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
Hi gang. I am just letting you all know that I have been watching and geez, you are quiet. I, myself, and just a little tired. I find my self going to the kitty playpen during the night to check on the little ones. I want to make sure they are ok. So, I am a little sleep deprived. Having said that I do take the time to VOTE everyday. So how about it friends and family, here is the info to keep VOTING every day: Thanks
http://petties.dogtime.com/nominate VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
Ingrid for
Best Cat Blog
Best Overall Pet Blog
Nominee URL: http://www.consciouscat.net
and
Bernadette for
Best Design
URL is http://thecreativecat.net/
Hi Bernie,
Do the kitties like playing with each other? Any pictures yet? 🙂
Hi Bopeeps. The little ones are playful but not overly so. They do groom each other, with such close attention to details. They seem to want to sleep a lot. I think it maybe that they have had such a rough life outdoors to stay alive. They are so little, they will grown and gain weight with more rest.
I know for sure, during the late night/or very early mornings they are playing. I know that because I find their small toys in their litter box. So I retrieve them for them and just let them do it again the next night.
I am taking some pictures. Right now I am trying to spend my time bonding with them to teach them to totally trust me. That is really important for all of us. I want to tighten the bond before they get to much older. Then their Mom and I will have to work on a strong bond. I did place a picture on Ingrid’s CC FB page. You can see how beautiful and tiny they are on there. I hope to show more of them in the near future.
I’m so glad they are doing well. I know that Rikki loved to play in the litter box not just with her toys but herself…her own personal sandbox. LoL. I finally broke her of it.
They sound very sweet and content..enjoy them 🙂
Diana
I voted.
In other news, I can’t believe how Peaches has bloomed. Same food as always, except now she eats most days. She finally feels like a healthy weight when I pet her. She’s shedding less and not puking at all. And yes, they’re still on TOTW dry and Wellness canned. And I feel HORRIBLE, Because for years I kept fish, and was so concious of how many of what size fish I could keep, how big they were likely to grow, and what was best to feed them. I spent hours on the internet researching them. And the rats. And the snakes. But I never bothered to research the nutritional and spacial needs of my cats and dogs. Nothing has changed for Peaches except space, and she is SO much better for it
That’s wonderful, Lynn! Don’t feel horrible. You did the best you knew at the time, and now you know differently. I’m just so happy she’s doing so well!
Lynn, I think it sounds like Peaches is doing just Peachy, I could not resist that one. It seems like you have really gone the extra mile to help her get the right nutrition for her.
Hope about little mixed up Shanks. Is she still trying to figure out what sex she is or have you conveyed to her that she is a little girl?
I read on here that you are going to get her spayed. That might correct some of her “acts” against Peaches. Of course all your laughter at her is also going to stop then. 🙂
Still pulling for you.
I never really researched any animal until I had Stirfry come into my house. Then I learned all about Torties from Ingrid, Bernadette and Harry. Then I met Bernie and Steeler. Isn’t the Internet wonderful.
Thanks for nominating, Jay!
I just voted
Hope everyone else did to.
If not – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My parents have both a tortie and a calico. And yes, they will both DEFINITELY meow very loudly when they want something, and I can hear the tortie’s (Misty) purr from across the room.
Between the two of them, I bet it gets very loud at your parents’ house, Whitney!
http://petties.dogtime.com/nominate VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
Ingrid for
Best Cat Blog
Best Overall Pet Blog
Nominee URL: http://www.consciouscat.net
and
Bernadette for
Best Design
URL is http://thecreativecat.net/
I’ve been wondering and your post dusted the cobwebs off my brain is in the best designed blog entry there is no place for her name only the site url and shelter name. Am I missing something?
Betty, you only enter the blog’s URL in each category.
good the hear. I’ve been doing it that way but thought I’d check to be sure. thank you
Folks, now in all my excitement now that all of you know our announcement, let me just take this time to remind all of you to
VOTE for Ingrid and Bernadette.
Best cat blog for Ingrid
Best overall pet blog for Ingrid
Best design for Bernadette Kazmarski.
Ingrid, please put the info on here again. You know I am no good at that. L)
Thanks for the reminder, Bernie. Here’s the link to nominate: http://petties.dogtime.com/nominate
It’s so wonderful to hear you so happy again!
I feel very happy. I can’t wait for Jay to meet my (our) babies.
My happiness is truly compounded tremendously by our Tortie family. You all have been so important to me in the time I have been coming on CC. This is truly a loving and caring family unit. What a great feeling. I am flying so high with happiness right now, you could not believe it.
I sat and just watched the little ones in the early morning hours. Just to be sure they were there.
What a feeling.
I am ecstatic to hear about your new babies!!!
Thanks Kitten. I am so very happy right now. I haven’t felt this happy in so, so long. I can’t wait for Jay to come this weekend to meet them. Really I would like to have the whole world meet them. That is how happy I am now. 🙂
What a great story to read 🙂
I was hoping something like this might happen.
Liberty and Justice were in need of a good home, they certainly found it.
I love the markings, a little grey “tiger” and a tortie, very nice.
I was also hoping for the same, Glen.
And here, I didn’t even have to drive 5 hours, drop two kittens on Bernie’s porch, ring the bell and run away! Not that I would have done that, of course
Glen, isn’t it wonderful. I had told everyone no more. I did not want the heartbreak. That changed in a nano second.
I really like your description “I love the markings, a little grey “tiger” and a tortie, very nice.”
I hadn’t thought of Liberty as a little gray tiger. Good definition. 🙂
“Blue” tabby. Really. I couldn’t make that stuff up.
Harry, strange you would write that. Jay and I had spoken about “what Harry might do or pull to get me back on track with a new addition to my family”.
I think a higher authority heard all of you and me and WOW did it make me happy. Oh so happy.
You are all so wonderful. 🙂 🙂
By the way, on a good day with a good tail wind, you can do that trip in 4 hours. 🙂
Hey folks, just so you all know, Jay will be meeting our new babes on Saturday. I hope it makes for a Happy Father’s day for him. He is excited to see a baby Tortie. Little Justice will show him, little or big, there is a lot of “Tortitude” in this little bundle. 🙂
Hi Bernie,
I’m so happy for you. Kittens are such a joy.
Are they both female? And were they from the same litter? I’m as curious as a cat. 🙂
Bopeeps, thanks. I don’t know for sure what they are. I will have to have someone check them for me. Harry is 99.999% sure Justice is a girl. With his expertise I will have to go with that. Male Torties are rare. Liberty can be either. I am just giddy to have them right now. Their sex doesn’t matter at all. 🙂
I know…I’m over the moon for you.
I just kind of imagine them being dropped down from above to your house 🙂
That picture just makes me smile because Justice has her eyes open just a wee bit checking things out..showing her torti side.
Bopeeps , Justice is adorable. Liberty is just as adorable. I am over the moon also. Jay is coming this weekend and I am afraid he might drive faster than his guardian angel can fly. He is so excited to see them.
They came here for a reason, and I have always said I respect and accept people and their beliefs, whatever they may be. This is one that has me reeling with respect for all beliefs.
On your other post, I am sure they are from the same litter. They came together and cuddle together. So I am almost certain they are of the same litter. I only know, they have a forever home that will give them all the love and attention any little ones could ever possibly want or need. 🙂
The great thing, I experienced with my rikki, who I adopted as a newborn kitten, is the first meow, the first time it leaps up on the counter, all the firsts.
I can’t wait to see more pics.
Bopeeps, you are so right. I have never had a kitten or kittens. My Steeler was and adult when she rescued me.
I already have had the first mews’ from both Liberty and Justice. I have had the first little kitty purr from Liberty.
From both babies, I have had more hisses than I could ever imagines. Especially Justice. She is just full of herself already. Tortitude in babies, oh yes.
There will be pics. You will get tired of my pics. I am just so happy.
Harry, Rachel and Julie. You guys all need to advise me on when, they need to be vetted and what they need to have done. They are so small about 1# for Liberty, and Justice is maybe 1 1/2#. Justice is much smaller than Liberty.
