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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / January 2004How do you pick out a cat
My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could have some idea of personality - and that seemed like a good idea. I went over to the local PetSmart where they have some in cages up for adoption. I was hoping one would pick me out, but no such luck. One sort of came over but when he realized that I was unable to pet him through the bars, he went away. Another one tries to hide, and a sign on his cage said he is afraid. I felt sorry for him. So how do you pick out a cat? Thanks. Bill In some cases, my cats have just arrived. IOW - 2 were strays, that I wound up adopting. Another - my first one when I was 23 - I picked sight unseen when a friend told me about a litter that a friend's cat had had - all I knew was that there were 2 black kittens & 2 grays, & I opted for a gray. I assumed (for some reason) that she'd be a gray tabby, but she turned out to be solid gray when I went to get her. She was a wonderful cat, & lived to be 17, almost 18. One cat that I actually did pick out from the Humane Society... I went up to look at the kittens, but also looked at the cats. One in particular, a calico about 12 months old "struck" me, but I came home, empty-handed/cat carriered. Wanted to see if any particular one would stick in my mind. The calico did. So I went back for her 3 days later. She's now 12 yrs. old. :-) I think everyone has their own method, or not even a method, of adopting cats &/or picking them out. And some cat adoption stories I've read said that they picked the cat/kitten who was the scaredy-cat, & it worked out lovely. Good luck; there's a Petsmart here, finally, & I've gone over to see the cats they have up for adoption while there for food & litter. Many seem to be about 5 years old - some really gorgeous/handsome ones! There was a beautiful long-haired dilute tortie there last weekend & she was *huge* - one of the biggest cats I've ever seen - sort of Maine Coon sized. Others younger & just plain cute. Hard to choose - want them all to have homes! Cathy -- "Staccato signals of constant information..." ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Bill >Good luck; there's a Petsmart here, finally, & I've gone over to see the >cats they have up for adoption while there for food & litter. Many seem to >be about 5 years old - some really gorgeous/handsome ones! The thing about our Petsmart is, the cats there are in foster care and come in just for the weekend adoptions. It's wonderful when people decide to adopt there, the cats really need forever homes. But they aren't in any danger of being killed. So I usually steer people there *last*, only if the H.S. or pound doesn't have what they're looking for. My personal limit is 4 cats. Since Jacky died, I only have three. I have been *so* tempted every time I go to petsmart, you're right about the gorgeous cats there. But I know a cat is going to turn up somewhere before too long. A dumped one or a stray or something and I can fill up Slot #4. Sherry >So how do you pick out a cat? Since you were used to having two, and are open to adopting an adult, why don't you check with your local animal control, rescues, and humane societies and see if they have two adult cats - that were surrendered as a pair from the same household - up for adoption. I have a feeling that if you were to go this route it will work out beautifully. It is often very difficult to find homes for pairs, and terribly stressful for them to first lose their home and then each other when it takes too long to adopt them together and the choice is made to separate them. You have an opportunity to do a really wonderful thing here and I hope you decide to take it. Megan  Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray Bill" xxx@yy.zz writes >My two cats died this year and I >So how do you pick out a cat? Sorry about the loss of your cats. It's always hard to lose good friends! I lost my girl to cancer a few months ago. I couldn't face going to one or more shelters and pick one (and leave others behind)..so, I went to petfinder.com. They have postings of cats/kittens (etc.). You can search according to age...gender...location and see photos of all. That might work for you. You let the cat pick you. That is the way it works. SignaturePanther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Bill >You let the cat pick you. That is the way it works. Or you choose the cat with the greatest need, the one who isn't the prettiest, and has sat in a cage too long because potential adoptors overlook him/her. Sherry >So how do you pick out a cat? > >Thanks. > >Bill Hi Bill....I'd try the municipal "pound" first. The cats there are probably have a set death sentence...most are anywhere from 48 hours to 3 days. If nothing there suits you, try the Humane Society. Just hang out in the cat room, strike up a conversation with some volunteers or workers and get some insight on individual personalities, and the "story" behind each kitty. . See who catches your eye, and who has the personality you're looking for. Adopt two, even! Maybe there will be siblings or a pair that gets along well there.Good luck. Bless you. Sherry > >So how do you pick out a cat? > > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Sherry Rescue is the only way to go. Most 'pounds' will have a return policy if the friend doesn't work out, though I'm sure it would be difficult to take any cat back to a place where it may be put to death if it doesn't find a home. I guess I'm lucky here. My local shelter has a strict no-kill policy, easy for them, it's a pretty wealthy area. My nasty little cat spent months in a cage there. I took her in because I needed her as much as she needed me. