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
Hey Tortie family, we do have an anniversary coming up. There was a day in April, the 10th as a matter of fact, in 2011 that a group from this family decided to go to The Stray Cat Cafe in Falls Church VA to a book signing by Ingrid King for Buckley’s Story. We had a great time and to this day this group has become a very tightly knit group and formed friendships that remain strong and cherished to this day. So keep in mind, April 10, 2011 is a 2 year anniversary. I believe we, that were there, all remember that day in time.
Hard to believe it’s been two years already! That was such a special day.
It was a very special day. As sick as I was I had a great time. I met wonderful people, special cats and enjoyed the Stray Cat Cafe.
The Neuter Shooter left a lasting impression.
Hey Tortie Family. You all need to go to Ingrid’s Conscious Cat site and nominate her once in each category. Here is the info.
Allegra, Ruby and I would be honored if you would nominate us for a Nose to Nose Award. Click through on the link for details – it only takes a minute.
https://ingridking.com/2013/03/05/blogpaws-nose-to-nose-awards
No voting, just nominate her in each category. One time only. OK Then maybe I can sleep tonight. 🙂 🙂 or not. I am just plain tired out. Need lots of sleep.
Well, we have another cat, GIGI that we just picked up tonight.
Here is her story, from and email that was sent to a person we know who does rescue work;
Quote……..
Hi XXXXXXXX,
I’m XXXX XXXXXXX brother and she told me that you would help me find a home for GiGi.
My wife died a couple of months ago and I’m living out of town and not able to have her with me.
She is now in my home by herself where my neighbour comes in to feed her everyday,
I dont want to take her to a shelter but once my house is sold I will have no choice.
GiGi is about 4 years old and loves adult company, dont know how she would be with kids as she is timid with loud noise or quick sudden moves. She only scratches on her scratch post and has never scratched our furniture but loves to lay on couch. She loves to be brushed as my wife brushed her daily.
She is spaded and had her shots in the summer. She is mostly indoors but would go out and lay on the deck in the summer and never stray from there. She would be a great companion for a couple.
Would appreciate any help to find her a good home as my wife would want.
Thanking you ,
…..end quote
From the two pictures I had, it was tough to see if she was a calico but seeing her in real life is a bit different.
She is long hair, and about 80% to 85% “genuine” dark tortie, ginger face, dark legs with white feet, small white patch on the chest and a dark ginger “mask”.
She is a “full figured girl”
She seems calm and friendly, I don’t think she is the warrior queen type.
She was vetted, came with vet records and is an indoor cat.
She is isolated in our comfortable heated 4 season sun-room with all the amenities, plus a bed from her former home. She can stay there until she settles in, for as much time as is needed.
Right now, she is hiding under a chair but we will let her take her time deciding when it is time to come out.
Glen, she sounds just beautiful. I hope she settles in really quickly and is happy in her new home.
Well, we were not actively seeking out another cat but this was a special case.
I have been admiring the long haired torties, though, I guess you have to be careful what you wish for 😉
I would love it if a little one wandered into our yard looking for a home. Miss Gracie is of a nervous disposition and startles easily at noise, wind, etc, and that has put me off doing anything really definite about finding a friend for her, such as visiting a shelter. However, if a little one was to turn up in our yard and there was an opportunity to try things out I would more than welcome it! Mind you, like you say, I should be careful what I wish for. I could end up like Bernie and have 4 or 5 come calling!
4 or 5, Margaret? We call those folks “amateurs”… 😉
Margaret, it is not a problem. Mine just come to the door. Harry’s right. I am an “amateurs”… . However, I expect to see at least 2 new litters in about 40 days. I won’t know until the momma lets them out of hiding. Then there are the predators. If I do get a few, Australia is a little high on the shipping charges, but “m a y b e” if the Tortie family all chipped in 🙂 🙂
Glen, in a word “YEP”. 🙂
Glen, you never look for a cat. The cat knows when she is needed and comes to you.
Bernie can tell you that higher powers knew she needed love and she was sent the cutest kittens. I am sure that over the bridge the word goes out that a cat is needed and directions given. Steeler is good at that.
Sad story with a happy ending! Welcome Gigi to the tortie family! Look forward to hearing all about her.
I just hope Kasey embraces the idea of “tortie sisterhood”, or at least they coexist somewhat peacefully might be the best we can hope for 😉
Introductions will progress at a measured pace.
Glen I am real proud of you. You took the leap of faith and not you have “4”. Hey now, maybe taking in 2 instead of just one more (a kitten) would be great. You do know I am just teasing. With the Warrior Queen, slow and easy is the right way to go. Welcome Gigi to her new home from me with a big treat. Maybe ice cream all around will be called for.
“Introductions will progress at a measured pace.” This has me laughing Glen. Introductions with Kasey will be as follows: Kasey is in charge. Get that furry creature into another part of the house. The outside shed would be nice. Then I will deal with you, dad. What are you thinking. I am the top Tortie in the land. You hear, I, KASEY, run this land. Are you listening DAD.” I think this might be Kasey’s take on introductions. 🙂 🙂 Lots and Lots and Lots more of luck. Gigi will be one very lucky and happy Tortie in your home. Congratulations to you and your wife.
Congratulations on your new family member, Glen! Gigi sounds like a beauty – can’t wait to see photos of her.
All my best to you – I’m sure with slow introductions, she’ll integrate into your household beautifully.
Glen, let me know how that works out.
No luck with Stir.
Glen I think we, those that were following this story, knew you were going to give a forever home to an adult kitten. It was just a matter of time until you knew it. Love this story. 🙂
Congrats Glen.
Keep us informed as to how things go.
Gigi is friendly but shy.
She spends a lot of time hiding under a chair in the sun-room.
I can easily coax her out and she rubs, meows and loves brushing.
It must be traumatic for her; losing her primary person, being on her own for a while, then being brought to a strange place Tues. evening, then brought here.
Consequently, it is understandable it will take some time to settle her in, but she is making daily progress.
I want to get some pictures of her on the weekend, in the natural light from the windows. She is an odd mix, her legs and whit chest patch look calico, but 85% or so of here is pure, dark tortie markings.
She has long hair, with short legs and tail and her tail is bushy, in tortie colors.
I should have asked, how long have folks here had a cat go through the hiding phase when first brought home?
All of ours have been kittens and they are pretty resilient about new surroundings.
Kasey has been the only adult and not surprisingly was pretty bold when I brought her home on May 21, 2008; she did not go into any hiding behavior in her new home.
Vickie was probably around 5 when we adopted her, and she hid behind a hole in the drywall in the basement for 3 days. I only knew she was in there because I was sliding bowls into the hole (no easy trick with the water) and could hear her eat. After three days she would come out (helped by beef stew) but wouldn’t get near us. Then, she would sit in a bed at the bottom of the stairs (for months) and look up longingly, but not come up to the main level. One day we all held our breath as we saw her creep into the kitchen and look around. I think it took a full year before she was out on the main level, and another year before she ever came upstairs. But now, she sleeps on the beds, and comes running when she sees the brush.
Glen/Dad — and Vickie is currently sleeping on my bed!
Glen when I brought Freedom in last June, she was an adult. She would stay under the furniture for a while. I fed her where I noticed her spending her time. Then one afternoon, I came home and surprise Freedom was in the kitchen eating and drinking from the kitty’s food bowls. I would say it took about 2 – 3 week. Now she sleeps at the bottom of my bed. She stays all night and doesn’t get up until I do.
My cats always go in quarantine in the “spare cat room” for a month to be certain no illnesses suddenly appear, and I wait about two weeks to get them vaccinations so that the FIV/FeLV tests are as accurate as they can be; it can take up to two weeks for either to develop far enough that a test will show a positive if its there. I can also bond with them in there if they are so inclined, and if not it gives us a quiet place to just be in a room together until they get enough trust together, and my other cats could get to know then through the door. When it seemed appropriate I’d open it for increasingly longer periods of time.
All were different. Cookie never hid and raced out as soon as I opened the door. Namir and Kelly, who came in together, took a total of six months until Kelly didn’t at least go and sit underneath something with big round eyes when I came in, and Namir didn’t want to kill me for taking away his person. The door was open for a month before they came downstairs.
A|t least she isn’t hiding from us, she just goes under the chair to be secure but comes out when I get down and encourage her.
Fortunately we have her medical history; indoor cat, regular vet checks c/w full documentation, unlike when Kasey or Tim came here.
She is getting bolder about being out. This morning she was meowing for something or someone (to be expected with her history) and it tokk a bit of effort to settle her down.
Has any of the other critters gone over to say hi ?
I would think Taz or Tim.
Tim would like to play with her, she makes an attempt to chase him (good luck, he’s QUICK), when she stops, he comes back to her.
Both Kasey and Taz have been within 6 feet, a few minor hisses have been exchanged but that’s it.
We don’t leave them alone with contact with each other.
So far, it has been sedate, hopefully, that continues, we will see.
She is 85% tortie marked (I will circulate some pic.’s by email) but her lower legs and chest are calico; perhaps that has diluted some of the fierceness that we see in Kasey, I would prefer not to have two “Warrior Queens” battling each other.
Good news Glen.
Tim is just a kitten and that makes him invincible. Everyone and everything is a toy or playmate. GiGi sounds like Tabatha, what Harry calls “A Tortie with White”. That seems to calm down the dangerous Killer Tortie gene. And of Torties there seems to be only a few that have that to the max – Steeler, Kasey, Stirfry and Brooke that I know of. The world is not ready for a “Destruction” of Torties.
