Tortoiseshell cats are named for their distinctive coloring – a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate. The size of the patches varies from a fine speckled pattern to large areas of color. The term “tortoiseshell” is used for cats with brindled coats that have few or no white markings. Cats of this coloring with larger areas of white fur are called calicos. Sometimes, these colors present in lighter versions such as lilac or cream. Torties with this lighter coloring are called dilute torties. Occasionally, the typical tortoiseshell colors are also seen in a tabby (striped) pattern, and these cats are sometimes referred to as “torbies.”
Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Tortoiseshell and calico coats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. The occasional and very rare male tortoiseshell cat is the result of a genetic mutation.
In addition to their distinctive coloring, torties also have a reputation for unique personalities, sometimes referred to as “tortitude.” They tend to be strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human. Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable. They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr. These traits are stronger in tortoiseshell cats than in calicos – it seems as though these traits are somewhat diluted with the addition of more white to the color scheme.
As of the writing of this post, I share my life with Amber*, and those of you who’ve followed this blog for a while have gotten to know her in her Amber’s Mewsings posts. You will soon be able to read all about Buckley in Buckley’s Story – Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. The photo above shows Buckley in the front, Amber behind her.
Prior to Amber and Buckley, there was another tortie in my life. Virginia was the first office cat at the animal hospital I managed. She was my introduction to torties, and my love affair with this particular type of cat began with her. She, too, had the “tortitude” I so love about these particular cats.
Do you have a tortie or calico in your life? Does she have “tortitude?”
*Sadly, Amber passed away on May 13, 2010, after a sudden, brief illness. I now share my life with Allegra and Ruby, two tortoiseshell cats who have their own columns here on The Conscious Cat, titled Allegra’s World and Ruby’s Reflections.
Photo ©Ingrid King, all rights reserved
I am going to Bernie’s this weekend to help her turn the clock in her jeep ahead.
Hope she appreciates this.
I wish I had friends like that, Jay! Although, by tomorrow, all of the clocks and timers in the house will be correct again 😉 I wrote an email on adjusting your cat for the return to standard time – not as much of an issue when turning the clocks forward, though.
I hate the time change. I wish they’d just pick one time and stick with it all year. We don’t live in an agricultural society anymore, so it doesn’t make any sense anymore. Although I suppose our cats won’t be complaining when they get breakfast an hour early tomorrow morning!
So, right now my computer says it is 9:06….will I change it to 8:06 or 10:06??
Sorry, Lynn, 10:06 lose that hour sleep.
Come on people – VOTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://cats.about.com/b/2012/02/21/rca-vote-for-the-best-website-about-cats.htm?r=facebook
All 5 of me just did 😉
And the one of me thanks you!
Here’s an interesting story about a tortoiseshell staying with her human through thick and thin!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2112476/Margaret-Page-alive-cat-stranded-national-forest-MONTH.html
What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing, Kathleen.
Love the story about the Tortie. Stirfry would stick with me ( only cause she would view me as a food sourse – hopefully after I was dead). She has already tasted me numerous times.
I wouldn’t put myself or Kasey in that position but hypothetically, I have no doubt Kasey would stay with me.
But WHY is she staying with you ?????
I want this kitty.
Came home tonight and heard a song on the radio I have not heard in a long time.
Let the Good Times Roll by The Cars.
Brings back memories of my party years. Fuzzy Fuzzy memories.
Jay, can you explain those fuzzy memories? Are your memories still fuzzy or has Stir straightened you out?
Let’s vote folks. Time is limited. Below is the current ratings.
Poll Results
Please vote for Best Website About Cats
Cat Wisdom 101
3%
Cats International
2%
Paws and Effect
33%
The Conscious Cat
41%
The Daily Mews
19%
Less than two weeks to go! Thanks for voting every day!
Why is our lead shrinking? Are we going to have to notify the Gato family about Paws and Effect? I know Don Purrleone personally…
I have been voting every day.
Thanks for voting, everyone! Harry, good to know you have catnections….
me….I mean “us” too!!
us’ns too!!!!
Hey gang where the heck are you hiding? We need to motivate each other, our friends, and our foes to vote for Conscious Cat web site. After all we have to maintain our degree of excellence. We are the best and it is up to all of us keep that standing.
Now on other fronts. I still feel lousy. Steeler is taking advantage of me. She figures if I go to the kitchen, it means a treat for her. She is enjoying a puff of whipped cream. Good girl.
Now let’s talk our favorite topic here ‘”LITTERBOX”‘ I just cleaned Steeler’s box again. It is changed DAILY, she is so full of it. Now the only problem I have about this is, she sits on the stairs and watches me. As soon as I finish, and go wash my hands, she is in the box again. WHY? How do they know? Is it a TORTIE revenge thing? There are times after she uses that box, she will come to me and actually let me know she has dirtied it up. Sometimes I will go clean it for her. I found that is just a stunt so she can jump in and use it again.
Now I am not complaining, but what single cat can go thru 40 of kitty litter a week? Answer: STEELER. 🙂
NIkita and Luna do this to me too, I think they tag team me!
I can just be pouring the litter in the box and one of them will jump in and do her business. I’m sure that will happen when I change it tonight.
That is what happens here. There is on Steeler. But change that litter and she just sits and watches. Then bang. There she is. Digging her way to China.
Sue I am glad I only have one. Tag teaming would be to much. I can almost see how Luna and Nikita look and say “It’s my turn first.”
Does anyone know why these kittens do this?
I think they probably just really like a freshly cleaned box :-)!
Nope and the laugh doesn’t sell it either. They just do it so show up they will. They have an ulterior motive, I think, to show their humans, how much power they really have over us. 😛
I’m sorry you’re still feeling bad, Bernie. Sounds like Steeler needs to step up the nursing duties!
Ruby supervises me when I clean out the litter boxes. She comes running when she hears me scoop. So far, I seem to be passing muster, thank goodness!
Steeler has left me for the sunroom. The sun is streaming in the windows, and the back door is open and she is enjoying looking outside. At night she likes to sleep in that darn box in the sunroom. As soon as it gets cold again she will return to the warmth of the heated bed.
Give Ruby a little more time. She may be seeing how long it takes her to get you to do that again, next time. 🙂
I clean Emma’s box every morning, so she has nothing to complain about, either. But she does like to hop in there at the most inopportune moments, like when I’m brushing my teeth, or taking a nice, long bath. Since the box is under tha bathroom sink and right next to the tub, that’s a perfect time to dig a nice, big hole, throw kitty litter far and near, deposit something tremendously smelly, and then dash off as if she had nothing to do with the matter.
Ah, torties.
I suppose she’s laughing at me from between her little orange and black toes.
Oh, and as a side note, (someone asked about this earlier) — the healthier the food I give her, the less smelly her poop is, and the less likely she is to yakk it up. Occasionally she’ll throw up, but not nearly as often as she used to–perhaps once a month now (if even) as opposed to more than once a week. She’s twelve now, and with a grain-free diet her coat is healthier, she has no dander anymore (even in the winter with radiator heat in our apt) and sheds far less. Plus, less vomit to clean up. So it’s good all-round.
Steeler will throw up about once a week. I think she overeats sometimes.
When she first began living in this forever home, at first she shed like mad. Now she sheds very little and her coat is shiny. I also have hot water radiator heat and dandruff has never been a problem with her. She will sometimes curl up in front of one of the large radiators and just feel the warmth. She really likes that warm heat.
Peaches pukes much less often since I switched her to grain free also….it’s maybe once every week or two now, as opposed to almost daily before.
But whoever it was who talked about them pooping while you’re getting ready for work…YUP! It seems like all three of mine feel the urge. Every morning, Monday thru Friday….lol
So on Saturday and Sunday they hold it until Monday????? 🙂
Oh, but you know you love the feel of kitty litter on your wet feed as you come out of the tub. It’s such a special feeling 🙂
And it is absolutely true that the better a food, the less smelly the poop will be (and there’ll also be less of it), because the body absorbs the nutrients, rather than just pooping out the stuff that shouldn’t be in the food to begin with, such as grain, corn, and other fillers. I’m so happy to hear Emma is doing so well on her grain-free diet.
