What's on Your Mind Thread - 2024

[Kwik]

Can confirm. Tortietude is a thing.
Lila will wake me up several times a night meowing her head off while bringing me stuff. Dog toys, cat toys, pens, washcloths, anything she can find. It's cute but exhausting waking up so often.

Torties are GREAT--- yeah they have tortitude but in all the right places and with all the right people imo

I've had several torties over the years and they are characters for sure- but love to love

Lila is a tortipest,they are needy things but who loves ya baby!

 

[iPappy]

Torties are GREAT--- yeah they have tortitude but in all the right places and with all the right people imo

I've had several torties over the years and they are characters for sure- but love to love

Lila is a tortipest,they are needy things but who loves ya baby!

My vet has a tortie and she is ALL about her, so sassy and "busy". And everyone tells her how adorable she is, if she could talk I think she'd say "Yes, I know."
Quiet day at work today so I opened the door and kept the gate locked. The view from my table was a cute one.

 

[KittyCat_chitchat]

That's the face of a cat who knows they've got it made.

 

[JamesCalifornia]

~ Reading these postings is a reminder : We don't own our cats – they own us !

 

[Kwik]

My vet has a tortie and she is ALL about her, so sassy and "busy". And everyone tells her how adorable she is, if she could talk I think she'd say "Yes, I know."
Quiet day at work today so I opened the door and kept the gate locked. The view from my table was a cute one.
View attachment 471404

Delightful view! Love the cow,it's sooo cute,do the cats lay on it?

 

[Kat0121]

My daughter picked up her new kitten on Friday. While they were there, my son in law met another kitten who fell for him immediately. They were concerned that getting two at once might be too much. I reminded DD that I did that and it's been great. They applied for the second kitten and were approved. I have TWO new grandkittens to spoil. Two girls for them also. Penny and Bonbon. They already know each other from the cat cafe.

 

[Kwik]

My daughter picked up her new kitten on Friday. While they were there, my son in law met another kitten who fell for him immediately. They were concerned that getting two at once might be too much. I reminded DD that I did that and it's been great. They applied for the second kitten and were approved. I have TWO new grandkittens to spoil. Two girls for them also. Penny and Bonbon. They already know each other from the cat cafe.

Congrats!Grandmeeeeawww

 

[MoochNNoodles]

My daughter picked up her new kitten on Friday. While they were there, my son in law met another kitten who fell for him immediately. They were concerned that getting two at once might be too much. I reminded DD that I did that and it's been great. They applied for the second kitten and were approved. I have TWO new grandkittens to spoil. Two girls for them also. Penny and Bonbon. They already know each other from the cat cafe.

We ended up with Mooch and Noodles because they were the last of their litter at the shelter. After having 2 kittens together; I'll always recommend it if people can do it! They were SO much easier because they had each other to entertain and snuggle. I mean they still got in some kitteny hijinks; but overall, they were the easiest kittens I've ever had.

DS and I each have our heart dreaming of different dog breeds. It makes me wish puppies were similar...but yeah I don't think so. They are more like babies who don't sleep through the night for a while!

 

[KittyCat_chitchat]

I agree. Our current family cats are rescues who came to us as adults, but the ones before that we got as BONKERS kittens. I'm not sure we'd have coped if they hadn't had each other to keep them busy! Plus, I'm a firm believer in having more than one cat unless the cat in question is an adult rescue with behavioural baggage that precludes this. Cats are more social that you'd think and I think it does them good to have companionship from another feline as well as their humans. If you get two kittens together, they'll form a strong bond, will keep each other company when you're out of the house, and will continue to play with each other well into adulthood.

 

[iPappy]

Delightful view! Love the cow,it's sooo cute,do the cats lay on it?

Yes, they do! And it's ridiculously cute, this little round cat loaf on this little round cow pillow. They always look like they're on a little raft.

 

[iPappy]

We ended up with Mooch and Noodles because they were the last of their litter at the shelter. After having 2 kittens together; I'll always recommend it if people can do it! They were SO much easier because they had each other to entertain and snuggle. I mean they still got in some kitteny hijinks; but overall, they were the easiest kittens I've ever had.

DS and I each have our heart dreaming of different dog breeds. It makes me wish puppies were similar...but yeah I don't think so. They are more like babies who don't sleep through the night for a while!

For a second, JUST a second, I've considered two puppies at once but I think I'm WAY past that! Livie was only a year old when Mom brought Sunny home, and that was so nice. They are built in best friends and visit and play with one another very often, but I'm only responsible for one dogs vet bills, training, food, etc.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

Yes, they do! And it's ridiculously cute, this little round cat loaf on this little round cow pillow. They always look like they're on a little raft.

