Totally with you, cat lady! As I type i have an elderly rescue cat on my lap, who forget she's old and spends 8 hours a day outside if it's sunny. They are remarkable creatures.
LOL, I'd spend 8 hours a day outside if I could, too, though I tend not to forget my aging status... You're in good company there with your rescue, and as the saying goes, Who rescued whom? Thanks for the comment.
Stephanie, he's hypoallergenic, but more importantly, my pet-allergy symptoms are responding to the brain-retraining techniques as well!!! It's not a slam-dunk yet, but definitely moving in the right direction. Next week, I'm taking care of my brother's two dogs and am so excited I can do this... wish me luck!
Ours are considered domestic shorthair but they put out bags of fluff in summer. Of course they spend most time outside, and we are not air conditioned inside. That makes a difference.
A black mature cat from the cat haven. Obviously traumatised at some time of her life. Not a lot of fun nor cuddly, but she’s real sassy. Love her cranky personality.
Chaco is just adorable. Our cuddly companions are two orange tabby rescues, Butter & Scotch. They love going for walks with their long leashes in our retirement village. Life is never boring with these guys. I really don't mind being a cat-lady!
I love the names! And I used to take Chaco out on a leash, but then he figured out how to wrangle free of it. That image of you walking around with them is gold.
While I have loved my own couple of dogs in the past and my many granddogs, I'm also in the Crazy Cat Lady Club. I grew up with an all-black Kitty. Early in my first marriage, we acquired McTeague (yes, after the Frank Norris novel), a black and grey tabby. He tolerated our peekapoo, Magoo, and Sheltie, Harry, but eventually moved on to greener pastures.
I then claimed the most beautiful, best-cat-ever, Ashley, a big, blue-eyed, lynx-point Siamese - his mama wasn't Siamese, nor were any of his litter-mates. (I was there for the birthing.) There were none in the neighborhood, so papa must have been a rolling stone. He accompanied me to my second marriage - happily leaving THOSE DOGS. An outdoor cat, he disappeared one day, and I'm pretty sure someone must have taken him.
After my broken heart healed, we adopted a long-haired brother/sister pair - Rusty, an orange tabby, and Paisley, a calico. They were both lovely cuddlers and great friends to each other. Alas, I had to leave them behind during a divorce, but they lived long and happy lives with their dad.
After several cat-free years, I finally convinced hubby number last to get two (also last, probably) indoor-only kitties. I had hoped to adopt another brother/sister pair, and had my heart set on two from an all-black litter. The rescue wouldn't allow two from the same litter to be adopted together. (Dumb rule.) So, I was first introduced to a handsome tuxedo boy from a different litter. Of course I fell in love. Then came the beautiful runt of the all-black litter. I knew INSTANTLY she was my Stella. I couldn't sell "Stanley" as the name for the tuxedo boy, so it took a few days to come up with a name. He and Stella hated each other on sight - and still do, so that's awesome. He's always been a big bully (now about 16 lbs), so we decided he needed a fitting name - Zeus. Stella is a relatively petite 10 lbs. She loves to instigate trouble, then hiss, cry, and hide when Zeus retaliates. She's a daddy's girl most of the time, but graces my lap when Zeus isn't in it. There are no dull cat moments in our house!
They have a small catio, attached to the window of "their" room, where they can sit outside and watch the birds and squirrels. Stella has very little interest in "outside." Zeus, on the other hand, tries to escape every chance he gets! He KNOWS he's a fearless hunter/protector. (He's not.) We have to lock doors - indoor and outdoor - because Zeus can/will open them. We warn guests to lock the bathroom door or expect company. They are confined to their room at night, so we can actually sleep. Zeus's bed is on top of the sauna - it takes a 4 foot leap from the cat tree to the sauna - but he's happy on top of his mountain. Stella chooses a normal cat bed OR, if she's being pestered, has made a nest in a dresser drawer, where Zeus can't fit.
Our latest success story: finding a way to keep both cats off the kitchen counters. FOIL! (Yes, as in "curses, foiled again!") For a while, it was sheets of foil on all counters. One jump convinced each of them that they didn't like that shiny stuff. But the kitchen looked... like we were preventing an alien invasion. So, before a trip last weekend, I made long "snakes" from those foil sheets along the edges of the countertop. They were still in place when we returned! The kitchen still looks crazy, but it's a little less tedious to move a snake.Kitties - ya gotta love 'em!
I love this history, and these cats! Of course Zeus would end up being ‘your’ cat, and not Stella. Of course. I remember your catio from a previous post, too. Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Thank you, Trave! As always, I appreciate your praise.
Your mom must have a lot of space for so many animals.
Anthony and I met in Seattle and miss the maritime vibe.
Have you seen this? https://www.brunettegardens.com/p/a-love-letter-to-seattle
Who's your cuddly companion? I'm collecting fun fur-baby stories, so have at it...
Totally with you, cat lady! As I type i have an elderly rescue cat on my lap, who forget she's old and spends 8 hours a day outside if it's sunny. They are remarkable creatures.
LOL, I'd spend 8 hours a day outside if I could, too, though I tend not to forget my aging status... You're in good company there with your rescue, and as the saying goes, Who rescued whom? Thanks for the comment.