Oh, true, I do love having the litter stick to my wet paws. I mean, feet. It’s delightful, that extra after-bath exfoliation. Cats are so thoughtful.
And as Bernie mentioned, Emma digs around in there like she’s trying to get into the apartment below ours. I have an extra-deep box and she still manages to scatter shovelfuls of World’s Best onto the rug with regularity. But that’s because she cars about me so much.
I also have a very large box for Steeler. I just changed it about 1/2 hour ago. Guess who is digging to the basement. Stinky Steeler. Geez , if it is because she loves me so much, maybe she should not love me quite as much. 🙂
Strange but I get the same feeling. I feel as though Steeler is just making fun of me and struting her stuff around. I guess because she can.
Smelly little gifts, and thrown littler, not to mention after digging as tho she is trying to get into the basement, she fails to fully cover her little gifts.
Daily littler box duty is a standard.
LOL….Every time I clean the litterboxes (I have two) All three of them line up, I swear! ANd they only take half a dump in one, and save the other half for the other!
I hope everyone is voting
http://cats.about.com/b/2012/02/21/rca-vote-for-the-best-website-about-cats.htm?r=facebook
We are at 40% but can do better.
If you don’t want Kasey and Steeler at your doorstep then you better vote now.
(I would want them at my doorstep though – just not at the same time) 🙂
Gang if that doesn’t motivate, know the backup plan is to send in STIRFRY…………..!!!!!!!!
Thanks for reminding everyone, Jay!
Happy Birthday, Bernadette! Have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday Bernadette. Jay gave it away. Hope you have had a great day. Steeler and Bernie say 29 is always good. 🙂
Happy Birthday Bernadette, I saw Giuseppe gave it away
Eating a cheese pizza now
No spoon needed 🙂
Jay, I am going to unleash Steeler on to you. You knew I am hungry for pizza but can’t go get it just yet. Wait until you are counting your change next time and find out you may be missing a digit!!!!!!:)
Out of room on the thread about the steak to reply to Lynn’s question, so here goes: raw beef is fine for cats to have, especially a small piece as a treat, the way you gave them. If you were to feed raw beef on a regular basis, you’d want to make sure you know that it’s antibiotic and hormone free, preferably organic. In other words, you wouldn’t want to feed your average grocery store piece of meat on a regular basis. You’d also need to properly supplement raw meat, or, alternately, get a commercial raw diet that is already supplemented and has bone ground in.
That being said, beef is not my favorite choice of protein for cats.
I know – more than you asked, but I can’t help myself! If you know anything about me by now, you know that feline nutrition is a topic that’s close to my heart.
lol, I know Ingrid. I wish I could go raw. But without a car, and no organic grocers anywhere nearby, it’s kind of out of the question. On what I make, Purely wet is even not an option. But I spend almost $2 per can and $9 for a 5lb bag of dry…lol, the ingredients are premium. I know the frustration though. I talked and talked to Nikki, she gave me all the right answers and acted like she was listening, then promptly went and bought the cheapest grocery store food, and didn’t even bother to buy her any scratching stuff because, unknown to me, she planned to get her declawed from the beginning.
Nikki and I had a big fallout. I’ve decided I’m not giving anything else I find to anyone from work….In fact, I’m taking them to a no-kill in Ann Arbor where people are Mostly liberal, so they have a better chance. Where I am now people are very backward and country, still believe all the old wives’ tales…
Ugh, I hope that doesn’t sound elitist. Never mind, I KNOW it does! I don’t mean to be that way. But at the same time, I feel that if I take responsibility for an animal, I am responsible for finding it a place where it will be treated humanely and given the best possible life.
You’re doing what’s best for the cats – nothing elitist about that, Lynn.
Thanks for that. I’m such a minority around here, I sometimes start to doubt myself. They are really backward out here. They still think you shouldn’t pet or play with hunting dogs because you’ll “ruin them” So they’ll have one dog who lives in a kennel out back and gets no human contact other than food and water, and hunting season, and another who gets to come into the house and gets played with right in front of the other one…
I really do hate living out here. I suppose I should get my license so I can move closer to people I understand, huh? lol
824 more to 10.000
Hi there – just came across your site randomly – I am the owner or perhaps the partner/accessory/slave to a gorgeous tortie named Phoenix. She had been handed in twice to the Cat Protection Society – had obvious signs of being mistreated at least in one of those two former relationships – she was very hand- shy when I first adopted her. I saw her on the CPS website when I decided to adopt – and of all the cats- there was just something about her – I went to meet her and she had a sign on her cage saying she was very depressed, needed someone who could understand her quirks – and a quiet peaceful home with no other cats (apparently the other cats used to bully her at CPS). I was warned when I stuck my head into her cage to let her sniff my hand and to introduce myself she would hiss and maybe swipe me – she reached forward and licked my nose! It brought tears to my eyes – the staff were amazed – and she came home with me – was told she would probably hide under a bed for a couple of weeks – that night once my sister had gone home, she sat on my lap = when I went to bed she followed me and slept on what is now HER side of the bed. She is like velcro with me – sometimes it is a bit overwhelming- but she hates everyone else and will just hide from them – she used to freak out about being picked up and hiss- now she actually looks at me to pick her up – she is unique indeed and a darling – a little clingy – but also is very silly and playful…I adore her…j9andfeline –
What a wonderful adoption story, Janine! It sounds like Phoenix is meant to be with you.
Welcome Janine and Phoenix, no one ever comes here randomly.
We are guided here by our Torties. You will learn that Phoenix is unique because of who she is and Torties will pick their adoptive parents for a reason. Wait till you learn about Steeler and Bernie and also Kasey and Glen and how they came together..
They can see into our souls and know where they will be loved and protected.You are so lucky that Phoenix picked you.
Kasey sowed the seeds of her rescue years ago.
I am prone to migraines. We had a major problem at the company facility in 2001 where Kasey lived and a bunch of us were there dealing with it, she wasn’t very old then.
The stress level was high and I had a migraine come on. I must have looked bad because my boss insisted I go up in the storage room and crash, which I did.
I woke up, feeling better and the first thing I heard was a loud purr, Kasey was my “nurse cat”.
That set a bond with us but we had 4 cats at home at the time and her lot wasn’t bad there at the plant, back then. So I would bring treats for here n my work related trips.
The years went by and people came and went at the facility. Her “protectors” transferred to other sites and the new ones were not as benevolent. At best, most ignored her, others went out of there way to abuse her. Through it all, she maintained a friendly attitude and did not get mean or skittish.
She deserved better.
I was at the facility where Kasey lived on a plant shutdown in April 2008 and I saw enough; next time I was up there in May, I took a cat carrier. She didn’t have a name but decided when I was bringing her home that she should start her new life with a name, so she became Kasey, that day.
I just wish I had taken her out there a year or so earlier before some jerk (I better not write the real word I prefer to use) injured her and she has some difficulty with her left rear leg (the vet has checked this out but there’s not much to be done but glucosamine pills have helped).
At least she has a good life, now, being a well cared for, indoor cat.
Needless to say, I have a friend for life now. She is very expressive and is calm when I am around, she becomes active about the time I come home from the office and usually waits for me. She is my little shadow at home.
Loved the story Glen. Even though I knew how Kasey came into your life you expressed it so well for the new people on here. We all would love to get payback on those people that hurt her. Hopefully it will happen later in their lives.
This should be in Ingrids book of wonderful Rescues
Janine what a wonderful adoption for Phoenix. Torties are so special. They are the most beautiful and unpredictable kitten. By the sounds of your adoption, you were picked by Phoenix. That is how these special little ones find people to love them. They do the choosing and they are always right.
