in your gloves.”
Sorry, that “LMAO” was supposed to go on this post…sounds like your kits are spoiled and lazy (as are all of mine)
The thing is, they’ll hurl themselves full force at the screens on the porch of so much as a leaf flutters by… but real rodents in the basement? Shouldn’t that be positively fascinating? (Vickie did once catch, filet and consume a mouse in the living room, so I’m excusing her. She’s not herself right now, after having all her teeth out two weeks ago.)
LOL..of course! They worked just hard enough to suck you in, now you belong to them…they have food….they no longer have to earn a living lol
Pumpkin want to visit. He said he has talked to the ones outside my house snd they are great frends. He will teach your kits how to play with them – card parties, watch movies and potluck dinners.
For some reason it won’t let me post “LMAO” by itself
Virginia, my almost toothless 14-year-old office cat, caught a mouse and ate the whole thing without any problems. Vickie may surprise you once she’s fully recovered, and your chipmunks may no longer be an issue.
In the meantime, I suggest humane mouse traps.
In fact, that may be why you’ve discovered them now and no one else is concerned–she may have been dining on fresh chipmunk all along.
I didn’t know they made humane mouse traps. I would SO use those I like the little rodents, they’re cute! They don’t deserve to die just because they get into our stuff to try to survive!
The only thing that totally freaks me out are those long legged centipedes…..
Don’t click if you’re squeamish
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antbbx/3270543776/
They’re sometimes about 2 inches long, and they move REALLY fast…..I never saw one until I came to Michigan….don’t know if they’re everywhere or not, but they are HORRIBLE! And Monkey catches and eats them lol….horrifying in and of itself, but they’re good protien, and I figure it’s better that she eats them then having them run across my foot!
No clickage, here 😉 No sign of the little critters, either. Maybe once the food bank disappeared, they moved on. The cats still have absolutely no interest in the room.
no clicking for me either 😛
I am not a bug person.
And I do have two types of those humane mouse traps. Walmart sells one of them.
The mouse runs in, the trap tilts forward and it closes off the entrance.
The other is all natural and colored orange and white. Purrs when working and never hurts them.
LOL….I think I love me some Punks!
Hey, Lynn, what does “Punks” mean. You just lost me again 🙂
Guys I woke up this morning with Peach on my waist, Shanks curled up against the small of my back, and Monkey curled up behind my knees. I’ve never known Peaches and Monkey to be that close together withot fighting….Now my only REAL issue is how to feed them all….3 cats, 3 bowls, only two hands…..Peach is no problem, she’s laid back..she’ll look at her bowl for a minute, get up, stretch, then mosey on over……Monkey and Shanks, on the other hand, the second I set the first bowl down they’re on it like a couple snapping turtles! AS greedy as Monkey is I’m scared she’ll eat poor little Shanks one of these days!
3 cats? I can do 3 with my eyes closed 😛
LMAO Harry, but do you have two who go after the food bowl like competing Diamondbacks….? LOL
Well, Lynn, I have Vickie who smacks May until the bowls come down, Pearl and Brooke trying to eat every single bowl on the counter, Henry who I have to coax to eat some of the time, and I have to keep everyone from eating the two bowls that go upstairs to Piper and Sabrina. So, no – I don’t have TWO that go after the food like that…
LOL Oh, you’re good!
I love it when one of them smacks another at mealtime, I don’t know why. Namir and Peaches used to be the two on the cabinet, and Namir had a great slap with his long arms and white mittens. Peaches was usually the recipient and she just weathered his blows and ignored him, though sometimes he hit her hard enough to knock her off the cabinet. He didn’t mean it. Sometimes I got smacked too.
LMAO…I bow to your expertice.
I have to entice Peaches to eat too, then she’ll eat a few bites, maybe, then she’s done with it…The other two, Monkey and Shanks are like wild wombats lol They’ll finish their bowl then whichever is faster will go eat what Peaches left.
Monkey actually ate herself sick this weekend. I was sitting here, heard her start hiccuping, so I went and grabbed a paper bag and put it under her…..I COULD NOT believe the size of the pile she got rid of….there’s no way her stomach could hold HALF that much! I wish I could somehow leave them separate dry…..she’s so greedy, it’s terrible!
Lianimal, I feed the seniors and delicate Mimi on a cabinet in the middle of the room, but the Big Four mill around my feet and all four of them are ready at the same time–and I’m handling four bowls of food! Using my prized waitress skills, I stand in position, usually being climbed upon, then suddenly lean over and put the bowls on the floor two at a time, spaced apart, otherwise they’ll be flipped out of my hands and the contents onto the floor. They’ll still eat it, not a problem there, but I don’t care for it on the floor! So far, so good.
Next, I need to keep them away from the girls who eat much more slowly. I cruise around the cabinet deflecting their efforts.
I must say their mother taught them manners. They will wait for the girls to be done, and I’ll even hold their bowls aside so they can eat more a little later, with no complaints. They never met my Kublai, who stole any food he could find just for fun, and would have leapt over me to get to the cabinet.
LMAO…that’s awesome! Not to mention some serious waitress skills….impressive!
If I remember correctly, you don’t have a way to close her in a separate room so she can eat in peace? I’d go with Bernadette’s suggestion to feed her on a counter or cabinet, and maybe distract Monkey and Shanks with toys while she finishes her meal.
Lianimal even if it’s in the bathroom and you can take some time it might be worth it. Cookie is unimpressed with their attempts or my vigilance, but both make Kelly very nervous, especially when I’m on patrol. Starting with a few cats ago, when someone needed an extra feeding, we went into the bathroom where it was quiet and pleasant, calmed down, then had a nice little meal with no attempts on it and no patrolling by me. Right now, Cookie and Kelly get the Senior Special for lunch and get to spend some quiet time in the bathroom with no young noses.
They don’t seem to mess with Peaches much anymore, and Sunday her and Shanks chased each other up and down the hall twice before Peaches went all Hissy-Making-scary-vampire-faces-while plotting evilness and mass destruction……The other morning I woke up with all three of them. I hope that keeps up
And no, no way to close anyone in. I always feed Monkey near the dry food, and I’ve always fed Peach wherever she happens to be at the time, Shanks hits Monkey’s food bowl like a Pirahna, and I have to grab him and take him to his. Monkey’s so brutally greedy, I’m afraid for him when he puts his teeny little head in the bowl, my fat greedy girl might EAT him!
And honestly, Monkey is CRAZY great with Shanks….I don’t think I’ve ever seen an adult cat take to a little guy like that. These two are BFFS! I always knew Monkey was a special girl…..she’s not going to hurt him intentionally…..she might bite him in the head when he sticks his head in her bowl…..lol
There’s nothing better than your cats sleeping with you, is there? My two have a tendency to wedge themselves against me so tight (usually, they’ve got one of my legs trapped, or they’re curled up one against my back, the other against my chest) that I can’t get out of bed without disrupting their sleep. I’ve been known to lay awake for close to an hour before giving in to the urge to get up! What’s a little discomfort and lost sleep compared to kitties snuggling, right?
It fascinates me that just that little bit of weight can totally pin us down, like little sandbags!
Yeah…..When my alarm finally hits the 3rd snooze I HAVE to get up, I set it so I have time to wake them up with pets, kisses, and sweet words….me in the morning;
“Monkster, hey sweet stuff *jaw and ear rubbing* How you doing sweet stuff? I have to get up now, ‘kay? Gangsta Shanksta…love you Boo, you ain’t no wanksta! *kiss his head and put him on the floor* “P! Morning gorgeous! Aren’t you looking wonderfully evil! *kiss on the head, then she bites me* ” Okay, done with you, get down” *roll over and she hops down*……”Monkey! Get off me, I have to get up! *roll over……Monkey does the log-roll walk and stays on top* Me; laughing; “Monkey! I have to get up now!” *rolling again….Monkey still on top….this goes on for at least a few minutes before I rub her jaws enough and she FINALLY hops down* Then I start my day.
Lianimal, it’s so wonderful when they all tuck in around you, especially when one of them sleeps on you!
Right? That was the sweetest….I wish (Hope) they could be close enough to do that every night!
Tonday is my 1st day on 2nd shift.
Hope to see lots of action on here when I get home after midnight. 🙂
Remember – our goal is 10,000
My cousin met Brett Michaels…went backstage and got a pic with him even! lol….I feel so unloved…
Just in case you forgot, Berns, he did
http://youtu.be/c56vEgA4fjU
I’ve posted it here before and you liked it
And he’s Peaches, purring and rubbing…she REALLY loves this song! lol
Here’s Peaches, I mean…sorry!
And also
http://youtu.be/8SbUC-UaAxE
is pretty
Different band, same vibe
Fantastic song. I saw Poison in concert 3 time , 1 time working security at Hershey’s outdoor stadium. Never got to meet the band though. Would love to get his autograph on a guitar though. And don’t worry – we love you on here.
That’s awesome, I would LOVE to see them! BTW, has baby B&W sucked you in yet?
Lianimal – not yet on little B&W.
I am now on 2nd shift and only saw him yesterday at 2:30 as I was leaving and not at all today.
But now he wants scratches more than food. Even given him a belly rub. Can’t get more friendly than that.