Pumpkin (my moms cat) had a stuffed sheep he slept on. It was the cutest!!

For a second, JUST a second, I've considered two puppies at once but I think I'm WAY past that! Livie was only a year old when Mom brought Sunny home, and that was so nice. They are built in best friends and visit and play with one another very often, but I'm only responsible for one dogs vet bills, training, food, etc.

I had a conversation with my cousin about DS’s desire for a Pembrook Welsh Corgi. She is very dog experienced and has her second corgi now along with a aussie mix who was a year or two old when she got him before her corgi. They were both a good 4-6 years old and still being nuts while we talked. But they were playing with each other and being good companions. I think if she lived close enough to help us learn I would be more confident with adopting. I’ve only had 2; but puppies feel like work compared with kittens!

 

[KittyCat_chitchat]

Having had both, I can confirm that kittens are hard work, but puppies are WAY harder work (and worth it all in the end). Kittens are furry, four-legged tornadoes that will explore every corner they're allowed into and most of the ones they aren't, will probably attempt to redecorate your possessions with their claws, will periodically tear through your house like the Tasmanian Devil, and enjoy lots of crazy playtime. Puppies are like furry, four-legged toddlers who are way more reliant on you and need to be taught manners, toilet trained, taken for walks every day, and acclimatised to the big wide world outside your home. And will also attempt to redecorate your possessions with their teeth, periodically tear around the house, and require lots of crazy playtime. They're exhausting.

Two kittens give you a break by entertaining each other. Two puppies would also entertain each other, but would make it WAY harder for you to teach them how to behave acceptably towards their human family members. More than one dog is great if you can afford it because they become 'packmates' and give each other company and stimulation, but most of the people with more than one dog that I've known have got one puppy and then waited until they have a settled, well-behaved adult dog before they get another one.

 

[NY cat man]

I don't know where she finds them, but Michele's sister keeps coming up with all this cat-themed stuff.

Every once in a while, I will see one of the cats using the mats, but more often I will find where one of them puked up a hairball. Cat commentary?

 

[iPappy]

Having had both, I can confirm that kittens are hard work, but puppies are WAY harder work (and worth it all in the end). Kittens are furry, four-legged tornadoes that will explore every corner they're allowed into and most of the ones they aren't, will probably attempt to redecorate your possessions with their claws, will periodically tear through your house like the Tasmanian Devil, and enjoy lots of crazy playtime. Puppies are like furry, four-legged toddlers who are way more reliant on you and need to be taught manners, toilet trained, taken for walks every day, and acclimatised to the big wide world outside your home. And will also attempt to redecorate your possessions with their teeth, periodically tear around the house, and require lots of crazy playtime. They're exhausting.

Two kittens give you a break by entertaining each other. Two puppies would also entertain each other, but would make it WAY harder for you to teach them how to behave acceptably towards their human family members. More than one dog is great if you can afford it because they become 'packmates' and give each other company and stimulation, but most of the people with more than one dog that I've known have got one puppy and then waited until they have a settled, well-behaved adult dog before they get another one.

I'm not getting another puppy anytime soon for the reason you said. I want mine to be as well behaved as possible and we are just not there yet. My puppies are a lot of work because I live in the country, and I want them to be used to and comfortable in crowded busy environments. So 2-3 times a week, we drive into town to walk streets, parks, pet friendly stores, etc., only for the exposure. I don't want people petting them necessarily but I want them to hear the sounds, see the sights, smell the smells, and do "my" version of socialization (I aim for neutrality, but totally messed that up with Livie!) I'm also more picky with puppies and aim to get one that is NOT terrified of the world from the get go and does not already have bad habits that are difficult to break. With kittens, I don't care and will manage their environment and go at their pace.
Kittens...I give them a box, food, water, beds, toys, and sit back and let the hilarity ensue. They're 1% work and 99% entertainment for me. They are my best time wasters, and I love every second of it. I did do a lot more with Lila than the others (she went on a lot of car rides, was more comfortable in a carrier, we played with clicker training etc.) But puppies I tend to have this feeling of "so much to do before they hit 4 months old", and kittens I just enjoy them. I love watching them play, I love holding them when they sleep, and listening to that tiny little kitten purr they have when they're just so happy they can't stop making biscuits on you.
I really got spoiled with Tag. He was working so reliably in a group setting by the time he was 6 months old I just kept going with him. By the time he was just under 2 he had titled in obedience and was getting compliments from other exhibitors. I don't expect that level again, but wouldn't complain if it happened.

