Pets & People
17 November 2016, 11:55 AM
#31
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My first memory of pet ownership was of my pet cat Tabitha, when I was about 5 or 6. It used to sleep in a drawer in my room and one morning I woke up to some strange noises, the cat was accompanied by loads of kittens and my clothes were in a right state!
Fast forward years later to dog ownership. I was early teens and we had a mongrel Yogi for years, since he was a puppy. One night, when he was getting on a bit, my Dad took him over to a disused railway in North London to let him have a run about. It was his usual walking spot and he went there every night for an hour or so. This night he went for a run and never came back. We never found out what happened to him or where he went. In a way, at that stage of my life, it was easier than seeing him pass away from old age or illness. I could live in relative denial assuming he had been taken in by a family and was being cared for.
Now I have 2 children (7 and 15) and we have a load of guppies, 2 cats (born by a stray with no place to go so I took them in), 2 tortoises and 2 snakes (Royal Python and Common Boa). We have no plans for anymore animals, the tortoises should outlive us and once the cats are gone I am happy not to replace them. I may get another snake in the future, they are by far the easiest pet I have ever owned.
Fast forward years later to dog ownership. I was early teens and we had a mongrel Yogi for years, since he was a puppy. One night, when he was getting on a bit, my Dad took him over to a disused railway in North London to let him have a run about. It was his usual walking spot and he went there every night for an hour or so. This night he went for a run and never came back. We never found out what happened to him or where he went. In a way, at that stage of my life, it was easier than seeing him pass away from old age or illness. I could live in relative denial assuming he had been taken in by a family and was being cared for.
Now I have 2 children (7 and 15) and we have a load of guppies, 2 cats (born by a stray with no place to go so I took them in), 2 tortoises and 2 snakes (Royal Python and Common Boa). We have no plans for anymore animals, the tortoises should outlive us and once the cats are gone I am happy not to replace them. I may get another snake in the future, they are by far the easiest pet I have ever owned.
17 November 2016, 12:53 PM
#32
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My kids (when they were children) used to watch a video, in which Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit was called out loud with "TABITHA! TABITHA!"; probably by her mother (kitten's nan cat). Tabitha is a great name for a cat!
Fast forward years later to dog ownership. I was early teens and we had a mongrel Yogi for years, since he was a puppy. One night, when he was getting on a bit, my Dad took him over to a disused railway in North London to let him have a run about. It was his usual walking spot and he went there every night for an hour or so. This night he went for a run and never came back. We never found out what happened to him or where he went. In a way, at that stage of my life, it was easier than seeing him pass away from old age or illness. I could live in relative denial assuming he had been taken in by a family and was being cared for.
Now I have 2 children (7 and 15) and we have a load of guppies, 2 cats (born by a stray with no place to go so I took them in), 2 tortoises and 2 snakes (Royal Python and Common Boa). We have no plans for anymore animals, the tortoises should outlive us and once the cats are gone I am happy not to replace them. I may get another snake in the future, they are by far the easiest pet I have ever owned.
24 November 2016, 02:09 PM
#33
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We had lots of (albeit) small pets when I was a kid...two hamsters, can't remember their names but they seemed to sped their entire waking life trying to escape from their cage. Managed it a few times too, we never found one of them but there was a terrible smell emanating from under the floor in the dinning room for a few weeks 
A pair of gerbils next, every summer holiday my sisters, mum and I would go stay with my maternal grand parents for a week, I'm sure my dad loved it
We came home one year to find two dead gerbils in their cages...I still remember the bollocking my mum gave my dad to this day 
The second pair we had both died on the same night...that was the end of that genre of pet.
