I always had a love for animals - pretty much all animals. As a child I had dogs, birds, a rabbit, a snake, a few turtles, and an alligator (this was back in the 50's when one could buy baby turtles and alligators all along the coast of Mississippi). But we never had cats. Mama told me I was allergic. Don't think I was... but I do sneeze a lot (so maybe).
When DH and I got married and were living in the married student apartments at LSUBR, we were 22 and had 2 Siamese kittens (Emily and Jai). From that time on (from Louisiana to Florida to Texas), we have always had cats. Cats and kids have kept our lives full... of laughter (and tears)... but mostly joy.
At one time, we had 8 inside cats (a bit much) but they needed help, so what can you do? And they all got along... I have pictures of all 8 lined up in a row on our bed. Over the years we decided 3 inside was about right - when it came to caring for them (vaccinations, food, litter, attention, etc.)
So now in our twilight (?) years, we have 3 inside and quite a few feral ones that frequent our backyard. These are given food, water, and what shelter our yard provides. Would we like to take more in, sure. But it's not practical at our age. We have done the catch, vaccinate, and release program over the years, but now simply provide what care we can.
But I truly can't imagine not having a cat. They each have their own personalities and watching them emerge as kittens to adult cats is fascinating. We took them all in at only a few weeks old. Tux (one of our black and whites) is so bonded with me that he is by my side when I'm home 24/7. He is also extremely sensitive and easily hurt - if I lean down to pet one of the others when he is on my lap, he will go off in a huff. That's Tux. Julie, his sibling is half his size and full of beans. She loves to play, run around, and knock things down. If you throw her a mouse, she will jump up and catch it in her paws. Unlike Tux, she (and Ghost) are not lap cats... although Julie has her moments. Ghost now is a strange cat. She has genetic kidney problems and was not supposed to live past her first year. She is 12 now and although generally a very sweet cat, is also a bit psycho. There are times when she will hiss and growl for apparently no reason... it doesn't last long, but we've never been able to figure out why it happens. She also doesn't jump on things, watches TV, watches iPhone videos, and loves me to do a shadow show on the wall.
As I said... can't imagine not having them around.
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| Tux |
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| Julie |
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| Ghost |
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| Tux |
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| Julie |
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| Ghost |
This post is longer than I planned... so I won't go into my thoughts about art today. I'll post that another day. Thanks for listening to my early morning ramblings.
Hugs,
Rian
I love your history with cats, Rian. Although I don't have any cats now, I certainly have over the years. Many times I feel like I have pets still, because of bonding through the internet with them. Your love of animals comes through your words and soothes my need for them. Thank you, dear. :-)
ReplyDeleteAgain, DJan, we can 'virtually' share our lives... me with your hiking and you with my cats.
Deleteperhaps ghost has some pain occasionally and that's why she hisses? I have always had cats too, but we had dogs growing up. I think cats are easier to care for than dogs. the most cats I ever had was four at one time, except when one of my cats had kittens.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I have thought of that possibility. Whatever it is, luckily it doesn't last long. She will be lying quietly (not sleeping) and suddenly start growling and hissing. It really upsets Tux and he will follow her around when she does this... like he is worried about her. She doesn't like this and growls and hisses more like she's saying "leave me alone". Then in a few minutes she's back and OK again.
DeleteThey certainly do weave themselves into the fabric of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'll adopt again after the boys. Not if I'm still working, and it will depend on finances and other factors as to whether or not I'll be able to if I make it to retirement.
But for now I'll just love the boys for as long as they're with me. :-)
More like take over our lives in some respect. We don't have carpet because of the cats. It's easier to sweep and mop up cat hair with tile and slate floors. We don't put anything like flowers or breakables on the dining room table because they will either eat them or knock them off chasing each other, etc. But it's a small price to pay.
DeleteI'm with you all the way on cats and art. Non of our cats like to be picked up and I think its possible because the dad was feral but they all like a lap and a tickle.
ReplyDeleteTom is nearing 80 and I am 73 and we both dread what is going to happen to them if and when we depart this world, they are all quite robust at the moment even thought they are all 11 and Polly probably more like 12. My son suffers from eczema and couldn't take them and my daughter has a dog and isn't really interested in cats. Oh well, I'm sure it will all get sorted.
As for art, my mind is always buzzing with ideas most of them don't materialise but then again some do. I'm just grateful that I am able to still sew and enjoy each day.
Briony
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Briony, DH and I are both 74 (or will be next month) and we've had this conversation with our kids. Luckily all of ours have a cat or cats (one also has horses, dogs, chickens, turtles, etc.) and one is the curator at the herpetology dept at the Dallas Zoo. So the cats should be alright (at least the 3 we have now - and we try hard not to take in any more). As for art, I'll try to get to that tomorrow while the subject is still buzzing around in my head.
DeleteCats are lower maintenance than dogs, no walking or bathing. I have always had both and each has their joy to give. Loved Ghost helping you read. They do love paper don't they?
ReplyDeleteWe've had dogs too, Patti. Had an Irish Setter that stole my heart years ago. You are right. they all bring their own kind of joy. If we were younger, I'd love to have another dog... and possibly a few birds.
DeleteI've had cats all my life - although I like dogs I've never had one for very long and wouldn't know how to train it. Cats do as they please, no training required. And nothing calms me down better than a cuddle with Sasha or Saku. They do indeed have different personalities!
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, cats train you. They sit and wait by your side when it's time to be fed... Ghost also goes to the bedroom at 8pm every night to sleep. If DH doesn't get up and walk her there, she will sit by him just looking holes through him until he gets up and says 'OK. let's get you to bed'.
DeleteThis is such a good post. I could have read more. Poppy has never cared much for cats and we didn't have one until I rescued Bickett from the highway when he was a tiny kitten in 1995. Then we rescued two more. Losing Bickett last year hurt us both. We miss him every day. Glad we have Dumperoo and Smokey. I love all three of your cats. Ghost sounds a lot like Bickett, even though he looks a lot like our Smokey. The black and white Tuxedo cats are beautiful. My granddaughter has two of them.
ReplyDeleteThe black and white cats we have now (Tux and Julie) are siblings. We rescued 5 baby feral kittens from our backyard back almost 15 years ago when the mother cat simply brought them all there and then left. (See 2nd and 3rd pic on sidebar). Bailey my oldest grand daughter was 3 then. She took home the Siamese looking one and named him Cocoa. She is now 17 and Cocoa still sleeps with her. Tux and Julie are still with us, but over the years we lost Jack (a great cat with a wonderful loving personality) and Jasmine, the little grey tabby. Enjoy Dumpero and Smokey! I know it must have hurt to lose Bickett.
DeleteI do enjoy my cat. The dilemma is, he would like another cat for company. And I am so allergic, it can't happen. And not young enough to outlive him, let alone another cat.
ReplyDeleteHe may like another cat for company (or he may not). But he has you, Joanne... and maybe that's all he needs.
Deleteohhh i couldn't imagine life without cats now either! love them all
ReplyDeleteyours are so very adorable, love the pic with ghost helping you to read, classic
thanx for sharing
Hi Selina, thanks for visiting. All 3 are a big help when I'm trying to read, or sketch, or anything really...
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