- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #41
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Your Cat Biographies
- Thread starter captiva
- Start Date
Yeah....Shelby is my "special" baby because she had such charisma and determination to survive that I believe that's why she put on such a show for me at the shelter. She probably knew instinctively that she needed to find a home quickly in order to survive. She has always been such a little "spitfire" overflowing with personality and charm. The funny thing is.....she rarely ever meows. She's very quiet....except for her loud purring. But that day at the shelter......she was meowing so loudly and frantically....that you would have thought she was dying or something! Even though I love ALL my babies...Shelby will always be "mommy's girl."Originally Posted by captiva
Thanks for posting Robin. I didn't realize Shelby was such a tiny girl when you got her! You are lucky that she took to moist food like that!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #43
Well, I think I've told this story a million times but I love telling it!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #45
Such a lot of wonderful stories!
I'll try not to take all night about this, but there are seven stories to tell, to some extent intertwined...
Shasta, the little lady who really started it all. I had had a kitten -- I've referred to Chinook, but don't have much story to tell as she was in my life for all of five days when she made her exit to the bridge
-- and was kinda fragile, still, four months after her demise, when a friend came by one evening and asked if I was ready to try again. An acquaintance of hers had remarked that day that her cat was mad at her. Seems she had just been spayed -- the family had decided she did not need to have another litter, thanks -- and was not amused. And then she asked, "Oh, by the way, know anyone who wants a couple of kittens? There are two left."
Kitties needing a home. What's a person to do? I put my fragility aside and said Ok, I'd take one -- didn't at that point know the delights of a multi-cat household
. So the next evening, B dropped by with a wriggling little 7-week old delight.
Of all my kitties, she's the only one whose actual birthday I have known. She was born on June 6, 1978, and she left us on August 8, 1999. In between, she was my teacher. I wanted a cat, because I wanted a critter I could have a real relationship with -- who would give a rat's patoot whether I was there or not, but would not be as needy as a dog. (I'd have had a dog, if I'd had an appropriate lifestyle -- Thank God I didn't!
)
Little did I know how much relationship I would have with this critter!! For twelve years, it was her and me, with visits from lots of people, few of whom she was at all interested in. She got along with my landlords well enough that I never needed to worry about her needs being met if I was away for a few days, and when Rob started to be a frequent presence, he entered her circle of accepted humans. We moved twice before she was required to accept his full time presence, and that was never a problem.
Two years later, we inflicted upon her two six-year-old males who needed a new home. It took a few weeks for things to settle down, and in that time she passed up no opportunity to let me know that I was a traitor. But she did eventually accept their presence, and forgive me my transgression.
She had a relatively uneventful life -- no major scares, no health crises, no drama really, save that which she attached to the boy's arrival, and quietly wound down one weekend, and lying on Mum's tummy, let go.
The Boys. They come as a package, really, since they came as a package. Their human was a colleague of mine, who developed allergies and, try as she might, could not make the necessary adjustments in order to keep them. So at the age of about 6 years, Gryphon and Nibs came to our house.
Gryphon, I was told, came by his name because he was a scrawny, scraggly barn kitten, who J felt should have a dignified name to grow into. He certainly did that, becoming eventually a lovely big fellow, very laid back, a country gentleman type, softspoken, but not a pushover.
Six months after his arrival J heard of some purebred Siamese and thought Gryphon might like a companion. It turned out to be a less than reputable "breeder", and J took a kitten considerably earlier than she thought wise, just to make sure it got a decent home. He didn't get a name right away, but every night when J came home, she'd ask Gryph, "Well, what has His Nibs been up to today?" and before long, the little guy was Nibs.
That's really all I know about their early life. Then they needed new digs, and came to join us. Gryph was the spokescat, the one responsible for reconnaissance; Nibs waited for reports from him before venturing out of his safe places. Once they had integrated with the household, we discovered what a nutcase he was -- quite neurotic, but sweetly so. For quite a long while, we thought he was a couple of bricks short of a load -- but then one day he let his guard down. I wish I could remember detail, but basically he responded to something entirely out of character with his "dummy" persona, and demonstrated that he was not anywhere near as dumb as he had been letting on.
Gryph, as I said, was the quiet one. They were great foils for each other.
Gryphon was the first of this trio to leave us. We never did get a specific diagnosis, despite many, many tests, xrays, ultrasound, etc. All that could be said was it seems to be a cancer of some sort, but no mass could be found. He left us on March 9, 1999.
Nibs was plenty puzzled. He was just getting accustomed to life without his brother, when Shasta made her exit. Then he was REEEEEAL puzzled. And if we thought he was needy before....
!!
