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
Given the choice, most people will do the good thing, show kindness and help or rescue the stray cat in need, it’s just those occasional sickos who willingly do harm. Glen, I’m so glad you took Kasey, but I’m sure by now you’ve figured out it was all part of her grand plan!
My Cookie, too, for all her other abilities has always been a little hobbled in the hind legs. I took her in at five months after she’d been orphaned at three weeks, abandoned, then cared for by a neighbor child and a few others until he brought her to me. I have an antique two-level nightstand that serves as a ladder for Cookie! She’s always been able to find a way to get to where she wanted to be.
In honor of my Peaches’ 100th (20th) birthday, Cookie, only two years younger, graciously added her memoirs to my blog: http://portraitsofanimals.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/cookie-reminisces/. I love to share her beginnings.
“So my granddaughter made her a stepping stool so she could get onto the bed easier.”
I have a similar situation, here.
I have a small padded trunk box set up to do the same thing.
It cuts one big leap into two managable one’s.
Glen I think after reading your story about someone kicking the cat, that you have taken in and from what I read between the lines, a grown man has fallen for a little cat called Kasey. I know on various projects people will often mention feeding a stray, dog or cat. But you went and took one home. Good for you. I hear you when you say Kasey isn’t able to do high jumps, a foot is about it for Steeler also. But it is easier for her to crawl up on the bed. So my granddaughter made her a stepping stool so she could get onto the bed easier. So your Kasey and my Steeler sound as though they both were put thru the mill so to speak before they came to us. Now after seeing for myself the flying, jumping Tortie named Pumpkin, I still have a hard time understanding the dynamics of the helicopter jumps. I think, as you, I will just enjoy my little possessive Steeler. Truly enjoy reading about Kasey.
Glen , that just goes to show that cat people can be trusted. Glad Kasey is in a safer environment and at a loving home.
Yes, Kasey will wait, she is pretty attached to me.
I have a contract crew of seven tower climbers coming in for a job, to them our 300 ft. tower is a “short one”.
Due to the extreme nature of the job, they are in very good shape, tough but good natured people.
When they were there in 2008, they were all kneeling or squating down to make a fuss over Kasey. They took some pictures of her.
Someone said. “oh, you guys like the cat? “so & so” kicked her, yesterday”
They all stood up as one, fists clenched and one said “I don’t want to see that, I’ll hurt someone”
Their foreman knew I took Kasey home a couple weeks after the 2008 job. They were asking about her when we were discussing the upcoming job over the phone and siad they would have liked to have seen her but they were happy I took her home and they liked the recent pictures of her that I emailed them.
Shirley, that’s quite a furry family you’ve got there! Patches sounds like she’s got tortitude and then some. Give it time, I think you’ll find, like most of us here, that she will steal your heart one little piece at a time.
Bernie, I’m still laughing about your story about Pumpkin, the flying saucer cat!
Glen, I’m sure Kasey will happily wait for you at home rather than having to remember her former life at that facility.
Bernie
In regards to the story of the “flying” tortie.
My rescue tortie Kasey was a extreme jumper, but was injured by abuse, to. She can walk, run and jump about 1 foot. now.
The vet says he can’t do anything for her but she is otherwise OK, all things considered; she is a happy, indoor cat, now, with no wish to go out unless I am outside.
When she was at the company facility, where I took her from, before she was injured, someone saw her jump about 4 feet straight up to take an unwary bird.
I am leaving for that facility, tomorrow, for about a week to provide engineering support during a maintenance shutdown. A similar event to the one in the spring of 2008 when I decided Kasey could not stay there anymore.
I think Kasey would say “You go ahead, I think I’ll stay home and sit out the shutdown, this time”.
I have written about my Tortie “Steeler”. She never jumps because she can’t due to abuse, but she is the gentlest, most affection cat anyone could ever hope for. Now this prelude leads me into my encounter with a “Tortie” named Pumpkin. I was visiting some friends and they said they had been given this cat and it was an extreme cat buth they loved her. All at once this flying saucer landed on the top of the sofa table then onto the end table and up onto the grandfather’s clock. I just sat there in disblief. This cat looks exactly like my Steeler. But wow now that I have seen an active Tortie in action, all I can to those of you who have written about your Torties jumping off the wall, furniture and drapes and etc. I have now seen it live and in person. Heaven will bless all of you that the fortitude to be able to handle these Torties. I have a whole new attitude toward, my gentle Steeler. I am still in awe of the activity of the cat named Pumpkin.
