Cat Lovers?

[Hannibal Lecter]

Dear Friends,

I have generally always had a cat in my adult life as a companion animal. I won't say that I actually prefer them to dogs, but I must admit they have a certain spirit that I rarely see in canines.

(Warning - Dr. Lecter is preparing to wax poetic. You have been warned.)

My life has been devoid of the company of a cat for several years now, and I am beginning to very much miss that in my life. I miss the shadow moving across the floor in the evening hours. I miss the soft purr close to my ear late at night as I drift off to sleep. I miss the warm fur after a basking session in a sunbeam on a cold day.

I still miss horribly a beautiful, even-tempered tortiseshell named Autumn that I had to place in a new home during the divorce from my first wife.

This time around, I think I might try a Siamese if the opportunity presents. There are scant few breeders in my area, so I shall try the local pound for starters. I am not overly interested in bloodlines - some of the best companion animals I have ever encountered were "mutts", so to speak.

Blue eyes are a must, however. Possibly a seal-point like the one pictured below?

Dear friends, am I alone in my love for felines, or are there more here who feel as I do?

Tell me truly. :cool:

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Hannibal



P.S. - Yes, I know, cats also bring the inevitable litter boxes, hairballs, claw trimming, and the incessant miao-ing at odd hours.

However, as an added bonus, my wife's prima donna Boston Terrier is going to have an absolute FIT. :D

I'll take these annoyances with a smile, thank you. :)

[yablanowitz]

My girlfriend just had to put her cat down a week ago today. It was such a shame that he couldn't last a few more days, as this was the first election where he was old enough to vote (he would have been 19 in January). I never can remember what they call his breed, it is a cross that has been done so often that it was recognized as a distinct breed. Basically, he was 3/4 Siamese and 1/4 Persian (I'll post the name when I remember or find out). He had the shorter hair and markings of the Siamese, but a heavier build and much more even temper than they generally have. I knew him for fourteen years, and I really miss him (so does her dog).

[Th232]

Personally, I love cats, it's something about their spirit. Not to mention hearing them purr.

Unfortunately, I'm allergic to them :mad:

[Padawan]

I adopted my first cat two years ago. I had never really been a "cat person", and in fact I was quite allergic to them. I'm not sure why, but one day I was outside and I observed a cat just doing its own thing, and for some inexplicable reason, it inspired me to start a search for my own feline companion. After some Internet searching, I found one at a shelter that piqued my interest. She was all black with amber eyes and a small white spot on her neck (a Bombay mix was what she was listed as). She had been abandoned in a carrier on the dumpster outside the shelter, and she'd lived there with the other shelter animals in a cage for almost 6 months. When I went to meet her, she was scared and not very friendly, but something about her told me to bring her home. So, that's exactly what I did. Even on the ride back home (about an hour), there was a difference in her demeanor. She was more relaxed, and would meow every so often and peak out of the carrier. Once home, it took her a while to adapt, but she has now settled in and overcome much of her aloofness that she developed from her time spent at the shelter. I named her Vader, because she's black, and at times when she breathes or tries to purr (she isn't all that good at purring), she sounds a bit like Darth Vader. Incidentally, my allergies, which were very bad at first, are much better too. For someone who had never really been a fan of cats, I now have trouble imagining not having my little girl around.

[poodle]

im speechless.

[Hannibal Lecter]

I'm speechless.

I am quite convinced that I am not alone in wishing that were the case.

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Hannibal

[Th232]

im speechless.

Cat got your tongue :D ?

[zenheretic]

Personally, I love cats, it's something about their spirit. Not to mention hearing them purr.

Unfortunately, I'm allergic to them :mad:

I thought I was only the only one the Fates decided to play this cruel joke upon. I have a funny picture as a little boy wearing my mom's dish washing rubber gloves so I can pet a kitten without being overcome with hives and sneezing.

I can't imagine cutting their claws though.

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Zen,

I can't imagine cutting their claws though.

I prevents them destroying the entire house. :p Very easy if you start them young, and completely painless.

If they roam outside trimming their claws generally isn't necessary, but the life expectancy of an outside cat where I live could probably be tabulated in minutes...

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Hannibal

[*Cho*]

I have a Siamese right now with big blue eyes but it isn't a seal point. I can't remember what type it is. It is all white/tan and a slightly gray face.

[Th232]

I thought I was only the only one the Fates decided to play this cruel joke upon.

