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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / January 2005Help! Is there a breed with smokey grey hair and blue eyes?
I have 3 weeks to find a kitten with smokey grey hair and blue eyes.. any advice on breeds would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Joe (j@email.com) > I have 3 weeks to find a kitten with smokey grey hair and blue eyes.. > any advice on breeds would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! > Joe (j@email.com) What do you want it for? It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you must know... > It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you > must know... Well, it just sounded weird... In three weeks, like what was going to happen in three weeks? No, I don't think I've ever seen a smokey grey cat with blue eyes.  Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG Hah, I guess that did sound weird lol.. it's a birthday coming up :) > Hah, I guess that did sound weird lol.. it's a birthday coming up :) Ahhh, I see. Bet her cat was a mixed breed like the kind you might find in shelters because I have not seen breeder cats with that coloration. :) Not replacing a cat that looked like that, just trying to find one like she said to find. A Tonkinese is grey with blue eyes, but none of those around here. > Not replacing a cat that looked like that, just trying to find one like > she said to find. A Tonkinese is grey with blue eyes, but none of > those around here. But you should really look at shelters because you find ALL kinds there. > Hah, I guess that did sound weird lol.. it's a birthday coming up :) OK, that makes sense. Just a little advice... I'm a cat adoption counselor at an animal shelter. As a general rule, we don't let people adopt cats/kittens as gifts for other people. What we suggest is that they give a card or a little stuffed animal cat for the special occasion, and offer to go with the recipient to the shelter and let them pick out the cat, and you pay the adoption fee. Reason being, you could get a cat/kitten she doesn't like, or just doesn't click with her. Some people who have just lost a cat want one that looked just like the former cat, some want the exact opposite. Also, she might not be ready for a new kitty. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG I appreciate the concern, but it's not like that. I'm finding, she's choosing.. it's her idea. I'm just looking for breed info, thanks though. >I appreciate the concern, but it's not like that. I'm finding, she's > choosing.. it's her idea. I'm just looking for breed info, thanks > though. You could try Petfinder. Maybe a Siamese cross would fit the bill? Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG >> Hah, I guess that did sound weird lol.. it's a birthday coming up :) > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > former cat, some want the exact opposite. Also, she might not be ready for > a new kitty. Excellent advice! MLB > I'm a cat adoption counselor at an animal shelter. As a general rule, we > don't let people adopt cats/kittens as gifts for other people. What we [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > former cat, some want the exact opposite. Also, she might not be ready for > a new kitty. Do you counsel that when those people come they should let the cat choose them rather than the other way around? After all the human has almost unlimited choice whereas a "rescue" cat has to take whomsoever chooses it, so must use instinct. Often the cat is openly awkward or aggressive because the owner feels wrong to it. Dogs react similarly. A cat is for life. as this NG often demonstrates. Icedeog >Do you counsel that when those people come they should let the cat choose >them rather than the other way around? >After all the human has almost unlimited choice whereas a "rescue" cat has >to take whomsoever chooses it, so must use instinct. Often the cat is openly >awkward or aggressive because the owner feels wrong to it. Dogs react >similarly. Interesting point. They do seem a lot better at sizing people up in a hurry. They rely on body language and scent far more than we do. And they do seem to be pretty good at picking people. I often hear people say that the cat picked me, and they are very happy with their cat. I don't hear many unhappy owners talk about the cat or dog picking them. I don't have much evidence from my own experience. All 3 of my cats were born in the home. My mom used to be a breeder untl I convinced her to stop. The first and third were intentional breedings. The second was when the mother cat chewed through a screen window and got pregnant the night before the "chosen" tom was scheduled to come. We weren't planning to keep any of those kittens, but I ended up keeping one of them. I can say that my sister is very happy with her 10 year old and 2 year old adoptees. And neither one was what she set out to find. With teh first one, she was calling places asking about the cats. I can't remember what she was looking for, but she was upset that one lady was trying to get her to take an orange cat. And she didn't want an orange cat. And she was planning to get a female, as she