Re: info about kitties

[Guest guest]

We have a regular house hold short haired american that we got form

the shelter as a kitten. She is the most awesome house cat ever. She

gets along great with our Maltese. She loves the kids and sleeps

with them. She has never had any health problems and is the easiest

pet in the world (I think she is easier than the gold fish).

She even caught a bat last summer that was flying around our house

all night. We all had to get rabies shots, but if she would not have

caught it I would have never known it was there and I would have

hated to think if it did scratch or bite one if us whole we were

sleeping.

The infectious disease Dr said that you would not feel a bat bite or

scratch and there would be no mark which is why if you have been

asleep in a room with one you have to get rabies shots. I am a

shelter person.

Good luck in getting a new family member,

Jolynn

>

> Hey everyone....so my daughter has been begging us for a kitty for

well FOREVER now and I have finally talked her father into

considering it. So here is my question/dilema...I have two dogs

that are older, a mini poodle that is 15 and a half chow/half cocker

that is 10, I was tinking about getting a Maine Coon Cat but

wondered if there was another cat that would be kid/other animal

friendly? Any ideas? Besides my Daughter 10, I have

13, and 5. E and I have wanted a kitty forever and I

want it to be a wonderful experience for all.....any ideas?

> Thanks!

> Happy days to all!

> Suzie

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for

just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

>

[Guest guest]

Suzie, at the Humane Society shelter where I volunteer, much attention is given to matching the personality of the animal to the needs of the family considering adoption. Kittens are always popular, but staff always caution people that kittens are a personality grab-bag -- not until about 10 months of age will the adult temperament be apparent. Of course, if you know the parents, kittens may be similar in temperament, but that's not guaranteed (unless you find a breeder who will guarantee temperament). Before adopting out a cat to a home with a dog, the shelter people do a "dog test", to gauge the cat's reaction. It might be possible in a shelter adoption to introduce the cat to your own dogs.

I grew up with Maine coons, in Maine, and they were wonderful, mellow cats. Of course, they were not pedigreed, just real, natural, Coons. Maine Coon Cats were recognized as a breed before the Persians became popular, and it took hundreds of generations in the frigid forests and barns of Maine for the breed to develop, possibly from a naturally selected mix of the best survival qualities of the Norwegian Forest Cat (from Viking ships) and the domestic shorthairs that probably came on French and English ships.

In my work at the shelter I've seen many cats that look like Coons to me, not surprising here in NH, but they are always identified simply as "domestic longhair". I have also seen numerous Persians, Himalayans, Siamese, etc., and one sweet little Birman was scooped up by a staff member. The shelter always has pure-bred dogs too; it's no longer just the alley cats and mongrels of our grandparents' shelters (by which I mean no dislike of mongrels and alley cats).

Cats are capable of a collossal rate of reproduction, and far too many owners still don't bother to spay or neuter their animals, or don't realize how young a female kitten can get pregnant! This means that homelessness is still a huge problem, and while it's not a sin to get a cat or dog from a breeder, every cat adopted from a shelter means there is one more shelter space for another unwanted cat.

Sharon

(who keeps a parrot, chinchillas, fish, and a neighbor girl's hamster)

[ ] info about kitties

Hey everyone....so my daughter has been begging us for a kitty for well FOREVER now and I have finally talked her father into considering it. So here is my question/dilema...I have two dogs that are older, a mini poodle that is 15 and a half chow/half cocker that is 10, I was tinking about getting a Maine Coon Cat but wondered if there was another cat that would be kid/other animal friendly? Any ideas? Besides my Daughter 10, I have 13, and 5. E and I have wanted a kitty forever and I want it to be a wonderful experience for all.....any ideas?

Thanks!

Happy days to all!

Suzie

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon~ Thank you for the information on cats, I will check into the local SPCA here to find out more information on adopting, since that was the general direction that I was hoping to go. I knew that I didn't want to have a kitten because I know afew people that have gotten rather young ones and were surprised that their personalities were different as they got a little bit older. I will let you know what I find out as we move forward. Thank you again for the wonderful information!!! SuzieSharon Green <sharon.green18@...> wrote: Suzie, at the Humane Society shelter where I volunteer, much attention is given to matching the personality of the animal to the needs of the family

considering adoption. Kittens are always popular, but staff always caution people that kittens are a personality grab-bag -- not until about 10 months of age will the adult temperament be apparent. Of course, if you know the parents, kittens may be similar in temperament, but that's not guaranteed (unless you find a breeder who will guarantee temperament). Before adopting out a cat to a home with a dog, the shelter people do a "dog test", to gauge the cat's reaction. It might be possible in a shelter adoption to introduce the cat to your own dogs. I grew up with Maine coons, in Maine, and they were wonderful, mellow cats. Of course, they were not pedigreed, just real, natural, Coons. Maine Coon Cats were recognized as a breed before the Persians became popular, and it took hundreds of generations in the frigid forests and barns of Maine

