Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The spirit and the cat
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
- Isaiah 55
All living things have a natural desire to feel in harmony
and do in fact have a high capacity for love and affection
The essence of the kitten and undisturbed loved cat is
divine.
Regardless of the source gentle respect for such is a great
reward.
Be kind to your cat, your kindness will blossom and return to you
as a delight and possibly in a manner you could compare to the
trees and the hills in the poetry of Isaiah.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Removing Cat Hair from fabrics
The product I recommend for removing cat hair from fabrics (such as sofas) is:
and does the best job of cleaning hair off fabric surfaces
also can be found possibly at walgreens for less....
also can be found possibly at walgreens for less....
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Recommendations
From my experience with cats:
1. Food - Feed wet food, whether it is all natural or whether it is Fancy Feast or whatever you can afford. Don't switch food often for discounts though.
Hard food is generally not as good for cats because of processing limitations. If you need to leave food out available - obviously hard food serves. Some cats will wake you up in the middle of the night if they can't munch on something, and while it shows great dedication to do without sleep, I would leave some dry food for them. The Best cat food has
a minimum amount of additives and corn and preservatives
etc and has a high protein content. A really good food dry
if such exists really is Wellness Core, which
also has a somewhat small kibble. There are special formulations
for conditions etc such as Digestive Aid or the like.
When choosing a dry food always buy a minimal amount you can
throw away if your cat won't eat it or has an allergy to something
in it or the like.
2. Always provide fresh water. The filtered water bowls which
circulate water are quite good. Stay away from chlorinated water
if you can. Regardless make sure the water is CLEAN.
3. Don't clip claws, it opens them to infection, or you. The last place
they scratched was in the litter box. Unclipped claws have smooth
outer layers like onions. So clipped they stand a chance of a nastier
scratch if they ever do scratch you. It goes without saying that
declawing is cruel and can cause much more of a problem than it
ever solves.
4. If you want your cat to listen to you speak in a friendly voice,
and control your cat by rewards. A cat may learn the word NO,
but there is no such thing as effectively disciplining a cat.
5. A Maine Coon or long haired breed needs brushing or rarely
cleaning. Get them used to it when they are young if possible.
6. Keep your cat indoors. Besides dogs, diseases, other cats, cars
and any number of other hazards of the outdoors for cats
additional vaccinations must then be given. Also once you
"let them go out a little" they then tend to make a game of it
and charge the door when you come in. Do yourself a favor and
provide a desk by a window or a cat shelf by one, but keep them
indoors.
7. More to be added.....
Some perspective on losing your cat
I had a loss around the same time as another breeder who is a friend and we exchanged a couple of emails
here is the text of a response which I hope adds a little comfort:
"Well I think I have an idea what you mean.
The way I see it life is where it is sunny and clear and there are well defined pleasures and you can dream of sitting in a field with all friends present and enjoying themselves.
Each of us is pulled from the fog into life or we find our way out of it into the grassy sunny or thorn riddled field of life.
Sometimes on the way in or out we might unexpectedly fail and slip back. In any case we go in and out of the field by ourselves, but sometimes can be called out or pulled out by need and the love and affinity that we have previously seen and heard from others.
We never really lose each other, but we do lose track - the fog obscures.
Each one you have ever known and need or love in life in coming and going is near to you and drawn and tied to you.
You simply have to recognize them when they come back or you do, and forgive the loss of clarity from the fog.
It's less romantic and somewhat more disturbing than a dream, but life and death often are.
Nevertheless truth holds comfort in it's telling and hearing."
Nevertheless truth holds comfort in it's telling and hearing."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Advice to a friend on handling a shy cat
Handling shy cats.
(hopefully not from breeders - also often Maine Coons
are rescues or shelters offer rescued cats as Maine Coons,
and regardless of whether they really are or not, this is
my response to a friend asking advice on a very shy new cat):
I can tell you my experience with feral cats and a very shy indoor cat - you have the right idea on this as far as putting the cat in it's own room and in a place it feels it can defend itself
Leaving food and water and talking to the cat calmly and in a very friendly tone of voice is something to do also
Don't put yourself in a position where you have to do something to the cat or get mad for it's standoffishness or unfriendliness. Sometimes with feral cats it takes a month or more to get to be able to pet them.
With indoor cats it should be much quicker, but can still take a week or two.
Any clothing or something that smells of its previous owner might be a good bedding.
If the cat is NOT angry and not inclined to strike out just because you are around - then I would advise all approaches be done while sitting.
Food should be used to reward interest.
Lying down and sleeping in the room on the floor with the cat around can also put the cat at ease. When awake and looking at the cat never take an aggressive posture or stare, always slowly blink or close your eyes a bit. You can lay on your back or (we call it here in our house - flop) to show submission and that you are not a threat.
Always tell the cat what you are doing and why. When you can pet it, pet it above its eyes to calm it down. Some cats also at that stage like light brushing, some don't.
You look like a 40 ton 60 foot tall monster to a scaredy cat, so keep your profile low and always talk gently and kindly. Once it is used to you get a see through room divider or barrier, so it can see and smell the other cats (can be found at home depot cheaper than pet food stores)
Use tuna or any food it likes for treats
Don't try to force the issue. It will take a bit or a bit longer if you do. (I once had a cat protest the addition of another cat by hiding under the bed for a month and be snarly constantly for two - but she got over it, the 5 year old has a whole new environment after being used to something else, so be patient)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
How Jacob is doing so far at his home
Hi Gary,
Jacob is home and happy :) He was so good on the way too! He was quiet and curious. Once we got home it took him a while to get out of the hamper we brought him in but now he is running all over the place! He follows me everywhere and slept in the bed with me. He is a purr machine! His favourite toy believe it or not is that hamper we brought him in haha He goes crazy with it. He also has a little mouse which he continually hides under the couch and I have to go get it. He is eating and going to the litter like a good boy and he does like to stand by the fridge! I think he likes the motors' sound.
Here are his first pictures of him being home. More to come always! :)
Kharla & Jacob
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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