Arian and Frankie are really getting along. Yesterday they were chasing each other and playing.
I was able to get a few video’s (on my FB page now)
Frankie (like Taz) needs the exercise. But when I was on the bed Arian came down to lay beside me. Well Stir was on my lap and Arian spotted her tail. Sure enuf she pounced on it. A Tortie snarl sent her running. But I know she will be back. This kitten shows no fear.
Stealth Tortie.
If Stir is like Kasey, the tail is always in motion.
Kasey rarely holds her tail still, young Tim has learned the hard way that it is not to be triffled with 😉
They is something to be said about happiness and watching kittens/cats play. I enjoy all the antics they can come up with. Now that mine are big, they still play like little ones. I hope it never stops. The tail is the main, “come on, show me what you got” starter play.
Glen, Stir’s tail never stops moving. Even when she is sleeping their is a constant movement back and forth. And that is a magnet for kittens to play with. Acts as a learning experience.
Hey folks, the Blog Paws nominations have begun.
Please nominate Ingrid for Best Blog Writing and Best Meow Blog.
http://awards.blogpaws.com/nominations-2013-blogpaws-nose-to-nose-social-media-and-pet-blogging-awards.html
Not sure if our friend Bernadette is up for anything. Bernadette, please let us know.
Vote Vote Vote !!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Jay. Actually, there is no voting. You only nominate once. Finalists and winners are determined by a panel of judges. Please nominate Bernadette for any categories you see fit as well!
Thanks Ingrid.
Bernadette, we need your info to nominate you
Category, contact info, etc.
Jay, it’s at the end of every one of my blog posts since last Saturday. This is Ingrid’s site, I wouldn’t post my information here. You’re all welcome to go over and read though!
Thanks Bernadette,That is all I needed.
I will look and I hope everyone else does too.
I want all my friends to win.
Thanks
” Generally, when we get in an adult cat with a name, a cat who has been given up, my preference is to keep the existing name because that might be the only shred of familiarity they have left.”
That is the situation I was thinking of.
Kasey didn’t have a name until she came here. I said she should arrive with one and decided on Kasey before I brought her home, I thought it was fitting she start a new life with a name.
Well, except for “Hooters Cat.” And except for “Lady of the Night.” (They became “HC” and “Lady”.)
Harry “Hooters Cat”. sounds like a great name. Just think of the conversations you could have with that one. 🙂
Hah … I have a friend who has two puppies (pugs crossed with jack russells). Of course, they are called “jugs”. When he adopted them he went around asking people if they knew about his “jugs”. Mind you, you may need to have an Aussie/English backgrounds to get this one!
Margaret, we get that one really quickly. Jugs and Hooters bring the same illusion to our minds. I could add another couple of names that jerk the mind, but Ingrid would surely censor me.
That is so funny..
I am not a fan of Pugs or Sphynx’s. Just NOT cute.
And this bring to mind when I was working at the Walmart Deli and some woman came up holding 2 melons in her hands. Had to hold my tongue on that one.
Glen and Harry, I think I can chime in on this one. Steeler was an older cat when I rescued her. I named her and it took no time at all until she responded very well to that name. Then recently (last summer) I rescued Freedom. She is the mom to Justice and Liberty. Now I know she had no name at all before because she was a feral and I had seen her regularly, even while Steeler was alive. Now Freedom has responded to her name and it isn’t a problem. Now for what Harry said that really helps
(particularly as the bowl was headed in their direction) . That works wonders in getting rapid response time.
A cat adoption/naming question; I don’t think there’s a right/wrong answer.
If you were to take in an adult cat, would you keep or change the name?
I am thinking I wouldn’t for an older cat, myself.
Perhaps for a young kitten, Taz was first called “Simba” but that only lasted a couple days, when he kept bouncing off the walls, he became Taz. However, he was only about 12 weeks old at the time.
Glen, I can tell you from experience when we’ve rescued adult cats that presumably had a name before – which we didn’t know – and renamed them, in about two days of using that name (particularly as the bowl was headed in their direction) they knew their new name. Generally, when we get in an adult cat with a name, a cat who has been given up, my preference is to keep the existing name because that might be the only shred of familiarity they have left. But sometimes, if they’ve come from a bad situation – I like to give them a new start with a new name.
When I got Styx from Bernie she was named Pumpkin then (remember Steelers playdate 2 years ago) Well I already had a Pumpkin so on the drive home I kept thinking of other names. As I was listening to rock and metal music I heard a song by Styx. Also being a fan of old religions I knew Styx was also the Goddess of the underworld and the river Styx. Well that was a no-brainer. Styx is is.
She learned her name within a week. And Arian the same way. Now I can call any cat and they will come to me. Frankie can be called and he with answer from another room then run into the bedroom (but he also answers to almost any other name sometimes – ask Bernie).
A new name in a new home might be a good idea.
Congrats Ingrid. It is another milestone. Go Tortie Family!!!!!!!
Thanks, Bernie, and thanks, tortie family!
Welcome to 12,000 posts on the greatest cat blog in the world.
Wow – you guys did it again! I think one of these days I have to look into how to submit this post to Guiness World Records! Thanks to all of you for making this such a fun place to discuss our torties, and other things!
And we all thank you Ingrid for starting this blog and owe it to a wonderful Tortie named Buckley. I have learned a lot over the past few years and made friends all over the world thanks to you. I have also been able to meet quite a few fantastic cats. The best was Steeler who is missed by Bernie but made famous by you and Bernadette in your writings. I hope to meet Allegra and Ruby someday along with the Fab 5 black cats of Bernadettes.
And I would love to see Kasey up in Canada. She is so much like my Stir.
One thing I learned is that there is an all-black stealth version of the tortie. She’s sitting on my lap right now, keeps grabbing my hand so that I pet the side of her head… and then biting me. I think that tortie brains must be all mottled, just like their fur. Otherwise, how can you explain the transition from purring housecat to angry mountain lion in the flick of a tail?
Harry, I am a believer in the “Tortie Mottled Brain Cells” for non-descript Torties. I have Freedom, the big gray, now there is a Tortie in disguise. So Henry is exhibiting some of the Tortitude of the Torties, if is not surprising. His home life alone has taught him how to behave like a Tortie. Yes sir, he has a very good mentor on that one. Just keep the bandages at hand.
It’s Sabrina that’s the stealth tortie. Henry is a bowl of jello 😉
Harry that would be licorice jello for Henry? You may be onto something there.
I think my Frankie is a bowl of jello. And least he is big enough and shakes when he walks.
Every house needs a gentle get along with everyone cat. You have Henry, Bernie has DJ, Glen has Taz and I had Punky (hopefully Arian will take over his job.)
I am being watched by Dajudge from her kitty tower. She is such a pleasant Tortie. She is always squinting the kitty love look and smiling. Can’t helk but love those babies.
Something must have happened to the gene pool on Freedom’s side. DJ is her grand-daughter and a Tortie but is so gentle while Arian is also her grand-daughter and looks like a silver fluff ball but has a Tortie attitude. She has stood up to every cat in my house except for Stirfry.
Has anyone heard from Margaret or Betty lately? I have been reading about the terrible storms and fires down under.
Hey Bernie … I’ve just come back from a week away from work … and slowing catching up on what’s happening in Tortitude land! We had visitors from NZ for a few days – much to Gracie’s disgust. I think a Tortie is like having a “not welcome” mat! We haven’t had any issues with the fires apart from being able to smell smoke from time to time, and the storms left us mostly unscathed – part from a market umbrella outside which got blown inside out and was left leaning rather pathetically at the table! Hope everybody here is well. I have to get my home internet access sorted out so that I can keep up with everybody while I’m away!
Margaret, it is really good to hear from you. Good to hear you are not in the fire/storm area. Miss Gracie, as a Tortie, is most definitely not a welcome mat. Justice and Freedom are not pleasant to company. Dajudge and Liberty just smile and say come on in.
Thats a nice story of her adoption.
“Enjoy Auto, she will be a surprise for as long as she owns you and believe me, she does own you”
Yes, there is no doubt, I am owned by the Warrior Queen, Kasey 😉
My wife and I were at a Drs. appointment at the end of August last year. A young boy was in the waiting room with a very small kitten in a shoe box. His eyes were teared up and red. He has an allergy to cats so his Grandmother said he could not keep it. So “old softie” me said “we’ll take her home”. Since she was found in the parking lot under a car, I decided to name her “Auto”. My buddy calls her “The Terrorist”. She is a true ankle biter but a treat to have around. She keep us in stitches with her antics. She doesn’t care to be petted a lot but sure does let us know when she’s hungry or wants out to our screened patio. The vet said she was 5 weeks old at the most. I never heard of this strain of cat before a friend mentioned it to me today and I Googled it. Auto sure fits the discription to a “T”.
Auto definitely sounds like she’s all tortie, Chuck!
Chuck, hey there, welcome. My best Tortie was named Steeler. I also did not know anything about the Torties. I slowly learned. Sounds like Auto and Steeler had a lot in common. I often referred to Steeler as my little “Terrorist”. But I loved her to pieces.