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the next attack, I wouldn't give her up for anything. > Rescue is the only way to go. Most 'pounds' will have a return policy if > the friend doesn't work out, though I'm sure it would be difficult to take [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > she needed me. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the > next attack, I wouldn't give her up for anything. I have taken three cats from rescue centres. The first was a kitten . he was the only kitten they had at the time and I wanted a kitten , so I took him. The second time I went to the pens after being told they had a pair ( one blind) who needed a home together. Several people were looking at the pair ( lovely cats btw) . However, whilst walking round I spotted what seemed to be an empty cage. I asked if it was empty and the girl opened the box and inside was beautiful ginger tom. She said he had been with them a long time and didnt seem interested in people I went back to the pair I had been looking at originally but they didnt seem interested in me! I passed by the ginger tom again and he came out to see me. I decided he wanted me so I took him home. I lost at the end of last year after fourteen years together. In the spring this year I returned to the cats protection for another cat. This time I have a four year old juvenille delinquent who despite statements from the cats protection to the fact he was "well looked after" and was being re homed because of housing problems of his owners, is telling me himself that he has had a pretty rough time of it! I took him unseen because they told me he needed a home because he wasnt responding well to pens and was depressed. I found out afterwards I was the third re home they had tried. Two others hadnt worked out. With any cat from a centre there will be problems, but I have yet to meet a cat, including my present one who wont respond to a lot of love, a bed for the night , a warm house and three regular square meals a day. I have struggled with litter tray problems ( wouldnt use a tray, someone seems to have taught him to use the bath!) We got over that. He seemed to hate me and was always running away, scratching, biting, etc. He then decided to try and move in next door..... they had a cat flap. I got a cat flap and the chage in him was enormous! He is now always at home. He sleeps next to me and is always looking for a lap and is generally a pudding. Its been a struggle, but it is worth it. Take a rescue cat and dont give up if they seem hard work for a few months. They do show great affection and genuine friendship once they understand you are forever theirs! They need time to get to trust you, especially when they have been let down by humans before you. I still have a litter tray problem though. He wont use it - he prefers to go outside now he has the key to the door! circa Wed, 24 Dec 2003 09:33:27 -0000, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, mich (m_m_mouse@hotmail.com) said, > Take a rescue cat and dont give up if they seem hard work for a few months. > They do show great affection and genuine friendship once they understand you > are forever theirs! > They need time to get to trust you, especially when they have been let down > by humans before you. Amen! When I got Alex from the humane society some thirteen years ago, he was a year old, utterly gorgeous, and a holy terror. I wasn't sure the other cats and I would survive his temperament, but after a long time, I learned to understand him, and so did the other cats. Alex had a very unique temperament- he was definitely only a generation or two from wild, and he would get into moods where he *had* to loose his aggression. Once I figured that out, I learned to give him a good play session every day (and he was *rough* when he played), and he turned out to be one of the most wonderful cats I have ever had. The time I had with him was well worth the adjustment period (even though he bit through my finger and hand when he was about ten and landed me in the hospital. :-) ) Laura | Alex had a very unique temperament- he was definitely only a | generation or two from wild, and he would get into moods where he | *had* to loose his aggression. I'd say that was more due to his own temperament rather than being close to the wild in his ancestry. Both of my ex-ferals are nth generation, but neither is particularly aggressive. The girl, Marie, is amazing in how socialized she is, considering that she was caught at close to 5 months of age. The boy, Phoenix, also caught relatively late (14+ weeks old), has some issues, but these can be attributed to his not having had any littermates or even other kittens around. Signaturehttp://www.nyct.net/~aray/cats/ http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=aray >> Rescue is the only way to go. I got my cats through a local rescue facility. They take in animals that have been abused or need rescuing for some other reason. I can't imagine buying a cat or getting one from a breeder when there are so many loving beautiful cats in need of homes. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm >Subject: Re: How do you pick out a cat You can call your local veterinarians and ask them if they know of any kittens available. Sometimes they are taking care of a healthy, not abandoned mother, and the owners would be glad to give away the kitties. Or, of course adoption is great; I got mine that way this time around. > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Bill I'd recommend adopting two from the same cage. Two cats that get along from the start and can keep each other company. Adam > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Bill When I got my two girls, I was living at home and was told I couldn't get anymore brown tabbies because my mom couldn't tell them apart anyway. I went to our "local (still half an hour away and in the boonies)" humane society and asked after a cat my sister had recommended (because she works at a vet clinic where this particular HS has the spays/neuters done, so she knew some of them), but was told point blank that that particular cat was a one-cat household sort of cat. So I moved on, and found two orange tabby females curled up together in a cage. I called my mom and begged and pleaded, and she let me take both. So now I have mom (Pandora - who's had all of conjunctivitis in the three years I've had her) and baby (Persephone - who has idiopathic epilepsy), former barn cats who now help me with my fostering. Most of the cats in my life (all but one, actually) have found me... and the rest of my family. All five of my sister's cats were abandoned or stray or otherwise unwanted. Both of my mom's cats are former strays. My brother's three cats are former strays. And come the new year, I'm adopting my long-term foster cat... because she treats me like her mom, and I don't have the heart to take her back, even to an office instead of a cage. No one knows her like I do, and certainly no one loves her like I do. Just remember, if you visit a shelter, that the staff would rather you meet a number of different cats and find the perfect one for you than choose randomly and find later that you're incompatible. If you don't find the right one on the first day, keep checking back. New cats are made available for adoption every day... but other posters are right. When you meet the right cat (or bonded pair of cats), you'll know. > Most of the cats in my life (all but one, actually) have found me... > and the rest of my family. All five of my sister's cats were abandoned > or stray or otherwise unwanted. Both of my mom's cats are former > strays. My brother's three cats are former strays. Same here. Marley was my first cat of my own and he was my sister's cat (one of many) and she couldn't deal with him pinning her others by the ears anymore. He was a rough houser. She was seriously considering "taking him to the pound" and I was living in a no-pet apt at the time and bargained with my landlady. He repaid her by keeping their little farm area free of mice and rats (indoor-outdoor cat). I had a second (sister again.. had to let her cat have kittens. grr) who looked just like Marley (gray tabby) but they just didn't get along so a girl who took 3 of the other littermates took Tikki from me too. This was when I decided I liked adult cats better. Shadow was put out by his family when he escaped from their apt and got fleas. I kept putting him back up on their balcony (one floor up) but they kept putting him back out and it was getting cold at night so he started out inside my apt at night (after a flea bath; no advantage back then), back out during the day. Then it was just plain cold so he made himself at home fulltime. Marley just had to deal with it. lol That woman who put him out used to be my friend. I let her kids come visit but their mom wasn't welcome any more. Shamrock was my 4th foster cat after Marley went to the RB and he was just too pathetic for anyone to want to adopt (with his bad skin, and being a biter). I love him to bits. Bonnie was a scrawny feral who got beat up by the other larger male strays at the feeding station. Busy road, little cat. No brainer. She had a home here. Thing is... I adore BIG cats. I would love to one day have a Maine Coon but as long as these guys keep finding me, I won't be out looking for them. SignatureCheryl >When you meet the right cat (or bonded pair of cats), you'll know. I agree. It felt the same as buying a house. I looked at dozens of homes over almost two years. The one I bought wasn't at all what I was looking for, but when I walked in it, I knew I was home. With the cats, I had certain colors I was looking for, but when I looked at these two cats' faces (not at all the "right" colors!), I knew they were my family. teri I picked out my latest cat by matching his fur color to my carpet. I also wanted a short-haired kitten. I didn't want to pay money outside of vaccinations and spaying/neutering. I will say that when I was trying to choose from a litter of three kittens and "tested" one out, removing him from the cage with the owner's approval, this kitten scampered away from me. Yet today, six years later, he often follows me around inside (and formerly, outside), likes to sit on my lap, and curls up next to me at night. I don't know if a first "affinity" test counts for more than any other horoscopical type sign. Next time, I will go for a young adult, as I think their chances are not as good. If I find one that has been abused and is recovering, I think I would particularly welcome him/her. I found my very first cat while driving. He'd been hit badly and was on the side of the road, lifting his head up helplessly. After a moment I turned the car around to investigate... with the help of a security guard from across the street we got the hurt cat into a box and drove him to the vet (who with his staff was so wonderful). Miraculously over a few weeks he healed. He lost the use of one of his front paws from the accident but was a terrific, funny, loving fellow for years. Updates are welcome. :-) > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Bill on 24 Dec 2003: > Updates are welcome. :-) YES YES YES they ARE! I liked your stories. Particularly about the one hit by a car (you didn't mention his name). Before I could convince my landlady to let me have a cat of my own, I found two on the side of the road, kittens. One was dead, the other clearly a littermate (I never stopped to think about why they were there back then). The one still alive wouldn't leave the side of his dead littermate. Crying and crying, (both of us) I took him and snuck him in. A friend took him. SignatureCheryl > Caliban wrote > > Updates are welcome. :-) > YES YES YES they ARE! I liked your stories. Particularly about the one > hit by a car (you didn't