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
Still trying to figure out why I’m not receiving messages so am way behind on reading everything.
My current tortie issue is despite the fact that Mike and his dog, Lucy the lhasa apso have been with us for about 8years or so, Columbia is never going to tolerate the dog. If Lucy gets anywhere near her the hissing, growling and fur up begins. If she gets too close Columbia will give her a good paw slap in the face. All of this really upsets my hubby do hr begins yelling at Columbia who just runs off into another room.
When my littel Angelika was still here, she and the dog were great friends. I used to laugh so hard because she and the dog would wrestle and play. Lucy would be so gentle with her, it was adorable. To see a 30lb. dog wrestling with an 8lb. kitty is a sight to see.
I just have no idea how to keep Columbia from being mean to the dog.
Betty, Bernie still is not receiving the e-mails either. She got 1 a few days ago and that was the last one she got.
Stir has been in my house for 13 years and she still tolerates no one but me. Her son Punky was the only one she would not fight when he was within a foot of her. Still hiss at him but not growl and slap. All 4 others give her room except Frank who insists on getting in her face.
Today is the running of the Kentucky Derby.
A long shot at 20-1 but I will put my money on Charming Kitten.
How can ya lose with a name like that.
Fear the Kitten was going to run but was scratched – I figure a Tortie did that.
A Gigi update.
Our tortie-with white long haired girl is really getting comfortable and comes to ask for attention frequently.
She really likes Tim and they play like kittens. Perhaps due to her early history, she did not get much of a chance to be a kitten.
Chase games are popular but it looks funny to see a sleek 100 month old orange guy chased by a dignified looking, long haired cobby cat with short legs.
The biggest surprise is that we have some of these, with the “cube end” attachments;
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12144616
Gigi loves them, even though she is a tight fit.
She hides in one and either ambushes Tim, then the chase games begin, or he swats at the outside, because she moves it from the inside, then she hits where he swats it. All of these actions can go on for some time.
Gigi loves it and it has taken some of the Tim wear and tear off of Taz.
Glen, Mimi didn’t get much of a chance to be a kitten, either, and she was here about two years before she actually began to play with toys. Now the transformation is complete, and she ambushes and chases her children around the house, though they are quite a bit larger than her and she looks like the kitten. They don’t know what to do sometimes: “I can’t hit you, you’re my mom!” she tackles them anyway.
Great news Glen, Gigi is a good fit for your household. Tim needed a playmate and Taz wears out too fast. Bernie has that tunnel – I won it at a book signing for Ingrid at the “big meeting” 2 years ago when I got to meet Ingrid, Bernie, Bernadette, Harry and Julie, Rachel and Michael, Azar and Renee Austin. Fantastic time and I won a huge basket of toys, cat supplies and such. I shares them with Bernie and Bernadette as a cat can only have so many toys. Plus I made a great many cats happy. Bernie says her kittens love the tunnel.
Kasey update, a quick one before heading off to work;
The blood tests did not show any of the typical concerns I had, such as thyroid, diabetes etc.
The did show a low urea level which the vet thinks may point towards a liver problem.
We are trying to collect a urine sample in a “rigged” liter box, to take in to be checked, at the vet’s suggestion.
She is eating, doing normal things, but just not gaining weight, it is like she is not getting the most out of her food.
The urine test did not indicate any serious problems.
The blood test did not show anything serious, as previously mentioned.
They can’t find anything seriously wrong. They said the priority is getting her to eat.
We have found a food she goes at quite vigorously, so she is getting that, now.
We would like to give her the prescribed pain meds, but opening her mouth to pill her is like dealing with a ceramic cat, she will not open her mouth and fighting her is quite traumatic for both of us.
Glen thanks for the update on Kasey. I know what it is like to try to pill a ceramic Tortie. I bought a pill shooter that helped a lot, but even then, it was a little easier, but still a struggle. You may want to try using a pill shooter. Then let her drink something, (after she claws the heck out of you). By the was there is a medical spray that is used for humans for blood clotting after the battle.
I hope you can get the urine sample on your own. When Jay’s Stirfry was having health problems last year, they had a difficult time getting a sample. He had to take her to the vet early in the morning and they were able to go into the bladder to get the sample. It is a quick procedure, and that may be what you may ask them to do.
I am still hoping with all my heart that she is just aging and doing things her way. Knowing she is eating something she likes is good news. So I will keep looking for updates and thinking good thoughts for both you and our little Warrior Empress.
Glen, I guess that’s good news of a sort. And as for pilling, well, when we decided Brooke needed Prozac, we tried pilling, Pill Pockets, , grinding it and mixing it with chicken broth, putting it in baby food, a formulary pharmacy who compounded the stuff into chicken flavored syrup… when tortie doesn’t want to take her meds, well…
Have you talked to your vet about a pain patch? That may be too heavy duty but if she’s really in pain maybe for a short time?
Harry, that is a great idea. How do I get those pain patches?
After trying to pill Stir and Frank, we used the blood clotting spray on Bernie and myself from the bites and claw marks but we both could have used those patches. Frank bit me to the bone on my finger and it really hurt.
Glen, I am hoping that no bad news from the Vet is good news for Kasey. Maybe just a age thing and as long as she is eating she will stay strong. Let us know if Harry’s pain patches are an option (for both you and Kasey).
Glen, ask your vet about Adequan injections. My feline vet has had great success in managing even severe arthritic pain in cats with it. It’s usually given once a week for a month or two, and then it can usually be tapered off. Your vet can give it, or you could even learn to give it yourself. It’s not a drug even though it is labeled as one in the US (not sure about Canada). It has anti-inflammoatory properties and increases the thickness of the joint fluid, thus reducing pain.
I definitely agree with you that you shouldn’t force the medication on her if she fights you.
Thanks, everyone, we will look into those options.
The main thing is getting her to eat, and eat enough.
She changes preferences almost daily and it is tough to tell if she is really getting enough food.
I would like to find something she would really eat.
She just got a combing and she purred loudly and gave me head bumps.
Those head bumps are kitty kisses of deep love for you. I know you are trying everything you can as I would do also. Tuna, shrimp, crab, spam, bologna, chicken, steak, cheese whiz, ice cream and food she will eat. I know that is not a cat’s diet, but hey it’s your baby and you do what you want to so as to help her get stronger and eat.
There are a couple of other things you can try to entice her to eat: sprinkle freeze dried chicken treats over her canned food. Sprinkle parmesan cheese (yes, the stuff in the green can) over her food – some cats go nuts for that. There are also flavor enhancers on the market, I don’t know what’s available in Canada, but this is a good one: https://ingridking.com/2013/02/19/review-kitty-sprinkles-from-lincoln-bark/. You can also try meat-flavored baby food, but stay away from any brands that have onion powder in them (it causes anemia in cats.)
An update.
I don’t know where this is going but she seems to be doing better.
She is eating and moving around.
As I write this on Saturday morning, her day has gone something like this.
Greet me.
Eat a bunch of food.
Have her glucosamine pill, wrapped in cheese.
Go to one memory foam critter bed, hiss at Tim and drive him away when he strayed too close while playing.
Realize that bed is not in the sun, get up, attack Gigi on the way to the other bed, just because she was there.
Go to the bed that is in the sunlight, settle down.
Drive Taz off when he tries to join her; the bed is big enough for a large dog, but apparently can’t be shared.
Settle back down to enjoy the sun.
That sounds like a pretty good day. I wouldn’t mind if mine went that well.
Sounds like Kasey is still showing everyone who the BOSS is (as if there was any doubt).
Glad to hear the update.
And like Harry said – Hope my day goes as well.
Bernie is here with me this weekend and we are going to a Fairie Festival – (May Day celebration ) with crafts, music, food and music.
Glad to hear Kasey is responding! It’s always heartening to see them follow their usual routines when they’re not well.
Ingrid please read Marg Campbell’s words from my FB. I have copied and pasted them here. I also am not getting the posted emails.