So, after a time, we began thinking about adding to our little band. We had had a friend's young adult female for a weekend while he was away, and Nibs was so completely freaked out by her that we decided to accept the excuse for getting kittens. Perhaps less threatening for him -- certainly fun for us. We were just gearing up for a search, when Rob's sister heard of a litter looking for homes and asked us if we were ready. We asked her to see if she could arrange for a boy and a girl to be kept for us.
Suzy and Samuel. They were in fact the last of the litter, and we went to see them on a Saturday. Of note is the fact that all of Rob's family lives on Vancouver Island, so we couldn't just run over after work in the evening. It was a day trip, and on our way home from picking up the little people, we stopped to introduce them to their "grandma", who took this picture...
Then we got back in the car, and brought them home. We had a carrier for them, but they were so good, so calm, that we didn't put them in it until we were getting ready to roll off the ferry -- no point risking small people becoming more alert and deciding it would be fun to explore the floor in a dark car while Daddy was trying to drive
Home safe, and then a few days later we trot them off to the vet for shots and whatnot. Vet examines Suzy, gives shots, etc -- all is well. Samuel's turn. Vet lifts tail, pauses, grins, and says "Samuel, eh? mmm...don't think so!" grabs sister Suzy by the tail, whips them both around and says, "See? The same!!" So Samuel became Samantha.
Samantha was Mum's little Drama Queen, sweet little in-your-face cat, and she disappeared about a month before their first birthday. Never found a trace. Suzy spent a long time looking for her, spent a lot of time away from home. We saw her every few days for a half hour or so. She'd have a bite to eat if there was something interesting going, and then buzz off again. She was not much interested in interaction with humans.
Then, as if someone flipped a switch, she was home. She's a homebody now, and this little recluse is coming out of her shell. She and Daddy have their little routines, and she'll even accept a scritch from Mum, and offer a lick or two in return.
While Sooz was having her adventures, Nibs used up his 9th life, and trundled off to the bridge. Sooz was still around some at that point, and was pitifully mystified by his absence. After a couple of weeks of sitting in all his favourite spots and meowing querulously at us, she began her travels in earnest, and this was the period when we saw little of her. We waited a bit to add to the feline population, as much as anything to let her settle, the last few months having been somewhat unsettling for her. And then came the email from Rob's Mum, telling us of a pair of kittens who had been orphaned at 5 weeks, rescued by a friend of hers, and were now, at 5 months ready to be spayed and rehomed. Were we ready?
We figured we were, but weren't sure of Suzy, so agreed with V that we'd take them on a trial basis -- see what Suzy's response was. Another day trip to Victoria, and Cindy and Fawn came home with us.
At three and a half, these little girls have had pretty straightforward little lives -- the most exciting events are bringing home the odd mouse or bird to kill for the humans (thanks girls!
) and Cindy's incessant chasing of Suzy. Sometimes I think that's mostly for the benefit of the humans, and for sure it happens mostly when Cindy is bored -- like when there's six inches of snow on the ground, so it's no fun to go outside [SIGH!]
And that [finally!] is all she wrote. Sorry it's so long!
I'll try not to take all night about this, but there are seven stories to tell, to some extent intertwined...
Shasta, the little lady who really started it all. I had had a kitten -- I've referred to Chinook, but don't have much story to tell as she was in my life for all of five days when she made her exit to the bridge
Kitties needing a home. What's a person to do? I put my fragility aside and said Ok, I'd take one -- didn't at that point know the delights of a multi-cat household
Of all my kitties, she's the only one whose actual birthday I have known. She was born on June 6, 1978, and she left us on August 8, 1999. In between, she was my teacher. I wanted a cat, because I wanted a critter I could have a real relationship with -- who would give a rat's patoot whether I was there or not, but would not be as needy as a dog. (I'd have had a dog, if I'd had an appropriate lifestyle -- Thank God I didn't!
Little did I know how much relationship I would have with this critter!! For twelve years, it was her and me, with visits from lots of people, few of whom she was at all interested in. She got along with my landlords well enough that I never needed to worry about her needs being met if I was away for a few days, and when Rob started to be a frequent presence, he entered her circle of accepted humans. We moved twice before she was required to accept his full time presence, and that was never a problem.
Two years later, we inflicted upon her two six-year-old males who needed a new home. It took a few weeks for things to settle down, and in that time she passed up no opportunity to let me know that I was a traitor. But she did eventually accept their presence, and forgive me my transgression.
She had a relatively uneventful life -- no major scares, no health crises, no drama really, save that which she attached to the boy's arrival, and quietly wound down one weekend, and lying on Mum's tummy, let go.
The Boys. They come as a package, really, since they came as a package. Their human was a colleague of mine, who developed allergies and, try as she might, could not make the necessary adjustments in order to keep them. So at the age of about 6 years, Gryphon and Nibs came to our house.
