Ruphus -> RE: Say hello to my little friend !! (Apr. 14 2011 12:42:12)
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That hamster is really cool. When we ooVoo his doughter often holds the hamster before the camera. He is a movie star. [:D] quote:
ORIGINAL: Pgh_flamenco Most American Siamese cats--like my last cat--are related to a small group imported into the USA in the 1800's. They're inbred and as a result have kidney problems. Fifteen is a long time for a cat to live. I read the story you posted and I doubt Aloe Vera juice was the reason that cat lived so long--of course you never know. Cats are accused of being aloof, but usually it's the owners who aren't attentive. The Siamese my family had was clingy with some people--the ones who gave him a lot of attention--and aloof with people who didn't. Siamese cats also have distinctive characteristics. First of all they are considered "the dogs among the cats" as they follow their people like a dog and even run at the leash like one. Secondly, because they have a rather uncomforting habit when they get old, which is that they cry into peoples ear the very minute people fall into sleep. Sometimes, though rarely, I find my cat ( a main coon ) doing the same thing. For some unclear reason he figures exactly when I fall into sleep ( even when out of sight ) and will make a hauling noise then, typically fetching some nasty curse from me. For same unclear reasons cats will sense with absolute certainty the minute that you wake up. Eventhough nothing changed, you breathing same way still, with eyes closed and no moving or whatsoever, they will detect your coming out from the dream land. The cats I had all showed the sympathy to strictly wait for that moment first, before greeting me and requesting me to get up. In one book about cats I read that the oldest recorded cat had become 35 years. For a house cat to become over 20 years is no spectacular thing. The cat of a friend of mine became 22 or so, the mother of my former cat as well and her son too. The remarkable thing with his mother was that she not only got that old, but was in great shape throughout eventhough eating nothing but oatmeal. Which again reminds me of the fact that cats are very habitual animals in every aspect. They badly dislike change of established routines. So, however misappropriated a food might be that they have been exclusively brought up with, after a while they will touch nothing else. Like that oatmeal cat that would even reject meat. ( After switching from can food to raw meat, I had to first show my cat that meat is edible.) Sometimes you observe the same thing with dogs. Remember that movie in which Nick Nolte played a bum who together with the family dog ate out of the same bowl? Nolte later mentioned in an interview that the dog would had been accustomed to vegetables only, so they had veggies and meat in that bowl for the dog to stay on his side of the dish. Certainly no examples for appropriate nursing, but for habitual behaviour. I even read from an idiot who had made his cat adapting to sour cucumbers. In the end it appears to me as if soul life was predominant factor for a cats life span. Appreciative treatment, attention and firm ambience with everything at its place seem crucial. With love and continuity around, a cat seems to mobilize its incredible physcial sturdiness, overcoming yet the worst injuries or infections if needed. Whereas, if kept under emotional shortcomings and imponderables it appears to resignate, which again seems to weaken its immune system and life expectancy. At times they seem to just give up on life. Resignation also counts for the allof cliche Pgh_flamenco mentions above. It must be understood how frustrating it is for animals like dogs and cats who try to communicate with their human accompanists, yet vastly receiving wrong or even opposing response. While dogs as behavioural pack members will not give up, regardless of frustration, kittens yet at premature age, after months of trying again and again will resignate, realizing that you just won´t comprehend. Such cats then develop to "couch lions" as we call them in Germany. Lethargically living between bowl, litter case and sofa; letting human surrounding be as will. They might be liking you, but have given up communication on a wider range. As a holder you need to know at least the basics of cat gestures, which differ fundamentally from human ones. You wonder why the cat turns its back on you while you are trying to be attentive? Does its reaction appear like indifferent / dismissing behaviour to you? Turning the back as vurnerable site on you actually means gesture of highest regard. It is like saying: "I trust you so much, and will in the meantime keep looking around for the both of us to beware of potential enemies ( rival cats ), while you focus on me". You wonder why you get unexpectedly scratched, eventhough appraoching friendly and intenting to pet? The reason why cats lick themselves is prevention against superior predators. Srubbing themselves shall decrease their body odor, so that they can´t be sniffed up. That is why they do not like to be touched shortly after the lick and prefer to schedule the cuddling time over the day themselves. ( Cuddling before next cat´s lick.) So, before you got hit by her, you will have received numerous signals to please not touch. The cat will have raised her whiskers and brow hair onwards, will have widened her pupils, trembled her tails tip, and if all that didn´t help turned her ears tips sideways and finally even backwards. Yet, after you responded to none of these gestures you might get hit, or the cat switches location. Whereas invitation to contact will be indicated by narrow pupil slits, neutral whiskers, calm tail and straight ear tips. These, to us subtle appearing signals, are reason why blind cats should not be kept with other cats. They will inevitably be beaten up for their perceived offensive behaviour, as they can´t see the visual clues. From there the beatings uninformed or carless humans receive are still very modest in cat terms, because cats consider their human surrounding like parents. Yet, if king of the territory and highly respected elderly among cats your pet will approach you like a kitten to the end of its days. Did you know that adult cats never meow with each other? This is a kitten sound, only preserved for humans. Ruphus PS: Attack to your heels, as Ron has experienced it: Cat´s do this if they appreciate your company and don´t want you to leave. Thus it usually occures the minute you decided to leave the house. It derives from the opposite of aggression, in the sense of "please don´t go!"
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