I was chosen by Steeler a few years ago. She also has her own side of the bed, complete with her own pillow. So enjoy the ride. You are in for a very rewarding life with your little girl.
By the way, welcome to CC. Love to have new folks and hear of their little ones. You can, if you like, post a pic of Phoenix on CC Facebook. We would love to see her. Many of our little ones are there and you could get a sense of how important we all find our Torties.
Welcome, Janine! Phoenix is a beautiful name for a cat with a beautiful story.
Hey gang, just a note about Steeler and maybe your little ones too. Being under the weather, brings more in home time with Steeler. Most of us go thru this with our busy lives we don’t get to much down time.
The one thing about being ill is this. I realize how much hearing Steeler talking to herself, her spirits or other creatures from other places we can’t imagine. She is very vocal and walks (struts) around just talking and talking. I almost forgot how great it is to hear her talking.
I believe only another Tortie of her kind could understand what she says.
Glen I think like you do, only not so expressive, you are good with the words, Kasey and Steeler and Stirfry just appeared out of nowhere after an event of unknown reasoning.
Stirfry does understand.
She says Steeler wants to be fed and her litter box needs changed.
“Again”. I just did that. 🙂
NIkita and Luna do this to me too, I think they tag team me!
I can just be pouring the litter in the box and one of them will jump in and do her business. I’m sure that will happen when I change it tonight.
” torties can’t be cloned!”
Not only cloned, I am not sure that Kasey was born in the usual way.
I have said, and still believe that on a night with a full moon, in a raging thunderstorm, a medieval wizard conjured Kasey up, full grown, from an eerie swamp.
I knew Black Magic was involved!!!!!!!
Well, I’ve met Brooke’s mother. She’s a semi feral who still lives at the rescue’s ranch (indoors). Then again, we don’t know what she bred with…
In fact, go to http://www.lostdogrescue.org, and wait a few moments for the rotating banner to switch, until you see the close up of the longhaired tortie. That’s Ambrosia, or as we refer to her in front of Brooke, “Mommie.”
She looks a lot like Stirfry. Adorable.
She’s gorgeous!
Saber Tooth no doubt
Is a Tortie ever not Feral ???
Now there’s scientific proof to something we’ve known all along: torties can’t be cloned!
http://io9.com/5890039/how-tortoiseshell-cats-show-the-limits-of-cloning?utm_campaign=socialflow_io9_facebook&utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Great link, Ingrid! Something we all definitely knew. I love how the comments have people posting pictures of their torties!
So, what we have always known is now scientifically proven, our girls (and guy) are all one of a kind!
Lynn, you can order the Spirit Essences at http://www.spiritessences.com (out of room to reply to that thread).
A question for our cat experts
What type of cat is this in the commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VH2zGc0TAc
I think it’s a British Silver Tabby Shorthair. I love that commercial – so sweet!
Grey Tabby, sometimes they show up with those incredible markings, a friend of mine has a brown tabby with those crazy beautiful markings….came from a litter of barn cats
Gang I know you should not drink when taking meds, but right now I could use a really good Margarita!!!!!! I just can’t make those either. Maybe I can get Steeler to figure that one out.
You think. 😛
Guys, just for the record, I finally went to the Dr. today. Steeler is fine. I have “acute bronchitis”. My chest and back are hurting and coughing is horrible. So just for the record, if you feel this coming on, don’t do what I have did, and wait to practically get pushed to go for help. Go for medical help. Now I am on bed rest (horray) not bad, antibotics and cough meds. Some of those around me feel HEY NOW, Bernie can’t talk but a few words without coughing. So I am being taken advantage of. The meds are making my sick but, I know when I am beat.
Steeler is getting less and less treats. I am pleased with her so far. Love to hear her talking so much. She has gotten very vocal again. All this is good for her.
Keep posting. I will be reading and posting when I can. Someone recommended a “hot tottie”. I just might!!!!!!
Oh no – feel better fast, Bernie! I’m sure Steeler will be a good nurse.
“I’m sure Steeler will be a good nurse”
A tortie nurse cat 😉
Kasey makes a good one, Steeler sounds quite similar in many ways, I’m sure she’d make a good nurse cat.
I somehow think Steeler and Kasey are a lot alike. Steeler makes a great nurse. Just pay attention to her when she says so or she uses her “switchblades” as Lynn calls them.
Sorry to hear that, I hope you feel better soon!
Me too!!! W eall have to get the award for CC. Chicago style!!!!!!
I’m distressed – Paws and Effect is gaining! I found another email address and voted 5 times today and shrunk their lead by a %!
Just added my other emails. Start again after midnight. Just love this Chicago Voting style. 🙂
No getting distressed Harry. Head for the music. It will be all right. I have it from a good source.
Thanks, guys! I see you helped increase my lead again overnight!
Hope you get well soon Bernie. As someone who has been getting bronchitis since I was 12 years old I feel your pain. I can never cough up the “stuff” in my lungs so if it gets bad enough my doctor has to put me on steroids for 2 weeks to get me over it.
One thingI’ve found that really helps get the lung gunk moving is to steam yourself either in a long hot shower or a bowl of steaming hot water and a towel over your head and the bowl. Works wonders (on me anyway).
Also the hot tottie is a good idea. I don’t drink (anymore..due to the 2 morhine daily plus my hubbie doesn’t drink) but when I did if I got a cold or bronchitis I would do a big shot of Hot Damn (hot cinnamon schnapps) thentake every blanket I owned and pile them on top of me and by morning my fever would be gone.
Just some ideas. Take good care of mommy Steeler!!
Thanks Betty. I am working on it. Hot tottie might be the solution, if the meds don’t kick in. Steeler is being a very good Tortie nurse. As in, “Ok mom, I will help take care of you but you better keep my treats handy.”
Aww, get well soon! And It’s a Hot Toddie”
A shot of whiskey, a tablespoon of honey, and a melted mint candy
Awe, finally your the brilliant one here this time my Wild Child. A recipe for a “Hot Toddie”. 🙂
Rigggggggggggggggggggggght, your “Brilliant one” is eating steak with a spoon and a steak knife because I can’t find a fork lol
Vodka is bad… lol
Are you on a soft diet?????? Or did the skull kick you in the butt??? Hey, look at the bright side, your eating!!!!! 🙂
VODKA, spoon, steak knife and uh uh. Feel better tomorrow!!!! 🙂
LOL…well, Monkey’s happy, I managed to get it cooked Medium. Monkey’s feasting on leftovers, while Shanks tries to wedge her head in…Peaches turned her nose up and walked off. It’s nearly raw beef, so probably not bad for her, right?
I can’t get used to you calling Shanks ‘she’!
I have a question. I’ve heard that cats can have Dementia just like humans can, I was wondering if anyone here has ever dealt with it? I’ve never thought of it before today, but sometimes when strangers come into the house, the last two years or so, sometimes Peaches will actually go at them, arched back, bristled fur, hissing and growling, when before she would just hide. But she’s never done that to me before until today.
I told you guys I had to move…well, I went home yesterday with a friend from work to check out a potential new apartment, slept on her couch, and rode back into work with her this morning. I’ve been gone overnight before, but not often…anyway, today when I came in, Peaches came to me like she does to a stranger, arched, bristled, hissing and growling, she even took a couple swipes at me! After about 15 minutes she came to me for pets like nothing ever happened. It was wierd.
She’s going on 12, or maybe she’s already 12, I don’t know exactly. I’ve been putting her continually escalating crankiness down to old age, but after what happened today I’m not so sure. It really WAS like she didn’t know me for a few minutes
Cats can get dementia, but 12 is really a little young for that to start, although I suppose it’s possible. I’m guessing that Peaches’ display was more to express her displeasure at being left with the two juvenile delinquents overnight than signs of dementia. Her behavior toward strangers could be caused by any number of things.
Typically, dementia in cats manifests with excessive vocalization, increased agitation, irritability (well, okay, she gets a check mark there!), staring into space (like they forget where they are), lack of attention to grooming.
