Our EXOTIC furbabies

Originally Posted by AmberThe Bobcat

I have taken them into Petsmart when the bobcats were kittens and Carmelo was just a little cub. When they were little, it was ok. Now however, they are to big, especially Carmelo. I could imagine the looks on everyones face however, if I came walking in with Carmelo on a leash

That would be a sight to see

Carmelo would like it though, he loves people and would enjoy all the attention

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How did you leash train Carmelo? I have a heck of a time trying to get a harness on my domestics, let alone a big kitty like that!

Hello John! Been a long time! Had to go back many pages to catch up on photos I've missed. Carmelo has certainly grown! Always love seeing your beautiful animals!!!!!!

Your furbabies (big and small) are just beautiful!

This may be a dumb question, but do the big kitties knead like little cats? That might hurt with such big paws! (My Poodle kitty kneads my head when I lay down.)

Originally Posted by lookingglass

How did you leash train Carmelo? I have a heck of a time trying to get a harness on my domestics, let alone a big kitty like that!

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I put the harness on them, when they were young kittens and cub. However, I don't take them out for walks, now that the bobcats are adults and Carmelo is quite large. When they were really little, that was ok. Amber doesn't let me put a harness on her any more, but Boris doesn't mind. Nakoma has never had a harness put on him. I leave the harness on Carmelo at all times however. It makes it easier to grab a hold of him if need be. He doesn't mind the harness, but if I take it off, I have a heck of a time getting it back on. He wants to play and chew on it while I attempt to put it on. So I put it on while he is sleeping.

Hello John! Been a long time! Had to go back many pages to catch up on photos I've missed. Carmelo has certainly grown! Always love seeing your beautiful animals!!!!!!

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Hello Lorraine Yes it has been a while Yep, Carmelo is growing like a bad weed He is approx 95 pounds now. But as I stated in the email I sent you, I have just discovered that they all have fleas I don't know who brought them in, but Carmelo has them pretty bad. I didn't have this problem last year with the bobcats. I am going to the vets today to get treatment for them. I think the fleas came from the straw I put in the enclosure during the winter. I took out the straw in the spring and put pea gravel down. But, I am sure there were flea eggs that remained, even though I removed the straw.

This may be a dumb question, but do the big kitties knead like little cats? That might hurt with such big paws! (My Poodle kitty kneads my head when I lay down.)

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Not dumb at all Yes they do knead, especially Carmelo. I haven't had them do it to me however. Carmelo likes to knead his soft blankets and this little cat bed, that we had for Aurora when she was a kitten. He will knead this little bed and suckle on it as well I do get groomed by them though. Carmelo likes to do this a lot. But I can only take it for so long. His tongue is so rough, that it will start to hurt after a few licks. I keep telling him, if he keeps licking my head, I am going to be bald

These new pictures are brilliant! Sophie loves to torment Rosie but i bet if she saw your beauties she'd stop dead in her tracks and have second thoughts

Originally Posted by rosiemac

These new pictures are brilliant!

Sophie loves to torment Rosie but i bet if she saw your beauties she'd stop dead in her tracks and have second thoughts

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I don't know, Carmelo may run from Sophie I wonder what the the queen Aurora would think

Oh, I am in love!!
Are they all indoor pets or in outdoor enclosures? Do they use litter boxes? We had a guy that lived outside of town that had a cougar for a pet but something wasn't right and it became violent. They are gorgeous and I would love to see the dogs face when they saw the "little kitty" come in the door!

I really wish I can own this "cats" one day n' can imagine how my hubby react when I take home the "cats "

Originally Posted by AMYSCRAZY

Oh, I am in love!!
Are they all indoor pets or in outdoor enclosures? Do they use litter boxes? We had a guy that lived outside of town that had a cougar for a pet but something wasn't right and it became violent. They are gorgeous and I would love to see the dogs face when they saw the "little kitty" come in the door!