So all advice now is new and important to me. 🙂
We’ll talk, Bernie. And don’t worry about toys. Worry more about where you’re going to store the shipment 😉
oh oh Harry. Trust me they will be room, even if I have to empty the sunroom and living room. I seldom use the living room anyway, now it is a kitty playpen. 🙂 Thanks
HI Tortie family. Some happy news from myself and my accomplice Jay. We were going to make an announcement this weekend, however, like Ingrid, we could not wait.
Just to set the story up here is how hit started. I sent Ingrid a message and asked her to give me a call when she had time. She responded she was really busy and would get back to me in a day or two. Well you all know I am a little on the ornery side. So I sent her a picture. HELLO, my phone was ringing off the hook. Jay and I are happy to share the following with all of you here. Since Ingrid is such a great writer, I wanted her to tell the story. So here is the link to her website. It is beyond explanation.
Liberty and Justice: a tale of loss, love, and kittens https://ingridking.com/2012/06/13/liberty-and-justice-a-tale-of-loss-faith-and-kittens/
ok gang so you need to go to Liberty and Justice: a tale of loss, faith, and kittens
Posted by Ingrid, on Ingrid FB to read the entire story. I am not good at posting links. It is a marvel to be sure.
I helped you out a little with the link, Bernie 😉 Thanks again for letting me break this wonderful story.
Ingrid, thanks for the help. I am no good at this. I think I messed it up on my FB and on Jay’s FB also. I am just so excited with the new life in the house and the tiny little “mew” coming from my living room. Pics will be posted soon most likely over the weekend. Kittens are not easy to take quick pics of for me. 🙂
After reading the beautiful story of Bernies new babies I had to wait a while and compose myself before I could reply.
The chances of two strays showing up when they did and to have one a tortie and a gray tabby cannot be coincidence. I don’t know what to call that it is but it is extraordinary.
The love and pleasure they will give you Bernie will add to your life greatly and while nothing will ever replace Steeler and Eric, they will help with some of the pain and give your mind something else to concentrate on.
I do admit when I received the first email that said that Bernie and Jay had a big announcement I thought it was going to be that you two were getting married…lol However what it ended up being was truly wonderful.
Be sure to post many pics of your babies playing and growing up.
I am so happy for you Bernie there really are no words to describe just how happy I am for you. Sending positive thoughts and love your way.
Betty I am still in awe of these two beautiful little ones. They are already showing a lot of activity.
Justice, my Tortie, is really showing her “attitude and Tortitude” at a very early age. She has already drew my blood. Liberty, my little gray tabby, is very vocal and already likes belly rubs. I actually heard the tinest little kitty purr from that little one last evening.
There will be a lot more on them and you know I am going to posting pics, oh yea. I feel truly good about my new little ones being here.
Now I have to start gathering up new kitty toys and such for them.
After my terrible loss of Steeler I gave everything away, except her very favorite toys.
Now I have kittens and I tree kitty trees in my life very soon. I have never had 1 kitten and now I have 2. I am not complaining.
If you’ve never had kittens before get ready for tons of smiles, laughter, and scratches! As it happens all of mine were strays but were also kittens so I had the adventure you’re about to go on. I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. The energy the exude is amazing. Although with babies they tend to all out play then curl up after to sleep it off. I guess they’re like human babies that way, although I have never been around human babies so am not sure how they are.
My biggest fear last month when I was going to meet my hubby’s grandshildren, one of which was 20 months old was that someone was going to ask if I wanted to hold her. I have never held a baby before so had some inner panic going on. Fortunately they didn’t ask me so all went very well.
Betty holding a new baby, is a cinch. Now getting to hold these two, that is a whole lot different. I have a makeshift playpen ( took the anderson screens off the long house windows) in the middle of my living room. I climb in there and sit with them and hold them in there. Liberty is all ready to be buddies. Justice is all full of Tortitude, so little and so soon, a little harder to catch to hold. But this is going to be fun.
Justice has shown his houdini skills and escaped twice. Now I have place throw pillows on the screens on the top to keep his little butt in there for now. 🙂
Justice is a “she.” That much, I am 2999% certain. (If she’s a he, then Jay will really be excited.)
Out of curiosity why do you have them in a playpen instead of wandering around the house? Wouldn’t it be easier to potty train them if the litter box is in it’s regular place and you teach them where it is?
With my kittens I put them in the litter box right after they eat then I take their front paws and scratch the litter with them then leave the rest up to them. I’ve never had an accident after that. It is a built in instinct for them to scratch and bury their business you just have to lead them to it the first time. Also babies have a tendency to sleep in the litter box also, at least mine always have.
Betty they are in this large makeshift playpen that is 6′ X 6′ square. Their litter box is in there with them. They are using it. I can’t let them take run of the house because this is a very large house and I would not know where to begin to look for them. When we first brought them into the sunroom and tried to transfer them to a carrier they got loose. It took my son, Wayne and I over an hour to just find and catch them. This way, they will stay where I know where they are. Hopefully when I feel comfortable letting them out and they are over their fears, they will know their litter box. I intend to have more than one for them.
I will make sure they have everything any kitten could ever want or enjoy.
I really feel lighter and so much better now that Ingrid, Jay and I made our announcement.
I am so happy to hear from all of you that are sharing in our joy. Thanks so much.
Very well said Betty
And the other
http://animaltracks.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/12/12189917-saved-by-a-whisker-kitten-rescued-from-engine-of-driving-mercedes?lite
2 Tortie stories in the news. I will post them seperately so not to have thing held up due to blog rules (see I do follow SOME rules) 🙂
http://www.catster.com/the-scoop/tortoiseshell-cat-rescued-from-freeway-overpass
Unfortunately, I had to change the rules ;-). Right now, anything with a link is being held for moderation. I hate having to do that, but too much spam got past the filter.
That said, these are great stories!
She’s beautiful! What a happy story.
I love seeing the word “tortitude” in a news story!
I have a tortie I adopted at a shelter about a week ago and she is estimated 3 months old but looks a lot younger for her size. She gets into EVRYTHING! cords, my room, and everywhere she definatly shouldn’t be! Love her to bits, but her elevator doesn’t go to the to floor, heck there’s not even a 2nd floor with her! Love the tortie, love the tude. She is jumpy then snuggly then naughty like as if she has mood swings! She plays with my hair which can get really annoying but she doesn’t know like ANY better so yeah! Luv u kitty!
She sounds like your typical adolescent kitten, G! Congratulations on your new baby!
I have a tortoise shell calico. Her name is Tippy Toes, a gift from my neighbor Vicki who had named her for the tip of her tail has that beautiful tan color. She got torittude! shes not very possessive of me, doesn’t mind who’s lap shes sleeping in. She’s awfully playful and rumbustious. Very photogenic. loves destroying curtains, but thats all kitties. shes a cuddle bug and comes when I call her. (which I think is a uniqueness for cats) I love that cat more than life it self.
I love the name Tippy Toes! She sounds beautiful. Feel free to post her photo on our Facebook page, we’d love to see her.
Definately post pics of Tippy Toes.
And a big Tortie welcome to you and G
On my way home tonight I was about 1 mile from home and saw something glowing along side the road at a 3 way intersection. Now I am always watching for animals (expecially cats) near the barns. It looked like something that was curled and hit as it looked like 2 glowing eyes in my headlights. I was praying it was not a wounded cat. Her it was a Porter Cable flashlight with 18v battery. The 2 glowing eyes were my headlights reflecting into the lens in the front. Now today I had put my critters into the other half of the pasture thru the gate Bernie and I had put up.I fiigured I would have to go up in the dark and get the critters out and shut the gate. Well the kitty gods were smiling on me and gave me a light.