 

[GenCat]

So YanYan we adopted when she was a bit older so she mellowed out quickly, we never experienced the true chaos of kittenhood. XiaoXiao has always been fairly mellow and I think because he is such a big cat he's put his all into growing until recently. The KoKo hijinks after just two days have been insane.

1. She already attempted to climb our bookshelves, the others never even tried.
2. She jumped straight out of the cat tower onto my shoulder as I walked by.
3. She launched herself out of the cat tower aiming for her cat backpack that was sitting on her little cage, not realizing the backpack weighs nothing so when she hit it she just kept flying along with it (this is like a 6 foot jump)
4. Has been spinning around in circles like a crazy top biting her own tail then making loud angry meows like something got her.
5. Attempted to intimidate XiaoXiao, the 12 pound mini bear cat, then panicked and bristled.
6. Finally managed to play with XiaoXiao properly but hid in the backpack carrier and got knocked over while still in it LOL

 

[kashmir64]

I don't want people petting them necessarily

Be glad you didn't own a Dalmatian when the live version of 101 Dalmatians came out. I had mine with me one time and a little girl (about 3-4yrs) said "look mommy". Mommy then said "Go ahead and pet it, it's a Dalmatian, like the movie". I nearly had a heart attack and quickly placed myself between my dog and the girl, as I practically screamed "NO".
Good Lord lady, you are going to get that little girl killed. Not only are Dalmatians extremely protective, but they held the #1 spot for dog bites for many years.
I wonder if she would have told her child to pet a strange dog if I had my Pit Bull with me instead. (actually, the pit would have licked her to death)

 

[Kwik]

I don't know where she finds them, but Michele's sister keeps coming up with all this cat-themed stuff.View attachment 471462View attachment 471463
Every once in a while, I will see one of the cats using the mats, but more often I will find where one of them puked up a hairball. Cat commentary?

Those are mats? WOW- I want them ... adorable,where in the world did she find them?I thought at first they were cat pics & thought" what mats? WHAT the heck is he talking about?!rofl

 

[NY cat man]

Those are mats? WOW- I want them ... adorable,where in the world did she find them?I thought at first they were cat pics & thought" what mats? WHAT the heck is he talking about?!rofl

Like I said, I have no idea where she found them. They have a soft vinyl back and the front is kind of like peach fuzz. Digger, of course, was first to try them out; curling up, also of course, on the gray one.

 

[KittyCat_chitchat]

The KoKo hijinks after just two days have been insane.

Well, welcome to being owned by a tortie! It sounds like she's trouble on legs. My cat Loki continued to jump onto people's backs and shoulders, either from the floor or from above you, as a very heavy adult male. Which wasn't necessarily a problem, except sometimes he'd do it without warning (including when you didn't even know he was there) so you'd suddenly be hit with his full weight out of nowhere. That was fun...

Those are mats? WOW- I want them ... adorable,where in the world did she find them?I thought at first they were cat pics & thought" what mats? WHAT the heck is he talking about?!rofl

Same, LOL! Until I scrolled down fully I was admiring the cute kitty in that first picture!

Good Lord lady, you are going to get that little girl killed.

My puppies are a lot of work because I live in the country, and I want them to be used to and comfortable in crowded busy environments. So 2-3 times a week, we drive into town to walk streets, parks, pet friendly stores, etc., only for the exposure.

I always had problems getting people to understand that my special needs dog might not want to be petted (ESPECIALLY without permission or if you didn't let her see you were about to touch her, Good Lord!). She was a sweetheart if you were gentle and understanding and loved pets on the head, but she had severe hip dysplasia which made her react badly if people touched her sore places without warning. Most people were understanding, but a few, not so much. I was always really worried she'd bite somebody (especially a child) and do them serious injury, because the occasional person would ignore her warnings (and mine!) even if it was really obvious she wasn't happy.

I was in the same boat as iPappy re/socialising her with towns, but she never got used to them because she wriggled so much it was impossible to carry her round when she was too small to walk far, and she was a bit jumpy to begin with (this being before we found out about the hip problems and getting her pain meds, acupuncture, and eventually hip replacement surgery). She was otherwise a star at obedience. She just didn't cope well with town streets, and it took years before she'd walk between the carpark and the grooming parlour without lots of encouragement (I needed professional help keep her coat in order, again because of the hip problem). Another time, I'd do so much differently, like being more thorough in asking the breeder about hip scores and working way harder on getting the puppy used to towns.

But anyway, who WOULDN'T put all in the hard puppy-raising work for THIS LITTLE FACE?