for the breed to develop, possibly from a naturally selected mix of the best survival qualities of the Norwegian Forest Cat (from Viking ships) and the domestic shorthairs that probably came on French and English ships. In my work at the shelter I've seen many cats that look like Coons to me, not surprising here in NH, but they are always identified simply as "domestic longhair". I have also seen numerous Persians, Himalayans, Siamese, etc., and one sweet little Birman was scooped up by a staff member. The shelter always has pure-bred dogs too; it's no longer just the alley cats and mongrels of our grandparents' shelters (by which I mean no dislike of mongrels and alley cats). Cats are capable of a collossal rate of reproduction, and far too many owners still don't bother to

spay or neuter their animals, or don't realize how young a female kitten can get pregnant! This means that homelessness is still a huge problem, and while it's not a sin to get a cat or dog from a breeder, every cat adopted from a shelter means there is one more shelter space for another unwanted cat. Sharon (who keeps a parrot, chinchillas, fish, and a neighbor girl's hamster) [ ] info about kitties Hey everyone....so my daughter has been begging us for a kitty for well FOREVER now and I have finally talked her father into considering it. So here is my question/dilema...I have two dogs that are older, a mini poodle that is 15 and a half chow/half cocker that is 10, I was tinking about getting a Maine Coon Cat but wondered if there was another cat that would be kid/other animal friendly? Any ideas? Besides my Daughter 10, I have 13, and 5. E and I have wanted a

kitty forever and I want it to be a wonderful experience for all.....any ideas? Thanks! Happy days to all! Suzie Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

Your welcome, Suzie. Good luck with your search, and do let us know when you get your new family member!

Sharon

[ ] info about kitties

Hey everyone....so my daughter has been begging us for a kitty for well FOREVER now and I have finally talked her father into considering it. So here is my question/dilema...I have two dogs that are older, a mini poodle that is 15 and a half chow/half cocker that is 10, I was tinking about getting a Maine Coon Cat but wondered if there was another cat that would be kid/other animal friendly? Any ideas? Besides my Daughter 10, I have 13, and 5. E and I have wanted a kitty forever and I want it to be a wonderful experience for all.....any ideas?

Thanks!

Happy days to all!

Suzie

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jolynn~ You cat sounds wonderful!! Who did you have first the dog or the cat? I know that my girls (dogs) would be fine with anything I brought home, they are just wonderful! my chow/cocker was abused when I took her fom her prior owner she had cigarette burns all over her body, she had no manners so I had to teach her EVERYTHING. She is a big mush! My poodle is a purebred and wants to be a mom to everything she comes in contact with. I thank you for gettting back to me and letting me know about your experiences, you sure were lucky that your cat got that bat! Scary stuff! Thank you again! Suzie leominsterhsg <leominsterhsg@...> wrote: We have a regular house hold short haired american that we got form

the shelter as a kitten. She is the most awesome house cat ever. She gets along great with our Maltese. She loves the kids and sleeps with them. She has never had any health problems and is the easiest pet in the world (I think she is easier than the gold fish).She even caught a bat last summer that was flying around our house all night. We all had to get rabies shots, but if she would not have caught it I would have never known it was there and I would have hated to think if it did scratch or bite one if us whole we were sleeping. The infectious disease Dr said that you would not feel a bat bite or scratch and there would be no mark which is why if you have been asleep in a room with one you have to get rabies shots. I am a shelter person.Good luck in getting a new family member,Jolynn >> Hey everyone....so my daughter has been begging us for a kitty for well FOREVER now and I have finally talked her father into considering it. So here is my question/dilema...I have two dogs that are older, a mini poodle that is 15 and a half chow/half cocker that is 10, I was tinking about getting a Maine Coon Cat but wondered if there was another cat that would be kid/other animal friendly? Any ideas? Besides my Daughter 10, I have 13, and 5. E and I have wanted a kitty forever and I want it to be a wonderful experience for all.....any ideas?> Thanks!> Happy days to all!> Suzie> > > ---------------------------------> Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger

with Voice.>

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.

[Guest guest]

I would also like to point out that if you get an older cat there are

no garauntees about personalities either, especially if they are not

use to dogs. Kittens seem to have less fear of the world and there for

would be more accepting of the dogs. As a kid we had a border collie

who was terrible with other animals. We vetured to get a kitten and I

think she accepted it for the fact that it was a kitten. I think had

it been older it would have been more set in its ways and therefor

less accepted by the dog.

When we lived in Nashville DH worked at a small place that had cats.

They went through a big tornado and moved to a different building (one

with a roof) and the 3 cats (various ages all over 2 years) started

peeing all over the phones and keyboards. In my experiance older cats

have the biggest issues with change.

Good luck,

Jolynn

[Guest guest]

Jolynn, you make a really good point. Sometimes when older cats are

released to a shelter, they fail to adjust to the shelter environment,

refuse to eat, become ill, and are euthanized. Cats are often portrayed as

aloof and independent, but they are really highly sensitive. Re-homing is

very stressful for any animal, which is why the humane societies put so much

emphasis on the ideal of giving every animal a " forever home " .

However, MANY adult cats do adjust to the re-homing process, and when

handled sensitively by the humans involved it can be a good thing for all

involved. And I don't think that a stress response, such as bathroom issues

in reaction to a sudden move, really qualifies as a personality change.