No way to recharge it but it helped. Now it is just starting to rain and maybe a thunder storm. Hope so cause I want to hear Steeler.
lol Jay, my friend Carol that I ride back and forth to work with “Slug bug’s” me at least three or four times a day! Another lady who rides with us said yesterday; “Damnit Lynn! You’re in the front seat, you should be watching for bugs!” I was all; Sorry! I’m always looking for Sandhill Cranes and Wild Turkeys and Deer and Cats, and Squirrels, and Skunks…lol
On a non lol, The other morning there was a cat sitting exactly in the middle of the road, right on the double line. I screamed; “OMG CAT!!!!!” and Carol swerved and missed it. There was a line of about 6 cars behind us, hopefully they all followed our lead and missed it too. Coming home that afternoon there was no dead cat on the road. I hope that’s because it got off the road, and not because the owners scraped it up and buried it. But to be laying right on the center lines and not running from cars passing inches away, It had to have been hit and stunned already. If I was driving I would have stopped.
I have stopped many a time and backed up to push a dead cat off the road. I can not see an animal get mashed day after day. And if it was someone’s pet I would like them to see the body and at least know what happened and give a decent burial.
I hope that cat survived and someone stopped. We can not save all the animals but at least we try when we can.
Shanks made me laugh until I cried a little this afternoon. I had just gotten home from work….I should explain, Shanks is a little schizy and jumpy, and VERY quick. She’s been that way since I got her. So I walked into my (very tiny, open floor plan) kitchen…Shanks and Monkey led me in, and were both sitting there looking at me. I noticed the dry food was low, so I stepped toward the cabinet where I keep it….Shanks did a freakout move, lost her traction on the tile, and did 3 tight, lightening fast little donuts before finally figuring out which direction to go and darting off! I said; WTH was that!? Then busted out laughing…..Poor little thing sat about 5 feet away, looking REALLY embarassed, and I feel bad that I couldn’t stop laughing…
Aww, poor Shanks – I’m laughing, too, but I bet she was embarassed!
Poor Shanks, he is so confused. Maybe he is related to Jay’s & my Frankie. He is so cute, but he will never make it out of pre-school, of course, that is if he makes it in. Sorry Jay, but we both know he is a real loving little (big) cutie pie, but not a the brightest bulb on the tree. So it sounds like Shanks and Frankie have a little in common. 🙂 🙂 🙂
lol….I’m putting it down to kittenhood for now, but I’m not going to be able to give her that excuse for much longer. There are times, like this afternoon, she’s so calm and docile and loving, just like her mom. Right now she’s been sitting on my lap for an hour, being petted and gazing at me so lovingly. Then other times I can cough and she’ll jump straight up off the floor and dart off. Such a strange little cat. I wonder if cats can have Split personality disorder? lol…
Okay, I lol’d at that, but on the days she’s “up”, ANY random noise will make her jump and run. She never walks on those days, she has two speeds, 60 mph and stop, she will jump onto my lap, stay about 30 seconds, jump down, and come back and do it again about 5 minutes later…..she can spend all afternoon doing that.
On the day’s she’s “down”, like today, she’s VERY calm, gets ruffled by nothing, walks around languidly, comes to give me my “alotted daily cat worship time”, lays on the back of the loveseat gazing down at traffic and out at the birds, and comes over for some loving every time she goes to the food, water, or litter box, like any normal cat.
Almost like two different cats! So I wonder, do they have chemical brain imbalances like humans can?
Peaches is always the same…grumpy with little moments of lovableness that last a little while, then she reverts back to grumpy. But she’s old. And even as a “young’un” she had an evil streak.
Monkey is always the same…Sweet, affectionate, loves everyone, occasionally shbut it’s never a hard one, I’m pretty sure they’re love bites. lol
I guess I need to wait until my vet appointment to get Shanks fixed FINALLY gets here, to see how she ultimately turns out. But I’ve been really curious about the chemically unbalanced thing. I’ve never had a cat that had two totally different ways of acting like her.
Okay, some of my post got cut off somehow. for the “Monkey” paragraph it was SUPPOSED to say; “Occasionally she’ll bite or swipe, but it’s never a hard one”
And she’s still really clumsy for a cat. Shouldn’t she have outgrown that by now? Peaches and Monkey rarely ever fall off anything. Shanks falls off something at least once or twice a week!
Morgan (Morgan Taylor Cat), our small tuxie girl only has one mode, this pretty much describes it;
“Okay, I lol’d at that, but on the days she’s “up”, ANY random noise will make her jump and run. She never walks on those days, she has two speeds, 60 mph and stop, she will jump onto my lap, stay about 30 seconds, jump down, and come back and do it again about 5 minutes later…..she can spend all afternoon doing that.”
She is our most active and agile cat, even at 13 years old.
I have seen her being pursued by Kasey, she runs around a chair or couch and “goes vertical”, jumping up and landing on the arm or back of the furniture.
Kasey comes around the corner and looses her, Kasey is more of a terrestrial, ground dwelling cat and doesn’t think to check the higher elevations.
Oh Gooodness, Glenn, so what you’re telling me is that I have to deal with my wierd baby Shanks FOREVER!!??? lol, I can deal with that
Lynn, remember that the genetic makeup of a Tortie is screwed up and that affects the brain too. Stir (as Bernie can attest to) will go from sweet and loving to vicious cat and back in seconds and act as though nothing had happened. So I do not doubt that Shanks can have the same disposition.
There was an episode of Jackson Galaxy’s ‘My Cat from Hell’ where the cat was having something like mood swings that got much better after she was spayed. I can’t find video from the episode, but I remember him talking about how the fluctuating hormones can cause ups and downs for the cat. So maybe that’s part of it?
Hey all folks on here, and anyone else, even tho I am not her all the time lately, just know you guys and gals and even your kittens with email addresses better be up to the task of voting for Ingrid’s blogs in the Details here: https://ingridking.com/2012/06/05/nominate-the-conscious-cat-for-a-pettie-award/ and nominate http://conciouscat.net in the best cat blog and in the best pet blog.
Then while you are there please nominate our own and other very important web artist/photographer/writer Bernadette Kazmarski for the best design. Her site is Her URL is http://thecreativecat.net/. Now come on folks, don’t make me keep reminding you again this year. My fingers are a little more tired but my voice is stronger than ever. Get your Butts moving, NOW. 🙂
Enough said. I will be getting censored by the Boss again. 🙂
Talk to you all soon.
Thanks for your support, Bernie! I know I can count on you to keep reminding everyone. 😉
I did it once, we can do it repeatedly?
Yes, you can nominate once a day, every day, through June 29!
Hey my wild child. How’s it going? Reading about little Shanks is like a cartoon. Love your tales.
Now for the voting. Here are the real rules. Vote every day, use every email address you have. Now here is how to vote.
1. Vote for http://conciouscat.net BEST CAT BLOG
2. Vote for http://concisouscat.net BEST OVERALL PET BLOG
Then VOTE for our own BERNADETTE KAZMARSKI while on the voting page.for best design.
Her URL is http://thecreativecat.net/ BEST DESIGN
Now do this every day. If you have several email addresses use them also and they all add up.
Also if you vote Chicago style and it works let me know. I know some people who know some people. NOT 🙂 🙂 🙂
Not sure if we took a few steps back yesterday, or what. I was working at my desk in the room off of the bedroom, and had left the door open as I’ve often been doing. Brooke was in the room, along with the “upstairs cats” Sabrina and Piper. They were largely ignoring each other, and then suddenly Brooke pounced on Sabrina and they went rolling and yowling under the bed. And then Brooke came bolting out and ran under a bureau. I saw just the last seconds of the pounce, and it really looked like a misguided tortie invitation to play – tail up, ears up, no vocalizations. It was not well received, clearly. And the most amusing part was that Sabrina came away with a trophy – Brooke’s collar. (Brooke is usually the one that does that to the other cats, and when she has a collar, won’t give it up.) Today, Sabrina came out on the deck, even though Brooke was there.
Sounds to me like the playing field is becoming more level. It might be a good thing that they’re working things out this way, provided there are no injuries to either of them (and it might well be Brooke’s idea of play).
I hope it’s working things out, and not backward motion. Hard to know, with a tortie. They’re both scared of each other – it would be funny, if it hadn’t gone on for so long.