Gryphon, I was told, came by his name because he was a scrawny, scraggly barn kitten, who J felt should have a dignified name to grow into. He certainly did that, becoming eventually a lovely big fellow, very laid back, a country gentleman type, softspoken, but not a pushover.
Six months after his arrival J heard of some purebred Siamese and thought Gryphon might like a companion. It turned out to be a less than reputable "breeder", and J took a kitten considerably earlier than she thought wise, just to make sure it got a decent home. He didn't get a name right away, but every night when J came home, she'd ask Gryph, "Well, what has His Nibs been up to today?" and before long, the little guy was Nibs.
That's really all I know about their early life. Then they needed new digs, and came to join us. Gryph was the spokescat, the one responsible for reconnaissance; Nibs waited for reports from him before venturing out of his safe places. Once they had integrated with the household, we discovered what a nutcase he was -- quite neurotic, but sweetly so. For quite a long while, we thought he was a couple of bricks short of a load -- but then one day he let his guard down. I wish I could remember detail, but basically he responded to something entirely out of character with his "dummy" persona, and demonstrated that he was not anywhere near as dumb as he had been letting on.
Gryph, as I said, was the quiet one. They were great foils for each other.
Gryphon was the first of this trio to leave us. We never did get a specific diagnosis, despite many, many tests, xrays, ultrasound, etc. All that could be said was it seems to be a cancer of some sort, but no mass could be found. He left us on March 9, 1999.
Nibs was plenty puzzled. He was just getting accustomed to life without his brother, when Shasta made her exit. Then he was REEEEEAL puzzled. And if we thought he was needy before....
So, after a time, we began thinking about adding to our little band. We had had a friend's young adult female for a weekend while he was away, and Nibs was so completely freaked out by her that we decided to accept the excuse for getting kittens. Perhaps less threatening for him -- certainly fun for us. We were just gearing up for a search, when Rob's sister heard of a litter looking for homes and asked us if we were ready. We asked her to see if she could arrange for a boy and a girl to be kept for us.
Suzy and Samuel. They were in fact the last of the litter, and we went to see them on a Saturday. Of note is the fact that all of Rob's family lives on Vancouver Island, so we couldn't just run over after work in the evening. It was a day trip, and on our way home from picking up the little people, we stopped to introduce them to their "grandma", who took this picture...
Then we got back in the car, and brought them home. We had a carrier for them, but they were so good, so calm, that we didn't put them in it until we were getting ready to roll off the ferry -- no point risking small people becoming more alert and deciding it would be fun to explore the floor in a dark car while Daddy was trying to drive
Home safe, and then a few days later we trot them off to the vet for shots and whatnot. Vet examines Suzy, gives shots, etc -- all is well. Samuel's turn. Vet lifts tail, pauses, grins, and says "Samuel, eh? mmm...don't think so!" grabs sister Suzy by the tail, whips them both around and says, "See? The same!!" So Samuel became Samantha.
Samantha was Mum's little Drama Queen, sweet little in-your-face cat, and she disappeared about a month before their first birthday. Never found a trace. Suzy spent a long time looking for her, spent a lot of time away from home. We saw her every few days for a half hour or so. She'd have a bite to eat if there was something interesting going, and then buzz off again. She was not much interested in interaction with humans.
Then, as if someone flipped a switch, she was home. She's a homebody now, and this little recluse is coming out of her shell. She and Daddy have their little routines, and she'll even accept a scritch from Mum, and offer a lick or two in return.
While Sooz was having her adventures, Nibs used up his 9th life, and trundled off to the bridge. Sooz was still around some at that point, and was pitifully mystified by his absence. After a couple of weeks of sitting in all his favourite spots and meowing querulously at us, she began her travels in earnest, and this was the period when we saw little of her. We waited a bit to add to the feline population, as much as anything to let her settle, the last few months having been somewhat unsettling for her. And then came the email from Rob's Mum, telling us of a pair of kittens who had been orphaned at 5 weeks, rescued by a friend of hers, and were now, at 5 months ready to be spayed and rehomed. Were we ready?
We figured we were, but weren't sure of Suzy, so agreed with V that we'd take them on a trial basis -- see what Suzy's response was. Another day trip to Victoria, and Cindy and Fawn came home with us.
At three and a half, these little girls have had pretty straightforward little lives -- the most exciting events are bringing home the odd mouse or bird to kill for the humans (thanks girls!
And that [finally!] is all she wrote. Sorry it's so long!
interesting stories about your kids Fran
!! Especially the Girls
.
Charcoal was playing with the puppy's tail in the cage next to his. I felt really bad for him being in there and my husband and I wanted a kitten really badly. We missed not being allowed to have ours from home due to military restrictions so we decided to adopt him. He came home with us and has been happy and playful ever since
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #49
The Terriable Twos:
The Sammycat,
Sammy came into my life as a wee baby about 8 weeks old
It was love at first sight for me. My boss gave him to me since he knew that I was looking for a cat. I had told my boss one day how Ken had tried to catch a kitten at the plant where he works but was unsuccessful.