Enjoy Auto, she will be a surprise for as long as she owns you and believe me, she does own you. 🙂
Chuck, this is how quite a few of us found this site. “What type of cat is this and why does she act so strange”. Ingrid, Bernadette and Harry are our cat experts here. They can explain why Torties are so different and so wonderful. I am owned by 2 at the present time. Styx is my sometimes gentle and friendly one and Stirfry is known as the true Tortie. She has a sign made up to show to be aware that their is a vicious cat in the house. You can see that and pctures of my animals on my FB page.
Look up [email protected]
Love the name Auto.
Welcome to our group.
Jay
Hey folks only 19 posts to go to hit 12,ooo. uh uh. I think a gift of Purrs of Wisdom would be a nice gift. Signed of course. Ingrid are you listening? 🙂
Make that 17
Ingrid – Get Ready !!!
🙂
Can anyone comment on typical kitten weights by age.
Tim is 8 months old now, and weighs about 9.7 pounds.
He is not fat, either.
He is also not slowing down or becoming mature in his activities, either; but I expect that from an orange boy. 😉
Glen, he being an orange boy, which is the equivalent to my gray tiger stripe, is going to be a big guy. Liberty is 12# and only going to be a year at the end of April, as close as the vet could tell. He is one big tall, long kitten. HE is also the most lovable kitten of all. So I am looking for a mini tiger around 15 to 20 #. I have no science to back this up, just having seen Jay’s Pumpkin, who was a very large orange guy and gentle as a soft summer breeze.
I agree with Bernie, most orange kitties I have seen are on the hefty size. Lots of exercise might help keep it down (Your Taz workout is Tim and my Frankie workout hopefully will be Arian). I will leave this to our experts – Bernadette, Ingrid and Harry. I am just owned by 5 lovable cats so am still in the learning stage.
I have learned – Don’t piss off a Tortie.
There’s really no such thing as a typical kitten weight, Glen. It depends on the frame. Is he tall? Most cats don’t mature (or stop growing completely) until they’re about 18 to 24 months old, so Tim has got a ways to go, orange boy or not. 😉
Quite tall, long legs, the back legs are longer than the front so he looks like he is going down hill 😉
His tail is long and thick, like a cougar’s, if he didn’t hold the tip in an upward curl, the tip would drag on the floor.
Since he’s tall, and he weighs close to 10 pounds now, I’m guessing that he’ll be somewhere around 12 to 14 pounds when he’s fully grown.
Glen he sounds about the size of Liberty. Liberty is so long and his tail is held high in the air. I expect him to keep growing. My friends think a saddle may be in order, he is getting so large. So maybe Tim and Liberty are both going to be the big guys in town.
🙂
There’s not much he won’t eat, either, kitten wet food, kitten dry food, the older cat’s food (if Kasey doesn’t contest it), dog food and unidentified stuff off the floor.
Glen you are lucky on the eating for Tim. Liberty is a at food + treats kitty. Then add whipped cream and ice cream. He can jump a good 10 feet across a room. 5 feet is all Liberty. 🙂
Favorite treats.
Here is one of Kasey’s fav.’s
http://bennybullys.com/index.php?c=62&p=47&t=60
None of the other cats like them, good thing, it avoids conflict.
The dogs would like to eat them, though there’s not a chance they can get close enough to 😉
Glen I priced those treats here in the lower states. They are going for about $4.30 a package. That is really steep when you have 4 kittens like I do. Believe me, they would all want that and I could see $200 a month in the blink of an eye. I am really happy to hear that only Kasey likes them, otherwise you might need to finance the ranch for treats. 🙂
Bernie, I have an order from at work for a new kitten.
Keep the light on, food out and the Vacancy sign lit 🙂
Well you just let whoever it is to know, there are probably going to be a couple of litters here in about 40 days, more or less. The loud mating noises that had been going on means more kittens. I wish I could just catch the females and get them spayed. Although if there is a tortie kitten I will let you all know.
Ingrid, I am still not receiving notification of post on this site. I have to come on to check out new or replied to posts. I don’t know why. Do you have any ideas on why this is happening?.
Bernie, that shouldn’t be happening anymore. Can you resubscribe to comments? Just check the box at the bottom. Let me know if it still happens after you do that.
Bernie, also check your e-mail settings. We just had updates to all versions of Windows over the past week and if you are using any Windows-based program for e-mail it may have changed your junk mail filter settings. If nothing else, add the e-mail for this post to your list of approved senders.
Ingrid and Bernadette, I have tried all that. I am still not getting the posts by email. I think if I unsubscribe then re-subscribe, that might fix it. Then again, I can’t find a way to do that since I don’t have any emails to be able to make that move.
This is strange. I think leprechauns have taken over my post from here. After all, March is tomorrow.
Well it was a thought, anyway. 🙂
Bernie, I just checked on the back end, and you’re not currently subscribed to receive notifications. Make sure you check the box at the bottom of the page. If that still doesn’t work, I’d try completely unsubcribing from The Conscious Cat, and then resubscribing, and rechecking the box.
Bernadette, Bernie uses an Apple laptop so the Windows problems don’t affect her.
I am trying to let her know when someone posts (like Harry the other day) but I am using a temporary laptop myself so things are slow.
I had this problem before and forget how I solved it.
Jay, Apple has regular updates that cause the same issues so it’s worth a look.
Don’t forget you also need to clear your email’s memory cache or it will keep certain settings.
I think the last time several people had this issue we unsuscribed, actually more than once, and eventually it was okay.
Bernadette, I have been unsubscribing and the site does not show as being subscribed to, however, as soon as I check back on this site my info is there and ready for comment. Even then I delete that and come back here and it is back on here. I just have to keep playing around with it, until I find what the problem/s is. Thanks for the info. If you can think of anything else, just let me know. I will give any of it a try or several as the case may be.
I just came here as it has been a very long time since I received any notifications of new messages. I thought everyone got stranded on an island somewhere and couldn’t post.
Scrolling through I realized there have been posts I just haven’t received any notifications. Has a solution been found yet?
Betty, it shows that you are subscribed to notifications for new messages. Did you check your spam folder?
Nothing from here in my spam folder. The only emails I am receiving are the ones you send with articles, give-aways, etc. None from in here.
Try doing what I told Bernie: completely unsubscribe from the site, and then resubscribe to both the daily e-mail updates and comments on this post. Unfortunately, nothing appears to be wrong behind the scenes, so I’m not sure what else to tell you.
Ingrid, I am with Betty. I still have to physically come onto the site to see what has posted. I am not getting the email notifications either. I can’t find the problem. I have unsubscribed, but my email and info still shows up on the site. Any suggestions?
Far too quiet here, recently. I’ve been very preoccuped with work, that other house, and rescue – and haven’t had much to say. I guess I need to poke Bernie or something to get conversation started.
Then again, what better to get folks talking than a discussion of cat poop… I’m taking Henry to the vet tomorrow, he’s clearly not feeling well and something’s not right. No changes in food or anything, so I fear he’s got some intestinal bug. Took a sample in today, but couldn’t get him an appointment until tomorrow. He’s not eating much and not making the litter box.
Harry, I have been trying ti find our folks here, I really hope that Henry just needs a good “flush”.
He has been through to much this past year.
I also want you all that read this to see that we are heading to the 12,000 posts on here. Harry once called us a gabby bunch, I think he may have something there.
We are getting close, aren’t we, Bernie!
Ingrid we are getting there. I could say very close but don’t want to jinx it. But I will tell you right now I will post and post just to see that number turn over. This is a great site and I will push/pull it over that mark if I have to. I know our tortie family will jump on here and do it instead. 🙂
We have to get all our little ones back to good health and instead of the sadness and worry of for them, we have to start telling our tales of them. Both the good and the ornery.
There has been to much sadness with our family here over the past year or so.
So all of you out there listen up. Harry needs your support for his babies. Get your fingers going and tell him. He has always come thru for all of us. Love you Harry and your wonderful family.
Glad everyone is doing better. I would be totally freaked out if something like this happened. I can see where I am after years of treating cats with various conditions–it used to seem so easy. I can see I am a long way from welcoming a new feline member to the household, and I’m so glad the kids are quite well.
I’m so sorry to hear about Henry. I hope he feels better quickly. Always such a worry when something is off.
Henry’s ebony feline fan club are purring for his wellness!
Thanks, Ingrid and Bernadette (and the fab 5). Whatever it is, it has spread to Pearl and Sabrina 🙁
Harry, I wish I could wave a wand and make it all better for the little ones and for all of you. Just know I am sending y’all my love and kitty hugs and purrs and there is a lot of that here for all of you.
Henry, Pearl and Sabrina are fighters and they will beat this bug. Just you wait and see.
Here for your family and that includes all the babies as well. <3<3
Back from the vet. Fecal was negative for parasites, though we’re also doing PCR in case something was missed. Henry has some diarrhea meds, some painkillers, and something we’ve used before to treat IBD. We’ll also be giving the diarrhea and IBD meds to the other two. She said everything really otherwise seemed ok and she thought we’d just brought a virus home that would pass.
Sure sounds like a virus to me since Pearl and Sabrina seem to have a touch of the same thing. Sending lots of healing energy to all of you for a quick recovery. I know it’s so distressing when this happens.
Harry I know how you feel when the answers aren’t clear about the little ones. I agree with your Dr. and Ingrid. It may be a virus they picked up. It is hard to say where the virus came from, but I would not say “you brought it home”. Perhaps something in the food was the factor. Maybe? I know it will drive you nuts until they are all better, but they will be better. They are our babies, and as we all know, when one gets sick, the others join in. So here’s hoping for a quick recovery for all of you, not just the babies.