Harry, it sounds to me as if you have a happy, functioning family. That little tumble left no marks, nor did it draw blood, “especially yours”. So Sabrina won the collar. That’s ok. At least she let you have it back. She could have tried to keep it. Better yet she may have given you a taste of the B-12 shot. 😛
I’m still back on stealing the collar…
🙂 me too.
I know you are related to Frankie!!!!! 😛 🙂
Are you related to Frankie also? 🙂
Not a tortie story, but a big orange guy story.
Taz is 14 years old, weighs 22 pounds and has a physique something like Jay’s Frankie 😉
He is a good natured cat and suffers Kasey’s domination.
The basement here is one big open area, which the cats like. There is a 10 ft by 20 ft workshop/furnace room with a separate wall and door.
When I am around, the cats have access to it, there’s not much for them to get into and they don’t usually go there much, except for Taz, sometimes.
A few days ago, it was time for the downstairs cats to be in the basement and I wanted to close the door to the small room.
Taz was in there and I said “time to go out, buddy” and bent down to pick him up to get him out of there.
He had other plans and let out a short, indignant “Maa!” and scooted under a set of shelves. It was pure defiance at its best.
I just walked out and in under 2 minutes, he was bored and came out on his own, then I closed the door.
Glen it’s funny how quickly our little ones change their minds when we “just walk away”. I would have to do that to Steeler on occasions when she took her “tortie hissy fits” as I called them. She would calm down and walk away talking to her imaginary friend. Oh how I miss those fun filled days and nights.
Yes, he just didn’t want me to catch him and relocate him.
As soon as I stopped and left, he lost interest in being there, he is often quite predictable.
Glen, he is also not going to get closed in the furnace area either. Taz is no dummy. He knew to move it. 🙂
Sounds like Taz has you a little “trained” also. Kasey is not the only “boss” you have. She is however, your only “warrior queen”. 🙂
I think Frankie has that same friend. Talks to himself all the time.
Glen, that’s how I get things done with very curious and helpful cats–let them explore, then walk away and they’ll be afraid they’ll miss the next good thing. If I get too many cats on my desk (yes, it happens) I get up and go into the kitchen, then sneak back. It’s a while before they figure it out.
Loved the story Glen. When Bernie was down the other week I weighed myself on my scale (a doctors scale with weights) with both Punky and myself and then myself. Pynky is also 22 lbs. exactly. We wanted to weigh Frankie but just picking him up is dangerous as still skittish and Bernie refused to be weighed with him. 🙂
Punky is solid but Frank is a big fat ball of fur. Just soo cute though.
And in your house – EVERYONE suffers Kasey’s domination.
NOTHING in the house messes with Kasey 😉
That’s so funny … I had a grey cat (named Grey Cat) who used to mutter to himself all the time. He was adopted as a kitten from a small semi-feral colony that lived in a funeral home parking lot in Hoboken and I always suspected he was some sort of reincarnated gangster. He used to rear up and slap me on the legs when he was aggravated. I’m sure he was calling us all sorts of unmentionable things just under his breath.
Then again, maybe he simply had an imaginary friend?
I hope everyone voted on the Petties today. If not we will get Steeler to growl and that really messes up the weather patterns.
Vote Vote Vote !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Both Ingrid and Bernadette.
Thanks for the reminder, Jay. I just want to clarify that this is the nomination phase. After you nominate us once a day, every day, you’ll get a chance to vote for a whole month in July. Once a day. Every day. I just don’t want you to run out of steam too soon…. 🙂
You know us. Tortie lovers are persistant.
(we also bleed a lot) 🙂
Mental note – don’t play with Stir when she gets in one of her moods.
Thanks, Jay. I wish they made it easier–I hate asking people to go and vote every day, especially when I don’t find the process terribly easy if you are voting for different pages and different rescues. Guess it’s all in the game.
I just saved Ingrid and your URL and charity in notepad and then copy and paste in the require nomination block. Easier than typing each one.
I just hate their security words to type – one is easy to read and the other so run together it is hard to read. unually get it wrong the 1st or 2nd time.
Jay, that’s what I do too–I have a few other nominees as well, but I decided to use the same charity–what was I thinking?! Thanks everyone for nominating, it’s worth it for the $10,00 0 to the winning charity!
I can’t stand those captcha codes, either – it’s why I’m using Facebook for this round, even though I usually don’t like using Facebook Apps.
But then again, Giuseppe will be glad to come and explain things.
Aw man, I wish my camera still worked. I just missed the coolest pic ever! Monkey and Shanks were at either end of the back of the loveseat, looking out at the birds in the tree, one of the birds was a Cardinal, the sunset was gorgeous, and Peaches was curled up sleeping and looking beautiful right in the middle on the seat.
That would have been the perfect pic to send Sue to paint. All of them in the vicinity of each other with no strife happening lol
Since I’ve moved to the bigger place, there’s NOT much strife anymore. I’m loving it, and they must be too. But poor Shanks…OMG I HAVE to get her fixed! She has to be so miserable. True, she’s driving me crazy, but since it’s my fault, not hers, I’m being beyond patient and just feeling guilty and responsible for her misery
Oh, I hate when I miss a great photo! It sounds like it was a lovely scene. Is it an indication of things being more peaceful in your new apartment than they were in your old place?
This is why we have to learn from Bernadette, always have camera on you and place extra ones in every room. I miss so many pictures and video’s every day. Punky and Frankie grooming each other, this morning Frankie chasing Stir’s tail shadow etc.
Lianimal, that does sound gorgeous! And Jay, I love happy family photos, even if Stir might not have been what you call happy. I’m not much for unnecessary surgeries and I don’t even have a tattoo, just pierced ears, but I always say I wish I could have a digital camera surgically implanted in the palm of my hand, it would save me the trouble of actually carrying the thing–I always have the little digital in one hand and raising my hand and snapping the shutter is such a native action for me I don’t even realize I’ve done it sometimes. But then you’d all have as many cat pictures as me and I can tell you that’s not always a good thing.
Not sure I’ve ever posted this one before, but a REALLY good “Southern Rock” style tune by a Christian Metal Band, who, although I’m not churchy, and VERY non-judgemental on religious matters, is VERY good! If I’d known it was Christian music I might not have bought it. But I heard it, liked it, bought the CD, and then, while listening to it for the first time, I discovered the Cristianity. lol….still a damn good band!
This is a slower, “Southern rock” type song….Bernie music.
http://youtu.be/qX9SymWdBjs
And this one is Screaming Metal Jay music
http://youtu.be/RMEUv8Gckwc
Lianimal I loved it.
Music reminds me of early Sabbath.
I just voted (and hope everyone else did too)
What of all the listing should we concentrate on?
These choices looked best to me , but I want your opinion/
Best Cat Blog
Best Blog Post
Best Designed Blog
Best Use of Social Media Blog
Funniest Blog or Blogger
Best Pet Product Review Blog
I also chose Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation as my nomination for the $10K Pre-Petties Donation. Only because they brought me down to see you and my cat family members.
I know others can chose who ever is closest or best for them.
Thx, Jay
Thanks, Jay – and everyone else!
I think Best Cat Blog and Best Overall Pet Blog are the best categories.
I nominated you in both CATagories.
Also Bernadette in
Best Design
Her URL is http://thecreativecat.net/
and her charity is
Homeless Cat Management Team
With your permission I would like to ask all our Tortie friends to nominate her too.
Thanks, Jay! And of course it’s okay to ask for nominations for Bernadette in the Best Design category – I’ve been nominating her in that category myself!
Thanks, both! And I’m sure we’re all nominating this very post as Best Blog Post!
I saw this yesterday and went and nominated us for everything that wasn’t dog- related
same here at first
Thank you! Keep on nominating, once a day, every day!
it didn’t work.
oh wow it did work. Thanks Jay!
That is Miss Lucy.
Miss Lucy is so cute
Aww thanks
Good news for all the cats and dogs. My city says it will be a no kill animal shelter community by 2014.
OT. How do you put your picture in your screen name?
Diana
http://en.gravatar.com/
will put your picture on there
thanks
your welcome
that’s why we are a family here
love the pic
That’s wonderful, The no kill thing, I mean, if it’s actually acheivable. But how can a city guarantee that when there are so many irresponsible owners and breeders and puppy mills…..It would be beyond awesome if that could actually happen….