It is interesting to hear toritude. I am sure patches has that. I had 2 tuxedo for 15yr. Now I have a lab mix chow who is 13 yr. He loves whisper my calico. they kiss each other all the time whisper is 9 mo old. Tessa is my 7mo old tabby. she doesn’t have so much to do with him but when I first got her whisper chased each other all over. 6 in the morning we were awakened with them chasing each other over us. a month ago I got a 3 month old torti. I kept her in a dog crate til the other cats got use to her. whisper seem to make up first, tessa kept hissing at her. About 2 weeks ago I turned her lose. Didn’t take long for them to get along. Tessa and patches are always together. I have a pink fuzzy I play with them so they jump. If patches gets the fuzzy and whisper comes near her she will growl and run away with it. Now is tessa comes near there is no problem. Patches is very hyper and won’t let you pick her up If you do it isn’t for long. I wonder if I will ever get close to her. She likes the dog, but not people. And she meow so much. My callico and tabby never meow just make funny noises. what a mix
Thank you for sharing Emma’s story.
I loved hearing how you captured her and took her in from the weather.
I did the same thing with Stirfry but it took months of feeding hot dog until she would let me near her. Luckily by that time she was very affectionate and would let me pet her. But bitter cold weather made me take her in too.
It seem that most torties have their likes and dislikes.
The way that Emma only occasionaly like being picked up but sleeps with you and snuggles on the couch where Stirfry will sit next to me on the couch arm as I watch TV and has to be on my lap when I at the computer but will not sleep near me at all. (Her son Pumpkin does, so maybe she doesn’t want to share.) And if my typing is bad at times it’s because I can only use 1 hand and can’t see the keyboard as she doesn’t want to be moved while sleeping.
And she too talks all the time (would love to know what she is really saying).
Tell us more about Emma and how she has accepted being a house kitty.
Jay
Thanks for sharing Emma’s story, obsidian kitten – she’s beautiful!
I’m starting to think the aversion to closed doors is a definite tortie trait. Amber hated closed doors and would always bang on the door from the inside when she was closed off in a room. Allegra, apparently, is carrying on the tradition: I had to lock her up for half an hour earlier this week when I had a service person here, and she absolutely hated it. She cried and cried and tried to claw her way out of the bedroom. I felt awful, but of course, it was for her own safety. And seconds after being let out of the room, she’d forgotten all about it.
Emma – little spitfire! Thanks for sharing her stories! Loved them!
Emma’s story, Part I:
http://obsidiankitten.blogspot.com/2006/12/cats-on-tuesday-pt-2.html
Emma’s story, Part II:
http://obsidiankitten.blogspot.com/2006/12/cats-on-tuesday-pt-3.html
The animal rescue where I work has four torties right now. I love each and every one. They have such wonderful personalities, and I love hearing about everyone’s torties here. Keep the stories coming!
I just love reading about everyone’s torties! I didn’t know they had reputations for being “spitfires” (the vet’s word) until I rescued an orphaned tortie kitten 11 years ago. She had never been around people before and she was terrified…despite her tiny size, she managed to terrorize the vet’s office! (That story is here with some photos of her: http://obsidiankitten.blogspot.com/2006/12/cats-on-tuesday-pt-2.html)
Eleven years later Emma is such a great cat…sometimes quite talkative–she yowls into her water bowl and hates being on the “wrong” side of a closed door. She only allows herself to be picked up one very specific way and only occassionally deigns to sit on a lap, but loves snuggling next to me on the couch and sleeps right next to me at night.
Torties are the best!
I just have to let everyone on this post know that I had TWO TORTIES on my lap this morning, happily bathing then napping but nonetheless ignoring each other, and I even got a photo of it (holding the camera above my head, it’s a real trick of pet photographers)! Cookie has been up to her antics in the kitchen again as well, so when I get these photos posted to my blog I’ll post a link.