SHe’s always been a finicky eater. I stand guard over her in the morning when they get their wet food. A lot of times she’ll sniff it and not eat, but when she actually DOES decide to eat her wet I stand guard, because Monkey will finish hers, by that time Shanks is almost done. but Monkey will push Shanks out of the way and eat his last bite or two, then Shanks will go finish what Peaches left. So I stand guard and make sure Peaches is done before Shanks gets NEAR her. Because if Peaches even sees another cat she’ll stop eating and run off.
Most of what I’ve read says indoor cats live 12 to 15 years, is that accurate?
And Peaches, She’s been becoming more and more aggressive over the last couple years, especially toward visitors. My co-workers who’ve been over are actually scared of her. I can understand why she would be mad at me for not coming home last night, but this was wierd..when I came in she really ran at me hissing and growling like I was invading her turf. It was a whole different feeling than her usual attitudiness, this is how she acts lately when a stranger comes in…I gave her my hand to sniff, she hissed, growled and took a swipe at me.
Is there an essense that might be good to re-balance an older cat that might be teetering on the edge?
12 to sometimes as much as 20 years.
After reading through your descriptions again, I’m wondering whether she has arthritis and is possibly experiencing joint pain. That would make anyone cranky. Remember the recent episode on My Cat From Hell with the cat and the toddler (I think that was the one)? The cat would lash out without any reason, and she turned out to be severely arthritic. I’ve seen this happen with clients’ cats, too – the personality changes back to normal after the pain issue is addressed.
There is a Graceful Aging remedy that might be appropriate for her. There’s also a remedy called Creak-Away for arthritis. If that’s what we’re dealing with, it could help. I’d also put her on a good glucosamine chondroitin supplement, I like Cosequin. Added omega-2 fatty acids can help (salmon oil, either liquid or capsules).
I’m going to order those. If everything else fails I’ll take her to the vet. Peaches, the whole 12 years I’ve had her has been So terrified of change and SO terrified of the vet, every time she’s been to the vet she’s gone into nearly a catatonic state and shook, and started losing hair by the handfuls. She got spayed, then she went for shots, and the vet told me that as long as she’s an indoor cat, bringing her to the vet was more damaging than just keeping her home, and an indoor only cat doesn’t need shots every year.
” I’d also put her on a good glucosamine chondroitin supplement”
Kasey has been getting glucosamine for several years now.
Past abuse had left her with old injuries in the hindquarters that give her problems.
While this has not been a 100% cure, she seems more comfortable and has been doing the classic stretch where the front end stretches first, followed by both back legs. She didn’t stretch the back legs a year ago.
By my estimate, Kasey is 12 years old and seems to be going strong.
Can you post the website to order these again?
This what I give Kasey, 1/4 tablet/day;
http://www.drmaggie.ca/products_joint.html
I buy it at the local shop where I buy pet supplies.
Kasey waits for it every morning because it is always served in a little bit of cheddar.
Thanks Glen! I want to try the riki/ flower essenses first, because they have worked for me so well in the past, but I’ll keep that in mind just in case they don’t work for this
I don’t know Ingrid, she still climbs and jumps and runs around on the wall, she jumps down (It’s a pretty long jump) and doesn’t seem to have any trouble. And she even occasionally will engage in a game of chase with Shanks, although not often…that’s another reason I was wondering if she might have dementia…she’ll be playing one minute, then be in fight mode the next
“SO terrified of the vet, every time she’s been to the vet she’s gone into nearly a catatonic state and shook, and started losing hair by the handfuls”
I get the same way Lynn 🙂
My Galaxy essenses came 2 days ago, btw, those people work fast! Peaches has getting Graceful Aging in her food and Creak Away on her fur via pets, she already seems a little more pleasant
Hey Peaches is just learning how to give what she has been getting. Poor girl.
How is the apartment hunting coming along?
Good wishes going to you.
lol I love the apartment I looked at yesterday Berns! There is a HUGE window in the front room,looking down onto a park, with stained glass across the top. The sill isn’t wide enough for a cat to sit on, but I’m looking into putting a shelf there already. My whole apartment now would fit into the living room, almost. The kitchen is tiny, but there is a lot more counter space than I have now. The bedroom is tiny, but there is a HUGE closet, plus two huge closets in the hall, and a huge closet in the bathroom…about 6x the closet space I have now, and twice the kitchen counter space, plus there’s a dishwasher, and laundry on the premises…of course, I’ll have to walk downstairs to get to it, but I won’t half to walk half a mile out in the weather like I do now! They won’t put new carpet in because I have cats, but that’s okay, there’s nothing wrong with the carpet. it’s commercial carpet, it’s clean. It’s just not new. Whatever.
I only claimed two cats. Most landlords only allow two, sort of like they think the line between normal and crazy cat lady is 3 cats lol. The only two anyone will ever see at the same time are Monkey and Shanks, Peaches will stay to herself and hide when people come, or come out in attack mode and run them off like she does now lol
All I can tell you is that the line between normal and crazy cat lady is less than 7 🙂
3 more and then I’m considered crazy ?
Do outside critters count ?????
Jay, no, not you. You were already crazy. None of the kittens or critters make you crazy. You come by that naturally.:)
Harry, I’ve personally always thought the line was 10, depending on how much space you have lol
That sounds like it might make a good home for you and the little ones. A large window and more space, and CLOSETS, now that in itself is a good thing. Hoping you can swing it.
Good luck with that one, sounds like it has a bunch of advantages.
It sounds wonderful, Lynn. Peaches, Monkey and Shanks – I mean, Monkey and Shanks, since you only have two cats! – will love the big window. You could get one of those window perches that attach to the window sill with velcro.
I don’t know if velcro could hold Monkey, she’s pretty heavy. And the window doesn’t open. I think it would have to be a shelf type thing involving tools and stuff
AMAZING
Don’t forget to vote
http://cats.about.com/b/2012/02/21/rca-vote-for-the-best-website-about-cats.htm
only 21 more days
Vote or Stirfry and Steeler will visit you.
Do you REALLY want that ????
Thank you, Jay!
Yep just what Jay said.
We are on a countdown. Now come on folks start those voting fingers.:)
Done it!
Happy Anniversary Ingrid.
The The Conscious Cat started 3 years ago and has grown to such a wonderful site.
Making a difference for cats and people.
Tortie Power Rules !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could not agree with you more. Great site.
Oh sweet! Happy anniversary Ingrid!
Thanks, Lynn!
Davy Jones of “The Monkees died of a heart attack.
Damn – I loved watching those guys.
I have been listening to the news today on Davy Jones. Lynn remember a while back I did tell you there was a musical group known as the “Monkees”. This was one of them.
They were really fun and had a different style. More fun than good.
Any Kitties music.
ok folks, I am going to post a url to the Monkees song. Steeler made me do it. The cough med might has some effect. I would like to have a hottie tottie, but I don’t know how to make it. So I decided to puy up a monkee’s song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMKZ5rUk7UI
I love their car along with all the music
The Monkees – Last Train to Clarksville
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=RUZeZ1e441A
lol I don’t dare click that, monkey would probably chew out my jugular
lol Berns! I remember the Monkees! Not well, but vageuly! I remember the intro song “Hey hey we’re the Monkeys, people think we monkey around, but we’re too busy singing….” And I remember “Cheer up sleepy Jean”, that was them, right? I didn’t watch the show much, I think I was a little too young, and it was already in re-runs by the time I was old enough to remember. Plus I used to hear them all the time when I worked at a company that played oldies twice a week over the intercom. If I remember right, it was oldies Monday and Wednsday, Country Tuesday, Classic Rock Thursday, and Pop Friday. One Friday they put on the hard rock station and all the older ladies freaked. It never happened again! lol
There you are my Wild Child. Too young, “indeed”. Your right, I don’t really “remember” them either.
That song sticks in your head “Hey Hey Were the Monkees”.
You need to play that for Monkey, Peaches and Shanks.