The Sammycat also known as Mr. Attitude has his quirks, he only wants to be loved on when he wants it and can be quite nasty to anyone who will force the issue. If Sam wants a treat and you don't give it too him he will get his revenge by waiting until you turn your back and walk off where he will promptly attack the ankles. When you tell him to stop it he will look all innocent and then do it again when you turn around to go about you business.
One day my daughters rottie got loose and came in the house where he chased Oscar trying to catch him. The Sammycat was absolutely fearless as he danced on that big dogs head
He wasn't afraid of him at all. The dog bleeding in more than one place was more than happy to go back out side where he belonged. All in all The Sammycat is a sweetie when he wants to be but just don't force him or you will regret it
Oscar:
Dear sweet Oscar
My little cuddlebug came to me at the age of about 4 weeks old. Ken found him running around in the plant where he works. He caught him with the intent of taking him to the Humane Society...Yeah Right
Oscar was in such bad shape that we didn't think he would live through the night. He was wet,cold, very skinny, weak and injured in his left eye. He was so weak that he could barely spit and snarl at us. He even bit Ken and didn't break the skin. When we got him home I dryed him off with a towel and placed him on a low tempature heating pad. I fixed him some of The Sammycat's food soaked in water to make it really soft and started to feed him. Oscar would have none of this eyedropper thing he just jumped right into the dish and started to eat as much as his little tummy would hold.
It was rough going while I was introducing Oscar to The Sammycat as Mr. Attitude wasn't too happy about another being in the house at first. After a little while they got the pecking order straightened out and they became fast buddies. Now usually when you see one you see the other. At night if Oscar is all snuggley in the bed with Ken and I and Sam can't find him they will meow back and forth until they are together in the bed with us
I Just love my babies
The Sammycat,
Sammy came into my life as a wee baby about 8 weeks old
The Sammycat also known as Mr. Attitude has his quirks, he only wants to be loved on when he wants it and can be quite nasty to anyone who will force the issue. If Sam wants a treat and you don't give it too him he will get his revenge by waiting until you turn your back and walk off where he will promptly attack the ankles. When you tell him to stop it he will look all innocent and then do it again when you turn around to go about you business.
One day my daughters rottie got loose and came in the house where he chased Oscar trying to catch him. The Sammycat was absolutely fearless as he danced on that big dogs head
Oscar:
Dear sweet Oscar
Oscar was in such bad shape that we didn't think he would live through the night. He was wet,cold, very skinny, weak and injured in his left eye. He was so weak that he could barely spit and snarl at us. He even bit Ken and didn't break the skin. When we got him home I dryed him off with a towel and placed him on a low tempature heating pad. I fixed him some of The Sammycat's food soaked in water to make it really soft and started to feed him. Oscar would have none of this eyedropper thing he just jumped right into the dish and started to eat as much as his little tummy would hold.
It was rough going while I was introducing Oscar to The Sammycat as Mr. Attitude wasn't too happy about another being in the house at first. After a little while they got the pecking order straightened out and they became fast buddies. Now usually when you see one you see the other. At night if Oscar is all snuggley in the bed with Ken and I and Sam can't find him they will meow back and forth until they are together in the bed with us
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #51
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #52
Lizbeth Ann (a/k/a/ Middy)
Miss Elizabeth was a stray that came to our house in April 2003. The vet thinks she was probably about two at the time. I didn't feed her at first because it was obvious she once had a home , because she was hanging on our screens, meowing, etc. to get in. She just would not leave. She was there when we left for work and waiting for us when we got home. We finally realized we had to feed her. I kept watching the paper and around the area for flyers. No one missed Lizbeth, I guess
One morning, as I was backing out of the driveway , she came running. I looked in the rear view mirror and she running after the car. She went into the garage that night. Lizbeth is the most beautiful blue-gray with green eyes. She has silver paws. I ask her if "she's been dancing on the moon & getting moondust on her paws" She has that perpetual (spelling?) grumpy British Shorthair look about her. She hisses at all the cats that get too close to her, but is in love with her new sister, Megan. She wants to play with Megan more than Megan wants to play.
She's a mysterious little imp, but we are happy that she found us.