Next came two female rabbits and a guinea pig...one of the rabbits had to be returned after a very memorable morning; my little sister (7/8 at the time) woke the whole house screaming from the rabbit run at the bottom of the garden "they are killing each other!" I leap out of bed run down to the bottom of the garden and find Sooky ******** Misty. Que much relief, a bit of laughter, Sooky being returned and Snowy (deffo a female) coming home with us. Misty gave birth to a litter of still-borns which we buried in the garden. Treacle the guinea pig and Snowy died of natural causes but Misty managed to break her own back and was put to sleep
Kept fish throughout the time I lived with my parents, fish a couple of gold fish, then tropical, then back to various cold water critters...still have a largish tank now
A pair of gerbils next, every summer holiday my sisters, mum and I would go stay with my maternal grand parents for a week, I'm sure my dad loved it
We came home one year to find two dead gerbils in their cages...I still remember the bollocking my mum gave my dad to this day The second pair we had both died on the same night...that was the end of that genre of pet.
Next came two female rabbits and a guinea pig...one of the rabbits had to be returned after a very memorable morning; my little sister (7/8 at the time) woke the whole house screaming from the rabbit run at the bottom of the garden "they are killing each other!" I leap out of bed run down to the bottom of the garden and find Sooky ******** Misty. Que much relief, a bit of laughter, Sooky being returned and Snowy (deffo a female) coming home with us. Misty gave birth to a litter of still-borns which we buried in the garden. Treacle the guinea pig and Snowy died of natural causes but Misty managed to break her own back and was put to sleep
Kept fish throughout the time I lived with my parents, fish a couple of gold fish, then tropical, then back to various cold water critters...still have a largish tank now
24 November 2016, 02:53 PM
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First thing I did when I got my own place was visit the Cats Protection league and get a couple of cats; brothers Millhouse and Burns
They were just 18months old when I got them and had been indoor cats their whole life, just what I was after as I lived on a busyish cut through. Millhouse was like a dog; he would be waiting for me at the door when I came home and just hang out with me all the time. Not super bright, but very savvy...he would wake me up by sitting on my chest and pulling my bottom lip down with his paw. Favorite place to sleep was on my shoulder with one paw on my face. Loved by everyone he met, sadly he developed stomach cancer aged nine and was put to sleep in my arms. I will always remember the last thing he did before he died, he scent mark me and then was gone.
Burns was the opposite end of the spectrum; incredibly intelligent and would only interact with people he liked. He had the ability to work out how to make you do the things he wanted to you to do and get it done! Loved to pay with water and drink from the tap...he would greet his human friends and then herd them into the bathroom, jump in the bath and shout until the tap was turned on. When I moved into a quieter area he got to be an outdoor cat, unsurprisingly he absolutely loved it ...he was a big cat and pretty soon in change of all the surrounding gardens but spent the vast majority of the time asleep on one of the catnip plants in the back garden. Despite that he never hunted and was a gentle soul; we had mice in the house and he would sit and watch curiously as they took food from his bowl back to their lair 
Most nights he slept in the crook of my arm and was always greeted my vocally...so many amazing memories of him, still miss him like crazy and my brain still catches sight of him on the house still from time to time. He made it to 21 but this April I had to give him a last gift as aggressive mouth cancer took hold of him. Probably one of the hardest days of my life and I can't really think to hard about it.
Funny how you don't realise how much other people care for your pets and how they touch their lives too, the vets and nurses always told me how much they loved him and how gentle he was. I always took that with a pinch of salt until recently; I dropped into the vets to pick up some flea treatment up a couple of weeks ago (for the first time I'd been back since April), and there he was, the only photo on their reception desk...that broke me for a bit.
They are buried side by side in the woods where we ride. Need a break after that...bit more later and maybe some photos.
They were just 18months old when I got them and had been indoor cats their whole life, just what I was after as I lived on a busyish cut through. Millhouse was like a dog; he would be waiting for me at the door when I came home and just hang out with me all the time. Not super bright, but very savvy...he would wake me up by sitting on my chest and pulling my bottom lip down with his paw. Favorite place to sleep was on my shoulder with one paw on my face. Loved by everyone he met, sadly he developed stomach cancer aged nine and was put to sleep in my arms. I will always remember the last thing he did before he died, he scent mark me and then was gone.