For those night-time tortie escapades, many years ago I inadvertently got my large mixed household to settle down by giving them each a few pieces of their everyday dry food right AFTER I fed whichever foster was in the spare bedroom and BEFORE I went to bed, to kind of appease them after spending time with the foster. It still works, even without a foster in that room, though my torbie Fawn from years ago had to run off some steam by bringing me her toys and introducing me to them before she actually settled down.
Cookie is not a morning tortie and covers her little face with her paws, but Kelly could make the chickadees outside the window look positively laconic with her antics, talking, talking, talking and jumping from one piece of furniture to another and over my head.
Michael, Honey was just observing you until she found where she could best rearrange your schedule for maximum tortie effect. She’s not done yet. Bernie, I’ll be a Steeler fan, but not a Steelers fan, though I have no qualms creating merchandise to sell in black and gold–and you know around here if someone can decorate their house in blue corn and yellow corn tortilla chips during the Super Bowl and it works as black and gold, you don’t have to try too hard! I have little gold bandannas to tie on the five black cats as well.
Michael, it sounds like Honey is settling in beautifully.
As for the night activity, there are a couple of things you can try to maybe keep her a little more quiet overnight and wake you up a little bit later. You can try having a vigorous play session (ten to fifteen minutes) with her just before you go to bed. You can also try to feed her a late night snack just before going to bed (but if you choose to go that route, make sure you adjust her other meals so she doesn’t gain weight from the extra meal), after the play session. Typically, cats who wake up their humans very early do so because they’re hungry – and of course, what do we do? We get up and feed them, further reinforcing the behavior – I’ve been guilty of that myself with most if not all of my cats!
As for the human treats – the roast beef probably won’t hurt her, but I’d ease up on the Cheez-It’s 🙂
Michael: So glad to hear the update on Honey. Yep, the nights belong to the Tortis. They are the early risers and heaven forbid if you try hiding under the covers.. They don’t give up. It sound as though Honey has successfully succeeded in training you. She is now in charge. Can’t help but love their antics. Being under sofa is her safe and resting zone. Showing off for you is her way of reeling you and and she owns the home and you.
Great story.
Honey is doing much better. She still hides in the sofa, but usually only when I leave the apartment. She’ll come out when I’m home.
One thing that has changed: She goes crazy at night. She goes a’hunting, and makes a lot of noise doing it. She loves to hop into the bathtub and play with the shower curtain. Every day she wakes me up…really early! Her eyes go completely black (eyes dialated) and runs around the house batting everything she can get her hands on. And she’s really chatty while she is doing it.
Funny because at other times (evenings) she is totally calm and sits on the sofa wanting to be petted.
But I think I made a mistake. In my enthusiasm to make her happy, I’ve been giving her treats (human stuff). She likes Arby’s roast beef and Cheez-Its. I only give her a little bit, but now she begs like a dog. I’ve really got to stop that, I think. It can’t be good for her.
Jeri: in a word yes. Just find her hiding place.
Seems like all torties steal hearts.
Stirfry certainly took mine.
Does anyone else have a tortie with a special appitude for stealing stuff? Keys, pens (she loves them), flyswatters, shoes, socks, cell phone chargers….
Rotten cat! I love her dearly!!!
Rebecca, when I brought Buckley home, everyone told me I was nuts to try and introduce two adult torties, and it wasn’t easy going at first, but as those of you who read my book know, it worked out beautifully in the end.
Bernie, one thing is for sure: whenever I hear the Steelers mentioned, I think of your tortie, not the football team!
Rebecca, Buttercup sounds wonderful. I love your description of her looks. Please post a link to a photo of her so we can all see her, or post a photo on our Facebook page.
I was looking to rescue a gray colored cat I always wanted who didn’t give me the time of day when I found my “tortie” named, Buttercup. All of a sudden I heard everything from my large purse being pulled out, turned around & saw this cat. She was so loveable and playful. I took her home to find that she adopted my male Sheltie who was 8 @ the time. She just curled up on top of him and beside him and gave him cuddles. He looked warily @ her for the longest time but, now they prance around wrestling with eachother. She sleeps so close to him they could be twins. She’s a real kisser too. Loves to just come up and kiss nose to nose for the longst time. She’s strikingly beautiful. She looks as if someone drew a line down her face to stomache with more peanut butter on one side and dark chocolate on the other and then dipped then alternately dipped the very tips of her paws. Buttercup is such a gem.
