An Introduction With Questions

pdaj

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Hey there!

As you may have guessed, I'm new to the site. I recently decided to adopt a cat and have spent the last few months reading as much as possible about them. In my search for people of similar interest, I found this site.

Here's a litle about me and my situation.

I graduated from college two years ago and I now manage group homes for special-needs adults. I have lived with a roommate since, but will now be living in an apartment on my own July 1st. Thus, I figured this would be a perfect time to have a cat as a companion.

Truthfully, I've always been a dog person. But when my director decided to adopt two cats for one of the group homes, I fell in love with one of them. He's so loving and social, you can't help but give him attention. Additionally, my mother started volunteering at a shelter in Providence. After days or working with 60 or so cats, she came back with the greatest stories. I was officially hooked.

So ...

I went down to the shelter with her today to pick one out. However, I couldn't decide! There were so many frienly felines .. you just want to take them all home. It's sad seeing them locked up in cages without homes. Trust me, I'm far from the "save the world" type, but the shelter had that effect on me.

That being said, I was able to narrow my search down to three cats (all tabbey):

1) Muggs, Male, 1.5 years old

Man, he's an absolute cutie. Prideful. His coat makes him look very tiger-like. He also happens to be one of my mother's favorites. An absolute looker. He's also mellow and a bit lazy -- just my style! Still, he was extremely receptive to me. Loved to be pet. The type of cat everyone says, "He's so beautiful!" He kind of reminds me of when I was 18 - cocky, care-free, and lazy. Love it.

2) Levlis, Female, 2 years old

Beautiful. Carries herself like a princess. Grey with pink undertones. She was a bit shy at first but then very receptive. Enjoyed being pet. She has a very insightful look to her. Long, confident eye contact. A little more active than Muggs. Would shift her body to show you where she wanted to be pet.

3) Lucky, Female, 5 years old.

A bit bigger. Has a scar on her ear from a previous fight (I'm assuming). But the "flaw" is charming. Her previous owner died. Extremely relaxed and comfortable. When pet, her expression made it seems as though she was in heaven. Never moved when I interacted .. just enjoyed my touch. Came across as "wise and mature."

And there are the three!

I've always liked the idea of having a male .. just to keep the place a bachelor pad.
Haha, and with my experience with cats .. the males have always been nicer and more affectionate. For that reason, Muggs would seem like a good selection.

Still, my landlord has expressed a bit of concern about possible spraying. Muggs has been neutered .. but from what I gather, you can never really tell which cats will spray and which will not. So I had been hoping to find a perfect female.

And Revlis is adorable. Still, as mentoned above .. she has a awareness to her. Very aware of her independence. It's hard to explain. But I can picture her giving me some trouble. Typical women.


Lucky, on the other hand, would be more like furniture. Haha, just a relaxed, affectionate companion. Not as cute as the other two .. but still a cutie. Not as active as the others. Also a little less recognizable personality.

Ugh, how do I decide? I plan on going back shortly and making the difficult choice. Can anyone offer an insight or advice? If not, at least introduce yourself! I'd appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Paul
 

cococat

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Welcome! Congrats to you for doing your homework. I vote Muggs
 
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pdaj

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Haha, I'm leaning towards him as well.

I'll make sure to let you all know of my decision shortly .. and of course I'll have pictures.

Any other votes?
 
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pdaj

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Hmm, good idea. Let me try. I'll also try and further my descriptions.

Thanks!
 

bonnie1965

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I would take at least two. That way they would have company while you are away. I would have a tough time deciding as well. Perhaps the male and one of the girls? ORRRR all three
It is wonderful that you are adopting from a shelter!
 
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pdaj

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Oh, trust me .. I'm on board with having at least two cats! My best friend has a similar arrangement ... and the little cuties love having the company. Unfortunately, my "lease" only allows one cat. I say "lease" .. because I rent month to month, but it's still a written agreement.

Still, I won't rule out adding another cat in the near future. After I prove to be a good tenant, I'll butter e'm up. Thgat being said, Revlis is listed as not getting along with other cats .. so that may narrow my search even more.

Hmm, I may just have to go with Muggs .. who I'll most fittingly rename Behrooz. If so, I'll get pictures for you guys ASAP.
 

laureen227

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if you can take more than one, see which 2 interact the best. if you're really drawn to Muggs, then see which of the girls gets along best with him. assure the apartment owner that 2 cats won't do anymore damage than one, & that you'll be glad to pay a double pet deposit if necessary. many apartments will work with you if you're upfront about it. my last place was very nice - even let me only put a single pet deposit for my pair. 2 is always better, especially for a single working person - they keep each other company when you're gone. i'm more drawn towards Lucy, because she'll have more difficulty finding a home due to her age - but you need to get the cat that mesh with you. all 3 would be great, but possibly too many for a small apartment.
 

graciecat

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Hi and welcome to TCS


Since you can only have one, Lucky would be my choice.
Your description of her makes her sound like such a little sweetheart.
The scar and the fact that her owner passed away just made me fall in love with her.