Burns was the opposite end of the spectrum; incredibly intelligent and would only interact with people he liked. He had the ability to work out how to make you do the things he wanted to you to do and get it done! Loved to pay with water and drink from the tap...he would greet his human friends and then herd them into the bathroom, jump in the bath and shout until the tap was turned on. When I moved into a quieter area he got to be an outdoor cat, unsurprisingly he absolutely loved it
...he was a big cat and pretty soon in change of all the surrounding gardens but spent the vast majority of the time asleep on one of the catnip plants in the back garden. Despite that he never hunted and was a gentle soul; we had mice in the house and he would sit and watch curiously as they took food from his bowl back to their lair Most nights he slept in the crook of my arm and was always greeted my vocally...so many amazing memories of him, still miss him like crazy and my brain still catches sight of him on the house still from time to time. He made it to 21 but this April I had to give him a last gift as aggressive mouth cancer took hold of him. Probably one of the hardest days of my life and I can't really think to hard about it.
Funny how you don't realise how much other people care for your pets and how they touch their lives too, the vets and nurses always told me how much they loved him and how gentle he was. I always took that with a pinch of salt until recently; I dropped into the vets to pick up some flea treatment up a couple of weeks ago (for the first time I'd been back since April), and there he was, the only photo on their reception desk...that broke me for a bit.
They are buried side by side in the woods where we ride. Need a break after that...bit more later and maybe some photos.
25 November 2016, 11:18 AM
#35
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First thing I did when I got my own place was visit the Cats Protection league and get a couple of cats; brothers Millhouse and Burns
They were just 18months old when I got them and had been indoor cats their whole life, just what I was after as I lived on a busyish cut through. Millhouse was like a dog; he would be waiting for me at the door when I came home and just hang out with me all the time. Not super bright, but very savvy...he would wake me up by sitting on my chest and pulling my bottom lip down with his paw. Favorite place to sleep was on my shoulder with one paw on my face. Loved by everyone he met, sadly he developed stomach cancer aged nine and was put to sleep in my arms. I will always remember the last thing he did before he died, he scent mark me and then was gone.
Burns was the opposite end of the spectrum; incredibly intelligent and would only interact with people he liked. He had the ability to work out how to make you do the things he wanted to you to do and get it done! Loved to pay with water and drink from the tap...he would greet his human friends and then herd them into the bathroom, jump in the bath and shout until the tap was turned on. When I moved into a quieter area he got to be an outdoor cat, unsurprisingly he absolutely loved it ...he was a big cat and pretty soon in change of all the surrounding gardens but spent the vast majority of the time asleep on one of the catnip plants in the back garden. Despite that he never hunted and was a gentle soul; we had mice in the house and he would sit and watch curiously as they took food from his bowl back to their lair
Most nights he slept in the crook of my arm and was always greeted my vocally...so many amazing memories of him, still miss him like crazy and my brain still catches sight of him on the house still from time to time. He made it to 21 but this April I had to give him a last gift as aggressive mouth cancer took hold of him. Probably one of the hardest days of my life and I can't really think to hard about it.
Funny how you don't realise how much other people care for your pets and how they touch their lives too, the vets and nurses always told me how much they loved him and how gentle he was. I always took that with a pinch of salt until recently; I dropped into the vets to pick up some flea treatment up a couple of weeks ago (for the first time I'd been back since April), and there he was, the only photo on their reception desk...that broke me for a bit.
They are buried side by side in the woods where we ride. Need a break after that...bit more later and maybe some photos.
They were just 18months old when I got them and had been indoor cats their whole life, just what I was after as I lived on a busyish cut through. Millhouse was like a dog; he would be waiting for me at the door when I came home and just hang out with me all the time. Not super bright, but very savvy...he would wake me up by sitting on my chest and pulling my bottom lip down with his paw. Favorite place to sleep was on my shoulder with one paw on my face. Loved by everyone he met, sadly he developed stomach cancer aged nine and was put to sleep in my arms. I will always remember the last thing he did before he died, he scent mark me and then was gone.