Wild Child I do like this one. Thanks. It is Berns and Steeler approved. 🙂 I am also so happy to read how well Shanks has changed things in the kitty home for you and the other little ones. I knew you had two good kitties. Now they have a baby to train. Heaven help him with Monkey. Maybe Peaches will give him a different outlook on his culture besides metal. I can only hope. 🙂
Yeah, I don’t know about all that….Peaches is a little metalhead too, she just prefers the older stuff…..poor lil SHanks doesn’t have a chance!
On a sadder note, he’s REALLY shy about people….He madly loves Monkey, but he’s just now starting to trust me. I have NO idea what he’s been through, but it hasn’t been people-positive, I suspect
Princess Peach has slept on my waist three nights this week (unheard of since Monkey’s been here) That’s new (and a sign the old Peaches is coming back) And Peaches chased (and let herself be chased by) Shanks twice up and down the hall today before she went all hissy and made scary vampire faces. Either Shanks, the drops, or the combination are making a HUGE difference in my house. Peach is still gaining weight, and never pukes anymore. Unfortunately Monkey is also gaining….. But 90% good news is 90% good news, right? lol
Lianimal, I think you have a sweet success story on your hands! Plus a lot of fun entertainment! What could be better? Shanks may be a little devil right now, but some kitties are angels, especially when they show up at just the right moment and make your life better like Shanks.
For real you guys, I never ever thought it was possible to have this kind of peace in my home since Monkey came. She made my home very stressfull. It wasn’t really her, though, just the conflicting personalities, and I wasn’t willing to get rid of either of them….for one thing, I don’t believe pets are disposable, they are forever. Plus Peaches is so ornery she would have been all but impossible to re-home. P would have died in a shelter. If I had ended up HAVING to try to re-home one of them, it would probably have been Monks, even though she’s my soulmate. She’s sweet enough (in her own way) she could find someone else to love her. It would have broken my heart, but that would have been the only choice. Thank God Shanks came along and made that choice unneccesary
He is…lol…a tiny black develish angel lol
Hey Wild Child sounds like you are really enjoying the changes in your little ones. Shanks seems to have helped solve part of the behavior. Peaches sleeping on your waist. Now that sounds like a good thing. Enjoy your new kitties. They will probably give you plenty to laugh at. 🙂
lol Berns, they make me laugh everyday. Shanks likes to do this thing where he stands on his back legs with both front paws out to the sides like Ki-zilla just befor he pounces Monkey…I keep trying to get it on camera but I’m not fast enough lol
Great news on Peaches. Shanks takes the pressure off her by redirecting Monkey’s attention.
Glad things are working out so well for you.
Exacctly..it’s so awesome
I was away all yesterday (Fall Carlisle Car show and flea market) I was told not to bring home any fleas but did but a camshaft, lifters, rocker arms and head bolts that I needed for my Camaro.
It was cold and rain off and on all day.
So I did not get to see my outside cat even though I left food out. I worry about these kits as I know the dangers they face.
All day today no sign of him but at 6:20 tonite he showed up.
Dry cat food, part of an egg (my dinner) and a hot dog were given to him. He was damp but wanted scratches more than anything.
Folks, sounds like Jay is attached to a little kit. Any flea treatments for him, I have a feeling his family may grow. The weather is going to be a real factor in is decision. I think he will give in and take him in soon. Especially when he worries when he doesn’t see him for a day or two.
What do you guys think. Think Jay will give in? 🙂
I think that if the little kitty disappears for a day again, he’ll be inside the next time he shows up.
I am with you on that one Bernadette. Now that the weather is so miserable. I think the little kit has adopted Jay. He just has to figure that one out. 🙂
lol…he was all; “Hey, here’s a softie who’ll take me in!” lol
I am hoping very much that he gives in and gives the little guy a home especially with winter coming. The kitty won’t take up much room, won’t get cold and damp, Jay will know where he is even if he is hiding, and all he requires in return are some good scratchies and a little food from daddy.
Betty, I am with you. The little outside kitty is attached to Jay. You can tell by the way he keeps mentioning it. When you are concerned when an outside kitty does not come around for a night or day, your hooked. The weather here is nasty so maybe Jay will soon decide what to do with the kitty. It is sad that so many kitties are left to try to survive on their own. No wonder they are so defensive at times.
Apparently the computer gremlins ate a few comments yesterday evening. I have e-mail notifications for them and they’re showing up in my moderation panel, but they didn’t make it to the blog. Here they are:
From Sharon:
“Surprised she didn’t jump for a ride. That is one of the few things Doodlebug gets excited about. Our elderly neighbor got a Hover-round 2 months ago and Dood is just fascinated by it. I can tell now when she’s coming over because he hears the motor and goes right to the front door. As soon as I open it Dood jumps up on her lap and settles himself in for a ride around the living room and outside to the back patio.
I can’t help laughing at him – he sits there in Sphinx pose and looks sooooo pleased with himself as his personal human chauffeur drives him around, scattering lesser cats like his mom and sister out of the way.
Considering how blase’ he is about toys, catnip, even food, it’s really funny to see him get all excited about this. Our neighbor jokes she’s changing his nickname from Lovebug (because he always does hugs when if you pick him up facing you) to King-of-the-Road.”
From Bernie:
“Sharon that is really funny about Doodlebug going cruising with the neighbor. Steeler is a floor dweller. She follows me everywhere I go, but she can’t jump due to her early days of abuse before she came to me. I am glad she can’t get on this thing with me. I keep running into doorways and after all this is done with, I am going to be patching and painting doorways. No doubt about it. Steeler is safer on the floor than to even think about riding around with me, on this thing. I hope and pray that when this cast comes off in 10 more days everything will be healed right and I can get back my life.
So for my birthday, all I want is wishes that I heal ok and my leg will be fine. Then I can get back to doing the things I enjoy.”
From Betty:
“I have a power chair that a friend whose partner died no longer needed. Columbia is petrified of it when it is moving. She is ok if it’s just sitting there, but the minute it starts to move she runs like its one of the transformers chasing her!!”
From Bernie:
“Betty, Steeler is not afraid of the “electric chair” (not that kind either you guys). Steeler is one of those Torties that think the sweeper is an amusement ride for her. I have to sometimes put her in the sunroom and close the door so I can run the sweeper and not have her trying to ride on it.
She doesn’t show a whole lot of fear. Guess it is from being outside for such a long time. In her if it moves or even if it doesn’t, she claims it as hers.”
From Betty:
“Columbia is a very skiddish tortie. She is petrified of the vacuum (actually so is her sister and brothers and the dog) and hides until it’s over. Anything out of the ordinary spooks her. The other night my hubbie was cooking dinner and two potatoes had fallen out of the bag and were still on the floor. You would have thought a 5 headed monster had invaded the house. She saw them and went belly down, slowly crept over towards them, then turned around and ran like the wind. After we stopped laughing, my husband picked up the potatoes.:Columbia is a very skiddish tortie. She is petrified of the vacuum (actually so is her sister and brothers and the dog) and hides until it’s over. Anything out of the ordinary spooks her. The other night my hubbie was cooking dinner and two potatoes had fallen out of the bag and were still on the floor. You would have thought a 5 headed monster had invaded the house. She saw them and went belly down, slowly crept over towards them, then turned around and ran like the wind. After we stopped laughing, my husband picked up the potatoes.”
Bernie, I hope you had a great birthday!
Ingrid, I’m so glad you posted these! I read them last night and wanted to comment but they weren’t there.
I especially like Columbia and the potatoes! What little fictions is she devising in her little kitty head? Whenever they do that, I’m sure they have to have vivid imaginations!
Columbia’s reaction to the potatoes sounds like something Allegra would do! I just put a video up on YouTube of her attacking a bracelet I dropped. It’s crappy quality, but you can see how “brave” she was! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUOmNLeavhg
Ruby, who is not afraid of anything else, is afraid of the vacuum. Allegra, who is afraid of a lot of things, couldn’t care less about the vacuum and watches it from a foot or two away. Oddly, I just got a cordless Bissell sweeper that is much quieter than the vacuum, and she doesn’t like it at all!
I just watched several of your utubes with the little ones. I especially liked little Ruby’s determination to beat that tickle pickle. 🙂 🙂
There is no telling what sents will interest some cats.
One day, a potatoe rolled out of an open bag, onto the kitchen floor.
Taz (our 20 pound orange guy) and Morgan (10 pound female tuxie) approached it cautiously from opposite directions as if it was “not of this world”, beamed in from space.
Morgan got there first and was vigorously sniffing it, the sent was VERY interesting, I guess.
However, apparently, the sent was too good to share because when Taz got there, she hit him on top of the head several times (and they are normally “buds”).
The next time they encountered a potatoe, there was zero interest in it; there is no telling what will grab their attention, sometimes, IMHO.
lol true…mine can find a tiny speck of paper on the floor and play with it for hours
When Kasey lived at the gas plant, she never had actual toys, before I brought her home.
When I used to go there to work on some project or for meetings, I would crumple up a piece of paper and toss it on the floor for her.
You’d think I’d given her a $100.00 bill, she’d run it around the plant office floor for 10 minutes.
I just tried her with a scrap of paper just now, she ambled over to it and sniffed it, then just walked away.
Her preference these days is stuffed catnip toys or a string on a stick that I entertain her with.
Allegra is too cute in that video, yet still braver than Columbia was with the potatos as she wouldn’t get close enough to sniff or touch them.
I found out with both Magenta and Columbia, the easiest way to confuse a tortie is to rearrange the furniture. I had found them both to be protective of “their house” and anything moved around or new is cause for massive bellies down, sniffing, and major confusion and upset.