Monkey would disown me for that. Not sure about Peaches and Shanks, but I’m pretty sure they would too! lol Right now we’re listening to http://youtu.be/nH8mxvxUWcM BEWARE! Monkey music!!! Monkey likes it, but I think Shanks and Peaches only put up with it because the singer’s an animal rights activist lol
Now for a little Steeler mania. Football season is over for now, but Steeler season goes on here everyday.
The little terrorist now has 4 boxes. Everytime I decide this is too much, she jumps right into the one I try to pick up. I think she has a radar unit built into her to know when I touch her boxes.
I was away and came home Wed. I didn’t come home emptyhanded. I brought this cough and sore throat with me. I had hoped it would ease up by now but nope. This has it’s hold on me. I have not felt like this in a long time (sick, that is). Whenever I cough or sneeze, Steeler runs into another room. Like she never heard me sneeze. Then she comes back and peeks around the corner of the doorway like a little kid, to see if all is clear before she comes back to the room I am in. However, this in no way, distracts her enough to get her to forget that Mom still has her treats under her pillow for the night.
So gang I am fighting off and eastern cold in western PA. No fun. And our weather has been so very nice. Darn. 🙂
Amber used to hate it when I sneezed or coughed. If it happened when she was in my lap, I would get this dirty look before she jumped off, disgusted at the interruption.
Feel better, Bernie!
Steeler is staying away from me for most of today. She seems to say, “I don’t want whatever you have”. Wow if this doesn’t loosen up by AM, I will be headed for med express. Steeler has even let up on her treats. This is a good thing. I have been trying to get her to eat better and she is now eating more of her “cat food”. Many less treats.
She comes talking away when she wants wet food in her bowl. The dry food is there, but she lets me know when she has had enough of the dry.
Jay posted a video of Frankie playing with a mouse on an elastic over a door. It is funny. Frankie doesn’t even stand up to play with it. For some reason it is on my FB but no on Jay’s. So if you would like to see Frankie “exercise” kitty style, check him out.
In the meantime, I will grab the puffs and get warm again.
Guys get busy on her and don’t forget to vote to Ingrid.
I’m allergic to animals, dust, basically everything, so every morning I have a major coughing fit. My girls are used to it, especially Monkey. She’s usually the one on me, she just rides it out and goes back to sleep
Lynn I truly hope you find a place for all your little ones. I know you are working hard to do that. I am with you and if wishes could make it happen for you, you would already have a new place.
Thanks Berns! I hope I get the one I looked at yesterday! I hate hate hate moving, but I’m lucky this time, I have no loyalty to the bank that foreclosed on this building, and I have no hope of getting my security deposit back, so I only have to take what I want, and I feel no guilt about leaving the rest for them to clean up lol
I liked my landlady, so it will be kind of a pleasure to leave them a mess. But I’m not spiteful, I won’t mess it up on purpose. I’ll only leave the stuff I don’t need. Which is almost everything lol
Hey people
Keep voting for Ingrid
Vote for the Best Website About Cats
http://cats.about.com/b/2012/02/21/rca-vote-for-the-best-website-about-cats.htm?r=facebook
Thanks for voting and spreading the word!
Make sure you all vote once a day. This site will only allow 1 vote per day, so hit it once before midnight and then after midnight and you are good for 2 days.
And vote with all of your email addresses 🙂 Pretend you’re in Chicago.
Hey your right. As if you could be “wrong”? So now you tell me. Will do.
Ok just did that with other email addresses. Steeler now has her own email address. The things “she” does for Ingrid. 🙂
In Chicago where even the DEAD vote.
Thank you all! Looks like your Chicago style voting is paying off, my lead has widened a little bit more again.
I have several email addresses to use 🙂
One suggestion Ingrid is that the way the link to the voting site is now it takes you off your site. Normally in the web world it is best to have it open in a new window so your site remains open in the original browser window. I’m sure you know how to do it, but just in case adding a target=”_blank” in your a href statement will make the new window open.
Just a suggestion and definitely NOT a criticism.
Thanks, Betty. I thought I had it set up that way, but with all the changes we made to the site today, it must have gotten changed somewhere along the way. I just changed it back. The site needs a little more tweaking, but my eyes are starting to glaze over after being at it all day.
Thank you for voting – multiple times and all!
“Thank you for voting – multiple times and all!”
I have NO idea what she’s talking about – do you?
NOPE!!!! But I will keep voting Chicago style. 🙂
No idea whatsover 😉
Bernadette, you know eventually a little one will come to you as in the past. You will love it unconditionally as you always do.
As for this site crashing and pieces, Steeler says that is just a prelude to what will happen at 10,000. This group can yak it up with the very best of them.
Right now, Steeler is “perturbed” with me for not giving in to her wanting more treats. I am trying to get her to eat more “cat” food. Talk about the battle of wills. I have a sore throat so my voice is a little, well a lot strange to her. She looks at me like “who the heck are you”. So for now she is not really begging to hard.
WOW we missed this site. Good thing those gremlins got sent back to the dark corners and hope they stay there.
Way to go people
We crashed Ingrid’s blog. Too many posts.
Fixed now.
But get ready cause we are going for way over 10,000 !!!!!!!!!!!
Brooke says, “I don’t care if the thing breaks, so long as the pieces skitter good along the floor when I pounce on them.”
I spent the majority of the week trying to give Columbia her dose of Advocate. I got it on the other 3 in one day, it took me 3 attempts over 3 days to get the whole does on Columbia. I carried that little tube with me all over the house in hopes I would catch her off guard. But if course after the first try she was leary of me. Each time I got a little more on her but it took 3 times to get it all on her.
Then it took another 3 days for her to trust me enough to even pet her. She would lay next to me but if I attempted to reach over and pet her she would take off. Finally today she returned her permission for mommy to touch her again. Now it’s time to rest up for next months dose….
Awww, sorry to hear that Betty! Monkey’s so sweet and trusting, I can do just anything to her. When I first got her she was full of worms. I went and bought wormer, got a pill out, reached for piece of cheese to wrap it…she walked up and wanted to know what was in my hand, so I showed her, and she just ate the pill! lol
I have to say that at the pet supply store where I buy my cat food there was a little long-haired tortie girl named Cookie! Nothing like my girl, very petite and shy, and with a brother quite a bit larger than her, pale orange with white paws and very laid back. She would be a sweet one, though.
I’m not on the market, but I always check the three cages for new cats, who are often from a rescue in West Virginia, which is only about 30 minutes from here and are rescued from certain death in their county shelters. It’s nice that they nearly always have two cats together, especially siblings, and they highly encourage people to adopt multiples.
Checking adoption cages can be dangerous, Bernadette… How bittersweet to see a little tortie named Cookie there.
Glad we’re back!
I am helpless in the presence of adoption cages, but I am not really tempted and have never adopted that way. The universe has always brought me the cats I need and the cats who need me.
Plus I would only adopt both her and her brother, and six cats is plenty. I need to leave a little space for an emergency foster.
But she was a total cutie, and I haven’t had a long-haired cat for years.
We took in a long-haired tortie this week, named Delilah. Thought that she had an untreated eye infection that had ruptured her eye, so we had surgery done to remove it (making three one eyed cats in the rescue now). Turned out that it was no infection, but a BB that shattered the eye and lodged in the back. Poor thing is with a foster now, getting smothered in love.
I hope karma bites the one that put the BB there REAL bad.
Hopefully she finds a loving, indoor, permanent home, soon.
I for one would love to get my hands on the people that shoot those BB. It would be more than Karma that hits them. You could bet that BB gun would never fire another BB either.
I have seen Big O all shot with BB’s. I still remember how bad I felt for him, even tho he did a # on me. That poor cat had a number of BB shots on his head.
Only a really cruel, ignorant and dangerous person would shoot BB’s at defenseless animals. IT definitely is not a sport.
So I am with Glen on this one. I hope Karma bites these people where I can’t say. Well I could, but then I would mar my splendid reputation 😛
I was being polite.
