I posted this on my own message board this morning and, then, decided that I would post it here as well. It would be interesting to hear some of your stories, as well.
I thought it would be interesting for all of us to tell our story of how we became cat people. Some start out loving kittens and always knew their path in life, others hate them and wouldn't want to be around them. Then, there are then nueatrals. These are the ones that laugh at cat jokes politely, but not a hearty deep laugh - just a chuckle here and there.
Some will get scared of a cat and won't get near one. They try to be polite, but would rather stick with a dog, horse, Rabbit, or no animal at all.
Cats envoke strong emotions in humans. You don't ever hear somoene say, unsless they are a TRUE cat person. "I need to get a kitten THIS WEEK. I am not living my live without a cat any longer" This is proably the first big test on if you are a cat person, but only brings you up to about a 75% on a true test There is more to it. I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of questions that can help you decide if you are a true cat person. Just answer the questions befow. I then thought that we should share the moment we found out that WE were indeed a cat person. My story is right after the questions.
1. Will you tolorate being wakended in the middle of the night because your cat believes that he wants you to open the Kitchen for some can food as a midnight snack?
2. How will you feel about your cat when you are all alone and he sees something in the hallway? This is right after a scary movie and you have already warned your cat not to do this.
3. Does every cat you see have some special characteristic that interests you (tail, ears, coat, etc...)
4. Do you know exactly what your cat is stating when he talks?
5. DO you know when your cat feeks personally offended by something you may or may not have done?
6. What immediate feelings do you have when finding not one, but 2 piles of vomit on your new living rooom couch.
7. Do you wonder what your cat is doing while you are not at home?
8. Have you ever been slightly offended that your cat has not learned to call you to check in when you are at work.
9. Do you think your cat likes the same TV programs that you like to watch?
10. Do you secretely believe that all your friends would love to have more cats if they could?
11. Should everyone own more than one cat?
12.. You never saw a coat color or type that you didn't like?
13. If you have 12 cats in your home and a tiny 5 week old orphaned kitten is on your doorstep, does the thought of even trying to find it another home cross your mind?
14. Do you wash your cat's bedding more than your own?
15. Do you buy Christmas presents for you cats? How far in advance do you do this?
16. Do you adjust the temperature in your home to what you think the cats will be comfortable in, even if it makes you miserable?
17. Are there more than 5 pieces of cat art in your house?
18. Did you take as long to name one of your cats as you did your child?
19. If looking for a home, do you check out the house first for cat pleasure and second if you can live there?
20. Do you find yourself on a Saturday morning trying to think of things to do with your cats, instead of having a day away from the house.
So, those are the questions. Next, I think we should all tell how we became these "Crazy Cat Ladies" We all know that even if you are a guy, the term "Crazy Cat lady" sticks on us, as well. LOL
So, here is my story. I grew up LOVING dogs. I had 2 or 3 dogs at all times. In fact, I had everything else to go along with them. Fish, birds, rabbits, Guinne Pigs, turtles, etc.,. My parents lived in fear of what I was going to bring home next - an injured bird, a snake, anything that was alive, and would let me, I would bring home. However, it was NEVER a cat. Had no desire to have a cat even outside. Not sure why...
I started showing Giant Schnauzers when I was 14 years old. Got heavy into that. My close cousin had the top Giant's in the country and she mentored me. Won lots of championships and by the time I was 20, I had one go Best in Group at Westminster. I loved it. Got into breeding them and that was my live for years. I was identified as the "dog person"
When I was in my mid-twenties, I moved from Louisiana to Lubbock, Texas. (that culture shock is a whole other email). WHen I was there, though, I rented an old two story house with a couple of my friends. One night I heard a screaming on the front porch. I ran to the door and found a very bloody Siamese kitten that had torn into the screen and was between the front door and the screen for safetly. It was apparently a dog attack, but the dog was long gone. I rushed the cat to the Vet. He stated that she shouldn't live and wanted to put her to sleep. I said "NO" and I would do what was necessary to get her well. After 2 surgeries on this 7 week (age is a guess) and a tube for drainage coming out of her head, she definitely had a little brain damage. She walked crooked and held her head to the side. Her balance was way off. I took my time and introduced her to all the Giant Schnauzers (had 3 living with me at that time). Hero, my oldest, took her under his wing. They LOVED each other. He would snuggle her up in his big long beard and she would purr away. Never did you see one without the other. When I moved back to New Orleans, Whoppie (that was her name) came right along with us. One day she got out the back door and was running under the house. The houses there are off the ground and you can go under them. THen, I heard a Booooiiiiig while trying to spot her. She had run into one of the low hanging pipes. Another trip to the Vet later and another tube for drainage in the head, and we were set. Whoopie lived to be 12 years old, which is remarkable with all she had been through. It was THAT day that I decided that I would never be without a cat again.
The dog showing slowed, as my career didn't allow me to travel and have as much time at home to raise puppies. Plus, space allowances were a problem. Raising dogs is a bigger job than cats, I don't care what anyone thinks. Especially large dogs.
This is when I went out and purchased my first real show quality Siamese. Two weeks later, I had another one. Sierra and Oshae were best of buds. I had permission and arrangements to breed them once with kittens split between me and the original breeder. My life had begun.
Later on, I became infatuated with the Sphynx. I got two of those at that time, but then reading all the Russian news on this new Peterbald, I knew that this married the perfect qualities I wanted in a cat. I became a breeder years ago. Fanya, the first Peterbald in the U.S., was my foundation queen. Now, I think I am close to the longest continuous breeder in the country. I love the PD and, now the Bramble. Couldn't even think of how it would be without them. All during this time, I help save feral cats that show up in my barn down on my property or just roam up to my house. I love all animals, but cats will always have a special place in my heart.