figured that a female would get along with her male better. She came home with the orange cat. I don't know what happened when she went to look, but it's been 10 years, and she loves that cat. And when she started looking for another cat, she was doing the online search - I can't remember the name, but it has photos, descriptions, and you can search by city or region. I found some nice sounding cats, but she scoffed at a couple because they had longer hair. And she doesn't want a long-haired cat. What did she get? A long haired cat. And she is very happy with him. Also, several years ago, my mom got me another sheltie.If you had put her in a line-up with other shelties, I would never have picked her. She was small and spooky (from abuse), and she simply wasn't anything like my first sheltie. And I don't think it is a good idea for somebody to pick out a dog for somebody else. Quite honestly, I did not want *this* dog, but the idea of returning an abused dog totally repulsed me. And once a dog is mine, they are mine for life. So, even though I had no instant bond with her, I put all my energy into her. I had to learn more about training and the pshychology of a dog. But I did learn. And our bond grew during that process. I think it started the second day when I took her for a ride in the car. We needed to get a new collar, smaller toys, etc. So, we figured we would take her to size the collar. When we went to get the leashes, we found a collar that fit. But by that time, the other dog was excited about the ride. So, we took them. She was stiff and stoic the whole time, just like at home. This dog was scared stiff most of the first month. It took her a while to unstiffen enough to run. When we got home, I carried her in and put her down. She looked around, and it was like a lightbulb going off. You could see the surprise. She did not expect to be back where she had started a couple hours earlier. She looked up at me and wagged her tail for the first time. It still brings tears to me eyes to think about her first few months. It was obvious that she was aware she was in a much better situation, yet afraid to believe it was permanent. I think it took her 3-4 months to decide that this was a done deal. The trust took longer, and even now, there are moments when she reverts and cowers down as if expecting to get hit. But for the most part, she is the happiest dog on earth, and I am quite pleased with my mom's choice. Overall, I know that choosing a cat or dog by looks alone is not good. Sure, it is nice to see a cat we like, and go check it out. But I won't limit myself to a certain look. When it comes down to it, I want the one that reaches into my heart and doesn't let go. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > Also, several years ago, my mom got me another sheltie.If you had put > her in a line-up with other shelties, I would never have picked her. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > won't limit myself to a certain look. When it comes down to it, I want > the one that reaches into my heart and doesn't let go. Really beautifully said, Meghan. My Cheeky clearly thought she was not coming home the first time we went to the vet, and clearly had thought she would never see me again the first time I was away for a week. Much as I love the idea of having a kitten one day, the rewards of adopting an adult shelter animal are so great I don't know that I will ever raise a cat from kittenhood. >Really beautifully said, Meghan. My Cheeky clearly thought she was >not coming home the first time we went to the vet, and clearly >had thought she would never see me again the first time I was >away for a week. Much as I love the idea of having a kitten one >day, the rewards of adopting an adult shelter animal are so great >I don't know that I will ever raise a cat from kittenhood. That reminds me of when I got Jenny spayed. I waited about a year after I got her, so she was 5 by then. I wanted to do it earlier, but she had so many fear issues that I just wasn't ready to leave her at the vet like that. When she did go, she went with my mom's new dog, and they got to stay together til somebody realized one of them had a bladder infection. They had to separate them to figure out who. Anwyay, when I took her in, I had to explain that she is still terrified of linoleum and won't walk on it. She would at home, but not yet at strange places. She was also still pretty difficult with other people and leashes. The assistant looked puzzled, tried one pull on the leash, saw my dog go frozen stiff, and just sighed and carried her in. Fortunately, she is a small sheltie, so she's easy to carry. When I went to pick her up, they carried her out, and she was completely stoic. Not a response from her. We were halfway home before she looked up at me and finally realized it was me. I'm sure she thought I had dumped her at that torture place. My mom's dog, also a rescue looked like she expected to be shot when they led her away. She was quicker to recognize my mom when we picked them up though. I don't know if I will ever get a puppy. My mom got one once, so I have enjoyed the puppy stage. If I can't find an adult Bernese Mountain dog then I may