Rebecca: Good story on Vivenne. I think the idea of a little harness is great. I am the one who named my Tortie “Steeler” because of the color. My Steeler is like a shadow, I have to watch out where I step, like you she won’t let me out of her sight.
Bernadette: If Steeler hides my romote on me before Steeler games, I will sitting in front of the TV manually changing channels and volumn until I got the game. I will keep working on you to become a Steeler fan.
Ingrid: I see you can see the colors of the Steelers in the Torties. Beautiful. Maybe soon you will be watching the Steelers play with the beautiful Tortie sitting beside you laptop. I guess I will have to keep workig on you to become a Steelers fan also.
Just an update on Vivienne, who’s doing real well. This summer I had a garden and she absolutely hated it when I would leave her in the house and walk up to the garden. She would stand at the door and cry and believe me, when she she wants to she can project her voice like an opera singer Her little cries echo off thehills. So, we got a little harness and leash for her and she loves it! I take her outside with me and she will walk with me and loves to lay down on the porch and roll around. She gets really cranky if she doesn’t get to at least go on the porch with me once a day. I don’t know what I’ll do with her in winter. I’m sure the little diva will be put out with me to no end. I was reading some of the posts and laughing at torti antics. It’s funny because she is the first torti I’ve ever had and I can’t imagine being without her. She’s such a great companion and lliterally never lets me out of her sight. She has to be touching me when she sleeps at night, and it’s just so sweet. She is the dark version, all black and gold. It’s funny because even though I am orginally a southern girl, I have lived near Pittsburgh the last 8 yrs., and you’re right-they are the Steeler mascot cats! I can’t wait to get a fall photo lineup of Viviene-those gorgeous fall colors will be perfect for fall backdrops.
I was surprised to read that alot of you have more than one torti. How does that work? Since they seem to have to be the queen of the house, I mean.
Inglid, I didn’t know that one of the tortie traits was talking so much but thats the way it is in my house too.
And Jeri, I like the fact that your tortie kitten is so bold and the fact that your black cat is a stealth tortie but hiding her colors.
Jeri, your kittens sound adorable. Can’t wait to hear whether the little black one will turn out to be a tortie after all – or maybe she’s one of those “stealth torties” Harry was talking about 🙂
Cindy, you know you were asking for trouble when you named your kitty “Mischief!” 🙂 I love the talking – that, to me, is one of the most endearing traits of torties.
We adopted our kitty when we first were married ten years ago. She is all tortie with black, gold and tan. At the tip of her tail it is off white. She flips it around like a flag. Her name is “Mischief” because she liked to be around us and do things just to get attention. She is stubborn and is the only cat I cannot keep off the counters. I have given up and she does what she wants. We play chase. I will chase her down the hall to the back bedroom then run down the hall and hide. I will then jump out at her and she will run down the hall and hide from me then jump out at me. When she is done playing she will jump into my arms and purr. She likes to ride on my shoulder and drool and purr. She will talk to me and I will imitate her meows and she meows back. Not sure what she is saying but seems to enjoy the conversation. Her meows are very varied depending on the situation. We can sometimes understand what she is trying to communicate since it is always paired with consistent situations. She is my kii poo. That is what I call her and comes to her name and meows in return. She is so special to me. I never thought I would be this close to a cat. Now I cannot imagine life without her.
Someone dropped off 6 2 mo old kittens and a mama at my farm about a week ago. I thought there were only 4 until last night…nope…one wandered to the house in search of adventure. She’s a tortie! I was so excited. What a silly kitten already…not afraid of anything, talking to me the entire time like she was meant to be here.
My tortie (Dobby) sits on the headboard (bookcase) and “pats” my head throughout the night. She was rescued and bottle fed, so she still loves to snuggle up and ‘suckle’ on my ear at times. This usually happens before bedtime or when she is worried or not feeling 100%. (or if I am sick). Her little sister is also here, but she is entirely black…but she makes Tortie behavior seems like child’s play. I keep waiting for the orange and tan to pop out and make her full Tortie, but nothing yet. This one explores all boxes and bags, brings us gifts (pens, keys, mice, toys) and about bedtime goes on a 100 mph run though the house and off walls, beds, furniture, etc. Wow.
