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
The creek is high and some people have lost power, but ours never went out, and the basement is flooded but that happens in a thunderstorm. I was concerned for my two elderly maple trees, one of which deposited a large dead branch on the roof of my car last October, but only the leaves came down though the winds howled all night. All Five were unconcerned, only occasionally sitting on the basement steps to watch the water. In fact Sunshine and Mewsette were racing around talking and playing last night!
In bad weather I always worry about my house, which is very small and very old and was not very well built, that the roof will leak, the foundation will slip, rain and ice get behind the siding, but it always comes through to protect us.
I’m glad to see everyone else appears fine!
I’m sure Ingrid would agree, it is pretty bad here. We still have power, but it has flickered a couple of times. I’m just waiting for the moment I will “blink” and it will completely go out. Very, very windy here. Just nasty. Raining hard, but it’s not coming down in sheets like in the summer during the derecho.
Bathtub is filled with water, we have lots of food, flashlights and our warm kitties to keep us company. Except I think they’re hiding!
It was pretty bad all day yesterday and halfway through the night. I was terrified for much of yesterday, but never lost power, and this morning, it’s only raining, but the wind has died down. After watching the devastation this storm has left elsewhere, I can honestly say I’ve never been as grateful as I am this morning.
I was so proud of Allegra. She used to be so scared of bad weather, and would spend most of the time during storms in our downstairs bathroom. She was downstairs some of the time, but not in the bathroom, and she even came upstairs to bed with me last night even though the wind was still howling. Liberal use of Storm Soother and Stress Stopper made a big difference (for me, too!).
We’re fine as well, power stayed on, and the two massive oaks on either side of our house stayed up. Haven’t heard about Cape May yet – waiting for friends to be able to reenter. Henry rules our bed – when he’s there, the other cats simply sleep elsewhere. He left about 6 a.m., and immediately Piper and Sabrina were in bed. No one seemed all that scared, though – and Sabrina was fascinated by all the debris flying by her window.
I hope the news from Cape May won’t be too bad.
Ruby loved the wind – she had a blast watching things blow by. She was particularly fascinated with a large trash can that was blowing down our street (why anyone left out a trash can yesterday is beyond me).
Hey Guys … I have been watching the weather reports anxiously to see what “Sandy” is doing. From the news reports here it’s been pretty terrible. I hope you are all safe, warm and dry.
You might want to reconsider coming here! Sandy just made landfall but we’ve had gusts up to 40MPH already. I can’t wait to see what happens as she comes closer. We’re in a little bit of a lull right now, but the worst of it will happen overnight. I still have power, but many around me have already lost theirs and I imagine I’ll lose it soon enough. Hope everyone else is okay!
Bernadette, I lost power a couple of hours ago. I do have power tho. I have a standby generator that automatically kicks in when the power goes out. So if you lose power for you know where I am. Folks so far so good here. No lights in my area, but rain is subsiding. Wind is not to bad. Kittens did not care a bit. My flag tho is shredded and will have to be replaced.
Everyone else stay safe.
Use one of those Amish Covered wagons to bring all the cats here. Safe after you clear the mountains, the real mountains, not hills. 🙂
It’s begun raining in Northern Virginia, not too heavy yet, but they’re predicting sustained winds of 40+ miles an hour tomorrow. The federal government has closed, as have all schools, and the buses and trains won’t be running. I’m staying home, my secretary and I filed today everything we had that was due tomorrow through Wednesday. We haven’t had a report on our house in NJ recently, but as of early evening the ocean had already claimed the first block. We’re 4 blocks from the ocean. Most of our friends there stayed – they all have too many cats to leave. Several of the shelters were accepting animals – a lesson we’ve learned from Katrina – and there was an animals only shelter where people could leave their pets as well. I already informed the cats here that I will be needing several of them in bed tonight.
Harry, I am sending out purrs and hopes to all in the eye of this storm. Keep your cars filled with gas. If you lose power so will gas stations. If you folks need to run north, cats and all, well I know a crazy cat lady that would hold the door for all of you. But do get out and fill those cars with gas. Hugs and prayers for all.
Thanks, Bernie. Cars are all full, but we don’t think we’ll be going anywhere. But I’ll call you if we head for the (your) hills :0
Well, I do have one pet sitting job we have to try to get to. Left 9 bowls/huge tupperware containers full of water for the cats & 2 days worth of food — most of which, I am sure they have already eaten. Extra box down for them and bought extra litter & water jugs in case.
Not a good weekend for pet sititng!
Bernie, that was so nice of you to offer Bernadette’s house for Harry and Ingrid to go to 🙂
I might need help moving me and the critters. Can you fit a horse, donkey and goat in the jeep?
How about 1 cat. I can take 3 in mine.
Can you ride a horse or donkey here. If you can They can stay in the garage!!!!!! All cats come with.
No problem.
You can take Frankie?
Hope everyone gets through the effects of hurricane Sandy OK.
Here, we are watching its track to see if it comes over this area (very close to Buffalo,NY).
If it impacts here, it will be a “rain event” mostly, possibly with some gusty winds.
These things are hard to predict and the media is filled with speculation and “buzz-words”, meanwhile, it seems like it is a waiting game.
Glen, nothing here yet. Bernie was going to visit this weekend but she is getting hit from the storm from Ohio and then will get rain/snow from Hurricane Sandy.
I should be ok as I just got litter, cat food and beer. I have a wood stove for heat.
I am worried about Harry and his new Beach house. Hope things pass over quickly and without damage.
Thanks, Glen. Wind is starting to kick up a bit here. Hopefully the media overhyped this storm and it won’t be as bad as they say.
Everyone in the path of Sandy, stay safe!
So far, here, I am waiting to see what the track is for the next couple days.
I don’t bother with the TV news/weather I get my information from a couple good web sites; they give “just the facts” without the hype.
Hopefully it runs out of energy when it makes land-fall.
Hi everyone … hope you are all safe and well and “battening down the hatches” for those of you in the path of Hurricane Sandy. I am watching the weather alerts on TV and thinking of you all. Stay safe everyone.
Marg it would be great if this storm would make a quick turn right now and go back out into the ocean. That is what all were hoping. It does not appear that way. So shelters are open and massive evacuations along the northeaster coast are underway. I have no idea where all those folks will go.
I am hoping that people take this storm seriously and take heed. Better be safe than sorry in a case like this.
Will keep in touch.
I will have Justice, Liberty and Dajudge get in touch with Miss Gracie to let her know they are “a-ok.”
The Aussies have always been the first to our aid and you do not disappoint. 🙂
Glen I am here at home, near Pittsburgh. We are expecting rain and wind, but I am really concerned about all that heavy rain throughout the states. It will saturate the ground and the high winds will bring down trees taking power lines with it. I hope all that are on this that live in harms way is ok.
I hope that shelters are taking in all the peoples’ pets during this storm.
I’ve been off for a while… working on the house at the beach in NJ, without internet for some of the time. So, catching up:
Glen – glad you’re improving. I was out of work for over a month with back pain back in ’09, before finally consenting to surgery to remove a piece of a disk that was broken off, wedged against the nerve. Worked, and I’ve been great since. Physical therapy helped a great deal before the surgery – strengthening exercises made quite a reduction in the pain.
Bernie – Henry is affectionately called “Shredder” around here. He’s chewed up checks, files, you name it. All our cats wear breakaway collars, and only Henry has an issue with it. He pops his nearly every night, before he goes to sleep, and we put it back on him in the morning. They’re all chipped, too.
Jay – I saw that swipe at lawyers. I’m gonna sick your sister on you.
Finally, here’s how you know you hired the right locksmith. He’s working repairing your lock, and asks you how many cats you have. You reluctantly tell him six… and he says that he has nine, and in addition to his indoor cats tells you about his spayed/neutered ferals he cares for, and how he designed shelters that have wind baffles so they can stay warm 🙂
Harry, isn’t it amazing that like-minded people often find their ways to us–and we to them–even in totally unrelated activities?
Bernadette, “like-minded” oh yes and don’t forget open minded. We all keep our minds open sometimes I wonder if I have anything left in mine. Stop laughing and agreeing, I am just kidding.
Harry my sister is afraid of me. She doesn’t was it to get out that we are related.
Then again – neither do I 🙂
Well gang, I just finished my dinner with Justice. I had asparagus, one of my favorite limited veggie choices. Well it seems that after checking out my dinner, I found that I had to share a portion of asparagus with Justice. Who would have know a Tortie would like asparagus. Go figure. Then again, they say it is good for a ladies waist line, Think Justice knows that”? 🙂
P.S. sorry for all f the typos. I hate typing on the iPad! 😉
I don’t have an ipad to blame my typos on. Just clumsy fingers and not proofreading before hitting submit comment. 🙂
Most important thing Brooke is that you are sharing with us.
Hello all! I hope everyone is doing fantastic! Sorry I haven’t checked in for a while. Have been busy planning my wedding!
Kibby (my tortie) is doing good. She seems to be venturing more lately. She’s gone most of the day and comes back early evening for food (what she hopes is cheetohs, and her new favorite, rippled chips! Cat eats more junk food than me!). I think she’s becoming increasingly irritated with my other two cats. Mainly the kitten (Emmy) who LOVES chasing aunt Kibby around trying to get her tail. Kibby LOVES that. Not! She’ll turn around and hiss at her with this scary looking face! I can’t yell at her or blame her really. I’d do the same. You’d think the kitten would learn, but she never does. And then momma (Aspen), she loves everyone, so she’s constantly trying to love on Kibby, but Kibby won’t have it. I know Kibby hates having “siblings”. She loved it when it was just her and she had all of my unconditional love. I miss those days. Hopefully soon if I can find good homes for the other two (which us becoming less and less a reality now seeing as how I’m wanting another cat now :P). I think I’ve officially turned into a crazy cat lady. Still trying to get hold of the gray and white stray with the different colored eyes. I want that cat!!! It will come and devour all my cat food, but won’t let me neat it. Any suggestions? It doesn’t seem mean, just skiddish. Very. If you come within ten feet if it it runs away. I think it could be a really nice cat. I want it! It’s different colored eyes are intriguing to me!
Hope everyone is doing well! Enjoy this beautiful fall weather! 🙂
Brooke
Getting a feral cat to trust you can take a long time, Brooke. You may want to read Taming Me by Cathy Unruh. It’s written from the perspective of a formerly feral kitten, and it provides really good insight into what may be going on inside a feral cat’s mind, and also, what it takes for humans to build trust with these cats. I think it would be a great book to give you some ideas about how to get your stray to become tame. Here’s my review of the book: https://ingridking.com/2012/10/19/review-taming-me-memoir-of-a-clever-island-cat-by-cathy-unruh/
Thank you Ingrid! I will find that book!
Congrats Brooke on the wedding plans. And wish ya luck on catching the feral cat. I used hotdogs to earn Stirfry’s trust and after a few weeks she finally came to me.It just takes time. And Stir also thinks she should be an “only” cat. But like you, I collect them.
Brooke I hope you can catch the little gray and white. I used a hav-a-heart trap to catch Freedom, my Russian blue, mom to Justice, one of my Torties and Liberty, brother to Justice. I also used a small animal hav-a-heart trap to cat Justice, Liberty , and Dajudge, my other Tortie, granddaughter to Freedom. So if you know someone with one of these traps just set it with food and she/he will go into it. I hope this works for you.