Harry, how are our kitties doing today ?
Harry, do you have an update on the babies. Are they showing signs of improvement or is it to soon to tell?
I was wondering if one of the cat foods could have caused this? It is worrisome. I would really like to know if they could pin down just what it is caused by.
Take care all.
Sorry, all – spent most of last night cleaning… and to make matters worse, Brooke got access to the upstairs litter box and did I mention she’s a stand up pee’er? Henry ate well this morning and seems much more himself. They all seem to have forgiven me for last night’s meds. The anti diahrrea stuff they’re not going to get much of, though -grey clay stuff that even a 1/4 tsp in their food turns it grey. Anything’s possible, Bernie, though they all eat the same food and Brooke, Vickie and Piper don’t seem affected.
So far that sounds pretty good Harry. Keep us posted.
Harry has the virus? condition cleared up yet on the little ones? Do you have any good news for us?
I was thinking that you have not given an update on them lately? 🙂
We were actually in Baltimore over the weekend, but by the time we left, everyone seemed back to normal – hungry, and no remaining issues. After struggling to get the medicines into them Thursday and Friday, I decided by Saturday morning that things were normal enough to discontinue, since everyone appears to have recovered.
With help like that he is sure to get well. Black cats ARE good luck.
I have a 7 years old tortie called Shigure and she definitely has a tortitude, especially compared to her tabby sister Ayame. I love her to bits. She is going to undergo a bladder surgery tomorrow, so if you have a spare moment, please give her a thought.
All my best to Shigure tomorrow, Anna. Let us know how she’s doing.
Thank you! She is reasonably well today, but understandably still not herself. I suppose it will take much longer for her to completely recover – after all, she is no kitten anymore.
Its always tough on us when they go in for a procedure.
All the best for tomorrow.
Thank you so much!
Anna I hope that Shigure is going to be ok. I will be thinking of you and the little one. <3
Thank you ever so much! 🙂
Anna, I just looked up the name “Shigure” and what I found was a rough translation from Japanese meaning “Autumn Rain”. How perfect for a tortie, and what a lovely concept! I thought at first it was a variant spelling on the name of the hired killer in “No Country for Old Men” since that’s how his name was pronounced, but that would be going a little too far in a comparison of tortitude. I hope she does well today.
Bernadette, you didn’t consider Kasey, Brooke or Stirfry when comparing a hired killer to a Tortie did you?
Jay, not that particular hired killer, not even them.
Ahaha, no no – you got it right, it is indeed “autumn rain”. I am a japanologist, so I always end up giving our cats Japanesen names. Shigure’s tabby sister is Ayame, meaning “iris”. 🙂
Oh, and Shigure is better indeed. She looked really down when I came home – she was lying on my wife’s knees, all floppy and ragdollish, but then we got our dinner – smoked herring – and she was suddenly SO lively! It was priceless. 😀
(We didn’t give her any, of course, so she went sullenly to her own bowl, ate her own food, then departed for the toilet and now she has confiscated our bed. Talk about tortitude!)
Hope she is well, Anna.
Thank you, she is relatively well. The bladder surgery went fine, but she is still recovering: mostly sleeping or trying to lick herself through her post-op gown (not much luck there). At least she’s eating well and her urinary tract seem to be working okay, too. But I guess she’s still a tad uncomfortable and harbours a bit of a grudge because of the antibiotics we are feeding her.
It sounds like she’s recovering well, Anna. So glad to hear it.
Well, most of you know the music group Three Dog Night and how they got their name. Well here in Ephrata it is 21 degrees with 32 mph wind gusts and wind chill of 4 degrees. And now we can say it’s a Three Cat Night as Stirfry, Styx and Frankie are on the bed. Maybe having the electric blanket on might have something to do with it. 🙂
Arian has decided to be a one person cat as she has hidden upstair ever since Bernie has gotten here early Sat morning (2am).
You would think that being taken in by Bernie that she would at least say Hi.
Arian has been upstairs but Bernie was able to pet then pick her up since I last wrote this. She has played with Frankies tail and run from Styx. She still has not interacted with Stir (smart move)
Arian has become even more gorgeous as her fur comes in. She is a very light shade of silver gray.
When she looks up at you with those big round eyes, you just melt. Then just pick her up and you have to hold on, because there is not much kitten there.
She has started to interact with Frankie and Styx. She initiates play time with them. It looks like Jay has found the right kitten to be a playmate for Frankie and then Styx. I would say he is great at kitten talking.
Big orange guys; slow to grow up?
I have heard that Maine Coons don’t stop growing until approx. age 3.
While Taz is not a Maine Coon, he is as big as one, and didn’t stop physically growing until he was about 3.
Tim is already the size of an adult and he is about 8 months old, it is too early to say if he will be like Taz.
One thing about both, it seems perhaps big orange boys raised as indoor cats don’t mature mentally very fast.
Both Taz and Tim appear to have excellent intelligence levels, but Taz played “young” for quite a while. Tim plays more like a 12 week old, at this point.
Together, they scuffle like kittens, in spite of the huge age difference, Taz often initiates it, too.
They do know not to try to involve the “Warrior Queen” though, in Kasey’s world, fights are not play, they will be nasty and short, with her in possession of the space, when it is done.
Orange guys always seem to be growing and never growing up.
Punky was 12 and loved to play with Frankie. But Punky was a lot smarter as he knew not to bother Stirfry. Frank chases shadows and takes on Stir. While Stirfry is a lot older and prefers not to socialize with anyone she will fight back.
I am hoping that Arian will be like Tim is with Taz and give Frankie someone to play with and give him the exercise he needs.
Some cats are just big, but if you see a full breed Maine Coon cat you’ll see a difference between a “big cat” and that breed–when I first saw them at a cat show they looked unreal, and for all their weight they are slender-muscular under all that shaggy fur. I saw a 26-pound male at one of the cat shows and if I didn’t know he was a domestic cat I’d think twice! I’ve never had the pleasure to paint one, but I’ve met many since then.
My Allegro was the only rescue orange boy to stay with me and he’s been gone since 1997, but he still fits the orange boy profile. He wasn’t heavy but he was “rangy” with long legs and tail, and I really never thought he’d stop growing taller. But he would stop walking in the middle of the room because he’d used up all his brain capacity to get that far and had to wait for his brain cells to recharge. I could amuse him by drawing a little line in marker on a piece of paper and setting it on the floor or on the corner of my drawing table and he’d spend 15 or 20 minutes trying to pick it up.
And my “warrior queen” was then the lovely and elegant Sally, who was pure white and deaf and playful and friendly but could decide to swat your face and run over you at any time. Her unpredictability was key to her leadership success. Yet Allegro would walk right up to her and stick his nose in her ear and risk her reaction. I don’t think memories stayed in his head long enough.
My Frankie has a lot in common with Allegro. I so loved your story of him and his reactions of walking across the floor. As I have said, such wonderful memories they have given us. Gone but definately not forgotten.
I can vouch for Frankie’s IQ. He is just a lovable kitten. He really could not be called “intelligent” by any scale. He makes up for his lack of brain cells by being a big lovable kitten who would not hurt a flea. Like Jay said, he even takes on Stirfry without realizing Stirfry doesn’t play nice.
I can vouch for Frankie and his intellect. He is not the brightest bulb on the tree, but he does make up for it, by being the most lovable kitten ever. He thinks he can take on Stirfry and win. Once and you would think he would know not to do that again, but not Frankie. He takes her on without warning and then runs like the wind. But you can’t help but love the big guy.
I I am new to this website. I just had a terrible experience this week with my tortie. Actually, I didn’t really know she was a tortie until I started doing research. I was doing the research because she ran out the front door on Sunday I was so depressed all week all I could do was call her all day Monday and evening and filled out lost pet report on the Internet.I even did an amber pet alert. Finally got the flyers out on Thursday. I was sitting in their garage Thursday night and thought I heard a meow. I ran up the stairs opened front door and yelled Goldie!!!! I heard a loud meow coming from the other side of the neighbors house and called again. Here she came running and answering every yell for her with such a loud meow which I’ve never heard from her before. I was so sure she was lost forever. after all she didn’t know the area there were so many would around their house I was sure she’d never find her way home. boy was I wrong. She came running to that front door Depth and jumped in the bed we have been sleeping together Since we’ve been here. All the things you guys have talked about with the love from them I also have experience with her DePaul upon the face, Grabbing both of my hands and making sure both hands are rubbing her at the same time I have not experienced that kind of joy In a very very long time. Thank you all for letting me read all of you’re posts.Nancy
Oh my goodness, Nancy, what a horrible experience! I’m so glad Goldie is back with you! Feel free to post photos of her on our Facebook page, we’d love to see her!
Nancy, I had a similar experience with Mocha. I give her a lot of freedom, and sometimes she would be gone for 24 hours, then she would appear. Soon, that 24 hours started turning into a couple of days, then it turned into a week.
For that week I got very depressed, and I put the flyers up in the neighborhood. I had a feeling that someone else was caring for her. Sure enough, and thankfully, I get a call from a whacky neighbor on the next street who cares for all kinds of whatever comes to her door, including racoons. She had even renamed Mocha “Fanny Mae”…(why after a screwed up mortgage agency I will never know), and she told me that she had visited for years, and would love to own her, and was spoiling her with tuna. She asked me if she could share Mocha with me….(NO).