Happy Birthday, Bernie! Have a wonderful day!
Ingrid, thank you. Steeler and I will are enjoying the day.
Let me add our best wishes to the clowder. I hope Steeler’s baking you a catnip cake:
http://schneiderchen.de/588Catnip-Cake-For-Cats.html
Harry thanks. Leave it to you to make me laugh. That really is a catnip cake. I think I may have something sticky and then wash it down with a nice liquid. 🙂
Be careful with that sticky stuff. The last thing you need now is for Steeler to have to drive you to the dentist.
I can’t promise that Harry. I really love that sticky stuff. I’ll hide the keys from Steeler, just in case.
Happy Birthday!! Hope you’re having a great time, and that you have many, many more!!
Thanks Sharon. I hope to be around a long long time and to stay on this blog just to keep being ornery.
Oops! lol, I meant Shanks! not Slash!
I knew that. Confusion often happens. Shanks is a name I won’t forget. You, though, should be very careful of him for making that slip. 🙂
Happy Birthday Bernie!!!
http://youtu.be/LhZ9q4Aa1FY
From Lynn, Monkey, Slash and The Queen of Everything, Peaches…….
I enjoyed it but maybe to metal for Bernie 🙂
Let’s try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Nz9B1XFio
by The Beatles
But it only lasted a minute…..and it was what Monkey, Shanks and Peaches wanted to send…..lol
Jay, thank you for the Bday song. That was from the heart also. I had never heard that one before. I did enjoy that 🙂 PS I don’t see any dancing in the my near future. 🙂
My darling Wild Child.
Thank you, Monkey, Shanks, and Queen Peaches for the Bday wish. 🙂
I know it comes from the heart. ( I owe you one ( 🙂
Hey Wild Child just catching up with you. no no on this one. Every Rose has it’s thorn is a good one. It is both Steeler and Bernie approved. Thanks:)
Happy B’day Berns!
Just so people don’t forget.
Steelers Mom’s Birthday is tomorrow.
Not sure how old as she won’t tell me but 27 or 28 is my guess.
😛 HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNIE !!!!!! 🙂
Hope you have a great birthday tomorow and many many more.
OK Jay now you did it. Forcing Steeler’s Mom to reveal her age. Well it is not 27 or 28. Steeler’s Mom admits to 29. So there you all you get. 🙂
No matter how old you are, Bernie, Cookie is older than you.
Happy Birthday!
Bernadette I love you. You are the best. Now I am really happy. Cookie older than me. She must be 30. 🙂
Happy Birthday Bernie!! (waited until afteridnight to make it official!).
May the next gazillion years be better than the last!!
betty, Columbia, Janet, Brad and Rocky
^–^
o o
Thank you Betty, Columbia, Janet, Brad and Rocky. Steeler and I will appreciate the “next gazillion” years.
I was out feeding my little outside cat and Punky was watching.
I opened the door and Tabby came out and Punky slowly did.
I picked him up and went up to the outside kitty.
Pumpkin was shy and even though 2 feet apart would not face the kitty.
The little B&W kit was belly down and watching him. Not close friends yet but no fights. Thought about taking Stir out but did not want to traumatize him.
Our favorite Author and Cat Blogger is on another Blog
Natural Cat Care Blog
http://www.naturalcatcareblog.com/2011/09/two-unique-cat-consultants-you’re-gonna-love-part-1/
Great article and well worth reading
Thanks so much, Jay!
Lynn and Glen:
I know their a conspiracy among our little ones that is on auto to get that litter box dirty as fast as possible when it is cleaned. At least that is how it seems.
Ok Tortie friends we have a Steeler anti for today. As we have all “discussed or noted” litter box cleaning is a top priority with our little ones. I believe we have all said at one time or another, no sooner than the litter box is cleaned and the kitties get right in there and let a gift.
Well you all know I am still in this cast so for me to get down to clean Steeler’s litter box is not all that easy. So today I was down and sat on a step and Steeler was sitting on the second step up watching me. Then she walked into and out of the litter box while I was still cleaning it and showed me she will do as she wants.
So I am still sitting on the step tying the plastic bag of used litter to throw away. She didn’t ever give me the courtesy of waiting for me to leave the step. During this process she got right into the litter box and said there, I left you another gift. Covered it and left me sitting on the step, actually at this point I just laughed at her. How can she be so cute and be so “Tortie, I’ll show you” all at the same time.
Well that is all I have. I think that is just about enough from her for today. Hopefully
Rubysits right next to the box when I start cleaning it, watchin very closely. When I’m finished, Allegra always goes in the box, not to use it, but to sniff around. I think she’s making sure I did it right. Nothing like having not just one, but two tortie supervisors.
Ingrid and Jay, when I say Steeler was there, that was mild. What she did was actually get in and then out of the littler box as I was cleaning it. Then while I was still at the box finishing and smoothing the littler she got right in and used it, right then and there. She didn’t even wait until I was done.
She can be a real whipper snapper!!!! But don’t you just love it when they do things like that???
I do, but then I am just so happy with her, she gets away with anything, and I do mean anything.
What is a Tortie servant to do? :):):):):)
You know you’re in deep when you love the way your cat uses the litterbox.
I admit I love that little one. But you also deeply a little Tortie. I think Cookie is really the love of your little ones. Not that you don’t love them all, but she is your special one. 🙂
We need to get the emails going for your calendar. Email me when you get a free moment, thanks.
Yes, Cookie is definitely my best friend, and I’m glad she’s on the mend too, feeling sassy and getting her little speckled tortie nose into everything I’m doing and purring, as is her habit.
And she has always loved to use the litterbox–I’ve often thought she used it even when she didn’t need to, and especially when the litter was fresh.
I have one more event that will take some time, then I’m home free again–on Saturday Joe Negri is playing at the Library and Music Hall along with a big cast of Pittsburgh jazz greats and jazz luminaries, and it’s the annual benefit so all the big hats in Pittsburgh arts and culture and foundations will be there–I’m photographing, and also helping to organize people. I may want to sleep all day Sunday, but I’ll get in touch then.
Bernadette that sounds like an exciting time for you. You doing the photography, well, they picked the best all around for that. Would be so nice if that was televised. I know you are looking forward to seeing the completion of all the work you have and are going to put into that event.
As for Cookie, you could never hide your special feelings for her. Hearing she is feeling somewhat better, is really good news. Hope she keeps it up and keeps you happy. After all she is the family matriarch and has to keep those little imps in line for her Mom. 🙂
Stirfry wait till it’s clean then goes in.
I wait 10 minutes before empting it outside.
Jay there is no wait time with Steeler. It was instantaneous. All I could do was laugh. She just keeps surprising me. Life is so much better having her healthy again.:)
Ugh…I swear, the SECOND I clean it one of them’s in there. I tried not cleaning it, but they went anyway lol. Sort of the same way that any time you’re reading a book a cat will lay on it. It doesn’t even have to be your cat. You can be in a public park…even in deep forest….Open a book and some cat will just randomly appear to lay on it.
I think it’s a plot. They want to keep us from reading because they’re afraid that by educating ourselves, we will somehow stumble upon their nefarious secrets
Absolutely, for both the litter box and laying on reading material 🙂
Boy, isn’t that the truth about cats and books!
Hey Wild CHild, you are so far back that I am going to start here. I believe my concern was more for your safety first, then the little ones. Always remember, the innocent are usually hurt unnecessarily. End of Topic.
Princess Peaches. Well she has been promoted. Good going.
Betty are you on Facebook? I have a million pics of the girls.
Here are 2 links, hope they work.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1629436383466.89997.1463299814
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1624738266016.89599.1463299814
The links worked great. What little beauties they are. Turned me to mush they did..lol
They’re so precious!
They were so adorable when they were little. Nikita already had what I call her “mask” marking on her face and the perfect dark line down her nose dividing the 2 halves.
I was looking at her last night and wondering if she may have siamese in her because she is so vocal and so long and sleek looking now. Not an ounce of fat on that girl (unless you look at the “purse” that is growning on her tummy from spaying). Her sister Luna on the other hand is filling out.
They must have really played hard last night because when I got up this morning I actually had to call them to the kitchen to be fed. Usually they are right by my bedroom door and sqwaking at me to feed them. This was unusual for them to still be asleep.
Ugh, speaking of fat……Peach is gaining some weight on the new grain-free diet, and Shanks, not fat, has outgrown his brother (on kitten chow) by almost half…..all good. But on the minus side, Monkey seems to be getting bigger. A LOT bigger! SHe was skinny when I got her, progressed to chubby, but I’m afraid she’s starting to verge on obese. I can’t believe it’s happening, really, a better diet, a kitten to play with, why would she be GAINING?!
I just took a couple of pics of her laying down….I’m going to post them in a few, let me know what you think
Hey I will be looking for them. Are you posting on your FB or CC FB?
Those are absolutely adorable pictures. Love them all.
Fantastic pics. Such pretty girls (of course). And we did see a Tortie with blue eyes – at least till they changed.
If you look on my facebook page under the album kittens there are several pictures of my girls as little ones. The were so adorable and tiny for a little while.
Now they are all grown up and gorgeous.
Sounds adorable, what is the link to your page?
Wow, you guys had another busy night! Sorry Bernie and everyone else, but I do turn into a pumpkin after about 10pm 🙂 I do read everything even if I don’t always respond individually!