After 35 years in the petroleum drilling and production business, I could get quire “colorful” with my opinion on this subject but will resist the urge due to the rating of this site.
Glen, I have to refrain myself. Ingrid took me to the woodshed before. So I know of what you speak. 🙂
I have the same feeling about those that hurt animals.
And we know how much Bernie will go thru to help one.
Lucky for us that we know Bernie will never transmit Rabies to any Tortie that bites her.
And as to her ” splendid reputation ” Dare I comment ????? 🙂
I’m a firm believer in karma.
And thank you for keeping this site G-rated, everyone 🙂
On subjects like this it really is difficult.
For those that hurt an animal – may he get in trouble and when Lassie comes to help may he lift his leg on them.
Darn, me and the girls have to move again. My landlady filed Bankruptcy and I have, apparently, less than a month to find a place that’ll let me move in with 3 cats. I’m NOT giving any of them up. Y’all send me whatever prayers or wishes or whatever you can, I might can play it off that I only have two cats, since Peaches and Shanks are both shy and both black (although Peaches has a LOT of white, and Shanks doesn’t, but someone who’s not a cat lover probably wouldn’t pay any attention lol. I need to buy another carrier, a little bigger, because SHanks and Monkey can ride together, and 2 carriers=2 cats, right? Monkey’s the only one who’s obvious and “In your face”. I guess that’s befitting of a tortie lol
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear this, Lynn. Sending lots of good wishes and thoughts your way!
Thanks Ingrid. For some reason, to most people two cats seem reasonable, but three seems to tip landlords into “She’s a crazy cat lady” territory, so I’m hoping I can pull off the “I only have 2” thing, at least until the new landlord gets to know me and realize I’m a good tenant and it’s not going to be a problem. I have found two different possible places so far, both who say “up to two cats are okay but no dogs”
Shanks and the Princess are both shy, so most likely no-one will ever see the two of them at once
Lynn, I had six cats when I moved here and they all sat in the windows. Neighbors would say, “Oh, you have a cat.” People aren’t always really observant. Good luck finding a new place. I hope you don’t get more neighbors who neglect their pets.
We knew someone who lived in a condo that permitted only two cats. She had five – a brown one, and 4 black ones 😉
Good luck Lynn – keep us posted.
When Michael was moving down to florida to live with me I had to rent a larger place. At the time I had 5 cats and he had the lhasa apso. I found a mobile home for rent and when I went to meet the owner she asked me if I had any pets. I told her the truth but in a way that I left out a major detail.
I told her that I had 5 indoor cats (at the time Brad didn’t go out) and Mike had a dog. I then told her that the kitties were like my children and that I couldn’t have children so they were all I had. Of course I told her that part with great emotion and teary eyes. What the detail was that I left out was that I was glad I couldn’t have children as I never wanted them anyway. I didn’t feel the need to tell her that detail as it really wasn’t any of her business anyway, all she needed to know was that I had the kitties and they really were my children.
She thought about it a few minutes and decided that it was okay that I had them and that I not get any more.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is using an emotional approach could be to your advantage in you search for a new place to live. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you find a good home for you and your furry babies.
Sending wishes and Spells your way Lynn.
Wish I was closer as I have a huge carrier. Could fit Tabby Pumpkin and Frankie in it together.(that 50 plus bls. of cat) No way would I dare put Stir in a carrier with any other living thing (same as you and Peaches).
Hope you find a great place with roms for the kitties to rrun and hide.
Someone recommended that I comment here about my siamese/tortie mix, Remy! We found her as a stray in our backyard looking MUCH more siamese than she does now. After a few months of leaving her food (during which we found out she was very friendly, albeit a bit shy), she got pregnant and we had to call “Feral Fix” to take her in. Unfortunately, they had to abort the kittens as part of the spaying process, and she was kept in foster care for 6 months.
During this time, I always wondered what happened to her. So one day I just decided I wanted to adopt her and called the Feral Fix lady fostering her. She told me I had perfect timing, because she was just about to take several adult cats she had to the SPCA for adoption, and I could take her home that weekend! I was over the moon!
She came to us with worms, an intestinal infection, and boundless love. I haven’t regretted a day since I adopted her and she continues to make my days special having her with me.
Here is a pic of her with a Jason Wu tote bag! 😀
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425793_533313074964_80300259_30636696_1144448007_n.jpg
Hi Sarah! I’m so glad you posted about Remy! This is a great group and you will learn so much about torties.
I know Sarah/Remy from the Jason Wu for Target swap Facebook page! She posted about her tortie Remy and I knew that she had to post here about her!
What a wonderful adoption story, Hina! Remy is gorgeous! And I figured that there had to be a Rachel connection when I saw the Jason Wu bag in the picture… 🙂
LOL Ingrid – I knew someone would figure that I sent her here 🙂
Oh! She’s gorgeos!
Very interesting markings, and nice looking. 🙂
Nice adoption story, she sure look happy, now.
Welcome Hina and Remy
Sorry I did not welcome you earlier but Tortie and Tortie sites can be tempermental.
I am the caretaker of Stirfry who has a slight Tortitude problem. She has been written about on here a little bit. 🙂
::Lurking::
Ha ha this is all too funny! Very entertaining indeed and I think the 10,000 mark for comments will definitely be reached by the birthday deadline.
I’ve only been lurking because I don’t really have anything new to report.
Nikita and Luna are well except one of them has been hacking up hairballs a lot but only at night so I never know who the mystery hacker is. I did switch food to one from the petstore that has no grains in it and I don’t think it has the hairball remedy in it like their old one. I wouldn’t mind cleaning it up so much if they would do it on the hardwood floor instead of the the couch or John’s blanket eww.
Also, I know this is yucky to ask but with a new non grain food would their poop be stinkier? I’m a newbie to all this organic stuff. The last cat I had was when I was a kid and the cat ate catchow.
Nikita is starting to get a bit of tortitude too. She and Luna are fighting and if we pay attention to Luna she will come up and try to knock Luna down from wherever she is. She is becoming more vocal too. Maybe she just needed to grow into her tortitude??
Is the new grain-free food dry or canned? If you tell me that, and what brand, I can answer the question about the stinky poop better.
Taste of the Wild has a hairball remedy, I think, although, even with 3 long haired cats, I’ve been feeding them Wellness wet and Taste of the Wild dry, and I have NO pukers anymore. I always used to think some cats were just pukers, but since I switched everyone to grain free, I never have to clean that nasty puddle off the floor anymore. Don’t take my word though, God Forbid, I’m the chick that’s been calling her female cat “He” for five months!
And hmmm, I think, IMPO, the poop is actually a little LESS stinky now. Probably because it’s their natural diet without grains and other stuff they can’t naturally digest
If it’s grain-free canned food, it should be less smelly, but it depends on the brand. Some manufacturers substitute other carbs for the grain they take out, and then, cats still can’t digest it properly and it comes out smelly.
So see – even though you thought your female cat was a boy, you still know a lot about cats ;-). – Sorry – couldn’t resist!
The chief is still smiling behind her info. Now we have gone from what Shanks is to the litter box. It seems like this group, ends up talking about the stinky poo kittens and how they can clear a room. I think Steeler is eating garlic or some other food on the side. The strange thing about her is, she knows when she passes gas. As soon as she does, she gets off her pillow and goes to the bottom of the bed. The fragrance is left behind.
I just have come to the conclusion, she is a stinky poo Tortie. One I love very much. 🙂
Sue don’t lurk. You have lots to say. You just got this going again. We always end up at the litter box and the stinky poo. I guess that is the cat lovers in us. We talk of our little ones as if they are babies and their diapers are really, really bad.
Nikita starting to show tortitude. Sounds like your home is getting the vocalizing and the tortitude from both Nikita and Luna. I admire anyone that can handle more than one cat, and especially admire anyone with more than 1 Tortie.