Now, I make sure that I give Mocha a lot of attention, I limit her freedom, (no more out all night), I make sure she is fed before I let her out…and I spoil her with great treats…like Tuna!
Nancy I am delighted to hear that Goldie came home. That is a terrifying experience. I had experienced that not so long ago. Two of mine got out. I was near hysteria. I was fortunate to find both of them and get them home safely. So I know the terrible fear you felt. Hopefully you will never have to experience that again. I know I never want to feel that awful feeling again.
You’ve got the “tortitude” right!
About 5 years ago, we found a tortie kitten in a parking lot starved, more flea than cat, with a belly filled to the brim with worms and extremely dirty. We nursed her back to health, and let me tell you she is crazy. She’ll go from zonked out on the couch to chasing invisible monsters then back to being zonked on the couch with zero warning. She’s stubborn and definitely makes her wishes known and doesn’t stop making her wishes known until you make them come true. She’s latched onto my father and almost never leaves his side. She hears his car pull into the driveway and goes to wait by the door for him. She’s gone from a tiny, starved kitten who was barely strong enough to meow to a fat, sassy teenager. Basically she’s a brat, but she’s cute and we love her. She will have a family besides our own and will never again need to worry about food. We named her Yasha. It means “she devil” in Japanese and she’s living up to it!
These are when we first got her:
http://i48.tinypic.com/rv8qd2.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/295zlus.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/30adoqh.jpg
This was her a couple months ago on Christmas, helping with presents 😀
http://i47.tinypic.com/2eowksn.jpg
*She will NEVER have a family besides our own…..
Oops!
Oh my goodness, Jennifer, Yasha is adorable! I love the stripe down her nose. And “brat” is a purr-fect word for torties, isn’t it!
Yasha is a perfect name for a tortie.
Everyone knows how Stirfry got her name and Styx was named after the Goddess Styx who ruled over the river Styx. Arian (not a tortie but has 2 cousins who are and has tortie blood in her)was named for the Goddess Arianrhod. So she devil is a fantastic name when describing a tortie.
Jennifer, Yasha is a awesome name for a Tortie. I know you will have many happy and unexpected antics with her. She is one beautiful Tortie.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone from Stirfry, Frankie, Tabatha, Styx, Arian, Justice, Liberty, Freedom, Dajudge, Jay and Bernie.
Better add the barn critters. Happy Valentine’s Day from Nutmeg, Buell, and Harley.
I think that pretty much covers it. 🙂
Glen — so sorry about Morgan 🙁
My laptop died (will not hook to the internet) 4 days ago and I am on one Bernie brought dow for me to use) so I am catching up on things. Did something happen to Morgan? Hope not. She is Glen’s senior kitty and the sanest one in the house. Tim is too young, Taz ( too much like my Frankie and more interested in food) and Kasey is a TORTIE and we know sanity is has nothing to do with them.
I wish I had better news. but Morgan’s condition became worse last week and after a phone consultation with the vet and some serious thought, the decision was made to take her in last Wednesday morning.
She had lost 40% of her weight over the past 3 to 4 months, would not eat solid food at all and would no longer lick up the juice we make for her, very well.
We were out of options and dehydration/starvation from not being able to eat was no way for things to end.
She was almost 14, and we can take some consolation in that she had a very good life for a small kitten someone tossed out of a car 13+ years ago; she will be missed very much.
So sorry to hear this Glen. I had hoped that she was getting better.
Morgan is now with Steeler, Cookie, Kelly, May, Sara (my Mom’s dilute tortie) and Punky.
They are playing and waiting just over the bridge.
But for now they are all greatly missed. But we gave them the best of lives and they gave us unconditional love and great memories.
RIP Morgan.
I have nothing to add more eloquent than what Jay said. I’m sorry, Glen.
Glen my heart goes out to you and yours. Losing Morgan is very hard for everyone and all the kittens in your home. Other kittens, I believe feel the loss as you do. You gave her a wonderful home and loads of love.
The other side that is, Jay and I spoke of was how when I, Jay, and now you were about to lost a kitten, whether known or unknown to us, a new kitten would show up. That seems to be a plan within the kittens world.
Thanks for the info, my daughter showed me this site.
My Tortie with tude has owned me now for 9 years. She found me out in the middle of nowhere when she was about 3 months old in a very rural are when I was working on a well pump. She wouldn’t leave me alone. She still won’t leave me alone. She is on my lap purring away as I type this. She sleeps on me every night, when I roll over she navigates with me to assume the new position. She has a stare that spooks my family members.
I love this cat so much. My family members know which human belongs to this cat.
Your tortie sounds wonderful, Nick. I wonder whether anyone has ever done any studies of whether a disproportionate number of torties, as compared to cats of other colors, are “one person” cats.
I can say that Stirfry is a 1 person cat (and wants it to be a 1 cat household) and I know Steeler was a 1 person cat (she world let me pet her but she was definitely Bernie’s kitty)
I think from over the years on here that a lot of the Torties are very possessive.
Now there’s a tail of true love! Nick, I want to know more about that stare.
Now that is love at first sight. You are so lucky and so is your little one. Loving our cats is something that just happens. How could we Not?
I have known Kasey, my tortie, since she was less than a year old.
She was to one of our companies gas plants, by the time she was around 8 years old in 2008. she was no longer being treated well there and I brought her home.
She has “the Stare” and often will just sit close by where she can see me, I know the feeling, there is no doubt that I belong to her.
I forgot to mention, her name is “Mocha”. About the stare. It is a cross between a pleading and an inquisitive look, and yes Glen, she almost constantly has her eyes on me when I am in the room.
She is not a one person cat all of the time, this morning I found her sleeping with one of my daughters, occasionally she is with my other daughter. She makes the rounds, but when she sleeps with me, she sleeps on me. Many times she will be on my back, purring in my ear, her paw reaching out and actually caressing my head. Very strange.
Do any of you notice the “caress” or reaching out with one of the paws?
Mocha is such a perfect name for a tortie!
Amber used to do the reaching out with the paw thing a lot. She was a very quiet, almost shy, cat, and I think it was her way of asking for affection. Allegra and Ruby aren’t nearly as shy about it and more “in your face” – often literally.
By the way, feel free to post a photo of Mocha on our Facebook page, Nick – we’d love to see her.
Nick, my tortie Cookie used to sit on my lap and gaze up at me with an adoring look and purring, then reach up and softly touch my cheek, or sit up and put her paws against my chest and reach way up to give me a nose tap. I live by myself, but she loved everyone who came to visit. I always felt she was thanking me for rescuing her, as Mocha may be as well.
I wish I would get that caress or nose taps from Stir but instead I get head rubs against my hand. I do get hard slaps and bites (only cat I am glad does not have claws). er bites almost never break the skin and the slaps are hard enough to bruise. That is her way of playing and Bernie has learned to play “Stirfry style” back with her.
I do get a “Stare” from her but that look is more like a cat looking at a fat mouse.
Stirfry’s stare is scary and all the other kitties get out of her way if she looks at them like that. Frankie has been taking her on (guess him being the only male in a family of 5 cats make him feel outnumbered) but he will run from little Arian.
Glen, you and Kasey were the first ones I thought of when Nick introduced himself.
“Do any of you notice the “caress” or reaching out with one of the paws?”
Kasey does this, my big orange guy, Taz, does it a lot.
Hi there … yes the “tortie caress”. Gracie does it occasionally – sometimes during the night she will come and wake me for a cuddle (who can get cross at that?) and when she is snuggling in she will wrap her little paw over my arm. She then sometimes stretches up and gives my face a little caress. It’s so beautiful. As she gets older she is definitely mellowing.
Glen,Steeler would do that to me often. I even have pictures of her doing that to me. The memories she left me with, will forever be burned onto my heart. All my newbies are beginning to come into their own. So hopefully they will do that too.
Margaret where is that heat you were going to try to send? We won’t have any lizards (ugh) little ones, if this weather keeps up. Hope you are doing well and that little one keeps you momma busy.
Hi … I have been blowing and blowing with all my might, but this darned heat just isn’t going anywhere. It’s going to be really humid this week as well. I know you guys are having a really bad cold spell – I’ve been following the news on TV. Miss Gracie far prefers it to be cool – mind you, she has lots of shade for her outside excursions (only during daylight hours!) … and she is into the routine of going out around 8am and coming back in around 2, 3 or 4pm, depending on her mood. She then goes to bed for a nap. Luckily she doesn’t venture very far outside now that our neighbour has blocked up her vantage point into his roof! We always knew where she was, but there was no way to get her down until SHE was ready. These days she’s normally in our garage sitting on my dusty treadmill (!) or snoozing under one of the trees in the backyard.
Margaret I am patiently awaiting that warm heat being sent out way. Gracie doesn’t need those high temps all the time. We could use a few of those days, maybe not in the 90’s but the high 50’s would be nice.
Margaret, please try harder sending that heat wave this way. I am so tired of this cold weather and my animals want the grass to start growing.
Hi there Jay … epic fail on my part with the weather, huh. And people here keep telling me I am full of hot air! Thankfully the hot weather broke overnight and Melbourne has woken to a cool, showery morning. It’s going to heat up again at the weekend so it’s a brief respite but a welcome one. Hope everyone here is well, albeit cold!