I’ve been in rescue, and I’ve seen animals go Kennel Crazy. You have to move them fast to prevent this, Same as human prisoners. They eventually get “Institutionalised”, where they can’t function in the outside world anymore. I’m thinking it probably happens less often with animals than people, because animals are much more adaprible……
Ah geez. ADAPTIBLE! lol
Is this the Crystal Skull kicking in. You slur your typing 🙂
Time to vote people
Dogtime Media’s 2012 Pettie Awards recognize the best among pet bloggers each year. The Conscious Cat won the 2011 Pettie for Best Overall Pet Blog.
Nominations for the 2012 Petties are now open! And not only can you help us win a Pettie, but you can help your favorite shelter or rescue group win $10,000 in the 2012 Pre-Petties $10,000 Donation Contest!
Nominating is easy! Simply visit the Petties Nominations Center once a day between now and June 29, and nominate The Conscious Cat for Best Cat Blog and Best Overall Pet Blog (and any other categories you’d like to nominate us for!). Nominate your favorite shelter or rescue group at the same time (must be a non-profit 501c3).
Click here to visit the 2012 Petties Nomination Center
You can log in with your Facebook account, or you can use an e-mail address. You will need the following information:
Nominee URL: http://www.consciouscat.net
Shelter Nomination for $10K Pre-Petties Donation Contest: enter the name of your favorite shelter or rescue group (must be a non-profit 501C3)
The winning shelter will be announced on July 16. Voting for the nominated blogs will begin later this summer. The winners will be announced during an online ceremony in September.
Thanks, Jay! For some reason, this wound up in the spam folder!
Nominate daily, nominate often 🙂
Okay, tortie family, it’s that time of year again: help me repeat my Pettie win from last year! DogTime Media sweetened the deal this time, just by nominating, you’ll get a chance at winning $10,000 for your favorite shelter or rescue group.
Details here: https://ingridking.com/2012/06/05/nominate-the-conscious-cat-for-a-pettie-award/
Please spread the word to all your cat loving (and heck, even non-cat loving) friends. Allegra, Ruby and I thank you!
Are some cats just really clumsy? Because Shanks isn’t getting any better. Are there certain things I should be looking for to suggest there’s a problem? She’s just so clumsy. But she’s also Very quick and tends to dart back and forth and do all floor-type activities at warp speed.
She’s really only clumsy when it comes to jumping and falling off the back of the chair EVERY SINGLE DAY! lol
A Sex Change will do that.
Poor kitty is confused. 🙂
She’ll most likely outgrow this phase – it sounds like a kitten thing. I think it’s a little like an adolescent human whose body awareness is not calibrated yet because everything grows in fits and spurts and what was coordinated one day isn’t quite so coordinated the next!
Hello all!
I wanted to share something neat that I heard today and it’s even tortie related.
One of the gals at work has a daughter in her 20’s who is still living at home who found a poor little malnuriched, sad tortie kitten that someone had dumped in the neighborhood.
The poor little girl is skin and bones and missing a lot of her hair. Nancy took her in, keeping her in one of the bathrooms separate from her other cat. The kitten ate 2 cans of food and used the litter box well right away. Nancy was going to try to find a home for the little tortie but fell in love with her because the kitten was so sweet and was climbing all over Nancy. Probably very appreciative to be off the street. She is very tiny, probably 6-8 weeks old with horrible fleas. Nancy was taking her to the vet today to see if she is sick in anyway and what to do about the hairloss, if it’s a flea allergy or what. She has already named the kitten Ankh so you know she’s a goner if she named the kitten. That tortie isn’t going anywhere. 🙂
I just wanted to share the story and I will tell her about this website.
That is a great story Sue! Your friend will never be the same with a little tortie in her life.
When I got Columbia she was about 4 weeks old and also had a fair amount of hair loss and fleas. When I took her to the vet he tested her and found she had hook worms which will cause hair loss. After she finished the meds her hair grew in beautifully and she was a happy healthy kitty, especially after the flea treatment.
I do hope your friend stop by here and posts her tortie “tails” about Ankh 🙂
Aww, what a great rescue story. You’re right, once you name them, it’s all over. 🙂
Hello, my first post here. I’m the one who rescued sweet little Ankh. Got her back from the vet last week, she’s not sick and her hair loss is because she’s allergic to fleas. Ankh put us all on pins and needles when they did the feline aids test because there was a small reaction. They had to keep her over night and send her blood to another lab to be tested. Thankfully it came back negative and she now has the run of the house and is getting to know her big brother who is a grey and white tabby. He’s eight months and the vet has determined her age to be 5 months.
She’s been putting on weight and gets a little growly if you try and interrupt while she’s eating. Other then that she’s a true lover and wants nothing more then to be near you and being petted. Her biggest complaint at the moment is that her big brother wants to play all the time generally with her tail. But a few claw less swats and hisses put him in his place.
She’s not spayed yet but will be once she’s recovered enough strength to be able to handle it. She’ll also get her shots then too. As easily as she’s adapted to house life I truly believe someone dumped her once she out grew the tiny kitten stage. The vet told me that I’d grabbed her just in time, in her body condition and dehydration she probably wouldn’t of lived for another week on the streets.
After being indoors for almost two weeks she’s got nothing to worry about (besides before mentioned highly playful big brother) and spends her time eatting, sleeping and being petted to her hearts content. She’s going to be a purely indoor cat and can look forward to a long and happy life.
It sounds like things are going really well! Thank goodness you found her when you did.
Thank you for rescuing that poor baby and saving her life. Too many people ignore strays like this and would have let her waste away and die.
Your life will never be the same now that “you are owned by a tortie” 🙂
I think once she has her strngth back and is stronger she will exhibit some or her tortitude, although continue to be loving.
We are all looking forward to pics of Ankh and her brother also. We are all kitty lovers and enjoy looking of pics and hearing stories of all breeds in addition to torties.
Thank you again for being a kind and caring person.
She’s starting to show it, she’s starting to play with her brother is short bursts. I can’t wait for her to be fully recovered. I’d love to post some pictures of them here. Is there a place to put them?
You can post photos on our Facebook page, Nancy: http://www.facebook.com/consciouscat
What a beautiful story about Ankh and her brother!
Had another typical tortitude morning today. Columbia was laying on her “wooby” next to me on the couch whining for scratchie and lovies. So I gave her scratchies for a while and she seemed content when she decided it was time to nip mommy.
Right after she nipped I gently tapped her on the nose and said “NO”. She then slapped my hand so I gave her paw a gentle slap back and in turn she slapped me again then huffed and left the couch.
Like I said a typical tortitude morning.
Betty, I don’t see anything wrong with that. Typical Tortie.
Scratches on her terms and never taking “NO” as a command.
She’ll get you trained yet.
She already pretty much has me trained and her obient servant. I am also in the “takes a week to get all the Advocate on her” mode. I got most of it in the first attempt, then it took her 3 days to start trusting me again. So am going to attempt application number 2 later tonight.
Send positive vibes that all 10 fingers and both hands make it through it!
Tortie boxing – soon to become an Olympic discipline…
Columbia may win a gold medal!
Ha ha, I want you all to be jealous that Kelly is happily purring on my lap and thoroughly washing my right hand, wrist and even parts of my arm, no bites, no unexpected behavior, just my sweet Kelly. Of course, I may not have any skin left when she’s done, but I can’t bring myself to stop her, and I’m typing with my left hand only.
Last night Bernie and I were watching the movie Bullitt ( it was $5 at Walmart and a car movie I did not have).
Their is a fantastic chase scene thru the streets of San Francisco with a 68 Mustang GT and a 68 Charger. Other than that the movie is dull at times. But during one part a police siren went on and Frankie who was sitting between Bernie and me looked up and took off.
Later he came back to us for scratches.
10 minutes later another police car turned his siren on and Frankie took off again. Not sure what he did in the past but he is sure the cops are out to get him.
Now Stirfry I could understand but Frankie?