My Steeler is still going to stay the only child. She is just to darn set in her ways to change and any little kitten would be fodder to her. So I will just enjoy all of you and yours.
Don’t stay away so long.
10,000 posts for this gang is like raindrops. No problem. 🙂
Glad to see you on here Sue.
Frankie’s other nickname is Stinky.
Just startling him and I get a gas attack.
And I can verify that Steeler can clear a room.
Well, guys… I officially never have to worry about Shanks again. He’s in heat.
Two words: Jerry. Springer.
LMAO….He’ll be on there some day, outing me as a bad mom because he grew up with his mother calling “him” Bubba and handsome, and treating “him” like a dude, while I called “his” housemates “Gorgeous” and “Beautiful” and “Pretty Lady” and now “he’s” so confused
Jer-ry, Jer-rey, Jer-ry!
Oh no Harry. We can’t do Jerry Springer. We would end up with a show of Torties and servants and then we would have to make an a– of ourselves like Jerry Springer and goodness knows we don’t want to do that.
We do enough of that on here. This way the whole world only thinks this group is a little nutzy instead of knowing for sure.
The only Blog that has a Male Tortie (Doodlebug) and a male cat that goes into heat (Shanks) .
Must be a record here.
🙂
You probably got her all stirred up with all that probing. Only kidding. That doesn’t happen. Sorry you have to pay more than you thought, but now you’re still a bunch of girls! What would you do with a guy?
lol…I was hoping for a little testosterone to balance out all this female-ness we have going on here! lol. So now, I didn’t only randomly end up with 3 long haired cats. I randomly ended up with 3 FEMALE long haired cats, one of whom is VERY confused!
Lynn, only you are confused. Shanks knew all along she was a girl, she was just waiting for you to “get it”.
Bernadette with all that clipping going on with Lynn it’s a good thing she “didn’t get it”. Know what I mean. uh uh:) Lucky little girl.
And lol…I’ve been saving money because I might have to move, plus I’m getting my taxes back soon, it’s not about the money, it’s more embarrassment that I just took someone’s word for it, and never bothered to check until now!
Poor little Shanks – identity crisis, here she comes!
Right? I’m going to have a TERRIBLE time stopping referring to her as him
But, ya know, it’s kind of a dead givaway…guys of her age don’t generally start walking around saying “mmmmmmmrppppp? mmmmmmmmmrrrrp? mmmmmrrrrrpp?” And flipping their tails over every time you pet them, so……
So…sounds like you and Shanks had the same thing happen that my Sanchez and I did. I never changed her name though as she already had learned Sanchez.
Will Shanks keep her name or do we now have a “Shanketta”? lol
Lynn since I have never been thru that area with Steeler, I would not know that was an indicator until now. My higher education continues here on CC. I wonder if I could be eligible for another BS in kitty sex and the understanding of such. 🙂
I think Lynn is going to have to go thru the identity crisis, Shanks appears non-challant about the whole thing. This has been one of the most entertaining topics, with all the fun added, we have had for a while. 🙂
Well now, we know. Shanks “HE” is in heat. uh uh She is in heat. Wow and all that messing with that poor girl. Therapist to the walking numb, at downunder street. 🙂
Congrats Bernie – you were number 9000! Wow!!! Seriously guys, I should be used to this by now, but 9000 comments on a single blog post still boggles my mind.
My birthday is in May. 10,000 would make a very cool birthday present. Just saying 😉
988 more to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had hoped you would open an eye last evening and grab the 9000. But we all knew you went to bed. So you, Allegra and Ruby better be awake and ready for the 10,000. It is your blog. You know we can’t reserve you a post. )
At the rate we’re going, we’ll reach 10,000 long before my birthday!
Hey just on the birthday note. Are you going to throw a party to celebrate the birthday + the blog records? Would be a nice time of year.
I hear there is no snow in May.
Strange, but I may just be envisioning a road trip. Any book signings around that time? 🙂
Maybe we can get a sponsor of cat items to fly in everyone from all over for a big party.
From Ontario Canada, Calif, Louisana, Michigan,New York, Florida, of course Pa and VA and other places I am not sure of.
No events scheduled at this time, but there will be more coming. A Stray Cat Cafe reunion would be so much fun!
I think this gang could make that a birthday present for you. Might even be before that, who knows. We have some new Tortie servants here. Hopefully they will jump on this site like many of us have and enjoy the ride of tales and tribulations of this great group. That would be nice.
Oh, by the way, if Harry sends chocolates, check to make sure they are not stuffed with mice 🙂
Steeler and Stir says 998 m0re to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):)
Stir and Stir say HEY were here!!!!!!!!!!:)
Bernie meant Steeler and Stir for 9000
Woot! Go Berns!
8999
Bernie was on the nightly news
http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-preparations-underway-for-fastnacht-day-20120220,0,697955.story
Preparations Underway For Fastnacht Day
9:08 p.m. EST, February 20, 2012
Tuesday is “Fat Tuesday” and that means Fastnachts will be in high demand. Volunteers at St. Cecila’s Catholic Church have been gearing up for their 60th annual Fastnacht sale. It takes about 13,000 pounds of flour, 7,500 pounds of sugar and nearly 700 pounds of margarine to make thousands of Fastnachts.
They got a shot of us standing in line
1st time I made the news and it was not America’s Most Wanted or me holding numbers under my face.
Jay and I are both on the news item. Look closely and you will see we were picked up first on the stairs and then featured as a couple with the clerk. I am in the leopard jacket and Jay is wearing his military green jacket. We had fun. The Torties were on our mind and we needed nutrition to handle the kittens this evening. Yes we have behaved. 🙂 🙂 No arrrest and no placard #’s are on our chest. 🙂
Harry as for exorcism, standby!!!!! 🙂
Oh sweet!
1:31-1:32
Not quite 15 minutes.
This was long enough. See I told you we were at St.Cecelia’a Church for almost three hours. I didn’t even know what we were getting. But they were good. We did behave in the church. 🙂
My favorite part about that clip was to see Bernie laughing.
Thanks Ingrid. I did enjoy the day. Most of you know that I truly enjoy being around other people. I find others to be intriguing and I enjoy talking to them. The clerk at the church turned out to be a transplanted Pittsburgher and Steeler Fan. Told her of Steeler. She still follows the Steelers even tho she has been gone from Pittsburgh since she was 12.
I am glad I came out here and stood for hours for a doughnut. I talked to folks while we waited and Jay played with my smartphone.
I call it my dumb phone, I still can’t master it. Steeler is getting her spoiling from my oldest son, for a while. They have formed a bound, but as always, it is on her terms. Don’t pick the Tortie up, just feed me treats. 🙂 <3 I truly love this group.
Ingrid get ready!!!!!!!!
8997
8994.
8995
Brooke visited a bunch of times today. Sabrina growled, hissed, and spit. Liberally dosed with Peacemaker. Not going as well as it seemed, at first. Brooke is actually scared – she hides some of the time, but then she’ll approach right up to Sabrina – but tail up, ears up, almost friendly… but we know not to trust a tortie. Piper just gets out of the way. I don’t know – I keep saying this, but I think that they both need Prozac ear gel.
Never Trust a Tortie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In all the time we’ve been talking about this, it never occurred to me to ask you whether you’re doing structured play with the two of them. I guess after learning so much from watching Jackson, and seeing the difference it’s made with my two, this is in the forefront of my mind now.
Structured play has always been the goal – our behaviorist from Companion Animals set us up with that plan nearly two years ago. But they both get so scared that while they can be distracted with a wand, neither will really interact with it.
Today, Bernie and I spent over 3 hours in a church and came out very happy
Neither one of us has ever done this before.
Are you trying to tell us something?
Bernie was on the nightly news because of the church business.
Really, Jay, this could be interpreted in a manner you probably never intended.
Jay, the next time you need an exorcism, let me hook you up with a priest buddy of mine. He’s a lot faster, even if there are two torties involved.