So, that is how I became a CRAZY CAT LADY (that is actually a guy!)
I thought it would be interesting for all of us to tell our story of how we became cat people. Some start out loving kittens and always knew their path in life, others hate them and wouldn't want to be around them. Then, there are then nueatrals. These are the ones that laugh at cat jokes politely, but not a hearty deep laugh - just a chuckle here and there.
Some will get scared of a cat and won't get near one. They try to be polite, but would rather stick with a dog, horse, Rabbit, or no animal at all.
Cats envoke strong emotions in humans. You don't ever hear somoene say, unsless they are a TRUE cat person. "I need to get a kitten THIS WEEK. I am not living my live without a cat any longer" This is proably the first big test on if you are a cat person, but only brings you up to about a 75% on a true test There is more to it. I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of questions that can help you decide if you are a true cat person. Just answer the questions befow. I then thought that we should share the moment we found out that WE were indeed a cat person. My story is right after the questions.
1. Will you tolorate being wakended in the middle of the night because your cat believes that he wants you to open the Kitchen for some can food as a midnight snack?
2. How will you feel about your cat when you are all alone and he sees something in the hallway? This is right after a scary movie and you have already warned your cat not to do this.
3. Does every cat you see have some special characteristic that interests you (tail, ears, coat, etc...)
4. Do you know exactly what your cat is stating when he talks?
5. DO you know when your cat feeks personally offended by something you may or may not have done?
6. What immediate feelings do you have when finding not one, but 2 piles of vomit on your new living rooom couch.
7. Do you wonder what your cat is doing while you are not at home?
8. Have you ever been slightly offended that your cat has not learned to call you to check in when you are at work.
9. Do you think your cat likes the same TV programs that you like to watch?
10. Do you secretely believe that all your friends would love to have more cats if they could?
11. Should everyone own more than one cat?
12.. You never saw a coat color or type that you didn't like?
13. If you have 12 cats in your home and a tiny 5 week old orphaned kitten is on your doorstep, does the thought of even trying to find it another home cross your mind?
14. Do you wash your cat's bedding more than your own?
15. Do you buy Christmas presents for you cats? How far in advance do you do this?
16. Do you adjust the temperature in your home to what you think the cats will be comfortable in, even if it makes you miserable?
17. Are there more than 5 pieces of cat art in your house?
18. Did you take as long to name one of your cats as you did your child?
19. If looking for a home, do you check out the house first for cat pleasure and second if you can live there?
20. Do you find yourself on a Saturday morning trying to think of things to do with your cats, instead of having a day away from the house.
So, those are the questions. Next, I think we should all tell how we became these "Crazy Cat Ladies" We all know that even if you are a guy, the term "Crazy Cat lady" sticks on us, as well. LOL
So, here is my story. I grew up LOVING dogs. I had 2 or 3 dogs at all times. In fact, I had everything else to go along with them. Fish, birds, rabbits, Guinne Pigs, turtles, etc.,. My parents lived in fear of what I was going to bring home next - an injured bird, a snake, anything that was alive, and would let me, I would bring home. However, it was NEVER a cat. Had no desire to have a cat even outside. Not sure why...
I started showing Giant Schnauzers when I was 14 years old. Got heavy into that. My close cousin had the top Giant's in the country and she mentored me. Won lots of championships and by the time I was 20, I had one go Best in Group at Westminster. I loved it. Got into breeding them and that was my live for years. I was identified as the "dog person"
When I was in my mid-twenties, I moved from Louisiana to Lubbock, Texas. (that culture shock is a whole other email). WHen I was there, though, I rented an old two story house with a couple of my friends. One night I heard a screaming on the front porch. I ran to the door and found a very bloody Siamese kitten that had torn into the screen and was between the front door and the screen for safetly. It was apparently a dog attack, but the dog was long gone. I rushed the cat to the Vet. He stated that she shouldn't live and wanted to put her to sleep. I said "NO" and I would do what was necessary to get her well. After 2 surgeries on this 7 week (age is a guess) and a tube for drainage coming out of her head, she definitely had a little brain damage. She walked crooked and held her head to the side. Her balance was way off. I took my time and introduced her to all the Giant Schnauzers (had 3 living with me at that time). Hero, my oldest, took her under his wing. They LOVED each other. He would snuggle her up in his big long beard and she would purr away. Never did you see one without the other. When I moved back to New Orleans, Whoppie (that was her name) came right along with us. One day she got out the back door and was running under the house. The houses there are off the ground and you can go under them. THen, I heard a Booooiiiiig while trying to spot her. She had run into one of the low hanging pipes. Another trip to the Vet later and another tube for drainage in the head, and we were set. Whoopie lived to be 12 years old, which is remarkable with all she had been through. It was THAT day that I decided that I would never be without a cat again.
The dog showing slowed, as my career didn't allow me to travel and have as much time at home to raise puppies. Plus, space allowances were a problem. Raising dogs is a bigger job than cats, I don't care what anyone thinks. Especially large dogs.
This is when I went out and purchased my first real show quality Siamese. Two weeks later, I had another one. Sierra and Oshae were best of buds. I had permission and arrangements to breed them once with kittens split between me and the original breeder. My life had begun.
Later on, I became infatuated with the Sphynx. I got two of those at that time, but then reading all the Russian news on this new Peterbald, I knew that this married the perfect qualities I wanted in a cat. I became a breeder years ago. Fanya, the first Peterbald in the U.S., was my foundation queen. Now, I think I am close to the longest continuous breeder in the country. I love the PD and, now the Bramble. Couldn't even think of how it would be without them. All during this time, I help save feral cats that show up in my barn down on my property or just roam up to my house. I love all animals, but cats will always have a special place in my heart.
So, that is how I became a CRAZY CAT LADY (that is actually a guy!)