I've had cats all my life and all of them have been Female until recently...we took in a stray 18 month old Male in November.
While he is very loving and laid back when our hearts are ready...we had three females, just lost one to ovarian cancer a few weeks ago....it'll be another girl.
Elliott is a sweet little..or should I say HUGE...boy, but the girls are my little angels.

As for the spraying, that's actually what brought me to TCS in the first place.
When we were thinking of bringing Elliott in spraying was my concern.
As I said he was 18 months old at the time and not neutered and I was scared that he was going to spray all over my house.
The kind people here all told me the same thing, if he hadn't already started to spray chances were that he wasn't going to start.
The first night we had him inside, we kept him away from the girls.
He had never seen a litter box in his life, but he used right of the bat and he never sprayed.

When we had him neutered my Vet agreed with the advice that I was given here.
That if he wasn't already spraying the chances were pretty slim that he'd start.
He also found it odd that an 18 month old un-neutered male hadn't already started to spray, but that's a whole other topic.
I guess Elliott is just a werido


So after I wrote a novel, I'd go for Lucky but if you do decide on Muggs if he's not already spraying he probably won't start.

Good luck and bless you for saving one of those sweet babies.
 

mooficat

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Hello and welcome to the site.

Its great here, theres always lots to do, see and learn it can become a bit of an addiction
but don't worry you are among good friends


All those kitties sound so adorable
I'm sure one has already stolen your heart, so just go with that


Once you've decided which kitty to adopt, maybe you can post some photos
we just love photos here


Glad you dropped by to join us - enjoy the forums - and good luck with your new kitty once he/she arrives
 

captiva

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I don't envy the decision you have to make, but any way around it, you still win!
I had a female that sprayed and none of my males did, so who knows?
I normally would tell you to follow your heart, but since the cat will be staying with several people, it sounds as if Lucky is a great choice! By the way you described how she sucked up all the attention you were giving her, just multiply that by all the people living there and she'll be in heaven! Good luck, keep us updated and welcome to TCS!
 

coolcat

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Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina
y Milky
te saludan!
!........

(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina and Milky say hello to you!!!...
)

See you on the forums!
 

clixpix

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Hi and welcome to TCS!
It's great that you've joined us!


If you have any questions as you find your way around the site, please feel free to click on my username and send me a private message. I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
 

flisssweetpea

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Hi there
we're so happy to get the chance to welcome you to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions


Good luck with your decision-making
 
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pdaj

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It's time for an update!

Yesterday, I went back to the Providence shelter to make my decision.

But I couldn't find Muggs! I immediately assumed he was adopted, but then learned that he was being treated for an upper-respiratory issue. When I inquired further, I was told the prognosis was very positive and that he'd most likely be fully recovered in two to three weeks. Excellent news!

So as I headed out the door, guess who I caught a glimpse of? Lucky. She was so happy to see me. I swear, I've never seen a cat so appreciative when pet. She looks like a 5 year-old licking a lolly-pop. After spending sometime with her, I asked if I could read her "personality profile." Basically, it's a survey the previous owner fills out to ensure he or she is matched with the ideal owner.

Lucky's owner had passed away, but someone close to her must had done so for her. Lucky was described as a cat that loved being pet and required a lot of attention. It also stated, "she loves belly rubs." At that point, I was hooked.

An hour later, Lucky was being introduced to my new apartment. For the first 12 hours or so, she basically stuck to one room - the comfy living room. She would alternate between the window sills. She seemed a bit ... cautious. When I approached her to pet her, she responded positively, but did not go out of her way to socialize. For that reason, I respected her space and let her be while I continued to unpack. Every hours or so, I'd come by .. give her a quick peak/pet .. and continue doing my thing.

Lucky didn't seem to like any of her cat furniture I was given by my family (previously used). She was content just sitting by her sill of choice. Eventually, I had to leave for a few hours .. and when I returned, I was a little nervous .. but she had comfortably positioned herself on a vacant book shelf in the same room. Very cute.

Considering it was her first night here, I slept in the living room on the couch, but left her be. I just wanted her to know I was there .. and that she was safe. In the morning, she crept over to me and rubbed the top of her head against mine.

When I got up, I couldn't believe it. She was following me around, rubbing against my leg, and dying to play. I left shortly after .. and when I returned .. she was waiting and immediately approached. She's eating fine. Using the litter box. She's adjusted much quicker than I could have ever imagined. She's even using her cat furniture.

Nothin' like those 5 year olds.


I'll get you all pictures soon, as well as keep you updated.

That's it for now!

P.S. I'm planning on waiting 2 weeks and then asking my landlord about Muggs. Wish me luck.
 

graciecat

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What a wonderful story, I'm so glad you picked Lucky...or should I say Lucky picked you.

When I read what you had to say about the cats in your first post, Lucky was my choice right off the bat.
 
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