mention his name). Before I could convince my > landlady to let me have a cat of my own, I found two on the side of the > road, kittens. One was dead, the other clearly a littermate (I never > stopped to think about why they were there back then). The one still alive > wouldn't leave the side of his dead littermate. Remarkable and so touching. >Crying and crying, (both of us) I took him and snuck him in. A friend took him. Good for you. :-) These little histories that come up here now and then give me more hope for humanity. Also, I think the little cats teach what is really important. > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Bill Go to a shelter - pet them and make them feel at ease. Pick them up (if they will let you) and turn them upside down, like a baby. If he purrs and tolerates it, he's your cat. -L. > > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > -L. Note: Many cats do not like to be put upside-down. Just because of that does not mean they're not the cat for you. Cathy -- "Staccato signals of constant information..." ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon > > "Bill" <xxx@yy.zz> wrote in message > news:<9w8Gb.38960$zp3.16919@newssvr32.news.prodigy.com>... [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Note: Many cats do not like to be put upside-down. Just because of that > does not mean they're not the cat for you. Point being, I wouldn't own a cat that wasn't mellow enough to be held like a baby. -L. > > > "Bill" <xxx@yy.zz> wrote in message > > news:<9w8Gb.38960$zp3.16919@newssvr32.news.prodigy.com>... [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Note: Many cats do not like to be put upside-down. Just because of that > > does not mean they're not the cat for you. "You" not meaning *you* (L) in particular - but the plural you. > Point being, I wouldn't own a cat that wasn't mellow enough to be held like a baby. > > -L. Whereas I would not even begin to consider that to be part of the criteria. My first cat *hated* being held upside-down/belly up, until she was perhaps 10 - or older. Cathy -- "Staccato signals of constant information..." ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon >From: "Cathy Friedmann" clfr@adelphia.net >> "Bill" <xxx@yy.zz> wrote in message >news:<9w8Gb.38960$zp3.16919@newssvr32.news.prodigy.com>... [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > >Cathy I agree completely. Also, not too many cats would allow a stranger to place him upside down, although he might after he knows the person for a while. Even cats that are completely comfortable with their human may not like to be placed upside down. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm Cathy wrote: >Note: Many cats do not like to be put >upside-down. Just because of that >does not mean they're not the cat for you. I totally agree. I think that this is often something you can work towards and that in many cases being able to hold a cat this way is a result of building a trust, which you can't do in the short time spent at a shelter (which is a stressful place for the cat to begin with.) I'd venture to guess that the majority of cats don't like to be held this way based on the 24 I have, which I think is a pretty fair sample to use as a gauge. It would be a shame to use that as a condition, as this could result in not only giving most cats NO chance, but could very well cause the adopter to miss out on a really wonderful cat. If I were to come up with a condition for choosing a cat, it would be to pick the one that needs the most help and/or has been repeatedly passed over. I've rarely been able to choose the cats I have, but I can say that the few I did pick (sort of) were exactly as described above and rewarded me in more ways than I can count. The joy they have brought me is immeasureable. As far as the OP is concerned, I'm still rooting for him to find a pair that needs a home together. :-) Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray > Cathy wrote: > >Note: Many cats do not like to be put [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > result of building a trust, which you can't do in the short time spent > at a shelter (which is a stressful place for the cat to begin with.) Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have seen a number of surrenders who just hung out and were mellow, in the shelter or the vet. These were cats that were pre-owned and apparently had good lives. They passed the baby-hold test. > I'd > venture to guess that the majority of cats don't like to be held this > way based on the 24 I have Aren't most of yours former ferals? >, which I think is a pretty fair sample to use > as a gauge. It would be a shame to use that as a condition, as this > could result in not only giving most cats NO chance, but could very well > cause the adopter to miss out on a really wonderful cat. Perhaps, but if you want a mellow, easy-going cat, it works. >If I were to > come up with a condition for choosing a cat, it would be to pick the one > that needs the most help and/or has been repeatedly passed over. That's great - for you - as an experienced cat rehabilitator. For a beginning cat owner, that *might* be a recipe for disaster, especially if they have no support. Furthermore, many people don't have the time or committment to give to a special needs cat. Everybody has different things they look for. -L. >>My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone >>suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > -L. Oh, I don't know. Ernie hates that and I must say I get a tremendous amount of pleasure from holding him like a baby and listen to him complain. then I smother his face with kisses and say "oh baby boy I wuv you!" tee hee hee. I can't encourage you enough to adopt an adult cat. I volunteer weekly at a no-kill shelter and there are some fabulous cats sitting there for months on end, while