None of my cats like the closed door either. All have figured out how to open them – either by digging if they aren’t fully closed or wiggling door knobs. All follow me to the bathroom each time and use the little box. If the door is closed before they get there they will either scratch or yell at me to open it. They won’t leave until I let them in.
Love those torties (And tortie-wannabes).
Bernadette, I always enjoy Cookie and Kelly stories.
Harry, it was great to meet you and Rachel, too. I was so happy to hear things are progressing with Brooke. And I think you might be right about Sabrina – she sure sounds like a tortie in disguise…
Julie, Lucy is beautiful! Every once in a while, there’s a tortie that hasn’t “read the book” on tortitude, and it sounds like Lucy is one of them. Amber wasn’t a typical tortie, either, she was very laid back and gentle, almost reticent.
Glen, I love that Kasey knows when it’s time for you to come home.
And Bernie, you’ll turn me into a Steelers fan yet! I’m not a football fan, but I can get behind the idea that Steeler colors are tortie colors 🙂 Congratulations on your team’s win!
Bernie, don’t worry! It’s in the black and gold water here, and it’s something we can all share. But the names–that’s why I chose a few from the “Steel Curtain” days which everybody remembers it seems. I hope you and Steeler enjoy the game today, and she keeps you on your toes by “steeling” the remote while you are watching!
Dan
Those pictures look very much like my rescue torti, Kasey, who I removed from one of our comany facilities in 2008, when she was around 8 years old.
Kasey is a dark faced tortie, too.
Her feet are in that off-white colour too. When she was at the plant, I thought they we white but dirty, it turns out, that’s just the colour they are.
She’s a happy old indoor cat, now who somehow knows its 5:30 in the afternoon and waits for me to come home from work.
Bernadette Hi: I mistakenly named you the steeler fan. I apologize. So how about since you have the littler Torties you could be an honorary Steeler fan. I think naming the Tortie’s with names of players, well not so much, because they come and go.
The team (Steeler’s) in know worldwide. I have a whole new respect for my Steeler. Just when I think I know her, she pulls a new stunt. She also will steal anything I put down if she can pull along the carpet. Good thing I found her hiding place or I would have to buy new glasses. Enjoy the game and your littler “Steeler” mascot.
I have a tortie named Lucy…she’s 10 years old and thinks she’s a dog! She growls at the door if someone kocks late at night or pulls up into the drive but only if it’s just her and I (protecting me pperhaps).
We love her to bits! She is on the chubby side even after attemps to put her on a diet nothing worked! She’s happy and the most affectionate cat I have ever owned. She doesn’t have the attitude that everyone speeks of though..she’s jsut the opposite…gentle, lays on her back to get her tummy rubbed and very passive!
She loves lettuce and apples and will sit and beg for anything you can give her. Her meow is quite pathetic though very quiet and rough sounding lol. Love her to bits!!!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=111392&id=100001377316127
Hopefully you will be able to see her :o)
After she passes i will deffinitley be getting another!
Ingrid – it was wonderful meeting you at the cat show yesterday! Our conversation reminded me that I haven’t updated on our progress getting Brooke, our tortie, to accept Sabrina, our newest cat. It’s now been 10 months since we brought in Sabrina, at the time a 9 month old kitten, to our household of 5 other cats including Brooke, who is 5. All our cats had been able to coexist, though there was always a struggle between Brooke and Vickie, our 10 year old, very savvy, “recovering” barn cat. (Why did we bring in another? We do rescue with a local foundation, and once in a while a sad case just claws her way into your heart…) After the standard slow introduction, Brooke became highly aggressive to Sabrina, kept attacking her and literally scared the poop out of her. We retrenched to slow intro, with no success, and then hired a feline behavioral counselor. She prescribed desensitization exercises, which we have been doing for about six months – it’s been hard to let the cats proceed at their own rate, but when we’ve lost our patience, and gone too fast, we’ve been set back. Last night, after the show, we had the best night so far – about a half hour of supervised visiting in a neutral room, with a little growling and hissing (on Sabrina’s part – now that she’s over a year, she’s turned into the aggressor!) but with both cats able to disengage and go about their business. I hope it won’t be too much longer before we don’t have to keep them separated. (Patience, patience…)
One thing I’ve realized recently about Sabrina, who is a solid black cat – she’s very small, athletic, chirps instead of meowing, is fiercely attached to me, has a temper and wants things HER way… yup, “stealth tortie.” No question about it 🙂
Good morning, tortie fans! I saw my name and had to respond to another person from Pittsburgh! I’m probably the only person in the Greater Ohio Valley to admit I’m not actually a Steelers fan–though, Bernie, I would be a Steeler fan if I met her–but always wondered why more torties or even calicos weren’t named Steeler or names like Bradshaw, Lambert or Swann, or Polamalu, Ward or Pouncey especially, because tri-colors are automatic celebrants of the team colors.