go with a puppy (I really want one of those someday), but I will probably mostly go with rescues, and probably mostly shelties. I really love them, not just their looks, but their temperments and typical traits of the breed. As far as cats, there are several breeds that interest me, but it will be an individual thing. I have grown up with Siamese cats. My first was siamese. My second is half siamese. My third is a siamase/balinese (both siamese parents had the long hair gene, so she considered a balinese. Hair length is the only difference though). And my 1/2 cat is a half siamese. Yes, that sounds weird. My nephew got a cat before he moved in with us, so the cat started living here first. My nephew later moved in, and the cat is his, but the cat still thinks he is mine. He loves his boy, but he loves me too, so he still sleeps on my bed a lot. And I am the one feeding and scooping the litter. I feel bad that he doesn't sleep on my nephew's bed much, but I will not push away the cat. My sister used to push her cats off on me which I didn't mind. But then the one starting marking my room as his territory, so I locked him out. After only one day, he freaked. My mom was working in teh computer room, and he went in and threw himself at a window. He actually shattered the window and peed all over the wall and window screen. If it weren't for teh screen, he would have gone through the window. My mom didn't think it had anything to do with me locking him out, but that really made me feel bad. Like he felt desserted. After that, I let him back down. And I won't push away another cat, even if it isn't my cat and shouldn't be hanging out with me so much. I just won't do that to them. I did, however, spend $180 on a cat tree for Chase that is in my nephew's room. And I have been known to put cat nip on his bed to help encourage him to hang out more in there. And I photograph him when I catch him sleeping on my nephew, especially in his room. I know it helps my nephew to see those. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > >Really beautifully said, Meghan. My Cheeky clearly thought she was > >not coming home the first time we went to the vet [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > she looked up at me and finally realized it was me. I'm sure she > thought I had dumped her at that torture place. Bet that made your heart lurch. Poor Jenny. > My mom's dog, also a rescue looked like she expected to be shot when > they led her away. She was quicker to recognize my mom when we picked [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > mostly shelties. I really love them, not just their looks, but their > temperments and typical traits of the breed. My dad operated an animal rescue out of our house when I was small--until the city rule about "only three dogs" shut him down. I love puppies! But my husband has never lived with an inside dog and I have never had an outside dog so until I wear him down, no doggies of any size. :( > As far as cats, there are several breeds that interest me, but it will > be an individual thing. I have grown up with Siamese cats. I want a Siamese-looking cat!! Like seal point colors with bright blue eyes! One day I will get one froma shelter. > Yes, that sounds weird. My nephew got a cat before he moved in with > us, so the cat started living here first. My nephew later moved in, [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > screen. If it weren't for teh screen, he would have gone through the > window. Oh my God, Meghan how horrible that must have been! Why did your Mom think he did it?? My mom didn't think it had anything to do with me locking him > out, but that really made me feel bad. Like he felt desserted. After > that, I let him back down. And I won't push away another cat, even if [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > photograph him when I catch him sleeping on my nephew, especially in > his room. I know it helps my nephew to see those. You are a good Aunt and cat mom! >Bet that made your heart lurch. Poor Jenny. Yes, and now she is losing part of her vision. I have a blind dog before, but that one was a calm, easy going dog. Jenny is reverting back to the spookies, and we have to be careful not to startle her. As it is the cat walking by will startle her. She reacts by snapping at the cat. And of course, the cat, who didn't do anything wrong, is offended, and thus swats the dog in the face. So, the dog, who was startled, is now swatted in the face by the very cat who startled her. Neither cat or dog understands what actually happened. And we can't blame either one of them. >My dad operated an animal rescue out of our house when >I was small--until the city rule about "only three dogs" shut Isn't that a stupid rule? If they are all fixed, and all kept in good health, then what is the problem? We have more than the legal limit, and just keep 3 of them licensed. But it is unfortunate. The city could take in more revenue if they allowed a higher number (we would license as many as we legally can), and there would be fewer animals waiting adoption. Honestly, I am a good home for a cat, but I cannot legally adopt one from a shelter because we already have 3 licensed