Posted on 09/08/2019 11:58:45 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
My daughter brought home a pair of black orientals—weirdest cats I’d ever seen: long, black and slick, stealthy and strong. They were long as datsuns and had pendulous bellies that swung laterally when they ran. Ungainly though that was to see, it was seeing them yawn for the first time that curdled my blood: the lower jaw never moved while the rest of the head swiveled backward a full 180 degrees, exposing a ribbed passageway that seemed to lead to Hell. It reminded me of a scene Alien.
The first two weeks their feet never touched the floor. Eventually they started testing the dog’s reaction time, goading her into a chase to suss out her capabilities. After awhile they’d lounge just beyond the dog’s reach, taunting her. Eventually they established an understanding, around the time mouse carcasses started appearing. We may get a few this Fall, but I think words out on the mouse-net to keep clear of this place.
They are as perfect a predator as nature could ever devise. They’re the first cats I’ve ever seen that I could confidently bet on in a contest with a real rat. They’re also the most affectionate cats I’ve ever had. One seems to like me in particular for some reason. Most mornings we wake up spooning together.
There’s probably a few in your local pound. Sometimes they come in pairs. If so, go ahead and get both; they’re not a lot of trouble, and they’re hilarious.
Check the local veterinarian offices also, they’re always trying to place kittens and puppies from their clients. Animal shelters are usually staffed by liberals and have gotten silly in their requirements to “adopt” an animal (you adopt children, not animals). There’s nothing wrong with a cat being outdoors, it’s a good life for them. I’ve had outdoor cats that lived very long lives.
That is my FAVORITE video and YES it is definitely a freeper cat, no doubt about it!!!
“each one has an area of the kitchen floor they want their dish in at mealtime”
That’s so funny. Ours were the same way. And the locations had to be pretty precise. I was the one who typically fed them the wet food. If I went away for a few days, I had to draw a schematic for my husband of where each one’s plate needed to be. Some got tuna and some god canned food. Otherwise, they wouldn’t eat.
Finally, we put an end to the whole thing; it was too much. Now dry food, with a few treats now and then.
There was a runt in the litter of 5 the small oriental-looking mom cat had-a little black male-as soon as I saw that he was getting pushed around by the other kittens and mom not doing much about it, I brought him indoors to be hand-raised, which would get him a fast adoption for our animal welfare society-there are always Snowbirds wintering here looking for a human attached cat to travel with them or a local person looking for a very affectionate indoor cat, so that was to be his destiny-but no more...
After bringing him from a frail kitten who may or may not live to a robust, healthy and lively 3 month old kitten with care, groceries and vitamins-and seeing that my 3 cats are attached enough to let him play rough with them and not hurt him-kitten ain’t going to another home-I’m adopting him myself-been wanting a 4th cat since my 19 year old Maine Coon died over a year ago, and this kitten is it.
My orange persian, Titus is the last kitten I adopted-that was 14 years ago-I really prefer to adopt adult cats, but I like the attitude and personality of this one, and my guy likes him, too-so I’m naming him Merlyn-he is a black cat and because the way he transformed to health was a good magic trick. I hadn’t decided to keep him until I got on this thread, but it is a done deal now...
Foxes carry off feral kittens out here all the time-and I saw a red-tailed hawk scoop a kitten right off my deck and carry it off into the woods along the river a few years ago-I’ve been very careful with my fosters since...
AHA! Another FReeper besides me charmed by the kitty thread into taking in a furball...
I had an outdoor cat that lived to be 16. I really miss that guy
More than coyotes get them. I’m along the northern Mississippi river and the bald eagles are thick. Lots of small dogs and cats go missing. My sister is in Alaska right now and a wildlife authority told her that an inspection of an eagles nest had produced over fourth small collars.
I know someone with outdoor cats. They came with her house. They live in the country. Location is in Corrigan Texas. She has been doing her best to take care of the cats and give them away. Let me know.
For some reason cats kept indoors never seem to mysteriously disappear like that........Weird
Sounds like my cootie. Begs to go outside but when I open the patio door, she doesn't step outside. She used to follow me out on the back deck, very apprehensively, but not any more........She just stands in the opening looking at me....
They go where the food is.
Tom & Jerry | Food, Glorious Food!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLCV9aZ9g7M
A local organization contacted me today. So, will probably pick up a pair from them, already spayed/neutered. At work, we have many feral cats, but, they’re wild and have to be spayed/neutered. Figured someone had one already done to get rid of instead of killing it. I was correct. Thanks for the help.
One of cats’ strengths:
Being incomprehensible.
LOL your story reminds me of my beloved Blossom.
When she was a tiny kitten our dog Conan tried to carry her around like he’d seen her mama do, but he dang near swallowed her instead.
I was washing dishes & saw out the window what was happening, ran out & grabbed Conan by the neck-scruff & made him spit her out.
She was covered in dog slobber & bug-eyed from terror ever after.
A few weeks later, I get in the car, put it in gear, & there’s a loud MEOWRRR as an orange blur flies out from under the hood. Oh well, I went on my way.
Later, back home, Blossom hops in my lap, nonchalant but sans tail. I go outside, there it lay in the driveway.
Vet shaved her butt, sewed up the stump, & we told everyone she was a Manx.
Have you heard of NYC's new rat traps? No reason they wouldn't work for mice. It has a ladder the rodent climbs up on, to a platform with little troughs filled with seeds & goodies. When it starts to feed, it trips some kind of wire or optical beam of light and the platform spins one revolution to toss the rodent into a bucket of special alcohol, which drowns it. This way, a kitty wouldn't be exposed to the dangers of an outdoor life, and could just graduate directly to your laps.
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