"New"

Hello everyone,

(Sorry this is a little long, thought I'd tell my story)

I am fairly new to this sight. I Haven't formally introduced myself yet. Have just been checking it out & doing a lot of reading, & some commenting. I am really happy I found this sight, what a great community of people, full of support!

My name is Kelly. I have a big orange & white tabby boy who adopted me about 3 yrs. ago.

I have always been allergic to cats & never thought I could have one. It started one windy day when I was inside & heard meowing outside my door. I looked out & there he was. I went out & visited w/ him for a while, while he walked around me rubbing up against me before finally settling into my lap purring away! (I had been having a sad day, & when he curled up in my lap & stayed a while, my heart melted).  He was clean & very sweet, so figured he must belong to someone.  To make a long story short, after hanging out for almost a year w/out being fed by me, & finally let in the house (after a good brushing) & started spending the night @ the foot of my bed, he was mine. Months later I found out he had grown up over @ the neighbors. ( even though I have lived there for yrs & never saw him, despite him having been an indoor/outdoor cat)  Her daughter had a baby & I think the new ciaos & noise was to stressful for him, because he has been w/ me ever sense. (The neighbor was o.k. w/ it).  After he started staying w/ me I took him to the Vet & made it official, shots & all!  -and being a first time kitty mommy,  & him already being neutered, I thought he was a girl for the first yr. So, good thing Angel can be a unisex name. Nothing else just fit, because that's what he was that day when he came into my life. "they say cats choose their owners, & in this case I can say that's true. 

As far as the allergies, I just made sure I didn't touch my face after petting him & had to take allergy pills sometimes, but over time, it's not really  bad anymore. I guess like homeopathic med. I mostly got over it with little doses increased over time. After all, now I can get all in his face giving lots of kisses, as I always do because he's so irresistible! (even though he is probably saying, "mommy. please, enough!")

You can check out my picts. on my profile pg.! Hope you enjoy!

Aw!  He sounds like a sweetheart!  They sure do choose us sometimes.  I love how they can sense our moods when no one else does.  Definitely makes them little Angels in our lives!  My DH is allergic to cats too.  I lost my last cat from growing up a few weeks after we got married.  I was soo lonely for a kitty for almost 2 years before we got Mooch and Noodles.  We got them as kittens so I could bathe them to help control his allergies.  And keep them from our bedroom.  But like you; over time they have bothered him less.  I don't bathe them anymore and they do come in our room briefly; but not on our bed.  Turns our DH is a pretty big cat guy. 

Welcome to TCS!

"Thanks!" So glad I found this site!    Yes, they can sense our moods. That day he came, I was feeling sad & when he curled up in my lap, tears just fell down my face. I truly believe he was "sent" to me. 

They definitely sense our moods.  Our Rainbow "Boots" comforted me years ago when my mother passed away.  He definitely sensed  how I was feeling.

Oh and we have an "Angel" also.  (I think there's a few Angels on the board).   Our Angel is a female and she adopted us after our BJ went to Rainbow Bridge.   That's how she became "Angel" - (or  BJ's Angel).

Look forward to hearing more about  your Angel.  That's a special name!

Aww, that's sweet. Yes, "Angels are special."   Thanks for your reply.     Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

Some people say that wiping your cat down with a damp (not wet) cloth (some say microfiber cloth) every day will greatly reduce the allergic affects. After all, it's the protein in the saliva the cat deposits in cleaning itself that makes you react.

Angel is a beautiful cat, by the way.

PS.   I love Angel's pink nose in your profile photo of him after a bath.

Hi and welcome to TCS!
Angel looks like a sweetie. It certainly sounds like he chose you, just when you needed him!

Thanks!  Yes, I sometimes use the cat wipes on him, (we brush almost every day)  usually only when he needs it between baths. Yea, he gets them, sense he's an indoor/ outdoor. He grew up that way, long before coming to me. He loves to go out!  He grew up next door & as far as I know/seen, he pretty much stays in a 2-3 house radius & the neighbors know him.  I only let him out in the morning when I'm getting ready for work, & after I get home (always try to make him eat first, so he hopefully doesn't get into/catch anything he shouldn't) & make sure he's in for the night around 8:00.  I keep him in all day when I'm at work. I'm sure he hates it, but it gives me peace of mind! 

