HOW DID YOU GET INTO CATS?

Hi guys and gals.

I thought it might be interesting to know how we got into cats, so this is my "short story" of what brought me into the cat world, share yours.

It was long time ago when I was 11 or maybe 12, my 6 y o brother and my mother had been feeding this semi feral adult cat that used to visit our home on regular basis, as he was fed by my brother and mother he didn´t leave.

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My brother used to be attached to that cat, I on the other hand didn’t like him because I had a wrong approach to cats: I used to think of them as dirty creatures that like to dwell on streets and I thought it was disgusting that dirty little creep lying down on our furniture so I used to be mean to that cat: Sometimes I used to kick him, some other times I used to throw water on him to make him go but he kept coming, to tell true it was a gentle cat and was very kind to my 6 y o brother, they both showed some love to each other, while I was a pain in the ass to the poor little fellow. Somehow deep inside I was able to see kindness in the eyes of that animal. but I was a picky kid and I used  to find him dirty and disgusting, after all he was semi feral.

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Days went on and on as the cat kept on coming to our house and as I kept on behaving rude to  him until it was when this day that I was getting back home from school I was able to see the cat lying down on the street just in front of our house, as it was a sunny afternoon I thought cat must have been taking some sun but I was surprised  to see he was already dead by the time I got near him, probably some mean neighbor (meanner than me of course) poisoned the poor cat.

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I guess I should have been happy because that “dirty little creeper” would at last stop coming home to get our furniture dirty, nonetheless on the other hand I felt sad and from that moment I stated thinking about the way I used to behave to that poor kitty and my heat got full of remorse and sadness because eventhough I had been keeping mean to that cat, one day  I was able to see the love that cat and my 6 y o brother had for each other, the way they used to look at each other and the kindess they both showed to each other: The love and warmth of that little soul had at last, touched my heart, but it was too late for kitty was dead and I was full of regret.

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I donno but maybe the misson of that lonely soul was to make me become a better kid and a better man because from that time I started to behave better to cats to the point I was able to develope a very strong connection to our next cat, a domestic grey cat that I named Morito.

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Now a days I got two cats for my 10 y o kid,  a Birman and a Russian blue, the ones some of you already know, Horatio and Seraph and we at home love them very much.

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But even now a days that I am 47,  I  remember that cat I used to be mean to with remorse and sadness, I wished I could take that little and loyal kitty between my arms and ask him to forgive the mistreatments he got from me and to thank him for loving my little brother so much and for teaching me how to love cats.

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Thanks for reading this strory I thought this would be the adecuate place to share it because  I know you  guys and gals are people who have been touched by the warmth and love of those little angels in cat shapes. 

I was thinking asking that, haha. one kitten just showed up

mwallace056 said:

 
I was thinking asking that, haha. one kitten just showed up

Click to expand...

Then tell us about the whole story.

yeah, i should, i am not very good at telling stories or putting things into words. well actually she isn't the cat that got me into cats, the cat that got me into cats was a boy, i. i can't remember a lot about him, other then he was white and soft. i saw how much better cats is then dogs. he died, he the reason i am into cats. now last year i think it was, a 6 or 7 months boy kitten showed up, he let me hold him, after a few days or a week he disappeared. after a week another 6 or 7 months kitten female showed up(i believe they were brother and sister and he the father or one of the fathers of both litters) she just jump start my interest in cats and made me to want to learn whatever i can about cats behavior. she gave me a hug after i gave her some food, i guess she was saying thank you

I have loved cats all my life (I love all animals but cats are nearest and dearest to my heart). I wasn't able to have one as a kid. My mom hates cats.  Then I couldn't have one because my husband was allergic.   

One year ago today I went to the Humane Society to meet Lilith, a black persian I saw on their website. I came home with her and her sister Sophie. One month ago today, I went to a local shelter and brought home Henry. He's an 8 year old black DSH who had been at the shelter all of his life. He's a permanent foster. I also have a 12 year old border collie named Bailey that I have had for over 10 years. She will be 13 in July.

As far as I can remember I had a cat in my house.  I grew up in my grandma's house and she had this calico cat.  