“Hey Bernie, hope all is well with you. I am still not able to post to the CC site … but am keeping up with all the posts going on there. Keeping my fingers crossed for Kasey. Please pass on my best to everyone. Cheers, Marg.”
Bernie, you’ve been getting the emails again and it just stopped again? I was not aware that Marg is having problems. I’ll have my webmaster look into it.
Thanks Ingrid. Mine stopped just as quickly as they started. Marg wrote on FB that she was missing the site and could not post.. Thanks for looking into it for us.
Hi gang. I am not getting any emails from this site again. I don’t understand it. That is not why I am posting tho.
Has Glen posted on the test results for Kasey today? I scrolled thru the posts and don’t see anything.
Oh how I am hoping for good news from him, as we all are. Of this I am sure.
Ingrid, how can I ever thank you for the wonderful tribute to my little girl. She was so special and so badly missed. Her image and behavior is burned onto my heart forever.
Bernadette, Harry and Jay, today is very sad day for me and I know for so many who followed Steeler’s miraculous being for all of us. Yes she brought a lot of us together forever and then she left us, and here we are a year later and we are stronger and more grateful for the little Tortie that would not take no for an answer. She will live on forever in my heart and thru the words that both Bernadette and Ingrid wrote of her. Anna I wish you could have been with us when we all met. It was the kind of meeting where we all knew each other without ever having seen each other before.
Julie wrote something one day that remains with me. She wrote to me that “every once in a great while a special kittens comes into our lives, and even tho Steeler was my little girl, she was a communal cat” for all. I like to remember those words also because Steeler was so much more than a Tortie just passing through my life. She steadied me through the worst time of my life and then she said she had to go. Go little one, but you will never be forgotten. You gave so much and asked for so little. Fly with the Angels and one day I will hold you again and you can rest on the pillow beside my head once again.
Thank you all for everything, all your words, thoughts and prayers. Today was a hard day, but You all have given me a lot more than you know, just by the fact that you all remember our Steeler. I love you all.
Bernie – thought about Steeler a lot today. I gave Brooke extra kisses and cuddles.
Rachel you are a very special young woman to me and your love of Steeler was and is so clear. The little gifts you sent her lifted her spirits and made her play when she was so tired. I will always cherish how you loved her. She was not just my Tortie, she belonged to all of us. Just one little Tortie and a whole world filled with loving. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you.
Aw, thank you Bernie – love you too. I knew Steeler would enjoy the toys.
I am indeed sorry I was not there with you all, but I am grateful to know Steeler from everybody’s memories. She must have been – and still is – THE girl.
Also, I feel your pain. I have also lost a very special cat, my first one – a beautiful tabby tomcat Genji. He was a terrified, scrawny shleter kitten when I took him; he was found near the trash bins and shortly afterwards adopted, but the person returned him after three days because he did not find him “sociable enough”… sometimes I wish I could find that person and give him a piece of my mind.
Anyway, Genji grew into a beautiful, devoted cat who learnt to trust our family and it was even more touching because he was still so deeply distrustful towards strangers. He went through my young adulthood with me, through things both beautiful and sad. Then he got ill and despite vet’s great effort died within a year, few months before his 6th birthday. I feel that his death was a definite closure for that part of my life. On May 12th it is going to be 5 years since his death, but I am still not over him. Never will be. He was my special boy and it hurts even more because I wanted him to have the longest, happiest life to make up for his horrible early months.
Sorry for bringing my own woes up. This is Steeler’s post. I just wanted to say I really feel your pain – and that I firmly believe Steeler is in a way still with you, same as Genji will always be with me.
A year ago today, the world lost a very special tortie. Sending lots of love to you today, Bernie, as you remember your special girl. Even though I never met Steeler, she’ll always hold a special place in my heart, since she brought you to this site and into my life.
These first anniversaries can be hard, and I’m glad you have your new kitten family to comfort you as you remember Steeler today.
Here is a link to the tribute I wrote about Steeler last year: https://ingridking.com/2012/04/30/a-tribute-to-steeler/
Lots of love to both Steeler and Bernie. <3
Ingrid, you brought Bernie to your blog to find out what type of cat she had and Steeler brought us all together to watch a Superbowl. Luckily I was able to meet Steeler and she was a wonderful cat. 100% Tortie. I have been fortunate to be able to meet some cats that equal Stirfry in Tortitude – Brooke and Steeler (would love to meet Kasey). We all lost a Special girl 1 year ago but thru you and Bernadette in your tribute stories on Steeler she will never be forgotten.
It’s hard to believe it was a year ago, and it’s still just plain hard to believe. Steeler brought plenty of feline comfort to Bernie’s door, though.
And she brought together some human lives that would be far poorer without knowing each other. Hi, y’all.
Greeting Harry, how is your crew doing down there. Does Brooke and Vicki have a truce?
P.S. – anything come in the mail ?
Bernadette, you and I know you got me through the night that Steeler passed over the bridge. I called you very late in the night and cried uncontrollably and you knew in your heart I needed you. You were right there for me and I have and will never forget how you just let me cry myself out. So now all will know, that night a year ago, you helped me get thru the night, when I was all alone and Steeler was not with me.
Today I was outside for the biggest part of the day. Today is a day exactly as the day a year ago. The skies were bright and the sun shone brightly and soft spring breezes flowed. I could almost feel Steeler at my side as I went about the day. Now the night has come and I now can say to you, I would have been lost without your understanding and support a year ago today.
I remember Bernie. The hardest thing is when you’ve been giving more and more care and spending more and more time and then suddenly they are gone. But you were crying for them all. I couldn’t imagine how empty you felt with all that loss in just six months’ time, and all alone in the house, and no real neighbors. Steeler was the one who was there to comfort you, and then she was gone too. I’m glad I could be there for you.
My best buddy was Pinky, a long-haired tortoiseshell. She died in February 2011, leaving a bottomless hole in my heart. She didn’t have a tortitude but was certainly a personality. I wrote a short book about her and her siblings in “Meow’s Way,” which I am giving away on Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/175507 . She was the light of my life.
It’s so hard when we loose these special friends, Lucille. I’ve updated the link to your book in your comment – the link you had posted didn’t go to your book’s page.
Hey all, I am starting to get the post from here again via my email. For the longest time I had to search thru the site to see what was happening. It is a good day. 🙂
Tortie gremlins strike again.
For once, Brooke doesn’t seem to be (at least to the extent we think/know/believe) causing a problem in the house (well, other than the Sabrina/Piper thing).
Someone has been urinating inappropriately during the last few weeks and it seems to be correlated to fights breaking out between Pearl and Vickie. I don’t think Pearl means to egg Vickie on, but Vickie will growl and hiss at her when she gets to close, and will also swat. Poor naive Pearl doesn’t seem to realize that she needs to give Vickie a VERY wide berth.
Brought a urine sample to the vet today for a urinalysis. Pearl has an appointment on Friday at the vet. Hoping we can get some resolution as to what is going on.
Rachel, I am concerned about Pearl. Urinating inappropriately can be a bladder infection. Hopefully that is all that is causing this to happen. Bladder infections need treatment quickly, but then you folks know that better than most. You have had so much experience with kittens and grown cats, unequal to most of us. I hope that is all that it is and then Pearl will be fine. I enjoy the way you are using your words, “well, other than the Sabrina/Piper thing”. Brooke doesn’t seem to be the problem, “this time”. Pearl and Vicki just may be going thru kitty menopause and nipping and hissing would be the normal. But hey now, we are talking about the Shubin household, I must keep in mind the various equations of the kitty collections there. Here’s hoping for the best possible outcome for Pearl. Get her back to being the Pearl we all know and love.
Sounds like it’s more of a behavioral thing, but ruling out any medical issues should always be the first step. I know it’s distressing when these things happen, and I hope it will be an easy fix. In the meantime, you may want to think about using Safe Space for Cats in addition to the essences you’re already using. Spray the areas where the inappropriate urination occurs.
Rachel, that’s very distressing. Sounds like exams all around might not be a bad idea. Sometimes a cat who suddenly becomes an aggressor or a victim is found to have developed a health issue. Definitely the essences help to calm things down.