Hey Bernie – your last post isn’t showing up on the site for me … huh, that’s just the way today is going. It’s still hot. I woke up this morning with a stiff neck after falling asleep with the fan going above my bed so I’m walking around the office looking like I have a plank of wood down my back and I have a heat pack on (and it’s about 90 degrees outside). Gee, I hope it warms up for you guys soon. There’s no arguing with Mother Nature, is there.
I put up another video of Frankie going at Stirfry. I was on the phone with Bernie and saw Frankie jump up. I had my camera ready (Bernadette taught me that) Frankie had that look in his eye and he went towards Stir. Stir hissed and swatted him but he kept on coming. Well soon the fur was flying and Bernie was asking what was going on because the growls were really scaring her kitties 200 miles away. I would say Frank won that battle but after I turned the camera off he walked away talking to himself. I turned the camera on as he jumped onto the back of the bed still talking. I think one of Stir’s paws had gotten thru and rattled his brain. I never really want to get in the middle of a fight especially when Stir is involved. She goes beserk and attacks anything that touches her. I got some really bad scratches and bites a few years ago when I tried to protect Punky.
I have a lot of catching up to do here!!
Catching more kitties ?
Still have that Cat Vacancy sign on? 🙂
No vacancy sign out. However free meal for hungry kittens, anytime.
I have put up a few new video’s on my FB page
[email protected]
Arian meeting Stirfry, Styx and Frankie and a Tortie fight between Styx and Stirfry.
You folks need to look at Jay’s FB page. Stirfry is still Stirfry. Heaven help the rest of the world.
Arian is getting to explore the house and interact with everyone. She seems to want to play with Frankie but kitten play is chasing and jumping. Frankie is running from a ball of fur that is the same size of hairballs he has coughed up. So far Arian has chased Styx and Frankie and stared down Stir (luckily she did not get within paws reach). But Arian has Tortie blood in her (her mom and grandma had Torties) so fearlessness comes easy to her.
And Frankie needs the exercise.
Arian is not afraid of anything. Before Jay took that little furry baby home I had her crated in the dog kennel in the middle of my living room. She hissed and spit at each of the other cats, but she showed no fear. She is just so adorable. She fits right in with Jay’s family.
I would hope she will have Frankie Running and jumping and playing with her, as kittens should, before to long. First he has to figure out who or what it is. 🙂
I went out to make myself dinner and saw 3 cats on my bed. Styx, Stirfry and Frankie all sleeping. I called for Arian but did not see her. As soon as I opened the fridge door I looked over and there was Arian coming out of the bedroom. She went to her cage and looked in and saw no wet food then looked up at me as to say “Dad, what’s wrong with this picture”. So I decided to get her a small plate of the canned cat chow. As I was doing it Frankie came out, so I put a little on another plate as he really doesn’t need any extra calories but who can resist that cute face. As I put his down he started to eat and didn’t Arian come out, see him eating and just go over and take over. He backed away and sat down. I then gave him the plate I had made for her. Styx came out and she got a plate before she tried to challenge Arian for hers.
It won’t be long before Arian will have Frankie eating beside her like he and Punky did after he came in. Right now he is still transitioning to not being the new kitten anymore. Not to mention he is the most timid and loving kitten ever and Arian will take advantage of him.
I have a question…I have a torti that I got for mothers day last year and she is very possessive of me, but I’m wanting to bring two kittens into our home. How do I go about making it easy on her, going from just me and her to me her and the two new kittens ?
If your tortie is very possessive of you, adding other cats to your family may be challening. If you’re going to try it, go very slowly with the introductions. Here are two articles that should help:
Cat to Cat Introductions https://ingridking.com/2011/08/15/cat-to-cat-introductions/
Introducing a Kitten to Your Older Cat https://ingridking.com/2012/07/10/introducing-a-kitten-to-your-older-cat/
Good luck Barbara and welcome to the group.
Some Torties are very possessive and don’t accept others willingly (Steeler not at all, my Stirfry will let them live as long as there are a few feet away) I put my new ones in a kennel or dog crate so the other can see and smell them. Within a week they get supervised freedom. So far so good.
Follow Ingrid’s advice. Bringing in any number of kittens to a one only is not just something to do overnight. I put mine in different rooms while the in house gets to wonder around and get used to the smell and noise. It worked for me. I now have 4.
Thank y’all so much for the advise. Ingrid the articles did give me a better idea t of how to do it. Thank you and is nice to be apart of the group Jay that may help too. Thank you too Bernie. Do any of you think it would be god to get the two new ones spayed frst.
I’d have the kittens spayed/neutered before you even bring them home. It’s not a requirement, but since surgery is stressful, you’re not going to want to add that stress in the middle of an introduction period. Others may have different opinions.
I can’t say one way or the other. I rescued 3 kittens to young for spaying and way to small. I also rescued the Momma to 2 of them (all feral) had her spayed 2 days later. She was not very nice to the kittens especially her son Liberty. Times have changed, they now groom each other, but she is still the one to initiate an touching, both by me and the other kittens. I should add Justice is a Tortie, her daughter and I have Dajudge who is her granddaughter and all Tortie. Not long ago, a few weeks only, I caught another of her daugher’s offspring. Jay laid claim to her immediately. She is not a Tortie, but she show her Tortie blood. 🙂
Hi, I’m Owen and I asked my mom what kind of cat we have. She told me to go to this web site and and found out a lot of things about my cat. Her name is Annie. She’s a black and white Tortie and she exactly how you said. She is very tough at times but when she’s with me she so attached. She will follow me every where I go and lay with me in bed. She also cries so much when I’m gone. My mom said we have had her for about 10 year now. It said that makes her 56 in cat year. I never knew she was that old.
Annie sounds like a wonderful cat, Owen. Feel free to post a photo of her on our Facebook page if it’s okay with your mom.
Welcome Owen, I would love to see pics of Annie.
Sounds like she might be like my Tabatha (a Tortie with white).
Sounds like you have a great little one there. 10 years and she will give you many more years of happiness.
3:00AM Wake Up
Kasey can be a noisy groomer, the sounds are loud and unusual, to say the lease.
I was woken up at 3:00 this morning, I came to a sudden, fully awake state because it sounded like a cat was throwing up, on the bed, near my ankles.
It was Kasey.
She looked at me as if to say”What?”
Turns out it was just an vigorous grooming session.
Got my attention, though, for a bit.
I have woken up to Stir coughing up a hair ball.
Hard to get back to sleep after that.
Julie: Henry’s throwing up.
Me: Uh huh.
Julie: Aren’t you going to do something about it?
Me: I’m waiting for his head to spin around.
Now I would not be surprised if Brooke’s head spun around.
We all know Torties are possessed. 🙂
Too funny! Sweet little Kelly made some really disgusting noises as she bathed, all her life. It was so unlike her meticulous little personality, but a belly wash guaranteed a few kitty raspberries.
Great advance for Morgan. Hope she keeps getting better.
We found something that helps Morgan to feel a bit better.
We noticed that she likes food with juice in it but mainly licks up the juice.
You take the food and add a bit of water and run it in a little blender, the result is s mix the consistency of chocolate milk.
This gets licked up very quickly and she asks fr it, she has become more active.
Glen, that’s wonderful! I’m so glad you found a way to feed her. I wish I’d mentioned it to you, though I haven’t done that in years and forgot. It’s much better than resorting to baby food, since that isn’t a complete diet for a cat, but it’s nearly the same consistency. I have a little mini-chopper, holds a half-cup, that was perfect for that when I had four seniors in their last year. That little thing was going all the time, but it’s amazing how they’ll do with it.
You can often add medications to it if they don’t have too strong a flavor.
Best fishes to Morgan.
Great news.
Cat food smoothie.
That is awesome news, Glen. I always keep a couple of jars of baby food in the house for emergencies, but this is a much better solution. Except for Jay’s unpleasant image.
That’s great that you found a way to get her to eat more. The extra moisture is good for her, too.
I wish I had better news. but Morgan’s condition has gotten worse and after a phone consultation with the vet and some serious thought, the decision was made to take her in tomorrow morning.
She has lost 40% of her weight over the past 3 to 4 months, will not eat solid food at all and does not lick up the juice we make for her, very well.
We are out of options and dehydration/starvation from not being able to eat is no way for things to end.
She is almost 14, and we can take some consolation in that she has had a very good life for a small kitten someone tossed out of a car; she will be missed very much.
So sorry to hear, Glen. When they rally then fall like that it’s usually because they’ve done their best and just can’t any more. She did her best for you and you know she is grateful for everything. I’m sure we’ll all be thinking of you as you spend your last night with her.
Glen, I’m so sorry to read about Morgan. Take comfort in your last hours with her knowing that you gave her a good, loving home and the best treatment possible. She will know how loved she is.
I can’t add much to what Margaret, Bernadette and the others have said, Glen. I’m so sorry.
I’m so sorry, Glen. I’ll be thinking about all of you this morning. This is so hard.
Thanks, everyone.
In the past week, we were running out of things she would eat, her interest in eating even the few things such as the blended food declined.
I think that basically her system could no longer process food properly and the discomfort made eating an ordeal. She had lost sufficient weight that it was a problem.
She know she was loved and we carried on with routine things and made her as comfortable as we could. She knew she was loved, at least she isn’t hurting any more but she will be missed.
Hey where the heck are all of you? I am getting lonely on here.
