A shock for Laurel

[Valantonia]

...or maybe not.

Our family cat had to be put down last week. She was thirteen years old and very ill. I thought I could handle the whole dying process. After all I said to myself, "It's just a cat." Wrong!! I cried for two days and even my big macho husband had a tear or two in his eyes. I then stated that I never wanted to go through that again.

Well kids being kids,they asked for a new cat within five minutes of leaving the vet's. I asked for a mourning period but didn't realize how empty a house could feel without a pet. So days later, off we went to the pet store.

I decided that my next cat would be a Bengal. I fell in love with them the first time I saw one, even more so after seeing the pictures of Aiko. It just so happened that the pet store had received a litter that day and they were ready to go. We decided after seeing them interact that we would take two.

Now I have bought pure breeds before and know that they can be more expensive than a domestic. But I was floored when the salesgirl said that they were $600. WTF...that's $600 Canadian for one cat but she would let them go for $500 apiece. Imagine what that would be in US funds! I said, "Thanks but no thanks you can keep the cats."

Laurel never let Aiko know how much she is really worth. Cats already think they are superior to us and there would be no living with her.LOL

We ended up at our local animal shelter and chose a very affectionate tabby instead. I spent a small fortune what with cat litter, food, toys, leash and carrier. But felt better about it since the shelter is a non-profit organization and proceeds go back to helping the animals.

The kids named him Pongo ( we also have a leopard gecko named Sabor). Thank god for Disney!

 

[Laurel]

LMAO! I didn't pay quite that much for Aiko - I got her from a breeder who needed to find a home for her beforeshe started the next litter. And trust me - I definitely never tell Aiko what she's worth (though I think she must instinctively know, the little princess...)

I'm sorry your kittie passed away. From the moment I brought Aiko home, it's been in the back of my mind that some day, years from now, I'll lose her. That's nature, but it seems somehow cruel. Like you, I can't imagine getting another cat after her, but also like you I'm sure I won't be able to live without waking up to some sillyhead kittie eating my toes every morning.

I recently purchased a pair of m/f Mediterranean tortoise hatchlings, about 9 months old. They live a good 40-60 years in captivity - longer in the wild - and it's nice to have a pet that might actually outlive me.

It's very cool of you to adopt a shelter kitten. they're wonderful cats, and very appreciative of the love you give them. Send in pics!

 

[Sonora]

Valantonia, I'm sorry to read about your loss. I faced the prospect of having to put my kitty-cat to sleep a couple of years ago. Thankfully, I have a very understanding and knowledgable vet. I'm happy to report kitty-cat is sitting a few feet away doing his after-supper grooming now.

While the new kitty won't ever take the place of the one that had a place in your heart for so many years, I'm sure that it will find and open up it's own little place before too long.

 

[Lasher]

My wife's parents used to breed Ragdolls (that's a cat breed, btw) for show. Our oldest cat, Annie, is a Ragdoll that my wife got to keep because she's got a booger on her face and wasn't any good for show - so no real value in selling her.

Anyways, at the time, they were selling them for about $800 a piece (those are US dollars, btw, that'd be about $1200 or so Candian) - and that was 10 years ago.

 

[Valantonia]

Laurel and Sonora, thank you both for your compassion. I know there are some people reading this and saying, "For god sakes it's just a cat." To them I say, "You don't know what you're missing if you've never experienced the love of an animal and for that I feel for you. Animals give us so much more than we give them."

Sonora I agree that a good vet makes a difference. Our former cat was diagnosed with leukemia and had been in remission for the last five years. This last attack took a lot out of her and we realized it would be unfair to prolong her life. If not for our wonderful vet we would have lost her long ago. They have a vaccine against leukemia and you can rest assured the new kitty will be getting it.

I'm glad things are going well for your cat and hope you have many more years together.

Laurel best of luck with the tortoises and don't forget to include them in your will. I've heard people do that with their parrots.LOL

I'll send in some pics soon and give Aiko a hug from me.

Lasher, my parents bought a Wheaton terrier,an unusual dog, from a reputable breeder. They paid $500, the show dogs were going for $1000. I've been around various breeders my whole life and cats tend to be cheaper than dogs (there are exceptions). My last cat was a purebred Siamese and I paid $250 for her. I was able to see both parents and the rest of the litter. What bothered me was that this was a pet store and you don't get quality show animals there. You can't expect me to pay $600 and not provide me with papers. Also Ragdolls are not common (it is hard to find a breeder out here)and that would justify the price. I remember when owning a Persian was thought of as exotic and now they are a dime a dozen.

 

[Laurel]

What bothered me was that this was a pet store and you don't get quality show animals there. You can't expect me to pay $600 and not provide me with papers.

True.... There aren't swarms of legit Bengal breeders in the US, mainly because they're a wild cross. To make Bengals, you have to get your hands on either an actual wild Asian Leopard Cat from Asia (which are harder and harder to come by as the government cracks down on imports of certain species, and rightfully so), or a first, second or third generation (F1, F2, F3) Asian Leopard cat/domestic cat (usually Egyptian Mau is used) blend. Neither of these are easy to find, or cheap.

The Asian Leopard cat - being wild - takes a tremendous amount of effort to care for. The F1-F3 generations are also a problem because they still have enough of the wild in their blood to make them unsuitable as pets - they're not very social, impossible to litter train, and unpredictable. It isn't until the fourth generation of Bengal/Bengal breeding that the animal is a true Bengal in the eyes of the TICA, and is suitable as a house pet.

Because they have wild grandparents, Bengals are free of the lot of problems associated with purebreds due to generation upon generation of inbreeding. They're a new breed - the first Bengal was bred in the 60's, I think, by Jean Mill - so I'm sure down the road they'll be as inbred as an of the purebreds and have the same sort of physiological problems. For now, though, they're great pets.

There's a lot of sleazy people out there who'll buy a 4th generation Bengal queen and breed her with some tabby and then try to pawn off the resulting kittens as purebreds at $500-1200 a pop. If they can't even bother to provide papers showing the kitten's lineage, then $600 is ridiculous. Not to say that they weren't lovely, worthy kittens. A mixed breed kitten is just as wonderful as a "pure" breed kitten - just as lovely and just as full of love. But it's uncool to try to pawn off an animal as something it's not so you can make a few bucks.

I picked a Bengal because I'd heard they were most like dogs, and I'd grown up with dogs all my life. I don't have the room for a dog right now, so a cat seemed a more practical option. I paid for a pet-quality Bengal - a purebred, but I have to promise not to show or breed (which is fine by me). It wasn't a small amount of money, but compared to what people spend on their kids it's just a drop in the bucket. Aiko's my baby...though Manu always refers to her as my little sister.

So there...enough kittie babbling to sicken you all for a week or so...

 

[Hullo_nurse]

I WUV KITTY KATS!!!

I have two mutt kitties that I love to death!! One is a shelter kittie (Zoey) and the other is a ferral that I took in when he was just a baby(Gyver). I can't imagine my life without them, period. Gyver is 7 and Zoey is 4, in people years.

I really love my kitties, so I can understand the heartbreak of having to put one to sleep.

http://artie.com/cat-jump-98.htm