C.A.T Contest!!! (Clever, Appealing, Talented). Show off your cats!!! STARTS TODAY, ENDS FEB. 17TH.

[N F C]

Thank you, @N F C! Our cats are an important part of our homestead. Along with the owls and snakes, they help keep the rodents at bay.

DH and I manage a golf course that includes a restaurant. When we took over a couple years ago, the place was over-run with mice

DH got 3 kittens to live down there in the office (they were from the same litter as my Pip). Those cats have totally cleaned up rodents around the golf course. Our regulars all know the cats and enjoy seeing them around. One of those cats will hop on any golf cart around to go for a ride

 

[Amer]

Hey Midnight; meet Syba!

View attachment 1239427

Midnight + Syba =

View attachment 1239430

wow. If she had that many kittens.....

Now you are reminding me of another cat funny...
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You want black cats? We got cats as black as the inside of a coffin at midnight. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...DE5A8852BB37623A3908DE5A8852BB37623&FORM=VIRE

 

[bruceha2000]

Hmmm, sort of kind of almost sounds like you have a cat. View attachment 1240042

That is what DD2 says ... since I give her the insulin, she must be my cat. It is a case of who is available. DW doesn't have time to deal with the cats in the morning before work and DD1 & DD2 don't drag their butts out of bed until WAY past when the cats should be fed. OR, now that DD2 is working as a lift operator at a ski area and leaves at 6 AM on work days, she doesn't have time either. I have the job because I am available, not because I have a cat.

I had a white Angora cat years ago. It was originally my sister and BIL's but when Powder was 2 they moved to Hawaii for 2 years. Cat would have been in quarantine for months and they didn't want to do that to her so I brought her to Vermont from So. Cal. She died in 1994 when DD1 was 1.5 years old, I think she was 15 or 16 years old.

A few years later we got Noel from the humane society for DW for Christmas. He was about 2 and a GREAT cat (dog). A couple of years later DW decided Noel needed a friend at home while we were all gone so we got Samantha and that is why she is DW's cat. Second cat was NOT my idea. Let's just say that AT BEST the cats eventually learned to tolerate each other.

Some time after Noel died, again around mid teens, and having learned nothing from the prior "cat integration" experience, DW decided we needed another cat. Thus Rascal, she lived under DD2's bed for 6 months, coming out only at night. She is still a skittish cat. They eventually learned to get along OK but it isn't like they are friends, they just don't intentionally annoy each other.

As you see from the descriptions of the cats, the 2 boys were "donated" by people who should be shot for abandoning animals and making them the responsibility of someone else without asking.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Luna is very pretty!

Thank you! She's a great little cat. Although at first everyone hated her because she used to run away when you went near her and she used to bite (partly cause my dad rough housed with her and encouraged it) and never wanted to be held but then she calmed down a lot when she got soayed around 2 or 3. She was never mean or anything and as a kitten was pretty loving but idk, she just had that female attitude lol still does. But now that she's older she's a lot more loving and sweet. She wants to be petted more and tolerates being held somewhat. All still on her terms though. Although actually it's somewhat a trade off. She used to sleep on my bed every night but wasn't too friendly otherwise. Now she's more friendly but doesn't sleep with me

Anyway, when we first got her we actually thought she was going to be huge because she used to love water and drank out of the faucet and the toilet, played with the faucet water, etc. And we researched and she looked just like a Norwegian Forest Cat and they like water. Or them and another breed. But she looked like the NFC. There was a picture of a grey one that could have been her lol anyway, they are related to the Maine Coon and get huge but it just mighr take like 4 or 5 years. So we're like yay she's gonna get big. Cause she was TINY. But then nope. She stayed tiny lol

Here are my 3...

Name: Bam Bam
Age: Approx 1.5 yrs
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic short hair
View attachment 1239625

Name: Pip
Age: Approx 1.5 yrs
Sex: Female
Breed: Domestic short hair
(She's Bam Bam's 1/2 sister, they had the same dad but different mom's)
View attachment 1239628

Name: Opie
Age: Approx 1 yr
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic short hair
We hadn't planned to get another cat, but when this guy showed up at our doorstep, as a filthy and starving tiny kitten, we couldn't turn him away. And what a gift he has been! He's grown to be huge (over 14 lbs. last check up) and is the king of the castle, lol.
View attachment 1239629

Awww they are beautiful. Opie reminds me of our old cat we used tp have, Mittens. He was an orange male like Opie and also huge. He was double pawed too. He was the best. Loved everybody and just wanted to be patted and loved on all the time. I think that is an orange male thing?