We just had our first case of rabies in the neighborhood last week, so took him to the Vet on Mon. for a booster. Animal Control got the strays that had it, but never caught the raccoons we are sure it must've come from, because they are around. Only taking him out on a leach now & he hates it!  I take him out & walk around for about 30 min.s in the am. & pm. when I get home. I just wonder how long before it's safe to let him out on his own? He can't run & get his exercise like he's used to on the leash. He plays in the house sometimes chasing his balls etc.. but not a lot of space for him to really run. (2 bdrm/ 1 bth approx 900sq. ft?).  AND, I have to say, I'm worried once he's free of the leash he might stay gone? That's just "my worst fear," he has always come home in the 2 yrs. he's really been mine. (even after being kept in the house for 3wks until he was better aftr getting a parasite last yr.) 

I'd appreciate any advice anyone has. -Sorry this got long!

Thanks!

Glad you like the pictures. Yes, he doesn't like baths, wines the whole time, but I've got it down to 2 quick shampoos (usually needs 2, that's why he's get'n one) & conditioner in 15min.s!  He really is a sweet boy. He doesn't try to scratch or bite. just claws at the shower doors.   (& I sometimes get hissed @ if I try to dry him off to long).

We constantly discuss this...but please let me urge you to never let him go outside on his own again.  I've seen too many cats whose owners thought they only went out in their own yard be killed by cars, dogs, coyotes, and cruel people.  Do you really want to expose your baby to that?  Yes, he'll whine, but sometimes we humans have to be the adults.  After all, you can teach a child to stay out of the street, and even explain why, and they still get hurt and killed.  How much less can you explain it to a cat?

Walking him on a leash is better, but I still worry about him getting loose.  Do you have him in a harness, or just a collar?

So sorry to hear about the strays getting rabies.

Yes, I know what you're saying. Although he is 8yrs old & has done this all his life. Where we live is a small area of only a row of 4 houses. He really does stay close by. I usually can always see him, or call him & he comes pretty quickly.  I do understand what your saying though. I just worry because he won't be able to "run" outside.( He's a big long boy).  I tried a harness, but he was to big for the largest one. (was up to 16" girth & measured him @ more like 17-18"). So, decided to try a small dog harness. It was wider & didn't quite fit right. He wouldn't walk in it. He just did a crawly walk (was funny), so after trying it for a wk. to get used to, still not working, so took bk to Pet Smart. What I have been doing is just tightening up his collar, (not overly & uncomfortably, but enough that he can't get out of) for only when we go out. (& loosen bk up when in)  I stay behind him, holding the leash up loosely so he doesn't feel it, or see it. If he sees it, he stops & won't walk. Because he is leery of it, he has never tried to run in it. Also staying behind or beside him instead of in front he can't slip out. I pay close attention to him when we're out & If he starts to get aggravated w/ it & acting like he wants it off, I immediately pick him up & take him inside. I just don't want to crush his little spirit, or make him feel like he's being punished. He's such an independent boy. I know that it's best for him though.  I do have a nice size little porch that i am going to see if my dad will help me find a door for the top of the stairs & screen it in. I don't think my land lord will mind. Don't know why the picts are all over, 2 up, 1 down??  Still trying to figure out how to do stuff on here.

I will attach some picts. , so you can see below.

Oh my gosh.  He's just beautiful.  I'm glad you found one another

Angels mommy said:

"Thanks!" So glad I found this site!    Yes, they can sense our moods. That day he came, I was feeling sad & when he curled up in my lap, tears just fell down my face. I truly believe he was "sent" to me. 

Click to expand...

Welcome to TCS!.  I'm so glad that you've joined us here

Thanks so much. Everyone here is so great! Glad I found you guys too!!