I have two torties, my Cookie of the famous half-and-half face and generous figure, and my slender Kelly with the Miss Feline Universe sash across her chest. Their personalities are completely different but are full tortie at the same time. I have a piece of artwork showing Cookie on her back displaying her full belly and always people seem to know a tortie like Cookie so I’ve been collecting their stories, which prove yet again that torties are torties no matter where they come from or how old they are! As far as wake-ups, Kelly jumps back and forth over my head, but Cookie is not a morning cat and curls next to me with her paws over her eyes until I give her a shove, and this with eight other cats milling around on the bed. She will not be moved!
Congratulations on your new family member, Dan! And I think it’s wonderful that you adopted an older cat. Patches is beautiful!. About the drooling: you may want to have her teeth checked by a vet, just to be on the safe side. Sometimes, excessive drooling can be a sign of dental problems. As for the waking up, I’ve had anything from cats pulling on my hair to sitting on my chest to rubbing their face against mine to get me out of bed. Thankfully, Allegra, so far, fairly patiently waits for me to get up. I don’t have any words of wisdom for the door thing, it seems to be common to a lot of cats, but especially torties, that they don’t like closed doors.
Michael, did you try sprinkling some catnip on the new cat tree and bed? It may help attract Honey to both.
Dan your Patches and my Steeler could be twins. The smear of black and gold/ginger is almost identical, I call it abstract painting. When I rescued my Tortie from being thrown away, as soon as I decided to keep her, there was no doubt as to her name. I too am a huge steeler fan. I found a catnip soft cloth football. I keep putting fresh catnip. She makes on heck of a tackle. There is another person on this site who is a big Steeler fan. Her name is Bernadette. She to has a tortie. Enjoy the game today.
Thanks for the reply, Bernie, I think I’ll name my next Tortie Steeler as well, I’m from Pittsburgh and a huge Steelers fan!
Here’s a picture of the diva in action – http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f242/EskimoMan311/?action=view¤t=P1010005.jpg&newest=1
Dan: I read your post. It makes me feel good to hear how old your Patches is. The odd part of your adventures with her is how she wakes you. I have written before about Steeler putting her claws in my hair and pulling it to wake me up. So today I felt her climbing up on the bed so I rolled to my right side and pulled the covers up over the top of my head. She clawed at the back of the covers, after getting no reaction from me, she crawled up my left arm and sat on it looking down at my face. Believe me I let her know OK you win. That was at 7AM. I am retired and sleeping is one of the perks I had until Steeler came into my life. Now today was a first, she usually just gives up on leaves but not today. Can’t help but love these cats.
Dan,
I’m learning that Torties definitely don’t like closed doors. I’ve only had Honey for a couple of weeks, and she’s already trained me to keep the doors open. Since I live alone, that includes the bathroom door! She just doesn’t like it, but she doesn’t scratch the carpet, she just yowls for me to “open up.”
Just an update: Honey is still spending hours under the couch, but not as much. (Of course, as I spent over a hundred dollars on her cat tree, and another $25 on her bed…well, she never goes near either! Ugh!) She always comes out t night and stays out until mid-morning. Today she went under there because someone knocked on the door. She still spooks easily. I’m encouraged, though. She’s definitely slowly getting used to me and her new home.
Hey everyone, I stumbled on this site and just wanted to share a few unique characteristics of my Tortie, Patches, and see if anyone else’s cats share her traits.