Well, if that's all you got away with, you're pretty much fine! Dermographism, one of the (IMHO) worst curses known to man (depending on severity). Fortunately, I've only got a mild case, but I suspect that it's linked to my allergies towards dogs, cats, horses, pollen, and a few other things. I must say though, it's rather amusing to be able to write on your arm and have it stay there for an hour or so.

[Fred Sanford]

I love cats my brother. We have 3 in our family.

Emma - 6 years old
Lucy - 6 years old
Kali - 10 months old

I grew up with a dog and was not really a 'cat person'. Now I prefer cats over dogs.

Lastly, Hannibal, how does one have a cat in the house with snakes? Seems as the snakes would want to eat the cat.

[bigkahunasix]

Doc, I too have an afinity for felines, preferably tortise shells or black. We live on a small farm in the middle of nowhere and at last count have approx. 30 cats. Four that are indoor/outdoor, the rest are farm cats that follw me from barn to barn and to my rifle range just being my outdoor companions. We are not prejudice, we also have 4-7 dogs (depending on strays and dumped ones) all the time. It has been rough lately, we lost our 16 year old Rotty (yes 16 years old) I do not know who misses her more, me or the cats. God now I'm depressed again, think I'll go pet a cat. Later.

[psimonl]

My daughter always says:

I love animals, then nature and if there is love left, I'll leave it to humans....

I prefer cats, I prefer dogs.... It's like saying "I only love blonde women" or "I only love res heads" ... You love animals or you don't..... And if you don't , well... I wouldn't want to be you! ....

Animals: They are just like humans, just better!

Simon

[The Deacon]

I am quite convinced that I am not alone in wishing that were the case.

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Hannibal

Well said H! :D

Had cats for a number of years, my last one passed away about two years ago, at age 17. Found her, two days old and abandoned by her mother in my barn, fed her with an eyedropper at first, then a doll bottle. Have yet to make up my mind to get another, but must admit the thought of doing so has crossed it more than once.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[Lockback]

Dear friends, am I alone in my love for felines, or are there more here who feel as I do?

My wife and I love cats; we adopted two kittens just last weekend. They were found by a neighbor in the engine compartment of their car. It was a cold evening, and the kittens were apparently just looking for some warmth. I think they are adapting well to their new home; one of them just wandered by as I typed this. :)

I respect a cat's independent spirit.

[Padawan]

For those who have posted that they're allergic (a relatively common issue), in most cases it is something that can be overcome. I was so set on adopting Vader that I'd decided that I'd take allergy medication daily if need be, but that wasn't the case. I did some research, and learned that the allergic reaction can subside over time as an individual develops a tolerance to the allergens. Initially, it wasn't very fun, with lots of itching and sneezing, but it has become progressively better and now there is very little reaction remaining. Just some food for thought, for those who might think they're "doomed".

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear David,

Lastly, Hannibal, how does one have a cat in the house with snakes? Seems as the snakes would want to eat the cat.

A very good question concerning the cohabitation of cats and snakes, my friend. It will not, however, be a problem in our house.

First, the snakes are all well-contained; they do not roam freely, but are only out when controlled by a handler.

Second, cats being predators would smell dangerous to snakes. Granted, one of my larger boas could conceivably kill and eat a cat, but as they do not identify the smell of a feline with food it shouldn't be a problem - being captive-born they only know rats and mice as food.

Third, I have already found new homes for several of the snakes. My Lady has gotten less comfortable around the larger ones of late, and we collectively decided that cutting down the number to a more managable level would be prudent. Several snakes were already owned by another reptile enthusiast (she will be dropping by the house tomorrow to get them - we borrowed them to try breeding them). Several other already have good, solid homes waiting. I will be keeping a few of the "problem children" with special care needs, but the majority will be better served in other homes. To be honest, I never intended to have as many as I do - we had a LOT of people giving them to us just to get them into a good home, and now we have more than we want to care for long-term.

My Lady also verified tonight that she does not have a problem with my getting a cat, so the search formally begins tomorrow.

Please wish me luck that the right cat chooses me.

Remember, dear friends: dogs have masters - cats have staff...

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Hannibal

[4 s ter]

Please wish me luck that the right cat chooses me.

Remember, dear friends: dogs have masters - cats have staff...

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Hannibal

H

Good luck! I always seemed to get picked by the standard Tabby at the local Humane Society.

Signed:

Chief of Staff for an Aloof Tabby

[Th232]

Please wish me luck that the right cat chooses me.

Remember, dear friends: dogs have masters - cats have staff...

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Hannibal

Hope the right cat finds you!