Burns was the opposite end of the spectrum; incredibly intelligent and would only interact with people he liked. He had the ability to work out how to make you do the things he wanted to you to do and get it done! Loved to pay with water and drink from the tap...he would greet his human friends and then herd them into the bathroom, jump in the bath and shout until the tap was turned on. When I moved into a quieter area he got to be an outdoor cat, unsurprisingly he absolutely loved it
...he was a big cat and pretty soon in change of all the surrounding gardens but spent the vast majority of the time asleep on one of the catnip plants in the back garden. Despite that he never hunted and was a gentle soul; we had mice in the house and he would sit and watch curiously as they took food from his bowl back to their lair Most nights he slept in the crook of my arm and was always greeted my vocally...so many amazing memories of him, still miss him like crazy and my brain still catches sight of him on the house still from time to time. He made it to 21 but this April I had to give him a last gift as aggressive mouth cancer took hold of him. Probably one of the hardest days of my life and I can't really think to hard about it.
Funny how you don't realise how much other people care for your pets and how they touch their lives too, the vets and nurses always told me how much they loved him and how gentle he was. I always took that with a pinch of salt until recently; I dropped into the vets to pick up some flea treatment up a couple of weeks ago (for the first time I'd been back since April), and there he was, the only photo on their reception desk...that broke me for a bit.
They are buried side by side in the woods where we ride. Need a break after that...bit more later and maybe some photos.
Look forward to their pics.
26 November 2016, 11:57 AM
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Here are my children who never left home and stay with me:
Older Ms. Coco (13); a timid and very affable lady:
Younger Master Rubix (9); a fat and furry bundle of joy:
I've posted their pics many times here, but IMO it's ok to post their different pics again for my pleasure, and in relevance to this fantastic thread.
Older Ms. Coco (13); a timid and very affable lady:
Younger Master Rubix (9); a fat and furry bundle of joy:
I've posted their pics many times here, but IMO it's ok to post their different pics again for my pleasure, and in relevance to this fantastic thread.
27 November 2016, 01:04 AM
#37
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Our cat won't ever leave our babies side! - http://www.lovemeow.com/biggest-cat-...002873021.html
He often plays with our 4yo lad too, but one of them always goes too far!
He often plays with our 4yo lad too, but one of them always goes too far!
Last edited by RS_Matt; 27 November 2016 at 01:26 AM.
27 November 2016, 11:24 AM
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Our cat won't ever leave our babies side! - http://www.lovemeow.com/biggest-cat-...002873021.html
https://youtu.be/6g03aIhZ3gU
He often plays with our 4yo lad too, but one of them always goes too far!
https://i.imgur.com/j1FGm3b.gif
https://youtu.be/6g03aIhZ3gU
He often plays with our 4yo lad too, but one of them always goes too far!
https://i.imgur.com/j1FGm3b.gif
Yes, cats are very fond of little babies. Problem arises when some babies become older children and start troubling the cats. I blame the parents. Our kids were always naturally gentle to our cat Ms. Billi, and I never had to tell them to be gentle to anyone. but some other nasty little friends of my children tried to irritate her, whenever they came to our house. I used to shout at them, and stop them from pulling their tail etc. One of the kids called Berlinda used to do the same to her rabbit e.g. pull his whiskers, ears etc. One day, the rabbit had had enough, so it bit her hard. Since then, she was better towards her own rabbit and my children's cat.
My 23 yr. old nephew told us his childhood story two Christmases ago in our Christmas party that as a 7 yr. old obnoxious child, he was bothering my mother in-law's black cat called Polly something chronic. My kids were witnessing that and tried to stop him, but he just wouldn't listen! He was pulling her tail and smacking her with a little stick. When my MIL entered that play room and saw that, she went mental!
She snatched the stick off the deranged child and beat him mercilessly with it on his @r$e; to give him the taste of his own medicine. This nephew stopped bothering the cat from then on. After that many years, the story gave us many giggles, as this nephew is quite a balanced individual, now. I'm not saying that people should do what my MIL did, but it's not nice when kids aren't told to keep off the pets and stop irritating them.
I'm sure yours don't do hurtful play with your cats, Matt. Your little ones seem to treat your pets with great love and respect, I can work that out through your vids and pics. Good of you and them.
27 November 2016, 05:57 PM
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Cats may not wish to harm a baby but they can jump into a cot and sleep on baby's face and choke him/her. We put a net across top of cot and I don't think that was being over cautious.