Lynn, your story is an inspiration. You always struck me as a very strong woman – with a soft heart.
Betty, I love the idea of National Stubborn Tortie Day! Then again, wouldn’t that be every day?
Jay, thank Stirfry for the congrats. Did anybody keep track of who got the 7000th comment? The winner gets – oh, I don’t know. How about a mouse that Pumpkin caught?
Ingrid the 7000th would be Stirfry who said congrats. So she can already get the next mouse pumpkin catches:)
Well, then I picked the right prize!
“Wow, you guys had another busy night! Sorry Bernie and everyone else, but I do turn into a pumpkin after about 10pm ”
You have a desire to catch mice and play with them ???? 🙂
Punky would be proud of you.
Stir Says congrats on 7000
Ok I will try to draw Ingrid out with this one. Steeler blocked my path tonight at the island in the kitchen. I was trying to get around it from the fridge. She wanted KC and I am out of it. I even tapped her with my toe to make her move. She did not budge. I had to turn my electric chair around and go around the other side of the island to get out of the kitchen. Talk about Tortitude.
She defied me to make her move. She won.
So now Ingrid get youself on her fast. I am getting a little sleepy and don’t want to miss the fireworks show when you post the 7000.
Go girl.
Ruby or Allegra put up a post. 🙂 🙂 NOW
At 10,000 Ingrid BETTER be the one. She has earned it and we have her to thank for all of this. Great friends and wonderful kits.
Steeler blocking yiu path was very interesting to read Bernie. The reason why is Columbia always moves when I get near her with my knee scooter so I can pass through. Today for the first time I was going into my computer room and she was in there laying on the floor. She outright refused to move despite the front wheels being only about an inch from her. Finally I had to reach down and push on her butt to get her to move.
Coincidence or national stubborn tortie day?
Betty, no coincidence. It is just a regular stubborn tortie day. Steeler’s sweet face fools many. She just wanted her way and she would not budge. I did the tapping her with my toe several times and then I just had to turn the other way.
Are you sure Columbia and Steeler didn’t get a hold of a phone and plan this for today to get their way. Sometimes I wonder.
I’m not sure if they used the phone or just used their internal “psychic hotline”. Today when I came into the computer room she got up and moved like she usually does. I think she knew that I was bringing in a piece of bread to snack on, one of her favorite treats a piece of plain white bread. She climbed up on my puter table, stood in front of the monitor (of course) and snacked on bread with mommy.
Betty, I don’t know for sure how Tortie’s communicate. However, I can assure you Steeler sleeps on her pillow beside me on the bed. On the nightstand on her side she has a cordless phone. There are mornings when I awaken and see the phone off the cradle. So I wonder.
She is being very demanding today. Wanting all my attention and clawing the dining chair legs to get what she wants. It works. Everytime.
Columbia and Steeler seem to be exercising their authority, but then that is all the time, right. 🙂
Sharon that is really funny about Doodlebug going cruising with the neighbor. Steeler is a floor dweller. She follows me everywhere I go, but she can’t jump due to her early days of abuse before she came to me. I am glad she can’t get on this thing with me. I keep running into doorways and after all this is done with, I am going to be patching and painting doorways. No doubt about it. Steeler is safer on the floor than to even think about riding around with me, on this thing. I hope and pray that when this cast comes off in 10 more days everything will be healed right and I can get back my life.
So for my birthday, all I want is wishes that I heal ok and my leg will be fine. Then I can get back to doing the things I enjoy.
Surprised she didn’t jump for a ride. That is one of the few things Doodlebug gets excited about. Our elderly neighbor got a Hover-round 2 months ago and Dood is just fascinated by it. I can tell now when she’s coming over because he hears the motor and goes right to the front door. As soon as I open it Dood jumps up on her lap and settles himself in for a ride around the living room and outside to the back patio.
I can’t help laughing at him – he sits there in Sphinx pose and looks sooooo pleased with himself as his personal human chauffeur drives him around, scattering lesser cats like his mom & sister out of the way.
Considering how blase’ he is about toys, catnip, even food, it’s really funny to see him get all excited about this. Our neighbor jokes she’s changing his nickname from Lovebug (because he always does hugs when if you pick him up facing you) to King-of-the-Road.
I have a power chair that a friend whose partner died no longer needed. Columbia is petrified of it when it is moving. She is ok if it’s just sitting there, but the minute it starts to move she runs like its one of the transformers chasing her!!
Betty, Steeler is not afraid of the “electric chair” (not that kind either you guys). Steeler is one of those Torties that think the sweeper is an amusement ride for her. I have to sometimes put her in the sunroom and close the door so I can run the sweeper and not have her trying to ride on it.
She doesn’t show a whole lot of fear. Guess it is from being outside for such a long time. In her if it moves or even if it doesn’t, she claims it as hers.
Columbia is a very skiddish tortie. She is petrified of the vacuum (actually so is her sister and brothers and the dog) and hides until it’s over. Anything out of the ordinary spooks her. The other night my hubbie was cooking dinner and two potatoes had fallen out of the bag and were still on the floor. You would have thought a 5 headed monster had invaded the house. She saw them and went belly down, slowly crept over towards them, then turned around and ran like the wind. After we stopped laughing, my husband picked up the potatoes.
Ok Bernadette or someone get Ingrid out of bed to hit the 7000 mark. Torties are calling. 🙂 🙂
Ingrid seems to close up shop at about 10:00. There’s always 8,000 and 9,000 to practice on.
I thought 7000 was going for a stretch at first. Now 8000 or 9000 heading for 10000. I hope I can endure that long. These Torties and personal stories about each of us, well we just may make it.
Right now I am cross eyed. I am so tired but I am not able to fall asleep. Tonight the cast feel very heavy and irritating. Hope tomorrow will be a better day. It seems like I have been in this for so long. I am not getting the exercise I need and want. Well I am going to sign off now. Hope sleep will come soon. My mind just keeps thinking of everything going on. I need a blank mind tonight.
Goodnight all.
Hi everyone!
Just popping in to get caught up. Wasn’t there a discussion about Tortie’s and blue eyes?
Nikita had them as a baby when I got her but I guess that doesn’t count? I was looking through some pictures on the computer and she definitely had blue eyes at one point. Now they are a yellowish green like Luna’s.
Nothing new or exciting to report at the moment staus quo which is good. The girls are being their same silly selves.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Sue, cats of breeds with “points” who also typically have blue eyes like Siamese and Himalayans can be “tortie-point” with blue eyes. They’re not tortie all over, but it’s close.
All baby cats have blue eyes, and I always wish they’d stay! They outgrow them if their eyes aren’t meant to be blue.
My little outside B&W kit has the prettiest blue eyes. I have to find a home for him.
A Tortie question. Are Torties always that color when they are born or do they change into that as they age ?
I have never seen a Tortie younger than 6 months old.
Jay, all kittens have blue eyes for their first several weeks before they begin changing to their final color. This timing is different for each kitten. My black cat Kublai’s eyes still looked blue at about 10 to 12 weeks, but eventually they changed, though his eyes ended up being pale blue green.
Sorry Bernadette as I was not clear on my question. I know all kittens have the blue eyes (Punky’s changed into wonderful gold) but animal planets said the fur colors change on some cats as they get older. Are Torties Black and Gold from birth or do they start out as all black with the gold comming in as they age?
Yes, torties are the tortie colors when they are born.
I bet Torties are born with the Tortitude also. I wouldn’t know. I rescued Steeler when she was an adult. I think they must be born with that Tortitide. Since Steeler is responding to her meds, surprisingly and to my delight her eyes are slowing returning to the beautiful amber color they had been.
Steeler is also beginning to show her graying around her little nose area. Looks a little odd. But then I guess they gray a little along with the rest of us.
Well. Betty answered that question for me. Guess I have to scroll down before writing any more 🙂
Wold love to see a Tortie Kitten.
And wonder what the Mom thought. “Damn – I’m in for trouble now”
Tiny torties are so darned cute I don’t know why everyone doesn’t want one!
They are definitely born with tortitude. I got Columbia when she was about 4 weeks old and she was already tortified! I had put a link to her 8 weeks old pic, I have some of her at 4 weeks I will put up either today or tomorrow so you can see a baby tortie.
Shanks came with dark gold eyes…..almost brown, and they’re still that color. His white hairs aren’t gone yet, the ones that make him sort of charcoal. I met his brother, he’s much smaller now, with short slick true-black fur. I’m thinking Shanks is gonna be long haired and may possibly keep the charcoal look, especially from the shoulders down. I hope so
Wow, busy night last night! At this rate, we’ll hit 10,000 in no time!
Only 13 posts to 7,000. Tortie folks are busy
Okay, it’s my turn to start helping up the ante on posts. Aside from my event last week and a particularly heavy design week–several of my customers are non-profits and they all have benefit events in October so I’ve been designing my little fingers off with programs and post cards and invitation sets–I’m also nearly out of space on my 400GB hard drive. It’s mostly photos because I like to keep them handy and a separate hard drive is so annoying, but I finally moved all of 2008 onto the drive for photos tonight. With my computer that full it moves more slowly every day. Soon, after all this work, I will get my new computer; many parts of this one are eight years old, and there are times I’ve worked nearly 24 hours in a day, but it’s time to retire this one before it retires itself!
You finally came out to play. Good for you. ” All work and no play” well you know the saying!!!