I intend to get a kitten. What I’m really asking is generally speaking are tortoiseshells loners or do they like to play… are they social? Do they form friendships with other cats? Bailey was quite happy to be an only cat…. when I brought Chester in (he was a stray) I did the gradual introduction thing and it worked, but like I said she spent most of her day asleep.
Again, impossible to predict with any kind of certainty, Roger. While many torties and calicos have the traits outlined in this post, ie., tend to be high-spirited and sometimes possessive of their humans, there are also torties who are sweet and laid back and don’t show any of these characteristics. Adopting a kitten makes it more challenging to find a good personality match, since their personalities aren’t fully formed.
Roger, sometimes Torties are loners (Steeler was one) but others who have what you picture a Tortie personality to be like can co-exist (Stirfry, Brooke and Kasey) but you have to remember who the boss is. If not , they will let you know.
Roger, I have only a few words for you. First I am sorry for your loss. Now for bringing in a “Tortie” I say go for it. Get a very young one that has not yet formed her “Tortitude”. I for one have 2 Torties, a grey tiger and a russian blue (momma) to one Tortie and the grey tiger. Mine have all accepted each other. My 2 torties were just a few weeks old when I rescued them as was my grey tiger. Their mom is a feral, who will let you know she is no longer a feral but an indoor only kitty. She has accepted all the younger ones and all is well. So I would say if you can get a newbie Tortie, she would most likely be accepted by Chester. They are so delightful to watch grow and learn.
It is tough to predict how things will go with cats.
Kasey is what I call a dark face tortie, rescued at about 8 years old, she is now at least 13. She did the “school of hard knocks” and between that and her nature, she got the nickname Warrior Queen.
She loves people and probably has the strongest bond with me that any cat has had or has. However, other animals are at best, tolerated, there just isn’t much she is afraid of and has the tenacity and fighting still to back it up. Kasey doesn’t play fight.
Gigi, long hair “tortie with white” who we took in recently (owner had passed away) is about 4 1/2 years old. She is very placid, gets along with everyone and everything. She was the easiest introduction we ever had. She even plays with our 10 month old “orange guy”, Tim, sometimes.
I am interested in getting a tortoiseshell as Bailey my first one died recently. (She was actually somewhat calico and very pretty.) I have another cat, Chester who is some sort of maine coon stripy looking mix. He has a great temperament but misses Bailey. He is young, about 18 months. The two cats got along but since she was old she spent most of her time asleep they didn’t play much. My question is: would a tortoiseshell/calico be a good playmate for Chester? We live in an apartment so indoor cat situation is the only option. They can look out the window if they have interest in the outside world.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell ahead of time whether two cats are a good match, Roger. You can try and find a cat that matches Chester’s temperament, but there’s no guarantee. The best way to ensure that a new cat will get along with Chester is to gradually introduce to the two cats. Here’s how: https://ingridking.com/2011/08/15/cat-to-cat-introductions/
Hopefully a young Tortie will make a great companion to Chester. An older Tortie can be set in their ways so you never know. Styx , who I think is 4 gets along will the other ones of the pack (except Stir) but still swats at them. But like Ingrid says, each kitty is different.
Hi you’ll. I guess everyone is engulfed in the Boston Terrorist act and the West, fertilizer explosion. I myself know the dangers of anhydrous ammonia and fertilizer having been in the chemical industry for many years in management. The two don’t mix in any way. I know there is a terrible price that is going to be exacted in the West, Texas explosions and fire. I know my heart and thoughts are with those many families that have been hurt in these horrible tragedies. Our USA is reeling from these tragedies, but we are a strong and determined free country and we will take care of our own. I had no one close to me in either, but that does not mean it does not effect me and so many of you.
I know this is a Tortie sight, but it is also a family of Tortie and other cat families. I just decided to write here where many will see, we are a free nation made of caring and strong peoples.
Thank you Ingrid, Jay and Anna!
Wonderful news… My Embers is home. We picked her up last after her 24 hour stay at the emergency room. We have to give her some special food and medicine, plus keep a good eye on her the next few days. Torties are strong and I know with our love and your kind thoughts that she is home to stay!
Thank you all again so much and I am so glad I found “the conscious cat”
Deep appreciation,
Ellie
Yay, Embers! 😀
Way to go Embers and Ellie. Torties are strong and determined. A very happy day for all of us to know she is home. We think of all the kittens on here as ours also.
I’m so happy to hear this, Ellie!
Thank you for your post and I am sorry to hear about Amber. My wonder Tortie Embers has tortitude! I love her so much right now she is in the hospital and I hope by tomorrow I can take her home. I think be ause she is Tortie she is fighter and she has the best chance there is.
Thank you again for this great account of our torties. I am forever in love with this wonderful breed!
Thanks, Ellie. All my best to Embers for a quick recovery!
Prayers being sent for Embers. Keep us updated on how she is doing.
Best wishes to Embers!
Ellie, I am wishing both you and Embers and very long and happy life. Your little Tortie sounds like a fighter. That makes me say, “Embers will be home soon”. Blessings and good thoughts coming to you both.
An anniversary of our favorite foster parents today.
Happy Anniversary Harry and Julie.
Many more to you and many, many more little kittens in your lives.
Thanks, Jay. But, um, no more kittens. Not permanent ones, anyway.
Fostering is good enough for now. All those cats out there need a forever home. But if 1 or 2 find a speacial spot in your heart – who are we to stop that. Remember – as long as you have room for more cat stickers on your back window, there is room for another kitty in your home.
Harry, I learned to say “never say Never”. You and Julie, well really your entire family, have hearts of gold. Now you left something open there “Not permanent ones, anyway.” If memory serves me right, your record on fostering kittens is right at the top of the best place to find a forever home. In other words, your words, a foster failure. Waiting to hear when you guys decide to foster another 1 or more kittens. 🙂
Hey gang, I just posted some pictures of my four kittens. Freedom, Justice (Tortie), Liberty (Grey Tiger), and DJ aka Dajudge (Tortie). Just to help you keep score on this group here is a breakdown.
Freedom, Russian blue, momma to Justice and Liberty and Grandmother to DJ aka Dajudge. Hope you enjoy them. Below is my link:
http://facebook.com/bernie.tracy
I am taking Kasey into the vet at 9:00 AM April 20th, we have moved her annual check ahead a month, due to weight loss.
I took her in to check her on the vet’s scales today and she is 11.8 pounds, down from 13.3 in Dec. 2012.
She had a good “senor panel” in Dec. 2012, is eating, drinking, doing normal Kasey things, fur looks good; but then there is the weight loss.
It is tough to pin her age down exactly but she is between 13 and 14.
I am hoping for the best but the reality is that she is a senior cat.
That is an alarming amount in a short time. I hope all is okay and can perhaps be associated with two new kitties and possibly more activity.
The only thing is, she in’t that active, since she doesn’t play with them.’ Tim and Taz play, Gigi and Tim play (Kasey doesn’t play with other cats).
They are a disruption in routines, even for a tough, old cat.
A month ago, her fur went rather shabby looking, but it is looking very good, now.
Glen I think you are using the right approach in getting Kasey to the vet early. Loss of that much weight is something to be concerned about. I wish for all the best for her and you. I know how worried you are and just know, you are not alone. We all on here think of Kasey as our Tortie, “Warrior Empress” too. Please keep us posted, as we are all going to be waiting with you.
Thanks
Kasey is my special cat, we have a bond, my only regret is waiting to 2008 to bring her here.
She is what I think of as the classic tortie; fearless and dominant, yet friendly with people and needing attention.
i am really glad I took her home almost 5 years ago.
“I am really glad I took her home almost 5 years ago”
So is she!
That is a lot of weight to loose in such a short time. Hopefully it’s nothing, or something that’s easily addressed. Keep us posted!
I am hoping she might just need a diet change and/or med.’s.
It is hard to say at this point.
I am saying prayers and sending healing spells your way.