BTW - My DH calls her "Wednesday" sometimes, too (after Wednesday Addams of the Addams family)
Miss Elizabeth was a stray that came to our house in April 2003. The vet thinks she was probably about two at the time. I didn't feed her at first because it was obvious she once had a home , because she was hanging on our screens, meowing, etc. to get in. She just would not leave. She was there when we left for work and waiting for us when we got home. We finally realized we had to feed her. I kept watching the paper and around the area for flyers. No one missed Lizbeth, I guess
BTW - My DH calls her "Wednesday" sometimes, too (after Wednesday Addams of the Addams family)
Here is a link to Buddy's Bio and his introduction to TCS.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42042
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42042
Incredible HOBBES
Let's see...eve of July 4th, 2004, Johnny and i decided to drop off some supplies at the pet shelter in Manhattan. On our way to ASPCA, Johnny kept reminding me that we are NOT adopting, and "just looking". Back the we were still living in a tiny studio apartment. i hate to agree with him but he's the boss.
And so we went, dropped off the supplies and visited the cats. i was so heartbroken seeing them in their cages, i almost filled out an application form because they told us it takes months for them to approve the adoption. We weren't even allowed to touch/play with the cats unless we fill out an app. Well i didn't.
We were then informed that there was another shelter nearby that has more cats and adoption isn't as strict. It was the NY Care & Control Center, in other words a kill shelter. So we went to the cat section, lo and behold there were a bunch of kittens that was just brought in. We had no idea what happened to them, i think they lost their mother. The litter was about 7-8 weeks old. We took them all out of their cages to play. At that point, Johnny's defense broke...he bugged me to fill out an application so he could bring a kitten home
Yup, he lost it to Hobbes. Hobbes was exceptionally sticky, he snuggled in Johnny's arms while the others were super hyper and crawling around. Obviously Johnny was fooled by Hobbes' sweetness
So here he is, our little baby
The first week home, he was really sick, threw up and had diarrhea. Refused to eat and was dehydrated. Vet bills soared up to $500+ in 3 days, with all the doctor visits and tests. i was so afraid i'd lose him even though i just had him for a couple of days. i cried at the vet...
But thankfully the medication worked and Hobbes recover rather well. And has now grown into what we now know as "terror kitty"
That's the story of Hobbes . i've always wondered what happened to his brothers and sisters. i pray that they found a good home too.
Let's see...eve of July 4th, 2004, Johnny and i decided to drop off some supplies at the pet shelter in Manhattan. On our way to ASPCA, Johnny kept reminding me that we are NOT adopting, and "just looking". Back the we were still living in a tiny studio apartment. i hate to agree with him but he's the boss.
We were then informed that there was another shelter nearby that has more cats and adoption isn't as strict. It was the NY Care & Control Center, in other words a kill shelter. So we went to the cat section, lo and behold there were a bunch of kittens that was just brought in. We had no idea what happened to them, i think they lost their mother. The litter was about 7-8 weeks old. We took them all out of their cages to play. At that point, Johnny's defense broke...he bugged me to fill out an application so he could bring a kitten home
So here he is, our little baby
The first week home, he was really sick, threw up and had diarrhea. Refused to eat and was dehydrated. Vet bills soared up to $500+ in 3 days, with all the doctor visits and tests. i was so afraid i'd lose him even though i just had him for a couple of days. i cried at the vet...
But thankfully the medication worked and Hobbes recover rather well. And has now grown into what we now know as "terror kitty"
That's the story of Hobbes . i've always wondered what happened to his brothers and sisters. i pray that they found a good home too.
Hobbes is lovely! But it is so uplifting to hear all the stories.
Dushka - Two days after I took on a new job here in Oct 2002 I was staying in the Northern city of Tuzla, having dinner in the hotel restaurant. One of my new colleagues came in with this bedraggled bundle under his coat, hiding it from the waiter. It as a small b/w kitten, maybe 3 weeks old, who apparently had been hanging out outside a grocery store, ignored by everyone. I brought her home to Sarajevo, and she and I moved into my new house together. But she rapidly became sick with a URI and almost died of pneumonia, so I syringe fed her for three weeks and kept her warm in my pocket while the vet worked on her with different antibiotics etc. She always knew she wanted to live, and gradually recovered. Her name means 'little female spirit' to reflect her determination. Since then she and I have been inseparable, and she follows me everywhere, inside and out. She trusts me absolutely and I can do anything with her if she needs meds etc - she will let me and only me do what is necessary. She has become a hunter, and brings me lizards, mice and voles regularly. I always make sure that whatever love I give the others I never let Dushka lack for affection. She was slow to accept the others but now plays with them, on her own terms and growls when she has had enough.
Ellie's mother was a gorgeous grey barn cat at the stables where I ride. I had been thinking about a playmate for Dushka and took one of the kittens, who has grown into one of the most beautiful black cats I have ever seen. Her coat shines with deep colour and she has a proud carriage to her walk. But she can be evil too, and refuses to acknowledge it when she is doing something she knows is forbidden. Ellie is now 10 months old and is still very infantile in her behavior, sucking and drooling all over anyone who will tolerate it! We have also had a few litter box problems with her, though she has a clean bill of health. But I love my 'special cat', who is like some really beautiful women - not very bright but gets by on her looks!