I don't know what it was about her but I was just attracted to her and loved her.  Maybe because the big dog barked at me and scared me when I was 5 lol. 

But ever since then I have loved cats.  

When I was 12-13 there was this super friendly female kitty who was INSIDE our new house after moving. At first we thought the old tenants had dumped her but it turned out she belonged to some college guys down the street. She was heavily pregnant and i deciced that once she had the kittens Id ask her owners if I could adopt one and pay for her to be spayed.

Then I went away for a weekend to visit relatives and when I came back she'd been hit by a car. I was devastated. When another unfixed cat showed up at our house we made the appointment to have him fixed and brought him inside asap. That big boy was a constant friend and amazing pal for the next ten years. Im so glad we were able to meet and help him but Ill always regret that we couldnt save her.

My love of cats started when I was a teenager and we got Josie, a little black and white cat. I liked her at first but I didn't really get cats, as we'd only had a dog when I was little. One day Josie was unsupervised in my room - none of us knew we needed to watch her, she was only maybe 5 months old. She got her neck tangled in the fringe of an old tapestry I had draped over a chair. When I head her screaming I ran upstairs and saw her. I grabbed some scissors and cut her out. Luckily she was fine, but she was my best friend ever after. The tapestry was an heirloom but who cares about that, the love of a sweet little cat is worth millions of heirlooms.

I used to hate cats.

That's because I grew up with rabbits, who had the run of the house and the yard, but the neighborhood cats would prey on them and there I was in my pre-teens, armed with a broom to chase away the evil creatures.

Then, many years later, my sister's neighbor threw out a cat because his girlfriend was allergic. The poor thing hang around the neighborhood. She got filthy and starved and needless to say, my sister took her in.

I was horrified. Who could live with a cat? I came and visited. The cat was beautiful. I started to bring treats when I visited.

Still later, Rascal showed up starved, intact and unclaimed, in the rainy season... the landlord did allow large dogs but not cats since he was allergic, so we had to move.

We moved twice now.

Then the Rogue was discovered in my car and things started getting crazy.   Now I'm a sort of cat person, but don't discriminate; I like all creatures except maybe the mosquito, I just happen to live with cats who for some reason keep accumulating.

My first cat wasn't really my cat XD

The people we were buying a house from had a barn cat. They were splitting their property in half, selling the house we moved into, and building another one on the adjacent plot. Since the cat had was 9 years old and had lived in that barn its whole life and its owners were moving less than a mile away, it would have been pointless to take the cat with them - it just would have kept going back to its barn.

That cat was pretty cool - enjoyed affection on occasion (though I got good at feeling his neck tense - he would purr and enjoy the petting, but there was no break between the purr and a sudden bite when he was tired of it), but this cat could fish! It was so cool to watch. He would wade out into the shallows, slowly move a paw around, and when a fish came up to investigate...WHACK the next thing the fish knew it was on the bank, the cat would slap, grab with its claws, and fling the fish to shore all in one quick motion.

All my cats growing up were barn cats - my Dad was allergic, but living in the country, they were great for keeping down mice and moles (and birds too, sadly, but watching a cat catch a bird mid-flight is a sight to see - especially when the cat flips in the air to do it!).

My first indoor cat experience was less than ideal. She wasn't bad or anything, just incredibly boring. All she did was sleep. It actually got better when I got a dog - she spent more time playing with dog and cuddling with the dog than me...weird cat XD

Both that dog and the cat have passed on sadly. I decided I was done with cats, but Sam (the picture you see) was a stray who invited himself into my apartment, and he is more like the barn cats I had growing up - super athletic, always chasing things - its just he's indoor, so they are toys instead of mice or birds XD.

And he enjoys snuggling up when I lay down for the night. I'm glad Sam barged his way into my life, he's made it a lot more fun.

My dad got us our first cat from a pet shop in a department store when I was very little - I recall that dad gave me the money to hand to the cashier. The cat was black and white and we named him Tom. Funny, I have not thought about that for a few decades....