Hope things are just a temporary change. Weather related maybe. I know you had a cold winter. Maybe fresh air will bring out the kitten in her.
We just got nice weather last week and both Bernie and I have opened windows and “instant cat”
Stir has claimed 1 window above the bed and sometime Styx or Frankie will get the other. But only if they go up on the side Stirfry isn’t.
Punky would jump up and walk over top her (and she tolerated it from her kid). But no other cat has a chance of doing that. A quick paw to the face even stops Frankie.
Now Arian when she grows up has Tortie blood so things might be interesting.
Keep us updated on Kasey – she is one of our favorite cats. A True Blood Tortie with a reputation to uphold.
Gang the open windows at my home were full of kittens this past week. Each one of the four have their own window. Strangely, only Freedom is possessive of her window sill. She has picked my bedroom window and she will not share. DJ will share, but reluctantly, Liberty shares his perch and sometimes, but not always Justice will share. Then there are days the three young ones will all be together.
I had to close the windows Thursday night because it has gotten to cold “again” to leave them open. For the most part the 3 kittens accepted that as ok. Freedom on the other hand proved to me why she is the mother and grandmother to Torties. She put up such a fuss during the evening and late into the night that I finally opened my bedroom window about 3 inches and she was happy. I dove under the heated blanket. Gosh what we do to make our kittens happy.
I have been know to heat or air-condition the entire neighborhood just so the girls could have a window open, no matter what the outside temps…. 🙂
I took Kasey to the vet day, they pent about an hour with us.
They are not sure of the reason for the weight loss.
She had a good senior panel blood test less than 5 months ago.
She is not exhibiting any severe symptoms that they can see.
She does have what the vet refereed to as severe arthritis in here back legs and the vet believes she is in a lot of pain from it, which might impact on her appetite.
The vet recommended a trial of pain killers and so we are trying her on Vetergesic for 5 days; if there is an improvement, they’ll suggest a long term medication.
They could perform an extensive blood test, which we are mulling over.
I am also going to start supplementing her diet with cooked chicken, which she will readily eat.
We will see how the pain med’s and extra feeding work out.
I realize with her age (somewhere between 13 and 14) combined with her past challenges, remaining time with her is a bonus, as long her quality of life is good.
That’s an interesting choice of pain medication for arthritis. It is, of course, all about quality of life. What additional bloodwork are they recommending?
All my best to Kasey. I know it’s hard when they get older, and you’re doing everything you can to help her enjoy her senior years. She is so fortunate that you decided to rescue her on that fateful day.
Ingid
They refer to the test as a Feline ADR, T4, FLVFIV, fPL.
I think the options were offered because they are not sure, the pain med’s are a quick and simple test.
She has enjoyed a couple feeding of chicken, today and is currently sleeping on a cat bed, in the sun, in the sun room.
T4 should have been run with her initial bloodwork. Rapid weight loss is one of the primary symptoms of thyroid disease. I’d definitely have that run. I think it’s unlikely at this stage that she is FeLV or FIV positive, but if the tests have never been run on her, it’s worth having the information. I don’t think we run the fPl test in the US, usually, vets send out a complete GI panel, but again, I think this is information worth having, because pancreatitis could also cause some of the symptoms you’re describing. If it were me, I’d probably have the bloodwork run at this stage. That way, you’ll have all the information you need, and you can continue to make the best possible decisions for Kasey’s care.
Meanwhile, it sounds like she’s not phased by any of this. I’m so happy to hear she’s enjoying her chicken, and the sunshine. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.
Glen, Kasey is so special a Tortie to all of us. It hurts me to hear that she may be in pain. I often wondered how we could know our little ones were in pain. Sometimes it is pulling their fur out or when we go to pick them up or touch them they will recoil. I am hoping with all my heart that Kasey responds to the pain meds. She is so loved by so many. You have given her such love and she has given it back to you 100 times over. So I for one am saying to Kasey, “little girl get better. We need you to be with us for a much longer time. You are very special to all of us. With love to Kasey.”
Good to know that Kasey is eating and enjoying her light treatments. Saying prayers for her. Keep us updated on how she is. Cats are fighters and Kasey is the best.
Thanks for the kind words.
Kasey is tough but even she cant turn back time.
I am hoping for the best but trying to be realistic.
She is doing well at the moment, doing typical “Kasey things” and that is good.
With the pain meds, she seems to be doing better when she chooses to go down the stairs (she doesn’t have to, she does have all she needs on the main floor).
It is time to give her another med, it doesn’t taste good, so i am told and she fights me quite well when I give it to her.
Glen I know how it is giving meds to a Tortie that does not want them. I know you are a realist, but I would never give up on the Warrior Empress just yet. She has a lot going for her. Miracles do happen and maybe you and Kasey will have one. If only for another year or so, or more.
Kasey appears to be doing better on the pain med.’s.
In the last couple days, she has seemed to be more of her old self. I don’t think this is wishful thinking, there are tangible observations like her level of alertness, voluntarily taking the stairs, some general behaiviour that has returned and movement when she walks.
She has two more days of Veteragesic, if things continue, I will look at the long term med.’s, one of the vets at the clinic gives these to his cat (I don’t know the name of them, yet). These are a small pill so administration would be simple; role in a small piece of cheese, place on the floor, stand back.
Kasey has continued to lose weight and is down to 11.2 pounds.
I took her in to the vet first thing this morning to have a blood sample taken for an Feline ADR, T4, FLVFIV, fPL analysis.
They said they will have the results tomorrow.
At this point, I am hoping she has something that is treatable but at this point, it is a waiting situation.
Glen, that’s very puzzling and distressing. We are waiting with you. Glad you found the newer vet who will continue looking for a solution.
Very distressing, indeed, Glen. You know we’re all pulling for Kasey, and for you.
Still saying lots of prayers for our Warrior Queen.
Torties are tuff so I am sure she can fight off what ever it is.
Glen, I am hoping also that whatever is happening with our “Kasey” can be treated. We all are waiting and hoping for the best for her. I know it is very difficult for you to watch your little Warrior Empress not doing the things she once did. We are all here waiting and hoping all the tests are good and maybe our Kasey is just in a “phase”. I know it might be a stretch to think that way, but sometimes we have to. We are all here for you and for Kasey, you already know that.
Thanks, everyone.
We should have the results of the test, later today.
Hi gang. I have not been around a lot these past weeks but I am reading and trying to catch up.
My gang have grown to be really big kittens. Liberty is so long and tall, he may need to be put on a harness. Justice is the petite Tortie. She is the smallest of the kittens. Dajudge is a big girl, in a little kittens body. She is just about the sweetest and gentlest Tortie ever. Freedom is now accepting of all the kittens and trust me, that momma does not hesitate to correct them or sometimes just remind them just for the heck of it, who is really in charge. So the feral mom is now a happy indoor kitten.
Things are busy here, and I am getting ready for my last “clean up auction” at the end of the month. I have boxes in the house for packing items to put into the auction and most of the time, when I pick a box, I pick it up slowly. I have learned that to casually pick up a box with a kitten in it can jerk the back. So it is like a game with them. Get in the box and keep it or let’s chew the box so Mom can’t use it. Hopefully I will have more free time to follow you guys more frequently. In the meantime have fun and keep gabbing. 🙂
I adopted a Tortie, Minou, a year ago and frankly nothing could have prepared me for the ‘tortitude’ that she brought with her. She’s so different from every other cat I’ve met or owned, and yet I can’t imagine having any other cat now that she’s with me. I was reading this article and just nodding along with each of the personality traits you listed for torties as she seems to exhibit all of them! Fiercely independent, very vocal (she always tells me when to go to bed and will yowl at me until I relent), unpredictable at times, yet extremely possessive of me. She still bats at the dog at times if she thinks he’s invading my space, and the first and only times I ever heard her growl or hiss was when we tried to bring another cat into the mix and found out she didn’t like sharing me with other felines – or other people for that matter. (Thankfully the group we adopted the other cat from was willing to take him back once it became obvious she’d never warm up to him, and was adopted by another family soon after. Otherwise it might have come to blows between them.)
