I found a kitten-pusher and have arranged a meeting to check them out. My plan is this: I will sit down in the middle of the floor and see which kitten runs up to me, meows, purrs, and wraps her little kitten arms around me. We’ll then talk about our favorite movies, which martinis we prefer, and whether or not dogs really mean well.
I’ll probably be able to tell who’s sincere, and who is not. While I prefer no games, I realize that kittens do play games, and pretend to not be interested in you. Yes, I’ve seen that before. It’s never happened to me, of course. I’ve only observed the behavior from afar. On occasion, I would make a request of Sadie, she would take a note and get back to me. But she always usually did get back to me. Eventually.
The kittens I am visiting include two orange kittens, a white kitten with block spot on his head, and a calico girl. The calico is described as slightly ‘wild.’ She already has the edge. I will report when I return, and will most likely have photographs. Wish me luck.
UPDATE:
Schmmitty and Spot
Well, last night was a success. I saw three kittens, one of whom is a calico girl. I will get a picture of her today because she is in the top two and I want you to see her. Above are another two cutie-pies, both were great. I’ll be honest and at first wasn’t necessarily interested in Spot, (the white kitty with the spot on his head), but he was the only one who purred when I held him. He also made a beeline for my earlobe. And I thought a girl had to ply someone with a martini to get that!
So, I arrived and immediately saw the calico, who was still afraid. She had been caught by the rescue people just that day. Not so wild, but afraid and shy. The orange cats were cute but it didn’t seem like we connected. Then Spot did his ear/purr thing and I was hooked. Then I held the calico. She was very sweet, and when I scratched her cheek she went to sleep on me. Since it was her first day I didn’t want to judge her on the purr test. The rescuer and I, we were the first humans she has known.
So, I’m going to give them another couple of days to settle and then re-visit. It’s between the calico and Spot. As soon as I have the other kitty pic I’ll get it to you. I had forgotten how nice a purr can be 🙂
UPDATE:
Here’s the calico. I think you can see why I’m havng trouble deciding between her and Spot.
My vote’s for the wild child!!!!!
Wonderful. I was afraid the “dog people” were going to try to start curing you of your cat affections. Notice how cat people never say bad things about dogs, but dog people can be downright nasty to kitty cats.
I have a couple of name ideas for the new kitty, but I didn’t know if you wanted to keep the “S” tradition going (Sadie, Sydney,..) If not, I like Marmalade for an orange one (and saying “Marmalade Bruce” out loud made me giggle), but the one with the black spot on its head sounds adorable.
Good luck in your search, Tammy. Wonderful how chemistry works. When it’s right, you’ll just know it.:)
I don’t think one picks a cat. I think one must be picked by a cat.
Why not get two? Double the fun 😉
I agree with the talking horse. In December, I got a boy and girl bi-color Persians, Boris & Natasha. Best thing I have done in years. Those two are never apart and provide the greatest entertainment. They are properly named since they love to chase that crazy squirrel.
Since I can’t listen to the daily show, I don’t know if Sadie is still with you. What happened with her illness?
Good luck with the search. It was always difficult for me to go through the choosing process when I was ready to adopt another kitty. What’s going to happen to the ones I don’t take?
Talking Horse made a good point about the kitten choosing you. My uniting with Nadia is a case in point. I went to the animal shelter to pick out a kitten. There were several doing acrobatics, some napping with adorable expressions on their faces, others staring at me imploringly. Nadia stuck her paw through the cage bars and was beckoning to me. I choose my words carefully, she was beckoning. I asked the attendant if I could hold her and he handed her to me. I held her close and she immediately rested her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes as if saying, “at last”. I’ve been a cat person long enough to know this was a clever ploy, but it was nonetheless irresistible. That was six years ago. She still knows when to pour on the smooch routine.
My wife and I went to the Animal Shelter here in Minneapolis 16 years ago and picked the kitten that was the most “full of the business”. We named him Sammy and he grew to be 21 pounds (without being fat)! We have never regretted having a dominate male and find him to be highly intelligent and always fun! He is still going strong after 16 years and has terrorized every dog in the neighborhood! Good luck on your new cat, Tammy!
I’ve never had to go looking for a cat, they always seem to know where the soft hearted sap lives!
When I bought a house a couple of years ago the grounds were tended by two male tiger stripes, one vanished but the other is still there.
My parents bought the house from me and took on the cat, and when my dad passed away last November the cat became my mom’s closest confidant.