A new computer. Are you getting it built for you like the old one, but updated. You must have some really sore fingers not to mention brain matter.
Have you tried an external hard drive? I had one once….It was pretty easy to install and helped a lot!
Lianimal, I have three, one for photos, one for art, and one for customer work, and they are full as well. I’ve been working at home on a computer since the mid 90s, and I have everything I’ve ever digitized–all my graphic design, artwork, photos, documents.
But one of the things everyone should do once per year is make sure everything is backed up, wipe your hard drive clean and reinstall everything. That’s how my computer has lasted this long because little issues that build up with fragmentation, program conflicts, programs and applets that are loaded onto your computer that you don’t even know about, don’t have a chance to persist and become big problems, but the problem now is it’s just plain old. Even if I did the wipe clean it would still be running slowly.
I’d rather spend more time petting my kitties than waiting for my computer to decide what to do next!
Holy crap Berns! I have like 400 gigs and it’s nowhere near full!
Ok Tortie family. I posted a pic of Steeler practicing her field goal kicking ability for the Pgh Steelers and today Jay posted a pic of Stirfry on my FB of the pair of horseshoes she stole off one of the Colts while she was protecting Steeler in the game. Great Pics. Take a look. Torties are so different and so entertaining. Just have to love them all. Actually all little furry kitties need to be loved like that.
Enjoy the pics of Steeler and Stirfry on my FB. 🙂
AWWWWW! TOO cute!
Hey Wild Child you have 3 little beauties to help make your life better. You don’t need to worry about the neighbors or hurting anyone. You have a family to care for. 🙂
True Berns, but my kids are always safe. Even when the drama was going on I had one eye on Monkey and the other on Shanks, making sure they didn’t get out or underfoot lol…No need to worry about Princess Peach, as she’s ornery and street-smart enough to take care of herself! lol
I think Peaches would prefer to be called “her royal highness”…
Good point! I will change Her title immediately…..lol
Anyway, every time they leave Shanks comes back out. He’s a regular little banshee, and him and Monkey are a HORRIBLE pair! They’re completely destroying the place. I guess that would be okay if I was a good housekeeper. But I’m not so it kind of sucks lol
I mean, the place is already destroyed, and they’re destroying it even more! LOL
Oh yeah! If it ever escalates…..if I ever saw one or the other SERIOUSLY abusing the other, I would dial for sure. But if she just comes over freaking out again…..I know probably James hasn’t done anything to her…there’s a good chance she’s just nuts and he’s innocent. How do I know? And what do I do? And WHY do I always get psycho neigbors?! I NEVER cause these kinds of problems! WTH????? lol
I found out tonight why poor little SHanks is shy, and why he comes out to meet everyone except for his original Owners. I should have known there was something wierd, but I never clicked I let his original owners (my neigbors) use the phone on occasion, this afternoon she came over, used the phone, everything was apparently fine. Two minutes later, HE came over, called somebody and said she was flipping out, all his stuff was on the lawn and he was leaving. She came knocking, I told her to come in, and she started talking to whoever he was talking to then she slammed the phone and left, apparently the police were called and everyone talked it out. Meanwhile I have the Maintenence man in my apartment asking me what he’s supposed to do when a hysterical female (my neigbor) beats on his door claiming she’s been abused, even though they’re not friends and don’t even really know each other (He called 911, sat her on his couch, and went over to talk to James, then apparently she came flying in there like some kind of psycho and attacked James …..Meanwhile James’ sister is calling me asking me to go get him….I reluctantly go knock, o-one answers, the maintenence guy comes out, I explain to him what’s going on, he comes over and talks to James’ sister….not 5 minutes later James comes in, says everything his fine, his GF is just under a lot of stress, apologises and says everything’s fine.
Then the mainternence guy comes over bitching about them, and asking what ghe’s supposed to do if it happens again…does he offer to help or assume she’s crying wolf again? I don’t know. My instinct (been there done that) Is to help, just in case she actually IS being abused…but I’m torn on this one too…James really DOES seem like a laid-back cool guy, and she seems like the nut. But how do you really know? He outweighs her by at least 100 lbs, and is taller by abot 6 inches……
Hey Wild child. First put Shanks in a room where he is safe. Second don’t go. Call 911. Always. More injuries/fatalities to police and innocent people are caused by domestic violence. Don’t go over or in. Just dial 911.
Ugh…..I now understand why Shanks is a little skittish if that’s the kind of environment he grew up in
See Berns, I am and have always been a rebel/ Biker type chick. I never call the cops if I can handle it or avoid it lol The LAST resort for me would be to call the police. That’s just me. I’d be more likely to whip out a shank and tell someone to GTF out of my face! lol
I can only say, not me. 911 and lock my doors. Keep me and Steeler safe.
Lianimal, I understand yout outlook, but if I was in trouble I’d prefer you called the cops. I volunteered at a women’s shelter years ago and am still friends with the volunteers and social workers in the system and we all agree that taking matters into your own hands, for good or ill, is rarely the best solution to the situation.
And ironically you can’t do anything for your neighbors unless they want to do something. They have to press charges against each other. The only thing you can call for is disturbing the peace.
I know…I went through a cycle of drug abuse and abusive men in my late teens and all through my twenties, into my early thirties. I can’t count the times people called the police trying to help me, and all I could think of was “DAMN! Now I have to hide the drugs!”
Maybe that’s why I try to help rather than immediately calling 911, because I’ve been there and done that. I don’t know…..In my brain I know that’s not helping, it’s called Enabling…..but somewhere in me is still that person who doesn’t want to get busted or see anyone else get busted.
I don’t know if any of you guys know this or not, but I never try to hide it…..back when I was a druggie….in my teens and early 20s, I did almost 3 years in the Oklahoma State Women’s prison, Maybell Basset Correctional Center for Bogus Checks. It saved my life. While I was there I saw all my friends leave and come right back. I met really nice people who were just ignorant and didn’t know how to live a normal life, people who had been incarcerated in one way or another their whole lives…I saw them leave and come back over and over, and I decided that wasn’t going to be my life, so when I got out I changed. But not everyone can do that. It’s hard.
Anyway, maybe that should make me more prone to call the cops, except I know that for most people it doesn’t work like it did for me. And the one thing that saved me, (a 90 lb, drug addled naive white girl at the time) From being eaten alive in there was that of the three of us arrested together, I was the only one who refused to turn State’s evidence against the dealer….when I got to MBCC, two of his daughters were there and put the word out I wasn’t to be bothered.
SO I have good past experience to support not being a snitch.
Lianimal, I think it is brave of you to admit that your past with drugs. So many kids in high school have tried drugs, and been horribly punished by the school board. I’m campaigning for Steve Stuban, he is running for School Board at Large in my district; his son Nick went to my school (I didn’t know him personally) and he killed himself after he was caught buying synthetic marijuana on school grounds and was suspended and transfered to another high school. The disciplinary process is completely life altering for students caught with drugs on campus. In fact, his death is the SECOND one that happened in our county. And it took TWO SUICIDES to get the school boards to get off their butts and think about change. So I’m supporting him because he wants to reform the disciplinary process.
I do think that there should be punishment for drug use, particularly on school grounds, but not punishements that make kids resort to suicide as their only way out. So yeah, that’s my little spiel.
Lianimal, glad you made it. I could hear the survivor, I’ve known many through the women’s shelters and friends in social work who help pick up the pieces and get people on their way. What would all those animals have done without you?
Hey my wild child I knew from the way you posted you had a background. Thank you for sharing the hardship and the success you achieved. That had to be very hard for you. Congratulations for becoming the woman you are and the example you should be. The love in your heart for the little ones and concern for their well being over yours is really a testament to where you are in your life.
So much for wise words of wisdom.
Now let’s get back to our regular programming.
Oh, did I say, we are all really glad you picked this blog. 🙂 🙂
Thanks guys. I was a little scared to come here and see what people said. I’m glad everyone here understands that people can change and actually become (if not good, at least reasonably normal) citizens. I can’t work through Manpower because I was honest and they have a no felony convictions EVER in your life policy…thankfully not all temp services or employers are like that, because I have a job I like, even though I was honest on my app, and had to go through a more “ghetto” temp service to get it. I’ve been there 4 years and they love me despite my Morticia Addams hair, “gothic hooker red” lipstick, and love of heavy metal music lol……and so do my puddies!
Hey Wild Child: You should never be afraid to come on here. As honest and open as you are about yourself, I don’t think anyone, especially me, was surprised. I nicknamed you my Wild Child a while back for a reason. So it’s about time you learned there is a place to talk and feel welcome.
Having said that, Please give me and little Shanks a break on the Heavy Metal “music” 🙁
Lianimal, please dom’t do anything that would affect your life and that of your kits.
I have enough guns and ammo to start a small war (actually a large one) but I would never harm anyone as that would take my freedom from me and hurt my critters as who would care for them. Not to say that if it was justifiable as in protecting myself or a loved one from harm that something might happen. And those that hurt an animal would be better for them to move out of the state.
lol Jay, i would never! Luckily I’m a pretty easy-going and even Kiel person. If I get upset with someone I’ll talk to them about it in a calm way. I CAN whoop some ass, but I won’t unless you absolutely MAKE me lol
I love calling the cops on my neighbors. They don’t even have to leave their house and they scare my cats. Your neighbors probably play off each other.