David
David
27 November 2016, 06:31 PM
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Moggie Suggestions Please
OK people here's the question.
I am moving house soon and will be living on my own and would like a pet for company. Ideally a dog but I have a dodgy foot so can't do long walks which wouldn't be fair on many dogs. A Golden would be my ideal choice but that's definitely out so possibly a West Highland which don't require super long walks. A tortoise would be fine as I could keep up with that but not really the perfect companion
Or perhaps a cat. When we were overseas pre-kids we had 3 cats and I was very fond of them aside from the cheeky one who insisted on finding snakes' nests and bringing in the babies to play with. When we returned to UK we brought back the Cheeky one (without snakes) in the days when you had to quarantine them for 6 months. Cost a bomb but she had a good life for many years.
Since them I haven't been a huge cat fan , mostly 'cos they kill my garden birds but maybe now's the time for a re-think.
So I would want a good looking female which I would get spayed that was lazy and mostly stayed inside and showed some affection even though I knew that I was being conned. I don't want a rescue cat as if it turned out to be a dud I know I wouldn't have the heart to get rid of her and anyway I have run our of sacks
So Burmese or what? Expert and honest opinions requested. Or a Parrot but I know sweet FA about them.
Cheers, David
I am moving house soon and will be living on my own and would like a pet for company. Ideally a dog but I have a dodgy foot so can't do long walks which wouldn't be fair on many dogs. A Golden would be my ideal choice but that's definitely out so possibly a West Highland which don't require super long walks. A tortoise would be fine as I could keep up with that but not really the perfect companion
Or perhaps a cat. When we were overseas pre-kids we had 3 cats and I was very fond of them aside from the cheeky one who insisted on finding snakes' nests and bringing in the babies to play with. When we returned to UK we brought back the Cheeky one (without snakes) in the days when you had to quarantine them for 6 months. Cost a bomb but she had a good life for many years.
Since them I haven't been a huge cat fan , mostly 'cos they kill my garden birds but maybe now's the time for a re-think.
So I would want a good looking female which I would get spayed that was lazy and mostly stayed inside and showed some affection even though I knew that I was being conned. I don't want a rescue cat as if it turned out to be a dud I know I wouldn't have the heart to get rid of her and anyway I have run our of sacks
So Burmese or what? Expert and honest opinions requested. Or a Parrot but I know sweet FA about them.
Cheers, David
Last edited by David Lock; 27 November 2016 at 06:32 PM.
27 November 2016, 07:51 PM
#41
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Dogs also kill birds but aren't as proficient. Dogs also kill babies, and in greater numbers. This modern misplaced hatred for cats is beyond annoying. My cousins greyhounds got out of their pen not long ago and killed all wildlife they came across. In today's society it is completely immoral to demonise dogs but open season on cats. The animal that saved humanity from the great plague even though the increase in ownerless cats was the prime suspect for causing it. #truenannypet
27 November 2016, 08:51 PM
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Dogs also kill birds but aren't as proficient. Dogs also kill babies, and in greater numbers. This modern misplaced hatred for cats is beyond annoying. My cousins greyhounds got out of their pen not long ago and killed all wildlife they came across. In today's society it is completely immoral to demonise dogs but open season on cats. The animal that saved humanity from the great plague even though the increase in ownerless cats was the prime suspect for causing it. #truenannypet
So can you give me some thoughts on what sort of cat might suit my circumstances (and I'll put a bell around it's neck).
David
27 November 2016, 09:54 PM
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OK people here's the question.
I am moving house soon and will be living on my own and would like a pet for company. Ideally a dog but I have a dodgy foot so can't do long walks which wouldn't be fair on many dogs. A Golden would be my ideal choice but that's definitely out so possibly a West Highland which don't require super long walks. A tortoise would be fine as I could keep up with that but not really the perfect companion
Or perhaps a cat. When we were overseas pre-kids we had 3 cats and I was very fond of them aside from the cheeky one who insisted on finding snakes' nests and bringing in the babies to play with. When we returned to UK we brought back the Cheeky one (without snakes) in the days when you had to quarantine them for 6 months. Cost a bomb but she had a good life for many years.
