Hi all... I have been spending the last couple of days reading as much as I can from the forums, and I can already say that you all have been an immense help.
This past Saturday, I became a cat mommy for the first time. My husband had cats growing up, but this my first feline. I have a history of allergy issues, but they seem to have gotten a lot better over the last couple years, and I've spent enough time successfully hanging out with friends' cats to be comfortable taking the plunge. So... we went to the shelter and brought home Cleopatra! She's a beautiful 2 year-old Abyssinian mix (build and personality of an Aby but jet black all over), very lively and spunky and curious. She has adjusted very well so far, and seems she has bonded quickly and well with us. I already have the privilege of stealing a few rubs of her belly while she purrs loudly enough to bring the house down. She must be getting more and more comfy in her new environment, since every day she gets a little more playful and a little more boisterous! I'm also having zero, zilch, nada problems with allergies (big sigh of relief).
Like any first-time Mom, though, I can't seem to do enough reading about how to learn to understand and care for my new lovey. My husband is kind and interested in her, but in a more remote way, so I already have become the go-to person for physical affection when she so desires. It all feels kind of overwhelming, but so wonderful at the same time. What's really funny is that he's the one that's agitated for a cat for the whole 15 years we've been together, but when we finally are able to get one, I end up being the one who's more attached to it!
As a first time mom, I'm sure I will be picking your collective brains a lot - nice to know there's a great community like this out there. I look forward to getting to know you all (your kitties included)!
-Courtney
This past Saturday, I became a cat mommy for the first time. My husband had cats growing up, but this my first feline. I have a history of allergy issues, but they seem to have gotten a lot better over the last couple years, and I've spent enough time successfully hanging out with friends' cats to be comfortable taking the plunge. So... we went to the shelter and brought home Cleopatra! She's a beautiful 2 year-old Abyssinian mix (build and personality of an Aby but jet black all over), very lively and spunky and curious. She has adjusted very well so far, and seems she has bonded quickly and well with us. I already have the privilege of stealing a few rubs of her belly while she purrs loudly enough to bring the house down. She must be getting more and more comfy in her new environment, since every day she gets a little more playful and a little more boisterous! I'm also having zero, zilch, nada problems with allergies (big sigh of relief).
Like any first-time Mom, though, I can't seem to do enough reading about how to learn to understand and care for my new lovey. My husband is kind and interested in her, but in a more remote way, so I already have become the go-to person for physical affection when she so desires. It all feels kind of overwhelming, but so wonderful at the same time. What's really funny is that he's the one that's agitated for a cat for the whole 15 years we've been together, but when we finally are able to get one, I end up being the one who's more attached to it!
As a first time mom, I'm sure I will be picking your collective brains a lot - nice to know there's a great community like this out there. I look forward to getting to know you all (your kitties included)!
-Courtney