Your little ones will protect you. I would be very afraid if a red headed intelligent woman would call the cops on me. Especially one who is tired and wants peace and quiet. I bet those cops come flying to your place 🙂 🙂
lol…..especially since of the billions of times they’ve been called out here, I’m probably the only tenant who’s never been involved! lol
On this topic Bernadette, maybe it is for my benefit not to be your neighbor. Not with my meeting of the locals.
By the way the little Snowflake is now living in NC. They were transferred there with the job and I hear she is an only child.
Bernie, no one could compare to the family that lives next to my back yard. I think the kids learned all the coolest profanity before they learned “mom” and “dad”–like those two act like parents.
My neighbors usually come to me for help, I have no idea why, but more than a few kids and girlfriends and grandmas have called the police from my house.
I can’t imagine hearing that in my backyard. I know I love my country living, quiet, close to city and no troubling neighbors. Steeler and I have it nice and quiet.
The only cops that come to my house are the ones that my security system calls.
Working at an abused womens shelter would be horrific. I can only imagine what some women endure. Good for you. You are always helping out somehow.
My ex-husband and I lived in our house for 8 years and we couldn’t have told you who our neighbors were if we were held at gunpoint! Neither of us are real social. The home I have now I have been in for about 6 years and only know 1 of my neighbors. Don’t know if it’s because I’ve always been a shy only child (so was my first husband), or if I’m just naturally anti-social. Could be because I’m from a long line of Gemini’s (grandma, mom, and me- 4th, 5th and 8th of June, 25 years apart all born on Sundays under a full moon), although my grandma and mom were/are very social.
Then again if there is such a thing as past lives, maybe I was a tortie!!
I think so too. I don’t really know them well enough to say, but he seems like a healthy, strapping man, but he doesn’t work…..of course he could have health problems that are unnoticable. She’s also a big (not fat, just big) Farm fed looking girl who doesn’t work…although I think she has some mental issues maybe. He seems reasonably normal, calm, even kiel…..she seems a little excitable…but, like I said, I don’t really know them well enough to say.
Our cats mostly have green eyes. May, Vickie, Pearl, Henry, Brooke, Piper, but Sabrina is more on the yellower side of eye color. Though I suppose youcould say hers are green. I’m sure someone in my family will disagree with me.
Only 62 posts to hit 7,000. WOW we are on our way.
Make that 61! And to keep it on-topic, has anyone ever seen a tortie with blue eyes? Callie’s are copper, Dood’s are light green, and looking back over the other torties I’ve come across, I’ve seen mainly yellow and copper and green. Just curious – I think that a tortie coat and blue eyes would be a very interesting combination….
Sharon I am working on it. I know we will make that 10,000 mark for Ingrid. We are really a good group of folks. 🙂 🙂
LOL Right keep on topic. We have to “remember regular programing”. I personally never seen a blue eyed Tortie. Maybe Bernadette or Harry might have. They have been around Torties a long time.
I haven’t seen one. I supposed a Siamese mixed with a tortie might have blue eyes?
Never seen one. Seen lots of torties with siamese-ish markings and slightly crossed eyes (Monkey is one)
I used to wonder about Kasey, with her black or very dark tail and legs, like points, but I think it is coincidental.
Glen, I’ve always remarked about Cookie’s “black knee socks”, but I don’t think those are any sort of points.
Monkey, the tortie, has bright green eyes
Now I’m wondering about the Main Coon thing because she’s gotten SO huge and she has that kind of wierd shaped head, but I think shes just a plain old Tortie…she’s such a sweetie, My Monkey girl
Yes, there are tortie-point Siamese and Himalayans, two breed with dependably blue eyes. My book has a photo of one–I checked to make sure! I remember having seen a tortie-point Himalayan at a cat show as well. I’m fairly certain any of the breeds with points can be tortie in that area.
Mimi’s and Giuseppe’s are yellow, Mr. Sunshine’s are a little greener, JB and Mewsette are green. Kelly’s eyes are almost a bluish-green, and Cookie’s are a warm green with copper speckles.
I think I’m replying in the right spot… I’ve not ever seen a tortie (other than the Asian breed mixes Bernadette mentioned) with blue eyes. They’re probably out there. They probably know Doodlebug.
For this one, I know I’m not in the right spot 😉
Torties definitely look like torties as kittens, but when they’re very young the pattern (if they have a distinct pattern, not all do as you know) may not be as noticeable. I don’t have time to post photos today (tonight begins the Jewish High Holy Days and I’m scrambling to get out of the office on time) but maybe Rachel will, if she has a moment. Brooke, at 16 weeks when we adopted her, had her very distinct markings already, with a blaze of orange tabby on her chest. The pattern has enlarged and spread out as, ah, she has enlarged and spread out, but at 4 months it was clear. A 3 week old tortie that we rescued while at the public shelter doing an adoption event for Lost Dog was clearly a tortie, but with that kittenish fur-standing-straight-out appearance that masked any sort of defined pattern. She was clearly a tortie, and had the tude – she was the sickest of the 5 in the litter that we saved that day, and one of the two that survived.
I have noticed that the markings on their faces, especially are clear, in part because the fur is shorter with no undercoat and well-developed when they are kittens; often their paws and tails are as well for the same reason.
Cookie was the first tortie I got to know well, and at about five months her face was just as it is now, and the larger markings on her belly and clear and her one orange toe, torso still looked pretty mottled and actually rather brown. My first name for her was “Chocolate”, and because she was little, it was “Chocolate Chip”. Cookie has her own brand of Tortitude, which was evident then as it is now, as she is still as sweet as her name, “Semi-sweet Butterscotch Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough”. That’s her show name.
She is the well-rounded tortie, Kelly is the long-legged, long tailed talkative one, but I think that’s just her nature.
Harry, may you, Julie, Rachel and Michael and all your family be inscribed in the book of life for this New Year! And everyone else here likewise! I have always liked that salutation.
Thanks, Bernadette!
And I know I”ve said this at least to you before, but it does make me smile that your Cookie has that name. Even before I knew your full name for Cookie, we so often refer to Brooke as Brookie-Cookie, and sometimes as White chocolate chip macadamia nut cookie – because she’s an odd nut 😉
Bernadette. when I got Monkey her name was Snickers, I’m assuming because her colors look like the inside of a snickers bar. It was a good name, but she didn’t know it and she re-named herself Monkey with her wild antics and sweet little monkey face as soon as she started getting fed regularly
Glen, this story reminded me about your rescue of Kasey:
http://www.care2.com/causes/furry-face-on-loading-dock-catches-mans-eye.html
Yes, there are some differences (in that I knew her quite a while, and she did have better shelter) but the basic similarity was there; rescue from a hostile, industrial environment.
I don’t want to think too much about the fate of her mother and litter-mates, I know enough about the way things work out there. Who knows what she went through and how many close calls she had before she was taken from there, just like Kasey.
Just like Kasey, it looks like she has taken to, appreciates and thrives in a home setting where she is loved and cared for. It was nice to read how things worked out for her, thanks for posting that.
Harry, this story does resemble Kasey and you to a point. Sure glad the outcome for this little one was as good as Kasey’s was with you.
Think you mean Glen 😉
Our comparable story is Vickie, who was at least semi-feral, I think, a barn cat. We took her because months prior we had adopted one of her kittens. She spent months and months hiding in our basement, coming out at night to eat and use the box. When she finally ventured up to the main level, we held our breath because if you made eye contact, she ran. 6 years later, she’s affectionate, loves to be brushed or petted, and has made a near complete turn around (still cannot pick her up without her squealing and trying to get away). However, this last episode with her teeth caused a return to feraldom. She hid in the basement for almost a week, and every time we found her, she would move to a new hiding spot. Fortunately, after intervention by our vet to counteract her issues with the pain management from the dental vet, she recovered her affection and is now back among us. I’m going to talk about her in my weekly email to the rescue volunteers, as last week was “Less Adoptable Pet” week.
Harry, Vicki’s story is also comparable to the little Valentine’s story. So my brain is still on fast forward, oh no, that was the football replays. 🙂
Glen, sorry that was for you not Harry. Brain was going faster than my fingers. That story was close to Kasey’s story. Geez I need a break, whoops, no, already broke my leg. I guess I will just have to be ready to take the heat for my mix ups. 🙂
It is something how the cat in the story appears to have become so domesticated, like she wanted to be a pet cat.
That was always the way with Kasey, I could tell in spite of her surrounding and being a “warrior queen”, she behaved like she wanted to be a pet.
Of our three, Taz and Morgan were raised in a home environment as kittens but to this day remain un-brush-able.
Kasey, the industrial raised cat with a rough history loves to be brushed and will stand any amount of it.
On the subject of warehouse cats, friends of mine rescued a torbie from a warehouse near them in Pittsburgh. I helped them get an emergency spay because they thought she was expecting, but it turned out to be either mastitis or she had had a litter somewhat recently, though there was no sign of kittens. The warehouse workers figured she’d been there about five years. They fed her from their lunches and presumed she caught the rest of her meals.
Her body appeared that she had had a number of litters but there had never been any sign of kittens that anyone had seen, perhaps they were stillborn or were caught by wildlife, although I’ve seen in cases like that mother cats will, well, you can imagine, when they know they can’t support them or something is wrong. I just hate to talk about it.
Calli was driven by food, even literally climbing the walls to get dry food hanging in containers from the ceiling. She never minded any sort of treatment, being petted or brushed or not, but was friendly from the first. It was almost superficial, though, as if she’d put on this mask of friendliness in order to be fed. She did love her people, though.