Most of you know about Persil - I thought my family was complete but last October I found a little kitten under a car, black with oil and grit. I took her home and over a week or so washed her white, which is how she got her name (Persil washes whiter for those of you who don't know the advertising slogan). She quickly won the hearts of all who saw her, as she has a 'help me' expression that you cannot ignore. But just before Christmas she became ill, panting and listless, and my vet gave up on her after two weeks of antibiotics with no result. After a Christmas weekend which I spend forcing fluids down her every hour, the Vet Faculty here diagnosed her as having a diaphragmatic hernia, completely ruptured, so that all her intestines were pressing on her lungs. She was given up by most of them, but one brave surgeon offered to try and do something and she came through with flying colours, though we did have a problem with an abscess following the surgery. Now she is a kitten again, up to mischief and making up for lost time in both the eating and playing departments, and I thank my lucky stars for someone who dared do something. Her life should be normal from now on.
So, my three...over to the next person.
Dushka - Two days after I took on a new job here in Oct 2002 I was staying in the Northern city of Tuzla, having dinner in the hotel restaurant. One of my new colleagues came in with this bedraggled bundle under his coat, hiding it from the waiter. It as a small b/w kitten, maybe 3 weeks old, who apparently had been hanging out outside a grocery store, ignored by everyone. I brought her home to Sarajevo, and she and I moved into my new house together. But she rapidly became sick with a URI and almost died of pneumonia, so I syringe fed her for three weeks and kept her warm in my pocket while the vet worked on her with different antibiotics etc. She always knew she wanted to live, and gradually recovered. Her name means 'little female spirit' to reflect her determination. Since then she and I have been inseparable, and she follows me everywhere, inside and out. She trusts me absolutely and I can do anything with her if she needs meds etc - she will let me and only me do what is necessary. She has become a hunter, and brings me lizards, mice and voles regularly. I always make sure that whatever love I give the others I never let Dushka lack for affection. She was slow to accept the others but now plays with them, on her own terms and growls when she has had enough.
Ellie's mother was a gorgeous grey barn cat at the stables where I ride. I had been thinking about a playmate for Dushka and took one of the kittens, who has grown into one of the most beautiful black cats I have ever seen. Her coat shines with deep colour and she has a proud carriage to her walk. But she can be evil too, and refuses to acknowledge it when she is doing something she knows is forbidden. Ellie is now 10 months old and is still very infantile in her behavior, sucking and drooling all over anyone who will tolerate it! We have also had a few litter box problems with her, though she has a clean bill of health. But I love my 'special cat', who is like some really beautiful women - not very bright but gets by on her looks!
Most of you know about Persil - I thought my family was complete but last October I found a little kitten under a car, black with oil and grit. I took her home and over a week or so washed her white, which is how she got her name (Persil washes whiter for those of you who don't know the advertising slogan). She quickly won the hearts of all who saw her, as she has a 'help me' expression that you cannot ignore. But just before Christmas she became ill, panting and listless, and my vet gave up on her after two weeks of antibiotics with no result. After a Christmas weekend which I spend forcing fluids down her every hour, the Vet Faculty here diagnosed her as having a diaphragmatic hernia, completely ruptured, so that all her intestines were pressing on her lungs. She was given up by most of them, but one brave surgeon offered to try and do something and she came through with flying colours, though we did have a problem with an abscess following the surgery. Now she is a kitten again, up to mischief and making up for lost time in both the eating and playing departments, and I thank my lucky stars for someone who dared do something. Her life should be normal from now on.
So, my three...over to the next person.
I've been asked to post my story and I thought it would be great to revive this thread. I've enjoyed reading all about everybody's kitts, and I'm sure there are more people out there who would love to share their stories.
Chester and Piper adopted us on June 7/03. They were eight weeks old at the time (or at least that's what we were told). My aunt and I had gone to the mall and when we got near the pet store I convinced her to go in with me. I don't normally like going into pet stores, I feel so bad for the animals there.
I went to where the kittens were and there he was, Chester! I fell in love with him on the spot. I told my aunt that I just may be going home with a kitty that day. I asked to hold him, so they let me back and took him out. He laid in my arms and started licking my hand!
My aunt asked if they would hold him while we talked about it (and call my cousin, because he wanted a kitten too and my aunt had seen one that she loved). Of course we knew we were going home with them! We rushed around the mall getting the supplies we needed (litter box, a carrier, toys, etc) then went back and got Chester and Piper. I couldn't wait to get them home!! It was definately one of the happiest days of my life!
Ariel came to me through a friend of ours; their cat had kittens and she had been the only one not spoken for. I went over every week to take pictures so I could see here growing up. From a very early age we knew she'd be a handful and we weren't mistaken! She's a brat but we love her to bits! On May 23/04 she came to stay. What a perfect (early) birthday present!!