Since them I haven't been a huge cat fan , mostly 'cos they kill my garden birds but maybe now's the time for a re-think.
So I would want a good looking female which I would get spayed that was lazy and mostly stayed inside and showed some affection even though I knew that I was being conned. I don't want a rescue cat as if it turned out to be a dud I know I wouldn't have the heart to get rid of her and anyway I have run our of sacks
So Burmese or what? Expert and honest opinions requested. Or a Parrot but I know sweet FA about them.
Cheers, David
I am moving house soon and will be living on my own and would like a pet for company. Ideally a dog but I have a dodgy foot so can't do long walks which wouldn't be fair on many dogs. A Golden would be my ideal choice but that's definitely out so possibly a West Highland which don't require super long walks. A tortoise would be fine as I could keep up with that but not really the perfect companion
Or perhaps a cat. When we were overseas pre-kids we had 3 cats and I was very fond of them aside from the cheeky one who insisted on finding snakes' nests and bringing in the babies to play with. When we returned to UK we brought back the Cheeky one (without snakes) in the days when you had to quarantine them for 6 months. Cost a bomb but she had a good life for many years.
Since them I haven't been a huge cat fan , mostly 'cos they kill my garden birds but maybe now's the time for a re-think.
So I would want a good looking female which I would get spayed that was lazy and mostly stayed inside and showed some affection even though I knew that I was being conned. I don't want a rescue cat as if it turned out to be a dud I know I wouldn't have the heart to get rid of her and anyway I have run our of sacks
So Burmese or what? Expert and honest opinions requested. Or a Parrot but I know sweet FA about them.
Cheers, David
Our good looking B&W male Tom cat is far more affectionate than our good looking female moggie cat. He's always on for proximity with its main slave i.e. me. You don't have to be fussed about the breed, if you're after the companionship. Sorry, actually you do, because Bengal and Seval crossed are not that affectionate. I know that Siamese don't give two hoots to their saves,, not sure about the Burmese. What I mean is that our common breed cats can give you a great companionship, it doesn't have to be some exclusive breed.
Just get a cat from a good cat loving breeder, inquire the breeder slaves about the temperament of the kitten's real parents, since the kittens tend to inherit that of them, and if all's well, adopting a kitten will be a very well taken step in the right direction.
Parrots are brilliant too! You can't hug them as well as you can hug a cat. Parrots don't sleep in your bed either, and their parroting can potentially drive you mad if they're too chatty.
With kitten, get one which is already litter-trained and get it neutered soon after getting it. That's if you get one. I think you should. Cats are very comforting and chilled out, quiet companions, and very easy to look after. Very small vet bills as well; in compare to a dog's.
Good luck.
Last edited by Turbohot; 27 November 2016 at 09:58 PM.
28 November 2016, 10:26 AM
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Hi David, you have had cats, so you know all what I'm about to say.
I've just thought that with your health issues, perhaps it will be good to remember that cats weave around your feet sometimes for food and cuddle etc., and sometimes, when you're walking to and fro inside your house, cats (and dogs, which you are not considering, anyway) can be in a way and you could trip over.
Other that that, although cats are known to be affectionate and harmless, one scratch received by your cat even in a play fight can be quite unfortunate for a diabetic. I'm not scare-mongering, just being realistic.
Cleaning cat litter tray is another thing. If you have a worker who can do that for you, then great. Some extra added regular duties issue will exist with any pet you get.
You don't want a turtle/tortoise and I understand that. They don't interact with you, and that makes them just 'having around' non-responsive pets.
I reckon a lively parrot is the safest bet, but considering all the other pointers about cats, you can still have one, if you still fancy one and if you can manage one.
Just remember it doesn't have to be a fancy breed. If you do want a fancy breed cat, the one like Matt's or Norwegian Forest cat is a good one. I don't think serval mixed, Siamese and Burmese cats are great companions, as they just go out all the time and don't come close to you for a stroke etc. Bengal one even disappears for days and leave you on your own, all worried sick about it.
I know some people with similar health issues as yours, and in the same situation as yours, and they manage their cats quite comfortably with no problems. Even then, all pointers are worth considering IMO.