That is the problem the church didn’t have a Tortie. No wonder we are out of our minds’!!!!!!:)
Harry, the last 2 times I was in a church was a few years ago for my uncles funeral.
I had red contacts and the priest looked at me funny.
2 months later my aunt died and we were in the same church.
The priest talked to my mom about it.
Guess I was not allowed back.
My sister wrote me and said
“Actually it looks like you’re drooling! I didn’t think you stepped foot in a church for fear the holy water would boil!”
I replied
“All I had for breakfast was a cup of coffee and then on the noon news we saw that the church had walk in for donuts
We got there at 1:45 and did not get waited on till 5:10
And the whole time we could smell the donuts
Of course I was drooling.”
I give you all my word, This is the last time I will ever do this again!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😛
Bernadette, really, 🙂
Now, Bernie, what did you think I meant? It really could be interpreted many ways. After church, your mind should not be in the gutter.
As I was talking on the phone with a friend, Bernie had gone out to the kitchen and was talking to Stir. She gave Stir scratches and seconds later blood as Stir spun and put a fang into her hand. Bernie came in and showed me dripping blood. Peroxide and a band-aid took care of the wound. But we all know Torties are unpredictable – especially Steeler and Stir.
Typical day in my house. Anyone else would say I had a dangerous animal that should be confined. Us Tortie people know it goes with having the cats.
Good news. Bernie said she already had her rabies shots and Stir has nothing to worry about.
Sounds like somebody wasn’t watching body language 😉 Oh, BTW? Our friend Harry just wrote an excellent guest post on this topic…..:-)
Meh, don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Stir’s body language 24/7 is STAY BACK !!!!!
Well, there is a minute or 2 during the day where she will accept scratches. Kinda like playing with a bomb. Never know when it will go off.
Bernie gave Stirfry scratches and kisses and as she went to leave a back scratch. Body language did not change at all. Went from almost Purr to attack mode instantly.
Remember she is the poster child for cat aggression and lived up to her reputation.
Stir made no body language move. She was loving her kitty kisses and chin scratches and as I turned to walk away, I stroked her back and all he– broke loose. I know better than to turn my back on her, but all was forgiven and she was sweet today.
She is rabid free, at least from me. The bit is ok. Jay played doctor, but he did not take vitals. So I guess I have lived 🙂 I am sure it will happen again, as Steeler has a tendency to react the same way, and unexpectedly.
Kasey is very predictable.
Asks for attention.
Rolls and purrs, and just soaks up the attention.
After a while, she does a certain type of rub on your hand with her chin/jaw.
That is the signal for petting aggression to begin.
Its not real mean or rough but it involves swinging at you and nipping, while still purring.
It is a good thing these cats aren’t any bigger.
Sure is a good thing they aren’t any bigger.
Bernie still has a hand.
FYI – No signs of Rabies on Stir.
Bernies shots must have worked.
Depending on whose studies you read, cats have been domesticated between 4,000 and 10,000 years.
And, it is still a work in progress. 😉
These Torties are definitely a work in progress. But I love them strong and willful. I am just glad I have Steeler, Kasey has you, Stir has Jay, and Brooke has Harry. I think these little ones would have met an unfortunate end if they had not found us.
Hey, what up with the potatoes. 🙂
Ingrid & Harry, how are the snow storms down there ?
We were supposed to get snow?
😉
It was awful. Nary a flake in the sky. And here I’ve got enough bread, milk and toilet paper to last me into next century.
I saw a flake. Unfortunately, he appeared lost and unaccompanied by any of his little friends. I wonder if that was our last shot at winter weather? Usually by this time I’m ready for spring. At this point, I’m wondering, shouldn’t there have been winter? Hey, I still have sweaters to wear. Supposed to be in the 60’s by Wednesday.
Harry winter will hit with a vengeance. We have had no real winter here in W. PA. Very light and mostly gone. Lots of little footprints in the light snow. So I am taking Jay’s temporary kitty shelter home with me to try to catch a really pretty light gray cat that has taken up residence on my back porch swing. She has been getting fed regularly and I think I might have her vetted and leave her for my garage cat. We shall see.
Your dad’s story about Brenda made me laugh. All that talk about poor Shanks and cutting and trimming him, I was thinking maybe Lynn might have already half neutered him. That is an interesting ongoing adventure. In the meantime this poor little kitten is probably why its mom keep poking around its junk 🙂
Oh no! I hope Monkey doesn’t do this to Shanks! Assuming he’s a he, I mean lol…
“There is another form of aggression peculiar to female cats, that of aggression toward an adolescent male kitten, one they may have “adopted” and loved on when he was younger. One day (much to the kitten’s surprise and dismay) his previously loving surrogate mother suddenly turns on him, growling, hissing, and attacking. This form of aggression will take place whether or not the female is spayed, or whether or not she has borne kittens herself. I call it “Get Out of the Nest” aggression. If that title isn’t self-explanatory, think of it as telling the youngster he’s loafed around at home long enough, and that it is time he gets out and takes care of himself.”
If this DOES happen, what’s the best thing to do?
BTW, that question came from reading http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/aggression_cats_2.htm
Well, since we’re not even sure Shanks is a male….. Sorry, couldn’t resist. I actually have never come across this. Harry, Bernadette – have you?
I’ve seen mothers push away their kittens and get testy at around the 16 – 20 week point. Then again, there are mothers like Mimi who think that you’re never too old to get a bath from mom 😉
Bernadette – it’s Mewsette you should take to the shop this weekend, not JB.
Aside from Mimi and the Fantastic Four, I haven’t had kittens with their mother long enough to see. I’ve never seen an older nurturing cat turn on a kitten, though they get annoyed with rough play because kittens are getting pretty big by that age, with nearly adult teeth. My older nurturing cats have usually been males–Kublai, Stanley, Namir–Moses nurtured but she wasn’t able to play and never pushed anyone away, and Cookie nurtured but she also played hard. I don’t think Lynn should worry about it until it happens, if it does.
It takes a special personality to be comfortable in a strange place with strange people, and I knew Cookie had that personality because all she needed was me and she had that wonderful self-confident curiosity. JB has that same feeling which is why he would be my choice; like Namir, even at the vet he was purring and headbutting anybody he got near. Mewsette is wonderful with me here, most of the time, but she also goes off into her own little galaxies, and she is unpredictable when people visit. She can be really silly, get flat and run into the basement, or sit bolt upright with the biggest roundest eyes as if she’s afraid to be seen if she moves. You just never know which Mewsette you’ll get. She also likes high places and I’m not really in the position to pay for a few dozen vintage collector teacups. Judi’s a friend, but that would really be pushing it.
Back when I was a pre-teen & teen, my cat Princess that had 2-3 litters of kittens a year for 11 years would occasionally lose her patience when the babies got older. They
liked to chase her tail and jump on her and there were many times she would
use a stern paw and bat them down off of her and growl.
Then again there was one time that we kept one of her kittens (male) and even after she had
new litters there were times she would be laying out on our front lawn nursing the
adult male! It looked so funny because she was a small cat, an albino white cat about
8 lbs. and he was pure black with long hair and weighed about 14lbs. She also still
hunted for him.
Excuse me if this post comes ut strange as I tried posting with both IE and Firefox
and the line break doesn’t seem to be working unless I hit the enter key.
I think Monkey’s still playful enough that he’s not going to bother her much. He can even, on rare occasions, get Peaches to play for a couple minutes
Betty, lol…back in my almost hoarder days, when I was finding at least one or two critters on my doorstep every week, I had a male dog that every kitten that came along would nurse on. I have no idea why, it was so wierd
Stirfry had the 3 kittens and as soon as they were starting to eat kitten chow she wanted nothing to do with them. But then she never really was the typical Mom cat. She was protective the first few weeks but after that —— 🙂
LOL Ingrid! I might be seeing a little of this. She’s not as patient with him as she used to be, but they still lay together, play, and groom each other. She just doesn’t give him passes on everything anymore.