And I think that's part of why my brother's don't like Luna as much because she's friendly on her terms. I think most girl cats are like that though. My dad loves her even though he says she's my cat. Which she technically is. And my younger brother is also allergic to her because she's long haired and Mittens was short hair. So she has to stay in the basement when he comes home.

Find and identify 4 cats
View attachment 1239755

Name: Samantha - DW's cat
Age: Approx 16 yrs - HSC adoptee ~13 years ago
Sex: Female
Breed: Domestic Medium hair
Pictured 7 years ago with DD1 and last year
View attachment 1239751 View attachment 1239756

Name: Rascal - DW's cat
Age: Approx 11 yrs - HSC adoptee ~8 years ago
Sex: Female
Breed: Domestic Short hair

View attachment 1239758 View attachment 1239759

Name: Checkers - DD1's cat
Age: Approx 6 yrs - dropped at prior house at about 6 weeks
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Short hair

Do NOT try to scratch that belly!
View attachment 1239761 View attachment 1239760

Name: Christofur - DD1's cat
Age: Approx 1 yr+ - dropped at current house at about 3 months
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Short hair

In the barn just after we found him. Christmas Eve, you CAN scratch that belly.
View attachment 1239762 View attachment 1239763

Awww they're beautiful and adorable.

I do not have a cat. Though I am responsible for morning feedings, water and litter box cleaning. And Samantha's twice a day insulin.

Hmmm, sort of kind of almost sounds like you have a cat. View attachment 1240042

Lol sure seems it

DH and I manage a golf course that includes a restaurant. When we took over a couple years ago, the place was over-run with mice

DH got 3 kittens to live down there in the office (they were from the same litter as my Pip). Those cats have totally cleaned up rodents around the golf course. Our regulars all know the cats and enjoy seeing them around. One of those cats will hop on any golf cart around to go for a ride

Haha that's awesome

That is what DD2 says ... since I give her the insulin, she must be my cat. It is a case of who is available. DW doesn't have time to deal with the cats in the morning before work and DD1 & DD2 don't drag their butts out of bed until WAY past when the cats should be fed. OR, now that DD2 is working as a lift operator at a ski area and leaves at 6 AM on work days, she doesn't have time either. I have the job because I am available, not because I have a cat.

I had a white Angora cat years ago. It was originally my sister and BIL's but when Powder was 2 they moved to Hawaii for 2 years. Cat would have been in quarantine for months and they didn't want to do that to her so I brought her to Vermont from So. Cal. She died in 1994 when DD1 was 1.5 years old, I think she was 15 or 16 years old.

A few years later we got Noel from the humane society for DW for Christmas. He was about 2 and a GREAT cat (dog). A couple of years later DW decided Noel needed a friend at home while we were all gone so we got Samantha and that is why she is DW's cat. Second cat was NOT my idea. Let's just say that AT BEST the cats eventually learned to tolerate each other.

Some time after Noel died, again around mid teens, and having learned nothing from the prior "cat integration" experience, DW decided we needed another cat. Thus Rascal, she lived under DD2's bed for 6 months, coming out only at night. She is still a skittish cat. They eventually learned to get along OK but it isn't like they are friends, they just don't intentionally annoy each other.

As you see from the descriptions of the cats, the 2 boys were "donated" by people who should be shot for abandoning animals and making them the responsibility of someone else without asking.

You should get another cat for yourself!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Btw, what is it like having multiple cats? I've been thinking Luna needs a friend, especially when she's in the basement, but then again maybe not. I don't change the litter box as it is. My dad does even though she's my cat. Though I do feed her. Free fed dry but I give her cans too. But I need to start changing the litter box myself and saving some money before getting a second cat. But is integration really always hard?

I've been thinking what I need is a male kitten to have the best chances of them getting along. Because a female or an adult would be harder I think? But then again, would a kitten annoy her? She mostly sleeps these days. Or wanders around begging for food lol

 

[DigMyChicks]

Wonderful photos DMC!

Thanks Debby!

Here are my 3...