Well anyway, this PM and evening the weather and roads are treacherous with snow/sleet/ice. So I had to go shopping. The kittens were on their last packet of kitty treats and in this house that means they will raise holy hell (sorry Ingrid). So I spent $37.00 on the kittens. For myself, I spent $2.00 for 10 packs of ramen noodles and $8.00 for coffee. So you see my little ones come first. All I need to have is my coffee. Jay does the same thing. He will spend his last dollar for the kittens and eat a hotdog for the day. I hope he writes to you all about Arian. Arian is an angora russian blue. She should be about 3# by now. He is so totally wrapped around that little one’s tail. She got him good. Do not make the assumption that Stirfry is second, no way, she is still his top Tortie and first in all things. I can’t wait to see little Arian.
Now come on folks I can’t be one of the few that has Harry once said, we have a lot of yappers on here so where are you all?
Busy with college, but I still read almost everything 🙂
Looking forward to hearing more about Arian. Never heard of a Angora Russian Blue! But we think that Pearl is a Turkish Angora.
Hey Rachel is awake and reading. Glad to hear from you. 🙂 Yes I did not call the type to Arian. Dr. Beam and Dr. Lint my vets, called her that. She is just so adorable. My Freedom is her granny and is she is a russian blue and this kitten’s momma, was a kitten to Freedom and is the exact image of Freedom. I had truly hoped to trap her and take care of her, but so far she has not been seen.
Rachel by the I never heard of a russian blue until Dr. Beam told me. I know black, orange, tri-colored , get where I am going. The most wonderful of all cats to me is Steeler. Justice and Dajudge are fantastic and I love them no less than Steeler, but they have awful big paws to fill. 🙂 I also would not part with any one of my current 4.
Hey, Bernie! I’ve just read your post. I’ve been busier than a lizard drinking water in the desert the last few days (now there’s a good Aussie-ism for you). I know what you mean about spending dollars on the kittens before you look after yourself. I am often guilty of that too. Not that I feel guilty about it! It’s funny – often strangers strike up conversations with me in the pet food section of the supermarket about the amount of time we spend choosing food for our little ones. The rest of the shopping takes 2 minutes – cat food selection takes at least 28 minutes! Hope your weather gets a little milder over there. We’re going for a top of 98 degrees farenheit today. Arian sounds gorgeous and I love the name. Hope everybody here is well. Keep the posts rolling in!
Margaret, hey now, “busier than a lizard drinking water in the desert the last few days ” love it.l
I know what you mean in the pet department. I strike up conversations with anyone in the aisle.
Some of the best conversations about how they came to have the cat/kitten are very good. The majority of people have more than one and most of them, were rescued by them.
Arian is magnificent.
Please send up some warm weather.
Love the Aussie-ism, Margaret! And I’m with you on the amount of time spent shopping (as well as the research that goes into it before we even hit the store!) on cat food and supplies vs. our own!
And now you’ll have to excuse me while I go dream of temperatures in the 90’s… sigh. I can’t wait!
I consider your spending ratio of kittens vs. human normal, Bernie, and I bet everyone else here does, too! 🙂
I really did think of posting yesterday asking about the latest little one then got sidetracked. Darn Facebook games!!!
So glad to hear she is doing well and has her daddy wrapped around her little paw…lol
Same old same old here, Columbia in true tortie form as she just nipped me while giving her lovies. She is pouting now as when she nips no more lovies for a bit as I am trying to show her that it is naughty to bite mommy. She also had my hubby upset yesterday as out of the blue she decided she was going to hiss at him. No clue why as shortly after she went to him for scratchies. Like I said, in true tortie form.
Glen, what is the latest with Morgan ?
Hope she is doing well.
Morgan has had some good days, lately, for her.
She is responsive and is upstairs and in the basement, frequently, checking things out.
She is asking for food and sometimes enjoys the sun room.
She is eating some food and I give her GNC Ultra Mega High Calorie Booster (for cats), periodically.
She will chase a string and likes to be combed.
That’s great Glen. Hopefully she will have many good days ahead of her!
Glen, I know how you are feeling. Sadly a number of us on here do. All I will say is enjoy Morgan every day. Give her all the love you have in you and she will reward you. All that really matters is that she is loved and wanted. Hugs for all.
It sounds like she’s doing really well – so happy to hear this.
So happy to hear this. Like Bernie said, our little ones are with us for such a short time (I don’t want a turtle or bird that will out live me though) but like a lot on here our kits were feral or throwaways and we have made their lives so much better. She has a great life with you and I will keep sending healing thoughts for her. Morgan is so lucky to have you (not sure what she did to deserve Kasey though.
Last night when I came home I put food in Stir’s food dish and the double dish that has Tabatha and Pumpkin on it. Well Stir was sitting on the dry sink and saw this and jumped down to eat from that dish. Frankie always was 1st at that dish but when Stir got there he went over to within 2 feet and looked at Stir. Then he looked at me and back to Stir. His look was saying “Dad, I’m hungry and Stir won’t let me in” He walked away to wait till she was done. Then Styx came over to the dish, looked at Stir and walked away. Finally when Stir was finished and went back to the bedroom, Frankie and Styx ate side by side.. There is no doubt who rules this house.
I am afraid we will soon have to make a difficult decision with Morgan, our tuxie girl.
She has never been a robust cat, like Taz or Kasey and is approaching 14 years of age and the pancretitis has been tough on her.
She has been vetted for it but aside from special foods, there is not a lot that can be done; especially because she has always been funny about what she will eat, and will not eat any of the prescription foods.
The best we can do right now is feed her as much of what she will eat, keep and keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn’t suffer.
One thing is, she has had a good life, for a small kitten that was tossed from a car and then rescued 14 years ago, this spring.
I’m so sorry to hear Morgan is having such a tough time, Glen. Pancreatitis can be very challenging to treat. She is having the best life with you, and I know you’ll do everything you can to keep her comfortable.
Thanks, Ingrid
She is having a bit better day, today.
We did get her to eat this morning, and she has been asking for food.
The vet said she would go through “wax and wane” periods, so all we can do is take care of her as best we can and keep an eye out for any drastic changes.
Glen, I am sorry to hear about Morgan. I had hoped not hearing anything about her was good. Then comes the news of her not responding as well as we hoped. She had been given the best home any kitten could have. Kasey, for sure, has given her an unusually surprising life. My best thoughts are with her and of course your family. I have no doubt, you will do what is best for her.
I find one of the hardest things is not being able to explain to them that you’re doing everything that you can for them. I remember visiting May in intensive care last summer, as she was hooked up to tubes, and wondering if she knew why we were trying to do this to her. At least, when they’re home, surrounded by love, I think that they know that they’re loved and they trust you to take the best care that you can. Cats are much wiser than we are, and I’m sure Morgan knows how much you care.
Glen, a long slow process is sometimes the hardest, trying to guess what they need and what they are trying to tell you, and only hoping that you are doing right by them, but no matter what you do short of actual neglect or abuse they love you. And they really will let you know when it’s time for them to let go, and if they need help with it.
I just walked a friend through two months of treating her cat for pancreatitis only to lose him in the end.
I’m also coming on the first anniversary of losing Cookie.
In each of my losses I’ve never felt I’d done all I could, but I’ve also come to understand that there is no such condition, only having done as much as I was able to.
Just get her food she likes and some baby food if she’ll eat that, see if you can get her a reflux reducer and possibly an appetite enhancer and make sure she’s hydrated. And just spend time with her. She thanks you for the life you gave her.
Bernie, Harry, Bernadette
Thanks for your posts.
She is having a good day, today, we’ll make each one of those count.
Hi Glen. Just wanted to check in on Morgan. I hope she is doing OK. Pancreatitis is a terrible thing – our last female cat had it and we nursed her along for a long time. If Morgan won’t eat the special food it makes life a lot harder. It is good to know that she is so loved and has such a good home with you.
She is doing a bit better, please see my answer to Jay’s post, below.
My tortie’s name is “ollie” she isn’t a very friendly cat, she sits on my husbands lap but never mine….do they like males better than females? pickey about what she eats. Such a good girl and has never messed up my furniture.
I don’t think torties have a preference of males vs. females, Pam. I think that’s probably just an individual personality trait for each cat, regardless of coat color, and may have something to do with the cat’s past history.
With Kasey, she doesn’t have any preferences, she doesn’t like any other cats equally 😉
She is very friendly with people, loves a attention and as an 8 year old rescue in May 2008 from a compressor facility, adapted instantly to a home setting as in indoor cat.
Wow, check out this picture, very nice!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151351155294020&set=o.58092011935&type=3&theater
She is stunning, isn’t she?
Hi all, I am going to Bernie’s this weekend to pick up my new addition.
I showed a friend at work the picture of the new cat and he mentioned Fizzgig from Dark Crystal.
I looked it up on Google images and it does.
What does everyone think?
Yeah, there is a resemblance. 😉
It will be interesting to see what she is like when she settles in.
Good luck with the introductions, I will be interested to read about how it goes.
Shanks is constantly up in Peaches’ face…Peaches is all stressed out, and even Monkey has been weird. I’ve no need for “Bully” anymore, but I’ve been giving everyone Peacemaker, and Peaches still gets “Graceful Aging and Creak Away”
If you still have Stress Stopper, you may want to give that to Peaches, at least while Shanks is in heat.