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They live indoors, but also have a secure outdoor enclosure for them to go into. Yes, they do use litter boxes however, the bobcats like to spray at times. As for the guy who had the cougar, it all depends on how it was raised from a young cub. Most cougars when raised properly and responsibly, become very loving. However, this does not mean you can let just anyone come into contact with them. I let no one, except other exotic animal owners, ever come into contact with them. Carmelo and our bobcats love everyone, but we do not let other people come into the enclosure with them. This is the responsible thing to do

Originally Posted by KatKisses

Your cats are nothing short of AMAZING! *drool*

I hope to own an exotic one day-there is just somethng about them-I can't explain it. I have a passion for working with the local ferals, I know the two are not comparable, ferals can't be fatal, but big cats can be very dangerous, but that's a risk I am willing to take.

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Me too. For the past few years I have been doing research on the pros and cons of owning an exotic cat. Hopefully both of us succeed and raise an exotic. Then we'll be sure to stop by and visit Carmelo sometime.

John, I missed this last installment of pictures when you put them up and am just catching up. My, but the furkids are looking great!! They are so lovely. thanks for the fix.

Originally Posted by TigerOnTheProwl

Me too. For the past few years I have been doing research on the pros and cons of owning an exotic cat. Hopefully both of us succeed and raise an exotic. Then we'll be sure to stop by and visit Carmelo sometime.

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It's great to see that you are doing the research. It is a lot of work and responsibility to live with these cats. The responsibility begins with doing the research. If you need any help and have questions, I will be here to help you in every way that I can.

John, I missed this last installment of pictures when you put them up and am just catching up. My, but the furkids are looking great!! They are so lovely. thanks for the fix

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Thank you I took some more, so they will be posted soon.

Originally Posted by AmberThe Bobcat

It's great to see that you are doing the research.

It is a lot of work and responsibility to live with these cats. The responsibility begins with doing the research. If you need any help and have questions, I will be here to help you in every way that I can.

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Thanks John. I'll be sure to ask you if I have anything I'm not sure about. Right now I have a question for you. Do you know of any Canadian cougar breeders? I'm hoping to get in touch with one soon so I get to know the person before I adopt an exotic. I doubt I'll adopt one within the next five years or so but when I do, knowing of a breeder would really help me out and save me a lot of time.

all i have to say is, 'dang, i wish i had stayed up in aroostook county maine and i would have gotten a bobcat.' Stoli is just fine though. But if i had stayed up there instead of moved to the city, i can safely say that i would have taken great pleasure in raising a bobcat.

Originally Posted by TigerOnTheProwl

Thanks John. I'll be sure to ask you if I have anything I'm not sure about. Right now I have a question for you. Do you know of any Canadian cougar breeders? I'm hoping to get in touch with one soon so I get to know the person before I adopt an exotic. I doubt I'll adopt one within the next five years or so but when I do, knowing of a breeder would really help me out and save me a lot of time.

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At the moment, I am not familiar with any breeders in Canada, just the USA. But if I find out anything, I will let you know

Just wanted to mention something. I belong to an organization known as the FCF, Feline Conservation Federation. We are having our convention at the end of this week. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I will be there for 2 days and on Friday, we are going to be treated to something very wonderful. We will get to participate in the Running of the Cheetahs. We will get to be right there with them!! Some people may be bringing their cats along as well. So, I will be sure to take LOTS of pictures of this event. I am so excited to see and touch these cheetahs!!

Originally Posted by AmberThe Bobcat

Just wanted to mention something. I belong to an organization known as the FCF, Feline Conservation Federation. We are having our convention at the end of this week. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I will be there for 2 days and on Friday, we are going to be treated to something very wonderful. We will get to participate in the Running of the Cheetahs. We will get to be right there with them!! Some people may be bringing their cats along as well. So, I will be sure to take LOTS of pictures of this event. I am so excited to see and touch these cheetahs!!

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That's got to be one of the coolest things I've ever heard! I hope you have a blast!!

I'm green with envy, John. Have a ball, and get lots of pics for us, eh?