In the end, she developed mammary cancer, one of the statistics of being spayed late–probably somewhere around six or seven–but even after surgery she only had a year before it came back with a vengeance. I’m so glad she was with my friends for at least those three good years she had–they’ve adopted a few cats from me and I know how they are. I sometimes think her body was beginning to develop the cancer when they walked past the warehouse that day and she ran out to greet them, just so she wouldn’t die alone and unloved in a warehouse.
How’s that for a story to brighten your evening? Actually, it is a very happy story as they loved Calli very much and we’ll never forget her. What else could a warehouse cat want?
Hmmm… our Steeler(s) won by three points… yesterday afternoon I went to the PetSmart with our new adoption center, to meet the manager, and I wound up adopting out three cats. Coincidence? I think not. Good thing the Steelers didn’t win by 20, I’d not have had time for my meeting…
Harry, is that something we can put money on next week?
Never mind, I never bet on anything!
I only saw half the game last night but I had my Tortie Towel out on the couch for Stir to lay on.
Got the message this morning that we won 23 – 20
Harry our Steelers pulled it out with a kicked field goal. On my FB I had posted a pic of Steeler showing you all that it had to be a kick to win. She demonstrated her left footed kick. 3 points win 3 little ones getting adopted, now that was what is a really good day. It would have been wonderful if there had been a 20 point win, + 20 adoptions that would have set you high in the clouds.
Steeler win + Saints win = Life is GOOD!!! Must be something to that Celtic belief that torties are good luck – obviously the luck rubs off on teams wearing the tortie colors!
Sharon that is a great equation. I still think Torties need more recognition. They would make great ambassadors for the game. 🙂 🙂
Just looked outside to see if any kitties were at the feeder. A Black and White one was.
City Kitty.
Yelled out – hey – that’s for other cats.
I was ignored (as usual) but decided not to go out and shoo him away.
Everyone has to eat.
Steeler posed showing her kicking style. It was posted on my FB. She was telling you all it was going to be a field goal. Torties know their stuff.
Bernie, I loved Steeler’s paw!
Never never chase a city kitty. It will leave you something to remember it by for days.
Smart move.
The little ones will be back.
Very smart move!!! City Kitties are really predictable and not in such a nice way. 🙂
Shank’s former owner came over to use the phone tonight , saw him, and said; “OMG HE”S HUGE! You must be feeding him good!” He must be a lot bigger than his brother, apparently the Weruva, Wellness and Taste of the Wild are doing good by him
And Berns….you’d be begging me to play him metal if you knew what the poor guy had just been subjected to…..a 20 hour Jersey Shore Marathon! I could FEEL my brain cells dying! lol
I was watching tv this morning and a Fresh Step commercial came on. It was while watching it that I realized out of all the commercials with cats in them, I have never seen a tortie in one that I can remember anyway. Could it be that they’re too stubborn to take direction or they basic fact most are divas?
I need to check the moon phase as my children were all wound up last night. Brad had Janet cornered in the litterbox, Rocky was dashing about howling at the walls, Columbia was being tortie times two….
You can only use a tortie, if she’s the only cat in the commercial 😉
Allegra and Ruby beg to differ – they would happily co-star in a commercial. As long as it’s shot at our home. And as long as there are lots of treats. And as long as they get to approve the script. And the director. And they want royalties.
Harry – help! They may need an attorney to negotiate their commercial deal!
Tell Allegra and Ruby that their demands are too reasonable.
Did I ever tell you that we represent Eddie Van Halen?
Seriously? OMG! Backstage passes the next time Van Halen comes to town?
If you can handle him, two torties should be a piece of cake.
Fortunately, we just handle his licensing and merchandise deals (guitars and sneakers, anyone?). If he ever tours again (isn’t David Lee Roth still in rehab?) I’ll see what I can do…
Autographed Guitars ????
I want !!!!!!!!
Jay: http://www.evhgear.com/frankenstein/#Home
Steeler will be available to autograph guitars next weekend. They will be scratched on the side of your choice. Bernie says she has been practicing on antique chairs for the last few years.
Allegra and Ruby TOTALLY belong in a commercial!
Ha – Eddie Van Halen hasn’t looked that good in about 30 years! (Referring to Harry’s link.) Oh, and the guitar is nice, too. As for David Lee Roth – isn’t he always in rehab?
Okay – we now return to your regularly scheduled tortie programming.
This clearly calls for METAL TORTIE!!!!!
http://youtu.be/8e4VQ7yN6DA
OK now one more for the commercials.
Steeler showed her kicking style on FB on Sunday and the Steelers Team won by 3 points. For those not football fans, that is a 3 point kick over the goal posts called a field goal.
So now how about Steeler going to be a Super Bowl ad with her kicking field goal style. Harry could arrange her agent. Up against the Clydesdales, what a match!!!!!!! 🙂
Second that – they’d be awesome!
I meant about Ruby & Allegra being in a commercial – sorry I think I clicked the wrong Reply link!
Sharon a lot of Torties would be awesome in a Super Bowl commercial. Imagine that!!!!!!! A real first in football history. 🙂
Harry get on that one with the cat food companies. (Choose one I have stock in) 🙂
Sharon a lot of Torties would be awesome in a Super Bowl commercial. Imagine that
I have imagined that and WWIII comes to mind.
Now if we could get them to turn that energy to the other team –
Shredded footballs and Refs. Goalposts turned into toothpicks.
And a 300lb linebacker running for hi life. 🙂
Betty, I just love thinking about RHPS when I read your cats’ names!
I don’t have a television, but they use the same cats in print and internet ads. You rarely see a black cat, and most cats are light colored or if they are dark they are tabbies with clear stripes. Even cats have to fit into what ratings say are the most popular cat patterns!
I just saw the RHPS a couple of weeks ago on tv, which is not the same as a show but still enjoyable.
When they did the survey for favorite cat patterns, apparently there were no tortie or calico owners in the group!
OMG! I was a teenager when it made its major comeback in the 80s! I saw it 25 times at the midnight matinee. I used to go dressed up as Magenta, throw rice and toast and do the Time Warp……lol
Hey Berns. Here is the same song done by the same band two different ways. One is hard metal, one is accoustic……same song, same words, same band. The difference is amazing, huh? I think you’ll like #2, #1 Is at the very edge of Monkey Music
http://youtu.be/KAuyEG7JPbE
http://youtu.be/DEvlFN-3dTk
You haven’t been here latelly, remember how I always said the last thing I need is another cat? Well, a kitten showed up on mty doorstep, and now I have 3 lol
Sorry! That was for Glen
Yeah, I happened to see that, sounds like it is working out quite well. 🙂
Glen it’s crazy! I kept thiniking as horrible as it was between my cats, another cat was rthe last thing I needed, now it turns out that another cat was the ONLY thing I needed…..how wierd is that?!? lol
I don’t even want to think that.
I have 2 adults and 3 young ones tugging at my heart and a Tortie who will rip it out if I take in another stray.
I did cut a hole in a big tupperware tub so shelter would be available to them. Not sure if it has been used yet.
OK, there are some strange unbalances in the universe today.
Taz was in the heated critter bed, nothing unusual there.
Kasey came along and the next thing I knew, they were both curled up like kittens in it.
No hissing, growling, hitting, etc. since she usually drives him away in a matter of seconds.
It was very unusual to see.
Awesomeness! Maybe…just maybe…they’ll be friends someday? I know it seems too much to ask. For mine too, but we can hope!
Ok Glen now what have you gone and done. Or did you redirect the universe so the junk that is falling out of the sky moved Kasey to try to protect Taz. I don’t know about that, but I hope you grabbed your camera. That may never happen again. 🙂
As Bernie said – hope you had you camera ready and got a picture. I like the idea that Kasey was protecting Taz from the falling satellite. We all know our warrior queens might have disagreements with lowly “normal” cats but they will protect their home and all their servants from any outsider or threat. I can see Kasey swatting space debris out of the air as she did the bird years ago. Still 1 jump left in her if needed.
Unfortunately, I did not have a camera close by.
Kaey protecting Taz could be a possibility, no one but her is allowed to hit Taz 😉
Glen that is a love, hate relationship Kasey has with Taz. She will go at it with him, but no one else. Snuggling with him, well, I do believe the stars must have realigned. What else could it be? 🙂
It was funny, last night, she went after him. she had no problem sitting within a foot of him this morning.
Glen that is what in some areas, I won’t mention where due to being chastised by the BOSS, is called Mountain Love. She loves him, but she will smack him around at will. But no on else can do that but her.
I wish there was a GOOD food that only came in ground, or in cans clearly marked “Ground” with a lot of flavors to choose from, like Fancy Feast does. Because Like I said, Monkey and shanks will eat whatever I give them, Peaches is my problem child. If I find something she will eat, they’ll eat it too, no prob!
Hey Lynn. Peaches isn’t that much different that Steeler. Steeler will only eat classic or pate cat food. So I will take the food processor and process the food so it is a pate consistency. Out witted a Tortie. So maybe you would like to try this with her. Steeler doesn’t seem to show a preference to many varieties, so I can’t answer that one. But maybe just process some and put the extra in the fridge for another feeding or two. That might help you with her wanting the classic or pate. Keep up that good work. Sounds like you are getting ahead of the three little ones. 🙂 🙂
OMG Berns!!!!!! God I don’t have time to do that in the morning ! lol My alarm goes off at 5 and I hit snooze until 5:27, Have just enough time, no rushing, to shower, dress, do my makeup and hair, feed the cats and head out the door by 6:30
I miss Fancy Feast. I always knew what I was getting. It was always clearly marked on the can. Now I have to guess lol
Well I didn’t mean before your eyes are open. Maybe in the evening you could process several servings for her. Then just store it in the fridge in an airtight jar for her next meal. 🙂
“Out witted a Tortie.”