I've just thought that with your health issues, perhaps it will be good to remember that cats weave around your feet sometimes for food and cuddle etc., and sometimes, when you're walking to and fro inside your house, cats (and dogs, which you are not considering, anyway) can be in a way and you could trip over.
Other that that, although cats are known to be affectionate and harmless, one scratch received by your cat even in a play fight can be quite unfortunate for a diabetic. I'm not scare-mongering, just being realistic.
Cleaning cat litter tray is another thing. If you have a worker who can do that for you, then great. Some extra added regular duties issue will exist with any pet you get.
You don't want a turtle/tortoise and I understand that. They don't interact with you, and that makes them just 'having around' non-responsive pets.
I reckon a lively parrot is the safest bet, but considering all the other pointers about cats, you can still have one, if you still fancy one and if you can manage one.
Just remember it doesn't have to be a fancy breed. If you do want a fancy breed cat, the one like Matt's or Norwegian Forest cat is a good one. I don't think serval mixed, Siamese and Burmese cats are great companions, as they just go out all the time and don't come close to you for a stroke etc. Bengal one even disappears for days and leave you on your own, all worried sick about it.
I know some people with similar health issues as yours, and in the same situation as yours, and they manage their cats quite comfortably with no problems. Even then, all pointers are worth considering IMO.
28 November 2016, 10:53 AM
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Forgot to say that you can have a fish or a few fish in a fish tank, but although watching them quietly swim is quite relaxing, they can prove boring due to their inability to project sound and their untouchability.
I believe that a companionship is more fulfilling, if more senses (of the keeper) are being positively stimulated by the companion, if not all. Applicable to human companions, too. Otherwise, we might as well get a plant, call it Fred or Helga, and just believe that we have a companion.
I must add that with a fish or a few fish in a fish tank, the presence of another life around us all the time can be quite satisfactory. Giving them flaky food, watching them greedily reach the surface for it and seeing their agile bodies move are pleasant experiences.
So yeah, a fish or a fish tank with a few fish is another idea.
I personally don't like fish tanks, because I feel that I'm confining free spirits. Same with the birds in cages. Mind you, my dad had a superb parrot. It had never lived in the wilds since very young, so letting it free would have been far worse for it. He lived very long, perhaps for 30 years or so, I think. My dad often let it out of the cage and let it fly and perch anywhere it liked; within the house. Dad called it Mitthu Tota. Both words are for a parrot in Hindi. Every morning my dad used to wash its cage and give it a fruit, which it nibbled at all day long. They had a great companionship.
I believe that a companionship is more fulfilling, if more senses (of the keeper) are being positively stimulated by the companion, if not all. Applicable to human companions, too. Otherwise, we might as well get a plant, call it Fred or Helga, and just believe that we have a companion.
I must add that with a fish or a few fish in a fish tank, the presence of another life around us all the time can be quite satisfactory. Giving them flaky food, watching them greedily reach the surface for it and seeing their agile bodies move are pleasant experiences.
So yeah, a fish or a fish tank with a few fish is another idea.
I personally don't like fish tanks, because I feel that I'm confining free spirits. Same with the birds in cages. Mind you, my dad had a superb parrot. It had never lived in the wilds since very young, so letting it free would have been far worse for it. He lived very long, perhaps for 30 years or so, I think. My dad often let it out of the cage and let it fly and perch anywhere it liked; within the house. Dad called it Mitthu Tota. Both words are for a parrot in Hindi. Every morning my dad used to wash its cage and give it a fruit, which it nibbled at all day long. They had a great companionship.
28 November 2016, 11:05 AM
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Don't use breeders, the clue is in the name; they are in it for the money...rescue animal all the way there are so many creatures in need any other choice is selfish, sorry.
28 November 2016, 11:08 AM
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I found this 'dud' word really funny.
Never heard it before lol.
28 November 2016, 11:38 AM
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Hold on Matt. For starters I didn't say I hated cats but the fact is my cats did try to kill birds and my neighbour's two cats killed a Robin family in my garden and left my small patch bereft of all my garden birds. None of the many dogs we have owned have ever killed anything but, of course, I kept them away from sheep where they were in danger of being shot. Generally speaking you can train dogs to behave but cats tend to do what they want. You can't even train them to stop s,hitting in the neighbour's garden.