Well, she just turned up at my door 6 months ago demanding entrance so I didn't have much choice! Cats are amazing.
I think they really do choose us.
Chaco sounds delightful, and the perfect companion for two empty-nesters.
Fully agree with you that few human companions can match a sweet wacky furkid.
That said, one of mine was ornery as hell, and I'd still rather have her back than be around "my own kind".
I think it's the uncomplicated, unconditional affection that cements the bond. Chaco says yes, he is quite delightful.
Thank you for the comments.
Cutie. I'm not much of a cat person (allergies), but I can appreciate a cute one with personality.
Stephanie, he's hypoallergenic, but more importantly, my pet-allergy symptoms are responding to the brain-retraining techniques as well!!! It's not a slam-dunk yet, but definitely moving in the right direction. Next week, I'm taking care of my brother's two dogs and am so excited I can do this... wish me luck!
GOOD LUCK--then share some tips?
Stephanie, it's all here, with more to come: https://www.brunettegardens.com/t/auto-neuro
No guard hairs. That's wild. Does your kitty shed much in the summer? (Our mongrel cats lose most of the undercoat by mid summer. )
Nope, just a little bit of tufty fluff when I pet him in peak summer.
Ours are considered domestic shorthair but they put out bags of fluff in summer. Of course they spend most time outside, and we are not air conditioned inside. That makes a difference.
Love Chaco! What a character!
He certainly is! Do you have a pet?
A black mature cat from the cat haven. Obviously traumatised at some time of her life. Not a lot of fun nor cuddly, but she’s real sassy. Love her cranky personality.
Oh, my gosh! I LOVE a cranky lady cat. Bless her... Also, cat haven sounds like my kind of place.
Chaco is just adorable. Our cuddly companions are two orange tabby rescues, Butter & Scotch. They love going for walks with their long leashes in our retirement village. Life is never boring with these guys. I really don't mind being a cat-lady!
I love the names! And I used to take Chaco out on a leash, but then he figured out how to wrangle free of it. That image of you walking around with them is gold.
While I have loved my own couple of dogs in the past and my many granddogs, I'm also in the Crazy Cat Lady Club. I grew up with an all-black Kitty. Early in my first marriage, we acquired McTeague (yes, after the Frank Norris novel), a black and grey tabby. He tolerated our peekapoo, Magoo, and Sheltie, Harry, but eventually moved on to greener pastures.
I then claimed the most beautiful, best-cat-ever, Ashley, a big, blue-eyed, lynx-point Siamese - his mama wasn't Siamese, nor were any of his litter-mates. (I was there for the birthing.) There were none in the neighborhood, so papa must have been a rolling stone. He accompanied me to my second marriage - happily leaving THOSE DOGS. An outdoor cat, he disappeared one day, and I'm pretty sure someone must have taken him.
After my broken heart healed, we adopted a long-haired brother/sister pair - Rusty, an orange tabby, and Paisley, a calico. They were both lovely cuddlers and great friends to each other. Alas, I had to leave them behind during a divorce, but they lived long and happy lives with their dad.
After several cat-free years, I finally convinced hubby number last to get two (also last, probably) indoor-only kitties. I had hoped to adopt another brother/sister pair, and had my heart set on two from an all-black litter. The rescue wouldn't allow two from the same litter to be adopted together. (Dumb rule.) So, I was first introduced to a handsome tuxedo boy from a different litter. Of course I fell in love. Then came the beautiful runt of the all-black litter. I knew INSTANTLY she was my Stella. I couldn't sell "Stanley" as the name for the tuxedo boy, so it took a few days to come up with a name. He and Stella hated each other on sight - and still do, so that's awesome. He's always been a big bully (now about 16 lbs), so we decided he needed a fitting name - Zeus. Stella is a relatively petite 10 lbs. She loves to instigate trouble, then hiss, cry, and hide when Zeus retaliates. She's a daddy's girl most of the time, but graces my lap when Zeus isn't in it. There are no dull cat moments in our house!
They have a small catio, attached to the window of "their" room, where they can sit outside and watch the birds and squirrels. Stella has very little interest in "outside." Zeus, on the other hand, tries to escape every chance he gets! He KNOWS he's a fearless hunter/protector. (He's not.) We have to lock doors - indoor and outdoor - because Zeus can/will open them. We warn guests to lock the bathroom door or expect company. They are confined to their room at night, so we can actually sleep. Zeus's bed is on top of the sauna - it takes a 4 foot leap from the cat tree to the sauna - but he's happy on top of his mountain. Stella chooses a normal cat bed OR, if she's being pestered, has made a nest in a dresser drawer, where Zeus can't fit.
Our latest success story: finding a way to keep both cats off the kitchen counters. FOIL! (Yes, as in "curses, foiled again!") For a while, it was sheets of foil on all counters. One jump convinced each of them that they didn't like that shiny stuff. But the kitchen looked... like we were preventing an alien invasion. So, before a trip last weekend, I made long "snakes" from those foil sheets along the edges of the countertop. They were still in place when we returned! The kitchen still looks crazy, but it's a little less tedious to move a snake.Kitties - ya gotta love 'em!
I love this history, and these cats! Of course Zeus would end up being ‘your’ cat, and not Stella. Of course. I remember your catio from a previous post, too. Thank you for sharing. 🙏