[martin_fierro]

Nah, she went back home last Monday morning.

But the house feels empty now.

So I'm thinking about maybe getting an Abyssinian-breed cat, or some other cat (NOT hairless!) to which Mrs F. isn't allergic.

Suggestions are welcome.

[Slings and Arrows]

So I'm thinking about maybe getting an Abyssinian-breed cat, or some other cat (NOT hairless!) to which Mrs F. isn't allergic. Suggestions are welcome.

That's your cue, people.

[My $0.02: Breed, schmeed. The important part is to let the kitten pick YOU.]

[mountainbunny]

I have heard that Manx are less allergy triggering and are very bright, sweet, and loving.
We don’t have Manx, though, so we use Flonase Nasal Spray :)
I’m sure you’ll find a kitty to love!
=^..^=

[mountainbunny]

No, not Manx. Rex. Devon Rex. I was actually reading something as I wrote and typed in the wrong thing. So sorry.

Here is a bit about the Devon Rex & allergy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devon_Rex

[pbmaltzman]

So I'm thinking about maybe getting an Abyssinian-breed cat, or some other cat (NOT hairless!) to which Mrs F. isn't allergic.

Suggestions are welcome.

Siberian cats, although they have a triple coat, are said to be naturally hypoallergenic--that is, they apparently lack the gene which codes for the substance in most cats' saliva which is allergenic to many people.

Many Siberian breeders will let you either visit their cattery, or they will send you a sample of Siberian fur.

They are not cheap... I've looked at several websites and the kittens generally go for $700 and up... but it's still cheaper than the alleged designer-gene kittens.

Here is one website which lists some Siberian breeders--and no, I am not one, and I don't own one of these cats. Just passing along information. You could also Google "Siberian cat breeders" and find even more.

http://taigasiberians.homestead.com/

[OSHA]

My SIL swears that she is very, very, very allergic to cats. Back when we had an indoor cat she could visit for hours with no problems as long as she didn’t *see* the cat. But if the cat walked into the room where she was it triggered immediate death throes. It was the most awful gagging/choking/crying/coughing/sneezing fit you ever saw outside of a ICU. Her nose would run like a faucet and the tears would flow down her reddened face.

Of course I was the only one that noticed that she is only allergic to visible cats. All of my outlaws still talk about her deadly allergy. I can’t argue with any of them but if my wife mentions it I always suggest that she could get a Cheshire cat and then swagger off smiling smugly to sleep on the couch.

[B-Chan]

Abbies are probably the most intelligent breed of cat, along with the Siamese, and the most even-tempered. They are patient, affectionate, and beautiful.

Unfortunately, they are frequently genetically flawed. Our first one, Haydn, died young (age 8) of digestive system failure. Our second, Sweetie, is dying right this minute, curled up in a baby blanket at the foot of our bed. Total renal failure; she hasn’t a prayer. She is perhaps eighteen years old, and has been in constant pain for maybe half that time due to various congenital defects. She has perhaps hours left.

But she is a great cat, and is going to her death with the dignity befitting the breed. Abbies are grave, dignified cats, and well-deserving of the title bestowed upon them by our family when they die: Coeur de Lion. We add the title “Lionheart” to their names because they are just that — domestic cats, each with the heart of a lion.

If you are prepared for the reality of Abby lifespans, you should consider adopting an Abyssinian (or a mix). You won’t find a gentler, more noble cat.

[Nowhere Man]

My condolences to you too as well. Come to think of it, IIRC, you live in the Pittsburgh area like me. There is a lady who adopts cats out, saves them from kill shelters, she has a site called Paws of my Heart I adopted a kitten from West Virginia through her and I've seen her with Abbies as well.