Two posts in a row involving cats = run while you still have a chance.
January 19, 2007So last night I dreamt that I was at a play, and the entire cast was composed of cats. (Are you noticing a theme?) Needless to say they were wretched actors, and missed every one of their cues. Audience members get scooping up the cutest and running off with them. It was a short dream.
I might as well just come out and SAY IT: we're getting a cat. At least we're planning on it. Which accounts for the dreams about cats and the comparing of my son to cats and also the paillette-adorned cat sweatshirt I am wearing right now. And the cat hanging from my earlobe. Cats!
Henry insists that we name our future cat Puma. We may go with this, unless we adopt a puma, in which case it would be redundant. We will probably require a puma to deal with the mice in our kitchen, as well as the cat(s?) who broke into our basement (or, okay, slipped through the broken window that maybe we should have fixed six months ago) over Christmas to pee and poop with abandon. Because why pee outside in the grass when you can spray your blindingly noxious urine all over someone's private property? Why do we want to get a cat, again?
Oh! Hey! While I'm here, let me add that I've got a new post over at AlphaMom. If you like that sort of thing, you might want to check it out.
Reader Comments (45)
Cause for Paws is an awesome rescue. I think they are based out of Summit or somewhere close to Summit. I got my little fucker...um, I mean, my precious baby whom I love more than breath from them, and they could not have been nicer or more helpful. I think the little pet store on Main Street in Madison hosts their adoption days now.
http://hellojosephine.blogspot.com/2006/10/best-of-boo-boo_04.html
On cats:
Cats get a bad rap, I think. I've had cats my entire life, and never had problems with pee/poop/spray/etc. This is the deal.
1. Get a kitten. Kittens are extremely trainable. You can train a kitten to either use a litter box, or to go outside to use the bathroom (though this will require you to install a swinging kitty door in your back door or to pay attention and let them in/out upon request). Some folks have even trained their kitties to use the toilet, but I myself would find that rather disturbing, so I've never gone that route.
If you are lucky enough to live in an area rural enough not to have to worry about your cat getting hit by a car, then training them to go outside is the way to go.
It's proven that indoor cats live longer and healthier lives, so if you live in a high traffic area, go with the litter box. I've found that the boxed litter with cedar chips in it is the best at keeping the box odor-free.
If you get an adult cat, that cat already has its routine and bad habits ingrained. You really aren't going to change them at this point. Also, since you already have another animal living in your house, getting a kitten keeps the "pecking order" in harmony. The dog will know instinctively that the kitten is a "baby" and will not feel threatened by it. The kitten will adapt and learn to live in harmony with the "alpha pet" and everyone's happy! If you try to introduce an adult cat into a home with another animal already en situ, and the new cat has had bad experiences with dogs or other cats, then you've got problems you will never get rid of.
2. Make sure that as soon as your kitten is old enough, you get them spayed/neutered. This eliminates the spraying of male hormones to mark territory, and eliminates the female going into "heat", which is also messy.
Basically, if you get a kitten and keep up to date with your vet visits, owning a cat should be a purrfectly lovely experience.
Of course my advice is general - I realize that there are people who have adopted adult cats and it was fine... I'm just highlighting the easiest route as I have experienced it, having adopted both kittens and adult cats.
Before I end my cat rant, let me just say that sharing your home with a cat will bring you more moments of joy and laughter and just plain old contentment than you can possibly imagine. They make up their own games, they have their own personalities, they're the best combination of innocent and wicked. They are wonderful, smart, independent, loving balls of fur and fun.
You better include pictures when you get your new kitty!
- M
When you are ready to get Puma, head on over to HAAL (Homeless Animal Adoption League) which is on Dodd Street in Bloomfield. If you don't know where it is give me a call. Or MauiGirl can tell you where it is as that is where they got Baxter.
They only foster cats and they are great to work with.
And about the pee thing....it all depends on the cat. I've had animals who haven't done a thing in the house and we had one cat who adored me and hated everyone else in the house who peed everywhere with wild abandon. Some say male cats are more prone to this, others say neutered males won't (BTW...the "pee'er" was neutered).
We currently have 2 cats, a brother and a sister - Pete and RePete - (as you can see where are really clever with the name thin) who don't pee or poop anywhere but either in their box or outside.
It's a crap shoot (hee hee) and unfortunately you won't know what type you get until they are living with you.
I do agree about the black light (Maui has one so save your $$'s and borrow hers) to see where the others have left their mark so Puma doesn't decide to be all territorial and re mark it.
Good Luck!
But, in better news, we just got two new kittens and they've done WONDERFULLY. They were both less than 2 months old when we got them and have yet to have an accident (knock on wood). They trained really well, not only to the litterbox, but to the scratch post. They've also learned to steer clear of our leather couch, although, they're probably sleeping on it while I'm at work and can't spray them with the water bottle. So, my advice is to get them young and to possibly get 2-- cats are so easy to care for and an extra one will only require more food. Ours weren't even littermates, but they do everything together-- eat, sleep and even poop.
Just make sure to do lots of reading before you go through with it. I suggest you definitely take any and all advice on creating a "safe room" when you first get them. It's so important to their mental well-being.
Ack-- I'm turning into such a crazy cat lady. I apologize.
And everyone, thank you for all the advice, but really, it's not needed. I've owned cats before, even kittens. I know how these things work.
Someone suggested catching one of the basement cats and making it your own. If they are feral cats that is probably not a good idea, I'm guessing that you have a dog, and a feral cat+dog will not make a happy family.Oh and be warned that a cat that catches a mouse will bring it to you all "look at this delicious morsel I have hunted and killed just for you." when this happens don't freak out, give him a scratch behind the ears and then dispose of the mouse. If you freak out he might think you are ungrateful and not bring you any mice, which means the mice will just have parties all day long.
Good luck.
Have fun with your new kitty. We originally got our cats for the mice and it totally works.
Hurray!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16709587/site/newsweek/
Patches: Thanks for your resisting the advice-giving. SOME advice is helpful. Like which products that remove pee smell (thanks, Deb!). It's just the type of advice that seems to imply that I'm a drooling idiot that gets to me. "Whatever you do, don't set your cat on fire!" Like that.
Human beings are hot-wired to give advice on kids, cats, recipes, and anything else they think they can help with.
You didn't really think you were going to get away with a bunch of comments like, "You're getting a cat? How nice!" - DID YOU?
Be glad that so many people want you to have a happy home.
For that matter, be glad that so many people read yer dingity-dang blog! 8-)
And remember - we love Finslippy and we're only trying to help. If we didn't give a hoot, we'd be reading Maxim instead.
- M