This is too funny! Maybe that’s how he ended up at your place, running from the cops!
Witness protection program cat. You can just call him “Frankie.” Yeah, that’ll do.
Frankie AKA Stinky AKA Bed Kitty
Frankie answers to anything but maybe I am sure the cops are looking for him. Probably about missing kitty chow. That cat can eat.
Correction:
Witless protection program cat.
Stir says, “Meh – he doesn’t look like a very tasty stool pigeon either.”
So far there’s only one thing that Kasey reacts to with any sign of alarm (can’t quite call it fear, though).
It is thunder.
We had a little bit roll through this morning and as she usually does, she took a start, then settled down when I spoke to her.
She shows no fear of other sounds (which send Tax and Morgan scooting) and doesn’t fear other critters. Due to tortitude and living at a compressor facility.
She has always had a concern over thunder ever since I brought her home 4 years ago.
Oddly, Taz and Morgan show no concern during storms, but they have never been outside during them.
Glen, just tell her that the Thunder she hears is Steeler putting everyone in line on the other side of the Bridge.
I look forward to these storms now and love to hear her talk.
That’s nice that she settles down when you speak with her during storms, Glen.
Allegra has come a long way with her thunderstorm fears (and she will actually blog about that one day this week). I give a lot of credit to Stress Stopper, it seems to work much better than Rescue Remedy ever did – and I can attest to its effectiveness, because I took quite a few hits of it myself this past Friday, when we had some wild weather move through the area. I must have been a cat in another life, because I’m afraid of storms, too!
Ruby, on the other hand, is fearless, and would probably be out playing in the rain if I let her!
“Steeler putting everyone in line on the other side of the Bridge”
I think Kasey could understand that.
“That’s nice that she settles down when you speak with her during storms, Glen.”
Yes it is, it is funny, for all her tortitude fierceness, I think she does regard me as “mother cat”
I was alone in the house today; Julie and Rachel were in Farmville registering at Longwood, Michael was over at a friend’s. I took my laptop and work out to the porch, and on a whim, left the bedroom door open. Piper never left the bedroom, but sure enough Sabrina showed up. She’s been really brave about leaving the room since she feels better. She was out – at the same time as Brooke – for several hours. They watched each other, ignored each other… and the best moment was when Sabrina growled at Brooke and Brooke yawned back at her.
Fantastic that she is coming out of her shell.
And Brooke knows a Tortie beats a Stealth Tortie most days. Not worth her time.
Harry, it is good news to know that Sabrina is going about her business and venturing into the unknown places. She and Brooke, on the deck at the same time, is a big step. I am thinking oh oh. what does one or the other have in mind. Good for me to hear Sabrina is getting better.
This is really good news to hear how well she is doing 🙂
I love hearing how much progress they’re making!
The most interesting part of the day came much later… at some point, Piper eventually also came out to the porch, but then something spooked both she and Sabrina and they went racing back to the perceived safety of the bedroom. A while after that, I went upstairs to check on them, and they were both hiding – I figured that they’d had enough for the day, and closed the door.
It was about an hour later that it occurred to me that I hadn’t seen Brooke in a while. Yup. For over an hour, they were closed into the same room – all three hiding.
All the other critters in the house should thank me.
I trimmed Kasey’s claws this afternoon 😉
But she still has sharp teeth so they are not totally safe.
Stir does not have front claws but her left paw packs a hell of a wallop.
Her and Frankie were going at it earlier. Even match and he has claws. If she gets in her Mad Tortie mode NO ONE get in her way.
Unfortunately, something or someone broke the tips off both upper front fangs; pre-rescue.
However, she lost about 20″of each, most of them are still there and the bottom ones are intact, my fingers can attest that the bite is still there 😉
And, even here trimmed claws are still pretty formidable.
She has actually got pretty good about trimming claws in the past 4 years. Considering her history, it is a wonder it can be done at all, there are some verbal protests and a bit of movement but it can be done in one sitting,without drawing blood (mine).
Bernie wants you to come here and work on Frankie’s claws. We have both given blood trying to get a kitty harness on him. So far
Frankie 3
Us 0
I am amazed, I have seen him in photos and can’t believe they make a harness that size 😉
That’s so great that you’re able to trim her claws. I need assistance with both of mine. I could probably do Ruby by myself, but it takes so much longer than when I have someone to help so one of us can hold her and the other person can trim.
Glen I know you find or think that trimming Kasey’s claws helped. She really doesn’t need those, you do know that. All the other critters in the house only have to hear her wild call. They then disappear.
She has full control of those critter. 🙂
Yes, with Kasey, its just not the teeth and claws, its the “will and skill” she has, the wild call is no idle threat 😉
Today I took Bernie to the Carlisle Car show. It was their Ford show. Had a great time. Even got her a big meal and concert show.
Hey guys we did go a ford car show at Carlisle. It gave me an insight into the value of my 64 1/2 Mustang. Jay did provide a meal and concert. Having said that, we went into the Shelby show tent
and the food was free and the concert was the Razorbacks and they to were free. By the way they were pretty good and so was the food. We had a great time and walked what seemed miles.
Got home and Jay let the kits out. Pumpkin put his foot under the door which was not closed tightly and he came out. Well Frankie was in trying to do what Pumpkin did and get out by himself. He was so frustrated he attacked the carpet and tried to pull it away, thinking he could get out that way.
I am going to have to order him a vest like Steeler had, only if will have to be extra large. He is just so round, but lovable.
And then there’s this…I don’t have a clue why she’s not famous
http://youtu.be/H8guuvDSmv8
Here she is again making a Johnny Cash song even more awesome than it was originally
http://youtu.be/Zd0A4ivlCYM
I know I’ve been lax on the metal moments recently, here’s a blast from the not-so-distant past…Dilana from Rockstar Supernova. I still can’t believe she didn’t win
http://youtu.be/dXDXGp7vj3w
I don’t usually watch any reality shows, but for some reason, that show reeled me in. I liked Dilana a lot!
Ok, even I listened to the Dilana “Landslide” cover… it was awesome.
Can you guys believe she didn’t win? I was floored, she was clearly the best
Dilana and Jordis were both Much better than Lucas Rossi, the winner. I think if they had no intentions of hiring a woman, they shouldn’t have let them compete. They should have just said; “We’re looking for a rocker DUDE”
Harry, almost every song she did was above and beyond awesome
I just got home from running errands.
After I came into the bedroom to check my mail Pumpkin jumped onto the bed and Frankie came in to play fight with him. A minute later Tabatha walked by and Frankie ran out and chased her. Just then Stirfry walked out from the kitchen.
Frankie saw her and decided that walking away slowly was the best option.
Stir just looked at him and came in to get on my lap.
Rule #1 – never piss of a Tortie in the morning. Makes for a bad day. Frankie is learning even though he makes a rock look smart.
He was chasing my shadow off my hand last night instead of playing with my hand.
Going to be hard to find a school to take him. Guess Harvard and Yale are out.
Must be a school with lower standards. Any ideas anyone ?
I have been a little quiet here, but then you all have been busy. The previous post by Jay is interesting. Let’s clarify it a little. First he did have an errand to run. Also TODAY IS NATIONAL DONUT DAY, so Jay returns and says he brought donut holes home. I was curious and then I knew. Hey, you had coffee and a free DONUT and you bring back the holes. Um time to think about that one.
Jay goes to work at 2:15 PM. Bernie does “domestic chores”, god forbid. Well Stirfry helped me run the sweeper. She just acted like Steeler. No problem run the darn thing. The only difference is that Steeler would have tried to ride the sweeper. Always had to watch her closely then.
Then the storms came and they came heavy. Well Jay’s driveway is across the road. The critters were huddled by the barn, wanting in from the heavy storms, lightning and thunder. So finally. feeling sorry for them, I go over with an umbrella to let them into the barn. (Jay had said not to do this again), but hey innocent critters can’t be let out there like that. Well I had a bit of a problem opening the door fast enough for them. Poor critters were traumatized. I was butted by Nutmet the goat, the mini mule, Buell, was going for my shoes, and Harley the mini horse wanted to give kisses. Let me tell you I got that door opened fast. They each trotted into their own stalls, well trained. So I threw them some hay. Went back to the house in a torrential rain storm.