But I suppose that I never really got into cats. Cats got into me somehow, sort of sneaked right into the fabric of my soul. Seems like I have always intrinsically understood cats and cats have always understood me. And for whatever reason, cats have always liked and trusted me. Feral cats that no one can get near often walk right up to me. I have had sick or injured cats seek me out, somehow they know I will help them. One time a cat with a broken leg showed up at my door, she let me pick her up and take her to the vet where she got a small cast. She stayed with me for several weeks until the cast was off, and then she disappeared. Another time a feral female sought me out, at the time I lived in an apartment building with several units, she was always hanging around. But this time she came right up to me as I was talking with the neighbors, she was crying loudly. She let me pet her, and I noticed she was a nursing mom. She meowed at me and trotted off, stopping to see if I would follow, which I did. She came to a storage shed that had a window repaired that day. Her kittens were inside and the broken window had been her way in and out. I blocked open the window for her and let everyone know to keep it open. That cat was unapproachable before and after this. These sorts of things have happened to me frequently.

When I look into those big gold or green eyes, I see intelligence and wisdom, and I often feel a very strong sense of kinship. Since I am otherwise not a spiritual person, this feeling conspicuously stands out. The feeling has become stronger over time.

I admire cats, their gracefulness, hunting ability, sense of balance and athletic ability. Cat have some cool technical specs too, rotating and focus-able ears, 20 retractable claws, multiple smell organs, proximity sensing whiskers and separate prey whiskers, special eyes that work in very low light etc, etc. I love cats independence: many animal love humans out of dependance, cats love by choice. To be loved by a cat is to be deemed worthy, being loved by a cat is truly a compliment. 

Eric

I was that person who couldn't stand cats. "Ew you let your cat on the counters after it dug in the litter box??" Type of person. I grew up with dogs and love them!

When I moved out my parents house, and shortly after I lost my job. I fell into dee p financial depression, almost suicidal depression. Financially I knew it was a bad time to adopt but when I saw Monet in a shelter 6 years ago, I thought why not. If I didn't like him I could bring him back.

Best decision I've ever made. I really feel like he saved my life since I was really depressed and didbhave thoughts in my head. Monet made it to where I felt guilty about leaving him behind and he pulled me through.

Not just that- he showed me what cats are really like- not some disgusting unaffectionate snooty thing. I loved everything about him.

Now I probably will never own a dog again lol. Happy meowmy of 2 cats!

My story is here,  Hope you enjoy! 

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-angel-adopted-me-our-story

I always loved cats and my neighbors had cats when I was little... an outdoor seal point kitty that would come visit me across the street, and two indoor cats.  A longhaired orange cat that was very shy and a persian who was constantly purring.  He was very sweet and seriously never stopped purring.  I liked visiting the persian, and I would carry their outdoor cat around with me when she came to visit.  My parents took me to a cat show when I was four since I liked cats so much.  Apparently I fell in love with the Russian blues and wanted one of the cats I saw.  My dad heard the price of a kitten and was like... uhh, no.  He ended up talking to the breeder and getting a non standard pointed kitten rather than the standard blue color for a lower price.  He surprised me with her after work one day when the kittens were old enough to go home.  I loved that kitten, she knew that she was my kitten, and she was generally unpleasant towards anyone else in her life.  Lived until just about a year ago when I had her put down at age 18. 

So, that's how I got into them.  I am probably more "into cats" than most people out there, but I wouldn't say that I'm as "into cats" as many people on here or as into them as I am dogs and horses.  I love my little girl, but I'm probably not going to get another one until after she's gone.  My girl hates other animals, and I've got my hands full with everything else!

Very nice stories guys, keep'em comin'.

I'm a dog person. my step-mom's cat, Tabitha saw to that. she was a fat, lazy snob of a cat who would lay in the middle of the hall and hiss or scratch at us kids. Dogs aer friendlier, and I used to walk nearly every dog in the neighborhood.

Then I was walking into my dining room and a mouse looked at me....just looked at me, and didn't run!  Well, if cats are good for one thing, it's mousing...or so I thought lol. I decided that tame mice couldn't be allowed, and talked to a woman that I knew-the kind who knows tons of other people. she happened to have a friend who was looking to rehome her cat, due to her husband's allergies, so I agreed to take her. 

Sassy was my cat. she didn't like the kids, though the'd tolerate them if I asked. but she mow-rowed at me whenever I passed the bed room and she practically lived on my bed. she'd sing for her supper if I had wet food, so I used to buy her whiskas pouches just to hear her sing. I loved her, and I learned that cats are great company. Sassy had a motorboat pur that you could hear from 3feet away, and she always turned it on for me if I was upset. and she slept on my legs. She was my angel. when she was about 7, we noticed that her breath smelled. Her teeth were getting bad, so we booked her in for a cleaning. That was the last time we saw her...the aenesthetic stopped her heart, and they couldn't revive her in time to prevent stroke. we didn't even get to say goodbye. there are days that I regret taking her in....but I couldn't have refused her treatment, and there was no way to predict. I miss her terribly still. We had her for four years, and she taught me to love cats. 

Sassy's legacy is a house full of cat-lovers. We couldn't live without a cat in the house, and only managed to wait 2weeks before heading out to the shelter, where we adopted Matt. a 2year old boy who runs the house as surely as it were his from the start. He is not Sassy, but he fills the empty spaces, and has taught us many things about cats. Including that cats don't like to live alone. Enter Midnight...a tiny little feral baby born into that back yard 1/2 years ago, and brought inside that August. It's not quiet around here anymore. Far from it lol. Many nights we don't sleep because they sound like a herd of buffallo running across the hardwood and Midnight likes to jump on my feet.

We fostered Little Helen Nov. 25, 2014.......trying to decide if she's a  failed foster or not. we all like her, but she often reminds me of Sassy with painfully similar behaviors.

I think it's safe to say that if it weren't for my Sassy-cat, I would still be a dog person. She really got me started on cats, by showing me how loving they can be, along with a side of loyalyty that I never would have imagined existed. On a side-note, she never did catch that mouse......she used to like to hunt with me, and then she got mad at me when I captured and disposed of her "toys" 

When I moved into our new house few years back, there was a cat in our garage. I decided to give her some food and then gradually she started coming everyday. Then she came inside and started staying in and I got super attached. I never planned for having a pet and here I am now [emoji]128522[/emoji] she is my first pet by the way

We had a white cat when i was a kid. There a pictures of me sleeping with him/her I have no idea what it was. I don't even remember if it had a name. Then when I was 11 we got a puppy we had her until she was 10 years old sadly passing away 2 days after her birthday. There were cats in my house but they all had the same name. "chicopancho" thats the name my grandma used to put to all the cats. There was this idiot next door who used to shoot at the cats of my house. Of course I didnt know that or it didnt happen until i left. well anyway i wasnt that much into cats because my puppy estrella didnt like cats. until i found Maia in a supermarket ... then i became a crazy cat lady 

I didn't know anyone with cats when I was a kid but do remember my dad telling me about this woman he met who had 5 kittens and I spent weeks going round to her house to play with them and was devastated when they all went to new homes.  No chance was I going to get a cat at home as my mother wasn't in to animals in any way.  Didn't know anyone else with cats then until I left home and rented rooms in different peoples apartments and houses for about 9 years.  Quite a few of the live in landlords had cats and from the first place I stayed with a cat I knew I loved them and as soon as I had a place of my own I would want to adopt a cat.  Lucky for me just as I got a place of my own a friend's childhood cats had kittens back at her parents' place.  Two of the kittens moved in with me within a week of my getting the keys to my place and I've never looked back.  

When I was 4 almost 5 a big ol black and white tomcat kept coming to the door and we kept begging my mom to let him in. That week, she took me to where a group of kittens was with their mother under a porch and let me pick out a kitten - a grey and white little girl. When she realized the black and white tomcat was going to keep coming back, she relented and let him stay. We called him Mork and the kitten Mindy. That was when I first started loving cats. We got Billy shortly after that. Mindy was hit by a car when I was 5 , Billy lived for 13 years (he died during a routine dental procedure) and Mork lived another 14 years (he was full grown when we got him and we had no idea how old he was). Loved those cats <3