Yea – Right – like that will happen.
She just got her Chef to prepare dinner specially for “The Steelers Mascot”.
Celebrity Status has its privilege.
Rotating flavors is a good thing, and I think you’re okay with rotating the three Wellness flavors you can get. That’s really interesting that she will eat “real food” like the chicken breast you cook, but she doesn’t like the texture of the Weruva.
You know, she’s always been wierd. I kind of gave up on fitting her into any normal sort of catagory long ago…..she’s a wierd cat and probably always will be, thank goodness the other two are reasonably normal lol
All three of them had Weruva this morning….Shanks and Monkey both cleaned their bowls, It didn’t look like Peaches had taken even a bite. And it looked tasty enough I would serve it over biscuits! lol
Mine aren’t particular about flavors or even brands. With four four-year-olds it’s like having teenagers in the house, anything that’s remotely food is eaten. I usually feed the same flavor for a week, then change when they are just about tired of it just because that’s what’s worked out best over the years. But I’ve been feeding just raw meat for a meal in between, and still feeding canned food. Kelly and Cookie love their raw meat–they are the most important recipients at their age and that’s actually their lunch–but I ran out of venison, so I got some “clean” ground beef. Kelly, my main carnivore, probably ate more than she needed to, but Cookie didn’t like it, she loves her venison. Mewsette wants to like raw meat, she even sat up pretty and meowed, but she doesn’t know what to do with it when she gets it and her brothers usually end up with hers. Mimi wants no parts of anything raw, I guess she figures she ate enough raw animals outdoors.
Thanks everyone for the well wishes for Vickie and Henry. Vickie seemed more like her little old happy self today. She ate well for dinner, Fancy Feast Beef in Gravy….sounds appetizing. She doesn’t ever get to eat that. Henry seems to be 95% back to himself. We knew he must be better when he started humping Pearl…I’m sorry, mounting.
Bernie, ugh the cast! At least you’re almost done with it. I had to beg mom to take me to the doctors last Friday to get mine off, even though I still had 4 days left. It was super uncomfrtable, stinky and giving me blisters.
We are in the process of switching our cats’ usual meal of Wellness Core wet to Weruva wet. Weruva looks like it could have possibly been human food in another life. Everyone seems to like it.
Well, off to bed for me. Hoping to have a nighttime “Cookie” (Brooke) in bed!
Rachel, gee, I am glad to hear from you. I want to hear good things about the little ones. Hearing Vicki is eating is the best news today. Hey, Henry sounds like he is back to being a little stud, wanna be, again. I guess Pearl is just saying “OK Henry, knock it off already”. Have to be careful how I word this to you. I don’t want to offend the old folks.
I know you had that cast on your wrist. I am surprised you were able to convince your MOM to take you to have it taken off 4 days early. Is your wrist OK? I heard they get stinky. But hey, with you cleaning the litter boxes, who would notice. I have been in this cast since 8/26. It won’t come off until 10/11. Yes it is an ugh. Also an major OUCH. Steeler thinks it is a scratching post. So at least it serves double duty. I also am getting to workout with all the crawling I am doing. All I have to do is get some gel knee pads from Walmart to help stop bruising my knees.
Changing kitty foods. From your description Weruva sounds like it looks like it was a repeat of already eaten and given back. Vicki eating Fancy Feast Beef in Gravy is one of Steeler’s favorites. Only problem is she licks the gravy out and leaves the beef. The outside kitties get the leftover. She likes pate, no sliver or chunks. Picky little eater but I love to see her happy and well again.
Sleep tight with a kitty as your warmer. I know how nice that is. Hey, talk soon again. OK
Hopefully we will all get to be together again and for a longer time. You guys are so nice to be around. Night honey, sleep tight. (No more accidents), I can’t keep up with you. 🙂
I try to post as often as I can. Though I pretty much read all the comments. It’s been so busy with school. I’m really over it.
I talked mom out of the cast because it was really uncomfortable and giving me blisters. Not to mention…it stunk. Which perfume couldn’t even mask! The doctor I saw thought my wrist looked good. I’m back in my wrist brace and have to do a month of physical therapy – since I told her there was no way I would do those exercises by myself! I really sympathize that you have the cast for soo long. You need to have a party when you get it off!
I had a little tortie pillow last night. Brooke slept curled up with me the whole night. I was surprised because she doesn’t stay all night usually. She slept right curled up by my face. It was very sweet. She even ate breakfast and came back up into bed. How can this sweet little cat be so mean to Sabrina!
If you had the cast on long enough for your skin underneath it to be dead and peeling, my ortho surgeon years ago said the best way to rejuvenate the skin was to use olive oil on it.
In fact to this day I can’t stand the smell of olive oil due to having to use it so much of my life on my leg and foot. I still cook with it, just can’t stand the smell!
Don’t you find you get the best nights sleep when your little ones are curled up with you? I do, the most peaceful sleeps I ever have.
I agree, nothing better than having your babies curl up with you. Allegra started sleepijng curled up against my chest some nights, and Ruby is usually wedged against my back. It gets a little toasty still this time of year, but I’m just fine with that!
Betty my Steeler curls up on her own pillow to sleep beside me. But during the night things go thump in the night. Now I find Steeler likes to decide to find things to get into while I am asleep. Took a while to find out what the thumping sound was. Now I know. Little ones are so unpredictable.
So far, the cast is only difficult to allow me to move around. I don’t have any itching. I am just so tired of it because as you know a foot/leg cast is really heavy and I want to get up and go. Not used to this doing little routine. Have to keep busy. But then this to will pass, quickly I hope.
I am content the most when I am surrounded by my babies. Sometimes at night on the couch, Columbia will be to my left curled up, Janet on my lap, and my two boys snuggled together on my right.
As long as Columbia doesn’t get her nose out of joint because Janet is on my lap or notice that Rocky is on the couch, it is the most peaceful, loving, and happy feeling in the world.
I wish Stirfry would sleep with me but she does not. As I type this she IS sleeping on my lap. Guess I will accept this as I know she loves me.
Pumpkin who always did sleep with me has taken to watching out the living room door for all my cats at the feeder. Last night I turned the light on and saw a new one.
All gray and as small as the Black and White male and the Gray and White. Litter mates ??? Maybe. Seems like the Lunch is Served sign is working.
I’m so happy to hear that Vickie is on the mend. Once she recovers completely, you’ll be surprised how good she’ll feel. It’s amazing what a difference it makes for cats with dental problems once the offending teeth are removed.
I love that you’re switching to Weruva. It’s one of the best, if not the best, brand out there right now. They’re doing everything right – human grade ingredients, very low carb, and they don’t even make a dry food. Finally a pet food manufacturer who gets it.
Vickie’s eating, again today. Thank goodness our vet knew exactly what to do; she had a plan the moment we brought Vickie through the door and didn’t waste any time. Among other things, she actually administered a nerve block to the canines site, which I think was what turned the tide.
Everyone now seems to love the Weruva, and thanks Ingrid for directing me to the place to order it on line. I actually bought every can my local Wylie Wagg had (all 10) to get us through until the first delivery. Of course, that’s not enough, but we’re still tapering off of the Wellness; I don’t like to change anything to suddenly.
Thank goodness Vickie is back to eating.
Typically, you don’t have to worry about transition with grain-free foods, but it can’t hurt.
I just figured since the texture and taste were so different, it would be best to ease into it. I think any significant change can upset tummies.
Harry that would be the equivalent to a neutershooter for the babies. Right? 🙂
Oh! I didn’t know Weruva was up there in the ranks. I knew it was grain free too, so I’ve been buying it along with the wellness for a little change. The only problem I’m having is with Princess Peach. Monkey and Shanks will eat anything I give them, but sometimes Peaches won’t eat it. Peaches really only likes ground up stuff most of the time, and Weruba tends to be pulled not ground
I would wonder about her teeth, except she’s always been that way. When I used to feed Fancy Feast she only liked the classic paste type, never in gravy, grilled, chunked, or however many they have now…she would only eat classic ground. And I’m finding she’s the same with the wellness or Weruva
And with the Weruva it’s bad, because it comes in a bag and you don’t know how it’s prepared until you open it. If I open a bag and see all those stringy pieces of meat with gravy, my heart sinks because there’s nothing I can do at that point but give it to them, but I can be almost 95% sure Peaches won’t eat her wet food that day
All of the Weruva varieties are chunky, so it’s probably not a good choice for a cat like Peaches, who prefers the minced or ground stuff. Wellness sounds like the best bet for her.
Ugh….My local feed mill only stocks 3 flavors of Wellness, all grain free, I’ve always wanted to give them a different flavor every day……do you think they really care if they get only two or three flavors a week over 7?
I’t would be a shame to cut Weruva out, but if there’s stuff just as good that ALL of them will eat it would be better.
Peaches is and has always been a pain lol
It’s wierd too, because on the rare chance I actually cook something, like a chicken breast or whatever, she WILL eat it