It's been neat seeing her grow up from one day old (she was so tiny!!!).
They have certainly been the best thing to happen to me; I'm sure I'd be worse than I am if I didn't have them. They've been such a blessing, and I'm sure that we are a blessing to them. Who knows where they would have ended up? I know it was fate that brought us into the pet store that day because Chester was sickly the first little while. I almost lost him 10 days after he came home. But luckily we got him to the vet in time (he was dehydrated and had some sort of bacterial infection). I'm sure if he had been somewhere else he wouldn't be here today. I'm certainly glad that we were able to help him. And he's such a love too. I know he's grateful for us helping him.
Piper is really lovey to my cousin, he could do anything to her and she'll purr and give him head butts and such! She's definately a Daddy's girl! Ariel is only lovey when she first wakes up (and with me when I wake up in the morning!). Otherwise she doesn't want us to touch her. Of course because she's so little (she's only about 7 pounds) we love to pick her up! And we all love her paws!! She's a polydactyl and has 6 toes on each paw. She's my little big foot girl.
Chester and Piper adopted us on June 7/03. They were eight weeks old at the time (or at least that's what we were told). My aunt and I had gone to the mall and when we got near the pet store I convinced her to go in with me. I don't normally like going into pet stores, I feel so bad for the animals there.
Ariel came to me through a friend of ours; their cat had kittens and she had been the only one not spoken for. I went over every week to take pictures so I could see here growing up. From a very early age we knew she'd be a handful and we weren't mistaken! She's a brat but we love her to bits! On May 23/04 she came to stay. What a perfect (early) birthday present!!
They have certainly been the best thing to happen to me; I'm sure I'd be worse than I am if I didn't have them. They've been such a blessing, and I'm sure that we are a blessing to them. Who knows where they would have ended up? I know it was fate that brought us into the pet store that day because Chester was sickly the first little while. I almost lost him 10 days after he came home. But luckily we got him to the vet in time (he was dehydrated and had some sort of bacterial infection). I'm sure if he had been somewhere else he wouldn't be here today. I'm certainly glad that we were able to help him. And he's such a love too. I know he's grateful for us helping him.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #57
Thanks for posting, Linda . For those of you that missed it, Linda just posted pictures of Ariel and Chester . Check 'em out they're are toooo funny!
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45253
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45253
Ok, how did I not post Conner's bio,,,shame on me.
My pretty boy,,Conner...
I got him from a pet store when he was just a little thing. I had been wanting one, but Tony wouldnt let me. He was harboring the misconceptions that cats are dirty,,he only wanted outside pets, which were impossible because we live in apts. I used an argument as an excuse to get him. I called around all day, and the shelters, pounds, etc, and no one had any yound cats, so I called the mall in The Woodlands,,about 45 mins away, and the pet store girl answer the phone and said, Hi this is stevie! I was like 'what', no Im stevie.. Im an idiot. I am not used to others having my name. She told me she had 2 siamese/persian mixes, one m, one fem. I told her hold the male, I am coming!! So, I brought my little fluffy kitty home with ribbons around his neck. He just stretched out in my lap, laying in the crease of my legs, belly up. I went through the naming process, and by the time I was home, he was Conner. I walked in with him, Tony was sitting on the couch, I announced, this is Conner, like Conner McCloud off of highlander,,"there can be only one" Tony immediately loved him and wanted to hold him and play with him. That was that. Most of you know how Conner is, I brag enough... but here goes..
Conner is , as I said, a persian-siamese mix. He chatters incessantly and coos like a bird. I mean it, he really coos, everyone thinks it's the weirdest thing and says they've never seen a cat do that. It's sweet. He is ultra-needy. He follows me everywhere and has to be included in everything. He likes car rides (he goes everywhere with me), and is very tolerant of baths. He doesnt even try to climb out of the tub. He is my best friend and a very big part of my life. I love him like no other,, human or animal,,lol. He sleeps with me at night and insists on being under the covers, and held. Sometimes hampers romance, but oh well,,lol. I spoon with my kitty, and Tony fits in wherever he can. Conner is very spoiled, he meows at me constantly, and if I try to ignore him, he just meows louder, until I get up and follow him wherever he wants me to go. He has a habit of trying to include me in his naptime. Whenever he wants to sleep during the middle of the day,, he will meow me to death until I follow him in the room to see what he wants, upon getting to the room, he hops on the bed and curls up or stretches out like he is ready to sleep, I just look at him and mutter a few curses beneath my breath about fur-kind, and walk away. he will follow nme and meow at me some more until I go back in there and he lays down again,, we go through this a few times, with me declining his offer, then he just bugs me so much, I acquiesce, and lay down with him for a few moments. The little toot. I complain about it, but I really enjoy our naptime,,he he. He is my darling,,but if you ask him, I'm sure he would say that he is underfed, under-played with, and under-obeyed.