Older creatures generally do have a harder time with change, but once the

transition is made and the animal feels safe and secure, it should be itself

again.

It is true that in general, the younger the animal the easier the

adjustment, so yes, if all other considerations are equal, a younger adult

is probably preferred. Young cats greatly outnumber older ones in shelters,

anyway. The shelter where I volunteer actually charges lower adoption fees

for elderly animals, to try and balance this.

Suzie, there's just so much to consider! But doing the homework is part of

the excitement. I hope you find a really wonderful kitty.

Sharon

[ ] Re: info about kitties

>

> I would also like to point out that if you get an older cat there are

> no garauntees about personalities either, especially if they are not

> use to dogs. Kittens seem to have less fear of the world and there for

> would be more accepting of the dogs. As a kid we had a border collie

> who was terrible with other animals. We vetured to get a kitten and I

> think she accepted it for the fact that it was a kitten. I think had

> it been older it would have been more set in its ways and therefor

> less accepted by the dog.

>

> When we lived in Nashville DH worked at a small place that had cats.

> They went through a big tornado and moved to a different building (one

> with a roof) and the 3 cats (various ages all over 2 years) started

> peeing all over the phones and keyboards. In my experiance older cats

> have the biggest issues with change.

>

> Good luck,

> Jolynn

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Don't forget about the adult cats. A lot of them have great personalities and appreciate a loving home more. Plus their faults have already been discovered and are usually listed, when known by the SPCA or like organizations. I have had great luck with the adult cats, myself, to the point where I'm having them show up at the door. I guess I'm developing into a crazy cat lady and they are sure helping me with my pain control, by having me slow down. Good luck in your cat venture.

Llweyn

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of Suzie Sent: April 17, 2006 7:20 AM Subject: Re: [ ] info about kitties

Hi Sharon~

Thank you for the information on cats, I will check into the local SPCA here to find out more information on adopting, since that was the general direction that I was hoping to go. I knew that I didn't want to have a kitten because I know afew people that have gotten rather young ones and were surprised that their personalities were different as they got a little bit older. I will let you know what I find out as we move forward. Thank you again for the wonderful information!!!

Suzie

[Guest guest]

Good morning Llweyn, Thank you so much for your input!! I hope that we find ourselves fortunate enough to find a wonderful new addition to the family....I am sure we will! How are you feeling? I hope you have a great day!!! Thank you again! SuzieLlweyn Friars <mad.monk@...> wrote: Don't forget about the adult cats. A lot of them have great personalities and appreciate a loving home more. Plus their faults have already been discovered and are usually listed, when known by the SPCA or like organizations. I have had great luck with the adult cats, myself, to the point where I'm having them show

up at the door. I guess I'm developing into a crazy cat lady and they are sure helping me with my pain control, by having me slow down. Good luck in your cat venture. Llweyn -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of Suzie Sent: April 17, 2006 7:20 AM Subject: Re: [ ] info about kitties Hi Sharon~ Thank you for the information on cats, I will check into the local SPCA here to find out more information on adopting, since that was the general direction that I was hoping to

go. I knew that I didn't want to have a kitten because I know afew people that have gotten rather young ones and were surprised that their personalities were different as they got a little bit older. I will let you know what I find out as we move forward. Thank you again for the wonderful information!!! Suzie

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sharon!!!!Sharon Green <sharon.green18@...> wrote: Jolynn, you make a really good point. Sometimes when older cats are released to a shelter, they fail to adjust to the shelter environment, refuse to eat, become ill, and are euthanized. Cats are often portrayed as aloof and independent, but they are really highly sensitive. Re-homing is very stressful for any animal, which is why the humane societies put so much emphasis on the ideal of giving every animal a "forever home".However, MANY adult cats do adjust to the re-homing process, and when handled sensitively by the humans involved it can be a good thing for all involved. And I don't think that a stress response, such as bathroom issues in

reaction to a sudden move, really qualifies as a personality change. Older creatures generally do have a harder time with change, but once the transition is made and the animal feels safe and secure, it should be itself again.It is true that in general, the younger the animal the easier the adjustment, so yes, if all other considerations are equal, a younger adult is probably preferred. Young cats greatly outnumber older ones in shelters, anyway. The shelter where I volunteer actually charges lower adoption fees for elderly animals, to try and balance this.Suzie, there's just so much to consider! But doing the homework is part of the excitement. I hope you find a really wonderful kitty.Sharon

[ ] Re: info about kitties>> I would also like to point out that if you get an older cat there are> no garauntees about personalities either, especially if they are not> use to dogs. Kittens seem to have less fear of the world and there for> would be more accepting of the dogs. As a kid we had a border collie> who was terrible with other animals. We vetured to get a kitten and I> think she accepted it for the fact that it was a kitten. I think had> it been older it would have been more set in its ways and therefor> less accepted by the dog.>> When we lived in Nashville DH worked at a small place that had cats.> They went through a big tornado and moved to a different building (one> with a roof) and the 3 cats (various ages all over 2 years) started> peeing all over the phones and keyboards. In my experiance older cats> have the biggest issues with

change.>> Good luck,> Jolynn>>>>>> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates>