Hi everyone! I hope this isn't too long. My name is Carla, and my boyfriend and I are proud to include three cats in our family.
I've been "lurking" here for a week or so, just to get the hang of this place--but Dawnofsierra's kind message convinced me to introduce myself.
Yes, I do have a confession. Up until Jan. 19, 2005, I was an avowed "dog person." I grew up with dogs I loved and cats that I--well, didn't love. My step-mom's cats were old, and just a little on the cranky side. (One was also fond of biting a sleeping person's toes. Hard.)
I lived in blissful ignorance for a long time. But, when my animal-loving boyfriend (I, too, am an animal lover, but he's thinking-about-working-in-a-zoo-passionate) started begging for a cat (we're not allowed to have dogs in our apartment), my heart began to soften. Then I met two separate friends' cats, who were absolute dolls. I agreed to look for one--only one!--cat.
After an exhaustive two-day search, we met our match at a Petco branch that hosts cats from the Pennsylvania SPCA. Mellow and a bit reserved at the adoption center, we soon realized that this boy is a smart, loving, somewhat mischievous sweetheart. I had read multiple articles about introducing a cat to his new home--keep in one room for 5 days or more, etc. Ziv made it clear almost immediately that he would have none of that. He slept in our bed the first night! Here he is, our handsome Ziv:
I fell head-over-heels for him, and for all cats thereafter. After about a month, I started to think...maybe Ziv would like a playmate. He obviously loved our company already, but we both work...
That's how Eva came into our lives, this time through a great rescue organization run by two sweet ladies. Eva was nothing like Ziv: She was tiny and fearful, and didn't want to come out of her hiding spot. But, when petted along her back, she would raise her hindquarters to get an extra scratching right over her hips. We brought her home, and she wouldn't come out of the carrier for almost 24 hours, poor thing. Ziv knew she was there (we had her in the bathroom), and he ached to meet her. Eventually, we allowed him to sniff around her, and I think he's the one who coaxed her out. He was very gentle with her for the first few days--then he decided he wanted a playmate, so the chasing began. I think it was good for her--he is sort of a rough-and-tumble older brother. She can still be very timid, but she just loves to cuddle on the couch or at night. In fact, she insists on it! So, here is Little Eva, in her favorite spot (our bed):
And here they are on their condo. Eva's a little hard to see--her coat just absorbs light!
Last night, the final member of our family came to stay--we adopted Chesty from the same place where we found Ziv. Since he's so new, I don't have a photo yet, but I will post one soon. In the meantime, if you can imagine Eva (at just under 7 pounds) magnified to about 12 pounds, you've got Chesty (it's really amazing how much he looks like her). So far, Chesty is extremely cuddly--more so than either of the other (fairly cuddly) cats. He clearly loves people and craves human attention. He also loves to explore. After a visit to the vet today, I hope to introduce him to the others soon. I think he and Ziv will be a good match. Though Eva has become very playful, I think Chesty will give Ziv a run for his money. I'll let you know how it works out!
PS--Since these were all adopted cats, we're not sure of their ages. Ziv is around 2 years, probably; Eva is about 10 months, we think; Chesty is anywhere over 1 year.
I've been "lurking" here for a week or so, just to get the hang of this place--but Dawnofsierra's kind message convinced me to introduce myself.
Yes, I do have a confession. Up until Jan. 19, 2005, I was an avowed "dog person." I grew up with dogs I loved and cats that I--well, didn't love. My step-mom's cats were old, and just a little on the cranky side. (One was also fond of biting a sleeping person's toes. Hard.)
I lived in blissful ignorance for a long time. But, when my animal-loving boyfriend (I, too, am an animal lover, but he's thinking-about-working-in-a-zoo-passionate) started begging for a cat (we're not allowed to have dogs in our apartment), my heart began to soften. Then I met two separate friends' cats, who were absolute dolls. I agreed to look for one--only one!--cat.
After an exhaustive two-day search, we met our match at a Petco branch that hosts cats from the Pennsylvania SPCA. Mellow and a bit reserved at the adoption center, we soon realized that this boy is a smart, loving, somewhat mischievous sweetheart. I had read multiple articles about introducing a cat to his new home--keep in one room for 5 days or more, etc. Ziv made it clear almost immediately that he would have none of that. He slept in our bed the first night! Here he is, our handsome Ziv:
I fell head-over-heels for him, and for all cats thereafter. After about a month, I started to think...maybe Ziv would like a playmate. He obviously loved our company already, but we both work...
That's how Eva came into our lives, this time through a great rescue organization run by two sweet ladies. Eva was nothing like Ziv: She was tiny and fearful, and didn't want to come out of her hiding spot. But, when petted along her back, she would raise her hindquarters to get an extra scratching right over her hips. We brought her home, and she wouldn't come out of the carrier for almost 24 hours, poor thing. Ziv knew she was there (we had her in the bathroom), and he ached to meet her. Eventually, we allowed him to sniff around her, and I think he's the one who coaxed her out. He was very gentle with her for the first few days--then he decided he wanted a playmate, so the chasing began. I think it was good for her--he is sort of a rough-and-tumble older brother. She can still be very timid, but she just loves to cuddle on the couch or at night. In fact, she insists on it! So, here is Little Eva, in her favorite spot (our bed):
And here they are on their condo. Eva's a little hard to see--her coat just absorbs light!
Last night, the final member of our family came to stay--we adopted Chesty from the same place where we found Ziv. Since he's so new, I don't have a photo yet, but I will post one soon. In the meantime, if you can imagine Eva (at just under 7 pounds) magnified to about 12 pounds, you've got Chesty (it's really amazing how much he looks like her). So far, Chesty is extremely cuddly--more so than either of the other (fairly cuddly) cats. He clearly loves people and craves human attention. He also loves to explore. After a visit to the vet today, I hope to introduce him to the others soon. I think he and Ziv will be a good match. Though Eva has become very playful, I think Chesty will give Ziv a run for his money. I'll let you know how it works out!
PS--Since these were all adopted cats, we're not sure of their ages. Ziv is around 2 years, probably; Eva is about 10 months, we think; Chesty is anywhere over 1 year.