My pretty boy,,Conner...
I got him from a pet store when he was just a little thing. I had been wanting one, but Tony wouldnt let me. He was harboring the misconceptions that cats are dirty,,he only wanted outside pets, which were impossible because we live in apts. I used an argument as an excuse to get him. I called around all day, and the shelters, pounds, etc, and no one had any yound cats, so I called the mall in The Woodlands,,about 45 mins away, and the pet store girl answer the phone and said, Hi this is stevie! I was like 'what', no Im stevie.. Im an idiot. I am not used to others having my name. She told me she had 2 siamese/persian mixes, one m, one fem. I told her hold the male, I am coming!! So, I brought my little fluffy kitty home with ribbons around his neck. He just stretched out in my lap, laying in the crease of my legs, belly up. I went through the naming process, and by the time I was home, he was Conner. I walked in with him, Tony was sitting on the couch, I announced, this is Conner, like Conner McCloud off of highlander,,"there can be only one" Tony immediately loved him and wanted to hold him and play with him. That was that. Most of you know how Conner is, I brag enough... but here goes..
Conner is , as I said, a persian-siamese mix. He chatters incessantly and coos like a bird. I mean it, he really coos, everyone thinks it's the weirdest thing and says they've never seen a cat do that. It's sweet. He is ultra-needy. He follows me everywhere and has to be included in everything. He likes car rides (he goes everywhere with me), and is very tolerant of baths. He doesnt even try to climb out of the tub. He is my best friend and a very big part of my life. I love him like no other,, human or animal,,lol. He sleeps with me at night and insists on being under the covers, and held. Sometimes hampers romance, but oh well,,lol. I spoon with my kitty, and Tony fits in wherever he can. Conner is very spoiled, he meows at me constantly, and if I try to ignore him, he just meows louder, until I get up and follow him wherever he wants me to go. He has a habit of trying to include me in his naptime. Whenever he wants to sleep during the middle of the day,, he will meow me to death until I follow him in the room to see what he wants, upon getting to the room, he hops on the bed and curls up or stretches out like he is ready to sleep, I just look at him and mutter a few curses beneath my breath about fur-kind, and walk away. he will follow nme and meow at me some more until I go back in there and he lays down again,, we go through this a few times, with me declining his offer, then he just bugs me so much, I acquiesce, and lay down with him for a few moments. The little toot. I complain about it, but I really enjoy our naptime,,he he. He is my darling,,but if you ask him, I'm sure he would say that he is underfed, under-played with, and under-obeyed.
Hannah is my oldest kitty. She is about 8 years old now. I adopted her from Petsmart in Tukwila. She was an only pet for many years until I brought our first dog in. She didn't like that and has never come back into the house since. She does come to eat every day but that's about it.
Quki in my next, she showed up on the property one day and lived under one of our trucks for about a week before we started feeding her. She now primarily lives in the garage but will come inside every now and then.
We aquired 2 dogs then in June of 2003 we got Buzz. He was part of a ferel colony that lived at our work place. He was captured at 4 weeks old by us. The rest of the crew were captured by a TNR crew but the rest of the kittens died from distemper. I immediately took him to a vet as he had a staph infection in his eye. We bottle fed him for a couple of weeks until he would take hard food. He is now all growed up and very Handsome.
My next two, Missy and Emmie were a complete surprise. Niki, my BC girl were at the annual humane society's Dog-A-Thon when I discovered that they had cages and cages of kittens. I saw those two and that was it, gotta have em.
Last but not least is Ashley. You all know her story and I will try to get some updated pics of her tonight since she's coming out from under the bed now.
Quki in my next, she showed up on the property one day and lived under one of our trucks for about a week before we started feeding her. She now primarily lives in the garage but will come inside every now and then.
We aquired 2 dogs then in June of 2003 we got Buzz. He was part of a ferel colony that lived at our work place. He was captured at 4 weeks old by us. The rest of the crew were captured by a TNR crew but the rest of the kittens died from distemper. I immediately took him to a vet as he had a staph infection in his eye. We bottle fed him for a couple of weeks until he would take hard food. He is now all growed up and very Handsome.
My next two, Missy and Emmie were a complete surprise. Niki, my BC girl were at the annual humane society's Dog-A-Thon when I discovered that they had cages and cages of kittens. I saw those two and that was it, gotta have em.
Last but not least is Ashley. You all know her story and I will try to get some updated pics of her tonight since she's coming out from under the bed now.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #60
Yes! Add Ashley's story! My what beauties you have in your family!!!
And thank you for being so kind as to take all of these little ones in.
Can Missy and Emmie come over to my house tonight and do laundry?
Can Missy and Emmie come over to my house tonight and do laundry?