I love dogs too, and have 2 Pekingese, but there’s something about the personality of a cat that is far closer to another person than any other animal.
Best of luck in the cat search!
Sick-em Sadie!!!
Sorry, it’s a natural impulse…
Go with the calico and attach a photo when you can.
I’m with Chas on this one. Get both of them. They can keep each other company when Sydney is out doing her thing. And it will be more fun for Sydney to see them playing together. And the little Gorbachev kitty will help the skeerdy-cat get over her fear.
Spot sounds a little too slick–purring AND the earlobe. Really workin’ it.
My money’s on the calico girl. She’s playing her hand a little closer to the vest. Something to be said for that.
Talkin Horse is right-on. Spot already picked you, Tammy. What’s a kitty gotta do these days — pawsprings?
Oh my….word to the wise on the calico. You will have your hands FULL. As someone who adopted a 6-week old calico a decade ago, I *still* have my hands full. She is brilliant, but a bit off. I love her dearly but had a much easier time with my tabby and an American Shorthair….all rescues. A friend said it best about calicos…they have to take attendance. They check everything out, never relax, very high strung. I had to get a friend for her to stop her from waking me up at 3 am every night to play fetch, from jumping on the blinds at 4am, etc. Are you sure you don’t want to rescue a 1-year-old and forgo the kitty torture? Think about it — everyone (foolishly) wants a kitten. The older ones have a harder time getting adopted.
Calicos are definitely a handful…but come snuggle time my Hopper is a sweetie. I will warn you that various sundry objects like soda bottle caps and the twitie things that close the bread bag are destined to become instant toys.
Besides, this is the most exercise Hobbes has ever gotten – and Kiki now has another woman to be jealous of! 🙂
Our lab cat (yep, we have cats at home AND work) Tiger Lily says go w/the calico. If she’s anything like Miss Lily, she’ll keep you hoppin’!
Speaking of dogs… ; )
I saw this and immediately thought of you, Tammy.
four dogs and 6 cats share their house with my wife and me: Sandy Diego Ginger Charger Zelda Frankie Rosie Casey Eric Meisha. The last four have a shared rescue kittens page as well.
We had originally planned to get one cat, a kitten from a litter was being saved for us. While we were waiting for the kitten to be weaned, a stray Siamese kitten turned up. We couldn’t find an owner, it had just been dumped, so we kept it. When the other one was ready, we adopted it too.
The Siamese was several weeks older, and jealous at first. But they made friends and became inseparable. They play alot, it’s great entertainment for our four dogs 🙂
There is a fun dynamic between two cats. Of course there is twice the litterbox mess and the expense, but if you can cope with that it’s worth it.
I think Spot is the best choice. Calicos can be a little moody. Both are cute. I was originally going to suggest the orange boy cat because I have had great luck with them. My first orange cat OPIE, was just the sweetest most easy going cat. After his passing I got Bailey. He’s a huge orange boy, very sweet disposition, easy going. Get’s along with the two dogs. We also have two other female cats, Xena and Lucy. Xena is the best cat I’ve ever had. Gray and White. She rules the house and the dogs. She’s more like a dog than a cat really. I’m sure you will make the right choice. I’m voting for Spot. Good luck to you.
Why choose between the two? Just watching them play with each other will be a hoot. Then when one needs a bit of attention and the other one doesn’t, that’s where you come in.
My vote is for both and that makes you the winner.
Thanks for what you do.
Woody
So glad you’re getting a kitty, no matter who you choose!
Of course, I’m partial to the Calico b/c I absolutely love my sweeite Ghetto Superstar who has a similar face. Yes, she is moody… but I always thought for good reason because she’s had a hard life. (Abandoned by her mother and then I later found out my roomates weren’t too kind!)
She’s been extremely loyal, too- yes, loyal! Once, before I she got “fixed” she was in heat and running outside and I called her… and she ran back in!
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll make the right choice!
Am I mistaken, or does the Calico have a Phantom of the Opera thing going on?
you can see why I’m havng trouble deciding between her and Spot.
Er… no I can’t. So, let’s briefly go back to first grade, Tammy. See Spot purr. Spot is cute. Spot LOVES Tammy. READ MY LIPS: Pick Spot!
Tammy, you’re making this far too complicated. Adopt all three. And by the way, all calicos are whackjobs; lovable, affectionate and vociferous, but still whackjobs.
Also, your website is missing from the pajamasmedia blogroll. What happened?