Hope you have a fantastic wedding and congratulations.
Hi … Miss Gracie is a “chewer” too … and a “scratcher”. Despite having a scratchy pole she has decided that the best place to sharpen her claws is the couch in the TV room. She also chews anything she can get her little paws on. I have bought her a few toys with various items strung on elastic from a pole … and while the toys are great fun, nothing beats chewing through the elastic! I’ve given up trying to stop her. She has some funny little ways. For some reason, she also LOVES to get her paws on the plug of the hairdryer when it’s just been turned off … I think it must have some kind of scent that she likes when it’s been plugged in. Funny little critter!
Well guys times are changing here, almost with the seasons. The kits all have become their own little personalities.
Justice has a very distinct call, not ready to say meow, yet. Her talkative nature is beginning to kick in.
Dajudge, the baby Tortie, she has a become vocal with a real mew. That is her meow. Last night, all night, I unknowingly closed the basement door off for the kittens. I had taken a head count prior to shutting the door, but evidently DJ ran around the hall entrance and down the stairs. Well this AM I noticed she was not on the bed for treats with everyone else. I went looking and heard her mew, yep, coming up from the basement. Opened the door and out flew a Tortie. She let me cuddle her for about 5 minutes then realized, hey I’m a Tortie, put me down. She is a vocal and demonstrative little one. You also have watch out for the “Tortie Tackle” with her. My feet are fair game to her.
Then we have Liberty , who vocabulary is totally different, but expressive. He rarely meows. He is the little cuddler of the bunch. He also takes on the Matriarch of the kittens, Freedom.
Freedom is no longer in total control of the kits. They all have her number. At first she would scare them with just a snarl and a slap. No longer does she slap, but she stills snarls. They just jump over her and keep going.
Now for their very last impish, and costly behavior has been a Coronado leather purse that was on a shelf. Well I seen Justice and DJ up there, but I never dreamed the had chew on my purse, a purse, I will ad, that I have never had a chance yet to use. I intend to use this bag and if anyone asks I am going to blame the Torties.
Allegra was a chewer from about seven months to 18 months of age. She would chew on shoes, purses, furniture – you name it. None of the usual suggestions to stop a kitten from chewing worked with her. I got used to having kitty teeth stencil patterns on some of my things. Oh, and before I knew to keep my glasses in the night stand overnight, she also chewed on the edge of the lenses…
The only chewers are Justice and DJ. Scratching is pretty much on the scratching pads and poles. Believe me, there are enough scratching pads spread around that if I am not careful I will be tripping.
There had been a stage when my bedroom chair was attractive to scratch. But they soon found out that Mom’s tone changed dramatically when they did that.
The chewing is something I have to watch. I know they enjoy chewing and fighting with their toys. I did not notice they were busy elsewhere. But like kids, when they are busy at trouble, they are very quiet. Good to know I am not the only one going to be carrying something Tortie chewed approved.
That was a VERY expensive chew toy. I was there when Bernie bought it.
Told her to get cheap mice at the dollar store but Bernie insisted the cats would like this better. 🙂
Mewsette has taken chewing on things to an art–literally! She creates in cardboard, her favorite medium for both chewing and scratching. Good thing I have a lot of cardboard around here for packing, but she’ll find it anywhere. She’ll even use her cardboard scratchers now and then, but she much prefers a collaboration with me by using something I apparently need to use. Along with free cat hair in each order I ship and an individual inspection of every box by Mimi, each box or envelope is then certified on the flap by Mewsette’s tooth marks. Just recently she discovered wood, and also my plastic rulers.
But I’ve never known a bunch of cats as orally oriented as the Fantastic Four–each of them has their favorite chew toy, like plastic bags and cobwebs and my knuckles when they want attention. This is something they definitely did not inherit from their mom.
Bernadette, this chewing came as a surprise to me. A very costly one. But I can assure all, I will carry that handbag and it anyone asks, I will just tell them my “Torties” ate it. Let that be that.
Lying on the floor with all you little ones on you would help both you and your back. My four have learned my routine. When I go to my room for the night, I have all four follow and get at the foot of the bed, treats first, then sleep. In the AM Freedom is always still there, Justice is normally sitting on my shoulder trying to awaken me, and the other two imps are off to do whatever they do best.
Bernie, those go to sleep and wake up times are the best. They’ve really settled themselves into your life.
And as for wicker, always a favorite chewing subject, Kelly rarely chewed on anything but food, except the little wicker basket I used for laundry in the bathroom. It had a lid, which I liked, but at one point when she would come into the bathroom in the morning with everyone else she would stop at the basket and bite the edge of the lid then chew on it until I asked her to stop, which she did. Over the years she chewed the entire edge off the lid so it didn’t fit on the basket. No more lid. Then she started on the edge. There’s a portion of it missing on the basket, which I still use in there. Cookie had liked to sleep in that basket, so I had asked Kelly if it was so that Cookie could get in there more easily. She never told me yes or no.
Glen hope the back is starting to feel better. I now Kasey is a happy Tortie to have the extra time with you.
Hey gang, is my family here on a hiatus? Where is everyone. I am beginning to feel like I am in a twilight zone on here. Almost all alone.. Having said that, listen up.
I haven’t put much on here myself. I make no excuses, except let me say sometimes I just get “Lazy”.
Here is a little tidbit about my littlest Tortie, Dajudge a/k/a DJ. Well she had her stitches removed yesterday. This little girl is the most unusual of my little ones. She has those great big round golden/amber eyes and tiny face, just beautiful. When she looks at me she just melts my heart. She is 5 months old now and only weighs in at 6.2#. Dr. says she is about as healthy as any kitten can be, she is just going to be a small cat.
Well now here is her story. I have been trained here by Harry, Ingrid, Julie, Bernadette, Glen and Rachel on how and what to do for kittens for good health and happiness. Now having said that, here is the deal. All 4 have been chipped, neutered/spayed, necessary shots. All wear breakaway kitty collars. Great you say. Sure. Well now it seems this little bundle of lightning has learned that 1 little paw placed inside the collar and WOW, collar becomes a toy. Now she has also learned that during a tussel with her big brother, Liberty, who is just an adorable, cuddly gray tiger, and Justice her big sis, the independent Torti, she steals their collars.
This seems to make her so joyful when she throw these in the air. Now mind I am following all the rules to keep my little ones safe and at home, never outside. Now, here is the question, “HOW do I get this little gangster to stop stealing collars and taking hers off? By the way, putting collars back onto the Torties is really a challenge. Liberty will just let me put his on, without any problem.
As for enjoying and laughing again. I am truly doing more of that than I have in a very long time. There are some of you on here, I know, that wonder how I am. With everyone behind and beside me, I am getting there. Thanks and don’t go away.
I’m so glad the kittens are bring smiles and laughter, Bernie.
You’ve discovered the limitations of breakaway collars – by definition, they need to be loose enough so they can come off and not strangle the cat in an emergency. Combine that feature with a smart kitten like DJ, and you have a case of cat outsmarts human invention. Unfortunately, other than distracting her with another toy as soon as you see her taking the collars off, I can’t think of anything else to stop that from happening.
Ingrid, you are right about the limitations on the break aways. But as you probably are smiling at this, thinking, right catch a kitten in the act. Now you know the possibility of that one.
I have had some disruption due to a back problem, sciatica, lower back pain with muscle spasms.
Not due to any dramatic event, I just happened to twist “the wrong” way on the evening of Oct. 9th, getting out of the SUV at the gas station.
I have had this before, but not as bad. It started getting a bit better but on Oct. 13th I had a relapse. I went into work on Monday, Oct. 15th but only stayed until noon.
Around 2:30 AM on the 16th I woke up with lower back muscle spasms so bad I couldn’t move, never had anything that bad. Next thing I knew, I had an ambulance ride to our local health center.
They tried Toradol (SP?) but that didn’t touch it but Morphine did.
I can’t sit or stand very long but am on some new pills and am getting a bit better, slowly.
I did go in to the office last Friday and got through the day; good thing I am a technical, middle management guy and don’t have to actually work for a living 😉
The odd thing is, I am not doing this to get off work, I still actually like my job.
This will not come as much of a surprise, but Kasey was sticking very close when I had the muscle spasms and seemed most concened. She wouldn’t leave me so she had to be removed and shut in another room when they came to load me up.
I’m so sorry about your back pain, Glen. I’ve had this happen, and I know how painful it can be. And I’m not surprised at all that Kasey is sticking close by. There is actually evidence that the cat’s purr has healing powers: https://ingridking.com/2009/09/14/the-cats-purr-a-biomechanical-healing-mechanism/
I hope you feel better soon!
good thing I am a technical, middle management guy and don’t have to actually work for a living
Glen, your a lawyer? 🙂
Hope your feeling better soon.
(picking on Jay mode)
Ok Mr. Middle Management, if you are going to be writing reports and issuing written orders, let me explain my main pet word peeve to you…lol
In the sentence “Hope your better soon” it should actually be “Hope you’re better soon”. You’re is a contraction for “you are”, “your” is an adjective of possession (someone more well versed in English could explain it better…. Ingrid…Bernie…Bernadette…help me!).
I see this error on Facebook time after time and it sends chills up my spine.
I am not trying to embarrass or point fingers at your Jay, I just happened to see it and felt the need to vent….in a most friendly way though 🙂
My post not related to critters? I DID use the word “pet” in my reply…..
Thank you Betty. English is NOT my 1st language. I speak horse, donkey, goat, dog and cat.
I can speak Tortie but not in mixed company. Stir has words that make the other cats blush.
Glen, hope that back pain clears out soon for you. So your Warrior Queen was ready to protect you without hesitating. I am not surprised. My question is, ” who was able to put her in another room”?
Kasey knows you are hers and she did not want anyone hurting you.
Get well soon.
I so hope your back issue subsides quickly Glen!! Although it seems you have a worthy “nurse” at your side taking good care of you 🙂
I believe the pain med he gave you was actually Tramadol (Ultram). It is a synthetic pain reliever that is supposed to work like codeine/morphine yet not be as habit forming. I have been on it several times and like you have found it not to work. I’m glad the morphine helped.
I have been on morphine daily for a few years now and although I still have some pain it doesn’t help with I don’t know what I would do without it. For days of severe breakthrough pain I also have tylenol with codeine to help tolerate it.
Again, be well soon!!
Hope you soon feel better Glen. Back pain is a terrible thing. I too have had Tramadol for pain relief (just before I had to have my gallbladder removed) and I have to say it didn’t do anything for me either. Strange, huh? Hopefully Kasey is sending you healing purrs. It’s amazing how much comfort we can gain from our pets (and them from us)!
Thank everyone, I am doing better.
Its a bit of a “process” as is gradually improves but I don’t need a cane now and I drove to a meeting, two hours the and two hours back so those are good signs.
The two orange boys are getting along just fine, they greet each other with assorted chirping noises and then the wrestling and chasing begins.
Kasey remains aloof from these activities, in her opinion, it has to be a real fight, or it is not worth the bother.
So glad to hear you’re feeling better!
Nice to hear your feeling better and the 2 orange guys are playing. Like you said, Kasey plays for keeps. No one wants to play with a Tortie. At least one that has the reputation like Kasey does.
Always wondered what a playdate with Steeler, Kasey, Brooke and Stirfry would be like.
