Thursday Thirteen: Thoughts About Cats
July 3rd, 2008
| Categories: Memes
- I think I mentioned that I’m cat sitting my son’s cat - Kiko - while Matt is in Hawaii with his mom
- It has been an educational experience
- I’m certainly a cat person, I much prefer them over dogs
- I haven’t lived full time with a cat (or indeed, any pet) since my last cat Shadow died many years ago
- I figured this three week period would be a good trial to see if my lifestyle would accommodate a cat
- It has but it required a lot of adjustments I’m not sure I want to make and introduced more stress than I’m used to
- Cats can be whiny and needy… I’m just saying!
- And Kiko at least, feels and demonstrates emotions quite well
- And he’s quite an affectionate cat, loves people… especially at 3am when he just HAS to have a snuggle
- He’s also taught me to think twice about dangling my hand over the edge of the bed, apparently it makes for an irresistible cat toy
- I’m pretty sure he forced me to clear off several window sills so he’d have a place to sit and watch what’s going on outside
- I’m still vaguely disturbed at how much time he spends sitting and staring at blank walls… there is NOTHING there. I think he’s messing with my mind!
- The whole experience has caused me to rethink if I’m really willing to put the effort into maintaining a relationship at all at this point… human or feline.
Very Important Cat Things by Neil Zaza
As I type this with a kitten sleeping on my arm… I have to laugh.
I clear out the windowsills for them too
LOL this made me laugh!
M~
This post is too funny. Remember, not all cats are created equal, so while Keiko may be very loving, affectionate, playful, and demanding, the next one may be aloof and completely self entertaining needing very little more attention than food and water. What you need is a somewhere in between kitty. We had to lock our bedroom doors at night when we got Kenny, his midnight snuggles were VERY persistant and involved him laying on my nose and mouth so I couldn’t breath. Because he knew how to open lever type doors simply putting him in the hall and shutting the door was no good. Bella on the other hand, would sooner kill you than look at you. That girl is pure evil. Yep…you need an in between kitty.
Stacie
Ahem, a subject I know a little something about.
If you do actually consider it, think breed-specific. Breeds do indeed come with very definite temperaments. Based on your description, avoid Siamese and Tonkinese (very needy, very vocal). Any cat breed book will outline the personalities. There are cat breeds who are more laid back or even more dog-like, etc.
Cats CAN be trained. Ours do NOT sleep in the bedroom. We’d never get any sleep. We didn’t cave, they got used to sleeping in the hall right outside the door very quickly.
The hardest part… having someone to watch them while you’re away. That’s a huge lifestyle adjustment for people who are without cats/dogs. Plenty of people think it’s okay to just leave them with a bowl of water and heaps of food. But the truth is.. .cats are so fussy and clean freaks that not emptying boxes daily is just not okay. etc etc. I love that you’re thinking it through. That shows what a good parent you are.
I’ve always been more of a cat person.
~S
You cracked me up with this one. I don’t think I’d ever associated the word “stress” with the word “cat” before. Bah, you can TOTALLY handle a cat, and for the comedic value alone, I think you SHOULD.
I will do something I almost never do here, and disagree with Shephard. I don’t think it’s important what breed you get, in fact I’d suggest no breed, a fine old animal shelter rescue tabby is the way to go. Preferably orange. I swear by the orange ones.