animals. We have 4 adults in the house and 5 animals. They are all well cared for, and they are spread out with different rooms and people as territory, so no harm done. We have had as many as 7 cats and 4 dogs. Thankfully, the turtles don't count. (Currently 8 and as many as 13 - yes, they roam the house, and no, we don't step on them). >I want a Siamese-looking cat!! Like seal point colors with bright >blue eyes! One day I will get one froma shelter. I love the blue eyes, but I am more about the temperment. They are more like dogs, I think, in the respect that they really are people friendly, They follow you around, demand your attention, and talk all the time. Even my half siamese, solid grey cat has that same behavior. I really like the Maine Coons. Long hair, larger build, nice color patterns. But I've been told that they aren't lap cats. So, I don't know if I will ever get one. I will have to learn more about them and see if they are really suitable for me. Basically, I want a chatty cat who wants to be in my way all the time. Sounds odd, but that is what I am used to. >Oh my God, Meghan how horrible that must have been! Why did your >Mom think he did it?? I really don't know. She may have just said that to try and make me stop feeling guilty. She never really offered another explanation. And my sister said he must have seen a bird. But I saw the smashed window, and the pee all over the screen and some of the wall. And I know that Kira will pee sometimes if she is in a panic when being chased. So, I definitely think he freaked. And it was the day after I closed my room to him. When my sister lived with us, she would frequently send her cats with me at night, because they would wake her up too early in the morning. I never understood it because they never bothered me, and I can't imagine having my cats kicked out of my room. She had her first cat sleep with me too, and that cat went blind at the end. So, I had a blind cat sleeping with me, and I had to be careful not to breath too hard because she would take it as a hiss. As a teenager, I had a twin size bed, and I slept with a large sheltie (40-45 pounds), and 3 cats. *I* was the one who fell out of bed or lost my covers. I now have a queen size bed so that we all have room. I still only sleep along the one side. The rest of the bed is for them. And it is a waterbed, so I can't fall out. >You are a good Aunt and cat mom! Thanks. I love the animals. It's in the genes, I guess. We've also discovered that Chase will sleep with him more if he is wearing his halter. So, sometimes we put the halter on at night so that he will stay with him. Then I take it off later. I have a picture of his foot sticking out from under the covers. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you > must know... Be a good guy and visit your local shelters where there and hundreds of kittens and cats that might fit that description. I would suggest you get a gift certificate to a local shelter and allow your friend to pick the one she wants. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you > must know... >It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you >must know... Honestly, I wouldn't recommend a cat that looks the same. It is better to have a cat that looks different. Otherwise, we have a tendency to compare them too much and expect the new cat to be too much like the previous cat. It's kinda like people wanting a clone of their cat. They want another "x", but a cat isn't going to behave exactly the same just because of genetics. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > >It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you > >must know... [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > another "x", but a cat isn't going to behave exactly the same just > because of genetics. I got Cheeks two months after my 20-year-old Gnarly died. I had gone to the shelter web site and had another lilac cream long-haired tortoiseshell girl all picked out. Then I saw Cheeky from across the room and when I reached out my hand she leaned her face into it. Suddenly I recalled how much I have always loved tabbies!! :-) You can see both below. The first is Cheeky's shelter photo. Then the others are here at home. Check out the one where she shows you the roof of mouth! It's spotted! Gnarly is in the last two photos. She was the softest cat I have every touched. I still dream about petting her. She used to sleep in my arms when I needed her to--but only then. Generally mean as a snake, dumb as a rock, and always buckets of fun. :) http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos > > >It's needed for a friend who lost hers after 14 years together.. if you > > >must know... [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos ***Mary, Thanks for the link! Gee, now I can (hopefully) use it to post photos of my beloved but recently deceased, beautiful, sweet, and soo docile "Blue", and now also my newest baby, "Dove". However, when I clicked on the link to see your babies, it was just a generic yahoo photo page..no photos of them? So can you please resend the link. I dunno, it's possible I maybe doing something incorrectly..? Thanks, Marylynn > > http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos > > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Thanks, Sorry! Here is the right link: http://photos.yahoo.com/crazyaboutfelines Cheeks is adorable. I can see why some people get more and more cats, there are just so many lovely ones! SignatureSandra > Cheeks is adorable. I can see why some people get more and more cats, there > are just so many lovely ones! Thank you. :) I love her way too much. In person, she has a very expressive demeanor--the vet tech took one look at her and said, "her face is hilarious!" I think because it is so expressive and was looking at her with doubt, trepidation, and a bit of "oo, wonder if I could get away..." Her vocalizations are very expressive too. About getting more and more cats--it is why I cannot go to the shelter to volunteer. I fall in love too easily. friesian@zoocrewphoto.com (Meghan Noecker) wrote in news:csfki7$d5f$0 $216.145.17.196@ccom.net: > Honestly, I wouldn't recommend a cat that looks the same. It is better > to have a cat that looks different. Otherwise, we have a tendency to > compare them too much and expect the new cat to be too much like the > previous cat. While I agree that too much similarity could invite too many comparisons with the former cat, I think that loving and appreciating a particular cat can lead to an increased appreciation for cats who look similar. My Nickleby was a tuxedo cat, and I will always have a soft spot for other tuxedos. And in fact, Rosalie is a calico and Madeline was one too. I love calicos and think they are especially beautiful. I actually felt some guilt about falling for Rosalie because they look so similar, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't just trying to replace Madeline. But Rosalie and I had an instant connection that has become a deep bond over time, and is continuing to deepen. I do compare her to Meem and to Nickleby, but in a non-judgmental way, just observations, and I value both her similarities to them and her differences. Just sharing my perspective as someone who adopted a cat similar to one I just lost. --Catherine & Rosalie the calico >While I agree that too much similarity could invite too many comparisons >with the former cat, I think that loving and appreciating a particular >cat can lead to an increased appreciation for cats who look similar. I agree with the idea, but I see a lot of people trying to replace the one they lost. I really loved my first sheltie and wanted another one. But I got one that looks totally different. My current cat looks very similar to my first cat, but I got her *before* the first one died*, so I had time to see her as a completely different cat. Now, I really am surprised at how similar she is in personality, and there are times when I see it as a gift that I can look at her and see a memory of Fiona. But I am really glad that I got her *before* losing Fiona. My sister had a lynx point Siamese, and now my nephew has a half-siamese who looks very similar. He has a tabby sort of pattern rather than stripes on his body, but the colors are the same, and the face is almost identical. My sister can't keep her hands off him, and has even said that she wants him. She has said several times that if Charlie can't keep him, she will gladly take him. The cat is not hers! And it drives him crazy that she can't keep her hands off his cat. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com Try a Tonkinese (Burmese/Siamese cross). They are beautiful cats - very people-oriented and gentle. > Try a Tonkinese (Burmese/Siamese cross). They are beautiful cats - very > people-oriented and gentle. OR you could go to a shelter, observe the cats, get to know one that you find suitable and do a good deed while not supporting breeders or treating cats like decorative ornaments. Just a thought. I'm also not convinced that buying an "identical" cat is very therapeutic - I like the idea of giving her a gift certificate for a cat shelter and having her pick one out with whom she bonds. A pet is obviously a very personal choice, and just giving her one that looks like a lost pet might be a mistake on many levels. Hi Joe First off grey is not grey but blue And I don't know of a breed that is blue with blue eyes but that does not mean it's not out there Might I suggest the shelter. Why are you looking for this kind of a kitty? Beverley >Hi Joe > >First off grey is not grey but blue > >And I don't know of a breed that is blue with blue eyes but >that does not mean it's not out there If I photograph Maynard with the right flash angle, I can get glowing blue eyes :) Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com You may also want to look at the CFA site, they register 37 breeds of cat, you might find it there or the TICA site, they register more breeds than CFA does. But the shelter is the best idea, and it sounds like her birthday is around valentines day so a cute stuffed kitty and a note that said you would take her to the different shelters to find her kitty, that way she gets to choose it herself. She may see something that just grabs her eye that you may not have thought of :)) Beverley
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