Name: Bam Bam
Age: Approx 1.5 yrs
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic short hair
View attachment 1239625

Name: Pip
Age: Approx 1.5 yrs
Sex: Female
Breed: Domestic short hair
(She's Bam Bam's 1/2 sister, they had the same dad but different mom's)
View attachment 1239628

Name: Opie
Age: Approx 1 yr
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic short hair
We hadn't planned to get another cat, but when this guy showed up at our doorstep, as a filthy and starving tiny kitten, we couldn't turn him away. And what a gift he has been! He's grown to be huge (over 14 lbs. last check up) and is the king of the castle, lol.
View attachment 1239629

Beautiful pics...can’t get over how handsome Opie is.

Find and identify 4 cats
View attachment 1239755

Name: Samantha - DW's cat
Age: Approx 16 yrs - HSC adoptee ~13 years ago
Sex: Female
Breed: Domestic Medium hair
Pictured 7 years ago with DD1 and last year
View attachment 1239751 View attachment 1239756

Name: Rascal - DW's cat
Age: Approx 11 yrs - HSC adoptee ~8 years ago
Sex: Female
Breed: Domestic Short hair

View attachment 1239758 View attachment 1239759

Name: Checkers - DD1's cat
Age: Approx 6 yrs - dropped at prior house at about 6 weeks
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Short hair

Do NOT try to scratch that belly!
View attachment 1239761 View attachment 1239760

Name: Christofur - DD1's cat
Age: Approx 1 yr+ - dropped at current house at about 3 months
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Short hair

In the barn just after we found him. Christmas Eve, you CAN scratch that belly.
View attachment 1239762 View attachment 1239763

Beautiful cats also

We have three. They were raised as barn kitties but sleep inside at night. View attachment 1239777 View attachment 1239779 View attachment 1239789

They are so cute...your first one looks like he’s singing opera.

Hmmm, sort of kind of almost sounds like you have a cat. View attachment 1240042

Or several

View attachment 1240066
I have a gorgeous photo of her, but I took it with my camera, not my Kindle.
Age: 2 and a half years
Gender: female
Name: Snowbelle
Breed: mixed. Lovely long white hair. Mother of Shiloh. Has a weakness for circles and boxes.

She’s gorgeous!

That is what DD2 says ... since I give her the insulin, she must be my cat. It is a case of who is available. DW doesn't have time to deal with the cats in the morning before work and DD1 & DD2 don't drag their butts out of bed until WAY past when the cats should be fed. OR, now that DD2 is working as a lift operator at a ski area and leaves at 6 AM on work days, she doesn't have time either. I have the job because I am available, not because I have a cat.

I had a white Angora cat years ago. It was originally my sister and BIL's but when Powder was 2 they moved to Hawaii for 2 years. Cat would have been in quarantine for months and they didn't want to do that to her so I brought her to Vermont from So. Cal. She died in 1994 when DD1 was 1.5 years old, I think she was 15 or 16 years old.

A few years later we got Noel from the humane society for DW for Christmas. He was about 2 and a GREAT cat (dog). A couple of years later DW decided Noel needed a friend at home while we were all gone so we got Samantha and that is why she is DW's cat. Second cat was NOT my idea. Let's just say that AT BEST the cats eventually learned to tolerate each other.

Some time after Noel died, again around mid teens, and having learned nothing from the prior "cat integration" experience, DW decided we needed another cat. Thus Rascal, she lived under DD2's bed for 6 months, coming out only at night. She is still a skittish cat. They eventually learned to get along OK but it isn't like they are friends, they just don't intentionally annoy each other.

As you see from the descriptions of the cats, the 2 boys were "donated" by people who should be shot for abandoning animals and making them the responsibility of someone else without asking.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people like that in this world.

 

[bruceha2000]

Btw, what is it like having multiple cats? I've been thinking Luna needs a friend, especially when she's in the basement, but then again maybe not. I don't change the litter box as it is. My dad does even though she's my cat. Though I do feed her. Free fed dry but I give her cans too. But I need to start changing the litter box myself and saving some money before getting a second cat. But is integration really always hard?

I've been thinking what I need is a male kitten to have the best chances of them getting along. Because a female or an adult would be harder I think? But then again, would a kitten annoy her? She mostly sleeps these days. Or wanders around begging for food lol

I can't speak for everyone that has multiple cats but I would say don't bother. Not just because you don't clean the litter box (please work on that) but because other than lions, cats are NOT "herd" animals. They can learn to get along or at least tolerate others but they do not need another of their kind like true herd animals.