So then I decide to harness Frankie. uh uh the little fellow. Well Frankie is now wearing a belly belt. Yet he got his legs out of it and now it is all around his tummy. So he is not so dumb.
Frankie, has qualified to go to the College of William and Mary, although he did not qualify for Mensa, MIT or the Ivy League Universities. But he got a full scholarship to the College of William and Mary.
This was part of the day. Just think my day isn’t over yet.
There us one other major advance made today with Stirfry. She jumped on my lap for a second while I was sitting on Jay’s computer chair with my legs resting on a cabinet. After she realized I wasn’t Jay she jumped down. She is getting more friendly as time goes by. However she is still trying to find a way to package the other 3 and mail them to anyone.
So all have a good laugh and Happy National Donut Day. 🙂 🙂
Hey! Are you implying that only dumb cats go to W& M?? 😛
H. Shubin
College of William & Mary
Law ’83
Dumb cats do not go to W&M. They go to Widener Universary (my sisters school),
William and Mary mentioned that due low entrance exams in the past they were getting a bad reputation for their under achieving graduates. Frankie took their exam and qualified for a full scholarship. Go figure. Seems like he can’t find his butt with both paws but he’s headed college in the fall. 🙂
I got emails from Widener when I was applying! I had never heard of it.
Rachel, they are located in Harrisburg Pa.
My sister Nan graduated from there. They are suppose to turn out good lawyers ( boy – is that an oxymoron ).
Not implying Harry, just saying he qualified for College of William & Mary where no other institution would even look at him. I hear they have a low standard for GPA’s for diplomas. 😛
Glad you’re still playing farm girl, Bernie. We won’t let Jay know how much you enjoy it.
Frankie has you all snowed under. Just wait until he reveals his true intelligence. Maybe the day Stirfry is pleasant and congenial and gives you headbutts.
“Just wait until he reveals his true intelligence”
Frankie is keeping it well hidden.
As to “Maybe the day Stirfry is pleasant and congenial and gives you headbutts.”
I would say when Hell freezes over but
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/164803/
it has already happened.
So their is hope.
My two favorite town names from Michigan: Hell and Bad Axe.
I’m really glad to be back in NYC.
Bernadette snowed under by Frankie no way. He is adorable but he seems to want to go backward instead of forward. Just watching him is fun. He is so full of being a kitten. His kitten behavior with Stirfry is what I am looking out for. He is so unassuming that he does not realize she will shred him. When he goes at her, I just standby and hope for the best.
As for headbutts from Stirfry, I would not be surprised if she doesn’t eventually give me headbutts. She already wants kitty kisses on her forehead now and without her snarling and hissing at me. Then again, I feed her. Catnip helps. 🙂
We love our cats! We have a Siamese or Tonkinese, who is our little elderly lady, named SkyeBlue, at 18 years young, & our second Tortoiseshell with white, appropriately named Sassy. Our first cat was also a tortoiseshell with a little white, named Catty, short for Catrina. She was the best cat ever, & we found her as a stray. She used to “babysit” our daughter when she was younger, she’d lay somewhere nearby & just watch her. When our daughter got older, this sweet kitty used to let her stroll her around in her doll stroller! Great memories, & yes they are very talkative, & somewhat possessive.
If Sassy isn’t a perfect name for a tortie, I don’t know what is, Valerie!
Welcome Valerie, would love to see picks of your Torties. And love the name SkyeBlue.
Your a Tortie collector. Nice.
2nd B12 shot a success. Harry has a fallback career! So glad I only have to provide distraction!
Nice to know Harry has this 2nd career. Now we know who to call when we need to pill a Tortie.
The tortie needle is 3 blocks long. I could practically inject Stir from here.
Your doing a good job Harry. Are you sure those B12 shot haven’t made Sabrina a “nice friendly, stealth Tortie? Or is she just waiting for her strength to return so she can revert back to her stealth Tortie behavior.? The news that she is improving is the best you can have.
B12 works wonders. I hope to see she is a different cat all around after this. Then Lost Dog and Cat can give Harry a new volunteer opportunity–giving shots.
Bernadette, you KNOW that’s already been suggested, don’t you? There’s a tray of distemper vaccines with my name on it, already. Not sure how I feel about that. Actually, at least for now, one of my volunteers is a RN, and SHE has the tray of distemper vax. I’d like to keep it that way.
I heard a story years ago from a woman who said the only advice her mother ever gave was, “Don’t make good potato salad.” She didn’t understand this because she did make good potato salad and was very proud of it. But a few years into her married life she’d made more potato salad than she thought was possible for a whole town of people to eat in a lifetime and she thought she’d puke when she saw potato salad, and she never got to make anything else but potato salad. Moral of the story: be careful what you’re good at, or at least don’t let people know. Maybe you can find a way to take this back!
I really like that story!
Sabrina must be feeling better — she just ventured onto the screened in porch — all on her own. Sabrina has been coming out of the bedroom for little investigations — usuallyshe just will go down the hall to the kids’ rooms. Today, the downstairs cats are in the basement b/c it is cleaning day — so I left our bedroom door open and brave little Sabrina came down to the porch — what a great surprise (in the past, even if we have carried her out to the porch, she wants to leave and go back upstairs). She has explored the whole porch and now is sitting and watching the birds! Now, if only, Piper would show up!
Fantastic news Julie.
Sabrina will soon be taking over as the greeting cat. Henry and Pearl will lose their jobs.
So glad she is opening up to exploring the house
I’m so glad to hear she’s feeling better! She’s really coming into her own all of a sudden!
I saw this on VetStreet.
Not sure if I can repost it here so take it off if I can’t.
But we have unique names on here too, Doodlebug, Mr. Sunshine and Jellybean, Steeler and Stirfry to mention a few.
Truly Obnoxious Pet Names and the People Who Choose Them
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/truly-obnoxious-pet-names-and-the-people-who-choose-them
Something wrong with Mr. Sunshine and Jelly Bean? Shall I tell them and let them know where you live so that the Four Housecats of the Apocalypse can make a house call?
Bernadette, you remember how the Tortie ” playdate” with Steeler and the Tortie Pumpkin went. Can your imaging the Fantastic Four meeting Stirfry. Do you really want to traumatize them ? They lived with Cookie and Kelly and were used to gentle Torties. They are really in for a shock when Stir wants to play.
“Bernadette, you remember how the Tortie ” playdate” with Steeler and the Tortie Pumpkin went. ”
Kasey will play, with strings and toys.
However, Kasey doesn’t play fight, her policy is, its a fight, its for really, and there will be pain 😉
Jay, it’s not Stirfry we’re interested in. We’ll wait until she’s inside and you are out.
I’ve seen a lot worse than these in my years working in veterinary hospital.
By the way, I keep forgetting to mention this: I had to reset my comment moderation to hold all comments with any links for approval, because I’ve been getting quite a bit of spam on the blog lately (the price of becoming more and more popular, I guess!). This is why you won’t see comments with links immediately after you post them.
Tonite we had heavy rain ( and did hear Steeler).
Bernie put away my critters but Buell drug her thru the mud.
She hollered at him and he came back
She put him in the barn and she smacked my ass. These Pittsburgh girls are tough. 🙂
What was it they said about training those Pittsburgh girls to keep house the way you liked? On the third day you can see a little out of your left eye? I’d start being a little careful.
On the other hand, you’ll make a farm girl out of her yet.
Bernie is really starting to fit right in around the farm.
Pretty soon a bonnet and walking around in barefeet.
Amish Country girl.
Just call her Hannah.
I am enjoying the four kittens and critters here at Jay’s.
Don’t think for a minute, I will become a “farm girl”. I don’t do the clean up after the critters and Jay is just hallucinating about the rest.. He goes on like that.
We have been trying to harness Frankie so he could be taken out with the others for short periods of time. I can only say, that so far, Frankie has won. Jay and I have both given blood trying to do that.