the kittens fly out the door. Sometimes it really breaks my heart. I can't imagine what it would be like at a kill shelter. A couple of suggestions: Talk to the volunteers and the staff. They really know the cats and can give you lots of insight about the cat's personality - it does sometimes take multiple encounters: they could be sleepy or grouchy on the particular day you stop by. Think long and hard about what characteristics your previous cats had that you liked - do you really enjoy playing with a cat, do you like one that curls up and cuddles, do you like an energetic, inquisitive cat or a more mellow unflappable one? These are the kinds of characteristics that can help the staff to point you towards cats you'll end up liking. If you look at them in the cage, see if the cat is responsive to your voice. Shoot some food through the bars and see if the cat will nibble on some kibble. Out of the cage, see if the cat is interested in it's surroundings. Give it some time to interact with you - maybe 15 minutes per cat. Think about whether you're willing to work with a shy cat or not. They can turn out to be the best cats in the worls if you have the patience to draw them out for a few months. I really think adult cats are so very grateful to have a loving home that you will reap tremendous rewards. And yes, adopting a pair is a wonderful thing to do if you have the space. Good luck! > I can't encourage you enough to adopt an adult cat... > I really think adult cats are so very grateful to have a loving home > that you will reap tremendous rewards. > And yes, adopting a pair is a wonderful thing to do if you have the > space. I can't agree more. Adopting an adult cat is something I always recommend too. It frequently happens that the owner of a cat or two will pass away, leaving the poor things to fend for themselves. They have devoted their lives to providing loving companionship to their sponsor only to wind up in a cage at a shelter. Let them live out their lives in a loving and caring home. They deserve it. And if you see two together in the shelter, take them both, as they are their own little family too. Everyone adopts kittens. The adult cats are the ones who need you most! > Go to a shelter - pet them and make them feel at ease. Pick them up > (if they will let you) and turn them upside down, like a baby. If he > purrs and tolerates it, he's your cat. > > -L. That's how I pick out kid-cats when the front office people pester me for a cat for a family with several young children. The mellower the better. I think when you see the perfect cat for you you'll know it just like so many other things in life. Dont just take the first cat you see it may take along time to find that one special cat. You can also look at www.petfinder.org and look at your local shelters over the internet to see what animals they have. I like to get animals when there very small for you can train them and teach them to be loving and things like that. But if i saw a really nice older cat i would definatly consider that one to because then they are already trained most of the time and you will know how thye get along with animals, children, and what there dislikes and likes are. Take your time picking out a new cat and good luck. >I think when you see the perfect cat for you you'll know it just like so >many other things in life. Dont just take the first cat you see it may take [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >get along with animals, children, and what there dislikes and likes are. >Take your time picking out a new cat and good luck. Be observant and see if one of them really wants YOU! > My two cats died this year and I am still pretty sad about that. Someone > suggested that in looking for a cat I should get a mature one - so I could [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > So how do you pick out a cat? I am a patient person with no need for a very friendly cat, so I go to the shelter (or foster people that I know) and take one of the ones that seems *least* adoptable, as long as they get along with other cats and aren't terrified of dogs and don't try to remove my fingers. Fear is okay; aggression is not. Much easier to win the trust and love of a fearful, submissive cat than one who has a lot of aggression issues. Also easier to integrate them into my furry family. I have a feral (rescued as a kitten), a brat, and a mellow guy that was so beat up from other cats when I got him, almost half his fur was gone and he had scabs on his ears and parts of his body. He was *ugly!* but rather sweet, though very shy. None of my cats particularly likes strangers. The girls hide. My boy hides for awhile, but comes out eventually. None of them are shy with me anymore and they all adore being petted. One (Rowan the brat) still doesn't like to be held, but she loves pets and is quite affectionate in her own way. One (Isis the feral) doesn't mind being held on a lap, but dislikes being picked up. She's *very* affectionate, though, and even if I pick her up, she doesn't fight to get down, just isn't thrilled with it and leans out so I put her down. Jeffrey doesn't care what I do, as long as I touch him. hehe My Mom, on the other hand, prefers a friendly cat, so we got her the mellow, pet-me pet-me, cat. heh He loves everyone and will approach company with no problems. He was the cat that went up to everyone (he was a foster) and let anyone pick him up, purring the whole time. Remember, when you go to the shelter, a lot of times the cats are really afraid because of the environment. Many of the shy ones get very friendly and will love you to death once they get a home and have settled in. When you win their trust, it's the most awesome thing. :) Signature-- ~kaeli~ A hangover is the wrath of grapes. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace |
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