I have always had scoliosis, though I’ve worked hard to keep my back strong and keep flexible with being active though I’ve never cared for sports. I garden and hike/bicycle and practice yoga. Just in the past two years I haven’t had the time to do this as much as I used to and I’m back to that constant aching back, not debilitating but it certainly slows me down.
If I lie flat on the floor, all the cats will come and lie down on me and purr. Can’t do that all day, though, much as I’d like to.
Bernadette (and everyone else with back problems), you may want to consider Pilates. It has saved my back more than yoga, stretching or any other exercise.
My long-time yoga teacher’s method was always very much like Pilates, so when she began teaching Pilates it wasn’t terribly different–I think that’s why they worked so well for my back all those years ago. I didn’t continue classes but continued my own practice at home, until I ran out of floor space…
Hello all! I am so excited to have found your blog! Hoping that you may be able to give my family and me some advise. First off, dogs have always been part of my family growing up and even with my own family until about a year and a half ago. This is when Peanut Butter, our dilute tortie (my little boy named her, he said she looked like she had peanut butter smeared on her face!) She showed up on my colleagues door step during a nasty hailstorm. He and his family tried desperately to find her owners for a few months without luck. So he happened to mention this and showed me a picture and I just couldn’t say no! Thankfully!
I am sure that you all already know what I am talking about but I had no idea that these little creatures could steal your heart as PB has done with us! She owns my Harley riding husband. He is her human for sure. She leads me to her toys, wakes me when the dog needs to go out and is known as the Lego thief in our home!
She loves to play! The feather stick, the laser pointer, her little fuzzy mice but we MUST play with her or she let’s us know. She “Knows” exactly what she is doing when she lays on her back on the living room floor, starring with those big longing eyes. We simply can’t resist.
We would love to adopt another one but my colleague said that she didn’t do well with his cats. After reading your blog, I am wondering if she just wasn’t introduced carefully and became frightened. He said she just hid all the time.
She was before she showed up and approximately 3 years old the vet thinks. Interested to see if you think adding another could work and if torties enjoy companions, other than people!
Thanks in advance!
Peanut butter sounds like quite the character, Carrie, and she sure has you wrapped around her little paws – as it should be! I love the name.
Even though torties have a unique personality, they’re still individuals, and while some may prefer to be only cats, others love a feline companion, or two or three. There’s just simply no way to tell until you try it. You can try and match temperaments when you start thinking about adopting another cat, and you definitely want to go slow with introductions. It’s very possible that PB didn’t get along with your colleague’s other cats because he didn’t do a gradual introduction.
Here are a couple of articles that may help:
https://ingridking.com/2012/05/22/choosing-a-companion-for-your-cat/
https://ingridking.com/2011/08/15/cat-to-cat-introductions/
Hi Carrie and welcome. I was just catching up on CC and reading about PJ. I love that name. It sounds like you and your family have a real, lively little Tortie on you hands. What a delight they are. Introductions well, I would say Ingrid has the insider information on that one.
Please post a pic of you little one on ConciousCat.net We all would love to see her. Now don’t just stop by and say Hi this once. I and others look forward to hearing about the antics and love from your little one Peanut Butter.
You can’t post photos directly to this site, but I always welcome photos on our Facebook page.
Hi all! Thank you for this site. I got my Torti , Cordelia a year ago. I wasn’t looking for a cat or any pet but when I met her I fell instantly in love. I love hearing the stories about the other torties and realizing that it’s not just Cordelia who acts this way. She is very affectionate and sleeps beside me. She also “cuddles” me, by which I mean she’ll rest her head and/or paw on my arm or leg. Like another poster mentioned, she too loves running water and I’ll let her drink from the bathroom sink. She also prefers her water from a drinking glass! She’s so vocal and has the cutest and loudest purr. She hisses at people that she hasn’t known since she was a kitten (she’s about a year an half).
I do have a question for the community; she is the first cat I have ever had so I don’t know if this is “normal” but every time she kneads me (which is always on my chest and upper arms) she leaves large piles of drool. Is it normal for cats to drool??
Yes, it is completely normal for cats to drool when they knead, Lisa. Kneading is believed to be a carryover behavior from when kittens knead their mothers to stimulate milk flow, so it’s associated with happy memories for them.
Cordelia sounds like a sweetheart!
Lisa Hi. I think Cordelia is really a good choice of a name for your little one. Kneading is something that goes on in my family of kittens. It ranges from knowing they are showing happiness and yes, a little drooling. Then there is the kneading when one of them is about to do an impromptu sneak attack on the other one or ones. Can’t help but enjoy them either way. Please come back with more of your life with this special little Tortie. We like to see pics of the little ones, Torties or otherwise. You can post the pics on conciouscat.net.
Hey Ingrid King, please make sure I am giving the right link for the new folks to post pictures. You know I am not at all good at that. 🙂
I had to wait until after the adoption event to find out – for some reason, it wasn’t carried on WTOP and I couldn’t find out in the car 🙂 Congrats!! What’s next?
World Domination .
They are Torties after all 🙂
Thanks, Harry! Next stop: launching the print edition of Purrs of Wisdom!
Congrats Ingrid – well deserved!
Thanks, Margaret! How is little Miss Gracie doing?
Hi there! Little Miss Gracie is doing well … she has been a happy cat since coming back from the cattery (absence must make the heart grow fonder for cats as well!). She is eating well and enjoying the spring weather. She seems to be mellowing a little – well, for a tortie maybe mellowing is a bit enthusiastic! She came and lay across my knees when I went to bed last night and then came for cuddles at about 3am (bless her). I wondered if she was feeling OK … and as the thought crossed my mind, she nipped me. That put my mind at ease. Hope everybody here is well and all our feline friends!
Marg I am a little back on my reading. I have just read that Miss Gracie did well at the kitty salon. It is a good thing or you and Gracie. Now when you want to go you may feel more comfortable and enjoy the trip even more knowing the little one is in good hands. Miss you stores. Tell MOM Bernie says HI.
STORIES not stores, but Marg if you do have stores that would be nice too. 🙂
Hah … sometimes my fingers get away from me when I am typing too! We do indeed have “stores” in our house. My Mom and I share the grocery shopping – Mom shops on a Thursday and I tend to shop on a Saturday. Anybody would think we are going to have a siege in our neighbourhood. If ALL of our supermarkets ever close down Mom and I will survive for a good while (as will Miss Gracie – if her catfood is on special I really stock up on it!). Glad to see you on here again Bernie. I will indeed pass on your “Hi” to my Mom. She knows all about you guys!
Thanks, Jay! It’ll probably take a little while for the actual statue to get here, but we’ll have a fun photo session for sure!
CONGRATS INGRID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE WON BEST CAT BLOG………
Knew you would.
Can’t wait to see who gets their picture taken with the award first.
Ingrid, Congratulations for the 2012 Petite Best Cat Blog Award. Never ha a doubt. 🙂
Thanks, Bernie! I was on pins and needles all day!
Congrats Ingrid!!! It couldn’t happen to a better blog and better person, not necessarily in that order 😉
Congratulations in the Pettie win 🙂
I arrived at Bernie’s at 2pm. No one was home. I let myself in a proceeded to give kitty treats to Justice, Liberty and Freedom.
1st rule when entering a cat house – bribe the kitties.
Now if Steeler was here it would be throw in a side of beef. Wait 1 hour till she has fed and taking a nap. Then enter. Gotta be careful with some Torties. Steeler, Kasey, Brooke and Stir have to be treated like the Great cats they are.
Now waiting for Bernie to return from the Vet with DaJudge.
“Gotta be careful with some Torties. Steeler, Kasey, Brooke and Stir have to be treated like the Great cats they are.”
“Big” cats in a “small” package 😉
Hey Listen up now. Today is the day for the Petite Awards. Go Ingrid. Here’s the info guys.
Coming to a computer near you this Friday: the 2012 Pettie Awards | The Conscious Cat
Winners of the 2012 Pettie Awards will be announced during a virtual ceremony on Friday, October 12 at 3pm PDT.
FIngers and paws are crossed. The girls have their red carpet outfits ready.
Here’s the link to watch the ceremony: http://petties.dogtime.com/
Here’s hoping that the awards confirm what we already know 🙂
I haven’t been commenting much, though I’m always reading – I caught Bernie’s rotten virus last week (or maybe it was the vision of Jay with a purple blanket – you decide) and any energy I’ve had has been devoted to keeping the cat rescue operation running. I’ll be joining all of you on the edge of my seat this afternoon, waiting for the results of the Petties!
Hey, that was a blanket of Torties !!!!!!
Hope your feeling beter this weekend Harry. I am on antibiotics now. Going up to see Bernie and gonna fight the Indians at Fort Ligionier plus visit with the kittens.
Will be watching to see who accepts the award tonight – Ruby or Allegra. We know Ingrid will get it eventually after those 2 get their photo’s with the statue.
Hey there, I found my camera last night, or very early this AM however you want to say it. Charged it and just in time. This afternoon, I was in my room at the computer, when in runs Dajudge. I immediately knew that wasn’t a toy mouse in her mouth. No, by gosh, it was a dead brown and white field mouse and she was trying to put it under my bed to play with. Well I took it off her and she is less than happy. She was looking under my carpets and anywhere her little mind could think of. I don’t know which of my 4 actually caught the mouse in the basement, but she ended up with it. All four kittens were very hyper after this catch. They were going all around,, and quickly I might add, looking for their new friend. I have to admit, Today was a good day for me for laughter from my little ones. I have been having memories overwhelm me and today the kittens had me laughing until tears of happiness were in my eyes. I did place 3 pics of the mouse, (outside this time) and Dajudge looking under the carpets for her mouse on my facebook page. Please go there for a really good laugh.
Ingrid will help me with the address to get you there. I am not good at that. She knows Bernie never gets it right.
By the way, the Pittsburgh Steelers play football tonight. So our Torties wear the Black and Gold team colors for the team all the time so “Let’s go Steelers”. Just had to add that.
Oh my goodness, such excitement at your house! I’m glad you have the kittens to make you laugh. I know it’s still a hard time for you on so many levels.
For those of you not connected with Bernie on Facebook, the photos of “the deed” are on her profile page: https://www.facebook.com/bernie.tracy
Go Steelers! Even though I couldn’t care less about football, I will always route for the tortie colors!
Ingrid, these little ones are such a joy. Dajudge, I would swear is part monkey. She gives me so much to laugh about. I truly am blessed that they picked me. We are having a good time. Tomorrow, little Dajudge will be spayed and I almost don’t want to have it done. I just look at those big round right and shining eyes and the devilment in them and think, gosh I hate to cause you pain. Tonight will be a challenge.
No food after 7PM. So if one can’t eat, no one will eat. I can almost see me sleeping in the bathroom to get away from 4 angry little big cats.
I do take comfort in how those close to me realize just what I am dealing with, within myself. You guys know who you are. Thanks for understanding and always being there. Love you all <3
The 4 little ones had a really big first tonight. I am now burning the wood burner in the basement and it is toasty warm down there, so I left the door to the basement open. I knew full well when the little ones seen an open door, to a place they had never been, they would one after the other go down. It took all of less then 2 minutes tops for all 4 to venture down. When I went down Liberty and Dajudge were sitting on the step and looking as if they had did something wrong. I just petted them and went about my business. They stayed down, on a new great adventure. They have all come back upstairs, when each was ready. The door is still open and I know there are 4 confused kittens. That door has never been left open. 🙂
They are probably wondering about the big warm monster that lives downstairs!
Marg more likely they are saying, gee we have a big playground and can climb on a lot of things down here. 🙂
When I first started letting the Fantastic Four into the basement, I barely saw them for weeks. It was like a kitty wonderland for them.
Just make sure you don’t have anything they might get into–paints, fertilizers, bleach or detergent, even something they might only walk through or knock over, and that there isn’t any tiny little hole to the outdoors, because they’ll find it. See, all my cats have trained me well.
You are well trained. The basement is secure. No holes or windows to get out of . Nothing down there anymore that would hurt them. Although there were some bumps coming from down there. No harm done. I want to teach them the basement is a safe place and place litter boxes down there after they become accustomed to be allowed down there. Then I will have a kitty door placed in the basement door. Lighting will be on. Hope they find more to explore.
Hey gang, I am still here. Just for a prelude, I enjoy Dove chocolates and next to that my next favorite is Good and Plenty coated licorice pieces. Now what does this have to do with kittens? Well, allow me to tell you. I keep a small bowl on my dining table just to have a piece or two as I pass by. Now they have become the all time favorite kitty toys. You got it. Liberty the leader of my 4 was surprised when he put his paw in the bowl and found he could throw them piece by piece onto the floor. Hence, I have replaced the bowl with a paper bowl, with only about 10 pieces of candy. The pieces of candy that Liberty so happily threw to the floor have become like a hockey puck on the ice. The kittens have them on the kitchen floor throwing and pushing and my favorite, pushing a piece under the throw carpet and crawling under to play with it. I no longer walk on that side of the island. The kittens have claimed it for their candy playland.
There is another thing going on here. Justice liked to grab the handcord on my camera. Well she stole it or one of her cohorts helped her, and as of today I am still trying to find it. In the meantime I have used my phone to take pics but for some reason I can’t download them onto my system. I will keep looking, and I know I will eventually find it, it is just a question of When.
Hiya Bernie!
It’s funny what our kitties will make toys out of.
Luna my torbie plays with conventional toys but my tortie Nikita will play with the funniest stuff. One of her favorites is the end cap off one of John’s insulin syringes. She will chase that all over the house! I’m sure there are quite a few under the furniture. She will also bring strange things to me to throw so she can play fetch ie: a lego piece, the folder paper insert from John’s test strip vials and even a straw. My girls love straws for some reason.
Sue I have learned, if the kittens can move it they will take it and play with it. Then we wonder what the heck are those toys for. They find ways to entertain themselves at little or no real cost. I say that with tongue in cheek, because we are still in the he hey hey stage on the furnishings and draperies. Hopefully they will soon learn those are not to be scratched of pulled down.
I used to keep a candy dish with sour balls in it, the ones wrapped in cellophane. But someone learned to push the lid off and boy do those sour balls make a neat crackly noise when you pick them up! No more candy dish, but that was years ago and I still find an errant piece of candy under or in something.
And they are always trying to steal my little camera because the hand strap looks like a toy. I hear a clunking and dragging noise and the camera is following Jelly Bean or someone else!
Bernadette, I was wondering before how you could keep your pencils and inks in the open without the little ones taking them. The candies are a given. Never even thought they would have so much fun with them. Ingrid, the kittens don’t go for the Dove. They like the Good and Plenty pieces. They don’t like the taste, but they just love to give it a toss or a kick across the kitchen floor.
Bernadette and Ingrid, you both have probably chased your cameras. I didn’t even hear the thud, but still no camera and of course no one is talking here. LOL
Bernie, my white cat years ago had a thing for pens, and made off with a few of my $35 technical pens (in 1980s dollars). Pens were locked up after that. Anything left laying around is literally fair game, so of course none of them through the years has ever been interested. But I have been very well trained to never lay any small items down anywhere, not Chapsticks nor paint brushes nor flash cards because if I have been handling them they are more attractive than ever.
A hint about the camera: it’s probably not too far underneath something, like right under the dust ruffle on the couch. They just get their prey to a protected area but aren’t concerned about getting it all the way under neath.
Bernadette, I have looked everywhere I could. I so far have had no success. You are right about the part of handling something. If I have been using something or even writing they are all there to see what they can get a hold of, be it the paper or pen. One day I expect to hunt for my laptop. This crew is good.
Those little Dove chocolates are the perfect size for a game of kitten hockey! Just keep an eye on your little cuties so they don’t start unwrapping and eating them!
Ingrid those little Dove’s are my first favorite. No chocolate out where the little ones can get it. I think now it would be a good information write up about the hazards of candies, especially now at this time of year. Halloween candy and children, go hand in hand with each other. Folks should know how some candy is hazardous to the little ones. Just a thought.
Thanks everyone!!! 🙂 She’s my beautiful baby!
Thank you for sharing her pic ad coming to Ingrid’s blog. We love our Torties and love to share their stories. You will learn of a lot of Famous Torties on here. Buckley who started it all, Amber her sister, Cookie and Kelly and Steeler who is know all over the world as the team mascot of a Black and Gold team.
Please tell us more about Kibby.
A very nice looking tortie.
I am very partial to what I refer to as the “dark faced” tortie, like her (and Kasey, not to mention some others).
I agree too. But like Glen, I am slightly biased also. Stir has a dark face and Styx is so dark you cannot even see her eyes.
Kibby is a cutie.
If that’s the case you guys would love my Columbia 🙂 She is black faced with the gold area down one side of her beautiful face with huge bright yellow eyes. I do need to get pictures of my babies to show off….I mean to keep 😉
Betty you definitely have to get a camera to take pictures.
My Punky is gone but I look at his pictures every day.
So glad I took those.
I know I do. Thank goodness I had a couple of pictures of my Magenta I took when I was still married to the ex, it’s all I have to remember her by. The only pics I have of Angelika are her baby photos and they aren’t very good quality 🙁
http://imgur.com/PK3XH
Here is a picture of my beautiful Kibby! 🙂
She’s beautiful!
What a beautiful furry baby! She looks ALOT like my Columbia. I really need to get a camera so I can take pics of my babies.
Brooke your Kibby is gorgeous. So happy to see new folks here. I am a little slow in saying Welcome and please stay. I am Steeler’s Mom, who crossed over the rainbow bridge on April 30, this year. I now am momma to two new Torties, Justice, Dajuge, a Russian Blue named Freedom and a silver gray tabby named Liberty. So I have many stories and I truly love to read about everyones kittens.
Believe me, Torites rule, but most of us have other kittens. We are just happy with any kittens.
Thank you Bernie! 🙂 I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I crossed over the rainbow bridge 5 years ago with a dog I had had for 12 years. She was my best friend. I tell you guys what, I’ve experienced plenty of deaths in my life, but none of them compare to the death of a pet. That was the single most difficult thing I’ve ever went through in my entire life. I haven’t had another dog since, not sure if I could get one because I’d feel like I was cheating on Imey (you all are probably thinking, “This nut has some weird names for her pets!” Haha it’s ok! 😉 ). Ever since then though, I’ve been a cat lady, I love cats. I never liked them much before, but now that I’ve had them, I adore them. I have Kibby and two others, a mother and baby. They’re both white, they look identical to each other. Beautiful cats. I’ll have to post a picture sometime. I’ve since gotten momma (Aspen) spayed because taking care of the kittens was crazy! I realize they can take care of their own, but I couldn’t just leave them under the house, I had to intervene and take care of them. Never again. Now the baby (Emmy) who is 6 months old now, is going into heat, so now I’m going to have to get her fixed now. I never thought I’d have to dump so much money into getting cats fixed. I thought it was just going to be Kibby and I. I’m still trying to find homes for Aspen and Emmy because my fiancé and I are moving in together soon. He doesn’t look cats and is allergic, so it’s a miracle that he’s going to allow me to keep at least Kibby. But I think he knows better. He knows if t was between him and Kibby, he’d be out. I love my Kibby. Haha but no, I love my fiancé, but he knows how special Kibby is to me. I’ve never and will never find another like my Kibby. So the moral of the story is, I’m trying to find homes for the other two. I refuse to take them to the humane society. We all know what happens there. But NOW I have two strays wandering around here! An all black cat, and a gray and white long haired beauty (who I finally got close enough today to to see that he has a yellow and a blue eye! So so pretty. He’s very skiddish. I had to distract him with food to even get to touch the tip of his ear. I’m confidant though that I can get him to become domesticated and lovable. The black one I’m not so sure. We shall see. I don’t know why I’m even doing the right now because I’m months away from moving, so now I’ll have to get rid of 4 cats instead of two. Oi! But I can’t help it. I love cats and I can’t stand to see a cat suffering, or in this case starving.
Brooke, hi, it sounds like you have been having a kitty surprise. Kibby sounds like a real doll. Tell your partner that to take claritin, allegra, benedryl or some other allergy tablet. It has been proven that a lot of folks that say they are allergic to kittens are ok on an allergy pill. Eventually some don’t need it anymore. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I know no kitten will ever take the place in my heart that my Steeler has. On the other note, I have since attained 4 new kittens. I am having a great time with them Like you, I took in Justice and Liberty (Justice is a Tortie, Liberty is my gray tiger boy), brother and sister. Two days later I took in the mom named her Freedom, she is a Russian blue. A month or so later I rescued another baby Tortie, and called her Dajudge. She is the granddaugher to Freedom and niece to Justice and Liberty.
You are so right about the high cost of vetting the kittens. I will have Dajudge spayed tomorrow. It would help so many kittens if the vets would have a spaying/neutering clinic at a reasonable cost for folks who can’t afford the very high cost associated with giving the kittens a good clean bill of health to start with.
I don’t think you names are strange, no not at all. I think they are unique. I sometimes think the way people name their pets reflect their own personalities. Now if I seen a kitten named Frankenstein, then I would ???????????
Hope you find great homes for those babies.
A Tim & Taz interaction from this morning;
Taz comes up from the basement this morning, lets out a calling meow.
Tim responds, runs up to him, chirping greetings are exchanged, then it is “game on” the scuffle begins.
Tim does not have a complete set of “kitty manners” but does have a lot of energy, so after a few minutes, Taz, who really shows a lot of restraint with the little guy, has had enough.
He falls on Tim like Tim had a freezer dropped on him, compressing him into the floor.
Tim extracts himself and retreats about 2 feet and stands broad side to Taz, with the food dish 6 feet past him, he doesn’t know he is in the hazardous position of being between Taz and the food.
Suddenly, Taz see’s the food and the scuffle of a few seconds ago fades, there is an immediate, new focus.
Upon seeing the food, it is like Tim doesn’t even exist and Taz’s 22 pounds of lard literally runs right over him, charging to the food.
Result is, Tim is left wondering what just happened, Taz is quite happily “on vacuum” at the food dish.
Moral of the story, never place yourself between a big orange guy and the food. 😉
When ever a play fight needs to end “The Fridge” move always works.
And Tim will learn that coming between Taz and a food dish is like coming between a mama bear and her cub. Always a bad ending.
Loved the pics of Taz and Tim.
Or shaking the treat bag!
Loved the photos of Taz and Tim, too – it’s like Big Orange and Mini Me!
Julie took a few great photos of Brooke yesterday, and I posted them to the Conscious Cat Facebook page. My favorite is the classic Tortie Stinkeye. Yikes.
Harry, could you please post the url address to get to the site you posted on. I am having a problem finding it. Thanks
http://www.facebook.com/consciouscat – select “Posts by Others” below the header
Hey gang, what happened here? I have a birthday and now no posts!!!! Awe geez. Well here is a short tale about my littlest Tortie, Dajudge a/k/ DJ. I believe we all go thru the same thing with our little ones when it comes to our snacking. They have to see it and sniff it, mostly they turn their nose up at it. Mostly. Now comes my little baby, so innocent and loving. Well I have been under the weather and have no appetite. My cold turned into a little pneumonia in my right lower lung lobe. Well I am on medication and beginning to feel better. I digress. Well I was feeling like I wanted cheese and crackers with sprite. So far so good. Well the cheese is the super hot pepper cheese. um um So everyone took a sniff and left, everyone except DJ. She is so innocent I guess her smell senses aren’t fully developed. She sniffed then tried to take some. So I pinched a very tiny tip and let her try it. I wish you all of you could have seen her eyes and the expression, including shaking her little head like she could shake it off. She is now under the bed, and I don’t believe she will want super hot pepper cheese snacks with me again. 🙂
I’ve seen that kitty face before when they taste something that offends them…too funny.
Poor baby – I hope she’s forgiven you. And I hope you feel better!
Bernie, hope you feel better soon … I used to have a tortie (Cheeky) who used to LOVE curries. Mind you, she would then spend the rest of the night at her waterbowl. She also liked multigrain bread (sorry Ingrid), cheese, vegemite (the good old Australian acquired taste product) and anything her else her humans might be eating.
Hi gang. I thank each of you for your birthday wishes to me. I had a very pleasant day. Jay stayed over just to be here to say Happy Birthday, then left for home very early Monday AM. I spent the day with my little ones. Now there was the celebration!!!! They are just a sheer joy and little bundles of fun and laughter for me. :):)
I’ve been told my cat is a tortoise shell, but she doesn’t have any of the traits this article says she has. She’s extremely sweet and loving, and never leaves my side unless I’m out of the house. is it possible she has a different breed in her genes, or that she’s just one of those that don’t adhere to breed standards?
P.S. Your cats are so cute, and I’m sorry about Amber. I lost my three year old calico to a strange sickness last year.
Torties are not a breed, they’re just named for their beautiful coloring, Hannah. And all cats are individuals, so while there are some commonalities with certain breeds or coat colors, a cat’s personality is still going to be unique. Your tortie sounds wonderful! Thank you for your kind words about Amber, and I’m sorry about your calico. Allegra and Ruby appreciate the compliment!
We just enjoyed a whole house exam, though I only had to watch, and all five are as healthy as rocks despite a few last fleas–not even any dental issues. All have normalized weight after being on their raw diet except Mewsette, who has gained–Mimi did too, but she needed to gain a little.
We talked about Kelly, what had been happening with her and what may have happened that last day, speculated a bit, but we’ll never be sure.
I’m so happy for five completely healthy cats, but I miss my girls. This really brought home their absence, this yearly exam that’s kind of a state of my little union here. It’s a little difficult to think about just moving forward.
I’m so happy to hear everyone is healthy and at a good weight on the raw diet. I guess Mewsette likes her raw food a little too much ;-).
I know it’s jarring when you’re used to dealing with old cats with health issues, and all of a sudden, you only have young, healthy cats. Even though it’s jarring in a good way, it still makes the loss hit home again.
Odd how the topic of kitty weight control came up now as that is what I was going to post an inquiry about today!!
One of my babies, my tux Rocky needs to lose weight. He sat on the scale the other day and weighed in at 15 pounds. He has a fat belly (just like mommy and daddy!) and although it is amusing to watch him try and clean himself as he rolls from side to side, I know it is not healthy for him.
My question is basically, when you have 4 cats how to you put just one on a diet? The others are all normal weight. Rocky loves to eat and if his plate is empty he cries and cries. He doesn’t eat until the plate is empty, it seems more like he just needs to see that there is food on it. He will only eat wet food, doesn’t like dry food.
How I feed my babies is there is always a bowl of fresh dry food for them to nibble on, and I feed them canned food twice a day. I feel as though I am not over feeding as for the 4 cats, I give them 1 can of little friskies twice a day, the 5.5 oz. size can. Once in a while I give them 3 cans depending on when I gave them breakfast and dinner.
So how can I make my little man lose some weight?
thank you!
Betty, Rocky is a light weight and I would not worry. Last week Stir and Styx were 10 lbs and Frankie and Tabby were 13. Punky was 23 earlier this year and Taz I think is 24. But a well fed kitty has reserve to fight off illnesses. I know Punky lost a lot due to fleas but Stir did not have his reserve so I was more worried about her. Too late for poor Pumpkin by the time I noticed.
He is not a big kitty, as far as height goes, he is kind of squatty and walks like a little bulldog. He is all belly.
I got concerned when I noticed his difficulty cleaning himself. He tries to wash his tummy but because he is so fat he just ends up rolling from one side to the other trying to reach it. Same thing when he tries to clean his back legs. He is very clean for a boy kitty 🙂
Of course I don’t think he can get enough exercise either since the queen tortie pretty much keeps him confined to the kitchen.
My Brad cat is taller and longer than Rocky and weighs 9 lbs.
Weight is relative to bone structure and size, so you can’t compare numbers. Unfortunately, it’s not true that an overweight cat can fight off illness better than a cat at his or her normal weight. In fact, the opposite is true. Obesity puts a strain on all organ systems, including the heart, kidneys, and the immune system. It’s no different for our cats than it is for humans.
Sorry to be so firm, but this is a topic I come across so many times in my consulting practice, and it’s something that far too few cat guardians take seriously.
Betty, to answer your question, the first thing you’re going to want to do is not leave dry food out all day long. Change all of them to meal feeding. If you must continue to feed dry, change that to meal feeding as well. Whatever they don’t eat after 20 minutes gets picked up and put away. They’ll get used to it. You’ll either have to supervise everyone while they eat, or feed Rocky away from the others.
One word of caution: never let a cat go without eating for more than 24 hours. Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis if they don’t eat for extended periods of time, and obese cats are especially prone to it. It can be fatal.
Here’s an article that go into more detail on why obesity is such a health risk, and how to help your cat lose weight:
https://ingridking.com/2012/01/09/feline-obesity-dont-let-your-cat-become-a-statistic/
Trust me I do take the overweight issue seriously!!
My questions about taking the dry food up in between meals is that my only cat that is overweight is Rocky and he doesn’t eat the dry food. Plus on the dry food, the other 3 cats do eat it one of which is Brad who is my only kitty that is indoor/outdoor. He is not always in at meal time, so if I take up the dry food in between he may miss out on it. My girls are nibblers in that they only eat a few bites at a time. If Columbia eats too much at a time or too fast she throws it up. My other tortie used to be the exact same way.
I am not trying to be argumentative on the taking up the food issue, I just don’t think with my babies it would change Rocky’e weight issue since he doesn’t eat it.
They all get treats at the same time as I wait until Brad comes in to give them out. They get them once a day and never any more than that.
The wet food goes down twice a day, and once in a great while 3 times. 1- 5.5 oz can each feeding for 4 cats.
It will take time and patience to transition to meal feeding, but it can be done. Your indoor/outdoor kitty is a bit more of a challenge, but he’d probably catch on pretty quick, too. If Rocky doesn’t eat the dry food, it sounds like you’ll need to reduce the amount of canned food he eats. However, if he’s truly only eating 1/4 of a 5.5 ounce can per feeding, I’m a little worried that there’s something else going on. I really wish there was an easy answer, but with multiple cats, it’s a challenge. Maybe Bernadette or Harry have some suggestions that I haven’t covered.
Great news on the clean bill of health on your little ones Bernadette. And I know how much you miss your older girls.
We have had a rough year on here and lost a lot of famous cats.
Cookie and Kelly were your trademark and who I think of when viewing your art.
And Steeler was the one everyone thought of when a cat was describe having Tortitude (also when a certain football team was mentioned).
I will greatly miss Punky and his kitten antics as soon as I shouted “LASER” and flashed that red beam on the floor.
But we have added some new young ones that promise to bring joy to us all for years. Timmy who will give Taz and Kasey lots of exercise, and DJ, Liberty and Justice who have given Bernie a reason to laugh and enjoy waking up early. And my Frankie who may not be the brightest one of my group but makes up for it with his cute looks.
I just got home from Bernie’s at 12 noon. Got 32 mpg going 75 – 80 mph. Only saw 5 cops and 3 of those were in the west bound lane and 1 in my east bound lane was facing me with his lights on before a construction zone. Went by the one while I was doing 77 but was going with the flow of traffic. Made good time and the weather was nice.
Taz is going for his annual vet visit in 25 minutes.
I am expecting to be lectured about his weight.
Taz vet visits can be “interesting”, he doesn’t like it; and sometimes makes sure you don’t like it. either 😉
Tell them Taz is happy with his weight. As longs as he is healthy that’s all that matters.
Hope things are well with them all.
Stir is doing good and eating reg dry food. Hissed at Tabby so all is well here.
I hope everything goes well. I know it’s challenging to put a cat on a diet, especially when there are other cats in the household. Even though we tend to joke about “fat cats,” obesity is a serious problem. Just making the change from dry to wet food and from free choice feeding to meal feeding can make a big difference.
Good to hear about Stir.
Taz had a good vet visit today.
The 24 pounds was my estimate, I guess based on the effect of my back problems, when picking him up.
He is 22 pounds, same as last year. he is somewhat over weight but he is a just a big cat, too. His head is half again as big as most cats, his body size (length and height) is like a large Maine Coon Cat.
The vet said he was doing well for approaching 15.
Also, the has begun a new exercise program, Exercise By Tim. 😉
Everyone should wish Bernie a Happy 29th Birthday.
Steelers Mom, along with Liberty, Justice ,Freedom and DJ’s has had a rough year but we want to make things better.
Love ya Bernie.
Happy Birthday Bernie! Have a fantastic day. Love, Marg.
Happy birthday dear Lady Bernie!!! May the next year be better than the last and future years be all you hope them to be.
Happy Birthday, Bernie! Have a wonderful day, and may this be the beginning of a wonderful year for you.
Kibby says, “One more convert in the quest for tortie world domination.”
So glad she found you and you found us! Now you can share all your silly stories with people who really understand.
And she can be happy entirely indoors–I started keeping all my cats indoors decades ago, and even the outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats I rescue and foster are fine with it–and as Ingrid said moving is a great time to make the change. Good luck with your new life and your new kitties!
She’s definitely converted me!! I so wish I could keep my cats in the house 🙁 Thank you!! 🙂
Ingrid, I enjoyed reading this! I was bored tonight so I thought I’d look up more information on my tortie. My tortie came into my life two years ago. She just showed up at my front door a few days before Christmas. Prettiest cat I’ve ever seen. She’s been mine ever since. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was never the biggest cat person, but this cat has changed my mind. I ADORE cats and now have three. My tortie’s name is Kibby. Funny story behind her name…. I wasn’t sure what to name her, so we were just calling her “Kitty”. I threw the name “Orphan Annie” around a little because she just showed up to me, but that didn’t stick… Well, when my sister and three year old nephew came to live with us, his “d” and “t” sounding words came out as “b” sounding words. So “kitty” turned into “Kibby” for him. So ever since then she’s been Kibby. I love her to death. I have no idea how old she is. She doesn’t seem that old. 3, 4 maybe? Kibby has a HECK of a personality! She is very vocal, like you said. I can talk to her and she will always meow back to me. She LOVES cheetohs! LOVES them! I’ve never seen a cat so obsessed with cheetohs as Kibby is! She’ll sit there and munch them down so loudly! It’s hilarious. If I’m out, and I come home, that cat will sit a few feet away from the car until I get out. Every single time. It never fails. She’s the most loyal cat I’ve ever seen. Kibby LOVES to kill chipmunks. I’m pretty sure there are no longer any chipmunks around here within a 5 mile radius, either because Kibby called all of them or because they ran away scared! For some gross reason she’ll eat the body, but leave the head laying on the driveway or the front steps :/ I love her though and she’s a cat, so I can’t fault her. Kibby also scales our 3 story house to come and look in my second story bedroom window. Yep! She’ll do it if she knows I’m up here. And she’ll just come and stare in at me until I acknowledge her, and then she’ll rub herself against the screen wanting me to pet her. She also likes to climb up at the house and bang against my window at 4 in the morning sometimes, scaring the crap out of me! Kibby also LOVES sitting on my shoulder. I have no idea why, but she loves it!
We don’t even know if Kibby is for sure a female, but like you said, all tortoiseshell’s are almost exclusively female. So we just assume she’s female. We’ve never looked, partly because she probably would NOT like that! She’s very independent! Doesn’t like to be picked up much. But we’ve just always assumed she was a little lady. She’s never given us any kittens, so she’s obviously spayed if she is indeed a female. I have another cat though, she had a litter of kittens a few months ago, one of them looked interestingly similar to Kibby. Except this calico kitten had quite a bit of white on her when Kibby has no white. But the mother is white, so that could explain that. But I kind of doubt that Kibby is a male. She just doesn’t seem male to me. She’s very territorial, as all cats are of course. I’ve seen her staring down a stray that likes to hang out here. She doesn’t like my other cat. She tolerates her, but doesn’t like her. The other cat is oblivious and loves everyone, so sometimes she’ll rub against Kibby, trying to be nice, and Kibby will swat at her. I have to yell at Kibby for hitting (they’re like children!), but really I can’t blame her. And I still have one of the kittens from momma. She stays away from Kibby and Kibby ignores her. She learned her lesson the first time she met Kibby when Kibby hissed and swatted at her.
Well, I shall stop rambling. I just love my Kibby so much I love talking about her. She’s the best cat I’ve EVER had! I think in the future (god forbid something ever happening to her :/) I will always get tortoiseshells. Hopefully all of them are like my Kibby.
I’m moving out of my moms house and in with my fiance soon. We are taking Kibby, I am SO afraid that she will wonder off from our new house and not come back. But I have been reassured by several people that she knows and loves me and knows I feed her, so she won’t run off. I really hope.
Thanks again for this informative blog!
Kibby sounds wonderful, Brooke! I’m still laughing at her Cheetos obsession. She certainly sounds like quite the huntress!
It wasn’t clear to me from what you wrote whether she’s an indoor/outdoor cat, or outdoor only. I highly recommend that you keep her indoors at your new house, at least initially, until she knows her new territory. Here’s a good article on moving outdoor only cats: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2008/april/moving-and-relocating-outdoor-and-feral-cats-quick-and-dirty-how-guide#.UGWELFEmySo, and a good article on moving cats in general, which also has some advice on how to make an outdoor cat an indoor cat (and a move is the perfect time to do this): http://blog.seattlepi.com/accesforpethealth/2009/07/16/moving-with-your-cat-tips-for-success/
Thank you for the reply Ingrid!!! 🙂 Kibby is a ham, I love her so much! As she’s an outdoor only cat. I would LOVE for her to be an inside cat, but sadly my mom doesn’t like having animals in the house. My fiancé is very very allergic to cats so we won’t be able to have her in our new house either 🙁
A short version of home tonight with my 4 kittens. The matriarch of the kittens, Freedom is sitting in the window on the wide sill, surveying the outside grounds. Justice is sleeping on my a chair by my bed on my slacks, looking so very peaceful and serene. Liberty is on the the stand trying to catch the moving hands of the actors, so far he has not caught anyone. Dajudge, who is the baby, is just so full of herself. She is all over the bedroom floor, throwing her little stuffed toy, and then chasing it only to throw it again. While all this is happening, there is a serenity about the room, of happiness and contentment within the kittens. It is a picture of 4 kittens, who just a couple of months ago, were outside trying to survive the elements and hawks, dogs, and others critters that could kill them, who now are all just happy to be inside and each is doing their own thing. They ask very little of me except the kitty treats and kitty kisses. When I leave the room, it is as if a herd of cattle is running after me. The know when I reach the kitchen area they will all receive something to eat, be it a treat or little shreds of turkey breasts on their little paper plates. This is something I am looking at and sharing with you all, because we all have been thru some bad days and times, but when it comes down to our little ones they show us how happy they are by their actions and that shows me and maybe you, how much we are needed in this life. Now I know this is out of the ordinary post for me, but sometimes I just have to take an inventory of what is important and why I am needed in this life. I, like most of you have family and friends, but at the end of the day, for calm and serenity, these little felines bring comfort and joy by just being in the same room and playing. We all know by that, that each of us with little ones, have done something right in our life. We, do matter. Everyone of us, we matter.
What a beautiful post, Bernie.
I agree with Ingrid. The voice of a rescuer. I remember many moments like that through the years, and of all the things I’ve done, seeing my cats enjoying a safe and happy life after what they’ve been through has always been up near the top in accomplishment and reward.
Your beautiful rendition of your evening brought tears to my eyes, happy tears for a change.
Bernie, what a beautiful description of what a contented home your little ones have. I have spent the last hour or so catching up with the posts while I have been away … a lot has happened – especially with your “escapees”. How frightening. I am so glad that episode had a happy ending. Also really glad to hear that Stir is doing well after her visit to the dentist.
Gracie survived her short stay at the cattery. It was still in one piece when we arrived to pick her up even though she apparently spent much of the visit hiding inside her igloo, trying to bite everybody who came within reach. She ate well though, and used her litter tray as expected. I had explained to the cattery people about her urinary tract infection and was worried that the stress of the cattery may cause it to return, but she was fine, thank goodness. Now it’s back to the normal routine for me! Hope everybody is well – four legged and two legged!
This morning I was up at 6am after 4 hours sleep. Took Stir to the Vet for Dental surgery. They also offered to give her a protective coating that last 6 months but cost $75.
Harry, Ingrid, Bernadette or anyone else tell me if this is worth it. They also offered to give me a tooth brush for Stir and I could clean her teeth. I told them that after that I would put my other hand into the garbage disposal so they would both match. They said “I guess that means you can’t clean her teeth”. I said correct – she’s a Tortie. That explains it all.
Now I am waiting for the call to tell me what she needs. So far all they saw was bleeding at her gums.
I’m not completely sold on the dental coating – I’m assuming you’re referring to the Oravet product? it can make a difference, and since you can’t brush Stir’s teeth, it may be worth the investment.
For anyone else who reads this: don’t rule out brushing your cat’s teeth. It may sound impossible, but with slow and gradual training, most cats will get used to it. It’s the one single thing you can do that’s going to make the biggest difference in your cat’s dental health. Here’s how to start: https://ingridking.com/2011/11/07/brushing-your-cats-teeth/
Just got the call from the Vet. Her 1st lower premolar was being absorbed and 3 lower central incisors were broken off and will be taken out. She should out after an hour. They might keep her overnight as I work 2nd shift and they can watch her till 7pm and I can pick her up tomorrow morning. She is under anesthesia now and doing fine.
She’s going to feel so much better once this is done! This is some pretty significant dental surgery. Make sure they send home some pain control when you pick her up.
For me or for her ? 🙂
Hi everyone. Jay asked me to bring you all up to date on Stirfry. He said he will write on here in the early AM when he gets home from work.
Stir had her dental surgery and came out ok. Her teeth were more involved than the earlier diagnosis the vet had given to Jay, because they did not know everything until she was under the anesthesia.
Stir had the 3 teeth broken on the gum line and the molar as he had said. During the surgery it was also found that Stir had 3 pieces of teeth in her gums where previous teeth had been broken or kicked during her feral days. So they had to be removed also. She was given a pain shot that is supposed to last three days.
Jay brought her home about 2PM, put 1/2 can of tuna in her enclosure just for her. He had to go to work, but I asked him to put a full can of tuna in so she can eat while he is away. With all this dental damage, I am sure Stir has not been eating well. So she is going to be ok.
The dental tech told Jay that her disposition might change now that her teeth are fixed. Jay assured them that Sirfry has had her disposition since day 1 and he would not count on it. She will be the Stirfry we all know and count digits after petting her.
So this is a lot for the little one to go thru, however, it had to be done and now it is time for her to heal and get back to putting the fear of God in everyone and every other animal.
So until you all hear from Jay after midnight, this is all I know for now. Go Stirfry.
So relieved to hear that Stirfry came through the dental surgery ok and that the doctor was able to find all her issues and fix them.
Apparently the doctor has never owned a tortie or he would have known that mere dental surgery is not enough to change their personality!! lol
You may be surprised! Imagine the pain she’s been in. I’m glad she’s finally having it all taken care of, and she’s come through it okay.
Bernadette is right – you may be surprised at the change in Stir once she recovers. I’m glad she did well during the surgery and is recovering at home.
Cats are absolutely amazing when it comes to masking pain. They may react in ways that make no sense to us, but it’s the only way they know to show it. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad about not noticing this earlier – I’ve been there myself. You may recall from my book that Buckley had what I thought was a urinary tract infection. It turned out to be referred pain from an abscessed tooth.
I have to admit this is one of the best practices I’ve read about but never even attempted. Everyone sees their doctor this coming Monday, we’ll see what she has to say.
Just wondering how Stir is doing?
Glen, Stir was doing fine Friday night when I saw her last.
She was out of the kennel in the basement wher I had her so she could recover and I could give her ea medicine. I left work at 11:45, went home and put the critters in for food. Packed my stuff and talked to Bernie till 1:40. Put the critters back in and drove to Bernie’s. Got here at 6 am. Had to stop at every rest stop for either coffee intake, coffee refill out get rid of the coffee 🙂
Plus walk around for 10 minutes to stay awake.
Still at Bernie’s but going home at 9am tomorrow.
Might be taking a little kitty or 3 unless she checks my pockets. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rachel that is a fantastic idea for the collar tag to add “I”m lost if Outside”. As you all know mine are all collared and chipped, but adding those few words to their tags is a great idea. Thanks
And putting the Cell # instead of the home #.
Hard to answer the home phone when your out looking for the lost one.
Folks, thanks to all of you for your understanding of all this. If any group of pet lovers knows how I reacted it is each of you.
