BYC Member Interview - thecatumbrella

[ChickenChick46]

I'm so tempted to do an all Australorp flock! Curious what made you describe them as "interesting"? Mine were definitely velcro birds with big personalities.

Every time I see your pug profile photo, it makes me happy! Mine's been gone for years, but I've continued to find hairs. Even after we moved houses!

They are so delightfully weird!

Thank you for your kind words!

So I put an upside-down Home Depot bucket in their run yesterday, then watched my d'uccle "lift" the handle bar dozens of times in sequence. It was like watching someone at the gym. Odd birds, indeed.

Also, I've had two cats at different points in time. The last one I adopted because he was "old and arthritic". The thing drooled buckets whenever you pet him and zoomed around the house like a kitten. He also kept trying to mate my mother-in-law's arm. Love cats, but I can't seem to find a normal one.

I'm not sure a normal cat exists. I've got so many, and not a normal one to be had.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Oh, April, glad to finally know your real name. Yah, I could have asked too. I love your interview, and that cecal poop story, OMG .

You often made me laugh or at least smile, as you have a way of sometimes making bad situations seem a little better for some folks. I've noticed you must take breaks from BYC at times, and my eyes light up when I see you're back again!

This was an excellent interview, April. Thank you for sharing with us.


P.S.
OH, by the way, did you enter Mushroom in the 2026 Calendar contest? You should her and maybe some of the other ones as you take excellent pictures!

Thank you for the kind words, Debbie! It means a lot!

Unfortunately, I hardly ever take photos in landscape mode, so I don't have much for the photo contest. I did enter my two Cochin Bantams, but the competition is just too good. Unbelievable talent on BYC!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm not sure a normal cat exists. I've got so many, and not a normal one to be had.

I had to put child locks on the kitchen cabinets for the first cat. We dared to have a date night out, and he opened a PANTRY CABINET (which is nuts, those doors are huge), dragged out a 15lb bag of dog food with his teeth into the carpeted living room, ripped it open, then ate maybe two kibbles before realizing his mistake. Loved that cat, but what a PITA.

 

[TwoCrows]

I'm so tempted to do an all Australorp flock! Curious what made you describe them as "interesting"? Mine were definitely velcro birds with big personalities.

I found them to be like a pack of drooling puppies that follow you everywhere. They were intelligent and quite curious about everything in their world. I just loved everything about them. You should definitely keep a few for sure!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I found them to be like a pack of drooling puppies that follow you everywhere. They were intelligent and quite curious about everything in their world. I just loved everything about them. You should definitely keep a few for sure!

I remember seeing someone on BYC that said something like, "I barely interacted with my Australorps as chicks. Now I can't get them off me!" Glad to hear it's a universal experience.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I had to put child locks on the kitchen cabinets for the first cat. We dared to have a date night out, and he opened a PANTRY CABINET (which is nuts, those doors are huge), dragged out a 15lb bag of dog food with his teeth into the carpeted living room, ripped it open, then ate maybe two kibbles before realizing his mistake. Loved that cat, but what a PITA.

Oh my, you must have had an Arlo! Arlo is my daughter's cat, and he opens every cabinet we've got. We recently ripped most of our kitchen cabinets out and replaced them with freestanding pantries. They're solid bamboo and the magnets are strong. Hopefully they'll keep him out, lol

 

[thecatumbrella]

Oh my, you must have had an Arlo! Arlo is my daughter's cat, and he opens every cabinet we've got. We recently ripped most of our kitchen cabinets out and replaced them with freestanding pantries. They're solid bamboo and the magnets are strong. Hopefully they'll keep him out, lol

Any chance he's an Oriental mix? I've found this makes cats extra dexterous.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Any chance he's an Oriental mix? I've found this makes cats extra dexterous.

He's a Maine Coon mix, but I'm not sure with what else.

 

[janiedoe]

Wonderful, and funny, interview, April! I never knew that D'uccles were gym rats & skid mark producers.

 

[TwoCrows]

I remember seeing someone on BYC that said something like, "I barely interacted with my Australorps as chicks. Now I can't get them off me!" Glad to hear it's a universal experience.

Mine were huge on lap sitting, I would sit on the floor of the coop or run and they would all line up from my ankles to my stomach, those on the sides that couldn't get on would beak the lap sitters off. Constantly arguing to be the one sitting closest to mommy.