She’s brightens my day with her antics, even though I wish she had a snooze button at times as she’s not above pawing at my face to wake me up when she thinks I’ve been sleeping too long. I call her my kitty alarm clock, because she tells me when to get up and when to go to bed.
This is her: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/dscn3272.png/
Minou sounds like she studied the book on tortitude for sure, Lindsay! She’s beautiful.
Hi Lindsay, you have been bitten by the Tortie bug. Once you are claimed by one of them you realize how special they are. I have 5 cats now but my 2 Torties are my favorites (don’t tell the others) Stir is definitely my top cat. Minou is adorable and looks so much like Bernie’s Steeler. What does her name mean ? Some Torties share the house with others and some don’t. Steeler was a 1 house cat. My Stirfry wants to be. After 13 years she still will not tolerate any other cat and they give her a wide berth.
I definitely have been bitten. If I ever get another cat after Minou, it’ll be a Tortie. I grew up with Siamese and I adored them, oh the conversations we would have, but as far as I can see Torties are that turned up to eleven. They’re so much fun!
As far as I can tell it means small cat in French – it also has another unfortunate slang meaning but I try not to think of that. We adopted her and she came with the name, and by the time I thought of another name for her I was so used to calling her that that I couldn’t force myself to consistently call her by the new name. So we kept the old one and she’s been Minou ever since.
Lindsay welcome to the Tortie family. You really have a normal Tortie in Minou. Incessantly talking and demanding to go to bed, and the Tortie wake up alarm. All normal and good. It would be nice, however, if our Torties could tell time and let us sleep. I have two Torties and only one of them, Justice, is full of herself and does not hesitate to paw at me or even use her tiny front teeth to just nip at my arm or leg to wake me up. Trust me, it works very quickly. Your Torties will give you a lot of entertainment and “woes” just to let you know they are the boss.
Thanks for the welcome! It’s good to know she’s just being a normal Tortie, though I’ve long since come to love all her quirks – even her Alarm Clock mode. 😀 I agree though it would be nice if they could tell time so that they could do it at more convenient moments! If I stay up past 11pm for any reason, she’s right there telling me to go to bed. It doesn’t matter if SHE’S ready for bed or not, and usually she’ll prowl around my room for hours before settling down – but if I’m not up there when she says she pouts for the longest time. It’s adorable in it’s own weird way. Still I’ll take all the ‘bad’ with the good, as having her in my life for this past year has done wonders for my mood and outlook on life. There’s nothing quite like a Tortie jumping into you lap and cuddling for hours on end to make everything better.
Lindsay, you got that just right. “There’s nothing quite like a Tortie jumping into you lap and cuddling for hours on end to make everything better.”
Lindsay, Jay is right. I just looked at Minou and she gave me a start. She resembles my Steeler so much. She is a real beauty. The difference I see is that Steeler had a round face and Minou has more of the angular face.
I’ve seen Steeler around the website, and they do share a rather close resemblance to the point of being almost uncanny. Your Steeler was absolutely stunning as well, and I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Losing a precious companion is always hard. 🙁
Lindsay thank you for your kind words. I miss my Steeler every day. There will never be another Steeler in my life. My 2 Torties now, are so different from her, and they are as precious to me as Steeler was. But Steeler was a true blessing for me. She picked me to be her human and have her forever home. But I still miss her.
I adopted two sister torties about 3 years ago. Zappa and Eileen. Zappa is named so because her facial markings resemble the unmistakable facial hair of my favorite musician. Eileen gets her name from only having 3 legs! (she had 3 and a half legs when we adopted her, but had to fully amputate it when she was about 3 months old because she was using the stump as a leg, and it wouldnt heal) their personalities are polar opposites. Zappa is really chill, and likes to hang back, and take everything in. she also squeaks instead of meows. Eileen is very bold and bull headed. She is very particular about the way we decorate our bedroom. If she doesnt like where we put a poster, she will rip it off the wall. If she doesnt like where we put our knicknacks, drinks, or anything for that matter, she will walk right up to it, knock it to the floor, and lay in the spot where it used to be. She keeps us on our toes. They both have to sleep ON me at night, and love their night time snuggles. They both love to talk!
They both sound like they’ve got plenty of tortitude, Erin! I love how Zappa got her name. Feel free to post photos on our Facebook page!
Greetings Erin, I love the fact that you adopted 2 Torties and one was physically challenged. But her Tortitude makes up for that. We can see she rules your house. I have 2 Tortioes also. Styx (also named after a band – and the Goddess of the Underworld) has more of a squeak than meow. But Stirfry who is older and smaller runs my house. No one messes with her.
You will learn on here that they are quite a few Torties that are lovable and like to cuddle. And a few that rule with an iron paw. Glen’s Kasey, Harry’s Brooke, and Bernie’s Steeler are such cats – but they have the attitude of Lions.
Keep us updated on Zappa and Eileen.
Hi Erin. Just read about your Torties. What a wonderful thing you did to take a physically challenged
Tortie. However, I will say, it sounds like the only one who can see or knows of the physical challenge is humans. Eileen seems to be right at home and happy as can be. Zappa is squeaking is something Torties have mastered. Talking is one of the most delightful ways they go about their day. I always say, they are talking to their imaginary friends. As for knocking things over, I will give you some very good advice on that. Ingrid gave this to me and it has saved me from getting frantic over something getting knocked off and over. Museum gel. Yep, works like iron, non marring and easily removed. I keep it on hand at all times. Welcome to this Tortie family.
Kasey doesn’t meow, either.she has a wide range of sounds.
Squeaks, hissing, a noise like cougar snarl and noises simply “not of this world”
Glen, Steeler never meowed either. She did a lot of talking to her imaginary friends and the snarls were also “not of this world”, but she loved as no other.
Yes, I forgot the imaginary friends, Kasey has those, too.
Glen I should have mentioned that my youngest kitten and Tortie, Dajudge is a talker. She has more imaginary friends than I can count. She talks constantly. So far, she has not meowed. She just shows up and looks at me. Talking is her specialty. I can hear her all over the house and her purr is so loud for such a small cat.
Also, Tim doesn’t meow, he squeaks a bit but mostly chirps.
he announces his arrival with chirps, when he jumps up on something, when he jumps down, when he runs into a room, etc.
Glen, let me get this right, “You are saying that Tim is a chatterbox at all things and to all things”?
Sounds like he may know Dajudge.
Gigi just spent about an hour with me in te chair, tonight.
Somehow after knowing her story, that has more significance, to have her visiting me, comfortably.
Glen, I read about Gigi’s background, and it brings back some memories for me. Sometimes I wonder how these wonderful little ones learn to trust us after going thru so much. I know Kasey is your “empress” and Steeler, was my “little terrorist”. I also know none of us would give up one day of time with our precious little rescues. I know Gigi fit right into your family. Kasey is giving her just enough time with you to be safe. I would then watch for a while. Little Tim may be the little stinker that creates the ruckus in the house with the Torties. He is a kitten. 🙂
Kasey is actually fairly tolerant of Gigi, perhaps a little tortie understanding; “sisters from different litters”? 😉
Glen, I hope you are knocking on wood as you wrote that. Even related Torties show each other who is boss ever so often. Hold on tight. 🙂
I was able to get GiGi’s story from the person we got here from.
She had a tough start;
They got Gigi from a neighbour who found her in freezing February weather under a couch that was put on side of road for garbage pick up.
She had given birth to 5 or 6 kittens which all froze to death except for one which died a couple days later.
She was half starved and very skinny, but he took her in to vet where she was checked and brought back to health, a couple months after they took her in.
No one knows were she was before that, we guess she was about 8 months old when they took her in as was the vets opinion.
So, now we know more about the “Princes” (Kasey is the Empress).
Glad to hear that Kasey has received a promotion 🙂
That is much like Piper’s story (and indeed they look similar) – she came to us about a month pregnant in March, and immediately miscarried 4 kittens, a 5th had to be surgically removed. They both clearly conceived in their first heat, and I’m told those young pregnancies, especially in the winter, usually do not end well. The Princess is very lucky to have finally landed at her forever home.