We will continue to try. He wants to go out, but he needs harnessed, his feral instincts are still very much alive.
Of course I think Stir, says, let him go, that is one less and she will work on the other two.
Yesterday Bernie and I were watching bats fly over the house at dusk. First time I’ve seen them this year (usually inside before they come out).
And I showed Bernie how to work the air conditioning in my house (open all the windows and skylight). And she still complained about the heat.
I am going to introduce Jay to the real world of air conditioning for both he and the kittens. I need to
get him to understand that this high heat is not easy on anyone or anything. So I will keep working on him for that.
The noises Stirfry makes when she plays. This is her purr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRG7I7bZqrE&feature=youtu.be
If you could bottle that sound you could sell it.
Here is a video Bernie took last night of me taking Buell and Harley back from the neighbors 2 houses down, where they were cutting the back lawn.
The slight sky shot is where she slipped on the loose shale as Buell passes her.
She did not complain and I did offer to brush the dirt off the back of her pants. I try to be nice that way. 😛
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNmkgE2Nj4&feature=youtu.be
That’s so sweet!
A Happy Memorial Day to all.
Remember your loved ones today- furry and non furry. All the good times and happy memories. And appreciate the ones you have now.
I’ve been thinking about Bernie for much of today – this must be a difficult day for her. My heart goes out to her, and to everyone who is rememering a lost loved one today.
We had a good day today. Went to Lowes and returned 4 x 8 sheets of styrofoam that I used for reinsulating the ceiling. ( Bought 5 and only needed 2), stopped at Harbor Freight, went to a huge garage sale at a community park near my sisters, stopped at Home Depot and then a grocery store all before 2 pm. Her only complaint was that it was too hot (90 is not hot) and we got up too early ( 7 am is not early). And she threatened to kick my donkey Buell. Don’t know why she wants to kick my ass, he never does anything wrong. 🙂
It’s just for practice, Jay. Beware.
I don’t know, Jay, I think you have some serious role reversal going on there–aren’t women supposed to be the ones who get up early and run around shopping and yard saling and such and the guys who follow around and complain about things? Not sure how these things work, I’ve been known to do both. But you could easily tell someone to kiss your ass and just tell them you meant your friendly donkey Buell.
Folks please do not encourage Jay to use Buell as his fall back retreat. When I kick something it definitely will not be an innocent little donkey, but a bigger donkey, just saying.
Brooke going on the defense mode, well now, after all that she has gone thru with Brooke, I would expect nothing less. Tortie’s don’t forget. 🙂
Bernie and I got up early to go to a huge garage sale/yard sale at my sister neighborhood and community park. Also to run errands to Lowes/Home Depot/Harbor Freight. Bernadette can tell you Bernie IS NOT a morning person. I haven’t heard this much complaining since the cat food dishes were empty.
Jay, in order to help Bernie alleviate the complaints there’s a certian type of heavy-duty tape that’s wide and has a silvery coating on the outside–works with just one application to the face. Hope you found some great deals! Happy hot Memorial Day!
Mmmrrph – is it morning, AGAIN? No wonder Sabrina’s been kneeding my head for the past hour. (During the week, Julie’s up at 6 because the school bus comes at 6:45 – the cats don’t know from weekends.) Yesterday, I went to feed the cats about 8 am, Pearl came into the room as soon as I opened the bedroom door, so I left the door open knowing that she would follow as soon as she heard the bowls. She did,and she and Henry (2/3 of the “counter crew”) showed up and were eating, Vickie and May at at the top of the basement stairs as usual, and as I started to carry Sabrina and Piper’s bowls back to the bedroom, Brooke still hadn’t shown up. When I got to the bedroom, Sabrina was sitting at the top of the stairs – she’s been leaving the room a lot this weekend – and as she followed the bowl back in, I saw Brooke curled up on the bed. Progress.
Way to go Harry. Progress with Sabrina and Brooke and you learned to get up early.
I am usually up at 5 am with a donkey braying but some people like to sleep in.
Oh my goodness, I don’t even allow myself to eat outside of the kitchen! Only the geriatrics and rescues get “room service” here unless someone is sick. I wonder if Sabrina has had some underlying discomfort for quite some time and influenced her behavior and now it’s eased with her treatments. It’s nice when this happens on a holiday and you can enjoy it.
I was thinking the same thing, Bernadette: maybe she’s been uncomfortable for quite a while, and lashing out at the others was the only way she could cope.
Bernadette, since Sabrina and Piper dwell in the bedroom, they have to eat there. Why the counter crew gets to eat on the counter, I couldn’t tell you – you’d have to ask them.
Vickie and May wisely decided that there wasn’t enough room for 5 up there. We used to feed all our cats – both of them – at the top of the basement stairs because it made it easy to lock them up if we needed to use the front door. When we expanded beyond three, that spot couldn’t handle the traffic anymore. V&M still eat there.
I think it is very possible as you and Ingrid theorized that Sabrina hasn’t felt well since day one. She had symptoms of IBD before we formalized her adoption, but we treated it with antibiotics and grain free diet and it went away – so we thought. She still doesn’t like Brooke – they’re all sleeping in the bedroom right now, but before Brooke settled on teh bed Sabrina was growling and hissing at her. But then, she did go to sleep.
Hopefully the IBD was the problem and she is better and will get along with everyone. But a Stealth Tortie and Tortie do not change overnight. Might take awhile. Days, weeks, maybe a few years. With Torties you learn patience – lots and lots of patience
Yeah, about the point where Sabrina seemed unconcerned that Brooke was on the bed, and wandered near her, Brooke went into total stalk-and-attack mode, ear back, creeping wtoward Sabrina… I scooped her up and tossed her out. Not sure if it was playful, or what would have happened if I hadn’t stopped it – maybe just a yowl and swat like Stir and her buddies, and nothing more…
Torties play rough. Frankie with play with Punky but 1 time with Stir did not go well. But, he’s a kid and has to learn.
Brooke might mean well but who really wants to find out. 🙂
Jay and I did go out in the ungodly early hours of the day. We seen a lot of people gather in his sister’s neighbor park and it was like one huge flea market. Like, I need to add any more to my own things. Their was a lot of cat related items. However after and hour or several hours, we didn’t by anything except a nice folding eagle knife that caught my eye.
After all the chores then, we came back to four kittens, and the 3 critters. Even they were happy to see us back home.
I have made some great advances with Stirfry. She now will come to me, not to be picked up, but to let me know what she wants. She has a soft side to her. But she can and does become a whole different Tortie in a heartbeat.
As for payback for this business of having me awaken that early, let’s just say, Jay knows payback will come to him.
Bernadette, if any pretty tape is used, Jay is sure to find a way to get it off himself!! -P)
Bernie bought a cat tree for our kities. Stir and Pumpkin jumped off as soos as I put them on it. But as soon as Tabby saw it she scratched at the bottom and then when put at the top turned around and layed down. She played with a string toy while up there.
One happy kitty.
So far I have not tried to put Frankie up there.
Not sur if it has a weight limit but if Punky, Tabby and Frankie all get on it I might want to reinforce the floor joists. Or they might end up as basement cats real quick.
Jay, similar concerns here if all four of the Fantastic Four get together in one spot. So far so good, as long as they aren’t wrestling!
A friend bought a cat tree for my babies a couple of weeks ago. As usual with something new in “their” house the wouldn’t go near it.
So I pulled out a fresh bag of kitty litter and sprinkled some on each shelf and then put some in my hand and rubbed it up and down the middle posts (carpeted like the rest of it) in hopes they would start using the treee as a scratching post as opposed to what’s left of my couch.
Columbia was the first one to dash over to the freshly placed catnip and declared the bottom to be HER shelf as she is a true catnip junkie. She did allow her sister on the other side of the base to enjoy some catnip as well. As soon as Columbia left the vicinity of the tower, my Rocky took the bottom shelf over.
We looked and little later in the evening Columbia had managed to get further up on the tree. Two shelves up was as far as she dared. Once we move my hubbie is going to make it more stable. For now they are content on the base and lower two shelves.