First off, she is about 13, adopted since a few months old from a rescue shelter, and is most definitely a diva. She’ll try anything to get your attention when she wants something, like rolling around on her back or playing with a random object lying around, but when she is content she’d much rather be left alone. Some peculiar things about her – she has the softest meow I’ve ever heard in a cat. It’s scratchy, like a sound you might make if you were gasping for air, and she’s been like that as long as I can remember, so I don’t know if it’s a trait of Torties or not. I’m no complaining though!
She also seems to have learned that when she is thirsty and has no water in her bowl, she just has to find a bottle and tip it over. It’s pretty funny to watch her tip over a capped bottle of Gatorade and try to get what’s inside until I feel bad and refill her bowl!
As she has gotten older, I have noticed she lets a lot of drool collect around the outside of her mouth, so when she shakes her head she slobbers like a dog now. It’s annoying but I guess it’s just because she’s older now?
Also, does anyone else’s cat wake them up in the morning by lightly patting their claws against your face? It seems she even knows my schedule – she consistently wakes me up about a half hour before my alarm goes off!
the only trait I don’t like so much is that she rips up carpet if she wants in a room where the door is closed. She will try prying the door open from the bottom with her paw, but when that doesn’t work she starts shredding the carpet until someone opens the door for her.
One thing I know for sure is that once she is gone, if I ever get another cat it can only be a Tortie. No other type is quite as beautiful, quiet, friendly, or entertaining!
Michael, Monkey’s always licking random stuff. I just put it down to curiosity and tortie wierdness.
Love all the new torties!
Michael, that didn’t take long for Honey to come out of her shell, I’m so happy for both of you. Sounds like you’re learning about the tortie talking – they do seem to be the most talkative cats.
I don’t think that the licking of the cat tree is marking behavior. Some cats develop a fondness of licking things like wool, fabric, etc. It’s not a problem unless it becomes obsessive, and unless they start actually eating the material.
Michael: I have been following your progress with Honey. You sound so proud of her, as your should. Torties are great and she is beginning to show how smart they really are. Honey is on a game plan with you. (been there). She will have you completely wrapped around her little paws. The wonder of it all is, that by the time we realize what these cuties are doing to us, it’s to late. We are hooked. So sit back and enjoy the variables she will pull on you, she is showing off for you.
Sorry, I reread my post and realized that I spelled Honey’s name wrong
Should aways read before hitting the send button.
(should learn to type with more than 1 finger too.)
Michael, enjoy all Haneys conversations. Some cats talk a lot ond others very little.
Don’t know if the more talkative the cats is means anything.
Stirfry talks all the time and she has a major attitede.
Her son Pumpkin is the most lovable cat and at 8 years old hardly ever talks.
Only 1 week ago did he learn that if I am not paying attention to him he will meow. I give him a scratch and pretend to ignore him.He will either stretch out and grab my hand or meow again.
Just an update on Honey in her new home:
She seems to be coming out of her shell after a week and a half of mostly hiding. Her favorite place is the front window sill and the sofa next to her Daddy. She likes to keep watch while I sleep (on the sofa).
Mornings are becoming our communication time. She talks a lot. At first I thought she wanted something, but it seems she just wants to talk. Slowly, slowly, Honey is exploring the rest of the apartment…I took a chance last night and put her on her cat tree. She seemed to like it up on top, but she did something really strange I’ve never seen a cat do: she started licking the tree (a lot!). Then she’d clean herself, then the tree again. I thought maybe she was marking it in some way?
Also, occasionally, she will play, either with her toy mouse or with something on the kitchen floor. She “hunts” and rolls and pounces. It’s fun to watch!
So, I think she’s getting used to me and the house. She’s definitely more social in the last few days.
Thanks Ingrid. You do fine work. I would like to say she did, however she gets into enough mischief on her own. I take full responsibility for the submission,
I truly enjoy this web site. So many of these stories could be any one of our Torties.
Bernie, I deleted that submission, as requested. Did Steeler get her hands on the keyboard ;-)?
Karen, Lizzie definitely sounds like a one-woman cat. You’re probably right that the best thing is to accept her as she is, and that’s usually a good thing when it comes to humans, too :-).