Harry, Kasey will always be The Warrior Queen.
Glen, GiGi was so lucky to get you as her cat daddy. She had a hard life and I feel so bad that she lost her kittens.
The weather you have up there and what Bernie and Bernadette have out in Pittsburgh is not cat friendly. And Bernie can tell you that what I have way up on the MOUNTAIN (Go for it Bernie) can be rough on them too. Stir was taken in because of 10 degree temps as I could not think of her surviving that. And Arian was taken in by Bernie for the same reason. Now I have her and she is doing great. Looks like a gray squirrel with her bushy tail and she has taken on every cat in here – except one. Shows she is smart as well as cute.
I figured out that she was outside and had her litter in Feb. 2009, 2009 was a bad winter here.
The people that took here in were very good to her and we are continuing with that.
Kasey is the Warrior Queen, for sure.
Gigi has just enough white on her that it diluted the tortitude. She is more placid and plays with Tim, but he can be annoying and a couple of times, he was awakened her “inner tortie” and has been chased.
I have torbie named Wicket which I adopted from our Humane Society. She really acts
more like a dog than a cat. She licks hands, hair, pretty much anything thing she can
reach, follows me around the house, etc. She is very intelligent and playful. She also
has to be the alpha-animal. She tries to dominate the other three cats and the dog
we had staying with us for the weekend.
She is very sweet, but does not like being picked up and she has a mean set of claws
which she doesn’t mind using.
Wicket does sound like she’s got some tortitude, Mary!
Welcome Mary, I have been off here a while and trying to catch up. Love the name Wicket (Torties seem to acquire unusual names). And their attitude and claws make them a cat to be feared. Stirfry does not have front claws but if she did every visitor here would transfusions and bandages after a short time with her. She tolerates me but even her slaps hurt. Keep us updated on Wickets behavior.
Mary, what’s in a name? A lot. Wicket, what a great name. She sounds just like a normal Tortie to me. Claws when needed are a very good deterrent to we humans, especially if we try to make them do something they don’t like. I think we all know when the claws come out or the snarl starts from a Tortie the game is over and they have won. Welcome to the Tortie family.
As I got up this morning Styx was laying next to my face. She got up and gave nose taps to Arian who was on the bed.
Later I saw her chase Frankie and then Arian as Arian was going towards the bathroom.Then Styx crouched down and went to spring towards a black and gold cat in the kitchen. She suddenly got up and walked away. I thought that other cat was Tabby but I looked and saw it was Stirfry with her back turned. Guess Styx realized that would be a bad idea.
A similar scenario plays out here, frequently.
Tim is 10 months old now, but his motto is “play young, play hard, act, then maybe think” (Orange boys seem to mentally mature, slowly).
He will often sneak up then charge s dark shape i the shadows, only to slam on the brakes on a panic……………….when he realizes at the last second, it is Kasey.
Glen, orange kitties may not be the brightest sometimes, but once you tangle with a Tortie like Kasey, you never forget. The brain cells go into overtime and warn – DON’T DO IT”
http://kcbx.net/~tellswor/saber-tt.htm
Even f it were true, why bother?
Kasey already has many of the attributes of one.
LOL Glen!
I thought you’d all enjoy this: the beautiful Binga provides tortie life lessons: http://www.sparklecat.com/special/ten-tortie-life-lessons-from-binga
I’m glad Gure is oblivious of n. 10. 😀
Just want to say that I adopted my tortoiseshell (Cali) from a shelter, before I knew she was a tortoiseshell, the calico part was obvious. She had been there for a year. The workers at the shelter tried to talk me out of it. They said she had been adopted in the past and returned due her “bad” behavior. I didn’t see that in her so I took her. She has turned out to be the best cat I have ever owned. She is very loving but very possesive. When I come home, after a long day of being gone, she will actually chase me through the house and grab at my ankles until I give her the attention she wants.
I’m so glad you took a chance on Cali, Sheila!
Sheila, I am so glad that you gave the her a new forever home. Sounds like you and she are a very good match. I have a Tortie that likes to go very lightly after my ankles. I think it is her way of saying don’t go anywhere. Each kitten makes her own rules. Enjoy her quirks. She loves you.
I am sitting here in my room, propped up on the bed. Justice has been sleeping beside me for a very long time. I won’t move because she is so soundly asleep. To watch a Tortie sleep, is truly relaxing. Then when she purrs in her sleep, it makes you wonder what she is dreaming about. I do know they are happy dreams. And she is just so beautiful to look at. But alas, she will awaken and then she will be a happy tortie, wanting treats or maybe a toy that one of the other kittens is playing with. There is seldom a long peaceful, quiet time here these days. Gosh, I feel lucky.
That’s lovely. 🙂
BTW, is Justice possessive about toys? Shigure is really dominant and always usurpes her tabby sister’s toys. Whenever Ayame starts playing with something, you can see she’s really careful not to be too noisy, otherwise Gure comes and confiscates the toy for herself. But sometimes they play together, which is really cute.
My baby girl, Pi Oui (pee wee) likes to own everything. I had 3 scratch boards all duped with catnip and she managed to gather them together and stretch herself across them dazed in the blue funk drug. My older girl was previously owned by a man that never taught her to play. She has decided she is Queen. She lounges the best of anything. She is my cuddler at night and loves to be held after dark (lest anyone should see). Her name is Austen, a named she picked for herself after Jane. “I wish you joy with all my heart” is all i have to say and she runs to me. Thank you Jane Austen.
Michael Pi Oui sounds like a total little “it’s mine and mine alone” little one. I have so many scratch pads here that get moved about that I don’t walk around without turning the light on. At night, I will fall asleep and when I awaken, I have a bed full of kittens sleeping at the foot of the bed. So far no close cuddlers. But they are working at it. My kits run the show here. My problem is they know it.
Anna I have to say Justice is just plain ornery. I have another Tortie named Dajudge. Total different personalities. Thjen I have Liberty, brother to Justice. Both are cousins to Dajudge. I also have Justice’s and Liberty’s momma, who is also granny to Dajudge.
Justice is not possessive with her toys. Actually none of them are. She is just so darned energized she has to keep things going. It is really a laugh to hear them running after each other on the second floor.. That is all hardwood and they sound like a herd of buffalo’s running.
When each of them wants to take a time out they either come to me or they go up in the kitty trees.
Believe kitty trees are a wonderful thing for multi cat households. They can go there to rest, play or scratch the dickens out of the posts. I three in my home. So they have plenty of room to move around.
Did you have Shigure before Ayame? I know my first and finest Tortie named Steeler had a little yellow duck that she would not even give up to me. She played and carried that little duck everyplace. After she passed away, the little yellow duck has been put away. It is hers alone.
Ah, maybe I recognize this – energized rather than possessive. That sounds more like it. And that little yellow duck made me tear up a bit… I know how it felt. Some toys are simply very personal. When our first cat – a tabby tomcat named Genji – died, we buried him with his favourite little Eeyore plushie. It was simply his.
Ayame and Shigure came together – they are sisters from the same litter. There were two brothers (who are owned by different people), but those were born minutes after Aya and Gure, as the girls were in bigger hurry. Their original family (really lovely people) told us they expected their mother to give birth much later that week, so they were surprised to come home from work in the evening and find her in the middle of labour. She then gave birth to two male kitties and it was over, which surprised the family, as they were sure there would be more. Only several minutes later they discovered she had already given birth to two female kitties, whom she had hidden under a blanket on the sofa. These were our Aya and Gure – sort of inseparable. 🙂
I have two torties, both rescued. One is 7 and the other is 2, My friends affectionately call them my “wives” because I can’t get away with anything in the house with out them knowing. And heaven forbid if I come in the house with a strange pussy cat scent on me.
The younger is affectionate in the daytime. The older wants to cuddle all night long. I am a dog person owned by two cats…they are my reason to come home. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I love it, Michael – your two tortie wives are keeping track of you!