And some Stress Stopper for yourself Lynn. 🙂
This is going to sound so horrible to you guys…it sounds horrible to ME! And I’m the perpetrator….one thing after another has happened, and I haven’t had the money to get Shanks fixed. Thank goodness she’s indoor only, but the poor little thing is miserable. I’m planning on using my tax return to get her taken care of, but in the meantime, she seems to have chosen Peaches as the cat to present to….and you guys who know Peaches through my stories all know that Peaches is VERY cranky, Elderly, and does NOT need that kind of stress….Is there some way I can re-direct her attentions until She’s fixed? She’s driving me crazy, but I know that’s my own fault. I can deal…. I can’t stand her driving poor old Peaches crazy.
Lynn, do they have TNR (trap/neuter/release) where you are ?
I had Frankie fixed for $10 at my local Humane League.
I would check with some of the humane societies in your area, Lynn. Most have programs to assist pet owners with low cost spay neuter surgeries. You may have to drive a little ways, but it would probably be worth it to maintain peace in your household.
I was going to suggest the same thing. Also check with your local SPCA as the one here offers low cost spay/neutering. Before they were doing it there was a vet in another city that offered low cost spaying in his office. It took me a while to find him but I kept asking people, searching the web and doing whatever it took to get my girls spayed.
It ended up being a 40 mile one way drive, but it didn’t matter as the girls did nothing to deserve this misery and I was their mommy, caregiver, and had to do what I could to help them. The extra gas money meant smoking a little less, drinking water instead of diet soda and talking the water company into extending my due date. Yet to get my girls back and see that they were on their way to being happier, healthier and peaceful was completely worth it.
No Lynn, this is not a lecture or to make you feel guilty as I know life happens. It is just an experience I had on a similar subject 🙂
Hey everyone, I have had a very pleasant morning with my little ones. I think you can all relate to the Clepto Kitties my Torties have become, the sam as my Precious Steeler. Whenever Justice steals something she talks and makes little soft talking sounds. Well today she came into my room and was doing this and I decided to see what she had. Well she is good. I mean really good. She had been on my desk and she stole my bank debit card. She was having a great time with it. We may be heading to Hawaii if she used it. When she had enough of it Dajudge took over and she was talking and squeaking while playing with my card. Can’t help but love the antics of these kittens. Always into something and true Clepto kitties. I posted a couple of pics on my FB for all to see.
I feel really good today and am happy my Tortie family is here for me. <3
That is too funny Bernie as I can’t figure out what it would be about a bank card that would attract the babies. Is there by any chance something you are nearly out of that you need to buy? Think about it 😉
Betty, these cleptos probably would want to get loads of catnip and wild west treats. Why they took that card, only they know. It is the same thing as why do they want to get into the bathtub and play, but put the carrier in there and they are nowhere to be found. I just enjoy them. I can’t explain these girls.
Bless those kitties! It’s just too funny that they have stolen your bank card. I love how they “announce” themselves as well. Gracie is a real chatterer … I am convinced torties must make different vocal sounds to other cats. It has been really hot here this week and Gracie has been a tad grumpy and displaying more tortitude than normal. She doesn’t like the heat, wind or noise. I think we are going to have to move somewhere cooler, quiet and calm. Do you think they will colonise the moon anytime soon?
Oh Marg you don’t want to go to the moon. Come to the USA. I must warn you tho, our low tonight in my area is going down to 18F.
As for the chattering and talking from the Torties, it is amazing. Today is the first time I had the two of them at the same time going on. Miss Gracie is just being a Tortie. I find it depends on their mood as to what they like or dislike at any given time.
My girls like their collars on. Now today I took Dajudge’s off to make it a little larger. Darn don’t you know now she has decided that she will allow me to put that collar back on her on her schedule.
Colonise the moon. Then the inhabitants would be called “Moonies”!!!! 🙂
” I am convinced torties must make different vocal sounds to other cats.”
Kasey does not make the classic kitty meow.
She ranges from “eeps & squeaks”, hissing, growling, a noise like a cougar snarl, all the way to “noises not of this world”
Kasey and the dog bed.
A large memory foam dog bed was purchased for Lacey, the lab-pointer mix.
That memory foam bed must feel really good on Kasey’s old injuries because she immediately got on it and that was that. Nothing was going to shift the Warrior Queen from that bed, even a 50 pound dog.
So, another bed was purchased.
This one was taken over by the Taz-man.
While he is not in the Kasey league, Taz will hold his ground and now we have two, large, cat beds.
There was trouble today, though.
Taz was in one bed, the other was empty.
Of course Kasey ignored the empty bed and drove Taz out of the one he was in.
Glen, my physic abilities see 3 more large memory foam dog beds. This is just to keep peace in the family. 🙂 Don’t you just love those little quirks the Warrior Queen has?
Last week I took Styx to the Vet because she seemed to have lost weight. They verified that she has gone from 10.5 lbs. to 9.5 lbs. She does eat (when Frankie will share the double bowl) so they are checking for parasites, thyroid or allergy. She is even more friendly than when she came in. Will even lay next to Frankie and not bother Tabatha. Still has not made friends with Stirfry – but that is mostly Stir’s fault.
What did Styx’s bloodwork results show?
Still waiting for the results. I took her back in for them to take urine and stool sample.Hope to hear early this week.
Well I guess I am back in on the rescue watch. A very small long haired gray kitten that resembles a Furbee came here with it’s mom. The mom is identical to Freedom only more petite. Well I seen this little ball of fluff and my heart knew right away this little one was going to get a forever home.
So I caught it Friday night. Snappy little bitty thing. It will be vetted this week and it already has someone chomping at the bits to get his hands on this exotic looking little blessing. I have placed a pic of it on my fb.
I have been trying to let Eric, Steeler, Cookie, Kelly and May that I love the blessings they had sent to make me a little happy. Now if I can just find a way to get them all to understand that it is time to show me they are all ok in other ways, it would be nice.
Hope all here had safe and blessed holidays.
Bernie – more cats??!! Obviously the word is out that your place is a nice place to stay! The kitten is beautiful. So glad that you already have a willing “taker”! Glad to see you commenting again. I have been reading all the posts, but not commenting much (mmm … not like me). Clear sign that I have been busy with other non-cat related things. Miss Gracie is well and sends her regards to all her feline and non-feline friends here, as does her “human”.
Hi Margaret. I am a sucker for kittens. It feels good to start to comment again. This past few months have been a 20 on a scale of 0 to 10. This kitten looks a little like a werewolf but it is easily handled.
It will go to a good home. I think it actually weighs in at about 1.5 #’s. It is more hair than kitten.
I have been reading most of the post and I have no excuse for not commenting. I just reached a point where I knew I had to take some downtime for myself.
It is good to hear Miss Gracie is doing well.
I hope to get back into my groove on here. Thanks for all the kindness you have been sending me on my FB No ones remarks and support was wasted. I love those folks and they know me and understand what was happening without asking questions. The support is something that I truly appreciated.
Bernie, remember that Bernadette told you those lion heads on either side of your front door were a welcome sign to all cats. You need to put up a No Vacancy sign under them. But I know you and you will still keep the outdoor food and water dishes out for them.
I will be purchasing No Vacancy signs this week to place under those lions. I love the little ones but geez, I didn’t know they had a relay message system about which home will be good for them.
Good to have you back, Bernie. I’m glad you took some downtime to get through what I know was a very difficult time for you. You were never far from my thoughts, and always in my prayers.
Ingrid I knew you and others understood my absence. All the support and prayers were heard. Like you found out with Ruby on one of your post + pics. “Sometimes a girl just needs a hug”. That is so true and I did feel all the hugs and concern being sent my way.
Thank you all.
You call all probably guess as to where the little kitten will go. Frankie needs a playmate that won’t kill him. But the cute little werewolf cat (is there a werecat ?) might grow up to be the equal of Stir.
Well Baby-no-name was vetted today. She is 2.2#. All fluff. Checked out clean and healthy. Jay, you and Frankie will have your hands full with this one.
Folks Jay wanted a playmate for Frankie. Well he will have one. I believe this little bundle I rescued will give Frankie all the exercise he needs. Can’t wait for Jay to take her home.
“Folks Jay wanted a playmate for Frankie. Well he will have one. I believe this little bundle I rescued will give Frankie all the exercise he needs. ”
Hopefully it works out like little Tim and Taz (AKA Lard-Bucket), Tim has perked him up and got the big old guy playing.
what a beautiful little bundle of joy she is. So glad her visit to the vet had good results. I hope her new daddy will take some pics of her and Frankie playing.
If you think about the timing of when you discovered her and her mom Bernie, in a way it coincides when you were at a low point. It could be that Eric and Steeler decided it was time to give you a distraction and something to remind you that they are still watching over you, love you and know how much love you have to give to these forgotten kitties.
I know you would like to see it in other ways and you will, it just may be a bit harder to identify at the time it happens. Yet when you think back on it, you will realize that it was the message you were seeking.
Betty good to hear from you. Now I know of what you speak. I have been blessed with kittens. However, I am now just asking for a change from those guys above. I have been pretty much kittyed out. I guess I will have to cover the lions heads on the stone pillars on my home. Maybe that is what is calling them here. 🙂
I’m not so sure it’s the lion heads doing it as much as those watching over you. I have a VERY strong feeling there have been other signs given to you the trick is being so observant that you will notice anything slightly out of the ordinary.
Betty whatever it is, we need to change it. Both Jay and I are all kittyed up. This newest one is a beauty, angora. Soft and all fluff.
Maybe those watching over me could make more stars in the skies. Now that would be wonderful.