My family, I had the worst scare yesterday. I was truly in the state of hysteria . I had to go to Somerset, Pa to the nursing home for a problem with my dad. Before I left, my Grandson was here to hand some ceiling fans for me. The last words from me as I left the door was, “watch my kittens closely. Don’t let anything happen to them”. When I returned home, physically and mentally exhausted, I asked my family to call it a day and give me some down time. After they left, I called or my kittens. After about 20 minutes, I realized Liberty and Justice had not come for treats or to me. So I started calling them and going room by room to find them. They weren’t here. I called them outside and still nothing. I went all around the land calling and shaking a treat bag. I called Jay and was truly hysterical. They weren’t here. I got into my jeep and drove down the road. Steeler and Punky and all the other kittens must have been guiding me. I found both kittens about 900′ down the highway sitting on the stoop of an auto maintenance shop, cuddled up in a ball and scared out of their wits. I jumped out of the jeep and Liberty came running to me and I grabbed Justice up and put them inside my jacket. I got them home and warm. They are now safe.
I have reamed out my family already about this issue. I just don’t think people realize how cherished our pets are to us. I will not ever allow my little ones to be left with Chris again. Today I am still in knots. Jay was ready to head back here and help me look for them if it took all night. Thankfully I told him no, but he wasn’t listening. As soon as I found them I called him and caught him just as he was getting ready to leave for W.Pa.
So for now, I need down time and calming down. There is just to much going on that I have no control of at this time. However, care of my kittens is my top priority and trusting them to the care of anyone is going to be very hard for me to do again.
Bernie, there is no worse fear! Our felines above were indeed guiding you! I am so glad they weren’t so scared they ran from you. I am so glad you found them I can’t even express it.
Each person’s idea of caring for animals is different, and some people, believe it or not, do not even notice them. And for some people letting cats outside is perfectly normal and part of caring for them. I never assume, and never leave my cats where they can be even accidentally let outside. Ever. Chris may not have understood that, nor others who visit.
I’m just so glad they’re back! I’ll bet they have stories to tell!
Bernadette, when Liberty saw it was me he came running. Justice was slower behind him, and shaking. I swooped her up before she had time to turn.
They will not be in Chris’s care alone again. I know he feels badly, but I also know he is not fully aware of how much my little ones are loved by me. He is one of those that lets their kitten out. They of course live on a large farm, but even then I would not let my kittens out. I am still upset about this.
Bernie, I can’t even imagine how scared you must have been! That’s always my worst fear, and why we don’t let our guests use the front door.
We once had a scare when our front door blew open one cold night. I was out holiday shopping with my mom and our neighbor called us. It was the most horrific phone call! Apparently May had gotten out into the bushes, Pearl was on the front stoop and Vickie was looking out the door. She got them inside and found everyone but couldn’t find May. She ended up being hidden under the couch when we finally found her. Now we triple check the front door after using it rarely. And also on windy nights.
Rachel, after visiting your home for the first time, I stopped using the front door for some things – I thought it was such a good idea to enter the way you have it set up – so much safer! Allegra and Ruby aren’t big on running toward the door, and when I know someone’s coming, they’re very good about waiting at the top of the stairs and then greeting the visitor. What I do worry about are people like delivery people or even just a neighbor knocking to ask a quick question. There’s no way I’ll talk to anyone with the door open just a crack, so I started using the garage door for those types of things. That way, I won’t have to worry about the girls getting a little too curious.
I’ve had the door blowing open on a cold day happen one time with Feebee. When I came out of the shower, I felt this seriously cold draft, and it turned out the door had blown open. Luckily, he was fast asleep, and I don’t think he even noticed. All I can think is that it was so cold. the wood had contracted enough for the lock to not hold. Now I always make sure I throw the deadbolt during the winter.
Ingrid, it is so much safer! Even though I know people are able to get in and out of the front door without letting the cats out, it just ins’t a risk worth taking.
We’re all paranoid during windy storms, since the door blew open once. It’s always double locked since then.
Rachel, I too, do not use my front entrance. We always use the back entrance. My drive comes in a U shape around to the back door. It was just someone not paying attention when going in or out that allowed two curious kittens to bolt.
Oh Bernie!
That had to have been so scary!
My tortie Nikita has been trying to get out lately. At least once a day we catch her trying to race thru the front door if we don’t close it fast enough. She has gotten out on the porch twice now and luckily John caught her because if she ever ran I’d never catch her. She’s super fast!
I don’t know what I would do if she got out but now I am going to get them collars with name tags on them because if she got out and lost I’d hope to find her. We live near a busy street too and people come flying down it at all speeds and I have seen several poor kitties and squirrels killed along there.
I am so glad you were able to get them home and they didn’t run when you found them. I would hope my girls wouldn’t run either.
I keep telling Nikita that it’s a cold cruel world out there with nobody to love her, give her treats or keep her food & water dishes full.
Sue, I would start training Nikita with treats and/or a laser toy to get her out of this habit of making a run for the door. Every time you leave, throw some treats for her to chase. Same thing when you first come in. If she responds to a laser pointer, you can also use that to distract her.
Sue I was praying for all I was worth that they would not run. If you could have seen the little bundle they had made of themselves to be warm, it would have broken your heart. Last evening was a very cold night.
I can only say please watch Nikita closely. The kittens are faster than the speed of light.
Sue, definitely get collars for your cats! It is the *easiest* way for them to be reunited with you if they were to get out. And we like to put “I’m Lost if Outside” on our cats’ tags. As well as a cell phone number – since you’re more likely to be out looking for your cat than waiting at home for the phone to ring.
Oh my gosh, Bernie! That’s the worst feeling – I can’t even imagine how panicked you must have been. Well, I can – I think it’s every cat parent’s worst nightmare. I’m so glad that you found them relatively quickly. They definitely had some guardian angels watching over them.
And I know who those guardian angels are. I’m still shaking, Bernie. Rachel’s right, we’re the crazy people who never open their front door.
Harry all I could think and cry out was please no, not my kittens now. I know those “guardian angels heard me.” They had to be.
I almost never use my front entrance. It has always been that way. So count me crazy.
I cannot express my feelings right now. I was completely hysterical last evening.
Ingrid, I am still not calmed down. This was horrible. The time they were missing was over 2 hours. I had walked my land and fields for the longest time. I finally got in the jeep and started riding and calling them out the windows. They were just to frightened to move. They are safe now. I will be hesitant to leave them with anyone now.
I just got to these postings this evening.
What an unsettling experience, to say the least.
I am very glad it ended well.
I am so relieved you were fortunate enough, whether by fate or by accident, to find your AWOL babies!! All that kept flashing before my mind, which is probably why I am so late responding, was when my Angelika got out and was never found.
I agree about not letting that person watch your babies again.
I was fearful about when we leave the last week in October to visit my mom as we were supposed to have moved into a house in another county, however the friend that is buying a house so we can rent it had her mortgage person tell her she needed yet another 30 days. So the sellers declined the extension and put the house back on the market.
Had we moved I was going to have to hire a strange sitter for the furry babies. Now that we are stuck here indefinitely my neighbor that has watched them when we go to visit my mom for the past 2 years is going to babysit for us. That is the only thing I am thankful for as that house was perfect and I absolutely fell in love with it, but I digress.
My husband makes me nuts with the doors as he will let the dog out then stand there with the door wide open and wait for her. He says he is watching out for the cats, but cats can move so fast they could get out and he wouldn’t see them. It’s an ongoing disagreement. Plus with the door open bugs get in the house as I don’t have any screen doors.
My apologies Bernie, as this message started out to be a message to you about your baby fright and somehow I just realized I turned it around to me….I am so sorry about that but so happy your babies are safe back at your home where they belong.
Betty don’t be sorry. I would feel the same as you if someone would continue doing that when asked “nicely” to stop.
It is good to hear you will have your neighbor watch your little ones.
The persons watching my little ones are family. Kind of hard not to see them. But be assured they have had an ear burning. LOL
i am SO happy you found them! I would be very very angry ><
I recently rescued a Tortie kitten, and she is absolutely the best thing to ever happen to me and my household. She is the sweetest, happiest, FUNNIEST kitten I have ever had the pleasure of being owned by! And make no mistake- I am her human and she lets everyone know. Reading your article gave me a chuckle, these cats really are possessive of their humans!! Torties are definitely my new favorite breed. They have soooo much personality and love, I have never had a kitten bond with me as fast or surely as this one has. I know I have a friend for life. Oh did I mention she plays fetch? Not half-assed fetch either, she straight drops the ball on my foot when she wants to play, and drops it back in my hand after I throw it for her, and is just happy as can be with pets and me telling her what a good girl she is. She gives nose kisses too 🙂 and she is great with my other kitty. Actually Sidlin (my tort) really brought Rukia (my big, fat, sassy black long hair) out of her funk. Rukia was rescued off the side of a road where she was trapped in a duffel bag for a couple of days in the middle of a hot summer, and she was always prickly tempered, but the kitten, being the happy little nut job that she is, really brought her out of her shell and mellowed her out. Rukia even comes up to me for pets now, which is something she never did before Sidlin came home. anyone thinking of adding to the family should definitely consider a Tortie, these gals are wonderful.
Sidlin sounds wonderful, Anji – and she sounds like she’s all tortie! I love that her exuberant personality brought Rukia out of her shell.
Anji, I recently rescued 4 kittens. 2 Torties, a tiger gray tabby and the Mom of 1 Tortie and my little tiger gray. She is also the grandmom to the other Tortie. I am having a ball watching the antics of the kittens. As for the kittens interacting with the mom, Freedom, well let’s just say it is a work in progress. It was great of you to rescue Rukia. She must have truly been traumitized by some low slum human to abandon her like that. I don’t mince words, call it the way I see it.
To hear that your Sidlin is bringing her out of her shell, so to speak is wonderful for all of you.
Torties are so very special. The most unpredictable animal on 4 feet or even 2 for that matter.
I hope you have many good years with them.
Also, keep posting about their antics. We all brag about ours on here, and love to hear about all.
You can post pics of them on the ConciousCat.net. If I listed this wrong, Ingrid will correct this for me. But please do post their pics. Glad to have you aboard. 🙂
You can’t post photos on this site, but you’re welcome to post them on The Conscious Cat Facebook page!
Wow that’s wonderful! I wish i had room to do more. It’s so great that there are people like you that can take in a family like that. I am sure that as the babies grow and the memories of where you rescued them from fade Freedom will come out of her shell. It took a long time for Ru. I am so happy she survived and we were able to take care of her so she grew into a good cat, i don’t know that she would have done as well if i hadn’t been home to take care of her 24/7. She was a tiny little ball of fierce fluff, smaller than my palm and mean as hell lol…it was so funny, but heartbreaking because you just knew she was like that from being trapped for god knows how long. Thank you for the interest and the tip on conciouscat.net i am going to check it out now 🙂 i have tons of pics i usually throw up on instagram that i would love to share, and see your kids as well 🙂
You can post photos of your baby on our Facebook page, Anji – the link is in the sidebar.
How wonderful of you to adopt two rescued cats! Poor Rukia, I wonder what her story is. But this is the other part of a kitten’s job–first, to charm the human, second, to get all the adult cats up off their butts to play.
All of my babies have been rescues since i was little! I was the kid that was forever finding stray animals. I have had companions that i have found in abandoned garages, garbage cans, you name it. And you are absolutely right 🙂 I am a little sad we didn’t rescue a new kitten sooner, but at the same time if we had, I wouldn’t have gotten Sid.
Taz now has an exercise program, defending himself from Tim.
Taz is friendly with Tim but this gets taken advantage of. Tim has decided that attacking “Big Orange” is a great activity, and the big guy largely puts up with it. Taz shows remarkable restraint in not retaliating with 100% of his capabilities.