My friends find it humorous that I no longer can go to the bathroom by myself. We look like a little parade walking through the house. There is me, the 7 year old and the little one all in a line. They expect privacy when they have to go… Oh well.
Michael, ” Tortie Wives”, I love it. I have two torties, a gray tiger striped, and a russian blue. The parade to the bath is oh so familiar. The other side that is funny, is when there is one cat in the litter box, the others will line up, as if to take a # to use the same box. Now this goes on, even tho I have 7 litter boxes throughout the house for them. I, too, come home to my kittens, all 4 waiting at the door. It sure is nice. Jay, also, comes home to the same scenario, only he has 2 torties, a black and white boy, a calico, and his newest addition a russian blue angora kitten. They all come running to greet him when he get home.
Our cats are really our children. I know I enjoy them just the way they are, as you do.
Aww, that’s cute! Tortie wives. We call ours “our hairy children”. 😀
To John for Mona,
Hear our humble prayer, for our animals, especially for animals who are suffering: for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry: for all that must be put to sleep. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us be true freinds to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
Hello again and thank you all for the good vibes! Shigure seems to be much better these days – if she did not have a shaved patch, you wouldn’t guess she had a surgery only 14 days ago. Her sister Ayame still hisses at her from time to time (disinfectant smell is not her favourite), but it’s getting better, too. Luckily, Gure is the alpha cat over here, so she doesn’t really care. 🙂
I thought I would share some of her pictures with all of you tortie lovers, so if you want, please check her out here:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/carbonbrush/cats/gure_zps9cb05356.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/carbonbrush/cats/gurka_zima_zpsae544575.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/carbonbrush/cats/P1080092_zps06721536.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/carbonbrush/cats/2012-02-11224948_zpsed65e692.jpg
What a beauty! I’m so glad to hear she’s doing so much better.
Thank you! I wish you could hear her voice – it’s really lovely. Very chirpy, almost screechy sometimes, as if she was a little dragon. And she has the best and loudest purr of all our family cats.
Rocki, our cat of 16 years, is the love of my life. She loves family. She loved my mother and she loved her best friend our dog, Pepper, who lived to be 19. Rocki slept with Pepper when it was clear that our time with Pepper was ending. If Rocki was sitting on my lap, the minute my mother entered the room, my mom lived with us for 6 years, Rocki would jump down and go sit near my mother. Rocki is a tortie. She has a mark that is cream color near her nose. My mother loved that mark. With our love and prayers I hope Rocki lives for a long time. She is very special.
Thanks for sharing Rocki with us, Carolyn. She sounds like a very special girl.Feel free to post photos of her on our Facebook page.
Carolyn, Rocki sounds like she has given and understands love better than most humans. She has shown herself to be a very special little Tortie. May you and she have a very long and loving life. Welcome to the Tortie family.
Ingrid,
I want to thank you for this article. In September, I was able to bring in a very special cat into my life by rescuing her from my mother’s car. Her name is Sorrel, and she is a feral cat with the most BEAUTIFUL tortoishell pattern in her fur. I had been in quite the quandry of placing her personality: she is always around me, has the loudest purr of any cat i’ve met, and has a very quirky personality. After reading your post, I’ve realized that she has a LOT of “tortitude”, especially because she “talks” with me quite often. I look forward to sharing my life with my feisty little girl 🙂
I’m so glad this article helped you understand Sorrel better. What a beautiful name! Feel free to post photos of her on our Facebook page.
Kayla, what a great choice for a name for a Tortie, Sorrel. It is especially good to hear that you rescued her and loved her enough to give her a forever home. She is one lucky little girl. I am sure you two will have many very “eventful” years together. Torties have a way of making our lives very interesting .
I have a 4 year old Tortoise shell cat named Bailey, she is so beautiful but she definitely has attitude. I got bailey around my birthday a year after my tabby had died of feline luchemia. She was shy when I first brought her home, then within a few days her true colors began to show. Bailey hates new people, you cannot touch her back and stomach, you can’t even hold her. Bailey only allows you to pet her head. The first few years I couldn’t even handle her attitude, but I couldn’t bear to lose her, but nowadays I have learn to cope with “the princess” and I love her.
Bailey sounds like she’s got quite a bit of tortitude, Taylor. I’m glad you adjusted and appreciate her for the unique princess she is! 🙂
Taylor I have been catching up with the posts on here and ran across yours. Bailey has a way of her own as with all Torties. Holding and touching is a “touchy” subject with Torties. I had Steeler, and she loved to be petted, but picking her up was not really what she wanted. The few times it was ok was when she was ill. I now have 2 Torties. Justice and Dajudge. Neither of them are lap or pick me up kittens. Both like to have their heads and ears scratched, but no picking up. I have their Momma and grandma respectively and she is a russian blue. I know where Torties get that tortitude. Freedom is full of it and her offspring are full of it. I also have her son Liberty, who loves to be picked up and held and petted. Why you ask, he is a gray tiger and loves attention. So Torties make you do as they demand and we do. Yes we all love them to pieces. Welcome to the Tortie family.
From Jay, Bernie, Stirfry, Styx, Tabatha, Frankie, Arian, Justice, Liberty, Freedom and Dajudge may all of you have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Even if some are by proxy. Laugh love and live. (Pass on that green beer Ugh).
Everyone is Irish on St Paddy’s day.
Note to self – go to Mom’s and wear orange just to piss her off (she is 100% Irish Catholic and reminds me every St Patricks Day . Me I’m just a Pagan mutt (Irish, Welsh, Scots, English)
Bernie tells me she is Austrian – you know, where they have shrimp on the Barbie and kangaroo’s.
I have 1 Tortie, and 3 Tabbys. My Tortie is very feisty when it comes to our other cats! Lol, but she only loves her brother. She is soooo loving to people though. She loves belly runs 🙂 She’s also very protective. Cats are amazing<3
Feisty is definitely in the tortie dictionary, Selina!
A cat video
goalkeeper
http://videos.komando.com/watch/2954/kims-picks-goalkeeper-cat
My tortie hazelnut is strong willed, loud, but super skittish. when she chooses to graver my presence with cuddles she will run immediately once it sounds like someone is coming our way. She will definitely sit by the door to our room and watch for the dog, tabby and long haired black cat. She’s my nut though
Hazelnut is such a great name for a tortie, Stephanie!
Welcome Stephanie and Hazelnut. Please post pics if you can. Torties are so special as you have found out.
Stephanie it sounds like you have a true bllue Tortie in Hazelnut. They are the most unpredictable and entertaining kittens of all. It sounds like she is living up to her ancestoral characteristics.
Pics would be nice. We all love to see the different Torties. Also stay with our group here and I am sure you will hear some very interesting tales of all our Torties.
Last night we had to euthanize our beloved dilute tortoiseshell Mona. Never as feisty nor as yowly as her coloring’s reputation would suggest, she was a sweet, shy girl more prone to chirp with pleasure than to howl with indignation (that’s our other gorgeous tortie, Sophie). She had been sick a long time, and her death was a mercy, but I will miss her until the end comes for me too: her forgiving nature, her love of a good head-cuddle (we called her antics upon the pillow “hat service”), and her birdlike purr, a sound that meant everything was somehow all right in a troubled world.
Godspeed, little girl. Our hearts ache with missing you, but we pray you are at peace and happy, and that if this world holds any justice we will hold you and cuddle you once again.
John, I am so sorry for your loss. Nothing will take away your pain, but I’m sure we will all meet up with our beloved felines on the other side. There are some special cats that come into our lives that just make our lives complete. I love how you say “a sound that meant everything was somehow all right in a troubled world”. Take care and be kind to yourselves over the next little while – only people who have pets will really understand how you feel.
All my best to you in memory of your girl. Your description of her is loving and describes clearly how you felt about her. My two sweet torties were there to greet her, especially my Cookie, who welcomed every stray and waif we took in and let them know everything would be okay. thinking of you.