I would think it is easiest if you get two that are from the same litter since they will not have to deal with an intruder. Too late in your case. Each new cat was considered an intruder by the existing cats in our house. Learn from my DW's example - Noel and the "friend" DW wanted for him. BOTH cats disliked the other, they were not friends, stressed each other out and they both would have been happier if the other didn't exist.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I can't speak for everyone that has multiple cats but I would say don't bother. Not just because you don't clean the litter box (please work on that) but because other than lions, cats are NOT "herd" animals. They can learn to get along or at least tolerate others but they do not need another of their kind like true herd animals.

I would think it is easiest if you get two that are from the same litter since they will not have to deal with an intruder. Too late in your case. Each new cat was considered an intruder by the existing cats in our house. Learn from my DW's example - Noel and the "friend" DW wanted for him. BOTH cats disliked the other, they were not friends, stressed each other out and they both would have been happier if the other didn't exist.

Thanks! That makes sense. I guess I just had hopes of the cata cuddling together and sleeping or hanging put together, etc. Like I've seen pictures of. But I suppose that's not always the case. I was kind of thinking though too that another cat, especially if it was a bigger male, might give her some more confidence too since she's a little skittish or might help defend her from the dog since she doesn't use her claws on him. That was my hope anyway. That another cat would provide confidence but also that they would be friends and cuddle together. And she's pretty easy going so I don't think she'd be vicious but it sounds like that's likely not going to be the case? Even if she didn't attack him she might just go into hiding and be stressed out??

I think this might have worked better when she was a little bit younger but now at almost 8 I think maybe a playful rambunctious kitten might be more annoying than anything? And having two kittens (so they could play together and not with her) I suppose might result in 2 intruders or the two younger ones being best friends and excluding her? Which would defeat the purpose..

Hmmm...

So it seems my hope of introducing a new kitten and having them be best friends just isn't very realistic?

I do wonder if it's possible though....

But it's also more vet bills. And more cats for my brother to be allergic to. I was also hoping though that I could get another friendly cat like Mittens was so that they could have a cat they like again.

But I think a second dog might be the better option. But that's not realistic either cause Gator likes all the attention for himself plus he's getting older

 

[DigMyChicks]

I can't speak for everyone that has multiple cats but I would say don't bother. Not just because you don't clean the litter box (please work on that) but because other than lions, cats are NOT "herd" animals. They can learn to get along or at least tolerate others but they do not need another of their kind like true herd animals.

I would think it is easiest if you get two that are from the same litter since they will not have to deal with an intruder. Too late in your case. Each new cat was considered an intruder by the existing cats in our house. Learn from my DW's example - Noel and the "friend" DW wanted for him. BOTH cats disliked the other, they were not friends, stressed each other out and they both would have been happier if the other didn't exist.

I was lucky when we brought the secon kitten home they ended up liking each other. They were only 8 weeks old approximately. It took about 24 hours to battle it out and they were fine. The third cat took about 3 days and they could eat out of the same bowls. No fighting other then “normal” play wrestling. They were leary of him though. My sister on the other hand brought in a second male cat and they never got along.

Thanks! That makes sense. I guess I just had hopes of the cata cuddling together and sleeping or hanging put together, etc. Like I've seen pictures of. But I suppose that's not always the case. I was kind of thinking though too that another cat, especially if it was a bigger male, might give her some more confidence too since she's a little skittish or might help defend her from the dog since she doesn't use her claws on him. That was my hope anyway. That another cat would provide confidence but also that they would be friends and cuddle together. And she's pretty easy going so I don't think she'd be vicious but it sounds like that's likely not going to be the case? Even if she didn't attack him she might just go into hiding and be stressed out??

I think this might have worked better when she was a little bit younger but now at almost 8 I think maybe a playful rambunctious kitten might be more annoying than anything? And having two kittens (so they could play together and not with her) I suppose might result in 2 intruders or the two younger ones being best friends and excluding her? Which would defeat the purpose..

Hmmm...

So it seems my hope of introducing a new kitten and having them be best friends just isn't very realistic?

I do wonder if it's possible though....

But it's also more vet bills. And more cats for my brother to be allergic to. I was also hoping though that I could get another friendly cat like Mittens was so that they could have a cat they like again.

But I think a second dog might be the better option. But that's not realistic either cause Gator likes all the attention for himself plus he's getting older

I agree with a Bruce, enjoy what you have!

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Hello!
I didn't imagine me already having 8 pages on this contest! I didn't know everyone liked cats so much. I saw a cheetah documentary and now I like cheetahs.