They trade hits for a while, then Tim repeatedly jumps on Taz. Taz will fight back but pulls his punches.
Morgan doesn’t like the whole idea and makes “haunted house” sounds and last night, she appeared to come to Taz’s aid and charged the active little guy.
Kasey was resting upstairs when all this was going on.
However, Kasey heard the sounds of fighting and was drawn to it as if by magnetic attraction; it was like, if there was a fight going on far from being concerned or afraid of it, her only concern was that she was going to miss out.
Kasey came down the stairs in a purposeful manner. homing in on the sounds of conflict.
Her arrival brought all the activity to an end and scattered the participants.
So I need some direction here I guess…..NEVER having more than one cat at at time, I’m not sure about this fighting. My little tortie teases my siamese, and my siamese will “put her in her place” but no fur flies just a lot of rolling around and screaming. Should I allow this? I don’t want to step in where I shouldn’t, but I also know that my cat is the alpha and the little foster tortie is the usurper as far as she is concerned! The tortie submits when disciplined by lying on her side and going quiet most all spats….so I know she understands my siameses’ position in things….
Pam, did you do gradual introductions when you brought the tortie home? If not, I’d definitely start over – and even if you did, it may not be a bad idea to start over and go very very slowly. Some fighting/wrestling is normal IF it’s done as play, and not as territorial aggression. I’m not sure what you mean by disciplining – if you’re talking about your Siamese doing the disciplining,that’s okay. Disciplining, when done by a human, rarely works, and can ruin the bond between cat and human.
V-E-R-Y gradual! To the point that I thought I’d go nuts! Kept them separated and would allow kitten some house freedom while confining cat…..then under door, and then through wedged door – once cat stopped “singing” to her I allowed them to be in same room. Some hissing and spitting – no contact at first – but eventually grown cat got brave enough to discipline her and put her in her “place.” Recently MORE contact has happened – definitely territorial in nature but it’s mostly gone shortly afterwards. Cat stays UP where kitten can’t go to have her own “space” away from the usurper….but the wrestling is definitely not play….
Pam, if you’re open to using holistic remdies, I highly recommend using Peacemaker from Spirit Essences. http://bit.ly/MnT1a5
Pam, hi and welcome. I think I would come up with a few words to discourage the rough house type wrestling. I and others on here, especially Jay, Harry and Lynn have had this type of “play” at different times.
I have it happen here, so instead of going over the edge, I just roboticly say “HEY HEY HEY” just like that. It works for them. They stop and look at me like I lost my mind.
Just a hint about the little Tortie. Get set for the ride of your life. She will grow and the alpha status will become nonexistent. 🙂
Bernie and Ingrid –
Ingrid – I’m already using Peacemaker! But I have yet to find a good way to use it without ruining the “charge” on the essence…..currently I’m spraying it on their backs (my cat tolerates it but the tortie doesn’t like it!!!) And I’m going to move up to Bully Remedy. My daughter has a cat that lived with us that was horrible and we used them to attempt to help her. Ended up with her having to take Prozac….
Bernie – I only need to say “be nice” and my cat will respond. She’s far different than my previous cat that I couldn’t TOUCH when there were other cats around because I’d get redirected aggression from her – actually went to the ER on one occasion when she ripped the backside of my hand open with her canine tooth! (my bad when I tried to break up a cat howling match with my hand…she was 16 years old!!!) I just don’t want to stop “normal” territorial training. Plus, this is a FOSTER kitten – she will not be here permanently so I’m not worried about her obtaining a position in the home so much. This is the first foster that my cat has tolerated being around – and has been bold enough to maintain her territory. Normally she’s a scaredy cat….
Pam, don’t spray it directly on your cats. It’s going to work just fine that way, but most cats don’t like it. Try spraying it in the palm of your hand, and then rub it into their fur.
Ingrid – I was told that it breaks the chakra or something when you touch it….so I tried to find ways of not touching it. Will try using my hands again then….
How often would you use it? The essence that is….
Pam, I had thought the same about the essences, but Ingrid reminded me that it was homeopathic remedies that you should only put directly in contact with the animal. I spray the essences onto one hand, press my hands together and gently massage the cat.
Pam, the essences are “vibrational medicine” – the most important thing is that you get them into the cat’s energy field. How you do that – whether by putting into water or food, or by spraying or rubbing into fur -doesn’t matter nearly as much.
I’d use them 3-4 times a day. You can also spray the area the cats hang out in with Peacemaker.
Now if Tim could just get Taz to actually run from him, you might on to something: a feline weight loss program – weight loss by kitten!
It works for me!!!!
My dear Glen, Harry and oh yes, Bernadette, I am just letting you all know nah nah nah nah about Tim and Taz and the activity. I believe I predicted that Tim would make Taz and Morgan interact with him, even if he just used them as a springboard. Good boy Tim. Bernie is very proud of you.
Now for the wrestling matches and Kasey. I can actually visualize her sauntering down the stairs and the others take one look at her and scatter. Good girl Kasey. You did not disappoint me. 😛
NOBODY messes with a Tortie. And Kasey’s reputation is known far and wide.
Today and yesterday were VET days. I took Frankie and Tabby to get flea medicine. Tabby has only been in the car 1 other time and that was 8 years ago. I only got 1/2 mile before the carrier was filled with cat poop. And Bernie can tell you that Frankie is not much better. Well I was only 2 blocks away and I could tell that it was going to be a long trip. Well it as Tabby and I took the blanket out of the carrier as soon as I got to the Vet. And cleaned some newspapers out and put them in the trash can there.
Tabby was checked and had a pill shooter used for the flea pill.
Frankie was taken out weighed and promptly pooped on the exam table. Stir is dangerous from the front end but Frankie is one you don’t want to have him turn his back on you.
Today Stir & Styx went and both travel well. Styx was checked and has a heart murmur. Hopefully nothing to worry about. And she was pilled with no problem at all. But when Stir was checked she snarled and was going to bite. I was told that since she did not have a rabies shot and a medical assistant was bitten, it would be reported and she would be put down and checked. And if I was bitten it would be reported. Hell, I’ve been bitten by her more than any other animal. I did get the Rabies shot for her after being assured that it was safe. If any of my kits would bite it would be her. Stir does have a tooth infection and I will be talking to a specialist. The Vet said that might be why she has a mean disposition. If that’s the case Stir was born with bad teeth cause she has not changed since day one.
I’m sorry to hear about Stir’s dental problems, and Styx’s heart murmur. It’s overwhelming when so many different things are thrown at you, especially after you’re still reeling from losing Pumpkin.
Jay is such a good dad to his kittens. Whatever he is facing with the little ones, he knows he is not out on a limb all alone. He has all of us beside him for support. Stir will get the specialist she needs. If she had rabies, and she sure does not, Jay and I both would have been history. Wait a minute, no, I would still be here, I have had my rabies shots, Jay would be history. 🙂
Styx will live a long and very happy life. I just know it.
Now if Jay could just talk to Frankie about certain behavior activities, all would be fine. 🙂
Bernie, I had a cat with a heart murmur for a very long time. He lived to be 15, and died from something else.
Harry, thanks for reinforcing that for me. I know that to be true of humans, on a very personal basis. I have heard the same of pets. Jay will be relieved to hear it from you, you lived it. Thanks 🙂
Stir wants hers filled and a GOLD cap. Imagine a Tortie with a flashy fang.
Stirfry does not need a GOLD cap to set her apart from all Torties. Just one look at her and that’s enough to scare even the bravest of souls. 🙂
Namir was diagnosed with a heart murmur when he came to me at about age 4. It did worsen and he eventually was diagnosed with HCM, but not until he was 11, and he lived to be 15.
They will not put an owned cat down if it bites someone and has no proof of a rabies shot. You will have to quarantine the cat for up to four weeks to make sure rabies does not develop. I quit getting rabies shots for my cats when they hit about 18 and they start to show a reaction to them. Stanley lived to be 25 and at age 24, after he’d disappeared for a day, he saw my vet for a regular appointment, and bit her while we were trying to clean some tartar from his teeth since a dental was not in order for him. She didn’t report it, but she did tell me the law about cat bites and rabies, especially after he’d been out of my control for a day. The information is on the PA Dept of Agriculture site.
Rabies is the law in PA, and they are very strict for good reason–PA often tops the list for reported rabies cases in the nation. Make sure your vet uses the one-year shot with no adjuvant, and that should be the safest.
I used to host rabies clinics here in Carnegie.
Rabies laws and quarantine regulations for unvaccinated animals vary by location. Be sure to check your state, county and local laws. Some require quarantines up to 6 months if there’s a suspicion of rabies or if an animal is not current on its vaccinations.
As Bernadette mentioned, as far as the safety of the rabies vaccine for cats itself is concerned: never allow a three-year vaccine to be given to cats. Always ask for the one-year, non-adjuvanted vaccine. It carries a lesser risk of vaccine-induced cancers.
Yes, what I told Jay was just for PA, but it’s valid for all of PA. Rabies legislation comes from the Department of Agriculture and is enforced by each county’s board of health.
I just wonder at a vet or vet tech who would tell Jay they’d have to euthanize Stirfry because she bit someone and didn’t have a rabies shot. I hope it was just a know-it-all tech and not the vet, and the vet finds out what the tech is saying.
I strongly agree with Ingrid about only using the 1 year, non-adjuvanted vaccine. I wish they would make the three year that way. 11 years ago we lost our big orange tabby Ashley from a rabies vaccine induced sarcoma
Pam, The picture you see in the petting aggression is my Stirfry. She is the same as your kitten and wants attention on her terms. But she is the most loveable kitty (to me) so don’t give up on that little one.
I have now had sassy since January of 2012… Sassy has her own little attitude, and I call her Sassy because her name fits her to a T… She is very talkative with me more so than anyone else in the family… She lets me know when she wants my attention, she will come full on run jump up on my chest and then begin this loud purrrr and tuck her little face into my neck and actually snuggle…
She loves to have a bath and so every other week she has a kitty bath bubbles and all … she will then curl up in a blanket and go to sleep …
She is very stubborn and if she has made her mind up to do something then that’s it until she has achived her goal….
She refuses to drink water sitting in a bowl .. It has to be running haha… every now and then i let her play in the water … she leans over the faucet and fills her paw with water then she splashes it every where… she does this over and over …. so funny to watch…
She is joy and I love her alot … I have other cats but Sassy steals the show ….
I always thought Sassy was a perfect name for a tortie, Sajeda. I’m amazed that she likes having a bath so much!
Hello I have just become the new mum of a 6yr old Torty called Cleo we have had her about 6 weeks and she is showing her true colours .I was worried when i took her to the vets to get checked out as she was so fiesty it too two of them with clubs to hold on to her for her vaccination .They told me it was normal so i looked on line and found your site ,she is so adorable but she is running the show at the moment and i was looking for tips as to how to managing her .
To edit my post It was gloves not clubs .I have been quite encouraged by all
your posts and Tips.
Whew, I’m glad you corrected that “clubs” reference, Marion! 🙂 I was really wondering about your vet there for a minute! As you may have already seen from some of the comments, you may have to get used to Cleo “running the show.” Buckley was a little 7 pound waif, but it usually took at least three assistants at the vet’s to restrain her before anything could be done to her!