So can you give me some thoughts on what sort of cat might suit my circumstances (and I'll put a bell around it's neck). David
So can you give me some thoughts on what sort of cat might suit my circumstances (and I'll put a bell around it's neck).
David
28 November 2016, 11:40 AM
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There will always be animals that need a bit more TLC, and not everyone has the time or motivation to look after animals like that...but any shelter worth its salt will make sure the right animal gets given to the right owner.
No duds
28 November 2016, 02:13 PM
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) if he inherits a dud gene that skipped its parents' generation. So yeah, rescue kitten all the way. Besides, you can make out at the rescue place if the kitten or the cat you like is bonding with you. The ones that like you will come to you and want to be picked etc. The ones that don't will avoid you.Honestly, this 'dud' word for a little cat has given me some giggles today.
28 November 2016, 02:27 PM
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British Blue. Lazy, not out and out lapcats, easy to groom. I'd go male. Of course pedigree cats come at a premium and don't tend to live as long as moggies, so a rescue cat could be best, my mum has had 3 cracking young rescue cats including a stunning Maine Coon, but longhaired cats are a ******* to groom. They knott so fast not even daily brushing prevents it.
Not too pretentious or a 'dud' status symbol or anything like that, but still outstanding to look at, and responsive with that.You're right. If David gets a furry Maine Coon or a NF cat, he will be tirelessly brushing its thick hair all day long. High maintenance in terms of the effort.
British Blue is a beautiful cat!
I quite like this Scottish cat as well.
Taylor Swift has made this breed famous!
If you want to be a Taylor Swift, get this one.
28 November 2016, 06:49 PM
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Well thanks all for interesting and useful comments. Got me thinking.
Matt - thanks
TH - I've done the fish tank stuff and when kids were young had a curved front Juwel tank with all the ***** on and happy families of cold water fish
http://www.juwel-aquarium.co.uk/Products/ but they are hard work to keep tank looking nice and fish healthy. Also had a 5000 gallon Koi pond which I built but a hell of a lot or work.
Found a great Parrot advice site on Google but I'd always be worried that I might leave a door open and they'd be off.
So back to cats I think.
David
Matt - thanks
TH - I've done the fish tank stuff and when kids were young had a curved front Juwel tank with all the ***** on and happy families of cold water fish
http://www.juwel-aquarium.co.uk/Products/ but they are hard work to keep tank looking nice and fish healthy. Also had a 5000 gallon Koi pond which I built but a hell of a lot or work.
Found a great Parrot advice site on Google but I'd always be worried that I might leave a door open and they'd be off.
So back to cats I think.
David
Last edited by David Lock; 28 November 2016 at 07:01 PM.
28 November 2016, 08:07 PM
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Well thanks all for interesting and useful comments. Got me thinking.
Matt - thanks
TH - I've done the fish tank stuff and when kids were young had a curved front Juwel tank with all the ***** on and happy families of cold water fish
http://www.juwel-aquarium.co.uk/Products/ but they are hard work to keep tank looking nice and fish healthy. Also had a 5000 gallon Koi pond which I built but a hell of a lot or work.
Found a great Parrot advice site on Google but I'd always be worried that I might leave a door open and they'd be off.
So back to cats I think.
David
Matt - thanks
TH - I've done the fish tank stuff and when kids were young had a curved front Juwel tank with all the ***** on and happy families of cold water fish
http://www.juwel-aquarium.co.uk/Products/ but they are hard work to keep tank looking nice and fish healthy. Also had a 5000 gallon Koi pond which I built but a hell of a lot or work.
Found a great Parrot advice site on Google but I'd always be worried that I might leave a door open and they'd be off.
So back to cats I think.
David
Yes, fish tank is a lot of work, I agree, whereas the cats are well'ard! I nearly called mine Grant and Phil Mitchell.
Last edited by Turbohot; 28 November 2016 at 09:13 PM.