I’m so sorry, John. Your beautiful words brought tears to my eyes. What a special little girl Mona was. Rest in peace, sweet Mona. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I am so very sorry for your loss of your precious Mona. You have had a very special bond that ever her passing over the Rainbow Bridge will not break. Rest little one.
Very, very sorry, John. Parting with a family member is always painful, but I am sure dear Mona had wonderful life with your family and always will be remembered with love.
John, so sorry for your loss.
Lately there have been a rash of our loved ones leaving us.
But the memories of her for you now as to the joy she brought to you plus knowing that on the other side of the bridge she will be welcomed by friends -Cookie, Kelly, May, Morgan and my Pumpkin. And defended by a fierce but loyal Steeler. And maybe she will send you a little one who needs a forever home. Maybe not now but you will know when it happens..
I can’t add much more than the others have, but it is always tough to lose a friend.
Glen, Gigi + introductions. Looks like intros were not really necessary. Gigi is absolutely gorgeous. She seems to have settled in quite nicely. A look at her pics shows a kitten with no stress. I bet Tim will have her in on his play time with Taz in no time. Kasey, will decide what she will do on her own. I would not be surprised if Kasey left Gigi alone for the time being, so long as Gigi doesn’t try to take over your time or Kasey’s space. Gigi is a very lucky girl to have you and your wife take her and give her a new forever home. Strange how things work out.
Gigi is doing very well, she is a real “keeper”, a pretty cat who gets along with others, no bad habits, and is very friendly with people.
She went to the Vet last Thursday just for a check up, all is well; she was well behaved there, too.
The loved her there. The vet pronounced her a “tortie with white”.
She has a quiet purr and a typical kitty meow, as opposed the the unworldly sounds Kasey makes.
Perhaps the white and the ginger face cancelled out the tortitued. 😉
Harry had said he thinks the white tames the Wild Tortie attitude. My Tabatha has the white like Gigi and is a very laid back , gentle little girl. I swear Stirfry pulled out every white hair that even thought of appearing on her.
So glad to hear Gigi has made herself at home and been accepted as “family”.
Keep us updated and keep sending pics.
Gigi sounds like a wonderful little girl. I would have described her as “tortie with white,” too.
Gigi is rather deceptive.
Short legs, short tail, “cobby” build (long hair enhances that impression); however, she is actually a pretty skilled and agile jumper, covering heights and distances you would not expect, judging by appearance.
Gigi surprised me this evening.
She is getting very familiar with the house and is roaming now, and is sometimes difficult to locat for a while.
She was “missing” for about an hour.
I went to pull a dining room chair out and it was heavier than usual. She was curled up on the seal, concealed by the table cloth and is still there as I type this.
The odd thing is, this was something only Morgan did; neither Kasey, Taz or Tim do this.
Glen, we keep telling you Gigi was sent by someone. Kasey, Tim and Taz were probably forewarned and were expecting their new sister.
At peak age and ability a cat can jump six times its own height from the strength in its hind legs. “Cobby” is often very muscular, and often all the hair makes legs and tail look shorter by comparison.
Hey gang today is a relatively mild day. I have opened my windows and there is a kitten in 4 windows. They just love sitting on the sills and watching the birds, strays, and anything else that goes by. Not one of them seem interested in going outside. Freedom the adult russian blue, might, but so far she is truly content to have her own window sill.
My little ones have grown so big in such a short time. In the morning when I go into the kitchen I have four large kittens around my feet wanting petting and in Liberty’s case he want kitty kisses.
It is a good feeling. Today was also a day when I seen all four take off at warped speed up the staircase. This is usually a good sign someone did something that they should not have. In this case it was upsetting one of the litter boxes. Thank goodness I had just cleaned them. Don’t ask how they did this, but I have learned to take things for what they are and just deal with these guys. But they really are like children, when they misbehave. They all take off running. Good sign for Mom to check around the house.
Jay is so happy with his kittens. Arian has awakened the kitten behavior in Styx and Frankie. Styx the Tortie, runs from her, but Arian is not one to give up. Frankie has let Arian take him over completely. It is such a good feeling to see what one little furball has done for the kittens. She has given them new exercises and running, jumping and playing the way kittens should. Having said that, I think you all know by now, Jay loves his little furball. The kittens give him so much laughter. It is good to hear that in someone.
Arian and Frankie are getting along great. She has been grooming him and he was grooming her. This is the first time this happened with any of my cats. Punky did groom Samatha (my Bichon) 10 years ago.
I put video’s up on FB of them sleeping together. A one video they were play fighting then Styx jumped in and let out a growl – both cats ran.
Just a minute ago Styx ran up to the bed, jumped up and went to the headboard and got hissed at by Stirfry who was sleeping there. Right behind her was a gray ball of fur. Pretty bad when a cat would rather face Stir than this little 4 lb kitten.
Kasey was so close to Gigi this aft., that I could pet one with each hand.
Kasey was very civil (for her) and iw went pretty well.
Seeing the two in close proximity, it is easy compare; Gigiis a calico, a very tortie-like calico, though.
I’m so happy to hear things are going so well!
Glen, Gigi is almost a clone of my Tabatha except for the long hair. Tabby and Styx co-exist except for an occasional hiss. Stirfry and Tabby don’t get along. Stirfry and any living thing don’t get along.. She tolerates me because I bring home food.
Longhair cat question.
Does anyone know if longhair cat were a natural development, or a result of selective breeding.
(Question was prompted by adopting Gigi)
I may have found an explanation;
http://www.messybeast.com/longhair-cats.htm
Gigi was trained to use a scratcher and apparently ever scratched furniture and I wanted to make sure that was reinforced, so I picked this up, this morning;
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147094&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInCA%2FNo
She used it within 45 minutes of me setting up. 🙂
Of course, the others will enjoy it, too.
Tm desperately wants to play with her; Kasey and Taz are being pretty good with her, so far.
That’s a nice one!
I also fit the wooden post with one of these;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7TNb9aO9RA
She used it almost immediately and loves it.
Got the idea because she loves to rub her face and neck on a brush I hold it for her.
Glen, the link you put in for the YouTube video didn’t work. Can you repost?
Lets try this one
http://ca-en.hagen.com/Cat/Grooming/Brushes-Grooming-Tools/50032
Tim has been playing today with Gigi both on the new cat tower and in a cardboard box.
Gigi appears to be pretty playful.
She climbed to the second level of the tower, today.
She is settling in pretty well.
Hi gang. I just seen pics of Glen’s new Gigi. Gosh she is a beauty. She sure lucked out with her new home also. From the pics that Glen sent out, it doesn’t appear that introductions are going to be a huge problem. Gigi looks pretty comfortable just as things are.
Congratulations Glen. You have made a kitten very happy. She will have the best of homes.
Folks with Glen’s permission I just posted 4 pics of his oh so beautiful Gigi. You may all see her and her beauty on my FB. http://www.facebook.com/bernie.tracy Please look at this gorgeous Cali/Tortie long hair that Glen and his wife gave a forever home to. It is well worth the trip.
I’ve got 3 torties (well 1 calico a grey version and 2 torbies) they all display different personalities. My calico Dinah is defiantly very stroppy 90% of the time and affectionate the rest. My classic torbie is very person possessive and chatty Charlie will always be just a few steps away from me or lying on me. Nala is a pale torbie and she tries to be affectionate but is more independent and wants to play. It’s great but lately you can’t move for all 3 wanting to lie on you. My poor grey tabby and black and white don’t get a look in lol
You’ve got all the elements of tortitude covered, Bex!
I have a 1 year old female tortie (Lilly). I am thinking of getting another cat….do you know if torties get along well with other cats? Do your torties get along well with your non-torties?
My two girls (both torties) get along well. If you’re going to get another cat, just go very slow with the introductions, and try to get a cat that’s a good match to Lilly’s temperament. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees and you won’t know until you actually do it whether cats will get along.
Hi funny when I rescued a torite (female) her name was Dinah… I changed it to Dynasty where she is 21 pounds and very majestic looking. She acts like a queen.
“She acts like a queen.” – as every tortie should, Charlene!